2. Do You Believe…Really? These days there is a lot of talk about being “politically correct”, which many times is in opposition to what is “truth”. Most people wish to be issue passive, not wishing to upset their friends or neighborhood. They want to just “roll with the flow”. But at the same time, many don’t want to be in the wrong. So how do we balance the issues? More importantly, “Can these issues be balanced?”

3. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Why you be witnesses to yourselves, that you are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill you up then the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell? 34 ¶ Why, behold, I send to you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall you whip in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: But these to whom He was speaking did not actually execute, but were willing as they allowed the deaths, silently on the sidelines. Would you be one of these?

4. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 15 ¶ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. Here we find that government has attempted to censure the voice of these preachers, threatening them. But they went forth and taught again! Would you choose to obey the government and remain silent with the truth? Or proclaim as these did?

5. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 Gal. 1:6-12 6 ¶ I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accursed. 10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brothers, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. We hear a lot of talk about negative preaching vs. positive preaching. Someone doesn’t like the way someone preaches the truth, or doesn’t like what was preached. They would rather some other topic discussed that isn’t controversial. Which do you want, a soft soaped sermon, or the hard to be heard truth?

6. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 Gal. 1:6-12 1 Cor. 5: 1-5 1 ¶ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Today, we have interest in growth, many times at any cost. We compromise our truths, and fellowship sin, in the interest of numbers, or perhaps in keeping peace within. Are we “puffed up”? Do we tolerate sin around us? Do we build close relationship with those in sin? OR, do we separate ourselves from the wicked one?

7. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 Gal. 1:6-12 1 Cor. 5: 1-5 Rev. 21:8 8 But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. All liars will lose their souls? Or will they? Do you believe that a lie is not that deadly spiritually? Or are some lies worse than others? Do you really believe John’s statement?

8. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 Gal. 1:6-12 1 Cor. 5: 1-5 Rev. 21:8 Eph. 5:22-23 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. In our society, according to the government, we have equality of the sexes. But are we suppose to have that equality? Can a wife be in charge of the household? Does this mean that the husband is head because he has the smart gene? If the wife is smarter can she be the “head”? Is there any situation in which the wife can make the final decision in a family? If you answer yes to any of these, you do not believe in Paul’s message! You really aren’t a believer in God’s Word! –It has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather compliance to God’s Word! –It has to do with God’s design of authoritative order! Man has no say in the matter! He cannot relinquish his authority to the wife!

9. What would you do? Mt. 23:30-34 Acts 4:15-21 Gal. 1:6-12 1 Cor. 5: 1-5 Rev. 21:8 Eph. 5:22-23 We could continue with illustrations from the Bible, but for sake of time, consider these as tests of our belief! Do you question whether the teachings of scripture are to be applied today, in a civilized world? Does your faith buckle when defending God’s truths to your friends? Do you believe that we must balance truth with our governments laws? Or must government consider God’s truths when legislating their laws? Should we not side with Paul and Silas and obey God period? Do you really believe God’s statements in scripture, or argue whether it applies, or reason He surely didn’t mean that? IF SO, how can you say that you are a believer and disagree with God and His Word? CAN YOU REALLY BE A BELIEVER? Please explain how?