The S.O.S. Lesson Materials
 Belief based on God's Word

Most Filipinos are religious Catholics, but their faith are based mostly on tradition and not on the Holy Bible
This lesson will challenge them to evaluate their beliefs if these are based on God's word or not.

KEY VERSE: Jesus said, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures" (MAT 22:29)

INTRODUCTION: It is good to find people who can easily say they believe in God. Yet in reality...

  • Many of these people do not know what God wants them to believe (The so called “Siete Palabras” of Jesus on the cross is the only word of God some people know)
  • Many believe and do religious things which God did not command or which God prohibited in His Word. (Example: Some sincere devotees think they can earn God's favor or salvation if they build "capillas" for their patron saints).
  • Some know certain truths about God, but not enough. (Example: Many think that God's commandments are all that is contained in the 'Ten Commandments' taught in their cathechism). Many of these people are sincere and have a genuine desire for God, but they have a problem - ignorance of the Word of God (MAT 22:29).

    1. BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION OF SUCH CASE: Israel - Romans 10:1-3.
      1. Good starting point - "They are zealous (devoted) to God",v.2
      2. Harmful disadvantage - "Their zeal is not based on Knowledge" (v.2), "they did not know the righteousness that comes from God" (v.3), meaning - they do not know God's way of putting people right before God (see v.4)
      3. Erroneous consequence - "they sought to establish their own way" (v.3). They set up their own ways and effort to reach God. This is the essence of all human religions.
      4. Contrary response to the Gospel - "they did not submit to God's righteousness (v.3). When presented with God's way of righteousness which is in Christ Jesus, they will not anymore accept it but rather cling to their erroneous beliefs.
      5. Tragic condition - "they are not saved" (v.1) - not put right with God. (Illus: a man who took the wrong bus and arrived in a wrong place because he did not read the sign board of the bus).

    2. THE NEED TO PREACH GOD'S WORD
      1. Satan knows that the Word of God has power unto salvation , so he takes away God's Word and promotes error instead (Luke 8:12).
      2. He is a liar and the father of lies (JOH 8:44). He does not want the pure Word of God to be taught and preached because as long as people stay ignorant of God's Word, they will stay in error, and will not be saved.
      3. Jesus commanded the Church to preach His Word (MAT 28:19-20) so that people can believe and have a basis for their beliefs and action. Jesus wants people to have their belief based on God's Word. This is true faith as against presumption. FAITH is believing and acting based on the evidence of truth. PRESUMPTION is believing and acting without or against the evidence of truth.

    3. FAITH COMES ONLY BY HEARING GOD'S WORD - (ROM 10:13-17)
      People who are saved: They are SENT, PREACH the Word of God. People who are still unsaved: They HEAR, BELIEVE, CALL ON THE LORD and are SAVED!

    4. REASONS WHY GOD WANTS OUR FAITH TO BE BASED ON HIS WORD.
      1. Because Salvation is through faith in the Scriptures that reveal Jesus the Savior. (JOH 20:31; 2TI 3:15-17).
      2. God's Word will judge all men (JOH 12:48).
      3. If we listen to God's Word, He will listen to our prayers as well (PRO 1:24-30; 28:9;ZEC 7:11-13; JOH 15:7).
      4. God's Word is higher & binding than man's word (MAT 15:1-3, 7-9)
      5. Hearing God's Word is evidence that you belong to God. JOH 8:41-47.

    CONCLUSION: How has this lesson made you realize the need to find out what the Bible says?