Up, Down, All Around
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
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Up, Down, All-Around
Hopewell Baptist Church
March 23, 2020
Opening Illustration: Many years ago, my wife traveled to Africa for a short term missions trip. While they were there, they spent a few nights staying on a game preserve. On this preserve, the electricity was provided by generators, and to preserve gas and money, they were turned off at night. One night, on the night of a new moon, Roni woke up having to go to the bathroom. With no electricity, no moonlight…there was no light. She could not even see her hand as she held it right in front of her face. It. Was. DARK.
Transition: Just like that night many years ago when Roni couldn’t see her hand because it was so dark, there are many who cannot see the Truth of the Gospel despite it being right there in front of them. With that in mind, we must remember that Jesus, who is the embodiment of the Truth and the light of the world, that He must be lifted up.
Big Idea: Jesus Christ, the light of the world, must be lifted up.
Pray
I. Believers Look Up –
a. Purpose – v.27-32
i. The purpose for which Jesus came was to die, to be “lifted up” on the cross.
1. Parallel to
2. ()
ii. This purpose was given its seal of approval by God -v.28-30
1. One of three places where God spoke from Heaven – , )
2. For the benefit of His disciples, that they may know ().
3. Glorified it – God’s name has been glorified through the ministry of Jesus
4. Will glorify it again – approval of Jesus’s action on the cross as God looks towards the glorification of Jesus in the resurrection.
iii. To cast out sin – v.31 –
1. Casting out the ruler of this world – Satan
a. “the god of this world…”
iv. To draw His people to Himself – v.32
1. Jesus is the good shepherd, His sheep know His voice and follow Him.
b. Jesus is the Light of the world – v.33-36
i. Messianic Misunderstanding about His death – v.33-34
1. Why Death? Who is this Son of Man? – Messianic Misunderstanding
ii. Jesus is the light of the world, so…– v.35
1. , – I am the light of the world
iii. …So walk in the light – v.36
1. It is a call to repent
a. Not all who “see” the light (hear the gospel) turn to the light (Jesus in the Gospel)
2. It is a call to believe that you may have eternal life ().
iv. Jesus left and hid himself – His hour was imminent, but not yet there.
c. Point of Application – We must look to Jesus in worship. He is our king whom saves us from our sins. He died on the cross so that whoever believes in Him may have everlasting life!
i.
II. Non-Believers Look Down –
a. See the up, yet they look down (Just because the truht is right there in front of you doesn’t mean you see it or believe) v.37-41
i. Jesus did many signs, yet they still didn’t believe – v.37
ii. This fulfills prophesy – v.38-41
1. – v.38
2. – v.39-40
b. Some authorities believed
i. Despite threat of excommunication by the Pharisees
ii. The Pharisees loved the glory of man over the glory of God
1. Just because you say you believe doesn’t make you a believer
c. Point of Application – We must look at those around us, the lost that we interact with every day and hear about all around the world, with compassion and a mindset of prayer.
i. - pray without ceasing
ii. – We love because he first loved us.
III. Jesus looks Everywhere, up and down, all around –
a. Jesus looks at those who believe in Him – v.44-46
i. Whoever believes in me…v.44
1.
2.
ii. Whoever sees me…v.45
1.
iii. Whoever believes remains not in darkness – v.46
1.
b. Jesus looks at those who deny Him – v.47-48
i. One who hears and does not keep, Jesus does not judge – v.47
1.
ii. One who rejects Jesus are judged by the Word of God – v.48
1.
2.
c. Jesus’ Words Are God’s Word – v.49-50
i. What to say and speak – v.49
1.
ii. Commands to say and speak eternal life – v.50
1.
2.
IV. Application - Jesus Christ, the light of the world, must be lifted up.
a. Recap – We must look to Jesus in Worship; we must look at everyone with compassion and prayer.
b. How do we do this?
i. We read and meditate upon and study Scripture
1.
ii. We seek first His kingdom
1.
iii. We pray
1.
iv. We minister
1.
v. We serve as Jesus served
1.
vi. We make disciples
1.
V. Invitation
a. Repent and Believe
b. Be baptized
c. Surrender to the call to ministry