Truth Can Not, Will Not Move
The sermon emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's truth and the importance of aligning our lives with it rather than challenging it.
Shane Idleman emphasizes the unchanging nature of truth, likening it to a lighthouse that steadfastly guides us, regardless of our attempts to alter it. He shares a powerful analogy of a battleship that arrogantly demands a lighthouse to change its course, only to be reminded that the lighthouse represents an unwavering truth that cannot be moved. Idleman warns against the pride and arrogance of humanity in trying to dictate terms to God, urging listeners to recognize the danger of ignoring divine guidance. The sermon serves as a reminder that God's truth stands firm, offering hope and direction amidst the chaos of changing societal norms.
Full Transcript
The truth stands still, it's like that beacon, that lighthouse, you know that story I love to tell? I'm tempted to tell it again, but I'm not going to. It's like that lighthouse, standing there off, just directing us. Okay, I'm going to tell it for those who haven't heard it, because one of the rules of pastoring is don't tell a story too much.
But this one is good, it's a hope I can remember now, it's of a battleship, a huge battleship and they're up, I think up in the Pacific by Alaska, and they're doing what's called deep water exercises. They're out in this deep water of the Pacific up there, and they see a light coming, and they signal to that light, change your course 20 degrees. And the light signals back, no, you change your signal 20 degrees, or your course.
And the battleship said, wait a minute, no, we're calling the shots. So the battleship signals back, I'm the highest ranking officer in the United States Navy, change your course immediately. And the light in the distance signal back, you know, they see these two vessels coming each other, you know, who's going to move? So this light signals back, no, you move 20 degrees.
What? Who is this guy? Who is this guy challenging my authority? Who is this person? So he signals back final signal, if you do not move, I will blow you out of the water. I'm a battleship. And the signal came back and said, Captain, with all due respect, change your course immediately.
I am a lighthouse. But don't you see the parallels? Don't you see the parallels? We get up and we mock God, God, you change course, you change. We can change genders, we can change this, we can change everything.
God, you change. And God says, no, I can't change. You're going to run into the ground and the shore and you're going to kill yourself.
You're going to die in judgment. I stand as a lighthouse, a beacon of hope, a beacon of righteousness, pointing people to avoid the rocks beneath. I cannot move.
But in our arrogance, in our pride, we say, yes, you can. Yes, you will. And God says, no, I won't.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the concept of truth as a constant
- The lighthouse analogy and its significance
- The importance of recognizing authority
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II
- The story of the battleship and the lighthouse
- Understanding the consequences of ignoring truth
- The arrogance of humanity in challenging God
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III
- God's unchanging nature
- The dangers of societal changes against God's truth
- The call to align with God's truth
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IV
- The role of truth in guiding lives
- The hope found in adhering to God's principles
- Conclusion and call to action
Key Quotes
“The truth stands still, it's like that beacon, that lighthouse.” — Shane Idleman
“I am a lighthouse.” — Shane Idleman
“God says, no, I can't change.” — Shane Idleman
Application Points
- Recognize that God's truth is a guiding light in our lives.
- Avoid the arrogance of challenging God's authority and instead embrace His unchanging principles.
- Reflect on how societal changes may conflict with God's truth and seek to align your life accordingly.