Presented, November 19, 2006
SAD SAYINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Gospel is sometimes referred to as the “Good News.” And certainly, anyone who has adequately studied it and applied it to their lives knows the joy that it can produce within. Studying its pages we find continual examples of rejoicing and gladness. But within the pages of God’s word we also find some sad sayings. Tonight, I would like to examine some of these sad sayings and note how sadly, they are even prevalent today.
I. “Some mocked”
a. Acts 17:32. The context is Paul in Athens. He has just tried to introduce the one true God to them. They listened to him until he mentioned the resurrection of the dead. Then we read that “some mocked” while others were willing to hear more. Earlier in the chapter, some of these philosophers had called Paul a babbler (17:18).
b. Sadly, when it comes to the truth of God’s word, there are some today who still mock at the preaching of the word.
i. Some mock at the fact of Jesus and the resurrection.
ii. Some mock when Christians defend the truth
iii. Others mock when a Christian refuses to partake in the sins of others or to participate in ungodly or questionable activities (1 Peter 4:4)
II. Concerning the faith have made shipwreck
a. Found in 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Paul is warning Timothy of some who have departed from the faith, including Hymanaeus and Alexander.
b. Nothing is more horrible to a sailor than to come across a shipwreck. It is usually a scene of great tragedy and sadness.
c. The idea of this expression in our text is that their faith is in a wrecked condition. How can one’s faith suffer shipwreck?
i. When one has lost his hold on the truth. He has let go of the truth and returned to his old ways. Consider 2 Peter 2:20-21
ii. When he corrupts the truth by letting false doctrine influence his decisions in life.
iii. When one simply walks away from the truth – 1 Timothy 4:1-4.
III. “And the door was shut” – Matthew 25:10
a. A part of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. When the bridegroom comes five were prepared while five others were not. But as they go to find oil, the bridegroom comes and the door was shut. When the five “foolish virgins” find oil they are not allowed in being told it is too late.
b. The lesson for us in this is the need for preparation. There will come a time when obedience will be too late. Hebrews 9:27. We need to prepare for the Lord’s coming while we still have time to do so. That means we need to obey the gospel.
IV. And he went away sorrowful – Matthew 19:22
a. Said of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus desiring eternal life. In the parable Jesus noted that while he did many things right, he still lacked “one thing.” He allowed materialism to rule his life. Sadly, he was not willing to give that up – so he went away sorrowful.
b. How many today are there who would love to be saved, but when they hear what they have to give up, they are not willing to comply with the commands of God? They want to serve two masters at the same time. They want to demonstrate partial or mediocre service to God. But Jesus said you cannot do that – Matthew 6:24.
V. “Go your way for now”
a. Found in Acts 24:25. Said of Felix after Paul reasoned with him of things concerning the faith of Christ. We are even told in the text that he trembled – meaning that he was physically moved the power of the gospel and scared by what he heard. But instead of obeying the gospel, he put it off.
b. There are many today who know they are in a lost condition. They know what they need to do but they think they have plenty of time. The INTEND to obey God in the near future, but first they want to enjoy life a little. Such is a dangerous attitude that can cost you your soul.
c. Sadly, there is no indication that Felix ever obeyed the gospel. If he did not, he died in a lost and condemned condition.
VI. “You almost persuade me to be a Christian…”
a. Found in Acts 26:28 as Paul spoke, this time before King Agrippa. Like Felix, he hears the truth but he chooses to NOT obey it. He notes that Paul ALMOST persuaded him to obey.
b. Let us consider the impact of ALMOST. It is truly one of the saddest words in the Bible – because it means that you did NOT make it. There is no such thing as an ALMOST CHRISTIAN. You are either a Christian or you are not – Jesus said either you are for Him or you are against Him (Matthew 12:30). There is no middle of the road though that is where far too many want to stand.
c. What about you?
VII. “Depart from Me.”
a. Found in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus is here speaking as He is bringing the Sermon on the Mount to its conclusion. He speaks of the fact that there are many who believe in Jesus and, in fact, they actually do things in His name. But they are lost. Why? Because they failed to obey Him. The result is they will stand condemned.
b. The saddest words we will EVER hear are these words as we stand before Him in judgment. Because if we hear that it will be too late.
c. There is only ONE way to ensure that these words are not spoken to us. It is TOTAL obedience to His word. Hebrews 5:9 says that eternal life belongs to those who obey Him.
VIII. “You have fallen from grace.”
a. One final passage we want to notice is Galatians 5:4. Paul has admonished brethren who are considering turning to the Law of Moses for salvation. He notes that if we turn to that law, we will fall from the grace of God.
b.
Many today teach that once you have secured your
salvation. You cannot be lost. That simply is NOT true. This text says that
we CAN fall from grace.
2 Peter 2:20-22 (again) warns of the possibility of this.
Revelation 2:10 calls upon us to faithful until we die.
c. The point to understand in this is that God demands a committed life of service to Him. Jesus taught in a parable, Luke 9:62 that no one who has his hand on the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
d. One might ask, how could it be worse for one who was lost, and then saved and is now lost again. It has to do with eternity in torments realizing that you had the truth in your grasp and you chose to let go of it (shipwrecked).
There are other sad sayings that would be added to these. And while all of these are sad sayings that we find them in society today, our comfort is in the fact that they don’t have to apply to us. IF we are willing to obey the gospel and faithfully serve God for life we can be saved. What about you? If you were to die this week and stand before the Lord, would His message be good news or sad words? The choice is yours.