Intro. Video Clip
I. UNBELIEF IS NOT A MATTER OF NEEDING MORE BUT A HEART. V.22-24
“If you’re the Messiah tell us plainly.”
A. Jesus couldn’t have made it any clearer that he was the Christ.
Jesus taught in the open and his message was clear: I am the living water. John 4 I am the bread of Life who eats of this bread will live forever. John 6 I am the Light of the world, who believes in me will never walk in darkness. John 8 I am the Door into the Kingdom.John 9 I am the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. John 10
B. Jesus’ miracles were more than sufficient proof of his deity.
Healing the sick, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons, turning water into wine. Yeah, I think his works were enough evidence.
C. Jesus made it clear that unbelievers can’t hear the voice of God because they won’t hear it.
He came to his own people, but they received him not, and their unbelief resulted in the hardening of their hearts. John 1:11-12 & Romans 11:20)
- Today is no different. People’s unbelief is not based upon a lack of evidence but rather a stubborn and rebellious heart.
II. BELIEVERS ARE IN THEIR SALVATION AND YET ARE EXPECTED TO OUT THEIR SALVATION WITH AND TREMBLING. V. 25-31
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. V.27-29
A. Faith in CHRIST was never meant to excuse unbelief or sinful living.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Phil. 2:12-13
- Noone can snatch (Harpazo) his sheep out of the hands of God.
Eternal Life: (aionios) this word means perpetual or never ending. This is a great promise but even better is that early in this same discussion Jesus said that He has come to give his sheep abundant (perissos) life John 10:10 a reference to quality not just quantity.
Question: Jesus teaching that Christians are secure in their Salvation?
B. My logic for believing in eternal security: Six Reason I believe in the security of the believer:
- A person who has been “born again” can’t be unborn again can he? John 3:4, Titus
- Jesus said the following: “This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all he has given me I should lose nothing but raise it up at the last day.” John 6:39
- The Apostle informs the believers in the Church at Ephesus that they have been sealed by the Holy Spirit whose role is to deliver them safely home.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:13-14
We are “sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. “ Ephesians 4:30
4. Believers have been adopted into the family of God. Therefore, it seems highly improbable that people can lose their position in the family.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Eph. 1:3-5
5. The Apostle was “convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what was entrusted to me,” Timothy 1:12
6. The Apostle Paul speaks of our Salvation in the past tense that Bible scholars refer to as “positional” truth.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
7. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. Heb12:2
B. Admittedly, there are several scriptural references that should temper our attitude about our security.
Mark 3:28-29 (Blasphemy the Holy Spirit) Hebrews 6:4-6 (people who were enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit) 10:26-27 (deliberately keep on sinning) 2 Peter 2:19-22 (dogs who return to the vomit) Gal. 5:1-4 (fallen away from grace)
- Security is not a teaching designed to give people an excuse to live however they want to, if fact, if that is what you believe you are in grave danger of great loss when you stand before the Lord.
III. JESUS WAS ULTIMATELY SLAUGHTERED LIKE A LAMB ON THE ALTAR IN THE TEMPLE BECAUSE HE WAS THE AND NOT JUST BECAUSE HE TO BE THE CHRIST.
The lamb of God was sent by the Father to take away the sins of the world. John 1:29
The Jewish leaders thought of Jesus as a blasphemer who needed to be shut up and be snuffed out. These unbelievers wanted to kill Jesus because they understood what he was claiming: Equality with God.
“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” v. 33
A. Jesus was clearly God in the flesh.
- John 1:1 The Word was God
- John 10:30 I and the Father are one.
- John 14:19 To see me is to see the Father.
- Isaiah 9:6 He shall be called Mighty God.
- Titus 2:13 Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
B. Jesus uses a prophetic word from one their heroes, King David to dismantle the point to their weak argument:
“I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance. Psa. 82:6-8
CONCLUSION: