Episodes
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Navigating the Grey Areas
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
This morning, we find ourselves still on Thursday night of Passion Week. It is the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.
The gospel of John is unique in that it is the only gospel to contain this material that is found in John 14-17, all of which is with the twelve disciples, except Judas, on Thursday night in the upper room.
A significant portion of these chapters deals with the role of the Holy Spirit. That material will be introduced this morning and will be addressed again in chapter 16.
In today’s text, I to help us understand from God’s Word how to navigate the grey areas of the Christian life. What do I mean by grey areas? These are parts of life that are not specifically addressed in God’s Word.
For example, God’s Word is crystal clear or black and white in that Christians should not marry non-Christians. However, which specific person to marry would be a grey area.
Another example would be related to your job. God’s Word is crystal clear in that if you are able, Christians should have a job, a paying job. However, which job or which vocation would a grey area.
Therefore, how do we as followers of Christ, who are committed to God’s Word, navigate the grey areas? How do we know which choice to make if God’s Word doesn’t specifically address our situation?
- Obedience to Christ is a sign of love for a Christian to Jesus.
This abundantly clear throughout our text for this morning. Jesus said it 14:15.
However, He said it again in 14:21. He said it again in 14:23.
This idea of “keeping” Jesus’ commandments means being obedient to them or obeying them. Does this mean the Ten Commandments? It certainly does.
However, it also means so much more. It means loving God and loving your neighbor that are commanded in Matthew 22. It means carrying out the Great Commission from Matthew 28. It means serving others like we saw Jesus do when He washed His disciples’ feet in John 13.
Conversely, if you don’t keep Jesus’ commandments, that is a sign that you don’t love Jesus. Is that being too harsh? It is what Jesus Himself said in 14:24.
Therefore, if you love Jesus, don’t just talk about it. Prove it by being obedient to Him. If and when you are obedient, that is a sign of your love for Christ.
- The Holy Spirit is real and essential for every Christian.
Verse 16 speaks to the character of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him another Helper.
In the language of the NT, there are two words that mean “another.” One meaning is another of a different kind. The meaning here is another of the same kind.
Jesus is saying that He will ask the Father for another Helper just like Him. In other words, the Holy Spirit is divine or deity. We are mistaken when we see or understand the Holy Spirit to be anything less than God.
Also related to the character of the Holy Spirit, He is the Spirit of truth. This means that He is truth and guides us into all truth.
Conversely, He doesn’t ever guide us into error or lead us astray. Therefore, He will never lead us to do that which contradicts the nature of Christ or the Scriptures.
Jesus also speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit. The various English words in your translations include Helper, Comforter, Advocate, and Counselor.
In the language of the NT, it is the word Paraclete. It literally means one who comes along side of us to assist and encourage.
Imagine an athlete who is injured during a game. Then you might see a trainer or a coach come to his aid or her aid and help him or her off of the field or court, and that athlete might have his or her arm draped over the coach’s shoulder.
Perhaps that is a good illustration of what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. He is our helper.
However, He is also that advocate. Another illustration would a defense attorney who defends his client.
Remember, Satan is the Accuser accusing us 24 hours a day. If you are saved, the Holy Spirit is your advocate, your defense attorney defends you who are in Christ against every accusation that Satan says about you.
Thirdly, the people of the Holy Spirit is addressed in verse 16. For the Christian, the Holy Spirit indwells you permanently starting at conversion.
In the OT, He came upon people and then left. He only rested on individuals temporarily as can be seen in the life of Samson in Judges and David in the Psalms. However, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be with His disciples forever, and this is still true today.
And the Holy Spirit is only for the Church. In other words, He only resides in those who have been born-again. The world cannot receive Him according to verse 17 because it does not see Him or know Him.
- If we love Jesus, we will then obey Him, and when we obey Him, the Holy Spirit leads into more obedience and greater intimacy.
Go back to this nugget of truth at the end of verse 21. Jesus said that whoever loves Him, keeps His commandments and is loved by the Father and Him, and He will disclose Himself to him.
Many Christians get this sequence out of order. We want God to disclose His plans for us so that we can decide whether or not we want to obey. Instead, Jesus said obey Me, and then I will disclose Myself and plans to you.
First, consider this scenario. Your family is trying to decide on whether or not to make a specific big purchase. It might be a car or boat or vacation home or whatever, and you ask God to show you His will. However, you aren’t tithing currently. Don’t expect God to disclose Himself and His plans to you before you have been obedient to what He is already telling you to do. Furthermore, He isn’t going to tell you to buy whatever toy if that toy is going to keep you from being obedient in your giving.
Second, here is another one. You have received a new job offer, and you pray and ask God to show you what to do. However, in your present job, you have not been honest with your boss and have even stolen some petty cash and supplies. Don’t expect God to disclose Himself and His plans for you until you have been obedient in what you already know to do.
Third, this is for students, it often plays out like this. Students want desperately to know where to go to college so you pray and ask God. However, you’ve been cheating your way through high school and lying to your parents about where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing. Don’t expect God to disclose Himself before you have been obedient.
Fourth, here’s another example with students. College students and young adults want God to show them His will regarding who they are to marry. Therefore, they pray and ask God for guidance. However, they are sexually involved with their current boyfriend or girlfriend. Don’t expect God to disclose Himself before you have been obedient.
Obedience comes first. Revelation comes second. Don’t switch the order, and this order is the key to navigating the grey areas.
Invitation
This morning’s invitation is very simple. There are plenty of us here today who need to confess our sin and repent of our disobedience. If you love Jesus, you will obey His commandments. We need to repent of our disobedience, and we need to recommit and rededicate our lives and our church to being obedient to what God has given us to do today!
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
Encouraging Words for Troubling Times
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
If I went around the room this morning and asked who all has been discouraged this week, maybe one or two or handful would raise their hands. However, we have all seen and heard the news this past week in some form.
We are approaching a year with the war in Ukraine. Multiple surveillance balloons have been shot down in our country, and how many more are there? The causality number in from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria is now in excess of 35,000. Mass shootings seem to be becoming more prevalent, and inflation is running wild.
This morning we come to John 14. It is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible and one that I have used so many times to encourage families at funeral services.
Remember that it is Thursday night before Friday’s crucifixion. Jesus and His disciples had gathered in the upper room to celebrate the Passover, and He had washed the disciples’ feet. He had dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas, and Judas left. That left Jesus in the upper room with 11 disciples and leads us to John 14:1.
In John 14:1, Jesus encouraged His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or stirred or agitated. Why would He say that?
They had recently heard some very hard truths. See 13:18, 21, 33, and 38.
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
In today’s troubling times or tomorrow’s or next year’s or 15 years from now, I want to show you 5 timeless truths for your encouragement.
- Jesus is God, 14:1, 6, 7, 9-11.
In verse 1, Jesus challenged His disciples to believe in Him personally. That is a challenge for us today as well because Jesus isn’t just a good person or a good moral teacher or a good prophet. Jesus is God.
In verse 6, He said that He was the only way to the Father. This is the sixth I AM statement. He is the bread of life, the light of the world, the door of the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.
Again, Jesus isn’t just one way among many to the Father. He is in the only way, and no one comes to the Father except through the son.
In theological terms, this is called the exclusivity of Christ. Going through Jesus to get to God is exclusively the way.
In other words, unless you go through Jesus, you cannot and will not be saved. That applies to any other religion or belief system including Judaism and Islam and Hinduism and Buddhism.
In verse 7-9, Jesus said He and the Father are the same. If they had known the Father, they would have known Him. He and the Father are the same.
It is a common misconception in our world today that you can know God and have nothing to do with God’s Son. I would submit to you the impossibility of that experience. If you reject Jesus, then you are rejecting God because they ARE the same.
Jesus and the Father also SPEAK the same. Look at verse 10. Jesus did not speak on His own initiative but the words of His Father. So again, if you don’t agree with that which Jesus said, you are disagreeing with God the Father because Jesus and the Father SPEAK the same.
Finally, Jesus and the Father ARE the same and SPEAK the same and DO the same. In verse 11, Jesus said He was in the Father and the Father in Him, and that reality is affirmed by their works. What Jesus did was what the Father did. Jesus and the Father DO the same.
Therefore, if Jesus and the Father are the same and speak the same and do the same, guess what? Jesus is God.
- Heaven is real, 14:2.
Secondly, heaven is real. In verse 2, Jesus called heaven His Father’s house, and this house has many dwelling places or rooms, and Jesus is preparing them for His disciples.
The KJV uses the word “mansions.” However, that word does not mean lavish and expensive but abundant in number. The Father’s house has MANY dwelling places for all of His children.
When the disciples heard this, they immediately thought of the custom of the day for a son to marry and then add on a room for his new family to his father’s home. Therefore, if a family had 4 sons, then there would be four additional rooms or dwelling places added on to the original family dwelling.
I would submit to you this morning that heaven is real. It is the Father’s house, and it is the place where Jesus currently dwells, and John described the Father’s house in Revelation 21 as a place of no tears, no death, no mourning, no crying, and no pain. I love to think of heaven and being there one day. Heaven is real.
- The Bible is true, 14:3-4.
The Bible is true because it is the word of God, and therefore, whatever it says, we can believe. For example, Jesus is coming back for us, and because Jesus is God, and because the Bible is God’s word, I can trust this promise.
Look at verse 3. Jesus said He was going to prepare heaven, but He would return for His disciples. That is a promise, and a promise that will not be broken.
I have broken promises in my life. I have been on the other end of broken promises, but Jesus has never broken a promise, and He won’t begin with this one.
The question arises if His statement here is talking about the Rapture or the Second Coming. I have no problem in saying both. He will return for His Church before a 7- year tribulation period, and He will return to this earth after the 7-year tribulation period for those who became Christians during that time.
Therefore, even though the context is vague, we can say both this morning. We can trust or believe in the promise of Christ’s return. We trust the Bible is true.
- The Holy Spirit is powerful, 14:12.
In verse 12, I believe Jesus is pointing to the power of the Holy Spirit in this lives of His followers. Allow me to explain what I believe Jesus meant when He said greater works.
He told His disciples and us that they and we will do greater works than Him. I believe He certainly was talking about quantity of works as Jesus lived on earth only 33 years, and His disciples have been doing works for approximately 2000 years.
However, in another regard, He may even have been talking about quality of works as well. Here is one example. As odd as it may sound, when Jesus preached, we don’t have any record of mass conversions. However, when Peter preached in the book of Acts, thousands were converted. Therefore, “greater works” could have multiple meanings.
Regardless, if you are follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the seal on your heart, and when you surrender completely to Him, His power is unbelievable!
- Prayer works, 14:13-14.
In verses 13 and 14, Jesus gave His disciples the formula for success in prayer as He instructed them to pray in His name. He said that they could ask whatever, and He would do it if they ask in His name.
He even said it twice, once in 13 and again in 14. It applies to anything and everything: marriage, work, school, finances, future, houses, cars, guidance, health, whatever.
However, here is the question, what does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? Is it some ritualistic formula? Jesus will repeat it two more times in John 15:16 and 16:23.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
For maybe the best explanation, let’s turn to another NT book written by the same author of this gospel. Turn to 1 John 5:14-15.
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
I would say that to pray in Jesus’ name is to pray according to God’s will or wanting the will of God to be accomplished in our prayers.
It means His purposes not ours. It means what He has done and what we cannot do. It means His glory and fame not anyone else’s.
Conclusion and Invitation
For some of us today, our hearts are being attacked this very minute. We are being attacked by distress and doubt and depression. My invitation for you this morning is to believe and remember the truths of God as revealed in the Bible.
Do you believe that Jesus is God, heaven is real, the Bible is true, the Holy Spirit is powerful, and prayer works? If not, would you believe this morning for the first time and be saved? If you already believe, my invitation for you is to remember and be encouraged in these troubling times.
Monday Feb 13, 2023
One Single Mark
Monday Feb 13, 2023
Monday Feb 13, 2023
In 1970, Christian author Frances Schaffer wrote a book entitled, “The Mark of a Christian.” What do you think that book was about?
Do you think he wrote about baptism or taking the Lord’s Supper? Do you think he wrote about wearing a Christian t-shirt or a cross necklace or having a Christian bumper sticker or fish symbol on our cars?
No, I don’t think he mentioned any of those things. Instead, he pointed to John 13 and the words of Christ.
Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. That is the celebration of the angel of the Lord passing over the Israelites in Egypt while killing the first born of Egyptian males and animals.
It was Thursday night, and Jesus was with the entire twelve (12) disciples in the upper room. This was the Thursday night before the Jesus’ Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection.
Earlier in chapter 13, Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet, and He prophesied about Judas’ betrayal. As a result, Judas then left them in the room and put into action his plan to sell out Jesus for thirty (30) pieces of silver.
Now, we pick up the story in John 13:31. I want to share a message with you entitled, “One Single Mark.”
Exposition
In verse 31, again, we see that Judas had left, and this now got the ball rolling or started the dominoes falling in Jesus’ betrayal, murder, and resurrection. The end of verse 31 and 32 speak to Jesus’ ultimate mission in coming to earth.
Jesus was glorified because He would be perfectly obedient to the Father’s will. Consequently, God would be glorified because Jesus is God’s Son and was the incarnation of God on earth. Glorified is simply another way of saying praised or exalted.
Jesus would be praised and then God would be praised and then Jesus and then God. Jesus would be glorified immediately as He was obedient to the point of death and then resurrected on the 3rd day.
In verse 33, Jesus spoke tenderly and affectionately to His disciples in calling them “little children.” He again told them that He would not be with them much longer.
Consequently, they would not be able to go with Him yet. He would need to die first, and then they would eventually die and join Him in heaven, but His mission must be completed first.
What was that mission? See Mark 10:45.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Verses 34 and 35 are our focus verses for today. By the way, I wish I was smart enough to plan this stuff on my own. However, you know better.
Today is the Sunday before Valentine’s Day. Our entire culture is thinking about love, but they are thinking about eros. In verses 34 and 35, Jesus spoke of agape.
Jesus told His disciples of a new commandment, but was it really new? It wasn’t new in the sense of never having been taught previously. See Leviticus 19:18.
18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
However, it was new in relation to the New Testament. Whereas Leviticus 19:18 was given under the Old Covenant, John 13:34 was given under the New Covenant.
His disciples were to love one another as He had loved them, and that would be the Church’s defining characteristic for centuries to come. It is and should be the one single defining mark of every Christian.
Big Idea
- We are to love, 13:34a!
You and I as followers of Christ are given a commandment from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, and it is to love one another. It is not an option or a suggestion, but a commandment coming from our highest authority.
In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus called loving our neighbors one of the two greatest commandments.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Paul repeated it in Romans 13:8-9 and Galatians 5:14.
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
James quoted it in James 2:8, and lest you wonder about who is your neighbor, remember that your neighbors are those who are close by and those that God brings across your path on a daily basis. We are to love our neighbors!
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
- We are to love like Jesus, 13:34b!
The love that we are commanded to love our neighbor with is the love that Jesus loves us with. Here are three characteristics of His love for us.
First, He loves us unconditionally, and we are to do the same. He loves us and all of our weaknesses and shortcomings and warts and deficiencies.
That is the way that we are to love one another. We don’t have to love everything about one another, but we can love unconditionally.
Second, we can love sacrificially. Jesus gave his life on the cross for our sins. He sacrificed for us, and we can sacrifice for others.
Don’t let it be about you. Consider your spouse. Consider your children. Consider your parents or your friend. Consider your fellow church member and what they like and what they want and what they need.
Sacrifice your time and your money and your energy and your desires for someone else. Love sacrificially as Jesus sacrificed for you.
Third, we can love righteously. Jesus died to save us from our sins. He died because sin would kill us if there wasn’t another option.
Our love for one another ought to be righteous in wanting God’s best for that person. Sometimes that means holding one another accountable.
It may mean calling into question certain behaviors or lifestyle choices. If you see that a friend is making some bad choices, out of love be willing to ask them about it and encourage them to do God’s will. Love righteously.
- Our love should be visible, 13:35.
Notice verse 35. Our love for one another will be how the entire world knows that you are a follow of Christ.
Therefore, it is not enough to simply say you love your neighbor. We must show we love our neighbor. We must demonstrate we love our neighbor. We must prove we love our neighbor.
It should be evident to the world, and it should be evident to the church. See 1 John 3:14.
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
Conclusion
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
This visible nature of Jesus’ unconditional and sacrificial and righteous love was already demonstrated with Judas and is illustrated again with Peter in verses 36-38.
Even though Peter pledged his love to Jesus, Jesus told Peter that talking about it wasn’t enough. He must demonstrate it when given the opportunity, and Jesus knew that Peter wasn’t ready for that.
Consequently, He prophesied about Peter’s failure that would occur soon enough. However, even though Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him, the Lord Jesus loved them and us unconditionally and sacrificially and righteously as He went forward with God’s plan of Him dying on the cross in our place and for our sin.
Brothers and Sisters, are you loving this morning? If yes, are you loving like Jesus? If yes, does it show? If no to any of these questions, then start today by loving and the loving like Jesus and then loving like Jesus in a way that is obvious to all of those around you.
If you’ve never accepted Jesus’ love for you, would you do that this morning?
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
Almost Saved
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
This morning we return to John 13, and I want to set the stage for you. Last Sunday morning, we looked at John 13:1-20. It was Thursday of Passion Week, Jesus’ last week on earth before His crucifixion, and it was evening time as Jesus and His disciples had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast.
Remember that Jesus taught a very powerful lesson on humility and service as His disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. In an act of humility, the Son of Man washed the feet of His disciples including Judas, and He told us to do the same.
In going one step further, let’s talk about the set up of this room. It was not as you might think and as it has been depicted in famous paintings.
It actually was probably more like this. The room and setting probably included what is called a triclinium. That was a low, rectangular dining table around which seats or couches were arranged on three of the four sides.
The opening allowed for food to be served. Those in attendance would be lying on their stomachs and leaning on their left arms with their heads toward the table and their feet away from the table. The right arm was then available to reach and get food.
More than likely, John was to Jesus’ right, the place of special honor. To His left was Judas, the next highest place of honor.
This morning, I want to examine Judas in more detail and see what he did and how it affected the Lord. Did you know that Judas Iscariot is mentioned by name 10 times in the NT?
Of those 10 times, his act of betrayal is connected with his name 10 out of 10 times. In other words, that was who Judas was. Judas is known the world over for his betrayal of the Lord Jesus.
- Judas’ betrayal hurt Jesus deeply, 13:21.
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
The “these” in verse 21 was Jesus announcing that fact Judas would be the one to betray Him as a fulfillment of OT prophecy, specifically Psalm 41:9. As a result, He was troubled in His spirit.
The NLT says, “deeply troubled.” It must have broken Jesus’ heart to have invested His life into Judas for three years, and yet, He knew full well that Judas was going to sell Him out for thirty pieces of silver.
By the way, if you have ever had a close friend turn on you, betray you, hurt you, you’re in good company. Jesus knows exactly how you feel, and it’s ok for you to feel hurt when friends betray you.
In verse 22, the disciples didn’t understand who Jesus was talking about. The other Gospel accounts record them each asking if it was him. See Matthew 26:22.
22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
In verse 23, John was the closest to Jesus. He was probably to His right.
In verse 24, Peter may have been a few persons away. Regardless, Peter wanted to know who was going to betray his Lord and so he asked John to ask Jesus. Peter was mad, and he was ready to act.
Judas’ betrayal hurt Jesus deeply.
- Judas’ betrayal was orchestrated by the devil, 13:26-27.
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Verse 26 contains Jesus’ answer. Jesus said it would be the one to whom He gave the piece of bread after having dipped it.
What do you think happened? He took and gave to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
Verse 27 is one of the worst in the entire Bible. After taking the bread, Satan then entered into Judas, and Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
This is not the first time that we have seen this language. See John 6:70, 13:2.
6:70, Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
13:2, And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.
Judas’ betrayal was orchestrated by the devil.
- Judas’ betrayal was mysteriously part of God’s plan, 13:28-30.
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
After Jesus said this to Judas, he had so fooled those around him that the other disciples didn’t even know what Jesus meant even though He had told them explicitly. Then Judas left.
How was Judas’ betrayal part of God’s plan? Back in John 6:70, Jesus said He had chosen Judas, but he was a devil.
6:70, Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
In John 13:18, Jesus said Judas’ betrayal was a fulfillment of prophecy. He quoted Psalm 41:9 when Ahithophel betrayed King David and hung himself just like Judas.
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
Why do I say Judas’ betrayal was mysteriously part of God’s plan? Even though Judas’ betrayal was part of God’s plan, Judas was completely responsibly for his actions and would spend an eternity in hell because he rejected Christ.
In the past two Sundays, we have seen Jesus reach out to Judas continuing to give him a chance to repent. He sat him in a position of honor. He washed Judas’ feet. He fed Judas the supper.
All of these actions were acts of friendship. All of these were opportunities for Judas to repent.
Judas had fooled most everyone. He most assuredly had been baptized. He had done ministry with the others. He held a position of leadership as treasurer.
However, he hadn’t fooled God. What about you?
Conclusion
Today, are you just like Judas…almost saved? Jesus has invited you over and over again to be completely His, and you have fooled your family and your friends.
You might even be a church member like Judas was a disciples’ member. You might have even engaged in ministry like Judas. You might even hold or have held a position of leadership like Judas.
However, it doesn’t matter what others think or say. It matters what God says.
My appeal for you today is not to be almost saved, but to be saved certainly and completely from hell and to heaven beyond a shadow of doubt. Today, our invitation is for you.
Sunday Jan 22, 2023
Will You Believe?
Sunday Jan 22, 2023
Sunday Jan 22, 2023
We are in John’s Gospel, and we are in chapter 12 and verse 37. This morning, we are going to finish John 12, and today’s text will be somewhat of a transition text.
Here is what I mean. John 12 begins on the Friday before Palm Sunday. In the recent weeks, we saw Mary anoint Jesus’ feet with oil and wipe them with her hair.
We then saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, and He was hailed as the promised Messiah. In chapter 12 is also where Jesus acknowledged that it was time for Him to do what God sent Him to do, and that was to die.
John 12 will end Sunday, and some say even Monday. Next Sunday, we will pick up in John 13, and it will be Thursday night before the cross on Friday, and those events will be chronicled in chapters 13-21.
By the way, the Bible isn’t silent about what happened on Monday-Wednesday. Matthew 21-26 has a lot to say about the events of those days.
In today’s text, we see several responses to Jesus’ public ministry. Primarily, we will see how the Jews responded.
- Some Jews Couldn’t Believe, John 12:37-41.
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
In verses 37-41, we see that some Jews, and I would even say many Jews, didn’t believe in Him even though they saw so many signs.
Keep in mind, many of them, if not all of them, were familiar with Jesus’ miracles. See 7:31 and 11:47.
31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
However, these weren’t just any signs, there were seven miraculous signs, and the last was raising someone from the dead. Jesus turned water to wine, healed the nobleman’s son, healed the paralytic of 38 years, fed the 5,000, walked on water and calmed the storm, healed the man born blind, and raised Lazarus.
They saw signs, and they saw many signs, and they still didn’t believe. For John, this reminded him of the Jews in the Old Testament in Isaiah 53 as he quoted that passage in 12:38.
By the way, John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saw the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 as a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus was the promised Messiah.
In verse 39, John said they could not believe. Why was that true? It was true because they continued to reject all of the proof and evidence that God was providing them. The more they rejected, the harder their hearts became, and they couldn’t believe.
Again, John is reminded of Isaiah. This time, he quotes Isaiah 6, and tells us explicitly that these Jews were a fulfillment of prophecy in how they responded to the promised Messiah.
In verse 41, John again equated Jesus with the promised Messiah and God by looking back to Isaiah 6. When Isaiah saw God, he saw the pre-incarnate Christ.
- Some Jews Wouldn’t Believe for long, John 12:42-43.
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
In verses 42-43, John said some rulers believed in Him, talking about Jesus. In other words, they believed initially.
However, I don’t think they believed ultimately and consequently weren’t saved. They didn’t confess Jesus as Lord and Savior in the synagogue or in public.
This is problematic because of the words of Christ in Matthew 10:32-33.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Verse 43 tells us more about their hearts. They desired compliments from men rather than the Christ who can save.
- Will You Believe?
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
In our last several verses, Jesus reminded us that to believe in Him is to believe in God. Look at verse 44-45.
Consequently, if you don’t believe in Jesus as God, you only believe in the God of your imagination. You only believe in the God you created in your mind because Jesus is God.
Also, if you do believe in Jesus, the proof or evident of your belief will be your obedience. Verse 46 says because Jesus is the light, if you believe in Him, you won’t walk in darkness. In other words, you will be obedient to Him.
Christian, is that true of you? Are you walking according to the light in your marriage and with your kids and at work?
Finally, if you believe in Jesus, you receive a pardon from judgment. Jesus didn’t come to judge you. He came to save you.
However, because of His teachings and His claims, judgment will inevitably come to everyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus because Jesus’ teaching and claims are from God.
When I read this end of John 12 and how the Jews responded to Jesus, some couldn’t believe and some wouldn’t believe, I think of Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 and the parable of the soils.
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
The first soil is those who couldn’t believe. They second and third soils are those that wouldn’t believe ultimately even though they believed initially.
The fourth soil welcomed the seed and growth occurred. When you welcome the claims of Christ as God and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, growth will occur because of the new life.
Invitation
What could be said of these Jews this morning can also be said of so many Gentiles maybe even in this room. Some Gentiles can’t believe. Some Gentiles won’t believe.
What about you? Will you believe in Jesus today? To believe in Jesus is everlasting life in heaven with forgiveness of sins.
Sunday Jan 15, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
The Glory of Jesus
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
I want you to take your Bibles and turn to John 12:12. Today’s message is entitled, “The Glory of Jesus,” and begins the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth.
If you are visiting with us today, we have been studying John’s Gospel verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter. Remember that John 1-11 highlights parts of Jesus’ life during His three-year earthly ministry. John 12-21 covers essentially the last week of His earthly life.
Last week, Jesus went to Bethany on Friday night and stayed with Lazarus and Mary and Martha. On Saturday, there was dinner hosted by Simon the Leper in honor of the Lord. It was here that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and wiped them with her hair.
Today, we begin in John 12:12. This would have been what we call “Palm Sunday” and Jesus’ Triumphant or Royal Entry into Jerusalem.
Exposition
Actually, let’s begin with verse 23. On multiple occasions in this gospel, we have seen Jesus say that it wasn’t His time yet. He usually said that in relation to His enemies trying to trap Him or arrest Him.
In verse 23, He said now was the time. Specifically, He said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” In other words, it was not time for the events to be set in motion for His purpose in coming.
It was time for Him to be glorified. However, what does that mean? Now, we will go back to verse 12.
- The Glory of Jesus is that He came to Save, John 12:12-13.
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”
As I said previously, verse 12 begins by moving us to the next day. Mary anointed Jesus with oil on Saturday. Therefore, this is Palm Sunday, and begins the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.
The great multitude had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. In verse 13, we see that the large crowd took palm branches and waved them at Jesus and begin to shout.
They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel.” There shout was a quotation and fulfillment of Psalm 118:26.
Hosanna meant Praise God! Save us now! The large crowd was declaring Jesus to be the Messiah they had been waiting for.
Of course, we know that Jesus came to be the Savior of Israel. However, verse 20 foreshadows the fact that Jesus not only came to save Israel but to save Gentiles as well. These Greeks mentioned in verse 20 remind us that Jesus came to save the entire world. Consequently, anyone who would believe in Him would be saved.
- The Glory of Jesus is that He came in PEACE, John 12:14-15.
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
Verse 14 says Jesus then found a young donkey and rode on it into the city. Verse 15 is the quotation and the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.
Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey is ironic. It is a paradox. This large crowd hailed Him as the King of Israel. Normally, the king would come riding on a war horse dragging his conquered kings behind him or perhaps in a chariot leading his army.
That is not what is happening here. The donkey was a sign of peace and humility, and this King is not a warrior-king they assumed but the Prince of Peace.
Think about this and how it relates to you in 2023. Do you want the glory of Christ on display in your life? If so, remember that does happen when you win all the time and run rough shod over your spouse and your family and your coworkers or employees with your words and your social media.
If you want the glory of Jesus, live a life of peace. Paul commanded the same in Romans 12:18.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
In verse 16, there appears to be a second group of disciples, and John is writing about their experience well beyond their actual happenings in real time. These disciples didn’t originally understand all of who Jesus was.
However, after He was glorified, which refers to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, they did remember that these things were written about Jesus, and He was who He said He was. They realized He was the one Lord and Savior.
These particular disciples were onlookers or eyewitnesses of Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb. As a result, they bore witness about Jesus. Their response was telling others what happened. Consequently, verse 18 tells us that people were coming to Jesus to meet Him because He had performed these signs.
Unfortunately, when the Pharisees saw the popularity that Jesus was gaining and how His followers were increasing, these opponents of Christ were very upset. They were very angry. They were resentful.
Look at verse 19. They were talking to one another and claimed that they had done no good since many were coming to Christ.
- The Glory of Jesus is that He came to DIE, John 12:20-26.
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Verse 20 tells us that some Greeks or Gentiles had come to Jerusalem. It is says there were there to worship. Perhaps they were close to being converts to Judaism.
By the way, some commentators believe we have now moved to Monday. That debatable and probably not that significant, but I wanted you to know.
They then came to Philip and told him that they wanted to see Jesus. Perhaps they went to him because his name is a Greek name, and they knew he was a disciple of Jesus. Philip then told Andrew, and they came and told Jesus.
When they told Jesus, in verse 23, He said that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Remember that Jesus had escaped and eluded His enemies on several previous occasions because it wasn’t His time. Now, it is.
In verse 24, Jesus used an agrarian illustration of a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying or being buried. If it doesn’t die and isn’t buried, it remains alone. If it does die and is buried, then it bears much fruit.
He then applied this illustration personally in verses 25-26. He who loves his life, loses it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
He was talking about gaining a future eternal life. However, you don’t gain like you would think. It comes to those who lose their life and to those who hate their life.
However, Jesus isn’t speaking literally but relatively. Jesus died so that He would live.
Conclusion
And so here is the conclusion and invitation for us. In order for us to live, we must die too. It can’t be about us and what we want, but about Him and what He wants.
Verse 26 then is an invitation to follow. If you want to serve Jesus, you must follow Him. You will then be with Him in heaven, and God will honor you for serving His Son.
Paul understood this idea as he wrote to the Galatian Church. See Galatians 2:20.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Monday Jan 09, 2023
A God-Honoring Life
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
What constitutes a God-Honoring Life? I think we will see our answer in today’s text.
John’s Gospel is an interesting read. John used 11 chapters to talk about 3 years of Jesus’ life. Chapters 12-20 cover just over 1 week. Needless to say, he is going to slow things down a lot.
Today’s story is also found in Matthew 26 and Mark 14. A similar story is found in Luke 7, but it is not the same.
- Scene One: A Party with Friends, 12:1-3
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
The setting was a few days before Golgotha in a private home in Bethany. Jesus probably got to Bethany on Friday night. Perhaps He was staying with His close friends: Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
On Saturday, there was a supper in Jesus’ honor. Mark’s Gospel tells us it was at Simon the leper’s house. It seems that this party was honor Jesus and celebrated Lazarus and Simon. Can you even imagine them sharing healing stories?
Martha was doing her thing…serving others while verse 2 says that Lazarus was at the table with Jesus. Because Matthew’s Gospel says that all of the Twelve were there, this is a party with friends that included at least 17 people.
The Lord Jesus was reclining at the table with His disciples and Lazarus. Then Mary entered the room and brought to Him a pound of very costly oil of spikenard.
This was about 11 ounces of perfume that had been imported from India. She knelt at Jesus’ feet, broke open the flask, and poured it out upon His feet. She then wiped His feet with her hair.
Think about this act. A Jewish woman touches another person’s feet. This other person was a man that was not her husband. She undid her hair in public and did the unthinkable. Why? Because of her love and appreciation for Jesus.
This nard was used to anoint kings. Jesus was Mary’s King of Kings.
Picture them reclining at a center table that was maybe 18 inches off the floor. They would have been leaning on one elbow while eating with the other hand, and their legs and feet would have been extended away from the table.
The fragrance filled the whole house not just the room where they were. Everyone was touched by the smell. Sooner or later, everyone in the house would know what Mary had done because of the pleasing smell.
- Scene Two: A Perturbed Foe, 12:4-6
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
From Judas’ perspective, he couldn’t understand why this perfume was not sold. In Matthew 26:8, he called it “a waste.” By the way, Judas is always described in Scripture as a foe, the one who would betray Jesus.
He gave the perception that he was concerned about the poor, but in reality, he had other plans for the money that the oil would have received.
300 denarii was considered to be a year’s wages. In thinking about this, you might see this perfume as being worthy $20-$25-$30,000.
By the way, Judas was thinking with his pocketbook rather than his heart. In 2023, don’t be a Judas. Be more like Mary who acted on her heart and not her pocketbook.
- Scene Three: A Prediction about the Future, 12:7-8
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
In Matthew’s Gospel (26:10), Jesus said, “For she has done a good work for Me.” Of all those in the home that night, Jesus offered the lone compliment or praise. His was the one that counted.
Notice that this offering was “for Me.” It wasn’t for the giver or the audience. It was for Christ.
However, we can’t help but think about the future as Jesus said she had kept this for the day of burial. Little did they know that in a week’s time, Jesus would be dead and buried.
Verse 8 isn’t a derogatory remark about the poor. Jesus simply stated the facts. He wouldn’t always be with them, but the poor would.
Conclusion
So what can we take away from this story from three of the four gospels?
First, a God-Honoring Life will be pleasant to many. Undoubtedly, what Mary did inspired many. Her offering filled the entire house. Listen to Matthew 26:13.
Matthew 26:13, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” She is remembered forever because of the offering she gave.
If you’re living a God-Honoring Life, you will inspire many. I look back and think about people like Bill Beasley and Dave Craddock. They inspired me.
I think about Phyllis Friday and Carolyn Potts. They inspired me. Will you live a God-Honoring Life in 2023 that will be pleasant to many?
Second, a God-Honoring Life will perturb others. Mary didn’t mean to perturb Judas, but God convicted Judas with Mary’s act.
That happens today as well. When you live a life that is honoring of the Lord, you will irritate others. Why? Because they aren’t living a life that is honoring the Lord.
You didn’t mean to do that. However, that is how the Holy Spirit sometimes works to convict others of their sins.
Third, above else, let me challenge you to live a life that pleasing to One. That is Jesus. Mary’s act wasn’t for her. It wasn’t for the audience. It was for Jesus, and that is all that matters.
Today’s story ends with some Jews believing in Jesus because of the miraculous sign of Lazarus being resurrected from the dead. Others continued to reject Jesus. What will you do with Him today and in 2023?
Monday Jan 09, 2023
The Story of Christmas
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Statisticians tell us that the world’s population will exceed eight billion people in 2023. That is an eight with nine zeros.
Those same statisticians tell us that in all of human history, approximately 105-110 billion people have ever lived. That is one hundred and five with nine zeros.
Of that one hundred and five billion people, some have been male, and some have been female. Some have been red, and some have been yellow, and some have been black, and some have been white. Some have gone on to be doctors and lawyers and Indian chiefs.
However, there is no more significant birth in all of human history than the one that we celebrate this time of year, and that is the birth of Jesus Christ. This morning, we consider the Christmas story.
- A Baby was Born, Luke 2:1-7.
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In the first three verses of this chapter, we see the context for Joseph and Mary getting to Bethlehem. A census was being taken, and we can conclude that Joseph owned property in Bethlehem.
Therefore, he had to go there to register his family. Rather than leave Mary behind and be absent at the birth of his son, Mary went with him to Bethlehem.
The first detail about the incarnation of God that I want you to see is that it was prophesied in Scripture. By leaving Nazareth, Joseph was following the predetermined plan of God that we know of from Micah 5:2.
Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
The second detail that I want to remind you of is that the incarnation of God was conceived by the Spirit. Verse five tells us that Mary was with child on this trip.
It is very difficult for us to even imagine this young, teenage mother to be walking and or riding on a donkey for any prolonged period of time at nine months pregnant. However, that is what we have here, but don’t forget how this happened.
Had she been with another man and unfaithful to Joseph? No. Had she and Joseph consummated their marriage? No, they were still in the betrothal period and sexually pure. See Luke 1:35.
Luke 1:35, And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Jesus was conceived by the Spirit of God.
In verses 6 and 7, Jesus was born. God became flesh incarnate.
A baby was born that was a fulfillment of prophecy and conceived by the Holy Spirit.
- God was Glorified, Luke 2:8-14.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Beginning in verse eight, we are introduced to a group of shepherds. They were herding their sheep which is what shepherds do, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them and scared them.
In verse ten, the angel began to speak. He tried to calm the shepherds down and let them know that he had good news. He literally uses the phrase, “good tidings” in verse ten.
The first reason that God is to be glorified and is glorified is because when Jesus was born, He was God’s provision for all people to be saved. He isn’t just the Savior for a few or for a certain denomination or a certain race or a certain social-economic class. Regardless of who you are and where you’re from and what you’ve done, Jesus came to be your Savior.
However, the salvation that Jesus offers is only applied to those who believe. He is a Savior sent for you, but you have to make the personal decision to receive Him into your life or trust in Him as Lord and Savior or call on Him to be saved from your sins. I can’t do it for you. It isn’t applied to you just because of what your parents have done or who your grandfather was.
Second, God is to be glorified and is glorified because having a personal relationship with only Son is the only way to be at peace with God. Look at verses 13-14.
Suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the original angel. Was this fifty more? Was this one hundred more? Was this one thousand more? Probably, it was the latter.
Thousands and thousands of angels began to exalt the Lord in song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Every man since Adam has been at odds with God because of sin. No man has been at peace with God on his own.
God has now provided a way. The way is Jesus. He is the one and only way to be at peace with God the Father.
Morality won’t do it. Ingenuity won’t do it. Ancestry won’t do it. The angels exalted God in heaven because only Jesus would do it. He is the only way. See John 14:6.
John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, on Christmas Sunday, I extend an invitation to you to be saved. Jesus came to save you, but you have to receive Him. You have to accept His invitation.
The salvation that Jesus offers is only applied to your life when you personally believe in Him. Will you do that today?
- Worshippers Witnessed, Luke 2:15-20.
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
In verse fifteen, the shepherds go on their way after the angels left. Verse sixteen says they came to Joseph and Mary and the baby, and they told them all that the angels had said. Therefore, the shepherds witnessed Jesus personally.
In verses seventeen and eighteen, they told others about this Savior. In other words, they witnessed for Jesus publically. Isn’t that all that evangelism or witnessing is…sharing your experience with Jesus?
In verse twenty, the shepherds then left, and they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. The worshippers witnessed.
Conclusion
As I conclude this morning, I want you absolutely, positively remember the true story of Christmas on this Lord’s Day.
However, as the Body of Christ, we don’t remember the story of Christmas but also the why of Christmas. Why was Jesus born?
He was born to die. He was born to die on the cross and for our sins. His mission wasn’t just about the cradle but also the cross.
Therefore, how will you respond to the story of the most significant birth in all of human history?
For some of you that means accepting the invitation that God offers to you of eternal life through a personal relationship with Jesus. He came to be the Savior of the world. Is He your personal Lord and Savior?
For others, during this Christmas season, will you share your Jesus experience with others? That is what the shepherds did. That is what God calls us to do.
Jesus’ birth is the most significant of one hundred and five billion. What will it mean for you?