Presumptions

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 19:7-14

 

I.         Parents of teenagers are often exasperated trying to buy clothing for their children

            A.        You find a great bargain and you just know your child will like it – up until they see it and they say “Yuck!”

            B.        I remember not liking many of the things my mom picked out for me and I’ve seen my kids to the same to their mom.

            C.        The problem is the presumption of what they wanted without asking. Of course, getting them to tell you what they like that is reasonably priced is a whole other matter.

II.        I bring this up because people will tell me: “I’m sure God won’t hold it against me.” Or, “Surely God doesn’t care if we do things a little bit differently.” Or, “I know God doesn’t want me to be unhappy.”

            A.        It seems a lot a people have taken up the ability to read God’s mind.

            B.        Honestly, who is it that these people are trying to please? - Galatians 1:10

            C.        The reason we have been placed in this world is to please God - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

            D.        If we are going to please God, we are going to have to trust Him - Hebrews 11:6

                        1.         In other words, we are going to have to stop trying to second-guess Him.

            E.        Keeping His commandments is pleasing in God’s sight - I John 3:21-24

                        1.         We must put God’s teachings into practice - James 1:21-25

                        2.         This is how we demonstrate our love for God - John 14:15

III.       God is not the doting grandparent who thinks His little ones can do no wrong

            A.        He warned the Israelites not to change His teachings - Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32

            B.        God warned that inspired Scripture is not to be altered - Revelation 22:18-19

            C.        If you get the impression that God is a bit picky about teachings, you're right - Galatians 1:8-10

                        1.         We leave God’s word alone because we are trying to please God and not ourselves

                        2.         There are more than enough people out there pursuing their own myths - II Timothy 4:3-4

            D.        God has demonstrated over and over that He is not pleased with alterations

                        1.         The people assumed they could conquer Canaan on their own - Numbers 14:39-45

                        2.         Saul assumed Samuel wasn’t coming and “forced himself” to offer a sacrifice to God - I Samuel 13:8-14

                        3.         Saul thought God wouldn’t mind a few small changes - I Samuel 15:2-3, 7-11, 13-15, 22-23

                        4.         Uzzah thought it best to keep the ark from tipping over - II Samuel 6:6-7

                        5.         King Uzziah thought he should be able to offer incense to God - II Chronicles 26:16-21

IV.      This is why David prayed that he be prevented from doing presumptuous sins - Psalms 19:13

            A.        We should not put God to the test, to see if he really meant what He said

                        1.         God expects obedience - Deuteronomy 6:16-18

                        2.         Yet, the people spoke against God - Numbers 21:4-9

                        3.         This is why Paul warned the Corinthians - I Corinthians 10:9

            B.        I’m amazed who many people argue against clear statements in the Bible

                        1.         “Oh, baptism isn’t needed for salvation.” - I Peter 3:21

                        2.         I just had a woman tell me that God doesn’t expect an elder to be a husband or to have children - I Timothy 3:2 (I pointed out this little phrase “must be”, but I was told Paul didn’t really mean it in that way.)

                        3.         We cannot talk back to our parents or our God - Isaiah 45:9-10

            C.        Others will take the silence of the Scriptures and assume that however they fill in the blanks, God will accept it - Deuteronomy 18:20

V.        Finally, we must avoid assuming there is always tomorrow

            A.        James 4:13-17 - Tomorrow is in God’s hands

            B.        We cannot predict the future - Proverbs 27:1

            C.        Too many gamble with their souls - Luke 12:16-21

            D.        Now is the opportunity to please God by trusting and doing His commandments.

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