"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven'" (Matthew 19:13-14). Some have concluded from this passage that little children belong in the church, and that this passage authorizes the practice of infant baptism. A careful examination of these, and other verses, shows that Jesus was using little children as an example of humility that citizens in His kingdom must have (see also Matt. 18:1-4).
        Infant baptism is a very emotional and sensitive issue. Anything that has to do with children is. Some churches teach and practice infant baptism. Many new parents look forward to having their newborns christened. When studying with people, we often learn that they were baptized as a baby. Religion, family traditions and love for our children can often combine to make this a difficult subject to talk about.
        While it is not my desire to question anyone's sincerity, nor to throw a blanket criticism on efforts that involve or benefit children, I do object to the practice of infant baptism. As a Christian, I am most interested in what the Bible has to say about every subject. And I find that the practice of infant baptism is inconsistent with the teaching of the Bible in at least four different areas. Please give consideration to the following points.

1. The Action of Baptism.

        The Bible teaches that baptism is a burial, not sprinkling or pouring. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4; see also Col. 2:12). The English word "baptism", as it is found in the New Testament, is transliterated (not translated) from the Greek word BAPTIZO, which means "to dip, to immerse, to submerge" (Thayer).
        Those who practiced baptism in the New Testament followed this pattern of immersion. When Philip the evangelist baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, they both "went down into the water, and he baptized him," and "they came up out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39). This wouldn't have been necessary if baptism was just a sprinkling.
Just think, how do you bury something? Most of us understand that you don't just sprinkle dirt on something and call it buried. You dig a hole in the ground, place the item in the ground and cover it. Sprinkling water on an infant does not bury the infant. A person must be immersed in water in order to be baptized.

2. Qualifications For Bible Baptism.

        Not just anyone can be baptized. The Bible tells us that there are prerequisites for baptism.
        First, a person must repent of their sins before they can be baptized. Peter told the inquiring crowd of believers on Pentecost "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). John refused to baptize some who came out to his baptism because he could tell that they were not repenting of their sins (Matthew 3:7-8).
        Second, a person must confess their faith in Christ before they can be baptized. When the eunuch asked Philip, "'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'if you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God'" (Acts 8:36-37). Philip could not have baptized him until he heard a confession of faith.
        Only penitent believers are candidates for baptism. Since infants are incapable of either of these, they can not be baptized.

3. Infants Have No Sin.

         Why baptize babies? We have already seen that baptism is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38). One wouldn't baptize a baby unless they believed that they had sins that needed to be forgiven.
        One of the five points of Calvinism states that man is born a sinner, that we all inherit the guilt of Adam's sin. Is this true? No. The Bible says that God holds the person who sins responsible for their own sins. "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20).
        Babies have no sin. Thus, they have no need to be saved or to become a part of the church. They are in a safe condition. Baptizing babies serves no biblical purpose at all. So again the question: Why baptize babies?

4. An Answer For A Good Conscience.

         "There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21). The apostle Peter says that, among other things, baptism is the way by which a penitent sinner responds to the commands of God. When a sinner learns what he must do to be saved, his conscience will pull at him until he chooses to do it.
        Baptism is commanded by the Lord (Mark 16:16). This command is obeyed by us as individuals who submit to baptism, not by those who would baptize us. Baptism is an intelligent choice made by one who's conscience has been pricked by God's word. Since babies are not capable of making this choice, they can not be baptized.

Conclusion:

         As parents, we want the best for our children in this life and in the one to come. Baptizing our newborns may cause us to feel better, but it provides no spiritual benefit for our children. The Bible tells parents to raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). If we want our children to be saved, we must live a good Christian life before them, teach them the word of God, and encourage them to make their own commitment to follow the Lord and obey His commands.

Introduction:

A. Matthew 6:14-15 - our forgiveness is dependent upon our willingness to forgive others.

B. Forgiveness is so important. Our inner peace, as well as our eternal salvation, is dependent upon it.
In spite of this, some won't forgive. Can't make them do it.
        What keeps people from forgiving others? How can we overcome these barriers to forgiveness?

I. Ingratitude
        Matthew 18:21-35 - one reason we are not able to forgive others is because we don't appreciate the great debt that we have been forgiven by God.
        Notice, this servant wasn't called "wicked" when he owed the debt, but when he refused to forgive another after being forgiven himself.

How do we overcome this barrier?
        Appreciate God's forgiveness. It is no little thing that our sins are forgiven. It cost God His Son.
        10,000 talents vs. 100 denarii - shows that the debt others owe us doesn't even compare to the debt we owe God.
         As recipients of God's mercy, Christians should be the most merciful people in the world.

II. Pride
        Pride causes so much trouble. Some people can't forgive because they can't see anybody but themselves.
- The only thing that mattered to this servant was himself.
- Luke 15:25-30 - like the brother of the prodigal. Everything was about him. He couldn't forgive and accept his brother back into the family.

        It is only natural to hurt when we have been wronged. But pride refuses to allow us to get over that. Pride is that inner voice that says, "Don't let him off the hook. Make him pay for what he has done. You've got one on them now - hold it over them."

How do we overcome this barrier?
1. Proverbs 19:11 - we must learn to overlook offenses. Not to take them so personal. Hard, but it can be done.
2. Humility is the opposite of pride, and will allow us to forgive. We can't put ourselves in another's shoes until we get off our high horse.
3. James 2:13 - what do we truly want from others - mercy.

III. Worldliness
        An unforgiving Christian is a Christian with more of the world in them than they realize.
        We have been conditioned by the world to protect ourselves; our honor. To get even, to hold a grudge, to never forget.

        James 3:14-18 - we do not learn how to hold a grudge from the Lord. And we do not learn how to be peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy from the world.

How do we overcome this barrier?
        Grow up. Spiritual growth is a change in thinking, attitude and behavior brought on by the application of God's word to our lives.
        Rom. 12:2 - be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
        Matt. 5:38-48 - change our way of thinking about vengeance and the treatment of our enemies. Act like a child of God (v. 45), not like a child of the world.

IV. Exposing the "Forgiveness Myths"

1. "Forgive and Forget"
Just because you remember doesn't mean that you didn't forgive. Memories of forgiven offenses can still bring us pain. We can never truly forget.

        A. Love does not keep a list of offenses to use against a person in the
future - 1 Cor. 13:5 "thinks no evil; takes no account of evil"
        B. We can't allow the memory of past offenses to haunt or control us.

2. Accept the fact the there are some things you can't resolve.
        Some people have the idea that they can't forgive a person until that person admits they have done something wrong and asks to be forgiven. This simply isn't reasonable. Needless to say, these are some of the most miserable people we are ever going to meet.
        The only person you are hurting by refusing to forgive is yourself. There are going to be things that happen to us that we may never get resolved. Go ahead and forgiven them for your own sake and move on.

3. Forgiving is more than just "letting go".
        Who says it is that easy? The Greek word for forgive literally means "to send away."
         If I had a hold of something dangerous, I wouldn't just let go of it, I would get rid of it. Throw it away.

How?
A. Pray, cast it upon the Lord - 1 Peter 5:7.
B. Push it out of your mind with other things. Get on with life.

Conclusion:
        I would hate to stand before the Lord on Judgment Day and learn that I am condemned to Hell because I wouldn't forgive someone! If these barriers exist in your heart, you need to deal with them.

It is interesting that urgency is stressed in the choice to obey and follow Jesus.

- Matthew 4:18-22 - disciples leaving their nets immediately to follow Jesus.
- Acts 2:40-41 - immediate obedience is stressed in the book of Acts.
- Acts 22:16 - Paul was told not to delay.
- Acts 24:25 - Felix put it off for a more convenient time.

Why the urgency, why is "Today" the day of salvation?

I. It is a Great Salvation

The salvation that God offers to mankind is great:
It is the product of His divine love for us.
It cost Him the death of His only begotten Son.
It was delivered by One greater than the angels.
God confirmed it to mankind through miracles.

        God was faithful in punishing the sins committed under a lesser covenant (the Law of Moses), how will we fare if we knowingly spurn the Great Invitation of our Lord?
        To go into eternity ignorant of the gospel is one thing. To knowingly neglect and ignore the gospel call will rightly bring damnation to our souls. There will be no way to escape.
        It is telling God, "No thanks, I don't care that Christ died."

        "Lest we drift away." There is danger in delay. It is best to obey now, before we become callused and are never brought to obedience.

II. Don't Know When Death/Christ Will Come

        A. We will be ushered into eternity when life here is finished: either Heaven or Hell.
        Luke 16:25 - our lifetime is the time to decide where we will spend eternity. It will be too late to do anything about it after we die.

        B. Our death seals our fate. And we don't know when that will be:
James 4:13-14

        C. We are all going to die, unless the Lord returns first. We don't know when that will be, but it will be too late. Jesus tells us to be ready - Matthew 24:42-44.

        If you are not a Christian, you are not ready.
        If your number is called, if the trumpet of the Lord sounds, you will be in the same condition as those outside the Ark when the rains began to pour.

III. Give Hope To Loved Ones
        1 Thess. 4:13-18 - Paul says that some people have hope in death and some don't.
        If you never obey the gospel, or fall away from the truth you once obeyed, then your family and friends will stand at your graveside without any hope.
        The comfort of knowing that a loved one is safe at rest with the Lord is the strength that gets them through the time of loss. Even those who are not religious will find comfort in saying that their loved one is in heaven.
        But the pain of knowing that a loved one is lost eternally is literally unspeakable. Why do that to those who love you best?

IV. Redeem the Time
        Ephesians 5:15-16 - how do we redeem the time? Time is gone, can't get it back. We redeem it by living henceforth for the Lord, obeying His word.
        1 Peter 4:3 - whatever time we have spent as non-Christians is more than enough. We need to obey the gospel and live for the Lord - Eph. 2:10.

V. Enjoy the Blessings Found In Christ
        What is it that Christians have that non-Christians don't? We aren't any better. Face same challenges. We do have blessings to help us through this life.

1. Prayer. God is not obligated to answer a sinner's prayer, but has promised to hear and answer the prayer of a Christian - 1 John 5:14-15.
2. Strength - Phil. 4:13.
3. Provision - Phil. 4:19, Matthew 6:33.
4. Fellowship - 1 John 1:3. Reconciled with God, brings peace.
Strength, help and love with brethren.

Conclusion:
        If you know that you need to obey the gospel, you now have reason to do so. Please do not put it off any longer. Don't toy with God's mercy, don't wait for a more convenient time, the devil will make sure it never comes.

Introduction:
        Science makes what seems to be a good case for evolution. The idea of genetic mutations creating variations and natural selection weeding out the weaker of the two sounds good. We hear evolution referred to as a fact. And we begin to think, "Maybe there is something to it." But, what are we going to do with our belief in God and the Genesis account of creation?
        Creation and Evolution are at odds. But perhaps they don't have to be. Perhaps we can save the day by proposing a compromise.
        Wouldn't it be reasonable for the creationist to accept the possibility that God used evolution to bring about life?
        At the same time, why can't the evolutionist consider the fact that God fills in the gaps found in the theory of evolution? Case solved!
        I have to admit that I thought about this possibility while taking high school biology. Many young people do when they study evolution.

        The question needs to be asked: "Is this a reasonable approach?" Is there room for a compromise? Do the Bible account of creation and evolution belong together?

I. Science Does Not Support Evolution
        We have shown in a previous lesson (sermon outline titles "What is Wrong With Evolution?" located on this website) that evolution is a scientific impossibility. Why twist the Scriptures to support a theory that is already unsound from a scientific point of view?
        Time is the one element that is essential to evolution. Modern geology and paleontology try to make a case for an old earth.
        Most evolutionists say that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. They say this would provide the time needed for evolution to take place.
        The Bible teaches, through genealogies, that the earth can't be any older than 6,000 - 10,000 years old. Which does true science support?

1. Population Studies
        Experts have devised formulas to calculate the number of people on the earth at any given point in time.
        These studies conclude that if man had been on the earth for only one million years (evolutionists say it was much longer) that the population would be more than could physically fit on the earth.
        When the formula is applied to man being on the earth for 6,000 years, the result is the precise estimation of the population of earth today.

2. Magnetic Field
        The earth's magnetic field is decaying at a measurable rate. The half-life of the magnetic field is 1,400 years. So, 1,400 years ago it was twice as strong as it is today. Only 10,000 years ago, the earth's magnetic field would have been so strong that the earth would have disintegrated from these internal forces.

3. Rotation of the Earth
        The earth's rotation is gradually slowing down. If the earth were billions of years old then,
        A. We would have already stopped spinning by now.
        B. It would have been spinning so fast that long ago that no life could have evolved. All the continents would have moved to the equator and the earth would have been shaped like a pan cake.

4. Shrinkage of the Sun
        Scientists have found that the sun is shrinking at a rate of .1% per century (five feet per hour).
        A million years ago, the sun would have been twice as big as it is today.
       20 million years ago (evolutionists argue that the majority of the evolutionary process was just completed 20 million years ago) the earth wold have been within the diameter of the sun.

5. Hydrogen/Helium Levels
        Hydrogen is constantly being turned into helium by natural processes. If the universe were old, one would expect to find very little hydrogen. However, we find that the universe is composed primarily of hydrogen.

6. Erosion 
        It would take 14 million years to totally erode the continents.
        Approximately 300 million cubit yards of sediment are deposited into the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi River every year. Scientists have measured the Mississippi River Delta and found that it is about 4,000 years old.

Science supports the Bible's young age for the earth.

        Modern geology claims that the earth is billions of years old. Some Christians are persuaded by this and, despite the above evidence for a young earth, they still want to accept an old age for the earth.
        Everything in God's creation was made with apparent age. Adam was created as a man, not a newborn.

II. The Scriptures Do Not Support Evolution
        The Biblical account leaves no room for any naturalistic process.
        Genesis 1:1 introduces God as our Creator. It goes on to say that He made everything in six days by the creative power of His voice. That is how the text has stood and has been interpreted until very recently.

        Exodus 20:11 - either God did it or He didn't. If He didn't create the world and everything in it in six days, why does it say that He did?
        There is no way that eons of time or evolution can be found in a literal reading of the text, and there is no reason for us to take it as anything other than literal.

III. What Did Jesus Say?
        Matthew 19:4 - Jesus says that God made man at the beginning. Which model does this interpretation fit?
        Evolution places man's appearance 30-70 million years ago. While this seems like a long time ago it is actually very recent on an evolutionary time scale (remember, they claim the earth is 4.5 billion years old).
        Creation, on the other hand, makes the earth only five days older than man. He really was created at the beginning.

IV. Proposed Compromises
       There are several theories that have been given to try to combine evolution and Genesis one. These two are the most popular.

1. The Gap Theory
        Teaches that there is a gap of millions-billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. During this time, God had created plants, animals and even man. When Satan fell, God destroyed the earth and the Genesis record picks up in verse two when God is essentially starting over.
        This theory allows for the eons of time necessary for both evolution, the geological table, and for prehistoric man.

However there are some serious problems with this theory:
     1. Exodus 20:11 says God created all things in six days, not "recreated".
     2. Adam was the first man (1 Cor. 15:45).
     3. Death did not exist until Adam's sin (Romans 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21).
     4. No one would ever come up with this theory strictly from the text.

2. The Day-Age Theory
        Teaches that the days of Genesis one are not literal, 24 hour days. Rather, they were ages of perhaps millions of years in which God could have used the evolutionary process to bring about the variety of life on earth.

        If the Creation Week is the model that God used for the evolutionary process, there are serious problems with this theory:
     1. Genesis says the earth was created before the stars. Evolution says the stars were created first.
     2. Genesis says the reptiles came after the birds. Evolution claims that birds evolved from reptiles.
     3. Creation says plants were created before sea creatures. Evolution says sea creatures came before land plants.
     4. How could plants have survived an entire geological age without any sunlight?
     5. How could plants have survived three geological ages without insects, which are necessary for their pollination?
     6. There is still the problem of death before the fall of Adam.

Conclusion:
        Romans 3:4 - what are we, as Bible believers, supposed to do when science and the Bible contradict? Most of us would acknowledge, unashamedly, that we accept the word of God. But some believers, including some gospel preachers, are telling us that the Bible must be interpreted in light of what science says is true.
        Are we going to let the Bible stand in judgment of science or let evolutionary science stand in judgment of the Bible?
        Either God created the earth and everything in it in six literal, 24 hour days or He didn't. Either Genesis 1-11 is a collection of folklore or it is a divinely inspired account of creation.

        There is no room or reason to compromise the Bible to accept a theory that not only contradicts science, but exists only to prove God does not.
        These views are in opposition to each other. True evolutionists don't want God, and true believers find no reason for evolution.
        The compromising believer isn't doing himself, the evolutionist or the cause of Christ any favor by trying to fit them together.

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