Let us pray.
Gracious God and Father, for us who know you this morning, prayer is not a routine, but a routine
!
Father, for us who know you this morning, prayer is not a routine, but a routine is not a routine
of the Lord.
And this morning we join in prayer together, asking that just as we have sung your truth,
that we'd also be open to hear the word that informs and instructs our hearts.
That our joy would be full.
That our hearts would have ambition for the things of eternity.
And that, Lord, we would long for the day that the one who we love we would see face to face.
We ask for the power of your Spirit to work in our lives, those of us who are believers,
those who are here that do not know Christ.
That today would be a significant day, one for those who are believers, that our hearts
would be encouraged and strengthened, that we would grow honestly to be more dedicated,
more committed, more resolute, more passionate for the holiness and truth of Christ.
And that those who are here that do not know Christ this morning would have your Spirit convict
them of the misery and the hopelessness of their sin and realize that there is no other remedy
but to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.
We ask this in your precious name.
Amen.
Well, I'm going to ask that you turn in your Bibles this morning to John chapter 16.
And you who are reasonably well-versed in churchiology know that John 16 is not anywhere near the resurrection stories.
And if you were here before breakfast, that is at the 830 hour, you know that we actually
looked at several of those passages where the fact of the resurrection was borne out,
looking at passages in Luke and in Matthew and in Mark and reminding ourselves of the actual
series of events that took place when Christ was raised from the dead.
What I want us to look at this morning is a passage that several weeks ago as I was studying
and actually doing my own devotional life in the morning, I was just struck as I read this,
because it was a reminder of what would someday come.
Now, this is a day when we as believers celebrate perhaps with the greatest amount of affection
and enthusiasm for the victory that Christ has had over sin and death.
Now, we enjoy Christmas, and I admit that, and I know you enjoy it as well, but the resurrection
Sunday is the day that we draw attention most particularly to the victory that we have in the Lord
Jesus Christ.
And so what I'd like you to do is turn with me to the passage in John chapter 16.
I'm going to read the passage for you, and then we're going to study it together, and we're going
to ask that the Spirit of God kind of drive these truths home and have a significant difference in
our life.
Let's follow as I read.
You look in your own copy, and I will read from mine.
A little while, and you will see me no longer.
And again, a little while, and you will see me.
So some of his disciples said to one another, what is this that he says to us?
A little while, and you will not see me.
And again, a little while, and you will see me.
And because I'm going to the Father.
So they were saying, what does he mean by a little while?
We do not know what he's talking about.
Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him.
So he said to them, is this what you are asking yourselves that I meant by saying?
What I meant by saying, a little while, and you will not see me.
And again, a little while, and you shall see me.
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy.
When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come.
But when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish for joy that a human being has been brought, born into the world.
So also you have sorrow now.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Now I want you to think with me just a little bit this morning as we look at this passage.
First of all, kind of recognize the background of what Jesus said.
Here was Jesus speaking a little while before his actual crucifixion, and in that context, he was talking about what would come.
And I think it's important for us to note here that the disciples never really understood what Jesus had to say or what he was teaching about his death before it actually happened.
Now you need to recognize that Jesus, from the very beginning, made the fact of his death, burial, and resurrection something that he was very public about.
It wasn't one of these little closeted secrets that was kept away from everyone else.
It was something that Jesus was very upfront in declaring.
But despite all his teaching and the clarity with which he made these statements, his disciples never really picked up on it.
Now we do see that they were a little nervous and a little uncertain, but they really didn't understand what was going to happen.
Probably one of the better illustrations of just how brain-dead they were on this subject is over in Luke chapter 22.
And I want you to turn there if you would.
Go in your Bible to Luke chapter 22, and we're going to mark just how much they missed it.
In Luke chapter 22, we are at the passage where we find the celebration of the Last Supper.
And we understand that actually what took place is that they thought they were celebrating the traditional, typical Jewish Passover.
And they were kind of looking forward to this, a very important annual event in the life of the nation of Israel.
And they were kind of thinking, well, we're just doing what we normally do.
It's a little bit like for us, it's Thanksgiving on steroids.
For a Jewish individual, it's something that reminds them of God's deliverance from the land of oppression that they've been in.
And so they were thinking about this, and Jesus in that context, remember, he breaks bread and he says,
this is my body which is broken for you.
Now they knew that was not part of the normal Passover meal.
And then he says, and this cup is the cup of the New Testament in my blood.
Whoa, what are you saying?
You would think that would kind of get their attention, wouldn't you?
You would think that would be a good stop and think, what is he talking about?
But the truth of the matter is, is they really didn't connect.
And if you look at Luke chapter 22, verse 24, we see that right after Jesus had taught this lesson,
they're on their way out the garden, and here's what they end up talking about.
A dispute rose among them as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Who are these people that are arguing about who's going to be the greatest?
This is the hand-chosen, selected, the special core, the elite of the future church,
and here they are, they're bickering among one another about who's going to have the first place.
Now it wasn't the first time they'd had this discussion.
Incidentally, we do know from other comparative passages that they thought when Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem
that what was coming next was that the kingdom was going to be established,
Jesus was going to be the king,
and so understandably he was going to need help in managing this kingdom,
and they wanted to be certain of their order and the pecking order.
They wanted to have their place.
They were not thinking at all about the coming crucifixion and what would happen.
And as you look back at our text, go back to John chapter 16, if you will, again.
Here he is teaching on the matter of his coming crucifixion,
and we find there that they were a little put off or they were a little uncertain about what was going to happen.
Look at verse 18.
It says,
Now they were talking back and forth,
and one of the problems with talking back and forth when Jesus was around
is that Jesus knew what you were saying.
In fact, he didn't even have to be around to figure out what you were saying.
And anyway, here he is.
They're talking, and they're kind of having this little sidebar conversation,
and Jesus steps right into the middle of it and says,
Hey, what's this that's going on?
What's the problem?
And we find that the disciples, as they were kind of going back and forth on the matter,
they really didn't understand what was taking place.
Now mark what we find here in the passage, and it's going to be the substance of our study.
Jesus tells them right up front what's going to take place.
Christ told them all that they needed to know well in advance.
Look at the passage and mark what it says here.
He says,
And one of the things that I want us to kind of put back in the back of our mind at this moment is this,
is that the truth of the matter is that the Bible, and God's Word in particular,
tells us what we need to know in advance.
It doesn't leave us in the dark.
I appreciate that.
One of the things that goes with advertising is they tell you all the good things up front.
They don't really tell you all the challenges and the probability of things not working out.
Am I right?
The promises are all up front.
The hardship and the difficulty just not out there at all.
And yet God in His Word, He tells us all that we need to know to handle the challenges of life.
And as we look here, we find that God loves His children enough,
and He lets us know what to expect and how the story ends.
And that's what we're looking at here in this passage.
There in verse 20, mark what it says.
It says,
The world will rejoice.
Now stop and think with me what was actually going to take place.
And you turn back in your Bible, and I want you to go there, if you would, just for a moment,
turn back to Luke chapter 23.
Luke chapter 23, verse 35 and 36.
And we find ourselves in this passage in the middle of the crucifixion process,
and we find that there are some people that are rather happy with what's taking place.
In 35 and 36, here's what we read.
It says,
And so here we have a picture of many of the individuals who were standing around the cross
actually finding pleasure in that suffering Savior.
It was kind of a media event of that ancient world.
And individuals that were crucified provided a certain amount of entertainment,
and particularly those who hated Christ,
took this as an opportunity of throwing their attitude towards Him
and mocking and rejoicing in what was taking place.
Furthermore, you can imagine that when Jesus actually died,
that those who hated Him is like,
Finally, we are finished with this guy.
You remember earlier that as Jesus had gained notoriety,
and I mean he gained respect for the miracles that he'd done
and for the power that he was displaying,
the Jewish leaders thought,
Man, we've got to do something about this guy
before he completely sweeps us all away.
And they decided,
Ah, the thing we're going to do is we're going to put him to death.
Got to figure out a way to get this done.
But they had it all planned out.
They called on Judas to betray Him.
And then they put together this mockery of a trial,
and they led that whole thing,
or they brought that whole thing to the crucifixion of Christ.
And no doubt, as they saw things working right towards that very end,
there in their hearts was a growing sense of accomplishment.
And man, we're finally going to be finished with this.
And this problem, this thorn in our side,
is going to be wiped away and we're done.
They're happy.
They're rejoicing.
And Jesus says to his disciples,
You have to understand that there will be people who will rejoice
seeing my crucifixion come about.
He says also in that passage,
He says,
And you yourselves are going to weep and lament.
And we find that level of sorrow and brokenness on the part of the disciples.
Many of them fled because they were afraid.
They too would pay the price with their own lives.
But there were others that came and watched what took place,
and their hearts were broken by what happened.
I think of the passage over in Luke chapter 24,
where we find even after three days out,
the day of the actual Christ's resurrection,
we have the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
And as they were going there,
what were their spirits like?
I have to admit it.
I stayed up and watched the game last night.
And, you know,
and I didn't have my head hung down on the,
I watched one of the players,
you know,
just hands buried,
his head buried in his hands.
I mean,
he was brokenhearted.
And it's just over a game,
right?
I mean,
and here were the disciples.
The one that they loved had been crucified.
Days later,
they just say,
you know,
we had hoped.
And Jesus,
he looks at these guys,
and he says,
what's the problem?
Don't you know?
Jesus was crucified.
And in this passage in John,
as Jesus is speaking ahead of time
and telling his disciples what's going to happen,
he says,
listen,
there's going to be people that are really excited
at my crucifixion,
and you are going to have broken hearts.
I don't want you to miss this point.
At the beginning,
believers may not know every part of the journey
that their life is going to take,
but I want you to recognize
that God graciously tells us enough
of how things are going to play out
that even in the midst of the heartache
and difficulties,
we do well to remember
we know how the story ends.
And I think that's important for us
to look at this morning.
Don't be surprised by troubles.
Don't be overwhelmed by the challenges
and the hardships that you're going to suffer.
I want you to recognize
that life is marked by difficulties
because we live in this broken world.
On top of that,
if we live as believers,
we shouldn't be surprised
by the heartache and challenges that we face.
I remember reading earlier this week
that there was a student in Florida,
and some of you perhaps have tracked that,
that his assignment in his class,
and this is verified,
his assignment in his class
was to take a large piece of paper
and write Jesus on it
and then drop it down on the ground
and stand back and think for a second
and then stomp on that paper.
And when the student rejected that assignment,
he was at first disciplined
by the administration
for refusing to follow through
with that assignment.
I want to tell you something.
I'm very glad that there was enough
of a public outcry
that the university had a second thought
on that fact.
But listen to me carefully.
I believe it's just an early indicator
of where things are going in our culture.
And recognize the fact
that there is going to be the day
where you shouldn't be surprised
if you are persecuted for your faith
because all around the world
there are people today
that suffer for their faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And don't be surprised if it comes here.
I think today of the fact
that Israel is being discredited
at the very time
that the Muslim Brotherhood
has received millions and millions
of dollars from our government.
Don't be surprised at what's coming
with the debate on homosexual marriage.
I am not the least bit surprised
by what is taking place
with the devolution of our culture.
And in the face of all of this
we need to recognize
that there will be hardships
in this life
and we shouldn't be surprised by those.
Troubles will come.
And over in verse 19
it says here
you know you're asking
about all these details
and I want to explain them to you
Jesus says.
Here's what I said
and he wants to explain it to us
so we understand it clearly.
Now I want you to mark
the promise of lasting joy
that we find here.
Yes hardship is going to come.
Difficulty is going to come.
We're going to face
some real trials
but mark what we find
in the passage.
It says there
your sorrow will be turned to joy.
I want you to look at this
and just see what this
must have looked like.
Go back a little bit
to the passage
in Luke chapter 24 verse 17.
Luke chapter 24 verse 17.
And he said to them
what is this conversation
you're holding
with each other
as you walk?
Talking about the two
disciples again.
They were kind of sorrowful
but then what does Jesus say?
Mark the reality
of what is going to come
and that's what flows on
here in the passage
a reminder
that Jesus Christ
indeed
is going to be resurrected
from the dead
and glorious truth
of our salvation.
Now I cannot fully imagine
what the emotions
must have been like
for these disciples
at this point
but if you go back
to that passage
in John chapter 16
you have to mark the fact
that they were a little
concerned and uncertain
about what was going
to take place.
They heard what Jesus said
they had trouble
putting it together
and the fact that he said
it over and over again
must have kind of
amplified
their uncertainty
because Jesus was not
the kind of teacher
that said something
just to hear himself talk.
When he made a statement
there was a purpose for it
and he was telling them
yet again
that he was going
to suffer
and there was going
to be hardship
in front.
Now listen to what
Jesus said there
in verse 22
that no one would
take their joy
from them.
John chapter 16
verse 22
So also you'll have
sorrow now
but I will see you again
and your hearts
will rejoice
and no one
will take
your joy from you.
He was speaking
to the very disciples
that would soon
be overwhelmed
by the certainty
or by watching
Jesus Christ
their Lord
and Savior
be crucified
and it must have
it would be something
that would be
supremely unsettling
because in their minds
what were they expecting
Jesus would do
on the next day
when he came in.
Remember the triumphal entry?
Came into the city
riding how?
Riding on a donkey
in keeping
with Old Testament
prophecy
behold your king
comes unto you
with meekness
riding on a donkey
and they thought
hey this is it
this is our opportunity
the next thing
that we know
is the coronation
of Christ
and all of us
will have our special place
and our setting
will be established
and here he is
speaking to them
and says listen
understand
you're going
to sorrow now
but
I will see you again
and your hearts
will rejoice
and no one
will take that joy
from you
and he was talking
about the fact
that after his crucifixion
would come his resurrection
and they would see
the risen Christ
and their hearts
would revel in that truth
and their hearts
would rest in that truth
and no one
no one at all
would take that joy
from them.
I want you to imagine
just for a moment
how profound
that emotional
a joy must have been
after the third day
and the women
came back
to the disciples
and say
he is risen
how did the adult
male disciples respond?
alright
no
that's not it at all
in fact
you remember
good old Thomas
what did Thomas say?
there are some of us here
that would be
Thomas's on steroids
right
unless I put my finger
in those wounds
I'm not going to believe
and the rest of them
pretty uncertain
as to what was going
to take place
and yet Jesus says
the day is coming
that your joy
is going to be full
and after he revealed
himself to them
we find there
that their hearts
were just unbelievably
lifted up
and rejoicing
you look in John
and it tells us
that when he appeared
to them
it says that their hearts
were just overwhelmed
with that fact
so let's think about
the next thing
that Jesus says there
and you look there
and he says
that your joy
will be full
and no one
will take your sorrow
from you
I want us to think
as we study
the scriptures together
of powerful reasons
for this lasting joy
see our joy
today
is not a joy
just in the fact
of the resurrection
of Christ
but all the other
related facts
that tie into it
and are connected
to that reality
we have lasting joy
because Christ's
resurrection
affirms
the effectiveness
of his sacrificial death
I want you to turn
in your Bible
so you can understand
this passage
see this text
for yourself
in Romans chapter 4
verse 25
Romans chapter 4
verse 25
why do I have
lasting joy
I do not have
lasting joy
because of Tim Knoyer
I do not have
lasting joy
in our economy
I do not have
lasting joy
in the weather
I have lasting joy
in the finished work
of Christ
and the absolute
certainty
I have
that the work
he begun
is accomplished
and settled
in the heavens
Romans chapter 4
verse 25
it says
who was delivered up
for our transgressions
and raised
for our justification
think with me
about that
it says that
Christ
was sacrificed
for our sins
why did Jesus
die on the cross
did he die
because he was
a sinner
no
he died
because I
was a sinner
and you
were a sinner
and he died
in my place
and he satisfied
my debt
and what does it say
he was delivered up
for our trespasses
!
Jesus died
in my place
he died
in your place
and it says
and he was raised up
for our justification
if he had died
and not risen again
would we have
any certainty
that his death
had accomplished
anything
what's the answer?
not at all
his resurrection
verifies
the fact
of
his sacrifice
for our sins
the debt of my sin
has been satisfied
and the way that I know
it's been satisfied
is Jesus rose
from the dead
and he's made
that fact undeniable
secondly
we have lasting joy
in Christ's resurrection
because it is proof
of the power
that is on tap
for us to change
look in your Bible
if you would
to Ephesians chapter 1
verse 19
and then Ephesians
chapter 2
verse 10
Ephesians chapter 1
verse 19
and Ephesians chapter 2
verse 10
what is it
that makes me glad
with a joy
that cannot be taken away
when I stop
and think about
the resurrection
of Christ?
well it is this fact
that his resurrection
power
is available
to not only
bring salvation
to me
and complete forgiveness
for all of my sins
but also to help me change
Ephesians chapter 1
verse 19
it says
and what is the
immeasurable greatness
of his power
towards us
who believe
according
to the working
of his great might
how many of you
have ever found yourself
kind of wondering
well is it possible
that I can really change
to be someone different
than who I am?
the fact of the matter
is that Christ saved you
and he has given
to you
the power
of the gospel
and the power
of the spirit of God
so you don't have
to stay the way
you are
and how do I know
that that power
is available to me
and how much power
there is?
well here's what it says
it says
verse 20
that he worked in Christ
when he raised him
from the dead
and seated him
at his right hand
in the heavenly places
what kind of power
does it take
to raise a person
from the dead?
does anybody know?
anybody ever seen
that done?
there are a number
of you here
that are part
of the medical community
and I have no doubt
that you have watched
individuals
go through that process
of finally slipping
into eternity
and when it's over
it's what?
it's over
there is no coming back
from that point
and here
the scriptures tell us
that the same power
that raised up Christ
from the dead
is available to us
that we do not
have to stay
the way we are
isn't that encouraging?
in the previous
generation
you could walk
into a place
like Borders
or Little Professor
or Barnes and Noble
and there was
this great big section
piled with books
on self-help
right?
how many of you
remember that?
you had to walk
past that
to get to the
religious books
you know
there's shelf
after shelf
about how to
improve yourself
how to help yourself
how to make friends
and influence people
blah blah blah
and you wait
two years
and where would they be?
they'd be at the
front of the store
on this little old
table called
discount books
and you could
you could buy them
and wait 20 years
because the same idea
just come back
back around
and cycle through
remember that?
self-help
is what?
it's worthless
but the power
of Christ
at work
in the believer
gives us
certainty
that we
who know Christ
are going to
grow in grace
and be different
by his power
I want you to look
at another thing
that we want to mark here
and mark this fact
that because of the
resurrection
we have confidence
in our own resurrection
and eternal joy
how do I know
what my future is?
in the near term
here's what I know
unless Jesus comes back
Tim Kenoyer
is going to die
can I tell you
that all of you
are going to die?
I mean
have you ever heard
the statement
there are only two things
that are undeniably true
one is death
and the other's taxes
and we know
the day is coming
that we're going to slip
from this place
into eternity
I love the flow
of logic
and I want you to turn
back in your Bible
if you would
to 1 Corinthians
chapter 15
in 1 Corinthians
chapter 15
the apostle Paul
wrote to a group
of people
who had kind of
lost their
confidence
and their certainty
in the reality
of the resurrection
resurrection
and he wanted
to remind them
of the truth
of the resurrection
from the dead
by the Lord Jesus Christ
and its application
to us as believers
and so you look there
in 1 Corinthians
chapter 15
verse 14
and he makes
a statement
that helps you
understand why
this Sunday
of all Sundays
is the most important
to us in our faith
and if Christ
has not been raised
then our preaching
is in vain
and your faith
is in vain
if Jesus did not
come back from the dead
and the tomb
is not empty
then we are here
as actually
the most miserable
of all people
why would I say
the most miserable
for one thing
because Christianity
is not simply
another plan
for how to become
a good person
how many of you
realize that
let me say that
carefully
all kinds of religions
in the world
and I've said this
many many times
there really are only
two different religions
in the world
one religion
poses
that men may
improve themselves
over time
by working hard
and by the way
if you're a Hindu
and you don't get it right
the first time
guess what
you can get it right
the second time
and if you don't get it right
the second time
guess what
you have the third
and the fourth
and the fifth
you just keep working at it
others propose
that well
if we don't get it right
in this life
well we've got
purgatory to pay it off
but eventually
we'll get there
you know what
Christianity says
you can't solve
your problem
God sent his son
the Lord Jesus Christ
to die
in your place
and he
is willing
to save you
from the absolute
hopelessness
of your situation
if you will admit
that you're a sinner
and need Christ
as your savior
and here is
the apostle
writing and saying
listen
if Christ
did not
raise from the dead
we've got no hope
but then look at
what he says
in verse 20
but in fact
Christ
has been
raised from the dead
the first fruits
of those
who have fallen
asleep
for as by
a man
came death
by a man
has come
also
the resurrection
of the dead
do you know
why we die
we die
because sin
entered the world
when Adam
and Eve
sinned
they brought
upon all
of us
through their
federal headship
the consequences
of sin
and beloved
every one
of us
today
you are
in the process
of going
on that
journey
to the grave
it's a fact
but here's
what it says
just as
through Adam
death
came upon
all of us
so also
in Christ
Jesus
the power
of the resurrection
and the certainty
of the resurrection
is ours
to hold
on to
and to be
confident
in
now look
at what
it says
in verse
22
for as in
Adam all
die
so also
in Christ
shall all
be made
alive
but each
in his
own order
Christ
the first
fruits
at his
coming
then those
who belong
to Christ
over the years
as a pastor
I have buried
many people
who over time
became my
friends
and I'll
tell you
there is
a profound
difference
between
doing the
funeral service
for someone
who knows
Christ
and someone
who I have
no confidence
of where they
will spend
their eternal
destiny
and when I
am at the
graveside
at the
committal
service
for those
who know
Christ
I take
great pleasure
in the
absolute
certainty
I have
in the
resurrection
of the
dead
from
the grave
and why
do I have
that confidence
because
Jesus Christ
arose
from the
dead
isn't that
right
anybody that
will fire
us up
is like
bring it
on
Jesus
I'm ready
there's one
other thing
I want you
to think
about this
morning
as you
think
about the
cross
and you
think
about the
empty
tomb
I want
you to
go in
your
Bible
to Acts
chapter
17
because
I'll
tell you
what
for those
of us
who are
here today
and know
Christ
the fact
of the
resurrection
and the
power
of the
empty
tomb
just
makes us
fired up
and it
gives us
ambition
!
By the
way
it also
ought to
give us
a passion
for godly
living
do you
understand
that?
If Jesus
rose from
the dead
we're going
to see
him again
and if
we're going
to see
him again
we'd like
to be
tuned up
and ready
for his
coming
would you
agree with
that?
We ought
to be
living
like that
but I
want you
to look
with me
at Acts
chapter 17
where the
apostle
preaches
a sermon
to a bunch
of people
that are
mildly
entertained
by the
concept
or the
thought
of the
resurrection
in Acts
chapter 17
we find
Paul in
Athens
and he
is preaching
in the
Agora
in the
open
marketplace
and as
he'd come
into that
city
he'd been
really
kind of
fired
he was
put off
to see
so many
idols
they really
they just
they bothered
him
and he took
advantage of
that and he
ended up
having this
opportunity
to preach
and the
sermon
kind of
flows
with this
nice
quiet
dignity
but it
really gets
down to
the zinger
and if
you're
wondering
how
apostolic
preaching
or how
Jesus
preached
I want
you to
know
that he
was not
one to
kind of
dodge
around
the
subject
and avoid
making
people
upset
we have
the idea
I think
that Jesus
is preaching
was this
kind of
you know
kind of
warm
lukewarm
just kind of
flowers in your
hair type of
deal for my
age and
generation
nothing really
biting
but here is
Jesus
kind of
putting it
on
and look
if you
will
down there
to Acts
chapter 17
verse 30
and 31
the times
of ignorance
by the way
who was he
addressing
people who
did not
think
they were
very
ignorant
and he
says
the times
of
ignorance
God
overlooked
now
notice
the
tense
when
did
God
overlook
it
in the
past
but
now
he
commands
all
people
everywhere
to
repent
mark
what
follows
because
he
has
fixed
a
day
on
which
he
will
judge
the
world
in
righteousness
by
a
man
who
he
has
appointed
and
of
this
he
has
given
assurance
to
all
by
raising
him
from
the
dead
what's
he
saying
the
day
is
coming
that
Christ
Jesus
himself
will
be
the
one
who
judges
mankind
earlier
this
morning
I was
reading
I was
reading
in
Revelation
chapter
4
and
5
and
Revelation
chapter
4
is that
it is
just
I
tell
you
I
was
listening
to
some
of
you
Revelation
chapter
4
the
glory
of
God
the
Father
and
Revelation
chapter
5
the
glory
of
God
the
Son
do
you
know
who
is
going
to
be
the
judge
of
the
whole
earth
who
will
bring
condemnation
on
those
who
have
rejected
God's
Son
as
their
Savior
it
will
be
Christ
the
one
who
hung
on
the
tree
and
bore
my
sins
the
one
who
hung
on
the
tree
to
bury
your
sins
if
you
reject
him
it
will
be
he
with
nail
scarred
hand
who
will
condemn
you
for
all
of
eternity
for
refusing
the
gracious
and
tender
appeal
of
Christ
to
your
soul
I
spoke
of it
earlier
this
morning
but I
want to
touch
on it
again
when
Jesus
was in
the
garden
praying
before
the
cross
do
you
know
what
he
was
doing
he
was
saying
Lord
if
there's
another
way
remember
what
it
says
in
the
text
if
it
be
possible
here's
what
he
was
saying
if
there's
any
other
way
to
work
this
out
let's
try
that
one
and
it
wasn't
the
infinite
debt
of
my
sin
against
the
infinite
holiness
of
God
demands
either
Tim
Kenoyer
spend
eternity
paying
that
infinite
debt
with
infinite
suffering
or
I
trust
in
the
infinite
sacrifice
of
Christ
as
being
satisfaction
for
all
of
my
sins
now
the
purpose
of
preaching
beloved
truthfully
is to
put you
on the
spot
of
saying
yes
or
no
to
God
do
you
understand
that
here's
the
truth
God
sent
his
son
to
pay
the
penalty
for
our
sins
because
God's
holiness
cannot
overlook
the
offense
our
sins
are
against
him
and
God
in
his
perfect
wisdom
sacrificed
his
only
begotten
son
for
my
sins
and
for
your
sins
and
it
is
righteous
it
is
true
and
it
is
imperative
that
we
with
humility
confess
yes
I
stand
condemned
before
a
holy
God
and
I
believe
Jesus
Christ
died
for
my
sins
and
I
accept
his
work
as
satisfactory
and
finished
let's
bow our
heads
in
prayer
beloved I
want you
to think
with me
this
morning
as
your
heads
are
bowed
and
you
who
are
here
today
as
Christians
that
you're
praying
and saying
Lord
work
in
us
the
gospel
is
glorious
the
gospel
announces
to
lost
mankind
that
there
is
no
hope
apart
from
Christ
and
the
gospel
bids
you
this
morning
to
confess
your
sins
where
you
are
and
call
upon
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
be
saved
it
is
profoundly
simple
and
profoundly
humbling
God
you're
holy
and I
understand
that I
stand
condemned
before you
as a
sinner
but I
believe
the record
of
scriptures
that Jesus
died
for my
sins
and I
admit
that I
stand
condemned
and I
thankfully
receive the
finished work
of Christ
in my
place
and on
my
account
and if
you're
here today
and this
morning
the spirit
of God
is putting
that part
of truth
on your
heart
I would
encourage
you to
not delay
but to
respond to
it in
faith
yes I
need
Christ
I need
salvation
through
him
I'm
done
trying to
do this
on my
own
and this
morning I
trust him
as my
savior
if that's
the fact
of your
heart
I would
ask that
you
humble
yourself
just
quietly
slip
your
hand
up
where
you
are
just
slip
it
up
and say
pastor
that's
me
I
need
Christ
as
my
savior
I'm
not
going to
put
this
off
if
you're
here
and
that's
the
prayer
of
your
heart
just
share
that
fact
with
me
father
God
we are
thankful
for the
glory
of the
cross
we're
thankful
for the
power
of the
empty
work
of
Christ
and
we
rejoice
in
that
we
want
to
live
for
your
glory
we
ask
this
in
your
precious
name
amen
John's
going to
come and
lead us
as we
close
and
let's
stand
together
as we
do
and
as we're
singing
this song
if the
spirit
of
God
lays
a
matter
on
your
heart
that
you
need
to
care
for
might
be
calling
you
be
part
of
our
fellowship
be
obedient
to
the
Lord
in
matter
of
baptism
might
be
that
you
need
someone
to
review
the
issues
of
the
gospel
with
you