Renewed Part 1 – Truth

Ephesians 4:11-21, “11

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 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. 15 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. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.” (NIV)

But for some reason, when it comes to religion, most people a lot more like the people that Steve Turner described in his satirical poem titled “Creed.”

We believe that each man must find the truth that is right for him. Reality will adapt accordingly.

The universe will readjust.

History will alter.

We believe that there is no absolute truth excepting the truth that there is no absolute truth.

If we want to be successful and fulfilled this 2018, we have to be renewed and we have to start with the TRUTH.…the truth that is in Jesus.”

 TRUTH IS A PERSON

 John 18:37-38a, “37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate (NIV). Philosophers have come up with five different theories to explain truth. But even with those theories, many philosophers would still declare that there is no such thing as ABSOLUTE truth.

People’s preference cannot change who they really are as God created them. Jesus was here on earth to demonstrate the truth that resided in Him.  We tend to think of truth as a concept or a principle, but the Bible is clear that truth is a person–Jesus. John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (NIV).”  Only the person of truth can transform lives.

Some people try programs to change themselves. There are certainly many of them out there. The site promises to help you with problems like depression, guilt, eating disorders and others.

Some people try will power to transform themselves. They figure that they can change their lives on their own if they just believe in themselves and have enough discipline.  Some of those things may seem to work for a while, but none of them can ever permanently break the cycle of the life of futility.

 Only the person of truth, Jesus, can do that.  Who among you experienced life transformation because of Jesus?

No one or nothing else can ever bring that kind of transformation in our lives, only the truth, Jesus, can do that.

So How do I allow the Truth to Transform my Life?

The Person of Truth Transforms my Life as I…

Respond to His Revelation

John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (NIV).”  Notice that Jesus’ sheep, listen to his voice, but they also have to do one other thing – follow Him. And obviously, not everyone who hears Jesus is willing to make the commitment to follow Him.  So there comes a time in our lives when Jesus is revealed to us – today that occurs primarily through His Word – and then we have to make a decision to follow Him.

Obey His Teaching

“when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus (NIV).”

Jesus confirmed that principle in His own words: John 8:31-32 – “31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (NIV).””  Jesus made it clear that if we want to know the truth and be set free from the life of futility, we must not only hear Jesus, but we must also obey Him.