Truth (Sermon)

T R U T H Introduction: We trust you are here for the purpose of worshipping God, which involves learning truths from the Bible, so that you might know what you must do to get and stay in God’s graces in order that you might live eternally. The subject for discussion is TRUTH. This is a broad subject, – one that would require a series of lessons to do it justice. No doubt a whole sermon could be prepared on some of the main points of this lesson: The main points: The meaning of truth, to include “what truth is not.” The importance of truth. Sayings about truth. Scriptures that relate to truth. Scriptures that reveal truth’s attributes. “Buy the truth and sell it not”. Truth may feel good, or it may HURT. Why truth hurts? How to obtain truth. Truth saves, but it must be obeyed. . The source of truth never changes. I. MEANING OF TRUTH (What it is and What it is Not) What truth is: …Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” but it seemed that he was just being facetious and did not really want to know the answer. Here are some definitions I found: The Greek word for “truth” is aletheia = to “un-hide” or “hiding nothing.” Truth is always there, always open, and available for all to see, with nothing being hidden or obscured. Truth is simply telling it like it is; it is the way things really are, and any other viewpoint is wrong. Truth means the actual state of a matter, an adherence to reality, or an indisputable fact. Truth has several other senses as a noun. The truth refers to the version of reality in which we exist. Putting it more simply, if you are “telling the truth,” you are describing the world as it actually is and not living in a fantasy world or making things up or believing or telling lies. If someone is perceived to be telling the truth it might be said that his statement is accurate, correct, right or factual. “Truth is a comprehensive term that in all of its nuances implies accuracy and honesty.” “Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality.” In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences. Truth is usually held to be the opposite of falsehood. The concept of truth is discussed and debated in various contexts, including philosophy, art, theology, science, and politics. Truth is always absolute rather than relative to one's perspective. There are established criteria that allows us to identify truth and to distinguish it from falsehood. The means we use to find truth is called Hermeneutics. Truth plays a role in constituting knowledge. What truth is not: Truth is not simply whatever works – an “ends v. means” philosophy. Truth is not simply what is believable or understandable. A conspiracy theory, agreed upon by a group of people who tell the same false story, does not make their presentation true. Truth is not what the majority says is true. One hundred percent of a group can reach a wrong conclusion. Truth is not defined by what is intended. Good intentions can still be wrong. Truth is not simply what is believed, or what your church teaches. A lie believed is still a lie. II. IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH The word “truth” is used 237 times in the KJV, which gives an indication of its importance. Would it not be safe to say that there is nothing in the world that is more important than truth? Everyone hates bondage, but we all want and love freedom, which comes from knowing and obeying the truth found in the Word of God. You have probably heard the old fable about the six blind men who came upon an elephant. One took hold of the elephant’s tail and declared with certainty that the elephant was like a rope. Another blind man felt the elephant’s great side and said it was like a wall. Another felt the ear and said the elephant was like a fan. Yet another felt the tusk and said it was like a spear. a. On it goes, but you get the idea. b. The story is told to demonstrate the idea of pluralism — to show that no one really understands reality or has a corner on the truth, and that we should therefore be open and tolerant of all ideas. But there are two problems with this story. 1) The first is that all the men are blind, and the assumption is that we are ALL blind, when the truth is that some people love truth, want to see, to find it, and uphold it. 2) The second problem with the story is that ALL the men were wrong, and that the elephant really existed and was truly an elephant. 3) So, we might say that God is the obvious elephant in the room that everyone has agreed not to see or talk about, especially with any certainty. In John 8:31, we see where Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Only the truth can make men free. a. Error will only further enslave but the truth makes men free! b. There is no substitute for truth-it can be replaced only with error. Jesus presented a parable that shows us truth is worth selling all for. Matt 13:44-46 - “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” 3. Truth is so important God established an institution to TELL IT and to be responsible for being its support. 1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Eph 3:9-11 ASV And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 4. The church bears the responsibility of: a. holding up the truth, b. standing firm on the truth and c. teaching it to others. The importance of seeking truth, learning it, standing for it and teaching it to others could not be overemphasized. III. SAYINGS ABOUT TRUTH: “All the durable truths that have come into the world within historic times have been opposed as bitterly as if they were so many waves of smallpox.”—H. L. Mencken “As with the pursuit of happiness, the pursuit of truth is itself gratifying whereas the consummation often turns out to be elusive.” —Richard Hofstadter “Pure truth, like pure gold, has been found unfit for circulation, because men have discovered that it is far more convenient to adulterate the truth than to refine themselves.” —Charles Caleb Colton “The truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch…you may kick it about all day, like a football, and it will be round and full at evening.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. “Truth is like a torch, the more it is shook, the more it shines.” —Sir William Hamilton IV. SCRIPTURES THAT RELATE TO TRUTH Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Psalms 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. V. SCRIPTURES THAT TELL US OF TRUTH’S ATTRIBUTES: Truth is to be desired. Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Truth sanctifies: John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Truth is something that can be obeyed. Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,…” Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Truth can cause someone to become your enemy. Gal. 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (they evidently were treating him like an enemy…) Truth is the opposite of a lie. Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Failing to believe the truth can cause one to be damned. 2 Thes. 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Truth must be rightly divided (handled aright, KJV). 2 Tim. 2:15 (RV) Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. Truth is something that one can “walk in.” 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Truth contrasts with light and lies contrast with darkness. 1 John 1:6-7 - If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Truth is something one can resist. 2 Tim. 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Truth is something one can turn from. Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Truth is something that one can BUY. “Buy the truth and sell it not.” Prov. 23:3 Truth is something one can SELL. (above) One who seeks truth demonstrates that he is noble. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. What were they searching for? TRUTH, which Paul calls a noble endeavor. Failure to love the truth can result in one’s being DELUDED and believing a lie. 2 Thes 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. VI. “BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT” (Prov. 23:3) Knowing the truth is not the same as buying the truth. When one finds truth, he will not lay hold on it or obtain it unless he is willing to pay the price. Jesus spoke of people whose eyes were shut to the truth. Matt. 13:15 “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their] eyes and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” The reasons for not receiving the truth (buying it) might be: tradition, it might be money, or popularity related. For whatever reason, it is rejected because of the price that must be paid to receive it. Indeed, the price is often too high for some. a. This was the case with Demetrius, a silversmith, and the mob that he was able to persuade to his way of thinking. Act 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. b. Demetrius knew the truth, but he not only rejected it, because it would hurt him financially, but he also set out to cause others to reject it. Anyone can LEARN the truth, but this does not mean the person bought it. a. Many preachers have learned truth on some issue but refuse to tell it, for whatever reason. b. Hopefully, everyone here prefers to have the truth on all things, no matter what, and is willing to tell it. “Buy the truth and sell it not” is a passage that teaches us that truth is so important we should be willing to pay any price to obtain it and refuse to sell it for any price. Unfortunately, that is not the case with everyone-even among God’s people. Regarding Israel Isaiah wrote: Isa 30:9-11 (CEV) They have turned against the LORD and can't be trusted. They have refused his teaching and have said to his messengers and prophets: Don't tell us what God has shown you and don't preach the truth. Just say what we want to hear, even if it's false. Stop telling us what God has said! We don't want to hear any more about the holy God of Israel. Paul spoke of… 1 Tim. 6:5 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” People who reject truth do not reject ALL truth. a. They reject the truths they do not like but receive as truth the things they like, or want to be truth. b. That is not the way truth works - truth is truth regardless of whether we like it or not. VII. TRUTH MAY FEEL GOOD, OR IT MAY HURT We all love truth that makes us feel good. One might learn he has won the lottery… One might learn that he has been selected for a position he has been longing for. One might be told his potentially deadly disease is no more, etc. Some truth may feel good, but people often HATE truth that HURTS. Truth may hurt, temporarily, and the fear of the pain it inflicts may be greater than the love for truth on some subject, issue, or matter. But wise people receive the truth and deal with it appropriately. Example: If tests indicate that I have a serious disease that requires immediate action, I am not going to reject the truth because I have always been well and want to continue being well. Things change. We change. We must deal with change based on what is truth. We must face reality (life’s challenges) and respond wisely. Our greatest concern should be to please God by walking in truth. 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. If we are blessed with someone who genuinely loves us enough to speak the truth to us, even when the truth hurts (both telling it and hearing it), we should feel blessed. We should hear the rebuke of a friend, and God forbid that we should turn and attack him instead of hearing and benefiting. A man asks his boss why he did not get a raise as others in the company did. The boss replies, “Are you just complaining, or do you really want an answer to that?” Employees that want to excel seek truth – not just in their field, but about themselves. 1) They want to know how they can improve; they want to know what they need to do, or stop doing, to be more effective. They may need someone to tell them the truth. They need to hear the truth and act on it if they want to get a promotion or a raise. Perhaps there has been a point in history that truth was important, and people sought to know truth and thereby gain wisdom. But this is not the rule, and I am afraid many in our day have lost, if they ever had it, love for truth. Isa 30:9 “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” GAME SHOW meme on the screen. It illustrates today’s thinking about truth. It depicts a factitious game show called: FACTS DON’T MATTER The host says, “Sorry author, your answer was actually correct, but Paul shouted his opinion louder so he gets the point. And an extra bonus point also goes to Sue as she was offended by your answer. Jack Nicholson played Col. Nathan Jessep in the film “A Few Good Men.” He yelled to a lawyer (in court) that was trying to get the truth out of him: “You can’t handle the truth!” We live in a culture that “can’t handle the truth” – one that is happy to “change the truth into a lie.” To the Romans Paul wrote: Rom 1:18 God's anger is revealed from heaven against every ungodly and immoral thing people do as they try to suppress the truth by their immoral living. 19 What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. 20 From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse. 21 They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. 22 While claiming to be wise, they became fools. 23 They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes. 24 For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other. 25 These people have exchanged God's truth for a lie. 32 Although they know God's judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them. Indeed, our society “can’t handle the truth.” It is now considered more wrong to judge evil than to do evil. Tolerance is the great virtue of the day, and judgmentalism is the great sin. But hear what the Word of God says: Romans, 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. VIII. WHY THE TRUTH HURTS (sometimes) We fear accountability. If we commit to truth, we will face both the possibility of rejection and failure. 2. Living in grey areas makes it easier to shrug off challenges. One might not tell the truth for fear of conflict or controversy and the desire to be liked. People may reject you, or worse yet, attack you personally if you tell them the truth. It can hurt to TELL the truth, for various reasons, and it can hurt to HEAR the truth, for various reasons. IX. HOW TO OBTAIN THE TRUTH All I have time for on this point is to say, “Use good hermeneutics.” Hermeneutics – “The branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary text.” Several rules (procedures or guidelines) have been suggested that are extremely helpful: Here is one that is not among the usual list: "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle] The main consideration on this point is to develop a love for truth and to be diligent in SEARCHING for it. John 8:32 Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” X. TRUTH CAN SAVE, BUT IT MUST BE OBEYED Jesus said, "I am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6) 1. He and the Word are one and the same (John 1:1,14). 2. The word is truth. In a prayer Jesus said, " Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John. 17:17 B. Jesus saves, and does it through the word – the Bible. Rom. 1:16 "...The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe..." But believing is a comprehensive word that involves obedience – not just mental assent. After talking about being buried with Christ in baptism and rising to walk in a new life (3,4), Paul wrote: Rom. 6:17,18 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Peter sums it up: I Pet. 1:22 – 25 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (last) XI. THE SOURCE OF TRUTH NEVER CHANGES GOD never changes. The prophet Malachi recorded these words: “I the LORD have not changed.” (Malachi 3:6) JESUS never changes. Hebrews 13:8 confirms that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus Christ is still head over His church. He is still the author and the finisher of our faith. He is still our mediator between God and man. He is still the name above all names and salvation is found in no other name. Jesus is still the way, the truth and the life. He is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is still sitting on his throne at the right hand of God, and…. His blood still continually cleanses all the sins of those who “walk in the light” 1 John 1:7 GOD’S WORD never changes. 1 Peter 1:25 “the grass withers, and the flower drops off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” We are the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. The following is truth that we (the church) must hold up and stand firm on: God never changes, Jesus Christ never changes, and God’s Word never changes. People who make up stories (lies) often change their story, but God “cannot lie” and what He has said does not change. Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Heb. 6:18) Conclusion A. As Jesus stood before Pilate, he said to him, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37). B. Pilate’s response was, “What is truth?” That is the question the world is still asking today, and it still believes there is no real answer. Actually, the truth was standing directly in front of Pilate, but he could not see it, just as the truth is standing before many today who cannot see it. C. Pilate did not obey the truth, as far as we know. But our main and real concern is that WE obey the truth – YOU and I. Have you obeyed it to be saved? Are you continuing in the faith “walking in the light”, which includes good works, that you might stay saved? D. Invitation PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 19