Inspections and Construction

What is truth? How’s that for a deep question early in the morning?

An infamous person in history asked that very question of Jesus was Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea. When Christ was brought before Pilate during his trials Jesus said in John 18:37:

"You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Pilate then asked probably the most profound question in the Bible: "What is truth?" God’s word and God’s people have always pointed to Jesus for over two millennia while the world still asks the question: “What is truth!?”

The question remains relevant today. Many search for spiritual truth in our times, but are looking for it in all the wrong places or with the wrong presuppositions.

Christian artist Sara Groves said it best in her song, “The Word,” which describes the essential importance of returning to the Bible as the source of truth and light. The lyrics state:

“People are getting fit for truth like they’re buying a new tailored suit; does it fit across the shoulders? Will it fade when it gets older? We throw ideas that aren’t in style in the Salvation Army pile and search for something more to meet our needs.”

Many search for meaning and purpose in life and the question of the nature of truth is at the center of it. What are you living for? What are you preparing for?

Just yesterday I read of a perfectly healthy Dutch lady in her late 20’s that has elected to be euthanized because of her depression. The story said:

“...her psychiatrist said her condition will never improve.

Zoraya ter Beek lives in a nice house in a small Dutch town near the German border with her boyfriend and two cats. Despite being physically healthy, she plans to end her life due to her depression, autism and borderline personality disorder, according to The Free Press.

She once had ambitions to become a psychiatrist, but she was never able to finish school or start a career due to her own mental illness. But now, she is tired of living and wishes to end her life.” (Dutch woman, 28, to be euthanized over mental illness after psychiatrist's diagnosis | Fox News).

Such a story is sad and the elements of hopelessness are common today. That's why the world desperately needs Jesus. He can speak truth into any situation. Certainly there are a number of things we can discover about truth from Jesus. The first is…

The old truth is the new truth.

We live in a time when most people do not believe in moral absolutes. In other words, truth is defined by an outside, objective standard (i.e. the Ten Commandments) verses situational ethics. According to a Barna poll in the summer of 2015:

Two-thirds of American adults either believe moral truth is relative to circumstances (44%) or have not given it much thought (21%).

About one-third, on the other hand, believes moral truth is absolute (35%).

Millennials (those born 1981-1996) are more likely than other age cohorts to say moral truth is relative—in fact, half of them say so (51%), compared to 44 percent of Gen-Xers (Those born 1965-80), 41 percent of Boomers and 39 percent of Elders.

Among the generations, Boomers (those born 1946-64) are most likely to say moral truth is absolute (42%), while Elders are more likely than other age groups to admit they have never thought about it (28%).

Practicing Christians (59%) are nearly four times more likely than adults with no faith (15%) to believe moral truth is absolute.

Those with no faith (61%), meanwhile, are twice as likely as practicing Christians (28%) to say it is relative to circumstances.

Americans who adhere to a faith other than Christianity are roughly on par with the national average on this question. (The End of Absolutes: America's New Moral Code - Barna Group).

Jesus believed in a specific way; He presented the source of objective truth when He prayed for His disciples in His high priestly prayer in John 17:17:

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

By “truth,” Jesus is referring to the Old Testament, His teaching or anything that comes from God to us.

If Jesus said it was the source, who are we to second-guess Him? But then begs the question, how does one judge if something is truth, error, or truth mixed with error or error mixed with truth?

Your source of truth matters.

But there will always be those that lead people astray. Notice the warning comes from our Lord in verse 15:

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits.”

By using the illustrations of grapes and figs- two common examples of agriculture in that area of the world, He reaches the level of the disciples’ understanding. One can tell a grape vine and a fig tree from thorns and thistles by waiting for the fruit to be borne.

False prophets, according to Christ, first appear to be one thing, but are really another. Their message may seem attractive, and even make sense in some ways. But when studied in light of the whole of Scripture, they twist the truth to where their way only produces division and destruction. This has been the scenario with false teachers since the days of Moses.

What is interesting from the Old Testament instruction on dealing with misguided instructors is that there is considerable latitude for popularity and misguidance. In Deuteronomy 13:4, God advised the children of Israel of the way in which they could tell a false prophet from a true prophet. It wasn’t if he could perform miracles, was interesting, flashy or even likable. Funny how many today would say these are essential qualities of a pastor. Rather the way in which a false prophet could be found out is if the substance of what he taught was in contradiction to the commandments of God.

The purpose of such people was the testing of Israel’s loyalty. Verse four provides the instruction:

"You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”

In other words, it is possible for one to perform miracles, gain notoriety and a following. But such things are not proofs that a teacher is speaking or teaching the truth. Rather, the commandments of God. Their treatment was simple. He was to be executed. In doing so, God said: “…you shall purge the evil from among you.”

The apostle John wrote toward such things in 1 John 4:1:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

One way to determine a false prophet or a false teaching is to understand what they teach about Jesus Christ. Is He the king of Kings? Or is he is just a prophet, a moral or religious leader among many?

Another way is to ask what they think about the Bible. Do they need a companion volume? Or is Scripture the final authority in the church? You must be a student of the Bible to protect yourself against false teachers and their teaching. A.W. Tozer said: “Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s word.”

Here are some common signs of a cult:

Absolute Authoritarianism without Accountability: Cults often have a powerful leader who wields absolute authority. This leader’s rules are unquestioned, and there’s no accountability for their actions.

Zero Tolerance for Criticism or Questions: Cult members are discouraged from questioning the leader or group beliefs. Dissent is not tolerated.

Lack of Meaningful Financial Disclosure: Cults keep their financial dealings secretive. Members may not know how their contributions are used.

Unreasonable Fears about the Outside World: Cults often propagate conspiracy theories and fear of persecution. They create an “us vs. them” mentality.

Belief that Former Followers Are Always Wrong: Leaving a cult is seen as a betrayal, and former members are demonized.

Abuse of Members: Psychological, emotional, or physical abuse is common within cults.

Members Feeling Inadequate: Cults manipulate followers into feeling perpetually inadequate.

Leader Always Right: The leader is considered infallible, the sole source of truth.

Exclusive Means of Knowing “Truth”: Cult members believe the leader is the only way to access truth or validation.

Some time ago, I was approached upon my doorstep by two Jehovah’s Witnesses. The questions they asked were important and to the naïve of heart, would seem caring and concerned.

But when I pressed them about their literature as being a necessary aid to understanding the Bible, they were not interested in going further. What I could have done was present them with their church’s teaching about Christ, which did not recognize Him as the divine Son of God, but a creation of Him- and one of many gods. And there are many that believe what they’re pedaling today. They advocate a way to God. But their way deviates from the correct way.

But sometimes the strongest deception is that which comes from self. We forget that “following your heart,” can lead you astray. The following things are most helpful to keep in mind:

The heart is deceitful: Jeremiah 17:9 “9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

The heart is void of wisdom. Proverbs 28:26 “26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

The heart is inconsistent and emotional. That’s why people say they “fall out of love,” rather than honor their commitments.

James Montgomery Boice was the Senior Pastor of the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia until his death from cancer in 2000. His words surrounding Christ as the only way to God, are so appropriate, I share them with you today. Listen to what he wrote.

“Our natural ways will not lead us to the Father. And yet, there is a way. The way is Jesus. You and I have sinned, in little ways or in big ways (it does not matter which), and sin keeps us from God. Unless sin is removed we shall never get into God’s heaven. In fact, God will not even let us get close to it.

Do not make the mistake of counting upon your moral record as a way of coming to God. It is your record that gets you into trouble in the first place. Your record will condemn you, no matter how good you think you are or how good you appear in other men’s eyes. Count on the fact that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin, that he did what no other person could do. Accept the fact that He by his death provided the way for simple, sinful people like you and me to enter heaven.” (James Montgomery Boice, The Sermon on the Mount: An Expositional Commentary, 250-251).

Building for your spiritual future is critical.

Some of you have had the privilege of building your own home. Although picking out the color of carpet and counter-top material is important, it is not near important as the quality of the foundation. Having experienced a couple of home inspections, this is one area that is never overlooked.

When Dr. Tim moved to Grand Rapids, he was just about to purchase a home. Everything seemed to be in good shape. The house had everything he wanted and just a short distance from his new place of ministry. But there was one glitch. The foundation was in poor condition. It was so poor that it was going to cost close to $60,000 to repair. Needless to say, Dr. Tim bought another house.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24:

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.”

Who are the wise? Obviously, those that hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice. The Sermon on the Mount is filled with precious truth. Jesus’ is teaching on how temporal choices that affect eternity. Regardless, those who hear and act are likened to those who are wise, to the man who built his house upon the rock.

Verse 25 implies that there are variables which can endanger the home’s health if the foundation is not sure. Things like rain, floods, and wind all put the home in jeopardy. Certainly we know that life can throw many things at you that can shake your standing, but verse 25 may imply the final judgment- something that Jesus spoke plainly and often about. By listening to Jesus Christ, one is actually having God build their life.

I have heard some say that this implies that faith does not matter- only action/deeds. But one cannot separate Jesus’ words in verses 24-27 from verses 21-23 which say:

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

In other words, there are no magic words to get you into heaven. It is faith and its substance- a changed life affected by the Spirit of God. James 1:22 says:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

When Jesus speaks, what is your reaction? His words ought to make you move up in your seat. They ought to grab your attention! They should change the expression on your face. You should hang on every word, like Mary, who sat at his feet in Luke 10:39 while her sister Martha was concerned about peripheral matters.

When the Son of God speaks of eternity, it is to our utmost interest to listen and apply! Eternal home-building demands wise listening and wise action. But unfortunately…

There will be those who refuse sound advice, even from God, and choose to build another way.

Then there are those that assume that they do not need Jesus’ advice. To those He says in verse 26:

"And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."

How can anyone fail to listen to Jesus’ teaching? People ignore Him all the time in various ways. One way is through apathy or indifference. In other words, some are just not interested in what Jesus had to say.

Then there are those that are indifferent. Related to apathy, there are those in this world who are not compelled to listen and act upon Jesus’ words. Then there are those that reject His teaching. They will not accept or submit to the Lord’s instruction.

Finally, there is ignorance, which may consist of a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. Maybe you’ve known someone that fits a few, if not all of those categories. Those that don’t know. Those that don’t accept. And those that don’t care. The ultimate reason for such behavior due to being spiritually blind and deaf. They cannot act upon Christ’s words because it is not within them. The apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:14:

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Woe to those who choose not to listen to Jesus by reading His words!! It is truly a sad thing when individuals choose not to listen to Him! Christ compares them to the man who builds his house upon the sand.

Building a home in Palestine was quite different than constructing one in SE Pennsylvania. There, one had to be choosy about the footing. If you chose the wrong spot, it could be a matter of life and death. H.L. Ellison writes:

“As the picture of any hill village in Galilee will show us, to build on the sand implies building in the valley bottom, where the flood waters are bound to come. It would be an act of extreme folly ....” (H.L. Ellison, “The Gospel According to Matthew,” A New Testament Commentary, 150).

So where are you building your house? Have you made plans? Certainly thinking about our eternal future is important. We do not live for the here and now, yet we live in the here and now. We are not all going to the same place. Many are going the way of destruction. We must plan, and plan rightly. Ferguson states:

“It is only when we live in the light of the future, says Jesus, that we can make the right choices now. For appearances- in any light other than the light of eternity- are bound to deceive.” (Sinclair Ferguson, The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World , 164).

Jesus’ words remind us that there is such a thing as false conversion. We can say one thing, but live another. There are false teachers and those that live and believe wrongly. If we live good lives but have no faith, it means nothing. If we say that we have faith and yet it does not affect our behavior, it means nothing. It is only after we join genuine faith with genuine action that we can be assured that our house is built rightly. Anything less is a man-made structure that is sure to fall. We must have a joining of the two- genuine belief and genuine action which produces praise and thanksgiving to God through Christ.

The two are gauged by how we see Christ and the level of His authority. Did He know what He was talking about? Notice the result of the Sermon on the Mount. Verse 28:

“The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

What will you do with His teaching today? Let us pray.