From heaven or of men?

I. Jesus Gives The Test

Concerning a religious question, Jesus once asked, Whence was it? from
heaven, or of men? (MATTHEW 21:25) By this, Christ made the
watershed declaration on authority in religion; the ultimate test on what is
allowed or what is forbidden in the church or in religion. If it is from heaven
(the Word), then we should not be moved from it. If it is of men (the world),
then it does not belong in the church. In religion, something is either from
heaven, or else of men. Denominationalism is of man, therefore, it is not from
heaven.

II. “Depart From The Faith”

1 TIM. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils…
”Denomination” [from Latin De - to give, + Nominare - to name = To give a
name to] is a class or sect named by man, which has departed from that one
faith of EPHESIANS 4:4. They depart because of – and are often named for
– a certain person, place, thing, or teaching. Causes behind the departing
from the faith are called, "doctrines of devils."

III. Denominations Are The Wrong Way

In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me. Pretty clear isn’t he? Illustration:
From time to time there have been reports of car wrecks in downtown
districts. There are one-way streets. Either one did not know, or did not
read, or was an out-of-town traveler. The wrecks happened when vehicles
were going the wrong way, on one-way streets. When it comes to one
church, to be wrong is destruction; It must be right, only one way.

Conclusion: Jesus, in JOHN 6:47-50. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers
did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which
cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. The
church of Christ is like a fresh warm whole loaf of bread. A denomination is
like a little slice covered with mold. No one would want it. And while
throwing it away, they would wonder why it was not thrown away sooner.
Why not throw away the shackles of denominations, and be free in but one
church of Christ?