THE CASE FOR REALITY

#751                                                               THE CASE FOR REALITY

Scripture  John 8:24 NIV                                                                                                                               Orig. 7/26/1979

                                                                                                                                                                               Rewr. 5/2/1991

Passage: ²⁴ I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Purpose: To ponder the question, do we live by the world’s values, or by God’s values?

Keywords:                          Christ the Word                Forgiveness        Christ as Saviour               Sin

Timeline:                             Bible Study, John

Introduction

                A researcher by the name of George Barna has recently published a book, The Frog in the Kettle, in which he studies the impact of religion, more particularly Christianity, on American life.  The better known pollster, George Gallup, has already given us cause for concern.

                In a report last year, Gallup states, “While religion is highly popular in this country, survey evidence suggests that it is often superficial—it does  not change people’s lives to the degree one would expect from the level of professed faith.”  To some degree, the Barna group sought to compare its findings with those of the better known pollster.

                What he reports is not uplifting.  Only 38% of unchurched persons viewed the church as relevant.  The respondents were asked about their philosophy of life.  25% indicated a Christian philosophy, 24% claimed a philosophy  not based on Christianity, and 51% indicated that they had no philosophy of life.

                They were asked what it means to be Christian.  21% thought it meant to go to church, or to be a good, religious person.  Another 21% opted for a bland “to be different from others” answer.  19% said that it meant “to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”  The others, 28%, chose either, “to believe in God, to help, or to love other people.”

                The question comes down to one about reality.  Is our religion settled by religious pollsters, or is this statement of Jesus valid?  “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

I.             The Case for Reality Calls Attention to the Sin Question.  V21 “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins.”  Sin was then, and is now, a contemporary dilemma.  It was all around Jesus in His day.  It is all around us today.  It is a major factor in our lives. 

                Jesus’ directive to the Jews is to be taken seriously.  Sin has caused man to forfeit the place of honor given by God at creation.  Ecclesiastes 7:29 “God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” The water hyacinth was brought in to beautify bayous.  Years ago, Australian sugar industry imported 101 cane frogs to deal with beetles.  Now in epidemic proportions consideration is being given to a parasite to control the frog.

                Every generation has found his own reasons for discounting the sin question.  Jeremiah 16:12 “And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may “not hearken unto me.”

                Every generation is tempted to seek its own impersonation  of the historical Jesus.  We suppose we are in a better position to define eternal truth.  It is Satan’s grandest design.  We seem content to have it so.

II.            The Case for Reality Describes the Burden of Sin.  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins.”  Consider Israel’s involvement in media events.  Think of the world’s major powers.  Today it’s still USA/USSR.  Germany and Japan were briefly.  In prior centuries it was England, Spain, France. 

                Yet, Israel has a major voice in every decision touching the world.  A nation 100/150 miles in length, hardly more than forty wide.  Jerusalem holds a pivotal place in three great religions.  How?  Egypt’s greatness is seen at Giza.  Marvels of Minoan Crete at Knossos.  The Parthenon accentuates the uniqueness of Greece. Ephesus was the Queen city of the Aegean.

                Jerusalem . . . without a river, port, transportation system, without resources to compete in world trade . . . remains.  The Jerusalem of David and his capital, of Solomon and his temple, of Herod and his hate, of Jesus and His love.

                It is this same Jesus, the son of Israel, who here implores concern for sin.  His birth melody rang out its message.  Matthew 1:21 “And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  It was central to  His own teaching.  John 8:34 “Verily, verily I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin . . . John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

                It has been the message of every age declared by his disciples.  2 Corinthians 5:20f  “. . . Be ye reconciled to God.  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

III.           The Case for Reality Explains Forgiveness from Sin.  “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”  One of the functions of the church has been to call people to repentance, forgiveness.  Psalm 95:7 “Today, if ye will  hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”  Isaiah 59:20 “The redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression.”

                What can we bring, if we have not first brought our sin to the altar?  Money.  Talents.  Appearance.  God’s spiritual kingdom will  survive without any of them. 

                [Novelist] Sholem Asch --  The Apostle: A crusade is underway, the converts are urged to bring “fruit, meat for repentance.”  The merchant, in dapper dress, brings a bag of gold.  “No,” says the apostle, “naked from the womb, naked to the earth.”  A poor man:  “these hands, the muscles of my back I offer.”  “No, my son, you are trying to give back what already belongs to God.”  A beggar brings his sin.  “My son, you have given more than the others, you have given what is yours.”

IV.          Finally, the Case for Reality Introduces the Saviour from Sin.  “If you believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”  This is either the greatest hoax perpetrated upon humankind.  Jesus, the crucified.  Jesus, the advocate with the Father.  Jesus, the light-bringer. Jesus, the hope. 

                No, it is not a hoax.  It is conditional release.  It is forgiveness from sin.  It is deliverance from guilt to glory. 

                It is salvation.  Jesus:  “The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.”  Jesus: “The author and finisher of our faith.”  Jesus: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.”

Conclusion

                Piglet in  his yard.  Pooh passes.  Again.  “Hallo,” says Piglet, “what are you doing?”  “Hunting . . . tracking something.”  Piglet  joins in the hunt, and every time they go around the spinney more tracks are seen, and the more apprehensive they become.  Whatever it might be, they were getting dangerously outnumbered.

                Christopher Robin:  “Silly old bear, what were you doing?  First you went around the spinney by yourself.  Then Piglet ran after you and you went around together.”

                We must see to the matter that our REALITY is what is, rather than what we imagine it to be.