What is Truth?

Welcome

We are so glad that you are here. It is likely that you have heard the statement, “what would Jesus do”. This phrase is meant to help us to get some perspective on how we should navigate through situations based on the example that Jesus has left for us. If we really want to understand the heart, mind, and hands of Christ, we must examine His words and conversations.

Over the next several weeks, we are going to look at real conversations that Jesus had around some important topics: truth, salvation, cancel culture, equality, temptation, politics, and spiritual growth. Each week we will tackle a different topic in a conversational setting.

Let’s introduce everyone

Scripture(s)

John 8:32 ESV

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 18:33–40 ESV

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pray

Lord we are thankful that we can have moments like this where we can engage your Word in community. I pray that you visit us today. Give us open eyes, ears, hearts. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Observations

What is truth?

The quality or state of being true. That which is true in correspondence with facts and reality.

This is a timely series because I believe more than ever the word truth has been redefined by culture. You ever see how things evolve through time and you wonder how you got there? The devil is cunning. He won't start with extreme lies, he simply presents what appears to be minor altercations that appear true(ish). Look at his encounter with our parents, Adam and Eve. We must remember a partial truth is a full lie. Satan is the father of lies, the truth isn't in him...In fact there are what I would say two primary weapons I believe the enemy uses to corrupt our understanding of truth. He uses the "isms".

Versions of truth

Relativism

The assumption that there is no such thing as absolute truth. Truth evolves, truth is in constant change. What used to be wrong is no longer wrong. We can look at the evolution of marriage. It was a sacred covenant that people honored. People worked through their problems and stayed together. Now, we have weddings on TV and the marriage is over before the credits roll. Has the sanctity of marriage changed or has society changed its understanding of the truth of marriage?

Truth is not unhinged from absolutes

True freedom comes knowing the truth…God Himself

Subjectivism

The belief that I, the subject, have the right to determine what is right and wrong without submitting my judgment to any authority outside of myself. There is no truth so you can't impose your truth onto me. Truth is determined by how I feel. I decide what truth is. As long as I am happy, it doesn't matter. As long as I don't hurt anyone it doesn't matter. Essentially the view is, because there is no truth, my feelings are the indicators that dictate my life.

Truth in the Church

The wild thing is this thinking has creeped into the church. Spoke with a follower of Christ and he said he was struggling with giving to the church financially. He was a strong believer but he said giving wasn't his truth. I know we all can have struggles with our faith but when we chose to edit scriptures to validate our lives, we've allowed the isms to creep into our faith.

The reason why this is so important is What we believe determines how we behave. If I believe marriage is honorable, I will behave honorably. If I believe Jesus is Lord, I should behave like it.

Jesus and Pilot

In all 4 Gospels, the first thing Pilate asks Jesus is, are you the king of the Jews? Pilate was looking in the face of divinity and didn't recognize Him. With Pilate being a pagan, they served many God's and performed countless rituals to please their god. Pilate was standing in the presence of God but couldn't recognize Him because he was looking through the filter of works. I've seen so many of us say God where are you? Can't you see I'm struggling and we can't recognize that our mere survival indicates that God is with us.

The dialogue is compelling. In their exchange, Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews. Jesus retorts, are you speaking for yourself or did someone tell you about me? Jesus asks questions to reveal intent is prior to content. To give one truth that doesn’t love it, you only multiply misinterpretation.

Pilate says am I a Jew, your priests and nation have handed you over to me. Do you see what just happened here. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews because the people He represents aren't acting like it. Everyday people are looking for truth but don't see it in Christ because the people who serve Him don't act like He's the King of their lives. Are there areas of your walk with God that you have given up on? I don't know who I'm talking to but I feel that God wanted me to encourage someone tonight. I'm not talking to y'all that got it all together, I'm talking to the person that will say serving Jesus doesn't look they way they thought it would and want to give up....don't give up! If you take it out of Jesus' hand He can't multiply it in yours

Jesus responds and says that His kingdom isn't of this world. He's a king but His kingdom isn't of this world. He's a king but He wasn't in His jurisdiction. He was rejected.

Are you giving Jesus jurisdiction to rule over your life? Where there is no jurisdiction, there is fiction...fiction in our faith and crucifixion, things we sacrifice!

Pilate responds with, so you are a king. Jesus says yes. I was born for this. I came to be the embodiment of truth. Pilate says, what is truth? In other words, you don't look like truth. The fact is, you look pretty common to me.

Facts and Truth

Facts and Truth are not mutually exclusive. Just because there is evidence to reinforce a fact, doesn't mean it overrides God's Truth.

Fact says you have been defeated, truth says you are more than a conqueror.

Fact says your circumstance is bigger than you, truth says, greater is He that's in you than He that's in the world.

Fact says you don't have the experience to finish the job, truth says I can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens me.

Fact says your dilemma is dead and stinking, truth says, Come out!!!

Fact says you are sick and there isn't a diagnosis, truth says by His stripes we are healed!!!!

Never let the facts to interfere with your faith! Who's report will you believe? Consume the word, digest truth and metabolize faith!

There's no greater deception than distance

Barrabas was set free instead of Jesus

The most powerful thing in the world is truth

Truth is exclusive