The Merciful Warnings of the Christ Part Two

The merciful warnings of the Christ, this is the crisis of unbelief in a culture of compromise

Church we are living in a world that is Increasingly defined by its rejection of the truth by absolute truth

Especially when it comes to Jesus our cultures not just drifting away from God No, this is a headlong sprint into unbelief aggressively opposing the very idea of Really all authority, but especially divine authority

And what makes this all the more tragic is that it's not just a problem. That's outside the church

No, many many pulpits across our nation have grown silent on the harder truths of the gospel

Seeker sensitive pastors avoid the exact warnings that Jesus himself gave

They preach about personal fulfillment self improvement and earthly success

But often they refuse to speak about sin about judgment the reality of eternal

Judgment the reality of eternal condemnation They hesitate They hesitate to warn they don't warn their their congregations about hell because they fear it will make the people uncomfortable or That their church won't be popular but friends

Jesus did not hesitate Look at what he says in verse 24 unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins

That is not a gentle suggestion That is not metaphor That is a direct

Merciful warning from the only one who has the power to judge the only one who can save Yet many pastors today would rather Soften Jesus's words then just declare them plainly

They avoid preaching about eternal realities because they fear men more than God people pleasers

They refuse to say what Jesus said Yet they claim to represent him

But we must understand something very clearly Unbelief is not a minor issue

It is not just a personal choice. It is a fatal decision with eternal consequences

Jesus makes it clear that those who die in their sins Apart from him will will be lost forever

In other words, there is no second chance After death, there's no do -overs and there's no neutral ground

The Pharisees the religious leaders of Jesus's day were confident that they were confident in their own righteousness

They believed they were the chosen people of God yet. They were spiritually blind

Jesus exposed their false confidence and he warned them He warned that their prideful presumption their earthly Priorities their persistent unbelief and their purposeful ignorance

Were leading them straight to destruction and here's the terrifying reality those same fatal failures

Exists everywhere in the world today prideful presumption

Many people trust in their own goodness Assuming that because they are better than most

God will accept them present priorities People are consumed with this life chasing wealth comfort entertainment

While really giving no thought to eternity persistent unbelief

Despite overwhelming evidence and the clear truth of Scripture many reject

Christ Because surrendering to him would mean they'd have to give up their sin It would mean they'd have to have humility

Yes, surrendering to Christ requires humility and then purposeful ignorance purposeful some refuse

To investigate the claims of Christ not because they lack evidence

But because they love their sin more than the truth Jesus knew that most people would reject him

That is why in the Sermon on the Mount he warns us enter by the narrow gate for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and Those who find it are few.

Did you hear that? Many are on the road to destruction Few find the way to life.

That is why the words of Jesus and John 8 should shake us to our core and yet Many professing

Christians will say that in air quotes Live as if these warnings don't exist many churches operate as If hell is not real as if judgment is not certain as if unbelief is just another way of thinking

Rather than the path to eternal separation from God's mercy, but Jesus does not leave room for doubt

He declares that all Shall know him that all shall know who he is either by their conversion

Or actually by their condemnation all will know him The choice is before every person repent and believe or die in your sins

This morning as we look at verses 24 through 30, let us listen carefully to the merciful warnings of the

Christ Because the most dangerous thing a person can do is to ignore the words of the only one who can save them the merciful warnings of the

Christ and the crisis of unbelief Beloved we are living in a time where unbelief is not just present

It is celebrated in our culture rejecting God is seen as what?

intellectual enlightened Rejecting God today is even seen as virtuous

People wear their skepticism like a badge of honor boasting in their independence from any divine authority

The modern world preaches a gospel of self -sufficiency The declaring really that truth is whatever you want it to be

Morality is fluid that's your truth. I have my truth you have your truth and Jesus if they acknowledge him at all, that's a big if it's just another religious figure among many

But the Bible tells a different story Jesus Doesn't leave room for doubt about who he is

He issues a sobering warning I Told you that you would die in your sins

For unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. That is not a suggestion.

That is not an opinion The the Pharisees of Jesus's day were the religious elite the ones who should have recognized him first yet they were blind to the truth and Here's the the frightening reality that same failure is just as present today as it was back then

Unbelief Isn't a new problem It's the same spiritual blindness that has plagued humanity since the fall

But the warning remains the same Reject Christ and you will die in your sins.

There is no middle ground This passage Serves as a divine warning to all who would dismiss

Christ's authority It highlights several crucial themes First the necessity of knowing

God truly not just religiously Second the danger of spiritual ignorance.

This is willful blindness to the truth next the absolute necessity of faith in Christ the only way to salvation finally the certainty of divine judgment

Rejecting Christ has eternal consequences Jesus's words in this passage cut through religious pretense and earthly priorities forcing every listener to examine their own soul in Verses 19 through 22.

We saw false confidence in religion. The Pharisees were convinced They knew

God yet. They rejected the very one sent by God Spiritual deception is deadly

Religious affiliation does not equal salvation in verse 23.

We saw a worldly perspective Jesus contrasted the earthly minded with those who are born of heaven those fixated on temporary things cannot grasp

Eternal realities the section is both a warning and a call to repentance Jesus's words demand that we confront the state of our own hearts in other words

Will we believe or will we die in our sins? the merciful warnings of the

Christ Now Jesus had already spoken of his departure Chapter 7 verse 34.

He told the Jewish leaders. You will seek me and you will not find me where I am You cannot come now in John 8 24 through 30

He expands on this warning with even greater clarity and urgency The heart of this passage is a direct and merciful confrontation with the religious leaders of his day

Men who prided themselves on their knowledge of the law Yet we're blind to the very one that the law pointed to in John 8

Jesus is engaged in this heated exchange with the Pharisees within the temple courts

Specifically in the in the Treasury. I mean the location you can't think of a more ironic setting is

The temple made to be the dwelling place of God among men and yet here God is here the temple built for him in Front of the ones who claim to teach him and promote him and yet how look at their attitude

The location is significant it was within the court of women This is where the collection boxes for temple offerings were placed

So it's you got to think probably one of the most busiest areas of the temple This this setting underscores the public nature of Jesus's declaration

His words were not spoken in secret. In other words, they weren't spoken in secret

But openly in the heart the very heart of Jewish religious life

The Pharisees the dominant religious leaders of the time prided themselves on their strict adherence to the law

They were they were legalists. They prided themselves on their tradition based interpretations of scriptures

Teachings the law they equated external righteousness with divine favor

Divine favor is is fulfilling the law living a certain way yet They failed to recognize the very

Messiah whom the scriptures foretold You can't get more a better illustration of spiritual darkness in John 8 verse 19.

They ask where is your father? where is your father a question dripping with both ignorance and Arrogance, of course

Jesus responds by exposing their spiritual blindness, you know, neither me nor my father If you knew me you would know my father also

That's a profound statement the Pharisees the supposed experts in the law were completely ignorant to God Because they rejected the one sent by the father

Their legalism and self -righteousness had hardened their hearts They didn't even recognize the truth anymore the temple where this exchange occurs was the central place of worship the

Symbolic dwelling of God's presence yet Jesus who is the true?

dwelling place of God among men stood in their midst and they rejected him and This foreshadows really the coming end of the old covenant system

Of course, we take baptism. This is the new covenant in what? my blood

The temple would soon be obsolete Why because Christ himself is the true mediator between God and man?

This passage ultimately points to the reformed doctrine of justification By faith alone in Christ alone sole a fide solus

Christus the Pharisees sought righteousness through law -keeping But Jesus makes it clear that faith in him alone is the dividing line

This is the dividing line between salvation and condemnation Unbelief leads to spiritual death period the

Pharisees would die in their sins because they refused to believe faith in Christ alone saves

This is not a New Testament teaching Just as Abraham was justified by faith

Genesis 15 Then he believed in Yahweh God and He counted it to him as righteousness.

So too must all who come to God do so through faith faith in Christ alone

The works of the law cannot justify the Apostle Paul says this in his letter to the church in Galatia Nevertheless note

Galatians 2 nevertheless knowing that a man is not Justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ even we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be

Justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law since by the works of the law

No flesh will be justified Christ's atoning work is central

The cross is where Jesus accomplished Accomplished when

I was typing up this manuscript. I had it in there. The cross is where Jesus is Accomplishing the salvation of his people

No Accomplished correct that pastor. This is a final work a completed work a finished work accomplished

He accomplished the salvation of his people Those who look to him in faith receive eternal life

In verses 19 through 30 Really? It's a powerful indictment

Against self -righteousness and it's a call to recognize Jesus as the true revelation of God The Pharisees standing in the very place

Where God was supposed to be worshipped rejected God in the flesh

The only way to be justified before God is not through works of the law But through faith in the great

I am We're gonna see in this passage That is Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ.

The warning of Jesus is as urgent today as it was then so urgent if You die in your sins.

There is no hope beyond the grave Our world like the Pharisees is obsessed with earthly things

And when you're when you're just looking at earthly things, you're blind to eternal realities Many churches refuse to preach the hard truths of Christ's words

But Jesus did not soften the message. He made it clear believe in him or perish in your sins

The question before us is simple. Who do you say that Jesus is?

Will you believe his words trust in his finished work and submit?

To his lordship or will you like the Pharisees reject him and face the

Eternal consequences this passage is not just historical. It is personal

Jesus is merciful warnings call each of us to examine our Hearts and so that's the introduction of the sermon.

Are we ready to hear? Let's be with our Lord and let's hear his merciful warnings for fatal failures that lead to spiritual death

So if you weren't here last week go on our YouTube channel and watch the first part of the sermon

We covered the first two points last Sunday for fatal failures that lead to spiritual death number one

It was prideful presumption in verses 19 through 22 the self -righteous trust in their own works rather than Christ and number two present priorities verse 23

The earthly minded live for this world instead of the eternal and number three persistent unbelief

The unbelieving reject Christ as the only way to salvation verse 24 persistent unbelief

Jesus says therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins the absolute necessity of Faith in Christ unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins

This statement underscores the crucial reality that faith in Christ is the determining factor

This is the determining factor between eternal life and everlasting condemnation The Lord identifies unbelief as the ultimate

Think about it like this to unforgivable transgression Well, the

Lord can forgive us of everything right? Well, if you don't believe in him, how does that work? Rejecting him as Messiah and the

Son of God results in eternal separation from the love of the Father While all other transgressions can be pardoned through repentance refusal to acknowledge

Christ leads to spiritual death and Let's think about this phrase.

I am he this carries profound theological weight Let me explain this a little bit.

The Greek text does not include He so in your Bible notice,

I'm not sure in your translation I'm preaching from the legacy standard the he there will be italicized that's supplied by the translator.

It's it's in the verb But the original does not include that. So actually what does this mean?

It makes the phrase simply I am This is an I am statement Unless you believe that I am you will die in your sins a

Direct reference to the divine name revealed in Exodus where God identified himself to Moses.

This is Exodus 3 14 and God said to Moses I am who

I am and he said thus you shall say to the sons of Israel I am has sent to you

This title is reiterated of course throughout the scriptures, but we see it a lot in the prophecy or prophecies of of Isaiah affirming

God's eternal and Self -existent nature. I'll give you a few Isaiah 43 10

You are my witnesses declares Yahweh and my servant whom I have chosen

So that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he Before me there was no

God formed and there will be none after me Isaiah 46 for Even to your old age.

I am he and even to your graying years. I will bear you

I have done it and I will carry you and I will bear you and I will rescue you.

I Love that verse One more Isaiah 48 12 hear me.

Oh Jacob Even Israel whom I called I am he

I am the first I am also the last You did you hear it in there?

Yeah by employing this designation Jesus Unmistakably claims his divine identity.

Who is Jesus God? Yahweh in the flesh, it's him the one foretold the anointed one the

Savior of mankind eternal father wonderful counselor

Prince of Peace But the Pharisees were well -versed in Scripture.

So surely they would have recognized him, right? No, they recognized this claim, but they refused to accept its truth

Their hearts were hardened. Their minds were blinded by spiritual pride

This is the tragic concept consequence really of spiritual blindness Jesus warns that those who do not believe will die in their sins

Initially and catch this he refers to sin in the singular but then later expands sins in the plural

Notice the change this shift emphasizes that unbelief is not merely one sin among many

Rather it is the root of all rebellion against God Unbelief To reject

Christ is to reject the sole source of redemption ensuring Guaranteeing that all other sins will not be forgiven

This is the great tragedy of spiritual blindness Those who refuse to recognize

Christ persist in accumulating guilt keeping condemnation upon condemnation upon themselves

The Pharisees rather than acknowledging their need for a Savior. They clung to their religious traditions and self -righteousness

They rejected the very remedy of for sin that God had provided and so too many today

Do we not do the same? Do we not see this in our culture? They dismiss the truth of Christ Prioritizing worldly values

Over eternal realities over the truth. They seek fulfillment in temporary things temporary pleasures

Neglecting the ultimate need for salvation. This is the truth the urgency There's a tragedy here.

This is the urgency of responding to Christ's call Jesus is warning is not merely a statement of judgment.

No, this is a call to repentance a call to believe The phrase if you do not believe that I am demands a response

Every person must confront the reality of Christ identity and his mission the restoration of sinners begins with the light of faith

Which leads to righteousness it leads to a transformed life yet humanity's natural inclination is to seek false remedies ignoring the gravity of sin people acknowledge their brokenness

But often turn to futile solutions like psychology for example the study of the soul

With experts who don't believe in the soul We're gonna fix you because you're feeling depressed

But we believe that your ancestor was pond scum Your ancestor is a single -celled amoeba

You're really just a primate. How can we fix you monkey? I Want to hear advice from somebody that doesn't believe in God you're gonna fix my soul and help me

But you think that I'm a primate? I'm really not even a primate. I'm just stardust floating through the universe

Christians go to people who are experts who deny the existence of God They're not an expert

They're doomed for destruction man -made philosophies Man -made conjectures devoid of the power of God's Word and devoid of the power of God's Spirit self -improvement religious rituals moral efforts rather than embracing

Christ as the only means of salvation the failure to recognize

Jesus as the great I am results in an internal separation from God's grace

There is no alternative plan here. There is no alternative path to life

Rejecting Christ is rejecting life itself This truth is reiterated in John 6

Remember when Jesus? Walked on the sea John 6 now when the evening came his disciples went down to the sea and after getting into a boat

They began to cross the sea to Capernaum It had already become dark and Jesus had not yet come to them and the sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing

Then when they had wrote about 25 or 30 stadia They saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat and they were frightened

But he said to them it is I am do not be afraid

So they were willing to receive him into the boat and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going

There is no alternative path to life Rejecting Christ is rejecting life itself the eternal consequences of rejecting

Christ the certainty of Divine judgment is inescapable Those who die in their sins will face the full weight of God's righteous wrath

Not just his wrath his righteous. Holy good pure loving even wrath completely just and perfect his righteous wrath

Righteous and wrath together should make you pause for a minute. Oh, no.

No, this isn't a judge. That's bad No, this is a good judge a righteous pure holy wrath

Terrifying to think about the Pharisees rejection of Christ was not simply an intellectual misunderstanding

It was a willful Defiance against the revealed truth of God Jesus is warning in verse 24 stands as a solemn declaration to all who would ignore his authority

Sadly many today remain indifferent to this warning Consumed by the values of this world.

They are blind to the incomparable gift freely offered by God eternal life

Christ offers eternal life with God freely But Christ mercy extends even in his warning

His words are an invitation to salvation urging sinners to recognize their need and to turn to him in faith

Jesus's interaction with the Pharisees reveals the peril of rejecting Christ Their refusal to believe exposed their deep spiritual blindness and separation from the father

True knowledge of God is essential. It's essential not mere religious practice spiritual ignorance leads to eternal ruin

Faith in Christ is the only means of salvation not one of many the only means rejecting

Christ guarantees judgment Christ words cut through superficial religious practices or religious traditions on The day of judgment, it's not going to matter how you were raised in what church you were raised in It's one thing did you believe in him?

And if you truly believe in him, what is the course or the way that we can look at that?

You'll follow him You'll believe the Bible You'll believe the

Bible. How about this? You'll love being around God's people. You'll love his word.

You'll love praying The Thing I see so much in today's society is how there's this independence from the church.

I have my own thing going with God I don't need the church Christ shed his blood for the church for the elect.

You know what the elect means chosen ones God loves you before the foundation of the world and sent his son to die for your sins

That's what happened The believers the assembly the congregation he shed his blood for the church

You love Christ, but you don't love the church impossible

You don't have a right relationship with Christ if you don't have a right relationship with his people period period

I See that is a very popular thing, you know, where are we looking?

What are we looking for? The visible expression of God's kingdom on the earth can only be found in one place and it's in a faithful Congregation that preaches the

Word of God You know, hopefully twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays comes that come to Wednesday night church.

This is it folks You're not gonna find it at the YMCA It's church the visible expression of God's people his kingdom on earth until he returns

Where are you looking are you captivated by the temporary values of this world?

Are you sustained in truth that exists outside of the Bible? Substitutions and other anecdotes that man has created

Or have you placed your faith in the only one? Who alone grants eternal life this passage demands that we do not delay do not delay

Believe in the great I am today and receive the gift of salvation before it's too late

This reminds me of the illustration of the burning building and the only way out

The burning building and the only way out Imagine you're in a towering skyscraper

High above the ground when suddenly the fire alarms start going off there.

They're blaring Thick smoke fills the halls flames consume everything in their path

Confusion is there panic sets in people around you begin searching for a way out

Some try to break windows others take the stairs, but the fire is too intense then through the smoke a firefighter appears

He shouts above the chaos follow me, I know the only way out But some people hesitate doubting his words

Others insist they can find their own way but those who trust him and follow his lead escape to safety and There are some who ignored him and those who ignored him perished in the flames

Jesus's words are like that firefighters words Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins

The world is like a burning building sin has engulfed humanity and there's only one way out faith in Christ many try to escape through morality self -effort religious rituals

But no path leads to safety except the one that Christ provides For unbelievers, this is a clear warning

Rejecting Christ is rejecting the only escape from eternal destruction.

There is no other way of salvation Acts chapter 4 and There is salvation in No one else

For there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved

For believers. This is a reminder Faith in Christ is not just about escaping judgment.

It's more than that. It's about trusting him daily Sometimes even as Christians we hesitate to fully rely on Christ's guidance

We think we can add fallen man's understanding of the soul to Scripture Somehow find the help we need for personal fulfillment and contentment

We think we can navigate life on our own But just as those in the burning building had to trust the firefighter completely

We must continually put faith in Jesus the great I am

Who leads us not only to salvation but through every trial we will ever face while we're here on this earth

The question is simple Will you follow the only one who knows the only way out?

This passage underscores several crucial truths the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing him the devastating consequences of spiritual ignorance

The absolute necessity of faith in Christ and the inescapable reality of divine judgment

Jesus is compassionate Compassionate Yet firm warnings challenge every listener to confront the condition of their own heart for fatal failures that lead to spiritual death number one prideful presumption number two present priorities number three persistent unbelief

The unbelieving reject Jesus as the only way to salvation and number four purposeful ignorance the intellectually dishonest

Refuse to acknowledge the truth verses 25 through 30 Purposeful ignorance

Look at verse 25. So they were saying to him. Who are you? Jesus said to them

What I have been saying to you from that what have I been saying to you from the beginning? I have many things to say and to judge concerning you

But he who sent me is true and the things which I heard from him these I am saying to the world

They did not know that he had been speaking to them about the father so Jesus said When you lift up the

Son of Man Then you will know that I am he and I do nothing for myself

But I speak these things as the father taught me and he who sent me is with me

He has not left me alone for I always do the things that are pleasing to him And as he was speaking these things many believed in him

Here we see the unchanging Testimony of Christ the unchanging testimony the question of Christ's identity is at the heart of the gospel

The Pharisees reveal their persistent blindness by asking who are you? Their inquiry was not born out of a genuine desire to understand but no it's out of heart and unbelief

Jesus's response points to the consistency of his revelation He has been declaring his identity from the very beginning

This passage compels us to recognize Christ's warnings the clear and consistent testimony of Christ's identity the tragic blindness of those who reject the truth the inseparable connection between Christ's words and God's eternal plan the inescapable

Consequences of denying Jesus as the Messiah Each of us must answer the question.

Who do we say that Jesus is? Here we see the Pharisees It's not just their ignorance.

It's their willful ignorance willful ignorance The Pharisees asked who are you and this is not the first time they have confronted him, of course

Nor is it an innocent question throughout his ministry Christ has provided ample at this point evidence of his identity

His teachings his miracles the testimony of his father Yet the religious leaders persist in their refusal to believe their question is not one of sincerity

This is not sincere inquiry, but stubborn resistance They're not seeking the truth.

In other words, they're just rejecting it Jesus's response from the beginning

Emphasizes that his identity has been clear all along He's not revealing something new

He has been declaring the same truth since the start of his ministry The problem is not that Jesus has been unclear.

No, the problem is the Pharisees unwillingness to hear The Apostle John is recording for us the unchanging nature of Christ's message

Jesus's words do not change based on his audience his response From the very beginning of his ministry.

He has proclaimed the same message that he is the fulfillment of God's promises the light of the world and The only way to the father the phrase from the beginning does not mean

Jesus was newly revealing his divine nature But that his testimony has been unwavering

Christ's message aligns perfectly with the Old Testament prophecies the covenant established with the patriarchs the words of the prophets and the expectations of the

Messiah all pointed to him His teaching is not an isolated claim.

It is the culmination of God's redemptive plan for mankind The Pharisees who claimed to uphold the scriptures should have recognized him

Instead their refusal to believe exposed their spiritual blindness the consequences of rejecting

Christ Jesus's response serves as both an affirmation of truth and a warning

It's a warning Those who reject his identity as the promised Messiah are

Rejecting the only path to salvation the Pharisees persistent questioning

It was not a search for clarity. It was a rejection of divine revelation Spiritual blindness is not merely ignorance.

It is a willful condition of the heart the Pharisees refusal to believe stemmed from a hardened resistance to God's truth

See they pretended to seek knowledge, but their rejection of Christ revealed their true nature

To deny Christ is to deny the one who sent him and this rejection of course carries eternal consequences

Verse 25 challenges us to examine our own response to Christ. The Pharisees asked who are you?

Not because they lacked evidence, but because they refused to accept the truth Jesus's identity has been clearly revealed both in his words and in the testimony of Scripture Christ's identity has been consistent from the beginning his message aligns with God's plan perfectly

Rejecting Christ leads to spiritual blindness with eternal separation from God's mercy and God's love

We're all faced with the same question the Pharisees asked but unlike them we must listen with hearts that are willing

Willing hearts to receive the truth. Do we recognize Christ for who he truly is?

Or do we resist his truth? clinging to our own understanding The way we answer determines our eternity.

Let us not be among those who ask an unbelief. Who are you? But among those who boldly proclaim you are the

Christ the Son of the Living God John goes on to highlight the authority and judgment of Christ in verse 26

Jesus declares I have many things to say and to judge of you But he who sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which

I have heard from him Here Christ asserts that his words are not self -derived but come directly from the

Father He is the divine messenger sent by God the

Savior and the judge relaying the unchangeable truth of God Yet, he does not unleash the full weight of judgment at this moment

Instead he warns that judgment is inevitable for those who reject his message

Though he could expose their sins in full measure. He certainly could he patiently continues his role as the teacher

Delivering the truth entrusted to him This statement challenges the modern tendency to reshape

Jesus into a figure who only affirms and never confronts sadly

To too many churches Too many churches today emphasize a version of Christianity that avoids uncomfortable truths particularly the reality of divine judgment

Yet Jesus himself did not shy away from the warning of the consequences of rejecting

God's Word The living Word Himself if Christ the perfect Son of God speaks both grace and judgment

Then a faithful church must do the same must do the same a

Gospel devoid of judgment is an incomplete Gospel one that misrepresents

Christ leaves people in spiritual peril Jesus's words also highlight the authority of divine truth

I mean just think about it. We live in an era where subjective experiences and feelings

Often determine what is considered quote truth Christ's unwavering commitment to proclaiming what he has received from the father stands in stark contrast

He does not cater To cultural sensitivities or or he doesn't adapt his message to suit the audience's preferences

Instead he speaks with divine authority Affirming that God's truth is not up for negotiation

For modern believers this this passage serves as a sobering Reminder that we cannot afford to follow a diluted gospel

Christ's mission was not to make people comfortable Certainly not to make them comfortable in their sin

You know I heard that and I think I may have even said this from the pulpit and it's sort of like a cliche thing Christ doesn't leave you in your sin

Calls you out of it. It's kind of like that's yes true. Amen, but it can be it can be preached from a pulpit

I've heard that recently the biggest churches It's kind of like cool man.

Get the Hallmark card out and put a little sticker on our fridge if you

Don't believe in Christ you will die in your sins Let's have the full picture not these pithy feel -good kind of warm and fuzzy

Know that this is it's more than just not making not allowing people to be comfortable in their sin

His mission wasn't to make people comfortable in their sin. It was to call them to repentance and faith

To ignore this aspect of his teaching really is to ignore Christ himself True faith does not seek to mold

Jesus into a more palatable figure It submits to the real

Jesus who speaks the words of life Why would we want to dilute that or change it?

even when those words confront and convict We must we must listen to him

Those who reject Christ's message are not merely rejecting an idea They are rejecting the very truth of God and with that rejection comes eternal consequences

Let us Therefore embrace the full counsel of Christ's words

Not just the parts that make us feel good But the truths that call us to genuine transformation and holiness

Holiness it's another word. You don't hear a lot You are to be holy as I am holy

So we can just be Christians and just live a life of debauchery You put your life up to a person who's a practical atheist.

You can't even tell the difference. I'm in Christ Are you holy do you pursue holiness?

I'm not talking about legalistic perfection, but do you love God? Do you love

God? Do you want to change your life and be like his example? The ultimate pattern of example is what the

Lord was marked by something He had a zeal for the honor and holiness of the one who sent him.

Did he not? We read about that this morning in Sunday School the temple

The Apostle John points out here importantly little note in here They did not know that he had been speaking to them about the father

This demonstrates the spiritual blindness of unbelievers The Pharisees failed to comprehend that Christ was referring to the father exposing their profound spiritual blindness

Though the Messiah stood before them speaking divine truth They remained in darkness their understanding veiled by sin and Satan's deception

This tragic condition is not unique to them. It persists in all who resist the gospel

Many today reject sound doctrine preferring messages that soothe rather than convict

Yet scripture warns that rejecting Christ's words means facing divine judgment

This section urges us to seek God's truth with humility with humility

Recognizing that only his sovereign grace grants true spiritual sight in verse 28

Jesus declares when you lift up the Son of Man Then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself

But as my father taught me I speak these things this path this this particular passage stands as a powerful pronouncement of both judgment and Revelation it foretells

Christ's crucifixion and reveals the blindness of those who reject him when

Jesus speaks of being lifted up he's referring to his crucifixion and This language is intention

Intentionally paradoxical What do I mean by that? The Pharisees sought to cast him down Yet in doing so they would unknowingly

Exalt him the term lifted up. It's actually one word in the

Greek It kind of sounds like the word up hop. So CTA hear it hop.

So CTA lifted up It has a nuanced meaning To lift up spatially lift up to rise high in the wilderness wanderings of Israel Moses lifted up the serpent by Fastening it to a pole in the sight of all

John records this in chapter 3 for us in the conversation between Jesus and the

Pharisee Nicodemus Jesus says as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness

Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes

Will in him have eternal life in the same way

Christ is lifted up on the cross The nuances that this lifting up hop.

So CTA Can also mean to cause enhancement in honor fame position power or fortune exalt

Exalt it points both to the physical elevation of Christ on the cross and to his ultimate glorification a

Few chapters later Jesus will repeat this language from chapter 12 verse 32

Now judgment is upon this world now the ruler of this world will be cast down and I When I am lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself

What his enemies saw as defeat was in reality the very means of their own judgment the

Jews of Jesus's day particularly the religious leaders Were blind to the truth.

They despised Jesus Believing him to be an imposter They thought by crucifying him they would silence his claims instead

His crucifixion would serve as the ultimate revelation of his identity Many who rejected him would come to realize too late that they had executed the promised

Messiah This tragic irony plays out in the Acts of the Apostles when Peter preaches at Pentecost Acts chapter 2

Peter says therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both

Lord and Christ this Jesus whom you crucified and The people were cut to the heart and asked what they must do

Christ's death and resurrection became the Undeniable proof that he was indeed the

Son of God the promised Messiah But this is the blindness of unbelief

Jesus's statement exposes the hardness of heart among his listeners They did not understand him because they refused to see him the

Pharisees despite their outward religious zeal were willfully blind and Of course this condition persists today

Where many dismiss the claims of Christ? Not because of lack of evidence, but because they do not want to submit to the truth

This is reminiscent of Adam in the garden in Genesis Genesis 3 when his eyes were opened after sinning.

It was not an opening to life But what was in an opening to to shame?

Judgment, he realized that he had sinned against God Likewise those who persist in unbelief will eventually recognize

Jesus as Lord But only when it's too late This is the beginning of the revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 1 verse 7 behold he is coming with the clouds and Every eye will see him

Even those who pierced him and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him

It's too late Jesus goes further stating that he does nothing of himself, but speaks what the

Father has taught him. This is an implicit or Explicit rather claim to diva divine authority.

He's not an independent teacher He is the very voice of God and this statement aligns perfectly with Deuteronomy 18 where God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses who will speak his words and For the

Pharisees this was scandalous This is a scandal They claim to follow

God yet. They reject the one that God had sent their unbelief was not due to a lack of knowledge, but due to their willfully ignorant pride a purposeful willful ignorance with a heart drenched in intellectual dishonesty

Jesus's words carry a warning Rejecting him is rejecting

God himself the tragedy of ignored warnings this this made me think of the tragic

Story of the Titanic most people know this because the movie was so popular the

Titanic You know before its fatal voyage there were multiple warnings about icebergs wireless operators received messages from other ships

Yet they were largely ignored The belief was that the

Titanic was unsinkable unsinkable It wasn't until the ship struck an iceberg and began sinking

That the awful reality set in and by then it was too late too late

Similarly Jesus's words were a warning to the Pharisees They were so confident in their own righteousness that they dismissed the

Son of God But once he was lifted up on the cross Many would realize their grave mistake

The same danger exists today Many hear the warnings of the gospel, but ignore them until it is too late

In a postmodern world that rejects absolute truth Jesus's words stand in stark contrast

He does not present himself as one among many He declares that he speaks only what the

Father has given him This flies in the face of a culture that values subjective truth and feelings over objective reality

Many today reject Christ because they prefer they really prefer a faith that conforms to their desires

Rather than one that demands change or repentance. They say that may be true for you, but not true for me

Yet Jesus does not allow for such relative expressions relativism

No When he is lifted up there will be no room for debate every knee will bow

Remember the Apostle Paul's words to the local church in Philippi Philippians chapter 2 and being found in human form

Referring to Christ he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord to the glory of God the Father This passage confronts us with the unbelief of comfortable

Christianity Much of modern Christianity has become a faith of convenience avoiding the difficult words of Christ many churches emphasize self -fulfillment rather than self -denial

But Jesus is warning is clear rejecting him whether actively or passively

Leads to judgment a faith that refuses to confront sin is no faith at all

Jesus was not crucified think about it like this Jesus wasn't crucified for preaching a feel -good message

He wasn't crucified because he preached a message that made his listeners feel good about themselves

Was he no he wasn't He was crucified

Because he spoke the truth That's why he was crucified according to God's predetermined plan

Today many avoid his harder teachings preferring messages that affirm rather than convict

But the gospel is not about making people comfortable. It is about making them holy

It is about saving them Who cares if they're comfortable? God came to save sinners

The Apostle John gives a call to recognize Christ now

Jesus's statement in verse 28 is both a warning and a promise those who reject him now

Will one day see the truth but for many that realization will come too late

The crucifixion which seemed like defeat was actually his exaltation

For those who have ears to hear the call is clear do not wait until it is too late to recognize

Christ He has been lifted up You know, the question is really will we bow before him now in faith or will we be forced to acknowledge him in judgment?

Let us not be like the Pharisees willfully blind to the truth That is before us instead.

May we see Christ for who he truly is the one who speaks the very words of God the one lifted up for our salvation as John records in verse 29.

It really repoints to the reality that Jesus is never alone This is such an encouragement to us in the middle of this this really urgent warning

Christ's confidence in the Father and he who sent me is with me He has not left me alone for I always do the things that are pleasing to him

Jesus standing in the midst of religious opposition Declares a truth that ought to give every believer

Unwavering confidence he is never alone Though the Pharisees glare at him with hostility

Though they reject him outright Christ remains unshaken

Why? Because he has the unbroken presence and approval of the father

This highlights the father's unfailing presence. Jesus affirms. He who sent me is with me

From eternity past the father and the son have been in perfect unity Christ sent on a divine mission

Never operates apart from the father's will Though the religious leaders scowl in rejection and the crowds waver in disbelief

Christ walks in the assurance that the father's presence never departs from him

And this is an important truth for us today Because human approval is fleeting People are fickle emotions chains

Human approval is fleeting One moment the world may applaud and the next it will turn in scorn

But Jesus reminds us that the father's present is his presence is not dictated by popular opinion

Just as the father was with Christ So too does he promise to be with those who faithfully serve him?

No opposition no hostility and no Rejection can strip away the nearness of God for those who are called according to his purpose for those who love him, this is the confidence of Christ's mission and Jesus adds he has not left me alone for I always do the things that are pleasing to him

Here Christ reveals the basis for his confidence the perfect obedience to the father's will unlike fallen humanity

Christ never deviates from the father. He never deviates from the path the father set before him

Every word he speaks every action. He takes Aligns with the perfect divine purpose of God the father

And because of this he enjoys the continual presence and favor of the father

And there's an application here for us If we want to walk in the assurance of God's presence, we must pursue obedience to his will

This does not mean we achieve perfection as Christ did But it does mean that we have hearts that must be yielded to him

If we allow our own desires Ambitions or reasoning to take the lead we will lack the sustaining presence that Christ speaks of here

But listen carefully when we submit fully to Christ's Word and Serve him with sincerity

We can trust that his guiding hand will uphold us

Jesus at this moment is largely rejected by his own people The religious authorities refuse to acknowledge him and his following is small

Yet he does not waver Why? Because the father's presence is enough

He does not measure success by earthly approval, but by the faithfulness to the mission

This ought to embolden us today The world may oppose the truth of Christ The faithful may seem few in number

But if we stand firm in obedience to the gospel Listen carefully.

We are never alone God is with us He is present with us and he will uphold us by the power of his hand by his strength

The hand of God sustains those who proclaim his truth and his spirit ensures that his word does not return void

The world may scoff but God's servants remain upheld by his power

Let us then walk in obedience to Christ Knowing that the same

God who upheld the Son is with us knowing That he will never leave us

Though the world may reject though opposition may rise. We are never alone because God himself is with us verse 30

Contrasts spiritual belief and in genuine faith So we read this statement.

It's kind of like oh, this is great. Happy good news here As he spoke these things many believed in him and at first glance

John tells us that many believed in Christ as he spoke And this might seem like a moment of true spiritual awakening

Yet as we look deeper, we realize that not all belief is genuine faith Some were captivated by Christ's words drawn in by his wisdom even

Intellectually convinced but agreement with truth with truth is not the same as saving faith

The context shows us this wasn't a saving faith. And so we'll look at these passages down the road

Lord willing next Sunday We'll take a deeper look, but just look at the context the next verse 31

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free

It's like praise God. Amen walk away high five tears of joy But how do they respond we are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved anyone

How is it that you say will become free so you can see that belief? Wasn't genuine saving salvation

Throughout scripture we see people responding to Christ with temporary belief They admire his miracles

They may even appreciate his teaching and they even acknowledge his authority yet when trials come when obedience is required their faith fades

The same is true today Many claim to believe in Jesus, but when faced with hardship or sacrifice their profession proves hollow

Because true faith is more than a momentary response. It is a life surrendered to Christ It abides in his word it endures trials.

It bears fruit Jesus warns that many will say Lord Lord yet will he will declare.

I never knew you Matthew 7 23 The question we must ask ourselves is this is our faith temporary or transforming?

Do we merely admire Jesus or we trusted him fully as the Savior and very importantly as the

Lord? Do you confess him as the Lord in? Verses 19 through 30

Jesus confronted the Pharisees with the urgent truth of his identity and authority their rejection exposed not just their spiritual blindness, but their complete separation from the father a terrifying reality with eternal consequences

This passage sounds a clear and pressing warning without true knowledge of Christ.

There is no hope of knowing God The danger of spiritual ignorance is not merely Misunderstanding it is a path to judgment

Jesus makes it unmistakably clear faith in him is not optional. It is the only way to escape condemnation

His merciful warnings demand that every listener examine their hearts now

Before it is too late for fatal failures that lead to spiritual death number one prideful presumption verses 19 through 22

The self -righteous trust in their own works rather than Christ Number two present priorities verse 23 the earthly minded live for this world instead of the eternal number three persistent unbelief verse 24 the unbelieving reject

Jesus as the only way to salvation and number four purposeful ignorance verses 25 through 30 the intellectually dishonest refuse to acknowledge the truth this is the call to true faith as We conclude let let us be strengthened by the mercy of Christ even in his warnings the mercy the world rejects absolute truth sprinting toward unbelief

But we church must hold fast we cannot afford to soften

Jesus's words or dismiss the weight of his message in John 8 he declared unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins

This isn't a suggestion. It's a loving but urgent warning Eternity is at stake the

Pharisees assumed they were safe blinded by religious pride Many today do the same trusting in morality?

Tradition or personal effort rather than in Christ alone But Jesus makes it clear faith in him is the only way to life

There is no middle ground no second chance after death Imagine a man drowning in the ocean thrashing against the waves refusing the rescue boat because he insists he can save himself

He believes he can swim to shore, but the tide is too strong every second. He delays. He drifts closer to destruction

That was the Pharisees and that is the world today But Christ is near his hand extended

Will you take it? Some believed as Jesus spoke, but their faith was shallow and temporary and let that not be said of us

True faith in Christ is full surrender trusting in him alone for salvation

Jesus is calling sinners Repent believe and follow him while there is still time