Sermon 120997

Jn. 13:1-5                             What You Know Affects What You Do                              12/9/97

                                                                                              Crusade Baptist Meeting

I.     Introduction                                                                                                                      602

A.     The impact of what you assume to be true in your life

- the earth is flat (travel plans), humans evolved from animals/lower form of life (animal rights & mother earth), life does not begin at conception (massive abortion)

B.      The impact of what you know to be true in your life

- the law of gravity (walk, drive, stand, etc.), consequences of sin (mouth, eyes, ears, hands, etc.),

II.    What Christ Knew to be True

A.        The perfect will of God (v. 1a) – “knowing that His hour had come that He should depart…this world”

B.        His friends & enemies (v. 1b-2)

C.        His relationship to God the Father (v. 3a)

D.        Where He came from (v. 3b)

Though He was born of a woman, born under the Law, Christ knew that He did not come from Mary, He came from Heaven; though He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, Heaven is His throne & the earth is His footstool; though He subjected Himself to violent & vulgar treatment by evil & wicked men, in the beginning He created Adam & Eve; though He limited Himself in time & space for 33 years, in the beginning He created time & space. 

E.        Where He was going (v. 3c)

Jesus knew that the house that Joseph built was not home; Bethlehem & Nazareth & Jerusalem were not home; no place in this world was home for Him.  He was going back to His place of rule, authority & glory; back where the Cheribim, Serephim, angels & heavenly host adore & worship Him; back where His glory is no longer veiled

What You Know Affects What You Do, pg. 2

F.         What He needed to be doing now (v. 4-5)

Humble & faithful service of ministry until the end of His life – “He loved them to the end”.  He served & taught His disciples through His serving until the end of His life.  He also served them supremely or to the uttermost in that He gave His life for them.

III.   What Do You Know to be True?

q      Do you know with certainty that God is your Father? – affects prayer life, response in trouble & when tempted, lifestyle away from church (before & after Christmas parties), etc.

q      Do you know with certainty that Jesus Christ was born?

q      Do you know the will of God for your life?

q      Can you identify your friends & your enemies?  Who is truly your friend – brother & sister?

q      Do you know where you came from? – you were created by God!

q      Do you know where you are going? – there is one & only one alternative to Heaven!

q      Do you know what you should be doing NOW?