THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE

Proverbs 24:27

Intro:

    1. There are many good people who, in their own way are trying to please their Maker.
    2. They just do not know what to do or how to do those things that will please the Lord. In their efforts, they often put "the cart before the horse," as the old saying goes.
      1. In their sincerity they often forget the basic principle that Christ has laid down for being accepted of Him.
        1. John 14:15 ...."If you love me keep my command.."
        2. II John :6 ...."This is Love, that we walk in..."
        3. II John :9 ...."Whoever trangresseth and does..."
      2. What seems to be right and acceptable to them, is in fact an abomination in the sight of God....Prov. 14:12 ; 16:25.
    3. One of the clearest examples of this type of logic can be found in the "so called gospel plan of salvation" that so many think is the "plan of salvation from God.
    4. In fact they reverse the order in which the Bible reveals God's will and plan.
      1. They put the first before the last in the plan of salvation.
      2. In the same sense as the Prov. 24:27 writes, one firsts ready's the ground on which he is to build, not the other way round.
      3. Let us this evening study how man puts the "cart before the horse" in God's plan of salvation.
    5. This is done when man puts:


Body:

  1. Faith Before Hearing The Gospel
    1. Many today teach that you must feel saved then, you are able to learn from the Word of God.
      1. Two scriptures that show the error of this thinking...I Cor. 2:14.
        1. Illustration of this fact...Acts 8:26-37.
    2. Faith comes by hearing the Word (Rom. 10:17). If a person does not hear the Word of God he cannot have faith that comes by hearing the Word.
    3. One must learn of God before he can have faith in Him (Jn. 6:44- 45).
      1. Paul told the jailer to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," (Acts 16:31).
      2. He could not believe until he heard the Word (Rom. 10:17; Acts 16:32).
    4. The Gentiles were to hear the words of the gospel then believe (Acts 15:7).
    5. Go over chart of the Bible contrast.


  2. Repentance Before faith
    1. Those who believed John the Baptist's message repented (Mt. 3:2; Mk. 1:15).
    2. Those on the day of Pentecost believed before they repented....Acts 2:36.
      1. Those hearing the gospel preached were pricked in their hearts.
      2. Those who believed the apostles' words were told to repent (Acts 2:37-38).
    3. Thus repentance comes after believing.... a person who has taken the wrong turn is said to repent and turn about and then takes the right turn.
      1. But, in order for this to happen the person has to come to the understanding that he is on the wrong road.
      2. He has to believe then turn about, the same is true of the Alien sinner.


  3. Prayer Before Righteousness
    1. The ears of the Lord are open to the prayers of the righteous (I Pet. 3:12)
      1. God hears the person that worships Him and does his will (Jn. 9:31).
      2. Unless a person is righteous and obedient, Christ will not hear him.
    2. One must be a child of God for God to be his spiritual Father (Jn. 8:44).
    3. The prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Jas. 5:16).


  4. Child Of God Before Obeying The Gospel
    1. Read Baptist manual on justification, and baptism.
    2. The gospel is God's power to save those that believe (Rom. 1:16).
      1. One cannot be a child of God until he obeys the gospel of Christ.
      2. It is the power of the gospel that makes one a child of God. When he does what the gospel commands him to do then, he can become a child of God.
    3. Christ is the "author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him" (Heb. 5:8-9)


  5. Being In Christ Before Baptism
    1. One must be in Christ to be Saved (Eph. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:1; 2:10)...Paul realized this... Acts 9:18 ; 22:16.
    2. Baptism is that which puts one into Christ (Col. 2:9-13; Gal. 3:26-27).
      1. One is not in Christ before he is baptized, because baptism is that which puts one in Christ.
      2. Baptism saves and no one is saved out of Christ (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
      3. Baptism makes one a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Baptism adds to the church wherein is salvation.


  6. Heaven Before Obedience
    1. One must do the will of Christ to go to heaven (Mt. 7:21).
    2. Jesus asked his disciples, "...Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46).
    3. It is sad but true that there are many sincere people who have fallen in the hands of false teachers and have been led astray to believe that they are acceptable and well pleasing in the sight of God.
      1. The only way one knows that He has salvation ... and one can know...I John 5:13 ; John 20:30-31. Is to look into the Word of God and see what I am doing, and find out if it is acceptable.
    4. There are many Christians who have not learnt this lesson yet: These include scriptures that deal with study... II Tim. 2:15.
      1. Scriptures that deal with attendance....Heb.10:25.
      2. And living faithful ... Rev.2:10 ; I Cor. 9:27 ; 10:11
    5. Active obedience is what saves ... James 1:22.


Conclusion:

    1. We must do things the Lord's way to be saved. The Scriptures are our guide in all that we do. It is not enough to do just what God says. We must do what he says and in the way he says to do it.



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