“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV

Not only did Jesus clearly claim to be God in the flesh, He specifically stated that He was the ONLY way to get to heaven, John 14:6.

We shared 6 other scriptures clearly stating Jesus was God. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh, His disciples affirmed it. Paul expounded it.

Everyone who confronted Jesus or was confronted by Jesus had to make a determination; was Jesus really the Messiah, God in physical form, and the only way to heaven as He specifically claimed? Everyone who confronted Jesus or was confronted by Jesus had to make a determination; was Jesus really the Messiah, God in physical form, and the only way to heaven as He specifically claimed? What will YOU do with Jesus? What will YOU do with Jesus? The struggle is both logical and emotional. We looked at the logical last week so today we will cover the emotional. The struggle is both logical and emotional. We looked at the logical last week so today we will cover the emotional.

The problem with hating exclusivity is that truth is by definition exclusive.

The Laws of Logic – The Law of Non-contradiction. The Laws of Logic – The Law of Non-contradiction.

Therefore to hate exclusivity is to ultimately hate both logic and truth.

1. Those who say “There are no absolutes…” contradict themselves because to say there are no absolutes is an absolute! 1. Those who say “There are no absolutes…” contradict themselves because to say there are no absolutes is an absolute!

2. Those who tell you “You can’t exclude people” are doing just that… they are excluding those who hold to logical exclusivity. 2. Those who tell you “You can’t exclude people” are doing just that… they are excluding those who hold to logical exclusivity.

3. You can’t use the Either/Or… you Must use the Both/And. 3. You can’t use the Either/Or… you Must use the Both/And. What is wrong with the above statement? Rephrased… “In other words I must either use the Both/And or nothing at all?” What is wrong with the above statement? Rephrased… “In other words I must either use the Both/And or nothing at all?” They are using the Either/Or to demand you only use the Both/And! They are using the Either/Or to demand you only use the Both/And!

Simple logic defeats all arguments against exclusivity. However, many people don’t function by logic; their lives are run by emotion. This week we will look at how to lovingly present truth in the midst of illogical emotion.

Most people make decisions primarily based on emotion and not logic although they believe they are being logical. (feels good, and short term)

1.From the Greek σωφρονισμο ῦ sōphronismou rooted in σοφία sophia “wisdom.” 1.From the Greek σωφρονισμο ῦ sōphronismou rooted in σοφία sophia “wisdom.” 2.Come back to your senses… reason and not emotion. 2.Come back to your senses… reason and not emotion. 3. Balanced and stable thinking unlike reflected in much of the world today. 3. Balanced and stable thinking unlike reflected in much of the world today.

Poem “Creed” A satirical poem on the contradictions of the modern mind

The struggles shown in our contradictions are really showing the struggles with ourselves. The struggles shown in our contradictions are really showing the struggles with ourselves. We don’t like in others is often what we are uncomfortable about in us! We don’t like in others is often what we are uncomfortable about in us! We tend to blame and project. We tend to blame and project.

“but when we play God and determine whether a child within a mother's womb should live, we argue for that as a moral right. So when human beings are given the privilege of playing God, it’s called a moral right. When God plays God, we call it an immoral act. Can you justify this for me?” That was the end of the conversation.”

“What we need is not a religion that is right where we are right, but one that is right where we are wrong.” Ravi Zacharias

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV

Starts with Christ as Lord so your lifestyle doesn’t negate your testimony.

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV Reason – necessary to overcome false trust in emotion.

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV Hope- your future based on the change of God in your life.

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV Gentleness- necessary to prevent it turning into a defensive argument.

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV Respect- necessary to win the heart with the mind.

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” NIV II Timothy 2:23-26 adds being patient

Jesus made exclusive claims so He could INCLUDE everyone in the opportunity of salvation… John 3:16, 1 John 2:1

Truth is true even if no one knows it. Truth is true even if no one knows it. Truth is true even if no one allows it. Truth is true even if no one allows it. Truth is true even if no one admits it. Truth is true even if no one admits it.

Your faith is important; but it is not nearly as important as what you put your faith in.

Placing your faith in what is EMET- real truth vs. Emotion

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.