BRAINWASHING TIME!

Who are the masked men?

And 

Why did the man leave home?

Truth:

That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

In order for something to be declared true, it must be - discoverable, transcultural, unchanging, unaffected by attitude, absolute, and knowable. 

One of the biggest problems that we face today is: Confronting the culture’s claim that “truth is relative.”

Relative - a term, thing, or concept that is dependent on something else (namely self…)

Relativism - the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.

Doctrine - a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.

Key Points for today: Biblical truth is absolute, timeless, and life-giving.

 Have you ever been asked, 

“How do you know what truth is?”

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

John 18:37-38

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32

1. Am I being brainwashed by my own doing? (lack of seeking, desire, work in this area?)

2. What is my baseline and authority for truth? (feelings or facts/faith)

3. Could there be a possibility that my knowledge of things is limited? (im finite)

4. If I’m presented with enough truth, evidence, and reason, will I change my position?

1. Biblical truth is ABSOLUTE.

Absolute - a value or principle which is regarded as universally valid or which may be viewed without relation to other things.

2. Biblical truth is TIMELESS

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.

2 Peter 1:2-4

 It is highly critical to be evaluating sources and distinguishing knowledge from mere opinion or misinformation and this is what Scripture comes to do - to set itself apart from all other “books” and information. 

3. Biblical truth is LIFEGIVING.

2 Peter 1:4

 The study of Knowing is called - EPISTEMOLOGY 

Everything in the World lends itself to and offers according to the Bible is:

1. The Lust of Eyes. 

2. The Lust of the Flesh.

3. The Pride of Life. 

(1 John 2:15-17)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

1. There is no God because I cant “feel, see, or hear” Him

2. My feelings are all that determine “truth”

3. The Bible is just a human book and definitely not written not by God

4. Marriage is just between two people who are in love, so who cares if the gender is the same”

5. I can choose my gender/sex

6. There is NO Truth

7. Truth and Morality are subjective and vary - “It depends on the Situation”

8. “Its true for you, but not true for me”

9. I can do what I want, it’s not hurting anyone

John Piper

“Relativism is a pervasive rebellion against the very concept of divine law. Therefore, it is the most thoroughgoing rebellion against God.”

Matt F.

“I dont believe God’s Word because I like it, I believe because it loves me enough to tell me the truth!”

Takeaway: 

Christians must know, love, and live out truth in a world that denies it.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

 CHALLENGE

If there’s a thought, concept, or idea out there - Measure it against God’s Word.

If there is a statement, word, or information shared, test it against God’s Word.  

When it doubt, DIG! 

?’s to ask people

How’d you come to that conclusion?  

Where do you see this being true? 

Do you have any doubts about this? 

What would change your mind on this?