Battle For The Truth (Part 3)
Battle For The Truth • Sermon • Submitted
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· 8 viewsGod Created the entire universe out of nothing or ex nihilo
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1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Let me start by saying, I am compelled in my spirit to press the issue further concerning the implications of the Genesis account of Creation. Like a dog with a bone, I just cannot turn it loose. So, I implore you to indulge me just a little while longer.
As mentioned in the previous message, the Genesis account of Creation is where the battle-line for Truth is drawn. What it all boils down to is whether you believe the Bible is true or not. It is that simple. If the Bible does not have it right in the beginning, how can we trust it to have it right the rest of the way—especially the end?
Basically, there are only two explanations for the origin and existence of the universe, the earth, and all life within them: (1) Theism (the Bible); and, (2) Naturalism (including the evolutionary theory which is atheistic, meaning without God).
There are those known as theistic evolutionist who try to bring harmony between the two views. Their position is that God was involved in the beginning, but then kinda stepped back and let evolution takeover via natural processes over billions of years. This compromise simply means they do not believe the 6-day (24-hour day) Genesis account.
When and where did the non-biblical view emerge?
The non-biblical view of the universe came on the scene during the Age of Enlightenment in 18th Century Europe (1715–1789). Among the dominant themes to emerge was Charles Darwin’s “Origin of the Species,” popularly known as the Theory of Evolution.
Unfortunately, I do not have time to dissect all of the flaws of this godless theory, so I will try to sum it in a few words. The theory of evolution is man’s attempt to do away with God. If they can disprove Genesis then they need not be concerned with God’s Law, God’s Judgment and God’s Wrath. That’s it in a nutshell.
Nevertheless, it is this very godless doctrine that our children are continuously being indoctrinated with at every level of their education. It is an indoctrination because what is being taught are not the facts concerning the origin of life but unproven theories and philosophies.
The Church stands as the lone voice to shed the light of God’s truth by heralding the message of the Bible. Without the Bible being taught to and lived-out before our children, they are doomed to spiritual deception and damnation.
We are witnessing within our culture the catastrophic results of this indoctrination. If there is no God, then everyone is free to do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 2:10). Morals and ethics are relative or situational. Because what really matters is how it makes you feel or getting your needs met.
One of the major ways this godless worldview has impacted our culture is through two major issues—the right to life and human sexuality—better known as abortion and homosexuality. These are controversial subjects that most people are uncomfortable discussing—even many Christians.
Why is that? I believe people are either afraid to offend or be ostracized from a person or group, or like the people in 1 Kings 18:21, they are halted between two opinions .
Now I know that what I am about to say may open me up to criticism, but I intent is not to be controversial or in any way offensive. However, certain things need to be said and I am going to try to say it with love and gentleness. It has to do with government and our interactions with it, which invariably includes politics.
I recall reading in Matthew 22:17-22, the words of Jesus when confronted by the Herodians with the political question, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Jesus’ response was, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
I bring that up because particularly here in the USA, many Christians struggle to justify separating their biblical ethics and morals from their political views. Thereby making decisions based on political party affiliation and/or personality rather than the issues that reflect what ought to be our biblical worldview.
And, since we are avowed Christians, we do harm to those who may be looking to us for guidance or a moral compass, when we fail to follow biblical guidelines.
Although this may not seem like a sermon, it really is. Someone may be asking, “when is he going to get to the text?” Please do not despair, eventually we will get back to Genesis 1:1-3, but the issues I raise are the implications surrounding whether a person believes the Bible to be true or not.
The fact is, most people in the USA have been hearing the gospel their entire lives. They have heard it on Sunday morning; at funerals or memorial services; on the radio; on television; read it themselves or heard someone else read it. Nevertheless, the question remains, do you believe it to be true? This indeed is a Battle for the Truth.
Therefore, what this comes down to is belief or faith. Hebrews 11:1, says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And, Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Hebrews 11:6, says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
There are two ways to express this passage. Both are equally applicable. The person who comes to God must believe that “He is,” emphasis being on “is.” Meaning, He (God) “is” who He says He “is.” God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Ruler of His universe.
Another way to express it is to place the emphasis on “He.” Meaning the person who comes to God must believe that “He” is. For it is “He” and “He” alone who is the Creator: “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18
Moses wrote in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” John wrote in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In the 14th verse of John 1, John writes, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Along this same thought, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Following this in His high priestly prayer in John 17:17, Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Furthermore, at the 2nd Advent of Christ, we read these words recorded in Revelation 19:11, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”
Finally, to sum up this matter of truth, John writes in Revelation 22:6, “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”
Indeed this a Battle for the Truth and Lord willing, we will expand upon that truth next time. May God richly bless you my beloved.