Anchored In Truth

Foundations are so important, anchors are so important, and roots are so important. Why? These are all important because they allow objects from mowing where they shouldn’t. If a ship’s anchor pulls out of the ocean floor then the ship travels wherever it wants. If the foundation of a house that is designed to keep it steady fails then the house will tilt or fall over. If the roots of a true rot out break, or if they are in bad soil then the tree might fall over in the wind.

On the pictures in he slide you can see where the roots rotted the same thing happens to people when they are not in the truth.

I. What is the Truth?

Pilate finds himself asking the same question I am asking today to Christ in John 18:37–38 “37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” 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. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.””

a. The short answer is Christ

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 1:9 “9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Christ is himself truth. All truth flows from him which brings us the the second source of truth.

b. The Word of God

The word of God serves as the source of truth of special revelation given to people on earth. Through it we find the truth that comes from Christ.

Psalm 119:160 “160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We should be diligent to discover the truth from God’s Word.

C. The Holy Spirit

a. The Holy Spirit guides believers in the truth of God’s word.

b. John 16:13 “13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

C. John 14:17 “17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

II. Why we need the truth.

Like the tree where the roots gave out not having truth leads people to do things beyond the normal bounds of humanity.

In the beginning God created everything and specifically man was perfect Genesis 1:31 “31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

When God say everything on the sixth day it was “very good.”

Humans broke that by questioning the truth of God’s Word

In Genesis three we see the serpent tempt Eve by questioning the Word of God (Genesis 3:4-5)

Eve believed him and forsake the truth of God eating the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7)

Do this day people still do this even through the truth is right in front of them

Romans 1:18–25 NKJV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Paul here is addressing the Romans but the fact of denying the truth of God is true in the lives of people today if they choose to live in a way that denies the truth of what God teaches.

d. There is so much confusion in the Word, but the power of the Word of God is that it teaches a set way to live and Christ gives us the power to live in that truth. Now, more than ever, we need the Word of God and the faith of Christ to transform our lives. In a world where so many different people teach so many different truths or methods being anchored in some the truth is even more important.

III. How to receive the truth.

I want to go back to Romans because Romans just has so much to say about salvation and our need for salvation. Paul opens chapter 5 of roman with these two verse

Romans 5:12–21 NKJV

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here Paul is building on his argument about how neither the law or good works can save a person but the grace of Christ I want to take the time to focus on some words and verses though.

In verse twelve Paul says “death through sin” sin brings spiritual death and ultimately physical death. Then he goes on to point out how “all have sinned” every person is just as guilty as Adam because we have all chosen to sin.

Next look at verse fifteen and look at some of the terms. The “free gift.” We do not have to do anything to earn the gift but God gives it freely to those who have faith in Christ.

It is also a gift of “grace” humans did not deserve it but God showed us grace even when we had sinned.

The gift resulted in “justification” what this means is we are no longer seen as sinful bit now we are seen as righteous in the site of God. we have been brought to a sate of justice.

Then throughout the rest of the section Paul repeats the themes in poetic way.

This free gift can be yours

a. The first step to accepting the truth is acknowledging the lack of truth. People must realize that they are in need of the truth and are in need of a transformed life through Christ. It is important to see that yes I am a sinner but I and I need help.

b. The next step is to have the desire to live in the truth. Not fixing the problem is like realizing you have rattle under the hood of your car but never doing anything to fix it. We must desire to turn (repent) from our old way of life and turn to a life in Christ that seeks to live the Word of God. In turning to Christ not only will your sins be forgiven but Christ will also give you the power to be transformed.

c. Believe. In looking to turn from your sin you must believe that Christ is able to both forgive your sins and transform your life in a way the conforms to the truth!

Romans 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Through our faith we can peace in God.

So how dose this all lead back to truth.

d. Tying back to truth

Well in leaving behind a life of sin and not living in the truth of God we now through faith and the Holy Spirit and that life is anchored in truth. The reason that believing in Christ is so relevant today is because of the confusion people are all trying to “find their way or “be enlightened”, “find the truth in science”,or “get better as a person.” the problem with all of these paths is that they ultimately lead to confusion and like that tree we can end up lost and stretching further. So many people look to a sinful lifestyles and to money and to power, maybe fame, maybe social media likes. So many people are teaching false ideologies about life and how to look at the world and I want to challenge you today to seek Christ and be anchored in truth.

Conclusion

I want to invite you today to come to Christ in faith and turn away from a life that denies the truth to one that lives rooted in the truth not unstable and plagued by uncertainty or confusion. I am asking to give your life to Christ today and start living in a new way. You may come from a way of sin, but there is grace sufficient in that free gift that Christ gives!

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