This is a sermon preview for the second week of our “One: Unity Belongs to God” series.
Visit FBCM’s Church Center Channel to view video live stream (live) or audio version of sermon (published week after).
“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’ ”
-excerpt from John 18:28-40
Is anything more satisfying than a good mystery? My obsession with finding clues and searching for the truth began as young as Pre-K as I sat in front of the TV everyday to watch Blue’s Clues. I loved yelling at Steve from my living room to turn around and find a bright blue paw print on an item that led us one step closer to figuring out what Blue’s favorite story is. And I declared that the recliner in my great grandmother’s living room was my own “thinking chair,” where I could contemplate my own mysteries of life.
As I grew, my attention turned away from Steve and the gang, but the love of mysteries remained. Playing “Clue,” checking out Nancy Drew from the library, and watching shows like X-Files or CSI became a norm not just for me, but also my friends. There was something very satisfying about putting our heads together to figure it out. Anyone who’s been to a murder mystery party knows how fun seeking the truth with others can be.
I wonder what would happen if Christ’s Church would seek truth together more often?
This November in worship, we will be studying a series called One. As our country struggles to find a way to come together after another brutal election season, our church will be meditating more deeply on where unity actually comes from and what it looks like for the church to be united. Week one, we remembered that we are united under the ONE AUTHORITY of Jesus Christ. God is the source of all unity, and it is only by being firmly rooted in him that any of us will remain connected to one another.
But a new mystery now emerges: how does this unity actually play out?
I mean, let’s be honest, everyday life doesn’t feel like you’re loading up the Mystery Machine with your best pup and pals. Most of the time, everyday life feels more like you’re playing a game of “Guess Who?” with a partner who “accidentally” told you “no” when you asked if their character wears glasses when, in fact, their character does wear glasses. Too often, with our brothers and sisters, it can feel like we are living in two different worlds with two very different ideas of what truth is or what the rules of life are. And it ruins everything!
These questions of “what is truth?” and “who gets to decide the truth?” are not new. They are at the heart of everything that’s happening in John 18. After Jesus finished his prayer with the disciples and prayed for their unity, he was betrayed by Judas and arrested. The High Priest questioned Jesus about the contents and form of his teachings, but Jesus reminded him that he has always spoken openly to the truth. The High Priest really didn’t like that answer–they had Jesus slapped for it. But also, the High Priest couldn’t argue with what was said, nor could he sentence him for that truth. So the High Priest sends Jesus on to Pilate, a Roman Official, for further questioning.
Pilate asks about Jesus’ charges–Jesus’ claim to be king over his kingdom. When asked more about his kingdom for fear that Jesus might lead an uprising against the Roman authority, Jesus told Pilate simply that his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus goes on to say, “I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Pilate, of course, laughs at this notion of truth. “What is truth?” he retorts! Pilate cannot imagine that a single truth exists. What he sees in life is everyone running their own ways. Everyone decides “their truth.” The idea that there is even a “side of truth” to be on is shocking to him.
Christians, when it comes to living in unity within the church, we have a choice to make. Are we going to be like Pilate who scoffs at the notion of truth? Or are we going to all mutually submit to Jesus, listen to the truth that the Holy Spirit gives us, and be united under truth as it is defined by God?
This requires us to forsake our own ideas of truth and even admitting when we are wrong! But being mistaken is nothing to shame. The real shame is being like Pilate who scoffs at the truth when it is revealed to him. The real shame is choosing to listen to the lies and conspiracies of the world instead of knowing the voice of the Good Shepherd.
If the Church has any hope of being united and a witness to God’s work in the world, then we must be more committed to discerning truth together by listening to God’s word. Some of the mysteries we need solved will be difficult to hear and submit to God’s voice about. But when we are committed to listening to God and being on the side of truth, then we will be one.
Reflection Questions
How do you typically come to know truth? Where does Jesus fit into this process?
What are areas in your life where you feel divided from others because you have a different idea of what’s true than them?
What do you think it looks like for the church to listen to Jesus and be “on the side of truth?”