What Have I Done? Series

02-15-2009

“WHAT HAVE I DONE?”

What is a question? It is an expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply. 2. A subject or point open to controversy; an issue. 3. A difficult matter; a problem: a question of ethics. 4. A point or subject under discussion or consideration. 6. Uncertainty; doubt:

1. To put a question to. 2. To examine (a witness, for example) by questioning; interrogate. 3. To express doubt about; dispute. 4. To analyze; examine.

Questions have been around since the beginning of time, everyone hates to be questioned, because when one does it, it is placing somebody on the spot.

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER JEREMIAH THE “WEEPING PROPHET” HE WAS A PREACHERS KID WHO IS CALLED BY GOD TO BE A PROPHET. HIS CRY WHICH SEEMS NOT TO BE HEARD ANYMORE WAS ONE OF REPENTANCE. REPENT - REPENT - REPENT! THINK FOR A MOMENT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD A SERMON ON REPENTANCE? I CANT REMEMBER MYSELF.

BUT IN THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH WE COME TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A VERY TELLING AND VERY POINTED QUESTION. TURN WITH ME TO JEREMIAH CHAPTER 8:6 (READ IT)

I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.

IN OUR TEXT JEREMIAH TELLS US THAT HE HAS LISTENED FOR THE CRY OF REPENTANCE, BUT IN ALL THE LAND HE HEARS NONE!!!! NO ONE CRYING OUT I HAVE SINNED, I AM GUILTY.

COULD NOT JEREMIAH HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR SOCIETY TODAY? IT IS AS IF PEOPLE WALK AROUND TODAY ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG, ALL IS OK NO SIN NO SORROW BECAUSE OF SIN, NO CONSCIENCE. WHEN I LOOK AROUND AND OBSERVE PEOPLE TODAY I SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO FOLLOW CHRIST, OR SAY THEY BELIEVE IN CHRIST LIVE THEIR LIVES AS IF GOD DOESN’T EVEN EXIST- THERE IS NO CALVARY -NO SAVIOR - NO NEED FOR REDEMPTION. OH WHERE ARE THOSE WORDS: WHAT HAVE I DONE? IS THERE NO ONE ASKING THAT QUESTION TODAY?

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU THAT QUESTION THIS MORNING. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

LET’S PRAY

#1. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST?

LET’S TURN TO MATTHEW 27 AND SEE HOW PILATE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION. (READ VS15-26) IT WAS PILATE WHEN FACED WITH THIS QUESTION TRIED TO PAWN OFF HIS ANSWER AND HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE ANGRY MOB THAT DAY. HOW ABOUT YOU DO YOU TRY TO PASS OFF THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION TO OTHERS SAYING IT REALLY ISN’T UP TO ME? THINK ABOUT IT. YOU SEE TODAY WHEN FACED WITH THIS QUESTION WE HAVE 2 OPTIONS:

1 - WE CAN ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOR

OR

2- WE CAN REJECT HIM FOR ALL ETERNITY

YOU CAN RECEIVE HIM OR LEAVE HIM ALONE

YOU CAN LIVE FOR HIM OR LIVE FOR THE WORLD

YOU CAN TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM OR YOU CAN KEEP SILENT

THIS ISSUE IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD ALL OF LIFE IN THIS WORLD AND ALL THAT IS TO COME FOR ETERNITY HANGS IN THE BALANCE OF YOUR RESPONSE.

THIS IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHAT OTHERS THINK OR WHAT OTHERS DO. THIS IS NOT A QUESTION FOR THE HYPOCRITES BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.

THIS IS A QUESTION OF WHAT YOU PERSONALLY HAVE DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S ONLY SON SENT FOR YOU.

HAVE YOU MET HIM FACE TO FACE IN REGARDS TO YOUR SIN? HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED HIS SAVING GRACE AND REDEEMING LOVE? HAVE YOU FORMED A VITAL AND ON GOING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM? HAVE YOU AS IT SAYS IN JOHN 3 BEEN BORN AGAIN?

HAVE YOU COME TO GRIPS WITH THE WORD OF GOD WHICH CLEARLY CALLS US TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER

JOHN 3:18: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son

JOHN 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him

ROM. 10:9-10 : That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN, IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THESE THINGS I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST; YOU’VE TURNED YOUR BACK ON THE GREATEST LOVE YOU COULD EVER AND WOULD EVER KNOW. YOU NOW STAND UNDER CONDEMNATION - ON YOUR WAY TO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT GOD CAST INTO HELL FOREVER TORMENTED.