TEXT: JOHN 10:22-39

INTRODUCTION
A. Conversations around truth generally turn to lying ​​​
B. In fact, the Bible talks much about lying ​​​​
C. However, the emphasis of this sermon is not on “Not Lying” but on
“Speaking The Truth” ​​​​​​
D. When we believe in and obey Jesus, we speak the truth ​​

SPEAKING THE TRUTH, GETTING INTO TROUBLE
A. Jesus’ life caused divisions among the people ​​​​
1. Some said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”
2. Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon.
Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
B. They asked Jesus, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” ​​
C. Because Jesus spoke the truth, they expected Jesus to speak the truth.
D. Do we speak the truth? ​​​​​​
1. When we speak the truth, it causes division
2. When we speak the truth, people expect us to speak the truth

BREAKING THE RULES, GETTING INTO TROUBLE FOR JESUS
A. The problem was not Jesus’ failure to speak the truth. The problem was the people’s failure to hear the truth ​​​​​
B. Jesus knew He was going to get into trouble for speaking the truth – ​C. We cannot allow people’s failure to hear the truth prevent us from
speaking the truth ​​​​​​​
D. Jesus knows that we will get into trouble for speaking the truth ​​

SPEAKING THE TRUTH…
A. Speaking the truth sets people free: John 8:32, “And you shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free/”
B. Speaking the truth creates enemies: Galatians 4:16, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth.”
C. Speaking the truth exposes wickedness: Ephesians 511, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them”
D. To not speaking the truth is sin: James 4:17, “ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”.
E. Speaking the truth advocates for those in need: “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy”

CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: THAT I WILL OBEY JESUS, EVEN IF IT MEANS SPEAKING THE TRUTH AND GETTING INTO TROUBLE