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INTRODUCTION
Appearing before a Judge can be a fearful thing. I have been called but never had to serve for
jury duty, never appeared as a defendant or plaintiff in a court case, though I have paid
traffic fines rather than elect to appear. I have served as a character witness in two cases,
and was a spectator in one other trial. My experience is limited, but enough to respect the
power of judges and the law.
The Supreme Judge of the Universe is God Almighty. The final authority is not the U.S. Supreme
Court, not the World Court in The Hague, but God Almighty. James 4:12: “There is
only one Lawgiver and Judge.”
As we move through the Gospel of John, we shall look at a text that speaks of judgment. We are
still in the chapter with the conversation with Nicodemus. The religious leader who came to
Jesus by night. Jesus explained the need to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. We have
more gospel truth that John records for us.
1. Believers and Judgment. vs. 17, 18a
- There is no judgment for those who believe in Jesus. Jesus did not come to judge
(condemn) the world, but to save world.
- “God is not a harsh, cruel ruler anxious to pour out His anger on mankind. His
heart is filled with tenderness toward man and He has gone to the utmost cost in order
to save man. He could have sent His Son into the world to judge it, but did not do so.
On the contrary, He sent His Son here to suffer, bleed, and die in order that the
world might be saved through Him.” (Believers Commentary, 296)
- The believer in Jesus Christ will never have to be judged by God the highest Judge.
People will either come before God as their Judge or their Redeemer/Friend. We
don’t have to fear meeting our Maker/Redeemer.
- The NT talks about believers being disciplined - but as from a Father, not sentenced
for our sin by a Judge. 1 Cor. 11:32; Hebrews 12:4-11
- Jesus has paid the price for our sin, Jesus is our mediator who settled our case of
us/sinner against God the Judge, by taking our sin upon Himself.
- The primary purpose of the life and death of Jesus Christ was to bring salvation to
mankind. To give us faith not fear, heaven not hell, love not hate. Jesus is our
Savior. Someday He will bring us into the throne room of God and introduce us as a
born again child of God, and we will hear “Well done good and faithful
servant, enter in to the joy of your reward.” (Matt. 25:21). No judgment,
but a welcome home.
- This past week Rev. Jerry Falwell passed away. Regardless what you think of his
politics, he firmed preached and believed the gospel. He heard those great words from
God last Tuesday.
- Believers and judgment - through Jesus - there is none. PTL.
2. Unbelievers and Judgment. v. 18b,c
- Judgment is the inevitable and logical consequence of unbelief. This is bad news for
unbelievers, unrepentant sinners. It is self-judgment.
- Merrill Tenny: “As the man who turns his back to the sun deepens by his own
shadow the darkness in which he walks, so the unbeliever intensified the darkness of
his soul by his unbelief.” (90)
- “...the disingenuous shun the searchlight of Jesus’ presence, and in so
doing provide the evidence that they stand self-condemned. Sin invariably lead the
sinner to hide himself from God, even as Adam and Eve hid themselves in the garden of
Eden.” (Tasker, 69)
- People hid themselves by avoiding the church, pastors, Christian media, oppose
Christian social views - because they want to live in their sin and not feel guilty.
But to reject Christ comes at a terrible cost, for God has no other choice but to
allow the man’s self condemnation to stand.
- The Overlin murders in January. The killer was a son. He admitted he killed them, and
based on the evidence and his admission, there was no need for a trial, he was
self-condemned. All the judge had to do was uphold the punishment, and the criminal
went straight to prison for 2 life terms.
- The unbeliever’s life of sin is self admission, straight to the judgment of God,
the automatic sentence of hell. Matt. 7:23 NIV: Jesus says: “I will tell
them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
3. Light and darkness and Judgment. vs. 19-21
- Think of dark places. The darkness veils peoples sinful deeds. I don’t want to
imagine what goes on in darkness. I have been in many dark houses during the day. We
like light. Darkness is OK just for sleep, but I can sleep during the light - during
the news, reading paper, at my desk…
- Sinners love darkness. Sinful people are uncomfortable by Christ’s presence
because His light reveals their life in darkness. People hate light because it exposes
their sins. They want to hide in the shadows, wear a facade, cover up their guilt,
shroud it in darkness.
- We have been fighting moles in our yard - they hate light. Scary crawling and creeping
creatures like moles, mice, and snakes are hidden by darkness and flee from light.
- Wiersbe: “Why will sinners not come into the light of life? Because they love
the darkness! They want to persist in their evil deeds, and this keeps them from
coming to the light; for the closer the sinner gets to the light, the more his sins
are exposed. It is not intellectual problems that keep people from trusting Christ, it
is the moral and spiritual blindness that keeps them loving the darkness and hating
the light.“ ( Vol 1, 297)
- Christ is the light of the world - do you let Him shine in your life? Do you live in
His light. v. 21 “he who practices the truth comes to the light.”
- “the man of integrity, is inevitably drawn to Him, for he has nothing to fear in
the exposure of his actions and motives to the divine light of Jesus’
presence.” (Tasker, 69) Are you drawn to Christ? Not afraid of Him?
- If a person is truly honest before God, he will come to the light, he will realize his
sinfulness and seek cleansing and refreshment from the light.
- Found only in Christ. Salvation and revival require the same thing - humble repentance
of sin, cleansing of the darkness by the light of Christ. It is costly, but only
briefly. If not - it is costly for eternity. Too high!
- Criminal mind doesn’t think about consequences, getting caught. We have criminal
mind to a degree, sinners are not thinking of eternal future.
- Graduates: you are future focused. Trust God for your future. Think of the near
future, the future you want in 10, 20, 50 years, and the eternal future.
CONCLUSION
I hope that you want to Avoid the Judge! Invite Christ to shine in you!
ABC’s of salvation: Admit you are a sinner, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the
dead and you will be saved.
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