Some Points to Realize About Standing for the Truth

I. Introduction:We need to take a stand [be set in place without wavering] (Ephesians 6:11; 13, Philippians 1:27, and II Thessalonians 2:15).

A. We serve an unchanging God (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8).

1. His word is set (Mark 13:31 and I Peter 1:23-25).

2. God’s stand is and always will be for truth and against sin (Psalms 5:5, Psalms 31:5, and Jeremiah 44:1-11).

a. Christ is by all means the most loving to walk the earth, but He too hates sin (Psalms 45:6-7; cf. Hebrews 1:8-9).

b. It is also evident in His actions (John 3:19-21).

B. God expects us to stand, not departing from the truth (Hebrews 3:12-14).

1. If we’d just let God be our guide, we’d be fine (Psalms 73:24-25).

2. Our stand must always be for truth, against sin, and against SINNERS (Psalms 26:1-5, Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3, Psalms 119:21-22, Proverbs 4:13-15, Romans 12:9, and II Corinthians 13:8).

II. Body:There are prices to pay on this earth when we stand for the truth!

A. If you take a proper stand for the truth people will see you differently (John 10:14-20, Acts 17:18, and Acts 26:24-25).

1. They’ll misunderstand you and judge you on that basis (I Kings 18:17,I Peter 2:6-8; [cf. John 19:6-7; John 5:30],and Acts 17:1-10).

2. They’ll feel offended by you (Matthew 13:54-58, Matthew 15:1-13, II Corinthians 11:1-7, and Galatians 4:16).

B. The proper stand causes you to be treated differently (John 15:19).

1. People will hate you(John 15:24-25 and Luke 21:16-17).

2. People will seek to destroy you(Matthew 27:17-20, John 16:1-3, and Acts 23:12-15).

3. They’ll speak evil about you (Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 24:5, andI Peter 4:1-5).

4. This world will not be your friend (John 16:32-33, John 17:9-17, and James 4:4).

C. If you take a proper stand for the truth you’ll find yourself feeling lonely at times (I Kings 19:10; cf. Romans 11:1-5).

1.Sometimes we’ll find the sweetness of truth leads to the bitterness of being alone (Jeremiah 15:15-21).

2. We must remember that we are not alone (Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 8:28; 31-39, and I Peter 5:6-10).

III. Conclusion:

A. There’s a great price to pay for truth and a great reward to reap as well (John 12:24-26).

B. If you stand now for Christ, you’ll stand with Him forevermore (I Timothy 6:11-12; cf. Matthew 10:32-33).

© 2007 This material may not be used for sale or other means to have financial gain. Use this as a tool for your own studies if such is helpful! Preachers are welcome to this work, but please do not use my work so that you can be lazy and not do your own studies. – Brian A. Yeager