Today’s Scripture:

Psalm 100       Amos 8:4-7      1 Timothy 2:1-8          Luke 16:1-13

 

1 Timothy 2:3b-4  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

 

            If the Truth be Known.  A neighbor complimented Martha about how kind George, Martha’s husband, was to walk around and open the car door each time for her.  Martha replied, “If you only knew the truth, George mutters curses every time at the door on that side of the car because the inside handle is broken.” 

 

            We live in a world that, for one reason or another, people keep the truth from one another.  Hiding the truth affects our relationships with each other.  When hidden truths are revealed, relationships are affected even more.  How often do you wish you could tell the truth, how you really feel   How often do you wish you could tell the truth, what the situation really is?  As we approach the election booth in a few weeks, the great question inside each one of us is, “What are George and John really like?  What is the truth to all of these things we hear, good and bad?”  It does not begin and stop with the political scene as so many opinions and pieces of information come at us in regards to so many things in life from health to finances to product viability, etc.

 

            As Christians, we are deeply concerned about the truth.  The examples I just mentioned show us how untruthful the world is.  That is because we live in a world of sin.  As Christians, we want to know the truth about salvation.  “How do I really get to heaven?”  We hear so many “nice” things about heaven and how to get there.  But “nice” is not always truth.  Nice can be far away from and opposite the truth.  Jesus has told us that he is the narrow door, the gate to heaven although the ways men try to get there are broad.  But, Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life.”  No one comes to the father except through him.  Paul reminds us that it is by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone and in no way of our own works that believers are saved.

 

            We know that the truth hurts.  It is truth that each one is a sinner.  It is truth that what we earn, the wages of sin is death.  The truth is that we are sinners in our thoughts, in our words, in our deeds.  We are so lost in sins that there is no recovery.  There is not one thing that can help undo sin in any way except through the blood of Jesus Christ that did pay the price for all sins of all men, that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

 

            That is the truth.  Paul, in the conclusion to the first chapter in this letter to Timothy, Paul speaks of some who abandoned the true Gospel and describes them as “shipwrecked in their faith.”  It is dangerous and eternally disastrous to change from the simple truth of God’s saving grace.  Instead, through Paul’s urging, God calls on Timothy and on all Christians to pray and live to bring salvation to others.  Let the truth be known.

 

            Paul writes to pray for everyone with intercessions and thanksgiving.  Pray for our leaders in our own community and nation and for leaders in all nations so that we may live peaceful lives.  That is the purpose God puts governments in effect, for peaceful lives.  Governments are not to cause or encourage warfare, strife, and other disruptions in this earth.

 

            Christians are to live lives of godliness and holiness, following God’s commands as living examples of his love to them and to others.  It is by the example of faithful living that others see the love of God in your life.  It is by your example of faithful worship, study in God’s word, and stewardship of his gifts of your time, talents, and wealth that supports proclaiming the truth of his gospel to others both in our own community and to distant locations.  A recent Barna poll gives us evidence that people do not know God.  The number of unchurched adults in our nation has doubled in the past thirteen years (since 1991).  When people do not hear the truth of God’s word, it is easy for Satan to distort the message as he so successfully does.

 

            If the truth be told, the world would know that there is but one true God, not the many versions we see acknowledged in society.  If the truth be told, the world would know that there is but one mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ.  No one, not any saint or other person can intercede for a sinner except Jesus who spells it out, “Whatever you ask the father in my name, he will give it to you.”  If the truth be known, the world would know that there is only one price that is already paid for the sins of all people, the blood of Jesus who gave himself as the ransom, the price that had to be paid.for all men. 

 

            To let this truth be known, Paul was appointed as a:

• Herald – one to bring news to people
• Apostle – one sent by Jesus himself to proclaim the Gospel to people
• Teacher – one to instruct people in the faith so they would grow and remain strong in that faith.

 

            To let this truth be known, today the LWML exists to herald the good news of saving grace in Jesus Christ throughout our nation and world.  To let this truth be known, groups of LWML members gather together in Bible Study to become more confident in faith and the ability to share the true faith with others.  To let this truth be known, materials and projects exist world-wide to bring the truth of the Gospel to people throughout the world, so the can; hear the good news, grow in knowledge and faith in Jesus, and tell others so more come to know and live in the grace of God’s salvation. 

 

            The LWML exists for the purpose that Paul sent Timothy out, “God our Savior…wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  That truth sets the vision for not just the LWML, but every Christian’s mission and purpose in life.  If the truth is told, people will come to believe in that truth because the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, will work that miracle of faith in hearts that hear it.

 

            LWML is an arm of mission that no one person could do by himself or herself.  LWML carries the truth of the Gospel to far corners of the world and into everyday homes.  LWML is a visible tool God uses to do the mission work he gives it and as an example for individual and other groups of Christians to follow in their individual lives and congregations.  LWML exists as every other part of the Christian church on earth, to set the world straight, to let the truth be known, that God is for each person, that Jesus’ suffering and death is the price for each person and all of his sins, and that faith in the one and only triune God is saving faith both now and forever.

 

            Amen.