Sermon nuggets Fri Aug 15
Theme- Rejecting Jesus
Verses John 12:47-50
47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.
50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
The RESULTS of Unbelief.
The opinions of mankind lasts only a few years, but the judgment of God matters for all eternity. The reward of the moment, they fling away the rewards of eternity.
In this Scripture we have Christ's last recorded words to the public before the arrest and cross. After this point everything that he will say will be directed to his disciples. Jesus words given to us by John, tell us that belief in Jesus is belief in God the Father who sent Him. The vision of Jesus is the vision of God.
In Jesus men are confronted with God. To listen to Jesus is to listen to God. In Jesus God meets man, man meets God. In Isaiah's quote mentioned early in the text, we see that he saw the glory of God. John implies that he saw the glory of Jesus. John makes no distinction between the two attesting the oneness of Jesus with God. He interprets that Isaiah foresaw the rejection of Jesus as Messiah. The cross both blinded hearts and eyes and brought healing and salvation.
Why did Jesus come to the earth? To seek and to save that which are lost. It was not God's desire to judge that caused Him to be sent into the world it was His love and desire to save. Without Jesus we are all lost and condemned to Hell. But there is no way that judgment can be avoided. Your reaction and response to Christ does indeed judge you. It declares your true nature and hearts' interest.
Jesus says, "I don't judge anyone, but there is a judge- the words that I have spoken will judge you". The light of the world has come to rescue men from darkness. Jesus did not come as judge but rather as Savior. Rejection leads to judgment. The word as the content of the preaching of Christ will be the judge.
I am reminded of the man who went into the video store and said to the clerk. I'd like to exchange this diet-and workout tape for one on self-acceptance." Instead of changing, accept yourself the way that you are. Unfortunately that is the way it is with many who are satisfied, or apathetic regarding their relationship with Christ. The man who needs to work out still faces the consequences of his inactivity even if he fully accepts himself. The man who walks in darkness still must face the consequences, unless he is converted.
Do not let fear keep you from faith. Rev. 21:8 ""But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
There is only One who has been punished for your sins; there is only One who rose from the dead as proof to it; there is only One who can make good His offer of Heaven; and there is only one way to get His help. The only way to be saved from your sins is to throw yourself on the mercy of Jesus by faith.
Pastor Dale
