FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS:

Some Truths about Truth

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   When on trial before Pontius Pilate, the governor asked Jesus:  “Art thou a king then?” (John 18:37).

 

B.   Jesus responded with words:  “Thou sayest that I am a king.  To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.  Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John18:37).

 

C.   When Pilate heard these words, he asked this question:  “What is truth?” (John18:38).

 

D.   Some 2,000 years after this question, there are those who are still asking this question.

 

E.   In this lesson, we want to continue a series we started several month ago entitled:  “Foundational Truths.”  The subtitle of the lesson is:  “Some Truths about Truth.”

 

I.             THE DEFINITION OF TRUTH

 

A.   A simple definition of truth is:  that which is in harmony with what is real, factual, and that conforms to reality.

 

B.   In Scripture, there are two things that are specifically labelled as truth.

1.    Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh to the Father, but by me.

 

2.    The Word of God (John 17:17)

 

Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.

 

II.           THE DEMONSTRATION OF TRUTH

 

A.   Truth is clear.

1.    Truth does not “beat around the bush.”

2.    Truth does not try to camouflage itself.

3.    Truth does not attempt to sneak in the back door.

4.    Examples: 

a.    Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-23)

 

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

 

b.    Baptism (Acts 2:38)

 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

B.   Truth is comprehensible.

1.    Truth can be understood.

2.    Truth can be known.

3.    Truth can be comprehended.

4.    Verses:

a.    John 8:32

 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

b.    Ephesians 3:3-4

 

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words; whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.)

 

c.    2 Timothy 3:15

 

And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

C.   Truth is courageous.

1.    Truth does not back down in the face of its enemies.

2.    Truth will contend with all error.

3.    Example:  Paul in Corinth

a.    He notes the fear that he had (1 Cor. 2:3)

 

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

 

b.    However, in the previous verse he let’s us know that his fear did not keep him from preaching the truth (1 Cor. 2:2).

 

And I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

 

D.   Truth is continuous.

1.    Truth is lasting.

2.    Truth is eternal.

3.    Truth never goes away.

4.    Two verses:

a.    Matthew 24:35

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

b.    1 Peter 1:24-25a

 

For all flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth,a and the flower thereof falleth away:  but the word of the Lord endureth forever…

 

III.         THE DESTRUCTION OF TRUTH

 

A.   Truth has fallen on hard times in our society.  It is being attacked on multiple fronts.

 

B.   The ways truth is being attacked.

1.    Truth does not exist.

a.    This is the most ridiculous attack.

b.    Too, it is the easiest to counter.  QUESTION:  “Is it true that truth does not exist?” 

2.    Truth is relative.

a.    Relative:

1)    Truth is determined by each individual or group of individuals.

2)    Thus, truth is not absolute and independent.

b.    This affront to the truth has many negatives.

1)    It does away with absolute truth.

2)    Each person becomes the author of his own truth.

3)    It labels contradictory as truth, that is, both are considered to be right.

4)    It ends the search for the real truth.

3.    Truth can be interpreted in many ways.

a.    This is the denominational form of truth being relative.

b.    It seeks to provide a justification for relativism.  That justification is that all of us have our own interpretation of God’s Word.

1)    It is true that there might be many interpretations, but this does not make all them right.

a)    Some interpret the Word of God to say Jesus is a created being.

b)    Some interpret the Word of God to say we are saved by faith only.

c)    Some interpret the Word of God to teach the Holy Spirit is energy.

d)    Some interpret the Word of God to teach religious division is acceptable.

2)    God intended for there to be one interpretation of His divine truth. (Ex., a certain lawyer’s question and answer, Luke 10:25-28).

4.    Truth is classified as misinformation.

a.    For some reason, people are fearful of the truth today.

b.    If they hold a false view and you present the truth, the truth is said to be misinformation.

c.    NOTE:  Many want “misinformation” cancelled in our society.

d.    POINT:  Jesus came bearing the truth, and the Jewish leaders did everything they could do to cancel Him, even putting Him to death.

 

IV.         THE DESIGN OF TRUTH

 

A.   Saves (Eph.1:13)

 

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…

 

B.   Sanctifies (John 17:17)

 

Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.

 

C.   Steers (3 John 3-4)

 

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in theek, even as thou walkest in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

D.   Sentences (Rom. 2:2)

 

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

 

 

V.           THE DECISIONS REGARDING TRUTH

 

A.   Love and Live or Reject and Regret

1.    2 Thessalonians 2:10

 

With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

 

a.    Paul notes that it is possible to receive the love of the truth.

b.    Those who do will be saved, that is, they will be saved from wrath to come.

2.    2 Thessalonians 2:12

 

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

a.    Paul teaches us that those who do not believe the truth will be damned (See Rom. 2:8)

b.    All face the sentence of damnation will live to regret their decision.

 

B.   Each person in this audience has a choice to make.

1.    Am I going to love the truth and live it?

2.    Am I going to reject the truth and regret it.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Paul makes a profound statement about the desire of God for all men in 1 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto a knowledge of the truth.

 

B.   Two thousand years ago, Jesus promised His disciples that He would sent the Holy Spirit to them.  One of the purposes of the Holy Spirit was to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13).

 

How be it when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.

 

1.    Initially, the word of truth was spoken orally.

2.    Eventually, it was put in written form.

3.    Over the course of 21 centuries, God has preserved His Word (Matt. 24:35).

4.    Today, we have the truth in the pages of the book was call The Bible.

 

C.   What will be your decision regarding this book?  Salvation?  Condemnation?

 

D.   Remember, God’s final judgement will be according to truth.