The Way Of Christ - The Way To Truth

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                            The Way To Truth

INTRODUCTION

1. The Way of Christ is also the way to truth...
   a. Jesus came to this world to bear witness to the truth - Jn 18:37
   b. He was full of grace and truth - Jn 1:14,17
   c. He is the truth - Jn 14:6

2. To appreciate the significance of this, we must understand what is
   truth...
   a. By answering the question asked by Pilate:  "What is truth?" - Jn
      18:38
   b. Especially when so many today view truth as relative

[Many have a relativistic view of truth, that what may be true for me
may not be true for you.  This is contrary to the correspondence view of
truth (what corresponds to factual reality).  As used in the Bible,
let's define...]

I. THE MEANING OF TRUTH

   A. BIBLICAL WORDS FOR TRUTH...
      1. True (alethes) - "unconcealed, manifest...actual, true to fact"
         - Vine's
      2. True (alethinos) - "denotes 'true' in the sense of 'real,
         ideal, genuine;'" - ibid.
      3. Truth (aletheia) - "objectively, signifying 'the reality lying
         at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable
         essence of a matter' (Cremer)" - ibid.
      -- When the Bible speaks of truth, it describes that which
         corresponds to reality, what is factual and absolute, not
         relative

   B. BIBLICAL STATEMENTS REGARDING TRUTH...
      1. God is a God of truth - Deut 32:4
      2. Jesus is the truth, full of truth, and spoke the truth - Jn
         14:6; 1:14; 8:45
      3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth - Jn 14:17
      4. The Word of God is truth - Jn 17:17
      5. The judgments of God are according to truth - Ps 96:13; Ro 2:2
      -- The Bible asserts that God is true (real), reveals truth
         (reality), and judges accordingly

[So when Jesus says that He came to bear witness to the truth, it means
He proclaims things as they are in fact, in reality.  Denying it won't
change reality.  With this understanding, let's now consider...]

II. JESUS AS THE WAY TO TRUTH

   A. HIS VIEW OF TRUTH...
      1. Truth is knowable - Jn 8:32
      2. His doctrine reveals truth - Jn 8:31-32
      3. The Holy Spirit would guide His apostles into all truth - Jn
         14:26; 16:13
      4. The apostles became the source and repository of His truth - Ac
         2:42; 1Co 14:37; 1Jn 4:6
      -- The truth Jesus wants us to know is knowable and has been
         revealed by His apostles

   B. HIS REALM OF TRUTH...
      1. The reality of the kingdom of God
         a. That is, the rule or reign of God in our lives
         b. Jesus taught its coming was near - Mt 4:17
         c. He taught that it should have priority in our lives - Mt
            6:33
         d. Thus He bore witness to the nature of His kingdom - Jn
            18:36-37; cf. Lk 17:20-21
      2. The reality of the problem of sin
         a. How that sin enslaves - Jn 8:34
         b. Jesus' doctrine offers the truth that frees one from sin
            - Jn 8:31-36
         c. His truth reveals how we should live in righteousness and
            holiness
            1) Unlike those blinded and hardened by sin - Ep 4:17-19
            2) But renewed in mind, speaking truth and living right - Ep
               4:20-32
      3. The reality of the resurrection and the day of judgment
         a. He taught the fact of the resurrection - Jn 5:28-29
         b. He taught that He and His words will be the Judge - Jn
            5:22,24; 12:48
         c. His own resurrection from the dead is proof of this - Ac
            17:30-31
      -- The truth Jesus wants us to know relates to living under the
         liberating rule of God rather than the bondage and guilt of
         sin!

[Before we conclude this study, a couple of thoughts on...]

III. FOLLOWING JESUS AS THE WAY TO TRUTH

   A. MOST WILL NOT...
      1. They choose the broad and easy way that leads to destruction
         - Mt 7:13-14
      2. Even many who profess to follow Jesus as Lord - Mt 7:21-23
      3. For many will turn their ears away from the truth - 2Ti 4:1-4
      -- The way to truth can be a lonely road

   B. THOSE WHO DO...
      1. Walk in truth and love - 2Jn 1:1-6
      2. Patiently teach others the truth - 2Ti 2:24-26
      -- Knowing truth is no excuse for arrogance or self-righteousness

CONCLUSION

1. We live in a world of great moral uncertainty...
   a. Many no longer know what is right and wrong
   b. Many claim there is no right and wrong
   c. Thus they stumble in moral darkness, ruining lives in the process

2. The Way of Christ is the way to truth...
   a. Jesus is the Light of the world - Jn 8:12
   b. Those who follow Him will not abide in darkness - Jn 12:46
   c. Seeing things as they really are, our lives can be saved by the
      truth!

Will you let Jesus be your guiding light, showing you the way to what is
true and real...?
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