WHAT IS TRUTH?

JOHN 18:28-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

Truth crushed to earth shall rise again,— The eternal years of God are hers; But Error, wounded, writhes with pain, And dies among his worshippers.

William Cullen Bryant (1794 - 1878) U.S. poet and journalist "The Battle-Field", 1839

People often say they want the truth but then speak lies. The quote by Bryant has been used or shall we say. misused and abused, by friends and enemies alike. Sometimes the quote has been shortened, leaving God out. I don't know much about Bryant but I know his quote is true taken in its fullest form... the truth will be made manifest... the lies will be exposed.

Who shot JFK? Did O.J. do it? Was George Reeves death suicide or murder? Where were the WMDs hid? Why do so many teach evolution when they know it can't be right? Everything will be made known.

Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

It is a rare thing if a message can do more than scratch the surface on Divine truth, but let us notice three things:

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH

1. Truth is necessary for genuine worship [Jn. 4:23-24]

2. Truth is necessary for genuine freedom [Jn. 8:31-32, Rm. 6]

3. Truth is necessary for genuine allegiance [Jn. 8:44-46, 18:37, Acts 19:29ff]

Pilate's question might have been better worded if instead of asking, "What is truth?" if he had asked "Who is truth?" In the Word of God we find:

II. THE EMBODIMENTS OF TRUTH

1. Christ [Jn. 1:14, 14:6]

2. God the Father [Jn. 3:33, 10:30, 17:3]

3. God the Spirit [Jn. 14:17, 15:26, 16:13]

4. God's Word [Jn. 17:17]

The Bible is very clear on the fact that fallen man is NOT the embodiment of truth.
Psalms 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;

But every man has been invited to truth! See the:

III. THE INVITATIONS OF THE TRUTH

1. Come to Christ [Jn. 1:17, 14:6]

2. Come to the light [3:16-21]

3. Come to be sanctified [17:17-19]