One of the most troubling trends of 2020 has been the loss of truth in the public sphere. Many people are losing trust in conventional sources of truth (the media, the government, even the church) and turning to a rapidly fragmenting cacophony of voices on social media and the web.
As a leader, it can be discouraging to know that the people you are leading have so many voices vying for their attention and very often telling them half-truths or outright lies. We know that there is power and danger in listening to the wrong voices.
How can we disciple people well so that they are not deceived by conspiracy theories and led astray? What does discipleship have to do with rejecting lies and embracing the truth?
Everything.
In this sermon (which I preached in Nashville on January 10), I look at Luke 9, which contains Jesus’ clearest definition of discipleship (9:23) followed by the clearest manifestation of his divinity on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:29). On the mountain, a voice from heaven makes a declaration that we need to hear in 2021: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
