TITLE: No Substitutes Allowed

TEXT: Genesis 4:1-8

PROPOSITION: God does not accept substitutes.

QUESTION: What?

KEY WORD: Examples

Introduction:

1. Definition - “to put under, put or use in the place of, or instead of; to take the place of; a person or thing put in the place of another; to replace; take the place of something or someone”

2. What is wrong with substitution?

   1. In some areas substitution is perfectly OK. After-market bumper; store brand

   2. In many areas substitution is not OK.

3. There are many examples where no substitutes were allowed.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO SUBSTITUTE

1. Offering of Cain – Genesis 4:1-8

   1. By faith Able offered a lamb; Cain offered from his garden

   2. God rejected the substitute

   3. Cain became angry and filled with resentment – killed Able

2. Sarah and Abraham – Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-12

   1. Sarah proposed a substitute to help God keep His promise of a son

   2. It only brought anguish and grief

   3. God had to explain – this son is NOT the son of the promise

3. Nadab and Abihu – Leviticus 10:1-2

   1. Sons of Aaron – priests, qualified to burn incense

   2. They brought incense which was not authorized

   3. They were stuck dead – dragged out – no funeral – no mourning

4. King Saul – 1 Samuel 15:1-23

   1. God's command was very clear

   2. Saul tried to offer a sacrifice of forbidden animals

   3. God rejected the sacrifice AND He rejected Saul and his sons from being King

5. Priests of Israel – Malachi 1:6-14

   1. Priests offered blind, sick, injured animals as sacrifice

   2. The law of God was very clear what animals could be sacrificed

6. Jesus warned of vain worship – Matthew 15:7-9

   1. Lip service (going through the motions) is not acceptable worship

   2. God looks for worship that comes from the heart

7. The Galatians – Galatians 3:1; 1:6-9

   1. They were bewitched (tricked, fooled) into accepting another gospel

   2. They were accepting a substitute in place of the gospel Paul preached

MEN ARE STILL TRYING TO SUBSTITUTE:

1. Human creeds for the Scriptures

2. Doctrines of men for doctrine of Christ

3. Churches of men for the church of Christ

4. Ways of men for the way of God

5. Many ways to heaven for THE WAY

6. Sprinkling or pouring for immersion baptism

7. Faith only for obedient faith

8. Elaborate ritual for simple worship

9. Entertainment for heartfelt expressions of praise to God

10. Instrumental music for singing

From sermon by Jeff Asher in Adorning the Word series