Faith & Feelings

I. Truth Saves

2 Th.2:10

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

God confirmed truth withmiraculous 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 distinguishone group from the others?

How to know?

Just pray;ask GodMormon Adventist

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 . . .

1. 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.5:20-21. 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)

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:

7, want to pervert (cause change of state) gospel of Christ

8, they allowed mere men to go where angels would not tread9, accursed (anathema, Ro.9:3)

“But my experience is all I need”Did this work in Galatia?“An angel told me” – only three options:

1. Already in Bible.

Would God send angel to

repeat His word?

2. Contrary to Bible.

Would God send angel to contradict His

word?

3. Discerned by human

wisdom w/o Bible.

Sinkholes?Spaceships?

I. Truth Saves

III. Experiences AloneNever 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 himHis advice contradicted God’s word.

The Word had the final say.

1. Deuteronomy132. Balaam, Nu.22-24

3. Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24 Prophesied on murder mission

Supernatural gift did not save him

1. Deuteronomy132. Balaam, Nu.22-24

3. Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…24

4. Eliphaz, Job 4:12-21 Appeals to night vision to prove his

views (‘Job is a sinner’)

He could not be more wrong – Job 42

1. Deuteronomy132. Balaam, Nu.22-24

3. Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…244. Eliphaz, Job 4:12-21

5. Jews, Jer.44:1-19 Charge: abomination, 1-14 Counter-charge: appeal to past

prosperity in idolatry, 15-19Result: As you wish

1. Deuteronomy132. Balaam, Nu.22-24

3. Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…244. Eliphaz, Job 4:12-215. Jews, Jer.44:1-14

6. Judgment, Mt.7:21-23 Appeal to mighty works

Depart from Me…(Same lesson as Deut.13)

1. Deuteronomy132. Balaam, Nu.22-24

3. Saul, 1 Sm.19:20…244. Eliphaz, Job 4:12-215. Jews, Jer.44:1-14

6. Judgment, Mt.7:21-23

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.2:1-2

1. 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