What Difference Does It Make?

Introduction:

A. We have been programmed by competitive advertising.

B. What happens to people accustomed to making decisions on the basis of personal preference when they are thrust into a spiritual environment where decisions are based on the authority of Jesus Christ?

I. What Difference Does It Make What We Believe?

A. When pressed into a corner, every religious person must admit that it does matter what we believe (Hb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24; 14:6).

B. In the early days of the divided kingdom, Jeroboam reigned over the Northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs. 12:28, 33; 13:1-3, 4-5).

C. But then, there is the rest of the story showing us that it does matter what we believe (1 Kgs. 13:6-10, 11-18, 19-32).

D. Does it really matter what we believe? (Gal. 1:8; Jn. 17:17; 2 Th. 2:10-11;
Jn. 8:32).

II. By Way of Application, Consider Three Lies People Believe in the Name of Personal Preference.

A. It does not make any difference which “church” we “join” (Acts 2:47, 41;
Jn. 17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13; Mt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; Acts 20:28).

B. It does not make any difference whether or not you are baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (1 Pet. 3:20-21; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).

C. It does not make any difference how we worship God (Lev. 10:1-2; Jn. 4:24;
Mt. 15:8-9).

Conclusion:

A. It does make a difference what we believe.

B More than that, we must faithfully and consistently act upon the faith of Christ
(Jas. 2:26).