The Maker Makes the Rules

ILLUST: Learning a game, not liking the rules

Monopoly, must use official rules - IMO

What about sports where the line rules are different?

In the end, the rule book is the ruler

READ John 12:37-50

Jesus Gets to Make the Rules

Why? Creator and Redeemer

‘nuff said?

But, Rules have consequences…

1) Truth Hardens Hearts

His teaching, preaching, and demonstration of works showed this

Miracles were never denied

Attributed to demons or wrong on the Sabbath

When truth collides with resistance, one of two things happens

1 - Change

2 - Resentment, hard heart

EXAMPLES:

Exercise

Nutrition

Health/Medical

Finances

Family

Parenting

The more you tell someone the TRUTH about each of these, they may end up resenting YOU. Deep down, they know the truth, but change is not something they want to deal with

Very, very good advice can always be rejected

Change is uncomfortable

(So the trainer can only work with the willing participant, the financial adviser or doctor the same, and God’s word is ignored by most families and parents)

So…yeah…Truth has a hardening affect on some

How about you?

John quotes Isaiah’s prophecy - Isaiah 6

(ASIDE: Isaiah sees the throne room, the Lord sitting on a throne, seeing that Jesus is God)

V. 40, 41 - God foretold this - people would see, hear, experience, and yet not believe

People would decide they do not want to change

Continued rejection eventually can lead to the impossibility of belief

You want to harden your heart, He will let you - He’s sovereign that way

Belief may actually become impossible

2) Rules Require a Judge

John 12:48 NASB95

“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

God’s Word is the Judge

THE Word is the Judge

Great place to begin a conversation with someone

“What do you think about the Bible?”

“Is it God’s Word?”

“Is it without error?”

“Is it the ultimate authority?”

Jesus’ earthly ministry was to SAVE

Not judge

But John 12 is all about

“OK, You WILL be judged.”

Judged to salvation, OR

Judged to eternal damnation

And Jesus, His WORD, is and will be that judge

Jesus Christ is Creator, seen in Col 1:16

Colossians 1:16 NASB95

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Jesus is the Redeemer

Ephesians 1:7 NASB95

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

NOBODY ELSE DID THAT - So He’s the judge, according to His very Word

The message of Hope He brought will be the very message/Word which will condemn those who reject it

So many He came to rescue have rejected and will reject Him

3) Focus on Followers

We’re going to see how He turns His attention to those who will listen and follow

Jesus must focus on those who want to follow

“Want” here = taking action on a desire

Jesus must focus on those who step out to follow, surrender

People heard the truth, yet decided against Him

People hear the truth, and decide against it

Psalm 14:1 (NASB95)

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;

People heard the truth, understood what was involved, and decided not to change

People hear the truth, understand what is involved, and decide not to change

John’s Gospel now concludes Jesus’ public ministry

What follows is a focus on his disciples, more private

Their preparation

Jesus will not back down from the truth, and those who trust Him and surrender to Him must do likewise

NEVER BACK DOWN FROM TRUTH

Some in this passage “believed” but remained silent, still seeking the world’s approval

His focus is correct

Can’t keep training someone that won’t come to the gym

It takes a desire to work at it

Can’t help someone’s health who won’t stop eating garbage

(And most conditions, including things like feeling depressed, anxious, are easily solved with nutrition - but it takes work)

God gave us amazingly complex, yet easily-manageable bodies

Spiritually it’s the same, we digest the truth… or we feed on religious garbage

AND…Can’t help someone change who refuses to change

Jesus can’t work with people who refuse to repent and surrender

So the rest of this book of John - is for believers, true believers

It won’t mean very much to those who reject Him

CLOSING POINTS

With a focus on John 12:48

John 12:48 NASB95

“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

If you play Monopoly with other rules, you are no longer playing Monopoly

If play chess with checkers rules, you are not playing chess

If you think you can gain access to God by any means other than the Gospel, Jesus Christ, you are not in line with the Bible

“Religion” is people thinking they know better than God - playing by their own rules

“I’ll tell God what I’m good with, and He’ll be good with that.”

John 12:48 begs to differ, DEMANDS that you follow THE WAY

God does not care about your opinion on salvation and living life for Him

He will judge salvation on His terms

He will judge our lives, at the JSOC, based on His terms

And He has given us the rules, the text, the WORD to follow

God does not want to alienate ANYone

God offered repentance and faith as the way to Him

Isaiah was told to offer the message, even though the result would be that some hearts would turn impenetrable

Jesus did the same - the offer holds today, and some accept, and some resent Him even more

Believe or don’t

Isaiah, and John now, have told us about the LORD

When YOU meet Jesus, and He judges you based on His Word…

…Will He hear your excuses?

“Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

…OR will He welcome you to Praise Him, forever, because His WORD is what drives your life?

“Well done, My good and faithful servant”