Text: John 1:9-13, Title: Take it or Leave it, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/25/11, AM
A. Opening illustration: I had a conversation with Terrence Brown this week (worked for the concrete company that was delivering the concrete that we poured on Tues). He spoke well of the church that his wife is a member at, spoke well of the pastor, and of the church’s ministries. Said he wasn’t a member because he wasn’t willing/able to make the kind of commitment membership means. But he said that he went almost every Sunday with her, but some things he wasn’t ready to let go of. But he said, “one day…” And I told him that Jesus didn’t say that you had to be a church member to get to heaven, but He did say that you must be born again! And he said that he wasn’t born again. He has rejected Christ.
B. Background to passage: After this brilliant 3 verse intro to the person of Jesus, John writes that Jesus was the light of the world that was not overcome or “comprehended” by darkness. He then writes about how people responded in general to this Jesus. This is very much a preview of the rest of the book, where chapters 1-12 show the rejection, and 13-21 show the accepting. There is far more to the doctrine of salvation than these verses, but this gives us a clear understanding from a human standpoint, of what must occur in us.
C. Main thought: a crucial, but basic questions, rejecting and receiving Christ.
A. What does it mean to reject Christ? (v. 9-11)
1. John writes that Jesus is the light that lights every man in the world. He is the only light for men to see by in a sea of darkness. And He has been revealed through creation and general knowledge enough to remove excuses from all men. So after John describes this overcoming, creative, life-giving, light of the world, he says that the world did not know Him. The creation made through Him did not recognize Him. But the word carries a connotation of more than just intellectual rejection, but willful refusal. They chose not to know Him. Next John says that not only did the world not know Him, but His own people, the Jewish nation, did not receive Him. The word means to take along with, welcome, accept, receive, take into close association with. παρα means “near,” and λαμβάνω means “take.”
2. Rom 1:20-21, 25, 28, John 17:3,
3. Illustration: Also in late 1989, Turner told Dallas Morning News that "Christianity is a religion for losers." Christ died on the cross, but Mr. Turner said He shouldn’t have bothered. "I don’t want anybody dying for me. I’ve had a few drinks and a few girlfriends and if that’s gonna put me in hell, then so be it." Got a FB message this week from Belinda, said to pray for a friend that was in a terrible accident, told me about how she had been witnessing to her, and she had not embraced Christ, pray for her to have another chance, but then she died,
4. So we see a difference here between knowing about and knowing. The demons in hell know about Jesus, but they choose not to follow. And we do the same, we choose not to know Him. To reject Him doesn’t mean to say that He didn’t exist, or that He wasn’t God, it means to decide not to have a relationship with Him. To reject Him means that we do not deem Him valuable enough to put the time or energy or commitment into knowing, following, clinging to, and embracing Him. And therefore we do not take what He is and what He offers. Point to remember: we are rejecting or receiving Christ, not simply a system of theological principles, rules, or practices; we are not rejecting/receiving a “get out of hell free” card; we are rejecting or receiving a person, and all that He is and all that He demands. Everyone wants out of hell, but not everyone will know, receive, and take Christ near. Some stumble over certain sins that they like better than Jesus, some over the command to love Him more than family, some over the command to forgive, or the command to be perfect, but most stumble because they just don’t care enough. Most of our rejection is much more like Terrance’s that like Ted Turner. Most of ours is either like the Pharisees who practice a works religion that flies in the face of genuine salvation, or like Terrence who says “one day.” Rejection can be very moral, can be very private, can be very intellectual, or very passive. But know that if you choose, not to choose, you have made your choice: you have rejected the most valuable treasure in the universe as nothing.
B. What does it mean to receive Christ (v. 12-13)
1. To get the flip side of the coin, John tells us that all who receive Him (another form of the same word, without the preposition, slightly different meaning: to grasp, take, acquire, come to believe, cause to experience), He gave them the right, power, authority to become the sons of God. The next phrase that John uses to describe being born again, receiving Christ, is believing in His name. This means that you put your faith and trust completely in the person, character, work of Christ as your only hope for salvation. You stake your eternity on Him. And you do this because you see the truth, and treasure its value. You exercise active faith in a person. You don’t just do what you are told; you long for it, desire it, count it a worthy and necessary and joyful endeavor. You cease trying to do it on your own and come to Him completely dependent upon His goodness and mercy. And the verb tense is present indicating continuing action. Salvation is a once and for all thing, but in it’s expression, belief/faith continues.
2. And we don’t really have time to discuss it, but know as verse 13 tells us, that salvation doesn’t wholly depend on us and our wills. Salvation is of the Lord, and He draws us, convicts us, opens our eyes, grants repentance, regenerates us, justifies us, and will sanctify and glorify us. You cannot be born again because of family ties, not by natural means, not by simple exertion of the will, but only of God.
3. John 2:23-25,
4. Illustration: share a little of my conversion experience, maybe of the Muslim from the other night,
5. You will be given all the rights and privileges of a son of God if you take hold of Him. The benefits are unbelievable. You will gain all the pleasures of the Father’s inheritance. You will reign with Him for eternity. You will bask in His glory as a family member! So we are told to reach out and take hold of Christ. GOSPEL: He came, lived perfectly to attain righteousness for you that you can never earn, and died to pay a penalty for you that you could never pay, and rose for the pronouncement of your forgiveness and righteousness, and offers to you freedom, peace with God, joy, purpose, and satisfaction, if you receive and believe. COROLLARY: you can believe for a while. Receiving Christ is much more than a prayer that you repeat, more than walking down the aisle, more that religious rules and practices, it is falling crazy in love with Jesus!
6. You need to be saved today! If you are saved, it is because at a point in your life, you entrusted everything that you had to Him in exchange for everything He was and did. Not only is genuine conversion followed by continuing faith, but it is also accompanied by transformation.
A. Closing illustration: You are cordially invited to come and enjoy the delicious banquet of my salvation. Serving will begin at My House and will continue for eternity. I’d love for you to come and get to know Me personally–and join my Family.
B. Recap
C. There are some of you who have been coming for a long time, possibly even some that are members, and your faith is in something other than what I have just described, you need to grasp Jesus and all He is today. Remember, not doing anything is rejection. For you know the truth, and you are not obeying it.
Dearest (your name),
You are cordially invited to come and enjoy the delicious banquet of my salvation. Serving will begin at My House and will continue for eternity. I’d love for you to come and get to know Me personally–and join my Family.
This feast is free to you because the cost has already been paid by My precious Son, Jesus. You are receiving this invitation simply because I love you. Please join me...and you may come just as you are.
Sincerely,
God Almighty
RSVP
Engraved with the Blood of Jesus
What is your response? Will you accept His invitation? Or will you make an excuse? For those of you who choose to reject God’s gracious invitation, I have something for you. Here’s an excuse form for you to use. Fill it out and tear it off. Keep it with you all your life, and when you die, leave instructions for the funeral director to place this excuse form in your hand, so when you stand before God, you can offer Him your excuse.
Dear Jesus,
On June 23, 2002, I heard your servant, (insert name), invite me to come to You for forgiveness of my sins and eternal salvation. I’m sorry, I cannot come to You today because (give your excuse)
Not Yours truly,
(place your signature here)
What are you going to write? What excuse do you think God will accept? Instead, why don’t you accept His invitation to receive Jesus as your personal Lord?
