What’s in a worldview Part 2

What’s In a Worldview?

Part 2

“Where Do You Get Your Truth?”

John 18:37-38 NKJV “Pilate said, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. ‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked.”

Notice that Jesus did not say He came to bear witness to “a truth,” or “truth in general,” but THE truth, an exclusive, ultimate, non-negotiable, unchanging, unassailable truth!

The sad thing about this passage is that Pilate had the embodiment of all truth, Jesus Christ, standing right in front of him, but when he asked Him what truth was, he didn’t stick around for an answer!

We almost hear a weariness in Pilate, a frustration with never really having found a truth he could hang his hat on, build his life on.

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Now, hold that thought about truth and let’s recall how last time we talked about the importance of a WORLDVIEW.

Everyone listening to me has a worldview.

Define: A worldview is simply how you view the world and everything in it.

And your worldview will be one of 2 kinds:

A WORLDLY worldview based on the beliefs and values of the world.

Or a BIBLICAL worldview based on the beliefs and values of Scripture.

The Bible instructs Christians to “not be conformed to this world [any longer with its values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind...” (Ro. 12:2 Amp).

As a Christian you will either be CONFORMED to this world, or TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, which is to develop a Biblical worldview!

Your worldview is so, so important because it decides how you view God, man, yourself, life, spiritual things, morality, eternity, heaven, and hell.

Your worldview has primarily been shaped by who or what has taught you through the years—who you’ve listened to, what you’ve read, what you have accepted as TRUE.

The lifestyle you choose to live, the moral decisions you make, what you do with the life God has given you, the hundreds of decisions you make each and every day flow out of your worldview.

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Furthermore, how you interpret and respond to the hot button issues of our day—abortion, same sex relationships, gun control, socialism vs. capitalism, racial issues...

All your conclusions and responses to them will be decided after passing through the sifter of your worldview!

ILLUS: For instance, let’s say you learn that your best friend has decided to move in with his or her love interest without getting married.

Are you against it? Grieved over it? Or are you okay with it, so long as they’re happy?

Your worldview will determine how you view it and your response to your friend.

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Or, let’s say you have a single friend who has turned up pregnant.

She has no steady job, her parents don’t know about it, and the father has already moved on.

She tells you she’s considering an abortion and wants your advice.

Whether or not your worldview is Biblical or worldly will decide your response, and the kind of advice you give her.

This is why it is SO IMPORTANT who or what has your ear, who holds your attention, who you have allowed and are allowing to form and shape your opinions.

Jesus told Pilate, “All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

In other words, if you truly love truth, Jesus will have your ear, your attention, your devotion, and HE will be the One that shapes your worldview!

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Now, last time we began looking at 6 foundation stones of a Biblical worldview.

We saw that one foundation stone of a Biblical worldview is the belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

Today we’re going to look at a second foundation stone of a Biblical worldview, which is:

I. The conviction that Jesus and God’s Word are where we get our truth

It is the belief that, whatever Jesus says is true about morals, ethics, money, eternity, heaven, hell, people, prayer, is our truth too!

And if someone tries to teach us something that conflicts with the truth found in Jesus, we reject it!

Paul the Apostle was very clear about taking this stand:

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing;...flee from these things, you man of God!” (2 Tim 6:3-4;11 NASB)

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Jesus Himself was very clear about being the ultimate source of truth.

He told the people following Him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NKJV).

Note, He didn’t just say He KNEW the truth, He said He IS the truth!

God’s truth—ultimate, non-negotiable, unchanging, eternal truth—is embodied in Jesus Christ!

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But we also note that, while praying for His church, Jesus said: “Sanctify them in the truth: Your word is truth” (John 17:17 NASB).

So to develop a Biblical worldview, we must not only view Jesus as our ultimate source of truth, but the Bible along with it!

What the Bible says about creation, world history, the fall of man into sin, Noah’s flood, the devil, God, the virgin birth, all are true and should shape our worldview!

Listen to what the Bible says about itself:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Tim. 3:16 NLT).

Ps. 119:160 NIV “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

All of it is relevant, life-changing, and TRUE!

You can trust His Word!

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And we see:

II. The powerful EFFECT God’s truth has on us

Jesus said to those who had believed in him:

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV).

Notice that the only truth that sets you free is the Scriptural truth you’ve accepted and walk in!

If you HOLD ON to my teaching (accept it and live it) THEN you will personally, experientially, progressively be set free.

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There’s really only 2 kinds of freedom:

*PHYSICAL freedom is the ability to come and go as you please...not locked up like someone in jail.

*SPIRITUAL freedom is freedom from the control of sin and the power of the devil!

You can be PHYSICALLY free, but SPIRITUALLY imprisoned.

The Apostle Paul graphically describes spiritual imprisonment:

“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do...what I hate. 16 I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong...But I can’t help myself...No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t. 19 When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway...it is plain where the trouble is: sin still has me in its evil grasp” (Ro. 7:15-20 LB).

This is a perfect picture of a man who is free on the outside, but not on the inside!

The FREEDOM Jesus brings is inner freedom!

Freedom from wrong habits and stubborn, destructive strongholds.

Freedom from sin’s control and Satan’s power!

Jesus promised, “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36 CSB).

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CLOSE: In light of what’s been said today, what is most shaping your worldview?

Popular culture? The values and morality of this present evil World?

Or are the truth, values and morality the Bible teaches shaping your worldview?