EMOTIONALISM
YOU CAN'T SHOUT YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN
1 Corinthians 14:6-19
Introduction: Some people in
the religious world act as if all their hoopin and hollarin are going to carry
them into the glorious kingdom of heaven. They swell with all kinds of emotion,
yet, ask them what Scripture they have that would justify such a chaotic
worship and they have none. You see, they are so overcome with emotion to the
point that they are without reason or intellect and are totally void of the
truth.
A. In this
lesson we will examine a few cases in Scripture in which some thought their
emotions would gain God's acceptance.
B. We will
also consider what drives people's emotions and how we can strive to keep our
own emotions in check.
C. Finally
we will say a few words about what constitutes proper emotional responses.
I. The
Scriptures provide us with specific references to those who looked for an
emotional acceptance from God.
A. Cain
(Gen. 4:3-7) -- not a case that would first come to mind
1. He
acted like the little child who couldn't get his way: poked out lips, bugged
out eyes, stomping and whining
2. Abel's
worship was according to God's word (Heb. 11:4; Rom.
3. Rather
than just do what the Lord said, Cain got carried away with emotionalism.
4. Only if
he had done well (God's will) would Cain have been accepted
B. The
people of
1. The
prophets of Baal appealed to their God by shouting, leaping, staying long
periods of time, you can say they were cutting up (sound familiar?)
2. Unlike
the prophets of Baal, Elijah approached God in accordance with His word (
C. Emotional
ecstasy can't get you there (Matt. 6:7-13)
1.
“Vain repetitions” means nonsense syllables or sounds
2. These
think that they will be heard for their much speaking
3. Jesus
teaches a more rational approach
II. What is
it that drives the emotions? (1 Cor. 12:1-3
A. Paul
implies that some people getting “carried away”
1. “Carried
away” means to be lead away by external forces
2. One
external force was music (See overhead #1)
3. Such is
seen in the religious world today (See overhead #2a)
B. High on
emotions and low on intellect (see overhead #2b)
1. The
mind must be involved (Matt.
2. There
must be understanding (1 Cor.
C. Reason
must take precedence in our approach to God
1. Such
was necessary with God (Isa.
2. Such is
needed for preaching to be effective (Acts 17:2; 18:4,19; 24:25)
III. Can we
have feelings in regard to our service to God? (joy, glad, rejoice, heart)
A. Must
line up with the facts
1. Consider
the account of Jacob's lose of Joseph (Gen. 37:31-35)
2. At
first Jacob's feelings did not line up with the facts (Gen. 45:25-28)
3. Cannot
have feelings contrary to sound doctrine
B. Must be
in control of them
1. 1
Corinthians
2. Must do
things in a decent and orderly way (
C. Are not
the basis of God's acceptance of us
1. We must
have intelligent, rational faith (Heb. 11:6)
2. Abel’s
faith was a testiment to his righteousness, not his feelings
3. Emotions
are the natural responses of knowing one is in a right relationship with God
and are not what makes a right relationship with God
a. 1
Corinthians 3:1-2
b. Romans
8:6-8