Continuing our sermon series on "Jesus Is..."
This morning the Scripture reference was John 3:22-35. We are journeying together as a congregation with our pastor through the book of John during 2012. As we continued that journey this morning, a portion of the passage jumped off the page at me. John's disciples are wondering why the people are now going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John. He reminded them that his assignment was to prepare the way for the One, the Messiah, who was to come, and now He is here!
John says that Jesus is testifying to the truth of His Father. He knows God intimately. Jesus has come from heaven to reveal the Father to us through Himself and many were not believing His testimony. In verse 33, John says, "The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful." NIV "It" refers to the truth. Did you get that? Our acceptance of Christ as the Messiah, Savior, means that we certify God's truthfulness! What an honor. He gives us the privilege to certify that He is who He says He is by our believing what He says. Woah... that's incredible. Those of us who believe the truth are now clothed in righteousness. God has removed our cloak of wrath. We will see life. Those who do not accept the testimony of Jesus Christ continue to wear the wrath of God. They will not see life- only wrath. Read vs. 36.
Then in Sunday School, we were studying the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22. The parable connected so well with the sermon this morning that I had to share a truth from that lesson as well. One of the characters in the parable was made clear to me today; a character I had not paid attention to before. This certain man at the wedding banquet, spotted by the king, was not wearing the correct clothing- the wedding clothes, that the king, the father of the bridegroom, had provided for his guests. This man was trying to attend the wedding banquet without receiving the right clothing. He had refused the wedding clothes that the king had provided and therefore, was thrown out- "outside to the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (vs. 13)
Vs. 14 continues, "For many are invited, but few are chosen." Why? There are few who choose to believe the testimony of Jesus Christ, therefore refusing the clothing of righteousness. They would rather wear the cloak of wrath and pretend that they will be accepted into the party. They are living a lie. It's very important to make the correct "fashion statement" at the wedding banquet. Just make sure you are wearing the right-eous clothing when He calls for you. Have you accepted your right-eous outfit for the party from the King of kings? I sure hope so. If not, receive the Truth today by believing and receiving the testimony of Jesus Christ. I'm praying for you.
My Pleasure,
Melanie
This morning the Scripture reference was John 3:22-35. We are journeying together as a congregation with our pastor through the book of John during 2012. As we continued that journey this morning, a portion of the passage jumped off the page at me. John's disciples are wondering why the people are now going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John. He reminded them that his assignment was to prepare the way for the One, the Messiah, who was to come, and now He is here!
John says that Jesus is testifying to the truth of His Father. He knows God intimately. Jesus has come from heaven to reveal the Father to us through Himself and many were not believing His testimony. In verse 33, John says, "The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful." NIV "It" refers to the truth. Did you get that? Our acceptance of Christ as the Messiah, Savior, means that we certify God's truthfulness! What an honor. He gives us the privilege to certify that He is who He says He is by our believing what He says. Woah... that's incredible. Those of us who believe the truth are now clothed in righteousness. God has removed our cloak of wrath. We will see life. Those who do not accept the testimony of Jesus Christ continue to wear the wrath of God. They will not see life- only wrath. Read vs. 36.
Then in Sunday School, we were studying the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22. The parable connected so well with the sermon this morning that I had to share a truth from that lesson as well. One of the characters in the parable was made clear to me today; a character I had not paid attention to before. This certain man at the wedding banquet, spotted by the king, was not wearing the correct clothing- the wedding clothes, that the king, the father of the bridegroom, had provided for his guests. This man was trying to attend the wedding banquet without receiving the right clothing. He had refused the wedding clothes that the king had provided and therefore, was thrown out- "outside to the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (vs. 13)
Vs. 14 continues, "For many are invited, but few are chosen." Why? There are few who choose to believe the testimony of Jesus Christ, therefore refusing the clothing of righteousness. They would rather wear the cloak of wrath and pretend that they will be accepted into the party. They are living a lie. It's very important to make the correct "fashion statement" at the wedding banquet. Just make sure you are wearing the right-eous clothing when He calls for you. Have you accepted your right-eous outfit for the party from the King of kings? I sure hope so. If not, receive the Truth today by believing and receiving the testimony of Jesus Christ. I'm praying for you.
My Pleasure,
Melanie
Comments
Post a Comment