Seeking Truth: God's Revelation vs. Deception
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and celebrate the incredible contributions of Melanie Mattson, our children's minister, who has dedicated 15 years to nurturing the spiritual growth of our young ones. Her unwavering commitment and love for the Lord have profoundly impacted our church community. We prayed for her continued leadership and invited everyone to express their gratitude during a special fellowship event.
Transitioning to the sermon, we delved into the foundational question: "What if we are wrong?" This question challenges us to examine the basis of our beliefs and the source of our truth. We explored the creation story in Genesis 2 and 3, where God commands Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This command underscores God's authority as the Creator and Sovereign, establishing Him as the ultimate source of truth.
We discussed how truth has a single source—God—and how it is revealed through His creation and His Word. However, truth also has an adversary, Satan, who distorts and twists God's words to deceive us. Satan's lies are persistent and cunning, aiming to lead us away from God's truth. Additionally, our own hearts can be competitors to the truth, driven by appetites, desires, and a quest for independence.
In conclusion, we must recognize that truth is revealed by God and resist the lies of Satan and the deceitfulness of our own hearts. This calls us to believe in God's revelation, invest in His Word, and confess the wickedness within us. By doing so, we align ourselves with the truth and live in accordance with God's will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Truth Has a Single God
- Truth is not subjective or relative; it is revealed by God, the Creator and Sovereign. He has the authority to define what is right and wrong because He designed the world and everything in it. This foundational understanding calls us to seek truth in God's Word and His creation. [51:30]
2. Satan as the Adversary of Truth
- Satan's primary tactic is to distort and twist God's words, leading us into deception. He questions God's truthfulness and goodness, aiming to make us doubt and ultimately disobey God. Recognizing Satan's schemes helps us stay vigilant and grounded in the truth. [58:13]
3. The Competitor Within: Our Hearts
- Our own hearts can be significant competitors to God's truth. Driven by appetites, desires, and a quest for independence, we often twist God's commands to fit our preferences. Acknowledging this internal struggle is crucial for aligning ourselves with God's truth. [01:22:40]
4. The Importance of Investing in God's Word
- In a world filled with lies and deception, investing time in God's Word is essential. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern truth from falsehood and strengthens our faith. Neglecting this can lead to subtle shifts in our beliefs, aligning us more with the world's lies than God's truth. [01:30:45]
5. Confession and Dependence on God
- Recognizing the deceitfulness of our hearts and the persistent lies of Satan calls us to a posture of confession and dependence on God. By confessing our weaknesses and seeking God's guidance, we can stay true to His Word and live in alignment with His will. [01:34:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:52] - Honoring Melanie Mattson
[26:12] - Prayer for the Mattson Family
[27:04] - Fellowship and Love Offering
[49:49] - Welcoming New Faces
[50:17] - The Question: What If We Are Wrong?
[51:30] - The Foundation of Truth
[55:01] - The Box Top for Faith
[55:28] - The Creation Story
[56:26] - God's Command to Adam
[58:13] - The Serpent's Deception
[01:00:01] - Eve's Response
[01:02:24] - Satan's Lies
[01:03:23] - Eve's Decision
[01:04:16] - Truth's Single God
[01:12:27] - Truth's Adversary: Satan
[01:22:40] - Truth's Competitor: Our Hearts
[01:30:45] - Investing in God's Word
[01:34:14] - Confession and Dependence on God
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 2:16-17
- Genesis 3:1-6
- John 8:44
### Observation Questions
1. What specific command did God give to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17?
2. How did the serpent (Satan) distort God's command when speaking to Eve in Genesis 3:1? [58:13]
3. What were the three reasons Eve decided to eat the fruit according to Genesis 3:6? [01:22:40]
4. How does John 8:44 describe Satan's nature and his relationship with the truth?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God is described as the Creator and Sovereign in Genesis 2:16-17? How does this establish His authority to define truth? [56:52]
2. In what ways does Satan's questioning of God's command in Genesis 3:1-5 reveal his tactics in leading people away from the truth? [58:13]
3. How does the description of Satan in John 8:44 help us understand his role as the adversary of truth?
4. What does Eve's decision-making process in Genesis 3:6 tell us about the internal struggle between God's truth and our own desires? [01:22:40]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you questioned the basis of your beliefs. How did you seek to find the truth, and what was the outcome? [50:17]
2. Satan distorts God's words to deceive us. Can you identify a lie you have believed in the past? How did you come to recognize it as a lie? [58:13]
3. Our hearts can be significant competitors to God's truth. What are some desires or appetites in your life that might be twisting your understanding of God's commands? [01:22:40]
4. Investing in God's Word is crucial for discerning truth. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture? [01:30:45]
5. Confession and dependence on God are essential for aligning with His truth. Is there an area of your life where you need to confess and seek God's guidance? How will you do this? [01:34:14]
6. How can you stay vigilant against the persistent lies of Satan in your daily life? What practical measures can you implement to guard your heart and mind? [01:19:52]
7. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you filter it through God's truth or your own desires? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [01:22:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Foundation of Truth
Truth is not subjective or relative; it is revealed by God, the Creator and Sovereign. He has the authority to define what is right and wrong because He designed the world and everything in it. This foundational understanding calls us to seek truth in God's Word and His creation. In a world where many voices claim to hold the truth, it is crucial to remember that God's truth stands above all. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us in every aspect of life. By grounding ourselves in His truth, we can navigate the complexities of life with confidence and clarity.
[51:30]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept God's truth over your own understanding? How can you actively seek His truth in those areas today?
Day 2: Recognizing Satan's Deception
Satan's primary tactic is to distort and twist God's words, leading us into deception. He questions God's truthfulness and goodness, aiming to make us doubt and ultimately disobey God. Recognizing Satan's schemes helps us stay vigilant and grounded in the truth. By understanding how Satan operates, we can better equip ourselves to resist his lies and stand firm in our faith. It is essential to be aware of the subtle ways in which he tries to lead us astray, often by appealing to our desires and fears.
[58:13]
"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3, ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you felt tempted to doubt God's goodness or truth? How can you counteract such doubts with Scripture?
Day 3: The Competitor Within: Our Hearts
Our own hearts can be significant competitors to God's truth. Driven by appetites, desires, and a quest for independence, we often twist God's commands to fit our preferences. Acknowledging this internal struggle is crucial for aligning ourselves with God's truth. Our hearts can be deceitful, leading us to justify actions and beliefs that are contrary to God's Word. By recognizing this, we can take steps to guard our hearts and minds, ensuring that we remain faithful to God's commands.
[01:22:40]
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)
Reflection: What personal desires or ambitions have you noticed competing with God's truth in your life? How can you surrender these to Him today?
Day 4: Investing in God's Word
In a world filled with lies and deception, investing time in God's Word is essential. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern truth from falsehood and strengthens our faith. Neglecting this can lead to subtle shifts in our beliefs, aligning us more with the world's lies than God's truth. By immersing ourselves in the Bible, we build a solid foundation that helps us withstand the challenges and temptations we face daily. It is through consistent study and meditation on God's Word that we grow in wisdom and understanding.
[01:30:45]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How much time do you currently spend in God's Word each day? What practical steps can you take to increase your engagement with Scripture?
Day 5: Confession and Dependence on God
Recognizing the deceitfulness of our hearts and the persistent lies of Satan calls us to a posture of confession and dependence on God. By confessing our weaknesses and seeking God's guidance, we can stay true to His Word and live in alignment with His will. Confession is a powerful act that brings us closer to God, allowing His grace and truth to transform our lives. Dependence on God means trusting Him fully and relying on His strength rather than our own.
[01:34:14]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or struggle you need to confess to God today? How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on Him in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "What if we are wrong? Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever asked yourself the question What if we are wrong? I think about that In almost every category of life What if I am wrong about What if I am wrong about Jesus What if I am wrong about salvation Salvation through Jesus Trusting in Jesus What if I am wrong about that? Two billion Muslims Say I am wrong And I will suffer for eternity Because of my error What if I am wrong?" [50:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How do we know if we are right Or if we are wrong? Where does truth come from? What is the foundation? The foundation of truth What if we are wrong? What if I am wrong? About right and wrong You heard in our Box top series message Two weeks ago That I believe every person Has value Because every person is created In the image of God Yet over half the people in America Say that unborn babies Are not valuable And they are not as valuable As someone else's personal choice Or convenience How do we know who is right And who is wrong?" [51:30] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How do we know If we are wrong About how to live A godly life I believe sex outside of marriage Is a sin I believe people should strive Always to speak the truth I give 10% of my income To the church That is a significant sacrifice Is that the right thing For me to do? Is that the right thing For my family or not? I believe that I should try To put the needs of others Ahead of myself Not always very good at that But I believe it's important And I strive to do that" [53:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we look at The ministry of Jesus We see that when he was asked Controversial questions And the same thing is true Of the apostle Paul When they were asked Controversial questions In the New Testament They would often point back To the box top of our faith They would point back To the story The account of the creation of man And how man interacted with God In those first days And they would answer The controversial question of the day By saying we should go back And look at how God designed things In the beginning" [54:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Why is something right or wrong Today Because Because God says so Simply because God says so Now why does it matter That God says so Well it matters for the same reason As it mattered in Genesis 2 Because God created the world God designed the world And he designed it to work In a certain way Because God is the creator He has the authority To say this is right And this is wrong And also because he is sovereign He is in control He judges So God determines right and wrong" [57:46] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The Bible Teaches us That all of those Are false The Bible rejects All of those epistemologies And all the other Isms that you can think of The Bible teaches Listen to this That truth comes through Revelation Revelation Truth is revealed To us By God God has the truth God is the truth Because he is the creator Because he is sovereign God establishes the truth And then God reveals The truth to us How do we know truth We look at what God has Said is true We look at how God has Revealed truth" [01:06:36] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Satan is constantly bombarding us with lies He speaks through the media He speaks through social media He speaks through culture He speaks through people around us He speaks through news He speaks into our hearts and our minds Satan is constantly bombarding us with lies And none of us are immune to that After we hear a lie over and over and over Eventually it begins to sound right Eventually we begin to believe it Eventually the awfulness of it wears off We grow accustomed to it We accept it And we end up embracing it" [01:16:53] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What we've got to do is recognize how much our own hearts, our appetites, the things that delight us, the things that entice us. Our stubbornness, how our hearts can compete and twist God's truth. The Bible says all of our hearts are deceitful and incurably wicked, Jeremiah 17, 9. The Bible says our own understanding is unreliable. Proverbs 3, 5, do not rely on your own understanding. Or Proverbs 14, 12. There is a way. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death. We have to recognize that our hearts can be competitors to the truth, the truth of God's word." [01:25:12] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The Bible says truth is revealed by God. That's the most important lesson a person could ever learn. And if our foundation of truth is the revelation of God, then it calls us very quickly to do three things. Number one, it calls us to believe. If the foundation of truth is the revelation of God, what God has revealed to us, it calls us to believe. The Bible says that the only hope to have a right relationship with the Father is to recognize that we're guilty of sin. And that sin eternally and finally separates us from God for all eternity. But we have one hope. And that one hope is Jesus." [01:27:12] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If Satan is constantly bombarding us with lies, and he is, I'm telling you, your accent is going to change. You won't realize. You won't recognize it. You won't notice it. But what you believe is true will change. You will believe a lie, and I will believe a lie, unless we're also investing our lives in God's word. Can I tell you, and I'm out of time, but I want to tell you this. Can I tell you about the biggest COVID problem? We haven't talked about COVID in a long time. But let me tell you from the church perspective, from the church world perspective. The problem with COVID, okay?" [01:30:45] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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