Sermon Reflections from The Passion to Surrender to God- Confession | Alex Hardt | October 12
What did you do when you were confronted with the truth about Christ- who He is and what He had done for you?
Scripture gives us some examples of both positive and negative results.
Acts 2:36-38 “ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “ Peter presented the crowds with the true reality of who Christ was and what he had done for them by dying on the cross. Their response-if yes lead to repentance, if no- led to rejection of Christ. Verse 41, gives the results of Peter’s giving out of the truth about Christ, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Those who believed were baptized into the family of God both spiritually through the power of the Holy Spirit and by water to show acceptance of the truth of Jesus in their lives. Their repentance led to eternal life in Christ. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Many others heard the good news of Jesus and believed in Him like the Woman at the Well from John 14. “The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”… 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
An example of someone who said, “No” to faith in Christ was the Rich Young Ruler from Matthew 19. “ And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” The young ruler was not willing to let go of his possessions as he was very wealthy. He valued his money more than his soul. We do not know if he ever repented and turned to Jesus.
One example of someone who came to Jesus, went away but later believed was Nicodemus. John 3 recalls the story of his nighttime encounter with Jesus. “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” We do not know from this account whether or not Nicodemus came to faith that night. But, scripture tells us in John 7:50 he spoke up for Jesus at his trial. “ Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” Later John 19 we learn he was involved in helping to bury Jesus. “ Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”
We can see in scripture that when one is presented with the gospel truth of Jesus, a decision needs to be made. Accept Jesus as savior and confess your sins or reject the truth of Jesus and be condemned by the weight of you own sins. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” 2 Corinthians 7:10 puts it this way, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Repentance leads to restoration and a fullness in Christ. Repentance leads to eternity with Christ.
What should be our response when someone says No to the gospel message? Keep on praying, keep on giving them the truth about Jesus. Maybe they will come to faith as Nicodemus did! The no is not final until one draws their final breath!
Linda
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