EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES

• Introduction
  1. There are rules and there are exceptions to rules.
  2. "I" before "E," except after "C" is the rule and its exception which most of us learn early in our academic careers.

1. Christ Has "All Authority"
   1. The Rule
      1. Matthew 28:18
         In commissioning His apostles to spread the gospel throughout the world, the Lord Jesus claimed "all authority."
      2. Matthew 7:28-29
         Those who heard Him speak, understood this easily enough.
      3. Ephesians 1:21-23
         Christ is "far above all."
      4. Philippians 2:9-11
         All those on earth, as well as in heaven, will bow before Him.
   2. The Exception
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:27-28
         "It is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted."
         1. Jesus even said His authority was "given" to Him (Matthew 28:18).
         2. Someone else "put all things under His feet" (Ephesians 1:22).
         3. God is the one who exalted Him (Philippians 2:9).
      2. 1 Corinthians 11:3
         "The head of Christ is God."
2. Marriage Lasts "As Long As He Lives"
   1. The Rule
      1. Such a common statement in wedding vows as "Till death do us part," is actually a principle from scripture.
      2. 1 Corinthians 7:39
         Marriage is meant to be a life-long commitment.
      3. Romans 7:2-3
         One who marries another while a spouse remains alive is guilty of adultery.
      4. Matthew 19:4-6
         Far be it from any person that they attempt to separate what God has joined.
   2. The Exception
      1. Matthew 5:32
         The only exception to this rule is when an innocent person divorces a spouse for the cause of fornication. Otherwise, divorce should never occur.
      2. Matthew 19:9
         Without this extremely limited exception, the rule should read: "Whoever divorces his wife... and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery", which is just how it appears elsewhere (Luke 16:18).
3. "All Die"
   1. The Rule
      1. Ecclesiastes 9:5
         It's no secret; we are all aware that we will face death!
      2. Job 30:23; Hebrews 9:27
         Death is an appointment every living soul must keep.
      3. Romans 5:12
         "Death spread to all men."
      4. 1 Corinthians 15:22
         "All die."
   2. The Exception
      1. Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5
         Enoch was spared from this fate.
      2. 2 Kings 2:11
         Elijah also avoided death.
      3. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
         Those alive when Jesus comes will not die.
4. All Will Resurrect At The Last Day
   1. The Rule
      1. John 5:28-29
         Everyone, whether good or evil, will rise from the dead to meet their fate.
      2. Acts 24:15
         This is our hope.
   2. The Exception
      1. Matthew 28:6
         Jesus Christ rose much earlier than the rest of us.
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:20
         This makes Him "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
5. "All Have Sinned"
   1. The Rule
      1. Romans 3:23, 9
         The problem of disappointing our Maker by violating His will is universal in scope.
      2. 1 John 1:8, 10
         Those who claim otherwise are liars and indict the Lord as such.
   2. The Exception
      1. Hebrews 4:15
         Although He was subject to the same tests we are, if not worse, He never sinned.
      2. 1 Peter 2:22
         This was in accordance with prophecy.
      3. Luke 23:41
         Even one of the criminals who died next to Him understood this.
      4. 2 Corinthians 5:21
         He didn't sin, but He was punished for our sins.
6. Sinners Will Be Punished At Judgment
   1. The Rule
      1. 2 Corinthians 5:10
         Christ will judge all.
      2. Hebrews 9:27
         Judgment follows death.
   2. The Exception
      1. Acts 5:1-11
         Ananias and Sapphira were punished for their sins before the great Judgment Day.
      2. Acts 12:20-23
         Herod, too, was punished immediately for his sin.

• Conclusion
  1. Understand that these are the exceptions to the rules.
  2. We must expect the rule to prevail ordinarily.
  3. Therefore:
     1. We've all sinned.
     2. We all face death.
     3. We can expect to resurrect.
     4. We can expect to be judged according to our actions at the resurrection.