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

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



• 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!




• 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?





• After a “do good” religion

General General benevolencebenevolence

InstitutionalismInstitutionalism

Community Community servicesservices

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?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?What’s wrong with it? Vs. What’s right with it?

Philippians 3:16-17

however, let us keep living by that same

standardstandard 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????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 We’re following a writtenwritten standard. 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 We’re following a scripturalscriptural standard. 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.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 subtractionWithout addition or subtraction





• After a “do good” religion

Where can we REALLY Where can we REALLY go, besides to Jesus go, besides to Jesus

Christ?Christ?

Where are YOU going?Where are YOU going?

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