Wednesday, June 17, 2015

DARING FAITH + FAITH THAT SPEAKS! + WEEK 3

DARING FAITH + FAITH THAT SPEAKS - Week 3
 
DARING FAITH + SUNDAY SERMON APPLICATION
FAITH THAT SPEAKS TRUTH

WEEK OF JUNE 15-21

To watch highlights of this past weekend at FCC:
 

HOBE SOUND QUARTET SINGING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQmdD6XNFQ

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S CONVERSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VEC2969F3U


DARING FAITH not only stands for the Truth, it speaks the Truth!

We have heard people say, "Speak Truth to Power!" The Quakers originated the saying.  They urged the United States to stand firm against fascism and others forms of authoritarian governments. 
 
Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and the Founding Fathers of the United States risked their lives to "Speak Truth to Power!"  It was Patrick Henry that exclaimed, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
 
As Christians in a culture that has not only neglected Truth, but now has completely rejected Truth, we take seriously our mandate. 
 
All through His long life, the Prophet Daniel spoke truth to power.  He spoke truth to the King's men who were charged to feed and care for him.  "We will not defile ourselves." 
 
He spoke truth to King Nebuchadnezzar regarding his impending insanity, "You will be driven from men and live like a beast until you know the Most High rules!"
 
He spoke truth to the blaspheming Belshazzar, "Your kingdom is finished for you have been weighed in the balances and found lacking!"

He spoke truth to Darius the King.  He prayed three times a day, even when it was against the law, and from the lion's den testified, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." 

The Psalmist prayed, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."  Psalm 19:14.

In Colossians 4:6 the Apostle Paul urges Christians, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

In Ephesians 4 the Apostle instructs God's people to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  It is "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 14:15) that will bring spiritual maturity and advance the cause of Christ.

DARING FAITH will require us to speak truth to power.  DARING FAITH will insist that we tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  And DARING FAITH will speak God's truth in the power and Spirit of Christ. 


APPLICATION:

1. Is it possible to really know the Truth, and if so how?


2. Why is it so difficult to "Speak Truth to Power" and to those who are close to us?

3. The Scriptures urge us to not only speak the truth, but to speak the truth in _______.
How can we be sure that the tone of our speech glorifies the Lord?

4. Give some examples of times in the New Testament we see God's people speaking Truth to Power?

5. Give some examples of times in your life when you have seen other's speak the Truth or you have spoken Truth to power.


 
 
 
 

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