MAN'S LIMITATIONS

Introduction:
   1. Jeremiah 10:23
   2. It is well for man to know his limitations. It will keep us
      humble and submissive.
   3. It helps him to plan more wisely his life both for time and for
      eternity.
   4. There are many things which man cannot know or do. Every power
      of man has its limitations.
   5. No man is so intelligent, so industrious, so consecrated, but,
      that God has written "limited" after his name and work.

  I. THINGS MAN CANNOT KNOW:
     1. How old this world is. Many guesses, some differ by millions,
        even Trillions of years.
     2. How much longer it will stand. 2 Pet. 3:10, as a thief. Yet,
        they continue to guess.
     3. When death will come to us. Thus, must prepare. Heb. 9:27.
     4. That we shall have another opportunity to obey Christ.
     5. The unrevealed things, Deut. 29:29. (These gender strife and
        confusion. 2 Tim. 2:23)

 II. THINGS MAN CANNOT DO:
     1. Some are limited by: (1) finance, (2) broken health,
        (3) heredity and environment.
     2. Cannot have faith for another. "Whosoever will..."
     3. Cannot repent for another, not even our friends. Acts 2:38.
     4. Cannot be baptized for another. "Teach and baptize..."
         (Some would teach this, but no authority for it.)
     5. Cannot forgive for another. Cannot forgive for Jehovah.
     6. Cannot forgive our own sins. Only God can do this. Thus, the
        need for Christ.
     7. Cannot close (nor open) the gates of heaven against anyone.
     8. Cannot open the gates of hell against anyone.
     9. Cannot derive a plan of salvation.  John 10:7ff.

III. THINGS SOME THINK THEY KNOW: (But, they do not.)
     1. That God will accept additions to His word and to His
        worship. Man is willing to take the chance with their own
        wisdom and logic (?).
         (1) Mechanical Instruments of music in worship today.
         (2) Entertainments and frolic as part of New Testament work
             and/or worship.
         (3) Religious days and actions not found in God's Book.
     2. That one can be saved without obedience to the gospel.
        Rom.  6:17
     3. That one can be saved outside of God's Family, the church.
     4. That there are many churches that please Jehovah; thus one
        church is as good as another. Eph 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:13.
     5. That God will excuse ignorance of His will. Acts 17:30.
     6. That man can improve on any of God's ways.

Conclusion:
   1. Due to man's limitations, how dependent we must be on God's
      Word. Relying completely on what He has given us.
   2. Truly Jeremiah knew what he said was truth. Jer. 10:23

Return to Index
Home