Sermon O n the Net

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 

John 10: Jesus is telling the people that they must enter through the door (meaning Him), John 10:1, “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.” He who comes through the door becomes a member of God’s family. Just like the sheep that recognize their shepherd by his voice, so God’s people recognize Jesus. The people who follow Jesus do so because they believe in Him; “…his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:4. The crowd had difficulty understanding this analogy so Jesus explained the Door was Him, while others who try to sway the people are merely false teachers. He then said He would grant salvation to anyone who would believe in Him. He explained how He would lay down His life for His people, just as a good shepherd would do for his flock. Verse 14 is rather interesting when He says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep (people) and my sheep know me---just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Then He explains that He has other sheep (Gentiles), verse 16,  and He would be offering salvation to them and they would become one family with one God. Jesus reiterates the love of His Father when He tells them that He has the power to lay down His life and raise it up again. The crowd’s reaction was mixed; some believed whiles others still refused.

 

Again as Jesus was walking in the Temple porch the Jews asked Him who He was. They asked Him to speak plainly. Jesus explained in verses 25-28: “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” 

 

They became so incensed at this statement that they tried to stone Him again, but couldn’t. He asked them what it was He did that caused them to want to stone Him? They accused Him of blasphemy, claiming to be God. Jesus reminded them of other representatives of God (Old Testament prophets referred to as gods), which was written in their law. And again Jesus pleads with them to believe what they see with their own eyes and again they refuse to believe and try to stone Him. He left there and went to where John was baptizing and many believed in Him there.

 

Meaning: In the first 18 verses we see that Jesus is the only way for salvation and there will be many false religions and teachers trying to deceive the people, and unfortunately those who do fall victim to false teaching will be lost forever. I believe that satan encourages the creation of the many false cults and religions we see today, as well as in those days. The Jewish nation, by and large, in those days was a prime example of people who thought they were worshipping the true God who were, in fact, not. Verses 17 and 18 foretell His crucifixion. Verses 22-27 are the result of a closed mind and hardened heart, i.e., they would never believe in Him. Verse 30 is a simple and plain statement that He and the Father are One; they are in perfect unity in their nature and actions. I just love it when Jesus uses their law to make the very point of what they are accusing Him.

 

What I intend to do about what I read in this chapter is to continue to believe and live in the comfort of knowing Jesus as my Savior, and to fully understand the nature and reason for false teachings and to be ready to tell the story of Jesus and His offer of salvation.

 

                              

 

Sernmon On the Net

MOSES SAID

 

Acts 3:22: “For Moses said, ‘the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’”

 

Prophecy fulfilled and a dire warning to the Jewish nation. Whether you are a Jew or Gentile the way to salvation is faith in Jesus. Today listen to the voice of God who is calling you.

 

PRAYER MINISTRY

 

1st Thessalonians 5:16: “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.in all circumstances.”

 

I wish to thank you for all your prayers. I met a converted Muslim who was trained by age 17 to be an assassin. He accepted Jesus and is now preaching to Muslims and others in a world-wide ministry; let’s pray for Tass and his family.

Bunny (my wife); Vista Knoll Nursing home patients; District Prayer Ministry; Dennis P.; Betty and family; Angela, cancer; Nick (me); Military; Emma and Alex; Tom H.; Patti L.; Jan; Doug; Jim & Michelle M; Sherry & Ellie O’C.: Dillon; Lynn; Donna; John M; Ross & Connie; Joan T; Pat Z.; Oguazi; Pam; Bruce; David F.; BMF; Tass and family

 

Rms.11:29: “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

 

Web site: www.hiswayisfree.com        E-mail: ndelsesto@cox.net         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

I AM

John 8: After the crowd went home, Jesus went to the Mt. of Olives for a while, probably to pray. In the morning He went back to the Temple to teach. While He was teaching, the Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and set her before Him. They asked Him what He would do to her because according to Moses she should be stoned to death, Leviticus 20:10. Jesus stooped and began to write on the ground and as He did so, He asked: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” They immediately got up and left, one by one. When Jesus got up He asked the woman where the accusers went   she replied ‘they went away.’ Jesus then told her to go and sin no more; they didn’t condemn her and neither did He.

 

Jesus continued teaching, stating that He was the Light of the world in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged Jesus’ testimony because He was being a witness for Himself. His reply was that even if that were so He knew where He came from and where He was going; John 8:16, “But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father who sent me.” Obviously they had no clue as to what He was talking about. He told them that they judge according to man’s way and He wasn’t judging anyone, however even if He were, He said His judgment would be true because He and the Father are in agreement. He reminded them that in their own law it stated that the testimony of two witnesses is true and He and His Father were the two witnesses. They queried Jesus as to the where the Father was and He told them: “You do not know me or my Father. If you knew me you would know my Father also,” John 8:19. Again, they tried to seize Him and couldn’t.

 

Jesus told them that He would be leaving them soon and where He was going, they couldn’t accompany Him, further more even if they tried to find Him, they couldn’t and they would die in their sins. John 8:24, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” He told them they were from Hell, in that they were in and of this world. He repeated that they would die in their sins unless they believed in Him. Again they asked Jesus who He was and again He told them He had been telling them all along and yet they refuse to believe. He told them that His words were directly from the Father whom they didn’t know. He told them in John 8:28, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” Again He told them that it was His Father’s will for Him to be there and teach them the truth. He told them that he always obeys His Father and does His will because it pleases Him. As He spoke many came to believe in Him.

 

Jesus told those who believed in Him in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They quickly replied they were not slaves to be set free, not realizing that Jesus was talking about their sins; sinners are slaves to sin. Believing in Jesus would, indeed, make one free. Jesus told them that in spite of the fact they were ancestors of Abraham, they were still trying to kill Him because they simply refused to believe in Him. Jesus told them how He does things that the Father has done and they replied they do the same with their father, Abraham, to which Jesus responded, ‘if you were the children of Abraham, then you would do his deeds,’ John 8:39. But they can’t, as they would much prefer to kill Him instead.

 

At this point Jesus told them in no uncertain terms that their father was the devil in John 8:44, “You belong to your Father the devil, and you want to carry out your Father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” This was the reason they didn’t believe in Him. He said they wanted to do the desires of their father which was to kill Him. Jesus said, “If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? He asked if there were any one in he crowd who could convict Him of sin and if not, then why don’t you believe? As Jesus said, “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God,” see John 8:47. They continued in their blasphemy and refusal to recognize who Jesus was and began to accuse Him of being demon possessed and His response was that they continue to dishonor Him. Again Jesus told them that if they ‘believed in Him they would never see death’ (separation from God). Their hardened hearts showed up again when they were convinced He was demon possessed because Abraham and the prophets died, and now He is telling them that they will not die (be separated from God). Jesus continued telling them the truth and defending the Father and told them how Abraham rejoiced greatly over Jesus. They, immediately, replied that it would be impossible for that to occur because Abraham was much older then Him and He was to young to know him Jesus said, “Truly, Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am,” John 8:58.They tried to stone Him, but failed again.

 

Meaning: Time and time again in the Scriptures, we see the love and compassion God has for everyone. What impresses me the most is the seemingly, never ending patience of Jesus, as He, time after time tells the truth, teaches them and never gets angry with them. Personally, I’d have blown a gasket or two. Jesus is always ready to forgive as He did the woman in verse 11. In verse 28 Jesus foretold of His crucifixion and it came true. I find it difficult to comprehend how those who actually witnessed these events refused to believe in Him. We haven’t been witnesses, but yet we believe Him, because of faith and our hearts are not hardened. I believe His words in the Bible, because I believe they are inspired of God. I am so happy to be free in Jesus, no longer enslaved to sin and to the devil. This chapter identifies one form of death that is eternal separation from God, because of sin, for those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ. The other death, of course, is the physical death of the body. But I know that I will live forever in Christ. ‘Never see death,’ verse 51 means that as I am with Him now, I will always be. We need to recognize the presence of God in our lives and live accordingly. In verse 58 Jesus said, ‘I AM’ which means always in existence i.e., absolute eternal existence.

 

What I have learned in this chapter encourages me to remember that He is with me, now and forever and to live my life in such a way as to please Him; to do His will. I know this will not be easy because Satan is constantly on the scene and vigorously tries to discourage Christians everywhere. Fortunately, I also know that in Jesus I have victory over Satan and do not have to yield to the temptations he presents to me, and I might add, on a daily basis, not only to me but to everyone. The Holy Spirit is our   protector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

YOU WILL KNOW

 

John 7: We see Jesus in Galilee walking and talking to His brothers, who as yet, did not believe Him. They wanted Him to go up to Judea for the annual festival that was called the Feast of the Booths. Jesus didn’t want to go with His brothers at this time because He was not ready and He knew the Jews wanted to kill Him. One could almost detect a bit of jealously in His brothers, because they wanted Him to show Himself more and more so as they put it, ‘they will believe you’. This was not an act of encouragement. He declined and they went up to the feast by themselves. John 7:8, “You go to the feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.” Later Jesus went up by Himself in secret, as it were.

 

The Jews were relentlessly seeking Him at the feast, asking everyone if they had seen Him or knew where He might be. The crowd was mixed as to whether or not Jesus was a good man or a troublemaker. However the people were afraid to talk about Him for fear of the Jews.

 

At midpoint of the feast Jesus went into the Temple and began to teach, impressing the crowd with every word. They were amazed and wondered where this man gained this knowledge, especially since He had not been educated in their schools. Jesus told them that His teachings were not from Him, but from the Father, and if anyone would do the work of the Father they, too, would know of the teaching and its origin. John7:16-17, “My teaching is not on my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” He reminded them that Moses gave them the law and yet none of them were adhering, no not ever. John 7:19, “Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me? Jesus asked them if it were okay to circumcise a man on the Sabbath. Why then, are they condemning Him because He healed a man on the Sabbath? By now, the crowd began to wonder why the Jewish rulers and Pharisees were not doing anything to Him. They were assuming that they really didn’t know who He was. The crowd knew where Jesus, the man, had come from, but was under the impression that no one would know where Christ would come from. Jesus told them that the Father sent Him and the reason they didn’t believe Him was because they didn’t know the Father, “…You do not know him), which infuriated the Jews even more. Consequently they were trying to seize Him to kill Him but they couldn’t. Many people in the crowd began believing Jesus, so the Pharisees, again, sent officers to capture Him, and again failed to do so. Jesus told them He would be with them a little while longer and then He would go back to the Father. Jesus said to them in verse 34, ”You will seek me and will not find me, and where I am going you cannot come.” They thought He was going to go to some other area.

 

On the last day of the feast Jesus told them that if anyone wanted to be saved they should go to Him. John 7:37-38, “…If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” He used a metaphor of living water in describing the Holy Spirit whom those who believed were to receive, on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit became active in the lives of the believers.

 

The crowd continued in confusion, some saying He is the Christ, while others were saying He was a Prophet. They were saying that Christ was not going to come from Galilee, but from Bethlehem. Apparently they did not know that Jesus did indeed come from Bethlehem; that is where He was born, as the Scripture had prophesized. Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Again the officers failed in their attempt to seize Him, and they went to the rulers and explained to them they never heard a man speak as Jesus did. The rulers sarcastically replied and asked them if they were beginning to believe in Him. At that point, Nicodemus appeared on the scene, ( the one who had met Jesus in the garden in John 3), and reminded them that their law did not provide for pre judging a man unless he was heard from first to tell his side of the story. The leaders told Nicodemus that no prophet would come from Galilee. At that point the crowd dispersed and each went to their own house.

 

The teaching of this chapter shows the difficulty Jesus had trying to make the crowd believe Him, which simply demonstrates the result of a hardened heart. When a person has a closed mind it will be very difficult to try to teach anything. Jesus certainly gave the world every opportunity to accept Him. As He said, ‘if anyone would be willing to do the will of the Father then that person would know the truth, (verse 17). This chapter is loaded with the ignorance of man. We should always be aware of the lack of knowledge is what leads to ignorance and closed minds. Verse 38 tells us that when one believes and accepts Jesus as Savior, that person will receive the Holy Spirit and will then know the truth. This happened on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were speaking to a very large crowd. (We’ll cover that in Acts). 

 

The meaning to me is that the words of Jesus are true and emanate from the Father, as He said so many times. When I received Jesus as my Savior I knew the Holy Spirit came into my very being. There was a dramatic change in my life. All I need to do is give Him control of my life, to realize that He is with me now and always. The Holy Spirit is no longer a resident in my heart; He is now the President.