In Light of Eternity.
Notes
Transcript
Opening:
Good-morning again Connection Church! It is so good to see you. It is a beautiful thing to gather together to worship God on the Lord’s day. We worship God together on the Lord’s day by singing praise to Him, by learning truths about Him and what He has revealed, by giving so that we can further His kingdom, by reading His Word, and by hearing about Him and His will through the preaching of His Word.
Introduction of the Text:
With this in mind, I would ask you to turn with me to Matthew 16:24-28. We are continuing on in our study of the gospel of Matthew. If you remember, last week we ended the passage by seeing Jesus teach the disciples about how He would suffer and be crucified, and on the third day be raised again. Here Jesus is continuing this discourse.
Once you have located the text, please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.
Reading of the Text:
Matthew 16:24-28
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The Word of God. Let’s pray.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for who you are. Lord, we thank you for all that you have done for us. May we not take this for granted. Please help us to see the value of Salvation. Help us to learn from this text. May we please see the cost of following you. May we weigh the cost and boldly declare that it is worth it! Lord, you are worth every sacrifice.
Please draw those to you who are lost. May they see the only hope we have is in you. May they abandon all hope in their own works and follow you. Lord, encourage those who are saved. May they see the emense beauty of the gospel. May they boldly declare that their only hope is in Christ and Christ alone. May we abandon any desire to seek hope in anything other than your grace.
Please help me to speak the Truth. Do not let me say anything against you or your Word. Strengthen me and help me to simply be faithful to the text. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Transition:
As we open this text, we see Jesus continue to teach the disciples. If you remember, He was just teaching them about what He would suffer. Now He begins to teach them of what they and others will suffer for Him. Here we see the requirements of Following Jesus.
The Requirements of Following Jesus.
The Requirements of Following Jesus.
Explanation:
Jesus in the opening verse gives a universal requirement to any who would follow Him. They must take up their cross and follow Him. He is telling this to the disciples, but it is communicated as an open statement to “anyone.” This is what all Christians must do. This was not reserved only for some. All those who wish to follow Christ must hear this requirement and heed it. Take up your cross.
Perhaps in our day we read this differently than it is intended. Many of us, myself included, wear little crosses around our necks. This is not what Jesus meant. We must look at what it meant to those He was directly communicating it to. What is the context of this statement. Jesus was telling this to the disciples in the first century. They were under roman occupation. The roadways were lined with crosses. Criminals who recieved the death penalty were hung on crosses to die. Jesus is directly referring to the process of carrying a cross. When someone was crucified, they would most times be forced to carry their own cross along the road until they came to where they would be crucified.
Illustration:
This was a very vivid word picture I fear we often pass over when we hear it. We see this clearly recorded in Christ’s own crucifixion. A person would often be flogged, occasionally with the cat of nine tails that Jesus faced. But they would be beaten and flogged. Then they would have the instrument of their execution laid on their back or tied to them. Sometimes it would merely be the cross beam, other times it was the full cross. Then, with this heavy wooden beam or cross on their backs and shoulders, they would be marched to the place of their death. As they walked, it is likely that the rough wood would grind against their wounds from the whips. Splinters digging into their bare backs.
I can only imagine the split within one’s minds while they are carrying this cross. You would hope that the place of execution was far away, because these were the best moments you had before your death. However I imagine that one would also hope that it would go by quickly. The fast you were crucified, the faster you would be dead. Once you reached your destination, you were laid on the cross. Spikes were driven through your wrists, into the wood. Then they placed your feet overlapping and drove a spike through them into the wood. You were nailed to that cross you had carried, likely for miles. then you would be lifted and the vertical beam would be dropped into the hole. The jolt would send pain through your entire body. The only way you could breath was if you pressed your feet down and lifted your shoulders. Then you would slowly die of blood loss, exhaustion, and suffocation.
Argumentation:
This is the illustration that Jesus gives to his disciples about what ALL who wish to follow Him must do. They must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Jesus is here prophesying about how He would die but the emphasis is on those who would follow Him. What a horrible invitation! Can you imagine that altar call? The pianist plays a hymn and the invitation is given. “Come and be nailed to a cross and die. Come to the front, I have the spikes ready.” No one would dare budge from their seats.
Clearly Jesus is not saying that every Christian must face physical crucifixion. Jesus is here saying that any who would follow Him must deny themselves in the ultimate sense. They must forfeit their very lives to Him. They must so deny themselves and follow Him that they are pictured as having been crucified with Him. This is why Paul says, “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Truly this picture is realized fully in the many disciples and multitudes who have been physically crucified for following Christ. But this is still realized in all true Christians. We die to self and are made alive in Christ. Salvation is total surrender. It is the death of the old. The old dead man is laid away and the new living man is come.
Transition:
Next Jesus gives three examples.
Jesus Gives Three Examples.
Jesus Gives Three Examples.
Explanation:
If we look at the next word in the text we see Jesus then says the word “For...” Now that word is very important. When someone says something and follows it with the word “for,” they are going to give explanations or examples. They are going to prove or qualify their point. If I say “I bought Katharine and I a palet of Popsicles, for it has been as hot as Hades outside.” I am explaining and giving an example as to why I made this very wise financial investment.
Jesus makes the statement “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” He then says “For...” giving reasons or examples saying “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Transition:
Let’s look at that first explanation. Lets look at what Jesus says about the Saving and Losing of a Life.
1. The Saving and Losing of Life.
1. The Saving and Losing of Life.
Explanation:
Jesus seems to give a very short and confusing parable. He says that the one who seeks to save their lives will lose it, but the that the one who loses his life, for Christ’s sake, will save it. On the surface this is confusing. But in this first example we see the common theme of this passage. This is to be read and seen in light of eternity. No matter how tightly a man may hold onto his life, he will lose it. You may have all the money in the world and your life will end. Death is the great equalizer. The poor and the rich all die. The wise and the fool all die. No one can hold on so tight to their life that they escape death. Our lives slip through our fingers like running water.
But Jesus gives great hope. The one who loses his life for Christ, will find it. That qualifier is so important. It is not the one who simply loses their life, but the one who loses their life for Christ. The one who takes up the cross, dies to self, and follows Jesus will find life.
Argumentation:
This is an amazing promise! All men die, but there is true life found in following Christ. To any who say that the cost is too high, they must not understand the benefit! Life, true life is only found in death for Christ. Denial of self, taking up the cross and following after Jesus. This is amazing. Death is fate of all men. It is inescapable, but Christ offers hope. If we really understood this, there would not be a single person here not worshipping with great passion! We have true life through Christ. Our greatest pain would be nothing compared to the joy of being alive in Christ.
Transition:
Jesus then says “For” again. He then moves to the next two examples that are linked. He speaks first of the whole compared to a man’s soul.
2. The Whole World Compared to a Man’s Soul.
2. The Whole World Compared to a Man’s Soul.
Explanation:
Jesus says, “26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Jesus here communicates what has been the late thoughts of any man of wealth. Listen to the reflections of Solomon in Ecclesiastes. “1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
3 What does man gain by all the toil
at which he toils under the sun?
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.”
He goes on in verses 12-14, “12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”
What a stark phrase. It is all striving after the wind. What a sad statement! All is worthless, like trying to catch the wind. There is no profit in these things. He continues on and on in Ecclesiastes, declaring the worthlessness of things. How all is vanity. He speaks of how all men face death and their deeds are worthless. But amidst the vanities and woes, Solomon returns to one thing of value again and again. The fear of the Lord. He says in the closing of the book, “13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
“26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” All the striving in the world is worthless if you lose your soul.
Argumentation:
How opposite is this to the current worldview in our culture? We live in a humanistic, post modern culture. There is no truth, if it feels good do it. This is the motto of our generation. This is vanity. We seek pleasure, vanity. We seek health, vanity. We seek wealth, vanity. We seek all that this world can give us. What if we gained it? What if we gained all the money we can count? What if we gained all the pleasure we can handle? What if our every desire was met? What if we gained the whole world? This is all worthless in comparison to your eternal soul.
Jesus says that to lose your life for Him is better than gaining wealth, influence, power, pleasure, or whatever else “the whole world” could be. It is far better for one to die to self for Him than to become the ruler of the whole Earth. This is value of following Christ.
Transition:
Jesus then says the word “Or” transitioning to the last example. Jesus now emphasizes the price of a man’s soul.
3. The Price of a Man’s Soul.
3. The Price of a Man’s Soul.
Explanation:
Jesus finishes the examples by saying, “what shall a man give in return for his soul?” What could a man give in payment of his own soul? what would be the price? The Psalmist ponders this in Psalm 49.
“7 Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever
and never see the pit.”
Argumentation:
What is the value of your soul? What could be given in price of it? Were a man to possess all money, it would not be enough. No one has enough to pay God what is owed. This is the hopelessness of all men. We owe a debt to God that cannot be payed. The price is too high. We are corrupted. We can give nothing in return for our own souls. We value other things so much but our own souls so little. We squander this life on riches and pleasures and then it is done. What may be given? The check has come and you cannot pay it.
Jesus compares the riches of the earth to the loss of a soul and says the riches come up wanting. Were a man to gain all and lose his soul, he has lost. This is also taught clearly in a parable by Jesus in Luke 12:16-21 “16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Transition:
Jesus then continues on in this teaching to the disciples. Let’s look at the promise of Christ’s coming judgement.
The Promise of Christ’s Coming and Judgement.
The Promise of Christ’s Coming and Judgement.
Explanation:
Jesus has taught the disciples about his death and resurrection. Now we see Him speak of His second coming. The return of Christ to judge all. He says in verse 27, “27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” Jesus is going to come again. He promised that. He is coming with His angels. He is coming in the glory of the Father. And He is coming to judge all according to what He has done.
At the end, when all is fulfilled, Jesus is coming again. Likely this made no sense to the disciples. But after His ascension, this likely became clear. When Jesus returns, He is coming in judgement. And this judgement should strike fear into all men’s hearts. Jesus here repeats a very common phrase in Scripture. “According to what each has done.” This is all over in Scripture. When the judgement comes, God will judge each one according to what he has done.
Romans 14:10-11 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Hebrews 9:27 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Psalm 62:11-12
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
Argumentation:
This is a horrifying thought! God will render to each one according to what he has done? Who then can stand? The answer is no one. No one can stand on their own works. No one can stand on what they have done. We are all sinners. Not one of us has earned righteousness. Not one of us has a deserved right standing before God. We all are evil and sinners. So who has hope before the judgement of God?
On their own, no one. No one can stand. Truly Job was right when he answered the folly of one of his friends by saying 2“Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?” He later says, “ 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. 33 There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.” Job knew what he needed. He need an arbiter. Someone who can go between himself and God. For who can stand before God? Only Christ.
This is the gospel! Who can stand? No one! On that day, what can a man give in return for his soul? On that day, what good will owning the whole world be? On that day, what good is it to have fought to preserve your life? It is no good at all. On that day the only hope is to have denied yourself, taken up your cross and followed Christ.
Transition:
And then Jesus says something that seems out of left field. He is talking of judgement day and then we see Christ’s promise to the disciples.
Christ’s Promise to the Disciples.
Christ’s Promise to the Disciples.
Explanation:
As Christ is speaking of the coming judgement day and addressing all Christians, He switches. He begins to speak to just the disciples. This seems disjointed and out of place. It seems to ruin the emotional impact of what is being said. But Christ in essence turns from all true Christians to the twelve. He was close to these men. He was friends with them. He is speaking of judgement day for all people and then in love turns and makes a promise to His beloved disciples.
But what does this verse mean? “28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” This is a confusing verse. It is also one that has been somewhat twisted. For example, the Mormons point to this verse and John 21:22 to say that the Apostle John is still alive walking the earth somewhere. John 21:22 says “22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” But John, the author of the gospel where this verse is found immediately followed this up with verse 23. “23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” John himself denies this.
But what does this verse mean? What does it mean that some standing there with Jesus will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom? Well there are several views.
First, there is the view that this means some there would not die until Jesus’ second coming. This clearly cannot be case. First, the word “Some” is plural. Even if we stretch things and say that John would live until Christ returned, that is only one. This cannot be the meaning because all of the Apostles died.
Second, there is the view that Jesus is speaking of the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. This is possible as it was a time of great change. Many point to this as the changing of the age. While there is overlap, it is the marker of the ending of the Jewish age. This is also what Jesus prophesies in Matthew 24.
Third, there is the view that this means that some would not taste death until they saw Jesus transfigured. The transfiguration is the very next passage Matthew records, so this is also very likely. It seems to fit the context of what is here. Jesus tells them this, then takes some up with Him to witness the transfiguration.
Fourth, there is the view that Jesus is saying that some there would not taste death until He has died, resurrected and ascended. This also seems to be very likely. It fits the context of what Christ has just been teaching the disciples. He was just teaching the disciples about His death and resurrection.
Argumentation:
And here is the part where I tell you which one of the options it is and make a case for it. Personally, it could be any of the previous three. You won’t be wandering into heresy if you take any of those views. I think it is very clear that it cannot be the first option of some of the twelve still being alive, awaiting Christ’s return. However, of the other three, I do not think it is very important. Remember one of our rules for interpreting texts last week, we do not build doctrinal convictions on confusing texts. And the Clear governs the Unclear. However, on this particular topic, there are not clear texts explaining what Jesus meant. It could be any of those three.
However, if you were to make me answer which one I personally lean toward, I would say I think it is most likely referring to Christ’s death and resurrection and ascension. The reason is that is the Kingdom come. Christ has spoken of how He is bringing the kingdom and how the kingdom has come, but at the ascension it seems that the kingdom has fully come. We are now the messengers and spreaders of the news of the kingdom. Listen to Matthew 28:17-20 “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus says that “all authority” had been given to Him. He is King over all. He has been given all authority by the Father. This is also the fulfilment of Psalm 2:7-8. Psalm 2 is a prophesy about Christ and here we see these verses fulfilled.
“7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
This is the kingdom come, and Christ gives the church her orders. This is why I think this is what Christ was speaking of, and some of the disciples were there to witness. All save Judas were there. So this would be only “some.” There is my opinion, but it honestly could be any of those last three options.
Transition:
But what is the importance of this passage to us? Well, I think this is vital to us. One of the things that I have tried to emphasize in preaching through Matthew is that we must seek the context. For example, If Jesus is speaking to the disciples, we don’t automatically apply that to ourselves. We see the text as it is. However, Christ in all but the last verse of this passage is addressing all who would follow Him. This is a standing statement. Whoever would follow Christ, weather in the first century or the twenty-first century, must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. If you claim to be, or wish to be a follower of Jesus, then this text is vital to you.
Application:
From what I see, there are three clear applications in this text. The first is a question. Are you a follower of Christ?
Are You a Follower of Christ?
Are You a Follower of Christ?
We have covered many of Jesus’ parables in our study through Matthew. If you recall, one of them was the parable of the wheat and tears. Christ promised that among the wheat, there would be weeds. This was a parable given to speak of the fact that there will be lost among the saved. I do not know your hearts. I may be convinced you are saved, but I do not know. I cannot see the state of your soul. So I must present this question to you. Are you a follower of Christ?
Jesus in this passage has given a requirement of following Him. His command to any who would follow Him is to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. Have you done this? Have you denied yourself? Who sits on the throne of your life? Have you relegated the rule of your life to Christ? Do you treat Jesus as merely an addition in your life? Do you see Him as something to aid you in living a moral life? Do you see Him as a crutch to help you in hard times? Or is Jesus your Lord? Have you stepped off the the throne of your life and bowed to Christ? Jesus is Lord. You must deny yourself. Deny you wants, deny your needs, deny what you think and surrender all to Him.
Take up your cross. What is on your back? Does the cross weigh down upon your shoulders? Are you burdened for the sake of Christ? Have you lifted your very death upon your shoulders and begun to march toward the end? Have you died to self each day? Do you put to death the things of this world? Are you taking your very life and laying it down before Christ?
Are you following Jesus? So often this is just a phrase to us. I fear we say it and simply move on. Are you following Jesus? “Yes!” Are you really? Because following Jesus is not simply putting a fish sticker on your car and then living however you wish. Following Jesus means that we are following Him. That may sound redundant but I think we misunderstand what following means. Before GPS, If we were driving in a city that you someone was unfamiliar with, we would give the command; “just follow me.” Then they would pull in behind our car and follow us. When following someone, you are not making the calls. You are not calling the shots. Following means you are not going your own way. Following means you are going where you are led. So are you following Jesus? Are you walking where He has led?
Now this does not mean “Are you going where a little pull in your heart is taking you?” No, I am asking a very literal question. This isn’t about small nudges or supernatural leadings. The Holy Spirit has given us the very word of God, and contained in this Word are commands. Are you following these? How much do you even care what God has said? Do you want to know how to follow Jesus? Obey His commands. Are you making disciples? That was a command of Jesus. Or do you simply say “Yes, I am following Jesus” while you just do whatever your corrupt heart tells you to do? Following Jesus means submitting yourself completely to Him.
This is a question you must wrestle through. No one here will have this perfect. There are no perfect followers. We all sin. We all wander into our own paths. But when you see yourself not following Christ, does it break you? Does the Spirit convict you and do you turn and yield yourself to Christ?
Transition:
Second I think we see in this passage the promise of worldly troubles.
Promise of Worldly Troubles.
Promise of Worldly Troubles.
While it is not explicitly stated, this passage bears the air of speaking to worldly troubles. It seems to have the same essence of some of the other passages where Jesus speaks to the trials and difficulties Christians will face for following Him. The language that Jesus uses is not light or cheerful. His primary example for following Him is that of an instrument of torture. As we have already established, this does not mean every Christian will be nailed to a cross to die a horrific death. However, I believe every Christian is to die to self. We serve a different God than the world. The world serves many gods but primarily in our culture the god of self is worshipped. We blaspheme this false god through our very existence.
We deny the god of self by sacrificing our lives and ourselves to Christ. We lay our desires down before Jesus. We put to death the sin that pleases self. In doing this, we are spitting in the face of the most highly honored deity in our culture. We speak to the truth of God’s Word against this false god. This will make us enemies of the culture. When the church speaks the truth to the sins of sexual immorality, to the reality of marriage being between one man and one woman, to the truth of the sanctity of life, or any other issue; we are declaring war on the false god of our culture. This will not lead to ease.
We declare war on this false god, not out of anger or hatred for those who serve it, but out of love for those who are lost in that worship but most of all; out of love for the one true Living God. However, this will not make us loved in the culture. We will face hatred, anger, slander, and more. But we lay down our lives in honor of Christ. If it be God’s sovereign will for us to face worldly troubles, we bow to His will. We are not following our own desires, we are following Christ. We are not turning from side to side at our wishes, we are walking behind Jesus. We are to follow Him.
Transition:
Finally, we see the promise of eternal judgement or reward.
Promise of Eternal Judgment or Reward.
Promise of Eternal Judgment or Reward.
And here it is. Here we see arguably the most important part of the application. We see that all men will face judgement. He will repay each person according to what they have done. And here is that fateful question. Have you done enough? When you come to judgement day, what merit will you have? As you are marched before the throne of God to receive the ruling on what you have done, what will that ruling be? What hope do you have? What hope do any of us have? When you are placed before the all holy, all righteous, all powerful, all knowing King, what will you say?
Will you look up to the throne and explain how all of your sins really aren’t that bad? Will you look into the eyes of almighty God and claim that He is mistaken? You’re a pretty decent person. Surely you’ve done more good than bad. As the record of your life is shown, will you be proud of what God has seen you do? What about what you have neglected to do? What about what you have thought? The words you have said? If you are under any misguided notions of your own greatness, allow me to remove them. Allow me to shed some light on your sins.
Compare yourself to simply the ten commandments.
You shall have no gods before Almighty God, (Yahweh)
You shall not make any graven images.
You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
You shall honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
You shall honor your father and mother.
You shall not murder. Or as Jesus said, hate your brother.
You shall not commit adultery or look at anyone with lust.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bare false witness.
You shall not covet.
Rest assured that on judgement day, all will stand rightly condemned by their own breaking of God’s law. So I ask you again, what hope do you have? What will you say when you are thrust before the throne of God? There is only one right answer.
Alistair Begg gives a wonderful illustration that I want to paraphrase for you.
Picture with me the thief on the cross. He is someone I desperately want to meet. He went from cursing Christ out on the cross with the other criminal to worshipping Him. I want to meet him. He was never discipled, never baptized, never anything, and yet; he made it! Picture what the scene in heaven must have been like. He shows up at the gates and the angel looks at him and asks, “What are you doing here?”
The thief replies, “I… don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? How did you get here?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Stay here, I need to go get my supervisor.”
The angel comes back with his supervisor angel who asks the thief, “Okay, so what can you tell me about the doctrine of justification?”
“Never heard of it.”
“Okay… well what about the doctrine of Scripture?”
The thief just stares.
The angels are visibly frustrated now, “On what basis are you here?!”
The man replies, “Look, all I know is that the man on the middle cross told me that I could come.”
Beloved, that is the only right answer! If you think you are saved because you did… no. You are not saved because you did… no. You are saved because He. You are saved because He did it all. He called you. He brought you to life. He justified you. He is sanctifying you. He will take you home. You are saved because of Him.
Hear me very clearly, on judgement day, when all are called to be judged according to what they have done; the only answer is “Jesus saved me! He took my sin and gave me His righteousness!” And all the followers of Jesus will be judged by His righteous deeds, not their own. This is how they are saved. But on that day, it will be too late to begin following Jesus. You must follow Him now. If you have not yet, deny yourself, take up you cross, and follow Jesus with us.
Let’s pray.
Prayer:
Closing Hymn:
Closing benediction:
1 Corinthians 15:58 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.