Being Established In The Present Truth

This morning I would like to speak on the subject of BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE PRESENT TRUTH. It is of utmost importance that a child of God be established in truth. If not he will be like the one that the Apostle Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:14 "That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." And Hebrews 13:9 "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." Let us be as those that hold fast to sound doctrine: Titus 1:9 "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Thus, let us not make merchandise of the TRUTH, but let us. "Buy the truth, and sell [it] not…" Prov.23: 23.

I have four things I want to share with you out of 2 Peter 1:12 "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth."

I. Regarding the Truth. {not be negligent}

II. Retention of the Truth. {remembrance}

III. Recognizing the Truth {though you know them}

IV. Rooted in the Truth. {be established in the present truth}

Peter sets forth before his readers these four basic, yet important elements of truth. He wanted them to be stirred up in the truth. So he stirs them up by encouraging them in the truth. 2 Peter 1:13-15 "Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." May God be pleased to STIR you up in the truth! What caused or motivated Peter to have such a devoted heart to stir them up? I believe that if we look back to the Gospel of Luke we see the Lord Jesus Christ instructing Peter to strengthen the brethren and build them in the most holy faith. Luke 22:32"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." It doesn't take long for the reader and student of the Epis!

tles of Peter to acknowledge that Peter is strengthening and stirring up the brethren. In his first Epistle Peter encourages his readers, concerning the hope in Christ Jesus in the midst of their sufferings. In his second Epistle Peter encourages them concerning their salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. He encourages his readers those of like precious faith (vs1) that have the precious promises (vs4) and are partakers of the divine nature of God in Christ Jesus. Peter encourages his readers to add to their faith (vss5-7) the graces of God. Then he gives a solemn warning in regards to making their calling and election sure (vss8-10). Thus, he puts them in remembrance concerning the importance of being established in the present truth.

I. Regarding the Truth.

A. Duty of Not Being Negligent.

1. We must be careful of maintaining truth. Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness."

a. Having your loins girt about with truth. This speaks of the importance of fastening our hearts with truth.

b. Ours hearts need to be girded about with truth.

c. The Apostle John also wrote concerning the importance of truth.

(1). 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

(2). 1 John 2:21 "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth".

2. Peter had a pastor's heart. He wanted to make sure those under him would be established in truth.

a. Peter wasn't interested in statistics.

b. Peter wasn't interested in numbers.

c. Peter wasn't interested in a mega church.

d. Peter wasn't interested in pragmatism, i.e., getting them saved and in the church regardless of the methods.

e. Peter wasn't interested in recognition or making a name for himself.

f. Peter wasn't interested in what the major population had to say about him.

g. PETER WAS INTERESTED CONCERNING THOSE UNDER HIM TO BE ESTABLISHED IN TRUTH!

3. Sad to say but most pastors are more interested in every thing else but doctrine and truth.