John 5:16-30, John 11:1-44,1 Corinthians 15:22, Acts 17:31,2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 20:11-15
Summary: Jesus’ Divinity was shown in the healing of a man on the Sabbath Day (John 5:16) and declaring Himself equal with God (John 5:17-18). The religious authorities sought to kill Him yet should have honored Him. Their failure to do so condemned them. Don’t make that mistake.
The Scriptures tell of the authority and power the Lord Jesus has over His creation and the affairs of humanity. The four gospels present what Jesus said and did to demonstrate to those who were willing to truly hear and see that He was the fulfillment of prophecy and the One who was the Promised Messiah of His people (Isaiah 53:1-12). His words and actions were seen by both His disciples and His foes, and no one ever denied or contradicted anything otherwise.
His enemies, who could not deny what they saw, attributed His power to the devil, such was their hatred of Him (Matthew 12:22-32). Yet, many who were witness to what He did, how He died, and who were the eyewitnesses of His resurrection, were transformed into courageous, loyal and dedicated followers who would go on to tell His story to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-53; John 20:28-31; Acts 4:19-20).
Countless millions throughout history have had their lives made new by the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus and His mission to redeem us from the curse and certain death of sin. How can we honor Him for this act of love and mercy we do not deserve?
We are to honor the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, because He has the power to give us eternal life and to raise the dead (Mark 5:21-43; Luke 7:11-17; John 5:28-29; Acts 17:11), some into an eternity of peace and glory, and others to the horror of eternal condemnation. God the Father has granted Him this authority along with the right to pass judgment on all humanity, and no one nor any part of creation will be able to hide, escape, or get away with anything. We will all have to stand before Him and give an account of our lives (John 12:48; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20;11-15).
Jesus Christ, as God Incarnate, will execute a perfect and just judgment in accordance with the Father’s will (John 5:30). Knowing all this, should we not honor Him now in this life while we have the opportunity to make things right by surrendering our lives to Him?
Jesus Christ is to be honored for the gift of everlasting life He bestows upon all who will come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Anyone who hears His words and believes in the Father who sent Him will not come into condemnation but pass from spiritual death into eternal life (John 5:24). The time for this offer is now (John 5:25; 2 Corinthians 6:2). It is the LORD who has the power to grant salvation. In our sinful and reprobate state, we cannot do or say anything in our own power to reinstate our broken relationship with God (Isaiah 5:20-21; 53:6; 64:6; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-18, 23, 6:23, 5:6-11).
Only God can bring us back to spiritual life through the power of His Spirit and will (John 6:44). This has been made available to us by the death of Christ on the cross in our place for the full and total remission and forgiveness of our sins.
All of the punishment we deserve for our rebellion and hatred of God was placed on God the Son by God the Father, a plan of redemption that had been foreordained even before the foundation of creation.
While evil men did put Jesus to death, it was God who initiated the events in order that we would be saved from condemnation (Romans 8:1). This is why Jesus Christ and Him ALONE is the ONLY way to reconciliation with the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and none other nor any other work or deed. When He declared on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30), nothing else needed to be done. All our sins and condemnation were forever paid and settled.
It would be God the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15; Acts 1:8-11) who would empower the apostles and others to spread this message to the Roman Empire and throughout the world. This same Gospel message is applicable to you today if you will but swallow your pride, humble yourself and call upon Him to save you (Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10).
Obey His call to repent (Luke 13:3), believe in Him (Jon 8:24), confess Him before others (Matthew 10:32-33), remain faithful to Him (Revelation 2:10), and follow His example by submitting to the will and direction of God the Father (John 4:34).
Be “doers” of His word and truly let Him be your Lord this day. Here is where you get the honor and privilege of giving Him the glory He so richly deserves, both here and in the world to come.
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Donald was born and reared in the authentic “Cajun Country” of southern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in History Education/ Biblical Studies, 1984), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. In Christian Education, 1994) and Andersonville Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Exposition, 2000). He has been in the Gospel ministry since 1986, serving as an evangelist, interim and supply pastor, hospital and rescue mission chaplain, high school and college teacher, and pastor in churches in Louisiana and Oklahoma.
In 2018 he began to devote his time to the rich field of internet and social media evangelism and outreach. In 2021 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, using his skills as a writer to contribute articles and sermons to websites such as Rapture Ready, Sermon Central, and Inspirational Christian Blogs. He also writes Bible studies and curricula for churches in southeast and central Asia and Africa, the locations of which are anonymous. He can be contacted at: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com for inquires, information, and speaking/preaching engagements. His website is: www.realitycityreverend.com . A copy of his resume is also available upon request.