Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:6-11

Internet Inspiration

Intro.

1. The Bible warns us against the wisdom of this world:

a. Don’t know God through it, 1 Cor. 1:20-21.

b. Wisdom of this age is coming to nothing, 1 Cor. 2:6.

c. Foolishness with God, 1 Cor. 3:19-20.

d. Fleshly wisdom does not express God’s grace, 2 Cor. 1:12.

2. Internet spreads worldly wisdom, Jas. 3:14-16.

-Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram spew it out, 24/7.

3. Christians read (and may forward) the world’s wisdom, disguised as inspiration and encouragement. Examine, using spiritual discernment, 1 Thess. 5:21-22; Phil. 1:9-11.

4. Caution: Many of these messages have half-truths (which finally, make them all error).

I. FAITH.

1. “Beliefs don’t make you better.”

a. Without right beliefs, behavior won’t be better, Matt. 23:25-28.

b. Belief and behavior makes us better people, Col. 3:1-5.

2. “Fall away...never truly converted.”

a. Simon was, Acts 8:12-13, 18-24.

b. Galatians who fell had been converted, Gal. 5:1-4.

c. Entangled Christians were, 2 Pet. 2:20 (1:4).

II. GOD AND SUFFERING.

1. “Everything is God’s plan” (“You are where God wants you to be.”)

a. Sin is not God’s plan, Eccl. 7:29.

b. Freewill, not fatalism: Sometimes you are where you are from you own choices, and sometimes through no choice of your own, Josh. 24:15 (Ezek. 18:4); Eccl. 9:11-12.

c. Plan of redemption in His Son, Eph. 1:4-9; 2:8-9.

d. Are to be faithful and obey God in every experience, Rom. 8:28.

2. “God will cancel all trouble”

-No, God promises to help us endure every trouble.

a. Jesus, John 12:27 (Matt. 26:39-44).

b. Ways of escape, 1 Cor. 10:13.
c. Wisdom, Jas. 1:2-5.

d. God’s grace and the power of Christ, 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

3. “Pain in life means you need to change.” (Unrighteous judgment)

a. Yes, if the pain is the result of one’s sin, Prov. 13:15.

b. Of course, we must examine ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5.

c. The premise that pain in your life means you need to change is a non sequitur (does not follow); Unscriptural, Job 1:22; 2:3.

d. This was the counsel of Job’s friends! Job 4:7 (22:4-11)

e. Jesus, apostles, etc., Heb. 11:35-37; 2 Tim. 3:12.

III. PRAYER.

1. “God leads by prayer.”

a. Jesus leads us by His word, Jno. 10:27; 8:31-32.

b. God’s word is the lamp that lights our way, Psa. 119:105.

2. “Prayers is listening to God” (Mother Teresa).

a. Prayer includes requests, Phil. 4:6.

b. “Give us…” Matt. 6:9, 11.

3. “Listen for God’s answers.”

a. Listen to the word of His Son, Heb. 1:2 (1 Cor. 14:37).

b. Pray and obey, Phil. 4:6-9.

Conclusion

1. “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23)

2. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)

3. “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jer. 10:23)

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 19, 2017