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,(1) 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.
(1) Barna, G. (1990). The Frog in the Kettle. Baker Publishing Group.
(2) Asch, S. (1943). The Apostle. G.B. Putnam's Sons.
THE THEOLOGY OF LIGHT
#793 THE THEOLOGY OF LIGHT
Scripture John 8:12-29, NIV Orig. 2/25/1983
Rewr. 4/24/1991
Passage: Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Dispute Over Who Jesus Is
21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”
23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 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.”
25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
Purpose: Continuing the series from the gospel, here describing the language of light depicting Christ as the agent of God.
Keywords: Christ as Light Doctrine Series Beliefs God Trinity
Timeline/Series: Bible Study John
Introduction
Chapter seven introduced the time and place. It was the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2,10). Because of the hostilities of the Jews, Jesus had spent the last weeks in Galilee. As the time of the festival approached, more and more of the people began to make their way to Jerusalem. Even His own brothers mocked Him about going on up to the feast to show His “works.”
At the appropriate time, however, He went up also. We are not given His specific itinerary. We do know that the first night of the festival was the setting of a ceremony called “The Illumination of the Temple.” Four great candelabra were prepared, and at dark were lighted.
It was not exactly a Thursday night bonfire before the big game. It was not akin to the lighting of the Christmas lights in Natchitoches. It certainly would not have measured up to the fires set on the Mississippi levee on Christmas Eve down in the Gramercy, Lutcher area of St. James Parish. But it was impressive. Ask the person who has spent time with bandaged eyes what the first glimmer of light was like.
The celebration went on all night. The wisest and holiest of Israel’s men danced before the Lord and sang psalms of joy and praise. Every courtyard in the city became a reflection of that light from the temple.
Perhaps it is now the next day. Jesus has seen this glow from the Mount of Olives (8:1). To the gathering of people who have now come to hear Him He says, “I am the light of the world.”
I. The Light of the World Attests to a Theology of Opportunity. V12 “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jesus is accorded a place never given to any other. He is the unique “Son of God.” John dealt with this very thing earlier. 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son . . . .” “Only begotten” says the King James. “Only one of his kind” says the Greek. Some versions use “unique.”
He is not trying to take from these struggling people the joy of the festival. He points them to a more luminous light. There will be no such ceremony in the temple the next night, or the next. He is simply affirming for them a light that can never burn out. The talon is not expended. The oil is not depleted. The wick is not carbonized.
He gives them the opportunity to bask in the glow of One who has come from God. 19th Century history tells us of Prince Frederick of Prussia. He was a good and capable man in line for the throne. His German doctors found a growth, advised its removal. He would lose his voice. Other doctors advised to the contrary. Frederick did nothing. Within a year he was dead. Kaiser Wilhelm ascended to the throne, far less capable, or intelligent, or experienced. Could WWI have been avoided had Frederick heard?
In the verses that follow, Jesus plainly declares the need of His hearers to heed. Jesus was making His presence felt. “I go my way, . . . ye seek me, and . . . ye die in your sins.” V21. All the time they are looking for a deliverer, a Messiah.
How many people around us are looking for a deliverer, of their own expectations? Jesus was there as the breaking dawn. They were content with such light as may come under the door.
II. The Light of the World Accords a Theology of Oneness. V18 “I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.”
So much that we know of God we learned of Jesus. He is Himself expressly called God. John 1:1 “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” The works of God are ascribed to Him. John 1:3 “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” Colossians 1:16 “All things were created by Him, and for Him.”
Jesus receives honors due to God only. Acts 7:59 (Stephen dying) “Lord Jesus, receive my soul.” Philippians 2:10 “That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, and of things in heaven and . . . in earth, and . . . under the earth.”
Jesus claimed equality with God. John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” In this passage He says so, 8:19, “If ye had known me, ye had known my Father also.”
Jesus has come, not just to Jerusalem’s darkness, but Bernice [Louisiana]’s as well. 8:31f “If ye continue in my word, then ye are my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” These are not the words of a misguided zealot, or an over-ambitious prophet. These are the words of God.
Scripture recognizes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are not perceived separately. This is not tritheism (three Gods). We perceive them distinctly in their roles, but their work is never contradictory. Even after 2,000 years of the attestations of deity, countless people deny. On the wall of a Palatine Palace in Rome: a human figure is fixed on a cross, with the head of an ass. A man kneels in worship. “Alexamenos adore his God.” Mocks believers in Christ.
III. The Light of the World Affirms a Theology of Obligation. V24 “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Many confirm for us who He is. William Gladstone: “All I write, and all I think, and all I hope, is based upon the divinity of our Lord, the one . . . hope of our poor wayward race.”
Vance Havner: “The world by its wisdom believes that the natural man can be cultivated and refined until he can pass inspection at the judgment bar of God. But the gospel entertains no such hope for the fallen sons of Adam.” S103 p73.
This obligation is directed to all alike. To the first century Jew who nailed Him to a cross. To the 20th Century church member to whom faith is a table game. International chess match may last for weeks. We have so many interests, and our response to Christ is a small part of one of them.
Ballad [by Pete Seeger]:
Where have all the people gone?
Gone to graveyards every one!
When will they ever learn?
When will WE ever learn?
Conclusion
Robert Browning writes of an occasion when Charles Lamb (18th Century English essayist) was hosting a gathering of his contemporaries. They began to discuss their reactions if some of the notable people of history should suddenly join them. Browning writes that Charles Lamb became suddenly quite serious. He asked, “And if Christ entered the room?” He was said to have stuttered he was so moved at the thought, and then continued, “You see, if Shakespeare entered, we should all rise; if He (Jesus Christ) appeared, we must kneel.”
Doubtless, the world will never know the height of Jesus’ power, including the so-called Christian nations, until we are ready to pay Him homage.
LIFE GIVING BREAD
#488 LIFE GIVING BREAD
Scripture John 6:30-59, NIV Orig. 6/7/1970
Rewr. 8/20/1990
Passage: 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[a]” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’[b] Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Purpose: Returning to series preaching from the gospel, here defining Christ as the One who is Himself the Bread of God.
Keywords: Nature of Christ Sacrifice
Timeline/Series: Bible Study of John’s Gospel Bible Study of the Parables
Introduction
This chapter dares the reader to attempt to pass through these pages without being drawn into the discussion of Christ as the “bread of God.” Chapter six can, in fact, be divided seven ways, each funneling the reader into that deeper realization of Christ as BREAD. It opens (vs 1-7) as Jesus questions the disciples about feeding the multitude that has come to hear Him. The second segment shows Andrew acknowledging (vs 8-11) a lad who still has his lunch. Next, in sequel form, (vs 12-14), the disciples are admonished to see value in fragments also. The interval between this day and the next finds Jesus coming to the disciples during the storm at sea.
Immediately the next day begins, the crowds have returned for second helpings. What Jesus fed them satisfied their daily hunger, and they were back for more (v22-29).
The sixth segment contained in this chapter is our text this morning. Jesus presents Himself as the “life giving bread” (v33). The concluding portion of the chapter (vs 60-71) reminds us of Peter’s faith in this feeding (v68), and of Judas Iscariot, who like so many then and now, were content to get by on the table scraps that they had set for themselves.
The two essentials for nourishment are food and drink. In 4:7f Jesus offers a thirsting woman water that would quench her thirst. Now, to these who hunger, food is offered. The water was from a supernatural source. So, also, the bread. If all they want is a full belly, a full belly is all they will get. It will hardly last the day.
I. First Noted is the Striving of the Bread. V33 “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” V38 “For I came down from heaven, to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.”
Do we really, truly understand that Jesus is of more than fleshly stripe? Five times in this passage Jesus refers to His incarnation. No doubt His birth was a human birth. But it was so much more. We put great stock in important people. Go overboard getting program personalities who are important: Terry Bradshaw; Tom Lester (who played Eb on Green Acres) was invited to Camp Harris.
This incarnation establishes divinity John 1:14 “The word was made flesh, . . . and we beheld his glory.” Do you behold Him as God? I Timothy 3:16 “Great was the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” The Greek doesn’t say “God.” The text accords to Jesus the character of God.
Do we honor Him as is His due? I John 4:2f “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. . . every spirit that confesseth not . . . this is that spirit of anti-Christ.”
Jesus comes in the flesh to do the will of God. His doing establishes that it can be done. It testifies as well that we haven’t done it, and are ourselves at risk. The glory is that faith in Christ affords us with His substitutionary atonement. Hebrews 2:9 “We see Jesus . . . crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
1500 years ago missionaries from far to the south came to the land we call England. Celts had never heard. Some saw this as an insult to their gods. In the Grange Hall they argued far into the night. A small bird blundered in toward the light of their oil lamp. A chief: “Like that small bird we blunder toward what light we see. But will this new religion help us as we go out into the darkness where none of us have been?”
II. Second Noted, There is the Striving with the Bread. V41 “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.” V52 “The Jews strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
It was striving against messianic claims. The Jews introduce a word of manna. The feeding of the multitude prompts. Jesus informs them (v31) that the bread was from God, not from Moses. The Messiah likewise will be from God to nourish people. V33 “The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” Nehemiah (9:15) refers to manna as “bread from heaven.”
The messianic tradition was that when Messiah came He would feed them manna. At destruction of temple, pot of manna secreted away by Jeremiah. Messiah will return it to the people. Revelation 2:17 Pergamos: “To him that overcometh, I will give to eat of the hidden manna.” For Jesus to say that He was the bread from heaven was to say He was the Messiah.
They were striving also against His presumed claims to divinity. It is so easy for a person reared in the indigenous atmosphere of church. It is not hard for people of the same culture to easily grasp faith. But for the Jew, everything they believed is being threatened. Jesus informs them that it is not Moses who offers manna, but God; and now they are offered bread.
Someone (Lockyear, p. 319) makes the point that Jesus offers life three essentials. They are defined as breath, water, food. In John, chapter 3, Jesus spoke of breath, wind of Spirit without which man cannot have eternal life. In chapter 4, Jesus offers a woman living water by which she can live forever. In chapter 6, Jesus offers Himself as the food available and essential for life here and hereafter.
We should not overlook also that in His birth it was Bethlehem, house of bread.
III. Finally, There is a Striving for the Bread. V40 “This is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Has it occurred that the only physical commodity sought in Lord’s Prayer is bread? It acknowledges the majesty of God. It confesses man’s weakness and sin. It pleads escape from our confused inner selves. Of physical needs, it pleads only bread.
Our greater need is for the One who is our daily spiritual replenishment. To what degree are you striving for Him? V50 “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die.” How readily do you accord Jesus the place of priority in your life?
I have told the story of the little boy in the home of people of means, who stuck his hand in the mouth of a Ming bowl. It would not release. Broken. Inside the clinched fist of the boy was a penny.
How many of us are intrigued with the gospel story, but our spiritual fists are clinched around some worldly device that we refuse to yield?
Your striving, my striving, must be for the bread.
V34 “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” Hear Dorothy Sayers in her book, Creed or Chaos: “The reason why the chuches are discredited today is not because they are too bigoted about theology. At the risk of appearing quite insolently obvious I shall say that if the church is to make any impression on the modern mind she will have to preach Christ and the Cross. Of late, she has not succeeded well in preaching Christ. She has preached Jesus, which is not at all the same thing.”
Conclusion
Do you have a place at the table where this bread is served? Have you called home to say, “I’ll be there, too! Set a place for me!”? V51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any . . . eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh.”
TURNING ON TO JESUS
#505 TURNING ON TO JESUS
Scripture John 7:32-53 Orig. 10/30/1990
Passage: 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[a] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” 46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
53 Then they all went home. . .
Purpose: Continuing the series from John’s gospel, here discovering measures of individuals who are turning on to Jesus.
Keywords: Christ the Lord Revival
Timeline/Series: Bible Study John
Introduction
At a former church, an older couple found it necessary to move closer to their children. The had lived in the community all their married lives, and regretted the changes that would be necessary.
We talked about it, prayed about it, but still they were reluctant to leave the church that they had been a part of for forty years. Because the new town was only an hour away, I continued to visit them. A regular topic of every visit was, “Have y’all found a church yet?” Actually, they were living only a block away from the one where one of their children was actively involved. They would always tell me that they were attending some at Fair Park, but had not decided what to do about joining.
After almost two years they united with the new church. Sometime later I saw Mr. Cheeks again. He explained to me what had happened. They were in a special program, VBS or something like that. A goat was being used in some kind of performance that was included.
When the program was over, an invitation was given. My friend said, “I reached over and took Lucille by the hand and said, ‘Come on, if these people will take a goat in, they’ll take us!’”
I was at Lucille’s funeral last Sunday afternoon. The men of their Sunday School department filled three pews serving as honorary pallbearers.
There are people in our text being turned on about Jesus, but, unfortunately, not all of them are being turned on to Jesus.
I. The First Expression Has to do with Expectations. V40 “Many of the people therefore, when they hear this saying, said, ‘Of a truth this is the prophet.’”
Expectations were running high in regard to the Messiah. People are in Jerusalem for festival. Time of joyful celebration. Time of spiritual definition. They have heard Jesus give expression to spiritual thirst. “If any man thirst, let him come.”
There was a great polarity of views about who He was. Religious leaders had rejected His claim. But the miracles from Galilee have followed Him to Jerusalem.
They all knew that a great prophet would come. Luke 7:16 “They glorified God, saying . . . that a great prophet was risen up.” Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me.”
But do you notice that they each one control their own expectations? Some are completely convinced from scripture, from what they hear abroad in the land. Others use the same sources to confuse. How sad when people use scripture to plot their own demise. They know just enough to be ignorant. Josh Billings: “The trouble with most folks isn’t so much about their ignorance, as knowing so many things that ain’t so.”
How many scriptures do you really know? Enough so as not to be confused? What are you doing about it?
This is not the first time Jesus has had scripture quoted to Him. They presumed Jesus to be Galilean. People presume on His manhood. They presume lack of deity. Assume that He is like the rest. They saw Him as ill-born, beneath them. How do we see people today? Does the limitation of birth mean to assign them a role of caste? Illustration: Willis Reed/Karl Malone [born near the place where this sermon was delivered].
II. Then We Encounter a Kind of Experimentation. V45 “. . . they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, never man spake like this man.”
Again, there are people prepared to go both ways in regard to Jesus, just as there are in our town, and in this room. Some have committed all, some not at all. Others walk a thin line between commitment and denial.
The officers had been sent by their leaders to bring Jesus in. By the way, did you see the story of the town clerk who lost her job: “Do you want to talk to the man in charge, or the woman who knows what’s going on?”
We have already seen that the people were divided v43. Two different words suggest division: a) diamerismos Luke 12:51 (opposition), “I am come to give . . . division”; b) dichostasia Romans 16:17 (to stir up) “mark them causing division . . . avoid them.” This word is schisma: It is division set to ill will. Schisma is the source of the word schizophrenia.
The religious leaders are the ones taking the lead to disenfranchise. One of the things wrong is a spinoff of religious leaders showing liberality. The people God continues to bless are those who stand by His word.
Do we take the time to encourage our leaders/teachers?
The glorious thing happening here is in the lives of these officers. Law officers have a tough time measuring conversions. They see us all, not in our Sunday best, but with our guards down. So, they are a tough lot to convince.
You notice they are charged with faith. Anyone who encounters Jesus on equal terms will be impressed. But these men “believed”—pistueo. And, hear me, “believing” they saw Jesus as a man, not to still His voice, but to set free in the world..
That’s our business, to set the voice of Jesus free in the world. How???
III. The Text Takes Us Finally by the Way of Exultation. V50 “Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them.) Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”
All around Jerusalem were people making choices. Some of them making them on logic. Some emotion. Others reasonableness, need. Some simply because Jesus touches the chords of their hearts. None of them yet knowing the death ahead. He will be in Jerusalem in a year. John 10:22. There will still be division. John 9:16, John 10:19. Same word: but they are also saying “He’s mad, has a devil.”
He will be telling them plainly of His death. John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, John 10:18, “No man taketh it (my life) from me, but I lay it down of myself.”
Only John mentions Nicodemus, but he is mentioned three times. He came to Christ (3:2)—he was an elitist but he came, and so must you. He lifts up his voice for Jesus (7:51). Can you, or I, do less? He will pay tribute to Christ (John 19:39). For us, will it be tribute, or triviality?
“Would to God,” Nicodemus thought, “I had taken a stand for him while he lived.” We cannot give deserving bouquets in the grave. Let your spouse, child, parent, friend know your feeling, especially who have helped you to Jesus. Be honest about your faith.
Conclusion
Mary Tyler Moore did a show years ago that centered around the death of a clown named Chuckles. He showed up at the circus dressed as a giant peanut and was trampled by the elephant who tried to eat him. The show went back and forth across a line of people who thought it very funny, and others who saw it as tragic. Could there be room for us to examine ourselves in regards to the death of Jesus? Is it just another every day thing, or, did He really die for my sin?
Lee Atwater (MMS-11/3/90)
THE STORM AT SEA
#822 THE STORM AT SEA
Scripture John 6:15-24 (Mark 6:34-52) NIV Orig. 2/12/1984
Rewr. 3/27/1990
Passage: John 6:15-24: 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on the Water
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
Mark 6:34-52: 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Purpose: Continuing the series from John, here depicting the events that took place following the feeding of the multitude.
Keywords: Bible Study Miracle Christ as Saviour
Timeline/Series: Series on John
Introduction
There is a story of a family with a small child visiting in the home of wealthy, and influential people. With the parents distracted, the child stuck his hand through the opening of a rare Chinese vase and then could not extract it. He began to cry, both out of fear for the stuck hand, and concern that he would be punished. His parents and the friends tried in every way to free the boy’s hand. The harder they tried, the louder were the cries from the lad.. boy’s hand was so hopelessly stuck. He had seen a penny in the bottom of the vase and had it clutched in a tightly balled fist. In his childish ignorance, he did not know that by releasing the penny his hand would have slipped free.
Helmut Thielicke(1) has a sermon on prayer in which he refers to John 6:26 (20C/12/p234). “Ye seek me, ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat the loaves, and were filled.” He added, “He (Jesus) miraculously fed the multitude so that behind the event they might catch sight of the true Bread of Life; . . . But the significance of the event was lost on them. It was not ‘transparent’ to them. And so they overlooked this hand entirely, and only hungered after ‘the five barley loaves and two small fish.’ If they had caught sight of the Giver behind the gift, and the Saviour beyond the bread, then this experience would have really meant something to them, and it would have stayed with them all of their lives. . . . We might wander through waterless desert wastes, but God is with us. He can provide us with oases of fresh water. He can also surround us with his peace even when things are going to get worse—so that the thirst cannot do anything further to us. But this gift, which was extended to you in the hour of God’s miracle, you refused. When your cry for bread was answered, you did not say, ‘Glory to God alone!’ or ‘Praise be to God in the highest,’ but you only rubbed your hands across your well-filled stomach and murmured ‘Food!’ Then you rose up to play and forgot the whole thing.”
Too many of us are like the child mentioned earlier. We clutch selfishly the physical symbols of God’s gifts to us, ignoring the deeper meaning of the symbol behind the gift.
The Storm at Sea will address three things: (1) Christ alone at prayer; (2) The disciples at sea and afraid; (3) The multitude discounting the Saviour behind the symbol.
I. Jesus Alone at Prayer: A Sudden Change. V15 “When Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by force, . . . he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
It is where He and His disciples had been just a few hours earlier. They had discussed the mission: Luke 9:10. They shared tribute for John: Matthew 14:13. Jesus saw a glimmer of His own death.
With the coming of the multitude, Jesus went to them, taught them, fed them. God’s concern is for worldly needs. But His principle concern is that we see Jesus as the “bread of life.” V33 bread of God; V35 bread of life; V51 living bread.
Suddenly, it is as if a different spirit fills the place. Jesus sends the disciples ahead to Capernaum; Matthew and Mark say “constrained”; by force of will He compels them. The multitude is dismissed; “They” v15 see visions of regal splendor, thoughts of Judas Maccabeus. Were the disciples the ring-leaders? Christ had this great power: they were His chief workers. Jesus resorts to the Father. Was He tempted by the crown? Hebrews 4:15: “. . . In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The prayer, the vision of the cross returns. The afternoon reveals His deity. Close of day, His humanity. Nothing would stay Him from His cross.
Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Lord God?” Nought but prayer will bring us to that place of submission and surrender.
II. We Next Encounter the Disciples on the Boat, at Sea, and Afraid. V18 “And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.” We can safely assume somewhat of thoughts. They saw first hand the feeding. They heard and encouraged the talk of insurrection, not resurrection. Lithuania 4/1990.
They are sent on their way for Christ to recover His sense of mission. They were 4-5 miles from Capernaum. A storm swept in suddenly. By three a.m. had gone 25-30 stadia. “Stadia” provides our “stadium”—distance around a contained oval, or about 600 feet. Compute to 5,000 yards—2-1/2 to 3 miles.
They were confused—King or Messiah or what? Mark 6:48 “distressed”—vex, harass, toil. What they did not know was that Jesus knew their distress. Above 6:48. In the midst of this “storm” Christ appears. With four miles, probably a mile of shore. Dark, and wind disorient them. Some say Jesus was on the beach. If you don’t know a Jesus who can walk on water, you don’t know a Jesus who saves. The “stilling” of storm prior—Mark 4/Matthew 8.
They see Christ as an apparition or a ghost. Common belief of spirit visits. Welcoming them to abode of death. “Be of good cheer,” Matthew and Mark show confidence/courage. “Ego eimi”—“I am,” not “It is I.” Courage not in Jesus being thee. Rather in who Jesus was/is. “I am.” Moses: “I am hath sent thee” very similar in Hebrew to YHWH. Abraham: John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I am.”
They welcome Jesus on board on His terms, not their own. Have we?
III. The Multitude Makes a Choice. V24 “When the people . . . saw that Jesus was not there, . . . they took shipping . . . and came to Capernaum seeking for Jesus.”
Remember, this is the same crowd from the day before. They had eaten of loaves and fishes. They had been prepared to enthrone. They would have taken up arms against Romans if He had chosen to accept. A day later they have sought Him out. Many apparently left the scene. Some did not, or returned. They saw disciples leave alone. Knowing Capernaum to be center for His activities, (Matthew 4:13f) came there. Following is in synagogue 6:59.
A distinction must be made about those who heard Jesus. The twelve 6:67 “the twelve.” Many “disciples” 6:66 turned away, “went back as before Christ.” Counting on Christ as teacher, provider; not as Saviour. Don’t confuse yourself about one losing their salvation. Not at issue with these “disciples.” V24 “came . . . seeking.” V26 “seek me . . . because . . . you did eat . . . and were filled.”
There were, also, earnest and sincere seekers. They would heed the message. V40 “This is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life.” Jesus, as the bread of life next.
Conclusion
A Texan named Kenneth Reedy went to Bahrain in early 1970 to take advantage of the oil boom. With the help of a local contractor he built an ice cream factory. A few years later, it went bankrupt. The contractor sued, and won. Reedy was forced to give up his passport until the $60,000 was paid. Without a passport, he can only find maintenance jobs. Nothing can help him until someone pays his debt, or the litigant withdraws the lien. It is human sin without Christ.
(1) Thielicke, H. (1960). Our Heavenly Father: Sermons on the Lord's Prayer. Harper & Row.
THE BOY WHO WOULD
#817 THE BOY WHO WOULD
Scripture John 6:1-14 NIV Orig. 1/18/1984
Rewr. 3/23/1990
Passage: Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Purpose: Continuing our study from John, here examining Jesus’ attention to a scrap of a boy with a scrap of bread, and the meeting of needs.
Keywords: Biographical Miracle of Christ Sacrament Series of John Bible Study John
Timeline/Series: New Testament Character
Introduction
There are two miracles here. We are going to talk at some length about the miracle of Jesus feeding a company in excess of 10,000 people. It is said to be a “large crowd,” and reference is made to “5,000 men.” I hope that we will not become so caught up in the scope of feeding such a crowd that we overlook the message contained within.
The second miracle is that “a lad,” a boy, perhaps eleven to fourteen still possesses his lunch, even though he has been with this crowd for both hours and miles. This is a happening, without concession stands. Through it all, for reasons we cannot imagine, the boy has held on to his lunch.
A good friend who was a scout leader told me of a trip his troop took. They were going whitewater canoeing, and were to be gone three days. They stopped after about two hours on the road for a brief break. Back in the van, fifteen minutes later, he found out that one of his boys had spent every penny he had on the first break.
The boy’s mother had prepared what she could. Evidently, they were poor. The bread identified here was barley, the bitter bread of poor people. Something to accompany the bread was necessary, thus the fish. She prepared him, not only with what fare she could, but forewarned him to eat it sparingly. Evidently, it was she who encouraged him to share.
Not every lad has this good fortune. Ann asked her children, for a science experiment, to bring a can from home. One boy, of age ten or so, replied, “We ain’t got no cans but beer cans.”
I. We Must Look Back at Where They have Been. John 6:1 “After these things, Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee.
Any good Harmony will attest to John’s death just prior to this. Matthew, Mark, Luke all affirm. Matthew 14:13 “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart.” Also, the disciples have just returned from their preaching mission. Luke 9:10 “. . . when they were returned, . . . he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place.”
John’s death was a foregleam of His. The word “desert,” means nothing more than desolate, it was a place apart. John was dead, they needed to assess his death. The disciples had followed Jesus’ guide in preaching. They needed to discuss what had happened.
One other important factor arises. Luke 9:9 “And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this ? . . . And he desired to see him.” The curious followed Jesus daily. Their interest was material not spiritual. He wasn’t looking for a sponsor, certainly not someone like Herod.
There is another factor It is Passover. John 6:4 “And, the Passover . . . was nigh.” Jewish men were required by the Law to be in Jerusalem. (Hezekiah, II Chronicles 30.) Jesus would not be there. His objection was not the feast, but the manner of men in observing.
It was Passover when they found the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple (John 2:13). Luke 2:46f “about my Father’s business.” They occupied themselves searching out leaven, with corrupt hearts. Passover is about the hoped-for Messiah, already rejected. Of what does our spirit convict us in relation to Jesus? Why are we here?
II. Also, We Need to See Where They are Going. “. . . Over the Sea of Galilee . . . to a desolate place belonging to the city called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). . . up into a mountain.” V3
So, let’s learn a little bit about Bethsaida. A suburb of Capernaum (fishing hub). Just across the narrow north end of lake. Two Bethsaidas, one across the lake. The other at the ford crossing the river lowing into the lake. There is a mountain above. A grassy plain near. The crowd would have had to travel about nine miles.
This has been a busy time for Jesus. John 4:54 Cana, Capernaum, “second miracle.” John 5:1 “Went up to Jerusalem”—paralytic. John 6:1 here as stated. John 7:1 “After this, Jesus walked in Galilee; he would not walk in Jewry, because. . . .”
Jesus moves with the disciples to a place where they can be to themselves. Suddenly, there is a great crowd. John 6:5 “great company come unto him.” They watched as He left. Mark 6:33 “people saw them departing, . . . and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them.”
Jesus needed this time alone, but His compassion was so great, He turns all His energy to the needs of these people.
III. Two Men are Important to this Story. V5 “He saith unto Philip.” V8 “Andrew, . . . saith unto him.” Philip, first of all is from Bethsaida, as were Andrew and Peter. John 1:44. He is asked about a commissary where food may be purchased. His doubt springs not of unavailability, but because they have no funds for such. Rub out pennyworth: put denarius. A day’s wage: thus 6-1/2 months. Philip’s response was not “must we” or “dare we” or “should we,” but “can we.” And he concluded that they could not.
In faith assessments, how do we think? What should we do? What can we do, which regrettably turns to what we cannot do.
What God expects of His people He always makes possible for His people.
At this point, Andrew enters. He, too, knows the area, but it isn’t bakery shops that are brought to mind. What is there on this hillside that will satisfy this need? One feeds his doubt, the other doubts his faith. “There is a lad here, which hath. . . .”
IV. Finally, We See the Boy Who Would. There are those who doubt the story. Jesus could not do such. Others say he could but would not. Matthew 4:3f “command these stones.”
Others suggest Jesus used the boy as a kind of leaven. Others were shamed to share theirs. Andrew didn’t see it that way. V9. Some translators see it as a sacramental meal.
So, here is the boy who would.
The boy who would hear Jesus. Teenagers, how interested are you? Adults, what are they learning of you about Jesus?
The boy who would follow Jesus. He stayed with this crowd all day. He is here on his own. He is more concerned for truth than he is in strutting around.
The boy who would invest in Jesus. What little he has, he gives. He has an open heart toward God.
There is a final direct message for us. Christ is the bread of life for a perishing world. John 6:35. That the message is to be delivered to an impoverished world by those who have to give.
The disciples were left with a remnant to be renewed. A parable, as it were, to share. A reminder of mission, miracle. On the ship, in the dark, the basket could have worked its own miracle. Hebrew Pe'ah—“corner," the portion of the crop that must be left standing for the poor—remnant in trust for the servant. Twelve baskets v. twelve disciples.
“I SEEK NOT MY WILL”
#199 “I SEEK NOT MY WILL”
Scripture John 5:17-30 NIV Orig. 6/10/1962
Rewr. 3/1/1990
Passage: 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”
Purpose: Continuing a study from the gospel, here revealing the intent of Jesus to do God’s will even though it will result in His death
Keywords: Bible Study of John’s Gospel Divinity of Christ Resurrection Sovereignty
Timeline/Series: Bible Study of John’s Gospel
Introduction
Last Sunday we followed Jesus back into Jerusalem, and near the sheep gate, at a place called Bethesda. We looked on as He healed a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years. When the Jewish religious leaders found out that this had been done on the Sabbath they were incensed. It was a violation of the law, and as says verse 16: “Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him.”
Most of us are smart enough to know that when someone is out to get you, the thing to do is to lie low, to be obscure. Apparently, Jesus didn’t know the meaning of lying low, didn’t know how to be obscure. “My Father worketh hitherto,” He said, “and I work.”
And with that terse statement they hated Him the more. They hated Him so much that they started keeping a book on Him. They would record everything He did that was outside the law. They would be especially sensitive to charges, legitimate or otherwise, that they could bring against Him that would result in His death. They were not interested in redeeming Him as a Jew. They were interested in destroying Him as an enemy.
John records then, the first discourse of Jesus to the Jews. He has talked at length to Nicodemus, and to the woman at the well. He has talked with disciples (2:22) and others. There were brief encounters with Jews (2:18f), and with individuals. Here, Jesus gives notice to the Jews for what He has come. And they do not like it.
I. Jesus First Identifies Himself with God. V17 “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” This is one of five parallels established. The same word for work is used. The Father and I are both doing the same perfect work. There is a oneness in ACTIVITY.
Next Jesus correlates what is done. “Whatsoever things the Father doeth, also the Son.” You can imagine their uneasiness. There is a oneness not only in ACTIVITY, but also in WILL. It is one thing to claim to be righteous but to be one in WILL with God.
Thirdly, Jesus takes sovereignty upon Himself. V21 “As the Father raiseth up and quickeneth, even so the Son.” He has already alluded to the work at Bethesda. In response to their disdain for healing on the Sabbath, Jesus responds saying, “My work is God’s work.” Now Jesus talks about ‘raising’ the dead. SOVEREIGNTY. So, a man paralyzed 38 years is walking. You will see much more. He will return to this subject momentarily.
Next, Jesus interrelates honor of God and Son. Someone suggests that Jesus came to Jerusalem to leave His calling card. It was Passover. God redeems. Redemption had its inception in the covenant, but the law stifled it. A friend years ago: “Me: missed nothing; my church: missed something; Christ: you’ve missed everything.” The major negative quotient in our lives is failure to honor God, Son. Letter in New Orleans inviting participation in highway dedication. “Don’t pray in Jesus’ name.” Don’t blame them. Blame Christians who compromise.
Finally, the same life-force the Father has in Himself, so also has the Son. V26 “As the Father hath life in himself, so has he given to the Son to have life in him.” In Him is the fulness of divinity. Also, there is undiminished humanity.
II. Next, Jesus Establishes the Dominance of the Role that is His. V26 “The Father hath . . . given to the son . . . authority to execute judgment.” Back in the old days, a gospel was preached that required sublimation in Christ. Funerals didn’t beat around the bush. You were a Christian or you weren’t. You gave evidence of your faith by the way you lived, worshipped.
People depend on something other than faith. The sobriquet “I don’t drink and I don’t chew and I don’t go with girls who do” never has been a valid distinction. How much graver the danger today: “I’m a church member!” “Deacon!” “I go to Sunday School!” “Teach!” “I don’t drink!” “I don’t use drugs!” “l live by the Bible!” “I follow the Golden Rule!”
If Christ is not Lord of your life, and a part of every decision, you don’t! These people got riled with Jesus because He told them their ragged righteousness would not save them.
We don’t have time to get into the resurrection this morning, but Jesus defines two momentous events. One has already come, and they are accountable for it. V25, “The hour is coming, and now is.” V24, 25 both use the Greek word for “hear”—to hear obediently. V24 establishes the condition, not only of eternal life, but deliverance from Hell as well. In life, we determine our own destiny in the way we choose to live. But v25 eliminates the condition The spiritually dead shall hear the call to live, and in response, live.
Which brings us to the second event. V28 “For the hour is coming, (note) in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.” V25 addressed spiritually dead. V28 speaks of physically dead. V25 is conditional, optional even. V28 holds no condition, option.
Whether you have heard it believingly in life or not, you will hear it in death. Jesus is the essence of your choice. You, I, cannot honor the Father and dishonor the Son. Believing in deity doesn’t save you, believing in Jesus does. You don’t believe that, you throw the Bible in the garbage. Deny that, you say Jesus is a liar, a charlatan.
This did not start out as a message of the resurrection, but the word is there. Most of us have been touched by death. Some of us have recently been to the grave. My second Winter, six in 12 days. Proclaimed message was different. Some gave evidence when v25 in “spiritual death, heard, and responded.” Some gave no evidence. Others, only God knows. All, will hear, v28 and they will do as they are commanded.
There are members of First Baptist Church, if I had to preach their funeral tomorrow, I would have to guess if asked their spiritual condition.
The human bones, apparently of a 17-year-old girl, were found in Union Parish earlier this week. A search went on for days for proof. When the dead are called from their graves that girl will come forth fully formed. No question about identity. If a believer she will answer the summons unto “the resurrection of life.” If not, just as certainly, “unto the resurrection of damnation.” It matters not that she was brutally murdered by a person more beast than man. Unimportant detail that she had so little time to prepare. The Christ who came seeking “not His own will, but the Father’s” holds absolutely and eternally her condition, yours, mine.
HE MUST AND I MUST ALSO
#860b HE MUST AND I MUST ALSO
Scripture John 3:22-36 NIV Orig. 8/27/1961
Rewr. 11/30/1989
Passage: 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Purpose: In a series from John’s Gospel, sharing this passage related to the early ministry of Jesus as to our dependence upon Him
Keywords: Bible Study Christ as Lord John Series
Timeline/Series: Sequential
Introduction
One of the distressing realities of our time relates to public figures who are indicted following some scandal. We read, and hear about it with great dismay in the lives of prominent religious leaders. It is made to be a public spectacle when these, and well-known political figures compromise certain standards, and are accused, tried, and convicted.
We struggled last week with the sentence directed against James Bakker. On the same day, an actress was convicted of hitting a policeman. A few days before, one of America’s wealthiest women was indicted for tax evasion.
It is not new. We well remember the Nixon years and the Watergate scandal. One of the men who figured prominently in that was the man who was counsel to President Nixon, a lawyer by the name of Charles Colson. Colson was found guilty and sentenced to several years’ incarceration.
During his time in prison something different happened. He acknowledged his own involvement and guilt, realized that the wrong was in himself, and sought to change his life. And the help he sought was spiritual. Mr. Colson became a believer in Jesus Christ. He later wrote his autobiography with the title, Born Again(1).
Many people were skeptical. “Oh, no, not again,” was a commonly heard refrain. It has been ten years or more, and Charles Colson is out of prison, still holding his new birth experience, and is involved in ministry to men and women who are in, or recently released from, prison.
I. The First Theme that We Encounter is Summary. V22 “After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon.”
Here is a bridge between two important texts. Some called John 3:16 the most important verse in the Bible. W.O. Vaught tells about a prior Little Rock Crusade back in the fifties. He was sent with a committee from the ministerial association to Fort Worth to check out Mr. Graham. And, he said, though they brought back a glowing report of Graham’s message and manner, twenty-three of his ministerial colleagues signed a petition saying in effect, “this is not the kind of man we need in Little Rock.” John the Baptist had his critics also, but they will get very little of our attention this morning.
Others refer to chapter 4 as the single most significant chapter in the Bible. 1966 JL Sullivan—John’s Witness to Jesus(2). 1989 HH Hobbs—The Gospel of John: Invitation to Life(3). So much more than just a bridge.
The summary is that of perspective. John 3:1-21 has provided perspective of the new birth. John Newton: “I am not what I ought to be, but thank God, I’m not what I used to be.” Separation from the past, commitment to life of discipleship.
John 3:22-36 insists that we take note of the increasing centrality of Christ to the believer. Pilgrimage might begin with loyalty to none. Shifted with loyalty to none but Jesus. Being a follower calls forth two requirements: a statutory commitment, and a circumstance of growth.
It is summary also of personality. Facts about Jesus and John otherwise unknown. Of Jesus early ministry: Matthew 19:1, Mark 10:1—come to Judea, Luke 4:44 Judea (KJV reads Galilee).
Jesus public ministry before John imprisoned. Mark 1:14 “After John was delivered up, came Jesus into Galilee.”
Jesus’ affirmation of baptism. Synoptics never mention Jesus baptizing. John 4:2f clarifies this about administering.
That John continues an independent ministry after Jesus’ baptism at a place called Aenon near Salim. “There was much water there.” Summary statement on baptism. Are you distressed about baptisms? Some say that John chooses a less promising site to open the way for Christ.
Finally, there is seen an abrupt change from this revival . . . for Jesus. Luke 3:3 and Matthew 4:17 depict the common mode of their message. “Baptism of repentance.” “Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” After John is imprisoned, Jesus goes into Galilee (Mark 1:14) with same style and message. But change is in the wind. Perhaps this explains John’s uncertainty. See Matthew 11:1,2.
II. Next, There is the Theme of Subordination. V25 “Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples . . . . Rabbi, [Jesus] baptizeth, and all men come to him.”
In regard to the ceremonial washing, it was major concern to Jews, and a way to make money. In Cairo ten years ago coverlets; in Jerusalem no admission to the Dome of the Rock. Regeneration dealt with inside, therefore they wouldn’t pay the tax. Discussion turned to Jesus and His prominence over John.
Matthew 14:1f: “Herod had arrested John . . . because of his brother Phillip’s wife.” From this diatribe on religious ceremony, John shows us what Christian grace ought to be. His followers are uneasy because Jesus has come to a more favored posture. They have no idea what is ahead. The concept of cross is unknown.
He reaffirms the centrality of Jesus. “I am not he! You know who is!” John 4:26f same without the negative. He sees himself as “friend,” philos. His role in the wedding is to protect interest of bridegroom. He guards the chamber where the bride awaits. John will not usurp Christ’s place.
To what degree do you subordinate yourself to Jesus? I was envious of a friend when 200 of his people were present at S.C. I had 20 who had chosen to come to the M.C. to hear warmed over Th. Ms. (Meaning unknown.) Don’t do it for Brother Lamar’s sake. There is a reason for doing it, and
Remainder of paragraph lost.
Someone tells about the passenger who went trackside, found his train, and went aboard. He found the car empty, chose his seat, got comfortable. After a few minutes a grease-stained trainman came through. “You’ll have to go up to the forward car.” “Why? What’s wrong with this one?” “Well, nothing’s wrong with it. It’s just not hooked up to anything that’s going anywhere.”
III. Finally, There is the Theme of Superiority. V31 “He that cometh from above is above all . . . V35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life . . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.”
Here is the eternal two-fold choice. It is not that they are “saved” or they are “lost.” The choices are: they are saved or lost, or there is nothing. Then, you can conclude that since there must be something, we are either saved or lost. Or, are you too sophisticated (worldly) to believe that.
The choice epitomized here is of life or death. Deuteronomy 30:15 “See I have set before thee this day, life and good, and death and evil.” Joshua 24:15 “Choose ye this day whom you will serve.”
John reminds us that the same choices are still much in vogue today. Herschel Ford wrote: [The sinful man}
Shuts the door on his highest possibilities.
Puts himself in the way of others.
Puts himself on the devil’s side.
Insults God.
Crucifies the Son of God afresh.
Rejects testimony of greatest men.
Seals his doom in hell forever.
Conclusion
We must not, in our haste to get from the greatest verse to the greatest chapter, overlook what may be the greatest concept: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” He must and I must also! Self-subordination is vital to our faith.
A line on the drug awareness program (C12 11/30/89) said it well. “It’s painful to take inventory of the things you’ve done wrong. It’s painful to change.”
(1) Colson, C. (1976). Born Again. Chosen Books.
(2) Sulllivan, J. (1965). John’s Witness to Jesus. Convention Press.
(3) Hobbs, H. (1988). The Gospel of John: Invitation to Life. Convention Press.
THE WITNESS AND HIS FAITH AND CONVICTIONS
#624 THE WITNESS AND HIS FAITH AND CONVICTIONS
Scripture John 1:12 2/11/1976
Passage: “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.”
I. Why We Have Come to Believe as We Do.
Because of our enduring need. (1) Someone said, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God”—we believe ourselves to be. (2) What the whole world is looking for we have found: “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (3) We came to despair in the atonement of human worth; Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Because of the working out of the great promises from God. (1) That God can accomplish great victories through us. Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” 2 Timothy 1:12 “I . . .am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him.” (2) That Jesus is the only enduring hope for people such as we. Matthew 14—Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus. Hebrews 12:2—"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
II. What We Need to Believe.
- The deity of Christ. (1) Divine authority—“As the Father hath sent Me, so send I you,” John 20:21. (2) Virgin birth, “And the virgin’s name was Mary,” Luke 1:27. (3) The personification of God, “The express image of His person,” Hebrews 1:3.
- Salvation through the blood of Christ. We will not be disappointed if God saves some other way. (1) Old Testament prophecies: “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him,” Isaiah 53:5. (2) New Testament identification: “Who bare our sins in His own body,” I Peter 2:24. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,” Revelations 1:5.
- That such salvation comes only by grace, without works. (1) “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8. (2) “Not by works of righteousness, which we have done,” Titus 3:5.
- Man’s sin nature, and his resultant lostness. (1) Ephesians 2:3, “by nature the children of wrath.” (2) John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil.” (3) Psalm 51:5, “In sin my mother conceived me.”
- Inspiration of the Word.
- Obligation to witness.
- Jesus’ return.
- The Holy Spirit.
FOR THUS LOVED GOD
#117 FOR THUS LOVED GOD
Scripture John 3:16-19 NIV Orig. 11/22/1989
Passage: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Purpose: Continuing a series from John, here declaring the manner of God’s love as revealed through Christ
Keywords: Love of God Bible Study Sin Christ Redeemer Love
Timeline/Series: John
Introduction
It is hard to believe that the Houston astrodome has been in place for a quarter of a century. Twenty-four years ago this month, Billy Graham preached the first evangelistic crusade in that 8th wonder of the world. He stood before a full house to preach the first sermon ever preached in a completely enclosed sports complex. Somewhere around 50,000 people heard him. Governor Connally of Texas was there. Mayor Welch sat on the platform with other dignitaries. Many prominent citizens of Houston and Texas were in that crowd of interested, or curious, people.
Dr. Graham noted the importance of the occasion. He summed it up succinctly when he said in his opening remarks:
“I want to speak tonight as if this were the last sermon I will ever preach. I want you to listen as though this were the last sermon you will ever hear, and well it might be. None of us knows what a day may bring forth.”
Then Mr. Graham told that assembled congregation that he was not there to entertain them. He would not be bringing the latest words of the psychiatrist, or sociologist, or report of governmental officials. And again, I quote, “I am here to open this Bible and tell you what God has to say about our daily life, our daily problems, and all the tremendous decisions we have to make in our complex society.” With that, the evangelist opened his Bible, invited them to open theirs, and follow as he read John 3:16.
The last sermon that I will ever preach, or that you will ever hear? Probably not! But the test demands that we give it our fullest attention.
I. “For Thus God Loves” Teaches Us the Origin of Love. “For God so loved.” The background, you remember, is Jesus in communion with a man named Nicodemus. He was a religious man. He was a righteous man; recall the lesson about the righteous king Josiah in 2 Kings 22. He was an important man.
But he was a disturbed man. The teachings of Jesus had forewarned him of God’s expectations. This interview leaves him in jeopardy of soul. “You must be born again.” V12 “I have spoken of earthly things . . . you have not believed. When I speak of heavenly things you cannot believe.”
More, he was a man to whom Jesus revealed Himself: He who was talking to Nicodemus. He is from God, is in Oneness with God. He will return to this Union from which He has come: Man sends no delegation ferreting out God’s true feelings; God reveals the apex of His love.
The love that is described here is absolute and it is infinite. It is the aorist tense. It was perceived in eternity past. It was rendered in the only way that man in his finiteness could understand. But God stayed with the original plan until it could be fulfilled.
The One before Nicodemus was that plan. “Abraham rejoiced to see my day,” Joshua 8:56. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah spoke of Jesus. In John 12:41: “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory, and spoke about him.” In Daniel 3:25, Nebuchadnezzar said “I see four . . . and the fourth is like unto the Son of God.”
It should not surprise us to see Him suddenly come to light in Jerusalem. It should not startle anyone that His work continues. God’s love is past, it is present, it is future. Love is, because God is. There is no other source. Love in the context of sexual reproduction is not the same as brute passion.
II. “For Thus God Loves” Teaches Us the Opportunity of Love. “For God so loved the world.” The extent of that love is beyond reproach. This text is thought by many to be the most important in the Bible. It is called the “gospel in the gospel.” Graham uses it “as if this were the last sermon” he would preach.
The subject of this text is the love God has for the world. V14 is a reference to the serpent on the pole, a parable of their guilt and their potential to faith. Thus, Christ would be expressive of guilt and faith forever, for all. John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” It can be seen from any point in the camp. With eyes of faith, the cross can be seen from anywhere. No place so filled with evil that God’s love cannot validate. No person so reeking with sin that he cannot gain forgiveness.
Someone explains this verse with terms of greatness. It tells of
- The greatest person—God.
- The greatest feeling—love.
- The greatest mass—world.
- The greatest sacrifice—gave.
- The greatest gift—God’s son.
- The greatest invitation—whosoever.
- The greatest condition—believe.
- The greatest forgiveness—not perish.
- The greatest promise—eternal life.
The extent of this opportunity can only be seen in its measure. “That He gave His only begotten Son.” He is the monogene. In one sense, we are all the children of God. Donald Grey Barnhouse (C25p53) said that Jesus is “the only one of His kind.”
- Unique in His origin
- Unique in His birth (without father)
- Unique in His being (Pilate: “I find no fault in Him”)
- Unique in His teaching (I am truth)
- Unique in His work
- Unique in His death
III. “For Thus God Loves” Teaches Us the Order of Love. “For God so loved the world that He gave.” The essence of religion is stirred up by the reminder that to love is to give.
This is not a stewardship sermon. The last, and least important factor in giving, is of our material goods. II Corinthians 8:1f Macedonians out of “deep poverty abounded not the riches of their liberality . . . but first gave their own selves to the Lord.” And the first example of sacrificial giving is occasioned at the cross.
Though Jesus is Himself the Gift, He perceives the mind of God. Not only does He agree to this, He offers Himself gladly. Ephesians 5:2 “Christ also hath . . . given himself as an offering.”
His agreement is in the order of love.
Phileo—tender affection, see John 5:20.
Agapao—sacrificial love—John 3:35. For the world: here. Aorist—indicates no new thing.
Murphey Terry tells about the Buddhist monks in Laos who requested help in study of scripture. God across Mekong. We know He’s there. We don’t swim. No boat. No bridge. You see Jesus’ willingness is in knowing that He is the bridge.
If we, as Christians, perceive any other thing as of equal importance we have missed the heart of the gospel. It speaks in relation to belief: Belief not limited to time, place; Belief that God is committed to; Belief that must yield personal response.
Conclusion
Dr. Clyde Dodson spoke to the Foreign Mission Board some time ago and told of his arrival in Rhodesia as a missionary. He found a people who had no Bible in their own language. Impressed of the Lord to do so, he spent 38 years translating the scripture. He told the story of those years of agonizing study. Every Hebrew and Greek word was checked again and again. He typed the whole Bible, every word, five times. Dr. Dodson gave a copy of that Bible to Dr. Cauthen, President of the Foreign Mission Board, and then he quoted John 3:16, greatest verse.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”