What Is Truth?

What is truth?

George Washington did not have wooden teeth or chop down a cherry tree. George pic

Napoleon Bonaparte was not short in his day he was 5’7” but that was taller than actual man Napoleon pic

Adam and eve ate an apple? Adam and eve pic

Swimming after eating doesn’t lead to cramping swim pic

John 18:38 (ESV)

38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

Absolute truth vs Relativism

Absolute Truth

Truth that is defined as being absolute, possesses the following qualities.

Truth is discovered not invented Truth is transcultural: it can be conveyed across different cultures. Truth is unchanging: it can be conveyed across time. Beliefs cannot change a truth statement no matter how sincere one may be Truth is unaffected by the attitude of the one professing it All Truths are absolute Truth is knowable

Relativism

Truth isn’t fixed by outside reality, but is decided by a group or individual for themselves. Truth isn’t discovered but manufactured. Truth is ever changing

Truth is created not discovered. Truth is a matter of perspective and each culture or individual defines for themselves what is truth. Since truth is invented, there is no universal transcultural truth. Each culture or individual will define truth differently according to their background and perspective. Truth changes. Since truth is a matter of a group or individual’s perspective, one’s beliefs can change a truth statement. Since an individual determines truth, truth is affected by the attitude of the one professing it. There can be no such thing as absolute truth. Absolute truth is not knowable. Absolute and objective truth cannot be known since it is built on the shifting foundation of man’s perceptions. As each individual’s perception is different, truth cannot be known.

Abraham Lincoln

The absolute truth this am is that

Our sin has deceived us

John 18:28 (ESV)

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

It’s still early morning when they do this.. this is an incredibly long day for Jesus.. these guys have been after Jesus since john 4. They use the excuse of Passover not to be the ones who put Jesus to death

Rome was the over arching govt but they allowed the Jews to have their own govt system as long as they stayed inline.

Gen 3 eve said the serpent deceived her adam said the woman deceived him.

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)

13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Our hearts are deceiving

Jeremiah 17:9  (ESV)

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,     and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Warren Wiersbe states, “Sin is deceitful. You think you are getting away with it, but all the while it is hardening your heart and robbing you of blessing.”

Charles Spurgeon explains how we get there

"Notice very carefully that sin has a hardening power over the heart. How does that come about? Partly through our familiarity with sin. We may look at hateful sin till we love it. Familiarity with sin makes the conscience dull, and at length deadens sensibility.”

Hebrews 3:8  (ESV)

8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,     on the day of testing in the wilderness,

John 5:44  (ESV)

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

1 John 3:17 (ESV)

17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Our Pride is deceiving

John 18:29-32 (ESV) . 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

jews thought Pilate would just do it he gave them soldiers

Back story of Pilates wife…

Matthew 27:19  (ESV)

19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

1 Peter 5:6-8  (ESV)6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

It begins with humility

C.S. Lewis “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

Fixing the wash machine justice car both amy and himasked .. How do you know how to do this stuff..

The plumbing… water everywhere..

.. when we are prideful we are saying we know the truth more than God does..

The absolute truth this am is

Jesus is King

John 18:33-36 (ESV)

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Asking for a friend?

Ask 1 pic ask 2 pic ask 3 pic ask 4 pic ask 5 pic

Jesus asks who is real accuser is. Who is really talking here..

how many times do we question Christ.. asking for a friend Jesus.. God’s word?

Jesus never defended himself he did not need to b/c he was not guilty of anything..

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus is the Absolute King

John 10:30  (ESV)

30 I and the Father are one.”

Luke 17:21  (ESV)

21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Revelation 19:16 (ESV)

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The question is are you

Are you listening?

John 18:37-38 (ESV)

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

He doesn’t listen to Jesus.. he hears him.. but he doesn’t listen

Perception of truth

I believe Pilates question was sarcastic.. there is not truth in this world..he probably lied cheated been lied to and been cheated. (Relativisim)

According to a majority of American adults (57%), knowing what is right or wrong is a matter of personal experience. This view is much more prevalent among younger generations than among older adults. Three-quarters of Millennials (74%) agree strongly or somewhat with the statement, “Whatever is right for your life or works best for you is the only truth you can know,”

Absolute graph pic

2 Corinthians 4:4  (ESV)

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Power of truth

Ephesians 2:1-3  (ESV)

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind

The truth is freedom

John 8:32  (ESV)

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The truth is renewal

John 17:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 Sanctify them[a] in the truth; your word is truth.

The truth is worship

John 4:24  (ESV)

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Who do you choose?

John 18:39-40 (ESV)

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Each day you are choosing your sin or Jesus

John 14:6  (ESV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 18:28-40

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.