2. This APattern Principle@ is why restoration is so important; we must restore the New Testament work and worship of the church. The New Testament presents the church the way God designed it and man cannot improve up it. Let=s say you drew up the perfect blueprints for your dream house and then gave them to the right people to build it. When the house was finished, you noticed that they took out a window, added a wall, and changed the kitchen. When you confronted them about it, they said, AOh yeah, but it=s better this way.@ Would you accept that? Will God?
B. What you need to realize is that God does not allow people to mess with what He has said. All throughout the Bible we find statements that say we are not to add to or take away from what God has said. Let me just show you four of them (two from the Old Testament and two from the New):
1. Deut. 4:2, AYou shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.@
2. Pr. 30:5-6, AEvery word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.@
3. 1 Cor. 4:6, ANow these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.@
4. Rev. 22:18-19, AI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.@
C. 2 Thess. 1:8 says that when Jesus returns, He will deal Aout retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.@ The standard of authority is the same for everyone today and it doesn’t change or else He could not deal out retribution to those who don=t obey it. While many things change through the centuries, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles do not. That is why we are told:
1. Not to go beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6).
2. Not to go beyond the teachings of Christ (2 John 9)
3. To stand firm, and hold to what the apostles handed down (2 Thess. 2:15).
4. That is why we are constantly warned in the New Testament about false teachers and those bringing a different gospel.
D. The standard is not negotiable! When all is said and doneCwhen we’ve gone through all the rationalizing as to why we do what we choose to do in religion, we are still faced with whether or not it is in accordance with God=s instructions. We human beings are simply not free in God=s sight to fashion religion and morality according to other standards of authority.
Conclusion:
A. In Conclusion, I=d like to leave you with the parable of the sower. Turn with me to Luke 8. The sower sows the seed and it falls on four different types of soil: the path, rocky soil, thorny soil, and the good soil. Only the good soil produces a crop.
1. Let=s read Jesus= explanation in verses 11-15: ANow the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved. And those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.@
2. The seed is the word of God. We all need to ask ourselves, AWhat kind of soil am I? What kind of heart do I have? What kind of life am I living?@ The only soil that is going to be saved is the good soil (A...these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance@).
B. Jesus said, AIf you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free@ (John 8:31-32).
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