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CHRIS KHOURY - SERMON SUMMARY - 12 May 2019

 

“LISTEN” TO JESUS

 

FEAST OF DEDICATION

150 Years before Jesus was born the Greek army led by Antiocus Epiphenes desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig in the temple. Pigs we considered unclean to Jews. The temple of God was then used as a place of idol worship.

 

After some time Maccabean Jews liberated Jerusalem. The temple was cleansed and rededicated to the worship of God. As part of the ceremony they had to light the minora. A sacred lamp-stand with 7 branches. Having only enough oil to burn for one day the candles burnt for 8 days. So was birthed the 8 day celebration of Hanuka otherwise known as the Festival of Lights. The Feast of Dedication was a reminder to celebrate God’s deliverance and it also looked forward in anticipation of God’s final salvation of the Jews. So now we fast forward to the time of Jesus. He is walking in the temple grounds in the portico of Solomon. The Jews confront him.

 

John 10:22-30 Amplified Bible (AMP) Jesus Asserts His Deity

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple [area] in Solomon’s portico. 24 So the Jews surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are [really] the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us so plainly and openly.”

 

25 Jesus answered them, “I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am]. 26 But you do not believe Me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep. 27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].”

 

I would like to go through this statement and emphasize how Jesus’ answers apply to us today.

The Jews did not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name should be enough of a testimony. But you are not my sheep. Why, because, my sheep hear my voice. They listen to me. The implication here is that they do not just hear the sound of his voice but they do not do what he says.

The sheep would trust the shepherd because they could recognize his voice. He would lead them. When he moved they would follow, because they trusted him.

In those days the shepherd would every sheep in his flock He could identify each one. Jesus knows the names of every single person for whom he died - He knows your name.

 

MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE:

This is a key statement! Jesus is the “Living Word”. The Bible is the written “WORD”. The written word must be spoken, read, talked about and we need to do what it says. Faith comes from hearing. As the sheep of his flock we must respond to what he says.

 

Revelation 3:20 (NIRV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. I will eat with that person, and they will eat with me.

WHAT DID JESUS SAY? I want to focus on just 3 statements.

 

1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER (John 13:34-35)

When we become Christians, all too often we bring a lot of baggage from the past into the church. Even as Christians we seem to collect a lot of baggage along the way.

 

This often affects our relationships with each other. So instead of loving each other, we bicker and argue. Petty differences become much bigger than they should and often well meaning people get hurt. In most cases unintentionally. Sometimes however we also take advantage of each other. I know of church members who have laid charges of theft against their brothers and sisters in the church. Instead of following the advise of Matt 18, go to your brother and see if you can sort it out. Both sides have a responsibility to try and resolve the issues but when they refuse to engage in dialog then things fall apart.

 

Jesus said, love one another! Put aside petty differences, turn the other cheek if necessary. I have heard people say, I will love them but I can never forgive what they did. You cannot love if you hold a grudge. Has someone in the past hurt you, perhaps even someone in authority. How do you feel now about what they did? Jesus also said, as far as it is possible, live at peace with all people.

 

PRAY ABOUT YOUR SITUATION.

Is their hurt in your life that you need to forgive? It can take time. It might take a number of prayer sessions over an extended period to get to the point of complete forgiveness.

 

 

 

2. LEAD HOLY GODLY LIVES

Every word of the Bible is God breathed. In 2 Pet 3 Peter asks the question. What kind of people should we be?

2 Peter 3:11 You should lead holy and godly lives. 18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

To do this we need to be doing what the Word says. It says we should not forsake the assembling together for worship. Coming to church once a week or once a month is needed but its not enough. Church, fellowship, should be a priority in our lives. That means that by whatever means possible we should strive to be at church every week.

 

Ps 23 A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 3. MAKE DISCIPLES: Matt 28:18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

 

Jesus puts this responsibility on us. We should take these words of Jesus seriously. Make disciples, baptize them, teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. How can we teach if we have not learnt! We need to know the Word of God in order to teach it.

 

Some people find this responsibility, scary. We can have the attitude that if I set a good example, or if I do good works then others will be attracted to Christ. Well they might be but guess what, we still have to teach!! We can sometimes have the attitude of Francis of Assisi. “Preach the Gospel - and if necessary use words”. Jesus said we are to teach others. That involves using words. Knowing and teaching the Word.

 

We should be praying for new disciples every day. Our hearts desire should be to see all people come to embrace the truth.

 

 

 

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