1. “It Doesn’t Say Not To”

2. Bible Patterns Are Challenged
“It doesn’t say not to”
Advances broadened fellowship
Rationalizes differences & disobedience
Usually means God has already said what He wants …This is an attempt to add something to it

3. Does Not Respect Bible Authority
Wisdom of men, not the word of God
Assumes silence gives consent
It does not, Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 John 9
“Hold fast the pattern...” (2 Timothy 1:13)

4. Silence of the Scriptures
Does Biblical silence give us consent to act, or does silence restrain us?

5. “God Didn’t Say Not To Do It”
Yes, He did!
Necessary inferences, Luke 12:54-57
“Do you not judge what is right?”

6. “God Didn’t Say Not To Do It”
Noah: “God didn’t say not to use oak to build the ark,” Genesis 6:13-14
Saved by grace, through faith
By faith Noah obeyed and was righteous, Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 7:1

7. “God Didn’t Say Not To Do It”
Nadab and Abihu: “God didn’t say not to burn incense,” Leviticus 10:1-3
What is not approved by God (silent) is (necessarily) forbidden – Not permitted
Regard God as holy by not adding to His word

8. “God Didn’t Say Not To Do It”
Levitical Priesthood: “God didn’t say not to let Judah have priests,” Hebrews 7:14
Moses’ silence did not mean other tribes could have priests
Those who tried were under the death penalty, Numbers 3:10

9. Silence of the Scriptures
Applications for us, Matthew 21:23-25

10. Instrumental Music in Worship
Bible says: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13
Shall we “burn the incense” of instrumental music before the Lord?
Presumptuous and does not honor the holiness of God
Judge what is right!

11. Baptize Babies Bible says: Matthew 18:3-4; Mark 16:16
Shall we build an ark of infant baptism for babies to obtain grace, through faith? 1 Peter 3:20-21 (Hebrews 11:7)
No, because they are safe (innocent)
Judge what is right!

12. Church Sponsored Recreation
Bible says: Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 11:20-22, 34
Shall we add to the work God has given the local church and conclude it is good (like Nadab and Abihu’s incense)?
Judge what is right!

13. Gambling
Bible says: Matthew 7:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:5
Shall we covet another person’s money and gamble to enrich ourselves by depriving him of his money?
Judge what is right!

14. Recreational Drugs Bible says: 1 Peter 4:1-3; Galatians 5:23
Shall we look at the drug when it sparkles in the cup – just as long as we do not linger over it until it bites us like a snake? Proverbs 23:29-31; 20:1
Judge what is right!

15. Wearing Exposing Clothing
Bible says: 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Shall we expose the flesh that God covered? Genesis 3:7, 21
Judge what is right!

16. Rightly Divide the Word
Handle it properly, 2 Timothy 2:15
Not to support our pre-determined interests and desires
To define our faith and our lives of service to the Lord, Colossians 3:17

17. Silence of the Scriptures
Not our right to act
Restrains us from presumptuous sins (Psalm 19:13)