Embracing and Protecting the Unchanging Truth
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of truth, inspired by the short book of 2 John. We began by reflecting on a memorable scene from the movie "A Few Good Men," where the iconic line "You can't handle the truth" resonates deeply with our human experience. Often, we seek truth but struggle to accept it when it challenges our comfort or demands responsibility. This struggle is not new; it was present in the early church and persists today. The apostle John wrote to early Christians to address the pressures they faced from both external persecution and internal false teachings. His message remains relevant as we navigate a world filled with relativism and situational ethics.
John's letter emphasizes three key responsibilities for followers of Jesus: knowing the truth, walking in the truth, and protecting the truth. Knowing the truth involves understanding God's word and teachings, which are foundational to our faith. Walking in the truth means living out these teachings in our daily lives, aligning our actions with God's commandments. Protecting the truth requires us to guard against false doctrines and ideologies that distort the essence of who Jesus is and what He represents.
We delved into the historical context of Gnosticism, a heresy that challenged the early church by denying the divinity of Jesus and promoting a distorted view of creation. This heresy serves as a reminder of the importance of holding fast to the truth of Christ's identity and mission. The truth of Jesus sets us free from the bondage of lies and empowers us to live in alignment with God's will.
As we reflect on these teachings, we are reminded that truth is not subjective or situational. It is constant and unchanging, much like the note of an "A" struck on a tuning fork. Our challenge is to embrace this truth, live by it, and protect it in a world that often seeks to redefine it. In doing so, we find freedom, peace, and a deeper relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Challenge of Truth: We often desire truth but struggle to accept it when it disrupts our comfort or demands accountability. This struggle is not new; it was present in the early church and continues today. Embracing truth requires courage and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. [38:52]
- Knowing, Walking, and Protecting Truth: Followers of Jesus have three responsibilities: to know, walk in, and protect the truth. Knowing involves understanding God's word, walking means living it out, and protecting requires guarding against false teachings. These responsibilities are crucial for maintaining a strong faith. [44:23]
- The Danger of Relativism: In a world of relativism, sincerity and belief are not enough. Truth is constant and unchanging, and our challenge is to align our lives with God's truth rather than situational ethics. This alignment brings freedom and peace. [49:10]
- The Heresy of Gnosticism: The early church faced the heresy of Gnosticism, which denied Jesus' divinity and distorted creation. Understanding this historical context highlights the importance of holding fast to the truth of Christ's identity and mission. [57:35]
- The Unchanging Nature of Truth: Truth is like a tuning fork's note, constant and unchanging. Our challenge is to embrace this truth, live by it, and protect it in a world that often seeks to redefine it. In doing so, we find freedom, peace, and a deeper relationship with God. [01:06:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [38:52] - The Challenge of Truth
- [40:20] - The Truth of God's Gifts
- [41:17] - Introduction to 2 John
- [42:48] - The Elect Lady and Her Children
- [43:34] - Pressures on the Early Church
- [44:23] - Responsibilities to Truth
- [46:22] - Lies vs. Truth
- [47:51] - The Relativism of Truth
- [49:10] - God's Perspective on Truth
- [50:05] - The Foundation of Truth
- [52:20] - The Stakes of Truth
- [53:57] - Deceivers and Antichrists
- [54:44] - Understanding Gnosticism
- [57:35] - Refuting Gnosticism with the Gospel
- [01:06:49] - The Unchanging Nature of Truth
- [01:13:03] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 John 1:1-13: This passage is the primary text for the sermon, focusing on the themes of truth and love.
- John 8:32: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
- Ephesians 4:14-15: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three responsibilities of followers of Jesus mentioned in 2 John? How do these responsibilities relate to the concept of truth? [44:23]
2. How does the sermon describe the historical context of Gnosticism, and what was its impact on the early church? [54:44]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the iconic line "You can't handle the truth" from the movie "A Few Good Men"? [38:52]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of truth in relation to relativism and situational ethics? [49:10]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "the truth will set you free" in the context of knowing and living God's truth? [46:22]
2. What are the potential consequences mentioned in the sermon for not aligning one's life with God's truth? [52:20]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of love in walking in truth according to 2 John? [01:03:23]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the heresy of Gnosticism distorts the understanding of Jesus' identity and mission? [57:35]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to accept a truth that disrupted your comfort. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [38:52]
2. In what ways can you actively seek to know God's truth more deeply in your daily life? Consider specific practices or habits you can adopt. [44:23]
3. How can you ensure that you are walking in truth in your relationships and daily interactions? Identify one area where you can improve. [01:04:13]
4. What steps can you take to protect the truth in your community or church, especially against false teachings or ideologies? [01:04:38]
5. How do you respond when your personal beliefs or "truths" conflict with God's truth? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with God's teachings? [50:05]
6. Consider the role of love in your life. How can you better demonstrate love while upholding truth in your interactions with others? [01:03:23]
7. Identify a specific lie or false belief you have struggled with. How can embracing God's truth help you overcome it and find freedom? [01:10:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Uncomfortable Truths
In our pursuit of truth, we often encounter moments that challenge our comfort and demand accountability. This struggle is not unique to our time; it was present in the early church as well. The apostle John addressed these challenges, urging believers to embrace truth even when it disrupts their comfort. Accepting truth requires courage and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. In doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and grow in our faith. [38:52]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: What is one uncomfortable truth you have been avoiding in your life? How can you begin to confront it with courage and faith today?
Day 2: Living and Protecting the Truth
Followers of Jesus are called to know, walk in, and protect the truth. Knowing the truth involves a deep understanding of God's word, which serves as the foundation of our faith. Walking in the truth means living out these teachings in our daily lives, aligning our actions with God's commandments. Protecting the truth requires vigilance against false teachings and ideologies that distort the essence of who Jesus is. These responsibilities are crucial for maintaining a strong and vibrant faith. [44:23]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively protect the truth of the Gospel in your community? How can you ensure that your actions align with God's commandments today?
Day 3: Standing Firm Against Relativism
In a world where relativism and situational ethics are prevalent, it is essential to recognize that truth is constant and unchanging. Sincerity and belief alone are not enough; we must align our lives with God's truth. This alignment brings freedom and peace, allowing us to live in accordance with God's will. By standing firm against the shifting sands of relativism, we uphold the integrity of our faith and witness to the world. [49:10]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: How can you identify and resist the influence of relativism in your daily decisions? What steps can you take to ensure your life is aligned with God's unchanging truth?
Day 4: Recognizing and Refuting Heresies
The early church faced the heresy of Gnosticism, which denied Jesus' divinity and distorted creation. Understanding this historical context highlights the importance of holding fast to the truth of Christ's identity and mission. By recognizing and refuting heresies, we protect the core tenets of our faith and ensure that our understanding of Jesus remains true to the Gospel. This vigilance is essential for preserving the integrity of our beliefs. [57:35]
1 John 4:1-3 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God."
Reflection: What are some modern-day heresies or false teachings you encounter? How can you equip yourself to recognize and refute them with the truth of the Gospel?
Day 5: The Unchanging Nature of Truth
Truth is like a tuning fork's note, constant and unchanging. Our challenge is to embrace this truth, live by it, and protect it in a world that often seeks to redefine it. By doing so, we find freedom, peace, and a deeper relationship with God. Embracing the unchanging nature of truth allows us to stand firm in our faith and witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. [01:06:49]
Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God by embracing His unchanging truth? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth in your daily life?
Quotes
"Sometimes we want the truth, but we can't handle it. We can't handle the truth. And while we pursue truth in our lives, many times when we hear truth or it's revealed to us, we think, no, I didn't want to know that, because now I'm responsible for it. The truth about a relationship that is struggling, didn't want to know that. The truth that we've overspent our funds, and now we're in financial trouble, and I don't like that truth." [00:39:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Maybe it's a truth that every good gift and every perfect gift you and I have comes from God. We think we work for it. We think we've earned it. We think all the good stuff in our life is because we're such a great person. And the truth of the word of God says, no, you're not. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God. Maybe that's a truth we struggle with." [00:40:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Followers of Jesus have three responsibilities to truth. One, we must know the truth. And when we say truth, we mean the truth, of God's word, the truth of God's teaching, the truth of what God believes and what God wants us to know. So when we say true believers, right, will know the truth, this is where we land." [00:44:65] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus said this when he was here on earth. He said, you shall know the truth and the truth will what? Set you free. Think about that. You'll know the truth. What truth? My truth. What Jesus is saying, my truth, God's truth. You'll know the truth and then you'll be set free. Set free. See, lies put us under bondage, but truth always sets us free." [00:45:58] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Truth is truth and it will always be truth no matter what is going on in our life. We need to know the truth, but we also need to walk in the truth no matter what's happening. Four times in these first three verses, the word truth is used. God's telling us to love the truth, to know the truth. He says, because of truth, this is who you'll be." [00:48:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, these believers of 2 John, they were having their foundations challenged and so are we, folks. The foundations of our culture do not provide a coherent set of answers to life's greatest questions, right? We need to know the truth and we need to live the truth. We need to protect the truth. Why? Because of what's at stake." [00:51:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Walking in the truth of Jesus, of the Bible, or God's teachings, keeps us from the many false teachings that are present today. It protects us. It protects our relationships. It protects us from the lies. It protects us from the bondage of lies. Truth sets us free as a church. We must walk in the truth." [01:02:63] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"If you're searching for peace in your life, you're really searching for truth. If you're looking for joy in your life, you're really looking for truth. I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth. As we received commandment from the Father, and now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another." [01:03:03] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God does not just expect us to know and walk in it. He also wants us to protect it. That is what John is doing through the leadership of the Holy Spirit writing this letter. It is what we must do under the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives is protect the truth of God." [01:04:94] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And help us to handle the truth today. And the truth is this. You love us. You have our best interest at heart. You've given us instructions. You give us correction. And then you show us in your word what is real truth. And you want us to live by it no matter the situation. No matter the circumstance. So Father, we come today acknowledging to you. We need you." [01:11:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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