2. GOD’S TRUTH HAS ESTABLISHED A BIBLICAL PATTERN

3. My son did not leave the Lord to pursue a life of fornication, an obsession with drugs and alcohol, a way of thievery, or even an ungodly relationship. He left because he didn’t believe that he (and logically my family and I) had the Truth. He was not convinced that the Bible contained all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3). He felt that “our faith” was too restrictive and that there must be other truths out there to be discovered.

4. During this search, he attended various worship services in a “community church” and other various denominations, before settling on the Greek Orthodox Church. He was drawn by the mysticism behind every ritual that made him feel closer to God. He had exchanged the Truth of Christ for the fleeting feelings of man-made religion.

5. If no divinely authorized Biblical pattern, then all churches are at liberty to do anything and everything. Postmodernism has made doing what is “right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25) acceptable. Many give lip service to the authority of God’s word, but actually set aside what God has said (Matthew15:7-9; Mark 7:6-7). Many hold to their own standard of personal preference.

6. Building by the pattern is not a new principle. Moses built according to the pattern (Hebrews 8:4-5). Jesus came to fulfill all that God said and willed (Matthew 5:17-18). The Lord commands disciples to observe all things He commanded (Matthew 28:20).

7. Building by the pattern is not a new principle. In the New Testament Jesus through the Holy Spirit by way of the apostles and prophets has told us what we need to know and do, has shown us what we need to know and do, and has implied what we need to know and do.

8. Christians must take heed how they build on Christ’s foundation by adhering to Christ’s pattern in the New Testament. Whose preference is to be followed? – Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23, 25-26 The Lord’s teaching and traditions… – Ephesians 2:20; 3:5

9. Christians must take heed how they build on Christ’s foundation by adhering to Christ’s pattern in the New Testament. That revealed pattern is the standard. – 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 – 1 Corinthians 14:37 – Philippians 3:17 – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

10. Christians must take heed how they build on Christ’s foundation by adhering to Christ’s pattern in the New Testament. Two examples from Christ’s pattern: – Church organization – Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9 – Church raising of funds - 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 2:42-45