GENERIC CHRISTIANITY--Matt 7:21

1. If people don’t like something, they can always go somewhere else and get it.

2. If they don’t like the brand name Baptist churches, they can always find a generic church to go to. Charismatic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Church of God, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, Mormon, and even Non-Denominational.

A. If you like to drink beer and wine you can go to the Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, and Lutheran churches.

B. If you like to dance and jump around you can go to the Charismatic church.

C. If you like to gamble and play the lottery you can go to the Catholic church.

3. If they don’t like the brand name King James Bible, they can always find a generic version. The New International Version, The Revised Standard Version, The New American Standard, The Century Version, The New Living Bible, The Holman Bible, The New King James Version, Good News For Modern Man are just a few generic versions.

4. This is the definition of the brand name: CHRISTIAN - having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, as love, kindness, humility, etc.

A. Generic Christians are like those in the next two illustrations: Mt. 7:21 – 23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

B. One man thought that he could buy his way in by giving money. Acts 8:18-22  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

C. Some folks do give a lot of money supposing that they can give their way in and others use other things as their passport. Their Church Membership.

I.          GENERIC CHRISTIANITY TEACHES NO DOCTRINE

A-Without Doctrine, There’s No Salvation

                        1-Salvation By Grace is a Doctrine

                        2-Salvation Bought by Blood is a Doctrine

                        3-Salvation is a DOCTRINE

B-Without Doctrine, There’s No Security

                        1-Our Eternal Security is a Divine Doctrine

            2-Our Everlasting Salvation is a Direct Doctrine

            3-Our Eternal Salvation is a Definite Doctrine

C-Without Doctrine, There’s No Scriptures

                        1-The Bible is a Doctrinal Book

                        2-The Bible is a Divine Book

                        3-The Bible is a Discerned Book

II.        GENERIC CHRISTIANITY PRACTICES NO DISCIPLINE

            A-Without Discipline, There’s No Authority

            B-Without Discipline, There’s No Absolutes

            C-Without Discipline, There’s No Anointing

III.       GENERIC CHRISTIANITY HAS NO DIRECTION

            A-Without Direction, There’s No Purpose

            B-Without Direction, There’s No Power

            C-Without Direction,  There’s No Preparation

IV.       GENERIC CHRISTIANITY WON’T GIVE DELIVERANCE

            A-It Teaches a Socialized Gospel (Bound to the Flesh)

            B-It Causes a Sinner to Go to Hell

            C- It Praises Sinful Flesh (We are good enough without God)

V.        GENERIC CHRISTIANITY IS NOT OF DIVINE ORIGIN

            A-Generic Christianity Comes From Society

            B-Generic Christianity Comes From Satan

            C-Generic Christianity Comes From Self-Esteem Groups