Does It Make Any Difference? Part 6 The doctrine of faith alone, a spirit of compromise

We have already noted… The danger in false teachers & doctrines What God says about good people Church founders, church beginnings Church names and their authority Clergy/laity distinctions, fund raising Women leadership, keeping holy days Eating Lords Supper by their own preference Using OT worship practices

We Hear of Being Saved by Faith Alone Foolish math does not help the cause… Saved by faith alone Saved by grace alone Saved by the blood of Christ alone

We Hear of Being Saved by Faith Alone Cannot earn salvation with works therefore works are unnecessary, if works are unnecessary then… 1.Doctrine & church choice dont matter 2.A false sense of security/confidence sets in 3.Indifference sets in

James Two is a Stake in the Heart of this Doctrine 2:17- faith without works is dead 2:20- faith without works is useless 2: faith WITH works perfects faith 2:24- justified by works, not by faith alone 2:26- faith without works is dead!

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 Contradict James 2? Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. There ARE works which God prepared for us

Are Works of Obedience Necessary to Salvation? I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Are Works of Obedience Necessary to Salvation? John 15:13 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

Are Works of Obedience Necessary to Salvation? Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Are Works of Obedience Necessary to Salvation? Philippians 2:12 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Often Seen… A Spirit of Compromise 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, Wont defend their practices publicly… Appeal to feelings, emotion, tradition, and silence…

Often Seen… A Spirit of Compromise Philippians 1:16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. Wont defend their practices publicly… Appeal to feelings, emotion, tradition, and silence…

Often Seen… A Spirit of Compromise Jude 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Wont defend their practices publicly… Appeal to feelings, emotion, tradition, and silence…

Often Seen… A Spirit of Compromise John 3:20-21 does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. Wont defend their practices publicly… Appeal to feelings, emotion, tradition, and silence…

Different The NT Church is a Whole Different Ballgame 1 Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God suppliesin order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. The church is militant, and Christians are soldiers in a war.

There are MANY differences between the NT church and the churches of men. It is the responsibility of each one to search out the one body, the one church and be part of it.

It really DOES matter to which church you belong, support, worship with, and learn from. You can find it… If youre asking, seeking, and knocking.