Half Truths
Jan 15 - Feb 19, 2017
"Time Heals All Wounds"
February 19, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
We live in a world where perception is reality. Too often half-truths are engrained in our heads from the day we start school to the day we graduate from life. For example, many of us have heard it said, “Time heals all wounds.” But the truth is, time does not heal all wounds. Only God can do that. If we do not cleanse our wounds of hurt and toxins, these wounds will in time become infectious. Followers-of-Christ must know what God says in His Word, learn to recognize these half-truths, and begin aligning our lives with eternal truth—not the empty philosophies of this fallen world.
“It’s My Body and I’ll Do What I Want”
February 12, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
Although challenging, living a life of moral excellence is possible through the power of the risen Christ. God has made us holy by the work of His Holy Spirit and so He calls us to be holy people. Of course, being holy does not mean we carry a “better- than-thou” atttude—quite the opposite. Being holy means we surrender all to our Lord, choosing daily to lay down every trapping of this fallen world. Paul says, “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? ... Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 11).
"I'm Basically a Good Person"
February 5, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
Have you ever felt underdressed? Perhaps you didn’t get the memo or simply misunderstood that it was formal and you thought it was casual. There was a memorable line from George Goble years ago on the Tonight Show where he said, “Have you ever felt like the rest of the world was wearing a black tuxedo and you were wearing brown shoes?” There have been times we all have felt a little out of place—that in some way, we do not measure up.
"We All Worship the Same God"
January 29, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
We live in a divided, self-centered world. Often in an attempt to be tolerant and politically correct, part of us wants to imagine all peoples of the world worshiping the same God. The only problem with this picture is that it is a lie. The truth is, this world worships many gods. Even professing Christians can drift from the truth and fall into the trap of worshiping their own piety, good works, and achievements. It is no wonder the first commandment God gave Moses dealt with the ever- wandering heart of man (humanity) and our tendency to worship ourselves. God reminds His people, “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me” (see Exodus 20:1-3). Why then do we still believe we can rescue ourselves?
"We are all Children of God"
January 22, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
In a world that yearns for peace, we often hear the phrase, “But we are all children of God...” when in fact, the Bible says all are not. Indeed, human- kind was created in the very image of God. But God’s Word is clear: “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Our way is a path that leads to eternal separation from the Father. Apart from God’s way, there is no peace, no Shalom with the Father.
"I'm Not Prejudice"
January 15, 2017 • Dr Charles Kyker
We don’t want to admit it, but we all struggle with prejudice. Many different things can cause us to “prejudge” another person – that unsubstantiated notion sent to our brain, forming an unjust judgment about someone even before know them. Pride, envy, jealousy, and feelings of inferiority can all lead to prejudice. Sadly, acting upon our prejudice not only leads to anger but diverts us from God’s bigger purpose for us and others. Walls of anger, bitterness, and envy caused by prejudice can even be found among family, as our scripture today reveals.