Truth Tellers

Truth Tellers

August 26, 2012 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Everyone needs someone who is going to tell us the truth, no matter the consequences.

Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 14:1-20

Supplemental Passage: Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19 NASB)

Introduction: Dr. Clarence Bass, professor emeritus at Bethel Thelolgical Seminary, early in his ministry preached in a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the sanctuary. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. That is, until a little old man commented, "You preached too long." Dr. Bass wasn't fazed by the remark, especially in light of the many positive comments. "You didn't preach loud enough," came another negative comment; it was from the same little old man. Dr. Bass thought it strange that the man had come through the line twice, but when the same man came through the line a third time and exclaimed, "You used too many big words" --this called for some explanation.

Dr. Bass sought out a deacon who stood nearby and asked him, "Do you see that little old man over there? Who is he?"

"Don't pay any attention to him," the deacon replied. "All he does is go around and repeat everything he hears."

Pulpit and Bible Study Helps, Vol.16, #5, p. 1.

I. Truth in the face of trouble

a. We must tell the truth no matter the consequences

b. For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Having been prompted by her mother, she *said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. (Matthew 14:3-10 NASB)

II. Truth in the face of conflict

a. We must tell the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

b. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (Galatians 2:11 NASB)

c. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (Matthew 16:22-23 NASB)

III. Truth in the order of love

a. We must tell the truth so that others know

b. When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. (Luke 18:22-23 NASB)

Invitation: