Articles
"What Shall I Do with Jesus?"
“What Shall I Do with Jesus?”
By Jeff Himmel, via The Plant City Planter, 01/23/22
When Jesus was brought before Pilate, the governor found no guilt in him. Hoping to get the problem off his hands, Pilate invoked his Passover custom of releasing a prisoner of the Jews’ choosing. He offered them either Jesus or Barabbas, a rebel and murderer. The people demanded the release of Barabbas. Pilate said, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” We all know the rest of the story.
Ever since, people have had to ask themselves the same question. Jesus’ teaching is profound, his claims are astounding, his historical reality is undeniable. So “What shall I do with Jesus?”
■ Try to be neutral? That’s what Pilate did. Seeing that the crowd would riot if Jesus was not executed, Pilate “took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to that yourselves’” (Matthew 27:24). Even today we speak of “washing our hands” of something, meaning we refuse to have any responsibility in the matter. But there really is no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).
■ Put him off? That’s what Felix did. Paul appeared before this governor and spoke about his faith in Christ. “And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you’” (Acts 24:25). The gospel moved Felix enough to know he must do something, but all he did was procrastinate. Countless people have been lost by responding as he did.
■ Forsake him? That’s what some disciples in Capernaum did. Jesus taught some things which they perceived as very difficult. “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore” (v. 66). Like them, many today turn away from Jesus because they think his teaching is too demanding.
■ Deny him? That’s what Peter did. As Jesus stood on trial before the high priest Caiaphas, several people noticed Peter sitting in the courtyard and asked if he was one of Jesus’ companions. Three times he denied it: “I do not know the man!” (cf. Matthew 26:70,72,74). Many have followed Peter’s example of that night, following Jesus in fair weather, only to turn their backs on him when the going gets tough.
■ Sell him out? That’s what Judas did. For a measly thirty pieces of silver one of Jesus’ own apostles agreed to hand him over to those who sought his life (Matthew 26:14-16). Whatever keeps you from serving Jesus is, in effect, the price for which you’re willing to sell him out. For most people the price is remarkably low.
■ Crucify him again? That’s what happens when a Christian returns to a life of sin. “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened…and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
■ Obey him. The apostles preached Christ to the crowd of Jews assembled at Pentecost. “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins’” (Acts 2:37-38). Three thousand of them did (v. 41).
The question is: What will you do with Jesus?
Does The Bag Of Your Life Have A Hole In The Bottom?
By Jason Hardin
Ever had a pair of pants with a hole in one of the pockets? Each time you put those pants on and place your hand in the pocket, you remember. And then you rationalize that it’s not that big of a deal. There are other, more pressing things. It’ll be alright. You’ll remember. Until you absentmindedly drop some coins, or a pen, or a check, or your keys into that same pocket.
Pockets with holes are annoying! (Can you tell I’ve lost more than one item through a hole in a pocket?) But did you know that God, through his prophet Haggai, used that same everyday idea to make a vital spiritual point?
“Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes’” (Haggai 1:3-6).
Though we live in a different era and a different context, it is still wise (and essential) to “consider our ways” in relation to our priorities, actions, and reactions to the revelation of our Creator. Will those things that I’m pouring into the “bag” of my life “abide forever” (1John 2:15-17)? I brought nothing into this world, and I cannot take anything with me (1Tim. 6:6-8), but am I living life as if I believe those facts? This sermon emphasizes four major life lessons as defined by the God who created us:
One - Life outside of Christ is a bag with holes (Rom. 8:31-32).
Two - Life that revolves around me is a bag with holes (Matt. 16:24-26).
Three - Life without the kingdom of God first is a bag with holes (Matt. 6:33).
Four - Life without treasures in heaven is a bag with holes (Matt. 6:19-20).
You’re pouring a lot of things into your life. But will they last? Does the “bag” of your life have a hole in the bottom? And if so, isn’t it time that you did something about it?
A Moments Wisdom
--The mind is a terrible thing to waste – fill it with GOD’S Word.
--The little girl had been giving her mother a hard time all morning. Finally her mother said, “Please behave yourself. Don’t you know that every time you misbehave, I get another gray hair in my head?” “My,” the little girl said, “you sure must have been a bad little girl. Just look at all the gray hairs Grandmother has!”
--The best thing fathers can spend on their children is time.
--The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
--What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity.
--Everything is wrong that is almost right.
Upcoming Sermons
11/12/23 AM & PM - Gospel Meeting with Jeff Himmel
11/19/23 AM - Psalm 90: Moses’ Last Prayer; PM - King Manasseh: You Can’t Undo the Past
11/26/23 AM - “By Your Patience, Possess Your Souls”; PM - “But, I Want It Now!”
12/3/23 AM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lesson One; PM - Worship in Song: A Firm Foundation
12/10/23 AM & PM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lessons Two & Three
12/17/23 AM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lessons Four & Five
12/24/23 AM - “Baptism: Not the Removal…”; PM - “When People Bring Up Your Past, Tell Them Jesus Dropped the Charges.” (Requested)
12/31/23 AM - Agents of Salvation; PM - Guest Speaker
