What is Truth and Truth in the Inward Parts - Jerome Wadsworth

[EDITOR's note : In this series of lessons, Bro. Jerome Wadsworth teaches on the theme of Truth: 1) What is Truth? and 2) Truth in the Inward Parts over the course of 8 Sunday morning Adult Bible Classes from April 5, 2015 to May 24, 2015. Unfortunately, some of the recordings do skip and jump at times. Although jarring, the majority of the thoughts are complete and very listenable.]

text: John 18:37,38 and Psalm 51:6

John 18:37,38 — Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Psalm 51:6 — Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

"What is Truth?" is the most contentious question. Not wanting God's yoke around their neck, many may resist the idea of an absolute truth, but there are absolute truths for everyone.

The answer to "What is Truth?" is preserved for those to whom God would reveal it. In this search of truth, there is more going on than "gathering facts on a subject".

Direct Download Audio Links

Part 1, April 5, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150405SS.mp3

[Beginning, I. What is Truth?]

Truth is more than the sum of all the right answers.
Truth can be a fearful and trembling thing.
Truth is a centeral topic in Philosphy -- What is Truth? What is right and what is wrong?. It would seem all the ages are still waiting for the answer — they are still seeking the definition of Truth. This long journey is leading many thinkers to conclude that truth then must be only relative.

I. What is Truth?

Could it be possible that Pilate was afraid of the answer?

We are accountable to truth once we know what it is and that can be a fearful thing.

Matthew 27:11 — And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Mark 15:2 — And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

Luke 23:3 — And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Was Pilate to the point of almost being persuaded?

John 18:34 — Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

More than atomic bombs, the rejection and neglect of truth will do more damage. Our response to truth can determine either destruction or preservation.

John 19:8 — When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid*;

Pilate asked the best question he could ask, but did not wait for the answer. Maybe it was going to cost him way to much and he did not want to feel the guilt in his conscience.

[25:35] Truth can hurt and truth convicts.

[26:20] The whole world is either still looking for this answer or like Pilate still trying to avoid it.

Truth can be a trembling thing.

[26:33] I'm going to give you an example about truth being scarey sometimes. Picture this: a wife or a husband afraid of finding out why the husband or wife has been coming home from work so late, so many nights. Well, they ask why and get an answe,r but inside they feel like that is not the truth. But inside they are scared to know the truth. "Why is my husband coming home so late every night?" And with trembling hands ... (Perhaps. I'm just illustrating.) ... at night when her husband is sleeping the wife might find his phone, and with trembling hands the wife might open up his emails or texts afraid of what she might find to be true.

[27:55] Think about a father or a mother, suspecting that their son or their daughter is doing things they shouldn't do, involved in things that they shouldn't be involved in. There are signs of it and their attitude has gone down hill and there are all the indications, but they are in self-denial. They want to tell themselves things that puts their worry and their mind to rest, "She's a good girl" or "He's a good boy". But then one night (or day) a police officer comes and knocks on the door and the mother or father is so afraid of what they are going to hear. The very truth that they have been avoiding now they have to hear. "Your son or daughter has been arrested ma'am", "Has been selling drugs", "Has been killed in a car accident", "Has been drinking and driving". Truth can be a trembling thing! Truth can be a terrible thing, a fearful thing.

[29:10] What is the answer? And that's why whenever I have read this in times past, I wanted to sit in my chair and think about it until the answer comes. Such a powerful and eternal question. Everything should have just suspended in that moment, everything should have just stopped until the answer was given. But Pilate just quickly got up and went out. Pilate more than likely if he had waited for the answer, it could have cost him his job and position. He could have lost his reputation, position and money. That is the way it is today, truth has cost.

When we say I love truth, we must be saying "I love The Truth. I love Him."

They will always beat up on the messenger.

2 Timothy 3:12 — Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 4:3 — For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Pilate asked the question, "What is truth?" but did not wait for the answer.

Part 2, April 12, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150412SS.mp3

[Continuing, I. What is Truth?]

It seems like more and more are coming to the conclusion that there is no absolute truth, because they do not want God's yoke around their neck.

When he asked, "What is truth?", Pilate was not just asking a question but he was asking the One Who is the answer.

Pilate is not a kind or generous man. Pilate was not naive or given to first impressions, but yet when he got up and went out without having the question answered he spoke the strangest words spoken by a Roman governor. "I find in him no fault at all.":

John 18:38 — Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

In our court houses, the defendant stands before the verdict is read. The truth can set a person free or send them to prison or even to be executed. While you stand there, if you are guilty and you know you are guilty, you know if the truth comes out then you will pay for the crime.

God's system is different than this system. God's system is with "Mercy and Truth", the Gospel. In God's system, a person can ask for forgiveness and if that person expresses Godly sorrow with repentance then that person can go free. Unlike the man standing in a court of our land, if he is guilty, who will be put away.

Proverbs 16:6 — By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

If you don't put God in the equation, then truth is subjective and elusive. If you have no point of reference, you cannot define truth. Without God, you cannot define truth.

Have you ever known a time when freedom came cheap?

Meditate on the Word of God and not just read it.

Truth is threatening to the world and contrary to the world's system.

A Bible school in our state was facing the possibility of having to close down unless they increased attendance. They decided to change some long standing restrictions and standards and this opened them up as an option for some of the major Pentecostal denominations for sending their young people. They recently received a $1 million donation and seemingly this was the blessing of God on them.

[24:00] In business if you change your product to match the interest and appetite of your customers it will sell, but the product you offer will no longer be the same, it will be a different product.

The modern church movement says in action and some even plainly that:

Truth is hazy, uncertain, perhaps unknoweable. The message should be kept pliable, ambiguous, vague and general.

And this philosophy has attracted people who are in tune with the culture and in love with the spirit of the age.

2 Timothy 4:3 — For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Having itching ears, they only want to hear it a certain way. These teachers change the message to attract people who instead of embracing the attitude of a pilgrim and stranger to this world are in love with the spirit of this world.

In his book titled A Generous Orthodoxy MacLaren likens the conventional notion of orthodoxy to a claim that we “have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall.” In a similar way he disparages systematic theology as an unconscious attempt to “have final orthodoxy nailed down, freeze-dried, and shrinkwrapped forever.” This kind of thinking is a very popular and postmodern approach to certainty and truth.

If truth changed with cultures, then it would be true that truth is not absolute.

Truth is as unchanging and uncompromising as God.

1 Timothy 3:15 — But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The example of the Bible school is not given as a judgement on that particular school, but is an attempt at not being vague or merely abstract in my teaching. In considering their situation, one might ask me a question like:

"Well, Brother Jery, would you rather see the school closed?" (Which would be a logical consequence of the school not making the changes it did.)

At the time, it may have seemed like a waste for Moses to be herding sheep while his countrymen were still in the bondages of Egypt. It may have made better "sense" for him to remain in Egypt in Pharoah's house. Was Moses in the right place in the wilderness? He was raised in Pharoah's home and educated. According to the facts, it would make sense Moses could do the most good if he remained in Pharoah's house. The human mind can only look at the facts, but truth is not "fact gathering".

It is only because we are looking back on this situation with the perfect vision of hindsight that we know Moses did not miss God in leaving Pharoah's house. Moses did well in leaving. Truth is not mere fact gathering, but it is eternal and uncompromisingly the will and design of God.

"You don't just get out of the will of God and step right back into it." — Brother Gogan

[33:00] God's judgement most of the time is not immediate. From the time Joshua led God's people until the time they were taken captive to Babylon was 845 years. It was 115 years after the Assyrians came and spoiled the Northern Kingdom and took Judah's sister Israel in captivity. Wake Up, Judah! Judah had all kinds of prophets warning them about God's judgment and using Israel as an example of what was going to happen to them if they did get right with God.

What are we to do when we have big decisions to make? Like Moses. We need to ask God to lead us and guide us into the way of truth because the facts might lead us and guide us away from God's will and plan.

2 Chronicles 24:20 — And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

They stoned this Zechariah.

Deuteronomy 32:29 — O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Deuteronomy 32:36 — For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Deuteronomy 32:7 — Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

The preaching and teaching that we hear must be relavent to us. Just down the road from this Bible school in our example is a local church. This church which is a large church, was full on a Sunday Night service, having a "70's Appreciation Night". Members dressed like rock groups from the 70's and hippie costumes and they performed on the platform. They sang rock songs from the 70's including songs from Ozzy Osbourne (who Bit the Head Off a Live Bat during a concert years ago).

We know there are other spirits at work in churches across our land.

Pilates question grips me, "What is Truth?" Most are confused still today on the answer and it seems the battle for truth is being lost. But the battle is an age old battle and it is truly between God and darkness. Guess who will win that battle? God!

Part 3, April 19, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150419SS.mp3

[Concluding, I. What is Truth? and then beginning II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

Review

Truth is very contentious. The unanswered question in John 18, seems suspended in time and the answer reserved for whomever God chooses to reveal it to.
Truth is Absolute. There is more going on in the asking of this question than just gathering facts about a certain subject. Facts about a crime can be known and can be discovered, but 77% of Americans have trouble believing there is truth in an absolute way. This is the problem with our society. People are concluding that there cannot be any such thing as absolute truth. Without the reference point of God, then truth at best can only be something elusive or subjective.
Truth is a trembling reality. Pilate asked a question and never waited for the answer. We suspect that he did not want to know the answer. He actively avoided the answer.
Truth is powerful. Truth can either condemn or set a man free. Truth has more power than all the military might of this world. All the military might of the world cannot bring about the freedom and peace that truth can.

Pilate's History/Legend (possibly Pilate and his wife became christians, according a 4th/5th century source.)

Truth is contrary to the spirit of the world.

Reminder of the Maine Pentecostal church that had a 70's appreciation night on a Sunday night complete with costumes and music of 70's rock bands. That church had gone in a way where most of the music was "Christian Rock and Roll". I believe there is no such thing as "Christian Rock and Roll" because it was birthed out of a spirit that was not pure, godly and holy. Part of the identity of born-again Believers is hating the things that God hates. They were playing the music of the 70's rock songs but changing the words by adding Biblical messages. I would rather that they kept the words of the songs the same than to put the name of Jesus within those arrangments and context.
We have a group of modern Christians who are in tune with the culture and are in love with the spirit of the world.

Truth is more than the sum of right answers. We are not saved by having truth, we are saved by becoming true.

When Pilate asked his question, he was standing in front of the Answer, but he avoided it.

Matthew 23:3 — All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

[29:00] Where did the culture at the founding of America come from? Even the unsaved had a reference of God. We were a Christian nation.

Not this "I'm right and your wrong" arrogance, carnality, stubborness but LOVING THE TRUTH.

Jesus is the center of Truth

Christ is the Answer to "What is Truth?"
There is a reality that we can have more truth than others, but if we have more, we only actually have more if we have more of Him — Jesus Christ. All truth comes from God and points back to God. As Christ was the goal for God's Law so is He the goal for all who seek truth. Truth serves as bring us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Said of A.B. Simpson, "He had a way of making Christ the center." "Christ in me."

Romans 8:1,4 — There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:4 — For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Truth should not be divorced from the Spirit of Truth

The world has been cut off from the Spirit of truth and they are choking on their lies. People holding the truth but they are not true will be destroyed by the lies. Truths are important, but they are as dead as the law written on stone without the Spirit of Truth in us to animate them.

There has to be a unity of the written word and living word in a life or truth is cold and dead. Truth is dead without God. It is easy to repeat something somebody else said but difficult to convey the same meaning.

Truth is a moral issue.

Romans 1:28 — And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Truth is more than words but not without words.

Hebrews 4:12 —For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

II. Truth in the Inward Parts

[42:00]

Psalm 51:6 — Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

When Nathan confronted David with his sin, David knew he was standing before God and not just the prophet.

Psalm 51:4 — Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

David makes his confession knowing he did NOT have truth in his inward parts. David was crushed. Think about who David was, how God used David and what He has done and now is confronted by the truth.

When things are not dealt with God's way, there is a heavy price to pay.

Nathan was a man of God, but before you approach a king with such an accusation you better be sure you heard right! ( :) "hire a private investigator")

Read Psalm 51:1-19.

David prayed, don't let this thing that I have done bring reproach to you and do damage to your people.

In Psalm 51, we find David confronted by the truth and his response. David knew the Scriptures about adultery, lieing, murder, etc. Nathan did not come with a sermon about the truth, David already knew that. Nathan came with a message from the truth. That kind of truth will convict/condemn and set men free. Nathan came with a message and David is now crying for "truth in the inward parts."

Part 4, April 26, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150426SS.mp3

[Continuing, II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

The world is cut off from Truth and choking on their own lies.

UPC preacher, Rev. Lee Stoneking, gave testimony before UN of his dieing of a heart attack on Nov 12, 2003 and God healing him.

...He removed the APOE geno genetic maker for heart disease from every cell in your body ... When God healed you and raised you up, he totally and miraculously healed you. ... The answer to violence in our day is Jesus.

Mr. Stoneking's offical website: http://www.leestoneking.com/My%20Miracle.htm

Acts 2:38 — Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

On the video of Rev. Stoneking's U.N. speech, those present despite giving him a hand clap seem generally disinterested or even upset.

Romans 1:28 — And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Marriage was not institued by Congress, but God. Same-sex marriage is an example of a practice for which you cannot use God as a reference point. There is not truth in it. You have to redefine marriage itself to make it something shared by the same gender as God defined and instituted as between one man and one woman.

[13:20] If marriage is redefined, Without God as the reference point of truth, Who is to say that:

... a man cannot marry a man?
... a woman cannot marry a woman?
... a person cannot marry their pet?
... a man cannot marry his daughter?
and so forth

[16:30] Who is sleeping? America is making a deal with Iran that chants, death to America. God allows blindness to bring about judgment. One day people will wak up and say, "Why didn't we see what was happening?" Sin has a blinding effect wherever you find it. So the love of the truth is the only guard against deception. Truth should not traded at any cost.

Romans 1:18 — For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Hold -- hold down; suppress - "the truth in unrighteousness"

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

implacable: "not capable of being please"
We are living in a world such as this as SALT and LIGHT and so do not be surprised if it costs you something and if there is a heavy cross to bear.

God's Will is that His People have the Truth in the Inward Parts

[21:43] Not just a knowledge of the truth, right facts, but truth in the inward parts.

This experience can be evasiv, but only that person who is honest and hungry before God can have the blindness lifted to see if in reality they have truth in the inward parts.

David has been confronted by the truth and he is crying out for truth in the inward parts. David knew what was right and that is why he became so angery when Nathan told his story. At that point, David did not see himself, he was blind at that point.

[25:10] Truth is more than facts, words (though with words), but truth is God Himself (John 16:13) and God does a work in men described as revival.

The Spirit of Truth produces a sense "that God is here".
Annanias and Sapphira were judged for their lie and the work of the Spirit of Truth produced a "great fear":

Acts 5:5 — And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Preachers concerned more with popularity and money, are lacking this Spirit of Truth.
Sin in people's lives, blind them from the truth and from seeing whether or not truth is actually in the inward parts. There is brand of Christianity today that knows the facts, are very forward with talking how much the Lord means to them, posting things online about Jesus, passionate, emotionally good and wholesome ("if you are not ashamed, Pass this on.."), but that is not "TRUTH IN THE INWARD PARTS". This brand is no different in many ways than a drunk man who in his drunken state is emotional or sensitive to God, memories of childhood, etc. but it is not in his inward part.
You can tell a Christian by how they live. Our judgement is from what we know from the Scripture. When you judge right, most of the time it will break your heart.

It use to be that people were either in or out. — Joe

Adam and Eve hid themselves when they sinned.
Now, they confront truth and reprimand any judgment.
When they brought the woman caught in adultery they were confronted with the truth and it exposed what was in them. It was not just a sermon, but was truth that confronted them directly to their heart.
It is not by might, nor by power but by the Spirit of God.
at time 5:50, "I don't know why you are clapping? I am talking to you."

Part 5, May 3, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150503SS.mp3

[Continuing, II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

As an example of the same things (attitude, etc.) that is going on in the church, read from article, "Transgender People Find Hope".

weblink to article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2015/04/25/activists-hope-bruce-jenner-interview-will-lead-to-change/26375189/
download/print article: 20150425_activists-hope-bruce-jenner-interview-will-lead-to-change.pdf
Truth Does make People Free
Truth Will Cost You
Truth Can be Scarey
Truth is a Threat to those Who Want to Go their Own Way
Truth if received, will transform people's lives. (Truth not given just to inform us, but transform us.)

The opposite of having Truth in the Inward Parts, is merely having facts.

The "third way", mixture, in the church is just as off as the transgender, "third way", in the culture at large.

Part 6, May 10, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150510SS.mp3

[Continuing, II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

Part 7, May 17, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150517SS.mp3

[Continuing, II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

It is so important that we are sure that the truth is in us.

Part 8, May 24, 2015

direct url: https://ia804601.us.archive.org/27/items/dc-preaching/20150524SS.mp3

[Concluding, II. Truth in the Inward Parts]

All truth and right doctrine come from God and point back to God. Without the reference point of God, "truth" is subjective. All truth is to bring us into a deeper walk and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Truth is not to be worshipped, but it is to draw us to the One Who is to be worshipped.

What is Truth and Truth in the Inward Parts - Jerome Wadsworth

Direct Download Audio Links

Part 1, April 5, 2015

I. What is Truth?

Part 2, April 12, 2015

Part 3, April 19, 2015

Review

II. Truth in the Inward Parts

Part 4, April 26, 2015

The world is cut off from Truth and choking on their own lies.

God's Will is that His People have the Truth in the Inward Parts

Part 5, May 3, 2015

Part 6, May 10, 2015

Part 7, May 17, 2015

Part 8, May 24, 2015

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