The Need For Jesus
Scripture
Isa:33:19-24
Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.
20: Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
21: But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
22: For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
23: Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
24: And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Introduction
There are 7.4 billion people on our planet today. About 2.1 billion claim to know Jesus. Out of that 2.1 billion how many of these self proclaimed Christians actually know Jesus? In This sermon we will learn the absolute importance of knowing Jesus and having an intimate relationship with him. I want to answer Some very important questions some may have.
1) Who Is Jesus?
2) How might I be saved?
3) What is the evidence of my conversion?
4) What is next?
Text Illusion
Years ago I heard the compelling story of a young pastor whos son was very sick and not expected to live long. Night after night the Pastor and his wife would put their son to bed and say a prayer hoping for a miracle. One evening, the boy looked at his father and said, “Daddy what does it feel like to die”?
The father struggled to speak a word. He said a quick prayer for courage, Put his hand on the face of his child and said, “Son, its something like this. Night after night you go to sleep on the couch watching your favorite shows. You don't know it but I find you asleep and come and take you in my arms and place you in the room I built for you with my own hands.” The young Pastor could barely Finish.
“And, son, one of these days..... you are going to fall asleep here, but dont be afraid. Jesus is going to come and pick you up and take you to a special room He has built just for you.”
Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-6)
Sermon
Today we are faceing a really huge problem. Many are falling away from the faith. Paul fortold this many years ago. 2Thessalonians 2:3: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
This great falling away is a sign that the end is near and Jesus is coming back soon. So im going to give you some key points to think about so you know your not one of these sad souls that fall away from the faith.
1) Who is Jesus?
Joh:1:1-4,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2: The same was in the beginning with God.
3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus is God in the Flesh. He is the word of God. In Abrahams day he was the one speaking to Abraham. John 8:58: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Keep the words I AM in your minds for a moment as we turn to Exodus 3:14: And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
2) How might I be saved?
Peter preached the First sermon ever in Church history in Acts chapter 2 and All that heard asked the same question. He replyed, Ac:2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Ac:2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
God made it very easy for us to be saved but at times it is hard. There are 2 key statements here:
Repent: To turn away and do a 180 degree turn from sin. This takes time. We must crucify the flesh daily. And to Crucify someone it takes a period of time for the person to die. We must realize we are a sinner and desire to be delivered from sins. We must desire to live Holy. And when we slip and sin we must mourn
Be Babtized: Is the Complete submerssion of your entire body in the water to symbolize you dieing of your sin and being Covered by the living waters Of Jesus. People if Jesus being God felt it nessessary for him to go through we must follow his example. 1Peter 2:21: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
3) What is the evidence of my conversion?
There are evidences of change in the way we see the world, life, death, and sin. We no longer want to do the same sinful things we once did. We dont find interest in the same tv shows or music or movies. We no longer want to Spend time with the same crowd we used to. We no longer use fowl language That others that live carnal do. And we know Christians by the way they behave and act. 2Corinthians:5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1Corinthians:15:33: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Matt:7:16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matt:7:20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
4 Whats next?
Jesus commissioned us as believers to preach the Gospel to Every creature. The Hindus you work with and go to School with, Tell them about Jesus. You have there gospel. The muslims around you, You have there gospel. The people who Dont know Jesus, You as believers have their gospel. What I mean by have their Gospel is you know Jesus, You know Jesus walked the earth, Was hung on the cross and shed his blood for your sins. You know he died and was burried. And you know on the 3rd day he he was raised from the dead and assended to the right hand of God. You have the Gospel. And they need the Gospel. Some of you will go on missions to far away places but some wont be able to travel so your jobs are to support the Ones who do travel financially and In prayer.
Conclusion
Jesus is the only way to be saved. Without him as it says in Isaiah 33:23: Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
Only God can save you from an eternity in Hell. Like verse 22 says He WILL save us. All we have to do is repent and be babtized in Jesus Name. We must believe the Gospel and Love God with our all.
How do we know we love him? Jesus said John 14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
WHAT ARE HIS COMMANDMENTS?
Matthew :22:37: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Loveing God more than anything or anyone else. Putting him first and submitting all to him
Matthew 22:39: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love everyone as you love yourself. Treat everyone how you want to be treated. Forgive everyone of everything they do wrong to you because as we know God wont forgive us if we dont forgive others.
