THEY WOULD NOT CONFESS HIM

Jno. 12:42,43; Acts 8:37.

INTRO:

1. The word "confess" comes from the Greek word "homologeo" this word is made up of two words, "homos" like, and "logos" speak.

2. So then to confess Christ is to speak like Him or according to His word, without controversy.

3. To adopt the same terms of language, such as, to speak where the Bible speaks, and to be silent where it is silent.

I. MEN, EVEN FROM THE BEGINNING, HAVE WANTED TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF MEN.

A. And have always wanted to be just so so in the sight of men.

1. Whether it would mean that Christ and His word would be relegated to the background or not, didn't seem to matter.

B. Take the case of Aaron and the golden calf. Exo. 32:21-24.

C. Now look at king Saul. 1 Sam. 15:24.

D. Scribes and Pharisees took an inherited religion of traditions.

1. We today also put more trust in generation than in regeneration.

2. We are lugging the stolen gods of our fathers around in our baggage like Rachel did.

a. Instead of confessing Christ and being regenerated through obedience to Him.

E. When we are made to realize that we are lost, hopeless, and helpless, and that Jesus has fled to our relief and that in Him alone do we have hope.

1. Then, and only then, will we come to Him as we would rush out of burning building that is fixing to fall in on us.

2. Can you imagine yourself having to be begged and coaxed to leave such a building?

a. Surely not, if you knew the danger.

2. Nor will we have to beg you to come to Christ when you see that you are forever lost without Him.

II. THE PARENTS OF THE LAME MAN THAT WAS HEALED, WOULD NOT CONFESS CHRIST BECAUSE OF THE PHARISEES. Jno. 9:22,23.

A. We must confess Christ before men or we will not be confessed by Him before His Father. Matt. 10;32,33.

B. One might say he believes in his heart, but he must step out and confess Christ by doing His will. Lk. 6:46. Rom. 10:9,10.

C. Paul tells us that he once had a high position in a certain religion, but when he found out he was wrong, he stepped out of it and said he was not interested in pleasing men, if he were he would not be a servant of God. Gal. 1:6-18; Phil. 3: 1-8.

D. Those that will not confess Christ are anti-Christ. 1 Jno. 2:4,22,23; 4:2,3,15; 2 Jno. 9.

III. NOT TO CONFESS CHRIST IS THE SAME THING AS REJECTING OR DENYING HIM.

A. We should remember that confessing Him is speaking like Him, and therefore doing like He says.

B. To deny Him is to set Him at nought as the chief cornerstone. Lk. 20:17,18.

C. Not to confess Him is to despise and reject Him. Isa. 53:1-4.

D. The foolish man did not confess Christ. Matt. 7:26,27.

E. Many would not only reject Him, but would beseech Him to leave their coasts. Matt. 8:34; 10:14,15.

F. We play at religion and salvation, like children playing a game. Matt. 11:16-19.

1. In other words, I want to play this way and you want to play that way. I think I will take my ball and go home.

G. To confess Christ is to hear Him, and to truly hear Him is to hear His word, and to truly hear His word is to do what it says. Lk. 10:16; 11:23.

H. Christ is not believed when He is brought to the people in His own name.

1. But when one comes in some man's or some organization's name that they will believe and accept. Jno. 5:38,40,43.

IV. WHEN PAUL PREACHED THE WORD OF CHRIST, PEOPLE REJECTED HIM AND EVEN PERSECUTED HIM. Acts 13:46;Gal. 4:16; 1 Cor. 2:1-5.

A. Their hearts waxed gross. Acts 28:24-27.

B. Just because it was refused did not keep it from being the truth. Rom. 3:3.

C. To some the word of Christ is a stumbling block and to some foolishness. 1 Cor. 1:18,23; 1 Pet. 2:4,7,8.

CONCLUSION:

1. Note the words of Christ Himself: Jno. 12:48.

2. Now note the words of Heb. 3:15.

3. Friends, today is the day of confessing and obey the Christ, if you will confess Him why not now?

4. Jesus says: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest..." Matt. 11:28-30.

By Jim Sasser

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