Answering the Question of the Ages
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· 8 viewsThis sermon answers the question posed by Pontius Pilate to Jesus, "What is truth?" The answer to the question is considered in two parts: (1.) The truth is a person-Jesus Christ. (2.) The truth is a personal communication - God's Word. The purpose of the truth is the transformation of individuals into Kingdom citizens through the new birth and discipleship.
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Answering the Question of the Ages
John 18:28-40
28 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.
29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?”
30 “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted.
31 “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied.
32 (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way he would die.)
33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”
40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
INTRODUCTION:
The question of the ages is then one asked by Pilate,
"What is truth?"
The answer to this question provides clarity to every other significant question in life.
This sermon answers the question posed by Pontius Pilate to Jesus, in verse 38, "What is truth?"
The answer to the question is considered in two parts:
(1.) The truth is a person-Jesus Christ.
(2.) The truth is a personal communication - God's Word.
The purpose of the truth is the transformation of individuals into Kingdom citizens through the new birth and discipleship.
I- THE QUESTION ABOUT TRUTH (John 18:38)
I- THE QUESTION ABOUT TRUTH (John 18:38)
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
A- The prevailing opinions in Jesus’ world:
1- The Jews:
a. The truth is found in legalistic religion.
2- The Romans:
a. In Roman philosophy:
Epicureans- Epicurus considered practical atheism the true view of the universe and denied a future life and claimed pleasure as the chief thing to be gotten out of life. He did not deny the existence of gods, but regarded them as unconcerned with the life of men.
Stoics- ancient Greek philosophy developed by Zeno of Citium around 300 B.C. Taught the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions through a voluntary abstinence from worldly pleasures), which enables a person to develop clear judgment, inner calm and freedom from suffering (which it considers the ultimate goal).
No absolute truth (due to the abundance of religions and philosophies) There were thought to be a multitude of gods.
This is clearly seen in Paul’s experience in Athens (Acts 17).
B- The prevailing opinions in our world:
1- Our world is much like the world of Jesus’ and Paul’s time.
a. Religious and philosophical pluralism promoted and taught everywhere.
Through educational systems
Through entertainment mediums
Through governmental mandates
II- THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOUT TRUTH (John 18:28-37)
II- THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOUT TRUTH (John 18:28-37)
A- Truth is real and can be known.
A- Truth is real and can be known.
(John 18:36-37)
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
1-Jesus states in the text that there exists something he called “THE TRUTH (τῇ ἀληθείᾳ).”
2- Jesus came to reveal (bear testimony to) the truth (μαρτυρήσω τῇ ἀληθείᾳ).
3- The truth is something that can be recognized (ἀκούει).
B- Truth is a person who can be known.
B- Truth is a person who can be known.
1- Jesus is the embodiment of truth (ἡ ἀλήθεια).
(John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(John 8:31-32, 36)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
a. Jesus is the truth in bodily form.
b. Jesus is the truth that makes it possible for us to know God. Jesus is the Good News.
c. The most important truth to understand is that having a relationship with Jesus is the source of eternal life.
(John 17:3)
3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
(John 3:36)
36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
(1 John 5:12)
12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
C- Truth is written and can be understood.
C- Truth is written and can be understood.
1- All scripture is God’s word.
(2 Timothy 3:16)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2- God’s word is truth.
(John 17:17)
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
3- All scripture is God’s truth and can be trusted for complete instruction for life.
(2 Timothy 3:16)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
4- God desires that we understand His word.
D- Truth is absolute and must be responded to.
D- Truth is absolute and must be responded to.
(John 18:39-40)
39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”
40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
1- The word of God is absolute truth without regard to time and place.
(Isaiah 40:8)
8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
2- When we encounter God’s Word, we have two choices:
a. Obey or disobey.
b. Accept or reject.
CONCLUSION: