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The War on Truth

The War on Truth. The War on Truth. What is Truth? How do we know there is a war on truth? What battles do we choose? Living in truth Predictions and implications…. Summary – What is truth?. There is truth! Truth can be measured, discerned and determined. Fact? Claim? Or Opinion?

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The War on Truth

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  1. The War on Truth

  2. The War on Truth What is Truth? How do we know there is a war on truth? What battles do we choose? Living in truth Predictions and implications…

  3. Summary – What is truth? • There is truth! • Truth can be measured, discerned and determined. • Fact? Claim? Or Opinion? • Jesus backed his claims through miracles – and through the resurrection. • Scripture is the barometer by which the believer can gauge and measure truth. • We may not like what the Scripture tells us.

  4. Harsh truths from lesson 1: • Our opinions do not matter to God – if they are not in line with Scripture. • I am not going to tickle your ears.

  5. Harsh truths from lesson 2: Scripture tells us we are waging war. The (spiritually) weak and unprepared are at great risk of being devoured.

  6. III. What battles do we choose?

  7. Among those who claim Christ: • We are to strive for unity. • None of us has complete knowledge about God!

  8. Harsh truths from lesson 3: • The battles will choose us! • We have rights as citizens – these are always going to be in flux. • We are NOT a Christian nation. • I am responsible for my relationship with Christ! • The cost might be great.

  9. So what (from last week) ? • Know what we believe, and why we believe it. • Know what God says about _____________. • Remember – we have been rescued from a deep pit. • Grace, mercy and love must reflect our hearts and attitudes. • If we stand for God – there will be a price to pay.

  10. IV. Living in Truth

  11. The Bible 1. We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.

  12. IV. Living in Truth – living for the world

  13. 1st Corinthians 5: 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. What is Paul saying, here?

  14. 1st Corinthians 5: 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What is the dividing line, here? Why is Paul giving us this counsel – it sounds harsh… What are the implications for our lives?

  15. 1 John 3: 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. What does it mean to love the world? How do we know if we love the world?

  16. Matthew 6: 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Similar theme, here – what does it mean for believers?

  17. Things of the world that can trap us. • Stuff – material things and possessions • Power • Prestige • Money • Leisure activities (gaming, alcohol abuse, running!) • Relationships • Sexual desires • Our looks • Media connection • Our work

  18. Harsh truths (so far): Unless the desire of our heart is to serve God and follow him with everything we are - it could be that something of the world has ensnared us. If something of the world has ensnared us completely – we may not truly have relationship with Christ. Heart check time.

  19. IV. Living in Truth – living in the world, not for the world.

  20. Luke 12: 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. What does this have to do with living in the world? What are the implications for believers?

  21. Galatians 5: 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. What does this have to do with living in the world? What are the implications for believers?

  22. Harsh truths (so far): Unless the desire of our heart is to serve God and follow him with everything we are - it could be that something of the world has ensnared us. If something of the world has ensnared us completely – we may not truly have relationship with Christ. Heart check time. Are we chasing the things of the world? Or the things of God? Heart check time (p2) – we should be in fierce battle with our sin nature.

  23. IV. Living in Truth – How do we measure up?

  24. Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. What process does a fruit tree go through to produce fruit? What does this have to do with living in truth?

  25. Matthew 25: 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ . What strikes you about the response of the righteous? What does this have to do with living in truth?

  26. 2 Corinthians 10: 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. What does it mean to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”

  27. Harsh truths (so far): • Unless the desire of our heart is to serve God and follow him with everything we are - it could be that something of the world has ensnared us. • If something of the world has ensnared us completely – we may not truly have relationship with Christ. • Heart check time. • Heart check time (p2) Are we chasing the things of the world, or the things of God? • Heart check time (p2) – we should be in fierce battle with our sin nature. • Heart check time (p3) – we should have fruit.

  28. V. Predictions and implications

  29. 1. A collision between religious rights and the rights of those with same sex attraction. • Gay rights will win out. • It will be a hate-crime to preach against same-sex relations. • Churches that continue to do so will be forced “underground”: • Short-term – loss of tax status • Longer term – pastors and leaders will be arrested and imprisoned.

  30. 2. The right-to-die movement will continue to grow. • Death for the sick and the handicapped. • Death on demand – for any reason. • Perspective 1 – cost cutting related to govt. health care • Perspective 2 – the enemy hates life!

  31. 3. Continued moral decline of our culture. • Attack on traditional marriage • Polygamous, polyamorous relationships • Even more gender confusion

  32. 4. Continued relaxation of laws regarding “recreational drugs”. • Continued legalization of marijuana. • Other harder drugs – decriminalized.

  33. The implications: We must decide if we will stand for truth, regardless of the consequences. Our children and our marriages are at increasing risk.

  34. With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals. If our faith costs us a television show then so be it.

  35. IV. Living in Truth – Final thoughts

  36. Matthew 7: 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

  37. Acts 20: 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard!

  38. Romans 8: 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  39. Final harsh truth… The only hope we have is in Christ.

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