Truth
AM I THEREFORE BECOME YOUR ENEMY BECAUSE I TELL YOU THE TRUTH ?
Introduction: The Galatian letter was written by the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia to root out erroneous doctrine introducted by Judaizing teachers and to return them to their earlier faith.
[1] Paul describes their perverted state:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
[2] Most of the New Testament is too instruct, rebuke, encourge and teach.
1Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1Ti 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by
[3] Preaching the Truth may make enemies.
A. Moses & Pharoah:
Exo 10:28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.
B. Elijah was pursued by Jezebel: [ prophets of Ball was slain ]
1Ki 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
1Ki 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
1Ki 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
C. John the baptist was beheaded for telling the truth:
Mat 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Mat 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
D. The enemies of Christ so feared the truth concerning his ressection that they bribed the soldiers that garded the tomb.
Mat 28:11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
Mat 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Mat 28:13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
E. Jesus warned the apostles of being hated for preaching the truth.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
[3] Men have fought the truth for two major reasons.
A. Some fight it ignorantly. [ Paul ]
Act 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
B. Other fight it knowing it is the truth.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
{ Story of log } Creatures of darkness despise light.
Some people are like those bugs - they hate light.
[4] We must preach the truth no matter what the cost. We cannot compromise.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 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;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch
