The Truth

Jesus is the Way
John 14:6; Psalms 57:3
Pastor Jeff Smith
6/15/2025

đź“– Opening Thought

This message is not about a man who played basketball and called himself “The Truth,” (Paul Pierce) but about the man Christ Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is not only the way to the Father, Forgiveness, Freedom, and Fullness of Joy; he is the Truth that makes his way the only way that matters.

The truth is an undesirable thing when it runs contrary to how you want to think or believe. There is no such thing as my truth or your truth when it comes to the Truth concerning eternity, salvation, sound doctrine, and Christian living. When truth falls in the streets judgment is turned away and justice is kept at a distance, according to Isaiah 59:14, and then “equity” (equal justice, right, reason, or impartiality) cannot enter.

The truth is uncomfortable when it contradicts our feelings, beliefs, or lifestyles. Pilate stood before the Truth and asked the wrong question: “What is truth?” instead of “Who is truth?” (John 18:38). And when the crowd cried, “Crucify Him,” they were in effect saying, “Kill the Truth.” When truth threatens your way of life, morals, or theological ideals, then it is often killed before it allowed to expose the lies.

✝️ I. The Truth Saves (Psalm 57:3)
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 

  • The Word was made Flesh (John 1:14). Took on the personage of the Son (Heb. 1:5), the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), and the name of a man, Jesus (Mt. 1:21).

  • Jesus came to save (Mt. 1:21 - for he shall save his people…)

    • Reproach of the Devil (Ps. 74:10)

    • Devouring of  Satan (1 Pet. 5:8)

    • Damnation of Hell (Mt. 23:3)

    • Bondage of Sin (John 8:32)

  • By the word of truth/the word of God, we are

    • Born again – John 3:7

    • Begotten – James 1:18

    • Baptized (Spiritual, not physical) – Galatians 3:27

  • Jesus brought both mercy and truth (Psalm 85:10) when he came full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17)

    • “In Jesus Christ, we behold not a balance of grace and truth, but the fullness of both.” – A.W. Tozer

    • “The law tells me how crooked I am; grace comes and straightens me.” – Dwight L. Moody

🔥 II. The Truth Sanctifies (John 17:17)
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

  • The Word of Truth sanctifies (Eph. 5:26)

  • The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; John 16:13) indwells, guides, teaches, and convicts.

  • Sanctification is not achieved by our flesh, but by our soul & spirit in submission to God’s word and his Spirit.

    • “Sanctification is not a human attainment; it is a divine bestowal.” – G. Campbell Morgan

    • “The Word is the means by which the Spirit doth both begin and perfect the work of sanctification in us.” – Thomas Watson

    • Philippians 1:6


🙇‍♂️ III. The Truth Requires Submission
(Romans 2:8 - 9)
“But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath…”

A.   For the Sinner – Salvation through the Gospel (Romans 2:8-9)

·       Must submit to the truth of the gospel to be saved (cf. Romans 10:16)

·       Rebellion/rejection carries the judgment of eternal consequence.

B.    For the Saint – Spiritual Growth (1 Tim. 2:4)

·       Daily submission to the truth of God’s word is how we grow.

·       We don’t sit in judgment of the truth; it sits in judgment of us.

o   “We do not sit in judgment upon the Word of God, but the Word of God sits in judgment upon us.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

o   “It is not for us to bend the truth to suit our feelings, but to bend our hearts to the truth.” – Charles Spurgeon

C.   For the Straying – The Sorrow of Repentance (2 Tim. 2:24 - 26)

·       Only those who acknowledge the truth in humility can be recovered from lies of Satan’s clutches.

🧭 Conclusion:

Truth is not in a concept; it’s in a person: Jesus Christ. He saves you from sin, sanctifies you by his Spirit, and calls you to submit to his will. You can reject truth, redefine it, or run from it, but you cannot escape it. Because one day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess the Truth to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

âś… Examine the Truth: Do your convictions line up more with Jesus or the devil? The word of truth or the world of lies?

âś… Submit to the Truth: Whether lost or saved, today is the day to submit to the truth.

âś… Exalt the Truth: Commit to daily scripture reading and let the Spirit sanctify you through the truth.

âś… Spread the Truth: In a world where truth is under attack, be courageous and spread truth to the lost.

âś… Speak the Truth: In love those straying from it, that God will give them repentance if they would acknowledge it.

âś… Support the Truth: Through offerings and prayer, you can support the truth and help it reach those who need it most.

Jeffrey smith