Out Of This World
When I was a kid, we used to say ‘far out.” We’d say this expression when we thought something was really cool. Jesus is far out. There’s never been anyone like Him and there never will be. He raised people from the dead, healed the blind and lame and fed multitudes of people. In fact, you won’t find anyone else in the Bible who healed a person who was born blind except for Jesus. But Jesus is far out as in out of this world. He is out of this world. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven. He truly is far out. He is out of this world.
Not Of This World
But even when Jesus walked this earth a little over 2,000 years ago, He was not of this world. He has always been out of this world because He was before this world and He made this world! Jesus was not of this world.
Jesus answered (Pilate), My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence (John 18:36).
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. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John 8:21-24).
If The World Hate You
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause (John 15:18-25).
Love Not The World
Jesus is not of this world. People who reject Jesus are of this world, they are worldly people. They live for the pleasures of the flesh. They are swayed by the flesh, by the world and by Satan. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).
Is this you tonight? Do you love the pleasures of the flesh? Are you concerned with the culture around you? Are you bound to your sins? Does Satan have you deceived tonight? Are you living your life for yourself? Do you do what you want, say what you want and go where you want to go? Are you the little g god of your life or have your surrendered your life to Jesus?
You Shall Die In Your Sins
Notice Jesus said that if you are of the world that you shall die in your sins. If you do not believe in the Lord Jesus with saving faith, you are lost and you will die in your sins. Not just head knowledge about Jesus. Not just a little one-time prayer or a little one-time religious experience, but a total and complete surrender to Jesus Christ. Are you His or are you floundering on your own?
It’s really easy to tell whether you are a follower of Jesus. Does the name of Jesus cause you joy or pain? You see you will either love Him or you love your sins. If you love your sins, you don’t want to hear that stealing is wrong or lying is wrong, or pornography is wrong or lusting is wrong or coveting is wrong or idolatry is wrong or sexual immorality is wrong or adultery is wrong or homosexuality is wrong or being a drunkard or drug addict is wrong.
No Longer The Same
When you repent and surrender your life to Jesus you are no longer the same. You are no longer the self-absorbed God hater that you once were. Hearing various sins named no longer offends you. You are no longer the same old sinner you once were. You are not perfect, but sin now breaks your heart just like sin breaks God’s heart.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3). And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart (Genesis 6:5-6).
Do You Love Jesus Or Hate Him?
Jesus said those who do not believe on Him, hate Him. Do you hate Jesus tonight? Do you hate that we are lifting up the name of Jesus in the open air? It should never bother a true believer to hear the precious name of Jesus being spoken – in private or public (that is of course as long His name is not blasphemously being used as a curse word). It is the most wonderful name in the world. He is the only Savior. He is my rock. He is my shelter. He is my strong tower. He is my Redeemer. He is my Lord and I willingly bow my knee and confess with my tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Do you join me in loving the name of Jesus? Do you join us in praising our Lord? Do profess Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world? Do you love Jesus or do you hate Him? If you hate Him then you are spiritually dead in your trespasses and sins. If you die your sins you will spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone. Are you a Jesus lover or a Jesus hater? Are you of this world or are you out of this world?
Jesus said that the world would hate His followers just like the world hated Him when He walked this earth. Why? Because followers of Jesus are like Him – we are Christ-like. That’s why we are called Christians. The word Christian was first used as a derogatory term. It was used during New Testament times to describe people who were different; people who were like Christ and people who were not swayed by the lure of worldly desires.
Many Professing Christians
Many people in America call themselves Christians. In fact Donald Trump even calls himself a Christian even though he can’t think of a single thing that he should be sorry about. He can’t think of a single thing that he needs to repent from. Are you kidding me? Not one single thing? This does not describe a true follower of Jesus.
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6). James also says Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4:10). If you are proud, if you are prideful, then you have lifted yourself up. God resists against you. But if you humble yourself, if you confess and forsake your sins, then God will lift you up. You have to bow down to King Jesus before God lifts you up. Are you still a proud person or have you truly repented and put your trust in Jesus?
If you are truly a follower of Jesus, then you are no longer of this world. You surrender your life to Jesus completely after you repent and put your faith in Him. The world no longer has the hold over you like it once did. You don’t care about wealth, fame or fortune. You give up your selfish thoughts, desires and ways.
His Followers Are Not Of This World
Again, we are not perfect, but we are being sanctified by God through the power of the Holy Ghost. That’s why Jesus says that His followers are not of this world. If you are still a worldly person, then you need to seriously examine yourself to see if you are truly in the faith. A saved life is a changed life. If Jesus hasn’t radically changed your life then I dare say that you have not met the risen Lord.
You can’t stay the same old sinner that you once were if you have truly submitted your life to the Lordship of Jesus. True believers still have temptations, we still have trials, but we now have the Holy Ghost living inside of us to show us the way of escape. To convict us when we do fall back into sin. True followers of Jesus are not the same and they are no longer of this world and the world no longer fascinates us like it did in the past.
The Bible also says that followers of Jesus will be persecuted. Jesus was put to death by sinful men because they hated Him. What makes us think that we will be treated any better? Those who live a godly life will be persecuted. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
Are You A Godly Person?
Oh, does this describe you tonight? Are you a godly person? Does the world hate you? Have you spiritually died to the world? Do you suffer persecution for your faith? Are you just a typical “American Christian” or are you a biblical Christian? Is Jesus truly your Lord and Savior? Have you forsaken the world and surrendered your life to Jesus? What fascinates you tonight? The newest movie, tv show or gadget? Or does Jesus Christ fascinate you? Are you awestruck that He, the sinless Son of God would take your place on the cross for your sins? That He would die in your place? That He took the punishment that you deserved?
Total Awe
I’m in total awe that my Lord and Savior would do that. That He would die for me. That He suffered, bled and died for my sins. Oh how can I trade such a great love as this for some tawdry movie or tv show? How could I trade such a great of love for anything? Not even all the money in the world. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. There is nothing as dear and precious to me.
If you don’t know Him, if you have never repented and surrendered your life to Him, won’t you do so tonight? Won’t you confess and forsake your sins? Won’t you cry out for Jesus to save you? Won’t you repent and put your full faith and trust in Him?
If the Holy Ghost isn’t calling you to repent and believe the Gospel then I can answer that for you; you won’t give up your sins. You won’t turn away from your sins turn to Jesus because you still love the darkness rather than the light because your deeds are evil.
Convicted Over Your Sins
Oh, but if God is convicting you over your sins and revealing His Holiness to you, do not harden your heart. Submit to the Lordship of Jesus. Beg Him to cleanse you and forgive you of your sins. Cry out for the Master of the Universe to grant you mercy and grace.
Oh, fall at the foot of the cross and wash His feet with your tears. If you will do this, Jesus promises that He will in no wise cast you out. Come to Jesus. Come to the risen Lord. Repent and surrender your life to Him. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Call upon the precious name of Jesus and be saved.
Repent and believe the Gospel. Do this and be saved. If you will do this, you will receive the peace that surpasses all understanding because it is peace that is out of this world. This peace comes from Jesus who sits in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father. Bow to the King of kings and the Lord of lords and confess Him with your mouth that He is Lord. Be ye saved.
(This message was lifted up on the square in downtown Springfield, MO on September 23, 2016)