EMET vs. Sheker ~ Truth vs. LiesOr ~The Lifestyle of Success vs. FailureFamily Worship Center, February 2, 2014Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhDIn 2014 God is calling you to reap the rewards of faithfulness!

Intro: Today we are back in Hebrew school! Remember, we serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We revere the Hebrew Old Testament as the revealed Word and will or God. Our salvation is in the Jewish Messiah.

Part One: Review of Faithful and TrueI. Revelation 19:11 To understand this last book of the Bible we need to see the

first book of the Bible.II. In Hebrew the concepts of faithfulness and truth are inseparable.III. If you are going to be faithful you need to know what is true.

Part Two: Review The Faithful Truth - EMET 1 I. In the Hebrew/Christian word for “Truth” God is the center

and not man (meaning you). II. EMET is the Hebrew word for truth and faithful.III. To live a Faithful and True life in 2014 and beyond…

A. We must accept that God alone determines what is true.B. Christ must be the center of our lives.C. We must be committed to reading His Word the Bible and apply it in our lives.

Part Three: Emet Vs. ShekerI. Sheker- שקר, Hebrew word for “falsehood.”II. Shin - Kuf – Reish שקר

A. Three consecutive letters that have us seeing only what is around us. What can seem true in our close culture and daily life is only a narrow view.

B. In contrast, EMET sees beginning middle and end. So, only God can authorize what is true.

1 Based on and including extensively quoted materials from http://havdalahdrasha.org/page_emet.html

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I. Shin שA. .Shin does NOT balance on baseline- not stable ש B. Like a child’s top- spins until it falls.C. Expression – spinning a yarn.D. In Hebrew the meaning of the letter ש Shin forms a “flame” and represents past,

present and future.E. When you start with a lie you are placing your relationship, work and integrity

in a spin that will eventually tumble and BURN.F. Lies will destroy the good of your past, burn your present and steal your future.

II. Kuf ק A. ”.Kuf extends below baseline… and is “unstable ק B. In Hebrew the bottom of the letters represent earth and the top represents

heaven. ק Kuf demonstrates how impurity sucks the life out of everything.C. When you live a lie you suck the life out of your relationships, your existence

and your very being.D. Kuf is sometimes called “the eye of the needle, and shows our need for ק

redemption from the things of the world.III. Reish ר

A. .Reish is also unstable with no supporting stroke רB. In Hebrew ר Reish represents poverty in this world and appears like a bent

over head.C. .Reish shows us the end of a lie is poverty ר

1. You will reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7-9.2. God wants to reap the rewards of faithfulness so you must cast off all

dishonesty.IV. The devil is the father of lies – John 8:44.V. Truth and Faithful vs. Lies and Instability.

A. Instability reveals sheker.B. Spinning, Living, Reaping lies.C. REPENT! Eph. 4:14,15.

Today’s Commitment CardI commit to recognizing God alone has the authority to determine truth and He reveals it to us in His Word the Holy Bible.I commit myself to faithfully reading God’s Word in 2014.I commit myself to being a person of faithfulness and truth.

Discussion Items and Questions for Home and Small Group1. In your own words, how are lies and instability inseparably linked together?2. How does dishonesty destroy relationships?3. What would be different in your life if you were 100% truthful and faithful?4. Pray for each other to be faithful and true.

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