Introduction

 

I.        As I have had occasion to study the Bible with people, there are several statements that crop up again and again.

A.       Such as: “We’re all serving the same God.”; “We’re all trying to get to the same place.”; “One church is as good as another.”

B.       Today we are going to examine one of these statements: “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long you are sincere.”

II.       We know that many believe that it doesn’t matter what you believe; but we are going to concern ourselves more with God’s attitude on that question.

 

Text

 

I.        Are There Doctrines That Do Matter?

A.       Does it matter whether or not you believe that Jesus is ‘I AM’?

1.       Many believe that Jesus was just another man.

2.       They’ll agree He was a better than average man, but just a man.

3.       Let us hear what Jesus Himself says (John 8:24).

B.       Does it matter whether or not I believe the resurrection of the saints has occurred?

1.       Paul was aware that some were troubled by such claims (2 Timothy 2:16-18).

2.       Of those, sincere or not, who teach and believe false doctrine, Paul says, they have ‘strayed from the truth.’

C.      Does it matter that some believe they can put additional restrictions on others?

1.       Paul was concerned about brethren binding what the scriptures do not bind.

2.       Does it matter if we believe the doctrines of devils?

II.       If it doesn’t matter what we believe, why do the scriptures issue so many warnings against false teachers?

 

Conclusion

 

I.        Many minimize the importance of doctrine by saying, “It doesn’t matter what you believe.”

A.       There could be underlying reasons for this that we have not discussed.

B.       But we have seen from scripture that what we believe is important.

II.       If it doesn’t matter what we believe then Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John were wasting their breath warning men to be on their guard against false teachers (Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1).

III.      Of utmost importance right now is what you believe and what you will do with your belief.