Sermon Tone Analysis
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What is Truth?
Easter Sunday April 19, 1998
Introduction: John 18:28-40
Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” is basic to any human being ever born that has been capable of thought.
And yet it is over his head.
He stands in the presence of truth and asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
In Mt. 27:11, Jesus says, “Yes, it is as you say.”
And then here Jesus asks him a question, “Is that your own idea or did others talk to you about me?”
Each one must decide for himself who Jesus is.
This is Pilate’s underlying question, “Who are you?” and “What do I do about it?”
Pilate’s response that he is not a Jew implies that the kingship of Jesus means nothing to him.
But Jesus tells him that it should.
He says his kingdom is not of this world.
That should be enough to make anyone sit up and take notice.
Pilate mockingly responds to this which opens the door for Jesus to share the gospel with him as it has so far been developed.
He was born into this world from another world in order to bring the glories of that world to redeem this fallen one.
But he is being rejected.
The rest of the gospel is to be written shortly, that Jesus would die for the sins of mankind and rise from the dead.
He says that all who love the truth will follow the truth, and that he is truth.
The gospels have a common phrase spoken by Jesus that attest to his truth.
That statement is, “I tell you the truth ---,” found 30 times in Matthew, 13 in Mark, 9 in Luke, and 28 times in John.
But then we have Pilate’s statement, “What is truth?”
His question is grounded in political motivation, self-serving interests, expedience, and situational ethics.
He has heard enough though that he takes a cautious approach and tries to persuade the Jews to back off from the death penalty.
He tries a number of times, but in the end hands him over.
Acts 3:13 tells us that Pilate had decided to let Jesus go.
But Pilate’s own statement in John 19:10 affirms that he had the power to do whatever he willed, and yet he didn’t let him go.
The problem was that Pilate would rather be safe with the Jews than with Jesus.
Jesus says that the Jews bear the greater sin, and that God’s sovereign will was over Pilate’s decision.
But that does not let Pilate off the hook.
Pilate has seen truth and ultimately rejected it.
When we ask what truth is, we should embrace its reality.
But there was another man early in John’s gospel who sought truth and ultimately received it.
His name was Nicodemus.
His search holds promise for us and those to whom we witness about truth.
For many it takes time to process.
But if they seek they will find.
And what they find is glorious.
*I.
The darkness of confusion.
(Jn.
3:1-21)*
(Wondering if truth is real.)
A.
The necessity for the new birth.
(vv.
1-5)
1.
We become victims of position and circumstances.
Truth is available to anyone.
(v.
1)
2. We become trapped in fear of opinion.
Truth may have timid beginnings.
(v.
2a)
3. We need a framework for what we experience.
Truth seeks to build upon what it knows.
(v.2b)
4. We are limited in our world view.
Truth requires a different world view.
(v.
3)
5. We are victims of our fallen flesh.
Truth can stand our doubts.
(v.
4)
6. We cannot find our own way to God. Truth leads to God because it comes from God. (v.
5)
B.
The nature of the new birth.
(vv.
6-13)
1.
The new birth is spiritual.
(vv.
6-7)
2.
The new birth is mysterious.
(vv.
8-10)
3.
The new birth is real.
(v.
11)
4.
The new birth is heavenly.
(v.
12)
5.
The new birth is through the Son of Man. (v.
13)
C.
The basis for the new birth.
(vv.
14-21)
1. Christ had to die.
(vv.
14-17)
a.
Man’s sin and its penalty.
(v.
14)
b.
God’s gift of a substitute.
(v.
15)
c.
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