Sermon Central
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What Will You Do With Jesus? Series
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 2, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: How will you respond to the redemption Jesus secured at Calvary?
What Will You Do With Jesus?
Albert B. Simpson wrote an old hymn that asks a very important question, it says:
"What will you do with Jesus?"
"Neutral you cannot be"
"Someday your heart will be asking"
“What will He do with me?”
Each person here has made or will make a decision concerning Jesus Christ. You will accept Him, or you will reject Him. As Simpson's hymn states "Neutral you cannot be".
The Bible records many people's decisions as to what they would do with Christ. We read where Peter, James, John, Andrew, Thomas, Mary, Martha, Zacchaeus, Paul and many others chose to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. At Pentecost over 3,000 people chose to accept Jesus. A blind man named Bartemaus chose to trust in Jesus. In Acts an Ethiopian eunuch trusted Christ as Savior. Throughout history untold millions have made the decision to accept Jesus. Many of you have decided to follow Jesus. But throughout the years many have rejected Him. John 1:11 tells us that the Jews rejected Him as Messiah - "He came unto His own and His own received Him not". The gospels record the fact that many Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Him. A "Rich Young Ruler" chose his possessions over a relationship with the Son of God. There were 2 other men being crucified at Calvary, one on either side of Jesus. One of those men chose to accept Jesus, while the other chose to reject Him.
On the day Christ was crucified, Pontus Pilate posed a question to the crowd that had gathered...."Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22) That crowd rejected Jesus... "They said unto him, Let him be crucified."
That crowd made a decision that day that they will regret eternally. My prayer is that you will not make the same mistake. I am here to tell you that you have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
As we examine our selected text we will see that there were several people who made different decisions as to how they would respond to Jesus on the evening before the Crucifixion.
i. Many Rejected Him
ii. One Defended Him
iii. One Betrayed Him
iv. Several Abandoned Him
Ultimately my prayer is that someone here would learn from the mistakes of Judas, the crowd and even the Disciples of the Lord. As we walk through these verses I want to ask you this question "What Will You Do With Jesus?"
This passage of scripture records one of the most tragic events in history. Jesus has been praying intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane. He had asked some of His closest friends to watch and pray, but they are now fast asleep. Now, one of His own disciples, a man who had traveled with Him for 3 years arrives with a band of soldiers to arrest Him. This crowd shows up with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus. They had been sent by the Chief Priests and the Elders. These were people who rejected Jesus as Messiah.
- As we seek to answer the question "What Will You do With Jesus?", let me ask you:
I. WILL YOU REJECT JESUS? -v47 and while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
By this point Jesus was no stranger to rejection. He was rejected at His birth and throughout His entire life. He was rejected by the Jews and Gentiles. Unfortunately the world still rejects Jesus today! Some believe that the story of Christ is a myth or a fairytale. Others would tell you that there are “many ways to Heaven”.
There are also some who actually believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life”. They have had ample opportunity to respond positively to His offer of salvation. Yet they continue to reject Him time and time again. My friend, if you continue to reject Jesus Christ you are in danger of eternal condemnation. If you are without Christ you are lost in your sins. Scripture says that you are dead in your trespasses and sins! You are headed for judgment. Even worse you are headed for an eternity in the Lake of Fire. And your only hope of escape is to surrender to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Will You Accept Him today, or will you continue to reject Him?
- As we dig a little deeper, I would like to ask you another important question:
II. WILL YOU BETRAY JESUS?
The word "betrayal" will forever be linked with Judas Iscariot. Verses 48-50 tell us why. Notice - v48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
