The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Good Shepherd

Book of John Chapter 10

Before we start Chapter 10, we need to look back to Chapter 9.

Joh 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Jesus had just boldly said that He was the Son of God and some truly believed, but the Pharisees and the High Priest and those close to them rejected everything that Jesus had said.

These are the same men who had all the Scriptures, who spent much time studying the Scriptures and swore to abide by them.

These men were not blind to what Jesus was saying, in fact some them believed that Jesus could be who He said He was.

These men just refused to give up their places of leadership and thought that they could resist God.

These same foolish men still exist today, and they will exist when Jesus returns and then they will be no more, till in the end when they will face the Lord again at the White Throne Judgment.

These men were followers of Satan, even if they did not know this was true.

They clung to their sin so tightly that no one could deprive them of it.

What is said of Satan?

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Jesus told these evil men that if they did not know the Word of God, they would have believed but because they knew so much of the Scriptures and had so many means of knowing the truth and rejected the truth, then there was no hope for them and Jesus continues in Chapter 10.

*****Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

If we look at the original Greek manuscripts, we will see that the word used for "thief" is the same word used for "Judas" and the same word used for "robber" is used to describe "Barabbas".

Jesus begins with a passage much like a parable and a parable is an earthly story that has a Heavenly meaning.

This lesson boldly states that it is Jesus Christ who is "the door" of the sheepfold and we will see this soon.

The sheep fold will one day include most all the Jews but at this time the sheep fold is the Church.

Those who try to enter the Church by some means other that Jesus Christ become as a thief and a robber and as the trained servants of Satan!

Jesus was probably looking straight into the eyes of these Temple leaders as He said these words.

Most of these men only thought of shepherds as the low-lives of society and had nothing to do to them. A true shepherd was with his flock 7 days a week.

We could say that Jesus was also pointing out what a true Church leader should be. These who were before Him knew nothing of caring for God's people!

We should clearly understand that God does not deal with us a General over a His great army, the Lord deals with us a Shepherd over his valuable flock!

In this parable the sheepfold is the place where the Lord keeps His sheep.

This parable will deal with the false shepherd and the true Shepherd.

The true Shepherd is Jesus Christ and the false shepherds are all those opposed to Jesus Christ!

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in threat:

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

No one can get inside the pen where the sheep are kept unless they come through the Door and that Door is the Lord Jesus Christ.

*****Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

We should understand that a flock of sheep are led by the shepherd and the shepherd’s boy will bring up the rear.

When there is a journey that shepherd's boy will lead the sheep while the shepherd drives the sheep.

When darkness comes the sheep are herded into enclosures to keep them safe and the shepherd becomes the door to enter into that enclosure. Nothing gets by the shepherd to cause harm to the sheep.

The Shepherd knows each and every one of his sheep and the sheep know him.

It is sin for Christian people to suppose that they are just part of a crowd. The Lords knows each child of God as a shepherd knows his sheep!

In fact the Lord knows each of us so well that He knows when one hair on our head has fallen out or if we stumped our toe while walking.

God also does not so much convert the masses as He deals with us one on one.

The Lord Jesus wants a personal relationship and we can have one with Him if we just accept Him as the truth!

In the short time the Lord spent upon this earth in the flesh, He personally felt every infirmity that we deal with and so He knows what we are going through in every situation.

Note: Christ even felt what it like to be hated by other people even by some His own family for a time!

Christ does not just know something about us, He knows all about us and He makes the effort to know more that He can help us through this life until He takes us home to present us to His Father.

Note: Christ does not watch over us as if we are in a prison. We are never treated as slaves even though Christ purchased us from the slave-market of sin. Christ treats us members of His own family and He is our older Brother.

Note: Christ is the true Shepherd of the Christian sheep and the Holy Spirit is then the Porter or the Doorkeeper.

As sheep, the Christian will listen for the call of the Shepherd and He knows our name and we will follow and obey the Shepherd.

We should understand that the Lord deals with us individually. The only time the Lord will call us as a group is at the "Rapture" of the Church.

The truth of the Shepherd:

Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

If we do not know these things, then we are subject to be led by a false shepherd.

*****Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Once we know the Lord as our Redeemer, we will know His voice and we will never forget the sound of His voice.

We must trust the voice of the Lord. He will speak to us through the Holy Spirit just as we speak to Him through the Holy Spirit.

Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Our true Shepherd does not just go before us as some man, but He goes before us with all the power of God.

1Jn_5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

When the Lord puts forth His sheep none are ever left behind, and He will feed them with the truth.

When a false shepherd puts forth his sheep it is to rid himself of trouble, making merchandise of them.

2Pe_2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The true Christian will never follow a stranger whom they do not know as a Christian.

Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Those who do not put forth the truth of the Scriptures are all strangers and have nothing of God within them!

What is the path of the stranger? Humanism, materialism, worldliness, fame, false religion, false science, false philosophy.

We are to flee from these things!

Again we see a parable that these Pharisees could not understand so Jesus explains this parable to them.

*****Joh 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Without the Holy Spirit who abides in each believer, these things cannot be understood.

Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

If we can see the truth, then we can see that these things are a fulfillment of prophecy.

Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Jesus continues to teach the truth that these men would not accept.

*****Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Jesus begins with "Listen to Me, these things are very important"(verily,verily)

Jesus explains that He is not only the Shepherd, but He is also the Door.

Maybe the most important thing in this parable, (some say proverb) is that we must understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Door to the sheepfold or we could say "The Church"!

The fact of this is that the sheep cannot leave without confronting the Door and enemies could not enter without going through the Door which is impossible.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Notice in verse 8 the "I Am". When the Lord says "I Am" we know He is Jehovah or Yahweh!

Who are those thieves and robbers?

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

By knowing these about these things, we should never be fooled by them!

All those who disagree with what the Lord is saying here need to get a true Bible and study and believe!

The Lord's sheep will never be sheared again but those who follow a false prophet or priest, or false pastor will be sheared over and over again!

All those who reject the Lord as the Messiah, as Lord, as the True Shepherd, as our Redeemer cannot come through the Door where the sheep of the Lord are located.

Their message is a message of plunder and murder, they will not have a message from Heaven and God the Father because they cannot know Him!

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

*****Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Door to salvation.

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

He Lord is the "Door":

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

He is also the Shepherd:

Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

He is also the Pasture.

Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

His Pasture contains not only the "Bread of Life" but also the "Water of Life"!

Joh_4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Joh_6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Notice again, no one enters except by the Lord. (by Me).

*****Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Again Jesus is blunt when He says all those who say there is another way get to Heaven are just "thieves" and "robbers". The only thing that they know to do is to kill and destroy.

Some just want the wool which is all the things of value.

Next, they will want the life of each sheep.

Life is the power behind our being!

Even as Christians we cling to life not willing to let go and there is nothing particularly wrong with this, as long as we know that true life comes after the death of our flesh.

True life is the deliverance from condemnation and death!

True life is forever.

True life is satisfaction.

True life is security.

True life is enjoyment.

True life is found only in God!

True life comes only by Jesus Christ!

True life begins when we are filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit!

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

*****Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Jesus Christ is our Perfect Shepherd and He knows we cannot be left alone so He will care for us all our days.

Jesus is the good Shepherd because He gave His life for His sheep!

Jesus is the Great Shepherd!

Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the "Ideal" Shepherd

Isa 49:9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

Isa 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of our souls:

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Who are those that are false leaders of God's people?

*****Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

There are many of these "hirelings" behind the pulpits today.

They are men and women who are hired who care not for the children of God but they are more like the mercenary who will leave when things look bad because they serve only their own interest!

These men and women who are wolves in sheep's clothing who spend their time attacking the Christian faith.

They attack Christian liberty.

They attack the Christian life.

A wolf will capture some and scatter the rest intentionally destroying the flock of God and those that follow them are just as bad!

The hireling will never defend the cause of Jesus Christ!

*****Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus Christ is the owner of all the Christian sheep.

They were "given" to Him by His Father.

He is the Creator of all things and He "created" the Church and His flock.

Jesus laid down His life for His sheep and the Christian sheep are "paid for with His own blood".

In a day that is close by, Jesus will "Redeem" His sheep and take them home to a New Heaven.

This is why His sheep know Him. He knows my name and your name if you love Him.

What is on the mind of Jesus Christ today? His sheep.

Every thought of the Lord is always on His sheep every day.

He is concerned about our joy and our happiness.

He is concerned about our trials and our sorrows.

He is there to pick us up when we stumble or if we stray from the path.

He is concerned about or needs and our wants.

Jesus keeps His mind on His sheep every moment we live and is waiting with open arms when He takes us home.

This is why the Rapture is guaranteed, so the world will know that Lord has redeemed His sheep and then proof that those left behind chose wrong.

Because those left behind all got an opportunity to know the Savior!

*****Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

As the Lord was speaking to the Jews of course, these other sheep would be of the Gentiles, that includes us who here today.

This included all other nations and every generation until Jesus returns!

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

In the end there will be only one church!

There will be only one flock of sheep because there is only one Savior who is also the true Shepherd!

That word "must", is very important. It means Christ Jesus is compelled by His Father to reach out to the Gentile sheep!

There are not Jews nor Gentiles, there are only Believers!

*****Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Had Jesus not died we would all still have our sin.

Had Jesus not arose from the dead we would still have our sin!

Our Good Shepherd sacrificed His life for our sin to become the Perfect Shepherd!

The Fathers infinite love for His Son would not allow for Him to stay dead.

It is because of the Son's infinite love for His sheep that He arose from that death.

We must realize that Jesus as the Son of God could not die.

This passage means, it was Christ's human life that died, and Christ had to take on that human life again in order that we be saved.

Christ was still in that human life when He ascended even though it was glorified to teach that we will certainly be like Him when we meet Him!

Jesus Christ will free us from death by providing eternal life to each and every believer!

If Jesus had not taken up that human life again, then we would still be lost in this dying world.

1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

So we see that our Father in Heaven not only sent His Son to die but to also rise from that death.

Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

We know that our Father in Heaven has given us the choice to follow Him or not and Jesus had this same choice. Jesus could have said no and just went back to Heaven, but had He done so then as far as truth goes there would be no God at all.

The Scriptures must be fulfilled just as they are written, or we would have nothing to to put our "Faith" because remember this plan was conceived before creation week began.

So, all these things being true it should increase our "faith".

1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus did all these things to glorify His Father another example for us to do the same!

Amen

Let's Pray!

Jesus Heals the Blind Man

One Thing I Know

Book of John Chapter 9

Over and over today we see a certain group of people bound together to hate anything and anyone who disagrees with their cherished view. In fact they will entice false witnesses in an attempt to prove the other side is wrong. Some even claim to be Christian, yet they stand against the Word of God so this cannot be true.

They stand against laws put in place by our founders that have seen this nation prosper for nearly 250 years.

They would take away every freedom of the citizens just to put forth a socialist agenda when if the truth is known most everyone of them do these things for money which still is the root behind all evil!

In our lesson today we see these same traits in the Pharisee and the hardline Jews in the day of the Lord Jesus upon this earth.

These people were so full of pride, they placed their own oral traditions ahead of the written Word of God that is preserved by the Holy Spirit.

We will see a blind man, blind from his birth.

We will see a people so afraid of excommunication from the Temple and their religion, they will seek peace with these Pharisee at almost any cost.

We will also see our Savior who is so Omnipotent, that when He put His plan of salvation together before He created anything, He also placed certain people into the future, so He could prove who He really is.

We will also see another miracle by the Lord whose power goes far beyond that of man.

We will also see the same two groups of people that exist today, the Believer and the Unbeliever.

*****Joh 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

This man, blind from his birth could only be a beggar to help support his mother and his father. Beggars would find their way near the entrance of the Temple gates in search of those who would show compassion.

Blindness from birth is a physical ailment that even today cannot be healed. Even blindness that is caused during a lifetime for many reasons cannot be healed even though great strides have been made in medicine.

We must also separate physical blindness from spiritual blindness which can be reversed in those who are "Born Again"!

The greatest thing we see is that when Jesus passes by, good things can happen!

Many things can be said about our Savior, but we should not miss the fact that Jesus was very bold, but He committed no sin in all His days on earth and we know that no sin is allowed in Heaven.

The disciples asked a serious question, but this question was based on Jewish beliefs and they had already witnessed Christ heal so many.

Was this man blind because of sin? Physically the answer is no but spiritually, we all have sin in our lives.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Many even today believe that all suffering in this life is linked to sin. If we remember Job, the Lord said Job was perfect in his ways, yet Job lost everything he had plus all his children at the same time in one long miserable day.

The truth is we live in a wicked world and Satan is the person behind all sin.

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The Lord Jesus came to break this bondage and set us free and we will certainly see this once blind man, go free. Just ask him and he will tell you. "Once I was blind but now I see".

So how did Jesus respond to this question?

*****Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Neither had this man's sin caused his blindness nor the sin of his parents cause this blindness. It was not so much the will of God that this man was born blind as it was for this blind man to appear before Jesus on this particular day in this particular place!

What were the works of God demonstrated to this man?

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

We see it was not just the healing of this man's blindness it was the works of God which we all share if Jesus Christ as our Savior.

This once blind man now had the opportunity to show forth these works of God in his own life and this is what God ask us all to do once we are saved from a devil's hell.

Jesus Christ came to this earth to die because He would obey His Father in everything that He asked of Him!

*****Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

We must remember Jesus Christ came to this world to save sinners. This was His Father's mission. Jesus was the one sent from Heaven to do the work His Father had given Him to do. Nothing else He did was nearly as important as this one thing!

Jesus could have healed everyone He came in contact with and this would never have been enough to save this world!

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Even today we have a work after salvation and it is to tell as many as we can about the work that Jesus did so that they to, can be saved.

As Christians we are tied to the work that Jesus has given us to do with Him!

This work involves a delivering from darkness, in fact from the power of darkness which is of the devil.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Individually we only have the time from our own salvation till the day we die to do this work.

We should remember that for every sinner that is saved this world becomes a little brighter, but the truth is that as every Christian goes on to be with the Lord this world becomes a little darker.

The Bible says: 2Ti_3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

In other words our world is becoming darker every day. There are more who are going home to be with the Lord than there are new "Born Again" Christians each and every day!

This blame goes to the apostate church who no longer reaches out into this wicked world!

In other words Jesus is coming soon!

1Co 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1Co 7:30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

1Co 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

We should understand that Christianity is a set of godly principles not a set of laws. It is how we apply these principles to our own life and reach out to others, so they can get the opportunity to choose that makes us Christians.

We are not bound by laws because we are bound by "Grace"!

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Jesus Christ was the Light of this world when He was in it! It is now the Church that is to be the light of the world and the light of the church is growing dimmer!

All those who choose to come out of this darkness can only do so thru Jesus Christ for it is Jesus Christ who is the power behind the Church through the Holy Spirit!

And again Jesus displays the power of God.

*****Joh 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Joh 9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

If we remember the woman at the well. We know that it was no accident that Jesus just happened to stop at that well that day. It is the same on this day with this blind man. It was no accident that Jesus just happened to see him this day.

On this day Jesus would prove that He was truly the Light of this world by giving sight to someone, who never had sight, who had spent all His years in darkness.

We know that Jesus is not afraid to lay His hands on anyone even the diseased!

Jesus could have very easily have just spoken and the sight of this man could have been restored but Jesus chose a different method on this occasion.

What we can believe is that Jesus created a remedy to heal this man of blindness.

What is "faith?

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

By using the spittle and the mud that came from it and by following the exact directions given to him by Jesus, Jesus offered this man a chance to have "Faith" and then that same "Faith" to grow.

You see, we not just to believe on Jesus with all our heart, but we are to believe on the work Jesus did for our salvation.

You see if this man had just gone home to wash he would have remained blind!

It is really not so important to have physical sight as it is to have "Spiritual Sight"!

When we believe and obey the things of the Lord, it is only then that we can get the blessings!

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We should understand that God has His ways of doing things and our job is to obey, knowing that whatever God does is the right thing for Him to do at that time!

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid!

God has every right to dictate to us the terms of His righteousness!

God says He will have mercy on whosoever He will have mercy on and this is His choice!

God also says He will have compassion on whoever He decides to have compassion on.

Our faith must be centered on the fact that God will never be unrighteous in His decisions. God will always do the right thing.

Now we may not understand why God does certain things, but God does not owe us an explanation for the things He has done.

God has given us all the information that we need in His Written Word, but God also has given us the opportunity to come to Him face to face and discuss these things with Him in our prayers.

If God cannot be swayed by prayer, then He would never have given us the opportunity to pray.

God will never change anything that goes against His Written Word but the things that do not affect His Word, do not change His plans, and do not go against His Will are things He is willing to discuss, if we have enough "Faith"!

If the Lord is willing to pray for our success, then He certainly is willing to give us things to meet our needs and many things we have ask for!

It seems like everything that Jesus did was known by the Pharisees and the hard line, Jews in very little time.

Today we would say that someone was stalking the Lord at all times.

*****Joh 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Joh 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

At this time these hardline Jews did not know for sure that Jesus was involved but we had better believe that they were pretty certain that He was.

No one had a cure for blindness at that time and neither do they even in our day! This was a miracle that could not be denied!

This man was blind, and He could not have described Jesus, at least His physical features.

According to the law of the Pharisees, not the Law of God it was a violation of the Law to cause this man to see on the Sabbath.

We can certainly see just how ridiculous this was.

All this man knew was that some man had put clay in his eyes and when he washed at Siloam, he had also washed away his blindness.

This man was full of joy that he could see. and these Pharisees wanted to dampen his joy and change it into breaking the law which deserved stoning, but the fact is this man had only taken a bath and rejoicing did not break any law.

We may never know how many Jews were stoned to death for breaking Jewish traditions that were actually against the commandments of God.

The truth is that the works of God cannot be matched by mankind!

Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Again this man that was once blind had not seen the Savior and in reality, the faith that he had was not saving faith at this time.

*****Joh 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Joh 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

Notice it was not that Jesus did not keep the Sabbath, Jesus did not keep those traditions passed down from generation to generation from the time these Jews had returned from Babylon.

Traditions are not the same as the laws of God and we know that Jesus was free from all sin.

Traditions are the same as adding to the Word of God which is sin in itself.

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

These men were not divided by traditions they were divided by the truth!

In that day, to be named a prophet was the highest office that a man could hold. A prophet was still considered to be a voice from God!

Even in this great honor Jesus was still considered to be no more than a man.

These Pharisees just said that no miracle had occurred because this man could not have been blind.

*****Joh 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

We should understand that every Jew that studied the Scriptures would know that restoring sight to the people would be a sign of the Messiah.

Not only physical blindness but spiritual blindness.

Isa 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

Isa 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

These people could see Jesus as a lot of things but until they saw Him as their Savior then they did not really know Him!

This has not changed today.

We should understand that all those who put any faith in Jesus as the Messiah were ex-communicated from Judaism and in most cases, they would lose their job and any source of income.

So when these parents were questioned they confessed that this was their son and that he had been blind from his birth, but they were not willing to say much more than this.

Their son was more than 30 years old, so he could speak for himself

*****Joh 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

Since these Jews could no longer doubt the blindness of this young man they then decided to put an end to his testimony.

We certainly need to give God the praise every day that He allows us to live but until we recognize that Jesus, the Son of God is God then our praise falls far short for everything that is not of God is of the devil.

So our question that we need to answer is, "just who is my God"?

It is Jesus Christ who is God of the Bible and He is certainly no sinner!

Most Jews have never progressed any further than this today. They reject the Lord Jesus Christ as God along with most of our world.

This man who was once blind had only one answer for them.

*****Joh 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

We could say a lot more of these Pharisees and we will, but we must also admit that God will test us and many times this test will come right after we have been given a great blessing.

When we do not give God the credit for the good things in our life, we will certainly blame Him for the bad things which are of Satan!

God will test our faith from time to time!

When asked we must never be ashamed of our Lord.

Mar_8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

We should have enough "faith" that we do not deny the truth of our salvation nor the truth of the Scriptures.

If we have a personal experience with the Lord, we will know it, and this is our testimony!

When we are questioned by high authorities God will cause the Holy Spirit to give us the answers!

Luk 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

Luk 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

God will never leave us especially in our most difficult times!

We should also consider that almost a whole chapter is taken up with is one miracle, so it would be good if we spent some time studying these words and the Lord's intent.

Have you ever noticed that those who insist that they always know everything in most cases know less than we do?

This is because we have the Holy Spirit living within us and He does know everything!

We should also notice that we are never given the name of this man because names are not as important to God as is the soul!

We may never know all we want to know about our Savior until we get to Heaven but the "One Thing" can know is, that we have been touched by the Lord Jesus Christ and we are saved from a sinners Hell!

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

As the questions kept coming to this man, he actually became bolder.

To open the eyes of some one, who was blind is a true miracle even in our day!

*****Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Sometimes we over look, the wisdom of those who have faced great trials in their life.

There is no one even today who can heal blinded eyes of such a man as this one, though much progress has been made. No one but Jesus and those Apostles He gave some power to, could do the things that only God can do.

Miracles such as these died out with the Apostles. This does not mean that God is not still in the healing business because He still does these things every day. They just go unnoticed or some foolish man will take the credit for what God has done.

Even more than these miracles this man also received "Spiritual Sight".

It is only the Word of God that can cause light to shine where darkness once ruled.

Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

We need to have good preachers to teach us the Word of God, but the fact remains that most souls are led to the Lord by the preaching of the Gospel.

We must understand that no eye is ever opened to see Jesus, except by Jesus!

Until we clearly see Jesus we will wander aimlessly in this world!

This man that was once blind could now clearly see the opposition to Jesus who was certainly of God!

This man knew that Jesus was not a liar.

This man knew that Jesus was not a deceiver.

This man knew that Jesus was not an evil man.

This man knew that Jesus was exactly who He said He was!

This man knew these things and he had not yet seen Jesus face to face!

*****Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Joh 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

We must understand that Jesus wants a close personal relationship with each of us.

We must not be fooled, Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible and Jesus will accept all those who are cast out and rejected by society!

It is also obvious that Jesus sought this man, so he could clearly understand what had happened to him.

Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We must believe that Jesus is who He says He is!

*****Joh 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

Joh 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him

It is not so important to know who we are or what we do for a living, as it is important to know who Jesus the Messiah is and what He has done for us!

We must also understand that is more important to know why we love Jesus, than just to say we believe.

If we cannot believe all the promises of God, then how can we say we believe His Son!

The very moment we realize these things is the very moment we should ask the Lord to move into our heart. It must not be put off!

Without these things our worship is fruitless!

As this man was cast out of the Temple, we must cast out all our vain hopes.

We must cast off our carnal thoughts.

We must submit to the will of God!

Jesus does not have to be in front of us for us to talk to Him!

We must understand that the only foundation of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

How are we saved? When we give ourselves into the hands of God the Father, fully dependent upon for all His things!

We can only do this through and by His Son and His Son is Jesus!

Jesus will never return to claim those who have rejected Him in the Church Age. Jesus has already paid the price for everyone who has ever lived!

Heb_10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

If the Holy Spirit lives within us:

1) We will remember the means of our "Faith".

2) We will highly esteem Jesus Christ.

3) We will have the Holy Spirit within our souls.

4) We will enjoy the peace and comfort of the Lord.

5) We will be filled with the love of God for the Church.

6) We will be subject to the authority of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

If we love the Lord and though He already knows those who love Him, we must still tell Him that we love Him!

Amen

Let's Pray!

The Lord Jesus the Light of the World

The Light of the World

Book of John Chapter 8

If we remember when we were lost and out in the world, we had a great need, but we had no idea what that need was. We seem to forget that now but those who are out in the world, even some of our own families still have that need today and they do not know where to go to meet that need, just like we were.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

In verses 1-11 the Jews we have been referring to, had brought to Jesus some poor woman who had been setup by those Jews as a test for Christ Jesus.

Their story was that she had been caught in the very act of adultery. Whether that was true or, not is irrelevant.

What we must realize is the Jesus was seen as the mortal enemy of these Jewish rulers and every trick possible was used to trap the Lord or to make Him look bad in front of His followers.

Jesus caught them all off guard when He said these words:

Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Wouldn't you have liked to know what Jesus was writing in the sand with His finger?

So let’s pickup our passage with Chapter 8 and verse 12:

*****Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We live in a dark world not because there is no light but because our world is full of the darkness of sin.

What is this darkness? Darkness is the blindness of the mind by the reason of sin!

1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

How are we to deal with this darkness?

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This darkness brings with it, wickedness, ignorance, bondage and misery.

The truth is we all walk in darkness until we follow the Light, The Lord Jesus Christ!

The big commotion of Nicodemus and the Jewish rulers had happened the previous day toward the evening and every one of those had gone to their homes but at daylight Jesus was back in the Temple teaching the people again.

Now again some of these same hard-line Jews clearly knew Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah.

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Isa 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

They had already rejected that Jehovah could be the God of the Gentiles so it nothing greater to reject His Son Jesus as the Light of this world!

The truth is sin does not like to reveal itself and therefore wants no part of any light.

To these Jews their God was just for the Jews and not anyone else in the world.

*****Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

Let's go back and review a verse in Chapter 5, where this same topic had already come up.

Joh 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

What Jesus meant here was that He witnessed only the will of His Father so certainly His own witness would not be true if it differed from that of the Father.

These enemies of Christ had not forgotten what the Lord had said but they certainly could not grasp the meaning of what Jesus had said!

*****Joh 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

Jesus then said He could bear witness of Himself because He knew everything about the Father and they both do exactly the same things all the time.

There are so many things that only God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit know, that no one can know but them.

The Evolutionist make some great big deal about what they know but they cannot begin to describe the truths of life and its beginning because to them life is just one big accident. How can people believe such nonsense?

God on the other hand gives us all the information that we need to know about life and then life after the death of this thing we call the flesh.

The truth is only God knows His own beginning and His own ending. In fact God says He has always existed.

Isa_48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

Psa_14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Only God knows where He comes from and where He is going and to us that means God is everywhere.

There is no place in this cosmos that you cannot reach out to the Lord and He will not already be there.

God is Spirit (not a spirit) because He has no form.

God is everywhere because He cannot be limited to surroundings.

God has substance, yet He is not material.

God is life which means He is the source of all life.

God is independent of His being but also independent of all His creation.

God is perfect, therefore He can never change!

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

God will never change in His response because God will never change in His person!

Jesus said He is the Light of this world and this is a true statement!

For there to be communication with the Spiritual dimension then the Spiritual world had to come to this physical world and this is what happened when the Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.

Jesus allows us to look through His eyes to get a glimpse into the Spiritual World.

Knowing and understanding this truth opens the door to understanding all the Words of Jesus Christ.

*****Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

Joh 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Mankind is incompetent to "judge" anyone because we "judge" by sight, the appearance of things.

Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

When mankind attempts to "judge" the Lord Jesus Christ, they cannot do so on the basis of physical things because Jesus is not of this world!

Jesus can only be "judged" by "Faith"!

Jesus is either believed or His Words are rejected!

In Jewish Law it was required that there be at least 2 witnesses for someone to be believed.

Jesus said since our Father in Heaven was with Him at all times then they both were witnesses of the truth at all times!

Jesus could not bear false witness, it is impossible!

Jesus could not lie, for it is impossible!

Jesus could not make a deceptive claim, for it is impossible!

Jesus stressed the Father, Son relationship because this is the relationship our God seeks with each of us!

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Food for thought: God the Father and God the Son are distinct persons but only One God.

God is sometimes said to come down from Heaven but at the same time God never leaves Heaven.

Because Jesus is the Light of this world, then He is the Light of all life!

*****Joh 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

Joh 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

We touched upon this earlier but let's look closer now. The Law of Moses said:

Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

We say a lot about the air we breathe and the water we drink that we would die without them. The truth is that without our Sun there would be no life upon this planet. The natural Sun is the fountain of life to this world.

Again the truth is that without Jesus Christ, the Son of God, there would be no physical life nor Spiritual life in this world.

The witness of Jesus is always true because everything He did, He did in obedience to God the Father.

Everything that Jesus did was to bring eternal life to "whosoever" believed upon Him and this was because His was the plan of His Father in Heaven.

1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

We must understand that none of the laws of this physical world apply to our Triune God.

Then we see that just like every false religion that exist upon this earth have the same question.

*****Joh 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

What is the difference in Christianity and Religion? It's called the truth!

You will never know the true God until you accept His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

They did not ask who was His Father, they asked "where is thy Father".

We might ask ourselves, just as these foolish men asked, show us physical proof of your Father.

The same truth says if you cannot accept the Lord Jesus Christ, then you cannot know God.

This drives the Muslim crazy, but this is what the truth will do.

This drives all false religion crazy because, this is what the truth will do.

This drives the Atheist crazy because, they have to believe to say they do not believe. They will die knowing that they actually believe!

If Jesus Christ is not your Lord, then you will never meet God!

The truth is Jesus had given them the truth and they could only mock Him. Jesus did not owe them any other explanation because they had no "faith".

Just the day before these same Jews had sent the Temple police to arrest Jesus but Jesus had returned this next day to teach in the Temple, yet no one made any attempt to arrest Him.

*****Joh 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

The treasury was located in a certain part of the women’s court. A place where there was much foot traffic, but no one dared to lay a hand upon the Lord. This place would have been heavily guarded but again no one attempted to arrest the Lord, "for His hour had not yet come"!

We should also understand that though it appears that they may never get another opportunity to repent and show faith, as long as Jesus is still warning the unbeliever He is still seeking for them to repent.

These people never did repent so they did die in their sins.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The truth is no one can come to the Lord unless they are called.

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1Pe 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

As Christians we see death as sad for those left behind but wonderful for that one who is going to be with the Lord.

2Co_5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2Co_5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

For those who do not accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior, death is a nightmare.

To die in our sins was the judgment laid upon us all because of Adam's disobedience.

To die is a complete separation from everything you know. If you have rejected the Word of God while you were alive then it is too late to seek Jesus and you will die in your sins.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

About 40 days after His resurrection the Lord Jesus Christ went back to Heaven. While we are alive we can choose to join Him there or we can reject His offer of "Grace" and end up in eternal torment.

We all claim to be seeking the "fountain of youth" which does not exist but the promise of eternal life in Heaven does exist, but we must get up close and personal with Jesus Christ to get there.

Jesus knew these Jews that confronted Him would never accept Him as the Messiah, so they would die in their sins having lost the ability to be saved.

The sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of unbelief all other sin can be forgiven!

We do not possess enough brain power to know what a life in Heaven would be, but the Scriptures do tell us a good bit of what is not in Heaven.

God is perfect, so His home is a place of perfection!

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

If we know Jesus Christ as Lord, then we already know how to get to Heaven. We can look anywhere we want to but if we do not look to Jesus we will never get to Heaven!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

The worst possible thing that we could ever do is to alienate ourselves from Jesus Christ!

*****Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

We must understand that Jesus is God's spokesperson here on earth.

Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be!

Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

We have the message the Father gave to His Son and the message of the 4 Gospels teach us the same message.

We know that the Lord will return so His first message was a message of salvation, then by default Jesus will return for "Judgment".

The cross shows us the love of God!

The resurrection declared the power of God!

The ascension allowed the Holy Spirit to replace Christ on this earth!

It is all these things that prove that Christ Jesus is the God of the Bible!

This seems to give people the greatest problem, but this is why it takes "Faith".

*****Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Again we see Jesus speak of the Cross, but it also describes the end when every knee will bow before the Lord!

We can just imagine the smile on Satan's face when the Lord was placed on that cross. Had God used His own power to come down off that cross then we would still be dead in our sins!

Since He did not come down off that cross Jesus paid the ultimate cost for our salvation.

The Cross proved that Jesus was the Messiah, God in the flesh.

The Cross proved that Jesus did not act alone but with all the power of the Holy Trinity.

The Cross proved that Jesus was the Messenger of His Father in Heaven.

The Cross proved that we have a Savior.

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

*****Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Jesus Christ is our example in all things so as Jesus did, we to are do always things that please God the Father.

It is God the Father who sent the Lord to the Cross.

God the Father was with God the Son at all times, when the Lord was upon this earth, even when He was upon that Cross.

Many will never accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, but God will never abandon His Son.

God will never provide any other means to join Him in Heaven no matter what religion teaches you at the same time God the Father gets no satisfaction at the death of those who refuse His Son.

Isa_53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Eze_18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

It is only the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that can reconcile us to God the Father!

When you meet Jesus, some will believe and be saved, and some will reject His Words and die the death of a non-believer!

What is true "freedom"?

*****Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The absolute truth is that all mankind has been in bondage to sin since the time of Adam.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We are not good people who occasionally sin. We are sinners who occasionally do good!

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

There is very little truth in this world we live in because it is a wicked world!

As sinners we will bear the consequences of our sin unless we accept that the work Jesus Christ did upon that Cross has set us free from sin's bondage.

We must be free from sin to enter into God's Heaven!

We must escape the clutches of Satan!

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Without Christ Jesus, Satan takes us as he sees fit and the only escape is "Faith" in the work of Jesus!

The Word of God is the absolute truth and if we do the best we can to follow the Word of God, then Satan has no power over us anymore.

We must also know that we cannot reach perfection until the Lord returns to take us home!

As the "Born Again" children of God we have chosen a new Father and even more than that He has chosen us!

Jesus Christ is truly the Light of this world because He is the Light of Creation and the Light of Salvation.

We need to make the Word of God our own personal Temple to dwell in as the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we are a Temple of God!

Amen

Let's Pray!