Lesson 11

Condemned

John 3:17-21

In the preceding verses (v. 14-16) we have seen beautifully and brilliantly the tremendous truths of SALVATION.

® Points to Lost Sinners

® Proclaims a Lifted Savior

® Tree…Tomb…Throne…Tongue

® Promises a Lasting Salvation

Isn't it great to receive Christ? To be born again? To have our sins forgiven? To have our lack sins be washed white in the red blood of Jesus?

But the tone changes in verses 17-21. Here we are made to take a reluctant, yet realistic look at the terrible truth of CONDEMNATION. These verses provide a warning tot hose who do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Most men and women do not life this teaching. Yet it is a fact that sin has consequences and that one of these is the judgement of God. Four times in verses 17-19 the words "condemn" "condemned" and "condemnation" is used. This is the sobering theme of these verses.

The Mission Of Jesus Revealed, v. 17

Christ had a "cosmic" mission, a world-wide task. Three times this "world" view is revealed, v.17 (2). 19. There was a definite purpose Christ was to accomplish in coming to our world. The word "sent" (apostalo) means "one sent on a mission with a message." Jesus was heaven's Ambassador. What was His mission?

Not to Condemn. That was not His mission on His first coming to this world.

But to Claim. "But that the world through Him might be saved."

Let each of these words stand.

"the world…"

"through Him…"

"might be"

"saved…"

We might distinguish here the mission of Jesus in His first coming and in His second coming.

The Mercy Of Jesus Received, v.18a

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned…"

The Believing. This is what is always emphasized in God's Word. 101 times in John's Gospel. See 3:2, 15, 16, 18. Can you trust God to be telling you the truth?

The Blessing. "Not condemned." Are those not some of the most precious words a person could hear? Condemnation - that is what we all deserve. Who here would dare to stand to say by his or her own merits they deserve heave, instead of hell? We cannot plead "not guilty to the indictment. Only that there has been another who has taken our place and punishment.

"I should have been crucified.

I should have suffered and died.

I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,

But Jesus, God's Son, took my place."

John 5:24 "shall not come into condemnation…"

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…"

I Thess. 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ…"

Christians are often afflicted in their bodies. Christians may be persecuted by the world. Christians are chastened by their loving Heavenly Father. But they will never, never be condemned!

The Misery Of Jesus' Rejecters, v.18b-21

What if a person chooses not to believe in Jesus as Savior? How serious is that?

Hebrews 10:28-31

The faith of the saint is matched by the folly of the sinner.

CONDEMNED. V.18b. This is not just a bunch of spiritual "paper work."

"He" - Do you see how personal this is?

"That believeth not" - Here is the problem. Unbelief is detestable. Jesus deserves to be embraced, believed, loved, honored.

"condemned" - Here is the divine pronouncement. The sentence upon your soul has already been rendered.

"already" - No one who is lost is waiting to be condemned, they are only waiting for the punishment. You are already condemned! All legal process has ceased, all courts closed, all judges dismissed.

"Because he hath not believed in the name of the only Begotten Son of God." What does it mean to not believe in the name of Jesus? Matt. 1:21 "And ye shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." You are saying you do not need a Savior. You are saying Jesus was not Special. God sent His dearest to save us. Should He not be dearest to us?

A man who has a disease that a few injection will cure, but refuses to take the injection and consequently dies of his disease, has no one to blame but himself. He spurned the remedy.

CONFUSION, v.19. Is this not strange? Unredeemed people are so confused that they "loved darkness rather than light." When Adam sinned, he plunged this whole race into confusion, into darkness. The fish in Mammoth Cave, Ky., have no longer eyes, but only socket where eyed used to be. Some men love the darkness that they will live in for eternity. "To whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever" (Jude 13).

CAUSTIC, v.20. Before, the light shined in darkness, and the world comprehended it not (1:5). Now, the light shined in darkness, and men "hateth the light." You will not remain neutral about the light, Jesus Christ. If you do not receive Him, you will reject Him. If you do not love Him, you will hate Him. If you do not worship Him, you will ridicule Him. The Light…

Reveals the darkness

Hurts the eyes

Is uncomfortable

There are only two categories…

"Well, I have been thinking about it." Charles Spurgeon once wrote that if you continue to just think about it "you till think yourself in hell."

D. L. Moody preached one evening, "What will ye do with Jesus?" The great Chicago fire broke out.