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Sermon
of 02-23-02
Myths That Become Fact
by Dr. David Farmer, pastor
Scripture John 8:32;
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Is there anyone here this morning that was taught that if you lost a tooth and place it under your pillow the tooth fairy would leave you some money in it's place by morning?
How about Santa Claus, ever heard of him and what he brings to all the good boys and girls at Christmas time? Oh, you have heard of him. OK, how about the Easter Bunny?
Did your mother teach you the same thing mine taught me about making sure I always have on clean underwear? She would say; Son, you never know when you might be in an accident or not.
Friends, today we have many different kinds of myths. Now most myths are harmless. Some seem odd or even stupid. But I also believe there are some myths that are not so harmless. Some myths robbed people of their happiness. Other myths lead people into guilt or shame. Or worry, stress or even fear.
The most damaging myth that is often repeated is the one where people say: "It doesn't matter what you believe - as long as you believe in Jesus and are sincere." This myth has destroyed thousands. (see RH, April 1, 1890) Now this myth sounds good. Even Politically Correct. But I have a problem with that myth. This myth is an exact opposite of what God's Word teaches. I believe this myth can be self-destructive to anyone who embraces it.
You do realize you can be sincere and yet be sincerely wrong?
Once Kathy and I were in San Antonio TX. We needed to go to Wal-Mart. So I asked for directions. I thought I followed her directions just like she gave them to me. I was to travel down the frontage road and not get off of it. It was one of those you can't miss it directions.
Well, after a driving for a while and not finding the Wal-Mart, I decided to turn around and go down the other side. I thought maybe I was on the wrong side of the Interstate. I soon came upon what I called a mix master of roads. You know what I mean? A spaghetti of roads going every sort of directions. Soon we found ourselves on the other side of the Interstate - going opposite way. Kathy asked me if I was sure I was on the right road?
Well you know how we men are? We never make mistakes when it comes to knowing our directions. But after a few minutes I realized I was on the wrong road going the wrong way. And what came next was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do before. I had to tell Kathy I was on the wrong road. I'll spare you her words.
The point is that I was sincere, I really thought we were following the right road. But I was sincerely wrong.
Friends, it takes more in than sincerity - it takes facts. It takes truth. There are many sincere beliefs out there in this world that if not changed, can cause us to crash and burn if we do not correct them.
You have to understand that our beliefs are of our own choice. Nobody forces us to believe anything we don't want to. If you want to believe that Elvis is alive - then you can. But that doesn't mean its true. If you want to believe in the Loch Ness Monster - again you can. You may
have all the confidence in the world that the moon is made of cheese or the world is flat, but that still doesn't make it fact.
Now, I hope you accept the fact that there are things in the Bible that you and I cannot understand. And there are things in the Bible that we only "think" we understand. But there are also things in the Bible that we cannot misunderstand.
Neither you nor I can blame our parents for what we believe. We cannot blame our teachers. - Most of us have been out of school for years. We moved out on our own a long time ago. As adults it is our choice what we believe. God even gives us a choice whether we want to believe in Him or not.
But we do believe in Him. That is why you are here this morning. And that is why we need to take time everyday and examine our choices to see if any need to be changed.
Did you know that what we believe could determine our behavior? It does. Listen to Proverbs 4:23 from the NIV:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
In other Words: "Be careful how you think. Because our life is shaped by our thoughts."
Did you know that everything we do has an unconscious or conscious belief behind it? When you sit down in your chair or pew this morning, did you stop to think if it would hold you or not? Probably not. We do things everyday without thinking about them. Then there are the times we do stop and think before we act. If you were going to stick you finger in a light socket - hopefully you would first make sure the electricity was cut off.
Yes, our beliefs can affect our choices and our outcome.
Let me give you another example of what I mean. How many here have heard of the National Enquirer? I heard that they once had Headlines that read: "New Discovery! Fat-Burning Prayers. Pray these prayers, and the pounds will melt away." Myth! Not true! Sorry, but I don't believe that is the way God works.
All around us we see the world is constantly changing. If you were born between 1948 and 1964 - then you are one of the 73 million Baby Boomers living today. The Baby Boomer Generation was brought up on the Best-Selling Book "Dr. Spock's Baby Book."
Dr. Spock expressed his opinion about how he thought children should be raised. Well, a few years ago Dr. Spock held a Press Conference and Said: "Oops, I was wrong". "That's not the best way to do it. I'm sorry. Never mind."
When I heard that I thought, "Well thanks a lot Dr. Spock. It's a little late to say you're sorry now that I'm already Dysfunctional." No friends, Dr. Spocks way was not better. It was a myth - not a fact. God's Word has the right plan on raising Children.
Luke 21:33 says:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My Words shall NOT pass away."
God has never changed. His Word will stand forever. If you are looking for something to build your life on - then look no farther than God's Word.
I once read that if you read every word that Jesus spoke in the New Testament you would make a very interesting discovery. And that is Jesus said, "I tell you the truth" over 80 times. He also says over 20 times "Now you've heard
it said, but I say to you." What is Jesus saying to us? I believe He is exposing myths that have misled many.
Our Bible tells us over and over that Jesus exposed false teachers, false doctrines and false interpretations of God's Word. In Matthew 7:24-27 - Jesus speaks of building our life on a solid foundation.
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
V:25
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
V:26
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
V:27
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
In verse 26 Jesus gets very blunt.
He says to those that build their home on shifting sand - you are a fool!
Friends, as we each read and hear God's Truth we need to put His truth into action. We need to let it transform us. Listen to Romans 12:2;
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Friends, would you like God to transform your life? If so then let me encourage you to make 3 commitments to Him.
First, commit yourself to seeking the truth of God's Word everyday. Listen to 1 Timothy 4:1;
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
In other words - "There's going to come a time when people won't listen to the truth, but they will go around looking for teachers who tell them just what they want to hear."
This sounds a lot like "Psychics are us" Hotlines. They tell people just what they want to hear. Many people today will seek their Horoscope for council before reading their Bible.
Listen to the next verse from 1 Tim. 4:2;
"Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"
Or you might say it this way; "Don't follow foolish stories that disagree with God's truth."
If you ever hear anything that contradicts God's Word - then you can bet is a lie.
Next, we need to commit ourselves to the truth of God's Word. Listen to Eph. 4:14;
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
Friends, truth is not something you just know, but something you do! It's something you practice. Something you apply and obey. In other words; truth becomes a part of your life.
It's what makes us Christ-like. The truth is what sets us free.
The 3rd commitment regarding truth is; we must commit ourselves to believing in the truth. In our John 14:6 Jesus says:
"He is the Truth."
You might say it this way; when we accept the truth - we accept Jesus Christ. And anyone that doesn't accept the truth, doesn't accept Jesus Christ.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 you'll find the Bible says that anyone that doesn't accept the truth will not be saved.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
V:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
V:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
V:11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
V:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Friends, there is only one-way to be saved. And it's not by being good, or being baptized. It's not by accepting Communion. Not even by being faithful in your tithes or keeping the Sabbath. The only way to be saved is by accepting God's Son Jesus. And when you accept Jesus then you are also accepting His Word.
Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin. And that my friend is no myth, fairy tale or a fable.
Something else you may not have thought of that isn't a myth and that is the fact Satan has cast a vote for you. But also is the fact that Christ has cast a vote for you. And you hold the tie-breaking vote.
So which way will you vote this morning? Truth or myth? Heaven or Hell? Jesus or Satan?
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