Introduction: 1.In our lesson we are concentrating on a question that Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38 -- "What is truth?" 2.Let us begin by determining . . .
Discussion:
I.WHAT PROMPTED PILATE TO ASK JESUS THIS QUESTION?
A.Jesus had been arrested and taken into custody. B.Jesus was first taken before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. C.Jesus was next taken before Caiaphas the high priest. D.Jesus was accused of blasphemy, and He was judged to be guilty of death. E.Jesus was taken before Pilate so he could give the execution order. F.During Pilate's interrogation, Jesus made 2 statements in vs.37 about the truth. 1.He came to "bear witness unto the truth." 2."Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." G.Pilate then asked Jesus, "What is truth?" H.Jesus did not answer Pilate's question; however, . . .
II.JESUS HAD MUCH TO SAY ABOUT "TRUTH" DURING HIS MINISTRY
A.(John 17:17) Jesus identified God's Word as truth, and He said that God sanctifies through His truth. B.(John 14:6) Jesus identified Himself as "the truth." C.(John 8:31-32) Jesus said that we can know the truth, and it will make us free. D.(John 4:23-24) Jesus said that true worshippers worship the Father "in spirit and in truth." E.While Jesus had much to say about truth, we are especially interested in the fact that . . .
III.TRUTH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ARMOR OF GOD
A.In Ephesians 6 Christians are instructed twice to put on "the whole armor of God" (vs.11a, 13a). B.Putting on the armor of God will enable Christians to "stand against the wiles of the devil" (vs.11b, vs.13b). C.Our enemy is Satan. 1.(John 8:44) Jesus identified Satan as "a liar." 2.(Revelation 12:9) Satan is identified as a deceiver. 3.Satan demonstrated his ability to lie and deceive in his dealings with Eve (Genesis 3:1-5). D.According to Ephesians 6:14a, the Christian soldier is to have his "loins girt about with truth." E.To be able to withstand Satan, Christians must be armed with "truth." F.Let us turn our attention to . . .
IV.3 SPECIFIC AREAS IN WHICH WE MUST NOT BE DECEIVED
A.We must not be deceived about who is going to heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 1.Regardless of what man says, "the unrighteous" will not inherit God's kingdom. 2."The unrighteous" include those who participate in the sins listed. 3.Another list, including liars, is given in Revelation 21:8. 4.The good news is that we can be cleansed of these sins (1 Corinthians 6:11). 5.We learn from Acts 18:8 how the people in Corinth were cleansed. 6.To be saved so we can go to heaven, we must obey the Gospel and remain faithful (Revelation 2:10). B.We must not be deceived about evil influence (1 Corinthians 15:33). 1.The evil associates under consideration are identified in vs.12. 2.We are to test the teaching we hear (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). 3.We must receive the truth, but we must reject that which is false. C.We must not be deceived about the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). 1.(vs.8) Your eternal destiny will be determined by the way you sow. 2.Let us follow the instructions given in vs.9-10.
Conclusion:
1.Was truth important to Jesus? a.He came to "bear witness unto the truth" (John 18:37). b.If Jesus had denied being the Son of God, Pilate may have released Him. c.Rather than deny the truth, Jesus died a horrible death on the cross. d.Jesus considers the truth to be a matter of utmost importance. 2.Have you allowed God to sanctify you through His truth? 3.If you have, is truth a part of your armor?