What Are We Even Doing? | Pastor Zach Fontaine

Non-Negotiables - Part 1 : What Are We Even Doing?

Not all truth carries equal weight

We’re called to know, build on, and defend the core truths of the Christian faith without getting distracted or divided by side issues

 

Point 1: Not All Truth Is Equal

1 Corinthians 15:3–4

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day”

 

Truth

All biblical truth matters, but not all truth is essential to salvation

If you try to carry everything like it’s essential

You’ll crush yourself

You’ll crush others

 

Maturity is knowing what matters most and keeping the Gospel central

 

Point 2: The Non-Negotiables Are the Foundation

 

The Core Non-Negotiables 

 

Jesus is God

John 1:1

Colossians 2:9

He didn’t just speak for God—He was God

He died for our sins

Isaiah 53:5

2 Corinthians 5:21

The cross wasn’t a tragedy. It was a substitution

He rose from the dead

1 Corinthians 15:17

Romans 10:9

No resurrection means no hope

But Jesus did rise

We’re saved by grace through faith

Ephesians 2:8–9

Titus 3:5

Not earned

Not maintained through performance

It’s all Jesus

The Bible is the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16

Psalm 119:105

It’s not outdated

It’s God’s truth revealed and alive

God is Father, Son, and Spirit

Matthew 28:19

John 14:16–17

One God in three Persons

This is the framework of the Gospel

The Father sent

The Son accomplished

The Spirit empowers and seals

 

Why it matters 

If you remove any one of these, Christianity collapses

 

Point 3: Negotiables Shouldn’t Divide You

Romans 14:1

“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters”

 

Examples of negotiables

- Worship styles

- End times timelines

- Bible translations

- Tattoos, clothing, holidays

- Drinking alcohol

 

These may shape how you live, but they shouldn’t decide who you walk with in the faith

 

Titus 3:9

“Avoid foolish controversies… they are unprofitable and useless”

 

Not everything is essential

Some things are open-handed

We can still love Jesus and see things differently

 

 

Reflection Questions

Have I made secondary issues more important than the Gospel?

Do I know what I believe about the core truths and why I believe them?

Do I treat others with grace on disputable matters or try to win every argument?