True Christians are Truth-based

Intro:

We live in a day which is often devoid of truth.

In our post-modern society, everyone creates truth for themselves and nobody can deny “your” truth.

We see a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, and language.

In our study of true Christianity, we have seen that true Christians:

love God

Love others

Are holy

and today we learn that true Christians are truth-based.

What is truth?

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Webster’s Dictionary

Definition of truth

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1): the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY(2): the state of being the case : FACT(3)often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

As believers, we are people of the book, God’s book, the Bible.

God’s word is truth

The Living word

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

John 1:1-

Jesus is the living word

Jesus is the living word

He is GOD in the flesh

Every word he said was Scripture.

it was and is 100% truth

This is the good thing about the red letter edition of Scriptures.

You can see what Jesus said and taught.

The written word

The Bible is also truth.

It all should be red lettered!

Every word came from GOD.

Cover to cover it is the word of God.

Inspired

Literally GOD-breathed

2 Peter 2:20–21 ESV

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

2 Peter 2:

God wrote the Bible, using human authors as His pens.

We have what God wanted us to have.

Innerant

John 3:12 ESV

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

infallibility

infallability

1 Peter 1:23–25 ESV

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Sufficient

2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Sufficient

In other words, the Scriptures are sufficient because they are the only (“once for all”) inspired and (therefore) inerrant words of God that we need, in order to know the way of salvation (“make you wise unto salvation”) and the way of obedience (“equipped for every good work”).

2-17

Scriptural standards are true standards.

What are the benefits of truth?

Truth gives Freedom

John 8:31–33 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

From Sin’s consequences

eternal life

Christ took the consequences for us

From Sin’s dominion

slavery

Before Christ our sin nature enslaves us

Truth Sanctifies us.

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

To be sanctified is to be set apart for a particular use

We are set apart for God’s use and should only do what GOD wants and hate all that GOD hates.

Leviticus 11:44–45 ESV

For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:16 ESV

since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

How do we know the truth?

You know the Bible

Read it

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Nehemiah 8:3 ESV

And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Neh

Study It

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Memorize It

Psalm 119:11 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Meditate Upon It

Psalm 119:97–104 ESV

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

ps 119:97-104

You Believe the Bible

Proverbs 3:5–7 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

You apply the Bible

Psalm 119:1–8 ESV

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Conclusion: