6th Sermon in the Series - The Real Signs of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4: 14-15, 20-25, 29
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
- Truthfulness - Don't be deceitful; don't hide reality from others.
- Committing to a promise - we don't do this when we live together without being married or coming to church without being a member.
- Don't be afraid of commitment or promises.
- Person of integrity is the same in public as they are in private--make sure that what you think and say matches up with what you do.
- Unwholesomeness talk - True words can also be rotten like when you speak the truth in abusive ways; you do it because you value it for yourself
- What is the goal of you telling the truth? It should be to help instead of to marginalize of looking from approval from others.
- Do we get value from being right? (self-righteousness or from God)
- Jesus confesses to the moralist High Priest vs. the relativist Pilate; Jesus spoke the truth and was treated the same by each side
John 18:19-23 - Jesus before the High Priest
19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:36-38 - Jesus before Pilate
36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"
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