Jude 1:3“…I found it necessary

to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for THE FAITH which was

once for all delivered to the saints.”

Ephesians 4:4-6“There is ONE BODY and

one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your

calling; one Lord, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM; one

God and Father of all…”

Ephesians 4:13“until we all attain to the

unity of THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son ofGod, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which

belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

What is “the faith”?

Acts 6:7“And the word of God kept

on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase

greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient

to THE FAITH.”

Titus 1:13“Therefore rebuke them

sharply, that they may be sound in THE FAITH, not

giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men

who turn from the truth.”

1 Timothy 4:6“In pointing out these things to the brethren,

you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of THE

FAITH and of the sound doctrine which

you have been following.”

Romans 10:17

“So then FAITH comes by HEARING, and hearing by the WORD of God.”If it isn’t taught in the

WORD, it isn’t part of THE FAITH!

1 Timothy 4:1-3“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times

some will fall away from THE FAITH, giving heed to

deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,…

forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain

from foods….”

TEXT

1 Tim. 4:16

2 John 9-11

John 8:31-32

John 4:24

Matt. 15:9

2 Thess. 2:10

CONDITION

Watch life & doctrine

Abide not in doctrine

Know the truth

Spirit and truth

Doctrines of men

Don’t love the truth

RESULT

Save self & hearers

Doesn’t have God

Set free

True worship

Vain worship

Perish

Is Doctrine Important?

Catholic?

Lutheran?

Presbyterian?

I sincerely hope you are NONE of the above!

ONE FAITH… ONE BODY

Methodist?

Baptist?

Church of Christ?

What “Faith” Are You?

Polls indicate that most people have little knowledge of the doctrinal positions taught by their church on matters of THE FAITH.

Verifiable Fact: Most people blindly accept their church’s teachings. What if the blind are leading the blind? (Matthew 15:14)

“But, My Church Teaches…”

(Faith in an Institution)

Human Sources of Faith

What does this indicate?Not seeking the Lord? (Acts 17:26)

Not contending for the ‘one faith’? (Jude 1:3)

Not noble minded Bereans? (Acts 17:11)

What about you???

Human Sources of Faith

“But, My Church Teaches…”

(Faith in an Institution)

Most people are willing to follow the teachings of a highly educated or charismatic personality who has gained status and position in the community.

1 John 4:1, 6; Matthew 23:7-12

Human Sources of Faith

“But, My Pastor Says…”

(Faith in ‘Clergy’)

A child’s religious choices are made for him until he is older. By then, very powerful social forces often bind an entire family to a denomination.

Mark 3:33-35; Matthew 10:34-39

Human Sources of Faith

“But, My Family Believes…”

(Faith in Parents)

Most people are taught that they must have a “salvation experience” in which they are overwhelmed with emotion. Once this “experience” is obtained and felt, it is difficult to get that person to open their eyes and compare their experience to the truth.

Galatians 1:6-8

Human Sources of Faith

“But, I Feel Saved…” (Faith in Emotions)

FEELING

Feel Saved

Feel Saved

CONDITION

Actually Saved

Actually Lost

SOURCE

Bible Doctrine

False Doctrine

Are Emotions the Guide?

Matthew 15:14; 2 Timothy 4:3

Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23Most people will be lost. Jesus condemned “religious” people for “lawlessness,” for not really making Him Lord – for doing what they wanted to do instead of the Father’s will.

“But Lord, I Thought I Was Saved…”

(Outside ‘The Faith’)

Human Sources of Faith

1 Timothy 2:14-1914Remind them of these things,

charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the

word of truth. 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they

will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message

will spread like cancer.

1 Timothy 2:14-19Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this

sort, 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and

they overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the solid

foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are

His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart

from iniquity.”

Don’t “fall away from the faith”

1 Timothy 4:1“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times

some will fall away from THE FAITH, paying

attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of

demons….”

Will You Become A Christian?

Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17)

Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24)

Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30)

Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37)

Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38)

Live Faithfully Until You Die (Rev. 2:10)