Introduction
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Inspiration—Revelation—Integration—Transformation
Truth is not primarily an idea or a philosophy, but a person.
John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Truth is not primarily a knowledge we possess, but a life we embody.
Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
You do not actually believe something until you live like it’s true.
Inspiration—Revelation—Integration—Transformation
John 8:31-32 (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Any group who elevates their own ideas or cultural standards above the word of God is believing a lie (many innocently, some maliciously). In our lives, we become susceptible to lies when we push the Word of God aside, or we spend more time distracted by life and the world than engaged deeply in the word of God.
John 8:44 (ESV)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
The truth of Jesus’ way of living is not something He coaches us from the sidelines on. It’s not something He makes us read in a user manual. His very presence (Matthew 28:20) is with us by His Spirit to guide us.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 15:26 (ESV)
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
John 16:13 (ESV)
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
1 John 5:6b (ESV)
And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
John 18:37-38a (ESV)
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
Romans 1:18 (ESV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Truth is a person, Jesus. Jesus is made know in His Word and by His Spirit. The truth of Jesus’ way of living is how His disciples stand out in the world committed to lies.
John 17:17 (ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
God’s Word is true, even if our current understanding of it isn’t.
The Church is to be the guardian and standard of the Truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 (ESV)
if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.