The Living Truth Fellowship

The Independence of Truth

The Bible states that we have the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, which are universal concepts that apply to all of humanity, not just Christianity (1 John 4:5). The world’s viewpoint is that man is able to subsist apart from God, which is the great lie and a temptation for those who do not know Christ. 

In this teaching John Touchstone shares the three principles of truth which are universal realities. Each person has the right and the responsibility to hold on to their freedoms, while pursuing the truth where it leads them. Just as the man who stood as independent from all others when it came to the truth – Jesus Christ. 

God’s Matchless Grace

Grace is defined in Scripture as God’s unmerited favor. It’s due to his goodness that God bestows this favor, along with its concomitant, Mercy, upon mankind. However, to understand these attributes in their deeper significance, the student of Scripture must first understand God’s judgment.

This teaching is about two men – Adam and Jesus Christ. It was through the God’s judgment of the one man, Adam, that sin and death found their way into this world and passed upon every human, estranging him from his God. Thankfully, however, it is through the blessed Grace of the other, Jesus Christ, that we find life and peace with God.

Join us for this engaging topic of God’s Word.

Exercising Our Authority in Christ

The key word in this inspiring teaching is “authority,” which is the Greek, exousia. It means, “the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)”.

As you probably know, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing. When he sent out the 70 disciples, he said: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. They believed him, and did the same works he did. When he interrupted Saul on the road to Damascus, the Lord said: “I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God.”

Jesus never prayed that a demon would come out, nor are we are told to do so. Ditto for sickness. He simply exercised the authority God had given him to deal with it. Romans and Ephesians tell us that you and I died with Christ, were buried with him, raised with him, and then seated with him. We now sit in a position of authority IN CHRIST. The question is: Will we choose to use that authority?

Light and Darkness

The power of God is light and the power of Satan is darkness. This is the way in which the servant of God must discern things. Since God is light (1 John 1:5), it is God alone who defines what light is, just as Satan shows us what the opposite of light is – darkness.

This truth provides in God’s Word the deeper understanding for the spiritually antithetical relationship that exists between God’s light, which represents holiness and goodness and awakening and clarity, and Satan’s darkness, which connotes fear and despair and wickedness and blindness. In this ensuing struggle, darkness eclipses the light, while the light in turn dispels the darkness. 

In this teaching Jon Touchstone explains how God makes the distinction between light and darkness. Showing how Jesus became the light of the world, and those that follow after him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Pentecost: E Unum Pluribus

You may recognize the Latin words, E Pluribus Unum, which are the traditional motto of our United States of America. They mean, “Out of many, One.” As you know, Jesus Christ changed A LOT of things, and on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the newly appointed Lord reversed the last two words and made his motto, “From ONE, Many.” From one Promised Seed came many fruit, both that which he knew from prophecy (Israel), and that which was a Secret until God told him after his Resurrection. That second “many” became One (Body). John’s exciting teaching features the word “seed,” and will both enlighten and inspire you.
 
The magnitude of what happened on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 is still reverberating around the globe. Think about how Jesus’ disciples went from being so terrified that they hid from the Jews, to being so bold in proclaiming the Resurrection truth that it cost them their lives, and set in motion 2000 years of deliverance for millions of people. Each of us has the same gift they received that day, and we too can walk in that holy spirit power.

What The Bible Says About Hypocrisy

There is one trait that is constant to the human species: it’s hypocrisy. What we intend and what we actually do aren’t always the same. 

In this informative teaching, Jon Touchstone takes a look at what God’s Word says about hypocrisy, and how we can combat moral defect through lives built upon simplicity and integrity.

The Importance of Faithfulness

Faithfulness is one of those defining virtues in the character of any man or woman that’s required for success in virtually every category of life. It’s the faithful spouse who stays true to the marriage when tempted to do otherwise; it’s the faithful parent who nurtures and admonishes his or her children through the challenges of child-rearing; and it’s the faithful servant whose walk pleases the Lord’s heart.

As Proverbs 3:4 tells us, it’s by faithfulness we find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.  The Christian is instructed through faithful examples of our God and our Lord. We are reminded of God’s faithfulness every time we hear the promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” or his son’s when we consider how he endured the cross and despised the shame.

We know you will be truly blessed by this provocative and affirming teaching on Faithfulness.

Collision Of World Views

In today’s world, the Christian is confronted with a variety of points of view. From the social doctrine of humanist Christianity, to the promises of the prosperity doctrine, to the recent political ideologies of the Social Justice and Black Lives Matter movements, our churches often find themselves as the center of these conflicts.

There is a collision of worldviews occurring in the pews of our churches, unnoticed in many cases, and more than ever fault lines of difference are appearing. What does the Bible say about the Christian witness in these modern times? What does Jesus have to say? In this very frank teaching Jon Touchstone lays out some stark contrasts between biblical and worldly points of view.

The “Smiley Face” of God

On Easter, Christendom celebrates the joyous Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The contrast between death and life cannot be more pronounced. Death elicits faces twisted in grief, and weeping, while the birth of a new life brings radiant countenances, and laughter.

The face is an essential element of every human relationship. Even God, to make himself known by men, had to reveal His “face” by way of His Son, Jesus Christ. He was his Father’s “genetic lookalike” because he flawlessly internalized the heart of God as found in His written Word and was thus the perfect image (face) of our Father.

What’s in a face? Each person’s rubbery kaleidoscope reveals a wide range of emotions – and the best thing about anyone’s face is his smile! The state into which mostly masked humanity has fallen during the Covid-19 furor has systematically “defaced” and dehumanized people and diluted the quality of countless relationships.

The Perpetual Victim

Our modern Western culture has embraced so many of the debilitating ideologies of victimhood. It’s taught to our children in schools and mandated in our business and cultural policy. What is the servant of God to do? It’s been said that “Suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional.” Each of us daily must face this choice – to either acquiesce to the circumstances and assume the role of the victim, or to draw strength and resolve from our limitless heavenly Father and push on through until we overcome. It’s always our choice.
 
Join Jon Touchstone in investigating this culturally-prevalent notion of Victimhood to understand why we must, as God’s children, reject these harmful ideologies.

A Journey Through Philippians

Last month, John taught on one of the other two reproof epistles, The Heart of 2 Corinthians. He is following up with Philippians, another such epistle that corrects the behavioral deviation from a doctrinal epistle (Ephesians). Short and sweet, it is a remarkable letter that is LOADED with heart and pathos. If you first read Acts 16, the scintillating account of how Paul became so bonded with the believers at Philippi, his ensuing words to them will even more deeply touch your heart.

Surprisingly, the underlying theme of this reproof epistle is JOY and REJOICING. If greater intimacy with the Lord Jesus, more humility, and less focus on yourself are your goals, understanding Philippians will definitely enhance and empower your spiritual walk.

Unforgiveness

Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of unforgiveness. It is a spiritually crippling affliction that impedes the life of the Christian. Past wrongs, hurts and injustices enslave and deprive a person of the blessings that they would otherwise enjoy. Far from being optional, forgiveness is a must for the person who desires a healthy spiritual life.

A Caution To The Church

God has given us everything a Christian needs for a godly life. He does this through the knowledge of Him and His Son which we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything that we need. And yet today, just as in the early church, we find those who would pervert this Gospel and nullify its message of salvation.

This teaching explores the very real threat faced by the Church from these worldly ideologies, and the importance of staying vigilant against their influence.

The Heart of Second Corinthians

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is a heartfelt, comforting, and inspiring section of Scripture. It was likely written about 4-6 months after 1 Corinthians. The believers there had gone way off track in many categories of God’s exhortation to them as set forth in Romans, and even though it was painful for him to do, Paul reproved them over and over throughout his first epistle. Given that they took heed to his reproof (the correction of practical/behavioral error), his second letter is filled with heart and love and anticipation of seeing them again and enjoying sweet fellowship with them. It also points them to the glorious HOPE of Christ’s coming back for them and him. 

Compassion

Compassion is an essential part of God's character, and mankind is the object of that compassion. In Isaiah 49:15, God tells us that, even though there exists a remote possibility that a compassionate mother would forget her dear child, God will never forget us. This same compassion was highlight of Jesus's earthy ministry. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone takes an in-depth look at compassion with all of its wonderful aspects that will help you to grow in compassion toward others.

The Wicked and The Righteous

The terms wickedness and righteousness are generally left out of public conversation, because these words indicate that there is actually a spiritual realm that many would like to ignore. In this timely teaching by Jon Touchstone we see that God does not ignore this subject and has much to say, often with a harsh emphasis, toward the wicked, as well as the wonderful blessings He extends to the Righteous. 

Looking in the Mirror of God’s Word

Welcome 2021, which we are praying is much different from 2020. In the face of an unprecedented tidal wave of evil sweeping over us all, how then shall we live? Each minute of each hour of each day that passes is gone forever. So are the “kairos moments” (opportunities—Gal. 6:9,10) that came with them. In “such a time as this,” we can step up and sprint to the tape, so to speak, and find out what we are made of.


The fabulous record of Gideon (Judges 6/7), a weak man whom God made strong, is the centerpiece of John Lynn's presentation. It is scintillating account of
 God patiently working with a frail human being like us, to the end that he pulled off a noble and heroic deed, to say the least.

As per the title of this teaching, we will look at 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, which shows us that by focusing on our Lord Jesus, we become confident of who we are in Christ, what we can do because of who we are, and how to reflect the glory of our Lord. John will show that the three brief prayers in the Church (Ekklesia) Epistles give us God’s vision of us, which we can make our own.

Christian Morality or False Morality

What is the basis of Christian morality and why is it important?  Many think if what they do doesn't hurt others, it's okay. Some say racial equality is good and then equate it with sinful, behaviors. Jon Touchstone shows what the difference is between Christian morality and the false morality of the age, how it affects our relationships with others, ourselves and with our God.

God’s Forgiveness

Is God a forgiving God? A question that is often considered today. People think there are limits to God’s forgiveness. Hebrews 10:26 can cause doudt. Throughout the Bible we read about God’s compassionate forgiveness, however this verse seems to indicate a limit to His forgiveness. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone takes a closer look at Hebrews in light of many other verses about God’s forgiveness to help us understand how this verse fits in with the rest of the Bible.

The Answer to 2020: Pursue the Lord, NOT Your Calling!

2020 may go down in history as the most tumultuous year in our lifetime, especially for the USA and other Western societies. This upheaval has left many asking, “What can I do?” or “What should I do?” Given that none of this caught the Lord Jesus or our Father off guard, what better way to prepare our lives for what is ahead than to place our complete trust in them by deepening our relationship with them?


Have you ever heard the idea that once a Christian finds his “place” or “gift” or “calling,” life flows with fulfillment and joy? If so, you may have heard phrases like, “Once you discover your true identity and purpose, you will go to bed dreaming about it and awaken with enthusiasm to pursue it.” Numerous books and seminars offer to help believers discover what they were “meant” to be. I know, because I’ve read and tried many of them on for myself. But such pursuits usually left me looking more deeply into myself for answers, rather than looking at the Lord.


In this teaching, Gary Lee Corns will endeavor to reorient us to certain rock-solid truths found in the Bible. First, to seek to know God. Second, to commit ourselves to following Him. Third, to remain “available” to do whatever He asks. As it turns out, living this way is sure to bring us peace and courage as we move forward into 2021.