Scripture Reading: John 18:28-40
Text: John 18:34
John 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Introduction: Some people are parrots. They just repeat what they have heard. We need to have a first-hand knowledge of God and of the things of God. I realize that we walk by faith, not by sight. I realize that we are not going to hear God’s audible voice, nor are we going to see Him with our naked eye today. However, God DOES speak to hearts, and He DOES reveal Himself to individuals through His word and His Holy Spirit.
In court, knowledge that is not firsthand is usually called “hearsay.” It is not considered to be authoritative in a controversy.
I. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
To Paul, salvation was personal. Notice his declaration that the Son of God loved ME and gave Himself for ME.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
There must be a personal relationship with God, no matter what the age.
A. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL REPROOF BY THE SPIRIT
(John 6:44 KJV) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. how be it when he is come he will reprove
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B. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL REACTION TO THE SCRIPTURE
(Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
C. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL REPENTANCE OF THE SINNER TOWARD THE SAVIOR
(Mark 1:15 KJV) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(Mark 6:12 KJV) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
(Luke 13:3 KJV) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
I. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION
II. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
YOU MUST BE CONVINCED BY GOD
A. Of the purity of the scriptures
B. Of the priority of the scriptures
C. Of the precepts (teachings) of the scriptures
A. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL CONFRONTATION WITH THE TRUTH (Psa 119:5 KJV) O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
(Psa 119:6 KJV) Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
B. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL CONTEMPLATION OF THE TRUTH (Psa 119:9 KJV) BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
(Psa 119:10 KJV) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
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C. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE TRUTH (Psa 119:11a KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
D. THERE MUST BE A PERSONAL CONFIRMATION OF THE TRUTH (119:11b) that I might not sin against thee.
We not only need first hand knowledge of
I. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION
II. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
III. YOU NEED A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF SERVICE
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
There are too many Mama-called and Daddy-called preachers, but there are also too many of God’s children who have no idea of God’s will for their lives in Christian service.
A. GOD HAS A TASK JUST FOR YOU… (Phil 3:12 KJV) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
B. GOD HAS A TERRITORY JUST FOR YOU… (Acts 20:24 KJV) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
(2 Tim 4:7 KJV) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: C.GOD HAS A TRUST JUST FOR YOU
1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
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To distinguish this Gospel from another, from that of the false teachers, and to show the excellency, and worth of it; it being so valuable, was deserving of care and keeping, and was intrusted to those who would faithfully and carefully keep and preserve it live by it and share it.
It is better to wear out than to rust out.
Title: Two Good Legs Walking for God
Hudson Taylor, the great missionary who carried the Gospel to the interior of China, was approached by a man with one leg. This man said, “I want to go to China as a missionary.” Rev. Taylor asked, “Why do you think you can be a missionary when you have only one leg?” The man replied, “Because I don’t see any men with two good legs going.”
Title: Does it do any good
When a local preacher died, his relatives found he had neatly tied up the messages he had delivered and placed a card on top of them with this inscription: “Where has the influence gone of all these sermons I have preached?” Underneath he had scribbled in large letters, “OVER.” On the other side this answer was found:
• “Where are last year’s sunrays? They have gone into fruits and grain and vegetables to feed mankind.
• Where are last year’s raindrops? Forgotten by most people, of course, but they did their refreshing work, and their influence still abides.
• So, too, my sermons have gone into lives and made them nobler, more Christlike, and better fitted for Heaven.”
• His comments apply to the efforts of all who faithfully give out the Word.
WOULD YOU RATHER HEAR THOSE STORIES OR EXPERIENCE THEM FOR YOURSELVES…
WE NEED SOME FRIST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE POWER OF OUR BLESSED FATHER
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