Faith & Feelings

I. Truth Saves

2 Th.2:10 1) Elaborates on 2 Th.1:8 2) 1 Tim.2:4

God confirmed truth with miraculous signs, Hb.2:3-4  Jesus first preached His own gospel  Hearing apostles is same as hearing Jesus Himself

Does God confirm false doctrines? If so, He endorses unlimited errors  Muslims – Mormons – Catholics – Pentecostals, etc.  Each claims to speak as God guides; each claims signs If true: God confirms a doctrine through one group & denies it through others

What signs distinguish one group from the others? How to know? Just pray; ask God MormonAdventist

I. Truth Saves II. We Must Believe Truth

2 Th.2:10-12  W/o love of truth, no salvation  Truth: what harmonizes w. facts  We cannot believe Everything we hear. Truth does not contradict itself. 2. Something just because speaker is sincere. Ac Everything we hear. Truth does not contradict itself. 2. Something just because speaker is sincere. Ac.18

We must ‘test’ the spirits, 1 Jn.4:1  1 Jn.4:6; 1 Th.5: Why? 1. Some lie. “False prophets” (Mt.7:15; 24:11, 24; Ac.13:6) 2. Some are deceived. (1 Jn.2:19; 5:19) 1. Some lie. “False prophets” (Mt.7:15; 24:11, 24; Ac.13:6) 2. Some are deceived. (1 Jn.2:19; 5:19)

Failure to test spirits leads to apostasy, Gal.1:6-9  Galatia: churches accepted error w/o testing it (Ga.2:1-4; Ac.15; 17:11).  Gal.1: wantpervert 7, want to pervert (cause change of state) gospel of Christ 8, they allowed mere men to go where angels would not tread 9, accursed (anathema, Ro.9:3) wantpervert 7, want to pervert (cause change of state) gospel of Christ 8, they allowed mere men to go where angels would not tread 9, accursed (anathema, Ro.9:3)

“But my experience is all I need”  Did this work in Galatia?  “An angel told me” – only three options : Already in Bible. Would God send angel to repeat His word? Already in Bible. Would God send angel to repeat His word? Contrary to Bible. Would God send angel to contradict His word? Contrary to Bible. Would God send angel to contradict His word? Discerned by human wisdom w/o Bible. Sinkholes? Spaceships? Discerned by human wisdom w/o Bible. Sinkholes? Spaceships?

I. Truth Saves III. Experiences Alone Never Confirmed Truth II. We Must Believe Truth

1. Deuteronomy13 Signs: all talk, supposed confirma- tory sign, but not true Dt.18:20-22, non-fulfillment: automatically a false prophet The ‘sign’ does not prove the claim against revealed truth

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Nu.22-24, Balaam Talked w. God, knew truth, but added deadly advice that destroyed him His advice contradicted God’s word. The Word had the final say.

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Balaam, Nu Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 Prophesied on murder mission Supernatural gift did not save him

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Balaam, Nu Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 4. Eliphaz, Job 4:12-21 Appeals to night vision to prove his views (‘Job is a sinner’) Job 42 He could not be more wrong – Job 42

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Balaam, Nu Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 4. Eliphaz, Job 4: Jews, Jer.44:1-19 Charge: abomination, 1-14 Counter-charge: appeal to past prosperity in idolatry, Result: As you wish

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Balaam, Nu Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 4. Eliphaz, Job 4: Jews, Jer.44: Judgment, Mt.7:21-23 Appeal to mighty works Depart from Me… (Same lesson as Deut.13)

1. Deuteronomy13 2. Balaam, Nu Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 4. Eliphaz, Job 4: Jews, Jer.44: Judgment, Mt.7: Corinthians, 1 Co.1:7 Many supernatural gifts Not saved unless they hold fast to Word preached to them, 1 Co.15:2

Scripture provides... ▪ Certainty, Lk.1:3-4 ▪ True discipleship, truth, Jn.8:31-32; 17:17 ▪ All necessary things that Jesus did, Jn.20:30-31 ▪ Edification, Ac.20:32 ▪ Encouragement, Ro.15:4 ▪ Commands of God, 1 Co.14:37 ▪ Revelation of mysteries, Ep.3:3-5 ▪ Every good work, 2 Tim.3:16-17 ▪Memory of apostles’ words, 2 Pt.1:15 ▪ Fellowship: apostles, Father, Son, 1 Jn.1:3 ▪ Full joy, 1 Jn.1:4 ▪ Protection against sin, 1 Jn.2: What else must one know or have? 2. Do experiences nullify effect of Word?

Deuteronomy 29:29 The move The business (1 Th.4:3) The premonition Eph.6:6