1. HOW CAN YOU RECOGNIZE THE TRUTH?

2. I John 3:23-24 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

3. I John 4:1-3 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4. I John 4:4-6 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

5. Who is right? Who is wrong? Can I really know?

6. I. The Truth will be Expressed by the Right Confession. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. - 4:2-3

7. A. Putting into words what you believe about Jesus is called “The Good Confession”. I. The Truth will be Expressed by the Right Confession

8. A. Putting into words what you believe about Jesus is called “The Good Confession”. The House Built Upon the Rock & the Sand (Matthew 7:24-27) I. The Truth will be Expressed by the Right Confession

9. B. What are the Good Confessions found in the Bible? II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

10. B. What are the Good Confessions found in the Bible? 1. The classic confession is Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

11. Matthew 16:13-16 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

12. Matthew 16:13-16 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 4:29 - Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

13. Matthew 16:13-16 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 11:27 - I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

14. Matthew 16:13-16 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 1:49 - Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

15. Matthew 16:13-16 - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Acts 8:37 - I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

16. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

17. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Romans 10:9-10 - If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

18. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

19. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” a. This is important because many think Jesus was just a good man. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

20. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” b. But - Jesus was deity - God in flesh! II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

21. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 1:1 & 14 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

22. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 1:1 & 14 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only. John 10:30 - I and the Father are one. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

23. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 14:8-9 - Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

24. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Colossians 2:9 - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form... II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

25. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Colossians 2:9 - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form... Romans 9:5 - Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

26. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Colossians 2:9 - For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form... Romans 9:5 - Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised. John 8:58 - “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

27. 2. Thomas’ confession - My Lord & my God! John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Matthew 1:23 - The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means, “God with us.” II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

28. 3. The confession here - Jesus has come in the flesh. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. - 4:2-3 II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

29. 3. The confession here - Jesus has come in the flesh. a. This is important because as God in flesh He is more than just God with skin on! II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

30. 3. The confession here - Jesus has come in the flesh. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. b. Has come (perfect tense) - Jesus was a human being, an historical fact. II. When Should Your Conscience Not Be Your Guide?

31. I. The Truth will be Expressed by the Right Confession. II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit. - 3:24; 4:1, 4-5

32. A. The Holy Spirit has been given to you. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. - 3:24 II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

33. A. The Holy Spirit has been given to you. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. - 3:24 Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

34. B. The Holy Spirit can be tested. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. - 4:1-3 II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

35. B. The Holy Spirit can be tested. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. - 4:1-3 II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

36. B. The Holy Spirit can be tested. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. - 4:1-3 II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

37. C. The Holy Spirit is greater than the spirits in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. - 4:4 II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit.

38. I. The Truth will be Expressed by the Right Confession. II. The Truth will be Empowered by the Right Spirit. III. The Truth will be Obtained from the Right Source. - 4:6

39. A. Listens to us is the message proclaimed by Paul & the other apostles. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. - 4:6 III. The Truth will be Obtained from the Right Source.

40. B. It’s the gospel of the Bible that makes you a child of God! III. The Truth will be Obtained from the Right Source.

41. B. It’s the gospel of the Bible that makes you a child of God! Romans 10:17 - Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. III. The Truth will be Obtained from the Right Source.

42. B. It’s the gospel of the Bible that makes you a child of God! Romans 10:17 - Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. John 14:6 - I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. III. The Truth will be Obtained from the Right Source.

43. Confused about who’s right? Who’s wrong? Recognize truth only when it comes From the right confession From the right Spirit From the right source!