The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth is a sermon teaching us that Jesus is the truth and we are to tell of God’s truth to others.
In the dictionary, truth is defined as something tangible or we know as fact. In Hebrew, truth is that which is firm, solid, and constant, it doesn’t change. In Greek, truth is that which is the solid, foundational, or essence of the matter. We have truth in God’s Word. It is part of our legal system to swear the oath, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” and until recently the phrase, “so help you, God.” God’s Word specifically says do not take away or add to the Word of God. Even the world expects you to tell the truth when giving an oath.
Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Today, people minimize the truth. Truth is truth whether we like it or not. It doesn’t change as a matter of opinion or preference. The truth stays the truth. Jesus, uses “verily, verily” meaning “truly, truly” what He is about to say is truth. In John chapter 5, Jesus said in truth that we pass from death to life, and have the promise of resurrection and everlasting life. Jesus is fully human as the Son of Man and is fully God as the Son of God. Jesus is the life-giver and will be your judge — salvation is settled, but in Heaven, there are degrees of rewards. God the Father bears witness and John the Baptist also bears witness of the Truth which is Christ Jesus.
In John chapter 8, Jesus speaks of spiritual truth while the crowd around Him spoke of physical truth. They argued that they were never in bondage to any man and they had religious truth that was superior to any other religion. But Jesus answered them saying if they had ever sinned, then they were in bondage and is the servant of sin. The problem is that we are in spiritual bondage to our own sin. We are condemned by our own sin. Jesus told them that they need to know the truth which will set them free. The Son of God will set them free. The truth and the Son of God are one and the same. Jesus told them God’s truth, yet they sought to kill Him. Jesus told them that they were rejecting God’s truth and that they were of their father the Devil. People say truth is relative, but that is not the case, truth is solid and firm. Truth is reality.
In John 14, Jesus tells us that more trouble is coming. He goes to Heaven to make many mansions for us. Thomas didn’t understand. Jesus says “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Jesus is the source of life, the giver of life, the only way to get to the Father.
In John chapter 16, Jesus says that He must go so that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God will come. The Comforter will point out what’s wrong in the world by telling you in your own heart when you are sinning. He will also show you righteousness, and of sin and the judgment of Satan. When the Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth and will glorify Jesus. We know when the Holy Spirit works, then Jesus is glorified. The Holy Spirit works by working through our hearts, guiding us in the truth, comforting and standing alongside us, and helping us in so many ways, sealing us until the day of redemption. But don’t look at the Holy Spirit, look at Jesus who the Holy Spirit glorifies.
John chapter 17 is a prayer that Jesus prayed. He prayed for us and asked the Father to cleanse us and sanctify us through His truth. Jesus is the truth and God’s Word is the truth. As Jesus was sent into the world, those who are his followers are sent into the world to spread the truth. This world needs truth. If you are born again it is because you heard the truth of His love for you, His death, burial, and resurrection, and eternal life. We heard the truth through the Word that the disciples wrote. Jesus prayed not only for his disciples but for us too. His followers were called to do the work and continue to work to spread the truth.
In John chapter 18, Jesus stood before Pilate. Jesus told him that He came into this world to speak the truth and that everyone that hears the truth, hears Him. They hear Him because Jesus is the truth. Pilate asked, “What is truth?” and didn’t realize that he was looking into the eyes of truth, the truth incarnate, the Lord Jesus.
We learn that God’s Word is the written truth. First, the Bible has changed lives for thousands of years, guiding people, comforting them, and given the wisdom they needed. The Bible has given people the words of life. We come to believe the scriptures because it is the source for all we know about God and the Lord. It is the inspired Word of God. Secondly, Jesus is the Word incarnate. He is the living truth. And Jesus said, if you know the truth, the truth shall set you free from the penalty of sin. When we know Jesus we know the truth. When we know His Word we know the truth. John the Baptist was a witness of the truth. Are we a witness of the truth?
The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth sermon starts with verses from John 5:24-33:
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
34 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
Also verses from John 8:32-47:
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
John 14:1-6:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 16:7-14:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 17:17-20:
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 18:28-38:
28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
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About the Speaker
Dr. Michael L. McClure
Senior Pastor
Dr. Michael L. McClure, our lead pastor, is known for his in-depth knowledge and effective teaching style of biblical truths applicable to everyday living.