DAMAGED WORDS Luke 10:25-29

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' " 28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Introduction We must not allow the world to change our thinking BUT – it does. The world has stolen good words and changed their usage and meaning 1 Peter 4:11a – If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. There are words that have “fallen among thieves”

Gay = Homosexual

“Deck the Halls” - Don we now our gay apparel Go to party, have a gay time Now the world has stolen this good word for joy and happiness – given it a corrupt meaning I refuse to use “gay” to refer to homosexual activity and sin. It is not gay. It is sick. It is sin. The attempt is to make homosexuality sound OK, happy, wonderful

Drink = Alcohol

Do you drink? I DRINK – Coffee, Dr. Pepper, Water, and Chai (hot tea) At police sobriety checkpoint – “Have you had anything to drink?” The world has robbed us of the ability to drink.

Worship = Entertainment Original word – to honor, praise, adore God Today – to be entertained, attend a rock concert with a religious theme Pulpit becomes a stage, Singing becomes special numbers by soloists, praise team or a choir Applause when one finishes their part of the show Worship must be directed to God – not us. John 4:24

Christian = Good Moral Person At a funeral home, “She was not a member of the church, but she was a fine Christian lady.” Christian = follower of Christ – Believe, Obey, Follow, Disciple Many in the world are good moral people, kind, loving, law abiding, helpful Cornelius – good moral man, but lost

Christian = Good Moral Person Acts 10:2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. Acts 11:13-14 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'

Church = Denomination What church do you belong to? ANSWER: The New Testament church that Jesus built. Today – Church like a huge pizza with many slices (denominations) but all part of the same pizza “Attend the church of your choice.” “One church is as good as another.”

Church = Building Where is your church? (Meaning the location of the building) Church is not a building – Church is people Church is not 602 Cades-Atwood Road Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. 1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

Baptism = 3 Modes

Dictionary – Sprinkle, Pour, Immersion Many reasons given – dedicate an infant, purge original sin, join a denomination, get on the roll, forgiveness of sins The New Testament teaches three requirements for baptism to be accepted by God.

Baptism = 3 Modes 1.Proper Subject – not an infant, must be a repentant, confessing believer 2.Proper Mode – Burial in water – Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12 3.Proper Purpose – Wash away sins, remission of sins, saved from sin Infants = not proper subject Sprinkle = wrong mode Join church = wrong purpose