AFTER THE MIRACLE COMES THE TEST
August 25, 2002 pm
Mike Blume
TEXT:
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning
with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And
the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through
him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of
that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the
world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
(John 1:1-12)
Just like Genesis, John shows LIGHT coming to the world.
- Jesus is the light.
- And when He came, people began reacting
in certain ways.
- Some accepted Him and He gave them
power to become sons of God.
- Others, His own, rejected Him and
would not receive Him.
The Gospel of John continues and we see this basic idea again and again.
For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into
the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be
saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth
not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil.
(John 3:16-19)
He did not come to condemn.
- He came with eternal life.
- But some simply refused to believe.
- He had witnesses of His truthfulness.
- He had John the Baptist.
- He had miracles He said the Father
worked through Him.
- But some who faced these miracles
would refuse to believe.
- They were condemned already before
he came.
Their hearts were evil before he ever came.
- All of us were sinners, but something
starts working in people after they are born, which is totally up to their
choice, which causes them to reject God later in life when they come face
to face with His reality.
- THEY ALLOWED EVIL TO WORK IN THEM.
All people are tempted with evil.
- We all heard people try to describe
it as a good conscience telling you to not do that bad deed, while another
side of you says do it!
- And we've all chosen to do wrong at
one time or another.
- But that simply allowed evil to work
deeper into our hearts.
This evil worked in people in Christ's day and still does today.
- And it was working in them more
than truth was working in them.
- So they simply would not accept Him
when He came.
And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But
he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God.
(John 3:19-21)
People who do evil will not come to light.
- But folks who do truth, are drawn
to light.
- When you are tempted to do evil, and
give in and keep giving in by choice, you set evil to work so much that
you will resist God when He comes to you.
- You'll be too proud to accept Him.
We either let God work or we don't.
- Don't let evil work in your heart!
- Our fates are not out of our hands.
- We can choose to allow evil or truth
to work in our hearts.
Jesus did several miracles and then walked away and let the reactions
take place, thereby allowing who was who to be made known.
- And that was the test that followed
the miracle.
Jesus saith unto him,
Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole,
and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
(John 5:8-9)
It was on the sabbath.
The Jews therefore
said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for
thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same
said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is
that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
(John 5:10-12)
The chips were falling where they may!
Jesus left the man and watched the events that followed from afar.
And therefore did
the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these
things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto,
and I work.
(John 5:16-17)
The true colours show in people's lives during the test.
- They could not deny the miracle.
Had Christ come in splendour of angels and trumpets blasting, the hypocrites
would put on a really good show.
- But coming as He did in a filthy manger
and barn, He was in a sort of disguise.
- And people would not pretend anything.
- They would be themselves.
- Sort of like angels entertained by
us all unawares.
- To test us.
- Kind of like a regular church service
where you think its just another service.
- But it shows who really loves God
and who is fake and who does not want Him.
- How will you react to the altar call
tonight?
Ye sent unto John,
and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man:
but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining
light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have
greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given
me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father
hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness
of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And
ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe
not.
(John 5:33-38)
And ye will not come
to me, that ye might have life.
(John 5:40)
But I know you, that
ye have not the love of God in you.
(John 5:42)
The next chapter, John 6, shows the same principle.
He multiplies bread and fish and shows a genuine irrefutable miracle.
- People follow Him.
- Then He lowers the boom and tells
them that unless they believe His words they have no life at all in them.
- The test was on after the miracle!
- Many left Him, but Peter said he could
go no where else.
People had enough evil working in them, just like today, where they felt,
"No body is telling me what to do. Not even God!"
If you have any of that spirit in you, you will be repelled by light.
- You are more like Satan who refused
to worship God, and Satan has enough of himself in you that you will not
be humble and come to the light.
Humility is the factor that you will require in order to let truth work
in you.
- Such as when you are tempted to get
back at someone for hurting you, and you resist and say no.
Don't refuse to bow to God and give Him glory.
Chapter 7!
Go ye up unto
this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full
come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast,
not openly, but as it were in secret.
(John 7:8-10)
Jesus was again going to show Himself and a test was going to transpire.
Now about the midst
of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marveled,
saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered
them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man
will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,
or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own
glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and
no unrighteousness is in him.
(John 7:14-18)
Here is the test:
Then cried Jesus in
the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I
am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know
not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. Then they
sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was
not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ
cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
(John 7:28-31)
And note this:
He that believeth
on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of
living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe
on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that
Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they heard
this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is
the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
(John 7:38-41)
Here was the struggle after the miracle!
- People grouped off into the darkness
and the light all over again.
In Chapter 8 the pattern continues:
Then spake Jesus again
unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(John 8:12)
He is the Light!
Then the test is on and the struggle begins again.
And he said unto them,
Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this
world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if
ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(John 8:23-24)
And he that sent me
is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things
that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said
Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then
are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free.
(John 8:29-32)
They tried to kill him.
Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they
up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple,
going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
(John 8:58-59)
Chapter 9 displays the light coming again, and a test afterwards.
And said unto him,
Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went
his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore,
and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he
that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but
he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine
eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and
washed, and I received sight.
(John 9:7-11)
Jesus departs and watches the groups form.
They brought to the
Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when
Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also
asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay
upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees,
This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said,
How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division
among them.
(John 9:13-16)
And the Pharisees ask him again as though they are still struggling, but
the light repels them once and for all.
Then again called
they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we
know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner
or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore
would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him,
and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that
God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that
ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know
that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth
his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any
man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God,
he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether
born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
(John 9:24-34)
Stubborn, miserable pride held these religious people back.
- God brings us face to face with His
supernatural reality.
- And there is no other explanation
for a continued resistance to give Him glory other than pride.
- And it is ultimately an evil pride,
since Satan was the source of refusing to give God glory.
Chapter 10 carries the theme also.
But he that entereth
in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and
the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth
them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them,
and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
(John 10:2-4)
And other sheep I
have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
(John 10:16)
This is speaking about the Gentiles!
But a division occurs again when He confronts them with the truth about
Himself!
There was a division
therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
(John 10:19)
His sheep are the ones who do the truth.
- The truth is in them and they therefore
follow Him.
- They gravitate toward Him.
But good or evil all starts in us somewhere.
- We're tempted in pride to hate someone,
and we give in.
- Evil works in our hearts.
- Or we realize we should do what is
right, and good works instead.
- But we set our courses.
- We determine how yielding we will
be to the Spirit of God once the Light of Jesus is offered to us.
- No one can really tell, often, who
is the evil doer and who is the truth doer.
- But when Jesus comes, it becomes very
plain.
You can almost see a struggle, and another try by the people.
And Jesus walked in
the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said
unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell
us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works
that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not,
because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to
pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
(John 10:23-30)
But light stirs up the darkness and the darkness in them is too great
to resist, and they repel Jesus.
I recall when I first came to church and light was everywhere.
- But deep inside I desired Christ.
- I had truth working in me enough that
when I saw light, I wanted it.
- There was darkness in me, too.
- And for just the amount of darkness
in me, I resisted giving in and praising God to give him glory.
- You who are saved remember what that
was like, because we all had evil working in us to a degree.
I saw them praise God, and something in me wanted to, and something else
repelled it.
- I saw them sing and worship and testify.
- I was drawn to it while also repelled
by it at the same time.
- The struggle occurred.
- But the light attracted me more and
more.
- Soon I walked into the full glory
of His light, in humble laying down of my pride, and gave God the glory!
- And the light blasted away the darkness!
Then said Jesus to
those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye
my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.
(John 8:31-32)
To those who believed, He told them to keep going further and further
with Him, until they are all the way in the light.
Chapter 11.
His disciples say
unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou
thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If
any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of
this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is
no light in him.
(John 11:8-10)
Jesus is the Light in Revelation, we see HIm as Light amidst candlesticks.
- THroughout Revelation you read where
some accept Him and praise Him, while others reject Him and are judged.
- Two camps form.
- Some are in heaven crying salvation
to the King.
- Others refuse and wrath strikes them
down, for their deeds are evil and must be stopped since they destroy.
In the vials of wrath we read:
And men were
scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power
over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
(Rev 16:9)
They are face to face with the reality of who God is, and THEY BLASPHEME
Him and refuse to repent.
And blasphemed
the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not
of their deeds.
(Rev 16:11)
The book ends with the lake of Fire, and then finally a City where the
LAMB IS THE LIGHT!
- God has made this plan and salvation
in such a way that Satan's pride will never be found there again.
- God means to place man above the angels,
but before that day, he is shining light and testing us.
- After the miracle there is the test.
- He is filtering out all those who
have evil working too much inside them.
- The thing He does not want in glory
ever again is placed before man in earth and He shines His light there as
well.
- People form of their own free wills,
and resist or desire the light.
Right now in this service the test is still on.
- The miracle is here, Jesus!
- But how will you react?
- Get the pride out and give Him the
glory.
- You know that you want to.
- Are you still bound?
- Can you not praise Him and Give Him
your life?
- Humble yourself and God shall exalt
you.
SOme have already dealt with their pride to a great extent, and its easier
for them to praise God.
- But some have been on the line for
years and simply refuse to be humble.
- Anything to do with God should move
you to praise Him!
- Just at the mere breathing of His
Spirit, you should be ignited in praise!
- Do not think this service is insignificant.
- Its not.
- Every service is VITAL.
- Every day is a test.
- Its so serious a test, that He's given
you about 70 YEARS to deal with it.
After the miracle comes the test.
This altar is open tonight!