Truth on SermonAudio

The sermon examines the disciples' sorrowful reaction to Jesus' prediction of His death and resurrection, arguing that their negativity stems from a tendency to focus on bad news rather than the ultimate victory of the cross. It identifies five character traits that contribute to a negative outlook: being candid about failures, overly cautious in the face of challenges, careless in seeking clarification, cavalier in explaining one's faith, and spiritually asleep to God's work. The speaker encourages believers to adopt a proactive, positive attitude by pursuing small victories, asking for divine wisdom, and remaining alert to the spiritual truths presented in worship. This approach allows Christians to overcome natural human tendencies toward worry and defeatism, relying instead on the assurance of God's faithfulness and the power of the Word.

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu 175

Taking a position on truth is pretty unpopular today, but there are still some who have the courage to do it in the public forum. Dr. James White is one of the nation's most active Christian apologists and debaters, having debated atheists, Muslims, etc. over the last twenty years. Here, Kevin Swanson interacts with James on how to engage the battle in the dangerous war of ideas—with meekness and fear.

Why does the psalmist cry "Hear this, all ye people" (Psalm 49:1) and then "give ear" (Psalm 49:1) in the same breath, and who is the ye? Read verse 5 and ask whether it begins with wherefore or with therefore, and whether a man can say he will not fear the days of evil. Then ask what the rich man who trusts in his wealth can pay for his brother's soul. "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (Psalm 49:7)

Paul was a Jew who lived most of his life in a Greek environment. He became a Christian on the Damascus Road. What can we say were the main influences on his theology? First there was his Greaco-Roman environment. We find in his writings examples of the Greek games, common adoptive procedures, the contemporary practice in releasing slaves – all used to illustrate spiritual truths. There are some forms of speech, concepts from Stoicism, the Mystery Religions, Gnosticism in the surface of Paul's thought but its "subsoil" was from his Jewish heritage. Yet there was only one key which lay at the foundation of all his writings i.e., Damascus. It was his conversion, his Damascus road experience which lies at the root of everything. Also his subsequent contacts with the churches in Jerusalem and Judaea, what he received from them, plus all the God revealed to him during those years in Arabia, (Gal. 1:15-17). These were all influences in his theological background.

Every day we face a battle between truth and lies, fear and faith, but the good news is that we don't fight alone. Through Jesus, who has all authority, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can stand strong against temptation, walk in the light, and experience freedom from sin, strongholds, and even generational patterns. We don't have to live in fear because God's truth, love, and the full armor of God give us the victory and confidence to keep moving forward.

Psalm 117