Discovering the Truth Claims Discovering the Truth Claims of God and Living by It.of God and Living by It.

BABSF, Feb 28BABSF, Feb 28thth 2009 2009

Guide me in your Guide me in your truthtruth and teach me, for you and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all

day long.day long.Ps 25:5Ps 25:5

Lesson 1 – Feb 28Lesson 1 – Feb 28thth 2009 2009

We will discuss what is truth and the critical We will discuss what is truth and the critical nature of “truth” to our faith.nature of “truth” to our faith.

Knowing the truth claims of God is what the Knowing the truth claims of God is what the corporate theme is all about corporate theme is all about Material from Dr. Dell Tackett of the Truth Material from Dr. Dell Tackett of the Truth

Project. Project.

Why did Jesus Come To The Why did Jesus Come To The World?World?

Important question for ChristiansImportant question for Christians Any ideas?Any ideas? Scripture tells us. Scripture tells us.

Incredible SceneIncredible Scene

Read John 18:33-38Read John 18:33-38

Issue of “Truth” to JC is very important. Issue of “Truth” to JC is very important. JC came to be a witness for truth. JC came to be a witness for truth. Truth is on trial and JC came to testify to the truth! Truth is on trial and JC came to testify to the truth!

Truth from the witnessTruth from the witness

Mathew 18:3Mathew 18:3 33And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like

little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mathew 19:23Mathew 19:23   2323Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a

rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 21:21Mat 21:21   2121Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

Use of Double Emphatic Use of Double Emphatic John 8:58John 8:58

5858Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, Abraham was born, ((AA))I am.“I am.“

John 3:3John 3:3   33Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to

you, unless one you, unless one ((AA))is born again he cannot see is born again he cannot see ((BB))the the kingdom of God.“kingdom of God.“

Truth is central character of GodTruth is central character of God

Character of the HSCharacter of the HS

Freedom of TruthFreedom of Truth

Connecting the Truth DotsConnecting the Truth Dots

Connecting the Truth DotsConnecting the Truth Dots

Confirmation of the ConfessionConfirmation of the Confession

Rationalize Away TruthRationalize Away Truth

Reaction of Mankind To TruthReaction of Mankind To Truth

Jesus splits the world into two camps: those of the side of truth or lie. No Jesus splits the world into two camps: those of the side of truth or lie. No middle!middle!

Way to Recognize Spirit of Truth vs. LieWay to Recognize Spirit of Truth vs. Lie

Battle raging since the fall of man!How are you doing in the battle?

Battle Rages OnBattle Rages OnWork of Salvation Connected to love for truth!

Hope for Truth SeekersHope for Truth Seekers

Saved by Sanctification, Sanctified by the truth, by the spirit of truth who Saved by Sanctification, Sanctified by the truth, by the spirit of truth who guides us into all truth and by belief in the truth.guides us into all truth and by belief in the truth.

Salvation linked to the truth which Jesus said he came to testify of.Salvation linked to the truth which Jesus said he came to testify of.

Antithesis of GodAntithesis of God

Strong Words: Nature of humanity is to do the will of world, flesh, and the devil. Strong Words: Nature of humanity is to do the will of world, flesh, and the devil.

Cosmic Battle and SinCosmic Battle and Sin

Sin can be traced back to a belief in lie.Sin can be traced back to a belief in lie.

Choose Sides without PrideChoose Sides without Pride

Only by grace are we the children of GodOnly by grace are we the children of God

How Should We Treat ThemHow Should We Treat Them

Christian ConductChristian Conduct

While in the cosmic battle, do not view opponents with While in the cosmic battle, do not view opponents with arrogance. View then as Captives!!arrogance. View then as Captives!!

Truth Claims vs. Lies & Illusions of Flesh Truth Claims vs. Lies & Illusions of Flesh and Deviland Devil

World view is the Antithesis of Biblical World view is the Antithesis of Biblical ViewView Look at any truth claims of God and usually the Look at any truth claims of God and usually the

world hold the opposite view.world hold the opposite view. Unity vs. Division – ex: marriage Unity vs. Division – ex: marriage Diversity vs. Unification – ex: sexualityDiversity vs. Unification – ex: sexuality Responsibility vs. Blame – ex: actionsResponsibility vs. Blame – ex: actions Man (Do this one on your own. What does God Man (Do this one on your own. What does God

teach us about mankind? Answer in notes.teach us about mankind? Answer in notes.

Battle of World ViewsBattle of World Views Truth Claims of God vs. The illusions of the Truth Claims of God vs. The illusions of the

world, flesh, and the devil.world, flesh, and the devil.

TC of God are consistent, logical, makes sense, they TC of God are consistent, logical, makes sense, they work, even in fallen world if we follow that leads to work, even in fallen world if we follow that leads to peace, prosperity, happiness, lifepeace, prosperity, happiness, life

Web of lies of the world , flesh, and the devil are Web of lies of the world , flesh, and the devil are illogical, inconsistent, leads to pain, suffering, death, illogical, inconsistent, leads to pain, suffering, death, and eternal wailing. and eternal wailing.

So What is Truth?So What is Truth? Important Question to answer Important Question to answer

It is relative according to world view. It is relative according to world view. JC came to testify to the truthJC came to testify to the truth

Conformity to fact of reality – Webster'sConformity to fact of reality – Webster's Reality as perceived by God. Reality as perceived by God. (RC Scrolls)(RC Scrolls)

His perception is not distorted.His perception is not distorted. It is about who God is:It is about who God is:

He knows the truth, he is the truthHe knows the truth, he is the truth God is the ultimate source of truth God is the ultimate source of truth

Don’t Be DeludedDon’t Be Deluded

Test of FaithTest of Faith