Riches In Christ: Recent Episodes
Diane Kannady
TCC–9621THE BIBLE PROTECTS USA. Introduction: We’re discussing the place and purpose of the Bible as part of a larger discussion aboutknowing the inheritance we have in Christ. Eph 1:181. Our inheritance includes everything we need to live this life and the next. Our inheritance comes to usthrough God’s Word. The Living Word (Jesus) purchased it for us at the Cross. The Written Word(the Bible) tells us about it. When we believe what God’s Word says we experience it. Acts 20:32a. The best thing you can do for yourself is to become a regular, systematic reader of the NewTestament. Regular means read every day (or as close to that as possible). Systematic means readeach book and letter from start to finish. Understanding comes with familiarity.b. If you commit to doing this, you will be a different person a year from now. Your inheritance inChrist will be real to you in a way that it is not now.2. We have in our hands a book from God, the Word of God. It is a supernatural book with the potentialto produce real change in us and in our lives, but we don’t utilize it because we don’t understand itspurpose or how to use it. So we’re taking time to remedy that problem in this part of our study.a. The Written Word of God is food for our inner man. We’re nourished, strengthened, built up andchanged by it (Matt 4:4; I Pet 2:2; I John 2:14; James 1:21; I Thess 2:13; etc.). It’s compared tofood to help us understand how this supernatural process of transformation works. You don’t needto know how food works in your body, but you do have to eat it. You don’t have to understandhow the Bible produces transformation. You just need to read it.1. John 6:63–All the words through which I have offered myself to you are meant to be channelsof the spirit and of life to you, since in believing these words you would be brought intocontact with the life in me. (Riggs)2. II Cor 3:18–And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in theWord of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into Hisvery own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for thiscomes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. (Amp)b. Becoming a Christian is in some ways like putting a puzzle together. You get saved and startlistening to sermons at church, on TV, etc. But nobody shows you the picture on the box makingit hard to put the pieces in place. Systematic reading helps you see the picture on the box.1. Rom 12:2–Christians are instructed to renew their minds. A renewed mind sees reality as ittruly it according to God. Your mind won’t be renewed without regular, systematic reading.2. This type of reading of the New Testament changes the way you see things and gives you aframework from which to understand and deal with life. As your view of reality changes, itchanges how you live. It’s not what you see. It’s how you see what you see.3. One of the main reasons for becoming familiar with the Word of God is protection from deception.Because of the time in which we live (the soon return of Christ) it’s more important than ever.B. Jesus, before returning to Heaven, told His followers that the kingdom of God will spread through theproclaiming of the Word of God and that Satan would work to steal the Word so that it produces little or nofruit (entire lessons for another day). Matt 13:1-301. Acts 20:28-32–With Jesus’ words in mind let’s get the context of Paul’s statement to the Ephesians. Itwas his final face-to-face words to them in this life. He knew their faith would be challenged.a. He admonished the leaders of the church to watch themselves and make sure they did what theywere supposed to do: v28–shepherd (that is, tend and feed and guide) the church (Amp) which hewon for himself at the cost of his life (20th Cent).b. Paul warned them that after he was gone ferocious wolves would come in and men would rise upamong them who “will teach perversions of the truth” (20th Cent), the foundation he spent threeyears building into them. Now he was turning them over to the written truth, the Word of God.TCC–96222. This world is not as it should be. God made earth to be home for Himself and His family. WhenAdam sinned he took the human race resident in him along with the home God made for the familyinto the pigpen of sin, corruption and death. God immediately unveiled His plan to undo the damagedone and carry out His original purpose (redemption). Eph 1:4,5; Isa 45:18; Gen 3:15; etc.a. Jesus came to earth the first time to pay for sin so it can be removed from all who bow their kneeto Him as Savior and Lord and a process of transformation can begin which turns sinners into holyrighteous sons and daughters of God. He’ll come again to cleanse the family home and establishthe visible kingdom of God on earth. Rom 8:29,30; John 3:3,5; I John 5:1; Rev 11:18; etc.1. Here’s the point for our discussion. When Adam listened to the devil and disobeyed God hegave up his God-given authority as the Lord’s under-ruler on this earth to Satan who becamethe God of this world (lessons for another day). Gen 1:26-28; Luke 4:6; II Cor 4:4; etc.2. Since that time Satan has done all he can to thwart the plan of redemption to prevent theestablishment of the kingdom of God on earth and hold on to his control of man and earth. Heknows the Lord Jesus will return to earth and is doing all he can to maintain his position. Hehas done this primarily through trying to stop the spread and the effectiveness of God’s Word.b. We are living at the end of this age and the return of Jesus is near. The Bible tells us that Satanwill offer the world his counterfeit of the rightful King of earth, his Anti or “in place of” Christwho will preside over a worldwide system that will oppose the Second Coming of Jesus.1. When Jesus was asked by his disciples what signs will indicate His return is near, the firstthing He said was: Take heed that no one deceives you (Matt 24:4). Then He said falsemessiahs and false prophets will precede His coming (Matt 24:5,11,24). Why? To help Satankeep men from acknowledging the True God.2. These people will have supernatural power (an influence bigger than themselves) and thepotential to deceive God’s own people. To be deceived means to believe a lie. The onlyprotection against deception is the truth. Accurate knowledge of God’s Word is essential.c. Jesus’ first followers expected Him to return in their lifetime. They were aware and prepared forthe fact that antichrists would come in among the flock. That’s part of what Paul was alluding to.1. Just before he died (64 AD) Peter reminded believers that false prophets would infiltrate (IIPet 2:1). John wrote (90 AD) that antichrists were among them (I John 2:18, 22). Jesus’ halfbrother wrote (66 AD) these men deny the Lord and turn grace into an excuse for sin (Jude 4).2. Paul wrote to his son in the faith, Timothy (65 AD), that men will listen to seducing spiritsand lies of the devil and depart from the faith. In his last letter (66 AD) he wrote: They’llhave a form of godliness but deny its power. I Tim 3:1,2; II Tim 3:5–They will act as if theyare religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly (NLT).3. We tend to think of “the last days” and the “Second Coming” in terms of movies like The Omen orZombie Apocalypse or prophecy conferences where teachers display charts of dragons with seven headsand ten horns. But it won’t be a freaky movie. It will be the natural progression of society as menincreasing reject Almighty God. This is the direction in which the world is moving. Rom 1:18;25a. As the world increasingly abandons God, they’re discarding truth because God is the Truth. He isthe standard by which everything else is judged. John 14:6b. This fits with Satan’s plan to offer a false Christ to the world. They are primed to accept this liesince absolute truth as a concept has been largely been discarded. It’s not unusual to hear peoplesay: That’s your truth, not mine. We’ve raised several generations of youth to whom to whomobjective facts don’t matter. It’s what you feel that matters. We live in a post-truth world1. The 60’s counterculture movement introduced the sexual revolution which led to abandoningJudeo-Christian ethics and redefining the family. The 70’s and 80’s saw the introduction intothe educational system of “values clarification” (or situational ethics) along with the idea thatthere are no wrong answers and all points of view are equally valuable.2. Also introduced was the idea that we’re global citizens of the global community and nationalTCC–9623boundaries lead to war so get rid of them. Technological developments (computers, satellites)have linked the world and spread the effects of these changes in ways unheard of in the past.3. The Oxford Dictionary selected “post-truth” as 2016’s international word of the year. Theydo this yearly to show how our language changes in response to current events. Post-truth isdefined as: relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influentialin shaping public opinion that appeals to emotion and personal belief.c. What does this look like in everyday life? Consider one example, the recent worldwide women’smarch. Beautiful young women around the world holding up signs laced with vulgarities in thename of human rights, signs such as: Keep your religion (meaning Christianity) out of my ****(private parts), as the main speakers spewed out hatred all who hold to Judeo-Christian ethics.4. Not only are unbelievers affected by this abandonment of truth, it’s creeping into Christian circles.Not only are Christians are woefully ignorant of what the Bible says, many have bought the lie that it’san outdated book that is no longer culturally relevant.a. The devil doesn’t come in wearing a scary demon mask. Jesus talked about false prophets wholook like sheep but are actually dangerous wolves (Matt 7:15). Paul wrote about false apostlestrying to influence men in his day who looked like ministers of righteousness (II Cor 11:13-15).b. This final world ruler will preside over a false Christianity. There’ll be elements in it that look andsound right. I gave the example last week of something being passed around on face book by bothChristians and non-Christians: If Jesus were here He’d tell us to love each other and live in peace.1. Sinners aren’t capable of doing that. It waters down the standard, redefining why Jesus cameand died. And even if we could muster it up, we’ll still split hell wide open unless our sin isdealt with and our nature is changed. Jesus came to pay for sin so we could be transformedfrom sinners into sons through the Cross and the new birth. II Cor 5:15; I Tim 1:15; Titus 2:14A. This statement has a ring of truth because love is a hallmark of Christianity. But it’smisleading because of what it doesn’t say. It adds support to the false idea that “it’s allabout love”, meaning God is so loving that He’d never send anyone to hell or tell us tostop doing something that makes us happy. As long as you’re sincere, it doesn’t matterwhat you believe or how you life. This thinking has so infused the culture that if anyonesays a type of behavior is morally wrong he’s accused of judging or being a hater.B. The stage is set for a false Christianity which seems more loving than the genuinebecause it’s non-judgmental and all inclusive.2. But it’s contrary to what the Bible says. Jesus said: I am the only way to eternal life. No onecomes to the Father but by Me (John 14:6). Jesus said unless a man is born again throughfaith in Him and His sacrifice he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3,5).c. The Bible gives us much information about the nature of the deception the devil will use todeceive men and women (including Christians). It centers on who Jesus is and why He died andredefines sinful behavior. We could do entire lessons on each point but consider a few thoughts.1. II Per 2:1-3–False teachers will deny the Lord (who and what He is) that bought them (whatHe did) and make merchandise of (or exploit you).2. I John 2:18,22–These antichrists will deny that Jesus is the Messiah (the Anointed one), theSavior and Redeemer. There are many ways to God. Humans are basically good. We justneed help from a loving God to have our dreams fulfilled.3. Jude 4–They’ll turn the grace of God into an excuse for sin and deny the Lord. Daddy Goddoesn’t care how I live. He just wants me to be happy and this behavior makes me happy.Because I’m not guilty of sin I don’t need a Savior. I need a loving friend.4. II Tim 3:5, 8,13–They’ll deny the transforming power of God. If you aren’t a sinner youdon’t need transformation. If God doesn’t hold us accountable for our behavior then it doesn’tmatter how we live. These people will resist the truth and they will get worse and worse.d. Thankfully we have in our hands a book that spells out who Jesus is, why He came to earth, andTCC–9624what He accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible, also makes it clearwhat true Christian living looks like, showing us the standard for holy, righteous living.1. Peter, John, Jude and Paul all guided their readers to the Word of God (lessons for anotherday). It’s in the context of the deception coming on the world prior to the Lord’s return thatwe find one of the best known verses about the power and purpose of the written Word ofGod.2. II Tim 3:16,17–All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is useful for teaching the faithand correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in goodliving. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fullyfor all branches of his work. (Phillips)C. Conclusion: We have much more to say about this subject. But consider several thoughts as we close.1. Without accurate knowledge from and of the Word of God you have no defense against what is evennow coming on this world. I know I sound like a broken record, but the best thing you can do foryourself is to become a regular, systematic reader of the New Testament.a. Use a translation you understand. I use the King James Version (and have almost since thebeginning of my walk with the Lord). But, you do have to learn the language. Many of the wordsused in 1611 when the KJV was translated no longer have the same meaning.b. Once you start to read, don’t worry about what you don’t understand. Understanding comes withfamiliarity. As you read consistently and systematically, you’ll begin to see themes that come upover and over. You may read something in Chapter 4 that explains what you didn’t understand inChapter 2. Just keep at it.c. This will probably be difficult at first. That’s one reason I’m doing these teachings, to helpmotivate you to read. As you do it, you’ll eventually develop a taste for reading the Bible and getto the point where you actually miss it if you don’t do it.2. I’m not giving you a technique to solve your immediate crisis. I’m giving you instruction in the hopeof producing a lifelong habit (like brushing your teeth). That doesn’t mean you won’t get immediatehelp with your most pressing problem.a. While I was learning the Bible and becoming familiar with it God was still able to help me. I gavetwo examples last week of God giving me immediately help from Rom 10:2 and Gal 3:28.b. Those verses don’t teach what I got out of them. But, I learned later, that what I got out of themwas consistent with other things the Bible teaches.3. Final thought for this lesson: Just start reading and keep at it. A year from now, you will find that it’sthe best decision you’ve ever made. More next week.
TCC--9611PLEASE READ THE NEW TESTAMENTA. Introduction: Eph 1:16-23--We’re looking at a prayer Paul prayed regularly for Christians. The prayerreveals what Paul considered important for believers to know. In the last lesson we began to talk about hisdesire that Christians would have knowledge and insight into the riches of their inheritance in Christ (v18).1. As sons and daughters of God we have an inheritance that includes all we need to live this life and thelife to come. We’ll discuss our inheritance in later lessons. But first we need some background.a. Acts 20:32--The last time Paul saw the people to whom he wrote the words in his prayer heentrusted them to God’s care and protection and to Word of God. According to Paul, God’s Wordwould build them up and give them their inheritance.b. There are many lessons for another day in this statement. But, here’s the point for now: To walkin the provisions of our inheritance we must have knowledge from God’s Word.1. God works in our lives by His grace through our faith. He gives us His Word about what Hehas done, is doing and will do. When we believe what He says, it comes to pass in our lives.2. Our inheritance comes to us through God’s Word. The Living Word (Jesus) purchased it forus at the Cross. The Written Word tells us about it. When we believe it, we experience it.3. Knowledge of what the Lord has provided as well as faith to access what is provided comesfrom the Word of God. Rom 10:172. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to become a regular, systematic Bible reader, particularly theNew Testament. If you will commit to reading the New Testament regularly and systematically, you’llbe a different person a year from now. Your inheritance will be real to you in a way that it is not now.a. For most people, reading the Bible means reading devotionals or books about the Bible. There’snothing wrong with either of those, but it’s not the same as reading the Bible.b. Or we play Bible roulette. We open it up and read a few random passages wherever our eyes land.1. But the Bible isn’t a collection of independent, unrelated verses. It’s actually a collection of66 books and letters which together tell the story of God’s desire for a family and the lengthsto which He’s gone to obtain it through Jesus.2. Each book and letter is meant to be read from start to finish the way we read any other book orletter. Each one adds to or advances the story of redemption in some way. Each was writtenby someone to someone about something. Those factors set the context. Scripture can’t meansomething to us that it would not have meant to the first readers.3. We think of the Bible in terms of: What does it mean to me? It doesn’t matter what it meansto you. What matters is: What does it say? What was the writer trying to say? II Pet 1:20c. When I say read systematically I mean: Read each book from start to finish. Don’t skip around orstop to look up words or consult a commentary. Don’t worry about what you don’t understand.Just read. The point is to become familiar with it. Understanding comes with familiarity.1. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever skip around and read random verses or look up things in acommentary. But do that at another time besides this regular, systematic reading time.2. Set aside ten to fifteen minutes time each day (or as close to that as possible) and read asmuch as you can. Leave a marker there and the next day, pick up where you left off. Try toread some of the smaller epistles in just one sitting.3. I can hear the collective sighs coming from the audience as I teach this. I know what you’re thinking:The Bible is boring. I don’t understand it or get anything out of it. I need REAL help and this isn’t it.a. People often ask me how I got to where I am in terms of knowledge of the Bible. I did what I’mtelling you to do. When I became a Christian, I didn’t know I would end up in full time ministryas a Bible teacher. I just wanted to know Jesus. The Written Word reveals the Living Word.b. I thank God my brother told me to do what I’m telling you. I began to read the New Testamentcover to cover, over and over. I didn’t understand it any more than you do. But understandinggradually came. It set me on the right course and produced the foundation for what I do now.TCC--9612c. I want to spend the rest of this lesson giving you additional reasons as to why you need to becomea regular, systematic reader of the New Testament. (I’m not leaving the Old Testament out. Butyou’ll get much more out of the Old Testament if you first get familiar with the New Testament.)B. The Bible is no ordinary book. It’s a supernatural book that produces transformation. Supernatural meansof or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible, observable universe.1. The ultimate goal of salvation is transformation by the power of God. This transformation will resultin a restoration of God’s original plan to have a family with whom He can dwell on this eartha. Through the supernatural power of God administered by the Word of God and the Spirit of Godsinners are transformed into holy, righteous sons and daughters of God and the earth is restored toa fit forever home for God and His family. (We discussed this in great detail last year.)1. This is how God has worked since the beginning of time. The Spirit of God and the Word ofGod produced the visible creation. Gen 1:1-3 (lots in this passage we aren’t dealing with now)2. This is how God continues to work in the world He created, by His power administeredthrough His Spirit and His Word.A. That’s how we were saved in the first place. The Word of God was preached to us (Jesusdied for our sins and rose again). We believed it, acknowledging Jesus as Savior andLord, and we experienced the provision of salvation. Eph 2:8,9; Rom 10:9,10B. Transformation took place in our innermost being and we were born again or born fromabove by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. John 3:3,5; I Pet 1:23b. Jesus is the pattern for God’s family (Rom 8:29,30). The new birth is the beginning of a processthat will ultimately conform us to the image of Christ in character and power. God continues towork in our lives and produce transformation by His Spirit through His Word.1. John 6:63--All the words through which I have offered myself to you are meant to be channelsof the spirit and of life to you, since in believing these words you would be brought intocontact with the life in me. (Riggs)2. II Cor 3:18--And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in theWord of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into Hisvery own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for thiscomes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. (Amp)3. God, by His Spirit, strengthens us through His Word in us (I Thess 2:13). His Word is foodfor our inner man. We’re nourished and built up by it (Matt 4:4; I Pet 2:2), strengthened by it(I John 2:14), changed by it (James 1:21). His Word enlightens our minds and speaks to us(Prov 6:29-23; Ps 119:105).A. Jer 15:16--Your words were found and I ate them, and Your word was to me a joy and therejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Amp)B. The Word of God is compared to food to help us understand a supernatural process. Youdon’t need to know how food works, but you do have to eat. You don’t have tounderstand how the Bible produces transformation. You just need to read.2. God works in our lives according to what we believe. You can’t believe what you don’t know. Mostpeople think they know the Bible. But how can you if you haven’t read it and aren’t familiar with it?a. Many sincerely think they read it because they read random verses. Or they complete one ofthose “read through the Bible in a year” programs. Although that is commendable, it doesn’t makeyou familiar with the Bible. Understanding comes from familiarity.b. Many sincere Christians believe verses that have been taken out of context (but they don’t knowit). Consequently, they think they’ve got a promise for something, but it’s a false expectationbecause they’re not promised what they’re “believing”. A classic example is Luke 6:38.1. It’s quoted at offering time to say that God will give back to you more than you give. So, giveall you can!! This verse has nothing to do with money. Those who first heard Jesus utter theTCC--9613words two thousand years ago would not have been motivated to dig a little deeper.2. When we read the context we find out that Jesus was talking about how to treat other people.We’re to be kind, merciful and forgiving as is our Heavenly Father. What we give outrelationally we’ll get back only more so. Luke 6:27-383. Matt 19:29--A hundredfold return on giving is preached based on misinterpretation of a verse.Jesus promised His disciples whatever they gave up to follow him they’ll get back many timesover, some in this life and some in the life to come. It has nothing to do with getting money.3. What you believe comes out of your perception of reality. Christians are instructed to renew their mindor change their view of reality. A renewed mind sees reality as it is according to God. Rom 12:2a. Regular reading of the Bible will change the way you see things and give you a framework fromwhich to understand and deal with life. As your view of reality changes, it’ll change how you live.b. If you get to the point where you truly believe that nothing can come against you that’s bigger thanGod, it will give you a stability that will hold you steady no matter what comes your way.1. The apostle Paul was unconquerable as he faced the challenges of life. He said that “I havecome through a process of persuasion to the settled conclusion that” nothing can separate mefrom the love of God (Rom 8:38, Wuest). Such persuasion comes from the Word of God.2. The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced the same situation with two differentoutcomesone good, one not. In each case the difference was God’s Word. They got theirpicture of reality from what God said, were persuaded of it, and experienced victory.A. Num 13,14--God gave Israel an inheritance, the land of Canaan. But out of an entiregeneration only two men (Joshua and Caleb) took possession of it. Their view of realitywas shaped by God’s Word. He says we can take the land, so let’s do it.B. I Sam 17--Part of their inheritance once they settled the land was victory over invadingarmies. When Goliath came against Israel only David believed what God said. His viewof reality in the face of his enemy was shaped by God’s Word, and he triumphed.C. Let’s talk some more about why we should focus on the New Testament. As we said last week the NewTestament records the fulfillment of what the Old Testament pointed to, the coming of Jesus. Heb 1:1,21. The first four books (gospels) are selective biographies of Jesus written so that men would believe onJesus (John 20:31). They focus on His three year ministry culminating in His death and resurrection.When all the events are harmonized (nothing repeated or left out) they cover about 50 days.a. The gospels are a record of Jesus’ words and works. They show us who Jesus is. Jesus is God andshows us God. He was and is the will of God in action. He said of Himself: If you’ve seen me,you’ve see the Father. I only do what I see my Father do. John 14:9,10; 8:28; 5:19b. The Written Word is the only 100% reliable picture we have of Jesus. This is particularlyimportant because of the time in which we live. We’re coming to the end of this age. It willculminate in Satan offering a false messiah to the world.2. The epistles were written to the first Christians to tell them what we believe and how we are to live.Some of it is strange to us because they deal with issues that arose among this first generation.a. Should we eat meat offered to idols? What is the place of the Law of Moses? Some of it dealswith specific questions and problems that arose in these communities of believers. Parts werewritten to remind readers of what the writer had taught them when he was present with them.1. But as you become familiar with the text through regular reading it starts to make sense. And,this doesn’t mean you can’t get help from the Bible for your present tense issues.2. When I was a young Christian, someone I care about was badly hurt by a fellow believer whocaused great damage to my friend’s life and reputation. This person was also involved in bigsin at the same time they were leading worship in a church. I struggled with all of it.A. While praying in other tongues to try to find relief, the thought came to me: They have azeal for God but not according to knowledge (Rom 10:2). It instantly brought me peace.TCC--9614B. This passage has nothing to do with relational issues. Paul was explaining the place ofthe Jews since, as a nation, they had rejected their Messiah. However, because I had readit, the Holy Spirit was able to personally apply it and help me in my time of need.b. Regular reading of the epistles will give you a picture of what it looks like to live as a Christian inthis world and will help you recognize teachings that aren’t in the New Testament or contradict it.1. Being a Christian is like putting a puzzle together. You get saved and start listening tosermons in church, on TV, on CD. But nobody show you the picture on the box. Therefore,it’s hard to put the pieces in place. And, it’s very difficult to recognize a picture that doesn’tbelong in the puzzle. Systematic reading will help you see the picture on the box.2. This is the framework you’ll get from the epistles (lessons for another day). If this becomesyour view of reality fear will vanish and you will overcome in life’s challenges.A. We’re only passing through this world as it is. The greater and better part of life is ahead.B. Eternal things matter more than temporal or temporary things.C. God is much more interested in you developing Christ-like character than He is in whereyou life, what job you have, who you marry or what ministry you’re in.D. The most important thing you can do in this life is shine the light of Jesus in your world.3. We live in a unique time. The return of Jesus is near and He said the hallmark of the years will be falseMessiahs (Matt 24:5,11,24) Accurate knowledge from the Bible is our protection against deception.a. As the world increasingly abandons God, they are discarding truth because God is the Truth. He isthe standard by which everything else is judged. Rom 1:18; Rom 1:25; John 14:6; John 17:171. Absolute truth as a concept has been largely been discarded. It’s not unusual to hear peoplesay: That’s your truth, not mine. We’ve raised several generations of youth to whom towhom objective facts don’t matter. It’s what you feel that matters. Prov 28:262. The Oxford Dictionary selected “post-truth” as 2016’s international word of the year. Theydo this yearly to show ways in which our language is changing in response to current events.3. Post-truth is defined as: relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are lessinfluential in shaping public opinion that appeals to emotion and personal belief.b. This kind of thinking is creeping into Christian circles. This statement was recently brought to myattention. It was being shared on face book by Christians and non-Christians: If Jesus were hereHe’d tell us to love each other. That’s an emotional statement as opposed to a truth statement.1 If you’re familiar with the Gospels you know that statement is inaccurate. It’s also quitemisleading. If Jesus were here He’d say what He said to people when He was on earth.2. These are some of His words: Repent, for the kingdom is at hand. Take up your Cross andfollow Me. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Matt 4:17; Matt 16:24; John 14:6D. Conclusion: Let’s close with this thought. Regular, systematic reading of the New Testament will give youan accurate picture of who Jesus is and how we’re supposed to live. Lots more next week!!