BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT

Proverbs 23: 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS THE TRUTH

There are those who deny this. [Gn. 3] "There are no absolutes" "Does that include the statement you just made?" Absolutes in medicine, mathematics, finance, etc. So why not in spiritual matters? Especially in spiritual matters.

"Either my life is controlled by Truth or it's controlled by lies." Satan tells people, "You can live in sin and get away with it." That's a lie! God has given us THE Truth in 3 editions.

1. The Son of God is The Truth [Jn. 14:6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2. The Scripture of God is Truth [Jn. 17:17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The statement, "The Word of God is true" is a true statement. But that is NOT what we are saying here. This goes deeper than that. Another book may be true, The Story of the Bill Rice Ranch for instance, but it is not THE Truth.

If Jesus is the Truth and the Word is Truth - they go together. Did you know that everything Jesus is the Word is, in its essence?

This is the eternal Word of God. Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. He is the eternal Son of God. Both entered the world through the Agency of the Holy Spirit. Both are Light, Bread, Life. How do I feed on Jesus? Through this Book. How do I get to know about Jesus? Through this Book.

3. The Spirit of God is Truth [1 Jn. 5:6] And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Jesus and the Spirit of God will never lead you in a direction in opposition to the Word of God.

II. THE TEST OF TRUTH [Dt. 13]

1. The Test of Truth is Not the Sensational it is the Scriptural! [v. 1-5]

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

2. The Test of Truth is Not the Sentimental it is the Scriptural [v. 6-9]

3. The Test of Truth is Not the Statistical it is the Scriptural [v. 12-18]

III. THE TRUTH COSTS SOMETHING [Pr. 23:23]

Bible writers went through many things to write--- imprisonments, death of loved ones, etc. What will it cost us?

1. Work [Pr. 2:1-5]

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

2. Willingness [Jn. 7:17]

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

3. World [John 14:17]

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you