-We live in what I would call an age of lies
-It’s difficult, if not impossible at times to discern the truth from the lies, the fact from the fiction
-General Statistics
-In 1963, according to Gallup, 65% believed the Bible literally; today the number is only 32%. There was a time when most Americans accepted absolute standards. They might disagree on what those absolutes were, but they knew that some things are really right or wrong. Today 70% reject moral absolutes all together.
-Barna Survey Of Church Lay Leaders
- only 53 percent believe that there are moral truths that are absolute
- 43 percent say there is no such thing as the Holy Spirit
- 33 percent believe that Jesus never had a physical resurrection
- 19 percent believe Jesus sinned while on earth.
-John 18:28-38
I. The Rarity Of Truth
A. Truth is thought unknowable
-Or at least “relative”
-Preference supercedes precedence
-They say, “How can we know the truth?”
-Or as Pilate said, “What is truth?”
-You’ve probably heard someone say, “it works for me”
-Absolute truth has been thrown out the window
-Relativism is the mode of the day
-It matter a great deal when it comes to spiritual things
-Your eternal destiny depends on it
B. Truth is distorted
-We see distortions of truth all of the time
-Movie Tricks - Special Effects
-Political Ads
-It is seen through the wrong lens that changes its nature completely
-It is lies deceptively packaged in truth
C. Truth is traded for lies
1. Atheism
2. False religions
-Not all roads lead to God
3. Distorted Christianity
a. Heresies
-The DaVinci Code
-Always seeking new information, while ignoring the information they already have
b. Cults
-Jehovah’s Witnesses
-Mormons
-Doomsday Cults
-Distortions are just a way of legitimizing bad behavior, or a desire to live without standards
D. Truth is ignored
-Many hear the truth, but choose to walk away from it
1. Denying its importance
2. Denying its power
II. The Need for Truth
A. People are cynical
-We have been trained to doubt everything
-Thanks to our friends and associates
-Thanks to politicians
-Thanks to scientists
-Thanks to religious leaders
-Thus, many seem to feel like they cannot know the truth
B. People are immoral
-Just look around you
-Terrorists are active worldwide
-Crime is everywhere
-Ungodly behavior is rampant
-A sign that they are not either believing the right things or they are disregarding them
-Absence of truth always brings lawlessness
-When regard for truth has been broken down or even slightly weakened, all things will remain doubtful.
III. The Existence Of Truth
-The truth is out there
A. God’s word
-He cannot tell a lie
-John 17:17
1. Written
2. Spoken
B. God’s Spirit
-John 16:13
1. Confirming the truth to you
2. Guiding you into all the truth
C. God’s Son
-John 14:6
-He is the embodiment of truth
-God incarnate, truth incarnate
-Because God is truth
-Thus, He is the only one who is always true
-No other paths lead to the truth of God except Him
CONCLUSION
-The world objects to the truth
-Always
-It fights it tooth and nail
-It is promised in scripture
-II Thessalonians 2:9-14
-II Peter 2:1-2
-The truth will always set people free
-John 8:32
-That truth is Christ
-This morning, how tied in to the truth are you
-Do you have any doubts?
-Do you accept all of His claims?
-Have you placed your full faith in Christ?
-If not, you are walking in lies
-In darkness that Christ wants to enlighten
