We

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We Cannot Afford to Be Wrong!
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Introduction

• The Possibility
• Some Causes for Being Wrong
• The Consequences of Being Wrong
• How to Avoid Being Wrong
• What to Do When You Learn That You Are Wrong

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The Possibility

• No one is above being wrong!
• Adam and Eve (Genesis 31-6)
• Moses (Numbers 208-12)
• Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 1327-1410)
• David (2 Samuel
  111-1214)
• Peter (Matthew 2669-75)

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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• I accepted someone else's word.
• I approached the agreement with a preconceived
  idea,
• I read into the agreement what I wanted it to
  say,
• My intent was sincere and honest I only wanted
  to do good.
• I only read part of the information, not
  considering everything that was said.

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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Many put too much stock in what others say.
• Creeds (Church fathers, Popes, reformers)
• Preachers
• Parents
• Spouses
• Friends

Numbers 1331-144 Matthew 158,9 Galatians
16-9
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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• The danger of a preconceived idea
• We all have some preconceived notions.
• Preconceived ideas do not formulate truth!
• We MUST be honest and humble with truth. (2
  Kings 511)
• Some allow pride and their egos to blind them to
  the truth. (Proverbs 1412)

I think . . . I want . . . I feel . . .
Proverbs 1412 Acts 1711,12 2 Timothy 215
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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• The danger of a preconceived idea
• The danger of reading into a text that which is
  NOT thereor of not seeing what is there
• The plan of salvation
• The church of Christ
• The worship of the church
• The work of the church

I think . . . I want . . . I feel . . .
Proverbs 1412 Acts 1711,12 2 Timothy 215
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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Sincerity and honesty alone are not enough.
• David (1 Chronicles 13152,13)
• Paul (Acts 231 2416)
• Cornelius (Acts 10)
• Sincerity and honesty motivate us to keep
  searching for the truth.
• When we close our eyes to the truth, we cease
  being sincere and honest.

Proverbs 3012 Jeremiah 1023 2 Corinthians 135
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The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Not considering all the evidence
• The inductive Bible study method (2 Timothy
  215315 Psalm 119160)
• Many misunderstand the Scriptures SIMPLY because
  they fail to apply this fundamental rule to
  reading/study. (Matthew 47)
• Examples Plan of Salvation Worship Work of the
  Church.

Proverbs 148 Jeremiah 422 Ephesians 517
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Consequences of Being Wrong

• We cannot afford to be wrong regarding matters of
  faith
• Christs death, burial, and resurrection (1
  Corinthians 151-4)
• The Deity of Christ (John 824)
• What we must do to be saved (Acts 412)
• Acts of worship (John 424)
• What we do in service to the Lord (Colossians
  317)

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Consequences of Being Wrong

• Temporal consequences
• Sin causes hardship (Proverbs 1315)
• Brings difficulty upon our children (Exodus 347)
• Contributes to societys decadence
  (Matthew 513-16)
• Can cause others who follow us to be lost
  (Genesis 65,6)

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Consequences of Being Wrong

• Spiritual consequences
• Familys spiritual well being (Luke 1619-31)
• Examples before others
  (Philippians 215)
• Eternal consequences (Revelation 2011-15 John
  528,29 1248 2 Corinthians 510,11)

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Consequences of Being Wrong

• If I am wrong, who is at fault?
• Jesus came to reveal the truth and the way
  (John 832 146)
• The Holy Spirit revealed all truth (John 1613
  2 Timothy 316)
• We can read and understand Gods words (Ephesians
  33-5)
• They are not too difficult to obey (1 John 51-4)

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Consequences of Being Wrong

• If I am lost because Im wrong, who is at fault?
• We cannot excuse ourselves on the basis of
  sincerity (Romans 101-3 Acts 231John 424)
• We cannot excuse ourselves by arguing that Gods
  word is too difficult to understand and obey
  (Deuteronomy 3011-14)

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Conclusion

• I am wrongnow what?
• I must turn away from my error (REPENT)
• I MUST do whatever God requires of me

• Believe
• Repent
• Confess Christ
• Be baptized into Christ

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Conclusion

• I am wrongnow what?
• I must turn away from my error (REPENT)
• I MUST do whatever God requires of me

• Repent
• Confess Sin
• Pray and seek Gods forgiveness

For the Erring Christian
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• Your soul is too valuable (Matthew 1626)
• You can know the truth (John 832 146)
• You can obey the truth (1 Peter 122)

We Cannot Afford to Be Wrong!