02-15-2009
“WHAT HAVE I DONE?”
What is a question? It is an expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply. 2. A subject or point open to controversy; an issue. 3. A difficult matter; a problem: a question of ethics. 4. A point or subject under discussion or consideration. 6. Uncertainty; doubt:
1. To put a question to. 2. To examine (a witness, for example) by questioning; interrogate. 3. To express doubt about; dispute. 4. To analyze; examine.
Questions have been around since the beginning of time, everyone hates to be questioned, because when one does it, it is placing somebody on the spot.
THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER JEREMIAH THE “WEEPING PROPHET” HE WAS A PREACHERS KID WHO IS CALLED BY GOD TO BE A PROPHET. HIS CRY WHICH SEEMS NOT TO BE HEARD ANYMORE WAS ONE OF REPENTANCE. REPENT - REPENT - REPENT! THINK FOR A MOMENT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD A SERMON ON REPENTANCE? I CANT REMEMBER MYSELF.
BUT IN THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH WE COME TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A VERY TELLING AND VERY POINTED QUESTION. TURN WITH ME TO JEREMIAH CHAPTER 8:6 (READ IT)
I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.
IN OUR TEXT JEREMIAH TELLS US THAT HE HAS LISTENED FOR THE CRY OF REPENTANCE, BUT IN ALL THE LAND HE HEARS NONE!!!! NO ONE CRYING OUT I HAVE SINNED, I AM GUILTY.
COULD NOT JEREMIAH HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR SOCIETY TODAY? IT IS AS IF PEOPLE WALK AROUND TODAY ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG, ALL IS OK NO SIN NO SORROW BECAUSE OF SIN, NO CONSCIENCE. WHEN I LOOK AROUND AND OBSERVE PEOPLE TODAY I SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO FOLLOW CHRIST, OR SAY THEY BELIEVE IN CHRIST LIVE THEIR LIVES AS IF GOD DOESN’T EVEN EXIST- THERE IS NO CALVARY -NO SAVIOR - NO NEED FOR REDEMPTION. OH WHERE ARE THOSE WORDS: WHAT HAVE I DONE? IS THERE NO ONE ASKING THAT QUESTION TODAY?
THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU THAT QUESTION THIS MORNING. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
LET’S PRAY
#1. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST?
LET’S TURN TO MATTHEW 27 AND SEE HOW PILATE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION. (READ VS15-26) IT WAS PILATE WHEN FACED WITH THIS QUESTION TRIED TO PAWN OFF HIS ANSWER AND HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE ANGRY MOB THAT DAY. HOW ABOUT YOU DO YOU TRY TO PASS OFF THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION TO OTHERS SAYING IT REALLY ISN’T UP TO ME? THINK ABOUT IT. YOU SEE TODAY WHEN FACED WITH THIS QUESTION WE HAVE 2 OPTIONS:
1 - WE CAN ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOR
OR
2- WE CAN REJECT HIM FOR ALL ETERNITY
YOU CAN RECEIVE HIM OR LEAVE HIM ALONE
YOU CAN LIVE FOR HIM OR LIVE FOR THE WORLD
YOU CAN TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM OR YOU CAN KEEP SILENT
THIS ISSUE IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD ALL OF LIFE IN THIS WORLD AND ALL THAT IS TO COME FOR ETERNITY HANGS IN THE BALANCE OF YOUR RESPONSE.
THIS IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHAT OTHERS THINK OR WHAT OTHERS DO. THIS IS NOT A QUESTION FOR THE HYPOCRITES BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.
THIS IS A QUESTION OF WHAT YOU PERSONALLY HAVE DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S ONLY SON SENT FOR YOU.
HAVE YOU MET HIM FACE TO FACE IN REGARDS TO YOUR SIN? HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED HIS SAVING GRACE AND REDEEMING LOVE? HAVE YOU FORMED A VITAL AND ON GOING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM? HAVE YOU AS IT SAYS IN JOHN 3 BEEN BORN AGAIN?
HAVE YOU COME TO GRIPS WITH THE WORD OF GOD WHICH CLEARLY CALLS US TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER
JOHN 3:18: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son
JOHN 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him
ROM. 10:9-10 : That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN, IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THESE THINGS I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST; YOU’VE TURNED YOUR BACK ON THE GREATEST LOVE YOU COULD EVER AND WOULD EVER KNOW. YOU NOW STAND UNDER CONDEMNATION - ON YOUR WAY TO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT GOD CAST INTO HELL FOREVER TORMENTED.
WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO IS COME TO JESUS CHRIST IN HUMBLE REPENTANCE ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER AND THAT YOUR SIN SEPARATES YOU FROM HIM. ANSWER THE QUESTION WHAT HAVE I DONE? COME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT A PRICE HAS BEEN PAID FOR YOU THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO RECEIVE HIM WHILE YOU STILL HAVE TIME.
I’M NOT READY TO MOVE ON YET FROM THIS POINT THIS MORNING BECAUSE I BELIEVE I KNOW WHAT SOME OF YOU ARE THINKING AND MAYBE EVEN SAYING IN YOUR HEART. WELL PASTOR MATT THAT IS ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT I ALREADY KNOW JESUS CHRIST AND I ALREADY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. AND I DO IDENTIFY MY LIFE WITH HIM. I FLY THE FLAG OF JESUS OVER MY HEART. I AM A CHRISTIAN. I AM A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST?
CERTAINLY YOU HAVE ALLOWED HIM TO SAVE YOU BUT IS THAT ALL THERE IS TO YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE? ALL YOUR COUNTING ON IS A SPIRITUAL “GET OUT OF HELL FREE CARD?”
WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE WITH THE TALENTS HE HAS GIVEN YOU?
WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE WITH THE TIME HE HAS GIVEN YOU?
WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE WITH THE BLESSINGS HE HAS GIVEN YOU?
YOU KNOW THE NUMBER 1 ANSWER I HEAR FROM PEOPLE AS TO WHY THEY HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THESE QUESTIONS? I’M TOO BUSY!
TURN WITH ME TO LUKE 14:15-24 (READ IT)
THIS PASSAGE IS CALLED THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET, I LIKE TO CALL THIS PASSAGE THE PARABLE OF EXCUSES.
LISTEN I GET THE FACT THAT MANY OF US HAVE “STUFF” TO DO BUT I DON’T SEE ANY ROOM FOR WIGGLE WHEN I READ VERSE 24. NOW YOU CAN DEBATE ME ON THIS BUT I STAND HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE GROWN COLD AS A PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST. WE HAVE DECIDED ON COMFORT RATHER THAN SACRIFICE. WE HAVE CHOSEN TO MODIFY THE WORD OF GOD RATHER THAN DIG IN AND OBEY IT OUTRIGHT. PEOPLE IT IS TIME FOR EACH OF US TO COME BEFORE GOD AND ASK AND THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION WHAT HAVE I DONE?
YOU SEE MY DILEMMA TODAY IS THIS: IF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST HAS SO MANY VOCAL STAND UP SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY THEN WHY DOES IT SEEM WE HAVE MADE LITTLE OR NO DENT IN THE SOCIETY AND CULTURE THAT WE LIVE IN? WHY IS CHURCH ATTENDANCE DOWN IN THIS “CHRISTIAN NATION”? WHY DO WE SEE MORE AND MORE CHURCHES TURNING TO A SOCIAL GOSPEL ONLY LEAVING OUT THE GOD WHO DIED FOR THEM? I BELIEVE IT ALL COMES DOWN TO HOW YOU AND I ANSWER THIS QUESTION: WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST?
IN CONCLUSION THIS MORNING LET ME JUST ASK THE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS AND OR THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:
- DO YOU AND I TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD TODAY OR DO WE REPLACE HIS WORDS - HIS POWER - HIS PRESENCE - HIS KNOWLEDGE - HIS PEACE WITH WHAT “I” THINK I SHOULD DO?
PROVERBS 3:5,6 HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART AS IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST SCRIPTURES MY BROTHER WROTE ABOUT IN A LETTER HOME TO MOM AND DAD JUST BEFORE HE WAS KILLED IN VIETNAM. THE TRUTH OF THESE VERSES SHOULD RESONATE WITH EACH OF YOU TODAY:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
THIS MORNING IF WHEN YOU ASK YOUR SELF THE QUESTION WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST DOESN’T SATISFY YOU AND IF YOUR ANSWER DOESN’T LINE UP WITH GOD’S WORD THEN YOU COME BEFORE HIM TODAY - CONFESS THOSE THINGS THOSE AREAS IN YOUR LIFE BEFORE HIM AND HE WILL BRING REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS TO YOUR HEART TODAY.
LET’S PRAY
