Beyond the Wardrobe

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on January 17, 2010. The lesson is on Acts 26:1-23. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Our Stories Matter
Telling Our Story Following Paul’s Example
Acts 26:1-23

Introduction
My Story

The Power of Personal Testimony
Think of them as “transformational stories” rather than “witnessing”

Questions
What is the gospel?
How often do you tell the gospel story?
Describe the last time you shared the gospel

Paul’s Story: An Example for Us
Acts 26
A strategy for sharing our story
Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

Prelude: Keep Your Story Fresh
If you aren’t a Christ follower, become one
If you are, show integrity in living the story

Proverbs 20:6-7 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.

Love God
Frederick Buechner describes the Word of God as a portrait of a Lover pursuing his beloved, of God’s pursuit of all of us in love, of our failures and his successes. I’m pretty sure that he is right. Once the biblical story becomes my story, then I in some sense begin to incarnate the written word of God so as to complete the mission that Jesus started (and finished) so many centuries ago. Didn’t Jesus say to us that he will send us in the same way that the Father sent him? Didn’t he tell us that we would do greater works than he did? Why are we so unwilling to enter the story, to become willing participants in the great work and story of almighty God? We 21st century Christians are sometimes out of sync with God’s story and miss his “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after.” John Eldredge is (to a degree at least) correct to point out to us our loss of story, our loss of God’s great epic being told even today. Take the verses quoted above—in today’s post-modern culture, the idea is to win at all costs. But if we live without faithfulness or without integrity, we are actually hurting the generation after us.

Love your neighbor
Treat them kindly
Listen to their stories
Find their need so that you can meet it

Your story matters, but it must be fresh before it is told
Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

How do we “tell” our story?

1. Tell Your Past
Acts 26:1-11

Paul’s Past
a. Religious man
b. Full of zeal
c. A leader in his religion
d. Opposed to Christians

What was your life like before Christ?
Maybe you grew up in a church
Or were Irreligious
or were Running from God

On this point avoid putting blame on others or on religious organizations for your sin. Don’t glorify your past, but be honest about it. If you don’t have a story like Paul’s, simply tell the truth. Don’t try to “make your story better.”

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

2. Tell Your Conversion
Acts 26:12-18

Paul’s Conversion
a. Not many stories of becoming a Christ follower are as amazing as this
b. Bright lights, audible voices, a conversation with Christ
c. No wonder Paul converted

How did you come to Christ?
a. Family member shared
b. Altar call
c. Prayer
d. Reading the Bible
e. A chance encounter with a Christ follower

It doesn’t matter how “flamboyant” the story is, tell it straight.
Be specific in “how” you put faith in Christ

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

3. Tell Your Current Walk
Acts 26:19-23

Paul’s Current Experience
a. On trial for his faith
b. Faithful in sharing the story of faith in Christ
c. Telling the story to any who will hear
d. Bold and Unashamed

What’s your current walk like?
a. Don’t sugar coat
If you are struggling, admit it
If you are experiencing good times, admit it
b. Keep the focus on what God is doing
c. The story is about him and what he can accomplish
Remember, even it your walk isn’t a great one now, your God is still great
Your struggles may help others to relate to Truth
Don’t let the focus be on your emotions or experiences, focus on God's work

Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

4. Tell the Content of Scripture
Acts 26:22-23
1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Luke 24:26-27; Acts 8:26-40

Let the Truth of God’s Word talk
Your experience should reflect what God has said
If not, go back to the prelude

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

This point requires practice
We must find an approach that we can easily use

Some Methods

a. Romans Road
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:8b-10; 10:13; 5:1; 8:1; 8:38-39

b. John 3:16-22: Gospel in a nutshell

c. FAITH
F is for Forgiveness: We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness(Eph. 1:7)
A is for Available: Forgiveness is available for all, but not automatic (John 3:16; Matthew 7:21)
I is for Impossible: It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. God is loving and just and therefore judges sin. We are all sinners. (James 2:13; Romans 3:23)
T is for Turn: Turn means to repent. Turn from sin and selfishness. Turn to Christ alone (Luke 13:3b; Romans 10:9)
H is for Heaven: Heaven is eternal life both here and hereafter (John 10:10b; John 14:3)

d. Four Spiritual Laws

e. Others?

Sources
5clicks.com

Evangelismcoach.org

Namb.net (North American Mission Board of SBC)

Application
1. This week, go to 5clicks.com and write out your testimony

2. Practice your story every day
Tell it in the morning before you leave the house
Tell it again when you return

3. Pray for an opportunity

4. Listen to conversations around you

5. Share your story with someone else

Thanks for reading!

Hello y'all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on January 10, 2010. The lesson is on Philippians 2:5-11. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

The Biggest Losers
Jesus: Lost His Grip
Philippians 2:5-11

Introduction

Last week’s message: “My Name is Jacob”
Ended with a list of folks the world would consider “losers”

Traveling home from Christmas in Tennessee
DeGarmo and Key: “All the Losers Win”

"You say 'winners don't need a crutch
Only losers could believe in such'
You don't need God, you don't need anything
You'll face life alone and take what the future will bring

"Here's to all the losers that lose all guilt and sin
Here's to life in Jesus, where all of the losers win

"You think I've missed what success can bring
I miss success like trees miss cold in spring
You think that all is far too much to give
That's what Jesus gave so that this loser could live

"Here's to all the losers that lose all guilt and sin
Here's to life in Jesus, where all of the losers win"

Biggest Losers
Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; John 12:25

Philippians 2:5-11
The lesson from today’s passage
Jesus lost his grip and gained a lot

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

1. Losing a Grip on Position
Philippians 2:5-8

Questions
a. In what way did Jesus not regard equality with God as something to be grasped or used for his own advantage? What did it look like?
b. In what way did Jesus “empty” himself?
c. What does humility look like in Jesus’ life?

Jesus lost his grip on his personal position
Jesus laid aside his glory to identify fully with humanity
2 Cor. 8:9; Heb. 4:14-16

He did not grasp personal benefits too tightly
He became sin, so that we might be righteous
2 Cor. 5:21

He did not take advantage of his position
a. He emptied himself
b. He became a servant (“form” and “likeness”); Mark 9:35
c. He humbled himself; John 13 (foot washing)
d. He was obedient even to death; Rom. 5:8

C. S. Lewis quote
“God descends to reascend. He comes down – down to the very roots and sea-bed of the nature he has created. But he must go down – to come up again – and bring the ruined world up with him.”

He did not demand attention
Instead of expecting recognition, applause, or service, Jesus served others

By losing his grip on his position, Jesus found great gain
a. He gained salvation for others
b. He gained followers
c. He gained exaltation

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

2. Losing a Grip on Promotion
Philippians 2:9-11

Notice that the next few verses tell what is done “for” Jesus, not by him
Jesus didn’t go out and “grasp” an opportunity for promotion
His humble obedience simply lead to exaltation
2 Peter 5:5-7

Jesus’ exaltation includes:

a. The “Name”
Name above all names may equal God’s own name: “Yahweh”
“Jesus” or “Jeshua” already means “Yahweh saves”
Jesus also is “Lord” over all things: Lord means master, king, ruler

b. Worship: Every knee will bow

c. Disciples/Followers

Jesus lost his grip on promotion and found himself the center of not only God’s attention but of the attention of all creation

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

Application
Jesus existed in the form of God, but he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped for his own advantage. He was willing to let it all go. He lost his grip. He became a loser. Christ was willing to abandon those external trappings that declared him unmistakably to be God. Jesus was willing to lose it all, even his own life, so that we could gain life.

We are not able to claim that we are conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of Jesus’ gospel unless we share his attitude, until we are willing to surrender the things that give us an advantage as he was willing to sacrifice for us.

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.“ C. T. Studd

In light of this truth, are we prepared to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? Are we willing to release all the things that we value in order to live a life pleasing to Christ who loved us and gave himself for us? Are we willing to serve others as he served us?

Here are some suggestions for this week:

a. Your title should not shape your attitude
b. Rather your life should exhibit humble obedience/service/death
c. Make a list of things in your life that are benefits to you, that give you an advantage
d. Choose one of those things prayerfully and let it go or to use it for the promotion or advantage of someone else
e. Make a commitment this week to do one random act of kindness without any hope of recognition or repayment
f. Learn to serve others, especially those who cannot pay you back
g. Make a meal for someone, go visit an elderly person you don’t even know, write that check for a charity you want to support, help that person that “bugs” everyone else, give a 30 percent tip, share the love of Christ with a stranger

The result will be that God will certainly reward your servant attitude

Discussion Questions
What are the privileges, rights, perks, titles, or status you tend to want to “grasp” for your own benefit or advantage? What can you do to avoid using these for selfish benefit or promotion? How can you use them to bless or to promote others?

In what ways can you empty yourself on behalf of others? What would that look like?

Where are servants needed in our church? At your job? In your neighborhood? Where can you serve? Will you?

What is your level of obedience? Are you willing like Christ to humble yourself in obedience even to the point of death to those things that benefit you?

Who in your circle of influence could use the benefits God has given you? Will you be a humble servant to them to make sure they receive those benefits?

What can we do as Christ followers to focus less on our own gain so that we may focus on serving others? What stands in our way?

Thanks for reading!

I don't have a lot to say today, and I'd rather let two authors whose writings I respect speak for me. I want to say, however, that I have been thinking a bit today about how life is sacramental--how all that we experience can be full of the holy awesomeness that is God. Remember, Jeremiah said that God's mercies were new every morning, just like the morning dew. Today can be full of the sort of radical presence of God as to overwhelm us. In 1999, Ray Bradbury gave the following view of life:

"It is neither all beautiful nor all terrible, but a wash of multitudinous despairs and exhilarations about which we know nothing. Our history is so small, our experience so limited, our science so inadequate, our theologies so crammed in mere matchboxes, that we know we stand on the outer edge of a beginning and our greatest history lies before us, frightening and lovely, much darkness and much life."

This description of life sees our existence as awe inspiring and frightening, and such it is on many occasions. Storms come and blow and bluster against us, threatening to undo not only our homes, but our very lives. As Bradbury said, life can be frightening and lovely at the same time. For the child of God, however, life has a more sacramental flavor. Oh, we may not "feel" it every day, but the truth is (as the Greek Orthodox have said) Jesus' very life has in some sense sanctified the mundane daily experiences of human life. His birth sanctified the birth process, his childhood sanctified childhood, yes, even his teen years consecrated those experiences in our own lives. As Frederick Buechner said:

"[C]hurch isn’t the only place where the holy happens. Sacramental moments can occur at any moment, any place, to anybody. Watching something getting born. A high school graduation. Somebody coming to see you when you’re sick. A meal with people you love. Looking into a stranger’s eyes and finding out he’s not really a stranger. If we weren’t blind as bats, we might see that life itself is sacramental." From Wishful Thinking.

I like that last part--"if we weren't blind as bats, we might see that life itself is sacramental." Yesterday God spoke to me in silence, today I seem to hear his voice in the mundane. Life is sacramental and sacred.

Don't take it for granted.

Enjoy the sacramental wine of your life, drink deeply from the grace of God in the everyday.

You won't be sorry.

Thanks for reading!

Hey y'all:

Here is a little meditation I wrote about 6 years ago that sums up for me what is the "Mystery of Christmas" as I meditated on the Incarnation. The very idea of God becoming "one of us among us" (Immanuel, anyone?) still fascinates and overwhelms me. God, the creator of all things, entered his own creation so as to renew and redeem us (and, ultimately, it as well). As you celebrate the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I hope you enjoy this rerun! Feel free to make comments if you'd like!

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny child was born in the bleakest of conditions. Oh, he wasn’t the only one born in a bad state. In fact, in some ways, he was one of the lucky ones. He and his mother actually survived childbirth and thrived. Still, this story is unique and amazing on several levels.

First, this child would literally change the way time is reckoned in the world. His life and abilities would so impress generations of others that a brand new movement would be created, one that would radically change the very face of the earth (sometimes for good, sometimes for bad). His name would become recognized among the names of the greatest of humans, yet he never forgot his humble beginnings or lost a sense of who he was.

The second thing about this child is tied to the first in that this baby, this helpless lad full of spittle and mush, was born as the very Son of God. When Mary held his little head to her breast, he drank human milk. Yet, he was (and is) the God of the universe. Can you picture this simply ridiculous, yet somehow poetic scene? God, who calls the stars by name, pressed to the human breast for sustenance. Humble, yet almighty, is how most folks would no doubt recall this child.

A little over 2000 years ago, God proposed that the only remedy for the human condition of sin would be if he humbled himself, stepped out of eternity and into human flesh, and suckled at Mary’s breast in preparation for the greatest, most impressive conversion of all. God, in Mary’s arms, toddling around Joseph’s shop, learning to talk, learning to walk, tasting and touching things with human hands. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, we cannot contain it.”

God knew that the only way to redeem us was if he did it himself. Haven’t you ever had that thought? You know, the one where you say, “If I want something done right, I’ll just have to do it myself?” Imagine God having that thought about bringing us back to proper relationship with him. Imagine again that the only way he knew he could do that is if he came to earth as a baby. Think of it—-how vulnerable the almighty God was at that moment, how paradoxical that the God of all creation had to learn to walk! And why did he put himself in this situation? Out of his inexpressible love for each of us he acted in this manner.

He became insane that we may be sane. He became flesh so that we might walk in the Spirit. He became sin that we might be righteous. He became poor so that we might be rich. He became a toddling, dribbling, helpless babe so that we could become mature humans in the image of almighty God. What wondrous love! What humility and service! How then can anything he asks of us be too difficult?

Lord, in this Christmas season, remind me of your sacrifice and love so that I might be a light shining in darkness to others. May the grace of God and the peace of Christ rule in my family and my life.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas!

Hello y'all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on December 13. The lesson is on Philippians 4:4-9 and is entitled "Pathways to Peace." If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Pathways to Peace
Philippians 4:4-9

Introduction
Isaiah 9:6 & Luke 2:9-14
Jesus is described in these verses as the “Prince of Peace” and the one who will bring “peace on earth”

Questions
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”?
2. Describe a moment/time/situation in your life where “peace” would be the best description
3. When life is hectic, what tends to happen to “peace”?

The background to our passage in Philippians 4
1. The church had division (Euodia and Syntynche; Phil. 4:1-2)
2. Epaphroditus almost died (Phil. 2:25-30)
3. False teachers threatened the church (Phil. 3:2)
4. Paul was in prison (Phil. 1:12-14)
Yet Paul claimed to be content (Phil. 4 :11-14)

Philippians 4:4-9—Pathways to Peace: Praise, Prayer, and Practice

Peace follows Christ; he is the path

Pathway 1: A Proper Attitude of Praise
Philippians 4:4-5

Paul tells us that attention determines perspective.
a. In spite of the issues with which Paul and the Philippians are dealing, he tells them to rejoice, to practice praise
b. Praise focuses our attention off of our circumstances and on to God’s abilities
c. Praise helps us pay attention to the Prince of Peace as our foundation

When we focus on Jesus, we are better able to practice “graciousness” or “loving consideration” towards others as we learn to love and act as Christ loved and acted

An attitude of praise is the proper starting point for a life of peace

Peace follows Christ; praise focuses on him

Pathway 2: Prayer is an Antidote to Anxiety
Philippians 4:6-7

Paul tells us that attention can determine our peace
Anxiety is a thief to peace, it will rob us of peace and burden us
When we focus on anxiety, we usually find ourselves lacking peace

This passage commands (it is an imperative) to avoid anxiety by following Paul’s advice
a. Worry about nothing
b. Pray about everything
c. Thank God for anything

If we follow Paul’s path here, we will find ourselves under the guard of God’s peace
Just like Paul is currently under the garrison or guard of Roman soldiers, the Christian who learns to pray and praise in the presence of God can find protection in God’s peace

Peace is a strong place, a place of protection
It guards our hearts (seat of the emotions)
It guards our minds (seat of decision)

Peace follows Christ; Prayer points to him

Pathway 3: Proper Practice Leads to Peace
Philippians 4:8-9

Paul tells us that attention to what we think and do can lead to peace
Right thinking and right living create an environment for peace to invade our lives

Pay attention to these things
What is True
What is Honorable
What is Just
What is Pure
What is Lovely
What is Commendable
Things that contain moral excellence or lead to praise

Then do them!
Do what you have learned from God’s Word
Do what you have learned from others
If you do, God’s peace will follow

Peace follows Christ; do what he does to gain his peace

Quote from Wiersbe

Sow a thought, reap an action
Sow an action, reap a habit
Sow a habit, reap a character
Sow a character, reap a destiny

Peace follows Christ; his peace is our destiny

Application
1. Life has a way of stealing our joy. Yet Jesus and his love and grace never change. Therefore, we should rejoice even if things are difficult.
God has said that he will never leave us or forsake us, and that is the reason we can be joyful. Take the command to rejoice seriously! Spend time this week praising God.

2. If we truly want the peace of God, let us pray and bring our burdens, requests, and needs to him.
Spend time in prayer daily. Make a specific appointment for it. Do it as an expression of your desire to know God and to experience his peace.
As you pray, do it with a thankful heart. Thankfulness is central to the Christian faith. An attitude of gratitude can create an atmosphere of peace. Find specific things for which to give thanks to God.

3. In this season of Christmas, the idea of peace is on the minds of a lot of people. The war against terror, the problems with the economy, and the cares of everyday life cause many to look for a pathway of peace. Look for things you can do that will show the presence of Christ in your life.
Look for opportunities this week to share your experience with Jesus (the Prince of Peace) as the means for true peace in our world today
As you hear Christmas carols played, focus on the words that mention Christ’s role in bringing peace and find ways to be an instrument of peace to others
Focus on commendable things and things of moral excellence as a means to share the truth of Christ and his gospel with others

Discussion Questions
How can we have peace when we are not at peace with one another?

What relationships does God want to work on with you right now?

Do you focus on your demands, or on being patient and kind with people around you?

Can you trust God with the concerns of your life? If not, how can you start?

What is it in God’s character that makes him worthy of our praise and of our trust? How can you show your praise to him? How can you show trust?

Who in your realm of influence needs peace? What can you do to introduce them to the prince of peace?

What will the church look like if we do what Paul commands us in Philippians 4?
What will the world think if we did it?

How can you live a life of peace? Will you?

Thanks for reading!

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 29. The lesson is on John 18:25-38 and is entitled "Truth on Trial." If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Truth on Trial
John 18:25-38


Introduction
Struggles with truth
I am a philosopher by nature, and a skeptic as well
I like to pursue truth, but often find myself in a struggle to know what it is in certain situations (e.g., news stories, sermons, personal testimonies)

Our society has a problem with truth as well
Barna Research
Politics
Even university education

Today’s lesson looks at a time when truth was on trial
The end of the story is that Truth put everyone else on trial

Three views of truth are expressed in our passage for today:
1. Truth is Relative
2. Truth is Pragmatic
3. Truth is Absolute

John 18:25-38

When truth is on trial, what is our testimony?

1. Truth is Relative
Peter and the Jews (John 18:25-32)

Discussion Questions
a. When confronted with a true statement, how does Peter respond?
b. Why do you think Peter responded this way?
c. When given a chance to tell the truth, how did the Jews respond?
d. The Jewish leaders would not enter Pilate’s court to avoid being defiled. Would lying defile a person at Passover?

Peter and the Jewish leaders seem to relate to truth as a malleable substance subject to their own interpretation
a. They deny it outright (Peter)
b. They spin it (Jewish leaders)
c. They only use part of it for their own ends (Jewish leaders)

The Problem with Relative Truth
a. It creates a situation where bad cultural ideas become in some sense “true” or “good” (e.g. Nazi Germany, genocide, etc.)
b. It can be very contradictory (My truth and your truth may not be THE truth), and in fact it is self-contradictory
c. It claims absolute authority (all truth statements are relative to the person(s) making the statement)
d. It doesn’t fit with how we live out lives everyday (we make decisions based on an idea of absolute truth or objective reality—e.g. we don’t buy the green meat at Wal-Mart)

“In the absence of truth, power is the only game in town.” Richard John Neuhaus

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?
Do you spin it to fit your own terms, or do you stand for God’s truth (the absolute Truth)?

2. Truth is Pragmatic/Power
Pilate (John 18:33-38)

Bear with me in a bit of speculation here
a. Scholars are not sure why Pilate asked his infamous question
b. It is not clear exactly what Pilate may have thought about truth
c. Pilate certainly spoke some truth in his encounter with Jesus
d. Pilate finally decides to give up one man to preserve the peace of a nation (pragmatism)

Pilate’s experience with the Jews shows that he often operated from a pragmatic stance in which he understood truth to be determined by the person with the most power or by the idea that seemed to work the best

Let’s take a closer look at Pilate’s dilemma
a. He had a bad history with the Jews
b. He had to please his superiors and keep peace with the Jews
c. It was early in the morning
d. He had problems accepting the story of the Jewish leaders
e. It was Passover, a high holy day for the Jews
f. Jesus didn’t look like much of a king or a threat for that matter
g. He had to make a choice that would please the most people and cause the least problem

Pilate questioned the Truth as it stood before him, but failed to stay and listen when he asked the most important question—”What is Truth?”

Truth often confronts us in silence before it screams to us

Jesus stood before Pilate as the revelation of Truth, and Pilate simply turned away and chose a pragmatic or practical route instead
But pragmatic truth has some of the same problems as “relative” truth, doesn’t it?

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?
Do you simply do what works, or do you stand for God’s Truth?

3. Truth is Absolute
Jesus (John 18:33-38)

Look at what Jesus says to Pilate
a. He gets to the heart of the issue by asking Pilate a question (v. 34—Do you really want to know?)

b. In response to Pilates’ question “What have you done?”, Jesus responds with a definition of his kingdom
His kingdom does not have a worldly origin
Doesn’t mean that it won’t have influence in the world
Means that the authority of Jesus and his kingdom is higher than the authority of worldly kingdoms

Jesus defines his kingdom by its testimony to the truth
a. Jesus’ kingdom is true
b. Jesus’ followers listen to him
c. Jesus’ kingdom is characterized by people who speak and live the truth

Jesus seems to promote a view of truth that corresponds to what is real, to reality

Jesus’ view of truth is an absolute one
a. Truth is defined by a reality outside of the observer
b. Truth corresponds to actual or absolute reality
c. Something is either true or false as it describes what is real or actual
d. Truth is not simply an “it,” it is a person
e. Jesus came to testify to the Truth of God and his relationship to humanity (John 1:9-18; 14:6)
f. Jesus is Truth

When the Bible speaks of truth, it speaks of that which corresponds to reality, that which is factual and absolute

What is Truth? Truth is Jesus, everything that does not correspond to his character is false

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?

Application
“What is Truth?” asks Pilate, while Jesus reminds us that his kingdom and his very existence is to testify of the Truth. Jesus further says, “Everyone who is of the truth hears (or listens to) my voice.”

Do the lives we live give evidence that we hear the voice of Christ, that we live his truth?

If God’s Word is Truth (John 17:17), and if that Truth produces holiness, then what should our response to Truth be?

To be “true” followers of Christ we must be “true” to his word

This week:
a. Examine your life for “truth.” What in your life corresponds to the character and teaching of Christ and what doesn’t?
b. Spend at least 15 minutes every day reading the Truth, the Word of God
c. List at least one thing you can do in response to the Scripture that will show you are living God’s Truth, then go out and do it
d. Speak the truth of God’s redeeming love or encouraging grace to someone who needs it this week—show them God’s love by sharing with them his Truth

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?

Thanks for reading!

Psalm 138

1 A Psalm of David. I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Since this is the season of Thanksgiving, and since I seem to hear more complaints lately (most of them coming from my own heart), I decided to post a list of things I am thankful for based off of some words from David about Thanksgiving. Psalm 138 above describes a Hymn of Thanksgiving. With David, I'd like to remind myself to be thankful for the following:

1. There is no god like the God of the Bible. The Triune God is not a part of his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation. There is nothing outside of God's authority.

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are available to all of us. Jeremiah reminds us that God's mercy is new every morning. The Psalmist reminds us on numerous occasions that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and lovingkindness unto many generations. His love is such that he gave us what he treasures most: Jesus, his only Son. His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing! His truth is convicting. God does not lie. He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth. His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation.

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name. If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words. He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself. The Word God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful. It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation. God has given us his Word!

4. God answers prayer. When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage. Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds.

5. God is friends with the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud. I am grateful that even though our God is so exalted, yet he finds it satisfactory to dwell with those who are humble and lowly. He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him.

6. God will be with me in trouble. There is no obstacle or problem that can separate me from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for me is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked. No matter the circumstances in my life, God is faithful and will be my closest friend. He will walk with me in the midst of my problems and provide me what I need to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23). He does not always deliver me from trouble, but he never abandons me in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with me in the midst of my trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with me, he walks with me, he gives me his joy in spite of my trouble, and he never fails.

7. God will complete the task he has begun (Phil. 1:6). He will not forsake the works of his hands. He will accomplish all those things that pertain to me. He will not fail. He is constant, kind, considerate. He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9). His Word is true and he is faithful to complete it. Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen. If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his outstretched hand. There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of my praise.

Because of these things and so many others, I want to develop a grateful and thankful heart. May we all find comfort in God's character, Word, and love this season. May we give him the thanks and praise he deserves!

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