What's Stopping You

At a coastal aquarium, a savage barracuda quickly tried to attack the mackerel but was stopped by the partition. After bumping his nose repeatedly, he finally quit trying. Later, the partition was removed, but the barracuda would swim only to the point where the barrier had been and stop. To Him, the barrier was still there.

People are like this. Throughout the is History of Mankind, man has sought to earn God’s Acceptance. And with every attempt a barrier was hit. This barrier is called Sin and it is what separates us from God. Through his Grace, Christ came and removed that barrier through his Death Burial and Resurrection and if we will be come to Christ, we would find the way clear but we act as if this impenetrable wall is still there and instead of turning to Jesus, we give up.

But you know, its not just the unsaved world that finds barriers in their attempt to please God. Christians do too. Somehow we get the idea that once we come to Christ through faith, the christian life is lived through our own effort. And we find our selves hitting our head on this wall rather than understanding that Not only is salvation through Christ, But also the strength and ability to live the Christian life is also through him Too.

This morning as we turn to our text in John, we find 4 different people, each of them had built walls in their lives that kept them from the Faith that Jesus was calling them too.

Before we begin, I want to give the invitation. I don’t want you to just listen this morning. I want you to take what is being said and let it change you. If you are here this morning and you have never trusted Christ as you Savior, Let me invite you to listen to this message with an open heart, allowing God to show you that the barriers in your heart and mind that are keeping you from faith in Christ have been torn down by Jesus’ finished work on the Cross and you can reach out to Him this morning and find forgiveness of sin and a relationship with Christ.

Christian, Your not off the hood this morning. I also want you to open your heart to the word of God this morning and allow it to penetrate the barriers that you have in your life that is keeping you from living the life of Faith that God is calling you to.

Turn with me to

Sermon this morning is titles “What’s Stopping You”

Judas

John 18:1–11 KJV 1900

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Judas

Greed and Faithlessness

The first person we are going to look at this morning is Judas Iscariot.

Judas was one of the 12 that followed Jesus for 3 1-2 years. He heard the same words as the rest of them, He saw the same miracles - but in the end, it was Judas that Led the took the Priest money to betray christ and Led the roman soldiers to the Garden to arrest him. What caused a man who had all the same experiences that the other men had to reject Him in the end?

His Heart. Scripture gives us some insights in the Heart of Judas.

In - John tells us that Judas was a thief who though he looked good on the outside, only cared for the money that was involved.

In - we find that Judas approached the Cheif Priest asking what they would give him if he betrayed Jesus to them - 30 pieces of Silver

In - John tells us that the devil had put it in his heart to betray Christ.

Notice, Just in case you think that it was Satan alone that cause Judas to betray Christ, that it was not until after the washing of the feet, when Christ give the bread to Judas that Satan entered into him.

Judas’s Greedy, Faithless, Sinful heart turned out to be ripe for Satan to use Him.

He was in it for what he could get out of it. He is described as a thief and a traitor.

Paul tells Timothy in that the leaders of the church - the pastors and deacons should not be “Greedy of filthy Lucre”.

Peter also speaks of this. The danger of being in it for the money is real! Greed corrupts the heart and builds a wall that becomes a barrier to faith.

Peter

Pride and Self Sufficiency

John 18:15–18 KJV 1900

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

John 18:15-

John 18:25–27 KJV 1900

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

John 18:25-

Jesus had told him this would happen, and rather than listen and watch, He found himself at the campfire where his faith would be tested, and he would fail.

Think of who Peter was.

Walked on Water - Then took his eyes off the Lord

Matthew 14:26–31 KJV 1900

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Declared Jesus as the Christ

Matthew 16:13–16 KJV 1900

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matt 16:13-

Did not fully trust Christ and His mission that would send him to the Cross

Matthew 16:21–23 KJV 1900

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mount of transfiguration

There are many, perhaps even in this church who know the right answers, who look great on the outside, but when it comes to complete surrender to Christ, to place you full faith and trust in Him, There is a wall. We still feel that we can be good enough!

The Jews

Religion and Preconceived Notions

John 18:38–40 KJV 1900

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

John 18:38-

John 19:5–7 KJV 1900

5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

Jesus was not the messiah that the Jews were expecting. They wanted a king messiah who would remove the roman oppression and usher in the Kingdom of God where they would reign with him. Instead, Jesus came as a servant - who would go the cross so that we might be saved.

You have probably heard people say that you have a relationship, not a religion. What does that statement mean?

It’s means that its not about keeping a list of rules - its about Christ

It’s not about traditions that we have made into a doctrine - its about Christ

It’s not about being good enough! - its about Christ!

Pilate

Indecision and Indifference

John 19:8–16 KJV 1900

8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; 9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

John 19”

unfortunately - this is where many are today. I have witnessed to many who sounded alot like King Agrippa - almost thou persuaded me. They have said I will trust in Christ - but not today. Pilate was confronted with Christ and in the end - chose to wash his hands of his blood ceremonially - but turned him over to be crucified anyway. When faced with a decision to trust in Christ - He chose not too. to remain indifferent. But understand this - Not right now is still a no.

Whether it is salvation or surrender. Whether it is trusting Christ with eternity, or trusting him to guide and keep you right now - understand that a “Not Right Now” is still saying No to Christ.

This entire message this morning can be summed up in one sentence - “If we would experience the saving grace of Christ - Not just for eternity, but in the every day life - we must surrender.”

General William Booth was once asked to reveal the secret of his success. After some hesitation, tears came to his eyes and he said, “I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I have, men with greater opportunities, but from the day that I got the poor of London on my heart and caught a vision of what Jesus could do with them, on that day I made up my mind that God should have all of William Booth there was. “It was this which led Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, the questioner, to remark, “I learned from William Booth that the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”