1. “Non-Denominational” Fastest growing churches numerically No distinctions (Sign: “Community Church”) No divisions (compromise on doctrine) –No one can understand the Bible: Jn. 8:32 –Any interpretation is valid: Jn. 17:17 No demands (no moral boundaries imposed) –homosexual, social drinker, gambler, adulterer… Goal: Feeling of Faithfulness 1 Jn. 1:6-8

2. God is Absolute (not subject to interpretation) Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

3. “Thy Word is Truth” Pilate asked Jesus, “What is Truth?” Jn. 18:37-38 Subjective like beauty, opinion, preference…? Objective (seems arrogant and unloving) –Absolutes scare people (Shades of Gray) –People confident of absolutes intimidate people “We just understand the Bible differently” No! We may misunderstand the Bible differently. (Understanding is the same)

4. The Truth Can Be: Understood: 1 Tim 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. Obeyed: 1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

5. The Truth Can Be: Understood: 1 Tim 4:3 Obeyed: 1 Peter 1:22-23 Taught: Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Spoken: Jn. 8:40, 45-46 “I tell you the truth” Written: Eccl. 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. For some truth is too limiting, it is too confining

6. Broad Way To Destruction Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: The wicked who are completely immoral The sheep who follow improper leaders (fads, traditions, educated, charismatic, rich) The indecisive who won’t choose a road The lazy who follow the path of least resistance The moderates who won’t condemn or condone