Stand On The Foundation Of Truth

INTRODUCTION

Father’s Day is designated as a time to celebrate fathers, or father figures, who have influenced our lives for good. This goes against the grain of our society, where women/mothers are the heroines of the home and fathers are often ridiculed and dismissed as deadbeats.

If you watch TV, then you've most likely witnessed the portrayal of the modern-day husband and father as lazy, incompetent and stupid.

A holiday like Father’s Day provides an excellent opportunity for men to:

Recall important biblical principles as it relates to being a father.

Repent of, but don’t dwell on, personal failures as a father.

Reconcile with children or grandchildren you may have wronged or been in a strained relationship with for some time.

Resolve to pursue righteousness.

It is very important for men to take their roles seriously in the home and as examples to be followed because we live in a world that is increasingly hostile toward truth, and intent on indoctrinating our children with that which is not truth.

For instance, this month (June) is nationally recognized as Pride Month.

Rainbow flags and LGBTQ propaganda floods the media, homes, schools, and public areas with the intent of normalizing a lifestyle that is neither normal nor biblically consistent.

We are being shoehorned into an agenda that demands all people not only tolerate, but fully embrace the acceptance of these anti-biblical lifestyles.

It goes even so far as to insist on the use of “proper pronouns,” stating that men and women, boys and girls, ought to be referred to however they desire to be referred to. And these matters are starting to take shape in the courtroom.

ILLUSTRATION:

A school district in Kiel, WI launched a sexual harrassment and Title IX investigation against three 8th grade boys for allegedly refusing to use “They/Them” pronouns in reference to another student.

This action by the school district takes the fight from political activism to legal initiative, and creates fear in the minds of our children in a place that once used to be considered safe: school.

The LGBTQ agenda is even rearing its ugly head in the abortion discussion.

The ACLU put out a Tweet on May 11th that reads:

“Abortion bans disproportionately harm:

Black Indigenous and other people of color.

The L.G.B.T.Q. community.

Immigrants.

Young people.

Those working to make ends meet.

People with disabilities.

Protecting abortion access is an urgent matter of racial and economic justice.”

This tweet encompassed so much and so many and yet neglected to mention the most relevant demographic: women. Driven by allies and activists for transgender people, medical, government and progressive organizations have adopted gender-neutral language that draws few distinctions between women and transgender men, as well as those who reject those identities altogether.

Today, “pregnant people” and “birthing people” have taken the place of “pregnant women” in the acceptable vocabulary in society.

A deputy legal director for the ACLU explained, "Language evolves, and it can exclude or it can include. It's really important to me that we think about pregnant people, it's the truth. Not only women give birth, not only women seek abortion."

It’s a crazy world that we live in, which has a foundation that is ever changing and shifting underneath it.

And that is why it is so vital for us to establish ourselves on the sure foundation of the Word of God, for the benefit of our children, the church, and society as a whole.

Today, I would like to look at Paul’s second (and final) letter to young Timothy, his spiritual son in the faith, and make some observations concerning our need to STAND ON THE FOUNDATION OF TRUTH.

TRUTH INFORMS A FAITH THAT IS REAL

2 Timothy 1:5-8 Paul reminds Timothy of his sincere faith… on which he encourages young Timothy to live without fear or shame.

TRUTH IS SEEN IN GOOD EXAMPLES

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Paul encourages Tim to follow the pattern set forth by other believers, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

TRUTH IS SUFFERED FOR AND CANNOT BE BOUND

2 Timothy 2:3, 8-9 Be ready to suffer as a soldier for the sake of the gospel (Armor of God!, Ephesians 6)

TRUTH MUST BE HANDLED PROPERLY

2 Timothy 2:15-18 Stay focused on the truth, not speculations that lead away from it.

TRUTH IS NOT A FRIEND OF THE WORLD

2 Timothy 3:1-9 Deception and lies will define society, and men will hate the truth

TRUTH IS FROM GOD AND WORTH SUFFERING FOR

2 Timothy 3:12-17 Cling to the truth of the Word of God, despite the persecution that will come

TRUTH MUST ALWAYS BE PROCLAIMED

2 Timothy 4:1-5 People will call for themselves teachers, who will say the things they want to hear…not the things they need to hear. But do not waver from the truth.

CONCLUSION

Hymn – The Bible Stands

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted ’Mid the raging storms of time; Its pages burn with the truth eternal, And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a mountain tow’ring Far above the works of men; Its truth by none ever was refuted, And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands and it will forever, When the world has passed away; By inspiration it has been given, All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands every test we give it, For its Author is divine; By grace alone I expect to live it, And to prove and to make it mine.

Refrain: The Bible stands though the hills may tumble, It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble; I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, For the Bible stands.