Are your eyes upon Jesus?

Audio

Mt 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship (containing the disciples) was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night (between 3am – 6am) Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 BUT when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Now as we begin our lesson today – I want to point out that there are ‘many questions’ that we could ask - about different things that are

revealed to us throughout God’s Word . . . In the Genesis account of creation – God does not explain the specifics of HOW – but He does tell us WHO did it . . . in the beginning GOD

The story of Jonah and the whale – God does not tell us the specifics of HOW a whale was able to swallow a man – and HOW someone could

survive for three days inside of a whales belly . . . but again it is not necessary for us to be told how it was done – because we are told WHO

did it . . . the story of Daniel in the lion’s den is another story that lacks details explaining HOW it is possible to avoid being eaten by

these wild animals . . . but again we need no scientific explanation when we are told the WHO behind the story  . . .

Many of ‘the specifics’ of various things that are found in The Bible – are things that we just have no way of knowing – Now I totally

understand that it is scientifically impossible for any man to walk on water . . . according to the laws of physics it is simply not possible – but

God tells us here in His Word that it actually happened . . . and we either believe it – or we doubt it . . . If we believe it – we do so in spite of never having seen something like this

happen ourselves . . . and if we do believe it – then we do so in spite of every scientific principle that we know and understand – telling

us that it is simply not possible . . . However if on the other hand we doubt this scripture – then we doubt it because we can say that we have

never seen anything like this happen ourselves – OR we can doubt it because we have more confidence in science – than we have in God’s Word . . .

You will notice in this opening passage – that as long as Peter kept his eyes upon Jesus – everything was OK . . . but when Peter took his

eyes off of Jesus – and based upon his own knowledge of the sea and of storms – began to look at the waves – he became afraid and

started to sink . . . Everyone here today – does exactly what Peter did  – When we read The Bible through eyes of faith – everything is OK  

BUT when we approach God’s Word with the eye of a skeptic – with our eyes upon science – with our eyes upon what WE understand in our

flesh – it is then that like Peter we sense fear – and we begin to sink into doubt and our lives become afraid . . . For example if we look at Gen 3: 1 we read the following . . .

Ge 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he (the serpent) said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

We read here about how ‘a serpent’ was able to “talk” to Eve – The Bible says that the serpent communicated with Eve – through speech and

that he even quoted scripture . . . God offers no explanation – He just tells us what happened . . . God could have explained this further – but

He didn’t – so all we know about this particular incident is that God tells us that the serpent talked to Eve . . . so when we read “things like

this” that according to science can’t be explained – we just have to be content with what God has told us about it . . . Another thing that we have

no way of knowing - is whether or not “the serpent” was actually Satan himself in disguise – or whether the serpent simply gave Satan permission to control him . . . once again – God

just tells us what happened without any detailed explanation . . . God didn’t  elaborate about it – He just said that the serpent was more “subtle”

than ANY beast of the field and then He tells us what the serpent did to ‘trick Eve’ into disobeying God’s commandment

Remember – that all of this took place long before the flood – and things as they physically exist today – were totally different than they existed

back before flood . . . so we can’t apply “the way” things are today – to “the way” things were so early in our history . . . For instance - the earth

existed for 2000 years before it finally rained in the days of Noah and ark . . . we can use our knowledge of science and speculate on how

everything was able to survive without rain by way of underground springs – or by way of heavy dew in the mornings . . . but even so – it is not possible to know for sure

The lifespan of humans was 8 to 9 hundred years but – we have no idea how long a tomato plant lived – or how long a dog or cat lived . . . or where dinosaurs came from . . . we only know

for sure ‘what God determined’ that we should know . . . so as we study the scriptures – it is important that we make sure that we are

satisfied with the type of things that God ‘in His wisdom’ has chosen to reveal to us and to avoid using too much of our time trying to

figure out things that are “just not intended” for us to know with any type of certainty – our faith in God should NEVER be dependent upon the

level or upon the degree of own personal understanding . . . And we commit a sin when we say in our heart – well I don’t believe Gen 3:1 because I can’t understand how serpents

could possibly talk or be smart enough to quote scripture . . . OR we sin when we say that - I ‘would’ believe it if I had ever seen ‘another  

serpent’ who could ‘think and reason’ in order to solve problems - like how best to deceive Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.

Faith is not based upon sight – but faith is based upon something that we CANNOT see . . .

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

Illustrate: The phrase “now faith is the substance of things hoped for . . .” refers to how faith is the reality – or how that faith is the foundation of  “the things” that we all hope for in our lives

Faith ‘or hope in Jesus’ is the central anchor of our lives – which means that faith is the only ‘certainty’ that any of us has in our lives . . .

Think about what it means for the very foundation of our lives – for the only sure thing in our lives – to be something that no man can see

“the evidence of things not seen” refers to how that faith is the PROOF of  “things” that cannot

be seen with the eyes or understood with the educated intellect of the human mind . . .

If we go back to Gen 3: 1 . . . faith in God’s Word is the only proof that we have regarding how the serpent spoke with Eve and actually quoted

Scripture . . . our faith in God’s Word regarding this – is the only evidence that exists – that it is in fact the real truth and actually happened . . .

Applicate: So the lesson for us here is this . . . science may be able to explain many things to us – but there are some things like serpents

intelligent enough to quote scripture that science cannot explain . . . So the point is – we should never use our own understanding of science to

prove The Bible – but we should instead use The Bible to prove science . . . and if it can’t be proven in accordance to our understanding –

then just accept what it says . . . we all believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead – so why doubt God about something that is much more

simple ‘like a serpent that is really – really smart’- lions who aren’t hungry . . . or whales that can actually swallow a man . . .

Statement: John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, 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.

Illustrate: I will not believe Gen 3: 1 until I see a serpent talk with my own two eyes . . . I will not believe in the ‘worldwide flood’ of Noah –

unless I can figure out to my own understanding how the whole world could literally be submerged under water . . . when science tells

us that enough water to do this does not even exist on our planet . . . either God is wrong – or the science that we are depending  on to strengthen our faith is wrong . . .

I will not believe in the resurrection of the dead – unless I see with my own eyes a body that I know is dead – come back to life . . .

Applicate: What goes through our mind when we read John 3:16 . . . which tells us of Jesus’ resurrection – do we doubt – or do we believe?

Statement: 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.

Illustrate: To believe – is defined for us here as the eternal salvation of our soul . . . while to doubt is defined for us as eternal damnation in hell

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not (the man who doubts concerning the resurrection of Jesus – that man) is condemned already, BECAUSE he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I will remind you – that God is under no obligation to EXPLAIN anything that He says . . . He begins The Bible with no explanation at all about The Beginning . . . He simply says

In The Beginning GOD . . . and He then leaves it up to the individual person – to base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what they can

understand about the creation using their own reasoning . . . OR whether or not they base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what

CANNOT be seen and whether or not they base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what CANNOT be understood by their mind . . .

Applicate: So the lesson for us here is this . . . In John 3: 16 – God does not try to explain the resurrection of Jesus . . . He merely says that

God so loved the world – that He gave . . . this of course referring to the giving of Jesus as a sacrifice on the cross . . .  God then simply

leaves it up to you and I on an individual basis – to just take Him at His word regarding the resurrection . . . or to doubt what He has told us

to doubt because of how the same science which tells us that serpents can’t talk - also tells us that it is impossible for anyone to be raised from the dead . . .

I have no explanation for how Jesus was raised from the dead – except that The Bible says that He was raised by the POWER of God.

I have no scientific explanation about Jonah and the whale – all I have is the WHO in God’s Word . . .

I have no scientific explanation about Daniel and the lion’s den . . . all I have is the WHO in God’s Word . . .

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.

We have learned from John 3: 18 that without faith it is impossible to be saved . . .

And here in Heb 11: 6 we learn that without faith – it is impossible for those of us who have already been saved – to please the God that has saved us . . .

Jesus invited Peter to step out onto the water . . . the water that Peter walked on represents all of the bad things that are out in the world . . . and

To walk on top of the water – represents how FAITH is able to keep us from sinking down into the depths of sin . . .

Jesus also invites you and I to step where Peter once walked . . . Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink . . .

Have we made the same mistake that Peter made?

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show us a sign

Matt 16: 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Now the Pharisees and the Sadducees – were the ruling class of Jesus’ day . . . they were not really interested in finding out what was “right or

wrong” . . . but they were interested in the power which their current positions provided to them as the religious leaders of the children of Abraham . .

The motive behind their request “shew us a sign” was not a desire to know the Truth . . . but rather it was a desire to discredit Jesus in an attempt to

remove a threat to the power which they enjoyed “over the people” as the religious leaders of The Jewish nation . . .

Notice what we read of such men in II Peter 2: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

A false teacher is one who pretends . . . a false teacher is a fake or a person that is playing a part . . . these actors were doing things in secret . . .

While they pretended to be ministering to the people . . . they were in fact in the process of betraying the people in plain sight . . . they carried

out this pretense of being a Christian minister by secretly introducing heresy (which refer to teachings that are simply not true) . . . a heresy in

the church refers to teachings which are not healthy . . . or to teachings that are of a destructive nature to the love and the unity of God’s people . . .

The phrase “even denying the Lord that bought them . . .” refers to how these actors repeatedly deny their savior . . . Now obviously – the false

teacher is not going to stand up before the congregation and say something to the effect . . . I deny the God that saved my soul . . . but we

should understand that The WORD IS God . . . and the WORD was God . . . the same was in the beginning with GOD . . .

Our attitude toward the WORD is in all respects our attitude toward God HIMSELF . . . if we respect the WORD then we also respect GOD . . .

If we deny the WORD – then we also deny the God of that WORD . . .

Titus 1: 16 They profess that they know God; BUT IN WORKS they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  

The works which denied “the Lord that bought them . . .” was the repeated introduction of “heresy” into the church for the purpose of making

themselves more appealing (more attractive) to the people . . .

II Peter 2: 2 And many shall follow their pernicious (malicious or harmful) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of . . . to speak evil of the Truth is to DENY the God of that truth . . .

3 And through covetousness (greed) shall they with feigned (artificial) words make merchandise of you (they will take advantage of you) whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Shew me a sign and I will believe . . . shew me a sign

and I will change my way of teaching – I will go back to the OLD way and start following you . . .

I have a hold over the people . . . I have deceived them – they like me - they have made my life easy and do not intend to take my mask off . . .

Jesus could see into the hearts of these false prophets and His reply to them is . . .

Matt 16: 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Now what “signs of the times” do you suppose Jesus was referring to . . .

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

II Tim 4: 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (referring to the heresy that the false prophet repeatedly introduces).   

Now we cannot lay the blame for such a condition solely at the feet of the pretenders . . . an actor has to have

an audience . . . you see birds of a feather flock together . . . if our love for the truth has begun to wax cold – and if in its place we have fallen in love

with religion . . . we will turn aside from those who teach the TRUTH  – and we will seek in their place a pretender . . . 2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

The idea of “suffering” so that we might also reign with Him refers to how “we suffer” when we deny what we are by nature . . .

The man who denies the natural tendency which we all have to “overlook” the truth when it is to our advantage to do so . . . the man who denies the

greed in his heart that leads him to take advantage of the trust that others have placed in him – the man who denies the desire to be in charge – the

man who denies the desire to teach only what others want to hear . . . this is the man who will reign with God in the heavenly kingdom of Jesus

Christ . . . but the man who refuses this type of self-denial as he “denies” the truth in order to gain

popularity . . . he may be popular in church – he may be popular in the community . . . but he will NOT be popular in heaven . . . he may be saved –

but to deny our saviour in this manner – is to guarantee that when we go to heaven – we will go there in shame - with empty hands – having forsaken the reward of the righteous . . .

II Cor 3: 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Matt 16: 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Jesus left these whose only interest in their religion was how to make themselves popular with the people . . . we did not say that these pretenders

were sent to hell . . . but having denied Jesus by their works – Jesus will deny them rewards in the day of judgment . . . has Jesus left you to find 

your own reward in success and popularity . . . or is Jesus standing beside you – and giving you comfort as you deny the world in order to follow His Truth?

Adding to our faith #13

James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers (many – or a large quantity of) temptations;

 3 Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (brings about or finishes) patience.

 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

How secure are we in “our belief” concerning Jesus – concerning the cross and concerning His resurrection . . . It is only natural for us to doubt

these type of things – but as we mature spiritually – or in the words of James – as we become “perfect and entire” or (completely whole) these 

periods of doubt should slowly “fade away” as God’s Spirit continually testifies of His Truth to our spirit.

Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself (The Holy Spirit of God) beareth witness with our spirit (testifies to our heart) that we are the children of God:

The idea in our text verses – is that when our faith is put to the test by trials – or when we are able to prove how committed we really are to God . . .

then this is something that puts the finishing touches on our lives regarding what it means to actually be a “Christian.”

If we have ever painted a wall – we understand that it is necessary to trim around the edges of a window casing . . . the main part of the room is

painted first – and then afterward – a smaller brush is used to “trim out” around the edges of the door facings or the windows.

Before adding the “finishing touches” the room is completely covered with paint – but there are just a few details that we cannot finish with a 12”

roller . . . so we have to go back with a smaller brush to reach a few spots where the roller couldn’t reach . . .

This is exactly what James 1: 1-4 is teaching us about our lives after we have been saved.  To be saved is to have our lives painted with a big wide

roller that covers our soul with the blood of Jesus – like a painting roller covers the wall with paint.

However – for the detailed work of our lives – having completely covered our soul with His blood – God now needs to do a little “finish work” on

our lives . . . now our salvation is not dependent upon this “detailed work” any more so than the color of the walls are dependent upon trimming

around the face boards of a door . . . but just like “trimming in a door” makes the room look better – when Jesus puts the finishing touches on 

our lives with manifold “temptations” in order to prove to us that our faith is real and genuine . . . then having gained such confidence through these

trials we have “a better life” while we remain upon the Earth waiting on God to take us to heaven . . . just like we have a prettier room after painting it – IF we “trim in” around all of the edges.

One of the “trials or the temptations” that we will undergo for the purpose of “testing” our faith to prove “not to God” but to ourselves that our faith is real . . . is the trial of DOUBT.

If we have been saved – then to later “doubt our salvation” is not a sin that condemns us to hell . . . but rather it is only one trial in a long series of

trials that we will suffer through as a child of God . . . the end result being that we grow stronger in spirit as we read verses like John 5: 24 which tells us . . .

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and SHALL NOT come into (or enter into) condemnation; but (because of their belief) is passed (has already passed) from death unto life.

Satan “tempts us” with the idea or with the concept that Salvation is not really a gift . . . but that it has to be earned or maintained by some sort of 

effort on our part . . . but as we look into the scriptures to put these doubts to rest – what we find there causes us to grow stronger than we were before.

John 3: 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He that believeth on Him IS NOT CONDEMNED . . . Such is the case regarding any type of doubt that we encounter in our lives regarding the kindness of God and His promised care for us . . . we face adversity – and then because of that adversity we are tempted to doubt God.

But after a period of “soul searching” and a "thorough study" of the scriptures (which we would not be searching in this manner if we were 

never faced with the adversity which Satan uses as a temptation for us to doubt God) . . . After this time of soul searching - after the clouds have finally gone away – the sun shines brighter for us than it ever did before.

The trial of our faith – is not for God’s benefit to see whether or not we are faithful . . . the trial of our faith is for OUR BENEFIT . . . and it’s 

purpose is not to harm us in any way at all – but it’s purpose is to make us stronger.

Let’s consider something as simple as teaching a class . . . if you are shy and have no confidence – then the first time you stand in front of a class is not a pleasant experience at all . . .

But after it is over – after you realize that you did not "die" in the process of speaking in fronto of others – you gain the confidence you need to teach 

other lessons . . . which you would not have had the ability to do – if you had not undergone the “trial” of having to stumble through those first few lessons.

The athlete who sacrifices to achieve a particular goal as he practices every day . . . when it is game day - he has the knowledge and the skills to perform because of how he suffered through the daily exercises in practice . . .

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

This is telling us to put up with all of the trials – and with all of the adversities of life just like an athlete puts up with all of the daily practices . . . so that in the end – we will complete and mature Christians. 

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. 

We defend what we love

    In previous lessons, we have been discussing "The Truth" and the concept of true worshipers as opposed to false worshipers.  I guess the point is, how many "truths" are there in the world (there is only ONE) and how many "truths" are there in heaven (there is only ONE)?

    Col 2: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you (ruin your worship – destroy your church) through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

    Matt 7: 13 Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

    14 Because strait (small and UN-noticeable) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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

   “The Truth” is just not wide enough to cover all of religion – but “The Truth” is narrow so that it is only wide enough to cover Christianity.  Christianity being defined as "the religion" that is centered upon "Jesus Christ" as the divine son of God and how He suffered on the cross of Calvary for our sins.

   Once again we must all decide within our own heart whether there are many gods and many ways to heaven, or if there is in fact only one God and one way to heaven.  No man can make this choice for us, each one of us must live and die with the particular choice that we make regarding which god to serve and how to go to heaven.

   Now it is important for us to realize that (as Christians) we have been given a responsibility to “keep the faith” – But to do this    we must know what that faith IS and WHERE it is located.

   I Peter 3:15 But sanctify (or set apart) the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

   II Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (properly interpreting) the word of truth.

   To sanctify means to make holy – which is what happens when we set our hearts "aside" for the purpose of dedicating/committing ourselves unto God.  Now here is where we take the first step in developing “the relationship” with God that He desires to share with us "as followers of Christ".  As an example, (as parents) we chose a long time ago to dedicate our lives to the welfare of our children and over the years this dedication (or this commitment) has resulted in a bond between us as this commitment has fostered “the relationship” that we currently have with our children.

   Well the phrase "to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts" is telling us to do the same thing with God that we have chosen to do with our children . . and that is to dedicate our lives unto God – it is telling us to commit our lives to the wellbeing of “the landmarks of our Christian faith" that we have been discussing in our Sunday School lessons, and that we should do this {with the same fervor} and with the same intensity that we have developed in the attitude that we have to keep and to protect our own children.

   The result of (sanctifying our heart unto God in this manner) – the product of this type of dedication, will be that (this type of commitment to The Truth) will foster (or bring into being) "a relationship" between our heart and The Truth so that we will defend The Truth, just like we are willing to defend our children.

   To dedicate our heart to The Lord – to commit our heart to The Lord is accomplished through obedience to the first and the most important of all the commandments that God has ever given to any man . . . 

   Matt 22: 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  38 This is the first and great commandment.  39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

   Can we understand what it means to love a child or a parent with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength?  To put this type of love into action simply means that we will keep our eyes open for anything that might bring harm to these that we love.

   As we consider that we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength all we must do to accomplish this – is to apply the same degree of dedication which allows us to “watch over” our families – to the concept of watching over "the landmarks" (or the foundation) of what we believe as "Christians" or followers of what Jesus Christ teaches in The Bible. 

   Before we will ever be able to defend our faith we must first LOVE our faith which means that we must love God’s Word and if we DO love God’s Word then we will also love God’s people (or all of those who have chosen to be disciples of Jesus by standing upon His Word and professing an allegiance to His teachings).

   If we were to consider a "defense of our faith" in regard to what we believe about salvation, we would discover that a defense of this "doctrine" or teaching would be fairly easy for us to defend.  We can say that it would be easy to defend because we love the idea of God’s promise which delivers our soul from hell . . . You see we have a relationship with this eternal promise of hope . . . we enjoy being reminded of eternity in heaven – and because this is something that we have fallen in love with – we find that it is easy for us to defend.  

   But for too many of us – this is where our relationship with spiritual things seems to stop . . . We are glad that God saved us – but we just don’t want to go to the trouble to do the kind of things that God wants us to do – now that we are saved.

   I will tell you that the reason that we feel this way is because we have never sanctified our hearts unto the Lord – we have never dedicated our lives to Him – we have never actually committed our hearts to His Truth by searching the scriptures for the way of PROPER worship now that we have been saved.  The concept of becoming a True worshiper is just something that we not really interested in pursuing.  The result being is that we have never been able to develop any kind of a relationship with the Truth . . . so because (this truth) has remained a stranger to us ever since we were saved  we have never really learned to love it . . . and because we do not love “The Truth” our attitude is that . . . one church is pretty much like every other church . . .

   I want you to consider how this would make you feel – Suppose that your parents told you that they would have been just as satisfied if one of your cousins had taken your place at birth as they are satisfied with having you for their child . . . how would this make you feel?

   Wll as we close this lesson I want to remind everyone – that God loves – God hates – God cries . . . how do you think it effects God to hear one of His children say in their heart . . . Now that I am saved, I am just as satisfied serving an idol god  as I would be if I served The One True God.  

   Remember - Before we can DEFEND our faith – we must first fall in LOVE with that faith . . . If you have been saved – have you taken the next step that God  desires of you as one of His children . . . by taking the next step – I want us to consider  what we have committed our life to . . . Defending the faith – or living a lie . . . 

   Are we committed to defending "The teachings of Jesus Christ" or have we committed our lives to defending the teachings of another?

    Remember what we talked about in our introduction.  This entire concept of ONE God or many gods and the idea of ONE truth or many truths is something that each individual heart must not only live with, but each one of us must also DIE with the choice that we make.  My prayer for all of you is that you will allow The True God to lead your heart to accept His Truth and to experience His perfect forgiveness.

   Until the next post - God bless.