Summary

In this sermon, Dean explores the concept of truth in a world that increasingly treats it as relative rather than absolute. Drawing from current cultural divisions and media confusion, he argues that humanity has always struggled with truth, tracing this problem all the way back to the Garden of Eden. He identifies three key areas where people struggle with truth: the truth of God's Word, the truth about idols and priorities, and the truth about Jesus Himself. Using the mathematical transitive property of equality, the pastor builds a compelling case that Jesus equals the Word, and the Word equals the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Therefore, Jesus is the absolute truth, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just as Thomas doubted but was met by Jesus exactly where He was, we too can bring our doubts and struggles to Jesus, who recalculates from our current location rather than condemning us for where we have gone wrong.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today as a group of people who are searching for truth in a world that often makes it hard to find. We ask that You open our hearts and our minds to what You want each of us to receive from this time together. Set aside our assumptions, our doubts, and our distractions, and let Your Spirit guide our conversation. May we leave today with a deeper understanding of You as the absolute truth in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one thing you are surprisingly good at that most people in this group probably do not know about you?

Key Verses

• Genesis 2:15-17
• Genesis 3:1-13
• Matthew 19:16-26
• John 20:24-29
• John 14:6
• John 1:14
• Hebrews 13:8

Questions

• Dean described two types of truth: absolute truth and relative truth. In your own words, what is the difference between the two, and where do you see relative truth showing up most in everyday life?
• In Genesis 3, Satan did not outright lie to Eve but instead caused her to question what God had said. Can you think of a time when you talked yourself into believing that God did not really mean what His Word says? What was the result?
• Dean mentioned seeing a sign that read 'God would never ask you to change.' How does that message conflict with what Scripture teaches, and why do you think that kind of message is appealing to so many people?
• In the story of the rich young ruler, Jesus told Him to remove anything that interfered with His relationship with God. What are some modern-day 'idols' that people, including Christians, allow to take priority over their relationship with Jesus?
• Dean said that most doubt is not intellectual but emotional, born from wounds, delays, or moments when God did not act the way we expected. Do you agree with that? Can you share an example from your own life or someone you know?
• Thomas set conditions for belief, saying 'unless I see' and 'unless I touch.' In what ways do we set similar conditions with God, and what does Jesus' response to Thomas teach us about how He handles our doubts?
• Dean used the image of a GPS recalculating from your current location rather than where you were supposed to be. How does that image change the way you think about coming back to God after a period of doubt or distance?
• Using the transitive property, the pastor showed that Jesus equals the Word, and the Word equals the Truth, and therefore Jesus is the absolute truth that is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How does knowing that Jesus is the unchanging truth bring stability to your life, especially in uncertain times?

Life Application

This week, identify one area of your life where you have been treating God's truth as relative, telling yourself that God did not really mean what He said or that your situation is an exception. Write it down, bring it to God in prayer, and take one concrete step toward aligning that area of your life with what His Word actually says. If doubt has been keeping you from fully trusting Jesus, consider sharing that doubt with a trusted friend or mentor this week rather than carrying it alone.

Key Takeaways

• Humanity has always struggled with truth, and the very first sin in the Garden of Eden was rooted in Satan causing Eve to question what God had clearly said. We repeat this same pattern when we convince ourselves that God did not really mean what His Word says.
• We struggle with the truth about idols. Like the rich young ruler, we often allow wealth, relationships, or other priorities to compete with our devotion to Jesus. He must be our top priority, and nothing should interfere with that relationship.
• Most doubt about Jesus is emotional rather than intellectual, and Jesus meets us exactly where we are. Just as He addressed Thomas's specific doubts without shame or condemnation, He recalculates from our current location and invites honest examination.
• Using the transitive property of equality, Jesus equals the Word, the Word equals the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and therefore Jesus is the absolute truth. This truth does not change based on circumstances, opinions, or time.
• Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, His truth is the only stable foundation in a world full of shifting, relative truths. If you are looking for stability, the answer is found in Jesus.

Ending Prayer

Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You are the absolute truth in a world full of confusion and noise. We confess that we have sometimes treated Your Word as relative, questioned what You clearly said, or allowed doubt and pain to pull us away from trusting You fully. Forgive us for those moments. Just as You met Thomas right where he was, meet each of us right where we are today. Help us to remove anything in our lives that competes with our devotion to You, and give us the courage to stand on the truth that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. May we leave this place with deeper roots and stronger faith. In the name of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Amen.