What Man Wants to Believe Vs. The Bible
What Man Wants to Believe Vs. The Bible
This article explores the contrast between what man desires to believe and the truths presented in the Bible. Below is a summary of a sermon addressing this topic, with an emphasis on adhering to scripture rather than subjective personal beliefs.
Opening Prayer and Scripture
The sermon begins with a prayer:
Dear God, thank you for giving us your clear word. Thank you for allowing us to see what it says. Bless the listeners. I ask all this in Jesus' name, amen.
The foundational scripture is from Psalm 120: In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
This sets the tone for addressing how false doctrines often emerge when people prioritize personal desires over biblical truths.
Examples of Man’s Beliefs Contrasted with the Bible
The sermon identifies four specific examples of how personal beliefs conflict with scripture:
1. The Non-Existence of God
Atheism and agnosticism are often rooted in personal preference rather than evidence. Many choose disbelief to escape accountability or deny reality. The claim that insufficient evidence supports God’s existence is dismissed as a mere pretext for rejecting Him.
2. Calvinism
The sermon critiques Calvinism, asserting that it originates from philosophical impositions rather than scripture. Calvinists are accused of using theological arguments to assert prideful notions of being among the elect. This belief system is also described as a means to justify a works-based salvation, contrary to biblical teaching.
3. The Belief in Losing Salvation
The notion that salvation can be lost stems from a rejection of scripture and a self-righteous mindset. Key verses such as John 10:28 (I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish) and John 6:35 affirm the permanence of salvation. Believing otherwise reflects a desire for an insecure, works-dependent salvation.
4. Universalism
Universalism—the idea that all will eventually be saved—is dismissed as wishful thinking unsupported by scripture. Key passages, including John 3:18 and Hebrews 4:1-2, underscore the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. The sermon argues that universalism negates the gospel and ignores the reality of spiritual deception by Satan.
Biblical Truths Are Non-Negotiable
The speaker emphasizes that biblical Christianity requires belief in God’s word without alteration. Personal opinions or preferences have no place in interpreting scripture. Believers are urged to take God at His word and reject doctrines based on subjective predilections.
The sermon concludes with a stark statement: If you don't like what the Bible says, then stop calling yourself a Bible-believing Christian. Instead, call yourself a Muslim, a Buddhist, an atheist, or whatever.
Closing Prayer
The sermon ends with a prayer:
Dear God, thank you for giving us your clear word. Thank you for allowing us to see what it says. Bless the listeners. I ask all this in Jesus' name, amen.