John 18:37John 18:37

……In fact, for this reason I was In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into born, and for this I came into

the world, to testify to the truth. the world, to testify to the truth.

John 18:37John 18:37

……In fact, In fact, for this reason for this reason I was I was born, and for this I came into born, and for this I came into

the world, to testify to the truth. the world, to testify to the truth.

John 18:37John 18:37

……In fact, In fact, for this reason for this reason I was I was born, and for this I came into born, and for this I came into

the world, the world, to testify to the truth.to testify to the truth.

Purpose For Purpose For Answering This QuestionAnswering This Question

You will be able to better discern and stand You will be able to better discern and stand against worldly lies. Col. 2:8 against worldly lies. Col. 2:8 •Col. 2:23 Col. 2:23 - the appearance of wisdom in - the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement…self-made religion and self-abasement…•1 Tim. 6:201 Tim. 6:20 - avoid worldly - avoid worldly and empty and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”.is falsely called “knowledge”.

What the World Believes

Barna Survey (1991)Barna Survey (1991)• ““No such thing as absolute truth”. 66% of No such thing as absolute truth”. 66% of

Americans agreed: 72% of 18-25 year olds, 59% Americans agreed: 72% of 18-25 year olds, 59% of 55+ year olds.of 55+ year olds.– "Truth is whatever you believe.""Truth is whatever you believe."– "There is no absolute truth.""There is no absolute truth."– "If there were such a thing as absolute truth, how "If there were such a thing as absolute truth, how

could we know what it is?"could we know what it is?"– "People who believe in absolute truth are dangerous.""People who believe in absolute truth are dangerous."

Barna Survey (March 2009)Barna Survey (March 2009)• Only 34% believe that moral truth is Only 34% believe that moral truth is

absoluteabsolute– Not much difference between 1991 and 2009Not much difference between 1991 and 2009– What has that said for the way parents have What has that said for the way parents have

raised their children during the last 20 years?raised their children during the last 20 years?

• Only 9% have a “biblical world view.”*Only 9% have a “biblical world view.”*

““Biblical World View”Biblical World View”• Believing that absolute moral truth exists;Believing that absolute moral truth exists;• The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it

teaches.teaches.• Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not

merely symbolic.merely symbolic.• A person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying A person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying

to be good or do good works.to be good or do good works.• Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.• God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the

world who still rules the universe today.world who still rules the universe today.

Barna: “Why It Matters”Barna: “Why It Matters”• ““Barna’s research has discovered that there are Barna’s research has discovered that there are

unusually large differences in behavior related to unusually large differences in behavior related to matters such as media use, profanity, gambling, matters such as media use, profanity, gambling, alcohol use, honesty, civility, and sexual choices.”alcohol use, honesty, civility, and sexual choices.”

• ““Barna concluded by noting that the lack of Barna concluded by noting that the lack of movement in the worldview status of adults movement in the worldview status of adults reflects the fact that children are not provided with reflects the fact that children are not provided with the basic ability to think in ways that correspond to the basic ability to think in ways that correspond to foundational biblical teachings.”foundational biblical teachings.”

Proof Is In The PuddingProof Is In The Pudding• I asked group of teenagers/college age I asked group of teenagers/college age

students: “What is Truth?”students: “What is Truth?”

• None were able to answer the question.None were able to answer the question.

• When I pressed one student no definitive or When I pressed one student no definitive or conclusive answer was given.conclusive answer was given.

• The group realized the need to be able to The group realized the need to be able to concretely understand biblical fundamentals.concretely understand biblical fundamentals.

What the Bible Says

What is Truth?What is Truth?• Truth is what we must conform to based upon Truth is what we must conform to based upon

the character, will or revelation from God.the character, will or revelation from God.– Love Love is true because God’s character and motives is true because God’s character and motives

are all based upon such. are all based upon such. 1 Jn. 4:8-111 Jn. 4:8-11

– LyingLying is sin…because God cannot lie. is sin…because God cannot lie. Heb. 6:18Heb. 6:18

– The world is flat? The world is flat? …no. …no. Isa. 40:22Isa. 40:22

– JesusJesus is “the truth” whom must conform to. is “the truth” whom must conform to. Jn. 14:6; Rom. 8:29Jn. 14:6; Rom. 8:29

Truth Begins with GodTruth Begins with God• Jesus, the express image of God Jesus, the express image of God (Heb. (Heb.

1:3; Matt. 1:23)1:3; Matt. 1:23) claims to BE “the truth”. claims to BE “the truth”. Jn. 14:6Jn. 14:6

• Therefore – Because God is the source of Therefore – Because God is the source of truth, we must conform our lives to His will truth, we must conform our lives to His will if we hope to have salvation. if we hope to have salvation. Jn. 8:32Jn. 8:32

How Christians Should React

We must decideWe must decide• From the beginning. Gen. 1-3From the beginning. Gen. 1-3

– Believe God or a lie. Believe God or a lie. Gen. 3:1-5Gen. 3:1-5

• Even today. Even today. Rom. 1:20-25; 2 Thess. 2:8-12Rom. 1:20-25; 2 Thess. 2:8-12– That Jesus is the Christ. That Jesus is the Christ. 1 Jn. 2:21-27 (4:3)1 Jn. 2:21-27 (4:3)– He was born in the flesh. He was born in the flesh. 2 Jn. 7-112 Jn. 7-11

Choose Whom You Will BelieveChoose Whom You Will Believe• Jesus – “He who believes and is baptized Jesus – “He who believes and is baptized

will be saved.” will be saved.” Mk. 16:16Mk. 16:16

• The world – No need to believe… no need The world – No need to believe… no need to be baptized. to be baptized. Deception of men.Deception of men.

Conforming to Christ (Truth)Conforming to Christ (Truth)• We move from 1) accepting to being We move from 1) accepting to being

convicted, 2) from doing to doing with convicted, 2) from doing to doing with conviction.conviction.– It is when we become convicted that our lives It is when we become convicted that our lives

are transformed. Rom. 12:1-2are transformed. Rom. 12:1-2– Because of our convictions we cannot help Because of our convictions we cannot help

but speak and move… to God’s glory.but speak and move… to God’s glory.