Christ's Final Message to the World!
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning I want to share with you Christ’s Final Message to the World. It is found in John 12. When I say that it is His final message, I mean that it was the His final public message of His earthly ministry. Note John 12:36-37
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
From this moment on, Christ is seen only with His disciples until His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. These two verses mark the end of His public ministry. Unfortunately, it is marked by some very said commentary by the Holy Spirit. For three years, Christ travelled across the entire nation of Israel.
The Purpose of the Cross
The Purpose of the Cross
The entirety of Christ’s final message focuses on the important work of the cross. Christ is in the last few days leading to His arrest, trial, and subsequent crucifixion. He knows what is coming. In fact, note verse 27 of our text.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
For this reason, Christ wanted to share with all who would hear a final message about the importance of His impending death.
As I was studying for this message, one favorite hymn of believers kept ringing in my ear. The name of the hymn is “At the Cross.” It is the words of its chorus that ring throughout the message today. For, it is at the cross, at the cross, several important things tool place. Christ’s message then is His message for today. What is that message?
At the cross, Christ died so men might live.
At the cross, Christ died so men might live.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Christ uses the analogy of a seed. The “corn of wheat” is essentially the seed of wheat. And, as we know and Christ reminded us, when a seed falls to the ground, it dies. Germination of a seed involves that seed dying so that life might spring forth. What a great lesson for us especially right now as we observe flowers, vegetables, and fruit spring up. Each spring forth because a seed germinated.
Christ’s death produces the same effect. Spiritual life cannot be produced except through Christ’s death. In fact, next week, we will celebrate His resurrection. What is resurrection? It is life accomplished out of death.
You might recall the words Christ spoke to Nicodemus. Nicodemus was religious leader and ruler at the time of Christ. As Nicodemus and Christ conversed, Christ said this to him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
In the same manner, except Christ die none can be born again. A new birth is new life. Spiritual new life can only come through a death. Yet it could not come through just any death. No, new spiritual could only come through the one glorified by the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ. He, as the resurrected Savior, was the only path by which a person can be spiritually born again. It was His life that passed through death and was resurrected. In doing so, Christ attained the gift of eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The great news of the cross is twofold. Eternal life can be gained because of His death. That gift is offered to all who will believe Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is the essence of the gospel.
Christ died and rose again.
Christ possesses eternal life.
Therefore, all who accept His death and resurrection can receive eternal life.
Here is the second thing that happened at the cross.
At the cross, Christ demonstrated true sacrifice.
At the cross, Christ demonstrated true sacrifice.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
In these verses, Christ issues a warning to His own. Yes, He was speaking to all, but even when He spoke to the public He often interjected messages for those who follow Him. It was no different in this last message. Verse 25 was for the disciples. They all had just witnessed Christ’s triumphant march into Jerusalem. Yet, it would not be long before the jubilant chants of “Hosanna” turned into the maddening cry of “Crucify Him.” He knew that His disciples, His beloved, would see and hear all that was about to transpire. In those moments, they too would be counted with Him. Thus, it was important for them to understand that there are times when those who follow Him “lose” their life for Him.
Again, remember that what He is saying He is also saying about His impending death. They say that true leadership is when a leader is willing to do the same of whatever is asked of those serving under such a leader. Christ was the epitome of true leadership. For tit is at the cross, Christ did the very thing He encourage His followers to do. He laid down His life. He demonstrated the importance of true sacrifice. As believers, we are to follow in His steps. Our tie is not to this world. Our home is in Heaven. Thus, we are to hate this life as we long for life eternal.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Verse 26 of our text expounds upon verse 25. The warning of verse 25 is followed by the encouragement of verse 26.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
The believer who willing sacrifices his life for the Lord is rewarded. Note the two rewards.
The reward for personal sacrifice and service is His presence.
“If any man serve me…where I am, there shall also my servant be...”
The second reward for personal sacrifice is His praise.
“…if any may serve me, him will my Father honor.’
The great thing about the cross is this. His sacrifice made it so we could be righteous and accepted by God into His service. Now, those who place their trust in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, have the ability to sacrifice and serve the Lord setting them up for these two great rewards.
Here is another thing that took place at the cross.
At the cross, Christ determined three significant actions.
At the cross, Christ determined three significant actions.
First, He judged all humanity.
First, He judged all humanity.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
God’s pronouncement has loomed over man since the day sin entered the world in Genesis. Since the day man sinned, spiritual darkness was the norm. Christ came offering Himself as the Light of the World. What was man’s reaction?
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Now, the time of man’s judgment was upon them. Soon, men would put the Light of the World through a public trial, condemn that Light to death, and rejoice that He was dead. They would beat Him, curse Him, spit on Him, and crucify Him. Yet, in that moment, when He hung upon the cross, man’s fate was in His hands. His death still stands as the deciding factor of all people’s eternal existence. Those who accept Christ’ death, burial, and resurrection by faith are rescued from God’s condemnation. However, those who reject His death, burial, and resurrection remain under His judgment.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The only way to escape judgment is by accepting Christ’s redeeming actions upon the cross.
Second, He sentenced man’s greatest enemy.
Second, He sentenced man’s greatest enemy.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
As we know, Christ’s death sealed Satan’s future. As Christ preaches this final message to the world, He anticipates His coming victory at the cross. Christ’s death and resurrection broke the bondage Satan held over this world.
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Now, because of Christ’s death and resurrection, all who place their faith in Him are freed from the chains of sin and bonds of Satan.
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, all who place their faith in Him are released from Satan’s authority.
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
It was at the cross that Christ “cast out” Satan, the prince of this world.
Later, Christ will ensure he is “cast out” of Heaven according to Revelation 12:10 “10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
He will be “cast into the bottomless pit” according to Revelation 20:3 “3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
And, finally, Satan will be “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” according to Revelation 20:10 “10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, Satan is a DEFEATED ENEMY with his fate already sealed for all eternity.
Here is another accomplishment of Christ at the cross as He prophesied.
Third, He drew the world’s attention to Himself.
Third, He drew the world’s attention to Himself.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
As we know, Christ’s death sealed Satan’s future. As Christ preaches this final message to the world, He anticipates His coming victory at the cross. This verse is Christ’s own declaration of His impending death and resurrection. In fact, note the two aspects given in this statement.
“I be lifted up from the earth” speaks to His crucifixion.
“will draw all men unto me” speaks to His resurrection for a dead person cannot draw anything or anybody.
This statement strengthens the fact that His death and His resurrection are intimately connected.
Now, here is the thought. It is only the crucified Christ that draws all men. Without His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, Christ would have been just like any other. However, these two things make Him uniquely God and man. If you add to the fact, that God chose crucifixion as the means of death, we see once again the great love of God. Furthermore, God’s love extends to all. Note again that Christ said he would “draw all men unto” himself. Without any doubt, the crucifixion of Christ is the momentous and remembered historical event ever! Even our calendar is dictated by His death on the cross. Yet, the special point of His death is the fact that He died for all men.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
It is the old rugged cross that makes the difference. For on that cross, hung the Savior of the world. It is that cross God demonstrated His great love for us. He gave Himself so that we might be set free from the bondage of sin. Even today, I encourage you to look to the cross and see the sacrifice that He made for you and I.
Yet, as we look to the cross, we see an empty one. Praise God that it is! He is not only our Savior, but He is our Victory. As we will celebrate next Sunday, Christ arose from the grave. He walked away having conquered sin, death, and the grave. Therefore, we server a Risen Savior who is the world today. We know that He lives.
This last thought brings us to one last point Christ made in His final message to the world.
At the cross, Christ delivers people out of the darkness.
At the cross, Christ delivers people out of the darkness.
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Here is the heart of today’s message as well as Christ’s message that day. Christ came for one reason. He came to rescue men from the darkness of sin. He came as the Light to show us the way.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Every person born into this world is born into darkness. They are spiritually blind and impaired unable to know anything truly spiritual. In fact, we are born already in rebellion to the Light which is Christ the Lord.
13 They are of those that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof.
God knew we were in desperate need for a Light. Thus, He sent His Son as the Light of the World.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Christ came as the Light seeking to lead men out of the eternal damnation of darkness. All that is required that you believe that He is the Light. Acknowledge your own sinful darkness and repent. Believe that He is the true Light of the world. All that will are immediately brought of darkness and become children of Light.
However, note something very important in verse 35 our text.
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
There is a time limit! Essentially, Christ is saying that today is the day of salvation. While you have the opportunity to walk in the light and with the light, do it. Don’t delay. If you continually reject Christ, you may end up walking in darkness for all eternity. Hell is a place of darkness (no Light of the World), torment, and suffering. The good news is God does not want you to love your eternity there. It is the entire reason Christ came. He came to rescue from the light. Right now and right here, He is saying don’t reject me. Accept me. Accept the fact that He died for you. He rose again for you. Do not delay. No one is guaranteed another minute, hour, day, month, or year on this earth. When you take your last breath here, your eternity begins somewhere else. The question is where. Will it be in the darkness of an eternal Hell or the glorious Light of an eternal God who loves you?
Now, let’s finish this out by noting two great promises to those who believe in Christ as the Light and Savior of the world.
The Promise of the Cross
The Promise of the Cross
We will call these the promise of the cross since it is through Christ’s death these are promised. Here is the first and it is also found in our text.
You Will Find Spiritual Clarity
You Will Find Spiritual Clarity
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Spiritual clarity is when we see and understand the God is Christ and Christ is God. Christ gave us the negative perspective here. He said NOT believing on him is to NOT believe on him that sent Him. When we truly see Christ, we see God. Christ is the full revelation of God in human flesh. All that we need to know about God can be found in Christ. Over the course of His public ministry, Christ said as much.
19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Thus, if you will open your eyes to the Lord Jesus Christ, you will find God. Many people are searching for God. They think they will find Him in nature, relationships, and many other things. Some think that He cannot be found. Others try relegate to God to the metaphysical. However, finding God is simple. Look to Christ. He is God. And, when you look to Christ, you cannot help but see His death, burial, and resurrection. A sight that can lead to great spiritual clarity in your life if you but open your eyes.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Here is one more promise noted in our text.
You Will Find Spiritual Security
You Will Find Spiritual Security
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
There is a lot we could unpack in these verses. However, the most important thing to note this morning is the promise of salvation and eternal security found in Christ. Christ stated that He did not come to judge the world. We are already under God’s judgment. The judgment for sin is death. Everyone is born already spiritually dead and condemned to an eternity without God. Thus, Christ stated he came not to judge, but to save. If you desire to escape the awful reality of your miserable life of darkness and sin, then you must turn to Christ who came to save you. If though you continue to reject Him, you simply remain under God’s judgment. Yet, the point of Christ coming was so that He might save men from their sin and its darkness. It is the reaoson the Father sent Him. It is the reason why He obeyed the Father. Consequently, all who believe and accept Christ will have life everlasting.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.