Which Side Of The Fence Are You On? February 26, 2012 AM
Category: Dowlen Road Church—Benjamin Lee
Introduction:
1. A couple of weeks ago I was exercising at Exygon. As I was working out one of the teachers from
Vincent Middle School started working out next to me. We began to talk about the work that Max
and I do at the school. This opened the door to talk about the Bible.
2. My friend then asked me a question. He said, “Do you think people who go to hell will have a
chance to eventually move on up to heaven?” I answered by telling him, “No!” When someone dies
their fate is sealed. He then said, “So you are on that side of the fence?” What he meant was that I
was one of those people who believes what the Bible teaches about hell being a place of everlast-
ing punishment. I answered him by saying, “Yep, I am.” I said that because that’s what Jesus
taught, Matthew 25:46.
3. His response took me by surprise because this was a religious man. Yet, he seemed to have a dif-
ficult time believing what the Bible says about hell.
4. How is it that people who are religious minded (go to church, read the Bible) seem to have a hard
time believing what the Bible says not only about hell, but many other things? The truth is those
who reject what the Bible says about hell are on the wrong side of the fence. What about us?
When it comes to what the Bible teaches, what side of the fence are we on? And why is it that
some end up on the wrong side of the fence? There are many reasons that could be given. But for
the sake of time we will look at three. We need to avoid these three things so that we will be on the
right side of the fence: God’s side.
The Lesson:
I. Some fail to read the Bible.
A. We live in a time where many people are Biblically illiterate.
1. There was a survey a couple of years ago that asked people who called themselves
“Christians” some basic questions about the Bible. One man was asked, “What’s the first
book of the Bible?” The man said, “Testament.” The study went on to say that more than
60 percent of Americans can't name half of the Ten Commandments or the four Gospels
of the New Testament.
2. Although the Bible is very clear about the sinless nature of Christ, 22 percent believe that Je-
sus sinned while He lived on earth. Another study stated that most self-proclaimed Christians
don't believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit actually exist. Why is it that so many people be-
lieve this way?
3. It’s because people are failing to read the Bible.
B. Yet, this is what disciples of Jesus must do.
1. Paul encouraged the young Christian Timothy to do this, 1 Timothy 4:13.
2. We often talk about how Christians need to read the Bible to grow. But my point is not
about growing, but rather about knowing. There are some things we must know. But we
will not know these things unless we read. In order to come to Jesus we must know some
things, John 6:44-45. In order to be saved we must know some things, Acts 16:32.This is
something that we must do. Here’s why.
a. When we fail to read the Bible we set ourselves up to be deceived.
b. It is often the case that many Christians allow popular culture to shape their views on
hell, sin, and Jesus. But what we are to know is not to come from the words and opin-
ions from people like Oprah, Reverend Al Sharpton, or Ellen Degeneres.
3. That’s why we must read the Bible so we can know some things, and so that we will end
up on the right side of the fence: God’s side!
II. Some read the Bible but fail to understand.
A. Not only must we read, but we must also understand what we read.
1. As I was working out next to my friend, we discussed whether or not one can understand
the Bible. He thought that many things regarding God and the Bible are mysterious.
2. It is difficult at times to understand how God is everlasting, Psalms 90:2.
3. But this idea that we can’t understand anything is often abused. The truth is God has giv-
en us His word so that we can understand Him and His will, Ephesians 3:3-4, 5:18.
