EAGERNESS FOR THE TRUTH
Phil. 1:15-20
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Paul is saying that the goal is to preach Christ. Our highest desire is for Him to be preached in truth, but even if the preaching of Christ is for other motives, the gospel will not return void.
Pilate asked the age old question that multitudes continue to ask today.
John 18:38
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
38 Pilato le dijo: ¿Qué es verdad? Y cuando hubo dicho esto, salió otra vez a los judíos, y les dijo: Ninguna falta hallo en Él. (RVG04)
The tendency is to avoid being concerned with the truth when life is a big party.
But when the pressures of life are applied, and stress and responsibility are on ones shoulders, then the need to know the truth becomes of utmost importance.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him I am the way, the truth, and the life:
Cristo dijo, yo soy el camino, la verdad, y la vida:
I. ACQUIRE and ADHERE
Prov. 23:23
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. (KJV)
23 Compra la verdad y no la vendas; la sabiduría, la instrucción y la inteligencia. (RVG04)
The wisest of men compels us to purchase the truth and then hold on to it for all that we are worth.
Isa. 55:1
1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (KJV)
1 A todos los sedientos: Venid a las aguas; y los que no tienen dinero, venid, comprad, y comed. Venid, comprad, sin dinero y sin precio, vino y leche. (RVG04)
II. ANXIOUS for the ANSWER
A. Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17
17 ¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (KJV)
17 Y saliendo Él para continuar su camino, vino uno corriendo, y arrodillándose delante de Él, le preguntó: Maestro bueno, ¿qué haré para heredar la vida eterna? (RVG04)
--he ran to Jesus with desire and passion
Truth should motivate us.
B. Common People Gladly Listened
Mark 12:37
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. (KJV)
37 Y si David mismo le llama Señor; ¿cómo, pues, es su hijo? Y el pueblo común le oía de buena gana. (RVG04)
I wonder at times how gladly some of us listen to the words of the Lord. People find all kinds of excuses to miss church, and then when they are present, they want church to get over so they can go somewhere else.
There are many who believe that truth is boring. They prefer fiction and folklore.
C. Up Early to Hear Him
Luke 21:38
38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. (KJV)
38 Y por la mañana todo el pueblo venía a Él para oírle en el templo. (RVG04)
To get someone up and present at an event, bright and early speaks of obligation or much enthusiasm. Does the truth work on you in that fashion?
D. Finding and Abiding with the Truth
John 4:40
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. (KJV)
40 Entonces, cuando los samaritanos vinieron a Él, le rogaron que se quedase allí; y se quedó allí dos días. (RVG04)
Find the Truth and spend some quality time in it presence. Is the truth a high enough priority that you will lay all else aside to get your fill?
E. Investigating and Excavating
Acts 17:11
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (KJV)
11 Y éstos eran más nobles que los que estaban en Tesalónica, pues recibieron la palabra con toda solicitud, escudriñando cada día las Escrituras para ver si estas cosas eran así. (RVG04)
The Truth is addictive. Since the truth shall make you free, one who gets a taste of it, surely wants a whole lot more of it.
III. ACCUSTOMED AND ACCLAMATED TO A STATE OF APATHY
Average is not good enough. We all think that we are a little more spiritual than the next guy, so that is good enough.
We must fight off every tendency to believe that we are as close to God as we need to be. We have not arrived yet. We must go higher; die out more to ourselves; beg God for a burden for the lost that won't let us rest.
IV. ALTERNATIVE
2 Thes. 2:11,12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (KJV)
11 Y por causa de esto Dios les envía un poder engañoso, para que crean la mentira; (RVG04)
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (KJV)
12 para que sean condenados todos los que no creyeron a la verdad, antes se complacieron en la injusticia. (RVG04)
The Truth is exciting and it is what we all should love and pursue. However, God gives us all a choice. You are free to believe a lie and be damned for all eternity.
Accept the truth and be free indeed.
Believe the lie and be condemned.
