Message: “Living in Truth: The Power of Honesty” from Joe Summers

"Living in Truth: The Power of Honesty" Lesson Objective: To understand the significance of honesty in our daily lives and its profound impact on our relationship with God and others. Main Scripture: John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life Scripture: .”Ephesians 4:25 - "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Introduction: Present era: a time of “fake news,” misinformation, and authenticity crises. False advertisement A. The Nature of God: Truth** In John 14: 6, Jesus asserts Himself as the embodiment of truth. He is not just a speaker of truth, but He is the very essence of it. When we embrace honesty, we're not just following a moral code, but we are emulating Christ and deepening our relationship with Him. God's nature is inherently truthful; when we align ourselves with truth, we align with Him. B. Honesty as a Reflection of our Character** - Proverbs 12:22 - "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Honesty is not just about telling the truth but being true – to ourselves, to others, and to God. - Personal integrity: Our character is defined more by what we do in the shadows than in the light. Biblical Example: Daniel (Book of Daniel) is a prime example. He was known for his impeccable character to the point that his enemies could find no grounds for charges against him, except concerning the law of his God (Daniel 6:4-5). C. Consequences of Dishonesty 1. The story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) - They lied about the amount they received from selling property and kept back a part of it. - The consequence was immediate and severe. 2 2 Samuel 12, Nathan the prophet confronts King David after he sinned with Bathsheba. Nathan uses a parable to unveil the truth to David. This story underscores that even the highest in society are not exempt from accountability to the truth 3. Achan in Joshua 7. His act of deceit and hiding spoils of war led to Israel's defeat. When the truth was uncovered, it had dire consequences not only for Achan but for his family too. While the outcome for some were physical death dishonesty brings spiritual and relational death in our lives. D. The Freedom and Peace in Truth John 8:32 - "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - The internal turmoil and burden of carrying a lie. - Peace that comes from living an honest life, free from the entanglements of deceit. Biblical Example: The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). When confronted with the truth about her life, she was set free from her past and became an evangelist to her community E. . Honesty in Relationships a. **Scripture:** Colossians 3:9 - "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices." b. Biblical Example:** Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27). Jacob's deceit in stealing his brother's blessing resulted in years of estrangement from his family. It was only when Jacob faced his past and wrestled with God that he found reconciliation c. The role of honesty in establishing trust and intimacy in relationships F. Being Honest with God** A. Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting B. The importance of coming before God in honesty, admitting our sins, and seeking His guidance. C. God knows our hearts, yet He desires an open and truthful relationship with us. G. Conclusion a. We must practice honesty in our daily lives, even in small matters. b. Is there an area of our life where we've been dishonest or hiding the truth? Bring it before God. c. Truth brings freedom. Lies, on the other hand, enslave us in guilt, fear, and the need for more deception. Embracing truth in our lives releases us from these chains. d. Conclude with a prayer of commitment to truth and integrity

More Messages from Joe Summers | Download Audio

From Series: "Sunday Service"

These are the regularly scheduled Sunday lessons