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(Genesis) Genesis 3:1-5
J. Vernon McGee

John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in God and His word. He points out that doubt leads to disobedience and unbelief, highlighting the connection between faith and obedience. The preacher also warns against adding or subtracting from the word of God, as this distorts its message. He uses the example of Eve in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent cast doubt on God's word and questioned His love, goodness, righteousness, and holiness. The preacher concludes by emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, without any additional requirements.
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And the serpent knew, Satan knew what he was doing. And you notice what he did. He had a very subtle method as he came here. He asked her this question and he cast doubt on the Word of God, and he excites her curiosity, and he questions the love and the goodness and the righteousness and the holiness of God. Notice what happens. Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? You see, raises a doubt in her mind, excites her curiosity, and she answered, Why, we can eat of all the trees, but this tree, God has told us, ye shall not eat of it. And that ended, that's all God said. But she added something, Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. I don't find where he ever said, You're not touching. And then the serpent said unto the woman, and let me change our translation a little. Instead of saying, Ye shall not surely die, he said, Ye certainly shall not die. Why, that is just absolutely impossible. You see, he questions the love of God and the goodness of God. If God's good, why did he put that restriction down? And if God is righteous, well, he says He's not righteous. Because you won't die. And he questions the holiness of God. You're going to be gods yourself. For God doth know that in the days ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. May I say to you that this is the thing that she did. She added to the Word of God. And the liberal and the atheist takes from the Word of God. And God warned against that. And the cults and some fundamentalists, by the way, add to the Word of God. And God warns against that. And there are those that say that today we're saved by law. Oh, they say, yes, faith, but it's faith plus something else. And they're apt to come up with anything. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6, 29. How important that is. Now, you see here, he very subtly contradicts God. And he substitutes his word for it. Remember, we called attention in Romans to the fact of the obedience of faith. Faith leads to obedience. And disobedience leads to unbelief. You see, doubt leads to disobedience always. And so, you see, God is saying, if you believe on him whom he hath sent,
(Genesis) Genesis 3:1-5
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John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.