Seeking The Truth From The Master Teacher

Matthew 7:28-29

Matt 7:28-29When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

• Jesus was not like the religious leaders of His day (or any day), because He had the knowledge and authority needed to instruct others in the most effective way.

• There are many today who claim we cannot know truth, or that it is too difficult to obtain– Such false teaching leads many to become discouraged

– not seeing the need for study– The Bible teachers that we can come to a knowledge of

the truth– Truth is knowable (Ephesians 3:3-4)

• John 8:30-32– Thus, through Christ we can know truth

– A mark of a true disciple is one who continually seeks for truth

Eph 3:3-4that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

John 8:30-32As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, " If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

• Jesus was not like the religious leaders of His day (or any day), because He had the knowledge and authority needed to instruct others in the most effective way.

• There are many today who claim we cannot know truth, or that it is too difficult to obtain– Such false teaching leads many to become discouraged

– not seeing the need for study– The Bible teachers that we can come to a knowledge of

the truth– Truth is knowable (Ephesians 3:3-4)

• John 8:30-32• Acts 17:11• John 5:39

– Seeking truth is vitally important– Let us consider what seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is

like…

Acts 17:11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

John 5:39You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

• Seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is like being a detective– Matthew 7:7-8

• Detectives must ask, seek, and knock.. They do all the needed “foot work” to gather all of the available evidence

• Likewise, truth-seekers must ask, seek, and knock– The witnesses have already testified and written their

testimony:» Written testimony (1st John 1:1-4)» Testimony of witnesses (Acts 10:39-43)

– Each of us must honestly examine all of the evidence in God’s written word

» Hebrews 11:1» Romans 10:17

Matt 7:7-8Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened

1 John 1:1-4What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life — 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us — 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete

Acts 10:39-43We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 " God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

Heb 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Rom 10:17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ

• Seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is like being a captain of a ship– Matthew 7:13-14– A ship’s captain must often guide his vessel through

narrow, difficult passages• This is the meaning of “strait”• Maps show many straits – the straits of Florida, the Bering strait,

etc

– Like a ship’s captain, the truth-seeker must enter the strait gate, the narrow and difficult way to truth

• Truth is absolute• There is only one source of spiritual truth – not many (John 14:6)• Thus, we must carefully travel through the straits of truth doing as

Solomon instructs:– Prov 4:25-27

– No short cuts - Pro 30:6

Matt 7:13-1413 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

John 14:6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Prov 4:25-26Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

Prov 30:6Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

• Seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is like being a shepherd or a farmer– Matthew 7:15-20– Shepherds must be alert to wild beasts and farmers must

be aware of weeds (if no distinction is made financial failure is sure)

• Both exists (Gal 5:19-23)– There is a clear difference

• Many fail to see the difference (Isaiah 5:20)• It is a must that we realize that spiritual failure is much worse than

a farmer’s financial failure– Matthew 16:26

• How do we make the needed distinction?– Study the word of God (1st John 4:1; 6)

– Examine the fruit (Matthew 7:20)

• Once the distinction is made, we must refuse and condemn the bad (Romans 16:17-18)

Matt 7:15-20"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 " Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Gal 5:19-23Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law

Isa 5:20Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!Matt 16:26"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world,

1 John 4:6We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.Matt 7:20

"So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Rom 16:17-18Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

• Seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is like being an architect– Matthew 7:24-27– Builders must use the right pattern, materials,

and methods to have a strong and beautiful structure

– Truth seekers must do likewise• The right pattern and materials are the teaching of

Jesus (1st Peter 2:21)• The proper foundation is Christ (Eph 2:19-20)• The right method is hearing and doing (Mat 7:21-24)

– Therefore, build your spiritual house correctly (Prov 24:3-4)

Matt 7:24-27Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall."

1 Peter 2:21

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Eph 2:19-20So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Matt 7:21-24 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock

Prov 24:3-4By wisdom a house is built,And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches

• Seeking the truth from the Master Teacher is like being a patient– Matthew 8:12-13– Patients know when they are sick and in need of

a physician– Likewise, truth seekers are looking for…..

• A cure for the soul’s disease (Rom 3:23)• The right physician – Jesus (1st Peter 2:24-25)• The correct prescription (Mark 16:15-16)• The correct health book (2nd Tim 3:16-17)

– So, do not refuse the great Physician’s remedy and remain sick

Matt 9:12-13But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 "But go and learn what this means: ' I DESIRE COMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."Rom 3:23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 Peter 2:24-25and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls

Mark 16:15-16And He said to them, " Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 " He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

2 Tim 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work

• Truth seekers will be as a:– Detective– Captain of a ship– Shepherd or a farmer– Architect– Patient…….