Stewards Of The Truth Series

LESSON 2 - STEWARDS OF THE TRUTH

TEXT: JOHN 18:33-38a; 1Co 4:1-2

Introduction:

Last week, we began this series of messages on Stewardship. We discussed the measure of a

life. We found that our faith is the foundation of our life, and upon that foundation of faith comes our

values. Our values, in turn form our choices. In other words, we are what we believe, and what we

believe is reflected in our choices. We then put our choices in front of the mirror of God’s Word, as the

Lord said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Do we

believe the Kingdom of Heaven is before us? Do we then value that kingdom more than this passing

one? What choices do we make that reflect that value based on that belief? What choices do we make

that betray that value based on that belief?

Vance Havner says, “God is faithful, and He expects His people to be faithful. God’s Word

speaks of faithful servants, faithful in a few things, faithful in the least, faithful in the Lord, faithful

ministers. And all points up that day when He will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

“What terrible times we have in our churches trying to keep people faithful in attendance and

loyalty! How we reward and picnic and coax and tantalize church members into doing things they don’t

want to do but which they would do if they loved God! The only service that counts is faithful service..

“True faith shows up in faithfulness. Not everyone can sing or preach, but all can be faithful.”

The remainder of this series will illustrate the Christian’s Stewardship responsibilities, which,

when carried out, will serve well to help us formulate our lives in such a way that when we get to be with

the Lord, we may very well hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We want our lives to

measure up to our Savior’s standards. We’ve been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ (at least I hope

you have, and if you haven’t, then you need to be). Now what? How do we please this savior that has

given us so much hope, joy, love, and peace? What responsibilities has He given us as members of His

kingdom?

We will see our stewardship in several areas: today, the stewardship of God’s truth, next week,

Stewardship of God’s house, and finally, stewardship of God’s things.

****Read text (JOHN 18:33-38a)****

At this point in Pilate’s interrogation of Him, Jesus lays claim to a kingdom, a kingdom

established on truth. Jesus replies, "To this end I was born." I was born a king to bring forth a kingdom.

"And for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." Jesus came into the

world as a steward of truth.

To this Pilate replied, "What is truth?" In other words:

How can we tell what is truth and what is error?

Who defines truth?

Where is truth to found?

What makes one thing true and another to be false?

Stanford Research Institute was studying the differences in vocational perceptions. They

devised a short but succinct test. The first to be tested was an engineer. The researchers asked him: “

What does two plus two make?” The engineer simply said, “In absolute terms: four.” After making their

notes and dismissing him, they called an architect. To the same question, he responded, “Well, there

are several possibilities: two and two make four, but so does three and one -- or two point five and one

point five -- they also make four. So, it is all a matter of choosing the right option.” The researchers

thanked him and made their notes. Finally, they called an attorney. When he heard the question, he

looked around slyly, asked if he could close the door for privacy, and then came over close, leaned

toward them and said, “Well, tell me, what would you like it to be?”

Men have been debating these questions for centuries, and have embraced several different

philosophies:

Rationalism: Man can reason his way to the truth (without having to actually prove that a thing is

true). Truth is what is reasonable.

Pragmatism: Anything that works, is useful, or brings satisfaction is truth. Truth is what works.

Utilitarianism: Truth is that which produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of

people. Truth is what is beneficial.

Idealism: There is no absolute truth. What is truth to one person may not be truth for another.

Truth is what you want it to be.

The secular mind has no absolute standard of truth. This is where the Believer has the

advantage over the unbeliever. The Scriptures tell us that God is the author of truth; that truth may be