2. The “Not” In The Devil’s “Tale”

3. First lie told in the garden God said, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17) The devil said, “You will not surely die” (Gen. 3:4) Look at the one word that was added. Think of the misery and suffering from that day to this over that one word Here is the devil’s “tale.” He made it up in order to deceive. Here is the “not” and its intent is to produce sin The devil has been lying ever since

4. John 8:44 “He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it”

5. “It is NOT necessary to have Bible authority” Liberal brethren  Do not need authority for homes, colleges, fellowship halls, etc.  Proceeded to build all of them  Claimed “no-patternism”  Now they are fighting “no-patternism” that has appeared elsewhere among them

6. “It is NOT necessary to have Bible authority” We are not immune. We have some among us who advocate:  Elastic Gospel (stretches to fit everything)  Positive Mental Attitude  Choirs and solos during worship  Women preachers, elders, deacons

7. “It IS necessary to have Bible authority” Jesus used authority (Matt. 4:1-10). The “council” at Jerusalem used authority (Acts 15)

8. “He who believes and is NOT baptized will be saved” Multiplied thousands believe this Preachers have told them  You don’t read this in the Bible!  #1 doctrine of radio & TV preachers  “Saved by faith only”

9. “He who believes and IS baptized will be saved” Jesus said so (Mk. 16:16)

10. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…”

11. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” “And” joins faith (believes) and baptism together Both are necessary in order to be saved What does being “saved” mean?

12. “He who believes and IS baptized will be saved” Jesus said so (Mk. 16:16) Peter knew this  On Pentecost (Acts 2:37-41)  In His letter (1 Peter 3:21)

13. “There is NOT just one church” Another very popular view Championed by denominations  Want to include all, restrict none  Perceived to allow unity in diversity  Church is perceived as unimportant

14. “There IS just one church” Jesus used singular (Matt. 16:18)  One head, many bodies? (Col. 1:18)  Saved added to church (Acts 2:47)

15. “There is NOT going to be a judgment day” A view that is gaining force, even among churches of Christ Sometimes called the AD 70 theory Claim ALL judgment Scriptures were fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD Jesus came then, not coming again

16. “There IS going to be a judgment day” Therefore, judgment is some time future (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:13- 18) Still others claim that God is so good and loving that no one will be lost,thereby negating any need for a Judgment Day (see Acts 17:30-31)

17. Conclusion The devil’s “not” contradicts and detracts from what God has said It causes confusion and jeopardizes souls How do you sever the “not” in the Devil’s “tale?”  You do it by wielding “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)