We just celebrated Christmas in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in a manger. He was fully God and fully man. He was Emmanuel – God in the flesh. We just celebrated Christmas and I dare say that most people probably don’t have a problem with Jesus in the manger. Who doesn’t love a cute little baby?
But this changes when you start talking about Jesus – the sinless Son of God and the reason why He came down to earth. Jesus came into the world to save sinners from their sins (1 Timothy 1:15). Many people don’t want to hear that their sin separates them from God. They don’t like to think about something that they do that’s wrong, as being sin.
But sin is sin and we need to call it what it is. Alcoholism is not a disease, it’s a sin. Being addicted to drugs is a sin problem. When you commit adultery or fornication, you are committing a sexual sin. Looking at pornography is a sexual sin. Being a homosexual is an abomination to God and you guessed it, homosexuality is a sin. Lying is a sin. Yes, telling a little white lie is a sin. When you lie, you break the Ninth Commandment. Sin is sin and even telling a little lie is a sin.
So why is sin such a problem? Why is sinning such a big deal? Because our sin separates us from Almighty God. The first part of Habakkuk 1:13 says: You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity. Iniquity is another name for sin. Revelation 21:8 states: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Sin is a big deal because it is a big deal to a Holy and righteous God. Sin is a big deal because the consequences of sin are so severe. All liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. All liars! Yes, that includes even you, unless Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
We all have a sin problem and that’s why Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago. Yes, He was born in the manger. Yes, He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus did what none of us can do – He perfectly obeyed God the Father. He always did the will of God the Father. He was obedient even unto death; death on a cross. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and there is nothing that you and I can do on our own to make things right.
But God loves us so much, that He sent His only Son to be the sacrifice, to be the atonement for our sins. We are guilty sinners and Jesus, the innocent One, paid our sin debt for us. He endured God’s anger over our sins while He was beaten beyond recognition and while He hung on the old rugged cross. That’s how much God hates sin and how much He loves us (John 3:16).
Everyone is not automatically saved because Jesus died for the sins of the world. And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (John 2:2). We did the crime and Jesus paid our fine. He paid our sin debt for us. But you have to receive salvation. It is a very costly gift that is freely offered, but you have to receive it (Ephesians 2:8-9). You can’t earn salvation. It is only found in Jesus alone and you must receive it (Acts 4:12). There is no other name whereby you MUST be saved.
Maybe you are out here tonight and you say, yes, I believe in Jesus. Yes, I celebrated Christmas yesterday and I even thought about Jesus while I exchanged gifts with my loved ones. You may be out here tonight and maybe you think, I’ve been there and done that. I’ve done that “Jesus thing” years ago. I asked Him into my heart and that’s it. That’s all I need. My ticket has been punched and I’m Heaven bound.
If this describes you tonight, I have a question for you: Do you OBEY the risen Savior? Do you obey Christ? Jesus said “Follow me.” Do you follow Jesus tonight? How do you follow Jesus? You surrender your life to Him. You do His will, just like He did the will of God the Father when He walked this earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus denied Himself (remember He was God in the flesh) and He picked up His cross.
Professing Christian, are you a cross bearer? Do you deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow Jesus, on a daily basis? Are you saved? Do you love Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior or do you love the pleasures of the flesh? 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 (1 John 2:15).
Who or what do you love tonight? If you love Jesus, your life will show it. Again, you are not saved by works, but you will have works when you are truly saved. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Do you love Jesus? Do you obey Him? Are you living your life for Him? When is the last time you read your Bible? Do you pray without ceasing? Do you keep your eyes on Jesus or on the things of the world?
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:14-15). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Are you saved or are you bound in sin? Who do you serve tonight? Do you serve the risen Savior or do you serve Satan? Do you serve Jesus Christ the Lord or do you serve sin? Do you serve the Master or do you serve the pleasures of the flesh? Who are you obeying tonight? Do you obey Christ or do you listen to your flesh? Are you saved? Have you truly repented and put your faith in Jesus? Have you confessed and forsaken your sins or do you continuously ask God to forgive you and continue living in sin? Do you realize tonight that living in sin is open rebellion against God?
In addition to saying follow me, Jesus also said “Come to me.” Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Revelation 22:17 says: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Oh, do you thirst for Jesus tonight? Have you come to the Living Water? Have you cried out to Jesus, “Lord, I’m a sinful man?” Have you bowed your knee and confessed with your tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord? Have you submitted your life to the King of kings and the Lord of lords? If you have, are you still bowing humbly before Him?
Repentance is not a one-time event. When you are really saved, God continually convicts you of sin in your life. For me personally, He started with the bigger sins and He keeps working on me from there. When God convicts you of unrighteousness in your life, do you repent and ask for His forgiveness?
Do you obey the risen Savior tonight? Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments. He also said, why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say? (Luke 6:46) Are you saved? Are you a new creature in Christ? Do you obey the Master or are you still living your life in rebellion to Him? Do you confess Him with your lips while your heart is far from Him? Do you claim Christ and at the same time live for the devil? Are you obedient to our Lord? Are you saved?
Do not be deceived. Not everyone that says Lord, Lord, will enter into heaven. Jesus said not everyone that says, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). Do not be deceived, the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Only the righteousness of Jesus will get you there and when you are truly saved, you live your life for Him. I’m so grateful that God saved me through the shed blood of Jesus; that I want to obey Him. I want to obey the risen Savior. It grieves me when I am disobedient to Him. I cry out for His forgiveness. I want to be in a close relationship with my Lord and Savior. I want to abide in Christ. I want to serve Him.
There’s no greater honor in this world than to share the glorious Gospel with others. Professing Christian: are you sharing your faith in Jesus with others? I understand that not everyone is going to stand on a box on a street corner. But when is the last time you shared your faith with a lost person? Do you weep over lost souls? Do you cry out to God to have mercy on your unsaved loved ones and friends? Does it grieve you that unrepentant sinners are cast into Hell immediately after they take their last breath in this life? Can imagine right now hearing the screams of people who are being tormented in Hell right now?
Can you imagine standing before God on Judgment Day and having no real reason why you didn’t warn others to flee from the wrath to come? Oh professing Christian, if the thought of people dying in their sins and spending eternity in the lake of fire doesn’t compel you to share the Gospel with others, then you really need to examine yourself and see if you are in the faith.
Jesus told His apostles to follow Him; that He would make them fishers of men. If you are a professing Christian and you are keeping your faith to yourself, then you are being disobedient to Jesus. You are not obeying the risen Savior. Jesus told us to go into all the world and to preach the Gospel to every creature. Now most of us won’t literally be missionaries, but we can proclaim the Gospel wherever we are at, in other words – wherever we go.
Examine yourself tonight and see if you are saved. If you do not obey the risen Savior, then tonight is the night to get right with Him. Repent and believe the Gospel. Turn away from your sins and turn to Jesus. Repent and put your faith in Jesus the Christ. Then truly follow Him. Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him. Do His will, not your own. Live for Him and not for the temporary pleasures of the flesh. Obey the risen Savior. Come to Jesus. Be saved tonight. Repent and trust Christ Jesus. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Be saved, then share the Gospel with others.
(This message was lifted up at the corner of South and Walnut in downtown Springfield, MO on December 26, 2014)