10/20/13 HBC Announcements

1. Friendship register. 

2.  REMINDER - NO YOUTH TODAY - We will resume next week.

3. NEW WORSHIP CD from Vertical Church Band- will be released during Harvest U.  Pastor Nate will pick up a copy for you (At a reduced price) if you sign up for one at the Work for Christ Booth in the Lobby - Cost is $7. Extra's will be available

4. Small Group Update: 
No Small groups this week!  Small groups will resume' next week with a special time of prayer.  Here is the schedule:
Youth - Sunday at 2:30pm
Jamie Davis' group - Monday @ 6pm
Jessi Bowlands group - Monday @ 7pm
Nate and Jamie's group - Tuesday @ 6pm
Michael Loomis' group - Tuesday @ 7pm
Anyone else who couldn't make those times - Wednesday @ 7

5. Membership at Harvest:
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Member at Harvest - November is your month.  Please sign up for "Membership @ Harvest at the Welcome Table asap.

6. Christmas Invite and Christmas Offering Envelopes:  Our Christmas Offering envelopes were past out today, and are also now available at the Welcome Table.

Also - the Christmas eve service invitations are available at the Welcome Table as well.

December Schedule:
December 1 - Special Leaders Day
December 8 - Christmas Dinner at Byesville Elementary
December 15 - HBC Elder-Instilation Day - this is a big deal
December 22 - Sunday at HBC
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service
December 29 - Are you ready for a NEW YEAR?

7. Fall Back Sunday is November 3 - Starting at 10:29AM that morning!

#1 -Song of the "Year One Church Planters Top 10"

 "Revelation Song"

There is not much I can say about this song, except it is the cry of my heart.  I truly believe every believer longs to say these words to our tri-une God.

Notice first - It's a song of admission on our part.  God you are Blessing - God you are Power - and Strength - and Wisdom - and Glory and Honor. 

Second - it;s a song of surrender.  All of those attributes we sing about are all the things we want for ourselves.  But now, as we realize, we will never, ever match up to the God of the universe, WHO IS ALL THESE THINGS, all we can do is bow in his presence and surrender to his Holiness.

Finally, this song is a song we can sing in the throne room of heaven.  Isaiah say, in chapter 6, that there is a antiphonal choir of angels saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God ALMIGHTY, the whole earth is full of His Glory…" Revelation speaks of those gathered round the throne singing and shouting "glory, honor, wisdom, power and strength be unto you oh our GOD."  What a day that will be - AMEN 

Well, that's my list - let the debate begin - what would you have chosen?

Can't wait to do this again next year:-)

#2 Song of the "Year One Church Planters Top 10"

"Holy" by Matt Redman

Along time ago I attended a workshop at a straight up conference at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin Ill.  Andi Rozier told us - "Listen to a lot of Matt Redman…he gets worship."  Andi was right.  Matt's songs aren't all pop jingles, though he could write some very good ones I'm sure.  Neither are they just testimony based focusing in on what God has done in his life.  The reason I love to sing Matt's songs in our Worship, is because that is what they are - songs of Worship to our creator.  He is not singing about God - he is singing to God. 

The first song I learned from Matt Redman was Once Again.  "Once again I look upon the cross where you died, I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside.  Once again I'm thankful, once again I pour out my life…Thank you for the cross, thank you for the cross my friend."  What amazing things to PRAY to God, let alone to sing to Him.  Or how about the Heart of Worship - "I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You Jesus…"  Never Once - "You are faithful, God You are faithful…"  10000 reasons, Blessed Be the Name, You Alone can Rescue, and much more.  Praise God that the words are hearts are longing to say are being brought out in and through Matt's ministry. 

That brings us to our #2 Song - HOLY.  I remember sitting in Harvest Elgin and singing this song for the first time in a church setting.  It was the bridge that brought me to my knees. The Worship leader began - "Whom shall we say You are" - and we echoed "You're the living God"…"whom shall we say you are" - "You the great I AM".  Not satisfied with our efforts, He reminded us of whom it was we were singing.  When we did it again -all 2000 voices shouted at the top of their lungs - YOU'RE THE LIVING GOD!  YOU"RE THE GREAT I AM!  That church, that is what are heart longs to sing!  Below are the lyrics - read them through - sing them through - notice the gospel truth in each line.  No one is like our God, no one would do what he would do, what he has done.  He is HOLY!

What heart could hold the weight of Your love
And know the heights of Your great worth
What eyes could look on Your glorious face
Shining like the sun
[x2]

You are holy, holy, holy
God most high and God most worthy
You are holy, holy, holy
Jesus, You are Jesus, You are

Your name alone has power to raise us
Your light will shine when all else fades
Our eyes will look on Your glorious face
Shining like the sun
Who is like You, God?

Chorus [x2]

Who shall we say You are
[SHOUT IT!] You're the living God
Who shall we say You are
[SHOUT IT!] You're the Great I AM
[KEEP SHOUTING!] The highest name of all - You're all You say You are

Chorus [x2]

And You shall come again in glory
To judge the living and the dead
All eyes will look on Your glorious face
Shining like the sun
Who is like You, God?

You are holy, holy, holy
God most high and God most worthy
You are holy, holy, holy
Jesus, You are - 4X


Well, #1 song will be posted tomorrow - what's your guess?

#3 song of the "Year One Church Planters Top 10"

NOT FOR A MOMENT - Meredith Andrews

I remember sitting in Pastor James' office in a "CD Listening Meeting".  This song was the clear favorite of everyone, especially Kathy and James.  Two weeks later Meredith sang this in the Saturday Night service.  To this day, it has been one of the most amazing services I have been to.  People rushing the stage for prayer and people flooding the isles in tears.  To see the Holy Spirit working in people and then to hear the words - "You were reaching in the dark and walking on the water, even when I could not see. In the middle of it all, when I thought you were a thousand miles away, not for a moment did You forsake me - not for a moment did you forsake me." - I was undone!  I needed to get as low as possible, and I did.- God was working and I felt so overwhelmed.  I wasn't sure how much more I could take.  Music has an integral part in our spirit.  I can honestly say I don't get guys who don't sing.  God created us to be worshipers of Him, and singing is one way he loves to hear it.  God has then gifted some writers to put a piece of music together that melts our hearts and gives us a longing for Him.  This is that type of Song for me - Praise the Lord, And every step every breath you are there Every tear every cry every prayer In my hurt at my worst, When my world falls down  - Not for a moment will You forsake me

Abby introduced the song to us at HBC Cambridge during an offering number and we have been singing it regularly.  What an amazing truth - Hebrews 13:5 -" I will never leave you, or forsake you."  Here are the lyrics:
You were reaching through the storm
Walking on the water
Even when I could not see
In the middle of it all
When I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did You forsake me
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]
After all You are constant
After all You are only good
After all You are sovereign
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

[Verse 2]
You were singing in the dark
Whispering Your promise
Even when I could not hear
I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]

And every step every breath you are there
Every tear every cry every prayer
In my hurt at my worst
When my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Even in the dark
Even when it's hard
You will never leave me
After all

[Chorus]
Not for a moment will You forsake me

#4 song of the "Year One Church Planters Top 10"

"One Thing Remains"

Think of the incredible promise - Your Love never fails!  Even when I fail, it remains constant and steady and eager for me to return to Him.  Or when I choose to give up and punt on my faith -it never gives up.  Amazingly, it never, ever gives up.  I could be the worst of the worst sinners…like Paul of the New Testament, who called himself the "CHIEF of SINNERS". God's gracious Love had another plan - Salvation.  His love is higher than the mountains, stronger than the thing we fear the most - death and even more constant in our hardest trials.

But I have to confess, in this world of selfishness and dis-contentedness, where relationships are held together by one strand of thread and thrown away over pettiness and stupidity - I am blown away that God never runs out on me.  Not that he can't -HE WON'T; He told us so - "I Will Never Leave You, or FORSAKE YOU." - Hebrews 13:5b.  Every day his mercies are new towards those who love him and are called by his name. Every morning when we wake up - He is there.  Every time we fail - He never gives up, He draws near and urges us to repent and get right.   When we are weak, He is strong.  When we are afraid, He gently, yet powerfully holds are hand.  When we are angry or frustrated because we didn't get what we wanted - He unveils the bigger picture.  BUT HE NEVER BOLTS!  HE NEVER GIVES UP! HE NEVER RUNS OUT ON ME (or you).

Now, I don't know what the author was thinking when they penned this song, but this is the  praise that should be uttered from every believers lips.  It will ring through eternity - "God, your love never fails! Never gives up! Never runs out on me!  I will worship you with all my heart."

 Let's do that now.  Play the video and sing along at the top of your lungs - here's the lyrics:

Chorus:
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love

Verse 1:
Higher than the mountains
That I face
Stronger than the power
Of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Chorus

Verse 2:

Because on and on and

On and on it goes 

It overwhelms

And satisfies my soul

And I never, ever, 

Have to be afraid 

One thing remains 

One thing remains


Chorus


Bridge:

In death, in life

I'm confident and covered 

By the power of Your great love 

My debt is paid

There's nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love

#5 song of the Year One church planters top ten:

"Open Up the Heavens - Meredith Andrews/Vertical Church Band"

That's what its all about right?! While here on earth, as worshipers, we long for nothing more than the glory of God to rend the heavens and come down!  Even writing that give me a stirring in my heart…thinking about God's glory, his transcendence coming an resting in our service and motivating the unmotivated and saving the unsaved and restoring the hope in marriages and hope in hurts being taken away all the while his word is preached and hearts are listening.  Oh, I long for that every week.

I couldn't decide which version I enjoyed more.  The Vertical Church Band's CD version live was stellar…(see video below). I wish I could have been there, but about 2 times a month, I plug in my iPhone to my car port and crank up Meredith Andrews version.  I love the violin/cello action on the chorus of this song. In the car we joke - with a sense of hopefulness - that we could see my mom and dad up there playing along.  I even have mom's motions down as she breaks out her viola…Its the longing of every believers heart - Lord unveil our eyes and show us your glory and power and strength in this place today!

Open up the heavens,
we want to see you,
open up the flood gates,
a mighty river,
flowing from your heart,
filling every part of our praise…

Show us, show us your glory
Show us, Show us your power
Show us, show us your glory LORD!

Lord unveil our eyes!!!
Blessings - Pastor Nate Out

OOPS - Forgot #7

#7 - OK!  Some of you faithful followers were wondering - "WHERE IS #7"  Well, truth be told - all for truth on the internet say amen - ok  I forgot!

Don't cheapen the song though because of my mistake please.  Here it is:
"Oh Our Lord" by Paul Baloche.

Jamie and I first heard this song in January at our HBF Pastors Conference in Orlando, FL.  The Vertical Church Band was singing it and Pastor James MacDonald said - "Every one of you should be singing this in your churches."  I forward a link to Shawn and it was put on the closing song list.  Now, the first time we sang it…That was the single most amazing service we had.  I was blown away at what God was doing in our midst - do you remember it now - we just kept coming back to that amazing chorus - "OH OH OH our Lord, OH OH OH our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth…"

Now it makes #7 on our list, and I must admit, Pastor James MacDonald was right - great lyrics of worship and a fan favorite at HBC Cambridge.

Here are the Lyrics:

We behold the breaking dawn
the light that shines over everyone
We look to you
we long for you oh Lord

We behold the rising sun
the earth awakes, your hope has come
as we look to you
we long for you oh Lord

Oh, oh, oh Our Lord
Oh, oh, oh Our Lord
How Majestic is your name
In all the earth

We behold the falling rain
Like waters rise, flood this place
We reach for you
We cling to you oh Lord

Oh your name is a light in the darkness
Oh your name is the word of truth
Oh your name, oh your name

Song #6

#6 on the year end top ten is by Meredith Andrews
"The Gospel Changes Everything."

The first time I heard this song (track #10 on her new cd) was shortly after the Vertical Church Book tour event in Columbus.  I sent it immediately to Shawn with these words - "This week is communion and this song is a must during the passing of the elements."  It makes the list at #6 only because we haven't been to faithful at singing it more regularly.  For content alone - it should be #1 or at least #2 behind David Crowders "Sequence #4". (by far my two favorite songs of 2012-13)

Here are the lyrics - sing along as you watch the video:

The gospel changes everything; The turning point in history
Even now it's changing me - From who I was - (think about that - who I was - Praise God for the Gospel!)

The story of my Savior calls- Me to the wonder of the cross
The gospel changes everything And it is changing me

You saved my soul By Your blood
And I'm undone By Your great love
You made a way So I could come
Just as I am To You my God

Jesus changes everything There is no greater mystery
That God would come to rescue me From who I was

The kindness of my Savior calls Me to the wonder of His love
Jesus changes everything And He is changing me

You saved my soul By Your blood
And I'm undone By Your great love
You made a way So I could come
Just as I am To You my God
[x2]

#8 - God, You are my God!
Surprise NO TIE.  Josh McManaway first shared with me the Joshua Sellers CD.  Joshua Sellers is a worship leader at Harvest in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.  Joshua Sellers wrote this song with many of his Harvest Bible Chapel worship directors here in America, including Rory Nolan. Both his recording and Meredith Andrews recording just bring my heart to a full on race. God, you are my God, your glorious, victorious!  Here's the words:

no praise can define You, no thought can contain You God.
no other one is Holy, no other one is robed in righteousness.
God You are my God, glorious, glorious,

no light can outshine You, no power can defeat You God. no other one is Holy,
no other one is high and lifted up.
God You are my God, glorious, glorious, God You are my God, victorious, victorious.

from the dawn of time You reign, to the end of days, You're the God who saves. sing,
all the earth will shout Your praise. You will never change. You're the God who saves, sing.
God You are my God, glorious, glorious, God You are my God, victorious, victorious.

Ethan the Ezrahite wrote something very similar in Psalm 89:
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. (Pastor Nate says - that's awesome)10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies. 11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. 12 You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. 13 Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. 18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

#9 in our year one top ten:
ANOTHER TIE! 
9a - We're United!  Who could forget the live recording at Harvest University!  2500 brothers and sisters in Christ, from all over the world, screaming out "we're united…"  Early on we sang this song about every other week.  Rightly so, it's a great anthem for unity and purpose.  Here are some of the lyrics:
"How good it is to gather at Your throne
Father you have called us as Your own
Bind our hearts together now in love
Be glorified in us
Spirit stir our hearts in unity
Standing in the presence of the King
Lifting up Your Word as one we sing
Be glorified in us; Be glorified in us

Bound as one, standing strong
there is nothing that can over come
for the fame of your Son
WERE UNITED!"

9b - JAILBREAK!  not a great title for a worship song, but what great lyrics.  And for our church, instrumentally this is a great fit as well.
"Go on and speak against my borrowed innocence;
The JUDGE is my defense - I'm going free
Right when the gavel fell, I heard the freedom bell
ring through the gates of Hell - I'm going free, I'm going free

Glory, glory, Hallelujah, you threw my shackels in the sea
Glory, glory, Hallelujah, Jesus is my victory - Im going free,

some day I'll fly away on your amazing grace
Your love is my jailbreak I'm going free"
'
(LOVE IT!)

#10 - It's a tie!
10a - Beautiful Things by Gungor. 
I have to go back to April pre-launch in our basement and Mike Bergerson showing me the cords to the chorus/bridge.  First time I played it in Drop D!  I remember the whole basement core team singing it and really looking at the words -

"All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You (those are some great lyrics)

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us"

10b is my wife's favorite song - Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies] by Chris Tomlin.  My wife isn't one to suggest much when it comes to worship songs.  I do remember the day she just couldn't get that song out of her head.  She watched the video maybe a dozen times.  What a great truth - "whom shall I fear?"  Be blessed by these lyrics/they are amazing! - This is our God! Worship Him!

"You hear me when I call; You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night; It cannot hide the light
          Whom shall I fear?
You crush the enemy; Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield; Though troubles linger still
           Whom shall I fear?

I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies Is always by my side..."

2 John - Part 2

1A] God’s People are Filled Up with Truth!  We learned Truth is important, and God is truth!  Now onto part 2 - notice from the text…

2A] God’s People ENCOURAGE others with LOVE. (vv.4-5)  Notice from the text:  “I rejoice greatly to find some of your children walking  in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father…”  Stop there - Question - Do you know one of the exciting things about seeing you all each week?  Every Sunday I am so blessed as I think about each of you and how you are growing and how I watch you worship Jesus, (the real reason we are here).  I get so pumped up about what God is doing in you, through the truth.  That what John is saying here - When I hear about you and your children, Your Church and its people - I am fired up!  And like John, I love to hear what God is doing in and through you; to see you praying with others and to watch victory in the truth come out of your lives! Keep pressing on in your walk with Christ!

            Then he continues: “And now I ask you, dear lady - not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning - that we LOVE on another…” Love!  The Love from God that we have for each other - it is what encourages and blesses us as well as others.  I tweeted this week, “Love has always been the single outstanding Characteristic of Jesus and his followers.”  (John 13:35 - “This is how they will know that you are my disciples, if you LOVE one another.”)  So let me ask you - Do you know what Christian Love is?  Is it feelings? Is it emotions?  Well it can be, but I think it is bigger than that…look here, don’t miss this…Christian Love is the act of the will that causes us to treat people the way God has treated you. Whoa - DOESN’T that blow your mind - Mind blown!        Now, for a moment, think about God’s love. If it were emotionally based we wouldn’t have a chance. We would have all been destroyed long ago.  He would have been like Zeus, or Buddha - unknowable, distant and withdrawn.  If it were based on feelings, we would have never known him in our sinful state. But God’s love came to us and drew us to himself and freely gave of himself at Calvary.  Again - Mind blown.  Now John reminds them - this isn’t a new command, but one you should know.  This isn’t based on looks, or feelings, or even emotion, but this is an act of your will.  LISTEN - We may not feel like we should love a person, but we must.  We can’t will our affections - (feelings and emotions) but we can will our attitudes and actions.  HOW NATE? Here is this example - if you want to be rude - try being kind.  Or, if you want to persecute them, yell at them, argue with them, or poke fun at them - pray for them and do good to them.  This is what Paul says in Romans 12.

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

            Did you see how we are to respond in Love?  Have genuine love (v.9); Have love that is outdoing one another (v.10); Bless those who persecute you (v.14); Live at peace with all men (v. 18); and Love doesn’t act on emotion, but does just the opposite.  See it, “If your enemy is hungry/thirsty give him something to eat or drink”  WHO DOES THAT - People of the Truth, God’s people!

            Now, think about it - won’t that just blow someone away.  You may not be emotionally attached, but I can say without a doubt, you will feel better and they will be floored. 

Illustration: Let me finish with this story? I love the discipleship process.  Seeing someone who has just come to Jesus and seeing the lights come on.  Several years ago I had the privilege to work one on one with a young man.  We spent many months growing him in the faith. I bought many lunches, and ordered many pizzas as we worked through issues in his life.  Now our family was moving away.  I thought I could trust him to watch a few things of mine, important things.  I know you can see what is coming, so I’ll just say it - it didn’t end well.  On a return visit to my old stomping grounds and after months of silence, who do you think showed up?  Yes there was a lot of hurt there, but what are you suppose to do?  We are commanded to Love one another.  So I did what Romans 12 said - I grabbed 3 slices of pizza and a root beer and headed in.  Did it fix the issue? NO.  Did he admit the wrong?  NO.  Was anything resolved about the hurt that was dealt? NO!  So, what was the result?  OK, as a Christian - one of God’s people - I have to love one another - and I have to tell you, to get down and dirty and involved in the process makes me feel better.  Also, to those teenage eyes that were watching me - I showed them what love is supposed to do, even when it hurts.  And finally, I have left the door open for a time when we can address the issue. 

God’s people - They are people that show other people LOVE!

2 John Part 1

First - I will confess my complete failure to upkeep my blog spot.  Hopefully you will find it in your blog readers heart to forgive me.  Thank you! Now with that being said, I want to update my blog with my notes from Sunday's Message on 2 John.  This is a great book that we need to pay attention to.  I hope to update every other day with another point for you to be re-learning.  I Love You HBC Cambridge - lets grow in this together - Enjoy!

From My notes - Greatest Scripture Never Told - 2 John 

Introduction

• History of the Book - Written by John to a church or personally to a lady, or to both.  John is the last apostle alive  He has been in prison once already; Rome had tried to burn him, but the fire wouldn’t go, so they tried to poison him but it didn’t work.  They banished John to an Island called Patmos, but now he his back.   
• The Reason - John is passionate about the Lord Jesus, about his people, (pastor of the church in Ephesus) and about the truth about his friend and savior, Jesus Christ.  He now writes what we would call a letter, or better yet, a post card to 1) uplift, and encourage the readers; 2) to instruct them and 3) to warn them of the potential dangers that may come their way - 

1A] God’s people are FILLED UP with truth. (vv. 1-3)

Notice from the text:  “The elder (John) to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:  Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, IN TRUTH and love…” Did you see it there? There was a key word said 4x’s - what was it - TRUTH! Right. Now key in v.2 “because of the Truth that ABIDES in us and will be forever…”  Abide = TO REMIAN, to PERSIST in.  WOW, That sounds awesome, but one question -What is Truth?

Truth in this case equals “reality” or “ultimate reality”; “it’s the basis of all we see, feel and know…”  In the scriptures it’s further described as:  Jesus - John 14:6, “I am the Way, the TRUTH and the LIFE.”  What is reality here - Jesus.  John 17:7 - God’s word is called Truth.  “Sanctify them in the Truth, your word is Truth…” John 14:17. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. “I will ask my Father to give you the Spirit of Truth…” who will help us know what is the truth. “…He will guide you into all truth…” John 16:13

John MacArthur, in his commentary on 2 John said this, and I quote:

"The Bible, the Word of Truth, (Ps. 119:160; John 17:17; 2 Cor. 6:7; 2 Tim. 2:15; James 1:18), majors on the theme of truth. God is the "God of truth (2 Sam. 7:28; Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2), who abounds in truth (Exodus 34:6) and always speaks the truth (John 8:45-46).  Christ is the truth (Jn. 14:6; Eph. 4:21), is full of truth (Jn. 1:14), revealed the truth (Jn 1:17), spoke the truth (Jn. 8:45-46), and testified to the truth (Jn. 18:37).  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn. 5:6).  God's TRUTH is eternal (Ps. 117:2), infinite (Ps. 57:10; 86:15; 108:4 and saving (Ps. 69:13).  Salvation comes from faith in the truth (2 Thes. 2:13); beleivers are sanctified by the truth (Jn. 17:17); love the truth (2 Thess. 2:10); are set free by the truth (Jn. 8:32); worship in the truth (John 4:23-24); rejoice in the truth (1 Cor. 13:6); speak the truth (Eph. 4:15, 25); meditate on the truth; manifest the truth; obey the truth; are guided by the truth and most comprehensively, walk in the truth (1 Kings 2:4; 3:6; 2 Kins 20:3; Pss 26:3; 86:11).

Believers must be committed to the truth, because we exist in the world which is the realm of Satan (1Jn. 5:19), the father of lies (Jn. 8:44).  He (Satan) strives to keep sinners from understanding and believing the truth; he is "the god of this world who has blinded the minds of th unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4).  As a result, "Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth, they have taught their tongue to speak lies" (Jer. 9:5).  Unbelievers are "men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth" (1 Tim. 6:5), who "oppose the truth" (2 Tim. 3:8) and "turn away their ears from the truth" (2 Tim. 4:4) because "they exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (Rm. 1:25)

           

 You say, “well, duh?!” (go ahead - well duh?!)-what else is there to trust in besides truth?  I’m glad you ask -

Top five answers on the board - top deceiver that block the truth - here we go:

#5) Strength - that is to say - Larger is better so these folks must be right, right?  How can so many people be so wrong?  Well the Bible has a lot to say about following the crowd vs. following the truth, namely - Broad is the road that leads to destruction, but narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life.  Bigger isn’t always better.

#4) Nothing- Trust Me, Nothing is something!  Especially with People who are usually hurt or angry or bitter.  They hate you, they hate everyone, and they trust nothing.  Usually they say something like: “well you believe what you believe and I’ll believe what I believe…”  But here’s the rub…they don’t know what they believe.

#3) An Ideal:  Something like Reason or Science or the Goodness of Man.  They tend to believe grandiose ideas that only truly benefit them and not the world as a whole.

#2) Someone/Something Else:  Modern Day Movements like the Mormons or Moonies, the Muslims or the Hindu’s all trust in a man.  They trust the wisdom of a finite sinner or sunnie or dali-lama, vs the Truth of God and his word.  They are drawn in by their senses - they can see this person, touch them, hear them and less faith is needed.  Everything seems so right and so real - until it all goes wrong.  History is full of cult leaders who destroyed lives and ruined families all for their own glory…more on that in a moment.

#1) Who do we trust more than truth - Themselves!  I am the captain of my own fate.  I am the master of my soul.  I exist for me and for my pleasure.

            Here it is - John is saying - Truth is what God has revealed about Himself - Creation, The Law, the OT - Truth is in particular what He has revealed about the ultimate reality of his plan - The Gospel. And most importantly, Truth is found only in Jesus Christ.    

            Now quickly, before we move on, notice the benefits of Truth:  Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, IN TRUTH and love…”  Grace = Favor, undeserved favor; Mercy = is a combo of Love and pity that seeks the best for its object; and Peace = Wholeness (Shalom) Wholeness physically, mentally, and spiritually.   

     Where is it from?  1) God the Father 2) Jesus Christ.  But don’t miss “and from”.  Those two words will come into play later, but are extremely important here for the sake of the deity of Jesus.  John is saying  that this is from God and from one on the same level, equal to God, worthy of worship and praise - Jesus.   This is a statement of his Trinity.

God's People are FILLED UP with Truth - Are you?

Friday - "God's People Encourage others with LOVE"