Value of Truth

By Mitch Rhymer

The Value of Truth

Jas 1:1-4

Introduction:

  1. Value is defined as worth

  2. It has been said that worth can be seen as the price we place on things regardless of what someone paid for it.

    1. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure is a statement about worth

    2. There is an emotional attachment towards something that has value.

  3. Truth is several things

    1. A fact or statement that has purity from falsehood

    2. Or; conformity to facts or reality

    3. Interestingly is the idea that truth implies action towards reality or facts

  4. Truth then is the conformity to a fact that is free from a falsehood.

  5. The value we place upon truth is important.

    1. It shows whether or not we are given to false statements and lies.

    2. The less value we place upon truth determines whether or not we are willing to be draw away from the truth.

    3. The more value we place upon truth determines how we are going to face outward temptations like those from our friends, family and associates; those who will persecute us; and those that speak evil towards us.

  6. We must place a high enough value on truth that its price means more to us than anything else in this world.

    1. Parable of the pearl of great price – Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Mat 13:44-46)

    2. Truth has not equal it is priceless and unless we place this value upon it then we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  7. The outward temptations produce for the Christian a value upon truth beyond comprehension for it produces the mind of Christ within His disciples and the Christian graces.

 

  1. Outward temptation produces for the Christian value in truth because it creates joy (v.2)

    1. These outward temptations produce no moral blame for the persecuted

      1. The persecuted here have no reason for guilt as a result of these temptations.

      2. The fact that there is not moral blame creates joy for the persecuted.

        1. You can rejoice in the face of trials and temptations because God blesses those who suffer such.

        2. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Mat 5:10-12)

        3. One should remember that the temptations facing the Christian being persecuted are not a curse or calamity for sin but for placing value upon truth.

        4. Creates within us an inner state from which complete joy is established

    2. Most people find it strange that temptations create joy.

      1. In the face of persecution, majority of people tend to wish for happiness rather than experience happiness

      2. For even more people this type of persecution would cause them to quit the church.

        1. This is indeed a sad state of affairs.

        2. This reflects upon the value these people place on truth.

      3. God has promised us that his salvation is assured.

        1. The joy coming from these temptations rests in the fact that God gives the highest rewards to those who suffer the most.

        2. Salvation is promised to the persecuted for Christ sake.

          1. 2 Pet 3:9

          2. We know without doubt, that is without falsehood, which God will save us.

  2. Outward temptation produces for the Christian value in truth because it completes us without blemish leaving us to finish our race. (v. 3)

    1. There is no reward for suffering for sin.

      1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ( Rom 6:1)

      2. God does not reward people for sin.

      3. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1Pe 4:15-16)

      4. We glorify God because of our righteousness not sin.

    2. The value of truth resides in the confidence of God and motivation to endure trials

      1. Faith is the confidence which allows us to face these trials with confidence.

        1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. ( Heb 11:1)

        2. In order to understand the trying of our faith we must think of a furnace.

        3. The heating up of metal in this furnace burns off the impurities to make a pure piece of metal.

        4. We too must consider the outward trials a furnace to burn off our impurities and making us more perfect.

        5. The more pure the metal the stronger it is; the more pure our faith the stronger we are.

      2. Working patience implies that through these trials we change our lives to be in accordance with the peace of God.

        1. We are changed to have patience in dealing with the affairs of this life.

        2. Consider the non-Christians reaction to persecution.

          1. The desire is to fight back immediately

          2. He is full of anger and rage ready to let pride take him to ruin

        3. Consider the Christians reaction to persecution

          1. Remember Paul in the Philippian jail.

          2. The Christian desire is to fight back but with patience and humility.

          3. The attacks come in the form of teaching and treating our attackers with meekness and gentleness praying they will change their lives.

        4. God allows us to have peace because we are patient in the knowledge that this world is not our home.

  3. Outward temptation produces for the Christian value in truth because it completes us without blemish leaving us to finish our race. (v.4)

    1. Perfection is completion

      1. By definition perfection does not mean flawless but complete without blemish.

      2. God has granted us this completeness by the blood of Jesus Christ

        1. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ( Heb 2:10)

        2. Through Jesus’ trial he faced temptations his sinless perfection allowed him to remain complete in the face of these trials so we too can have the same completeness away from sin.

    2. Patience works towards our salvation.

        1. The patience of Jesus is seen in his trials immediately preceding His death.

          1. He is patient with the different beatings

          2. He is patient with the multiple trials where no evidence of his fault can be found.

          3. He is patient carrying his cross to Calvary.

          4. He is patient as they nail him to the cross

          5. He is patient dying upon that tree.

          6. The sufferings of Christ show us the model of patience working to create completeness.

          7. Through our patience we may reach the blood that was shed upon the cross.

        2. We must be patient in our race to the end.

          1. Patience makes us entire.

            1. This is a racing term meaning that we finish the race.

            2. The Christian cannot stop before the finish line.

            3. Stopping before the finish line means that we cannot obtain our prize.

          2. The value we place on truth determines if we will advance as a Christian.

            1. Will we study, serve, and submit to Christ?

            2. Only if we value truth and run til the end.

 

Conclusion

  1. The value of truth makes a Christian a servant of God.

  2. Truth is their master because the value of truth creates, compels, and completes the Christian.

  3. Temptations come our way and how we react shows us how Christ like we really are.

  4. How do you face trials?

  5. Do you face them with joy and patience in your heart?

  6. Are you complete in the eyes of God?

  7. If not then consider the plan the God designed so that you are washed in the blood of Christ only through baptism.

 

Posted in: Sermon Outlines

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