Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

3. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew
thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the Word of truth.

4. What is “not” in the Bible!
 “Stay tuned to learn what is not in the Bible!”
 After hearing this on the radio, I couldn’t wait to
see what they would say next!
 Most of what they said were quotes that people
mistakenly believe are in the Bible.
 “All things shall pass/this too shall pass”
 “God helps those who help themselves”
 “God works in mysterious ways”
 Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

5. Biblical illiteracy!
 "Americans revere the Bible, but by and large they
don’t know what it says. And because they don’t
know it, they have become a nation of biblical
illiterates.“
 With this being the case, we shouldn’t be surprised
that many simply do not know what is or isn’t in
the Bible!
 I have here a book “It’s in the Bible” the author
points out many things that are often overlooked
or ignored that are in fact in the Bible!

6. Better understanding what “is” by
considering what is “not” in the Bible!
Our hope & prayer tonight is to be better
informed about what “is” in the Bible!
We don’t have to know everything that is
wrong to do right, but if we don’t know what
is right chances are we will get it wrong!
Tonight we will consider some of the wrong
answers to better understand the right!

7. I. The Sinner’s Prayer is Not!
Yet, most practice this! A sinner praying &
being saved is not! Now, saints can pray to
be forgiven!
 Do you remember Simon? (Act. 8:22-24)
This one can be a little tricky, and sometime
people swing too far in the wrong direction!

8. Does God Hear Sinners’ Prayers?
This is a good question, and it really
depends on what you mean!
 Jn 9:31 "Now we know that God does not hear
sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and
does His will, He hears him.
 Ps 34:15-16 The eyes of the LORD are on the
righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The
face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut
off the remembrance of them from the earth.

9. Sinners Praying!
We have many examples of this, and God
does not save them, but He sends them
someone to tell them what they must do!
Saul/Paul (Act. 9:3-19; 22:1-16; 26:12-23)
Cornelius (Act. 10:1-8)
Both of these were very religious men, but
neither of them was saved by praying!

10. II. Once Saved Always Saved is Not!
This teaching comes in many “flavors”
and has been around for about 500 years!
It worked it’s way in the mainstream of
religion primarily through the teachings
of John Calvin!
 Many liking the “false” sense of secirity
have adopted this view!

11. One Can Fall From Grace!
The Bible warns us many times about the
danger of falling away!
 Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ,
you who attempt to be justified by law; you have
fallen from grace.
 1 Cor 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he
stands take heed lest he fall.
 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 10:26-27; Rev 2 & 3

12. III. Faith Alone Will Save is Not!
Now this last point “faith alone/only” is found
in the Bible, but the Bible teaches that this
doesn’t save! So who will we believe?
 Js 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by
works, and not by faith only. (NKJV)
 Jas 2:24 You see that a man is justified by
works and not by faith alone. (RSV)

13. Saved by grace, through faith!
 Eph 2:5 & 8 even when we were dead in
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved), For by grace you
have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God.
 So what is Biblical faith then? (Heb. 11:6)
 We do not work to achieve, we work because we
believe! Real faith, works! Works of obedience!

14. God’s part: mercy & grace!
Man’s part: faith & obedience!
 2 Thess 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on
those who do not know God, and on those who
do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Heb 5:8-9 though He was a Son, yet He learned
obedience by the things which He suffered.
And having been perfected, He became the
author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

15. Conclusion:
 “You do not have to know everything that is
wrong to do right, but you do have to know
what is right!”
 I know I could have added many other things to
this lesson, but I hope these have helped us to
see are need to be “a Berean!”
 Act. 17:11 … and searched the Scriptures daily!