Living The Truth
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LIVING THE TRUTH
Introduction:
Albert Lee, a writer for Our Daily Bread, wrote a devotional thought for 04 January 2009, which speaks directly to what it means to live a truthful life. He shares:
The year 2007 was labeled the “Year of Living Deceptively” for South Korea, because of the country’s numerous scandals involving fake academics and corrupt politicians. A survey of 340 professors selected the Chinese phrase “ja-gi-gi-in” (deceiving yourself and others) to sum up the year.
It should not surprise us to hear of deception like that. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, “Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” To deceive is to make others believe falsehood as truth and accept wrong as right.
This short thought reflects the essence of our message for today. The question I want for you and me to consider today is “Are you living the Truth?” In other words, is there a truth that so influences your life that you have changed or are willing to change the way that you live to effect a better future for you and those whom you love? Today’s message provides an excellent example of what it means to live the truth. Our scriptural focus will be John 6:16-29. If you have your Bible with you, turn there with me.
Background thought:
We observed additional evidence to Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God last week, as we saw the evidence of Jesus providing enough food to feed 5000 men and some of their families from the supply of five loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus was, through His actions, providing a platform concerning His forthcoming declaration about being the Bread of Life. Who would be fitting to receive such bread? Look with me at our text to discover what it means to “Live the Truth.”
Text: John 6:16-29
Prayer
YOU ARE LIVING THE TRUTH IF YOU:
READILY RECEIVE WHAT CHRIST OFFERS YOU (VV 16-21)
Explanation:
As we enter our text for today, we see that Jesus’ disciples, after apparently receiving instruction from Jesus to cross over the sea to Capernaum, obeyed His command. The text also helps us to see that Jesus did not go with them, for, according to verse 17, the disciples were looking for Jesus until after it had grown dark. Being out on a sea with no lights in total darkness implies a fearful demeanor. If the disciples were not afraid at that moment, they were about to become afraid. Verse 18 identifies that a strong wind had come upon the sea, causing the waters to become turbulent. In other words, the peaceful state the disciples had been experiencing was rapidly changing to circumstances beyond their control. How should one who is in a small boat out on a sea that is becoming quite unstable feel. I would bet they were fearful for their very lives. Despite the difficult conditions, the first part of verse 19 records that the disciples had continued to row, striving to do what Jesus had bid them to do. They, according to commentary thought, had rowed a little more than half way across the sea. There they were in the middle of the Sea of Tiberius, struggling for their lives. Where was Jesus?! The second part of verse 19 tells us. Jesus, aware of their situation, was coming to their rescue. He was doing it by way of a miracle, walking on the water! The last part of verse 19 tells us the perception of the disciples. They were afraid! Speaking to those whom are His, Jesus tells His disciples not to fear (verse 20). Verse 21 helps us to see the key to His disciples believing in Christ for who He claimed to be. They “willingly” accepted Jesus into the boat. They did not doubt who Jesus was or what He could do for them. What was the result of their belief and reception of Christ into their boat? The scripture relates that not only that they were delivered from the storm, but that their boat was immediately moved from the middle of the sea to their destination.
Illustration:
I can relate to being on a stormy sea at night. I have been aboard a US naval ship during deployments to the Mediterranean Sea. There were a number of times when we encountered storms during hours of darkness. The seas produced great swells, tossing our ship around on the sea like it was a toy boat in a bath tub. We were warned not to go outside of the ship due to the fact that we may be thrown overboard by the rocking of the ship. If someone did fall in, rescue efforts were limited until morning due to the inability of rescue teams being able to see the person who had fallen in. It was a scary time. I am grateful that in spite of the storms we experienced, God saw fit to preserve us and bring us safely home.
Application:
One of the key points in our application for today’s message is our acceptance of the grace and protection God offers us for our everyday life. Though the disciples were experiencing difficulty on the open seas, they continued to follow the direction given to them by their Lord. We must do the same, communicating our fears to Him in prayer, and trusting that He will take care of us. Such trust and obedience demonstrates to the world around us that we are committed to and living in accordance with the truth God has given us in His Word. So, what happens when we don’t have a proper understanding of who Jesus is? This brings us to the second point of our message, living the truth means you and I must reject all doubts about Christ.
READILY REJECT ALL DOUBTS ABOUT CHRIST (VV 22-29)
Explanation:
Verses 22 – 25 help us to see the behavior of those who had not totally accepted Christ as being the Son of God. Instead of pursuing instruction or direction from Jesus as to what would contribute to a meaningful way of life, they sought to find Him for other purposes. Verse 22 relates that the people that had been fed on the previous day and returned to the place where Jesus had performed the multiplication miracle, but did not find Jesus there. They had observed Jesus’ disciples getting into the only boat they were traveling in and that Jesus did not get into the boat with them (verse 22). Therefore, based upon man’s observation, Jesus must still be in the area.
One point that stands out to me about John’s artistic writing is that he mentions the location of the feeding as being where Jesus had returned thanks for the food before feeding the 5000 (Verse 23). It appears that, once again, John is showing the dependence that Christ, the Son of God, had upon the Father to do the works given Him. This serves as a reminder to all who follow Christ that we must give thanks to our Father in heaven for the provisions He bestows for believers to carry out His will in their daily lives.
The text relates that Jesus’ miraculous feeding drew more people to the location of where the feeding took place. When the people saw that Jesus and His disciples were not there, they went in search of Jesus by boat. Apparently they were in search of Jesus for something else, maybe another sign. However, Jesus, knowing the hearts of all men, confronted them about their motives for searching Him out. After asking a question concerning His whereabouts, Jesus confronts their hearts, identifying that they were following Jesus for the wrong reasons. Had they been following Jesus, as before, to see Him work miracles and signs, there might be a chance that they would believe Jesus to be the Son of God and, thereby, choose to become a child of God. This was not the case. Jesus asserted the condition of their heart. They only followed Jesus for another meal. No longer were they at all interested in spiritual change, but in the physical change of their bellies from being hungry to being full of the bread Jesus would give them again (verse 26).
Jesus goes on to tell them the right perspective that every believer in Christ must have, not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternity. How could these people get to this food? Jesus doesn’t leave them wondering. He identifies that the Son of God will give it to them. It is through Him that such giving can be done, because God the Father has placed His seal upon Christ. The next statement we see indicates the spiritual blindness that is indicative of those who refuse to believe in Christ as being the Son of God.
Instead of asking for Jesus to give them this eternal food, the people ask how they could earn it. What type of works would be necessary to experience such food? Jesus gives them an answer that helps us understand the futility of our works to earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). He tells them that the works of God simply involves believing in Christ, something that these people were not ready to place their full and complete trust in. Such behavior is characteristic of false disciples. In other words, these people followed Jesus for their physical needs, but were not willing to submit to Christ spiritually.
Illustration:
I found an interesting challenge in my life at the age of eighteen. I listened to numerous promises from a Marine Corps Recruiter about how, if I would choose to become a Marine, many benefits were awaiting me on the other side of boot camp. Had I chose not to accept the offer, I would have missed out on the benefits I continue to receive to this day. I could have had my hair cut, wore an old ragged uniform, and even called myself a Marine. However, without my commitment to join, I wasn’t and never would be a Marine. There are similarities in other occupational careers. If we don’t commit ourselves to the organization, we miss out on the benefits of being a member. This way of thinking is similar to the mindset of committing to Christ. People tend to desire the benefits of having a personal relationship with God, but don’t want to commit to the relationship. Such people are false Disciples of Christ.
Application:
Choosing to follow Christ requires that you and I commit ourselves to a personal relationship with God through Christ. We are not to pursue God for the temporal benefits that are experienced in this life. Such a pursuit indicates doubt in the mind of a person that Christ is the Son of God and that a personal relationship with God involving eternal life requires accepting what God offers through Christ. As a believer in Christ, you and I must choose to reject any doubt of what Christ offers
Conclusion:
As you have observed in scripture today, there are those who are living in the truth. These people have placed their full trust in the words of Christ being true, and are willing to receive His instruction. These people are the true Disciples of Christ. Then, there are those who are doubtful of Christ being the Son of God. These people pursue Christ on an “as-needed” basis for their self-driven desires. These people are false Disciples of Christ. The question is where do you stand? Are you living in the truth or a life of deception? You might be able to deceive man, but you can’t deceive God. Choose to live in the truth. It begins by accepting Christ as your Savior, and then allowing His Holy Spirit to guide you into truthful living for the glory of God!
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
THE DISCIPLES DEPARTING FROM JESUS
MARK 6: 45
45(A)Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into (B)the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to (C)Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away.
MATTHEW 14:22-23
22(Q)Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
23After He had sent the crowds away, (R)He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
JESUS AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF THOSE WHO ARE HIS
MARK 6:48
48Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the (AW)fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea;
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