The Truest Truth
Notes
Transcript
Certain words that many companies use in their annual reports—words like ethical, integrity and responsibility—are meant to convey trustworthiness. But research suggests that companies that use such words in annual filings known are often hiding their untrustworthiness.
The study found that use of “trust” words in annual statements was linked with a decreased interest in the stock of the company in question. Basing their findings on 21 words that seek to evoke a sense of trustworthiness, the authors also found that companies whose annual filings included the words tended to pay about $100,000 more in auditing fees than firms without the words.
Companies using trust words were also about 15% more likely to receive a comment letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission asking them to clarify information on their annual report than companies that didn’t use trust words.
One of the researchers wrote, “Companies likely use trust words to project a positive image and better manage information within the annual report, but it seems that no one is really fooled.”
This illustration brings us nicely to where we are in our sermon series in the Gospel of John.
As we have learned these past weeks, Jesus is in His last year of His earthly ministry, and He is trying to get it through the heads of the religious leaders that it is not about rituals, it is not about well you follow the 600 something commands handed down through the ages, it is not about the rules and regulations.
It is about the truth that is standing before them. Last week, we learned more about the 2nd “I Am” statement. I am the light of the world.
So let me get you caught up to the point we are at today.
Believe it or not, Jesus is still at the Temple teaching during the Festival of Shelters or the Feast of Sukkoth. He is confronting the religious leaders with the one thing they are trying to deny, Jesus’ testimony.
He is telling them exactly who He is and Who sent Him.
It kind of reminds me of that scene in “A Few Good Men”.
Let’s jump into our verse for today so we can get a better understanding of this truth Christ is talking about
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Let’s Pray!
Now not in typical fashion, I will actually give you a three point message. And I want you to be aware, we will jump back and forth in Chapter 8 so we can get a better understanding of what Christ is talking about.
So our first point today is:
Christian Vs Disciple
If we look at the word, we discover that the word Christian came from the original word Christianŏs and it originally showed up in Acts 11:26
and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
We see that the term was originally a nickname that literally meant "These Christ-folk" and was a little bit of a slur.
Still looking into the original language we discovered that that word Christianŏs was only used three times in the entire bible while the Greek word mathētēs (math-a-tees) which literally means “A learner or pupil” and that we translate as disciple was used 269 times in the first five books of the New Testament.
Everybody here today actually falls into one of three categories of people who have heard the gospel message. There are those who haven’t responded. They have heard the claims of Christ but have never asked for his forgiveness and have never invited him to manage their life. And the Bible is very clear that those who fall into that category are destined for hell! That is the simple truth.
But maybe you are a Christ Follower in which case you might fall into one of other two categories. You might be what some spiritual folks would refer to as a “carnal” Christian. But really let’s be honest here. You are not simply a “Carnal” Christian you are a disobedient Christian and you will have to answer to God for that disobedience. And your greatest need right now is to turn everything over to Christ. It is not enough to accept the salvation that Christ offers without accepting his Lordship over your life.
You see the category that includes most of us, is that we are struggling along doing the best that we can and wondering if that is good enough. And hopefully we will discover that our primary objective as disciples is to Follow Christ and that is evidenced by our obedience to Christ. Because we can’t actually say that we follow Jesus if we don’t go where he leads us.
Now disciple has a very bad connotation today. When we hear disciple in a religious setting we think of people like David Kiresh, Jim Jones, or that space cadet guy who made everyone die in a bunker waiting on the aliens to snatch them up.
When we talk about being a disciple, we are talking about a disciple of Jesus Christ, not David Richard or NEC.
I am not talking about following a set of rituals, rights or rules that was made up by man, I am talking about being a blood bought born again disciple of Jesus Christ.
Christ is very clear here that to be a disciple, you must continue in His Word. It is not a Sunday thing and the rest of the week follow what you want.
A disciple of Christ is identified by their transformed life, their love for God and others, obedience to His teachings, and a commitment to sharing the Gospel.
Repentant Faith: Disciples recognize their need for salvation through Jesus Christ and turn away from sin, placing their faith in Him for forgiveness and new life.
Love for God and Others: Love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commands and a desire to live according to His will. Love for others is a natural overflow of this love for God, leading to compassion, service, and forgiveness.
Imitation of Christ:. Disciples strive to live like Jesus, reflecting His character, actions, and teachings in their daily lives.
Commitment to Scripture:. Disciples study and apply God's Word, finding guidance and direction for their lives.
Dependence on the Holy Spirit: They rely on the Holy Spirit's power to empower them to live as disciples and to bear fruit.
So which of the three categories do you fit into?
Disciple, Christian or one destined for death hell and the grave.
The second point Christ brings up in our verse today is:
Truth
Christ is blunt to the religious leaders and those who are listening...you will know the truth!
What is this truth?
Well, this is where we need to go back a bit and look at what Christ said earlier.
So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”
The truth is laid out right here. Christ came to die for us, to do God’s will here on earth.
John’s entire gospel is to identify Christ as 100% man and 100% divine.
This is the truth that Christ is talking about here. And he is desperate for those around Him to understand that truth.
Jesus identifies himself as "the way, the truth, and the life". This means the truth he speaks of is not some abstract concept or idea, but a living reality found only in him.
This means actively listening to his teachings, believing in them, and putting it all into practice in our daily life. It's not enough to simply know about Jesus or his teachings.
Knowing and living by this truth transforms a person's character, desires, and actions, aligning them with God's will through His Son and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is simple, to become His disciple you must know this truth and through this truth you will have:
Freedom
I know today, I am using a lot of movie references but this reminds me of Braveheart so much.
When he is riding across and he hollers, they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom.
True freedom comes from a personal and relational understanding of his truth.
The truth that the Son of God was lifted up on a cross so we can live free from the bondage of sin.
One of the deceitful things about sin is that it promises freedom but only brings slavery.
Warren W. Wiersbe
We have all heard that we all fall short of the glory of God. This means that we are a slave to our sin if we do not have a relationship with Christ that extends past us being Christian and puts us on a path of true discipleship.
That is freedom!
A freedom that points us to eternal life, a relationship with God that extends beyond this earthly existence.
Are you set free?
