Missing Jesus
Don’t Let Religion Cause you to miss Jesus
Intro; Talk about left behind series. We live in exciting times. I truly believe that we are the generation that will see Jesus in the air. A lot of people were shouting victory as their teams won over the past couple of days but the greatest shout of victory is yet to come. When Jesus steps out( I Thess.4:14
I believe there are many prophecies that have been fulfilled while the world is concerned about other things. I. Israel becoming a nation on May14th 1949
I. Religion can cause you to be blind to things around you-----(vs3)
A. They were blind to King Herod’s plans—His plans were to kill what the wise men were calling the king of the Jews. Herod killed those who were a threat to him or any one that came against him. The chief priests and scribes never saw that coming. They were blind to the fact of spiritual warfare that was going on around them. Religion blinds men today just as in that day. There are many today that will attend churches where the truth is being taught, yet will not allow that truth to enter in and have the light of life in their lives. The enemy has a plan for every life just as God does. His first goal is that you miss the kingdom of God in this life and the life to come. His second goal for Christians is to render them useless for the kingdom. That they make no waves on the shoreline of heaven
B. They were blinded by pride—the king looked to them for guidance and wisdom but I wonder did they consult God on how to answer the king. I believe if they were searchers of the Lord’s word they would have been shown the king’s intent instead of just going along with it. I wonder how God the Father perceived their man made positions( Chief priest means the highest of rank. Scribes were considered one of a learned class in scriptures) They knew the word of God and went straight to the prophecy concerning the Messiah’s coming. In their pride they missed Him and the truth of scripture.
C. In contrast the wise men humbled themselves and saw the light of Glory.
1. They had to look past the glimmering of the world to see the true treasure. They had to come and visit Herod’s magnificent palace and keep looking for the King.
Their experience is a good lesson in finding the will of God:
(1) they followed the light God gave them;
(2) they confirmed their steps by the Word of God; and
(3) they obeyed God without question and He led them each step of the way. Note that they went home by “another way” (v. 12). Anyone who comes to Christ will go home another way and be a new creature. You cannot have an encounter with the living God and be the same. (2 Cor. 5:17).
II. WORLD HAS NO PROBLEM WITH RELIGION BUT WILL COME AGAINST THE TRUTH( VS 3) .
Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 b.c. to 4 b.c. See the chart on the Herods at Luke 1:5.) This fact caused most of the Jews to hate him and never truly to accept him as king, even though he did much for the country. If someone had been rightfully born king, then Herod’s job was in jeopardy.
A. World has not problem with a religion that has no power. God’s word tells us the source of our power I Peter1.18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
B. World will hate the narrow gate.---- What is the narrow gate? Its what the What Jesus proclaim: John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life
C. Religion strives to please God through man’s ways and not God’s ways. Herod was diabolically opposed to God’s way for His people and as Satan tried to prevent the Lord Jesus’ birth, Herod was a vehicle that he used to try to kill Him. The world hates the Lord Jesus and any mention of His name. When we stand for truth it will be opposed. You can run with the World as long as you leave Jesus behind
III. Religion can cause you to be left behind---What are you trusting in to get to heaven? Do you have a heart knowledge of Him? The bible says in Matt 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(KJV)
If I trust in religion, church membership, church attendance, Bible knowledge or any other man made thing and fail to fall on the rock of Salvation , the Lord Jesus Christ and let my life be broken and yielded to Him, Ill miss Him and will too be left behind. The chief priest and scribes were of the most elite group of knowing God’s word. They knew it backwards and forwards and prided themselves in this knowledge. They were looking for Him yet they missed Him. They knew His word but yet it didn’t change their hearts. From the top of Herods palace you can see a little town. Bethlehem of Judea. It’s across the valley from Jerusalem. It’s not like it was several days journey. It literally happened under their noses yet they didn’t believe it enough to go check it out.
Religious knowledge does not equal spiritual truth. There are many today that are intrigued with Bible prophecy and end time studies from the scripture( tell of U.N. wanting to take over the Internet). How should it effect us? If we truly believe that we’re the generation that will see Him, all our focus, all our life should be focused on getting the good news out to those who haven’t heard.( Lottie Moon theme) There will be literally thousands upon thousands of people that will miss the rapture of the church and be left behind. And many of these will have studied the word and heard the word preached but never let it come in to the place that it changed their lives. When this time comes there will be unparrelled evil that will be turned loose because the Holy Spirit will be taken out. Many will say in their heart, if I look up one day and miss that event, I’ll just get saved during the tribulation. Is that possible? Yes. Probable No! The Bible tells us of what will transpire in II Th 2:8-12
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The big lie going on today is that I can live as I please I just need to be careful and trust Christ and live for Him before its too late. I plead with you today not to buy into that lie. The Bible says in I John 2:155 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Rom. 10:9&10
Christians, there will be many around us that will miss the kingdom of God. His love, His compassion , His mercy. I pray that we will commit to live our lives in such a way that even in the trying of times, His grace will shine through. The greatest testimony to those around us that are deceived in religion is that we live as a bondslave for Christ. A life long devotion to God, through the good times and bad times will speak volumes to those around us as to the fact that Jesus lives and He lives within our hearts Do you have some around you that are professing without possessing? You say Bro. David I don’t know . The Bible says in Mt 7:1818 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.