We are Americans. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are independent people. We don’t want anyone to tell us what to do. We like to be in charge. We want to be on our own. We want to do what we want, when we want, where we want. That’s the American way. But tonight I want to ask you: Who do you serve?
Who do you serve? Yes, my fellow American, I’m talking to you. Who do you serve? Now I know what you are thinking. You are thinking did I hear the words that came out of my own mouth just a minute ago about us being in charge and doing what we want. So how can I ask you who do you serve? I ask you this question because we all serve someone or something. Every single one of us. No exceptions. I can see that you still doubt me, so let’s go to the source. Let’s go to the authority – the Bible. God’s Holy Word. We’ll start with John 8:25-36.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Please notice in verse 34 that Jesus says that whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. Do you commit sin? Have you ever committed any sin? Of course you have. We all have. We were all born with a sinful nature. Adam and Eve were sinners, our parents were sinners and all of us are sinners. 1 John 1: 8 says If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Is the truth in you tonight? Do you know the truth? Jesus is the Truth!
Tonight, are you a typical independent American or do you recognize your sinfulness and do you recognize God’s Holiness? God is perfect, Holy and just. We are guilty, vile sinners. We are so sinful, that we cannot be in God’s Holy presence. So how can you be made right with God? Only through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfect sinless One, bore the punishment that we deserve for our sins. He bore the wrath of God while He hung upon that cross. He shed His precious blood on that cruel cross, for guilty sinners like you and me. Jesus died on the cross and then was buried and rose from the grave. Jesus Christ was victorious over sin, death and Hell.
Every unrepentant sinner is bound to sin; is a servant of sin. Are you still in bondage to your sins? What sin do you love so much that you are willing to die in that sin and be punished forever for it? Who or what do you love tonight? Who or what do you serve? In John 8:34 Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. What sin has you bound up? What sin are you serving tonight?
Be free from your bondage to sin tonight. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Turn away from your sins and turn to Jesus. John 8:36 states, If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. When you are truly saved, you are no longer a servant to sin. When you surrender your life to Jesus, you now serve Him. But it isn’t like the bondage you were under when you were a slave to sin. No, Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. He doesn’t treat you like a servant. He calls you Friend. He treats you like a brother. But you must recognize that you are a sinner and that you need to be saved before you will cry out for Him to save you.
Jesus said that you are either for Him or against Him. You either gather people into the kingdom or you scatter them away. Who are you serving tonight? Who is your master? This is not a game. It’s life. It’s everlasting life. Every time that you reject Jesus Christ the Lord is just like playing Russian roulette. The pistol has a bullet in it. It has a bullet with your name on it. You will die one day and it will be too late.
Every time that you reject Christ, you are that much closer to death and if physical death were the only punishment that you would receive, I probably wouldn’t even be out here sharing the Gospel with you. But physical death is not the worst part. It’s not even close. You see, there is a second death, but unfortunately, the second death is everlasting, it never ends! You don’t just die the second death and that’s it. You are spiritually dead when you physically die, if you die in your sins and you remain that way. But you also will be tormented forever and ever. Your weeping and gnashing of teeth will never stop. You will cry out in unbelievable pain and agony…forever.
In Revelation 21:6-8 Jesus said, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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. Revelation 20:10 states, And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Remember Jesus said that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. So how do you end up in that awful place? Unfortunately, for many of you all you have to do is continue going down the path that you are on. You are a liar, just like all of us are liars. So all you have to do is die in your sins. So really, you don’t have to do anything to end up suffering eternal damnation. Just keep doing what you are currently doing and you will end up in the lake of fire and brimstone.
John 8:21-24, 21 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.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 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.
Who do you serve tonight? Where will you spend eternity? Will you foolishly continue walking down the broad road to destruction? Will you foolishly die in your sins and foolishly pay for those sins forever? Will you spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone? Or will you turn from your sins? Will you be set free from your sins? Will you bow your knee to Jesus and confess with your tongue that He is Lord? Will you confess and forsake your sins? Will you believe in Jesus? Will you repent and put your faith in Jesus the Christ? Will you trust Jesus and gain eternal life? What will you do? Right here, right now? Will the Truth set you free or will you still be in spiritual darkness, bound by Satan, bound by your sins? Who do you serve tonight? Who will you serve for all of eternity?
(This message was proclaimed in the open-air in downtown Springfield, MO on May 30, 2014)