TRUTH TELLERS. Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.

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1 TRUTH TELLERS SESSION 3 Jesus calls us to root out hypocrisy, lies, false flattery, pride, and manipulative communications with others. Instead, we must speak truth with humility, grace, simplicity and most of all, love. Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy. WARREN W. WIERSBE MEMORY VERSE Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15 TRUTH TELLERS 27 MAT THEW 23:1 39

2 Biblical insights for the week in just five minutes a day. This week s daily devotionals are written by Pastor Curtis Johnson M Mat thew 23:3 12 John 17:17 Can you remember a time when you realized the person you were listening to said one thing but you knew them to act much differently? We might say they didn t walk the talk. In the final moments of Jesus public ministry, He warns the crowds and His disciples that there are many religious leaders of the day who don t practice what they preach. Jesus goes on to call out the religious leaders lack of sincerity, sympathy, and humility. He is telling the crowd that these leaders are not your example. Jesus encourages the crowd of followers to reveal the opposite attitude, reminding them that vanity is punished while humility is rewarded. T Jesus prays to the Father, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Just as Jesus, the living Word, is truth, so God s written word is truth. After we are made right by God s grace through faith, we begin the process of sanctification where we are transformed more and more into Jesus likeness. This is not some physical image of Jesus that might occupy our minds, but a likeness of heart, thought, word, and deed as one begins to live and love like Jesus who came full of grace and truth. The sanctification process takes place when we recognize, accept and desire the truth. This truth is God s redemptive revelation in Christ as the ultimate standard of life and doctrine. This truth is embodied in Christ, and Christ alone! FOR TODAY: Paul says in 1 Cor. 11:1, Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ! FOR TODAY: Allow the Word of Truth to transform and renew your mind as stated in Romans 12:1 2. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. EPHESIANS 4:25 28 ENGAGEGE

3 W Whether you hear it on a college campus or from a good friend or family member, it always surprises me to hear a different definition or philosophy regarding truth. Here s a short list of what we might hear from others: The really important thing isn t finding truth, it s searching for it. There s no such thing as truth. Truth is whatever you sincerely believe. What s true for you is true for you, and what s true for me is true for me. In Matthew 23, Jesus calls out the Pharisees for their arrogance as they tailored truth to their preference and lorded it over the others. Jesus says God s Word is truth! Th John 17:17 Ephesians 4:15 There are two great enemies to our character and testimony. One is the departure from truth, compromise with the lie, whether in word or deed. The other is indifference concerning hearts and lives, and the troubles and trials of the people we seek to engage. The Apostle Paul has the real solution; the truth must be practiced in love. Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. As we love, we impart a blessing not only on others but to ourselves as well, for we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. FOR TODAY: Over time, have you slipped into your own philosophy regarding truth? FOR TODAY: Read Colossians 3:1 3 and set your heart on the things above. F James 1:22 25 Talk the talk and walk the walk! Jesus was recognized as a man of integrity teaching the way of God in accordance with the truth (Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14). The person who makes a habit of reading and searching the scriptures (reading and searching the Word of Truth) will more likely become a doer of the Word and become blessed in what he or she does. Through the Word of Truth, we can experience freedom from sin and self. The Word of Truth is also known as the gospel of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). It is written that we might be saved and that we might be sanctified, that is, set apart for God. FOR TODAY: Consider the lyrics of Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns: I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth... TRUTH TELLERS 29

4 SPEAKER: DATE: This week s main passage can be found in Matthew 23:1 39 If you missed this week s sermon, go to calvarycc.org/engage to watch the video! 30 ENGAGE

5 NOTES. DOODLES. THOUGHTS. PRAYERS. TRUTH TELLERS 31

6 PERSONAL RESOURCE TIP Before you react to a situation or conversation, H.A.L.T. H SMALL GROUP OVERVIEW Group Flow reflection video discussion prayer Theme Speaking truth in love and grace Passages Matt. 23:1 39 Ephesians 4:15 Ask yourself honestly, Am I feeling... HUNGRY ANGRY LONELY TIRED A L T 32 ENGAGE This week s small group video content can be found online at calvarycc.org/engage

7 Think about the last time you were confronted with a difficult situation or a hurtful comment. Did you react impulsively or were you able to gather your thoughts and speak with wisdom? We tend to regret more what we said in the heat of the moment rather than what we did not say. Next time, take a quick inventory using H.A.L.T. and figure out if you are being triggered in part because you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If so, postpone the conversation until you address your need first. Then, figure out a thoughtful, truthful, and loving response. Has someone shared truth from God s Word that you need to act upon? TRUTH TELLERS 33

8 How does our culture regard truth these days? How has our culture been damaged by a lack of truth, especially in churches and by Christian public figures? Read Matthew 23:1 39. What was the problem with what the Pharisees and religious leaders were doing? What are some examples of hypocrisy in our lives today? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What are some ways we might manipulate the truth or attempt to control other people s impression of us without even being aware of it? (e.g., misrepresenting ourselves on social media, bragging, flattery, gossip, exaggerations, white lies) Pastor Shawn noted that Jesus tended to approach religious people with truth first, then followed up with grace. But, He approached nonreligious people with grace first, then followed up with truth. Why is it important we keep this order in mind when we engage with people inside and outside the Christian community? 34 ENGAGE

9 Pastor Shawn defined a truth teller as someone who shares God s perspective honestly into people s lives but does it in a kind, loving manner. What are some characteristics and attitudes necessary if we are to speak truth to others well (e.g., self-awareness, humility, discernment, relational boundaries)? Can you share an example of when someone has spoken truth into your life and helped you move forward? Think back to the last time God prompted you to speak into someone else s life regarding a difficult issue and you resisted doing it. Why? Looking back, do you regret not speaking up? Which people or group of people are harder for you to tell truth to and why? Which people or relationships do you find it harder to receive truth from and why? Is there someone the Holy Spirit is nudging you to have a hard conversation with? Pray together and ask God to empower you to share truth with grace and love. RESOURCES A classic, helpful book on this topic: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by HENRY CLOUD AND JOHN TOWNSEND TRUTH TELLERS 35

10 ACTION How can you be a TRUTH TELLER? Jesus calls us to speak in love and truth. If we do not speak in truth, we are being hypocritical with our actions. It is important for us to do what we say because our words reveal the inside of our hearts. Take some time to think about what you can work on today to clean the inside of your cup. Take some time to think about what you can work on today to clean the inside of your cup. Write it down and pray for God to continue to work on cleaning the inner places of your heart. Main Passage: Matthew 23: What does Jesus mean when He talks about the inside of our cup? Why is it important to clean the inside of your cup? 3. How do we use social media to keep our outer cup clean for others to see? BIBLE MEMORY Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. EPH. 4:15 4. How can we find a balance between telling truth and giving grace? What does it mean to speak truth in love? 36 ENGAGE