Absolute Truth In Relative World

Absolutely, part 2 of 2
When people define their own truth (relativism) problems will naturally arise. In a relativistic culture, who is to say what is right and what is wrong? Just take a look at the debates that have occurred when people define their own truth regarding marriage, divorce, abortion, capitol punishment, assisted suicide, evolution, etc. In this message we’ll take a look at God’s truth on these topics as told in the Bible and we’ll challenge people to not just know the truth but to live out this truth in their lives everyday.

Download the notes.

I. “TRUTH” – DEFINED BY A RELATIVE WORLD

a. All views are WORTHY OF RESPECT.

b. People are GENERALLY GOOD .

c. God’s truth is IGNORED.

The Result: Moral relativism produces people who have NO CONSCIENCE.

II) TRUTH – REVEALED BY AN ABSOLUTE GOD

a. Truth Established In THE BIBLE.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
(John 17:17 NIV)

“Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.”
(Psalm 119:152 NIV)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

b. Truth Taught Through THE HOLY SPIRIT .

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you…the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
(John 14:16-17, 25-26 NIV)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
(John 16:13 NIV)

The Result: God’s Absolute Truth produces people who KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.

III) KNOWING TRUTH VS. OBEYING TRUTH

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
(John 14:15 NIV)

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”
(Psalm 119:30 NIV)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)

The Process: ACCEPT Christ; OBEY Truth; HONOR God.

IV) APPLYING ABSOLUTE TRUTH TO MY LIFE

Sexual Purity / Co-habitation…1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
Marriage… Genesis 1-3; 1 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; Romans 1:26-27;
Divorce / Remarriage… Romans 7:1-3; Matthew 19:1-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15;
Stealing / Slandering… Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28; Hosea 4:1-3; Psalm 41:12
Lying / Cheating… Leviticus 19:11-18; Matthew 19:19; Acts 5:1-11; Proverbs 18:17; 19:5; 26:24-25; Matthew 5:33-37
Euthanasia / Abortion … Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21; 15:19-20; Jeremiah 19:4; Revelation 22:12-15
Capitol Punishment… Leviticus 24:17; Genesis 9:5-6; Numbers 35:30
Following God’s will… Romans 12:1-2; Jonah (the whole book)

The Big Question: Am I defining MY OWN TRUTH, or obeying GOD’S ABSOLUTE TRUTH?