Standing Firm in Truth Amidst Relativism

 

Summary

In today's world, where relativism often blurs the lines between truth and falsehood, it is crucial to stand firm in the conviction that some doctrines are definitively true while others are not. This conviction is not about being obstinate or intolerant but about being faithful to the message entrusted to us by God. Our forefathers were diligent in maintaining the boundaries of revealed doctrine, and we must do the same, resisting the temptation to conform to the ever-changing whims of modern thought. The Bible is not a malleable text to be shaped according to personal preference or societal trends; it is the infallible Word of God, containing truths that are essential for salvation.

As ministers and believers, we are called to preach with certainty and clarity, not wavering in our message or apologizing for the truth. Our task is not to create a gospel that suits the tastes of the age but to faithfully deliver the message as it has been given to us. This requires a deep personal conviction and a life that reflects the truths we proclaim. Our actions, sacrifices, and the zeal with which we preach must demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the gospel.

In an age characterized by doubt and skepticism, our decision to stand firm in the truth is more important than ever. The world is impressionable, and earnestness in our faith can have a profound impact. We must not be swayed by the desire to appear intellectual or fashionable but must remain steadfast in our convictions, knowing that God will bless our efforts. The truth we hold is not just a set of beliefs but a living reality that transforms lives, and it is our responsibility to proclaim it with passion and integrity.

Key Takeaways:

- The Importance of Truth: In a world where relativism prevails, it is essential to recognize that some doctrines are definitively true. This conviction is not about intolerance but about faithfulness to God's message. We must resist the temptation to conform to societal trends and remain steadfast in the truth of the Bible. [01:45]

- Preaching with Certainty: As ministers, we are called to preach with clarity and certainty, without wavering or apologizing for the truth. Our task is to deliver the gospel as it has been given to us, not to create a message that suits the tastes of the age. This requires deep personal conviction and a life that reflects the truths we proclaim. [12:26]

- Living the Truth: Our actions and sacrifices must demonstrate our commitment to the gospel. A life that aligns with the truth we preach is more powerful than words alone. We must be willing to make sacrifices for the principles we hold, showing that our faith is genuine and transformative. [21:17]

- Impact of Earnestness: In an age of doubt, earnestness in our faith can have a profound impact. The world is impressionable, and our zeal for the truth can lead others to Christ. We must not be swayed by the desire to appear intellectual or fashionable but remain steadfast in our convictions. [42:14]

- God's Blessing on Our Efforts: When we stand firm in the truth and proclaim it with passion and integrity, God will bless our efforts. The truth we hold is not just a set of beliefs but a living reality that transforms lives, and it is our responsibility to share it with the world. [44:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Need for Decisions
- [01:12] - Modern Thought and Relativism
- [02:35] - The Definitive Message of the Bible
- [03:42] - The Infallibility of Scripture
- [06:24] - Certainty in Core Doctrines
- [08:10] - The Atonement and the Holy Spirit
- [09:20] - The Necessity of the New Birth
- [10:42] - Salvation by Grace
- [12:26] - Preaching with Conviction
- [18:23] - Living Out the Truth
- [21:17] - Sacrifices for the Gospel
- [31:31] - The Doubting Age
- [42:14] - The Power of Earnestness
- [46:27] - The Drifting Age and Our Response

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 - "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
2. John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
3. Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the current attitude of society towards truth and falsehood? [00:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of ministers in relation to the gospel message? [02:35]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of living a life that aligns with the truth we preach? [18:23]
4. What examples does the sermon provide to illustrate the impact of earnestness in faith? [42:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the importance of standing firm in the truth in an age of relativism? [01:45]
2. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between personal conviction and the effectiveness of preaching? [12:26]
3. How does the sermon suggest that sacrifices for the gospel demonstrate genuine faith? [21:17]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that earnestness in faith can influence others? [42:14]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to conform to societal trends. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now to stand firm in your convictions? [01:45]
2. Consider your own life and actions. How do they reflect the truths you claim to believe? What changes might you need to make to align your life more closely with your faith? [18:23]
3. Think about a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share your faith. How did you approach it, and how might you incorporate more clarity and certainty in future discussions? [12:26]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you can demonstrate your commitment to the gospel through sacrifice. What steps can you take to make this a reality? [21:17]
5. How can you cultivate a sense of earnestness in your faith that might inspire others? What practical steps can you take to deepen your passion for the truth? [42:14]
6. Reflect on the role of the Bible in your daily life. How can you ensure that it remains a central and infallible guide in your decisions and actions? [03:42]
7. Consider the impact of your words and actions on those around you. How can you be more intentional in using them to lead others to Christ? [44:40]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unchanging Nature of Truth
In a world where relativism often blurs the lines between truth and falsehood, it is crucial to stand firm in the conviction that some doctrines are definitively true while others are not. This conviction is not about being obstinate or intolerant but about being faithful to the message entrusted to us by God. Our forefathers were diligent in maintaining the boundaries of revealed doctrine, and we must do the same, resisting the temptation to conform to the ever-changing whims of modern thought. The Bible is not a malleable text to be shaped according to personal preference or societal trends; it is the infallible Word of God, containing truths that are essential for salvation. [01:45]

"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to conform your beliefs to societal trends? How can you reaffirm your commitment to the unchanging truths of the Bible today?


Day 2: Preaching with Conviction
As ministers and believers, we are called to preach with certainty and clarity, not wavering in our message or apologizing for the truth. Our task is not to create a gospel that suits the tastes of the age but to faithfully deliver the message as it has been given to us. This requires a deep personal conviction and a life that reflects the truths we proclaim. Our actions, sacrifices, and the zeal with which we preach must demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the gospel. [12:26]

"Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you." (Titus 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your words and actions align with the gospel message you believe in? What steps can you take to speak with more conviction and clarity in your daily interactions?


Day 3: Living Out the Truth
Our actions and sacrifices must demonstrate our commitment to the gospel. A life that aligns with the truth we preach is more powerful than words alone. We must be willing to make sacrifices for the principles we hold, showing that our faith is genuine and transformative. [21:17]

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where your actions do not fully align with your beliefs? What practical steps can you take to bring this area into alignment with the gospel?


Day 4: The Power of Earnestness
In an age characterized by doubt and skepticism, our decision to stand firm in the truth is more important than ever. The world is impressionable, and earnestness in our faith can have a profound impact. We must not be swayed by the desire to appear intellectual or fashionable but must remain steadfast in our convictions, knowing that God will bless our efforts. [42:14]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate earnestness in your faith today, especially in a world that values skepticism? What is one way you can encourage someone else to stand firm in their faith?


Day 5: God's Blessing on Our Efforts
When we stand firm in the truth and proclaim it with passion and integrity, God will bless our efforts. The truth we hold is not just a set of beliefs but a living reality that transforms lives, and it is our responsibility to share it with the world. [44:40]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you seen God bless your efforts when you have stood firm in the truth? How can you continue to share the transformative power of the gospel with those around you?

Quotes



Our forefathers were particular about maintaining landmarks they had strong Notions about fixed points of revealed Doctrine and were very tenacious of what they believed to be scriptural their fields were protected by Hedges and ditches but their sons have grubbed up the hedges filled up the ditches laid all level and played at leapfrog with the boundary Stones. [00:46:36]

We have a fixed Faith to preach my brethren, and we are sent forth with a definite message from God we are not allowed to fabricate the message as we go along we are not sent forth by our Master with a general commission arranged on this fashion as you shall think in your heart and invent in your head so preach. [02:29:32]

There is something definite in the Bible it is not quite a lump of wax to be shaped at our will or a roll of or cloth to be cut according to the prevailing fashion your great thinkers evidently look upon the scriptures as a box of letters for them to play with and make what they like of. [03:00:12]

Believing therefore that there is such a thing as truth and such a thing as falsehood that there are truths in the Bible and that the gospel consists in something definite which is to be believed by man it becomes us to be decided as to what we teach and to teach it in a decided manner. [03:58:08]

We are equally certain that the book which is called the Bible is his word and is inspired not inspired in the sense in which Shakespeare and Milton and Dryden may be inspired but in an infinitely higher sense so that provided we have the exact text we regard the words themselves as infallible. [06:30:08]

We cannot explain how the father son and spirit can be each one distinct and perfect in himself and yet that these three are one so that there is but one God yet we do verily believe it and mean to preach it not withstanding Unitarian socinian sellan or any other error. [07:34:24]

The absolute necessity of the new birth is also a certainty we come down with demonstration when we touch that point we shall never poison our people with the notion that a moral Reformation will suffice but we will over and over again say to them ye must be born again. [09:14:00]

We will publish Grace Grace Grace with all our might living and dying we shall be very decided also as to justification by faith for salvation is not of Works lest any man should boast life in a look at the crucified one will be our message trust in the Redeemer. [10:42:56]

A man's life is always more forcible than his speech when men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as pounds and his words as Pence if his life and his doctrines disagree the mass of Lookers on accept his practice and reject his preaching a man may know a great deal about truth. [18:23:12]

We must show our decision for the truth by the sacrifices we are ready to make this is indeed the most efficient as well as the most trying method we must be ready to give up anything and everything for the sake of the principles which we have espoused and must be ready to offend our best supporters. [21:17:00]

We should be so because this age is a doubting age it swarms with doubters as Egypt of old with frogs you rub against them everywhere everybody is doubting everything not merely in religion but in politics and social economics in everything indeed it is the era of progress. [31:31:00]

The age therefore can be impressed it will receive what is taught by zealous men whether it be truth or falsehood it may be objected that falsehood will be received the more readily that is just possible but anything will be accepted by men if you will but preach it with tremendous energy and living earnestness. [44:40:00]

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Transcript
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