Oversights While Crossing Over

Oversights While Crossing Over

Scripture Reference: John 1:1; Luke 8:22-25

Preached at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on February 12, 2023

Delivered by John Daniel Johnson

Hosanna—The word comes from two roots: yasha and anna. Yasha stands for delivers, and Anna: please. In essence, the word boils down to: please, save us, our deliverer."

Opening:

This morning, are you glad that the LORD loves you and chose you? As that old song goes, “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”

2,000 years ago, He was nailed to a cross outside the city of Jerusalem. There hanging between two criminals, Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf.” There on Calvary, Jesus took my sin and your sin upon Himself. You’re sins were forgiven back on that cross, but to be truly forgiven, all you have to do is ask Him. He has chosen you, forgiven you, and loves you. All He wants is for us to believe on Him.

Illustration—

A few weeks ago, I ran into a classmate from high school. She saw me, and quickly spoke as we passed each other in Walmart. Even though she spoke first, I recognized her first. Back in high school, I had a little crush on her. However, I was way too shy to say anything. I was so shy that whenever I saw her, I would immediately look away. I actually was so shy, I never even spoke to her even though we shared classes together for 3 years. I wasn’t rude, I was just scared of girls.

However, a few weeks ago, she spoke first in that Walmart. We started a casual conversation about our kids and our marriages, and where life has brought us. Then she added, “I’m surprised you even remember me.” Then I confessed it. I told her that back in the day, I used to have a little crush on her. She then stated, “Why didn’t you ever say something. I may have said yes.”

I’m thankful that our God didn’t maybe say “yes.” The moment you believe in Him, He bestows forgiveness and salvation to us. He places us on the righteous path to Heaven and is right now preparing us a home there. Scripture says that God’s promises aren’t maybe, but they are “Yes and Amen.” That means God’s promises are Yes and Let It Be So.

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Luke 8:22-25

Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

The Roadway to Heaven

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,

and cast a wishful eye

to Canaan's fair and happy land,

where my possessions lie.

I am bound for the promised land,

I am bound for the promised land;

oh, who will come and go with me?

I am bound for the promised land.

When I shall reach that happy place,

I'll be forever blest,

for I shall see my Father's face,

and in his bosom rest.

When the Word is Overlooked

1. Storms Will Scare You

2. Your Faith is Faulty

3. You Question the Obvious (Mark 4:38 - "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?")

4. You'll Be Misdirected

Illustration:

“I live in a small, rural community. There are lots of cattle ranches around here, and, every once in a while, a cow wanders off and gets lost . . . Ask a rancher how a cow gets lost, and chances are he will reply, ‘Well, the cow starts nibbling on a tuft of green grass, and when it finishes, it looks ahead to the next tuft of green grass and starts nibbling on that one, and then it nibbles on a tuft of grass right next to a hole in the fence. It then sees another tuft of green grass on the other side of the fence, so it nibbles on that one and then goes on to the next tuft. The next thing you know, the cow has nibbled itself into being lost.’

5. You'll Miss The Voice of God