“Non-Denominational” Fastest growing churches numerically

• No distinctions (Sign: “Community Church”)

• No divisions (compromise on doctrine)– No one can understand the Bible: Jn. 8:32– Any interpretation is valid: Jn. 17:17

• No demands (no moral boundaries imposed)– homosexual, social drinker, gambler, adulterer…

• Goal: Feeling of Faithfulness 1 Jn. 1:6-8

God is Absolute (not subject to interpretation)

• Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

• John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

• John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

“Thy Word is Truth”• Pilate asked Jesus, “What is Truth?” Jn. 18:37-38

• Subjective like beauty, opinion, preference…?

• Objective (seems arrogant and unloving)– Absolutes scare people (Shades of Gray)– People confident of absolutes intimidate people

• “We just understand the Bible differently”

• No! We may misunderstand the Bible differently. (Understanding is the same)

The Truth Can Be:• Understood: 1 Tim 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and

commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

• Obeyed: 1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The Truth Can Be:• Understood: 1 Tim 4:3

• Obeyed: 1 Peter 1:22-23

• Taught: Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

• Spoken: Jn. 8:40, 45-46 “I tell you the truth”• Written: Eccl. 12:10 The preacher sought to find out

acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

• For some truth is too limiting, it is too confining

Broad Way To Destruction• Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the

gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

• The wicked who are completely immoral

• The sheep who follow improper leaders (fads, traditions, educated, charismatic, rich)

• The indecisive who won’t choose a road

• The lazy who follow the path of least resistance

• The moderates who won’t condemn or condone