How to Train your Tongue 

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices. - Colossians 3:9 

What is Truth? 

What is its foundation? 

Do we have a truth problem within our culture? 

How? 

 

George Barna's study: "The Trends Shaping a Post-Truth Society" 

Is moral truth absolute (objective) or relative (feeling-based)?

Does the Bible compel us to speak truth? 

Is "Thou shalt not lie" in the Bible? 

Not in those words exactly. It's this: The 9th Commandment: 

Exodus 20:16 - Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. 

The wisdom of the Proverbs

The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. - Proverbs 6:16-19 

The Psalms of David 

Surely you desire integrity (truth) in the innermost being, and you teach me wisdom deep within. 

The Judgement of the Revelation 

But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all the liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. - Rev 21:8

 

Ways we Distort Truth 

1) Deceit - Twisting truth through verbal camouflage 

2) Lying - disguising the truth or intentionally telling an untruth 

3) False Witness - ____ directed at another persona and intended to cause harm (Proverbs 19:5)

 

Becoming People of Truth 

1) Understand that God , by His very nature, is truth. 

2) Understand that you have been designed to reflect God's nature. 

3) You must choose to submit to God's standards and be a people of the __ .

 

2 Timothy 1:12 - But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 

 

Facing Change 

 

1) Change is ___. (Isaiah 43:19; Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

2) God has a ___ for the changes in yor life (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28)

3) Find __ in the fact that ___! (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

• His ___ does not change. (Isaiah 46:10)

• His __ does not change. (Matthew 5:17-18)

 

Psalm 23:4 - Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 

True security is not found in the absence of danger. It is found in the presence of our good God. 

 

Crossing Those Scare Valleys 

1) Don't be too eager to avoid the valleys

• Make no mistake … valleys are an inescapable part of real life. 
• Realize that the valleys are only 

 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. 
You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. 
Isaiah 43:2

You will have suffering in this world. 
John 16:33

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials. 
James 1:2 

 

2) Know that every scary valley is a path to something better. 

3) Focus on our good God's power, not on your problems.

We sheep are prone to wander off and get ourselves into trouble.  

4) Don't wander off from God and your church and isolate yourself. 

The enemy __ attacks the "stragglers" who are isolated from the ___ . 

[story: Lt. Charles Brown… American bomber, "Ye Old Pub" pilot and the mysterious German pilot who gave grace and allowed the tattered, beaten plane to land.  Both survived the war (nothing short of miraculous itself). Listen to find out how both the German Lieutenant (Lt. Franz Stigler) and Lt. "Charlie Brown" lived their lives when they finally discovered each other generations later.

Driving it Home 

If you are in Christ, and if you will cling to him by faith, then you do not have to fear. 

 

 

 

 

In a culture that's working so tirelessly to create a society where everything is fair and equal, how are we instructed to live? What do we really deserve? 

How to Respond When Life Seems Unfair 

1) Never be envious because of God's ___ (Matthew 20:1-16) 

Envy = comparing ourselves to someone else. 

Like people who can eat anything they want while you might inhale the sweet smells of near the buffet and put on a pound. 

Like those who never crack a book and ace the test. 

Like those who can't stop getting pregnant in the midst of the couple dealing with infertility. 

Like those who seem to have a story book marriage. 

When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner. … 
Matthew 20:11-12 

2) Stop __ ! (Luke 14:12-14, 22:42-43)

3) Go ahead and lose… and join the ___ (Luke 9:23-25) 

Then he said to them all, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For… 
- Luke 9:23

What's really "fair"?

Romans: For the wages of sin is death. 

Wages are what is earned. God is more than fair. 

 

Living What You've Learned 

Never look for comfort within the human notion of fairness. Always find your ___ in the ___ ! (Nahum 1:7) 

To rephrase what Paul was telling Timothy, "Timothy! That's them. BUT YOU can choose to be different."

Questions to ponder over and over. 

• What will be your impact? 
• Are you making any real difference at all? 
• Is your life even about make a difference … or is it just about you? 

Biblical Principles for Having a Lasting Impact 

1) ___ your ___ . (vs. 10-11)

2) Pursue holiness. (v. 12)

3) Be on the lookout for impostors. (v. 13) 

4) Hold fast to your ___ and your family. (v. 14) 

5) Pursue ___ ___ as your only dependable guide for life. (v. 15) 

 

The Key to Leaving a Legacy 

Christian, you must be CONVINCED! 

• What you hear and learn must become mattes of belief. 

• Your knowledge and beliefs lead to ___ . 

• Conviction is the fuel that prompts ___ action . 

 

But know this: hard times will come in the last days. - 2 Timothy 3:1 

Paul's Warning to the Church 

The future is ___, but it is not going to be ___. (v.1)

The Future That We Must Prepare For 

1. ___ will be on ___ within the ___ (vs. 2-4) 
2. People will ___ their rebellion i a ___ of ___ (v.5)
3. ___ people will believe ___ (vs. 6-7)

How We Must Respond 

1. Difficult times are coming as evil tries to destroy good. Accept this reality. 
2. As depravity increases, people will increasingly place their rebellion on display. ___ from such people! (v5) 
3. Deceivers will present themselves as genuine ministers of the Gospel. __ __ ___ ! (vs 8-9) 
4. Evil sometimes occupies position of power that cannot be overthrown. Prepare to __ ___.
5. Remember that the rule of evil is only temporary. __ and __. ___! 

 

 

 

 

 

… be strong and courageous … Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9 

Courage 

 

Steps to Fighting the Right Future 

1.  ___ to the ___ of God 
2. ___ the ___ of God. 
3. ___ on the ___ of God. 
4. ___ in the ___ of God. 
5. ___ "on ___" with God. 

 

How to Find REAL Success in Life 

1. __ the Lord ___ .
2. ___ the Lord ___ .
3. __ away __ totally. 
4. __ Jesus ___ .

 

 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. - John 19:26-27 

 

Biblical Ways to Love our Ladies 

Love them…

1. ___ (John 19:26, Proverbs 20:20) 
2. ____ (Mark 10:13, Ruth 1:14, Mark 5:28) 
3. ___ (1 Corinthians 13:4a) 
4. ____ (John 19:26) 
5. ___ (Proverbs 23:22) 
6. ____ (John 19:27) 
7. ___ (Ephesians 6:2) 

 

Closing Thought 

When our loved ones are ___, it's ___ to say the things we need and want to say. Don't ___ a single moment. 

 

 

 

Washing Out Your Pot (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

 

The Goal: _____________ through cleansing.

 

The Results:

-A ______________ life (v.21a)

-A _______________ soul (v.21b)

-____________ to God (v.21c)

-________________ for service (v.21d)

-A _______________ (v.22)

-A _______________ mind (v.23)

 

The Reality: ________________

Not every believer will desire such cleansing. It is our job to call them back to holiness with a spirit of _______________ and _________________. (v24-26) 

 

"Pull Here for Fire" 

What purpose might guilt and shame have in the life of a believer? 

5 Questions to Assess Your Fire Protection

1) Is your detector ___ ? 

For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. (v3)

2) Do you ___ check your ___ ? 

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (v7)

3) Who else is ___ when things go up in flames? 

Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. (v4)

4) Who are you ___ about ___ ? 

Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you. Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God—God of my salvation—and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (vv13-15) 

Psalm 51

5) When fire ___, will you let the Lord ___ ? 

(A: When fire destroys, will you let the Lord rebuild you?)