3 Gospel Commitments Gospel Truth - We are committed to the truth of scripture, and believe its central message is the Gospel; the message of God’s gracious work to redeem sinners. Gospel Community - We are committed to knowing, loving and serving one another as brothers and sisters united in Christ. Gospel Mission - Individually and corporately, we are committed to declaring and demonstrating the Gospel to our communities, our cities and the nations.

Gospel Truth Today’s goal: - We won’t explain in detail how the central message of the Bible is the Gospel - We will lay a broad foundation for why we should believe in truth and why truth is deeply dependent upon God and the Bible

Cultural Challenges to Gospel Truth Challenge #1: truth without God (secular truth) Challenge #2: rejection of truth (relativism)

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth Psalm 19:1-6: “1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth The Psalmist’s experience: truth finding its home in God Truth #1: Nature is grand Truth #2: God is ultimately glorious Truth #3: God exists

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth Secular (naturalist) objections: truth exists but is not dependent upon God Truth #1: Nature is grand Truth #2: God is ultimately glorious Truth #3: God exists

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth “It's quite literally true that we are star dust, in the highest exalted way one can use that phrase.... I bask in the majesty of the cosmos.” Neil deGrasse Tyson

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth Two problems for the naturalist: Problem #1: How could the universe create itself?

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth For Hawking and Mlodinow, these laws are “…eternal, immutable, transcendent entities that just happen to exist and simply must be taken as given.” Further, Davies says these pre-existing laws and conditions “…have a similar status to an unexplained transcendent God.” Paul Davies

Psalm 19:1-6: Creation, God, an Truth Two problems for the naturalist: Problem #1: How could the universe create itself? Problem #2: Naturalism undermines the truth of nature’s grandeur

Psalm 19:7-11: Morality, God, an Truth Psalm 19:7-11: “7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:7-11: Morality, God, an Truth The Psalmist’s experience: moral truth finding its home in God Truth #1: moral law exists Truth #2: moral law comes from God Truth #3: moral law is good

Psalm 19:7-11: Morality, God, an Truth The relativist’s objection: moral truth does not exist Truth #1: moral law exists Truth #2: moral law comes from God Truth #3: moral law is good

Psalm 19:7-11: Morality, God, an Truth Three problems for the moral relativist Problem #1: moral relativism is not gracious Problem #2: moral relativism is not humble Problem #3: moral relativism is hard to maintain

How good is the news of God’s truth? The truth of God’s existence, creative work, and moral law is is really good news. a. Our deep desire for moral truth is valid and has a foundation. b. Our deep appreciation for wonder, glory, and awe has a home in God and is truly meaningful.

How good is the news of God’s truth? The truth of God’s existence, creative work, and moral law is is really good news. Yet, the Gospel is the best news! Psalm 19:12: “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.”