S021702 Coming out for Jesus John 19:38-40
Beginning:
Let’s begin with an Evergreen Drama ministry presentation about a person interested in Jesus getting close and then turning away.
In the book of Acts a man named Felix told Paul that he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. You can’t almost be a Christian. But you can change your mind later and come to Christ after rejecting him before.
Background
In the Gospels we are allowed a sneak peek into the process of disbelief reversing itself and becoming faith. We can track two men who were transitioning into faith, but seemingly hit a deal breaker and went away without faith. There is a huge surprise hidden in the Gospels concerning these two men. We are led to believe they decided to pass on Jesus’ deal, yet later we realize they went public with their faith.
Meet Nicodemus:
We first encounter young Nic. early in the Gospel of John. He has some money and power. He would be a cross between a member of the Supreme Court and Congressman or Senator in Washington in our culture.
He approached Jesus in private hoping for a Rabbi-to-Rabbi exchange of ideas.
It didn’t go well. Jesus was not impressed with Nic. and said if he wanted to enter the Kingdom of God he would have to be born again, give away all he had and follow Jesus. Nic. went away sorrowful into the darkness. Jesus had asked too much of him. He said, “No”, by his actions and closed the door on Jesus.
Nic. disappears from the Gospel narrative until after the crucifixion. Then, out of nowhere he becomes very public about his faith and is one of two Pharisees who take Jesus’ body from the cross. He bought 75 lbs. Of embalming spices in the public market and lugged it to a garden tomb where he hastily assisted in the burial of Jesus. He stepped out for Jesus and went public about his faith.
Meet Joseph from a town 20 miles north of Jerusalem:
This Joseph was also wealthy and held the same power, as did Nic. He was a colleague of Pilate and moved in powerful circles.
Mark tells us in his Gospel that Joseph did not agree with the rest of the Sanhedrin ruling council’s decision that Jesus was a phony. He didn’t agree with the Council, but he didn’t publicly agree with Jesus either. Mark tells us that Joseph was waiting for the Kingdom of God. His heart was open, but he was waiting.
Whatever he was waiting for must have happened, because he took courage and went to Pilate boldly. His action was bold because: (a) he was not related to Jesus; (b) his request was a favor that would likely be denied on principle since Jesus had been executed for treason; (c) he risked ceremonial defilement in handling a dead body; (d) his request amounted to an open confession of personal loyalty to the crucified Jesus which would doubtless incur his associates’ hostility.
In the process of spiritual growth both these men found it impossible to keep their secret and went public with their faith.
Burden:
My talk today will help you understand where you are on your faith journey. It may help you see that you are not a hopeless case. You may believe you have already decided not to be a Christ follower. You may think you have crossed some imaginary line and can’t go back. You are very wrong. There is still time for you to embrace Christ.
Basic Truth
Even if you have given up on Jesus He has never given up on you. You may not even know Him, but he knows you. You can still follow Jesus if you want.
Burning Question How do I come out for Jesus?
Get closer
Matthew 27:55 Many women were there, watching from a distance.
These women felt powerless and stood at a distance watching.
You may be standing at a distance watching.
You may be hoping for something to jump-start your faith.
I am preparing for a five-day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail with my brother Lonnie and nephews. I took a shake down overnighter last week to see what I needed to fix before I step off into the wilderness. Charlie, my 90lb Lab went along. About 2:30 AM he got cold and laid down on top of the tent. I pushed him away, but it didn’t work. Moments later he put his nose in the tent looking for a little love. Later he had his front legs in and the next thing I knew he was all the way in. After circling three of four times he plopped down and in 30 seconds was snoring like a chain saw.
Move in closer. Stick your nose in the tent. The closer you come to Jesus the more you will like it. Check him out. Read the Bible. Try praying. Ask Him to help you.
TS: One way to get closer is to seek out someone you can talk to about your feelings.
Get help
John 19:39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night
Notice how these two hesitant followers of Jesus hooked up and how it encouraged them to go public with their faith.
Avoid Pharisees. The help they will give you will be phony and full of things you have to do that Jesus never intended.
I am going to let you in on a little secret; some of the time people come to Jesus because they are in pain. A life failure or sudden downturn of events is a wake-up call God often uses.
Hook up with some authentic Christ followers. Pick their brains. Spend time with them. Get involved in a Community Group. Schedule time with one of the pastors here at Evergreen and talk.
TS: As you get closer and your confusion is becoming clearer you will be faced with the biggest leap of faith of all. There will come a time when you have to ----------
Get real
John 19:38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.
Joseph allowed his fear of disapproval to keep his feelings for Jesus secret. He would not allow himself to move forward with his convictions.
The best way to make your faith work is to be very public about it. Ending denial is the first step to recovery. You must begin to see yourself as you really are. It is not going to be pretty.
At AA meetings those in recovery stand and introduce themselves by saying, “My name is ____________ and I’m an alcoholic. The program will not work until the alcoholic recognizes the problem. When someone opens up dark hidden secrets to the light of public knowledge there is great healing.
Jesus said, “If we confess our sins—He will forgive them. “ They will remain unforgiven as long as they are unconfessed.
Here are some options that will help you go public with your faith:
#1. Stand before these people and come out.
#2. Come following this service and invite Jesus in your life and then next Sunday be baptized.
TS: OK, you have moved closer, sought help, opened your heart for Jesus and now it is time to ---------------------
Get right
Mark 15:50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
It is time for you to stand up and step out. It is time to cross the line from being in darkness to light. It is time to get off the broad road that leads to destruction and get on the narrow road that leads to life.
Joseph was waiting for righteousness. He longed for God’s coming kingdom. His waiting and longing would never be sufficient. He had to act on his feelings.
Every person has a burning emptiness inside that can only be fixed by Jesus
There is one exclusive way to get right. One must trust the shed blood of Jesus to cover all sin.
Jesus compares two men who attempted to get right. One prayed and tried to impress God with his religion and status. The other hit himself in the chest and prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner”. Jesus said, the last one went home justified.
Don’t wait. Get right.
What do I want you to know?
The cross is how you get right. Jesus took care of all the legalities and details. He invites you to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.
What do I want you to do?
Forget the past and come to Jesus.
