Do Not Copy What is Wrong

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Do Not CopyWhat is Wrong

• We should not imitate
• the denominations around us
• 3 John 11 - Beloved, do not imitate what is evil,
  but what is good. He who does good is of God, but
  he who does evil has not seen God.
• December 19 - AM

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Introduction

• Religious world is
• Confusing
• Conflicting
• Contradictory
• We MUST send a clear voice in the midst of this
  confusion

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Introduction

• Some things denominations do are good ideas Use
  them to do right
• Sunday School
• Internet
• Radio, TV
• Bus Ministry
• Door knocking

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Introduction

• Just because others knock doors does not make it
  wrong
• BUT Sometimes we seem to try to imitate the
  denominations in things that are wrong.

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1 - Soft on Doctrine

• It is popular to be politically correct (PC)
• Denominations dont want to offend anyone
• Dont preach doctrine
• Dont tell anyone they are lost
• Have we fallen into this mode of thinking?

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1 - Soft on Doctrine

• For many, doctrine has become UNIMPORTANT
• Communion on Thursday
• Women in leadership roles
• Instruments in worship
• Total Depravity
• Once Saved Always Saved
• Premillennialism

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2 - Accept any Baptism

• Down at the River to Pray
• Jeff Walling As long they believe in Jesus.
  That is whats important.
• Does it matter?
• Form immersion
• Reason for the remission of sins
• Subject believer

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3 - Religious Holidays

• Jews many holy days
• Weekly, monthly
• Several annual holy days
• Catholics Every day of the year has some
  religious significance

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3 - Religious Holidays

• Denominations
• Scaled down to 2-10 major ones
• Easter, Christmas
• Pentecost, Whitsuntide, Ash Wednesday, Lent
• Baby dedications, Pet blessings

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3 - Religious Holidays

• What about us?
• Galatians 49-11 - 9But now after you have known
  God, or rather are known by God, how is it that
  you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements,
  to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10You
  observe days and months and seasons and years.
  11I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for
  you in vain.

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3 - Religious Holidays

• What did Paul fear?
• Leaving Christianity
• Returning to practices they left
• Focusing on holy days
• Anyone who (forces, imposes, demands) that the
  church observe these days is wrong.

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4 Change Worshipto Entertainment

• Singing
• Solos, Quartets
• Praise teams
• Sermons
• Skits, Dramas
• Movies
• Bible Study
• Andy Griffith

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Reasons for Concern

• Contradictory Messages
• Do we or dont we?
• Does what we teach match what we practice?
• No reason to convert
• If we do what they do Why should they leave
  where they are?
• Doctrine becomes unimportant

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Conclusion

• We should imitate what is good
• We should not imitate what is wrong
• Our message must be clear
• Our practice must match our claim
• In worship
• In living our lives