Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explores the transformative power of God's truth found in the Bible, emphasizing its role in providing spiritual freedom and guiding faithful living.
Welcome, beloved friends and family in Christ, to our gathering today. It is a joy, a privilege, and an honor to be here with you, standing on the sacred ground of our shared faith. Together, we are a mosaic of God's children, each of us a unique piece, yet all of us connected by the mortar of His love and grace.
As we stand shoulder to shoulder, let us turn our hearts and minds to a passage of profound importance, a passage that speaks to the very essence of our faith. The book of John, chapter 8, verses 31-32:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’
The truth, dear friends, is not simply a set of facts or a collection of knowledge. The truth is a person, and that person is Jesus Christ. When we know Him, we know the truth. And it is this truth that sets us free.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." The Bible is our home, our refuge, our guide. It is the living Word of God, filled with His truth. And it is in this truth that we find our freedom, our purpose, and our joy.
As we prepare to delve into the richness of this passage, let us bow our heads in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the gift of life, and for the privilege of gathering together in Your name. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to Your Word, and guide us as we seek to understand and apply it to our lives. May Your truth resonate within us, bringing clarity, conviction, and transformation. We ask this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today we will be focusing on three main points: The Foundation on God's Truth, the Freedom through God's Truth, and the Fidelity to God's Truth. Let us embrace the wisdom of Spurgeon's words and make our home in the Bible, for it is there that we will find the truth that sets us free.
In the heart of the Gospel of John, we find a profound declaration from Jesus Himself. He speaks to those who have chosen to believe in Him, those who have taken the first step in their faith journey. He gives them a condition and a promise. The condition is to continue in His word. The promise is to know the truth and be set free by it.
The condition Jesus sets is not a light one: To continue in His word is not a passive act. It is not simply reading the Bible or hearing sermons. It is a commitment to live according to the teachings of Jesus, to let His words shape our thoughts, our actions, our very lives. It is to build our lives on the solid foundation of God's truth.
Think of a foundation: We think of something solid, something that can support a great weight. A foundation is the first thing that is laid when a building is constructed. It is what everything else rests upon. If the foundation is weak, the entire building is in danger of collapsing. But if the foundation is strong, the building can withstand storms and earthquakes. In the same way, God's truth is the foundation of our faith. It is what everything else rests upon. It is what gives us strength and stability in the midst of life's storms. It is what enables us to stand firm when the world around us is shaking.
The truth about who God is: The Bible reveals God to us in all His glory and majesty. It tells us that He is the Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It tells us that He is holy, righteous, and just. It tells us that He is love, mercy, and grace. It tells us that He is our Father, our Savior, our Friend. This truth about who God is forms the bedrock of our faith. It is what gives us confidence in His promises, comfort in His presence, and courage in His service. It is what inspires our worship, motivates our obedience, and fuels our love.
The truth about who we are: The Bible gives us a clear and honest picture of our human condition. It tells us that we are created in the image of God, designed for relationship with Him. It tells us that we are sinners, fallen short of His glory and in need of His salvation. It tells us that we are loved by God, redeemed by Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This truth about who we are is what shapes our identity, our self-worth, and our purpose. It is what frees us from the lies of the world, the accusations of the enemy, and the doubts of our own hearts. It is what empowers us to live as children of God, disciples of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
The truth about what God has done: The Bible recounts the mighty acts of God throughout history. It tells us about the creation of the world, the deliverance of Israel, the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the promise of the new creation. This truth about what God has done is what anchors our hope, strengthens our faith, and kindles our joy. It is what reminds us of God's power, God's faithfulness, and God's love. It is what assures us that God is in control, that God is for us, and that God will never leave us nor forsake us.
The truth about what God requires: The Bible lays out God's commands and instructions for us. It tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. It tells us to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This truth about what God requires is what guides our decisions, directs our steps, and governs our conduct. It is what challenges us to grow, to change, and to mature. It is what equips us to live a life that is pleasing to God, beneficial to others, and fulfilling for ourselves.
In the realm of God's truth, we find a liberating force ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO