Salvation in Jesus’ Name

Introduction

Maybe you heard about this before. In 2002, there was a sermon given at a conference that would go on to change the direction of many people’s lives forever. Today, it’s known as the “Shocking Youth Message” but it is a message that was good for everyone. Because of the clear and hard truth that was given in it. This message rang with many of the truths that remind me of Jesus’ teachings in today’s text. Let me give you a summary of what he said. He talked about how devoting yourself is about so much more than just saying a little prayer then going on our way, it’s about more than looking and acting like the rest of the church body you are a member, it’s about so much more than looking presentable to the world and acceptable to God. Now, let me quote directly, he said, “What you need to know is that salvation is by faith, and faith alone in Jesus Christ, and faith alone in Jesus Christ is preceded and followed by repentance, a turning away from sin, a hatred for the things that God hates, and a love for the things that God loves, a growing in holiness and a desire not to be like Britney Spears, not to be like the world, and not to be like the great majority of American Christians, but to be like Jesus Christ.” The crowd then claps loudly and roars in applause and agreement.” And then, He said these words. “‘I don’t why you are clapping, i’m talking about you……” What did he get at here? That often we are so caught up in our own self-assumed goodness, that we forget that we are not good, that legalism cannot save us, and that salvation comes true faith and repentance.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

Context

In last week’s text, we saw Jesus and His disciples come back to Jerusalem for an important feast time. When first coming to the city, Jesus went to an area that would be unexpected and very unusual for a person to go, this was a pool that was believed to give healing, called Bethesadia. There were many unwell, sick, and broken people. One of which, had been unable to walk for many years. Jesus came to this man, and healed Him on Sabbath day, and charged the man to pick up his bed and go.

As great and wonderful as this act of healing was, still many important people took offense to it, as they were caught up in legalism; making up rules and honoring them more than they honored and loved God. You, Jesus had done this healing and the man was carrying His bed on the Sabbath day, a day that was strictly reserved for rest and worship. So, this act of working by healing and picking up your bed (kind of the size of a sleeping bag) and moving it from one place to another would have been strictly prohibited by the Jewish law.

So, as it was, the teachers and rulers were becoming impatient and angry at Jesus for this, but then it goes even further, to the point that they became murderous. As Jesus began to teach and share with them His equality with God, as He was and is God the Son. They did not like this, they had dreamed up their own God for their purposes and rules, so they saw this teacher (even though He had just performed a miracle for all to see) as a blasphemer who needed to be eliminated. He, God, Jesus was a threat to them, their wants, their influence, their comfort and wants, so He needed to be eliminated.

Many of these people were well learned, many of these people were well meaning. Many of these people, we know their modern day equivalents and perhaps we have even knowingly or unknowingly been like them. What i’m saying is that Even the best of us are prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation. So, it’s important that we know who God is, seek honestly for His will, and ensure that we are never seeking and desiring what we, what our flesh in sin wants. It’s important to remember and know that everyone, no matter how clean and good they appear on the outside still need Jesus, they still need Jesus’ offer of salvation. It’s important also for the saved in turn to remember and remind ourselves that Salvation comes from nowhere else and is received in no other way. So, let’s jump in and

From the text, I want you to see and remember these truths as you go share and accept Salvation in Jesus’ Name.

Message

The first truth to see and remember is that: All will be judged by Jesus 19-23

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[e] does, the Son likewise does these things. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

While receiving persecution (harsh treatment/harassment) for clearly telling them about His divinity, Jesus replies to the rebellious crowd. He tells them, I am not able to do anything God the Father has enabled me to do and shown me to do. Just as a boy watches His father, learns, and then does, so do I also. God the Father takes and gives life how He wants, so do I. Jesus also shares with them a roll that Jesus has been giving exclusively as God. He has been given the authority as the God-Man, as the Son of God, to render judgment onto all of mankind. You will either be guilty of sin as an unrepentant sinner or you will be not guilty, accepting Jesus' offer of sacrifice to atone for your sin. So then, He tells the crowd, if you want to Honor God, then you must Honor me as well (as He was and is God). If you want to Honor God the Father, then you must honor god the Son. You cannot do one and not the other as you are doing right now.

Could you imagine a world, where there were literally cameras everywhere and any time you broke the law, you would be sent a little piece of mail with either a ticket or a summons to court; and by the way attached the letter was a picture of clear evidence that you had indeed done it. Now, of course we know this happens already with the use of technology at some hi-tech traffic lights. However, did you know that this reality has been. You have always been observed, only it even goes further, not only are you guilty and not only will the proof for what you actually did, but also for the words you said and the thoughts you had. Yikes! This is already the future, as Jesus has always seen all and one day, we will all stand before Him and give an account for all of our mistakes and rebellion.

So then, I want us each and every one of us to remember this. All, everyone you have ever known, everyone you will ever meet, everyone you have ever loved, everyone you have ever hated, everyone you have ever not known; will be judged by Jesus. They will be Judged, and if they were of an age and ability to make a decision, then they will be held accountable for their decision. Well, to make a decision of any kind, what do you need? You need information, you need to be given what you need (the words of the Gospel) to say yes or no. Without it shared, it cannot be accepted. With out it accepted, it cannot affect you. Without the forgiveness, one cannot be forgiven and will receive punishment. Without the mercy, without the grace, one will be eternally separated from God because of their sin and headed to hell. So then, we must let that motivate us as individuals and as a church. Why do we exist? To be and make disciples that love God, love people, and make disciples. So then, do we make decisions based off that or something? Do we get up and go one reason, or another. Do we get and up and go because we know that EVERYONE will be judged by Jesus, and their is no middle ground. You either are saved or you are not. Even the best of us are prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation. Even those of that look like we have all together may not, even those out in the world may look like they have it all together, but they do not have Jesus, so they do not. Let’s all look deep, and remember that everyone will be judged by Jesus.

The next truth to see and remember is that Believing in Jesus’ name will save you 24-30

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.30 “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Jesus continues His teaching here. He tells them plain as day, anyone heard the words of Jesus and believes the Father has sent Him (believes what God has said Jesus would do) will not come under the guilty judgement. Just as the Father could forgive, just as the father can give spiritual life, so he has given The Son (Me, Jesus) that power as well. He has given this to me as I am the God-Man. Everyone who heres my words, who accepts me will be forgiven, they will pass from spiritual death to spiritual death. Now, don’t stand there looking all amazed at this, as if you didn’t know this was coming, for you knew a time when it was coming once and for all. I come with the full authority of the God-Head, and I come in our will, not of personal want or ambition; and God wants and makes everyone who believes in my name to be saved.

I once had a conversation with a believer, when I was not yet, in college. This person was trying to show me that I was not saved, and would be doomed to destruction if I didn’t not submit myself to God, to take His free offer of salvation and follow Him. I tried and I tried to reason with this person, though every counter to my words was perfect. I finally ended with this, I thought clever, but terrible conclusion in my own rebellion. I said, “I just don’t see how God could destroy and punish anyone who wants to be an ally of His.” As if, I had any real power, as if I was “helping God” as if, “God needed me as indispensable resources.” Humppphhh, how proud and arrogant I was, how I lacked any understanding of who I was and who God is. I was too important for God to do that, I was an exception to the rule (in my own mind) because I wanted to be good and not bad.

Well, many people try to be good. But the truth is, we are not good enough. The truth is no one ever has been enough. We are well-intended dragons and serpents without Jesus. We are all well-intended dragons and serpents even with Jesus, but we are forgiven, and the Holy Spirit is molding us into something better. So then, we are to conform ourselves into something that looks more like Jesus, we see what our bibles say about Him, we let the Holy Spirit speak to us about what we need to do be like that, and then we do it. We pause, we reflect, we do, we don’t count the cost; because believing in Jesus’ name will save you. We only need to trust in that for salvation, not our own good deeds, our own actions, our own image we make of ourselves, how we think others perceive us. No matter how good we get those, it will never ever save us, and it will never ever save anyone else, no, indeed they are much more likely to lead the opposite. Even the best of us are prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation. So then, do you ever stop and reflect on your being deceived? Are you prepared to the world as you see and understand it fall down around you as you trust the Gospel? See this and remember this, apply this, ponder this, Believing in Jesus’ name will save you.

This naturally leads us to

Another truth to see and remember is that: The law and legalism will not save you 31-47

31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John[f] was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me. 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. 38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. 40 But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.41 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?”

Can you hear this? Jesus’ teachings hit even harder here, there was no sugar coating it, no gentle giving it, just the pure hard to the people who should have known it, but did not. Here in this rebuke, Jesus further calls them into repentance and belief. Jesus tells them essentially, what is the testimony of man about me? Even if there was, which there was in John the Baptist who you for a time listened to, yet when he began testifying about me you turned from Him. What matter is that when I have The Father testifying about me through the authority He has given me while on the Earth? It’s so clear yet you are choosing not see, you are choosing not to listen out of the hardness of your heart. You only seek to glorify yourselves and those around you that benefit you, I will not accept this vain glory. When will you start and why don’t you seek the glory of God?

Now, listen here. Do not think or believe that it is me that is accusing you, that i’m the one riling you up. You will be accessed by the law of Moses, which you have poured over time and time again and made new laws and new regulations that were set by God. Even by the ordained version of the law (which you do not follow) you stand accused and guilty before it. You have been searching for salvation in your own rules, in your own ways, in your own legalism, in your own “goody goodness.” And it isn’t going to work. If you truly believed what Moses wrote, you would see that it is all about me.

Wow, Jesus really laid it on here. And what’s funny here is that the words they needed to hear most, the words they needed to accept, would have only made them angry. It made them so angry that they text told us before that they sought to do Him harm, even up to killing Him. It just goes to show, when someone speaks the truth, the world in sin will often lash out, no matter how right it is or how much it is done in love. Even the best of us are prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation. Here they turned to the law of moses (a borrowed name taken to give their made up rules some false legitimacy) and keeping it well. This of course is called legalism. Though our legalism today looks different, it is none the less existent in virtually every church body today and many hearts. It even goes outside of the church (we have all heard the false statement “I know i’m a good person, and I believe that’s all it takes to get heaven” before. That, of course, is a lie. It is a lie every bit as much as the mentality that “They are bad and we are good because_____________ is.” Afterall, only God is good, the only thing good about us is the indwelling Holy Spirit in each believer. Let us not forget what the psalmist wrote in psalm 14, 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt there is none who does good, not even one. And Paul quotes this in His letter to the Romans. Only through accepting Jesus’ Christ's offer of forgiveness, by accepting His blood sacrifice to atone for your sin can you be made righteous and have the goodness of the Holy Spirit come and live in you. So then, do you ever fall into the trap of legalism believer? Let me charge you, if you can in any way say, “No, I don’t.” Then you are lying to yourself, so then, look at yourself, you at your life deeply, and see anywhere where man made rules that are inform your faith and perception of God, eliminate them and instead look through the lens of what the Bible says about Him and what that means to you!

Conclusion

Beloved, do you understand that when I’m saying Even the best of us are prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation, that includes both me and you. Don’t be afraid to admit this truth I am prone to turning to the wrong places for salvation. So then, let us all admit this truth and be prepared to make hard and deep reflective changed, and remind ourselves these truth that All will be judged by Jesus 19-23, Believing in Jesus’ name will save you 24-30, and The law and legalism will not save you 31-47.

With all of that being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God, though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do is accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.