The Bible For Dummies
  1. Introduction:
    1. There are several books I would like to include in my library:
      1. Computers for dummies.
      2. Internet for dummies.
      3. Taxes for dummies.
      4. Modern mechanics for dummies.
    2. Another book that would probably sell well is Bible for Dummies.
      1. Not that the Bible is all that difficult.
      2. Not that we can't understand it.
      3. A lot of people are frustrated, and confused because of all the bad information they have been given concerning the Bible.
    3. This lesson is entitled "Bible for Dummies" for three reasons:
      1. To clear up bad information you may have been given.
      2. To show how simple the Bible is.
      3. We can't afford to be confused concerning the Bible.

  2. Sin made simple.
    1. Sin is very simple.
      1. Sin is missing the mark.
        1. The bull's eye is what we need to hit.
        2. Anything less than the bull's eye is sin.
        3. Close is not good enough.
      2. Using Romans 3:23 to clafify.
        1. The glory of God is the bull's eye.
          1. The glory of God = being like God.
          2. I Peter 1:15.
        2. To miss that mark is to sin.
      3. God has defined sin for us, and given us lists of sins.
        1. Have you ever had someone use big words around you, and you had no idea what they meant, but you did not say..."I don't know what that word means?"
          1. Some people do so on purpose, because they don't want you to understand, or because they want to make you think they are smarter than they are.
          2. God wants you to understand what sin is. He has defined it, and given you lists of sinful things.
        2. Defined.
          1. I John 5:17 "All unrighteousness is sin."
            1. Unrighteousness = "Un" (not) "righteousness" (right). Not according to God's will.
            2. All = anything, everything.
          2. I John 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of the law."
            1. Transgression = lawlessness (living w/o the law).
            2. If you drive like there are not laws, then you are transgressing the law, or driving lawlessly.
            3. To transgress God's law is to not live by it.
              • Not doing what He has said to do.
              • Doing what He has said not to do.
          3. James 4:17 "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
            1. There are things God would have us to do, and if we have the ability, and opportunity to do them, and do not do them = sin.
            2. So, we can see that sin is not only doing things we should not do, but it can also be not doing things we should do.
          4. Romans 14:23 "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
            1. If you think something is sinful to do, and you do it anyway....you sin.
            2. The thing may, or may not have been sinful, but because you did it, thinking it was sinful in doing it, you sinned, even if it was not sinful in itself.
            3. Therefore, you need to be confident that what you do is right with God before you do them.
        3. Lists.
          1. Romans 1:29-32.
          2. I Corinthians 6:9-10
          3. Revelation 21:8.
          4. Galatians 5:19-21 *And Such Like.
          5. Matthew 25:41-46.
          6. Matthew 7:21-23.

    2. Punishment made plain.
      1. Punishment for sin is often misunderstood.
        1. Some religious groups misunderstand it.
          1. Some teach that there will not be eternal punishment.
          2. They believe there will be eternal reward, but do not believe there will be eternal punishment - Mt. 25:46.
        2. Most people must misunderstand it.
          1. I hear people, on a daily basis, talk about this being sin, and that being sin, but do those things themselves, and still seem to think they are going to go to heaven. HOW??
          2. They evidently do not believe God means what He says.
      2. But He does, and He has been very clear about it. Romans 1:29-32 = worthy of death.
        1. I Corinthians 6:9-10 = shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
        2. Revelation 21:8 = shall have their part in the lake which burneth.
        3. Galatians 5:19-21 = shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
        4. Matthew 25:41-46 = shall go away into everlasting punishment.
        5. Matthew 7:21-23 = depart from me.

    3. Salvation made clear.
      1. A lot of people teach a form of salvation that is very clear.
        1. Faith only.
          1. Romans 10:13 'call on the name of the Lord and be saved.'
          2. They say if you do this 1 thing, you will be saved.
          3. Can you get any clearer than that?
        2. A lot of people believe that is all you need to do.
          1. On the counter of Taco Via in Lee's Summit.
          2. A guy I work with.
          3. Family.
      2. But, is that all that God says you must do?
        1. If God says all you have to do is believe, then:
          1. That is what we need to do, and teach.
          2. If it is not all that He teaches, then we need to know, do, and teach ALL that He says.
        2. God says we must do other things.
          1. Believe - John 8:24; Mark 16:16.
          2. Confess - Romans 10:10.
          3. Repent - Acts 2:38.
          4. Baptized - Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21.
          5. Faithful unto death - Revelation 2:10.

    4. Conclusion--Making sure it is clear.
      1. Sin.
        1. What is sin? = missing the mark.
        2. Who has sinned? = all of us (Romans 3:23).
      2. Punishment.
        1. Who will be punished? = those not forgiven of sin, or do not live by God's law.
        2. How long will they be punished = eternally.
        3. Where will they not go = heaven.
      3. Salvation.
        1. What does God say? = believe, confess, repent, baptized, live faithfully unto death.
        2. Should we do what God says, or what men say?