Do you know Jesus?

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

DIRVE IN MISSION THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2021 MR DEAN CASKEY

JOHN 1 VERSES 1 – 12

Do you know Jesus?  This particular passage is one of introduction to John’s gospel.  He focuses on the central topic of his gospel.  As you go through his book you will find John always points back to Jesus.  In chapter 1 we read that great statement by John the Baptist himself “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”  In John 3 Nicodemus asked him “What must I do to be born again.”  He came in the darkness of night, a deeply religious man serving his people and his church yet he needed an answer to that question.  John 3 verse 16 is the most renowned verse in the scriptures.  We are often asked “do you know so and so?”  Maybe someone has asked that same question to you today.  Have you ever met Jesus?  You can gather every night of this mission and every Sunday at this church.  You may have been introduced to the person of Jesus but never have known the entire reason why he came into the world.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.  “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.  This great offer is extended to you tonight, to everyone that passes by.  You need to meet with Jesus.  The sad reality is the gospel message is preached here and the listener has the option whether to listen or reject it.  You are standing at a crossroads again this evening.  As you stand face to face with Christ, with the light of the world, the one that the lepers stood with, the one Pilate stoon in front of.

Consider with me the demonstration.  We read in verse 4 “in him was life and the life was the light of men.”  You will see 3 things – “in him” – the source of the demonstration.  That is where we have to come to today, not preachers, not open airs, not evangelism but through Christ’s salvation.  The substitution – “in him was life.”  Jesus is here to give us eternal life.  When we pass from this scene of time into eternity you will not plead how many meetings you attended, how good you were in this life but rather what you did with Christ.  The solution – “and the life was the light of men.”  When do we need a light?  In the darkness, to be able to show us the way.  The world is diluted into what is truth.  When the light came into the world the light was shining.  It didn’t fail to do its job.  It was able to do everything it was meant to do.  Verse 5 “the darkness comprehended it not”.  What does it mean to understand? The darkness didn’t understand what light was all about.  I trust you understand where you are going tonight.  Do you know Jesus?  If we are still unsaved and still in darkness of sin this evening and the light is still shining then the delusion of the devil is keeping you bound in sin one day longer and one day closer to eternity.  Comprehend also means to find - “and the darkness could not find it.”  How do we find our way?  You could use a map.  John 14 “I am the way, the truth and the life.”  You could also use a light – “I am the light of the world.”  You could also ask someone – “ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find.”  Comprehend also means to possess the light – why – because the darkness would be taken away and everything would be light.  It is time to leave the darkness behind, to turn to the light of Jesus Christ.

In verse 10 we have the deception.  When someone is close to salvation in steps the deception of the enemy.  “He was in the world and the world was made by him … and the world knew him not.”  You are being deceived this evening by the ruler of this world.  Revelation 12 the desire of Satan the enemy of God is to destroy, to deceive the whole world.  That includes you.  Everyone listening to this message. The sole ambition of the enemy is to deceive that soul of yours.  How does he deceive you?  Telling you that you still have time, you are alright as you are, that this is not for you but others.  “Jesus was in the world and the world knew him not.”  Do you know who Jesus is?  Are you aware of your need tonight?  Are you aware of Jesus?  To know is to be sure of something.  It means you are hesitant, you are very close to taking that step but is something holding you back?  If you make plans for a holiday you would read different reviews or read all the itinerary.  Maybe there is a doubt going through your mind, maybe you are wondering “should I or should I not?”  A little bit hesitant.  That is what is meant here.  The great ploy of the devil is to deceive those close to accepting Jesus’ salvation.  God has promised to be with us every step of the way.  Do you know Jesus?

The dismissal – “he came unto his own and his own received him not.”  Jesus came into the world and the world knew him not.  A straight refusal.  What situation are you in today?  Why would you ignore the warning today?  As Noah built the ark he warned the people of the judgment that was coming.  They just didn’t want to listen to him.  Think of the thief on the cross – he didn’t want to listen.  You can be deluded, deceived, don’t want to listen.  They were told they had to come to Christ for forgiveness of sins, that they had to trust him as their personal Saviour and Lord.  Does that describe you?  How would you answer the question “do you know Jesus?”  Time is running out in our lives.  What are your plans for salvation?  What is your plan for getting to know the Saviour of the world? Would you say “later” or “soon” or will you say “I am going to do it now”?

The great desire of Jesus – “but as many as received him to them he gave the power to become sons of God even to them that believeth on his name.”  Jesus had the power to lift souls from darkness to life, to make them become sons of God.  Maybe you have started to come.  You can become a son or daughter of God’s through the blood of Christ.  John introduced Jesus to the world.  He knew the power Jesus had to lift the sinner from the broad road, to put him on the narrow way and that he had the power to keep him there.  Will you become a son or daughter of Christ for the glory of God today?