Pursuit of truth
Notes
Transcript
Faith is a pursuit of truth
Faith is a pursuit of truth
Faith is a pursuit of truth
Truth is something that is complete, no missing parts, no questions.
Its a reality that exists on its own
as it is discovered it puts into perspective on other things
God is truth
God’s revelation of Himself (revelation of true) brings perspective to our life and allows us to value what is important
ex. Christ taught and revealed to us there will be a day of judgement (a reality that exists beyond this world)…therefore repent and change your ways.
When changing your life, wouldn’t you want to do it based on truth?
While on earth, the full reality of God has yet to be revealed to us, therefore faith is required.
So while on earth our goal is to pursue after truth (God) which means that we must be willing to let go of things, beliefs we thought were right, or even people.
Transition from John to Jesus
Transition from John to Jesus
The disciples of John, learned a lesson about the pursuit of truth.
The struggled to leave John and cling to Christ, even though John testified of Christ
If we examine what stood in their way, then we can maybe identify what stands in our way.
Incurring loss
John and his disciples were loosing popularity and followers after Christs’ baptism
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
No body enjoy’ loss for the sake of the gospel, but we are told that we will suffer and loose as we follow Christ.
With the moral complexities in society, our Christian ethic and morality are constantly challenged in a threatening way.
Church non-profit status
job security
social acceptance
To minimize loss we can choose a path of compromise, that leaves us uneasy for a period of time until we figure out how to justify our stance.
Cherry pick the facts
Disciples of John emphasized only the parts of Jesus baptism that helped their case.
“whom you have testified”
They left out key facts in the baptism…light from heaven, dove and the voice.
All of us have the ability to paint a picture, using what we want. But the pursuit of truth, looks at a situation from every possible angle.
ex. Holy week, 4 gospels…OT and NT readings
Remember our place (Humility)
We are not the truth of life, but truth is being revealed to us, so we are in a constant state of discovery.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.
John Chrysostom
Nothing can be clearer or bolder than truth.… It neither seeks concealment nor avoids danger, it fears no plots or cares for popularity. It is subject to no human weakness.…