THE TRUTH

By David J. Riggs

 

Intro.

A. Prov. 23:23 says, "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

 

B. Whatever the truth may cost (time, money, lands, houses, family, friends, or physical suffering), it is well worth the price; and once obtained, should not be sold for anything.

 

 

I. TRUTH IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN THE PRACTICE OF PURE

RELIGION.

A. It matters little what we think, feel, imagine, suppose, or would like to believe; the truth is what counts.

 

B. Apollos was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, bold, convincing; however, he lacked the one thing which all need in order to be successful in preaching - the whole truth.

 

1. Priscilla and Aquila had to take him aside and explain the way of truth more accurately. Acts 18:24-28 ¶ Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped  those who had believed through grace;

28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

 

 

II. THERE ARE MANY DECEIVERS IN OUR RELIGIOUS WORLD TODAY.

 

A. Eph. 4:14 says, "...That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..."

 

1. The word "sleight" is from the Greek word, "kubos," which meant "cube" and referred literally to "dice-playing."

 

2. It was used metaphorically for "deception" because dice players often cheated and defrauded their fellow players.

 

3. Like people who find themselves victims of professional gamblers, so are the unlearned before the winds of error.

 

4. Dishonesty and trickery are the name of the game for false teachers. They use an assortment of trickery, craftiness, and deceit to disguise their teaching as divine truth.

 

B. Eph. 4:15 says, "...But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ..."

 

1. Let us be on guard against those who lie in wait to deceive.

 

2. Let us continue to speak the truth in love and grow in Christ.

 

 

III. ALSO, LET US NOT THINK THAT BY IGNORING SOMEONE'S ERROR WE

       ARE BING KIND TO THEM.

 

A. The truth, and only the truth, can make us free from the bondage of the traditions and doctrines of men.

 

B. If anyone has been overtaken by error, let us seek to save them from eternal death.

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

 

 

Concl.

 

A. To disregard, neglect, ignore, reject, shun, or deny the truth can prove fatal to our souls.

 

B. Let us have a genuine love for the truth, daily seeking to be thoroughly acquainted with it, for only the truth can make us free, and lead us to the joys of heaven. John 8:31-32 ¶ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word,

you are My disciples indeed.

32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

 

Let us study the truth. it is Gods word.  it will save us  -- Rom 1:16