TEXT:  Heb. 10:31

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THERE IS A GROWING DISREGARD FOR THE BIBLE.

          1.       Modernism is a growing concern.

          2.       Subjective interpretation common.

B.      THERE MUST BE A REASON FOR SUCH.

          1.       Denominational attitude, believe what you want.  Ecumenism.

          2.       Religious division is the prime result if not taking the authority of God seriously, i. e.

          Infant baptism, 370 A.D.  Total depravity in spite of Rom. 5:12.  Instruments

          introduced 666 A. D.  Sprinkling 250 A. D.

I.     GOD WILL NOT TOLERATE ADDITIONS TO HIS

      WORD.

A.      GOD'S WORD IS INCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIVE.

          DON'T NEED A "THOU SHALT NOT."

B.      IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

          1.       Num. 20:7-13. Didn't tell Moses not to smite the rock.

          2.       2 Sam. 6.  Didn't tell them not to use a "new cart."

C.      WE ARE LIMITED TODAY.

          1.       2 John 9.  Not to go beyond.

          2.       We are to walk by faith( 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17; 14:23 ).

          3.       All that is not found in the Bible cannot be practiced with

                   confidence, therefore, sinful( Rom. 14:23;  Mat. 15:8-9 ).

II.    GOD WILL NOT TOLERATE SUBTRACTIONS.

A.      SAUL( 1 Sam. 15 ).  DISOBEYED!

B.      WE MUST PERFORM!( 2 Thes. 1:7-9; James 1:22 ).

C.      CAN WE LEAVE OFF BAPTISM?( Mark 16:16 ).

          THE ASSEMBLY( Heb. 10:25 ).  COMMUNION( 1 Cor. 11:24-25 ).

III.   GOD WILL NOT TOLERATE A SUBSTITUTE.

A.      Lev. 10:1-2.  NADAB & ABIHU. ( Mat. 7:21-23 ).

B.      WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED REFLECTS HIS WISDOM ( Rom. 11:36 ).

C.      WE CAN'T SUBSTITUTE SPRINKLING FOR BAPTISM;  LENT

          FOR YEAR ROUND DEDICATION;   HUMAN INSTITUTIONS

          FOR THE CHURCH, ETC.

IV.  GOD EXPECTS ONLY THE STRICTEST OBEDIENCE.

A.      WE HAVE A PATTERN( Heb. 8:5;  1 Cor. 3:10 ).

B.      A SMALL DEVIATION HAS ITS COST( Gal. 1:6-9 ).

          1.       Another gospel?

          2.       Anathema?

          3.       Circumcision.

C.      TO REJECT IN ONE POINT IS TO REJECT GOD'S RULE ( James 2:10 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      GOD HAS TOLD US WHAT HE WANTS.

B.      WE NEED TO TAKE SERIOUSLY WHAT HE SAYS!