HOLDING ON TO THE TRUTH - HOW WE HOLD ON
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: HOW WE HOLD ON
Main Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16; 2 Timothy 1:13-14
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Pastor Ryan concluded our series (more to come in 2023) on practical ways we faithfully hold on to truth. The Apostle Paul had written time and time again to the church of Jesus Christ or to fellow workers of the importance of holding on to the Word of God, especially in the face of opposition or deception. Pastor Ryan gives us ways he continues to hold on to God’s Word in today’s culture. See below for further detail.
Notes:
Philippians 2:12-16 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
V.12-13
Paul encourages the Phillipian church in a letter to not be an idle believer, but to be actively growing and maturing in their new life from salvation. Out of respect and reverence for God’s grace Paul says, obey Him. We’re not alone at this though. There is a relationship and cooperation. God enables us to do what pleases Him. Our responsibility is to follow His Spirit at work in us versus what our sinful flesh and human nature wants to do.
This is more important to our subject of holding on to truth than we might think. Idle believers who are not actively growing and following Christ are more likely to get pulled into the current of this world’s culture.
V. 14-15
Paul urges the church to be blameless in little and big things. The word Complaining here is referring to grumbling and Paul may have had in mind the people in the desert complaining and grumbling to Moses. Apparently, there was strife in the church and the grumbling and complaining was hindering their light to the unbelieving world.
It is hard to shine for God in a dark world when we are being dark with one another in the church body. Paul urges the church to put an end to these differences so they will be innocent, clean children of God. This would keep the unbelieving community from having excuses or accusing the church for being no different.
Light shines brightly in a dark and perverse world, drawing men and women’s eyes to the source of that light which we know is Jesus Christ.
V. 16
Under what condition would the church be ready for Christ’s return and Paul’s ministry would not be vain or useless? If the church continued to hold firmly to the Word of God.
Recall Paul saying this to the young pastor Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
How do we Hold On To Truth?
Continue to believe the Word of God
2 Tim. 3:14 ESV 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.
Hold to the truth you have firmly believed.
This is simple but very important. 2 Tim. 3:13 says, “…evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
The world and evil, spiritual powers are constantly bombarding us with twisting scripture and casting doubts on its validity. Hold the line. We have not had any breakthroughs that would hurt the validity of scripture, only more solid evidence!
Be discerning, have discernment and filter every new teaching with the Word of God. This helps us continue to believe and trust the Word.
Keep the Word in your heart
Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm119:104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome, truthful teaching from God’s Word (2 Tim. 1:13).
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The influence continuum by Jerry Bridges
As we know and keep God’s Word in our hearts and minds our lives are conformed to the pattern of Christ and God’s Word. Without God’s Word we would be under the constant influence of this world. By being submissive to the Word of God we come under God’s influence to hold and keep us pure in this world.
Live the Truth
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
True disciples remain faithful to love and obey the Word of God. The plus side is the Word of God leads us to freedom from slavery to sin, shame and despair. Instead, we find the way to forgiveness, peace, and joy.
Living the truth validates truth. We learned in this series that wickedness suppresses truth (Romans 1:18-20) so that means righteous living glorifies truth and keeps the truth of God alive.
Living the truth helps us shine the truth like stars in this dark and perverse world.
God wants the Truth to be known and experienced. He wants us to be faithful to live the truth to show the world the way, the truth, and life, Jesus Christ.
Living truth serves as an example and discipleship for others to follow. Paul said to follow the pattern you learned from me (2 Timothy 1 & 3)
Be Faithful Under Pressure
Hold the Line
The Word of God, the truth, does not change.
Psalm 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” (1 Peter 1:23-25)
Jody was spot on last week when he said: Don’t follow crowds that do not subscribe to God’s truth. Refuse To Be Led Astray!
An angel gave the Apostle John this message To the church named Philadelphia in Revelation 3:10-12 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.”
When the rubber meets the road are you ready to be loyal to God over everyone and everything else? Will you even serve King over kin?
This is how we hold on to the truth.
Close
What I have discovered is when I let the Word of God get a hold of me I haven’t wanted to let it go. As we hold on to God’s Word, God’s Word holds onto us.
God’s Word holds our lives together. God's Word strengthens, protects, and guides us through every circumstance in this life.
I have experienced the freedom from sin and shame the Bible has promised. I have seen the wisdom of God’s Word work in my everyday life. I can testify the Word of God is faithful to guide and lead me on the right paths in life.
I hold on to the truth because I want those who are living in the dark and still bound by sin and deception in this world to experience the truth that liberates and will deliver eternal life.
Discussion:
What scripture verse stuck out to you from this sermon and why?
What spoke and or challenged you in this sermon?
Why is storing and keeping the truth in your heart and mind so important?
Why is living the truth important?
Why is being faithful to the truth under pressure important?
Can you think of ways or circumstances in which you will be challenged (or already are) to hold on to the truth?
How do you need to apply this message to your life?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!