I have witnessed that people today are in such admiration of flamboyant, charismatic preachers
such as Billy Graham that they end up following the preacher and his teaching rather than the
Lord and His gospel. Sometimes our relationships tempt us to put teachers above the gospel of
Jesus Christ! Sometimes we may want to sit at the feet of a certain preacher or teacher (Acts
22:3). People can be led away by preachers that tell them all the "sugar and spice and everything
nice" that they can handle. This can also happen by reading books of men. Many people have
departed from God by following books of men that entice them away from God's Word (2
Timothy 4:1-5).
Let us see what we can learn about all this from God's Word!
1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 - People were doing the very thing we are talking about-idolizing men.
Some were following Apollos, some Peter, and some Paul. Paul told them that this is wrong and
the only one they should be giving their total allegiance to is Christ! Christ is the one who was
crucified, not any other!
2. Acts 14:8-18 - The Lyconians wanted to make gods of Paul and Barnabus and offer sacrifices
to them.. Paul and Barnabus told them this was wrong because they were also men. They told the
people to turn from those things (idolatry)!
3. Acts 10:24-26 - Cornelius bowed down at Peter's feet and wanted to worship him. Peter told
him to get up for he also was a man.
4. Revelations 19:9-10, 22:8-9 - John wanted to worship the angel. The angel told him to get up
and not do that. Notice also Galatians 1:6-12. It does not matter what men say. If it is a different
gospel than that of Jesus Christ, we are not to accept it or condone it in any way!
For some reason we humans like to make people our idols. When we are young, we look up to
stars of the movies, or TV, or prominent sports figure. Maybe we wear clothes like them, try to
act like them, or talk like them. Maybe it is cowboy boots or dresses or costumes or hats. We say
things like "we worship the ground they walk on", "they are a legend", or that we worship them
or what they do. Did you see how people acted a couple of weeks ago around Elvis Presley's
mansion? Thousands gathered at his home, Graceland, to hold vigils, seemingly worshiping "the
King".
The point is when we admire someone so much that we treat them like an idol, we have gone too
far! If our favorite teacher, preacher, or elder departs from God's Word, we need to do what Paul
did. Remember we started in Acts 22:3 with the statement Paul made concerning Gamaliel.
Gamaliel was a well respected teacher of the Law. But when the Truth of Jesus was revealed to
Paul, he stopped following his great teacher Gamaliel and followed Jesus Christ! (Acts 23:4-10)
We need to do the same.
If we admire a preacher and they depart from the Truth on a matter, we should not abandon them
immediately. We need to do our part to bring them back to the Lord and His Truth. But if they
reject the truth, a Christian cannot follow or condone their error (Jude 20-23, I Tim.5:22).
5. The way we keep from following man is by always sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 8:35,
10:39)! Jesus is the only one with all authority (Luke 4:32, Matthew 7:28-29). Christians should
never bow down at the feet of men or their teaching, but always bow down at the feet of Jesus
(Revelation 1:17-18, Matthew 28:16-20)!
Paul said "imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). We need to follow older and
wiser Christians, not because of who they are, but because of what they say and do, as they strive
to follow Jesus!
What about you? Do you want forgiveness of sins? Do you want to be provided for in this life? Do you want to have a home in Heaven? Do you want to be happy forever? Come now and sit at the Feet of Jesus. He wants you to come (Matthew 11:28-30) and He will give you rest, comfort, and forgiveness. Why not repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:26-29). This is what God demands if we want to truly sit at the feet of Jesus! We hope to see you next time on "Speaking the Truth in Love".