THE GOSPEL TRUTH Part 2 Colossians 1:5b-8 VOULTIER - François-Marie Arouet; 21 November 1694 30 May 1778), known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. Voltaire was a versatile and prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. Christianity is the more ridiculous, absurd, bloody religion that has ever infected the world. He predicted that his writings would stop the spread of the WORD OF GOD and change Europe, so much so, that it would eliminate Christianity from the European Continent within 100 years. ILLUS: I read about a man who heard his friend say: There are 2 sides to every question And the man replied Yes, there are two sides to every question just like there are two sides to a sheet of flypaper, but it makes a difference to the fly which side he chooses. Colossians 1:3-8 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 2 of 10 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. I. THE REASON OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL 5b the truth of the gospel v. 6d grace of God in truth Today, the shift is from EXCLUSIVE to INCLUSIVE, from ABSOLUTES to ACCEPTANCE. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Their Conversion 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. John 8:31-32 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." II. THE RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL v.5b, 6d v. 5 b you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 3 of 10 v. 6d the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; III. THE REJECTION OF TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL Mark 7:13 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Romans 1:21-22, 25 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed foreve. 2 Timothy 3:2-5, 7 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 4 of 10 I. THE REASON OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL II. III. THE RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL v.5b, 6d THE REJECTION OF TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL IV. THE REPRESENTATION OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL 1. THE TRUTH AS A PERSON. John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 18:35-38 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews,
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 5 of 10 John 15:26 6 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. John 14:17 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 16:13 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Ephesians 1:13 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 2. THE TRUTH AS THE WORD. Luke 4:4 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" Luke 8:21 21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." Acts 4:31
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 6 of 10 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 6:2 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Acts 6:7 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 8:14 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, Acts 11:1 11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. Acts 12:24 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 13:5 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John (Mark) as their assistant. (Famagusta, Cypres) Acts 13:42-46
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 7 of 10 42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. Romans 10:17 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. John 17:17 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. V. THE REWARDS OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL v. 7 Epaphras - fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 8 of 10 Colossians 1:6 since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; John 5:24 24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 3:21 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." Ephesians 1:13a 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation... 1 Peter 1:23 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, VI. THE RESULTS OF THE FRUIT OF THE GOSPEL v. 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; Colossians 1:5-8 you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6, and is bringing forth fruit, 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 9 of 10 LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, FRUITS, 2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, Luke 11:27-28 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" 28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" VOULTIER - François-Marie Arouet; 21 November 1694 30 May 1778), known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. Voltaire was a versatile and prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.
THE GOSPEL TRUTH Page 10 of 10 Christianity is the more ridiculous, absurd, bloody religion that has ever infected the world. He predicted that his writings would stop the spread of the WORD OF GOD and change Europe, so much so, that it would eliminate Christianity from the European Continent within 100 years. 100 years later the Geneva Bible society bought his house and produced and distributed Bibles from it. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.