When Jesus stood before Pilate, one of the questions Pilate asked was:
““Are you a king, then!” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” And then in the next verse, Pilate asks “what is truth.”
So my question to all of you this morning is “Are you of the truth.” To answer that correctly, we must know what truth is and for the next couple of minutes that will be our focus today. What is truth?
One of the catch phrases of today that all of us are very familiar with is “Fake News.” But, it is not just the news. These days deception is rampant everywhere even in the Church. This should be no surprise because scripture tells us that sin and lawlessness will increase in the last days. People want us to believe a lie presented as if it is the truth.
The late Sir Winston Churchill said “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” Isn’t that true? We have to be careful what we believe and in case you did not know already, Satan is the author and father of all lies. So in order for us to navigate the waters, we must know what truth is.
Today we celebrate “Christ the King” Sunday. The truth is that “yes” Jesus is King. But as Jesus himself said, His kingdom is not of this world. Even though the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, He came to us not dressed like a King or born in a palace but He came to us as a sacrificial lamb who died on a cruel cross to save us from our sins and grant to us the gift of eternal life. The truth is He will return again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords at which time every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. That is His testimony of the truth.
But that is not all. Our triune God is the complete embodiment of truth. In Him there is no darkness at all. All truth flows from God. Truth is the very character and essence of God which makes him trustworthy. To the Pharisees who challenged Jesus in John ch.8, Jesus said: “You are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own for he is a liar and the father of it.” Then in the same Gospel of John ch 14, Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
My friends, the word of God and the incarnate word of God (Jesus) is truth. Truth is absolute and timeless. We cannot bend or twist the truth. It does not change from time to time to fit the circumstances. It is true that Jesus was crucified on a cross bear our sins. It is true that by His stripes we are healed. Friends, Jesus paid too much for your soul and for your peace. So don’t give the enemy your mind or your thoughts to plant lies that are contrary to this truth. Just like Satan told Adam and Eve, “Surely you will not die” he tells as many who will hear him that everything is going to be all right. He will tell you that everything you read in scripture or hear from God is really not true because there is a better and easier way. So long as you are a good person it is all going to be good. Sugar coated lies appear to be the truth but all truth is from God and God alone.
The word of God is truth and it is a love story between God and us. It contains everything we need for salvation and has every solution to the problems of this life. In John ch 8 Jesus said “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Are you abiding in His word my friends? If you are not, you are not of the truth! You would not know what a lie is if you do not know the truth. What is true is that you are redeemed, forgiven and a child of the most high God. The truth is that God loves you with an everlasting love. The truth is that Jesus is alive and is coming again in the clouds of glory to receive all believers into eternal life.
To seek the truth means we have to align our thoughts and actions with those of God. We have to walk in agreement with God. Unfortunately lots of people including many Christians compromise a lot and forsake the truth for something that fits their need and then they say “I am okay or comfortable with that!” How are they going to explain that to God when they stand before him? Our decisions have eternal consequences.
My friends, there is no such thing as half truth. I realize that oftentimes truth may offend people. Yet, every true believer should seek the truth, listen to the truth, speak the truth and live the truth no matter the cost. Jesus said, “the Father is looking for people who worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). In this life, time and again and perhaps everyday you will face the truth head on standing right before you just as it was in the case of Pilate. Like him, we have the choice of washing our hands and turning the other way or we can cling on to truth and pursue it with all of our mind, body and soul. Truth cannot be hid or pushed under a rug because it will always triumph.
Perhaps the reason that more Christians are not passionate about their faith is because they have not placed their full trust and reliance on the truth of God’s word. Truth is important, for Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” Every promise in the bible is true. Every curse in the bible is also true. Every prophecy in the bible is true. At the end of his years when his memory was fading John Newton said: I remember two things very clearly; I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” Truth never fails. When we embrace the truth with all our heart and with all our soul and mind, it will be hard to develop an obsession with the world or anything in.
My friends don’t get too comfortable just because you come to Church or identify as a Christian. Unfortunately some preachers distort the truth and there are false doctrines everywhere. A prosperity gospel is not the truth. The now long retired Episcopal Bishop Catherine Jeffords once said “there are many ways to salvation other than through Jesus.” Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. This may offend some but sorry, same sex marriages and gender mutilations that have the blessings of the Church is not of the truth. Hear what Paul said. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
I started this message by asking “Are you of the truth?” If you are, you will never compromise or put the Lord to shame. Let me illustrate with a true story:
Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change. As he considered what to do, he truth in him said you better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.
Then the father of lies whispered into his ear saying: "Oh," forget it, it's only a quarter. The bus company overcharges anyway and they will never miss it. Just accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet." When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the doo. Then, he handed the quarterback to the driver and said, "Sir, you gave me too much change."
The driver with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change."
When the Preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on, saying, "Oh God," I almost sold your Son for a quarter." When we stray away from truth we crucify Jesus afresh again and again. But if you hold on to the truth, it will surely set you free.
