Drawn To Him

Introduction

Well, I don’t ever tire of singing it. It’s not like you lead every week, Daniel. So from now on, that’s just Daniel’s song. He’s going to lead it every time. Here in the power of Christ, I stand. That is hopefully true of you. And if it is not, my lesson this morning is designed to make it so in your life. Started singing that song ten years ago in Auburn with the college students who would come occasionally to our home on Sunday nights, and they loved that song. And it was special to blend our voices together with young people singing such a powerful hymn, along with our God He is Alive. Which was always the culminating song. It’s a great question. I wish we could get more people to ask it.

And that question is, what must I do to be saved? I want to talk to you this morning about the most significant place that you occupy. Somewhat in relation to in the power of Christ, I stand. The most significant place or state that you occupy. And of course, being Texans and living in the great state of Texas, one answer that you might give is, I am a resident of Texas. And you say that with great pride. But there’s something better than that, believe it or not. A state that I want you to think about this morning that you most definitely need to occupy. It is instead your status in the spiritual realm with the living God, your creator, redeemer, and ultimate judge. My plan is to shore up that state in your life today, if indeed it needs to be.

That you are on good footing in the spiritual realm. What state are you occupying? Are you on good footing in the spiritual realm with the one who gives you life and breath and sustains your life, who offers redemption in Christ, and who will ultimately judge your eternal destiny? What is your state with the living God? Are you in a position to receive all of the ultimate blessings of both life and eternity? There are some in our audience this morning who occupy the state of faith. If you are a young child, you are there. You are safe. No sin is on your account. You are innocent. Young children are without sin.

It’s not that they don’t have a sense of right and wrong, because they do. They were born with something God instilled within each one of us, and it’s called a conscience. And it is the responsibility of the parent to train the conscience of the child. And so they learn about right and wrong very early on. Now I’m going to talk about Barrett because he’s about of that age and he’s sleeping. My sermon knocked him out. It took 30 seconds. He was awake when this started. Dean and Desney tell Barrett. Maybe we’re at this stage. We’re getting close, if not. Don’t touch that. And he looks at them, and being Barrett, the character that he is, reasons in his mind. I wonder what happens if I touch that.

He tests the waters. And he finds out what the consequences. Parents, you’ve got to be consistent with this. He finds out what the consequences are going to be. If nothing happens, then why don’t I need to touch it? But that’s what children do. And they find out, oh, I did what my parents told me I should not do. And these were the consequences, and they were unpleasant. It might begin with a little tap on the hand, then it’s something a little more than that. And so they begin to learn very early on, right and wrong. And I think sometimes children confuse this with sin before God. They have a strong sense of right and wrong, but that is not the same as perhaps the Isaiah 7.16 reference to the child that would be born who is assigned to King Ahaz and the nation of Judah.

1. From Lost to Saved by the Grace of God

That before the boy is old enough to refuse the evil and choose the good, the two kings whom you dread. Their land will be forsaken. The idea of arriving at what we call the age of accountability and saying, No, I know what God’s will is, but I am determined to go this way, to carve out my own course. Rebellion against the will of God. Sin, transgression. That happens when a child reaches that accountable age, whatever it is for that child. But until that time, they are safe. But here is the condition that I want to caution you about this morning, and that is at the moment of one’s first transgression against God, one is lost, undone. And one or more in this audience may dwell in that condition.

But it does not have to remain so.

Who have received and embraced the grace of God and the transformation that has happened in their lives. But we can take that phrase to express what happens when one goes from being lost to being saved. God’s indescribable gift, we’re talking about it on Wednesday nights. The grace of God has been extended so that we can go from this state to the other. And thanks be to God. That He has made it possible. God’s work initiated salvation. It involved great and extensive activity. And as we’ve sung about, at great personal cost, but the reception of this free gift involves a response. One isn’t automatically transferred from one state to the other without some kind of a response. If that’s true, if that’s the way it happens, as some talk about the finished work of Jesus on the cross, then ultimately, when Jesus died, everybody that lives from that point onward is saved.

Obviously, that’s not the case. There are many New Testament passages that suggest that’s not so, that there’s still a broad way that leads to destruction, and many are going in thereat. So how do you arrive from the state of spiritually lost to saved due to the grace of God? For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’ve all fallen short of the perfection that God displays. But then in verse 24, being justified as a gift by his grace through the redemption. Okay, there’s a purchasing that goes on. There is through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Okay, there is redemption in Christ. And when you occupy that state, that’s what we’re looking for. Well, how do we arrive at that state?

For by grace have you been saved through faith. Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8 and 9. It’s not anything that we have merited because we’ve done X, and X and X, and because we’ve done those things, then therefore God is indebted to save us. That’s not how it works. We have not merited, and more on that later. I may do a whole sermon on the idea of meriting as we talk about it. But that’s the condition. But it is more than just a simple acknowledgement that Jesus is indeed Savior, King, and Lord. The scriptures plainly point out, as we’ve been studying in the book of Acts, that the faith that says is a faith that turns from vain things to serve a living and true God, Acts 14.

It’s a repentance that leads to life. Acts chapter 11 and verse 18. Faith fuels repentance. Because you believe so strongly in Jesus, you determine to change allegiance from the dominion of Satan to the dominion of Christ. And that faith fuels an acknowledgement publicly with our lips of this new allegiance. I now believe, I sign on to Jesus Christ. I joined his cause, as we can use that term that we’ve studied in Acts 17 this morning. I’m joining His cause. I’m aligned with Him. That’s what faith does, and with the mouth, confession is made into salvation. Romans chapter 10, verses 9 and 10. But that’s not all that’s necessary to change that state from lost to saved. We must die to sin, represented by this act of being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission or cleansing of your sins.

2. We Have Now Become His Vessel

That’s the culminating step of faith that places us in Christ. That’s what the New Testament teaches. Over and over again. We’ve seen it many times in the book of Acts. That’s how one state is changed. But that’s not the end of the story either. And I wish I had more time to talk about what must now result in accordance with our faith. So many passages of the New Testament talk about what faith must now do, must continue to do. And maybe the best way of explaining it is we have now become his vessel. And I like that term that is used in the New Testament. Our vessels are a lot different than first century vessels, but we still have them.

That would be one vessel that you might, you know, you pour the water in the top and it filters out all the stuff that’s killing us, that’s in our water tap. And we drink more purified water. And so that water jug is a vessel that we use. You know, at my house, the water doesn’t pour itself. Would be nice, wouldn’t it? Now you can go to the refrigerator, makes it a lot easier if you’ve got one of those water spigots out of your refrigerator. But vessels are things that those who have the power and ability to do so, take that vessel and pour with it, or use it or cook with it. And vessels are just instruments of use by the owner or by the master.

That’s what we’re to become vessels of honor. That’s our calling as those who have signed on to Christ, who, by our faith, by doing what faith requires, have come into Christ, have been baptized into him. That’s your job. Go out from here today and say, I need to be his vessel. A vessel for honor, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. Useful, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 21. Thus we need to flee youthful lusts with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. And we can talk about James chapter 1 if we had time, about what that means is we might still find some things in our hearts, things that creep in, perhaps imperceptibly unnoticed, that ought not be there, that aren’t consistent with his calling and his will.

And we’ve got to weave those things out. Laying aside all the remains of wickedness or filthiness, receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. And that’s what happens at the beginning of this process, everything marked in yellow, and that’s what continues to happen with everything marked in blue. We must, and actually, James chapter 1 is foremost addressing that. Those who are already in Christ, who find things that are still aren’t honed in the example of Christ like they need to be, and you’re weeding all of that out that doesn’t belong. And receiving the word implanted. And he goes on to talk about, and you’re familiar with this, right? Doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. But the one who’s a doer of the word, this man, this person shall be blessed in what he does.

Now that’s why you need to be in this state. This is the person, the one who is the Lord’s vessel, who have met these terms of admission, who have met these requirements and come into Christ. This person shall be blessed in what he does. And that’s a state you need to occupy. That’s this saved state. We could put the word, man, I wish I’d have phoned that up there on top of it. Blessed. This man shall be blessed in what he does. And I’ll tell you what that person does, or his religion is vain. He bridles his tongue. Verse 26. That’s part of this being his vessel. We’ve got to watch what we say. James talks about that in length in chapter 3. And he says, pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

3. Jesus Is the Draw

You have responsibilities to others. You have responsibilities to moral purity. And those things are challenges. But we’re pursuing being his vessel. Okay. That’s salvation in a nutshell. Very short. That’s half the lesson. But I want to ask this question. Why? One of my favorite questions. Why should you occupy this state? I think you understand lost and wrath and eternal condemnation, okay, that’s a good reason to change your state from the dominion of Satan to the reign of Christ. That’s a good reason. But there are some other motivating factors here as to why you should do that. And I’ll say some people are motivated by good things, but perhaps not all that they should be. Some people are drawn by a dynamic church. This is a great church.

I love being a part of the Decker Prairie Church. There are a lot of good congregations, but I’ve got to tell you, this is as happy as I’ve ever been with a group of the Lord’s people. Y’all have been too good to me. Don’t stop. Okay, Steve, we’ll work on it. But some people are attracted to the dynamic church. And it’s great if we have a lot of young people and our worship services are enthusiastic and stimulating and not boring. Not a going through the motions. Well, we actually feel energized spiritually by being here. We are so blessed to have that here. And to have as many warm bodies as we do. And warm people, period. And yet, some people, that’s the drawing card. They see the church.

But may I suggest that’s just an outgrowth of the major drawing factor? That should not be the major draw for you to embrace this message of salvation. I want to suggest to you instead that Jesus is the draw. And one of the reasons why we lose folks who surrender that state that we talked about and go back, as Paul would say, to the beggarly elements, is because they’re not being drawn by the right thing anymore. Brethren will disappoint. Sometimes churches will go through issues and problems. And so people’s faith is undermined because they’re drawn to the wrong thing. Oh, it’s a good thing, but we need to be drawn by Christ. And I love the illustration of John chapter 3. I wish I had time to talk about this whole context.

I’m going to trust that you know something about the discussion between Nicodemus and Jesus that is taking place. Jesus says, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. Remember, they had to look upon that serpent, that bronze serpent that later became an idol of all things. The hushtan. Hezekiah had to grind it to powder. But they lifted up the serpent on a pole, and when they were bit by the poisonous serpent, they would die unless they looked in faith to that serpent. And he says, just like that, the Son of Man has to be lifted up. And he says in John 12 and verse 32, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself. I love that. John 12, 32. I will draw all men to myself.

That’s the draw. You come to Christ when you change states. And may I suggest that’s the only way that we’re going to receive immortality in his presence forever. That’s it. There is no other name under heaven by which one can be saved other than the name of Jesus Christ. There’s no other means.

Alright, let’s move on in our last ten minutes this morning.

4. What? Being Known by Him

When we talk about being drawn to him, what exactly does that involve? We’re going to ask three questions. The first is what? May I suggest first it is being known by him. You need that. That’s the state you need to occupy this morning. Does Jesus know you? Does God know you? Oh, I know he knows every person. He knows the thoughts and intents of every heart of every person. But the term is used here in a special way of again his favor and relationship with him when it says in 1 Corinthians 8 and verse 3, if anyone loves God, he is known by him. That’s just an illustration of knowing in the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 8, but that’s an important phrase. If anyone loves God, he is known by him.

The firm foundation of God, but this is the vessel of honor text that we looked at earlier, useful to the master. 2 Timothy chapter 2. The firm foundation of God stands having this seal, the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who names the name of Christ abstain from wickedness. His vessel. Known by him. That’s our challenge. And then I like this Old Testament text. This Anani, the seer, comes to Asa and says, the eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth to strongly support those whose hearts are completely his.

When we ask the question, what? What does it mean to be drawn to him? You need his care. His help, his provision, his blessing. You need that. It’s not just fellowship from the standpoint of being saved from sin, but it’s the assistance that he brings. I was discussing with Jared Bowman yesterday the context of 1 Peter 3 and Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison and what that means, 1 Peter 3, verse 19. We’re talking about the whole context. And something struck me about verse 18 where it says, Jesus died once for all for sins, the just for the unjust, which is remarkable. That’s a statement you could talk about for 45 minutes. He died, the just for the unjust. And then this simple little statement that is so significant, unto what end?

5. Why? Jesus Graciously Offers What You Desperately Need

That he might bring us to God. That’s why Jesus is the draw. Through him we are brought into the most holy place, Hebrews chapter 10. He has drawn us to him so that he might bring us to God. And so the second point flows out of that. The why that I announced earlier, because Jesus graciously offers what you desperately need. And that can be illustrated by these two passages. Paul says, let me tell you where you were before you changed states. That graph that we had up there, before you changed states from lost to saved in Christ. He said, and when you were dead in your trespasses. Walking dead men. People don’t know they’re dead. If there is sin and transgression on your account that has not been remedied by the saving blood of Jesus Christ, you are a walking dead person.

You were dead in your trespasses and sins as you walked according, it says, to the course of this world. You know, I sort of pass over that a lot of the times when I repeat. You formerly, you’re not doing that now. Remember, you’re his vessel now. You formerly walked according to the course of this world. You know, just however, whichever way the world’s going. If it goes over here, I’m going to go over here. Sensuality, drunkenness, whatever it is, doing drugs. The course of this world is going this way, and I’m just sort of flowing with it. Wherever it goes, I’m going. That’s the way. No, we don’t walk like that anymore because we’re in Christ. We’re his vessel. And that means purity.

Since according to the course of the world, and the devil’s behind it all, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. They’re doing their own thing. They’re not doing the Lord’s thing. Sons of disobedience. He says, Among them we too all formerly lived. Notice how the word formerly keeps appearing, lived in the lust of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind. You know, we just indulge whatever the mind wanted. And were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Oh. But while we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Look at this. This is a great verse, Colossians 2. We were buried with him in baptism. It says in Colossians chapter 2 and verse 12. In which you were raised up with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all of our transgression. So, the reason why you need Jesus and need to be drawn to him is because without him, we’re children destined for wrath. But instead we can be raised up with him. And that’s why John says, as we conclude this point, to Christians, to those who have changed states, but yet there’s an appeal.

6. Why Not? Great Challenges

Love not the world. Neither the things that are in the world, he says, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, as he talks about all that is in the world. It is not from the Father, but it’s from the world. And he says, and the world is passing away. Don’t devote yourself to what is passing away and reap judgment. He says, the world is passing away and also it’s less, but the one who does the will of God abides forever. Now that’s the why. It’s about temporary and destruction and permanent and eternal and blessing. That’s the choice. And finally. Why not? And the reason why so many don’t change the state that they’re in. It’s because there are great challenges.

The course of this world beckons to. Well, why does that work? I mean, children of wrath versus raised up with him in the hope of immortality. So, how does this work? I’ll tell you how it works. Because the world’s offer is I can give you something pleasurable, and I can give it to you right now. The passing pleasures of sin. I can give you a payoff right now. You don’t have to wait. And I it’s even better. I’ve got something even better. That’s what the devil does. Substitutes. Inferior substitutes. But I can give it to you now. You can have some pleasure, you can have some relief, you can have some escape, and you can have it right now. And I’ll tell you, the course of this world is relentless.

It will beckon to you and call to you every single day. Saying, oh, this vessel business, that’s too hard. No patience necessary, no waiting. Just imbibe. Drink it up. Pursue the feeling. Get the feeling regardless of its ungodliness. I’ll tell you what else. Confidence in the unseen is required.

That’s a challenge. Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve not laid eyes on Jesus. I’ve seen the apostle Paul in my mind for many years, but I’ve never laid eyes on him. Or anybody else that’s mentioned in Scripture. And I’ve I’ve the transfiguration of such a brilliant story in my mind. But I but I’ve never seen Moses and Elijah. In heaven, man, I told it’s wonderful. But I’ve never laid eyes on it. We are so visually oriented. And this being drawn to him requires that our minds be focused on that which we cannot see. That’s the challenge. And that’s what Paul is saying in 2 Corinthians 4. And I wish I had time again to go through that whole context where he talks about being bond servants of Christ.

We do not preach ourselves. And he says, We have this treasure in earthen vessels. And he says, Death works in us, but life in you. He said, We are a miserable mess from a worldly earthly point of view. We’re going through trial and difficulty and suffering. But we do not look to the things which are seen. But to the things which are unseen. The things that are seen, they’re short-lived, they’re temporal, but the unseen things are eternal. Let me tell you, if we’re struggling to be the Lord’s vessel, it’s right here. The course of this world is beckoning. And our confidence in the unseen can waver. And then there’s this, implied by the first two. What Jesus is offering us that we so desperately should want and need.

I’ll just tell you right now, patience is not one of my finer qualities. Just ask my wife. But in regard to what Jesus offers, the full intent of what he’s going to give us, we’ve got to wait, and it seems like forever. And you’ve got to persevere in his things. Man, I see so many Christians just not sticking it out. They do it for a while. In time of temptation, they fall away. The parable of the sower talks about that. Or they do it for 10 years or 15 years, and then they’re giving up on marriages and they’re giving up on the Lord’s people and they’re throwing in the town. They’re just not going to persevere. The perseverance of the saints. That’s what the New Testament talks about.

We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith, the preserving of the soul. And I want to tell you, we’re just not very good at waiting. We’re Americans. We’re not good at that. But we’ve got to become good at that and realize that the ultimate treasure is so much greater than any trinket that comes from the devil. No matter how pleasurable it is in the moment, it is just the moment. That’s all it is. Do you really think one act of infidelity is going to fulfill you? It absolutely will not. It could be one glorious moment. That’s all it is. Or some inglor, some glory. Actually, they are inglorious. Inglorious moments. But look at what you surrender. Look at who you disappoint.

Conclusion

Look at the toll that it takes upon your soul and your life. Yes. In Christ alone. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. And whoever loves the Father loves the child born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world. Our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world? But he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Things that are higher, things that are nobler.

These have allured my sight. I will follow him. I will hasten to him. Let me tell you about that choice. You won’t be disappointed. Ultimately, you’ll never regret the choice to be his vessel. If you’re in a lost state, we appeal to you to respond right now to the saving of your soul. Let’s stand to see.