Friday 20 May 2016
This Message will appear as quite simplistic to many observing on this site. I would be remiss as first, a servant of the LORD Jesus Christ and second as a human being not to share this message if it would deny even one person to be shown the Gospel of our LORD.
So then let us observe our text, Let us begin by asking ourselves a question. How many of the Pharisees approached Jesus and said these words, "Rabbi we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." John 3:2 KJV
Does it not beg the question, that Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews was in some way more aware than most of the other Pharisees, including the chief Priest himself, the King and their Roman overlords. Moreover not only did Nicodemus feel the need to come and talk to Jesus but obviously he felt it important enough that he come at night. One could make the argument that he came at night for fear of reprisal by the other Priests and rulers and by extension considered to be a traitor. Yet he came to Christ because he felt that this Jesus had come from God and by extension felt that he was not complete without him. Christ preached against the Pharisees and the Sadducees all over the New Testament and their would simply be too much in this message to go through all the Verses. The clearest example will be found in Matthew 23
All that to say this. There is no hope of Salvation without realizing you have sinned. No man feels shame when he claims he has done no wrong! by definition you cannot be saved without realizing you are a sinner in need of grace.I shall not waste time proving from scripture that all have sinned. This is plainly stated and if you have read the bible from cover to cover and you have missed that; I would suggest you have either not read the bible or skimmed through it missing the teachings of the book altogether. I will rather prove from Scripture, the need to mourn for your sin.
"And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." Ezekiel 9:4 KJV
This Verse clearly shows that God puts his mark on those that Mourn for the Sins. All through the Bible this is so clear that a small Child could read and understand.
Let us take a look at King David in the 51st Psalm. After his Great sin's of Adultery and Murder he not only acknowledges his Sin of Murder (see verse 14) but clearly he is broken in his sin and is mourning for that. I would encourage you to Read Psalm 51 if you haven't already done so.
Let us take a look at the words of the Prophet Isaiah
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15
These are not isolated examples. Did not Nineveh repent at the preaching of Jonah? yay, but not only repenting from their works which were evil, but the least even to the greatest of them bore sackcloth's on their persons and sat in Ashes and fasted with even the beats and the flocks neither eat nor drink.
Read it! Jonah 3:5-10 and in Verse 8 did they not cry Mightily unto God?
The wailing prophet Jeremiah Mourns over the state of Israel, even so is the book of lamentations exactly that!
Let us look into the New Testament, the words of Christ "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 KJV
Many refer to this for pain and suffering for example of that of a funeral. I believe this also to mean for the Gospels sake, the mourning of sin committed.
Christ further demonstrates the importance of mourning for your sin with the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Let us examine this Scripture further.
"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." Luke 11:17-24 KJV
I believe the real feeling of shame of Sin committed is the very ear mark of repentance. On the day of Pentecost, upon the preaching of the Apostle Peter the Scripture in Acts 2:37 describes the men has being pricked in their heart. That shame comes from God and cannot be faked or it means nothing.
Charles Spurgeon described it thusly. "All true repentance has this for its special mark, that it is attended with evident reconciliation to God since it now regrets the wrongs done to Him. One sure seal of its genuine spirituality is that it is a lamentation on account of the dishonor which sin has done to God and to His Christ."
I can word it no better and know of no man whom could word it better. If you recoil from this, then perhaps this message is not for you. If you feel no shame for Sin committed, then I fear for you.
I believe we have covered all we need to cover on this topic, let us now move forward to the penalty for unregenerate sinner.
There are many today in 2016 that deny hells existence, further proving, as if proof was needed that those given over to the love of lies will remain so and the blind will remain blind. Lets examine some Scriptures relating to this.
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 KJV
Christ could not have made this any more clearer to even the most simple minded with the Rich Man and Lazarus.
"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:22-31 KJV
Returning to our opening Text
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18
"and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-9 KJV
Hell is not temporary, it is everlasting. I could verse many more Scripture on this frightening and disturbing topic, however I feel the point has been made clear.
The answer! Christ Jesus who died for the sins of his elect, see Acts 2:47 Acts 2:39 Matthew 1:21 Matthew 11:25-27 Acts 18:27 Acts 19:9 Acts 13:48 Romans 9:10-26
There are many other scripture pertaining to this of course, but for sake of your reading time, we shall push on.
Let us look at the whole key to the Gospel which in its self is belief. Not just "I believe" but true repentance given unto you by God.
"When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Acts 11:18 KJV
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" 2nd Timothy 2:25 KJV
This is when you believe.
The following Scriptural verses support Belief.
John 3:16 1st John 5:5 1st John 5:13 Galatians 3:22 1st Timothy 4:12 Galatians 2:20 Hebrews 1:3 John 1:12 James 1:6 John 3:26
John 6:35 John 7:38 mark 16:16 John 11:40
The list in this doctrine is almost infinite. This is a very clear irrefutable doctrine.
In closing, I say this, that if you are diligently seeking the Lord, know this is an everlasting Salvation in the Perseverance of the Saints.
see Hebrews 13:5 John 10:28,29 1st peter 1:5 John 6:39 Matthew 16:16-23 John 8:32 John 17:11-23
If you seek the Lord with all your heart, it is not just a time to mourn for your sin, it is a time to rejoice in the LORD.
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:4-8 KJV
A-Men
