Key Scripture: Mark 3:13-19

Introduction:
            A passage like this could appear to be just a chronicling of the names of those who would carry on the work of Jesus. These verses could easily be overlooked. I have often wondered about the apostles who did not write a gospel or an epistle, or that we never heard of them again after Pentecost. What is God trying to tell us in the selection of the 12 Apostles?
            When we consider that Jesus never wrote a book, or set out a treatise, there is something so easily overlooked, and yet so profound and amazing. It is this:
            Jesus always intended for truth to be through people and through their lives. Jesus always intended truth to come with skin on it. Doubt, and stumbling, and a little faith, and misunderstanding, and gaining insight in bits and pieces, and losing it all in a moment are all a part of the expression of truth. Honesty and vulnerability, and falling and being picked up, are all expressions of truth.
            When it comes to knowing truth as God wants us to know it, truth is an action, an attitude, a spirit, as much as it is a statement of fact.

I. Story of John and Melissa from No Perfect People Allowed- John Burke
            John and Melissa are in their late 20’s to early 30’s. John is one of the youngest partners in a prestigious law firm. Melissa had just been baptized, but John was still wrestling with some questions. John said he grew up agnostic in Colorado Springs; not a staunch atheist- “I just didn’t know or care (about God, Christianity or the church) I studied aerospace engineering, and took a lot of philosophy courses. It seemed to me that modern philosophers had given up on knowing much of anything. But I had two Philosophy professors that intrigued me. Both turned out to be Christians; so I decided to read the Bible out of curiosity. After reading it, I just could not understand how intelligent people could believe miraculous accounts like I read. So, after that I set it aside for years. Then I went on to Harvard law school.
What got me thinking about spirituality again was Stephen Hawkings’ book, A Brief History of Time. Hawkings is an atheist, but reading it made me realize that if there is a possibility of other dimensions, then there is the possibility of God and ‘supernatural events.’ I then got invited to church and what I liked was that it was o.k. to ask questions, and that people gave explanations, or if they didn’t know, they said, “I don’t know that one.” The atmosphere of openness and honesty allowed me to explore faith with other people, rather than just by myself. While I haven’t made a decision regarding Jesus, I now feel certain that there is a loving God running things. And I’m increasingly convinced that this God is the God of Christ.”
            What helped John and Melissa along the way was a small group that was vulnerable and transparent. They shared their struggles and their victories. Melissa said, “I learned that it was o.k. to experience ups and downs about what I believed. One day I had the desire to pursue God and then the next I felt like I was questioning everything that was happening. I found out that battling with ups and downs was normal, and was even the path to spiritual growth. Plus, I had a lot of guilt to overcome. I opened up about my struggles with anger, and we shared our different experiences, and looked at what the Bible had to say to help us.”
            John said, “I’m a very skeptical person, and am resistant emotionally to believing. I don’t know if I want to make that big of a change in my life.” He had become accustomed to being agnostic. John goes on and says,” I’ve got four guys I can call to have breakfast with; and hangout with and talk. I respect them, we’re friends, and they are all followers of Christ. I have friends outside of church, but they’re all atheists. I can’t really talk to my atheist friends about all these personal issues in the same way.”
            John and Melissa’s stories give us a picture of what truth with skin on it looks like.

II. What truth with skin on it looks like:

It invites those who are agnostic or atheist or any other persuasion, or even hostile to who we are( Christians) to be a part of our lives.
It makes room for, and expects questions. Mark 4:10, 13
It allows others to go through the ups and downs of faith and stands alongside of them. Mark 4:40
It knows skepticism and doubt is all part of the journey of faith. Mark 6:52
It knows that we can make a mess out of religion and become dull to what God is wanting to do in our lives. Mark 7:17
It knows that one moment we can have tremendous insight, and the next we can get it as wrong as wrong can be. Mark 8:29, 32-33
It knows that truth is not something we hold onto, truth is something we share through our lives. Mark 9:32-34, 38, Mark 10:13-14, 35-37, 41
It knows that overcoming guilt is a process that best comes through the honesty of our lives. Mark 14: 29-31

III. Do you get the sense that:

Jesus wants to reveal truth through us by what we get wrong as much as what we get right?
talking about our mistakes, misunderstandings, messing up, missing it by a mile, is how others can get a better grasp on truth?
truth doesn’t stand alone detached from our lives, but is revealed through how we walk through this life?
Holy Spirit didn’t write a book of truths. He wrote a book of truth revealed through lives? Truth with skin on it.

IV. John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
He is truth in the flesh. And even though people who have encountered Him 2,000 years ago might not have understood every prepositional statement about truth or every parable, when they experienced truth with skin on it (Jesus) many believed and put their trust in Him. We are called to share our lives with other people and them share their lives with us, not to win an argument but to share our walk of faith.

Discussion Questions:

Who first showed you the truth of God with skin on it?

What does it mean to you that truth is an action and an attitude as much as a statement of fact?

Do you find it easier to teach/preach/share the written scriptures with someone or to share your life and your own story with them?

In what ways does a small group setting best facilitate the sharing of truth?