Our pastor at LifeChurch.tv is doing a series called True(ish). It’s the best series he’s ever done, in my opinion. It means a lot for me to say that because I think every series he’s ever done is just outstanding. But this one is so important because it deals with the gray area that we all live in. There is truth, lies, and the area in between that we choose to accept. I’m going to give a quick synopsis of yesterday’s message, much of which is taken directly from the talk notes we fill in while he’s speaking.
53% of American adults believe if a person is generally good, he’ll go to heaven.
43% of born-again Christians agreed: “It doesn’t matter what religious faith you follow because all faiths teach similar lessons about life.”
57% of evangelical church members said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life.
SERIOUSLY!? I heard these statistics on a news show (Dateline, 20/20, one of those) several months ago and was absolutely shocked. If Christians are buying into this bologna, it’s no wonder that non-believers are confused! If believers are picking and choosing which parts of the Bible they want to believe, why bother believing any of it? If part of it is a lie, then ALL of it is a lie. That’s just how it goes.
Here are a few points he made:
1. Just because you’re sincere doesn’t make what you believe true. (He referenced the really awful singers on American Idol who truly believe they are great singers, but clearly aren’t.)
2. There is truth in many world religions, but all world religions can’t be true (For example, Buddhism doesn’t have a supreme deity, but Islam does. Both cannot be correct.)
3. Discovering and living truth matters more than anything else in life.
He also asked us to take a close look at Jesus…to look at what He taught (Luke 6:27-29), the miracles He performed (Mark 6:2), the resurrection (Acts 3:15), and His claims (John 14:6). Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life…he also claimed to be the ONLY way to get to Heaven, the only way to get to the Father. If this is not true, he was either the world’s greatest liar, a complete lunatic, or he was truly the Son of God. If he was a liar, he would’ve either been caught at some point, or have come clean when He was being beaten and crucified. But He didn’t do that. Why? Because He was speaking truth.
I have many dear friends and family members who are not believers, and although they are under no obligation to believe what I believe, my heart breaks because I have seen what Christ has done in my life and the lives of those around me. God is so good, and I just want them to have a TASTE of the joy and peace that I have. I will continue to pray for them, and also for those who are believers but are living in the gray area. I cannot change their hearts, but God can.
If you would like to watch this message, and I would HIGHLY encourage you to do that, please visit http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/watch/trueish/3. Hope you will make the time–it’s well worth it.
