1. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
The Third Mark of the Church: Truth Dead Ends to Holiness A Distinctly Different Church How Can Christians Change the World??

2. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
The Third Mark of the Church: Truth
Christians have been “set apart” unto God to give Him glory and serve His Kingdom!
Jesus says the marks of a sanctified one (saint) include joy and holiness.
How can I obtain and keep this joy?
How can I be Holy?
The answer is always the same – through scripture and the application of its truth to our daily lives – John 17:17.

3. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
The Third Mark of the Church: Truth
The heart of the world is:
Fundamental suppression and/or denial of the Truth
Profound rejection of God’s gracious “word,” His self-disclosure in Jesus
The heart of the Father is that we are “set apart” by learning:
To think God’s thoughts after Him
To live in conformity with the “word” graciously given

4. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
The Third Mark of the Church: Truth
We become sanctified through believing and obeying the Word of God – Heb. 4:12.

5. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

6. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
The Third Mark of the Church: Truth
We become sanctified through believing and obeying the Word of God – Heb. 4:12.
Daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts.
Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

7. 2 Timothy 3: (NASB)
16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

8. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
Dead Ends to Holiness
We must receive the blessings God has for the Church in the way He intended!
The Church will not find holiness in:
Preaching or listening to preaching
Prayer and prayer meetings
Special experiences
The Church will receive the blessings of God through His Word and the Holy Spirit!

9. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
A Distinctly Different Church
We have studied the characteristics of the world and the secular church.
The world’s wisdom
The world’s theology
The world’s agenda
The world’s methods

10. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
A Distinctly Different Church
So, what should be the distinct differences of the Church?
The Church must have a different authority, based solely on the Word of God and not on human consensus.
The Church must have a distinct theology based on the Word of God.
The Church must have different priorities based on the Word of God.

11. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
A Distinctly Different Church
So, what should be the distinct differences of the Church?
The Church must have a distinctly different lifestyle based on God’s Word.
The Church needs to be distinctly dependent on God alone.

12. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
How Can Christians Change the World?
Jesus never said we are to mimic, manipulate, or outmaneuver the world.
Instead, Jesus tells us to be salt – Matthew 5:13 and light – Matthew 5:14.
Salt – what we are
Light – what we do

13. The Truth About Truth John 17:17-19
Application
Do you believe the Word of God to be the absolute truth?
If so, how does that affect your life’s testimony?
What practical ways are you being salt? Light?