Liberalism: “It’s No Big Deal???”

Liberalism: “It’s No Big Deal???”

Part 1Part 1

IntroductionIntroduction• As we enter into our lesson today, I

would like each of us to stop and consider our position before God as described in Rom 11:33-36Rom 11:33-36– It is not our place to counsel God; it is

for us to reverence and honor Him– God has done and always will do

according to His will (Dan 4:34-35Dan 4:34-35)– Recognizing our position before God

should cause us to want to repent (Dan Dan 4:26-274:26-27)

IntroductionIntroduction• The spirit of liberalism that causes

God’s people to act does not reflect a repentant heart toward God…Instead it is…– Irreverent toward God

• Ps 33:8 & 89:7; Heb 12:28Ps 33:8 & 89:7; Heb 12:28

– Presumptuous toward the authority of God• Num 15:30; Ps 19:13Num 15:30; Ps 19:13

IntroductionIntroduction• But we may not presume to know the will of God

beyond the things He has given. To do so is being presumptuous and it is a sin. The things revealed in Scripture are the only things we may speak of with confidence. Moses said, ""The secret things belong to The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this lawwords of this law"" (Deut 29:29Deut 29:29). And David said, ""Also Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sinskeep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins;..." ;..." (Ps Ps 19:1319:13). David prays that the sayings of his tongue and meditations of his heart be pleasing to the Lord (vs vs 1414). This principle serves as a bridle to keep us from going beyond the Scriptures and authorizing what God has not, and in essence speaking in the place of God. If I say that some thing is pleasing to God without being able to actually prove it ("prove all things"), then I am guilty of being presumptuous. When someone justifies an action or belief "because there is no command not to", that person is presumptuous. (Hermeneutics: Presumptuous Sins found online)

IntroductionIntroduction• If to presume is to suppose something to be

true without proof, doesn't this explain much of the innovation we see in the religious world today? Where is the authority for authorizing women to lead men in worship [including the Lord's Supper, Prayer, Singing, Reading Scripture]? Where is the authority for gay marriages. Where is the authority for having a Branson-style Christmas show during the holidays? Where is the authority for instruments and candles and dancing in the worship of God? If the desired practice or innovation is not given consent in the Bible, then it must be presumed. (Hermeneutics: Presumptuous Sins found online)

IntroductionIntroduction• “People do act presumptuously. This is

reason for exercising caution in worship and life choices. The presumptuous sin is no different than adding to or taking away from God's Word. It is sinful. The safeguard to presumptuous sin is the diligent study of God's word and a reverence for what God has and has not said.” (Hermeneutics: Presumptuous Sins found online)

– Indifferent toward the Word of God• Zeph 1:12; 2 Tim 2:15; Zeph 1:12; 2 Tim 2:15;

IntroductionIntroduction• Liberalism and liberal Defined:

– Liberalism: “a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities. (Dictionary.com)

– Liberalism: “a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority (Dictionary.com)

– Liberal: “not literal or strict: loose (A liberal translation); Broad-Minded; especially: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms” (Merriam Webster Online dictionary)

– Liberal: “not bound by traditional ways or beliefs” (Merriam Webster Online Thesarus)

IntroductionIntroduction• Liberalism and liberal Defined:

– Liberalism is not restricted to nor restrained by biblical patterns• Jer 3:16, & 18:15Jer 3:16, & 18:15

Bible Patterns are God’s Bible Patterns are God’s Patterns Patterns

we must followwe must follow• Several scriptures to consider– Deut 4:1-2, 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; 2 Tim Deut 4:1-2, 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; 2 Tim

1:13; Rev 22:18-191:13; Rev 22:18-19

• An example of liberalism at work among God’s people (Is 30:8-14Is 30:8-14)– Liberalism refuses to hear the law of the Lord

• Is 30:9; Lk 11:28; Jn 8:47Is 30:9; Lk 11:28; Jn 8:47

– Liberalism rejects the appeal to follow God’s paths• Is 30:10-11; Deut 28:1-14; Jn 14:1-3; 2 Tim Is 30:10-11; Deut 28:1-14; Jn 14:1-3; 2 Tim

4:3-44:3-4

Bible Patterns are God’s Bible Patterns are God’s Patterns we must followPatterns we must follow

– Liberalism despises the word of God• Is 30:12, 5:24; Num 15:31; Prov 13:13Is 30:12, 5:24; Num 15:31; Prov 13:13

– Liberalism is sin• Is 30:13; Jam 4:17Is 30:13; Jam 4:17

– Liberalism destroys God’s people in judgment• Is 30:14; Mt 7:21-23Is 30:14; Mt 7:21-23

Bible Patterns are God’s Bible Patterns are God’s Patterns Patterns

we must followwe must follow– Some members of the Lord’s Church have

been heard saying,• Preaching on bible authority is too dry and boring• We need to head a different direction in this church• The way he preaches just makes me feel beat down• There doesn’t seem to be any love here• Why do you concern yourself with the “Little things”• This seems like a good idea, how can it be wrong if

it brings in more people• A loving God would understand

ConclusionConclusion

• We will continue to look at this topic and discuss whether or not it truly is “a big deal” this evening