Sermon Central
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The Priceless Treasure
Contributed by Frederick Baker Ii on Jan 16, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon was developed when the big question was brought to my attention. What is Truth?
“Priceless Treasure”
Text: John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Proverbs 23:23
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
Introduction:
Pilate ask the question when Jesus was on trial; “What is truth?” There are still many people even today that are asking that same question. We had children asking the question “Is that true?”; about everyday this past week. People of all ages are wanting to know the truth, and while we are living in a world that is full of lies it is up to us as Children of God to give people the truth when they ask those hard questions. Questions that are being asked are: “Is there really a God?” or “Is God really real?”, “Is God Big enough to take care of me and my problems?”, “How can God get small enough to live in my heart?” These are some every difficult questions to answer. I, as a pastor, even have a hard time answering some of the questions people ask. One thing we all need to remember is that people want the TRUTH for answers. If you do not have a quick and ready answer to give them then tell them the truth , I do not have an answer to your question at this time but I will have one for you by tomorrow.
Let us first look at: What is Truth?
I.What is Truth?
A. Truth is something that can make you Free. John 8:32
B. Truth is what gets us to Heaven. John 14:6
C. Truth has to be bought. Proverbs 23:23
II.Where does Truth come from?
A. John 14:6
“ I am the way, the Truth, and the life: on man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
B. John 17:17
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Jesus is praying to His Father in heaven in this verse. He is saying that God’s word are Truth.
III.How do we know what is Truth?
A. Proverbs 23:23
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
Buy the truth and sell it not, v. 23. Truth is that by which the heart must be guided and governed, for without truth there is no goodness; no regular practices without right principles. It is by the power of truth, known and believed, that we must be kept back from sin and constrained to duty. The understanding must be well-informed with wisdom and instruction, and therefore, (1.) We must buy it, that is, be willing to part with any thing for it. He does not say at what rate we must buy it, because we cannot buy it too dear, but must have it at any rate; whatever it costs us, we shall not repent the bargain. When we are at expense for the means of knowledge, and resolved not to starve so good a cause, then we buy the truth. Riches should be employed for the getting of knowledge, rather than knowledge for the getting of riches. When we are at pains in searching after truth, that we may come to the knowledge of it and may distinguish between it and error, then we buy it. Dii laboribus omnia vendunt—Heaven concedes every thing to the laborious. When we choose rather to suffer loss in our temporal interest than to deny or neglect the truth they we buy it; and it is a pearl of such great price that we must be willing to part with all to purchase it, must make shipwreck of estate, trade, preferment, rather than of faith and a good conscience. (2.) We must not sell it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, any things in this world. Do not neglect the study of it, nor throw off the profession of it, nor revolt from under the dominion of it, for the getting or saving of any secular interest whatsoever. Hold fast the form of sound words, and never let it go upon any terms.
Matthew Henry
Conclusion:
Here is a great way to answer the questions about the bigness and smallness of God. Genesis 1:1 “ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
The earth is rotating at 1041 mph at the same time it orbits around the sun at 67,000 mph.
How big is God?
Let us travel through space at light speed (186,000 mps.)
Earth to moon... 1.2 seconds
Earth to sun .......8.5 seconds
Earth to Pluto.....5 hours, 40 minutes
Length of the Milky Way... 100,000 years
-How small is God?
-The common house fly has 4,000 individual lenses in one eye!
After giving a person this information then ask them “Could create something like that? If you can do that then how else could have created such beauty and splendor but a intelligent designer like GOD?
