Pastor Matt reminded us truth is a faithful representation of reality, as it actually is … and that, in some mysterious way, Jesus embodies everything that is true.
MY STORY
Express a popular statement that has at least a dozen different opinions about its veracity (truthfulness).
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him. (John 18:33-38)
What is so powerful about Jesus calmly asking questions of the man who has the power to pronounce a death-by-crucifixion sentence upon him?
How did Jesus truthfully answer Pilate's question in such a way that would give the Roman official a legitimate reason to let him go?
What did Jesus say was the reason he was born and sent into the world?
How does Pilate's sarcastic response to Jesus' claim reflect the skeptical view of what's "true" in our culture today?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "When Jesus prays in John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth …" what he was saying is that when the Father speaks, that is the truth. When God speaks, that is truth. If we want to know what truth is, we go to the words of God."
How does the in-disputability of Christ's resurrection put a "truth stamp" on what he said during the three years leading up to the crucifixion?
How does focusing on what is factually true help us to choose between reality and opinion?
What's something that's factually true about Jesus that many people tend to avoid talking about?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "Truth is pursuing you. The question is do you believe this?"
What spiritual truth has seemed out of reach for you – one that's been difficult to either accept or embrace?
Jesus said to his followers, ""I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." (John 16:12)
What spiritual truth do you believe that God has recently brought you to the point of being ready to handle — and live out?
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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