DEPENDENCE ON GOD

TEXT1 Cor. 3:6-9

INTRODUCTION:

A.      GOD GIVES THE INCREASE - MAKES THINGS WORK.

B.      DEPENDENCE ON GOD( Phil. 4:13 ).

          1.       Dependence on his written word( 1 Cor. 4:6 ).

          2.       By his authority( Co1. 3:17 ).

C.      EASY TO THINK WE CAN DO GOD'S WORK BETTER.

          1.       God doesn't need us( Psa. 50:10-12; Acts 17:24-28 ).

          2.       Fellow workers, not equals,  servants( 1 Cor.4:1-4 ).

I.      OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES.

A.      SARAH AND ABRAHAM( Gen. 15:1-416:1-315-16 ).

B.      MOSES( Num. 20:7-13 ).

C.      UZZAH( 1 Chron.  13:9-1415:1-312-15 ).

II.     PRESENT DAY EXAMPLES.

A.      "GIVE  THE  PEOPLE  A  CHOICE."

          1.       The church of your choice( Eph. 1:22-23; 2:16; 4:4-6 ).

          2.       Unity in diversity( Prov.  23:23 ).

                   a.       Error is the doctrine of demons(  2 Tim. 4:1-2  ).

                   b.       What fellowship?(  2 Cor.  6:14-15;   2 John 9-11 ).

                   c.       Amos 3:3.

B.      "MAKE  THE  WORSHIP  MORE  ATTRACTIVE."

          1.       Emphasis on the man,  not the message( Rom.  16:17-18  ).

          2.       Avoid controversy( Acts 20:26-27  ).

          3.       Entertainment in place of worship.   Choirs and clowns,coffee and doughnuts, 

                   rodeos,  etc.

          4.       Taste rules!(  instruments,  Lord's supper theatrics likesinging and dimming

                   the lights).

          5.       Hugging and smiling is not a substitution for Spirituality.

EMPHASIS IS NOT TO BE ON EMOTIONALISM.

C.      "CHANGES  IN  THE  PLAN  OF  REDEMPTION."

          1.       Faith only( James 2:24 ).

          2.       Original sin( Rom.  5:12 ).

          3.       Changes in the teaching on Repentance( Luke 19:8-9 ).

D.      "CHANGE  THE  BLUEPRINT  OF  THE  CHURCH."

          1.       A specific Organization( Acts 14:2320:281 Pet.  5:2 ).

          2.       A specific Job( Eph.  4:11-121 Tim.  3:15 ).

          3.       Sponsoring churches and human institutions don't help God.

          4.       Social programs distract from the church's purpose.

CONCLUSION:  WE NEED TO LEARN DEPENDENCE ON GOD.