Mission Accomplished

There are mysteries in scripture we cannot yet know. But God put them there so we would have moments of awe toward Him. What is something that ‘awed’ you this week? Maybe from scripture or maybe in the world around you.

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John 12:36–50 HCSB

36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them. 37 Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 But this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to? 39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I would heal them. 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects Me and doesn’t accept My sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Managua, Nicaragua until 1997, 1.5 million people with no street names or #s. Economic Research Institute ‘across from where the hospital gate used to be, toward the lake then down’.

-The importance of scripture in a man’s life.

First let’s look at when scripture beings tension into our lives. Like when it tells us to do something we are uncomfortable with. Husbands love your wives… Maybe not that one.

Luke 12: 51 Do you think that I came here to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

There is an uneasy tension in verse 40 where John uses . To deal with the tension is healthy, because it makes us think for ourselves. (Which may be a quality of waning existence in the church.)

Maybe these two things will help us to think critically about this verse:

Human responsibility for sin and unbelief is never excused in the bible.

The Isaiah verse was said in the context of Israel’s continuous disobedience.

-Three ways scripture helps us understand.

Window (portal) - seeing into the culture, author’s perspective.

When we look at crucifixion weekend with the crowd chanting for Jesus’ death and Peter’s denial of Jesus as the rooster crows, their eyes meeting. When we let ourselves feel the heaviness and seeming finality of His death during that Saturday. Or participate in the hope of the disciples as the RAN to the tomb to see if it was really empty, remembering His words, ‘after three days I will rise again’.

Mirror - seeing ourselves as reflected in scripture.

Sometimes that shows us growth. And we should be able to see the progress from the day we surrendered til now. Maybe fret and fear used to overtake us at the slightest difficulty and we can now see a trust and peace that the Holy Spirit has grown in us. Maybe we had no knowledge of scripture when we were first saved but now it pops into our head at every turn. If we dont see that kind of progress the mirror of the word will reveal that as well, and it should be alarming!

Sometimes that shows the need for repentance. When we examine our lives in the mirror of the word, it shows us where we are lacking. Where our choices clash with God’s desire for our lives. The great thing about it showing us this is: Forgiveness is available!

Light - both spotlight and floodlight.

v.46 brings this out. He has come as light for illumination. Jesus came so the darkness of disbelief would be dispersed. And we have talked about Him being the light of the world. Sunday night I AM series.

Remember we said light functions sometimes as a spot that shines on something specific. When David wrote in ‘search me oh God and see if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting’ he was asking for the spotlight.

When David wrote in ‘search me oh God and see if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting’ he was asking for the spotlight.

And sometimes light floods for general illumination. Marc shade. Houston county co-op lights went out last week. Candle. In the illuminating of the world around me, I gain perspective. I am small. He is really, really big. Those words dont measure the contrast well at all.

Open my eyes that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me,     Spirit Divine!

Open my mind that I may read More of Thy love in word and deed; What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead? Only for light from Thee I plead.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

We consider the Bible, the words of Jesus, and Jesus Himself to be the Word of God. It functions as all three above (and more).

Today’s text also says it will be the judge. It judges both now and on the last day.

If I have rejected His words - exclusive access to the father, requiring faithful obedience - then my rebellion against God judges me as not belonging to Him. Now.

If I continue to reject His words, as long as I am rejecting them, my continued rebellion causes His words to judge me on the last day. To be eternally separated from Him.

The word functions as

In recent days many of us have had to deal with the reality of hell. That place of eternal separation. As public figures who have blatantly thumbed their noses at God, denying His very presence have passed from this life, the reality of hell has been a topic of conversation across social media.

The most troubling scripture about hell I have ever read is

Isaiah 14:9–11 HCSB

9 Sheol below is eager to greet your coming. He stirs up the spirits of the departed for you— all the rulers of the earth. He makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones. 10 They all respond to you, saying: “You too have become as weak as we are; you have become like us! 11 Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol, along with the music of your harps. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.”

Isaiah 14:9–10 ESV

9 Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. 10 All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’

Isaiah 14:9 NKJV

9 “Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations.

talking about the impending death of the king of Babylon.

talking about the impending death of the king of Babylon.

talking about the impending death of the king of Babylon.

But the illumination of scripture reveals that hell is not for us. It was created for Satan and the rest of the fallen angels. But all who rebel against God and refuse the words of Jesus will meet that fate.

Praise God for Jesus, the Light of the World, and for the light of scripture into our world and life. See v.50? The ultimate desired result is eternal life, not eternal separation!