1. How Firm is Your Foundation? Psalm 146:1-6

2. 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever. Psalm 146:1-6

3. Introduction Core values—foundational truths Treatment of others Priorities in life Definition of happiness Purpose of living—Ecclesiastes

4. Introduction Core values—foundational truths Every society has core values Every person has core values What are your foundational truths? Can they be trusted?

5. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Self Others Religion

6. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government

7. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government Following cultural norms, never thinking

8. 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. Exodus 23:2

9. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government Following cultural norms, never thinking Following human philosophers

10. 39 And He spoke a parable to them: Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:39-40

11. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government Following cultural norms, never thinking Following human philosophers Following my own thoughts and feelings

12. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unright- eous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isa. 55:7-9

13. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government Following cultural norms, never thinking Following human philosophers Following my own thoughts and feelings Following brethren who are renown

14. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.... 16 But shun profane and idle ho does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.“2 Tim. 2:12-19

15. Sources of Foundational Truths Three possible basic sources Supreme courts/government Following cultural norms, never thinking Following human philosophers Following my own thoughts and feelings Following brethren who are renown Following Emmanuel

16. Two Eternal Foundational Truths The Lord knows who are His Let His people depart from evil 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.“ 2 Tim. 2:19

17. Eternal Foundational Truths BelieveMark 16:16 RepentLuke 13:3 Confess FaithRom. 10:10 Be BaptizedActs 22:16 Added to His church, His body, His kingdom Be FaithfulRev. 2:10