Truth Unleashed

This is Part 4 of 4 from a sermon on Truth, the first in "The Transcendentals" series preached at Summit Church (Naples) in January 2026. It has been lightly edited for publishing. Click here to listen to the audio.  

Here’s how Jesus described being his disciple: “31 If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

True Freedom.

All who turn to Jesus receive the blessing of true sight and true freedom.

And of course they would. If Jesus is who he says he is—Truth incarnate, Truth embodied, very God of very God—if through him all things were made and given their being, and if all things are directed toward him, then of course those who turn from error and darkness toward truth and light will be able to see. All who do will experience the glorious freedom of living according to God’s good design and the deep delight that comes from living in these ways. This is the goodness and beauty God intended us to enjoy when we embrace the truth.

In other words, Jesus is calling us to the good life. That’s what freedom means in John 8:32. Freedom is life as it should be lived—according to the Creator’s design. Freedom is a life that brings delight as we walk in the way of Jesus. And as we do that, the amazing thing is that God uses us to draw others into the true, the good, and the beautiful life as well.

I remember when I was at my worst—addicted to drugs and drink, giving myself to wild parties and wild living, using and being used. In the darkness of that night, there were two people who lived very differently than me: my mom and dad. Time and time again, my mother showed up in my hour of need, and bestowed upon me grace far beyond what I deserved. And my father drew lines and let me face consequences for my errors. I saw grace and truth repeatedly.

And though I raged against them, disdaining their generosity and discipline, I was also attracted to what they had. I wanted what they had. I was sick of my darkness. And by the grace of God, because of their faithful witness, I began to see the light. And when in God’s perfect timing, I finally received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I could finally see!

I’d always wanted the true, the good, and the beautiful, but I’d been looking for it in all the wrong places. When I received Christ, the scales fell off my eyes, and I knew that living in accordance with Jesus’ way of life was the true, the good, and the beautiful.  

Pointing Others to the Truth

Did you know that God can use your example to draw others to the Truth? Jesus reminded us of this, saying, “14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).

Jesus is the light of the world and the truth who stands beyond, behind, and beneath everything. And by his grace and power, we have become the people who reflect that light and that truth to the world around us. We point and say with our lives and with our words “Here is the way; here is the truth; here is the life!”

I understand that some of you may get scared to share with others about Jesus. If you are a single man or woman here, you might be embarrassed to tell your friends you are a virgin; if you are a businessman, you may feel silly if your partners find out you won’t cut corners to make more profit than you should.

But we shouldn’t feel nervous or silly for living in accordance with God’s moral order. We should never be afraid to stand our ground when we’re talking about Jesus and his way because it is the truth. You wouldn’t feel silly if you told everyone you know that that is a tree, because it is! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Charles Spurgeon once spoke about defending the Word of God from cynics and scoffers. His sentiments have been summarized like this: "The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”

And it’s the same with our lives. Once we are aligned with Jesus and are walking in the truth, we don’t need to be ashamed or embarrassed. Far from it—we should let that reality shine. And though the world may mock and scorn, here’s the truth: they don’t have anything that works.

Truth That Is Dependable

People today argue for values, morality, justice, and fairness. But these are flimsy, because without objective grounding, these things are just floating ideas, connected to nothing but their own subjective feelings or opinions. Often, those have changed a dozen times before they ever talked to you.

There is not one single atheist or agnostic who has ever lived consistently with what they say they believe. Why? Because it’s impossible to live that way. Without God, there could be no truth, no goodness, and no beauty because there would be no ultimate standard by which we could measure those things. All there would be is cause and effect happening within the empty vacuum of space which will eventually come to an end. According to that view, there is no point at all. None of it matters. No one can live that way. No one does live that way.

Fellow Christians: the ground we stand upon is the firmest ground. All other ground is sinking sand. Therefore, stand upon the truth. Though it is under siege, it is unfazed, because Jesus is truth embodied. Unleash that truth without shame!

I’d like to close with one of the church’s earliest creeds: The Apostle’s Creed. It is a firm declaration of the truth, and when we read it, we confess with all Christians, past and present, true truth.  

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      On the third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.