Jesus is on the cross. Two criminals are along each side of him. One is bitter, the other remorseful. The remorseful one asks Jesus, “Remember me…” Jesus responds, “Verily I say to thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) In today’s English it’s “I tell you the truth, today you’ll be with me in paradise.”
“I tell you the truth.” No lies, no fabrications, no maybes, no ifs; just the truth. It seems like most folks don’t want to hear it. Sure, they want things to be true if it suits them. But truth does not change. For something to be true, it must stand on its own.
And, just how many truths are out there? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) I am the truth. Old Testament scholars will recognize the ‘I am’. When Moses asked God, “Who shall I say sent me?” God said, “Tell them, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13,14) Truth can only be found through God.
The world will say many things and expect them to be believed. But a short lifetime on this planet will tell one that there are many beliefs, theories, ideas, and so on. But none of them can stand as the truth. People believe them because they want to believe them. There is one truth that still exists. He’s the Creator God. The truth is His and He sent it to us as His Son. That is why Jesus can tell us that he is the truth. And why he says he is the way. And why he can offer us eternal life.
“Some people can’t handle the truth. We need folks who care enough about us to tell the truth.” said Pastor Josh early in his sermon. The text was taken from Acts 5:33-42. It’s the second time Peter and the other apostles have been hauled in front of the high priest and others that were with him. The high priest says that he had told them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter responds, “ We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Peter stands boldly before the high priest and others that are present. He tells them it was them that slew Jesus and God that has raised Jesus up and that he and the apostles are his (Jesus’) witnesses. These words enraged them. So much so that they were going to slay Peter and the apostles. Gamaliel, a member of the highest court in ancient Jerusalem, cautioned against killing Peter and the other apostles. He was somewhat lenient in his beliefs and said that this was just another group to deal with. Other groups had come before and they died out. So would this one. And, besides, if it was of God, did they really want to go against Him? In the end, Peter and the others were released and they continued preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.
“Somebody needs to tell people there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain. Preacher, that’s kind of a harsh thing. I’m telling you if you’re dying lost, you’re going to hell. We cannot compromise over the truth of the Bible.” said Pastor Josh during the course of the sermon.
“I’ve been around a man for a long time. We’re friends. One day he finally asked me, “Do you believe if I died, I’d go to hell?” I looked him square in the face and said “Have you been born again? Are you a Christian? Have you been saved?” He said, “No.” I said, “Yes.”
“He didn’t like it but it was the truth. I had to tell him the truth. What are you gonna’ say, you gonna’ sugar-coat it and grease his skids to hell? An old preacher used to say we needed folks who weren’t scared to storm the gates of hell with a water gun. Hell is an awful place and a burning place. Preach against it. Stand for Jesus and protest sin.” said our pastor.
“I tell you the truth.” No lies, no fabrications, no maybes, no ifs; just the truth. It seems like most folks don’t want to hear it. Sure, they want things to be true if it suits them. But truth does not change. For something to be true, it must stand on its own.
And, just how many truths are out there? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) I am the truth. Old Testament scholars will recognize the ‘I am’. When Moses asked God, “Who shall I say sent me?” God said, “Tell them, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13,14) Truth can only be found through God.
The world will say many things and expect them to be believed. But a short lifetime on this planet will tell one that there are many beliefs, theories, ideas, and so on. But none of them can stand as the truth. People believe them because they want to believe them. There is one truth that still exists. He’s the Creator God. The truth is His and He sent it to us as His Son. That is why Jesus can tell us that he is the truth. And why he says he is the way. And why he can offer us eternal life.
“Some people can’t handle the truth. We need folks who care enough about us to tell the truth.” said Pastor Josh early in his sermon. The text was taken from Acts 5:33-42. It’s the second time Peter and the other apostles have been hauled in front of the high priest and others that were with him. The high priest says that he had told them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter responds, “ We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Peter stands boldly before the high priest and others that are present. He tells them it was them that slew Jesus and God that has raised Jesus up and that he and the apostles are his (Jesus’) witnesses. These words enraged them. So much so that they were going to slay Peter and the apostles. Gamaliel, a member of the highest court in ancient Jerusalem, cautioned against killing Peter and the other apostles. He was somewhat lenient in his beliefs and said that this was just another group to deal with. Other groups had come before and they died out. So would this one. And, besides, if it was of God, did they really want to go against Him? In the end, Peter and the others were released and they continued preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.
“Somebody needs to tell people there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain. Preacher, that’s kind of a harsh thing. I’m telling you if you’re dying lost, you’re going to hell. We cannot compromise over the truth of the Bible.” said Pastor Josh during the course of the sermon.
“I’ve been around a man for a long time. We’re friends. One day he finally asked me, “Do you believe if I died, I’d go to hell?” I looked him square in the face and said “Have you been born again? Are you a Christian? Have you been saved?” He said, “No.” I said, “Yes.”
“He didn’t like it but it was the truth. I had to tell him the truth. What are you gonna’ say, you gonna’ sugar-coat it and grease his skids to hell? An old preacher used to say we needed folks who weren’t scared to storm the gates of hell with a water gun. Hell is an awful place and a burning place. Preach against it. Stand for Jesus and protest sin.” said our pastor.
