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Popular Religion
Introduction:
“Popular
religion” refers to what is believed by a wide range of people;
religion that is well-liked by a large number of people. For many,
this means it must be right. But is what’s right determined by
counting heads? A Faith Built on Sand by Phil Sanders
Body:
I. Is the
Majority Always Right?
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Numbers 13:25-33,
14:26-30
The majority (10 out of 12) of spies were wrong! Only Joshua
and Caleb were right. Look at the consequences. The majority
view isn’t always the correct view.
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Regardless
of how many men try to change the Word of God; they can’t. His
teaching is true whether men accept it or not.
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Christianity isn’t a democracy. It’s a kingdom ruled by a King
who alone makes the law. His laws are not subject to cultural
change or popular thinking.
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God knows
what is best for mankind. He does not need our advice or input.
II. Popular
Thinking
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“The
problem with popular thinking is that it doesn’t require you to
think at all.” Kevin Myers Good thinking is hard work. It’s
easier to let someone else do it for you. (Acts
17:11)
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Popular
religion is lazy. Instead of devoting the time and energy to
seeking God’s way, it just follows its own feelings and
emotions. (Jeremiah
6:16)
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Popular
religion doesn’t want to hear about the Holy One of Israel.
People prefer smooth and pleasant words. (Isaiah
30:8-11)
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It’s easy
to follow what is popular. That can blind us to the truth.
Just because many are doing something; it doesn’t make it right.
III. God’s
Will Is Nonnegotiable
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It’s unwise
and even dangerous to rely on your own judgment instead of
trusting in God. (Proverbs
3:5-7)
Jehovah knows and understands all.
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Ask
yourself: “Is this man’s will or God’s? Did Jesus or the
apostles teach or practice it?”
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What God
says does matter. God’s Word will judge us on the last day. (John
12:48)
God doesn’t ask us what we want in a religion. He has already
spoken.
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Are we
willing to yield to God’s will? We cannot believe man-made
teachings and expect God to like it. He won’t!
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Matthew 7:13-14
Read Matthew Henry’s comments:
First, “You will have abundance of liberty in that way; the gate is
wide, and stands wide open to tempt those that go right on their
way. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it
gives no check to your appetites, to your passions: you may walk in
the way of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; that gives
room enough. It is a broad way, for there is nothing to hedge in
those that walk in it, but they wander endlessly; a broad way, for
there are many paths in it; there is choice of sinful ways, contrary
to each other, but all paths in this broad way. Secondly, ‘you will
have abundance of company in that way: Many there be that go in at
this gate, and walk in this way.’ If we follow the multitude, it
will be to do evil: if we go with the crowd, it will be the wrong
way. It is natural for us to incline to go down the stream, and do
as the most do; but it is too great a compliment, to be willing to
be damned for company, and to go to hell with them, because they
will not go to heaven with us: if many perish, we should be the
more cautions.”
IV. Popular
Religion
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Popular
religion gives false hope. Vast members of people are deceived
into believing that the majority must be right.
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Popular
religions are self-made religions. They are made from mixing
various beliefs and practices together.
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Popular
religions are not willing to deal with controversy, nor confront
anyone about their sins. They want everybody to be happy. They
are not willing to tell people what they must do to be pleasing
to God. Almost anyone is accepted into the fellowship. Numbers
are what matter.
Invitation:
Popular
religion is following the broad path that leads to destruction.
It’s only the narrow way that leads to eternal life, the way of
submitting to the Lord and obeying His voice.
Bobby Stafford
December 4,
2011
What Must One Do to become a
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