[Biblemat] X-SPAM "All I Want Is The Truth Man"

Fri Apr 13 10:29:32 CDT 2007

The following  lesson is a corrected copy of a sermon I preached a few years
ago. I thought perhaps it would be useful to others as to what accepting the
truth of Christ demands of us. So I am posting it with this in mind. Kenneth
E. Thomas

"All I Want Is The Truth Man!"
This was stated in a made for TV movie. The reply of the one to whom he made
the statement was, "You don’t want the truth; You couldn’t handle the truth"
 I was thinking about that statement today and I began to write down a few
thoughts as my mind turned to spiritual matters. 
We each need the truth of course for only the truth believed, obeyed, and
walked in, will bring and keep one in fellowship with God and with those who
are also in His fellowship (John 8:31-32; 1 John 1:1-7; Romans 6:16-18; 1
Peter 1:22-25; James 1:22-25; 2:14-26; 3 John 4). 
The statement, "...You couldn’t handle the truth" involves some thoughts I
wish to pursue in this study. Yes, truth alone believed, obeyed, and walked
in, will avail. However when we are made FREE from sin and error by
accepting and obeying "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), we have
not only been made free of sin and error, we have been freed from the
shackles of denominationalism and the Creeds which have people bound to
man’s laws which cannot make one free (Matthew 15:8-9). However along with
this great freedom are corresponding responsibilities. Now rather than
parroting what the creed guides one to believe, to preach, and to practice,
when one becomes a "Christian only," a member of the body of Christ, now one
must study as did the "noble Bereans" to learn what the will of the Lord is
for one’s individual and collective or congregational life. 
Once I was in the process of trying to convert a preacher for the Lutheran
church Missouri Synod and as we studied, I knew he had seen the truth about
conversion when he stated, "Mr. Thomas, if what you are teaching me is true,
just about the whole world is lost and we had better get to knocking on
doors and teach them this gospel plan of salvation." I said, "Chuck, I see
now from your statement that you have seen the impact of the teaching of
Christ in the "Great Commission" from (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke
24:45-49), and yes, this is true. Yes, we need to get to knocking on some
doors and share this message of salvation with a lost world, for Jesus said,
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). 
I baptized "Chuck" into Christ along with his wife. He had a lot to give up
to become simply a Christian, a member of the body of Christ. To be sure he
had much more to gain than any loss he may have suffered for Christ and for
the truth, but sometimes this is very difficult for some to swallow when
faced with the hardships some must endure to receive the salvation that is
in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:10). 
Once Peter said to the Lord; "Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that
hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an
hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and
mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to
come eternal life" (Mark 10:28-30). 
Saul of Tarsus who became the great apostle Paul had a lot to lose as viewed
from the earthly side of things but he considered the "loss of all things"
as mere rubbish that he may be right with Christ. (Galatians 1:10-23;
Philippians 3:4-14, please read!) 
Truth is hard to handle for some folks. Some lose their entire family
relationship when they are converted to Christ and thereby become a member
of the church His blood purchased. We feel for such folks but we know the
sacrifices are worth it and then some. "Chuck" had to give up among other
things: 
1). His reputation among his peers in two congregations called Lutheran. 
2). His religious title of "Reverend." 
3). His religious name, "Lutheran." 
4). The use of mechanical instruments of music in worship. 
5). The practice of sprinkling or pouring of water for "baptism." 
6). His income along with all retirement benefits. 
7). His former practice of "baptizing babies." 
8). The religious observance of Christmas and Easter as Holy Days 
9). His human standard for all prior beliefs peculiar to being Lutheran. 
Question? How many of us who are Christians are willing to give up things we
learn to be without biblical authority when we learn the truth of Christ on
any given matter requiring change? We demand this of our converts, rather I
should say Jesus does. That’s what conversion is about, change. The "old man
 is put to death and we become a "new creation" in Christ (Romans 6:1-7; 2
Corinthians 5:17). 
It was probably comfortable for "Chuck" to learn from Luther’s Catechism
what to believe about various matters and how to practice the various
rituals of the Lutheran church. But along with the freedom from sin via
gospel obedience such a person who is now a "free man in Christ" must decide
by his own study along with the help that others of like precious faith may
give him, what he is to believe and practice to act by Christ’s authority
(Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 John 9-11). This is a grueling and time
consuming task (1 Timothy 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2
Peter 3:16).
"Chuck" didn’t hold out. After weeks of studies about the "work of the Holy
Spirit" and "miraculous gifts of the Spirit" etc., we lost him to what was
then called, "The Jesus Movement" I am sad to say. I almost lost the sight
in one eye due to the stress of weeks of concentrated study trying to "root
and ground him in the faith" (Ephesians 3:17-18; Colossians 1:23). 

1). One must give up belief in any other God but Jehovah-Must reject Allah
of the Muslims (Acts 17:22-31). 
2). One must give up any other Prophet or Savior but Jesus Christ-Must
reject Mohammed (John 8:21-24; 14:6). 
3). One must give up every standard of religious authority except the Bible
alone (2 Timothy 3:16- 17; 2 Peter 1:3; John 16:12-13; James 1:25; Romans
16:16-18;2 Peter 1:16-21; 2 John 9-11). 
4). One who is "living in an adulterous relationship" must give up his/her
wife/husband to comply to the morals under the law of Christ (Matthew
5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 7:1; Revelation
21:8). 
5). One must give up all immoral activities who comes to Christ (Galatians
5:16-21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 
(Eph. 4:1-6; John 17:17; 20-21) 
There is One: 
Body-Unity of Organization: (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:13-16; John 10:16;
Colossians 1:18). 
Spirit-Unity of Revelation: (Jn. 16:12-13; 1 Cor. 2:7-13; Gal. 1:6-11; 1 Cor
 14:33). 
Hope-Unity of Reward: (1 Pet. 1:3; Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:24; Rom. 8:24). 
Lord-Unity of Authority: (Matt. 17:1-5; Matt. 28:18; Acts 3:22-23; Col.
1:18). 
Faith-Unity of Doctrine: (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Jn. 9-11)

Baptism-Unity of Action & Design: (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Acts
2:38). 
God-Unity of Object of Worship: (1 Cor. 8:6; Jn. 4:23-24; Col. 3:17; Acts
2:42) 

Kenneth E. Thomas
Pekin church of Christ
1451 Valle Vista Blvd.
Pekin, IL 61554
1 (309) 347-3582 - Office
1 (309) 347-5645 - Home

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