Are You Relying On A "Castor and Pollux?" - 1/21/07
Introduction: Towards the end of the book of Acts we read about the difficult journey made at sea by the apostle Paul and others heading to Rome. (Acts 27 - 28:11). After an extended stop at the port in Malta the travelers boarded a new ship. Engraved into the ship were the images of Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of the false, pagan god Zeus. Many believed that having this image on the ship insured a safe passage to their destination. Paul, being a prisoner, had no choice but to ride on this vessel but did not believe that graven images would in any way help.
Unfortunately, today many rely on false "hopes" thinking that there are certain things or attitudes that will help them have a safe "passage" through this life.
I. What do many rely on today?
a. Human Wisdom - I Cor. 1: 18 - 30
b. Family - " If it was good enough for grandma it's good enough for me" - Mt 10: 34 - 39
c. False gods - 2 Cor 4: 3 - 6, Phil 3: 19, Acts 17: 29
d. Self - those that are self - willed. Titus 1: 7 (Elders), 2 Pet 2: 9 - 10, the opposite of gentle
e. Religious Error - from a perversion of the gospel to total denial. You can't be
just a "little" wrong. Whether a little, or alot, you are still wrong! Beware of false teachers!
Matt 17: 17, Acts 20: 30, Matt 7:15 ; false teaching - "receive Christ right now through
prayer", "recite the 'Sinner's Prayer' ".
f. "love" - have you ever heard someone say all we need to do is have love?
g. the "majority" - Matt 7: 13 - 14, Matt 25: 31 ff
II. Why would one rely on something that offers no hope?
III. Who/What should one rely on / have faith in?
a. A Source that won't lead us astray - Gal 2: 10, Rom 1: 27
b. A plan for mankind - John 3 :16, John 10: 10, Rom 5: 6-9, John 14: 6
c. That all can rely on - Rom. 15: 8,
d. We must be obedient -Matt 7: 21-23, John 8: 24, Luke 13: 3, Matt 10: 32 - 33,
Mk 16: 15 - 16, John 14: 21 - 23
IV. Salvation is in Christ!
a. Acts 2: 36, Gal 2: 12 ff, Col 3: 1 ff
V. Conclusion -Place your trust in Christ.
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