Sermon Prepared By Gary Smith For Lexington Church Of God, For Sunday Morning, April 7th, 2002
“Receiving The TRUTH”
(Part One)
TEXT: Prov 23:23 (KJV) 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and
instruction, and understanding.
Introduction:
A. It is a good thing for any individual to search the scriptures, to become
familiar with the Christian Doctrines and to know what he or she believes
and why.
When we have the truth hidden well within our hearts, then we have
sufficient supplies to make it in the day of trial and testing.
By hidden, I mean like a seed that has be planted in the soil, covered
sufficiently by the soil, so that the birds cannot swoop down and remove
it.
This is the purpose of the parable of the “Sower and the Seed” which was
spoken by Jesus and recorded in; Matt. 13:3-8, & Mark 4: 13-20,
Luke 8:11-15
B. It is also good for any church or denomination to come together for the
purpose of re-affirming their doctrines, making sure that their doctrines
And teachings line up with God’s Word.
After all, this is God’s Church, He should have the say in what we preach
and teach and in the way we conduct the business of soul wining.
*But the sad reality is: so many
churches as well as entire demnominations are coming
together to go over their doctrines and teachings not so much as to be
sure that they are aligned with His Holy Word, but rather to make sure
that they can appeal to larger crowds.
It is the "give em what they want to hear and they will come" message.
* Many even reject certain parts of the Bible and claim that all of the Bible cannot be taken as truth.
Example: The virgin birth of Christ
The death and resurrection of Christ
That Christ is the Son of God.
That salvation is by Christ and by Christ alone.
* If you throw away these beliefs, then you may as well throw the rest of the Bible out also!
* The whole plan of salvation evolves around Christ, Him crucified and Resurrected, as well as ascended to the throne of God to make Intercession for you and me.
Someone asked me to interpet this scripture the other day and this moved me to give this passage more thought.
Out of this the Lord begin to give me some thoughts and I felt His leading of this sermon.
I. Buy The Truth
A. This conveys the idea of searching for the truth,
finding the truth, latching on to the truth.
WORKING TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH
Arckeoligist dig up the earth in search of a vauable
finds.
They dig for Indian relics, civil war relics,
In Egypt, they dig in search for the boby and the belongings of the Pharaohs.
Christians labor to know the TRUTH; diging in God’s Word, Attending Sunday School, Attending Worship Services etc...
Strong’s Hebrew Number 7069
trooth (Hebrew [’emeth], Hebrew [emunah], primary idea of "firmness," "stability" (compare Ex 17:12), hence "constancy," "faithfulness," etc.; the
B. It is God’s desire that every Christian be firmly
rooted in the Word.
(1) The Word of God will bring stability to the
Christian life.
So that we are not constantly up and down and
tossed by every wind of doctrine that comes
along.
And there are a lot of strange doctrines out
there that have absolutely nothing to do with
God’s Word.
THE WORD OF GOD IS AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL!
(2) We are commanded to be faithful unto the Lord.
As we read, hear, and receive the TRUTH (God’s Word), it builds
character and people of character are committed to God
at all times, through the thick and the thin.
C. The word “Buy” can also be translated “GET”
1. Get the truth, reach for the truth, strive for the truth, hunger for the truth, thirst for the truth.
2. In fact some translations say “Get the truth” in place of “Buy the truth”
D. So many people today are confused and they don’t even know what they believe anymore.
Why is this so? Many of the them have heard too many watered down
sermons and sermons on man made philosophies.
1. They have heard some minister get up Sunday after Sunday and preach
things that are contrary to God’s Word.
2. There are many who profess to be Ministers of the Gospel who never
even quote the Bible in during their so-called sermons.
E. People are starving for the Word, Congregations are starving for the Word.
1. America is suffering through a famine right now, a drought, a shortage Of the Word!
2. The Apostle Paul instructed a young pastor by the name of Timothy to;
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3. And Paul warned Timothy:
2 Tim 4:3-4 (KJV)
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
4. Not everyone wants to hear the truth and not everyone will receive it.
But as a minister of the Gospel, I am under an obligation to The Master to preach it.
As a member of the congregation, you will GIVE an answer for what you do with the truth after you have heard it.
5. What kind of price tag is on TRUTH?
Our text says "Buy the truth"
So what is the cost of attaining the truth?
a. It cost you a portion of your time each
day.
b. Take time to Read His Word.
c. Attend Church regularly and hear His Word
taught and preached.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God."
II. Why The TRUTH Is So Important
John 8:31-32 (KJV)
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
A. We must continue in the Word.
1. Some think that they have such a good idea as to what the Bible says that
they no longer have to read it for themselves.
2. Here we are admonished to “continue in” His Word.
3. Continue; Reading It, Hearing It, Receiving It and Living It!
B. Let the Truth be your guide!
1. Living by the TRUTH produces a life that pleases God.
2. As we follow the TRUTH, those around us will take knowledge that we too
Are disciples of the Lord!
C. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
1. Our knowledge of the truth breaks away the bondage of this sinful world.
2. Our knowledge of the truth CAN break loose the bonds of sickness and disease.
Psalms 107:20 (KJV)20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
3. Our knowledge of the TRUTH will make us free from false teachings
and the influence of false teachers.
D. The Bible tells the TRUTH about: sin, sickness, forgiveness,
The way of salvation,
Heaven and Hell
The Trinity
Water baptisim
Abortion, Homosexuality, Sex out side of marriage, etc…
E. The Bible lays out the right plan, (God’s Plan) for the marriage,
And the proper relationship between parents and their children.
F. The TRUTH takes away all fear and doubt.
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
III. Buy The Truth And Sell It Not
A. What ever you do, don’t let go of the TRUTH!
1. Don’t give in to seducing spirits and strange doctrines.
2. Refuse to buy into the “what ever feels good do it” philosophy of our day.
B. It is up to you to find the truth and to receive it into your spirit.
DON’T EXCHANGE THE TRUTH FOR ANYTHING!
1. It is also up to you to guard the TRUTH in your heart.
1 Tim 4:1-2 (KJV)
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2. And in Titus, the Apostle Paul warns;
Titus 1:14 (KJV)14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
C. To sell the truth, is to sell one’s self!
1. It is to sell your soul to death. (to be given over to death)
2. Some people sell the truth for earthly pleasures.
3. Some trade away the truth for earthly pursuits.
4. People come up with all kinds of excuses for
missing church.
D. Even if you have sold the TRUTH or lost the TRUTH somewhere down through
life, you may recover it in full!
1. The Word in our text translated “Buy” can also be translated “Recover”
2. How might one recover the truth, once they have lost it?
By returning to the last place you had it!
The TURTH is right where you left it.
IV. And Get Wisdom
Prov 23:23 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Strong’s Hebrew Number 2451Hebrew word: chokmah khok-maw’ Wise, Skilled
A. Receiving wisdom is receiving skills.
Carpenters are skilled in building houses.
Plumbers are skilled in plumbing.
Lawyers are skilled in the Law.
Med. Doctors are skilled in Medicine
Christians are to be skilled in; soul winning!
Prayer
Righteous Living
1. We can be skillful at war against the devil.
2. We can be skillful against those who would bring
false doctrines our Way, in an effort to deceive
us.
B. Wisdom in administration- tending to the affairs of
God’s Church
1. Your family
2. Your finances
3. Your job
C. Wisdom is exercising prudence in all religious
matters.
1. Being ethical.
D. With TRUTH, comes WISDOM
V. Receive Instruction.
Strong’s Hebrew Number 4148 Hebrew word: muwcar moo-sawr’
A. Instruction includes - correction, chastisement , discipline
B. A lot of people have trouble with this, they don’t like the idea of God correcting their behavior or their misconceptions of Christianity.
VI. Receive Understanding
Strong’s Hebrew Number 0998 Hebrew word: biynah bee-naw’
A. understanding, discernment
1. Understanding controls the way we act and re-act.
B. Christ is personified in our lives as we receive
TRUTH, WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING
C. With TRUTH comes understanding!
D. Understanding will conform one into the image of
God!
DO YOU HAVE THE TRUTH IN YOUR HEART?
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