Great Plains Region Briefing

“For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:11-12).

“What is truth?”

We might think that this is a question for philosophers; but nowadays, we can scarcely imagine a more important question than this. Once we worried that our neighbors didn’t believe THE truth; now many don’t believe in truth at all.

When Christians speak about the truth, they often (rightly) speak of truth being uniquely revealed and recorded in sacred Scripture. But what shall we say to those who sincerely inquire: “Why do you believe that the Bible is true? Why do you believe that it’s the Word of God?” Sometimes Christians reply merely, “I believe it, that’s all.” Unfortunately, that answer won’t satisfy the skeptical at all.

Chemists use litmus paper to indicate the presence of acids or bases in solution. Acids turn blue litmus paper red; bases turn red litmus paper blue. I would like us to consider whether there’s a litmus test for truth. What test can we apply to determine whether a message is truly from God? Let me suggest some important questions we might ask.

First, does it claim a divine origin? The Bible throughout claims to be the Word of God, a revelation from God to man. Because it originates in God, and is delivered by God, we can trust it as fully reliable.

Second, does it produce a transformed life? Truth is a potent force, not merely informing us but transforming us. Paul exhorts us in Rom. 12:2. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

Third, are its human authors reliable? Anyone can claim to speak for God. Moses did. Paul did. But so does every false prophet. How are we to sort through these competing claims?

We can begin by examining the quality of their lives. Is the moral dimension of their life consistent with their claim to speak for God? Moses and Paul were not simply great teachers; they were exemplars of unimpeachable integrity.

We can also examine the nature of their teaching. Is it free from inaccuracy and contradiction? The writings of the founders of false religions are riddled with errors and absurdities. But God’s prophets never err. We read in Deut. 18:21-22: “And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’—when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”

Fourth, is its message historically verifiable? One of the characteristics that distinguishes the Bible from other works that claim to be divine is that the Bible is firmly rooted in history.

In the past it was fashionable—at least in some circles—to dismiss the Old Testament as myth. Many scholars doubted, for instance, the biblical account of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, because outside the Bible they could find no record of the Assyrian Empire. This changed dramatically in the 19th century when Sir Austen Henry Layard discovered and excavated the great capital city of Nineveh. If a message is truly from God, it ought to be historically verifiable.

Fifth, is the message consistent with other revealed truth? God never contradicts himself. Consider the New Testament. Though it provides much new information about God and his dealings with humankind, it does so in a way fully consistent with the Old Testament. New Testament teaching does not contradict Old Testament teaching, it complements it.

We ought to distrust theological novelty—new and improved versions of the truth. God never corrects himself. If the Bible is the Word of God, the Koran and the Book of Mormon (for example) can’t be, since their messages and the message of the Bible fundamentally disagree.

Finally, does the Holy Spirit confirm its truth? You might remember that after Jesus explained to the two disciples he met on the road to Emmaus what the Scriptures taught about him they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). John Calvin described this as the “testimony of the Spirit” (Institutes Book 1, chapter 7, sect. 4). It is the inward persuasion that we are hearing the truth of God.

Can we confidently embrace the Bible as the Word of God? Does it pass the truth test? It does. It claims to be of divine origin. It produces a transformed life. It was delivered by reliable messengers. Its truth is historically verifiable. It gives a consistent record of God's character and deeds. And the Holy Spirit provides confirmation of its truth.

Let’s commit ourselves, then, to the Bible as the Word of God Written—reading it, hearing it regularly preached by others, preaching and teaching it ourselves, and taking it as the authority for all we do and believe.

- Pastor Andy

Family Camp registration is open now through July 20.

We are excited to have Dr. Hubert Harriman coming in to share each evening. His teaching will focus on discovering God in today's world. Andy Petro will teach each morning. We're also happy to have Jeremy and Mindie Tice coming in to share with the youth and as our missionary focus. Various worship teams from around the Region will be leading worship throughout the week.

It looks to be an excellent time of teaching mixed with great fellowship and fun activities. We hope you'll consider joining us!

Registration is now open!

While the main event will take place in Fort Wayne if the trip to Indiana doesn't work for you there are other ways to participate. Harvest Fellowship in Shambaugh, IA will serve as a remote site for the Great Plains Region and there is an option to join by Zoom. Please consider how you can participate in this Conference.

2024 SPEAKER: Dr. Bob Bakke

A graduate of Taylor University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bob spent 14 years serving Connecticut and New Jersey churches, 12 years as an Executive Director of the Evangelical Free Church of America (promoting prayer and spiritual awakening), before assuming leadership of Hillside Church. He is an historian, a published author, and a producer of national simulcasts. Over the course of nearly 25 years, Bob produced The Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer; on the evening of the National Day of Prayer, as well as the Global Day of Prayer, a movement he helped found.

Hope Missionary Church-Clatonia, NE

Clatonia is currently looking for a co-vocational pastor to lead a restart/revitalization of a recently adopted UMC congregation. To visit their website go here.

Applications can be send to Andy Petro.

Northwind Church, Keewatin, MN

Northwind Church is looking for a Lead Pastor/Bi-vocational of a three year old church plant in Northern MN. To visit their website go here.

Please send resume to Tim Maki.

In the coming weeks please pray specifically for South Dakota.

• VBS at Freeman Missionary Church-August 1 & 2
• Leadership would continue to be strengthened and new leadership would be developed.
• Disciple-making communities would be strengthened and new communities would develop.
• Churches would be strengthened and new churches would develop.

1. Pastoral Cohorts would form and deeper connections would be made.

2. Complete the adoption of incoming churches.

3. The development and implementation of an internship program to develop young leaders.

4. Pray for disciples to be made and disciple-making communities & churches to be formed in North Dakota.

JULY PRAYER FOCUS — LIVING AS DISCIPLES IN A SECULAR WORLD
PERSONAL REFLECTION — PRAY FOR LEADERS: “Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

• In this season of pollical strife, could the church be found interceding rather than criticizing or condemning?
• In this time of political rancor, could the church be a place where Christ is honored and given greater attention than politicians?
• In this season of political uncertainty, could the focus of our prayers be that we lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence?
• Pray that the church will shine bright in this confused and dark world so that the world might see Jesus.

*We want to join you in prayers of rejoicing and need. Please send any requests to greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com or text +1-844-463-7808 to have items included here.

Email: greatplainsregion.mc@gmail.com
Website: greatplainsregion.org
Phone: (402) 840-5056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-District-of-the-Missionary-Church-152079684836953