the resurrection of christ and moral truth. the path of the christian is very different than that of...

The Resurrection of Christ The Resurrection of Christ and moral Truthand moral Truth

The path of the Christian is very different The path of the Christian is very different than that of the world.than that of the world.

• Jesus often spoke of a word that the world Jesus often spoke of a word that the world scoffs at --- scoffs at --- truthtruth! ! (Jn 8:32)(Jn 8:32)


• John 8:32John 8:32 - "And you shall know the truth, - "And you shall know the truth, and and the truththe truth shall shall make you freemake you free."."


• Faith in Jesus always comes from a mind Faith in Jesus always comes from a mind that has learned to distinguish between that has learned to distinguish between truth and error.truth and error.

• Having a mind that is willing to reason and Having a mind that is willing to reason and test things is the first step to coming to test things is the first step to coming to know God. know God. (Lk 8:15)(Lk 8:15)


• Luke 8:15Luke 8:15 - "But the ones - "But the ones that that fell on the fell on the good ground are those who, having heard good ground are those who, having heard the word with the word with a noble and good hearta noble and good heart, , keep keep it it and bear fruit with patience. and bear fruit with patience.


• Many people talk about the historical Many people talk about the historical Jesus and may even acknowledge His Jesus and may even acknowledge His resurrection but have no faith in the Son of resurrection but have no faith in the Son of God.God.

• Can one have a faith in God without Can one have a faith in God without having a reason to believe?having a reason to believe?

• Because we can know who Jesus is then Because we can know who Jesus is then we can know how to live! we can know how to live! (1 Jn 1:1-6)(1 Jn 1:1-6)


• 1 John 1:1-61 John 1:1-6 - - That which was from the That which was from the beginning, which beginning, which we have heardwe have heard, which we , which we have have seen with our eyesseen with our eyes, which we , which we have have looked uponlooked upon, and our , and our hands have handledhands have handled, , concerning the Word of life -- 2 the life concerning the Word of life -- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and bear witness, and declare to you that declare to you that eternal lifeeternal life which was with the Father and which was with the Father and was manifested to us --was manifested to us --


• ……. 5 This is the message which we have . 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that heard from Him and declare to you, that God is lightGod is light and in Him and in Him is no darkness at is no darkness at allall. 6 If we say that we have fellowship . 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and with Him, and walk in darknesswalk in darkness, we lie and , we lie and do not practice the truthdo not practice the truth..

How can we find the truth?How can we find the truth?

• Pilate honestly reflected the vain wisdom Pilate honestly reflected the vain wisdom of this world when he asked: “What is of this world when he asked: “What is truth?” truth?” (Jn 18:37-38)(Jn 18:37-38)


• John 18:37-38John 18:37-38 - Pilate therefore said to Him, - Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say "You say rightly rightly that I am a king. For that I am a king. For this this cause I was borncause I was born, and for , and for this cause I have this cause I have come into the worldcome into the world, that , that I should bear I should bear witness to the truthwitness to the truth. Everyone who is of the . Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, ""What is truthWhat is truth?" And when he had said this, ?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.them, "I find no fault in Him at all.


• Pilate had come to believe there was no such Pilate had come to believe there was no such thing as “truth.”thing as “truth.”

• He simply came to make his own reality to fit He simply came to make his own reality to fit his needs. Jesus was a problem that needed to his needs. Jesus was a problem that needed to be solved. Truth would require too high of a be solved. Truth would require too high of a price!price!

• That kind of a mindset has terrible That kind of a mindset has terrible consequences. Needless to say that Pilate consequences. Needless to say that Pilate washing his hands will not help him one bit at washing his hands will not help him one bit at the judgment. the judgment.


• When you eliminate God there is no basis When you eliminate God there is no basis for truth.for truth.

• What is morality? Philosophers can What is morality? Philosophers can “successfully” prove that Adolph Hitler was “successfully” prove that Adolph Hitler was just as “moral” of a man as Abraham just as “moral” of a man as Abraham Lincoln.Lincoln.

• God expects rulers to make moral laws God expects rulers to make moral laws and execute them. and execute them. (Rom 13:3-4)(Rom 13:3-4)


• Romans 13:3-4Romans 13:3-4 - For rulers are not a - For rulers are not a terror terror to good works, but to evilto good works, but to evil. Do you want to . Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do be unafraid of the authority? Do what is what is goodgood, and you will have , and you will have praise from the praise from the samesame. 4 For he is God's minister to you for . 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But good. But if you do evilif you do evil, , be afraidbe afraid; for he ; for he does not bear the sword in vaindoes not bear the sword in vain; for he is ; for he is God's minister, an avenger to God's minister, an avenger to execute execute wrath wrath on him who practices evilon him who practices evil..


• When a country divorces itself from God When a country divorces itself from God then there will be no moral basis for their then there will be no moral basis for their laws. What are the standards of the world?laws. What are the standards of the world?

• There are three basic “standards” of the There are three basic “standards” of the morality of the world. (Note: when morality of the world. (Note: when any of these are the goal you can lie, any of these are the goal you can lie, cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!)cheat, etc.. as long as you meet the goal!)


• What will work? (Utilitarian practicality)What will work? (Utilitarian practicality)

• What do most people accept? (Majority What do most people accept? (Majority rule)rule)

• Who has the strength to impose their will Who has the strength to impose their will on everyone else? (Power Politics)on everyone else? (Power Politics)

Why are we motivated to live a different Why are we motivated to live a different life than the world?life than the world?

• Because we first come to believe there is Because we first come to believe there is a God.a God.

• We can know there is a God simply from We can know there is a God simply from the design of the creation. the design of the creation. (Rom 1:20)(Rom 1:20)


• Romans 1:20Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of - For since the creation of the world the world His invisible His invisible attributes attributes are clearly are clearly seenseen, being , being understood by the things that understood by the things that are madeare made, , even even His eternal power and His eternal power and Godhead, so that Godhead, so that they are without excusethey are without excuse,,


• We can know that God has acted and We can know that God has acted and spoken to us by the resurrection of Jesus spoken to us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ. (Acts 2:32, 36)(Acts 2:32, 36)


• Acts 2:32Acts 2:32 - "This Jesus God - "This Jesus God has raised has raised upup, of which , of which we are all witnesseswe are all witnesses..


• Acts 2:36Acts 2:36 - "Therefore let all the house of - "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord both Lord and Christand Christ."."


• When we come to know that Jesus is the When we come to know that Jesus is the Son of God then we can know the nature Son of God then we can know the nature of the one true God and his will for our of the one true God and his will for our lives. lives. (Jn 8:31-32)(Jn 8:31-32)


• John 8:31-32John 8:31-32 - Then Jesus said to those - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in If you abide in My wordMy word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 , you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And "And you shall know the truthyou shall know the truth, and the , and the truth shall make you free."truth shall make you free."


• We learn that we have a God who loves We learn that we have a God who loves us and has acted on our behalf. He wants us and has acted on our behalf. He wants to redeem us and remake us. to redeem us and remake us. (Jn 3:3-5; 10:10)(Jn 3:3-5; 10:10)


• John 3:3-5John 3:3-5 - Jesus answered and said to - Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless unless one is born againone is born again, he cannot see the , he cannot see the kingdom of God." …. Jesus answered, kingdom of God." …. Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot he cannot enter the kingdom of Godenter the kingdom of God..


• John 10:10John 10:10 - "The thief does not come - "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that have come that they may have lifethey may have life, and , and that they may that they may have have it it more abundantlymore abundantly. .


• When we come to trust in Jesus then we When we come to trust in Jesus then we submit to Him as our Lord. We live a life of submit to Him as our Lord. We live a life of repentance. repentance. (Rom 6:17-23)(Rom 6:17-23)


• Romans 6:17-23Romans 6:17-23 - But God be thanked - But God be thanked that that though though you were slaves of sinyou were slaves of sin, yet you , yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrineobeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And to which you were delivered. 18 And having having been set free from sinbeen set free from sin, you became , you became slaves of righteousnessslaves of righteousness. .


• 19 I speak in human 19 I speak in human terms terms because of the because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members presented your members as as slaves of slaves of uncleannessuncleanness, and , and of lawlessnessof lawlessness leading leading to to more more lawlessnesslawlessness, so now present your , so now present your members members as as slaves slaves of of righteousness for righteousness for holinessholiness. 20 For when you were slaves of . 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were sin, you were free in regard to free in regard to righteousnessrighteousness. .


• 21 What fruit did you have then in the 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things For the end of those things is is death. 22 death. 22 But now having But now having been set free from sinbeen set free from sin, , and having become slaves of God, you and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holinesshave your fruit to holiness, and the end, , and the end, everlasting life. 23 For everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin the wages of sin is is deathdeath, but the gift of God , but the gift of God is is eternal life in eternal life in Christ Jesus our LordChrist Jesus our Lord..


• The Christian life is one where we discern The Christian life is one where we discern good and evil and stand!good and evil and stand!

• The reason that more do not become The reason that more do not become Christians is because they do not want to Christians is because they do not want to change their lives! change their lives! (Jn 3:16-20)(Jn 3:16-20)


• John 3:16-20John 3:16-20 - "For God so loved the - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did God did not send His Son into the world to not send His Son into the world to condemn the worldcondemn the world, but that the world , but that the world through Him might be saved. through Him might be saved.


• 18 "He who believes in Him is not 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned alreadyis condemned already, because he has , because he has not believed in the name of the only not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "And this is the begotten Son of God. 19 "And this is the condemnation, that the condemnation, that the light has come into light has come into the worldthe world, and , and men loved darkness rather men loved darkness rather than lightthan light, because their , because their deeds were evildeeds were evil. .


• 20 "For everyone practicing evil 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the hates the lightlight and and does not come to the lightdoes not come to the light, lest , lest his deeds should be exposedhis deeds should be exposed..


• This will bring a strong reaction from the This will bring a strong reaction from the world. This will be the basis for world. This will be the basis for persecution.persecution.

• True Christianity will always be concerned True Christianity will always be concerned with moral standards. with moral standards.

• Did Paul just talk to Felix about salvation Did Paul just talk to Felix about salvation and not address “lifestyles”? and not address “lifestyles”? (Acts 24:24-26)(Acts 24:24-26)


• Acts 24:24-26Acts 24:24-26 - And after some days, - And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christheard him concerning the faith in Christ. . 25 Now as 25 Now as he reasoned about he reasoned about righteousnessrighteousness, , self-controlself-control, and , and the the judgment to comejudgment to come, Felix was afraid and , Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.“ …a convenient time I will call for you.“ …


• Is it “unloving” to speak to unbelievers Is it “unloving” to speak to unbelievers about these things? We make a serious about these things? We make a serious mistake when we think it is unspiritual to mistake when we think it is unspiritual to speak up about moral issues. What are speak up about moral issues. What are men saved from? men saved from? (Rom 1:16-17; 3:23)(Rom 1:16-17; 3:23)


• Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17 - For I am - For I am not ashamednot ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."written, "The just shall live by faith."


• Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, fall short of the glory of God,


• There will be a judgment day. There will be a judgment day. (Jn 12:48; Mt 12:36-37; Lk 10:13-16)(Jn 12:48; Mt 12:36-37; Lk 10:13-16)


• John 12:48John 12:48 - "He who rejects Me, and - "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last daywill judge him in the last day..


• Matthew 12:36-37Matthew 12:36-37 - "But I say to you that - "But I say to you that for for every idle wordevery idle word men may speak, they men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of will give account of it in the day of judgmentjudgment. 37 "For by your words you will . 37 "For by your words you will be justifiedbe justified, and by your words you will , and by your words you will be be condemnedcondemned."."


• Luke 10:13-16Luke 10:13-16 - " Woe to you, Chorazin! - " Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have they would have repented long agorepented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and , sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 "But it will be more tolerable for ashes. 14 "But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for at the judgment than for youyou. .


• 15 "And you, Capernaum, who are exalted 15 "And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 "He who 16 "He who hears you hears Mehears you hears Me, he who , he who rejects you rejects Merejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects , and he who rejects Me Me rejects Him who sent Merejects Him who sent Me."."


• A day of personal accountability before A day of personal accountability before God should be an absolutely terrifying God should be an absolutely terrifying prospect for all men.prospect for all men.

• The proof of the judgment day is the same The proof of the judgment day is the same proof of Jesus as the Son of God, the proof of Jesus as the Son of God, the resurrection of Christ. resurrection of Christ. (Acts 17:30-31)(Acts 17:30-31)


• Acts 17:30-31Acts 17:30-31 - "Truly, these times of - "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repentcommands all men everywhere to repent, , 31 "because He has 31 "because He has appointed a day on appointed a day on which He will judge the worldwhich He will judge the world in in righteousness by the Man whom He has righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has ordained. He has given assurancegiven assurance of this of this to all to all by raising Him from the deadby raising Him from the dead."."

Standing for the truth always Standing for the truth always involves a costinvolves a cost

• The truth is unpopular because many are The truth is unpopular because many are unwilling to pay the price. Sadly, they pay unwilling to pay the price. Sadly, they pay an infinitely higher price later. an infinitely higher price later. (Rom 14:12)(Rom 14:12)


• Romans 14:12Romans 14:12 - So then - So then each of useach of us shall shall give account of himself to Godgive account of himself to God..


• Here is where a faith in God can be such a Here is where a faith in God can be such a blessing. When we know that this life is blessing. When we know that this life is not all there is then we can have joy in not all there is then we can have joy in suffering. suffering. (1 Pt 1:3-7)(1 Pt 1:3-7)


• 1 Peter 1:3-71 Peter 1:3-7 - Blessed - Blessed be be the God and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has according to His abundant mercy has begotten us againbegotten us again to a living hope to a living hope through through the resurrection of Jesus Christthe resurrection of Jesus Christ from the from the dead, ….. dead, …..


• … … 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have now for a little while, if need be, you have been been grieved by various trialsgrieved by various trials, 7 that the , 7 that the genuineness of your faith, genuineness of your faith, being being much much more precious than gold that perishes, more precious than gold that perishes, though it though it is tested by fireis tested by fire, may be found to , may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,of Jesus Christ,


• It is encouraging when we have It is encouraging when we have companions in suffering. companions in suffering. (Heb 10:32-34)(Heb 10:32-34)


• Hebrews 10:32-34Hebrews 10:32-34 - But recall the former - But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured you endured a great struggle with a great struggle with sufferingssufferings: 33 partly while you were : 33 partly while you were made made a spectaclea spectacle both by both by reproaches and reproaches and tribulationstribulations, and partly while you , and partly while you became became companionscompanions of those of those who were so treatedwho were so treated; ;


• 34 for you had compassion on me in my 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and chains, and joyfully accepted the joyfully accepted the plundering of your goodsplundering of your goods, knowing that , knowing that you have a better and an enduring you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heavenpossession for yourselves in heaven. .


• Any Christian with a living faith will stand. Any Christian with a living faith will stand. But it is possible to cast such a faith away. But it is possible to cast such a faith away. (Heb 10:35)(Heb 10:35)


• Hebrews 10:35Hebrews 10:35 - Therefore - Therefore do not cast do not cast away your confidenceaway your confidence, which has great , which has great reward.reward.


• We must always be a people who We must always be a people who unashamedly know the truth, live the truth unashamedly know the truth, live the truth and speak up and stand for the truth. and speak up and stand for the truth. (3 Jn 1-4)(3 Jn 1-4)


• 3 John 1:1-43 John 1:1-4 - - THE ELDER, To the THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom beloved Gaius, whom I love in truthI love in truth: 2 : 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified brethren came and testified of the truth of the truth that is that is in youin you, just as you , just as you walk in the truthwalk in the truth. . 4 I have 4 I have no greater joyno greater joy than to hear that than to hear that my children walk in truthmy children walk in truth..


• We need more than ever to stand up and We need more than ever to stand up and be counted.be counted.

• There will be some in the church that will There will be some in the church that will be ashamed of your stand. be ashamed of your stand.

• Our Lord will never be ashamed of those Our Lord will never be ashamed of those who stand for Him! who stand for Him! (Lk 9:25-26)(Lk 9:25-26)


• Luke 9:25-26Luke 9:25-26 - "For what profit is it to a - "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 "For himself destroyed or lost? 26 "For whoever whoever is ashamed of Me and My wordsis ashamed of Me and My words, , of him of him the Son of Man will be ashamedthe Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His when He comes in His own own glory, and glory, and in in His His Father's, and of the holy angels.Father's, and of the holy angels.

Give Me the TruthGive Me the Truth

• Give Me The TruthGive Me The Truthby Bill Crewsby Bill Crews

• If you are my friend, if you are concerned If you are my friend, if you are concerned about my soul, give me the truth. Do not about my soul, give me the truth. Do not flatter me. Do not praise my virtues while flatter me. Do not praise my virtues while remaining silent about my vices. Do not remaining silent about my vices. Do not fear that the truth will offend me. Do not fear that the truth will offend me. Do not treasure our friendship, our friendly treasure our friendship, our friendly relations, above my salvation. relations, above my salvation.


• Do not think that by ignoring my sins you can Do not think that by ignoring my sins you can help. Do not think that being blind to my sins help. Do not think that being blind to my sins will prove yourself charitable. However I may will prove yourself charitable. However I may react to it whatever may be my attitude react to it whatever may be my attitude toward you after you have done it, give me toward you after you have done it, give me the truth! For the truth, and only the truth, can the truth! For the truth, and only the truth, can make men free from the shackles of sin, make men free from the shackles of sin, strengthen me in the pathway of strengthen me in the pathway of righteousness and lead me to the joys of righteousness and lead me to the joys of heaven. heaven.


• If I am wavering, weak, lukewarm, If I am wavering, weak, lukewarm, indifferent, neglectful; if I have been indifferent, neglectful; if I have been overtaken in a trespass, if I have been overtaken in a trespass, if I have been drawn into the pleasures of the world; if I drawn into the pleasures of the world; if I have left first love; if I have been led astray have left first love; if I have been led astray by error; or if I have done none of these, by error; or if I have done none of these, but simply need to grow in knowledge and but simply need to grow in knowledge and be edified, give me the truth!be edified, give me the truth!

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