SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS

In his commentary on Galatians, John Stott said, 'Ours is an age of tolerance. Men love to have the best of both worlds and hate to be forced to choose. It is commonly said that it does not matter what people believe so long as they are sincere, and that it is unwise to clarify issues too plainly or to focus them too sharply. But the religion of the New Testament is vastly different from this mental outlook. Christianity will not allow us to sit on the fence or live in a haze; it urges us to be definite and decisive.' (pp. 137-138) The founding fathers of this country spoke of truths that they held to be self-evident. Even the complete skeptic H.G. Wells said, 'It is indubitable that the Constitution presents a Christian view of man.' Ours has been an age of tolerance, tolerance for everything except absolute truth. In this lesson I want to present some obvious truths and the purpose being that these truths aren't that hard to understand or believe in. They are not difficult to accept, they don't require a tremendous amount of research, and that all mankind is without excuse for not accepting them.

I. God Is: Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1

Paul didn't pull any punches, he stated that the evidence for God's existence is "clearly seen" (Romans 1:20). Points to Note: (1) Even pagans admitted this truth. For while idolatry and all man made religious systems are perversions of the truth. Even corrupted religion admits one central truth, i.e. all cultures have conceded the existence of a higher being. You see, the apostles didn't run into any "atheists". (Acts 14:14-17) In Athens, Paul didn't have to prove the existence of God, he merely had to correct their understanding of God's true nature. (Acts 17:22-29). (2) The secular and popular explanation for the origin of the universe is simply a "weak miracle". In the classic work on evolution, "Implications of Evolution", by Dr. G.A. Kerkut (an evolutionist); the author mentions seven assumptions that evolution rests upon, the first two being: (a) Non-living things gave rise to living material, i.e. spontaneous generation occurred, and (b) This occurred only once. (The Implications of Evolution. G.A. Kerkut. Pergamon, London, 1960. p. 7) But spontaneous generation has been proven to be impossible in the physical world. That is, spontaneous generation would violate the natural laws that govern this universe. In other words, spontaneous generation would be a "supernatural event", or "miracle". Therefore, deciding which explanation (Evolution or Creation) of the origin of the universe you are going to believe comes down to a very simple decision. Which miracle do you think it more credible? (a) Everything came from nothing and life just spontaneously sprung from non-life (but only once). (b) An all-wise and all-powerful God created everything. (Genesis 1:1)

(3) Everything in the physical creation, including ourselves manifests design and purpose. (Psalm 139:14 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made'). To say that the physical creation is simply a chance accident, should offend all true lovers of science. (4) Nobody lives like an atheist. That is, the true atheist, to be consistent with his beliefs, must reject any notion of "right" and "wrong". For without the existence of God, such qualities are meaningless. Therefore, the real atheist can never use the words "should, ought, fair, justice, good, evil, bad, tragedy, rights", etc. And yet, to this day I have never found anyone who lives that way! Every atheist that I have ever ran into was a hypocrite, i.e. he or she conducted themselves in a manner contradictory to their professed belief in no-God. The existence of God seems self-evident, because in one way or another, EVERYONE ACTS LIKE THEIR NEIGHBOR IS ACCOUNTABLE TO SOME ABSOLUTE TRUTH. (5) Atheism doesn't solve and answer any of the "big questions". (a) What is the meaning of life? Atheism must respond-there is no meaning. (b) Why do innocent children suffer? Atheism must respond-they suffer. In addition, it can't even say that such suffering is "bad". Atheism can't really even say that children suffer for no "good" reason, because the atheistic faith demands that you can't use the word "good". (c) What is the key to happiness? Evolution has no room for happiness, neither does it have any use for such qualities as compassion, mercy, justice, faith, commitment, etc. For evolution is all about 'SURVIVAL'. In addition, evolution justifies everything that is "wrong". According to evolution, certain races are more "fit" or genetically '"favored". If your going to believe in evolution, then you must believe that everyone is economically and socially where they are because of their genes. The poor and middle class are genetically inferior to the rich.

II. The Bible Is The Word of God:

Since God exists, the next logical thought must be, 'what has God said?' And 'where is this communication found?' It is a "no-brainer" that God having created mankind, would seek to communicate to His new creation. (Hebrews 1:1-2) Points to Note: (1) It is a given that mankind needs help! (2) But only a very limited number of religious writings claim to be the Word of God. Off the bat we must discard the religious works of Hinduism and Buddhism, for those religious systems contain the idea that pain and suffering are only an illusion. I like what Jim McGuiggan said in commenting on Romans 8:18, 'The eastern notion that all is illusion is contrary to the facts. The Christian Science view that suffering is illusory will never catch on.' (The Book of Romans. p. 254) Again, nobody even vaguely lives like suffering is just all in your head. (3) The Koran and Book of Mormon must be discarded, because the only "spiritual" elements in those books are the verses copied from the Bible. In addition, a very superficial look at Islam finds that this religion contradicts itself. You see, Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet of God. But at the same time it rejects what Jesus actually said about Himself! You cannot say that you accept that a man is a prophet of God and yet at the same time reject the message spoken through him. Jesus claimed that His words would judge mankind. (John 12:48) Yet, Islam claims that Mohammed was the final messenger of God. (4) Instead of listening to the critics of the Bible and those people who claim that we can't know anything for sure. Stand back and look at these facts: (a) Which book claims to be God's revelation to mankind? And which book can back up such a claim? Which book has a universal message? Which book contains the highest moral standard known to man? Which book has the highest conception of God? Which book answers all the "big" questions? Which book can anyone understand? Which book deals with the problems of real life? The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by about 40 different men who claimed to be inspired, over a time span of 1500 years. These men where from different backgrounds, they lived on different continents, they came from different cultures and socio-economic levels. And in writing on hundreds of controversial subjects (which are still just as controversial today), THEY ALL AGREED! 'Lest anyone think this isn't something marvelous. Find ten people from your local area who have similar educational backgrounds, all speak the same language, and all are from basically the same culture, then separate them and ask them to write their opinion on only one controversial subject, such as the meaning of life. When they have finished, compare the conclusions of these ten writers. Do they agree with each other?' (Answers to Tough Questions. Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, p. 2)

III. The Bible is Accurate and Clear:

That's the only logical conclusion if God is in fact its real author or final editor. Points to Note: (1) If God can create the whole physical universe, then certainly He can have a book written which is within the understanding of all. (2) If God can create the universe, then certainly He can keep His book in print, i.e. keep it from being corrupted. (1 Peter 1:23) If God can raise and bring down whole world empires (Daniel 5:21), then God can ensure that His revelation to mankind is accurately copied and handed down from one generation to another. Of course, the manuscript evidence proves this too. (3) If the Bible is God's word, then EVERYONE is expected to obey it. (4) If the Bible is God's word, then everyone can understand it alike. (1 Cor. 1:10) (5) If the Bible is God's word, then culture doesn't prevent one from understanding it correctly. (Mark 16:15) (6) If the Bible is God's word, then no truth has been lost in transmission or translation. (Ephesians 3:3-5) (7) If the Bible is God's word, then we must accept the fact that this revelation declares what is right and wrong for all time. For why would God waste time in communicating a message that in the end He himself wouldn't even follow? Let's quit listening to those people who insist that God will change His mind. Rather let's declare as Paul did, 'Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.' (Romans 3:4) Do you realize what this last verse is saying? That we need to side with God, even when taking God's position means that everyone else is viewed as a liar!

IV. Jesus Is The Son of God:

Probably the easiest truth in the Bible to see. Points to Note: (1) We must immediately reject the position which says that Jesus was a good man, a fine religious teacher, a prophet, but not the Saviour of the world. For Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16-17) He claimed equality with God. (John 5:23; 14:7-9) If Jesus isn't the Son of God, then he most clearly isn't a "good man". For good men don't claim to be God when they are not. In other words, good men don't lie. (2) Hence, only three alternatives are left: (a) He was a lunatic. Yea right, that's a good one. Spend some time with some crazy people and then read the words of Christ. Are these the words of a lunatic? And if Jesus was a lunatic, what does that make His critics, who admittedly can't outmaneuver His logic? (Matt. 22:46) (3) He was a liar. So why did this deceiver give us the highest level of morality ever known? (Matthew 5-7; 12:36; 19:9) And who is really willing to place their life next to the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and then claim moral superiority? (4) Only choice left-He is Lord.

V. Man Needs Is a Sinner-Needs a Savior:

Points to Note: (1) Everyone admits the existence of "sin". Paul said the 'deeds of the flesh are EVIDENT.' (Galatians 5:19) People can see that the things mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21 are wrong, especially when those things are DONE AGAINST THEM. Call them "wrong", "bad", "unjust", "not fair", "a tragedy" or a "heinous crime". These are just synonyms for "sin". (2) It is self-evident that everyone has sinned. (Romans 3:23) Anyone who rejects this verse, is like the pro-basketball player who complains that un-called fouls are committed against them all the time, but that they have never fouled anyone. In a speech before the National Press Club, Ted Turner said, 'I'd like to see a religion where everybody was good.' (AFA Journal, Nov.-Dec. 1994, p. 14) Well that is very naive isn't it? Will Ted Turner's new religion proclaim that people who shoot abortion doctors are "good"? (3) MAN CAN'T SAVE HIMSELF. MAN NEEDS HELP. Everyday we can see the truth proclaimed in Jeremiah 10:23, 'I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps', or that mentioned in Proverbs 16:25 'There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.' Listen to the following article: 'Two of the many serious problems besetting the public schools in New York City are weapons and hallway violence..So the school board..turned to technology for a solution..the..board authorized the installation of a highly sophisticated, computerized system of alarms..to be installed in 41 "troubled" high schools. This system automatically keeps all side doors locked from the inside and outside. It includes a "weapons interdiction program" at the front doors, in which guards use metal detectors..So far, $38 million has been spent, and at the end of 1993, not a single school had a properly operating system.."No sooner were the doors installed in some schools than vandals began to destroy them..students..learned to bang the doors open beyond the limits of their hinges, so they would no longer close properly"...Zachary Tumin, executive director of security for the school board, summed it up this way: "When you rely on complicated technological solutions to save the day, the road is fraught with risk."...The fact is, technology will not save our children from moral failures. That much has been confirmed by science.' (High-Tech Follies. Tom Minnery, Focus on the Family Citizen. 2-21-94, p. 5)