Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 8-26-2015

2 John 1-4

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As John introduces this second epistle, he begins with the mention of truth. 

 

1.  In the later days of the apostles, apostasy very quickly spread and was found on every hand.  False prophets became false teachers. 

 

2 Peter 1:19-2:3  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  …  (1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  (2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  (3)  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  (Thus, in 2 Peter, we find truth and false truth.  It is the truth that exposes false truth.)

 

2.  What is the work of a teacher?  To instruct of to educate someone.  Their job is to give facts or truth.  With the rise of false teachers, there must also be a pseudo-truth or false truth.  Therefore, we find that truth is a relative term.  In false teaching, there are two types: 

 

a)  Ignorant teachers who simply teach the “facts” that they have learned from another.  These are false teachers but not necessarily apostate as the apostate once held the truth and moved away from their former position.  Such false facts are found in many of the text books being used in schools or churches.  In churches, there are many teachers who use incorrect, fallible modern bibles or use Sunday School material written by liberal or lost writers.  Many of these false teachers are ignorant of truth. 

 

b)  Apostate teachers are more dangerous.  Those who know the truth and continue to preach doctrine contrary to the truth.  These are not ignorant, they are willful!

 

Romans 1:18-22  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world 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 that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 

c)  I said that truth has actually become a relative term in the day in which we live. 

 

1)  Relative means comparative: reasonable as compared to.  In other words, truth can change with the times.  Real truth is absolute:  complete and unconditional.  It does not change with the times.  If it was true 100 years ago, it was true 50 years ago, and it is true today. 

 

2)  A man once told me, “I am on the side of right!”  Sounds great does in not?  But with this man, right was perceived right.  In other words, it did not necessarily have to be right, it just had to seem right to him.  We live in days with no right or wrong.  It is right if you think it is right and wrong if you think that it is wrong.  RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG!

 

d)  Therefore, there must be a right standard; an unmovable truth; a final authority from which all things are measured and upon which all judgement is rendered.

 

B.  This will take a few weeks to preach because of the importance of the subject.  Therefore, we find:

 

1.  The importance of Truth or a Benchmark from which all things are measured.  It is imperative that we know that we have the Word of God.  Not an errant, fallible book that contains the Word of God but the very words of God!

 

a.  Our salvation depends upon it.  Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (If salvation comes through faith in the Word of God, then we must have it in order to be saved.  Satan hates the King James Bible!)

 

b.  Our sound doctrine depends upon it.  Titus 1:9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  (God expects us to be doctrinally correct and gives us the truth of God’s Word to anchor our doctrine in.)

 

c.    Our Christian growth requires it.  Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.  (Christianity is based upon spiritual growth and those building blocks are founded in the truth of God’s Word.)

 

d.  Our daily guidance necessitates It. Psalms 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Wisdom comes from God.  If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God.)

 

e.  Our exposing of false teachers relies upon it.  Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  (In order to expose and refute error, you must have truth.)

 

Conclusion:  Over the next few months, we will be looking at the apostasy that faces the local church today, the false teachers who infiltrate the local church, and the Word of God that protects us from them.