Source of Truth

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Source of Truth
God wants us to know His Truth so truth is important. He makes it known through a variety of means but not all ways are as reliable as some. All sources must line up with God’s written Word to be considered His Truth. Even Scripture must agree with itself. Otherwise, it is merely our understanding or interpretation.

Reliable Sources of Truth

  • Scripture which is inspired by God and used by Him to sanctify and equip us (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

We need to use the Bible as the grid through which we evaluate everything else.

  • Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life who leads us to God the Father (Jn. 14:6)

We need to look at Jesus through the eyes of Scripture. We cannot make up our own version of Jesus, picking and choosing what traits we wish to believe.

  • The Spirit of truth who testifies of Christ and guides us into all truth (Jn. 15:26; Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 5:6)

We need to remember that the Spirit will never contradict God’s Word. We are not the ones to determine how the Spirit operates.

Unreliable Sources

  • Nature

Creation is enough to get us on the path toward God (Rom. 1:18-23) but not sufficient to “thoroughly equip us” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We need to worship God because of what we can learn about Him through nature but never let any created thing become a substitute for Him and His Word.

  • Pastors, Teachers, and Others

If even the prophets of the Bible needed to be tested (Deut. 18:22; 1 Thess. 5:20-21; 1 Jn. 4:1), so the teaching of those today who speak of God needs to be examined. Like the Bereans, we need to examine the Scriptures to see if what is said lines up with it (Acts 17:11).

  • Our Interpretation

We need to get to God’s intent when studying Scripture, not what we want it to say. Even those who wrote down the words of Scripture did not write what they wanted to say but were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

The logical conclusion to all of this is that we need to read and study God’s Word so we are familiar with what is Truth. How else will we discern the veracity of other sources?

If you or those in your sphere of ministry need help getting started, check out this resource: New to Bible Reading Discipleship Tool

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Importance of Truth

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Importance of Truth
Truth, as found in God’s Word, is important for everyone.

God “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the TRUTH” (1 Tim. 2:4).

Truth is Important to Salvation as well as Life in Christ

Truth is vital to eternal salvation.

  • Do you want to come into a relationship with God?

You must hear “the word of TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13) and believe “in the truth” as the Holy Spirit works in you to make you presentable to God through Christ Jesus (2 Thess. 2:13).

  • Do you want to lead others into a saving knowledge of the Lord?

You must help people “understood God’s grace in all its TRUTH” (Col. 1:6).

Truth is vital to Christian living.

  • Do you want to worship in a way that is pleasing to the Lord?

You must worship “in spirit and TRUTH, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (Jn. 4:23-24).

  • Do you want to be set free from sinful habits, addictions, self, and anything else that enslaves you?

You must know the truth for “TRUTH will set you free” (Jn. 8:32)

  • Do you want to be more Christ-like, holy in your conduct, attitudes, and words?

You must get into the Word for we are sanctified by the TRUTH and His “word is TRUTH” (Jn. 17:17) for it is “the knowledge of the TRUTH that leads to godliness” (Titus 1:1).

  • Do you want to keep standing in the midst of spiritual battles?

You must put on the armor of God with the “belt of TRUTH buckled around your waist” (Eph. 6:14).

  • Do you want to love as God loves?

You must not only say you love people but show love “with actions and in TRUTH” (1 Jn. 3:18).

  • Do you want pure motives in reaching out to people?

You must purify yourself “by obeying the TRUTH so that you have sincere love for your brothers” (1 Pet. 1:22).

Church Leaders, click on the links below for articles about your role in helping people understand …

Christ-likeness: The Importance of Truth
Christ-likeness: Requires Alignment with the Truth

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Back to the Basics

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We cannot neglect fundamental principles in ministry and expect to make a difference for eternity. We might put up some good appearances but in time what we do will suffer. We need to keep going back to the basics.

Why Remembering the Basics of the Christian Life Are So Important

How well we remember the basics can determine how well we stand and persevere. The basics form the foundation of all we do. A faulty foundation and eventually we crumble. A firm foundation and we can stand no matter how difficult life becomes. (Read Luke 6:46-49.)

How well we remember the basics can determine how well we flourish. Roots need good soil. Toxins, chemical imbalance, or excessive weeds can weaken or destroy what started as a good plant. Hard or rocky soil can keep things from growing. (Read Luke 8:12-15.)

Church Leaders May Need to Get Back to the Basics of God’s Purposes, Design, and Mission

Back to the Basics of Life in ChristEverything church leaders do needs to be firmly rooted in the basics of life in Christ like God’s purposes, design, mission, heart, and power for the Church. When leaders have a good grip on God’s intent for the Church, their own roles become more obvious, as well as the heart and means needed to fulfil that role.

Check out the church leadership training division of Ministry Tools Resource Center, TrainChurchLeaders.com, which devotes a section to getting leaders back to the basics.

Also check out the downloadable resources to help leaders steer the church in these directions.

All Believers Need to Remember and Live in Accordance with Who We are and What We Have in Christ

We all, regardless of ministry roles, need to get back to the basics in order to walk worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:1). We need to remember some key spiritual truths:

  • We are sinners saved by grace, cleansed from sin because of Jesus’ death on the cross. — Are you remembering that it is all about what He has done for you?
  • We were taken out of darkness to live in the light of His truth. — Are you living like a child of the light?
  • We are new creatures in Christ Jesus. — Are you growing more and more into the likeness of who you are in Christ Jesus?
  • We were placed into a Body of believers to be members of one another. — Are you taking time to fellowship with and serve other believers?
  • We are to be salt and light in this world. — Are you a testimony for Jesus in a bland and dark world?

Let’s guard against complicating the Christian life and what the Church is about. If we remember these basics we will be used by God to make a difference for eternity.

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All Authority Belongs to the Lord

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Jesus claimed, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14), the Head of the Church (Col. 1:18).  He is God who came in the flesh to whom every knee will one day bow (Phil. 2:5-11).

This means that regardless of who we are or what we do, whether we clean the bathrooms or pastor a church, we are under HIS authority. But, do we really believe that all authority belongs to the Lord?

Church leaders, do you lead like HE is “the authority” or do you expect others to treat you as the one? Bible teachers, do you teach like truth is from Him or as though you are “the authority”? Ministry workers in various areas of service, do you serve like HE is the One to whom you are accountable or do the opinions of others matter more?

An Acrostic of What It Looks Like When We Truly Believe All Authority Belongs to the Lord

Someone who truly believes that all authority belongs to the Lord tends to exhibit the following characteristics and actions:

Alignment
(strict adherence to His character and ways as communicated in His Word … as the One who is the ultimate standard)
Union
(undivided devotion to God, giving full allegiance to Him … as the One who is worthy)
Trust
(believing and relying on Him to do what He says … as the true and faithful One)
Honor
(attributing all glory and praise to Him … as the One of whom there is no greater)
Obedience
(doing that which He commands … as the One who is Lord)
Reverence
(deferring to Him in respect and awe of who He is … as the glorious One who is the absolute authority)
Intercession
(turning to Him and seeking His will in all situations … as the all-wise and all-powerful One)
Teachableness
(coming to Him as a humble servant and learning from Him … as the all-knowing One who is the source of all Truth)
Yieldedness
(submitting all of who you are and what you do to His leading and power … as the sovereign One)

What It Takes to Get to the Point of Acknowledging That He Has These Rights

Getting to this point in our lives begins with getting to know this God better.

Our Great God from A to Z has All Authority
Learn about the essence of who God is that gives Him rights as the supreme authority. Check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download for alphabetical listings of God’s many attributes.

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Disgruntled Ministry Workers

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Lined across the front of the platform during a worship service, a group of children joyfully move, singing their special song with motions. That is, except for one little boy people can’t take their eyes off. He stands there with a furrowed brow, arms tightly crossed in front of him, and not opening his mouth the whole time. His body language speaks volumes. He clearly doesn’t want to be there.

Now let’s think about ourselves and how we come across to those we serve. Do people get the message that we want to be there with them? How open are we in both our posture and words? Are we communicating that we care? Does joy exude from our being? Or, do we come across similar to that disgruntled little boy?

Focus Tends to Go to the Disgruntled Ministry Workers

Just like our attention keeps getting drawn to that one little boy, so it is human tendency to pick out those who aren’t doing well in ministry.

A Word for All Ministry Workers, Not Just the Disgruntled
We need to heed the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonian church “to acknowledge those who work hard among you” (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Let’s not neglect to extend our appreciation and gratitude to people who are serving with the right attitudes, actions, and words. Let’s put some focus on the good, and not let the one or two disgruntled ones distract us.

And, since disgruntled ministry workers can not only pull attention off of those who are doing well, but also negatively affect the big picture, we need to continue on with Paul’s instruction. He said, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thess. 5:14)  — See and respond to the inner need behind the disgruntled exterior.

A Word for All of Us About Our Attitudes

If you are like the boy: You may have legitimate reasons for feeling disgruntled about your place of service but your attitude could do damage to the cause of Christ. Others will notice and get distracted from where they need to be focused. Don’t, however, repress your feelings or simply put on a front. Rather, ask God to search your heart and work in you a change of attitude and an ability to deal with the issue in a godly manner.

If you are the recipient of someone who doesn’t want to be there: Remind yourself that this is one person. Try not to judge everyone because of a bad experience with an individual or two. You’ll miss the big picture of good that is going on around you.

If you are the ministry leader with someone who doesn’t want to be there: Do you know why their attitude is such? Have you taken the time to come along side of this person to listen, encourage, and spur him/her on?

How will we live out 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 with one another?

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God’s Mission for the Church Revisited

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Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19-20). According to the Barna group, many people in the U.S. Church today don’t know what the Great Commission is. Though the term itself isn’t found in the Bible, we need to ask if people know the words themselves and their significance for us as believers. Even more important, are we fulfilling this mission? Perhaps it’s time to revisit God’s Mission for the Church.

A Look at Jesus’ Command in Matthew 28:19-20

Often we think of the Great Commission as the outreach arm of the Church. A careful look at Matthew 28:19-20, however, lets us know that it’s much more encompassing. We are to …

“go and make disciples of all nations” — That’s the outreach part. We take the Good News of Jesus to the world around us and beyond (Acts 1:8).

“baptizing … and teaching them to obey …” — That’s helping people who have put their trust in Jesus to become more fully devoted followers (disciples) of Jesus.

Let’s Not Limit the Great Commission to Outreach Efforts

Matthew 28:19-20 commissions us to not only lead people to the Lord but also to shepherd them in the ways of the Lord. This is the mission of the Church. It isn’t merely about how many new converts we make. It’s also about how many of those people are going on to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind, so that His love spills over into loving others as themselves (Matt. 22:36-40). And, it’s about how many of those people are doing their part in the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).

Need Help Revisiting God’s Mission of Discipleship?

Discipleship Bundle to Help with God's Mission for the ChurchThe TrainChurchLeaders.com site has a section devoted to this encompassing view of the Great Commission. The MinTools.com site divides it into two sections, one on Outreach Ministry and another on Shepherding Ministry. You’ll find much written on these sites but even more help if you order the Discipleship Bundle. In that resource you’ll get the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide, Outreach Ministry Manual, and Shepherding Manual. These resources will help you gain a more comprehensive view on our mission to go and make disciples. (Each of those resources can also be ordered separately.)

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