1. Hearts Prepared for Good Friday & Easter Romans 12:2

2. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3. The Pattern of This World "Did Jesus rise from the dead?” “Yes, yes, yes - for Christians.” “The resurrection of Jesus is not objective --- it is whatever Christians make of it. Jesus is risen because his memory and influence go on in the hope of the church” John Crossan

4. The Pattern of This World "It doesn't really matter whether the body of Jesus was still in the tomb, or if he rose bodily from the dead, and is alive today in heaven ready to judge the living and the dead. What matters is not reality out there, but reality in here - in our hearts and our minds and our choices."

5. The Pattern of This World Relativism there are no absolute truths i.e., truth is always relative to some particular frame of reference, such as a language or a culture, a people or a person.

6. Relativism --- is often interpreted as saying that all points of view are equally valid --- and that what makes the “point of view” valid is the effect it has on how people feel ---This is why Jesus is viewed only in terms of his moral teaching

7. The Roman Catholic Church has identified relativism as the most significant problem for faith and morals today a denial of absolute truth leads to moral license and a denial of sin and therefore the need for a Savior

8. Does the Bible Speak in Relative Terms? John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Romans 14:11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

9. Biblical Absolutism The Bible defines truth --- without regard to how we view it or feel about it 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

10. But, People Conformed to the World Would Say…. The whole notion of the Bible being “true’ is a matter of opinion --- your opinion --- and may not be true for me

11. What, Really, is Such Thinking? John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

12. Those Conformed to the Pattern of this World Would Say… How do you know if the content of the Bible is absolutely true?

13. Return with your own Question… Can human beings predict the future with perfect accuracy? Then take them to the Old Testament and show them the Messianic Prophecies.

14. The Statistics The statistical likelihood 100+ prophecies coming to fulfillment in one man and yet that man not be the Messiah is less than 1 in… 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000

15. The Work of Jesus on the Cross… Is absolutely true --- it is exactly as described in the Bible… It is not only true for you --- it is true for all … an ABSOLUTE TRUTH

16. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world… and equip others to not be conformed either

17. Circle of Christian Life