Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16:1-6

Go to Part 1

When Emotions Rule (Part 2)

("Why Would A Loving God...?")

Intro.

1. Everyone believes they are right in their thinking, emotions and actions - but God judges correctly, Prov. 16:2; 19:21.

2. Let us look at how emotions can turn us away from God's word in favor of personal feelings.

I. WHEN EMOTIONS RULE, WE WILL QUESTION AND REJECT THE WISDOM AND WORD OF GOD. 1 Cor. 1:21

A. "It Doesn't Matter what You Believe as Long as You are Sincere."

1. Saul stands as an indictment of the worldly wisdom, 1 Tim. 1:12-16; Acts 22:7-8, 16.

2. This makes truth entirely dependent upon the human will, so much so that Pilate's incredulous question begins to be valid, "What is truth?" (Jno. 18:36)

B. "Everybody Can't be Wrong!"

1. Numbers do not determine truth! Majority rule does not determine truth! ("It's better to be biblically correct than politically correct!")

2. Few (8) entered Noah's ark; 3 saved from Sodom and Gomorrah, 2 of original generation entered land of promise, few are saved, Matt. 7:13-14; Lk. 13:23-24.

C. "How Can it be Wrong When it Feels So Right!"

1. Eve, Gen. 3:6.

2. Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10:1-2.

3. We must honor God above our feelings, Prov. 14:12; 16:2-3.

D. "Why Would a Loving God...?"

-Wrong question; Makes our feelings and will superior to God! ..." Psa. 111:7-10

1. "...allow suffering in this world?" ("A loving God would not...")

a. Blessed with free will, Adam and Eve nevertheless chose to sin instead of honor and obey God's will.

b. The consequences of sin brought death into the world and all that contributes to it, Gen. 3:17-19.

c. Son of God endured pain and deprivation in this life, like us.

d. Physical suffering serves a good purpose of focusing our attention on God and eternity, 2 Cor. 12:10.

2. "...send people to hell?" ("A loving God would not...")

a. Sin sends people to hell, Rom. 6:23.

b. God sent His Son to save sinners from hell! Jno. 3:16

c. We reap what we sow (personal accountability), Gal. 6:7.

3. "...command water baptism for salvation?" ("A loving God would not demands baptism of every lost person.")

a. "If so, then what about the person dying on his sick bed and cannot get to water?"

b. First, an extreme does not invalidate Scripture, Mk. 16:16. Since Christ gave the command, only Christ can offer an exception - we cannot. Where is the exception in Scripture?

c. This plea overlooks a lifetime of opportunity neglected, cf. Matt. 25:8-13.

d. We can only stand upon the truth: Mk. 16:16.

4. "...expect us to withdraw from Christians who fall away?" ("Aloving God would not...") ["It just hurts too much"!]

a. To save the lost, 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Ths. 3:14-15 (shame and repent).

b. To protect the saved from compromise with sin, 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 13; Rom. 16:17-18.

c. To follow the apostles, 2 Ths. 3:6-7 (Jesus, Jno. 13:20).

d. When we do not apply corrective discipline:

1) We encourage more sin, 1 Cor. 5:2, 7.

2) We minimize the seriousness of sin, 1 Cor. 5:9-13.

3) We do not have faith in God's way, 2 Ths. 3:14.

4) We have fellowship with sinners in their sin, 2 Jno. 9-11.

Conclusion

1. We must bring our emotions into agreement with God's word so that we obey Christ in faith, 2 Cor. 10:5.

2. Feelings will fail you, Jer. 17:5-7.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: November 7, 2014