To Whom Shall We Go Where are disciples going when they turn from Jesus, the Way?

Where are They/We Going? After emotionalism and feelings

Genesis 37:34-35 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. ESV Jacob felt his son was dead, and his feelings were wrong.

Acts 26:9-11 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. ESV Paul thought he should harm Christians, he was wrong.

Our feelings depend on what we believe. If we are mistaken our feelings will be mistaken. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

Where are They/We Going? After emotionalism and feelings After the testimony of men

Nothing wrong with commentaries,

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Nothing wrong with commentaries, but only the truth is the truth. The testimony of men is also seen in creed books, manuals catechisms, and church conferences

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ESV Paul denied himself that place.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ESV Paul scolded this party spirit in the church.

Romans 3:4a By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, ESV God versus man? It’s God EVERY time!

Where are They/We Going? After emotionalism and feelings After the testimony of men After family and traditions

Tradition only takes ONE generation to corrupt. ONE generation after the apostles babies were being baptized. Luther, Wesley, Calvin, Spurgeon, and Clarke all opposed instruments in worship. Today their followers use and defend them.

Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Changing the original is distortion & desertion.

750 years of accapella singing… why add instruments? 1,300 years of baptism as a burial… why are some sprinkling? 1,500 years without denominationalism… has it suddenly become the right & best way?

Where are They/We Going? After emotionalism and feelings After the testimony of men After family and traditions After a “do good” religion

General benevolence Institutionalism Community services

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ESV What’s wrong with it? Vs. What’s right with it?

Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ESV What’s wrong with it? Vs. What’s right with it?

Philippians 3:16-17 standard however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. NASV What standard are we following????

1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. ESV We’re following a written standard.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. ESV We’re following a scriptural standard.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence Everything that pertains to life & godliness given.

Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Without addition or subtraction

Where are They/We Going? After emotionalism and feelings After the testimony of men After family and traditions After a “do good” religion Where can we REALLY go, besides to Jesus Christ? Where are YOU going?