John Chapter 16:1-9

Do you want to be judged according to your good works that works balance knowing God said you know what if you broke the law in one place he broke a little you want to stand under grace is the question asked a question for everybody in the world you understand under the law, you want to stand under grace, everybody has to make that decision to stand under the law, or stand under the grace when you present it like that McGinty people are real interested in that right may help you know no one ever stand justified under the law. Nobody was very plain about. That's the decision at the hard decision for Jesus to stand on.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, one of the these associate pastors and ground were blessed to have with us today. Bob, this is a life changing teaching.

I hope you stay tuned in and everyone listen to the whole thing when it comes to God's word. Everyone has to decide whether to stand in the law or stand under God's grace today because it explains a choice we have to make from God's word as he continues the Gospel of John chapter 16. Now here's David McGee with his teaching, the helper chapter 16 verse one these things I have spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble but will put you out of the synagogue, just the Thomas, that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. What an incredible prophetic statement in these things they will do to you because they have not known the father, nor me, but these things I've told you that when the times come, you may remember that I told you of them in these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you.

It's an amazing thing to me the way that Jesus is caring for them because he's getting ready to endure agony and pain beyond belief in the next 24 hours. What's he doing who she concerned with. He's not saying to the disciples because I really need to pray for me because you know there this is gonna be tough. In fact, when he did ask his first ring if you will, to pray for.

They fell asleep but in this moment he's not spending the time going to need you guys to pray for me. He's ministering to them. That friend is the biblical model of Christianity is not all egocentric focused on self and me, but focused on others and sure you'll go through hard times were you you you don't want to do that or you don't feel like doing. But Jesus is the example in all that he was getting ready to face. He was still willing to pour out upon others and be concerned with others and not himself how challenging this now in his love for them what you notice this in his love for them. He is telling them what is getting ready to happen but just next 24 hours, but next few years. It's interesting what because it's an expression of his love to tell them what is about to happen, but it's an interesting thing considering how much prophecy is in this book to he is told us a great deal about what's going to happen, not just today within the next few years wife because he loves you. They want you to be ready. Interesting story with Sodom and Gomorrah before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord said this in Genesis 1817 the Lord to chill a lot from Abraham. What I am doing since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. The Lord is deciding to tell Abraham what's about to happen in Sodom and Gomorrah. Why did he do that well were actually told in and James in a roundabout way.

James chapter 2 verses verse 23 is in the Scripture was fulfilled which is Abraham believed God, and was counted to him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God. Have you been here for a couple weeks last chapter, Jesus called us his friends of we know him and were following him, so why hasn't he revealed the future to us because were his friends and he loves us the same look this is what's going to happen. This is what is coming down now. I'm talking about the rapture of the church now. I know some people are taken kind of laid-back lies a fair kind of attitude. And, well, he'll come one day.

But you know I'm just going to gonna be on cruise mode. Till then and then and then you know when when that happens, then I'll get ready, we mean when that happens, you'll get ready is called the twinkling of an eye, we can estimate somewhere about one 300s or maybe even one 3000 of a second time to get ready friend. Oh yeah all pray that prayer that you always are telling us to pray to to get the forgiveness of sins when that when the rapture happens I'm gonna pray that prayer right then and there won't have time mean that's pretty quick. Lord I ask is too long, Lord, I too long Lord do all this to you talking That's it said it so man so what you have to do is be prepared now today and understand something. Why is Jesus waiting and in the years waiting I get the picture. You know that the Jesus of the now now father Connecticut not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet.

But one day soon the polysilicon gift that's it bring about in the doors can be closed.

Why is Jesus waiting for that moment were told we don't have to wonder were told second Peter chapter 3 verse says the Lord isn't being slow about his promise to return as some people think he's been patient for your sake he does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent when you really stop and consider this verse. There's a staggering implication. So Jesus is waiting for people to repent. Well yes and no. Yes because he is waiting for them to repent. Know because while mass question. How will they repent. Romans tells us how they got to know unless we tell to conceptually Jesus is waiting on them to repent. But you know what's really going on is waiting for us to tell all now pastoring to think you taken some liberty without Scripture.

I don't think I am because of other scriptures in Matthew 937 and 38. Since then he said to his disciples, the harvest truly is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. So we think that were waiting on the return of Jesus. Actuality is waiting on us to fulfill the great commission and he's told us the future because he loves us and wants us to be ready. Let's the life lesson. Here Jesus is told us the future because he loves us and so we can be ready because he loves us and so we can be ready. He even told parables about people who, after being told were not ready like the bridesmaids and some other parables. Why did he tell us that to communicate to us what this is going to happen then you need to be ready for the in a more personal way. Understand this.is also trying to prepare you what's coming next in your life as people in here there to have desks and their families. There's people in here that are going to go through hard times at work. God knows that and even right now he's trying to prepare you for that time because he knows what's next verse five. But now I go away to him who sent me. None of you asked me where you going, because I've said these things to you sorrows filled your heart Jesus thing you know what you're sorry, but you should be glad in his get ready to explain to them why that is.

Verse seven nevertheless I tell you the truth it is to your advantage not go away, for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you, but if not the part I will send him to you. He's talking about the Holy Spirit and remember before Jesus died and was resurrected. The Holy Spirit could only come up on people. He couldn't dwell and fill people because there was the sin issue see in the Hebrew Scriptures in the Old Testament the word there for a tone. It is the Hebrew word kefir go far.

Depending on the usage. It's where we get our word for cover sheet but under the blood of Jesus. The sins are washed away completely. So now their sins can be washed away. We can receive the Holy Spirit in power and in so because of the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus the Holy Spirit can indwell us and you know it really is. Jesus is saying here.

This is what I came for is what I came for. When he came. This was part of the package and he knew and he still came understand. He lived to die.

That was his purpose and catching by surprise. As a matter fact he sped up the timetable. Good leadership in Jerusalem to list all taken during the fee still be an uproar in Jesus what to do this and seduce what you're about to do.

Go do it quickly. Go do it now. Let's get the thing going on an amazing Jesus didn't come here to shed a little light on the subject.

He didn't come here to communicate if a few trousseau we could get along a little better didn't come to share a few things so we could just feel little better about herself became the.that's why came make a will personal he came to die for you and Jesus is in this nomination you know and this is what I came. This is what I came to do your listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior.

You need people to pray for them. You need someone to present God's word to them every day were present in God's virtual here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee.

We can pray for them as well. Just by simple going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button.

All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love that needs know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones.

What an awesome way to bring your love ones to Jesus.

Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown want to take just a minute to pray for seven cities in our listening audience.

Walker, Michigan, Brainerd, Fergus Falls and Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Biloxi Friars pointe in Meridian, Mississippi, Lord. Thank you that radio broadcasts in the cities.

Thank you for your good news which will not return void order pray for everyone listening right now that they would be encouraged today recognize that you love them greatly, and you have a good plan. Lord I pray for anyone in their lives who they been trying to reach out to really been trying to share the gospel with we list those up to you now. We pray that you would convince and convict and even encourage them to put their trust in order pray for protection safety in the cities. Did the police officers wisdom, the fire department wisdom. The town councils and mayors. Everyone in leadership give them wisdom helped in the love one another, and Lord.

We trust you that you to do a great work in the cities. In Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse eight and when he is come, he will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.

It says when he speaking about the Holy Spirit.

He will convict the world of said claiming he that's that's my job got consciously convict the world of sin, you said you didn't come into the world to condemn it. I saw something that needed to be done and so I'm doing I'm condemning the whole world how many people think that's a ministry is not a minute. Ministry of discouragement is not in there that's not listed in their I want to convict everybody up there since you can't, he can seen at some point have had discussions with some people and I know the running from God I'm talking to them, but there comes a time when the Holy Spirit says you know what be quiet now will me take it from here. You just tell him see you later and seen at that point. That conversation is over. I have to watch them walk off and I can't follow them home and beat on their window open and tell them to repent in a the Holy Spirit will do just that. Holy Spirit will follow them home keep them from sleeping so many need to get right. You need to get right now God uses us.

The Holy Spirit uses us, but it's him. See if you think it's you, then there so much pressure that comes in then and then you begin to act like you know vacuum cleaner salesman that shows his foot in the door and wanted damages been done because of that move in the body of Christ Jesus convict the world of sin understand that's a legal term.

It's a legal term show I think is the Greek it was used 23 times in the trial socket tree Socrates that Plato wrote is a legal term convicted, convicted, just like you would be convicted in a court of law. Now understand this. That's what the Holy Spirit does when he comes in the somebody's life. He says to them, and perhaps you remember that moment when when you realize that the evidence had been carefully considered in your life is been weighed out at gilt descendents had been decided upon, and the only thing left was who was going to serve a sentence. Who was going to serve a sentence. That's where the whole thing is and it's amazing to see what the Holy Spirit can do to the blinded on the hardened heart. He can change lives.

They can convince someone of their need for Jesus and I realize when you're sharing with somebody, especially with somebody you care about and they don't get it. It calms you out. Understand that bulimia's question, did you get it right away. I mean the first time somebody came up to you and said let me tell you about these Jesus is great. Tell me what to do get safely print what I say, all right, let's do it. Probably not.

Probably not statistic suggests that the average American.

Here's the gospel presented seven times before they respond. Sometimes it took a while to get it. Guess what is probably on take them a while to get occasionally you may share with somebody and just happens.

That's the rare exception, nothing. The rare exception, yet we had one person that came here for six months was unsaved came to spot every Sunday and after six months or so and accept Jesus want to be forgiven of my sense any mention something because this may be helpful. There's a difference between conviction and condemnation.

Condemnation drives you away from God. Conviction draws you to God when you mess up incessantly and not is when you mess up something happens and you and then there's a dichotomy there's it. There's two parts of you part of you is going. I gotta get right with God. You know what I gotta be there Sunday morning. You know what went when Pastor David invites people up front, I need to go up front, I need that I need to let go of this thing.

But then a part of you goes I can't go to church and messed up this time a messed up bad. I just can't do it.

That's the difference between conviction and condemnation conviction which leads you to come to the altar and be cleansed of yourself condemnation say no you can't go to church. You can go to church burst out of sin, because they do not believe in me some of sin is a singular word not of sentence, but of sin. The new living translation's of the world's sin, singular is unbelief in me.

This is the words of Jesus as he didn't say it's drugs, it's alcohol it sucks.

It's this that he said this, the sin is unbelief and I hear people you sometimes people talk about the unpardonable sin, and in some circles. I think of you say the wrong thing or ask the wrong question you've committed the unpardonable sin, unpardonable sin is that which cannot be forgiven. According to this verse.

This is the unpardonable sin that you not believe in Jesus again, it's not complicated but let me explain.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is convicting people of their sins.

If you reject that ministry or blaspheme the ministry of the Holy Spirit you reject your need for Jesus. You do not ask forgiveness and you can't receive forgiveness now understand this. This the only sin that keeps people from going to heaven is the rejection of Jesus is not.

This is not that which is interesting because we think a sense we think a sins of commission those things that we do omission the things that we don't do.

That's the one that will keep people from heaven. It's what you don't do that will keep you from heaven. This is according to the words of Jesus that women ask a question with that knowledge. What should we be talking this might doesn't know Jesus about only about their lack of belief in Jesus because I know we try to play the role of the Holy Spirit now had people do that my life and on abusing drugs and doing all these think I know what was wrong. I need anybody to come. I'm getting wrong. That's probably why were hiding. When we do it. That's probably why we get thrown in jail. If we get caught. I mean there was a register that it was all that wasn't the needed discussion the needed discussion was united. You don't have to live life.

Jesus died for it, so you don't have to die from that was the discussion that needed to happen. So what discussion needs to happen with you and family knew and friends not to profanity not there drinking not there smoking dope. Not these things because chances are, because they know they're wrong but the fact that they don't know Jesus because here's here's what can you begin to talk to them about their need for Jesus and man. It gets slippery and and how many times you been telling somebody about how you get saved and how you are born again and they go hey what you think he'll be the antichrist or any yeah about that but but homosexuality is wrong or right. What or Muslims, or the ever classic. What about pygmies in Africa.

That's a smokescreen that's a smokescreen.

Some people you know that when they use that big mean after something I'd say you know what is the thing I'm sitting here telling you about Jesus.

If you're really concerned that they don't know about Jesus get you saved and will send you to Africa and you can tell I'm not had one person to go okay will this do that because I really have a heart for those people that know it's an excuse but how often guys how often do we take that smokescreen In me I was doing street ministry like 18 open it up in Pennsylvania that was witnessing to a guy he was right on the edge and then had a lot of prophecy and a sense of who you think is going to be the antichrist. All often running on that. We spent 20 minutes on it and 20 minutes later, as I okay see you later in a much older brother more mature brother in the works of you know what he was there he was right there and you let them walk away and I sitting at home, never do that again I'll never do that again. While here's the life lesson. Keep the main thing the main thing keep the main thing the main thing. What is the main thing Jesus whether somebody believes it doesn't really be careful about, and I know we need to take a moral stand on some issues and say well that's not right in the Bible says if I do that I'm not detracting from that. But see, here's the thing in that discussion, you can win that argument and lose the battle and if you're going to win something which would you rather win an argument or a soul. When you walk away at the end of that. Would you rather say told him what's what would you rather walk way and so you know what that person knows Jesus and you know what once they come to know Jesus guarantees you, God will reveal to them what is sin and what is not give the Holy Spirit 10 seconds to say, God begins to deal with, you better send a man and he does a wonderful job done.

He keep the main thing the main thing. Don't go for the smokescreens because you know what those are the things that will send people to an internal destination without God is what they do with Jesus.

And here's the real question you want to stand under law or under grace. Do you want to be in judged according to your good works that works balance knowing God said you know what if you broke the law in one place you broken it off you want to stand under grace the question asked a question for everybody in the world you understand under the law, you want to stand under grace.

At the last life lesson. Everyone has to decide either to stand under the law are stand under everybody has to make that decision to stand under the law are stand on the grace when you present like that when we guarantee it. People are real interested in that grace is let me help you out. No one will ever stand justified under the law. Nobody was very plain about that.

That's the decision at the heart of a decision for Jesus to stand under grace.

Romans 826.

This for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. You're either under the wall of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus our you were under the law under sentence of death. Which do you prefer loved ones. Keep the main thing the main thing friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. So congratulations free, just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com.

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Thank you so much ODA before we go.

What are some ways that we can bless our listeners they wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading and the thought to meditate on.

Throughout today from the heart. David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today@crossthebridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God