Introduction Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Hebrews 2:1-4 Modern society has eliminated sin from its vocabulary. Sadly this attitude influences many “Christians.” Christianity is a very serious business! ”Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” —C.S. Lewis

Introduction Faithful Christians never look for ways to disobey God: 2 Cor. 5:9-11a; Mk. 12:29-30; Jn. 14:15; 15:14 The Bible warns against disobedience: Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 2:2-3 The Bible teaches different ways God can be dis-obeyed. To know these ways can help us avoid the pitfalls of apostasy: 1 Cor. 10:12

Five Ways to Disobey God Hebrews 2:1-4

Five Ways to Disobey God Sins of commission When we do what God forbids it’s a “sin of commis-sion”: Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6 We can easily see Adam & Eve committed a “sin of commission” and it had serious consequences: Gen. 3:14-24 Sometimes it is not nearly so straightforward: 1 Kgs. 13:1-24 This incident teaches us many important lessons about “sins of commission”: Matt. 23:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:10-12 Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Sins of omission When we do not do what God commands, it’s a “sin of omission”: Jas. 4:17; Lk. 7:30 God requires His people to be “self-starters”: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14 Recall King Saul and the Amalekites: 1 Sam. 15:3, 9, 13, 17-20 We must cultivate an intense desire to do what is right, we will not make it to heaven by the “skin of our teeth”: Jn. 10:10; 1 Jn. 3:16-17 Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Sins of addition God has always condemned those who would add to His word: Prov. 30:5-6; Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18 To add to God’s Word is to do what is NOT authorized: it is to sin! 1 Jn. 3:4; 2 Jn. 9 Many don’t take adding to God’s Word seriously: Num. 20:7-12; Ex. 17:1-7 Most believe “the ends justify the means”: God doesn’t! Psa. 19:13 There is a lot of adding to God’s Word today: instrumental music, holy days, social gospel, etc. Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Sins of subtraction Just as adding to God’s Word is condemned, so is taking away from it: Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19 The Pharisees did it: Mk. 7:6-13 Some today speak of “non-essential commands”: Baptism: Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21 Worship: Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 “The Bible is a ‘love letter,’ not a ‘law book’.”: Lk. 6:46; Jn. 15:14; 1 Cor. 9:21; 1 Jn. 3:4 Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Sins of substitution Substitution is no different than adding or subtracting: “I know better than God!” Two vivid examples: Cain: Gen. 4:3-5; Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17 Nadab & Abihu: Lev. 10:1-3; 16:12 God won’t accept a substitution for obedience: 1 Sam. 15:22 Substitution is terribly wrong: Rom. 14:23; 1 Jn. 2:3-5 To add, subtract or substitute is to think we can read God’s mind: 1 Cor. 2:9-13 Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Conclusion Five ways to disobey God: Sins of commission Sins of omission Sins of addition Sins of subtraction Sins of substitution We must be determined we will do God’s will in all things (and take the heat for it!): Rev. 22:14; Jn. 14:15; 15:14; Lk. 6:46 Five Ways to Disobey God

Five Ways to Disobey God Conclusion “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!” Psalm 119:1-2 Three key things to get through our thick skulls: Sins separates us from God: Isa. 59:1-2 Not keeping God’s commands makes us a liar: 1 Jn. 2:4 God’s commands are in our best interest: 1 Jn. 5:3 Do you keep His commandments? Do you even desire to? Five Ways to Disobey God