Title: Is there any doubt?
Easter Message
Introduction
Every week there is news that something tragic has happened somewhere in the world. There are shootings at schools. There are kidnappings of children from their homes. There are stabbings in local stores. People get drunk and beat up someone else, or run over someone with a car. There are earthquakes, storms, typhoons or hurricanes. Lately, we are able to say with increasing certainty that the unthinkable will happen somewhere, today.
Is there any doubt that this is true? No, there is no doubt! Today something unthinkable will happen somewhere. Just when we think we’ve seen or heard it all, something will occur, something will be uncovered, something will happen, something will arise, something will take place that goes beyond our understanding of just how wicked man has become.
Why is this so? Why does man continue to spiral downward? Why does it seem that man continues to be even more evil than last year? The answer is simple, they do not believe in God because they do not want to be held accountable. Further, there is doubt in their minds that there is a God to whom they must ultimately answer for their sin.
Is there any doubt that this world is falling apart, just as it was predicted to do hundreds of years ago? Is there any doubt that this world needs a Savior?
Our points today are:
I. Do you believe this? The world is nothing…
II. Do you believe this? The world does not matter…
III. Do you believe this? He is everything…
IV. Do you believe this? He does matter…
Conclusion:
I. Do you believe this? The World Is Nothing…
1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
More than 4,000 years ago man was tossed out of paradise because of lust. The account in Genesis chapter three gives us all the details of how man sought after his own desires rather than God’s. He sought after what was good in his own sight rather than what was good for his soul. What did it cost? It cost man his very soul.
Man turned to nature for his satisfaction and was rewarded with thistles and thorns. Man turned to the earth for his fulfillment and was rewarded with a fist full of dirt. The world is nothing, but man believes it holds the keys to happiness. The world is nothing, yet man believes having the world in his hands is most important.
Since man was first created, God has attempted to show man that fellowship with Him was more important than metal, wood, water, or dirt.
When man was banned from Eden, the Lord immediately demonstrated how man would be able to stand before God through offering animal sacrifices.
But even before this, God was at work reconciling man to Himself. God’s work of reconciliation with man began even before man was created. How do we know this? Because we know that God knows everything, and He knew that man would fall. Therefore He had to have a plan of reconciliation. And, that plan does not include saving the physical world. Again, the Apostle John said what?
1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
And, the Apostle Paul said
1 Corinthians 7:31b
…For this world in its present form is passing away.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that the world is going to pass away? Whether the Apostles spoke metaphorically, figuratively, allegorically, or literally, it will pass away in one form or another. Is there any doubt? No, without a doubt, the world is nothing and will pass away. Whether I pass from it, or it passes from me, it will go away.
II. Do you believe this? The World Does Not Matter…
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Colossians 2
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
Can we say much more than that? The principles of this world are not your principles. The rules in Colossians that the Apostle speaks of are the same as the pattern that he speaks of in Romans. He’s not talking about following the laws of the local government, but getting caught up with the ways of the world. He’s talking about getting caught up in things such as fashion, material possessions, unnecessary religious rules and guidelines. Paul is talking about us conforming to something that doesn’t really matter.
I want a big car just because I can have one and it will be bigger than my neighbor’s car. I want to have a newer cell phone, with the camera and the internet access, just because everyone else has one. I want, I want, I want, just because the world tells me I need to want it.
These things don’t really matter.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Do you believe that? The things of this world don’t really matter.
III. Do you believe this? He is everything…
John 14
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Do you believe this? No matter how careful you look, there is little room in those words for the world and its material possessions. There is only room for the one that went to the cross for you and me.
The world has its pattern. Jesus has His pattern. Jesus says to follow His pattern.
The world says it is the truth. Jesus says it is the truth. Which one do you want to believe.
The world gives only death. Jesus is the life. Which one do you choose?
John 14
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that He is the way and the truth and the life? Jesus came to this world over two thousand years ago and is still making impressions on people’s hearts. That in itself should be enough of a miracle to make a person think twice about not becoming a Christian!
Matthew 9
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
Do you believe that Jesus is able to do this? And, everyone said ???? Yes, Lord…
IV. Do you believe this? He does matter…
Hebrews 7
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus went to the cross for you and me and that we are saved when we come to God through Him? Is there any doubt in you mind that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus is the Savior of the world?
John 11:23-27
23 Jesus said to her [Martha], "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
Martha had no doubt Jesus was the Son of God. Martha had no doubt that Jesus had the power of God. She says one verse before these, in verse 22,
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
Martha did believe in Jesus and the power that he possessed. She believed that He could make a difference in her life, and bring her brother back to life. That one phrase tells us that Jesus mattered to her. That one phrase tells us that Jesus was the center of her life.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that He does matter? Do you believe that He can make a difference in your life? Do you believe that He can bring you back to life?
He can make a difference if you let Him. He is able to save completely, if you let Him. He is able to keep you safe, if you let Him. But, you have to let Him.
Conclusion:
(John 11:40) Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
What a promise we have in Jesus Christ!
Here is one that came to this earth taking the form of man and going to the cross for the sin of the world.
Here is one that lived a sinless life and submitted to the pain of being nailed to the cross.
Here is one that gave His life so that you and I could have life, and life more abundantly.
Jesus went to the cross like a lamb before the shearers. He didn’t complain, He simply accepted His Father’s plan. Remember earlier we said: God’s work of reconciliation with man began even before man was created.
Jesus knew before Adam ate the fruit that He would have to suffer and undergo death on the cross. Because only one without sin is able to pay the price for what man has done. And, the only one without sin is Jesus Christ.
Is there any doubt?
