What Is Truth?

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-9-2024

John 18:33-38

Introduction:

 

A. While our Lord Jesus Christ, The Truth-John 14:6) stood in Pontius Pilate’s presence, Pilate asked the age old question: “What is truth?”

 

B. An interesting question! For millenniums, men have searched for truth of one kind or another. There are many kinds of truth in this world that men claim to have found but, just because you believe something to be truth, it may or may not be true.

 

C. The question in our text is, did Pilate actually want to know the truth or did he mean that truth in this instance was not knowable.

 

D. Those in charge the night that Jesus was bound captive and interrogated, played a game of “Hot Potato” with our Lord as none of then wanted to be hung with the job of satisfying both Rome and the Jews.

 

1. The Mob brought Jesus bound to Annas, so Annas passed Him along to Caiaphas.

 

John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

 

2. Then Caiaphas passed Him along to Pontius Pilate in the Judgment Hall.

 

John 18:28-29 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. (29) Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

 

3. At this point, Pontius Pilate became the “proxy” who stood between Rome and the Jews.

 

E. Pontius Pilate was Procurator of Judea and Governor of the East. By Procurator, it is meant a “proxy” or to stand in the place of someone else, that person was Tiberius Caesar! Pontius Pilate tried to be just but was placed into a “no win” position, so he—being a skilled politician—tried to settle a “could not be settled” thing.

 

F. Later, Pontius Pilate wrote this letter to Tiberius Caesar describing the situation through his eyes:

 

Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Cæsar the emperor, greeting.

 

Upon Jesus Christ, whose case I had clearly set forth to thee in my last, at length by the will of the people a bitter punishment has been inflicted, myself being in a sort unwilling and rather afraid.  A man, by Hercules, so pious and strict, no age has ever had nor will have.  But wonderful were the efforts of the people themselves, and the unanimity of all the scribes and chief men and elders, to crucify this ambassador of truth, notwithstanding that their own prophets, and after our manner the sibyls, warned them against it:  and supernatural signs appeared while he was hanging, and, in the opinion of philosophers, threatened destruction to the whole world.  His disciples are flourishing, in their work and the regulation of their lives not belying their master; yea, in his name most beneficent.  Had I not been afraid of the rising of a sedition among the people, who were just on the point of breaking out, perhaps this man would still have been alive to us; although, urged more by fidelity to thy dignity than induced by my own wishes, I did not according to my strength resist that innocent blood free from the whole charge brought against it, but unjustly, through the malignity of men, should be sold and suffer, yet, as the Scriptures signify, to their own destruction.  Farewell.  28th March.

 

G. When Pilate asked the question: “What is Truth?’, I believe that he though that truth at this point was unknowable. One side, the Jewish accusers of Christ making unproven allegations and on the other side, Christ Jesus who said that they knew the truth and refused to answer Pilate’s questions.

 

H. I just wanted to set this backdrop so as to give the proper interpretation of what transpired the night before Christ died.

 

J. Winston Churchill once said: “Occasionally men stumble over the truth. Most pick themselves up and go, as if nothing happened.” Thus, it was with Pontius Pilate who eventually washed his hands and turned Jesus Christ over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion.

 

K. A Man in whom Pontius Pilate “found no fault at all” would shortly turn Jesus Christ over to be crucified!

 

1.     Faced with the Truth, Pilate found that the cost of Truth, with the mob of Jews on one side and Tiberius Caesar on the other, was too much of a price to pay.

 

2.     Thus, Pilate became the epitome a compromiser. Someone once said that Pilate has been trying to get the blood of Christ off his hands for 2,000 years in hell.

 

L. Now to the question, “What is Truth?”

 

1. Truth will always be Absolute. If it is Truth, it is right. Otherwise, Truth becomes untruth. The world struggles with the matter of Truth because they, as Churchill said, “Stumble over the truth … pick themselves up and go, as if nothing happened.”

 

a. Pilate was standing right face to face with TRUTH and yet he walked away! You can turn away from Truth because you do not want it to be truth, but if it is truth, you cannot change it!

 

b. Modern philosophy, the Love of Knowledge, sums it up this way:

 

1) There are no absolutes except the absolute that that there are no absolutes." This statement is a conflicting one because it states that there are no absolutes and says that there is an absolute truth that there are no absolutes!

 

2) There must be absolutes, otherwise there would be no Truths!

 

c. Truth has been silenced by intolerance. As one preacher put it, “America has undergone a moral lobotomy, and principled conviction has been replaced by political correctness.” This is simply a cloak under which hypocrisy hides!”

 

d. Many so-called “Christians” believe that truth is relative or what you think it to be or not to be. Thus, the end of such thinking is humanism: the worship of self. If you think it is right, it is right; if you think it is wrong, it is wrong.

 

2. Truth today has been Abandoned.

 

a. We find that mankind, those who reject the knowledge of God, must become willfully ignorant of the Truth.

 

1) By the Intellect. 2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2) By the Evolutionist. 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

 

b. There is Perfect Truth. If it is perfectly true, it will remain true.

 

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. Absolute Truth will never be obsolete nor diminished.

 

Isaiah 59:14-15 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. (15) Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

 

Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

3. Truth will always be Accessible.

 

a. The Heavens and the Earth declare Truth.

 

Psalms 14:1-2 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (2) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

 

b. The Word of God is Truth. We have the God given right to accept or reject it. Either our accepting or rejecting does not do away with the Truth of God’s Word. It remains Truth to all generations.

 

Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

 

c. The Son of God embodies Truth. Truth was available for Pontius Pilate but, because of his circumstances, he chose to walk away.

 

4. Truth is Available.

 

a. The Inscribed Word of God is Truth.

 

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

b. The Incarnate Word of God is Truth.

 

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

5. Truth is Liberating.

 

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

Conclusion: Pilate, faced with Truth, rejected truth.

Merciful Kindness and Enduring Truth - Part 2

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-24-2023

Psalm 117

 

Introduction:

 A.  Last week, we looked at “Merciful Kindness.”

 

1.  Merciful in that we do not get:

 

a)   What we deserved (past tense).  There were a lot of things in my past that I choose not to talk about, but I thank God every day because my sins are gone!

 

b)  What we deserve (present tense).  God’s mercies are new every morning and as we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

c)  What we will deserve (future tense).  God’s mercy follows us all the days of our lives according to Psalm 23:6.  His compassions, they fail not!

 

2.  Kindness is the manner in which God gives mercy.  He does it in a loving, gentle fashion. 

 

a)  As a Father to His son.  He is not harsh with His children but as a father pitieth his child, God the Father has pity upon His children.

 

b)  As a Shepherd with His sheep.  He left the 99 in the fold and found that which was lost, put it upon His shoulder, and carried it back to the fold.

 

B.  Tonight I want to look at two phrases, “the truth of the Lord” and “that endureth for ever.”

 

C.  Live in days of:

 

1.   “purported truth” – something that is told as truth that may or may not be truth.  Purported: alleged, claimed, reported, or implied. 

 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (Two types found here:  a)  Those who are deceiving (intent) and b)  Those who are being deceived.)

 

a)  We live in the days of theories that are put forth as truth.  A theory is an unproved hypothesis or an assumption.  Their theories continue to evolve or change because true science or knowledge continues to expose their error. 

 

b)  The perfect example of this is the “science falsely so called” mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:20.  Two thousand years ago, things were called science (knowledge) which were not correct.

 

1 Timothy 6:20  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

 

c)  We are continually bombarded by scientists (so-called). 

 

1)  Scientist - a person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences: "a research scientist" They thrust their evolutionary principles upon us as facts and not the theories that they are. 

 

2)  I just on the news that they have found a molecule that shows the possibility of life on a planet 220 light years away (720 trillion miles).  A molecule carried by a light beam!  Right?

 

2.  Perceived Truth.  Something sensed, or seemingly felt. 

 

a.  Because someone thinks something is true does not mean that what is believed is right.  People once believed that the world was flat, and some that Atlas held it upon his shoulders. 

 

b.  In the religious world, there are people who ignore clear, concise Scripture while twisting what Bible they use and think that they are right.  Just because someone thinks  they are right does not make them right.  They read the Word of God and then speak contrary to it.  Perceived truth can be self-deception which is the worst deception.

 

c.  Never tell the Bible what to say, just read what it says!

 

3.  Here in verse 2, we find Perpetual Truth.  If something is true, will always be true.  Truth never changes.

 

a.  The promise of Truth.  “The truth” God’s truth is based upon His omniscience and veracity.  God is always right!

 

b.  The Person of Truth.  “of the LORD”  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life!”  God has truth because God is Truth.

 

c.  The Perpetuality of Truth.  “endureth for ever”

 

Conclusion:  The promise of the LORD’s enduring truth is found in our text.  Though attacked throughout the millenniums, God’s Truth has and will continue to prevail.

 

Grace and Truth

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2022

John 1:17; Hebrews 12:18-24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw that the Law came through Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.  Here we find the importance of “grace and truth.”  Without truth, law and grace are misunderstood by many.

 

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!

 

B.  Why the Law?

 

1.  The Law was God’s perfect standard by with man’s sinfulness is measured. 

 

Romans 7:5-8  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  (6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  (7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  (8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

 

2.  The Law was God’s schoolmaster by which man was pointed to Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 3:22-26  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

C.  The Law (Mount Sinai) and Grace and Truth (Mount Sion) contrasted:

 

D.  This contrast is starkly made through the mention of two Mountains, Sinai, and Sion.  Both mountains were important to the Nation of Israel.

 

1.  Mount Sinai, where God met with His people in the wilderness and gave to Moses the Law.  The establishment of the Old Covenant.

 

2.  Mount Sion, where the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world paid the price for the sins of mankind.  The establishment of the New Covenant.

 

E.  In Hebrews 12, we see the stark contrast between Law and Grace.

 

Hebrews 12:18-24  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19)  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20)  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21)  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  (22)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

Verse 18, “For ye are not come” – Mount Sinai

 

Verse 22, “But ye are come” – Mount Sion

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

1.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Place – Sinai vs. Sion

 

a.  A Place of Fear and Trembling – “and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest”

 

b.  A Place of Joyfulness and Happiness – “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”

 

2.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Word – Audible vs. Written

 

a.  God Speaking Audible Word – “And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more”

 

b.  God Speaking through the Written Word – “2 Peter 1:17-19  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  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:”

 

3.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Position – Israel vs. the Church

 

a.  The Nation of Israel – Isaiah 46:13  I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

 

b.  The General Assembly and Church – Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

4.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Sacrifice – Abel’s Sacrifice

 

a.  The Blood of Abel – Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

 

b.  The Blood of Christ – 1 Peter 1:18-20  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with ‘corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

5.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Mediator – Moses vs. Christ

 

a.  Moses – Romans 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

 

b.  Christ – 1 Timothy 2:5-6  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

6.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Covenant – Old vs. New

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

a.  The Old Covenant of the Law – Acts 13:38-39  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  (39)  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

b.  The New Covenant of Grace – Romans 8:1-3  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

7.  What the Law Could not do:

 

a.  The Law could not make man a Child of God.  It took grace and truth through propitiation.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

b.  The Law could not justify or make man acceptable to God.  It took grace and truth through imputation.

 

Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

Romans 4:2-5  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  (3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  (4)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

c.  In the eyes of the Law, we remain unjustified and condemned in our sin. It took grace and truth through mediation.

 

1 Corinthians 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

 

d. The Law was never to meant to save mankind.  It was to bring about conviction and to bear witness that man desperately needs the righteousness of God.  It took grace and truth through sanctification.

 

Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

e.  The Law could never bring comfort and confidence as it brought only conviction and condemnation.  2 Corinthians 3:9 called the Law “the ministration of condemnation.”

 

Romans 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

 

Galatians 3:20-29  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  (22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Conclusion:  The Law came by Moses and we that are saved love the Law as we are not lawless and have need of both the moral and civil laws.  By the same token, I am glad that we are no longer under the ceremonial law as Christ fulfilled the Law its entirety.  We are under grace and truth in our day.