FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE TRUTH
May 30, 1999 AM
Sermon Outline
Eph 4:11-15
INTRO: This morning I will be taking the main points for our study from the apostle Johns second little letter. As the letter opens, we note it is addressed to the elect lady. It is, as were some of the apostle Pauls letters, a personal letter to an unknown lady whom John apparently held in very high esteem. In the little letter one finds important things. Among them are five facts about the truth. Permit me to highlight them for you.
I. A RELATIONSHIP IN THE TRUTH
A. 2 Jno 1:1a whom I love in the truth
1. obviously, he refers to a specific group
2. and they are people in the truth
B. In the truth is a place to be
1. all who are in the truth are brethren - a unique love abides among them - the bond of truth
2. note 1 Pet 1:22 and the connection of obeying the truth (initial) which brings one into the one another relationship of brethren - Christian love is founded in the truth
II. THE TRUTH MUST BE KNOWN
A. 2 Jno 1:2b ... that have known the truth
1. John no doubt remembered Jesus words: Jno 8:32
2. he speaks, then, of people who have been freed from slavery of sin, from tyranny of guilt
3. obviously, truth is very much on Johns mind
B. Only truth that is known brings blessings
1. a new treatment for dread disease is truth - but has efficacy fro me only if it is known by my doctor!
2. this is why your knowing the Book is so vital
3. religion has become so emotion and feeling driven that religious people (Christians) are making decisions without real knowledge of the truth!
III. THE TRUTH DWELLS IN US
A. 2 Jno 1:2 ... which dwelleth in us
1. from knowing to dwelling, abiding in us
2. there is clearly a permanence implied here
3. and here is, too, one key to consistency
B. Is your life in Christ like a yo-yo?
1. perhaps you find it uncomfortable to assess
2. but if you find there are mental conflicts which involve both day to day and special choices, decisions, perhaps the truth is only known, not abiding in you
3. for years Ps 119:11 has been a critical verse to me
IV. THE TRUTH IS IN GOOD COMPANY
A. 2 Jno 1:3 ... God ... the Lord ... the Son ...
1. this verse is filled with great words and great realities
2. there are the Father and the Son - Jno 14:6 and 17:17
3. grace, mercy and peace flow from the Father and Son because of their love via the truth
B. Without the truth ...
1. we could know very little about God, Son
2. we could know very little about grace, mercy, peace
3. without Gods love wed have no truth!!
V. WALK IN TRUTH
A. 2 Jno 1:4 ... walking in truth
1. the ultimate aim of our interest in the truth is its effect in our daily lives
2. John rejoiced to know the effect of the truth in the lives of the elect ladys children
B. They (her children) saw it in her!
1. children may choose otherwise as adults
2. but if they have not seen the truth at work in the parents walk, the hope for the children will be fairly remote
CLOSE: While John may well be remembered as the apostle of love, he is also clearly concerned, in his gospel and letters, with truth.
Cecil A. Hutson
30 May 1999