Jesus Is God's Answer to Man's Darkness

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Jesus Is God's Answer to Man's Darkness

John 20:30

April 11, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • John 20:30

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Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 20:30

Adrian Rogers says, “Man’s greatest need is to see his own spiritual blindness.”

When He healed the man born blind in John 9, Jesus revealed that He is God’s answer to Man’s darkness.

First, this miracle shows us that spiritual blindness makes beggars of us all.

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth…” (John 9:1). This man, who was a born-blind beggar, represents all of us. We were once created to be spiritual kings and queens, to have dominion on Earth and unhindered fellowship with God. But when sin entered the world, it marred the human race. Now, we are born spiritually blind and desperate for the Light.

Second, the spiritually blind need more than light to see.

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5). A blind man may not see the light, but he cannot deny the light simply because he can’t see it.

Satan blinds the heart and the mind; this is why it takes more than preaching to convict the hearts of men. We are dependent on the Holy Spirit to open blinded eyes to the Gospel.

As Jesus was sent to be the Light of the World, he sent the blind man to a pool (called Sent) in order to receive his sight (see John 9:6-7).

Third, eyes once open must learn to see.

“Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).

When questioned by the Pharisees about his restored sight, the man testified to what Jesus had done for him. The more he spoke, the more refined his answers became.

When we receive Christ, we must progress in our faith and train our opened eyes to see. The Holy Spirit gives insight, but it is our responsibility to grow in knowledge and faith. Once the heart and mind are opened to the Gospel, we must live up to the light we have received.

Apply it to your life

Have your spiritual eyes been opened to a relationship with God? Have you trained your eyes to see so that you can progress in your faith and refine your testimony?

Stop Enduring Religion

May 3, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • John 7:37–39

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: John 7:37-39 Most of us have had all the religion we can stand; what we actually need is a personal, vital relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We need to stop enduring religion and start enjoying salvation. John 7:37-38 says, “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” There are four simple steps to deeply drinking in the satisfaction of Jesus Christ. First, we must understand the subjects—those who thirst. Jesus was not speaking to everybody, rather only to thirsty people. If we’ve been filling ourselves with shallow things like self-love and worldliness, we will not long for the living water of Jesus Christ. Second, we must understand the source of this living water—Jesus Himself. We don’t find living water in rituals or religion or rules, rather, we receive it through Jesus. We will never live “right” until we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Adrian Rogers says, “Holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness. We don’t work our way to the Way; He is the Way.” Third, we must recognize the secret: “Come to Me and drink.” This living water is free, but it costs everything within us. We must let it sink into our hearts so that we claim Him so deeply that we believe in Him and appropriate His promises. Finally, we must remember the supply. Ezekiel 47 prophecies what we, as believers, are to look like today: a mysterious river, flowing past the altar, which represents Christ crucified. This river’s mighty force brings life where there was death and success where there was failure. This living water brings fruitfulness where there was barrenness and health where there was sickness. When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives will overflow with joy, praise, and service. Not only will there be an income, but there will also be an outflow. We will become springs of revival and rivers of blessing. Apply it to your life Have you experienced the living water bubbling up from within? Have you experienced satisfaction in Jesus Christ? Don’t wait until you’re better or stronger; bring Him your failures and heartaches. Come to Jesus.

Friendship with Jesus

May 1, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • John 15:12–25

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: John 15:12-25 It is a privilege to call Jesus our friend—to know Him intimately as a close companion. John 15:12-25 highlights five things about our friendship with Jesus: what it means, and what it makes of us. First, friendship with Jesus elevates us. “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Simply being His servant would be an honor. But friendship with Jesus lifts us to a level we could not reach without Him. We didn’t choose Him; He chose us (see John 15:16). Adrian Rogers says, “A man is known by his friends; if you’re a friend of Jesus, you’re somebody.” Friendship with Jesus also enlarges the company we keep. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Friends of Jesus become friends with each other; He is our common bond. Because we love Him, we love one another, and the circle grows. But we must also remember the cost of friendship with Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Real friendships are expensive, but they are worth it. The highest service is when we serve because we want to, not because we have to. Serving and obeying Jesus does not earn us His friendship; it proves our friendship. However, friendship with Jesus still enriches us. Healthy friendships with good people sharpen us and make us better. On the contrary, unhealthy friendships make us dull and drag us down. Friendship with Jesus, who is the Vine, makes us fruitful. Finally, friendship with Jesus means entering inevitable conflict with the world. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Just as His friends become our friends, so do Christ’s enemies become our enemies. But it is an honor to be counted worthy of suffering as Jesus suffered. Our deepest need is to have someone who understands us, and Jesus does; He is all we need. Apply it to your life Are you friends with Jesus? Have you made friends with His friends and seen His enemies rise against you? Consider your relationship with Jesus today.

How to Have a Meaningful Quiet Time

April 30, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • Psalm 119:97

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Psalm 119:97 Psalm 119:97 says, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Because it is Jesus Christ Himself who makes us more like Him, it is crucial to spend quality time with Him and in His Word, and there are five factors that go into having a meaningful quiet time. First, it must be early in the day, at our most optimal time, when we are preparing for the day. We must: -Be physically alert, so we can think clearly. -Be morally pure and clean, so we can blamelessly bow before a holy God. -Be mentally aware, so we can be receptive to what He has to say. We should have our quiet time in an isolated place; somewhere we can shut the door on the world, to avoid distractions. Adrian Rogers says, “What you are when you’re alone is what you are. The mark of your prayer life is not how well you pray in public, but in private. Your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly.” We also need the right tools: a Bible we can read and understand, a journal to record your time with God, and a second journal to record prayers. Practically, it’s also good to have a notepad to write down your spiritual instructions for the day. Having prepared for a meaningful quiet time, how should we proceed? 1. Get quiet; take a deep breath and focus your thoughts on the Lord. 2. Get into the Word of God; read the Bible before praying. 3. Meditate on it; reading for quality, not quantity. 4. Record what God has given you through His Word in your journal. 5. Record instructions, goals, and decisions revealed from your time with God. 6. Pray; pour out your soul to God with reverence and honesty. Tell Him everything; He already knows. 7. Share what you’ve learned. We ought to be in the habit of exhorting and encouraging one another. 8. Obey what God tells you. Our spiritual lives run on revelation and obedience. One does not run without the other. Apply it to your life Is your quiet time with God meaningful to you? Have you properly prepared and set yourself up for a fruitful time with the Lord? Consider these steps today, and talk to God.