WHAT ABOUT JUST SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

WHAT ABOUT JUST SPEAKING TRUTH FROM THE HEART?

John 13:12-17; 14:1-6

Feb 27, 2000 AM

Introduction

1. Jesus was a man of openness and honesty, who spoke from the heart.

2. He did not play games or use deceptive words to curry favor (Mk. 12:14).

3. When He spoke, He gave an honest, open perspective to the things He did (Jn. 13:12-17).

4. His words were completely trustworthy (Jn. 14:1-6).

5. In bringing others to the Father, Jesus spoke truth from the heart (Jn. 3:1-15; 4:1-26).

6. Let us follow His lead by asking , “What About Just Speaking Truth From The Heart?”

I. No Playing Games And Courting Favor (Mk. 12:14).

A. With Jesus, what you saw was what you got (Matt. 26:55; Jn. 18:19-21).

B. Those who followed Jesus would be those who well understood where He was coming from and what that meant to them (Lk. 9:23; Jn. 6:24-29, 66).

C. What about just speaking truth from the heart?

1. Let us not seek to manufacture a false image of ourselves to “get along” (Jas. 4:4).

2. Additionally, we should be careful that the friends we win are not won at the sacrifice of biblical principles (Gal. 1:10).

3. Let us be unpretentious, like Nathaniael (Jn. 1:47).

II. An Honest, Open Perspective To Our Actions (Jn. 13:12-17).

A. He practiced what He preached (Acts 1:1).

B. His actions were for the purpose of revealing truth (Matt. 16:5-12).

C. What about just speaking truth from the heart?

1. Our words must not stand alone, apart from consistent actions (I Jn. 3:18; Matt. 23:3).

2. Likewise, the things we do must reflect the biblical words we speak (I Jn. 1:7; 3:7-8).

3. Our words must be such as teach ourselves as well as others (Rom. 2:17-29).

III. Being Trustworthy (Jn. 14:1-6).

A. Jesus was full of truth (Jn. 1:14).

B. Even when His life was on the line, He told only the truth (Mk. 14:60-62).

C. What about just speaking truth from the heart?

1. “Yes” and “no” need to be words we use that carry meaning for others (Matt. 5:37).

2. Keeping of our commitments should be expected, without question (Ps. 15:4).

3. We must put aside falsehood and speak the truth (Eph. 4:25).

IV. Bringing Others To God By Speaking Truth From The Heart (Jn. 3:1-15; 4:1-26).

A. Jesus dealt with the things that were most needful (Jn. 6:48-51).

B. His message centered on the truth about Himself and its implications (Jn. 8:24, 30-31).

C. What about just speaking truth from the heart?

1. We are not Jesus, but in humility we are still to learn from His example (I Pet. 2:21).

2. We must speak from the heart about life’s most important realities (I Pet. 2:9).

3. In speaking these words, we must speak them in love (Eph. 4:15).

Conclusion

1. To be genuine is to be like Christ in a most fundamental way.

2. What about just speaking truth from the heart?

ESJ

2/27/00