John Gee Funeral
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Introduction:
Introduction:
-Honor Brother Gee’s 48 year marriage to Sister Gee
-Honor his strength in suffering
-Intervention----The Drug addict refusal to get help even with all the host of problems that have been created by the addiction.
-Intervention----The Drug addict refusal to get help even with all the host of problems that have been created by the addiction.
-Many in this room have reached out to alcoholic family and friends and all but beg them to seek help, but the ultimately walked away refusing to get the help they needed.
-This is case for many of us who have refused the saving hand of the Lord as he reaches down to us and offering his saving hand
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
john 3:17
I. The Son’s Mission
I. The Son’s Mission
I. The Son’s Mission
I. The Son’s Mission
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten 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 judge” Now 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 the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
(v.17) The proper understanding of this word in the text is to “condemn” to Condemn-this means to render final judgement. This is final and irrevocable. There is no second chance.
(v.17) The proper understanding of this word in the text is to “condemn” to Condemn-this 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. This tells us that when Jesus came to earth he unzipped his judge robe and put on his fire fighting attire.
What is the difference between a fire fighter and a judge?
answer: The difference is in their clothing. When a judge is in his robe he/she has been authorized to render final judgement on the life of guilty individuals. When a fire fighter puts on his uniform he is in the business of rescuing individuals that are in distress. When a fire fighter steps on the scene everyone pulls back and allows him to go looking for bodies to save.
(v.17) This texts tells us that Jesus came to look for individuals that are in distress. Individuals who are ready to rescued out of the fire.
What’s the problem?
answer-Some people like to play in the fire. Some people like to get as close to the fire without getting burned. Some people have been burned but keep forgetting who it feels and want to keep touching it. Some people are just fascinated by the fire and like to stare at it.
-The Fire is sin:
-Some of us like to get close to sin without getting any consequences
-Some of us have been burned by our decision, but we keep doing the same thing expecting a different outcome
-Some of us are just fascinated by sin we just love drama maybe we don’t join in but we love to witness it.
-Jesus came to rescue you from this type of lifestyle.
18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten 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 where tied together like twins.
(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 where 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 based on our feelings, and emotions, so that when our emotions and belief change so does our commitment.
(v.18) “he who does not believe has been judged already” This tells us that a person who refuses accept Christ or ignores the bible warnings is under a state of judgement already.
(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 in Hell because they refused to quit playing with fire and to take the fire fighter hand and be saved.
Transition- That sounds crazy that a person would rather sit and burn rather than be saved, but these next several verses gives us a picture of why
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
II. The Son’s Exposure
19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
john 3:
(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 are they bad.
(v.19) One of the descriptors of Jesus is that he says “I am the light of the world” Light exposes dirty, Light exposes flaws, light exposes those things that are hidden. When Jesus “that Light has come into the world” he saying the one that you cannot hide from 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 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
III. The Son’s Attraction
III. The Son’s Attraction
Why do men/women refuse to come out of the fire and be saved?
19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
john 3:19
(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 “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.
(v.19) “for their deeds were evil” This is reason that we like darkness because even our conscience tells us that what we are doing is not right so we keep it concealed from those arounds. Our conscience screams against us and tells us that we are guilty, so we go undercover “thinking that somehow God does not see us”
-Man are like Cockroaches who do all their damage when the lights go out. But when the light is turned on they scattered.
-This is why many refused to attend church regularly because good preaching exposes bad living.
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will 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.
(v.21)
Transition: Light has a negative impact in that it exposes dirt and foolishness, but it also attracts and draws.
III. The Son’s Attraction
III. The Son’s Attraction
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
John 3:2
(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 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. When you are in a fire you need someone who was not in the fire to see you and guide you out the fire. That is what the light does he guides you out the fire.
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in 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 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides 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