The men that held Jesus mocked
him and smote him. And we know that that was the
beginning of many things that they did. They scourged his back
with what's called a cat of nine tails, a whip with nine ends
on it. Then they would put pieces of
stone According to custom, that's the way that they scourged at
that time. We know that his beard was plucked
out and that they punched him in the face and abused him until,
as the scripture says, he was marred more than any man. And that either means, and I
think both, I think it means nobody was ever treated that way and abused and
physically mistreated to that extent to
where he was. But also, some say that what
that means is that he no longer even looked like a human being, more
than a man. And we don't need to dwell on
the cruelty the the deep depravity of man and what they did to him
Other than to remember That the way the scripture describes what
happened to him is that he was released to our will And think about who they're doing
this to now. It's one thing, even if somebody was treating
an animal that way, it would make you sick, would it not?
If somebody was treating a dog like that, it would make you
sick and you'd stop it if you could. But think about the wretched
depravity of somebody who would do that to the only one who ever
did nothing but good. It says they smote him, that
means to beat or thrash. And the mockery in verse 65, I believe that it's not specific
there for a reason, because even though the scriptures don't pull
any punches about what we are, about how Horrible what monsters
we are by nature it doesn't the scriptures don't pull any punches
about that and yet if it were to Record the things that they
said to him it wouldn't even be appropriate You reckon if
I read what they said this morning It wouldn't even be appropriate.
We shouldn't even talk like that in polite company But I don't want to comment a
whole lot further on as I said just his Physical sufferings
and just the utter depravity of us Except to wonder at the
difference At the difference that the Lord
Jesus Christ makes in the heart of a sinner and for that we have
to look back a verse don't we think about what just happened
and There is a man standing over in the courtyard that the Lord
can see and he can see the Lord. We know that the Lord turned
and looked upon Simon when he denied the Lord. And Simon went
out and wept bitterly. So we know that in that moment
they could see one another. But there's a man over there
who had the courage now to draw his sword against 100 soldiers.
Could you do that? He had the courage to draw his
sword against a hundred soldiers, but he's over there crying and
sobbing, weeping bitterly over the idea,
just the idea of being untrue to this person, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to his Lord, to his master. I've been untrue. I've been unfaithful. I've denied him, just like he
said I would. Though it was something I never
thought I would do. I've denied my master. But over
here is a room full of monsters who would show their utter contempt
for him in every way they could think of to show it. To the son of God who never did
anything or said anything that wasn't perfect. You think about
that. There's Simon, by God's grace.
Just the very thought of even being untrue to him was heartbreaking
to him. I told you, I think, last week
or week before that I can't remember just sobbing in my whole life
but twice. And it was before I met any of
y'all, I believe. Before we moved here, both of
them, but I haven't forgotten it. That's the point, I haven't forgotten
it. I don't think Simon ever did either. But that's the difference
that grace makes. And think about that, verse 64,
when they blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked
him saying, prophesy who it is that smote thee. Where had they
been for the last three years? You ever think about that? This
is the stupidity of Adam hiding from God behind a bush. It's that stupidity combined
with terrible malice and hardness of heart and evil contempt for
God's son. The ones that smote him were
not anonymous because of any blindfold. He knew exactly who
they were. He knew their names. He knew
where they were born. He knew how many hairs were on
their heads. He made them and it was he who decided their eternal
destiny. That's who he, that's who you
smoked. They thought that he was in their
hands, but they were in his. along They were in his and so
are we Verse 66 as soon as it was day the elders of the people
and the chief priests and the scribes came together and led
him into their counsel Saying art thou the Christ tell us and
he said unto them if I tell you you will not believe I Well,
you could say that he knew that because they never had. Often
when they would say, you know, answer us, tell us this, and
he said, I told you. Where have you been? I told you. And they never had believed.
You could say that's how he knew, but we know more than that from
the word of God, don't we? He knew because nobody believes
unless he gives them faith. Did Paul not say Christ is the
author of our faith? And the finisher of our faith?
Did he not say by grace are you saved through faith? And that's
not of yourself. That's the gift of God. And so the one who gives faith.
You remember when Ezekiel was asked can these bones live? And
Ezekiel said, Lord, you know. How can I answer that? The only
one that can answer the question, can these bones live, is the
one who's able to give them life. And the only one who can give
faith said, you're not gonna believe. You're not gonna believe. Think, what tragic words. We've said pretty much the same
thing to people. Not on his authority necessarily,
nor with his knowledge, nor with his anything. We've said pretty
much, she said, have you ever said somebody, if I told you,
you wouldn't believe me? Either because we're just trying
to hype what we're about to say, or maybe we have some real degree
of doubt as to whether they'll believe it or not, but because
of who Christ is, because of who he is, this becomes something
different altogether than that. It's different than us saying
that. What he's saying to them is you're
a goner. You're a goner. It's hopeless.
You have no hope. Without faith, it's impossible
to please God, and you will not believe. You're not going to believe. He's not saying it can't happen. Because with God, all things
are possible. With men, it's impossible. But with God, all
things are possible. He's not saying it can't happen.
It couldn't happen. He's saying it's not going to
happen. Because he's the one that makes it happen. And so
he can say that. What tragic, tragic words. This is tantamount to what he
said to the Jews in John 8, 21. Then Jesus said again unto them,
I go my way and you shall seek me and shall die in your sins. Whither I go, you cannot come. I always love to remember, God
always reminds me when I read that, that he said to his disciples,
you can't come with me now. He didn't say to them, you can't
come where I'm going. He said, you can't come right
now, but later you will. He said to the Pharisees though,
the religious Jews, you're not coming. You can't come where
I'm going. Period. That's horrible, isn't
it? If you believe not that I am The difference is Christ the
difference between Simon Peter and the ones that punched the
Lord in the face and spit on him and mocked him is him The
difference wasn't with them The difference is him the difference
in the two thieves the one who cursed the Lord Jesus Christ
and mocked him with his last breath, and the one who said,
don't you fear God? We're getting what we deserve,
but he's the innocent one. Lord, remember me when you come
into your kingdom. The difference is the one that hung between
them. There is no difference. Isn't
that the message of scripture? By nature, there's no difference
between us. But the message also of scripture
is that Christ from the same lump, the potter has power over
the clay of the same lump, no difference, to make a vessel
and honor and a vessel under this. Now there's a difference
because he did something. He created something. He said, you can't come where
I'm going. Then said the Jews, will he kill
himself? Because he saith, whither I go you cannot come. And he
said unto them, you are from beneath, I am from above, you
are of the world, I am not of this world. I said therefore
unto you that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe
not that I am, you shall die in your sins. And then said they unto him,
who are you? And Jesus saith unto them, even the same that
I said unto you from the beginning. There it is right there, I told
you. And they knew who he was. They knew up here who he was.
They just didn't like it. No man spake like this man ever. Who has heard since the beginning
of time that one opened the eyes of one that was blind? Read Romans chapter one, when
they knew God, they refused to glorify him as God. They didn't
know him in a saving way, not by faith, but they knew him.
You can't hate somebody you don't know. That's how I know atheists are
liars, because they hate God. You can't hate somebody you don't
know. You can't hate somebody that doesn't exist. The same that I said unto you
from the, he's been declaring not only from the beginning of
his time on this earth, but from the beginning. Who he is, that's
what this book is, it's a hymn book. H-I-M. Who are you, they said, who are
you? How many do we know that have
heard over over and over again. They still don't believe. They still don't believe. And
this speaks, of course, of the inability of man. They're not
going to, are they? Unless Christ authors faith in
their heart. The fruit of the Spirit is faith,
not the fruit of your flesh. You're not going to love God,
you're not going to believe God. Unless he has mercy on you. Turn with me please to Luke chapter
16. Let's talk about that for a minute because see, on the
dark background of who we are and what we are and our inability
is the bright glorious truth of his grace. He saves us in
spite of us. He saves sinners anyway. Look
at Luke chapter 16 verse 19. There was a certain rich man
which was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously
every day. And there was a certain beggar
named Lazarus which was laid at his gate full of sores. And
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's
table, Moreover, the dogs came and licked his swords, and it
came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels
into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died and
was buried, and in hell he left up his eyes, being in torments.
And seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he
cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my
tongue for I am tormented in this flame have mercy now he's
crying for mercy he's in hell crying for mercy but not the
mercy of God in Christ he just don't want to suffer anymore even hell is not going to cause
sinners to cry for God's mercy in Christ They'll be just like they were
here. Only they'll be in hell. They'll be not wanting to suffer.
Oh, I don't want to go to hell when I die, but I don't care
anything about Christ or his church or worshiping him. I just
don't want to, I just, I'll make that decision if it means I don't
have to go to hell. Okay. And then that's pretty much it. But Abraham said, son, remember,
remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and
likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he's comforted, and you're
tormented. And beside all this, between
us and you, there is a great gulf fixed, a great gulf, so
that they which would pass from hence to you cannot, neither
can they pass to us that would come from thence. Oh, the mighty
gulf that God did span, Calvary that's a good song. That's a
good line in it. There's only one way that that gulf can be
crossed Jesus Christ But it's too late for this man,
it's too late there's a great gulf fixed There's a great gulf
now and Ten thousand times ten thousand years from now. There's
still gonna be a great gulf between you and God It's fixed now Then he said, I pray thee therefore
father that thou would ascend him to my father's house. He
understood it's too late for me, but it's not too late for
them. It's not too late for them. Send him to my father's house
for I have five brothers that he may testify unto them lest
they also come into this place of torment. And again, it's not a godless
place to him. It's just a place of torment.
He still don't care anything about God. And Abraham saith
unto him, listen to this now. Think about the circumstance.
He's saying, go send somebody back from the dead to talk to
my brothers so that they don't end up where I am. And you know
what Abraham said? They have the word of God. They've
heard God's word. They have Moses and the prophets
not those men particularly, but what they wrote that's clearly
what he's saying, right? They have Moses the first five
books of the Bible and the prophets they have the scriptures Let them hear them And he said
nay father Abraham, can you imagine that I? The gospel still meant
nothing to him. The word of God meant absolutely
nothing to this man. Still, never had and never would. But if one went unto them from
the dead, they will repent. What they need, boy, is what
churches are giving people. They need a spectacle. They need
something to shake them up. Abraham said they need the gospel.
And this man said, nah, that won't do any good. That's what
that mother said to you. My mother talked to Vicki one
time and said, you know, would your husband, I know he's a pastor,
I wonder if he'd talk to my son, you know, he's got a problem,
he got a real problem. And Vicki said, well, I'm sure he probably
would, but I can tell you right now what he's gonna say to him.
He's gonna say he needs to hear the gospel. And you know what
she said? He already knows that. Really? That's what this man said, this
rich man. No, no, that won't do any good. God's way of saving sinners by
the hearing of the gospel, that won't do any good. They need
a spectacle, they need something to shake them up. And Abraham
said, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, Neither will
they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." There's
not but one way a sinner is going to be saved, and it's by what's
happening right now, by God's Word being declared by a man. Faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God. And the Lord Jesus Christ himself
could have told them. He said, if I told you again,
you wouldn't believe. And he knows that because he's
the only one that can give them faith to believe. And he said,
I'm not gonna do it. But when he does, let me say
this again too. I don't know whether he'll save
those that you love. I don't know whether he'll save you if
you're lost. I don't know if he will or not. I don't know
if he'll save your children. I don't know, I can't promise
you that he'll save your grandchildren, but I promise you this. If he
does, I know how he'll do it. So you know what I would do? They need to hear the gospel. That's what needs to happen.
They need to always hear it. They need to hear it, was it
Simon that said until Take heed, keep listening, keep heeding,
keep hearing from God until the day star arise in your hearts. And then when that happens, all
you're going to want is to hear from him. You're going to want
to hear it again and again. Faith comes by hearing and hearing
by the word of God. The only way that you ever will
believe that he's the son of God, that's what they asked him.
Are you the son of God? If I told you, you're not going
to believe me. But sometimes he tells sinners
who he is, and they do. By his grace, they do. Faith is his gift, the fruit
of his spirit. But think of this, Nellis. Let's
think of this for a minute Thomas remember doubting Thomas
All the disciples the Lord revealed himself to them when they were
gathered Worshipping him he said where two or three are gathered
in my name there I am and he always is I guarantee if two
or three of us are here this morning for his sake To glorify
him to worship him here. He is he said there I am and
And they were gathered together in his name, and there he was
in person, in body, in physical reality. But Thomas wasn't there. Thomas wasn't there. And they came to Thomas. They
said, we've seen the Lord. And you know what he said? I
will not believe. unless I touch the scars in his
hands. I saw what they did. I saw what
happened. Unless I put my finger in his side, I will not believe.
I will not believe. It's one thing to say that. And
you know something? He said that in John 20, 25,
by the way, if you want to look that story up and read it later.
That's not a good thing to say. I will not believe. Because,
you know, he said, I'll rise again the third day. Didn't he? He told them that. He told them
that. He told Thomas that. He said,
I will not believe. That's not a good thing to say,
but you know something? It's not up to Thomas. It's not up to him. It's just
not. Aren't you glad? By Thomas' own testimony, he's
a goner if it's up to him. It's not up to him. He can say
that, and you can say that all you want, but it's not up to
you. Thank God it's not. The Lord Jesus Christ said to
him later, Thomas, be not faithless, but believing. That's who it's
up to. And he cried, my Lord and my
God. And he doesn't say anything about
him putting his finger anywhere. He just said, my Lord and my
God. Oh. It's one thing for a sinner
to refuse to believe and say in their heart or with their
mouth even, maybe, I will not believe. It's another thing altogether
for the Lord Jesus to say, you will not believe. Oh, my. I wouldn't travel with him if
I were you. This is not a God to be traveled with. You see, it is up to him. And
so when he speaks, oh, may he give us the grace to listen with
all of our hearts. It's up to him. Let me read that
to you in John 12, 37. John 12, 37, but though he had
done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on
him. You think if somebody came back
from the dead, you know, and said, boy, you need to hear this
gospel, you need to, is that gonna do any good? They did,
he did so many miracles. He's doing things that only God
can do, and they don't know he's God. God spoke from heaven and
said, this is my son, hear him. And they didn't know he was God's
son. It only happens by hearing the
gospel and God giving you faith in his son. That's the only way
it happens. Yet they believe not on him that
the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he
spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom is the
arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe
because that Isaiah said again, he hath blinded their eyes and
hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes
nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should
heal them. These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory
and spake of him. You say, well, no, the sovereignty
of God, now God choosing some sinners and not others, that's,
you know, that's in the scripture, but that's just, that's deep
doctrine that we don't, no, that's his glory, that's what that is,
that's his glory. That's what Isaiah talked about
when he saw his glory. He talked about him saving who
he wants to save, that's what he talked about. The glory of the Lord. is his
sovereign mercy that he has upon sinners in Christ. Isn't that
what, wasn't it Moses that said, Lord, show me your glory. You
remember what God did? He put him in the cleft of the
rock and set his feet on a rock and covered him with his hand
and said, what? I'll have mercy on whom I'll have mercy. What this whole religious world
denies is the very glory of God. It's particularly his sovereignty
in the saving of sinners. Most people would admit he's
sovereign in creation. He made what he wanted to make.
You say, why are those little things in the ocean out there
that are so deep? Nobody's ever even seen them.
Oh, somebody says there's one. That's the first time we've ever
seen that. Why would God make that? Because he wanted to. Because
he likes them. He's sovereign in creation. Most
people would agree with that. He's sovereign in providence,
though, too. Scripture says if you roll some dice, you know
who decides what comes up? Not the odds. Not mother luck. The whole disposing thereof is
of the Lord. But He's particularly sovereign
in the saving of sinners. Did He not say, as the Father
hath life in Himself and has the authority to give life, even
so He's given authority to the Son to quicken whomsoever He
will. He's got to not only show you
who he is, his hands inside. He said, look here, Thomas. And
he said, reach over here if you need to, if that's what you need
to do. Come. Come on. He's not only got to show you
who he is, Christ crucified, but he must command the blessing.
Be not faithless. Believing that's the one the
one who told Thomas be not faithful. That's the one that said let
there be light and there was light There always is when he
commands it Here's the question though this
morning do you believe on the Son of God? That old man that
old blind man in John chapter 9 hmm Do you believe on the Son of
God? The religious Jews were asking him all kinds of questions
he couldn't answer, could he? Oh my. Now think about that,
we'll talk about that a little bit more, but think about the
warnings in the scripture about this, about believing. Believing
God. Faith is not believing in God,
the devil believes in God and trembles. It's believing God. It's every
word that proceeds out of his mouth. That's what I live by.
I'm not bred alone. About every word that comes out
of God's mouth. That's faith. Abraham believed
God and it was counted to him for righteousness. The scriptures are full of warning
about this. Let me read you Acts 13.38. Be it known unto you,
therefore, men and brethren, this is a message preached in
the early church, that through this man is preached unto you
the forgiveness of sins. And by him, all that believe
are justified from all things from which you could not be justified
by the law of Moses. You can't be righteous in the
sight of God by this do and live because you can't do. You can't
measure up to God's law. to his holy standard, by the
deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in the sight of
God, but by him, by the preaching of him and the forgiveness of
sins in him. Sinners are justified. That old
publican cried, God be merciful to me, a sinner. And the Lord
said he went down to his house justified. That's not complicated,
is it? Beware therefore, verse 40, beware
therefore lest that come upon you which was spoken of in the
prophets. What did the prophets say? Behold ye despisers and
wonder and perish. For I work a work in your days,
a work which you shall in no wise believe. Though a man declare
it in the end. It was prophesied that he told
him you're not going to believe. And when the Jews were going
out of the synagogue, listen, here's what happened. The prophecy
is some, though God sends a prophet, a messenger, a preacher to preach
it, declare it plainly. He said, you're not going to
believe. And now here's what happened. Now, when the congregation
was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed
Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue
in the grace of God. And some believed on him and
some didn't. If you ever hear from God with
ears of faith, that only he can give. That faith is the gift of God.
If he gives it to you, you will believe that he is the sovereign
son of God, that he sits on the throne. He is Christ Almighty. and that he has mercy on whom
he will we just quoted in the bible class that leper came and
said lord if you will you can make me clean I will his will
is free in that he has mercy on whom he will and he said you
come to me I'll have mercy on you if he gives you faith in his
son you will believe that he is the gracious son of god who
delights to show mercy and has never yet turned away a sinner
who came to him for mercy, not one time. Come unto me all ye that labor
and are heavy laden, and I'll give you rest. Is any man thirsty? Let him come unto me and drink. Whosoever is a thirst let him
take of the water of life Are you thirsty I? Remember a preacher asked me
that one time and for the first time I was I Believe it was God asking me
that You will believe that he is the
successful Son of God and who came to seek and to save
that which was lost and whose name is Jesus because he will
save his people from their sins. You will believe that he is the
sufficient son of God whose precious sin-cleansing blood has redeemed
every sinner for whom he offered it. well that just doesn't fit with
my doctrine you need new doctrine because let me tell you something
if he shed his precious blood for you you're redeemed Hebrews 10 11 and every priest
standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices which can never take away sins the blood of bulls
and goats was never for the taking away of sins it just pictured
Christ just like it sets forth Christ. But this man, after he
had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the
right hand of God, from henceforth expecting, till his enemies made
his footstool, for by one offering he hath perfected forever them
that are sanctified. He did it, he accomplished it,
and so he sat down. The work is done, and so he sat
down. Hebrews 9, 12, neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered once
into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Who's
us? Those he redeemed with his blood. You will believe that the precious
blood of God's son cleansed them from all sin. you will believe
if he gives you faith in him that he is the righteous representative
son of God that he's son of God and son of man the second Adam
representative of his people as in Adam all died even so in
Christ all should be made alive now you either have to believe
by that that everybody that died in Adam is made alive in Christ
and so what are we preaching the gospel for everybody's saved
I don't think that's what it's saying you reckon? What it's
saying is everybody that Adam represented in the garden died
in him. It's called original sin, another
thing. We're born in sin, we died in Adam. Everybody Christ
represented on Calvary is made alive. He's the second Adam,
the last Adam. And you'll believe that he is
that righteous representative son of God in whom we must stand
before God. He is called the Lord our righteousness,
and who is alone able to present you faultless before the presence
of his glory with exceeding joy? Only Christ is able to do that. Do you believe on the Son of
God? That old blind man said, who
is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? Do you remember what
the Lord said to him? Thou hast both seen him, And
it is he that speaketh with thee. Think about what he said, two
things. You've seen him. You've seen him, you've seen
me. How did he see? Christ opened his eyes, that's
how. How does a blind man see anything? A miracle of God's
grace, that's salvation. Isn't that a decision that you
make? You must be born again. Why didn't he say you must decide?
He could have said that. That's not what he said. He said
you've got to be born from above. That's what that word means,
born again. Born from above. And he went on to say, the wind
blows wherever it wants to blow. And you can tell, you can hear
the sound of it. You can see it rustling the leaves
in the trees, but you can't tell where it came from or where it'll
go. He said, it's like that when sinners are born of the spirit.
That's just how it is. He saves whoever he wants. He goes wherever
he wants and he gives life to whomever he pleases. And you can't see or enter into
the kingdom of God until he does. Unless and until he does. Who is he, Lord? You've seen
him. You think that old blind man
knew what he was talking about? He wasn't seeing anything just
a few, just a little while before that. But you do now, don't you?
You've laid eyes on God's son. Before he met the master, he
couldn't see anything or anybody. So for you to know who he is,
he has to miraculously give you eyes to see. Isn't that what
he said he did? He said, to you it's given to
know the mysteries of the kingdom. To them it's not given. Blessed
are your eyes for they see. Blessed are your ears for they
hear. He wasn't talking about physical sight and hearing. What else did the master do for
that man? To bring him to the place where
he fell at his feet and worshiped him. You've seen him and he's
speaking to you. If you're ever gonna come to
his feet and believe on him, say, Lord, I believe, I believe. You're the son of God. He's gonna
have to speak to you. The Lord of glory has to give
you eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to understand. He
must speak to you, and he does that by the gospel, which we
preach. Here's your home, where I was
gonna turn and, well, I've got about 10 minutes. Before we usually,
let's turn to Romans 10 5. Romans 10 5. Here's how God saves sinners. Let's look at verse four. Really,
we could read the whole chapter, but I don't want to take too
much. You see what he's talking about, that he wants his brethren,
according to the flesh, to be saved, but they're ignorant of
God's righteousness. What is God's righteousness?
Verse four, Christ is the end, the goal, the purpose of the
law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. For Moses describeth
the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth
those things shall live by them. If you're gonna live by God's
law on a footing of legalism, keeping God's law, you've got
to do the law. That's why it says, by the deeds
of the law, no flesh is justified in his sack, as nobody's ever
measured up to it. But the righteousness which is of faith, here's that
message, it speaks this way. Say not in thine heart who shall
ascend into heaven, that is to bring Christ down from above,
he came. And you didn't bring him down, he came because he wanted to come. Or
who shall descend into the deep, that is to bring up Christ from
the dead. Again, that's what he did, not something you, how
are you gonna do that? Salvation's not something you
do. For you to be saved, Christ has got to come down, and he's
got to rise up, and you had nothing to do with that, did you? But
what saith it, the word is neither even in thy mouth and in thy
heart, that is the word of faith which we preach, that if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. With the heart man believeth
under righteousness Abraham believed God and it was counted to him
for righteousness And with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation my lord and my God Lord I believe help
my unbelief For the scripture saith whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed of For there is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all is
rich unto all them that call upon him. For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him
in whom they've not believed? That's the truth. We don't preach
an exclusive God where just only certain people can call on the
Lord. Call on the Lord and he'll save you. Whosoever's thirsty,
let him come and take the water of life freely. But you know
what? You're not going to come unless
you believe on him. And how shall they believe in
him of whom they've not heard? And how shall they hear without
a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? There's
a whole lot of people preaching that haven't been sent by God,
but you can't preach this gospel unless he sends you. That's what
he's saying. Not the one that God uses to
save his people. As it is written, how beautiful
are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring
glad tidings of good things. You know, God's done all he can
do, and now it's up to you. That's not a good thing. God
plumb saves sinners. That's a good thing. He just
plumb saves them. He don't mock lame people by
saying, take the first step. That ain't how it works. If he says, Rise, take up your
bed, and walk. He gives you the power to do
that. He says that to people that can't do it, doesn't he?
Did he ever say that to anybody that could walk? But they have not all obeyed
the gospel, for Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed, I report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So that's why, as I've said to
you so many times, my advice to everybody, everywhere, about
everything, every time, you need to hear from God. You need to
hear the gospel. May God give us ears to hear. He said, he that hath ears to
hear, let him hear. May he give us ears Amen, let's
pray