In his February 1, 2026, sermon titled “The Truth Shall Set You Free,” Cole Tuck masterfully unpacks John 8:31-32, challenging the cultural misuse of Jesus’ words as a call to embrace subjective “personal truth” for self-fulfillment. Instead, Cole reveals it as a profound process: true disciples devote themselves to God’s objective Word, discover divine truth therein, and experience genuine freedom, not from life’s hardships, but from the enslaving power of sin through Christ’s sacrifice.
Drawing on everyday analogies like gravity, house fires, and neglected relationships, Cole warns against twisting Scripture for personal agendas, urging listeners to seek truth externally in God’s revelation rather than inwardly in deceitful hearts. This message serves as a timely rebuke to self-centered ideologies, calling for authentic discipleship that leads to eternal liberation and a transformed life.
Talking Points
- Context Matters in Scripture: People often misuse Bible verses, including Jesus’ statements, to justify personal desires, leading to destructive consequences as warned in 2 Peter 3:16. Examples include “judge not” and “I can do all things through Christ.”
- Objective Truth vs. Subjective “Your Truth”: Jesus refers to “the truth” as something external and discoverable, not created by individual feelings or opinions. Analogies like conflicting bird identifications, denying gravity, or false house fire alarms illustrate that emotions don’t dictate reality.
- The Deceitful Heart: Citing Jeremiah 17:9, Tuck contrasts worldly advice to “follow your heart” with Scripture’s warning that the heart is unreliable; truth must be sought in God’s Word, not internal preferences.
- True Discipleship Requires Devotion to the Word: Jesus’ conditional “if you continue in my word” defines real followers. Illustrations like a neglectful husband or a fake Harry Potter fan highlight that sporadic engagement (e.g., one hour on Sundays) doesn’t equate to genuine commitment.
- Truth Discovered in God’s Word: Devoted disciples find truth through daily immersion in Scripture, not mystical signs or feelings. God has already communicated plainly via the Bible’s 66 books—ignoring it while seeking “signs” is like overlooking a grocery list.
- Freedom from Sin, Not Worldly Burdens: The promised freedom is spiritual and eternal, liberating from sin’s slavery (John 8:34), not emotional, physical, or financial struggles. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), earning death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus’ cross offers escape through faith.
- Gospel Simplicity and Call to Action: Jesus died in our place; true freedom comes from trusting Him. Tuck invites response through baptism, study, and community outreach, emphasizing humble sharing of truth in a lie-filled world.