1. Luke 6:46 (NKJV)
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

2. Does God Mean What He Says?
Luke 6:46

3. Does God Mean What He Says?
In the last 50 years or so, there has been a trend in the religious world
There used to be many preachers who were considered “hell, fire, and brimstone” preachers
These men taught the gospel with a passion and sense of urgency

4. Does God Mean What He Says?
Many decided along the way that they didn’t like that kind of preaching
As a result, we see less and less of it
Perhaps that’s why we also are seeing a moral decline
What is popular now is a non- offensive message

5. Does God Mean What He Says?
These sermons do not convict anyone of sin, they do not “cut to the heart”, nor do they push anyone to change
They are just fluff
Because of this, people do not think that God means what He says in the Bible

6. New Problem? Is this a new problem today?
Perhaps this is a problem that has been around for quite a while
Why do people not believe that God means what He says?
Timothy was warned of a time like this (II Tim. 4:2-4)

7. New Problem?
Paul told Timothy that there would come a time in which men would no longer want to hear the truth
Rather they would desire something that was more pleasant to their ears
They will seek after the things that they want to hear

8. What’s the Problem? Again, we ask why?
Who do people seem to no longer think that God means what He says?
Perhaps Peter gives us some insight
Matthew 16:21-23
Did Peter not understand what Jesus said?

9. What’s the Problem?
Peter’s problem was that he simply didn’t want to accept what Jesus said as a reality
The problem lied not with understanding it, but with accepting it
Are we willing to accept God’s word, even if it’s not what we want to hear?

10. Adam & Eve
God created Adam & Eve and placed them in this perfect garden
He had but one rule (Gen. 2:16-17)
So what was the problem?
Did Adam & Eve not understand what God had said?

11. Adam & Eve Yes, they understood
Did Adam or Eve believe or accept what God has said?
No, they didn’t
Did God mean what He said?
Yes He did!

12. Noah & His Generation
In Genesis 6, God saw that the world was so wicked, it grieved Him and made Him feel regret for making man
God decided to destroy everything from the face of the earth
However, Noah found grace in God’s eyes (Gen. 6:5-8)

13. Noah & His Generation
God told Noah to build an ark to save himself and his family
II Peter 2:5 tells us Noah was a preacher of righteousness
Apparently Noah preached a message of repentance and possible salvation

14. Noah & His Generation
Did the people of that time not understand what Noah was saying?
Did they not believe or accept what Noah was saying?
Did God mean what He said about flooding the earth and killing all, save Noah and his family?

15. Lot’s Wife Jesus said in Luke 17:32 simply this… “Remember Lot’s wife”
In Genesis 19, we see the story of Lot’s wife that Christ referred to
An angel of the Lord told Lot and his family to escape and not look back, lest they be destroyed (Gen. 19:17)

16. Lot’s Wife Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (v. 26)
Did Lot’s wife understand what the angel of the Lord said to her? Yes!
Did Lot’s wife believe or accept what the angel said? No!
Did God mean what He said? Yes!!

17. Nadab & Abihu
Nadab and Abihu offered up strange fire to the Lord (Lev. 10:1-2)
God sent out fire and devoured them and they died
Did they not understand God’s commandments regarding this fire?
Everyone else seemed to understand

18. Nadab & Abihu Did they not believe God or accept what He said?
Did God mean what He said concerning how He was to be worshipped?
Look at God’s response in v. 3…
What if God had let this slide?

19. King Saul
God told King Saul to utterly destroy Amalek including all men and women, infants and nursing children, ox and sheep, camel and donkeys (I Sam. 15)
Did Saul not understand that command?
Did he accept what God told him, or believe it?

20. King Saul
Saul simply wanted to do things his way, so he chose not to accept what God said
God took away the throne of Saul and gave it to David and cut off Saul from Himself
Did God mean what He said to Saul?

21. Uzza
God specifically said in Numbers 4:15 that Israel should touch no holy thing, lest they die
That seems like a pretty straightforward commandment
God also gave specific commandments on how the ark was to be carried (by poles – Ex. 25:10-15)

22. Uzza Did God mean what He said in Numbers 4:15?
Did God mean what He said in Exodus 25:10-15?
Uzza understood, as did David, but either didn’t believe or did not accept God’s commandment

23. What About Today? We could go on and on with examples
The reason why Moses never entered the Promised Land is because he did not take God seriously
If Naaman wanted to be cured of his leprosy, he had to take God seriously (II Ki. 5)

24. What About Today? Does God mean what He says today?
Does He mean what He says about worship in John 4:23-24?
Many in the world base their worship on what is pleasing to men or what brings in the biggest crowds
False worship is possible (Matt. 15:7-8)

25. What About Today? Does God mean what He says about our salvation?
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16)
Most only believe that half of that verse is true

26. What About Today? Is that command hard to understand?
Is it rather that people refuse to believe or accept it?
Is God really going to take vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know Him or obey Him? (I Thess. 1:8-9)

27. What About Today?
It’s not difficult to understand, but it may be difficult to accept
Just because I do not accept it doesn’t make it false
Hebrews 5:8-9
Does God mean what He says?
Will you accept and believe it?