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This Series uses Edwardian Script as its Header Font This series uses Arial Narrow as its main text font This presentation uses Edwardian Script for the header font. You can download this font at: http://www.azfonts.de/load_font/edwardianscriptitc.html

Why Christmas? Note: this series uses the Edwardian Script font for the Main headings. You may need to substitute another script font on your computer. The body fonts are Arial Narrow. Christmas Tree Background = FREE = from sxc1319980_83321539

Tell the Story Backwards! John 18:37-38 Jesus ... "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Jesus before Pilate = FREE =from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Brooklyn_Museum_-_Jesus_Before_Pilate_Second_Interview_%28J%C3%A9sus_devant_Pilate._Deuxi%C3%A8me_entretien%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg Jesus came into the world to “unpack the truth of what everything is about”—he put it “to testify to the truth.” He came to let us in on why we are here, who we are, where we are going—what does it all mean! I want to suggest to you that those who listen to Him ( follow Him) are the ones who unpack a meaningful life and can live it—the rest miss it completely. So let’s listen to the “truth” to help us let’s study briefly “the truth” as mentioned in the Gospel of John ...

The“Truth” in Gospel of John

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Mary and child = Licensed from http://www.dreamstime.com/mary-and-jesus-image16920355. Do not reuse; get your own license from the site mentioned here. The Truth is Theological = Jesus said he came into the world to reveal the truth ... The words “Became flesh” hint at the truth that He is preexistent to the coming into the world. John 1:1 is even more clear on this.

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. DaVinci’s hand of God = FREE = from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Hands_of_God_and_Adam.jpg

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Mary and child = Licensed from http://www.dreamstime.com/mary-and-jesus-image16920355. Do not reuse; get your own license from the site mentioned here.

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Mary and child = Licensed from http://www.dreamstime.com/mary-and-jesus-image16920355. Do not reuse; get your own license from the site mentioned here.

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Tabernacle = FREE = from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Stiftshuette_Modell_Timnapark.jpg Pillar Cloud = BiblePoint image = FREE for reuse.

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Tabernacle = FREE = from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Stiftshuette_Modell_Timnapark.jpg Pillar Cloud = BiblePoint image = FREE for reuse.

The “Truth” is Theological John 1:17 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Logos TRUTH

The “Truth” is Spiritual God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 Jesus and woman at the well = FREE = Public domain = http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guercino_-_Jesus_and_the_Samaritan_Woman_at_the_Well_-_WGA10946.jpg Spiritual =NOT= Religious

The “Truth” is Liberating 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ! Unshackled = LICENSED =from istock photo. To use this photo secure your own license at: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-7292096-broken-manacles.php It will liberate you from whatever is holding you in bondage: fear, anger, depression, lust, envy, jealousy, addiction, This freedom comes from His forgiveness. He releases us from our guilt and liability to satisfy the justice of God for our rebellions against Him. Some are so comfortable in their enslavement they are afraid of the truth. Some of your are afraid of the Truth—you fear if you come to Jesus you will lose all your friends, you will have no fun because you will become a pious prune. You are really just afraid of what you don’t know. Story of Truck driver pursuing woman in car --- She thought he was out to get her—in reality, he was out to save her!

The “Truth” is Counter-Cultural 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Arrows = FREE = BiblePoint image. Everyone starts out as part of fallen humanity and therefore belonging to the devil. All are liars. So we must go counter-culture. Against the grain. Swim up stream. We live in an oppositional world where for whoever is not against us is for us. (Mar 9:40 NIV) and whoever is not for us --- is against us!

The “Truth” is Unbelievable 8:45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

The “Truth” is Personal John 14: 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Portrait of Jesus = LICENSED = Do not reuse. Get your own license from http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-1340677/stock-photo-portrait-of-jesus

The “Truth” is Verbal John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Portrait of Jesus = LICENSCED = Do not reuse. Get your own license from http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-1340677/stock-photo-portrait-of-jesus

The “Truth” is Doubtable John 18:37-38 Jesus ... "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Jesus before Pilate = FREE =from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Brooklyn_Museum_-_Jesus_Before_Pilate_Second_Interview_%28J%C3%A9sus_devant_Pilate._Deuxi%C3%A8me_entretien%29_-_James_Tissot.jpg

Why Christmas? Are you listening? It reveals truth. The truth that Jesus is God, He is worshipped in spirit, and He frees the worshipper, that lives counter-cultural, with an incredible faith in a personal Savior and in His word.

“Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.“ Which side you on? “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.“ 18:38 Are You Listening?

Let’s Pray!