Vol.XIX No.V Pg.5
July 1982

Use Your Bible

Dan S. Shipley

I. KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH MAKES FREE FROM BONDS OF IGNORANCE

A. Gentiles "old man" characterized by ignorance

    1. Eph. 4:17-24 ("darkened in their understanding"; "ignorance")
    2. Thus, "alienated from the life of God..", etc.
    3. But, they learned Christ, heard Him, were taught in Him, thus became enlightened and put on the new man (Eph. 1:17).

B. Ignorance is not bliss!

    1. It promotes man-made religion, Rom. 10:1-3
    2. It promotes worship of idols, Acts 17:23
    3. It hinders faith, promotes division, makes men susceptible to false doctrine, and hinders obedience
    4. Darkness of ignorance only dispelled by light of truth

Ii. Knowledge Of Truth Makes Free From Bonds Of Prejudice

A. Show relationship between ignorance and prejudice (define)

    1. Ex. "earth is flat"; "malaria caused by swamp air"; etc.

B. Prejudice a worst enemy of cause of righteousness

    1. "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (Jn. 1:46)
    2. Caused rejection of Christ by Jews; rejection of gospel truth; rejection of Lord's church ("My mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts!"); perpetuates division

C. Examining all in light of truth can remove prejudice

    1. Providing we want it removed!
    2. Both ignorance and prejudice removed with spirit of Bereans

III. KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH MAKES FREE FROM DOCTRINES & COMMANDMENTS OF MEN

A. Show relationship between ignorance, prejudice, and such doctrines

B. Show great influence of man-made doctrine in religious world

    1. Source determines validity of teaching ("from God or man?")
    2. Show how more people are more influenced in religion by what does NOT come from God than by what DOES come from Him.
    3. Show effects (Makes worship vain, Mts. 15:9; denominates because differing groups prove differing doctrines; dishonors God, etc.)

C. So, "preach the word" (2 Tim. 2:2)

    1. That which comes from divine source must be received, honored and applied above that which has its origin with uninspired
    2. Need to continually "prove all things" (1 Thss. 5:21)

IV. KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH MAKES MEN FREE FROM SIN (immediate point of text)

A. Sin worst & most destructive enemy of mankind

    1. Show its nature and consequences (Isa. 59:1,2; Rom. 3:23; 1 Jn. 3:4, etc)

B. Only God's truth reveals God's way of salvation (Rom. 1:16)

    1. Thus men need to KNOW it; hear and learn (Jn. 6:45)
    2. Show that every case of conversion was a RESPONSE to LEARNING TRUTH!
    3. We must apply truth to all; live it; defend it; teach it...