Twisted Truth: Money is the Root of all Evil1 Timothy 6:2-10, Matthew 6:19-24Everyone serves someone.-Who we serve is the result of and revealed by our love and devotion.Money is not the problem.-Money is neutral; people are the problem.Real Money Problems:-Greed: Having what is good at the cost of not doing what is good.-Gain: Getting more for yourself without concern of the cost to others.-Recognition: Needing to be seen in a particular way by particular people.Real Money Answers:-Contentment: gratitude driven stewardship of all one has been given.-Investment: intentional stewardship of what one has into God’s Kingdom and causes.-Generosity: personal sacrifice for the good of others to the glory of God

Twisted Truth: Church People Are Perfect

Romans 7:14–25, Romans 3:23-24; 1 John 1:8-9; Philippians 1:6

Church people are not perfect – but redeemed.Romans 7:14–25 (ESV)

1: ALL OF US ARE GUILTY of SINNING.THE TRUTH ABOUT ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING CHURCH PEOPLE.Romans 3:23–24

2: GOD REQUIRES CONFESSION, NOT PERFECTION.1 John 1:8–9 You don’t have to be PERFECT to be FORGIVEN, but you do have to REPENT.

HONESTY about our sin is ESSENTIAL.

THE TRUTH of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not that we’re sinless, but that we are forgiven and being transformed.

3: GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOUPhilippians 1:6

WE ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS

Twisted Truth: God’s Grace Means No ConsequencesRomans 6:23, 1:18-25, 6:1-11Sin has consequences, not just punishment.Death is the right and righteous result of sin.Sin is death because God is holy.Sin wrecks relationships and reasoning.Eternal life is the good and generous result of grace.Grace is life because God is love.Jesus bearing the condemnation of sin does not remove the consequences of sin.

TWISTED TRUTH: I Am A Good Person Luke 13:1-5It's not about being BETTER or WORSE, it's about being INNOCENT or GUILTY.No one is INNOCENT (or GOOD).COMPARISON: I have more good.CANCELLATION: I have done enough good to cancel.COMPARTMENTALIZATION: Selective in our remembrance.CONTAMINATION: the mix affects the whole batch.Everyone is GUILTY.You can REMAIN guilty or RECEIVE forgiveness.

Twisted Truth: There are Many Paths to God.John 14:4-7 (-11)Believing in Jesus requires believing Jesus.-Jesus is everything or nothing he claims.Jesus is the only Way or he is not the way.Jesus is the Truth or nothing he says is truth.Jesus is the Life or in Him is not life.Believe entirely or deny completely.

Twisted Truth: God’s Plan Means No PainJames 1:1-18Every trial is a trail.-We choose the trails, not the trials.Counting joy is choosing Jesus.-Increased Patience.-Increased Endurance.-Increased Maturity.-Increased Wisdom.-Increased Faith.-Increased Perspective.-Increased Appreciation

John 18:37-38 / John 14:6Big Idea - Truth is not relative, it’s revealed. You don’t create truth—you respond to itJesus doesn’t point to truth—He is the truthIf Jesus is simply A way, He cannot be THE wayTwisted Truth in the church-Time – This life is short – James 4:14-Money – Kingdom treasure or earthly control - Matthew 6:19-21-Relationships – Discipling them or being discipled? - 2 Corinthians 6:14-Technology – Seek the kingdom, not comfort – Matthew 6:33

Twisted TruthsJust Me and JesusActs 2: 42-47Unraveling Bad Theology- Just me and Jesus. I don’t need the church.The early believers desperately needed one another, and they knew it.And today’s believers desperately need one another and have forgotten it.Church isn’t something we do, it’s who we are.-A body [1 Cor 12:12-14]-A family [Eph 2:18-22]-A building-A bride [Rev 19:6-9, Eph 5:29-32]-A flock [1 Peter 5:2-4]Christianity is a ONE ANOTHER faith.-Serve one another [Gal 5:13]-Show hospitality to one another [1 Peter 4:9]-Be kind to one another [Ephesians 4:32]-Encourage one another [1 Thess 4:18]-Carry one another’s burdens [Gal 6:2]It is impossible to live a Gospel centered life without a Gospel centered church!

Twisted Truth - Ephesians 1:13 & 2:1-10Ephesians 1:13-The same faith that saves you sustains youEphesians 2:1-10-Sin causes spiritual death-Salvation is spiritual re-birth that can’t be earned-God’s love goes beyond our goodnessTruth - God’s love towards me depends on His goodnessTwisted - God’s love towards me depends on my goodnessKnots form when our intense desire to be good causes us to work hard to do goodWorks are good things done to earn God’s approvalFaith is a life of trust that receives God’s grace

The Main Event: Never AloneMatthew 28:20The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.-The promise of with is personal.John 14:12-28, 15:4-5The Holy Spirit is a Person not a Power.-The promise of the Holy Spirit is His presence – with and in.-The power of the Holy Spirit is His presence – on, for, and through.-The Holy Spirit does not overpower, He empowers.-The Holy Spirit does not invade, He indwells.All who abide abound.