Series: Being the Body
Bearers of the Light
Matt 5:14-16
One of the most amazing sights on my mission trips to the mountains of Honduras is people walking to church at night. Unless you have been there it is hard to picture just how rugged the are the roads and just how dark it can be. But the ruggedness or the darkness does not stop these people. Down a road or a trail you will first see a small light and then another and as they come closer you will begin to see the faces and the figures of people. The instrument for the lighting is nothing more than two pine sticks held together burning pine sap. The light is not much by our standards but provides a break from the darkness.
Flame emits the light. Sap emits the flame.
Sap is truth. Fuel for the flame.
I. WHAT IS TRUTH?
(John 18:38) Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?
A. Truth is not having a strong Belief about a particular matter.
Scientist for centuries had a strong belief the world was flat.
Existentialism teaches that something is true if you simply believe it to be true.
B. Truth is not being sincere or having a strong conviction for something.
The terrorists of 9/11 were sincere and convicted in their beliefs.
C. Truth is not determined if the majority of the people say that it is truth.
D. Truth is not that which can only be proven through observation.
"truth : the real state of things : fact ; the body of real events or facts :
(c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Inc
truth = veracity, reality
(John 14:6) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life....
Jesus is the ultimate reality as He is The Truth
E. Truth is a spiritual law that never changes regardless of the age or the culture.
II. IS THERE REALLY ABSOLUTE TRUTH?
In our postmodern society the answer to this question would be absolutely No! Today, the majority of high academia teach there is no such thing as absolute truth; there is only personal preference. Individuals have the ability to create their own truth. Therefore, what may be true for one individual is not necessarily the same for others. Those who claim the reality of absolute truth are considered ignorant, uninformed, and bigots. Parents, just a word of warning, this is the basis of teaching your children will be exposed to in secular higher education and now it is claiming much of lower levels of education in the names of tolerance and pluralism. These words sound good on the surface but are they in reality?
However, we must remember, truth is not based upon age or culture. Therefore, it is not based upon the popular opinion of the moment. It cannot be voted in or voted out. For example, if I drop my pen 10 times then I can fully expect it to fall to the ground 10 times. Why? The physical law or the truth of gravity is in place.
III. HOW CAN I KNOW THE TRUTH?
A. Special Revelation
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2 Tim 3:16 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 1:19 21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
B. General Revelation
(Rom 1:19-20) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse
C. Internal Revelation
(Rom 2:14 15) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
RC Sproul example:
IV. DOES TRUTH REALLY MATTER?
One’s adherence to the truth bears...
A. Temporal Consequences
One’s quality of life is a directly related to one=s adherence to the truth.
(John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
B. Eternal Consequences
One’s eternal destiny is directly related to one=s adherence to the truth
(Rom 2:2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
V. WHAT MUST I DO WITH THE TRUTH?
A. Believe the Truth
B. Live the Truth
C. Share the Truth
D. Defend the Truth
