The Truth

         Why are you here? Why are many of you watching online? There are many other Churches you could attend. Many have better music and better looking preachers than we have here. Why are you a part of this congregation?

I don't know if you're aware, but the United Methodist Church is moving towards a denominational split. They'll be splitting into two separate Churches based on some irreconcilable differences in doctrine and theology. And depending on which side you ask - you'll get very different answers as to 'why'. One side says such things as they want to move away from the outdated, 'traditional understanding of Christian marriage' - while the other side says they want to preserve the 'Biblical understanding of Christian marriage'.

And they have many disagreements on socially charged topics and issues in the denomination, but it really boils down to one question - is the Bible the Authoritative Word of God or is it an outdated work of flawed men? And that's a pretty big gap to attempt to close. I'm all for unity - but if I had to choose - I know where I'd land on this argument every single time.

On the one hand - I'm sad to see any Church split. On the other hand - at least it's over something that truly matters. And this issue of whether God's Word is true - or - whether we need to 'fix it' in light of modern society and values - that's kind of a big deal. We're not talking about the 'proper way to pass an offering plate' - but a belief that is foundational to everything we believe and teach.

This morning, I want to talk about 'The Bible' as...

I. God's Word

The Bible is different from every other book ever written because it claims that its origin is not from man - but from God, Himself. The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God. Despite the fact that it was recorded over a span of between 1,400 and 1,800 years by over 40 different individuals - scripture says it came directly from God by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)...

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

That's a pretty bold, audacious claim. The Apostle Paul was saying, 'the words recorded in this book are not just opinions - they are facts established by God Himself'. The Apostle Peter also wrote in 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. (21) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Again - this incredible claim that God actually authored this book through His Holy Spirit; that all prophecy came from God, not men. And then, yet again, we find Paul's claim in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)...

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Many times, we don't really stop and think about the outrageousness of that claim - that the Bible is the very Word of God. The Creator of the Universe took the time to write an exhaustive handbook on how we are to live and to treat others in order to have the best life we can here on this planet - and then, how we can have life with Him after this life is all done!

The Bible claims to be God's very Word! Some today question that - 'sure, it claims to be God's Word - but...'

A. Is it true?

We know there are some who say, 'Certainly most of the teachings are true, but they were written thousands of years ago and times have changed'. That's kind of the thinking at the heart of the Methodist Church's split. And there are many who believe that - but that's not what the Bible says about itself. And for the record, Jesus Himself, when He was praying to God for His disciples said this in John 17:17 (NIV)...

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

I know this is just one passage 'out of context' but it seems pretty easy to understand. When referring to God's Word, Jesus didn't say, 'most of it is true', or 'it's true now, but will later have to be updated as mankind gets smarter and more advanced'. No - Jesus accepted scripture as true. And Jesus would have been very familiar with the passage in Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV)...

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (6) Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

The Bible claims that it is true - so people really only have one choice - either accept it as God's Word; accept it as true - or reject it all as false. But many don't really like that stark of a choice. They might argue, can't it be...

B. Partly true?

Some say, 'Sure, I believe the Bible is a good book - but it's not all 'literally true'. God may have even told some people what to say, but sometimes He was just trying to teach a larger point through made up stories'.

Again, that's not what scripture says about itself or what Jesus said - but if that's true - how would we decide what parts to believe and which ones to reject? To be sure - some of scripture is prophetic or symbolic; some is poetry - but just because something doesn't make sense to our modern mind, can we just chalk it up as 'a nice story' and nothing more?

For instance - we readily accept most of The Ten Commandments from the book of Exodus as true, 'don't murder, don't lie' - those were the literal commands. But then many modern people tend to gloss over the part in that exact same passage in Exodus 20:11 (NIV)...

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Many say much of Genesis is a just a metaphor. But here again in Exodus, the historical account of the Jewish people - we see this creation claim repeated. 'Sure, God really meant not to murder - but He didn't really mean a literal six days - modern science has proven that to be false. And why does it matter so much how God did it? Why pick a fight with science and logic...?'

Can God's Word be partly true - even through it says, 'Every word of God is flawless'? Can you just pick and choose which parts are true or not and still have it be God's Word? And Jesus even addressed that sort of argument as He answered the religious people of His day in John 5:46-47 (NIV)...

If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. (47) But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?

Moses recorded the first five books of the Bible through the power of God's Spirit. Did Jesus believe what Moses wrote was true and accurate...? When Jesus was challenged in His teachings, He turned to the words of Moses in Matthew 19:3-6 (NIV)...

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" (4) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Jesus understood exactly what was written because The Bible tells us that He was there. Jesus acknowledged a literal creation by God and that mankind, Adam and Eve, were right there at the beginning. There are multiple scriptures where Jesus referred to creation as an historical event. The New Testament records that Jesus also taught about Noah's flood. He taught about Jonah being swallowed by a great fish - all scientifically impossible.

Can the Bible be partly true? Well, if so - I guess Jesus was way off base in His understanding of scripture. You can't really accept just the parts of the Bible that fit with modern morality or those that fit with modern scientific theories - either it is all true, or it's all a really big lie.

But why does it matter? It matters because we are absolutely in danger of losing...

II. Our foundation

I'm certainly not saying that if everyone doesn't agree with me about a 'literal six day creation' that they're are going to Hell. That's not even remotely my point. - I am not the authority. My point is - who is your authority? I shouldn't be the one to whom you compare your beliefs. Do you believe God's Word - or do you just believe what the majority believes, or the 'wisdom of men', or just what is acceptable to you, personally?

My father shared these words recently, "We are very frequently told to "follow the science." It's not that science is bad, but it isn't always perfect. Scientific discovery is an ongoing process. The Library of Congress is filled with books that once seemed to be the "final word" on scientific investigation. Most have been updated and replaced, and will probably one day all be considered 'out of date'. Science is merely a tool that God gives us to discover and adapt to what He already knows. It is very useful in getting through life, but it must never take the place of God. Science is still growing, but God's Word is complete."

After all, science also says the resurrection is impossible...

Once you start rejecting 'this or that teaching' from the Bible - in exchange for personal feelings and reasons - the foundation upon which you build all of your other beliefs and values is faulty. If you decide what part of God's Word you will or won't accept as true - you place yourself as the authority over God. And many do just that - and they decide how they should live, what path is right for them. And you end up with...

A. Many paths

Not everyone's spiritual journey will be the same - but the Bible doesn't claim to be one of 'many paths'. In God's Word - Jesus claims to be THE Way. If you reject God's Word as true, if you don't have a firm foundation - you basically make your own path.

And that's how many people decide they can redefine God's design for marriage between one man and one woman - because that part of the Bible is 'outdated'. That's how people place more value on nature and animals than they do on the life of an unborn child; how they call ending a human life 'reproductive justice' or women's health care. That's how we've come to a point where open-mindedness and tolerance have become far greater values than integrity, purity or faithfulness.

I want to be clear - I'm not saying these things in anger or disgust - but in sadness. I don't hate those who reject God's Word or Jesus or His Church. Jesus came and gave His life exactly for people like that, people like us - flawed, imperfect, lost people. I don't expect those outside of the Church to 'get their theology right' in order to come to Jesus - but I do want them to come to Jesus in order to find real life.

We are called to love our neighbor whether they agree with us or not.

However, I should be able to expect Christians to believe and act like Christians. Christians should...

B. Believe God's Word

I find it bizarre that I even have to say something like that - but I'm always amazed at how many 'believers' reject teachings on which the Bible is very clear. Which is why we have so many 'Christian Denominations' that teach things that go directly against scripture.

I want to be gentle here - but you probably shouldn't call yourself a Christian, a follower of Jesus, if you actively disagree with what Jesus taught and believed. I'm not talking about doubts or struggles - but when you outright reject parts of God's Word as false because you personally don't choose to believe them - how can you call yourself a Christian?

Most believers wouldn't think of themselves as rejecting God's Word - but how do we live? What do our actions and values say about our real beliefs? Are our values and actions any different than those outside of the Church? Do we let God's Word inform and shape our core values and convictions - or do we let our personal beliefs, or politics, or morals, or circumstances, or current societal trends dictate what parts of scripture we accept?

We need to be convicted of the truth of God's Word so we can then share it with others!

So What?

I don't have all the answers about God's Word. I don't completely understand every passage of scripture and why God did what He did. I am not the smartest person in the room - but I am smart enough to know that God's Word is true. And I'm smart enough to know that many people with whom you and I come into contact everyday will be lost without Jesus.

I'm asking you to examine your beliefs about God's Word - not what you think you should answer - but honestly look at your values, your moral beliefs based on your actions - do they agree with scripture? If not - change your mind, change the way you live, change the way you think, change your convictions - you change to match up with God's Word.

Just think for a moment - how might our nation look if more Christians actually believed the Bible? How would our families look if Christians lived more like Jesus? Where would our kids and grandkids be right now if we became completely convinced of the truth of God's Word and the truth of Christ's return?

The Bible is God's inspired Word. It is true, and if we want to be of any benefit for God's Kingdom - if we really want God's blessing in our lives - we have to start living like we believe it! Without God's Word, I'm just a guy in a tie with an opinion - with God's Word; I can help change people's destinies for eternity!