A sermon on the word "must"
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THERE IS A WORD WHICH HAS
THE SENSE OF MUST. THIS
TERM IS SPELLED DEI, AND IT DESCRIBES ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OR
OBLIGATIONS WHICH MUST BE MET.
A. Last week we looked at Acts 5:29.
B. The apostles told the rulers they needed to be obedient.
C. We used Acts 5:29 to look at the Christian’s relationship to civil government.
D. We did not, however, study the word must.
E. If you have the KJV or the NKJV the text has “ought” instead of “must” in Acts 5:29.
2. Most versions use the word must, and this rendering expresses the thought quite well.
3. The apostles said they had to obey God.
4. They were under orders which could not be changed; they had no other alternative.
5. The word they used was a polite way of telling the rulers “no.”
6. When we look at the New Testament the word being described tonight appears 104 times.
7. When we study this term we find that is applied to several important items.
8. I looked at every passage where this term occurs and want to share my findings.
9. The word translated must is directly related to the Christian life and salvation.
A. Tonight I want to share with you some of the key places where this term occurs.
B. We already know one of the important places it is found.
C. If we are asked to choose between God’s law and civil government, we know what we must do.
D. We are required to follow God’s will no matter what the cost.
E. Breaking one or more of God’s laws to comply with the laws of a government is not an option.
F. Christians must obey no matter what the cost.
10. This term is also used in Lk. 24:44.
A. Here Jesus said certain things had been written about Him.
B. This information was in the law, prophets, and psalms.
C. Jesus said this information “must” (had to be) fulfilled – READ
D. Why would the Lord say what is expressed in this verse?
E. The answer is found in the fact that God keeps His word.
F. If certain things were promised, God had to deliver them.
G. Under the Old Testament certain promises were made concerning a savior.
H. Jesus knew this and said each promise had to come true.
11. The word we are looking at, therefore, tells us God must keep His word.
12. God has no choice but to honor what is said in the scriptures.
13. If this is a promise of blessing, it will be kept.
14. If it is a promise of condemnation and judgment, God must honor these agreements as well.
15. Another key place where this term occurs is Jn. 3:7.
A. Jesus told Nicodemus a man must be “born again” (anew).
B. A second birth is required and this birth is from above (from God).
C. The use of the word must in conjunction with the new birth means this is absolutely required.
16. Unsaved people who are not born again will stay unsaved.
17. If a person is not born anew, he or she cannot go to heaven.
A. We sometimes find people who brag about being born again.
B. This is rather unusual because there is no other type of Christian.
C. If we are not born again we are not a Christian.
18. This term occurs three times in Jn. 3.
A. In addition to Jn. 3:7, the word is used in verse 14.
B. Jesus said He “had to” be lifted up.
C. Jesus had to die on a cross if humanity were to be saved. There was no other choice.
D. His life had to be given on our behalf.
E. We remember how He prayed in the garden, “if it be possible.”
F. The Lord would have surely welcomed an alternative way to save the world; no other way.
G. Early in His life He predicated His being lifted up on a cross would be necessary.
19. Just as this was required of Him, so the new birth is required for those who want to be saved.
20. In Jn. 3:30 we find the word being used a third time.
21. John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
A. John understood this was a necessity; there was no choice.
B. It had to be this way because Jesus was so mighty John was not worthy to untie the Lord’s shoes.
22. This term that describes absolute necessity is found in the next chapter of John (Jn. 4).
A. It is used in Jn. 4:24 to describe worship.
B. Jesus said we “must” (same word) worship in spirit and truth.
C. This type of worship is not a suggestion or strong recommendation.
D. We either do it by observing these 2 conditions or we offer worship God will not accept.
E. In this part of the United States a lot of companies adhere to certain standards.
F. Many of these standards say products must be within certain limits.
G. If people are serious about the standards, the criteria which has been set must be met.
H. God is serious about worship.
I. He has set a standard for what we do in worship and we must adhere to it.
J. There are examples in the Bible of people who did not conform and they were punished.
23. In Acts 4:12 this word is associated with salvation.
A. Here the Bible says we “must” be saved by and through Jesus Christ.
B. A lot of religious leaders have arisen.
C. People have been influenced by people other than Jesus.
D. Acts 4:12 says no religious leader besides Jesus can bring us to salvation.
E. We either use Him and His way or we will be lost.
F. God offers salvation but it is offered on His terms. We must use Jesus Christ and His way.
24. Another place this word occurs in the book of Acts is the 9th chapter.
A. At the end of Acts 7 we read about a great persecution of the church.
B. Saul who became Paul was anxious to persecute Christians.
C. He was something of a leader in regard to opposing Christians so he embarked upon a mission.
D. Jesus stopped him and gave him a message.
E. Saul was told to go to a city where he “must” do certain things.
25. Today it is often affirmed that in the salvation process God does it all.
26. The sinner sits back and relaxes while God takes care of everything.
27. Acts 9:6 says there are things an unsaved person needs to do.
28. These things are not option; they “must” be done.
29. An example of a “must” on our part is the new birth we looked at in Jn. 3:7.
30. Acts 14:22 is another place where this term occurs.
A. This passage should be treasured by every Christian.
B. We know Christians who suffer so much.
C. There are brethren who seem to have problems heaped and heaped on them.
D. Others suffer less but still suffer.
E. Listen to what an inspired person said – READ.
F. We “must” suffer difficulty if we are among the saved.
G. Every saved person who has reached the age of accountability will suffer.
H. What we are facing is not limited to us. We may be undeserving of suffering.
I. Christians expect to have special difficulties because there are required.
31. One of the problems Christians can face is false teaching.
A. In 1 Cor. 11:19 Paul spoke of religious error.
B. He said doctrinal error must exist because it helps separate people.
C. It separates those who truly love God and His word from those who do not.
D. It separates those who insist only following God and those who do not.
32. Tit. 1:11 uses the word must to say false teaching must be met.
33. We have people in and out of the church who accept or tolerate religious error.
34. False teaching has always existed and it will continue to exist.
35. When we see it we can do our best to stomp it out.
36. The word must tells us it is God’s will to correct false teachers and false doctrine.
37. The way we do this is found in Heb. 2:1.
38. The writer said we “must” give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard.
39. God wants us to be familiar with His word.
40. He says the Christian must be familiar with his or her Bible.
41. This is necessary because we are in danger of slipping (falling away).
42. In life the word must applies to us in so many ways.
43. This term also has relevance in eternity.
A. In 1 Cor. 15 Paul said flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
B. He also said our corruptible bodies “must” (same word) put on incorruption.
C. We cannot go to heaven with our current body; it must be changed and it will be changed.
D. The word must assures us that we will receive the right type of body.
E. This body will be in the same time frame as the final judgment.
44. In 2 Cor. 5:10 the Bible says all “must” appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
45. Here this word means none will escape or sneak off.
46. None will wiggle out of this final appointment.
47. The word must assures each of us that we will one day stand before our Creator.
48. Our friends, neighbors, enemies, and everyone else will make an appearance too.
49. A four letter word is one of the most important terms in the Bible.
50. This single word affects our worship, salvation, and our eternal fate.
51. We must do certain things. Do we believe this?
52. Saying certain things are required is not popular in the religious world.
53. in the Bible, again and again, this term is used.
54. Will we be obedient to God?