Hosea 4:6-9

“Dumbing Down” Deliberate and intentional effort to reduce standards of achievement. Kids can’t handle the “higher bar” so we have to “lower the bar.” Has not worked – grade averages have either remained the same, or decreased.

“Dumbing Down Religion” The Problem: – Book, Chapter & Verse Preaching is rejected with contempt! – Want Motivational Preaching – “sermon topics heavily weighted in favor of man- centered issues… to the exclusion of the many Christ-exalting doctrinal themes of Scripture.” [The Truth War, John MacArthur] – Smoothness of Pop Psychology

“Dumbing Down Religion” The Problem: – “Gospel Messages” in “sound bites” – “Bible teaching even in the best of venues has been deliberately dumbed down, made as broad and as shallow as possible, oversimplified, adapted to the lowest common denominator – and then tailored to appeal to people with short attention spans.” [The Truth War, John MacArthur]

“Dumbing Down Religion” The Problem: – “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior” – “Don’t worry about commandments, just have love.” – “It is not what you know, but who you know.” – Translations that are “Easier to read” – Backing away from essentially literal translations

“Dumbing Down Religion” The Problem: – Eagerness for “dynamic equivalence” translations – John 3:21 NKJV 21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.“ done in God = “in union with him, and therefore by his power.” (Westcott) – New Living Translation “so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” – NIV “what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

“Dumbing Down Religion” The Problem: Blurring of Standards- – Lack of Teaching – claim it is too hard, too controversial, boring – Lack of Learning – cannot learn what is not taught – Lack of Application – cannot apply what you have not learned

“Dumbing Down Religion” Symptoms / Results: – Continued weakness among Christians – Romans 14:1 – No safety in continued weakness – Willingness to accept mediocrity – Romans 6:12,13

“Dumbing Down Religion” Symptoms / Results: Mediocrity Seen In: – Silent acceptance of occasional attendance – Refusal to make a decision – Compartmentalization – James 4:17 – Commands Matthew 22:38-40 – Worship – most important?

“Dumbing Down Religion” Biblical Solution: – Preach the Word 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Exhorting: – A Congregation to Be More like Christ – People to Do more work for the Lord – People to Love the Lord & One Another Fine as long as they know what Christ was like as it is revealed in the Bible Fine if they have been taught from the Scriptures what the Lord’s work is Great if they have been taught the nature of Biblical love

“Dumbing Down Religion” Biblical Solution: Failure to have Scriptural Foundation for what we do is a Prescription for Disaster! – Zeal without Knowledge – Romans 10:1,2 – Never Feel Comfortable in our Weakness – Hebrews 5:12-14

“Dumbing Down Religion” Biblical Solution: Peter Encourages Growth, Not Weakness – 1 Peter 2:2 – 2 Peter 3:18 We Cannot Settle for Mediocrity – Desire Excellence – Philippians 1:10

“Dumbing Down Religion” Biblical Solution: We are to Strive for Maturity – Philippians 3:13-16 Mediocrity is Ruled Out – Ephesians 5:27 Do ALL of What God Says – Manifestation of Love John 14:15

“Dumbing Down Religion” Biblical Solution: Do ALL of What God Says – Manifestation of Love John 14:15 – He said ALL of Them Matthew 28:20 – Wise man DOES THEM Matthew 7:24 – Not permitted to “Pick & Choose” Matthew 23:23

Are You Doing ALL YOU Can to Please The Lord? A “Dumded Down Religion will NOT help you to do that! Actually, it will PREVENT You from doing that!

If you are a Christian, Be All That You Can Be & Do All That You Can Do! If you are not a Christian, Obey The Gospel Today!