Doubting Denying Departing

Doubting – Denying and Departing . . .  

In John 20 we read the account of when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection -- we begin reading of this in verse 19

John 20: 19 Then the same day at evening (the day of His resurrection) being the first day of the week (Sunday), when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve (disciples) called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

 25 (so later) The other disciples therefore said unto him (unto Thomas) We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas heard an account of the “gospel message” regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . but Thomas doubted what he had heard.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them (this time) then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, “because” thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Doubting Thomas is a man that we often mention as someone who “because of doubt” - failed to meet God’s expectations for his life . . . 

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jesus told Thomas – you believe that I have risen from the grave “only” because you have seen – but blessed are those who believe even though

they have not seen . . . What Jesus is talking about here – is the blessing of salvation upon those who were not eye-witnesses of what these men saw.

When we consider the salvation of our souls – the first thing that we must consider is the sin of DOUBT.

If we don’t believe – then it really doesn’t matter how good we are – or how evil we are . . . because UNBELIEF means that our righteousness or our unrighteousness does not matter at all.

We often hear about something referred to as “the unpardonable sin” . . . now we could speculate about what this sin is – some say that it is murder

some believe it to be suicide because once we are dead – we cannot ask God for His forgiveness . . . we could go down a list and name off many such

sins – but I want us to consider what sin is so bad – that God cannot offer His forgiveness . . .

2Pe 3:9 The Lord . . . is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that “any should perish” but that all should come to repentance.

Actually the sin to which we refer  – is not any of the sins of the flesh because God is willing to forgive us of ANYTHING that we do . . . but 

the sin of which we speak - is a sin of the heart.  “And that sin” for which there is no hope of forgiveness – is the sin of unbelief or simply – NOT BELIEVING.

When we hear “the gospel” – if we doubt “the truth” as it applies to our soul (or to our life) then the next logical step for us - will be to deny what we do not “believe is true” And the final step occurs

when we depart (or turn our back) upon those things that we have begun to deny as being something that applies to others but not to us.

What about you and I – is our life characterized  more by doubt than it is by faith . . . Jesus told Thomas “be not faithless, but believing . . .”

In Luke 16 we read about the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. Lazarus was a believer but the rich man did not believe.

 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar (named Lazarus) died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

The sin for which there is no hope of forgiveness is the sin of DYING in UNBELIEF . . . dying with a heart that is empty of faith because it has been filled instead with doubt.

This rich man did not go to hell because he was a bad person or because he did bad things . . . he went to hell because he did not believe . . . the

light of truth was available to this rich man – but he loved his present life too much to give that life to Jesus by accepting Him as His personal savior.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but (instead God sent his Son into the world so) that the world through him might be saved.

 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already (the reason for this condemnation is) because he hath not believed IN THE NAME of the only begotten Son of God.

 19 And THIS is the condemnation, that light (or truth) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Who-so-ever BELIEVETH in Him should not perish literally means that any person who believes in

the death the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is protected from the second death that the rich man experienced.

Verse 17 explains THE PURPOSE of the cross as something that did not bring condemnation – but as a thing that brought the hope of eternal life.

Verse 18 is detailed explanation of HOW the cross brings life instead of death . . . the person who BELIEVES in (trusts) a resurrected Jesus 

escapes spiritual death in hell - while the person who doubts like Thomas did (as a result of their doubt – which is a lack of faith) they will not 

escape this death of the soul – and like the rich man – after they die – they will open their eyes in hell.

Verse 19 tells us precisely what “motivates” a person to doubt – to deny and then to depart.

THIS is the condemnation – after hearing the truth about their soul - this is WHY a person remains lost instead of “getting saved”.

19 And THIS is the condemnation, that light (or truth) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

The “light” that is mentioned refers specifically to John 3:16 . . . the light of God’s Truth is that Jesus died for our sins on the cross of Calvary . . . and

if we believe in His sacrifice “as the sinless son of God” – if we believe that he literally died in our place to satisfy God regarding the payment for our sins - and that when God saw His Blood which was shed because of His love for the sinner - and if we

believe that after three days God resurrected Him from the dead then we shall not perish in hell – because we have gained (received) eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

BUT to refuse this “gift of life” and to remain under the condemnation of God – is to love OUR SINS so much that we refuse to look at this light 

that we have been talking about – and because we will not look to the cross – we cannot escape eternal death. 

Where are we #11

Where are you

When we come to church – the first thing that we think about is being saved so that we don’t have to go to hell – and another thing that we often think about is worshiping the God that saved us . . .

We know that salvation is “a gift” that we receive from God through repentance (as we turn away from our sins) like turning our backs upon

something that we no longer approve of . . . we know that THE KEY which gives us “access” to eternal life is also a gift that we have named FAITH 

– and that we first receive this “gift of faith” (which is the KEY that opens the door of salvation) - as we HEAR the Word . . .

The Word which brings this “saving faith” to us – is not the word of man – but rather it is the Word of God . . .

Romans 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.

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

It does not matter who we are or what we are – if we gain access to the KEY (through faith in the WORD) – and then if (because we believe) we use that key to open the door of salvation as we repent of our sins and 

trust in Jesus . . . God has promised to hear us when we call out to Him – and when He hears us - He will save our soul . . . 

Every nation on the Earth is subject to the same God – As far as being “subject” unto God - there is no difference between one nation and any other . . . God is over all men – and God is over all nations . . .

Salvation is a gift that is freely offered to the men of all nations – God is no respecter of persons . . . but He is rich unto ALL (no matter what nationality) that calls upon Him . . . 

For WHO-SO-EVER in any nation – for who-so-ever in any station in life – that shall call upon the name of the Lord – they will be saved . . . regardless of where they live – regardless of the color of their skin – regardless of their wealth or regardless of their lack of wealth . . .

 14 How then shall they call on him (for this salvation) in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

No matter where we live – no matter what we do – no matter (our circumstances in life) . . . if we call out to God “in faith” – He will save 

our souls . . . BUT how will any man “know” to call out unto God for salvation if he “has no faith” to place in God . . . If he has never gotten 

ahold of “the key” – then how can he unlock the door that is separating him from the promise of God’s salvation . . . how will he ever find this faith 

to believe – if he never hears the gospel . . . and how can any man hear the gospel – if there is no-one to preach that gospel to him . . .

 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

So having “heard” the Word of the gospel – and having “accepted” that Word . . . we now turn our attention (now that we are saved) to the concept of WORSHIP . . . and we know that worship

includes all of the things that churches so often disagree on . . . such things as – baptism – The Lord’s Supper – what it actually means to live right

So now that we are saved – we no longer have any need to fear hell – so with this fear out of the way - what should the goal of our life be now?

(As a child of God) our goal in life should be to worship the God that has saved us – and to worship Him the way that HE wants us to worship

Proper worship does not save our soul – and improper worship does not condemn our soul . . . proper worship pleases the God that has already

saved our soul – while improper worship is a thing that DISPLEASES the God that has already saved us.  So depending upon what we do in our 

churches regarding baptism, the Lord’s Supper and what we define as an appropriate lifestyle . . . we either please the Lord or we displease the Lord . . .

“To please” our savior with the proper TYPE of worship is a thing that will result in us being “one of those” that are being addressed in Matt 25

21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

This individual was considered a “good and a faithful servant” not because he had been born into this household . . . but he was a good and a faithful

servant based upon something that he had done AFTER becoming a member of this household “while waiting” on his Lord to return.

But to displease our savior with IMPROPER worship – this will result in us being described in the following verse . . .

26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Now I want to point out here – that both of these servants were part of the same household – they both answered to the same “Lord” and they both had the same responsibility to that Lord . . . the same Lord overall . . .

The thing that made this particular servant “wicked and slothful” was not the fact that he occupied a different type of position than the “good and

faithful” servant occupied – but the thing that made him “wicked” instead of “good” was clearly his behavior while “waiting” on his Lord to return.

After learning what “his Lord” expected of him – one of the servants met those expectations while one of them did not meet those expectations.

2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed . . .

Mt 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Now of these three men that are mentioned – there was a point in each one of their lives – where (because of their behavior) each of them would

have been viewed as “wicked and slothful servants” – and then with the passage of time . . . if we looked at these three men again – these who

were once “wicked and slothful” – would now be seen as good and faithful . . . two of them were “wicked and slothful” FIRST and after they repented they became “good and faithful” . . . But 

the life of Demas was lived in the reverse order – he began his “Christian walk” as a good and faithful servant – but he ended that walk as wicked and a slothful servant.

Where are we in our “Christian” walk?

Ambassadors for Christ

Lesson #10

Matt 15: 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Once again – a hypocrite is a person who is only “playing a part” . . . in our churches – hypocrites are not people who do not KNOW the truth – but they are people who just do not LOVE the truth . .

James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

This person described in James – he understands enough to see a need in his neighbors life (he recognizes discomfort – and he knows hunger)

He understands enough to know how that need could be satisfied (his own life is comfortable so he has the means to help – and he is not hungry himself – so he does have food to offer)

Notwithstanding (in spite of the fact that you have the ability – the capacity and the opportunity) to “do what is right” YE GIVE THEM NOT those things which are needful . . . what doeth it profit? 

This is an illustration of seeing a physical need – and having the means to satisfy that need – but refusing to GIVE in order to help those in need.

Have we ever been guilty of saying “I know I should do this . . . BUT” -What profit is there in knowing the truth – or in knowing what is right . . . if we refuse to accept the truth - if we refuse to DO what is right?

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

A hypocrite is not blind to the need for the truth in the world in which we live . . . he can see the need for the gospel – he has studied The Bible - he

has access to the truth and he has {the ability – the capacity and the opportunity} to share that truth with others . . . BUT he will NOT GIVE those things that are needful . . . so what doeth it profit?

Hypocrites are people who are offended by the truth – and in an effort to avoid having to conform OR CHANGE their lives TO that truth – they begin lying (with their lives) about what the truth really is.

It is common “for churches” to adapt this same mentality as they replace what Jesus taught – with things (or teachings) that are more popular

and easier for people to accept . . . Have you ever wondered why all of the discussion and all of the disagreement over Baptism and “other” things in

a church are so important – if it is going to cause so many ill feelings – why not do the “Christian thing” and just accept what people already

believe instead of hurting their feelings and trying to change them . . . 

           Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (or changed) by the                 renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will         of God.

well the most basic answer to this question about trying to "change" everyone so that we all believe the SAME THING – is that it is not OUR church it is God’s church . . . and because “the church” does not belong 

to US – we do not have the “right” to “change the rules” of how God has defined proper worship.

II Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

An ambassador is basically a man that a king has sent on an errand – such as “to deliver a message” to a selected group of people . . . in essence to 

tell those unto whom he was sent “This is what the king says . . .” – As we see in II Cor 5:20 – that ministers of the gospel in particular – and 

churches in a more general sense – are AMBASSADORS or representatives of The King – Jesus Christ.

The Word of Truth is the message of “the preacher” – the most basic message is that – “All men have sinned . . . and all men need a savior” – 

this message has been sent to the world in general – for the obvious purpose of introducing salvation to lost mankind . . . but there is a second message

which has been sent unto those "who have accepted the FIRST message" of salvation . . . and “that message” deals with the behavior and the

attitude that God expects from those who have been saved.  Now as we reflect upon the scriptures – and if we understand the responsibility and 

the LIMITATIONS of an ambassador – we can see that those who have been sent to the lost with “the message” of salvation do not have the 

right to change the contents of that message and to present different paths which we think will lead to eternal life – we are bound to repeat only what the king said.

Likewise – neither do those who have been sent with the message of “how to worship God now that we are saved” – neither do they have the right to 

change the contents of their message so that they make worship easier and more convenient to offer – once again they are bound as one who 

represents (not themselves) but another - to repeat ONLY what King Jesus has said about “how to worship.”

Now once again – we should be firm in our conviction that worship is a TOTALLY separate issue (or concept) from SALVATION.

For by grace are “ye saved” through faith (and NOT through religion/church) . . . The Bible says - He that believeth on Him is not condemned (NOT he that “WORKS for Him” or he who performs good 

deeds is not condemned) – The Bible says that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby ye must be saved (not that there are several different paths or philosophies that all lead to heaven . . .)

Faith in God and repentance of our sins are what brings salvation into our heart and “saves” our soul –

Acts 16: 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

but worship {which comes AFTER salvation} includes such things as church – baptism – The Lord’s Supper – trying to live right - and all of the other things churches argue about . . . 

After we are saved - it should be our goal (as a child of God) to worship the God that saved us – and to worship Him the way that HE wants us to worship Him . . . 

instead of worshiping Him the way that WE want to worship – or in a way that WE are most comfortable with . . .

This is why such things as Baptism – The Lord’s Supper – Church discipline – giving – and our general life-styles as “Christians” are important.

Proper worship does not save our soul – and improper worship does not condemn our soul . . . proper worship pleases the God that has already

saved us – while improper worship DISPLEASES the God that has already saved us.

The PURPOSE of baptism

Now in previous lessons we used Matt 15: 7-9 as our text

Matt 15: 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

We have discussed hypocrisy as “an act” which is “performed” to deceive “others” into falsely believing that we are a Christian . . .

Hypocrisy is something that looks good – but it hinders our worship . . . hypocrisy is defined for us here as “drawing close” unto God with our 

words – and honoring Him outwardly with “an act” . . . But refusing to commit our hearts to all of the “Christian words” that we speak . . .

“Vain worship” is religious activity that is “worthless and empty” regarding our attempt to please God.

Hypocrisy will spoil our worship – and “false doctrine” or incorrect teachings will also spoil our worship . . . a church that “pretends” to love 

the truth – is a church that is only pretending because of how it refuses to PRACTICE the Truth.

In our last lesson we talked about the temptation a church faces regarding baptism . . . and how it is a common practice for religion to “remove or to

lessen the restrictions” that Jesus placed on this “pictorial” church ordinance . . . The idea is often promoted that if we only accept those 

who are completely immersed under the water – we will offend those who have “been sprinkled” and our church will not grow . . . OR if we only 

accept the baptism of those who have been baptized by a church that believes like we do – then we will be labeled as being “judgmental and narrow minded” and once again our church will not grow as it should . . .

You get the idea of why a church would consider “changing” things like this or not being as restrictive as our grandparents were . . . but we

should not forget that the purpose of THE CHURCH is NOT necessarily TO GROW . . . the purpose the church is TO TEACH a very specific 

thing - and that is the doctrines of Jesus and to GROW IN TRUTH . . . And if our goal is to teach – then it should be crystal clear that WHAT WE 

TEACH (actually what we teach by our practices) is the most important thing for us as individuals and also as a church.

We have discussed baptism and we understand that there are different “methods” of baptism (dunking, pouring or sprinkling) – there are

different types of “organizations” that practice baptism (is the baptism of one denomination as good as the baptism of any other?)

If our responsibility “as a church” is to grow larger – then we could answer that it really doesn’t matter WHAT we teach . . . because our goal would 

be not to “offend” anyone that believes differently than we do . . . but if our responsibility “as a church” is to teach and to GROW in TRUTH then 

WHAT we teach becomes the most important thing that is associated with our “religion.”

The way that The Bible teaches – is by pictures - by types and by parables . . . We have been talking about baptism.  One “symbol” that religion has

ascribed to baptism – is that it’s purpose is to represent or to illustrate “washing” away our sins.

Have you ever wandered what the REAL purpose of baptism is?  “The thing” that it illustrates – or “what it is a picture of” . . . will help us determine the proper method that should be used.

Step #1 – what is the real purpose of baptism?

Step #2 – what method (or what type of action) best represents or illustrates the real purpose?

Romans 6: 3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Do you see THE STATED PURPOSE of WHY we are baptized here in these scriptures?  The purpose of

baptism is found in verse #4 . . . therefore – because we are baptized into the death of Jesus – we ARE BURIED with Him BY BAPTISM . . .

The act of baptism – is to illustrate a BURIAL – and as Christ was RAISED UP from the dead (out of the grave) . . . even so we ALSO (being raised up out of the waters of baptism) should walk in newness of life.

Because if we have been PLANTED together in baptism (or BURIED like Jesus was buried under the water) then we shall be also in the likeness of 

His resurrection (as we are raised up out of the water) to illustrate how He was raised up out of the grave after His death on the cross.

Do you see the picture here of what baptism is supposed to REPRESENT . . . it clearly does not represent the washing away of our sins – it

represents (symbolizes or illustrates) A DEATH – it represents A BURIAL after death – it represents a RESURRECTION from the grave.

Now as we see THE PURPOSE of baptism as described for us by Paul {as being to illustrate} the resurrection of a body after it had been buried –

what “method” of baptism (sprinkling – pouring or immersion) best represents a death – a burial – and a resurrection?

The answer of course is obvious – so what a church teaches about the purpose of baptism allows us to see the “symbolism” of the method that 

should be used as well as the lie that is told when the “improper” picture is used in order to justify a method that is more widely accepted by the world.

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

The point (the picture or the illustration here) is that when we are saved – we have passed from death unto life . . . it is as if we have actually been resurrected from the dead. 

II Cor 5: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

After we are saved – we are able to see things that were not visible to us before we were saved.

After we are saved – we still possess the nature of sin – but the supreme POWER that this sinful nature once had over our lives has been broken . .

. so that now as a child of God – we have a choice regarding the direction of our lives – What this means is that now that we are saved - we are

a new person.  And baptism is an illustration (a picture) which represents or symbolizes what has happened in our lives as a result of our salvation.