Sermon John Chapter 12

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The title of the sermon today is “JOHN CHAPTER 12.”

Lazarus Comes Back To Life Because Of The Word Of God

• In John Chapter 11, we saw the story of Lazarus dying and Jesus bringing him back to life.
• Lazarus was dead for 4 days and his body had already started to decay.
• There’s no man alive that could ever bring back a dead body.
• And there’s especially not a man alive that could ever bring back a dead body that started to decay.
• But Jesus Christ isn’t an ordinary man. Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and He is God.
• When Jesus speaks, that’s what happens.

[1] John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

• And do you know what happened?

[2] John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

• We learned and we know why Jesus did this miracle.

[3] John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

• When those Jews in verse 45 believed on Jesus, they were saved.

[4] John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

[5] John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

[6] John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

[7] John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

• If you believe on Jesus to save you, then you’re saved. This is past tense. It’s over. You’re going to heaven.
• Jesus doesn’t do miracles so He can magnify Himself and show His greatness.
• Jesus is doing this for the glory of God. He’s doing this to magnify God. How does that happen?
• That happens when people believe. Why does Jesus do all of these miracles in the Book of John?

[8] John 20:29-31 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

• I haven’t seen the miracles that Jesus did with my own eyes. Have you?
• But I believe them. Do you? If so, Jesus says: “Blessed are they that have not seen yet have believed.”
• All of these miracles were written in this book for YOU so that YOU might believe.
• And that believing you might have life through HIS NAME. Notice it’s through HIS NAME.
• It’s not through your great works. It’s not through your church. It’s not through your religion.
• It’s through Jesus Christ alone.
• With that said, let’s start in verse 1 of John Chapter 12.

[9] John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

• At the end of John Chapter 11, we saw that Jesus didn’t walk with the Jews any more.
• He went to a city called Ephraim near the wilderness and continued with His disciples there.
• But now, we see Jesus is coming to Bethany. This is close to Jerusalem. Just a couple miles away.
• This is where most of John Chapter 11 took place.

[10] John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

• Jesus comes and they make Him a supper. Martha serves. Lazarus sat there with Jesus at the table.
• Lazarus was alive. Jesus didn’t raise Lazarus from the dead and then Lazarus wasn’t seen again.
• He sat there right at the table in his hometown of Bethany. He was alive. He wasn’t a zombie.

[11] John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

• Martha is serving and Mary is caring for Jesus. There’s a difference there.
• So many people want to go serve others by giving them food to eat. Here’s some food.
• But Mary cares for Jesus. Do you think Jesus cares more about giving someone a meal or the Gospel?
• We need to care more for what Jesus wants. He commands us to preach the Gospel.
• Preach the Gospel. Then, give them food. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

[12] John 12:4-5 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

• Judas Iscariot sees Mary using this very expensive ointment on Jesus. He doesn’t like that.
• Notice that Judas Iscariot’s father is named Simon. That’s another sermon.
• Yes, it would be a good thing to sell something and give it to the poor.
• That’s what Judas Iscariot said, but that’s not what he meant. The Bible tells us that in the next verse.

[13] John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

• Judas Iscariot kept this bag that was used to give to the poor.
• The disciples would put money in that bag and Judas was supposed to use that money for the poor.
• But he didn’t use that money for the poor. He would take that money because he was a thief.
• So he go mad when he didn’t get the 300 pence for this ointment.
• And remember, a day’s worth of work is equivalent to a pence.
• 300 pence is close to a year’s worth of work for a laborer. Probably $25,000.
• So you can see why Judas Iscariot is upset when Mary uses this ointment on Jesus.

The Ointment Is Preparing The Body Of Jesus

[14] John 12:7-8 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

• This ointment is preparing the body of Jesus for His burial. He’s going to be put to death.
• Jesus says, “You’ll always have the poor with you but not me.” In other words, He’s about to go away.

[15] John 12:9-11 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

• The Jews weren’t just coming to Bethany to see Jesus but Lazarus also.
• Lazarus was famous now because he had been raised from the dead.
• The chief priests wanted Lazarus dead because of this. They wanted all the attention to themselves.
• But they wanted Lazarus dead because they were losing people to Jesus Christ.
• The Jews were starting to believe on Jesus Christ and the religious Jews hated that.

[16] John 12:12-13 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

• People were coming to Jerusalem for the Passover. Passover is every year on the 14^th of the 1^st month.
• They hear that Jesus is coming to the Passover. He always does. It was a command to keep the Passover.
• The people took branches of palm trees, they go to meet Jesus, and they cry out for Him.
• “HOSANNA!!! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
• Those people that were there shouting this believed Jesus to be the King. They were praising Jesus.
• Hosanna is an exclamation of praise to God. When we want to praise God, we go to the Book of Psalms.

[17] Psalm 72:17-19 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

[18] Psalm 118:26-29 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

• When times are bad, praise God. When times are good, praise God. How? Read those words there.
• “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” That’s Jesus Christ who came and died for you.

[19] John 12:14-15 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

• Everything that is written by the prophets in the Old Testament will come true.
• Jesus comes into Jerusalem sitting on an ass’s colt just as it’s written in the Bible.

[20] Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

• These people want Jesus to be this amazing King. They want an earthly King like King Solomon.
• They want someone like King Saul who is the tallest. They want a fleshly king.
• So what does Jesus do? “Thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation.”
• “He is LOWLY, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
• The Bible told the people this. They had this Scripture in Zechariah. But they were looking for more.
• His very own disciples were looking for a great king. And He was right there in front of them.
• Always trust what the Scriptures say. He was was coming with salvation in hand and He was lowly.
• He could have had the angels carry Him into Jerusalem on this platform of gold and diamonds.

[21] John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

• After Jesus died and arose from the dead in His glorified body, the disciples remembered many things.
• They didn’t understand many things that Jesus said until He died and rose again.

[22] John 12:17-18 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

• All these people were waiting to see Jesus because of witnesses to Lazarus being raised from the dead.

[23] John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

• The Pharisees were trying to keep people from believing on Jesus but nothing was working.
• What do you think is next? They want Jesus dead. They think that’s going to stop people from believing.
• Did the Pharisees killing Jesus stop you from believing? No, it only helped. You can’t fight God Almighty.
• The more people that hate and persecute Christians like us won’t help their cause.
• God will be glorified, and every knee shall bow.

[24] Isaiah 45:23-24 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

You Can Kill Our Body But Not Our Soul

• Others can hate us and go up against us all they want. They will win against us and kill us in our bodies.
• But they won’t win against God Almighty. All that go up against God will be ashamed.

[25] Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

[26] Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[27] Numbers 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

• The evil can try and try and try again. But the earth is the Lord’s and all those people are His.
• He’ll do with each and every one of us what He pleases, and we can’t stop Him.

[28] Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

• Stop fighting against God and tell Him that you love Him. Give thanks unto the Lord. He gave you life.
• The Pharisees hated God. They didn’t want people going after Jesus Christ. The Pharisees didn’t stop us.

[29] John 12:20-22 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

• I hope you stop and you see this Scripture. There were more than Jews who wanted to worship God.
• These Greeks came and they wanted to see Jesus. Everyone was hearing about Jesus.
• It’s so sad that in today’s world many people see Jesus as a thing of the past. That’s old news.
• Not when you’re saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is never old news. Understand that.
• They go to Philip, one of the disciples of Jesus, and say: “Please Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
• Philip tells Andrew and both of them tell Jesus that these Greeks want to see Him. They aren’t Jews.

[30] John 12:23-24 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

• Remember, Jesus is the Passover lamb. He’s going to be killed on Passover day. “The hour is come.”
• Notice what Jesus says, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.”
• If that corn of wheat doesn’t die, then it never produces any fruit. When it dies, much fruit comes next.
• If Jesus wouldn’t have died and arose from the dead, we probably would have never heard about Him.
• The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus to stop the news about Him spreading.
• They were about to be surprised. Because Jesus died, He brought forth fruit. You and I are that fruit.
• And Jesus will not be alone. He’ll have millions upon millions of saved people in heaven with Him.
• Why? Because He sacrificed Himself to save our souls from death and hell. He brings forth fruit.

[31] Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

• Jesus was dead but not for long. He is alive forevermore. He gives everlasting life. No one else can.
• The Pharisees didn’t expect Jesus to arise from the dead. I’m not sure how they couldn’t.
• He raised Lazarus from the dead. They didn’t think He could arise from the dead Himself.

[32] John 12:25-26 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

• If you’re saved, you should hate the things of this world.
• Alcohol, drunken parties, drugs, getting high on drugs, fornication, adultery, theft, idolatry.
• You should hate the things of this world. That doesn’t mean you have to be miserable, though.
• “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord His God.”
• If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ by doing what He asks, His Father will honor you.
• Read the Bible every day, pray, preach the Gospel every day, help to get people saved.
• Do that, and God the Father will honor you. Don’t give into this world. Keep fighting for Jesus.

[33] John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

• The soul of Jesus was troubled. He speaks to His Father to save Him from this hour.
• Is there any other way? If anyone can find another way, it would be God the Father.
• But Jesus knows why He’s there, but He asks His Father to save Him.
• The hour is coming for Jesus to be sacrificed for all the sins of the world.

[34] Matthew 26:53-54 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

• Jesus could have saved Himself there, but He always fulfills the Scriptures.
• The Scriptures are the word of God and Jesus is the Word of God. He will fulfill the Scriptures.
• But remember, His soul is troubled. No one wants to die and go through that pain.
• No one. He did it anyway because He loves His Father and He loves you and I.

[35] John 12:28-29 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

• Jesus asks His Father to glorify the Father’s name.
• People hear the voice of God from heaven saying, “I have glorified it, and I’ll glorify it again.”
• His voice THUNDERED. The people hear it. They think an angel spoke to Jesus. But it was His Father.

The Voice From Heaven Didn’t Come For Jesus But For The People

[36] John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

• Jesus didn’t need to hear His Father respond to Him. He knows that He’ll respond every time.
• Jesus Christ is faith so He always knows His Father will hear Him and respond.
• The voice of His Father only came at that moment for the sakes of the people so they would believe.
• And remember, Jesus didn’t throw His voice to deceive us. Jesus isn’t God the Father.

[37] John 12:31-33 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

• Jesus tells us how He’s going to die. He’s going to be lifted up from the earth and draw men unto Him.
• The Pharisees are looking to kill Jesus to stop Him, but it’s just going to draw more people to Him.
• Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
• What does that mean? “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
• Jesus Christ is going to die and His soul will go to hell with all the sins of the world.
• He’s going to rise from the dead. He will rise in His new and glorified body.

[38] John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

• Once Jesus Christ arises from the dead, He is glorified and something new happens.
• When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost is given to you.
• This next Scripture is Jesus Christ speaking to the Apostle Paul and giving Paul instructions.

[39] Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

• When you have that first faith in Jesus to save you, you are turned from the power of Satan unto God.
• That’s what the Bible says. Why? You receive the gift of eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• Satan can’t enter into you. You’ve been turned from darkness to light. That’s why Satan is cast out of you.
• Your soul was full of sin. Once you’re saved, that sin is cast out. Satan is cast out of your soul. Sin is gone.
• The Holy Spirit seals your soul from sin until you receive a new and glorified body that can never sin.
• That’s what John 12:31 means. The prince of this world will be cast out and never to return to believers.

[40] John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

• Jesus just said in verse 32 that, “He will be lifted up from the earth.” The people know the Scriptures.
• They know the Old Testament law that states Christ abides forever. Who is this Christ or Son of man?

[41] 2 Samuel 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

[42] Psalm 72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

[43] Psalm 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

[44] Psalm 89:36-37 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

[45] Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

[46] Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

[47] Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

• We know that the Christ or the Savior will abide forever because of the Scriptures.
• So, the people ask, who is this Christ? Who is this Son of Man? Jesus just told them He will be lifted up.
• He tells them directly that He is the Christ. He is this Son of Man who will be lifted up to save them.
• But many still don’t get it, and many still don’t believe Him.

[48] John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

• Jesus is the light of the world. He’s not going to be there with them much longer.
• He’s telling them to believe on Him while He’s there or darkness will come upon them.
• Believe in the light which is Him that you may be children of light. You don’t want to be in darkness.
• Jesus will open your eyes so that you see the light and the truth in this world filled with darkness and lies.
• He then goes away from them and the light is gone. He hides Himself from them. Why?
• If you won’t believe what Jesus says, He will be hidden from you. That’s what happened there.

[49] John 12:37-38 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

• After all of the miracles that Jesus did before their very eyes, they still wouldn’t believe.
• Isaiah the prophet or Esaias in the New Testament wrote about this.
• “Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

[50] Isaiah 53:1-2 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

[51] Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

• Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was acquainted with grief. They hid their faces from Him.
• That’s what happened right there in John Chapter 12.

[52] John 12:39-41 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 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. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

• Because they despised Jesus, they couldn’t believe on Jesus as the Christ. They couldn’t see it. Why?
• He blinded their eyes. He rejected them. They first rejected Jesus over and over so Jesus rejected them.
• If you haven’t fully trusted in Jesus as the Christ, you better be careful. That’s called rejecting Him.
• You don’t want to do that because He might just reject you. Trust Jesus and believe what He says.

[53] Isaiah 6:9-10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

• You might be thinking, “Well, that’s not fair that God keeps them from being saved.”
• You don’t think they had their chances? He was right there in front of their own eyes.
• And they rejected Him over and over and over again.
• When you attempt to give people the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they reject you, it’s the same thing.
• The opportunity to be saved is right there in front of their eyes, and they’ll reject Jesus.
• So be careful when rejecting the Word of God because it might end up in rejection and hell.
• There’s nothing more important right now than being saved from hell.

[54] John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

• “Among the chief rulers many believed on Him.” That’s the exact words of the Bible. Do you see that?
• The first thing you do to be saved is to change your mind and believe on Jesus as Savior.
• Jesus Himself says, “Whosoever believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
• Verse 42 right there says they believed on Him, but they didn’t confess Jesus before man.
• The first action is they believed on Him. That means they were saved at that moment of believing.

What Is Saving Faith? Any Faith On Jesus Is Saving Faith!

But some preachers will say that these chief rulers had faith but not saving faith.

• They’ll say, “Saving faith means that you’ll confess Jesus before man.”
• But that confession with your mouth is a work, and it’s not easy because you’re scared of man.
• If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you confess Him with your mouth, you’re saved.
• If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you don’t confess Him with your mouth, you’re saved.
• Should you confess Him with your mouth? Should you tell people? Yes, you should.

[55] John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

• And this means you’re saved once you believe. And this means you shouldn’t be afraid to confess Jesus.
• Those rulers loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. That’s not good, but they were saved.

[56] John 12:44-45 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

• If you saw Jesus with your own eyes, it’s just like seeing God the Father.
• Are they the same person? Obviously, they aren’t.
• Jesus looks up to heaven and a voice comes from heaven. The voice didn’t come from Jesus.
• This means that Jesus is so much like His Father that if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen His Father.
• This means they are perfectly aligned in every way. Same thing with the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit is perfectly aligned with God the Father and Jesus Christ.

[57] John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

• Jesus didn’t say the chief rulers had to confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus Christ.
• He says, “That whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
• This just means they were saved, but no man knew they believed on Jesus and were saved.
• If you speak it with your mouth, it gives someone the appearance that you’re saved.
• Judas Iscariot spoke things with his mouth, he preached Jesus, but he wasn’t saved.
• Why? Because he didn’t believe on Jesus as his Savior.

[58] John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

• Jesus didn’t come at His first coming to judge the world. He came to setup the kingdom of God.
• That is a spiritual kingdom of God. Whosoever believes on Him is a part of that kingdom of God.
• In other words, He’s not there to judge them but to save them through His words and actions.
• They wouldn’t believe His words so He performed miracles so they might believe.
• But Jesus gives us the purpose of His first coming and that was to save the world.
• Jesus will come again to judge the world, but not at His first coming.

[59] John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

• Jesus is the Word of God. His words will be used to judge those people who reject Him and won’t believe.
• The judgement for heaven or hell all comes down to whether or not you believe on Jesus Christ.
• And you must make that choice while you’re alive right now in this life.
• Once you die without believing on Jesus, you don’t get another chance. It’s over so do it now.
• The dead or the unsaved will be judged out of the books which include the words of Jesus.

[60] Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

• The saved will never be judged in the last day to go to heaven or hell because they’re already righteous.
• And they’re only righteousness comes through Jesus Christ.
• If you look at John 12:48 closely again, you’ll see exactly what Jesus says.

[61] John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

• Notice that Jesus says, “He that rejecteth will be judged in the last day.”
• The dead are the people who reject Jesus their entire life. They will not live forever because they’re dead.
• If you want to stay dead all your life because you have sin counted to your soul, then reject Jesus.
• If you want to receive everlasting life as a gift from God, change your mind and believe on Jesus.

[62] John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

• Some people attempt to use verse 45 of John Chapter 12 that says, “And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me” to say that Jesus is God the Father.
• Well, don’t let people pick and choose their isolated verses without reading the entire chapter.
• Jesus says in verse 49, “For I have not spoken of myself.” That means there is another.
• That other person is not Jesus. He says, “The Father sent me and gave me a commandment.”
• “The Father told Jesus what He should speak.” Why did God the Father send Jesus to speak those words?
• And why did Jesus come and speak those words?

God sent Jesus to speak those words because His words are life everlasting.

• If you want life everlasting, listen to what Jesus has to say because His Father sent those words.
• God the Father wants you to live forever. He sent Jesus to die for you so that you could have eternal life.
• Jesus said, “I KNOW THAT HIS COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING.”
• And that’s why Jesus perfectly obeys His Father because there is none better than His Father in heaven.
• There is no god like our God. There is no other god but our God.

[63] Exodus 8:10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.

• There is none like OUR GOD. Please understand that today. Believe what Jesus says.
• Why would you want to do that? Because there’s nothing better. His words are life everlasting.

[64] Psalm 86:8-10 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. 9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

• Let’s pray.