The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #75-10717
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
In our last sermon we were digging into the truth of judgment.
We are judged by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The righteousness of Jesus Christ is His perfect sinless gift of life for the world.
Righteousness is what you give for others.
Jesus gave His all, for all.
Is there anyone of us who can say we even come close to that?
No!
Why?
Because Jesus gave His all in perfect love for all.
We are judged by what we are in Christ.
In Christ we stand in His righteousness not our own.
Self-righteousness is of the world and is the foundation for all sin to be built on.
Satan was cast from the heavens because he was filled with self-righteousness.
I, I, I, was his desire and all that he is and will ever be and do is built on that self-righteousness.
But God, in His perfect love for all of His creation, in love sent His Word to be the perfect sacrifice for all men who are born into sin. Born into self-righteousness.
Think about it. What is your life built on? I, I, I, me, me, mine. Who is it you will take care of first, who is it you think about the most, who is it you do the most for?
Well some will say "I do everything for my family! They come first!”
Ouch! If your family really came first then you would be teaching them the Word of God yourself and not sending them to a church with the neighbor.
I'm talking about putting God first and foremost in everything including your family.
Let's go back a few verses John 5 and review what Jesus is bringing into light for us.
Verse 19. The Son of God only does what God does.
Verse 20. God loves the Son and shows Him all things that we will marvel at His works.
Verse 21. Justification and sanctification is through faith in God and Jesus by His Spirit.
Verse 22. Judgment is in Jesus Christ alone.
Verse 23. Jesus will receive the honor and praise and glory for His righteousness.
Verse 24. Judgment for the believer is now and forever. It is an eternal life sentence.
Verse 25. Now is the time to hear the call to salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Verse 26. Life is in the Word of God.
Verse 27. Because Jesus was fully man and fully God He has the authority to be the standard of judgment for man and God.
We now go even further back to them who have already passed. Them who lived and died before the ministry, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Before the coming of our Lord.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, John 5:28
Death is in the flesh. Life is in the soul.
It is the very breath of God that was breathed into every man through Adam.
When Adam sinned against God he brought death to His flesh and to all who would follow but the soul of a man belongs to God.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:4
I want everyone to understand. Judgment on the flesh is over.
Judgment on the soul ends when the flesh dies.
The soul is not made from the earth like Adam's body was formed.
The soul of a man is from God Himself.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
28 Marvel not at this:----
Jesus is talking to the Jews who have come to accuse and chastise Him for healing on the Sabbath and commanding others to break their Sabbath laws.
He was talking to people who knew the Old Testament, so Genesis and Ezekiel would be known to them without having to quote them. This is why Jesus said; "Marvel not at this:"
In Verse 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jesus is saying don't marvel at what I'm saying to you, you should already know that your soul is from God and it is His to do as He pleases.
Instead, marvel at what is being done in the name and power of the Lord.
Marvel at the presence of the Son for you.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29
Oh, there it is! What your soul is, as you live in the flesh here on earth, is what you are. You can dress the part and act as religious as you want but your soul will be sentenced. As I have said before judgment is final when your flesh ceases to live. When you close your eyes for the last time, everything your soul has led your body to do in obedience to it cannot be changed. Wickedness or holiness, evil or good, in love with God and His Son or in love with the world and yourself, nothing will be changed.
All that is left is the reading and the witnessing of the judgment.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29
According to their works and according to that he hath done, whether it is good or bad. Notice judgment is on what was done in the world.
What you are and do right now is what you are judged on.
When you leave this world in spirit you will stand before the judgment seat for the reading of your life that all in heaven will be witness to who and what you are.
If your name is read from the book of life there will be rejoicing in heaven for your sin has been forgiven and forgotten and you stand in righteousness through faith, love and obedience.
If all the other books are opened, every word of condemnation will be forever in your ears as you spend eternity in hell.
I am not attempting to reinterpret the Word of God.
All I'm trying to make clear is there is no jury deciding whether you will enter into eternal life or convicting you to eternal damnation. No, the only convicting you will hear is in your spirit as the truth is brought to your remembrance. The truth of your self-righteous unbelief and all the wickedness that comes from such hearts or; the truth of your repentance of unbelief and wickedness which leads to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The saved child of God and true disciple of Jesus Christ will not fear condemnation because they already know they are justified and have been sanctified for presentation to our Lord and Father in Heaven by the Holy Spirit. If you do not know you are saved or you have any doubts, waste no time in pouring yourself out in prayer until you know, without a doubt, you are a blood bought, born again, spirit filled, child of God.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8
At the crucifixion of Christ, the thieves that were with Him on Golgotha are the last perfect example that God gave us in this world about the truth of belief and unbelief and justification and condemnation.
One thief ridiculed Jesus as if to say, "You’re no better than me and if you are, prove it my way".
The other put His faith in Jesus and asked Him to remember him.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:39-43
Judgment was given to both of these men before they left this world.
One was given a full pardon through faith in Jesus Christ. The other was left to suffer in and for his self-righteousness, forever.
Did Jesus say to either of them, "Well, maybe you will believe when you step before Me in heaven and then you will confess or maybe you have done more good things then bad and you will get to enter into the Kingdom of heaven with Me.
No, Jesus did not respond to the unbeliever! That thief did not hear the voice of Jesus. His judgment was already final. But the penitent thief was justified immediately. He was answered in a personal way; He was assured of His judgment and left this world in spirit to live eternally with the Father and the Son by the power of the Spirit of God.
No my friend, Judgment is made before you leave this world. The reading of that judgment is reserved for all in heaven to hear and ratify.
If you are saved you will hear and know the voice and hand of God in your life. There will be no guess work, only God works, by His will for His glory through Christ in you.
The Children of God do not fear judgment because they know by the Spirit of God in them, they are already justified.
The true disciple walks in this world as our brother Paul did so many years ago.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Did you get those last few words of scripture?
-----unto all them also that love his appearing.
Once again God looks at your heart. You are judged by your true love and faith in your heart. Your spirit must be in love with our Lord Jesus Christ for the gift of life eternal He gave to us through His obedient faith to our Lord God Almighty.
Do you love Jesus more than yourself?
Are you enduring afflictions for openly serving our Lord in faith and obedience?
Are you doing the work of an evangelist?
Is there no doubt in you or anyone who knows you, that you are a real Christian?
Are you looking forward to stepping before the Lord with the confidence of having been washed and prepared for presentation as a righteous child of God?
You can be, if you have given your soul to Jesus in faith and love and obedience.
Let the Holy Spirit take the lead in your heart.
He will always bring you closer to God through His Word, Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Pastor Steven Freede
Cornerstone Independent Church
10/7/17