Sunday, December 12th, 2021 • Mission Baptist Cincinnati
We began our the Worship Service with congregational singing followed by our Adult Choir and then a special family sang to the glory of God.
Afterwards, Pastor Bill then continues his "What Would Jesus Do" series with a message entitled “What Does Jesus Teach Us With A Certain Lawyer?” From Luke 10:25-29. Pastor prays that the Holy Spirit will speak to anyone who sees and hears this message about important questions we have about God. He begins with a reading of the verses and then reviews briefly the sermons concerning how God reveals himself to man.
The sermon today starts where last weeks message left off. Jesus is teaching and preaching and suddenly a lawyer stands up and interrupts Jesus with a question "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" This question leads to a brief conversation with Jesus answered and reveals what we should do to inherit eternal life (It's found in the Bible). The lawyer answers correctly but his motive is clearly to either win an argument or to catch Jesus speaking against the law. Wrong motives!
• WHY Do We Want To Know What We Ask?
The lawyers' question is a universal question that all of mankind has for God. The lawyers motive, however, is rooted in rebellion. He believes he can trick Jesus into speaking against God's word. For most of us who are seeking answers from God, we are in the right place! God has no problem with questions asked with a good heart. "I just want to know the truth" is why most people ask the same question the Pharisee asked. Pastor details several examples where people are asking God important, life changing questions for good reasons. One of the few good Pharisees to ask legitimate, good questions was Nicodemus. Nicodemus had heard of the preaching of John the Baptist and also heard and possibly witnessed miracles done by Jesus and he came to Jesus in private to hear more with a good heart. (John 3:1-21)
The "woman at the well" is another example of people asking questions of God for good reasons. Here she asks Jesus why a Jew would speak to a Samaritan? Leading Jesus to tell her of many things in her life that it would be impossible for Jesus to know if he were an average man. His insight was proof to her that Jesus was indeed the promised messiah who Samaritans were also looking for! (John 4:1-26)
Lastly, Pastor points out Saul, the Pharisee who would eventually be Paul, the prince of apostles! When God knocked him off his high horse as he was headed to Damascus to hunt christians, Saul asked "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Jesus gave him the answer he needed to re-start his life for God's service! (Acts 9:1-9)
• WHAT Does God's Word Say About It?
When we have questions for Jesus, yes, we should pray AND we should read and rely on God's Holy Word...the Bible! You'll see again and again Jesus quoting from scriptures saying "It is written". The Bible tells us the "so sayeth the Lord" facts we should know. You cannot find answers about God reliably without consulting the 66 books of the Bible. No amount of secular education will equip you for what you REALLY NEED in life. There has never been any fact of the Bible proved wrong by so-called scientists or the wisdom of multitudes of archeologists, philosophers, politicians, professors, Hollywood actors or famous people that imagine they know better.
• HOW Will We Respond To What Jesus Says?
The most important point of all in this sermon in this one...How will you respond to what Jesus says? Your eternity hangs in the balance based on this one. How do we know this is true? Because Jesus and his Bible say so. He's the creator of the universe and there is no wiser being than the God who loves us and tells us what we must do to inherit eternal life!
Can you point to a time where you surrendered to God and believed the gospel that saves? If you can't name the time and place, you mostly likely have not done this. Don't wait to do this, this waiting business when it comes to responding to God's plea for you to come to him for eternal life has led to millions dying without knowing him.