As we examine the power of the truth will you be honest in your studies as the Berean’s were Acts 17:10-11?

Our goal: Titus 2:1 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”
I.  What is truth?

A.  The word is truth John 17:17

1.  Colossians 1:5 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”

a.  Only truth will set free John 8:32
b.  We must obey the proper doctrine (implied there are other forms of doctrine) Romans 6:17-18.

2.  Acts 26:25 “But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.”
3.  Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”

a.  The Gospel is the power of God Romans 1:16
b.  Is to be preached in all the world Mark 16:15-16

4.  I Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
5.  II Timothy 2:15

B.  The word is to be preached II Timothy 4:2

1.  There needs to be preaching to have faith Romans 10:14-17.

a.  There must be honest hearts to obey Matthew 13:14-15 “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

C.  The word, truth, is all-sufficient II Timothy 3:16-17

1.  Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
2.  II Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”

a.  The word cannot be added to or taken from Revelation 22:18-19.

A.  Exodus 24:7 “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.”

1. God’s way and no other Galatians 1:6-12.
2. About man’s way - Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

a.  Colossians 2:6-8
b.  I Corinthians 3:19-21

B.  Those who ignore the truth have been blinded II Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
C.  Even the Apostles could not apply their opinions to God’s truth II Peter 1:20-21.
D.  Nadab and Abihu had their own ideas Leviticus 10:1-2
E.  If it is a good thing how can it be error argument: see II Samuel 6:6-7

1.  Uzzah did a good thing, but it was still against God’s law.  Only the Levites were allowed to handle the Ark of the Covenant Numbers 4:15-20.

a.  God will not allow for ignorance Acts 17:30.
b.  If God changed the law he has laid he would be a liar and that is impossible Titus 1:2.

F.  If we do not abide in the true doctrine of Christ we do NOT have God II John verses 9-10.

A.  Jesus used the word to refute the great false one Matthew 4:1-11
B.  The word of God is part of the Christian armor Ephesians 6:17

1.  The living word of God: Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

a.  Those who do not have the truth are typically afraid to have their doctrines examined.  Why, because, error is shown when it is brought up to the light of the truth Psalms 119:104-105.

C.  False doctrine and false teachers identify themselves John 7:17-18 and Matthew 7:15-20.

Copyright 2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.