When There’s No Tolerance for Truth

Acts 4, Romans 1

1.       INTRO:

Ø       Ever had that sick feeling when someone you know is doing something…, making decisions that you’re convinced are going to be bad for them, and you can’t figure out what you should say, if anything, to help?

Ø       It’s really tough when you know they share different values, and what you would say, if you could figure it out, would probably not be well received, but received as preachy and judgmental.

Ø       In PoMo America there is one sure truth: there is “tolerance” for all opinions, but not for truth.

Ø       Here is a real and extreme example of what happened to some folks who believed in truth & acted on their beliefs.

Ø       Context,  Video Clip,  Result

Ø       What do you think, how do you react?  (Brief replies)

Ø       I think this was a generally right activity.

2.       What I’ll share

A.         Know Truth: Facts

B.         Love People: Motive

C.         Share Truth: Action

3.       Know Truth: Facts

A.         Scripture on homosexuality

1.      Romans 1:21-27

2.      Leviticus 18:22

3.      1 Corinthians 6:9

4.      Romans 1:32

4.       Love People: Motive

A.         Vintage21 video

B.         Peacemakers, Not Stone-throwers

1.      Matthew 5:9

2.      John 8:7

5.       Share Truth: Action

A.         Telling the truth in love

1.      Tell the truth

a)               Ephesians 4:15

b)               Leviticus 19:17

2.      In Love

a)               Golden Rule, Luke 6:31

b)               Bold, but loving, Acts 4

6.       Invite: We need to get this right, or…

A.         We’ll feel defeated

B.         People we love will stay cluelessly lost

C.         More like the Philly 4 will be persecuted, maybe you!

D.         So…, commit to learn the truth, love people, share the truth.

E.         This requires that we know and accept the truth for ourselves, Jesus is the way and the truth.