Rev. Cari Pattison
Woodstock Reformed Church
Sunday, June 12, 2022
“Can You Handle the Truth?”
John 16:12-15
12 Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
***
Okay, you know I love games and trivia and pop quizzes.
So today we’re gonna start off with a little “Bible or No Bible.” Kind of like that old TV show, “Deal or No Deal.”
Here’s how it works-
I’ll read a verse and you say whether it’s “Bible” or “No Bible.”
And don’t worry, there’s no grades. And no “sharing with your neighbor.” ☺
Ready?
***
Sifting out what’s true can be tricky!
Especially sifting out what’s biblically true, from what’s culturally considered true.
Today’s scripture that Sandy just read, talks about the “Spirit of Truth.”
And I titled this sermon “Can You Handle the Truth?”
***
Of course, I’m thinking of that iconic scene in the movie “A Few Good Men,” from 1992. Can you believe that film is 30 years old already?
And there’s that famous courtroom scene, where Tom Cruise plays a lieutenant lawyer, interrogating a Marine base commander colonel played by Jack Nicholson. Cruise’s character demands answers about what happened in a tragic and complicated case of the death of a fellow Marine in Guantanomo Bay.
I especially thought of that this week, as photos leaked out of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay- photos now over 20 years old, but photos that show how- even a nation that proclaims “In God we trust” – can find itself hiding the horrors of what it does in the name of national security.
What is the truth?
In the movie, the judge tells the colonel he doesn’t have to answer the lawyer’s question.
But the commander says, “I’ll answer the question. You want answers? I’ll give you answers.”
The lawyer yells, “I want the truth!”
And the colonel snarls, “You can’t handle the truth!”
***
What is the truth?
What does it mean, that Jesus sends us “The Spirit of Truth,” or as one translation reads, “The life-breath of truth”?
What does this passage tell us about the truth at the very heart of God?
And what does that truth mean for our lives today?
That’s a lot to answer in one sermon, and we might need a campfire and s’mores to get through it all.
Jesus says there is so much he has to share with us, but we can’t yet bear it now.
So we’ll start with just three simple ingredients that he leaves us here.
In this short passage Jesus comes to the end of a long discourse in the Gospel of John- two whole chapters- all about the Holy Spirit. Also known as The Helper. The Advocate. The Comforter. The Companion.
Couldn’t we all use one of those? Someone to come alongside us and help us through?
This is that same Spirit that arrived on Pentecost, that Spirit that we celebrated last Sunday with red and fire and streamers- that’s the Holy Presence with us that Christ is talking about here.
Here’s what Jesus says in closing, in these days leading up to his death:
***
Have you ever been stuck in a situation, where you didn’t know what to believe?
Or whom?
Life is so much more complicated than most of us thought it would be when we were young.
There are always at least two sides to every story, the saying goes, and usually more.
Part of being empathetic is hearing people out, and knowing that some truth is relative.
In a divorce, lawyers often say- there’s this side, there’s that side, and the truth is somewhere in between.
But is there such a thing as absolute truth? Capital “T” truth that holds up over time?
Most of us agree there is such a thing as right and wrong. A moral compass.
Most of us raised in a religious tradition agree that Love is the ultimate truth, and that there’s a Higher Power who shows us that love.
But in the day to day decisions of our lives, it can be hard to know what’s true.
In the leadership of a church, the Consistory and the Pastor often have to pray and discuss and deliberate together- on what God’s truth is for this church. What matters most? What should we say “yes” to and “no” to? Who are we as a congregation, and how do we most truthfully live that out?
Over the past year and a half we have had hard and important conversations around these questions:
What is the true purpose of our building, as it relates to the community? What are our true values as we have various groups living out their mission in this space?
What is the truth of Christ’s call to hospitality? His word of community as we think through what it means to welcome people of all backgrounds, races, and sexual identities?
What is the truth when it comes to God’s judgment on the history of white supremacy? Especially when we as a mostly white congregation, faced a “white lives matter” rally right here on the Village Green- a property stewarded by the church?
What is the truth of how we honor the oldest and the youngest among us? I was so encouraged to see 15 people last Sunday, combined, show up to train in how they can best serve the children and seniors in our church.
And last week our Consistory met to pray for how we look ahead to the coming year and beyond, and zero in on what we feel our true mission is, for the near and far future. I’ll circle back to that in a minute.
But what I find so encouraging about this passage, is that we don’t have to figure out this truth on our own. The Spirit is there to guide us.
And what also encourages me, is that the “small T” truths of life that we seek guidance on, all come under the umbrella of the capital “T” truth-
Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Truth isn’t some set of principles we have to painstakingly figure out-
Truth is a person.
Truth is a friendship.
Truth is the Love of Jesus that keeps showing up when we least expect it.
I have been so inspired over these past months, hearing your stories….
The Spirit guides us into all truth. When you need the truth- ask for it.
Pilate…
***
2. The Spirit will speak what he hears from God, and tell us of things to come
“He” / “She”
Elsewhere in John’s Gospel it’s clear that what the Spirit hears from God is this- that Jesus is the Word become flesh, the only-begotten Son of the Father, who has come out of love that people might believe and have life.
Here Jesus refers not just to what has happened, but also what is to come.
The Reformed Christian belief is that Truth is timeless, but it continues to be interpreted and applied in new ways for changing times and circumstances.
It’s an unchanging message, from an unchanging God- but it’s not a once-and-for-all template. Scripture calls us to keep seeking the Spirit for what comes next - and how we respond to the world around us, and the world in us.
I know many of you, and many in our congregation not able to be here- are going through hard things.
Medically, mentally, emotionally, relationally…
Barb’s book quote!
The Spirit will guide us into all truth, and tell us what he hears from God and of what is still to come.
***
And 3. The Spirit will glorify Christ, and make the treasures of Christ known to us.
Define “glorify” – to make God’s love visible
Starts with our thoughts-
Philippians 4- “Finally beloved… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, etc.”
Our thoughts can be like a treasure chest- from which we pull forth our choicest words, actions, and restraint. The 4 gates.
Circle back to Consistory and the 4 things
Also our tears- are a way the Spirit makes God known to us-
Why do we apologize for our tears? Psalm 56
Buechner- “Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them- of the mystery of where you have come from, and God is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next.”
***
How does it all this tie in to the Trinity? It’s this inter-relationship, this friendship at the heart of God.
Read Raji’s book
In the movie I opened with, Jack Nicholson’s character defends his actions as necessary punishment for a weak marine, that ultimately promoted security and weren’t intended to lead to that marine’s death.
His version of “truth” is a defense of violence and resulting death, in the name of nation / honor / security…
But Jesus’ way is a different kind of truth:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, humble, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. – James 3:17
Jesus’ way is a kind of truth that calls me to leave everything behind…
Because sometimes I think if I really dwelt on that truth, I’d have to confront hard things about myself and what my priorities are – the way I spend my time, my money, my attention.
I couldn’t pretend that this world is all there is, that my ideas of a meaningful life are the defining ones.
I couldn’t walk through my days doing the same old things and denying that Jesus calls me to something beyond myself. To offer my gifts in a way that sometimes scares me.
If we could really handle the truth- that Jesus IS the truth of God and the way to life- it would change everything, wouldn’t it?