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II THESSALONIANS 2: 8-12

"THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH"

l. WHAT IS TRUTH?
        A. This was the cynical question of Pilate to Jesus.
                1. The philosophers had been searching for truth.
                        a. One would establish a system of thought that would be  accepted as
                           truth. 
                        b. Another would come and show the flaws.
                        c. Philosophy today concludes there is not universal truth. 
                                1. They have returned to the cynicism of Pilate.
        B. Pilate had asked another question, "Art Thou the King?"
                1. Jesus answered, "For this cause was I born and I came into this  world to
                   bear witness of the truth."
                2. The truth is that Jesus Christ is King.
                        a. You need to submit to Him.
        C. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the truth and the Life."
                1. The truth is there is only one way to the eternal living God who
                        created the universe.
                        a. All other ways come short.
                        b. Jesus said, no man cometh to the Father but by Me.
        D. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
                1. I am not saying that you are necessarily a bad person. There are
                        many good sinners.
                        a. There are many bad sinners also.
                        b. We are not talking about degrees.
                2. The truth is we have all sinned (some more than others) and come  short
                   (some farther than others) of the glory of God. 
        E. Sin brings death and separation from God.
                1. If a man says he has fellowship with God and walks in darkness, he  lies.
                2. Satan's first lie to man, "You will not die."
        F. God has made only one provision for man's sin.
                1. That provision is in His Son, and "he that hath the Son hath life and
                   he...."

II. THE CONSEQUENCE OF REJECTING THE TRUTH.
        A. They will be deluded.
                1. I am amazed at the weird things men believe once they have
                        rejected the truth.
                        a. That this whole beautiful organized body was developed  through
                           trillions of fortudious concurrences of accidental  circumstances.
                        b. The hopeful monster theory.
                        c. The peace and contentment can be discovered by chanting your mantra
                           and contemplating your navel.
        B. Man will believe a lie.
                1. Having rejected Jesus Christ they will hail the anti-Christ.
                2. Having rejected God's way they will flock after man's way.
        C. They will perish.
                1. In spite of God's love and provision. (John 3:16.