What would God say about you?
God said this about Job: he was blameless and upright. Would God call you blameless and upright? Are you the kind of person God could recommend?
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
John chapter 15 Has a precursor and it begins in chapter 14 verse 23 Jesus answered and said to him, Jesus is answering Judas, not Judas Iscariot, the other one. Judas said, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world? Because Jesus has told them, you will see me. Well, the world will not see me.
So he says, how is this going to be possible? How is it that we’re going to see you and the world’s not going to see you? And Jesus answered and said to him, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine,
but the father’s who sent me much of what Jesus is going to say in John chapter 15 leads out of this statement right here where Jesus says, if you love me, you will keep my words. If you step back a little further in John chapter 14 in John chapter 14 and in verse 15 he says, if you love me, keep my commandments and I will pray the father and he will give you another helper that he may abide with you for forever the spirit of truth.
So Jesus is in the context of the upper room. He is there having observed the Passover with his disciples and now he is having this discussion with them, teaching them these things And he’s telling them that his time to be, to go to the cross is approaching. They don’t understand these things, but he’s telling them nonetheless so that when they occur they might believe that he is who he has said.
He w who he is and so Jesus is going to tell them a number of things they are not going to understand. But one of the things he tells them is that when he departs from them, he will send someone in his place. Who will that be? The helper? He’s referenced as the helper, the spirit of truth, the Holy spirit.
What was the function as we’re going to be reading this, we’ll, we’ll get to this more in chapter 17, but what was the primary function of the Holy spirit when sent by Christ to the apostles, The to give them the miraculous, but specifically keep them in the truth, to remind them of what he’s taught them and to tell them all or to reveal to them all the truth.
That because Jesus will say before the night’s out, there’s things I haven’t told you yet. There’s things that you’re not ready for yet, but the spirit will guide you into all truth. So he’s there to provide them a complete and perfect memory of what it is Jesus did and said he is there to provide them the knowledge they need to establish the church as far as physically speaking to,
to spread the gospel, to bring forth entrance into the kingdom. As Jesus told Peter and the others that they would be those who would do, they would use those keys of the kingdom, uh, and open up those doors of the kingdom. So Jesus is going to send a helper in his place. And this helper is going to be the Holy spirit from the father.
Now verse or chapter 15 verse one Jesus says, I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser. In John chapter two, Jesus is the temple. In John chapter four, Jesus is the water of life. In John chapter six, Jesus is the bread of life. In John chapter eight, Jesus is the light of the world. That’s also John chapter one in John chapter 11 he is,
uh, the true life. In John chapter 15. He’s the true vine. You go back into the old Testament and you will find every single one of these things connected to the old Testament. And what he is saying is I am the complete fulfillment of prophecy. I am the complete fulfillment of everything God has done, has said, it all culminates here.
When Jesus described himself as the bread of life. What was the analogy? The man, the man and the wilderness. Here’s this old Testament example of the Israelites in the wilderness being provided the very sustenance of life in the manner that they were given. And Jesus says, I’m the true bread Of life. And so this idea is throughout the book of John,
where Jesus is being presented as not only the one who performs the works, not only the one who speaks the words of the father, but who is also the complete fulfillment of old Testament and of the pictures, the types and anti types of the old Testament to the new. Okay? So he says, I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away. And every branch that bears fruit he prunes that it may become or that it may bear more fruit. Uh, somebody who’s better at agricultural agricultural things than I am. Tell me what a vine dresser does.<inaudible> Okay, so there’s a process that, that the vine dresser goes through,
that if something’s not producing as opposed to allowing it to remain on the vine, where it just takes up the resources and the nutrition that the vine has, you cut it off, you take it off. Why it’s not producing anything, it’s a waste. And so by cutting it off, you provide better nutrients and sustenance to what does produce fruit. But then also there’s the,
he uses the analogy of the pruning. Um, someone told a story about, uh, they, they live over in England and he was telling the story of one year. They had gone on a journey, uh, on a trip of a number of months, and they had hired someone to prepare their, uh, their flower garden for the next year because I always kept a flower garden and a number of bushes and everything.
And, uh, normally they would do it, but they just, they were going to be out of the country this time. So they hired someone to come in And to take care of that. They came back and it was before everything started, uh, blossoming and before all of the real growth started. But after the pruning time had come and they came back and they thought their,
uh, flower garden had just been destroyed. The, the individual who they had hired had come in and had been far more aggressive in pruning than they ever hadn’t been in the past. Uh, and they really looked at it and they thought that he, he’s just destroyed this. And, and they were very surprised because they hired someone that they thought to be reputable who had a good reputation,
uh, in these things. And he, he said, you know, the individual is telling the story. He said, I just was, was devastated just because of all the time and all the hours and all the, the care that we spend on this every year. And he said, then we came, it came time for things to start blossoming and growing.
And he said, we had the best flower garden we’ve ever had any year period. And he said, I, I, I felt bad for how I felt about the individual when I came back and thought it’s been over pruned. It’s been destroyed. The reality is it was exactly what it needed. God here is described as one who not only removes what’s dead,
not only removes what does not produce fruit by the way, that what does not produce life is that idea, But also he prunes and he makes sure that those things that are producing fruit are in the best condition they can be. Now, how are we told in the old Testament and in the new Testament that we grow spiritually?<inaudible> Through trials, through difficulty.
You go read first and second Peter and you’re going to find it over and over again. It is the struggles. It is the trials. It is the difficulties and the hard things that will produce growth. Yeah, Well, believe it or not, Jesus is preparing his disciples for a significant growth moment in their lives because the next four days will change their lives forever,
But they will struggle before they’ll grow and Jesus is preparing them to realize the importance of faithfulness to God and continuing to produce fruit that comes from God. Now go back into chapter 15 verse three he says, you are already clean because of the word. Do not miss as we go through this text. This is one of those texts where you just pay attention to the connection of life,
love, Acceptance before God and the word of God because it is the word of God that is this force that creates all of these things In the individual. Notice he says, he says, you are already clean because of the word. So what? How did they become clean to begin with the word because of the word which I’ve spoken to you, abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine.
Neither can you unless you abide in me. So he’s told them that they they’re clean and we’ll, we’ll get into that a little bit more in the tech text, but he says, you’re clean because of the word that I’ve spoken to you, the revelation that I have given to you. But then he goes on to say, you have to abide in me if you’re going to continue to abide in the vine,
if you’re going to continue to grow and have life in you and bear fruit. Verse six if anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered and they gathered them and throw them into the fire and they are burned. So he continues with the analogy, with the principle of the idea. Here’s the vine dresser he’s going through,
he’s taking off vines that do not produce fruit. And when he takes off the vine, I mean does he plan it in the ground and expect it to grow? What’s he do to it? Cast it aside. And the men come, the the servants come. There’s as it’s implied here and as the vine dressers going through, they’re picking up all of the branches that have been removed and they’re going out and burning them.
Why? They’re of no use. They haven’t fulfilled the singular purpose of their existence and that is to produce fruit. So then notice he says, if you abide in me, verse seven and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. By this, my father is glorified that you bear much fruit.
So you will be my disciples. There is a connection here between their discipleship, between their position, between his promises to them, them bearing fruit as a result of these things and his words, they’re not going to abide in him unless his words abide in them. They’re not going to abide in the father unless his word abides in them. Okay? So many people will come to passages and they will say,
the Holy spirit has gone into a person’s heart, has changed. That person’s heart has made it to where they can hear the word of God. Here we are in a context about the spirit, the function of the spirit, and what did Jesus say made them clean to begin with. The word he could have easily said, it was the spirit who made you clean and made it possible for you to hear and understand the word.
He illuminated your heart so that you could hear and understand. Well, that’s not what Jesus said. I mean of all passages in the scripture where it would have made sense to say it. If that were the way it worked, this would be a great one to do it. He doesn’t say that. He says it’s the word which I’ve spoken to you that has done this and it is the word that continues to do this.
It is the word that allows you to grow and it is a word that allows you to abide in me. All of these things are functions of the word. Notice he says this, by this, my father is glorified that you bear much fruit so you will be my disciples. Now, Jesus has said back over in chapter 14 has spoken to them about,
or sorry, chapter 13 about the father being glorified in chapter 13 how is the father described as being glorified? Through what action? What’s Jesus going to do that the father will be glorified? Chapter 13 verse 31 down through 35 they’re going to glorify each other, but what’s what? What’s he saying is going to happen? That’s going to bring about that glorification,
His death. Him going to the cross. Him leaving this life, And yet here he again talks about the father being glorified, but it’s now not by his death, but by their, what? Their lives. They’re continuing to bear fruit. He’s going to die and he’s going to leave so that they might have life and bear fruit and through all of this,
the father is glorified. Then notice verse nine as the father loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. Tell me a passage in the book of John that talks about the father’s love. John three 16 for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Here’s, here’s the father’s love for us, but here’s in this passage. Here’s Christ’s love for us as the father loved me. I also have loved you. Abide in my love if you keep my commandments. Now there are people who would argue that love and commandments love and law don’t go hand in hand, but those are two opposite ideas. If you’re going to talk about the law of God,
you can’t be talking about the love of God. The love of God is something that surpasses all the law and just just makes everything fine. Ignoring what the law says, that is not the love of God and is not the picture of the love of God anywhere in scripture. Most especially not the night that Jesus is going to the cross. The night that Jesus is going to the cross,
the picture of love is, I’m doing this because I love you. You will show me you love me by keeping my commandments. And that statement and that idea is reiterated over and over and over again. But then he goes on to say, and you will be known by your love for one another. Well tell me, how should we treat one another so that our love for one another is made known With love,
with kindness. Could we not just sum it all up in treating one another the way Christ said we ought to, as a matter of fact. Isn’t that what he actually said? That you’ll be known when you love one another as I have loved you. Well, That’s when you’ll be known as my disciples when you have loved one another as I have loved you.
So then again, he says, as the father loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love. How do you abide in the love of God? Keep his commandments. How do you abide in the love of Christ? Keep his commandments. When you step over to first John and you read first John,
amazingly big surprise, you read over and over and over here by do we know that we know him? Who’s the him? God the father. He says, hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his commandments, if the love that he has abides in us, if we love one another. All of these things are statements over in first John,
where John is just applying what Jesus has already said and trying to get that first century church to realize how they can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that their salvation is not only there but is secure because they’re keeping his commandments because their faith is abiding because their love is abiding and because that faith conquers the world. First John chapter five so then he says,
if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love. Just as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love. Jesus isn’t asking us to do anything he didn’t do. As a matter of fact, that’s the whole standard. That’s the whole idea. Here you are. You’ve got Christ telling the disciples, this is what I require of you and this is what my father required of me.
I’m passing on to you the standard that I have lived to abide in the father’s commandments. He says these things, I have spoken to you verse 11 that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full. It is unfortunate that through out in history many times it has been said, well, I know about some situation. Sometimes it’s about marriage,
divorce and remarriage. Sometimes it’s about some other sin. Well, I know that that that’s what God’s word says, but God would want me to be happy, So I’m just going to keep living the way I’m living. No, as a matter of fact, God never said he wanted you to be happy. What he did say is he wanted your joy to be full,
and if your Joy’s full, it only happens one way. If you abide in his love, and that only happens if you keep his commandments. So if you want to have full joy to the fullest extent that God says is even possible to experience, it begins with abiding in God’s love, which begins with keeping God’s commandments. It is the person who says that that is actually keeping themselves from living a life of joy because they’re choosing sin over righteousness and over God’s love.
So then he says this, he says, this is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. So here’s this train of love. The father loved me. I’ve loved you. Now you love one another, And it may seem easy to read that, but remember, these were the same disciples that were arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom.
Just a few minutes ago. He says, Now you love one another the way I’ve loved you. He’s already shown them what it means to be a servant. He’s already told them who will be the greatest in the kingdom and now he tells them to love one another by his standard. Whenever we look at our lives and our relationships, especially with brethren and those in the member members who are members of the body of Christ,
we never ever, ever get to say properly, well, I’m not going to do such and such to so and so because she or he didn’t do it to me. They didn’t treat me right, so I’m just not going to treat them right. Sorry, you’ve got the wrong standard. How did Christ treat you? Now there’s your standard. What did Christ do for you?
There’s your standard. Doesn’t matter what they’ve done. It doesn’t matter how they’ve treated you. It doesn’t matter how I’ve been treated or what’s been said about me by some brother somewhere or some sister somewhere. What matters is what did Christ do For me? Now there’s my standard of how I have to act, but then he says this Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Christ is going to go to the cross and he is going to go to the cross for the entire world, but it gets a little more personal than that. He will go to the cross as well for those who will. The next verse, You are my friends. If you do whatsoever, I command you. He went to the cross, he shed his blood,
that atoning blood so that anyone who will be obedient to his commandments and follow his commandments and love him and love the father as they have loved them can have salvation And that is the love that we are to have that there’s the standard lay down your life for someone else, but there’s more than just laying down your life. It’s not as though Christ said,
you know what? I’m going to go out in the battlefield and I’m going to lay down my life and and that’s going to be it and tomorrow it’ll all be over. He spent his entire life in a figurative sense, laying down his life for his brethren, for his friends. It wasn’t a point action. It was an action that brought forth a manifestation of his entire life being that of service To others and to those who could not do for themselves.
He says, no longer do I call you servants for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends for all things that I heard from my father. I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain and that whatever you ask the father in my name,
he will give you these things. I command you that you love one another. Now, as we’ve said all the way through this chapter in the last chapter and the chapter before that, we always have to take these things in their context. We always have to remember he’s speaking to the apostles. He’s speaking in the context of the Holy spirit and the things that would come and he is not saying it is not to be interpreted.
If you asked the Lord for a million dollars, you should expect it to show up tomorrow Or as some TV evangelists would would prefer. If you send us $50,000 you can expect a million some future date. That’s not the promise. That’s not what this is. This is about their relationship, the Apostle’s unique relationship with the father and with Christ. It is to the apostles that Jesus said,
whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, which grammatically is whatsoever you bind on earth has already been bound in heaven. You see, there’s one thing that can’t be separated here and that is what they ask and the word they’re abiding in just like the love of God and the abiding in the word can’t be separated. The asking the father for something and the word can’t be separated,
so there’s already the assumption built into the whole context that they would not ask for that which God would not provide. This is a preparation for them to take over Jesus’ position in a sense in leading the disciples and Jesus wants them to know they’re not by themselves. The father is with them. Now I want to mention something before we get through the rest of this chapter and that’s this.
What was the biggest mistake that the Israelites made when they came out of Egypt and then went from Egypt to Sinai and through the wilderness? Single biggest repeated mistake,<inaudible> Murmuring and complaining and every single time what you see is this picture of God trying to get them to realize if you would, but Ask You would have what you want and what you need,
but instead of asking you grumble and complain and turn your heart away from me and Jesus is telling his disciples, if I can borrow another passage, ask and you shall receive. Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be open to you, Eddie<inaudible> Absolutely. That is a privilege you now have in Christ.<inaudible> Absolutely. Now all of this leads to a discussion of you do all of these things,
all these things that sound great, the love of God, abiding in him, keeping the word of God, growing in him, producing fruit, all this sounds great, right? And Jesus is then going to bring on the other side because these things are how you get the people around you to hate you And if you wanted to check box, if you want to make a list of how to get the world to hate you,
here you go. Notice he says, you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain and that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to you. These things, I command you that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know it hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. If you live like the world, the world would have no problem with you. They’d love you for it Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world. Therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you? A servant is not greater than his master.
If they persecuted me, they will persecute. If they kept my word, they will keep your word also. But all these things they will do to you for my namesake, because they do not know him, who sent me. Jesus is telling them, you do all of these things and you’re going to abide in the love of God, but if you abide in the love of God,
you can’t abide in the love of the world and the world will not choose to be passive toward you. If you love God, the world will choose to hate you because you love God And you don’t have to go very far in this world To see that. What is it on me? In many places, uh, termed, if you tell the biblical truth about homosexuality,
what’s it called? A hate crime. They’ve literally even turned the very idea of hate and flipped it on its head to say it is hateful to speak the truth, but that’s born out of hate for the truth. But that’s where the world is. If verse 22 I had not come. Isn’t it an interesting passage? This is one I’ve struggled with for a little bit and I’m not going to tell you I’ve got it all figured out,
but I’m going to give you an idea of what I think it is and let you go study it on your own. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my father. Also. If I had not done among them the works,
which no one else did, they would have no sin. But now they have seen and also hated both me and my father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled, which is written in their law. They hated me without cause. But when the helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the father, the spirit of truth, who proceeds from the father,
he will testify of me. And you also were will bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning. Jesus says, if I hadn’t come, they wouldn’t have sent. Alright, go ahead. Somebody explain it. Uh, he says they now have no excuse for sin. And here’s there’s, there’s two pieces to this that I think that are important.
Number one is Did were there individuals who committed sins they never would have committed, had Christ not come<inaudible>? Would they have ever put the son of God on the cross had Christ not come? But here’s the thing that the word of God does. When revelation comes, when law comes, and when light comes, you go back to John chapter one.
And what do you find those three things? Make people’s deeds known. And when the deeds of those who are wicked are made known, what do they do? They lashed back out. Scribes, Pharisees, the chief priests, their sin that they would not have committed had Christ not come. It’s putting Christ on the cross. That’s my understanding of it.
But he did come and they will put him on the cross and notice he says, but this happened that it might be fulfilled, which is written in their law. They hated me without cause. The connection here. The fulfillment is, I came and I spoke the truth and they hated me for it. They’re going to hate you for it, But the sin they’re about to commit wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t come.
But I did go and their reaction to the truth, their reaction to revelation, the reaction to the light was to try and keep their deeds in darkness because instead of repenting, they heaped more sin on themselves by killing the son of God. That’s my understanding of the passage. Like I said, feel free to uh, to correct me if I’m wrong,
but that’s what I believe he’s talking about is I believe he’s talking about the cross<inaudible>. Yes. A very narrow picture of a sin. They would not have committed because let’s face it, you go to John the Baptist before Jesus ever starts preaching and John calls them what? A brood of Vipers. Okay, so sin isn’t is a non, the gateable issue.
They have sin. He’s talking about a sin that would not have had What they do because they hated it. You’ve been listening to good news brought to you by the Collierville church of Christ. You can join us in person at five seven five Shelton road. Call your Ville, Tennessee on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM for Bible class and 10:30 AM for worship. Our afternoon services are at 1:30 PM.
Cause if you will and open them to John chapter 14 John chapter 14 will be the focus of our study this afternoon. I mentioned in class this morning that as we go through the next few chapters of our studies in the adult Bible class and in the other classes, John 14 being this morning, John 15 being Wednesday night, 16 next Sunday and 17 the next Wednesday night.
As we go through these chapters, we’re going to have to move along in the class period to be able to cover the entire chapter because these, these chapters contain a great deal of information and a great deal of very significant information. Uh, as a result of that, there will be things that we would love to dwell on and spend some time discussing but simply do not have time to do so during the class period.
And that is the case with the lesson this afternoon. I wanted to spend some time here in John chapter 14 with three important questions, three important questions that are found here in this text here in the beginning of John chapter 14 we read in verse five Thomas says to him, to Christ, Lord, we do not know where you are going and how can we know the way?
In a very real sense, Thomas says, Lord, where are you going and how could we follow you? How can we go where you are going? Now those are two of the questions. The third one really is supplied by Jesus, though the text doesn’t answer it, and that is what is going to be there. So I want us to notice these three questions in view of this text this afternoon.
Where was Jesus going? How can we go with him? And thirdly, what is a weighting? If we step back in the text back to verse 31 of John chapter 13 we read this. Now the son of man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and glorify him immediately.
Little children. I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek me. As I said to the Jews where I am going, you cannot come. So now I say to you, Jesus introduces this thought by telling them, I am going, I am departing. You’re going to see me for a short time, for a little while,
and then you will see me no more. He had already told the Jews that and they said, Whoa, where’s he going? Is he going to the Gentiles? Is that what he means? He’s going to go into part and teach the Gentiles instead of being a living among the Jews. And Jesus said, no, he’s going to the cross, but all ultimately he will declare that he is returning to his father.
Notice chapter 14 verse one let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me, in my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you. Jesus said that he was returning to his father. We would con turn over and read in Matthew chapter 28 concerning Jesus’ Ascension back to the father.
We can also read about it in additional detail in acts chapter one, Jesus would go to the cross, he would go to the grave, he would be resurrected, he would remain on the earth for a number of days. And then having made appearances to the apostles into Mary and those women who had come to the garden and also to have around 500 others,
he would then ascend back to the father and the apostles would be there on the mound as he is ascending up with the clouds and they would be looking up at, at where he was going and how he was departing from them. And two individuals would come to them and say, why are you looking up? Why are you looking up as if he is gone and departed from you for how he has left?
He will return. Once again, He ascended back to his father. He ascended back out of this existence, this human form and this human existence, this physical existence back to heaven where he had come from. Yeah. The weigher he says is his father’s house. The first question that will be pertinent to what Thomas says is where you are going. We don’t know where you are going and Jesus will tell him,
I am returning to my father’s house. If you grew up in a home that was blessed to be a Christian home that was blessed to be a home where your parents were striving to serve the Lord faithfully and obedient to his word, one thing would most likely be certain returning home would be a joy returning back to your home, returning back to your family.
While it wasn’t always without complication and it wasn’t always without disagreements and things like that, it was a joy to go home. Jesus would speak concerning a young man who had departed from his home, had taken his inheritance and had gone out and had squandered it. He had wasted away all that he had and then had ended up in deep poverty working only to feed the swine,
which as a Jew he would have to have lost everything in order to do because they considered swine to be such unclean animals. And he finds himself this wine and is even desiring to eat what the swine is eating. So he comes to his senses and he determines why can I not return back to my father’s house after all, even my father’s servants fare better than I do.
They fair assumptions, Lee every day, why can’t I return back to father my father’s house? And they just plead with him to forgive me and become as one of his servant. And so he determines to go and he determined to go back. And as he journeys back, his father sees him afar off and he runs to him and he kisses him and he hugs him.
And he declares that my son who was dead is alive again. But then the father tells the servants, you prepare a feast, go kill the fatted calf and prepare a feast for my son who was dead is alive again. Jesus will tell us in that text earlier on in those three illustrations that when a sinner repents and returns, there’s rejoicing in heaven.
There is rejoicing over one sinner who repents, And so we see Jesus declaring that he is returning to his father’s house and that if he’s going to his father’s house, it’s because he’s preparing a place where we can join him. But then the second part, not just the where his father’s house in eternity in heaven, but also the how Thomas says, Lord,
how can we know the way? Now, of course Jesus will reply in John chapter 14 in verse six I am the way, the truth and the life Jesus declares that the way the the path to arrive at his father’s house house goes through him. It doesn’t go through Buddha and it doesn’t go through Muhammad and it doesn’t go through any religion of the East.
It does not go through secularism and it doesn’t go through reaches. It goes through Christ. You cannot buy your way to his father’s house. You cannot take a journey that will get you to arrive at his father’s house. You can only get there one way and it is through him. Turn to John chapter one John chapter one Beginning in verse one we read in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.
He was in the beginning with God and all things were made through him and without him, nothing was made that was made. Jesus here, John here declares Jesus’s part in the creation, in the act of creation bank in the beginning, but something important that he declares also in this, he says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God.
Now let me ask you a question. If you wanted to go on a journey and you wanted to go to a location where you had never been before and perhaps the way the path, the direction to get there was not clearly marked. And so you thought, I need to make sure that I don’t get lost on the way. What would be the best way to get where you’re going?
Well, it would certainly be to get someone who’d been there before to guide you. If you’re going through the woods and you’re on a hike and you’re going to a certain location, but you’ve never been there and there’s no real path to get there, but you know someone who knows the way, maybe you should ask them. Maybe you should follow them.
Maybe you should go with them. Well, there is no man, no preacher, no, no individual on the earth today who has ever been to the father. But there is one who was with the father who came from the father who declared the way back to the father and I suggest it is him to whom we should listen about how to join the father.
Jesus says, not only I am the way, but the truth and the life. There was a man chapter one verse one or chapter one verse six of John. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. This man came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all through him might believe he was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light that was the true light,
which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world and the world was made through him and the world did not know him. He came to his own and his own did not receive him, receive him, but as many as received him to them. He gave the right to become children of God to those who believe in his name,
who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Here Jesus declares in John 14 verse six I am the way, the truth, and the life. He’s the one who brought light into the world and he came to declare that light, to give that light, to bear that light so that every individual who has that light might be born of God.
They might have power to become the children of God. They might have life. If you remember back in John chapter 14 John chapter 14 in verse one Jesus began this discourse with these words. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. We are to be those who follow Christ. We are to be those who follow the way the am sir concerning Thomas’s question is how can we know the way the answer is we believe in him and obey him who showed us the way?
Verse three we read and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be. Also, the reality is that we do not have to determine the way the path to the father on our own, nor do we have to get there on our own. Jesus declares that there is coming a day when all who are in the graves will hear his voice,
John chapter five and that when that day arises, those who were faithful to him will return with him. We will be those who will go to the father to a prepared place because he prepared it in advance. But I might also add, if we look back into chapter 13 that the way that Jesus describes Is going to go through the cross. Chapter 13 verse 31 now the son of man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and glorify him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek me and I, and as I said to the Jews where I am going, you cannot come. So now I say to you a new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you,
that you also love one another. By this, all by this all will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another. Simon. Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him where I am going. You cannot follow me now but you shall follow me afterward. Jesus will declare to them that he is departing,
that he is getting ready to leave, that he is getting ready to be glorified and we know now looking backward that he was talking about the cross the way to the father leads through the cross. Turn to Matthew chapter 10 Matthew chapter 10 and in verse 38 Jesus says this<inaudible> We begin in verse 37 he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
He who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for my sake will it? Jesus said the way that he travels, the path he follows and the one who follows him will go through the cross. Now we understand that we contact the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for our sins. We contact that blood in the Baptist in baptism.
We contact that blood when we are buried with him and we are resurrected with him. We understand that but there’s more to it than that because Jesus here in Matthew chapter 10 verse 38 says that the one who follows him must take up his cross and follow me. Consider also Luke chapter nine Luke in Luke’s account gives us just a little bit more detail in Luke chapter nine and in verse 23 then he said to them all,
if anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. There is a denial that is involved in following Christ. If we’re going to follow Christ, we cannot follow ourselves. If we are going to follow Christ, we cannot follow riches. If we are going to follow Christ, we cannot follow the world.
If we are going to follow Christ, we can not follow man’s doctrines. If we are going to follow Christ, then we must take up our cross and follow him. But Jesus says, that is what we must do daily. It is not a onetime act and it is not the idea that all of us must hang on a physical cross. It is the idea that we must be willing to suffer and die and be put to death if that is what it takes to be faithful to him.
Turn to revelation chapter two in revelation chapter two John is writing to the first century churches. He is writing to these churches to deliver to them a message that had been given to him from Christ to them. We read in verse eight beginning in the angel and to the angel of the church in some Myrna write these things, says the first and the last who was dead and came to life.
Now who is that? Who is this one who was dead and came to life? It’s Christ. Christ is declaring this to them, the one who’s the first and the last. Christ. I know your works, tribulation and poverty, but you are rich and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and you will have tribulation. 10 days, be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life. This idea here of faithful until death. It does not mean you be in the face of death.
That’s not what it’s talking about. The idea in the original language is you be faithful up to and including death. If it costs you that and I will give you a crown of life, the way of Christ, the way that he would lead us, the way that he has said before us may cost us everything, but it will most certainly it will most assuredly cost us denial of self.
Paul would write over and over and over again that he was Paul the apostle, the one sent by Jesus Christ, but he would most often refer to himself as a bond servant, as a slave of Jesus Christ. The way of Christ goes through self-denial. The way of Christ goes through a life that is in Christ. And if you turn over to Galatians chapter two Galatians chapter two Paul writes concerning himself and concerning his life,
and he says this in chapter two and in verse 20 I have been crucified with Christ. Now wait a minute, Christ said, if you are going to follow me, you must deny yourself. You must take up your cross daily and follow me. Paul says, I’ve been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh.
I live by faith in the son of God who loves me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Oh, foolish Galatians, who has Bewitched you that you should not obey the truth Before whose eyes? Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified.
Paul says, I have been crucified. I am dead. I’m alive in the flesh, but it’s not me who’s alive anymore. It is Christ who lives in me and he says, I don’t set aside the grace of God for if righteousness comes through the law, the law, Moses in the context, then Christ died in vain. He says, your righteousness doesn’t come through the obedience and the perfection of keeping the law.
Your righteousness comes by grace. Your righteousness comes by turning your life over to cry ceased and notice that phrase there in the middle of verse one of chapter three by obeying the truth, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life in between the the power that he has granted to us. John chapter one to become the children of God and the way stands the truth,
the truth to which we must all be obedient. Turn to acts chapter five Jesus said that the way goes through the cross. In acts chapter five verse 27 we see an example of the apostles being willing to suffer and suffering and their reaction in acts chapter five verse 27 we read this and when they had brought them and set them before the council and the high priest asked them saying,
did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name and look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood on us. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging him on a tree. Him God has exalted to his right hand to be Prince and savior,
to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins, and we are his witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. Verse 33 when they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. If you skip down in this chapter to verse 38 we read and now I say to you,
keep away from these men and let them alone. This is, this is<inaudible> closing advice to those on the council for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it. Lest you even be found a fight against God. And they agreed with him. And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council rejoicing That they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name and daily in the temple and in every house they did not see teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Here are the apostles. They are going through and they are teaching Jerusalem.
They are teaching every individual they can encounter concerning Christ, the Messiah, the one who was crucified, the one who went to the cross, the one who had become the savior of their nation. They were teaching repentance. They were teaching baptism. They were teaching these people About Christ and they were turning Jerusalem upside down and the council will have them beaten and they will have them put out.
But the reaction of the apostles to being beaten and cashed out from the council would be to rejoice, To rejoice because they were worthy to suffer. Turn to Galatians chapter six Galatians chapter six beginning in verse 14 as Paul closes out this letter to the Galatians, we read this, but God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world for in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but a new creature or creation and as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one trouble me for I bear in my body, the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Paul was one who as he discussed earlier in this book, had been willing to be crucified for Christ. That is to be alive in the flesh but only living through Christ. And we are to be those who understand that the weigher and the path and the way to the father sometimes, oftentimes will call upon us to not only deny ourselves but suffer for the cause of Christ.
It is in that suffering and through that suffering on on the other side of that suffering where the reward takes place. So then the what? The third question we T we noticed the where, where are we going? That was Thomas’s question and how will we get there? How will we know the way again, Thomas’s question, but then the third thing Jesus answers before it is asked.
Turn back to John chapter 14 And that is the what in John chapter 14 in verse one let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me, in my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you. What are we going Toward? What is awaiting us in this place?
If we notice a number of passages, we will find the number of explanations. Turn over to Luke chapter 16 Yeah, Jesus says, it is a prepared place. It is a place that is awaiting us and is prepared for us if we load this Luke chapter 16 verses 24 and 25 this is in the context of what Jesus has to say concerning the rich man and Lazarus,
but I believe it actually shed some light on what is to come. Luke chapter 16 beginning in verse 24 we read this, then he cried and said, the rich man 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. But Abraham said,
son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and you are tormented and beside all this between us and you, there is a great Gulf fixed so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot nor can those from their past us. Notice two things that were told about here in this context concerning a place that is awaiting.
Number one is that for the righteous, it is a place of comfort. It is a place that is awaiting that is a place of comfort. For those who have had difficulties and struggles in this life, Jesus said to those who adhere him, uh, to to take, excuse me, to allow him to lay his yoke on them, but offers them in exchange rest for those who were weary here in this text we read not only that it is a place of comfort,
but also that it is a place of security. You say, Aaron, what do you mean? It’s a place of security. It is a place where those who have done evil in this life cannot invade. They cannot come across to it. It is also a place from which once you go there, you no longer have to be concerned about the partying from there into torment.
We do not understand the wherewithal, the ways or the wives or the house of the fact that when this life is over, God has said we no longer have to be concerned with being faithful until death to avoid torment or punishment. Instead, we are assured that when that rest is awaiting us and that rest and that time arrives, then our fate, our destiny is secure.
We don’t know how that will be done. We just know that’s what we’ve been told. It is a place of comfort and it is a place of security from which we will never have to depart. But notice revelation chapter 14 revelation chapter 14 and in verse 13 John again in writing concerning a number of other things in the context of this passage makes mention of one thing he says verse chapter 14 verse 13 then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,
right, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works, follow them. It is a place of comfort is a place of security. It is a place of rest from labors. It is a place where the laborers that have been done in this life will bring forth reward in the next,
but consider also earlier on in this chapter, revelation chapter 14 verse three that John pictures here on mountain Zion singing and we are told in multiple passages, especially in the book of revelation and others, that singing has its place in heaven. We read in revelation chapter 14 in verse three they sang as it were, a new song before the throne. Where’s the throne?
If you read John chapter four or excuse me, revelation chapter four it’s in heaven. It’s in the presence of God. They sang before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders and no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. Now we don’t have time to go into a full exit Jesus of this context,
but here’s the thing you should grab. Those who are redeemed from the earth are singing praise to the Lord. Turn to revelation chapter five revelation chapter five beginning in verse nine And they sang a new song saying, you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us Kings and priests to our God and we shall reign on the earth.
Turn to chapter 15 verses three and four of revelation. Revelation chapter 15 beginning of verse three they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the lamb saying, great and marvelous are your works, Lord God almighty, just and true are your ways. Oaking of the saints who shall not fear you. O Lord and glorify your name for you alone are Holy for all nations shall come and worship before you.
Here’s what we can know that the presence of God is a place of singing. It’s a place of comfort. It’s a place of security. It’s a place of rest and a place of singing, but ultimately it’s this turn in your mind or in your Bibles. Back to John chapter 14 John chapter 14 Once again, verse two in my father’s house are many mansions.
If it were not so, I would have told you I go to repair a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be also above all the other things. It is the place where Christ will be. It is the place where the one who died for us has prepared for us to dwell with him for eternity.
Where are you going and how will you get there and what awaits you when you arrive? If your path in life is faithfulness to Christ, if it is following the one who has provided the way, if it is living and abiding and obeying the truth so that you might gain hold on eternal life, then what you have awaiting you is what is worth living for and is what is worth dying for.
If you are not living that way, if you are not following Christ and not obedient to that truth, then you won’t have that home. You will not have that dwelling place because there is only one way to get there and there is only one truth that will save you and it’s the gospel of Jesus Christ to be obedient to the gospel. You must hear the word of God and believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
You must repent of your sins and confess the name of Christ and be immersed in water for the remission of your sins rising again to walk in newness of life, being faithful unto up to and including death to serve and obtain the reward. If you’re here this afternoon and you have need of that invitation, that opportunity to put Christ on in baptism, why not come together as we stand and as we sing,
You’ve been listening to good news brought to you by the Collierville church of Christ. You can join us in person at five seven five Shelton road. Call your Ville, Tennessee on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM for Bible class and 10:30 AM for worship. Our afternoon services are at 1:30 PM.
Since this morning we want to especially say thank you to all of our visitors for being with us. Uh, you are our honored guests. We do encourage you if you will, leave a card in the back of the Pew or in the collection. If you haven’t, if you’ve already done that so we might have a record of your visit. We appreciate your presence very much.
Something that I dare say Every single one of us has experienced to some degree. If we’ve reached an age where we’ve interacted with people long enough Is betrayal. Maybe it was small, a secret told to someone who then tells it to someone else and we find out about it. Or maybe it was large, but in some form or fashion. I imagine every single one of us at some time in our life have experienced betrayal.
There’s some words in the old and new Testament that deal with this idea. One of those words is treacherous. The old Testament describes Israel and Israel’s relationship to God when they would so often betray their covenant with him as dealing treacherously. The old Testament also describes the way an individual would deal with another in business when they would be dishonest as being treacherous. I want to spend some time in our lesson this morning with this idea of being betrayed.
As you look through the old and new Testament, you will find occasions. You will find examples of betrayal and we’re going to notice a number of them, a lot of them from the old Testament, but we’re going to begin in the book of Obadiah, Obadiah, one of the smallest books in scripture. Here we find a betrayal. We find a betrayal.
That is the trail of allies. If you’ll notice as we turn to this book, one of the things that is going on here in the book of Obadiah, we’re going to notice verse seven is a condemnation that the prophet is giving against Edam. Edam was the descendants of Esau, so they are descendants of Abraham through Esau, but they are those who have departed from God.
They were given an inheritance. They were given a portion of land. They were given a Mount sear and that area and God told Israel when they came into the land of Canaan, you don’t mess with Esau. You don’t mess with Edam. They are in their inheritance and you leave them alone. But God will bring judgment on Edam for their sins and for their departure from him.
But we notice if we look in verse six of Obadiah all how Esau shall be searched out. The searching here that God is talking about is not that, Hey, I’m going to go look for somebody. It’s the searching out. When judgment comes when an army comes against them and all of their possessions are searched through to find everything of value, everything that they had that was valuable is going to be taken.
It is going to be gone. They will be searched out. Yeah. Oh, how? He’s all shall be searched out. How his hidden treasure shall be sought after all the men in your Confederacy shall force you to the border. The men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.
No one is aware of it. Here comes the prophet of God and he gives this declaration. He makes this prophecy. Now have they listened? Had they adhered to the prophecy? Had they been warned by it? Things could have been different, But their sin was so great that they were beyond that point. They would not hear. They would not listen.
They would not turn. They would not repent, and God says, you will be dealt with through betrayal. It is your allies who will set a trap for you, a snare for you. Those who you think you are safe with will turn against you. Those who have eaten at your own table Will destroy you. Betrayal, betrayal can come in our lives from allies,
from those who we think are on our side. How many times Have we seen in occasions in countries where one country believes that another is on their side and then they find out they’re not? They find now that they’re doing things against them in secret. Betrayal is hard to deal with, but betrayal from allies turns your heart, turns your stomach. But notice Luke chapter 21 Luke chapter 21 and in verse 12 we find the betrayal that’s a little closer to home.
In Luke chapter 21 and in verse 12 we read this<inaudible><inaudible>. I’m actually going to back up to verse 10 then he said to them, nation will rise Against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there will be great earthquakes in various places and famines and pestilences and there will be fearful sites and great signs from heaven. Now Jesus is declaring his prophesizing the end of the Jewish nation.
He is prophesizing the destruction of Jerusalem and he’s giving them signs and warnings of what would come, but notice verse 12 but before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and rulers for my names Sake, Jesus tells his apostles, he tells his disciples,
he warns them in advance. They’re going to come for you. The people are going to come for you because you hold fast to my name because you declare my name because you claim to be a Christian. Your own people, the Jews, they will be Trey you up. They will give you up And you will be brought into the synagogues. Now,
the synagogues were supposed to be a place of teaching. They were supposed to be a place where people would gather together and they would hear the word of God proclaimed and they would hear the old Testament scriptures being read and they would have an opportunity to join and fellowship and in worship and instead they would be turned into a place of betrayal. But he says,
not only will they deliver you up into the synagogues, but into prison before the coming of the destruction of Jerusalem. Before this event arises, there will be a betrayal from among your own nation. It’s bad when it’s allies. It’s even worse when it’s your own countrymen. But notice another example of betrayal in Jeremiah chapter 20 Jeremiah chapter 20 and in verse ten four I heard many mocking Fear on every side report they say,
and we will report it. All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling saying perhaps he can be induced, then we will prevail against him and we will take our revenge On him. Jeremiah has been prophesizing. He’s been proclaiming the word of the Lord. He’s been trying to encourage his nation to repent, to restore themselves to a right relationship with God before judgment comes against them and now even his own acquaintances,
those who are close to him, those who pretend to be his friends Are looking for an opportunity to betray him, An opportunity to find fault, to see stumbling In his way when it’s your allies, it’s one thing when, when it’s your nation, it’s another. When it’s your acquaintances and those close to you, it’s all together. Something different, But sometimes it’s even closer to home.
Psalm 41 Psalm 41 David writes these words<inaudible>. Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me. David speaks concerning one who would eat at the table of someone else who would be a friend, But who would betray that friendship. If you turn to second Samuel chapter 15 Second Samuel chapter 15 David experienced something very much like this,
but he experienced a dual betrayal. He would be betrayed by a friend who would be an advisor who would be one who would sit at his table and eat his meat and who would betray him, but he would also in coordination with that be betrayed By a son. In second Samuel chapter 15 verse one after this, it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses and 50 men to run before him.
Now, Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate, so it was whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the King for a decision, then Absalom would call to him and say, what city are you from? And he would say, you’re serving is from such and such a tribe of Israel. Then Absalom would say to him,
look, your case is good and right, but there is no deputy of the King to hear you. Moreover, Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made a judge in the land and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me. Then I would give him justice. And so it was whenever anyone came near to bound down to him that he would put out his hand and take him and him.
And this manner, Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the King for judgment. So Absalom stole the Hearts of the men of Israel. David’s own son in the previous chapter will be brought back to Israel, back to Jerusalem by Joe AB. Joe lab will use an individual to come to for David and encouraged David through slight of words to be able to bring about Absalom’s return.
Absolutely, of course was the one who was sent out, was sent away was because he killed his own brother and so or half-brother. But as a result of this, Absalom, his backs and Absalom is there. But the King says, Absalom, you are not allowed in my presence. You can come back to your house. You can come back to this nation,
but you cannot come before me. Ultimately, he will finally end up before him. But through all of this, Absalom Is plotting betrayal. And then chapter 15 in verse one he begins to act out that betrayal. He begins to turn the hearts of the people away from his father. Then in verse 12 Absalom will send for a hit of fell. The Guyland night,
David’s councilor from his city, from guy haunt from guide lawn, where while he offered sacrifices and the conspiracy grew, Absalom will not only as David’s son turn against him and betray him and seek his throne, but he will even call for David’s own councilors. David’s own friends Will betray David and Side with Absalom. Verse 13 now a messenger came to David.
The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom. So David said to all of his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, arise and let us flee or we shall not escape from Absalom. David realizes that it’s not just the throne that Absalom wants. The only way Absalom gets the throne is if David is dead. His son, his counselor, his people,
his nation betrayed him and he flees. Betrayal by allies, betrayal by countrymen, betrayal by acquaintances, betrayal by a friend, betrayal by a son. Micah chapter seven Micah chapter seven Micah writes and prophesies to Israel In chapter seven in verse five Micah says, do not trust in a friend Israel. Your condition has become such that it is so sinful that the best advice that I can give you is do not trust in a friend.
Do not put your confidence in a companion. Guard the doors of your mouth for from her who lies in your bosom. The sin had become so great in Israel, their iniquity so pervasive that the admonition from God and from his prophet to the people is do not even trust your spouse Or you will be betrayed. The one who even shares Your bed will betray you.
But you know, there’s another betrayal that I dare say most of us have also experienced. And we’ve gotten a little closer and a little closer and a little closer in. And here’s kind of the worst one. Turn to Romans chapter seven Romans chapter seven Verse 10 Paul writes to the church at Rome trying to deal with a position that some of them had that they could continue in sin.
And as a matter of fact, the more they continued in sin, chapter six verse one the more they would get grace. And so that was good. They, the more grace you had, the that that was better. So they would sin more. So they received more grace. Paul corrects that viewpoint, shows them how this sin is slavery is bondage and that they needed to live a life separate from sin.
And those who were baptized in Christ are those who are to be free from sin. But then he goes on to talk about the law being free from the law and being free from the sin and the bondage that is brought by the law. But notice what he says in verse 10 he says in the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death for sin,
taking a kid occasion by the commandment deceived me and by it killed me. Paul is looking at the law and he’s saying the law is good. The law is the commandment of God. The law is what he gave to me. Speaking by the way, in context of the old Testament law saying the commandments were given and they were good and they were those that were sufficient,
but they made it visible. When I sinned, the law showed me sin. And when sin was shown, it brought forth death. Paul has already said in Romans chapter six verse 23 that the wages of sin is death. Yeah, Romans chapter three verse 23 for all of sin and fallen short of the glory of God. So he says, all lives in Jew,
Gentile, alike, and the wages of sin is death. And now he says the law was what told me The law was what in a sense, Guild me. But then verse 12 therefore the law is Holy and the commandment Holy and just and good. He says, don’t, don’t confuse this. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not the law that’s evil. It’s my inability to perfectly keep it.
But then notice verse 13 has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not, but sin that it might appear. Sin was producing death in me through what is good. So that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful for we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin for what I am doing. I do not understand for what I will to do that I do not practice.
But what I hate that I do. Paul speaks here of a betrayal Of self. You see, because you and I may look at the law of God and we may look at the word of God and we read those commandments and we say, I want to obey them perfectly And then we’ll fail to do so. Okay, We’ll do things that we don’t want to do.
We’ll make decisions that we don’t want to make and will betray our faithfulness to God and we will sin. We will fall short of his glory trail, Val by allies, but trail by countrymen, the trail by acquaintances, friends, sons, spouses, and now ourselves. Can’t even trust myself. So then to whom shall we go before we get there,
turn to Luke chapter 22 Luke chapter 22 We read in the scripture reading John chapter 13 where we have the fulfillment of the prophecy from Psalm 41 the one who Sat at his table, The one who aided his food would be the one who betrayed him. In Luke chapter 22 We read beginning in verse 48 of that betrayal, Verse 47 and while he was still speaking,
behold a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the 12 went before them And drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss? When those around him saw what was going on, they said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? Yeah.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. But Jesus answered and said, permit even this. And he touched his ear and healed him. Yes. Then Jesus said to the chief priest captains of the temple and the elders who had come to him, have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs?
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize me, but this is your hour and the power of darkness. Jesus identifies their wickedness, their betrayal, and their attempt to cover it up. Their willingness to come to him in the dark of night, to betray him in the dark of night, to betray him with one who is his own friend through an offering of money.
And this betrayal will put Jesus Christ on the cross, the greatest betrayal that has ever occurred in all of humanity. And here’s how I know, Because of all humanity that has ever been betrayed by allies, by countrymen, by friends, by family, by closest individuals, and by those who are afar, all of us Have ultimately mostly been betrayed by our own Sins.
But the one who was betrayed on that night had no sin. The one who was betrayed, who was brought with clubs and with sticks Never sinned And never deserved betrayal. So then I ask again, to whom shall we go? And I encourage you to turn to Hebrews chapter 13 if in this life we have experienced betrayal, If we have been betrayed by others and it hurts,
it stings. It damages our confidence in humanity and in our friends. If we have suffered betrayal by those who are closest to us, those who we fought had our confidence, those who we thought we could have trust in and we found out they would turn their back on us For nothing more than maybe reputation and pride. If we’ve been betrayed in a workplace or in a school,
we know the hurt that comes with betrayal, but there’s one who will never betray you. There’s one who will never turn his back on you. There’s one in whom you can always have confidence. And Hebrews chapter 13 we read verse five let your conduct be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have for he himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Yeah, There is one in whom you can have confidence.
There is one in whom you can rest assured he will never betray you. He will never turn his back on you. He will never depart from you. If you will continue in faithfulness to him, you will never be betrayed.<inaudible> Jesus Christ, the one who was betrayed has promised he will never depart, if you will, but remain with him.
Returned to Romans chapter seven<inaudible>. Romans chapter seven verse 24 Paul brings forward a lamb and Taishan Of his own sins, of his own iniquities, of his own struggles, And then ultimately his hope. He says in Romans chapter seven verse 24 Oh wretched man, that I am Who will me from The body of death. I thank God Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin. There is therefore now no condoms Nation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh. But according to the spirit, Paul says, I as one who sin I as one who has betrayed myself. I as one who have brought upon my own self death and condemnation.
I have hope in Christ In whom there is no condemnation. So let us examine how it is that we can have a friend who will never betray us. If you turn back to Romans chapter six the precursor to chapter seven you find that those who are in Christ are those who have been baptized into Christ. They are those who have put on Christ, who have been resurrected,
who had been renewed in their heart and in their mind and in their spirit. They are those who have been buried with him and risen again to newness of life Through baptism. Yeah. They believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God because John chapter eight verse 24 Jesus said, except you believe that I am he you shall die in your sins. They are those who are willing to confess his name.
Romans chapter 10 verses nine and 10 willing to repent of their sins because repentance is that which brings us forward to salvation together with confession, Romans chapter 10 But then those who are willing to call on the name of the Lord, okay, Because it is the Lord who brings forth that salvation and it is the Lord who is willing to be that individual who will never Turn his back on you.
The one in whom you can know you will never be betrayed for. He is always the same yesterday, today and forever. If you’re outside the body of Christ this morning, if you’ve not put Christ on in baptism, if you’ve not become a friend of God, I have bad news for you. Feagins chapter two says, you’re not only not the friend of God,
the companion of God, you’re the enemy of God, But you can change that because faith through grace and obedience to the will of God can produce life in you. If you’re one who’s outside the body of Christ this morning, why not change that? Why not put Christ in baptism and have a relationship with someone who will never betray you for he was betrayed for you?
If you have needed the invitation, why not come now as we stand in as we sing? You’ve been listening to good news brought to you by the Collierville church of Christ. You can join us in person at five seven five Shelton road. Call your Ville, Tennessee on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM for Bible class and 10:30 AM for worship. Our afternoon services are at 1:30 PM.
Necessary heartache
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
For the Love of a Child, A Break with Leadership (if the people knew of Jesus, then Jairus, a rule of the synagogue, knew of the Scribes and Pharisees rejection of him).
Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
A city afraid.
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
Permission and Boundaries
And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
Did you know these people were Gentiles?
And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. (Mark 5:16-18).
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
Sin loves to destroy (Legion into swine)
Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.
For He said to him, Come out of the man, unclean spirit! Then He asked him, What is your name?
And he answered, saying, My name is Legion; for we are many. Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, Send us to the swine, that we may enter them. And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?
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Watch more of Aaron’s videos about Salvation, the Gospel, the good news, the gospel message salvation, and in-depth studies of the books of the Bible by visiting https://cozort.org, and Collierville church of Christ.
This video is a production of Collierville Christian Radio, the Collierville church of Christ, and the Gospel Broadcasting Network.
Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
To learn more about the Collierville church of Christ, visit colliervillecoc.org
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This video is part of the daily video devotional: Admonition
