Time to go to the Doctor
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Introduction:
Warren Guyton was a faithful member of the MBC choir.
Every Sunday when I was a member and after I became the Pastor he would greet me with handshake and a hug.
Warren was one of kindest person I have ever meet in my life.
Warren despite his physical challenges was always at church sitting in the one of the first two rows with a smile on his face.
NOW
A great many of us especially in the black community don’t like going to the Doctor.
Some of it is the stories that circulate in all black families about family members who went to the hospital with the flu but never made it out.
Some of it is because we don’t want to know the truth about our health. There is this inherent fear that we haven’t been taking care of ourselves, so we don’t want to hear the doctor tell us something that will cause us anxiety and fear
Many of us don’t even want to step on the scale or follow through with the blood work to check our Blood sugar and Cholesterol
mark 2:17
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In this verse Jesus says he came to the Earth to do surgery
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
I. The Son’s Mission
I. The Son’s Mission
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
(v.17) “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world” This text tells us very early that God’s purpose in sending his wonderful son was “not judgment” that word carries an interesting definition it has two definition:
a. It means to distinguish between what is good and evil
b. It means to condemn
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(v.17) The proper understanding of this word in the text is to “condemn” to Condemn-means to render final judgement. This is final and irrevocable. There is no second chance.
(v.17) “But that the World might be saved through him” Now look at this last phrase Jesus came to earth to do Surgery
(v.17) This texts tells us that Jesus came to look for individuals who are sick and ready to get some help.
What’s the problem? Who wouldn’t run to get help from a Doctor if they have Cancer?
People hate the doctor
Folks would rather take their chances with home remedies and chance
They do this because they are afraid of the truth and what they might have to give up.
18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
(v.18) “He who believes in Him is not judged” When we use this word “believe” as Americans it does not come close to understanding the true meaning of this word. As Americans we separate belief from commitment. We could believe something but that does not mean we will place our trust in it. In this culture when someone said they believed in something it also meant that they were committed to it. Belief and Commitment were tied together like twins.
Example-Marriage Vows—Many gave verbal vows, but when it came to commitment they bailed out.
There is a reason for that: Our belief is often rooted in our feelings, and emotions, so that when our emotions and belief change so does our commitment. In the ancient world belief and commitment were tied together.
(v.18) “he who does not believe has been judged already” This tells us that a person who refuses to accept Christ or ignores biblical warnings is under a state of judgement already. (They are like the Living/Dead a zombie) They are like the prisoner waiting in county jail for sentencing.
(v.18) “because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” Because of the perceived unfairness of God from the previous statement John makes sure to tell the reason why a person is sitting under judgement, because of their choice not to believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
-You see when it is all said and done a person will spend eternity separated from God because they refused to go to the doctor and let him do surgery and they sought home remedies instead of Jesus the Great Physician.
Transition- That sounds crazy that a person would rather sit in sickness rather than to receive their healing
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
(v.19) You will notice that (v.19) talks about Judgement again. You will remember that I told that Judgement had two definition in the previous verses it means to condemn, but in this verse it means to distinguish between right and wrong.
It’s what we do when we picked out our fruit, and our meat at the store. We look and touch to make sure the grapes are ripe or we smell to the meat to see if it is fresh.
(v.19) One of the descriptors of Jesus is that he says “I am the light of the world” Light exposes dirt, Light exposes flaws, light exposes those things that are hidden. When Jesus says“that Light has come into the world” he saying that one you cannot hide from him who knows all your thoughts, all your secret sins, all your past, all your present and all your future is here. Listen to this text
13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
Why do men/women refuse to come to the doctor and get healing?
19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
(v.19) “and men loved the darkness rather than the Light” and men “loved” this is an unconditional love: to love with strong affection. Used to be a song back in the day Whodini used to sing a song“the freaks come out at night” Even the world has picked up on this principles we love to sin and hide it from the world.
Folks love to slide into people’s DM’s
They have whole website dedicated to those who want to commit adultery without getting caught.
There is an alternative internet besides the one we all surf on and it’s called “The Dark Web”
Now I heard you can even have liquor and other things door-dashed to you removing all embarrassment from the process.
(v.19) “for their deeds were evil” This is reason that we like darkness because even our conscience tells us what we are doing is not right so we keep it concealed from those around us. Our conscience screams against us and tells us that we are guilty, so we go undercover “thinking God does not see us”
-We are like Cockroaches who do all their damage when the lights go out. But when the light is turned on we scattered.
-This is why many refused to attend church regularly because good preaching exposes bad living.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
(v.20) John once again tells us that those who love darkness are without excuses, because their hiding is intentional. The scriptures tells us why: “They do not come to the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” Their desire to hide their deeds is greater than their desire to be exposed and get saved.
Transition: Light has a negative impact in that it exposes dirt and foolishness, but it also has a positive impact on those who are tired of their sins; it attracts and draws.
III. The Son’s Attraction
III. The Son’s Attraction
21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
(v.21) He who sees the Light(Jesus) and begins to walk towards him experiences the freedom that comes from full disclosure. One of the first things that happens when you start walking towards the light is exposure:
a. Exposure: Willingness to be real and transparent with God about your sins, habits and problems
b. Submission: I have never seen anyone beat up the sun. The sun will make anyone submit. Part of coming to the Sun or the Light as submission to it’s power. The Son burns at 10,340 degrees F on the surface. Jesus like the sun is a consuming fire. You cannot approach him with pride in your heart & arrogance. You must approach with humility and respect.
c. Direction: The Light guides. The Light leads. The Light opens up understanding. When you were in darkness you could not see, but when you submit to the light it begins to guide you and direct you. If you have every been in a pitch black room you feverishly look for the light so you can see. This is what having a relationship with Christ does it brings light to a dark place.
21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
(v.21) “so that his deeds may manifested as having been wrought in God” Folks that come towards the light prove that God is working in their life, because they are unconcerned about their past sins, because they have been forgiven by God. They are unconcerned about what people know about them, because they have been forgiven by God.
This chapter ends with a strong warning:
36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
(v.36) He who believes(Commits & Trust) the Son has eternal life.
But he who does not obey the Son will not see life(Eternal Separation from the life-giving Light)
(v.36) “The Wrath of God abides on him” The Wrath of God dwells or lives with him/her. The only thing separating you for immediate judgement is God’s Grace, Mercy and Timing.
Analogy: Streetlights letting you know its time to go home!!
A little boy walked along a country lane one dark night, with his father, and carried the lantern. The darkness all about frightened him. He said, "Father, this light reaches such a little way, I am afraid." His father answered, "True. my boy, but if you walk on, the light will shine to the end of your journey." There are night times in the Christian's experience when God gives His followers only enough light to take the next step. And that is all that is needed. We may be sure of one thing,—the light will never go out. If we walk on, it will shine to the end of the journey.—Sunday School Times.
-Call to Discipleship
-Call for the Funeral Home Attendants
For as much as it has pleased Almighty God to take out of this world the soul of Warren Guyton, we therefore commit his/her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for that blessed hope when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord, wherefore comfort ye one another with these words.
