Sermon for August 21, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Sermon for This Week is: John 4:35 – 5:30 - covering the following:

- One Sows And Another Reaps - John 4:35-38

- All Should Honor The Son - John 5:16-30

Part 1 - One Sows And Another Reaps - John 4:35-38 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus, the Master Teacher, has much to teach us about winning souls...

a. By way of example, He teaches us the need for compassion - e.g., Matthew 9:35-36 - And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

b. By way of instruction, He teaches the need for prayer - e.g., Matthew 9:37-38 - Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

-- Many other things regarding evangelism can be gleaned from our Lord’s example and words

2. On one occasion, Jesus taught His disciples an important principle of sowing and reaping...

a. In Samaria, following His discussion with the woman at the well - cf. John 4:28-29 - The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

b. Apparently as people from the city were making their way to see Jesus - cf. John 4:30 - Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

c. As the crowd was making their way, Jesus told His disciples:

1) “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” - Jn 4:35

2) “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” - John 4:36

3) “And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.” - John 4:37

4) “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” - John 4:38

3. In our study, I want to focus on the “true saying” Jesus referred to...

a. I.e., “One sows and another reaps”

b. Which provides valuable insight into the process of winning souls

[From Jesus we learn that...]

I. WINNING SOULS INVOLVES BOTH SOWING AND REAPING

A. THE PROCESS OF SOWING...

1. In agriculture, sowing involves preparing the soil and planting the seed

2. In winning souls to Christ, sowing likewise involves preparation and planting

a. In which hearts are being prepared to receive the gospel

b. In which hearts are first introduced to the gospel

-- A process involving time, teaching, influence, often with little visible results

B. THE PROCESS OF REAPING...

1. In agriculture, reaping is the harvesting of what has been sown

2. In winning souls to Christ, reaping involves a similar harvest

a. Involving souls who have already heard the Word

b. Involving souls who decide to obey the Word

- A process involving conversion, with great joy and excitement over the results

[Both sowing and reaping are necessary to win souls. Yet the “saying” reveals that the two are not always done by the same person(s)...]

II. WE MAY REAP WHERE OTHERS HAVE SOWN

A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...

1. Jesus sent His disciples to reap where others had labored - cf. John 4:38 - I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

2. Who had done the sowing?

a. Jesus, in conversing with the woman at the well - John 4:5-26 - Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

b. The woman, in telling those in town about Jesus - John 4:28-30 - The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

-- The disciples were to benefit from the sowing done by others

B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...

1. There are times when people seem “ripe” (ready to be reaped)

a. Ready to obey the gospel

b. Requiring little effort on our part

2. This is likely due to “sowing” that occurred some time earlier

a. Perhaps the example or teaching by a friend, family member in the past

b. To which they did not respond then, but are ready now

-- We often benefit from the sowing done by others

C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...

1. We might think that we have won souls by ourselves

2. We might think that those who convert many are great soul winners in of themselves

-- Reaping does not always reflect where the hardest work has been done

[We should be careful not to boast if we are privileged to reap where others have sown. Yet we can rejoice, for reaping even when others have sown is an exciting time for the laborers! Then again...]

III. WE MAY SOW WHERE OTHERS WILL REAP

A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...

1. Jesus did the sowing, but the disciples would do the reaping

2. The woman did some sowing, then Jesus and His disciples did the reaping - John 4:39-42 - And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

-- In this case, the sowing and reaping, though separate, occurred close together

B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...

1. There are times when a lot of sowing is being done

a. Lives are influenced by the godly examples of other Christians

b. Souls are taught the Word of God

2. Yet the reaping is not enjoyed by those doing the sowing

a. Few seem to respond to the efforts being made

b. Much time and energy is expended, with little immediate results

3. The reaping often comes later

a. It might be years before the Word bears fruit

b. It might be long after we are gone

c. It might be done by others

-- In such cases, the sowing and reaping occur far apart

C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...

1. Those sowing with little visible reaping may think they have failed

a. Causing them to become discouraged

b. Tempting them to discontinue their efforts

2. Others may think those who sow with little visible reaping are failures

a. Presuming they must not be sowing the seed

b. Presuming they must not be diligent in their efforts

-- Failure to reap does not always reflect the hard work being done

[When the efforts to sow appear to produce little fruit, we should not draw conclusions hastily. It can only lead to discouragement and possible misjudgment others. Understanding the principle, “One Sows And Another Reaps”, then may I suggest that...]

IV. WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT TO SOW AND REAP

A. DILIGENT IN SOWING...

1. There will be times when we will be mostly sowing the seed

a. Teaching souls the first principles of the gospel of Christ - cf. Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

b. Influencing souls by example - cf. 1 Peter 3:1-2 - Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

2. There may be times when we see little fruit from our efforts

a. Jeremiah prophesied nearly fifty years with little success

b. Jesus and His apostles had their periods when few would listen

3. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that God’s Word is never sown in vain

a. It will accomplish its purpose - cf. Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

b. It has the power to save those who believe it - Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. - James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

c. God only holds us responsible for sowing the seed - cf. Ezekiel 3:17-19 - Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

-- 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

B. DILIGENT IN REAPING...

1. There may be times when we may reap where others have sown

a. Souls who come to us, wanting to study, ready to obey

b. Souls where others had sown, and we are privileged to reap

2. There may be times when there is much reaping with little effort

a. Souls seem quick to respond

b. Numbers of members increase

3. Yet we should be cautious not to boast

a. The power is in the seed, not the sower or the reaper - Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

b. The providence of God is at work, He is the one who gives the increase - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

-- 1 Corinthians 3:8 - Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. - John 4:36 - And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

CONCLUSION

1. Brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not laborers in the vineyard of the Lord...?

a. Then let us not hesitate to reap where others have sown

b. Then let us not hesitate to sow where others might reap

2. May the principle “One Sows And Another Reaps”...

a. Encourage us when it seems we are sowing with little fruit to be seen

b. Humble us when it seems we are reaping where we have not sown

Finally, if we are not reaping at the moment, then let us at least be sowing...!

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24

Part 2 - All Should Honor The Son - John 5:16-30 - 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. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 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. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

INTRODUCTION

1. The ministry of Jesus was not without controversy...

a. One reason was because He healed on the Sabbath - John 5:16 - And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

b. Another reason was because He made Himself equal with God - John 5:17-18 - But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

-- Prompting the Jews to seek to kill Him

2. Yet He they sought to kill, they should have honored - John 5:22-23 - For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

a. Even as one should honor the Father

b. For failing to honor the Son, they did not honor the Father who sent Him

-- Indeed, all should honor the Son!

[Do we honor the Son today? Truly honor the Son? We certainly should, and in our text we note several reasons why Jesus should be held high in our estimation of Him...]

I. WHY WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

A. THE SON WILL RAISE THE DEAD...

1. Among the “greater works” Jesus would do included raising the dead! - John 5:20-21 - 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. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

2. We have record of Jesus raising three people from the dead

a. The daughter of Jairus - Mark 5:21-43 - And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said,

Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

b. The son of the widow of Nain - Luke 7:11-17 - And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

c. The brother of Mary and Martha, Lazarus - John 11:1-44 - Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 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. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

3. One day, Jesus will raise all from the dead! - John 5:28-29 - Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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.

a. Those who have done good, to the resurrection of life

b. Those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation

-- Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive! - cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

B. THE SON WILL JUDGE THE WORLD...

1. The Father has committed judgment to His Son - John 5:22 - For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

a. Jesus has authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man - John 5:27 - And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

b. Jesus will exercise righteous judgment, because He seeks the Father’s will - John 5:30 - I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

2. One day, Jesus will judge all mankind! - cf. Acts 10:42 - And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. - Acts 17:31 - Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

a. His words will judge us in the Last Day - John 12:48 - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

b. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ - Romans 14:10 - But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 5:10 - 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.

-- Knowing we will one day stand before the Judge, should we not honor Him now?

C. THE SON OFFERS EVERLASTING LIFE...

1. To those who hear His Words, and believes in the Father who sent Him - John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

a. They shall not come into judgment (i.e., condemnation)

b. They shall pass from death (spiritual) to life (eternal)

2. The time for this offer is now (“the hour is coming, and now is”) - John 5:25 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

a. When those who are dead (spiritually) will hear the voice of the Son of God (via the gospel)

b. Those who hear (obey) will live (be saved)

3. The Son has power to give life - John 5:26 - For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

a. Because the Father has life in Himself

b. And the Father has granted the Son to have life in Himself

-- That Jesus offers the gift of everlasting life is certainly reason to honor Him!

[Many other reasons to honor the Son could be given, but these certainly suffice. How should we honor Him? From our text, we can glean at least three ways...]

II. HOW WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

A. BY HEARING HIS VOICE NOW...

1. One day, we will hear His voice - cf. John 5:28-29 - Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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.

a. Whether alive or dead

b. Whether we want to or not

c. Either to a resurrection of life, or to a resurrection of condemnation

2. How much better that day will be, if we hear His voice now - cf. John 5:24-25 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

a. We can have everlasting life!

b. We will not come into judgment (condemnation)!

c. We can pass from death to life!

-- Will we honor the Son by listening to His words of life?

B. BY OBEYING HIS VOICE NOW...

1. It is not enough to simply “hear” His Words

a. We must be “doers” of His Words - Matthew 7:24-27 - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

b. Otherwise, why bother to call Him “Lord”? - Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

c. Only by abiding in His word are we truly His disciples - John 8:31 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

2. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all obey Him - cf. Hebrews 5:9 - And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

a. Obeying His call to believe in Him - John 8:24 - 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.

b. Obeying His call to repent of sins - Luke 13:3 - I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

c. Obeying His call to confess Him before others - Matthews 10:32-33 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

d. Obeying His call to be baptized - Matthews 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: - Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

e. Obeying His call to remain faithful - Revelation 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

-- Will we honor the Son by heeding His voice now, today?

C. BY SEEKING THE FATHER’S WILL NOW...

1. Jesus sought His Father’s will in all that He did - John 5:30 - I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

a. His “food” was to do the Father’s will - John 4:34 - Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

b. He came down from heaven to do the Father’s will - John 6:38 - For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

c. He glorified the Father by doing the work He was given to do - John 17:4 - I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

2. Jesus wants us to do His Father’s will

a. Otherwise we will not enter the kingdom of heaven - Matthews 7:21-23 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

b. Otherwise we will not be part of His family - Matthews 12:46-50 - While he yet talkeThen one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. d to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

-- We can best honor the Son by emulating His example in doing the Father’s will!

CONCLUSION

1. All should honor the Son today...

a. He is certainly worthy of honor - cf. Revelation 5:12 - Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

b. Just as the Father (He who sits on the throne) is worthy - cf. Revelation 5:13 - And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

2. All will honor the Son one day...

a. By responding to His voice at the resurrection - John 5:28-29 - Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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.

b. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess - Romans 14:10-11 - But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. - Philippians 2:9-11 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For those willing to honor Him today by heeding His voice, they will be honored together with Him in That Day! - cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 - When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24