MCS Chapel: Why does this Jesus matter?

Jesus, His Work: Why does THIS Jesus Matter?

Text: Hebrews 9:27-28

What is the goal of this message?

That students would consider whether they are ready for Jesus to make a return appearance.

How will you meet this goal?

By expositing the elements [death, judgment, Christ’s offering, Christ’s appearing, Christ’s salvation] of Hebrews 9:27-28.

Why is this message necessary?

Because we need to consider the inevitable appointment with death.

Because we should consider what comes after death — judgment.

Because we should see that Christ has gone through both death and judgment and will save those who are eagerly waiting on Him.

How will you go about explaining this humility of Jesus sermonically?

By answering the question: Why does this Jesus Matter?

Why does this Jesus matter?

Big Idea:

This Jesus matters because of his finished work and his future work.

Preview:

(1) This Jesus matters because He has already gone through what you will go through: death & judgment (v. 27)

(2) This Jesus matters because He will appear to save many of you but not all (v. 28)

Body:

(1) This Jesus matters because He has already gone through what you will go through: death & judgment (v. 27)

(a) And just as it is appointed for man to die once…

The word appointed literally means ‘destiny’. We are destined for death. For those who are skeptical about Christianity, you should consider carefully that you can test this assertion. What is the mortality rate for mankind? 100%. As a skeptic, the Bible is showing you that the Lord speaks in ways that you can test — that you can analyze and check.

Illustration: VR at Jesse’s

You may be able to deny the reality of many things, but you cannot deny the reality of death.

(b) And after this the judgment…

There are three basic options to the question, “Is there an ‘after this’?”

No. There is nothing after death.

Maybe. There may be something after death.

Yes. There is something after death.

TC to hand out papers to three students sitting up front facing audience

It is the rest of the phrase that may help give more weight to 1 of those 3 options. All three of the people who hold to those options can agree about one thing: justice. All three would agree that just judgment matters. Let’s test it out:

Example #1 is the person who says there is nothing after death, but do they believe that there should be fairness and justice. Yes. This person may actually be consumed with justice because he or she believe that the only real justice is what happens in this life, since there is nothing else.

Example #2 is the person who says there may be something after death. Does she believe in justice and fairness? Yes. Since they are not sure if there is any justice after this life, they will work to live according to some standard of fairness. They may not be as consumed with the justice now though.

Example #3 is the person who says that there may IS something after death. Does he believe in justice and fairness? Yes, but he can fight for just judgment now with a different perspective. He can actually fight for justice and rest assured that if he does not see it happen in this life, there is a judgment to come.

So, all three individuals agree that judgment is real and necessary; they just disagree on the “when”.

But the real question is not whether they all agree on just judgment or not but rather,

“Where did their desire for just judgment actually come from? Why do they feel the way that they do at all?”

Did material beings just develop abstract ideas and morality. No. Our mutual desire for fairness and justice is actually evidence that we have a moral law in our hearts written by a Moral Lawgiver.

You may be able to deny that there is a judgment after this life, but your very desire for justice shows that you are betraying something deep within you — the moral law founded upon a moral Lawgiver.

The fact that you want just judgment actually points to the reality of God.

Everyone will stand before God in judgment after you die.

(c) so Christ - v. 28

Though God is the One who put this within mankind, and despite mankind’s failure, Jesus came:

to be offered once

to bear the sins of many

That is what judgment is — Judgment is where we stand trial before God the Creator to answer Him for ourselves. It is the place where you cannot plead the 5th.

Notice carefully that the Bible says that Jesus came to bear the sins of many. Why not all? Because though all intuitively know death is real and just judgment matters, there are some No’s and Maybe’s who have rejected Jesus.

TC to take judgment paper from hand of “Yes”

This Jesus matters because He’s already gone through what you will for sure go through....

How do I know which one of those I really am?

(2) This Jesus matters because He will appear to save many of you but not all of you (v. 28)

(*) Those who are eagerly waiting for him.

What exactly does it mean to be eagerly waiting for him?

Illustration: the other day, I walked in the door and heard my wife say to Josiah, “See”. I asked, “What?”.... Catrina wanted Josiah to see how our dog responds to my arrival at home every day.

An individual who has truly turned from their sin to Jesus as Lord has a burning passion for Jesus. That is also to say that if you care nothing for Christ right now, you will not care for Him when He returns; and you will not be saved.

Regardless of your temperament (demeanor, facial expressions, body language…etc), your life will show if you truly care about Christ. How you love the unloveable; how you love your teachers who are imperfect; how you steward your bodies (purity); how you respond to authority....etc.

Illustration: Song “Is He Worthy”

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do) Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do) But do you know that all the dark won't Stop the light from getting through? (We do) Do you wish that you could see it all made new? We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is) Is a new creation coming? (It is) Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is) Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He was David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy of this? He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does) Does the Spirit move among us? (He does) And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves? (He does) Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave From every people and tribe Every nation and tongue He has made us a kingdom and priests to God To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Is He worthy of this? He is! Is He worthy? Is He worthy? He is! He is!

Are you one of the many who are eagerly awaiting him?

Then: Know that Christ has endured death and judgment for you, and live your life as if he is worthy and will make all things right in the future.

Are you one of the many who will not be saved?

Then: Then, please turn from your sin and give your life over to Jesus Christ today.

Conclusion:

This Jesus matters because He’s already gone through what you will go through

This Jesus matters because He will appear to save many of you but not all

This Jesus matters because of his finished work and his future work.