The Question Few Are Asking

Introduction

Faithful law blowing down from the home cover crown makes me all face my soul watching wider slow faithful law God bear preaching down Christ bear off my hand when I can stand on my own faithful law from the world to show the father’s law and I never he was safe for my seat faithful love faith and Jesus Faithful law is a friend just when all things we praise faith praise faithful law makes us far in right in the mind guiding my way faithful law from love came to work to be able to take a day. For my team. And Jesus is. Well, I feel like I need to introduce myself. I’m Tony Mock, and I’m your visiting evangelist today. It is unfortunate the scheduling of my spring meetings that they all came right together.

But sometimes those things cannot be avoided. And the good news is, with one more trip to Athens, Alabama next week, I will only have one meeting the rest of the year. So you’re stuck with me. Very shortly, if you can patiently endure this little stretch. Two Sundays ago I was in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the Traders Point Church, a group of slightly over 200 people, and I had a good meeting there Sunday through Tuesday. And then came back, was here Wednesday night, and then off to a camp in Chester, Texas, where 60 young people from roughly the Luffkin, Beaumont, Port Arthur area were together for a few days for fun and for some emphasis on spiritual things, and that was my role there. And then after that, I began a meeting on the Lord’s Day with the Stone Gate Church in Port Arthur, and that went through Wednesday night, so that’s where I’ve been.

The church, again, roughly the same size as the Traders Point Church. And those lessons went well, or so I hear from Bill and Lucy’s family over at Stone Gate. They were sending word back, and Lisa that the sermons had gone well, so that’s that’s good that they’re reporting that behind my back. But I’m glad to be back with you on this Lord’s day and to address the question that so few ask.

Unfortunately, in regard to the answer to those two questions, a lot of folks come up with wrong conclusions or insufficient answers in regard to those questions. But the question that I want to examine with you this morning is the question that Saul of Tarsus asked. The question, what shall I do, Lord? Or as others in the New Testament ask, what must I do to be saved? I got this idea several weeks ago when I realized we’re just not baptizing many folks anymore. And in gospel meetings, it’s not uncommon for a preacher to come or for me to go and to preach, and no one responds to the invitation of the gospel.

I would say I’ve gone ophur for the year. But one young man, of course, that’s more about his home life and the work that was done in Lufkin. One man, one young man responded to the invitation during my meeting in Lufkin. But for three meetings, relatively nothing happening. People aren’t responding during invitations. Like they used to. I have gospel preachers telling me of a time when they would go and hold a meeting. Johnny Edwards wrote on the back of one of his sermons, 37 baptisms in one gospel meeting. I’ve never experienced success like that. And so the question is, why? Why are people asking this question? Why aren’t people responding to the message of salvation, perhaps like they did in ages past? Well, maybe it’s the preaching.

Maybe it is a failure on my part and those who do the work of preaching that we’re not preaching the right kind of sermons. With the right kind of motivation, that people are not responding, that we’re not doing our job well enough. And that could be part of it. In fact, I want to preach a lesson tonight that should contribute to somebody’s response if their soul is lost. And perhaps this sermon flows out of the one I’m going to do tonight, because I’m trying to get you to come back. But the sermon I’m going to do tonight, maybe more preaching like that is what we need. I don’t know. Perhaps the reason is simple failures in evangelism. Maybe it’s not the preacher or just the preacher.

It’s perhaps we’re not trying to get that message out. Perhaps we’re not doing an effective job in teaching people. And that’s why folks aren’t asking the question, what must I do to be saved? I just want somebody to ask that. Tony, what do I got to do to be saved? You know, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink that. I’m having trouble leading people to the water. And getting them to just ask the question, what must I do to be saved? Well, I posed a couple of possibilities as to why perhaps a failure in my preaching and the kinds of messages that I’m preaching. Perhaps problems in evangelism, perhaps it’s failures in all of us in our failed attempts to reach others, but I don’t believe that’s the major reason.

1. Why Folks Aren't Asking: Simple Distraction

Woo. Was it me? Was it Tony? I believe the reason. Why folks aren’t asking the question so much anymore is simple distraction. The devil has us distracted with toys and trinkets and technology of all kinds. And folks are just way too wrapped up and way too busy in all of the little things that they can do in this world. And some Christians are so busy in their own lives that they hardly have time for gospel meetings anymore, or additional gatherings of the Lord’s people outside the assemblies. Well, forget that. Some people just can’t make the assemblies. We’re just so busy in the world, and I believe that’s a lot of what’s going on out there, that folks are just distracted, and that’s the way our adversary wants it.

He has all kinds of methods and ways to destroy souls, but let’s just not get them thinking about the big picture here. Let’s keep them distracted by the temporary, by the minutia of life, rather than its larger questions. And so, flowing from that, the reason why people aren’t asking this question is they’re carnal. They are secular in their focus in Ephesians chapter 4. If you’ll turn with me there in Ephesians chapter 4, as Paul affirms, that these believers in Ephesus should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, and that’s where folks are. In the futility of their mind, darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God. There’s not anything worse than that. Excluded from the life of God.

And they do that because they’re ignorant, he goes on to say, and because their hearts have become hardened. You’re not going to get people to ask this question as long as they persist in the hardness of their heart and they’ve become callous. They’ve given themselves over to sensuality. That’s that carnal mind. It’s all about the pleasure of the moment and what pleasure I can give to my body right now for the practice of every kind of impurity. And they do it eagerly. They do it with greediness. They want as much of it as they can. That’s why folks don’t ask the question. But he says, now that’s not so of you. You did not learn Christ in that way. And that’s what conversion to the Lord is all about.

We learn Christ as we are taught in him the truth that is in Jesus. Hold that thought. The truth that is in Jesus. And we’ve laid aside an old self, he says in verse 22, corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit. Nothing good in that life that you left behind. Corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, but you have become transformed, as Paul would say in Romans chapter 12 and verse 2. You have become renewed in the spirit of your mind, and you’ve put on a new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. So this is the reason why I believe people aren’t asking the question as much anymore. People are just so distracted and so materially, secularly, sensually, carnally focused.

When I was working with those young people, I was doing some of it on the fly, just trying to get a feel for how I could connect with them. And so I started out on Friday night by addressing them for about 30 minutes. And my topic that I chose was confidence in God’s word, because I thought young people need to develop more confidence that this book really has the answers for my life, and I can trust the answers that it gives that I really need this. And so that was the topic that I chose. And on Saturday, I told them Friday night, I said, we’re going to do something every time we get together tomorrow. And I want to practice it right now. I said, I’m going to ask you every time we get together three times on Saturday, what are you focused on?

And you’re going to say the unseen. That’s why I said, let’s practice right now. I said, what are you focused on? And then boom. In unison, they loved it. The unseen. And every time we got together, what are you focused on? One time I waited until the middle of my presentation. They thought I’d forgotten. What are you focused on? Boom. The unseen. You see, most people possess very little concern and give precious little attention to the reality of God. The reigning king.

And the problem of sin. And other spiritual realities that we’ll talk about tonight are also neglected. People aren’t asking the question because they’re not concerned about the possibility that sin is on their account, and they are in an undone condition before God.

2. Several Times the Question Was Asked

And that without him, their lives are less, and their hope is nothing. So many failed to consider. Several times in the biblical text, the question was asked. Did not always follow in conversion, like in the case of the rich young ruler. What good things shall I do that I might inherit eternal life? Jesus no doubt loved it when the young man came to him with that question. And it even says that Jesus felt a love for him in the mark account. I wish I could just get people to ask that question more so that I could at least give them the answers like Jesus did. Ultimately, of course, he knew that young man had a problem with the material focus, and thus he said, go sell all your possessions and give it to the poor.

Come follow me. But he’s not asking him really to give up everything because he says, You shall have treasure in heaven. He didn’t do that. He went away sorrowfully because he had many possessions, still carnal in his focus and in his affections. But at least he asked the question. What good things shall I do that I might inherit eternal life? And of course, on the day of Pentecost. When Peter and the apostles preached, you put Jesus to death. They asked, men and brethren, what shall we do if we could just get people to ask the question? As was referenced in our Bible class in Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs at midnight after being beaten for their faith. That left an impression on a jailer who was tending to them.

And when the earthquake happened and the prison doors came open and he was about to kill himself, and Paul says, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. He responded like one might under that kind of circumstance and being so impressed with what he had seen. He says, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Whatever you’ve got, I need it. What a question. And he and his whole family immediately after they were taught were baptized, having believed in God. And then I mentioned Solitars. When he finally discovered that he wasn’t doing God’s work, that he was actually opposing the work of God, kicking against the goads after that conversation with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He said, What do I need to do?

What shall I do, Lord? Go into Damascus. Jesus says, and it will be told you what you must do. I think there’s a whole sermon to be gained there as to how he received the answers. Jesus didn’t give it to him directly from heaven, but sent him to a messenger. Ananias, who would instruct him, arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22 and verse 16. And Saul of Tarsus would never be the same. He would become the great apostle Paul. And that’s why I had Bobby lead faithful love. Yes, Bobby led out of the sub. Faithful love. I’ll never be the same because I’ve seen faithful love to face. And may that be true of us who have asked the question and answered it.

May we realize we will never be the same because of our association with Jesus Christ. Paul was never the same. He says in Galatians chapter 2 and verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered himself up for me. We need to ask the question. What must I do to be saved? What shall I do, Lord? Because we must come to the realization that we need Jesus Christ. And I want to talk to you very briefly about why we need him so very desperately in our lives. And bottom line is, he’s it.

3. Our Only God and Savior: No Other Name

If you’ll go quickly to the book of Jude, I’ve gotten to where I’ve mentioned this in every meeting that I preach. In Jude 19, yes, that tiny little book of Jude, the one before the book of Revelation. As Jude’s warning about all kinds of evil influences of those who cause divisions and who are, look at this, worldly minded and devoid of the Spirit. He’s saying, don’t be like them. But he says, you build yourselves up in the most holy faith. You keep yourselves in the love of God. And he concludes in verses 24. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and he who is able to make you stand in the presence of his glory. Blameness. And with great joy to the only God, our Savior.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen. Our only God and Savior. As the apostles would say in Acts chapter 4 and verse 12, there is no other name given among men by which one can be saved. Acts chapter 4 and verse 12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. There is no other source of salvation. You’re hearing this morning about the only source of salvation that exists anywhere. There is no other name. There’s no other authority or power. No one else can save you. He has the name that is above every name. Philippians chapter 2 and verse 9.

And if you’ll flip over to Acts chapter 10 and verse 43, the sermon preached to Corneas and his family of him, Acts 10 43, of him all the prophets bear witness that through his name, everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins. You realize how exclusive that is. Everyone who believes in him receives the forgiveness of sin. It’s only found here. There is salvation in no one else. And you need him, and Paul realized that because in sin we are lost. Lost, oh, what a cry. Your sins and iniquities have separated you from God. Woeful days for the people of God during the life of Isaiah. Even one who is pursuing holiness and righteousness like Isaiah was.

For mine eyes have seen the king. People aren’t asking the question because they don’t realize the condition of the soul when sin is on our account. He is the only mediator between God and man. Passage that Mike introduced us to at the end of class in 1 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 5. In sin we are lost. And the amazing and remarkable thing about that is that he actually seeks us. He initiated the conversation with Saul of Tarsus. He died for us while we were yet sinners, Paul says in Romans chapter 5 and verse 8. The Son of Man. Characteristic of His purpose in Luke 19, he seeks out what is lost. The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

4. Once You Embrace His Solution, He Intercedes

Extra credit if you know the story surrounding Luke 19 and verse 10. Zach is the we little man. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost. Okay, if sin is on your account this morning, one solution. Only one solution. Isn’t that amazing? It’s being taught right here in your presence. One solution. I’ll tell you why else you need it. Once you embrace his solution, he intercedes for you. How good is that? We will still need his assistance once we have been found by him. And the amazing thing is, he will find us again. If any of us sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world.

1 John chapter 2, verses 1 and 2. I add 1 John chapter 1 and verse 8 when it says, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins. Now I think there’s a greater context going on in 1 John chapter 1 than the fact that sometimes believers who have embraced the promise sometimes sin. I mean, I think he’s dealing with the Gnostic doctrine that says that what you do in the flesh doesn’t affect your spirit. Sins in the flesh don’t affect your spirit at all. And so the conclusion of that is that I’m not a sinner. I’m not a sinner because you sin in the flesh, not in the spirit.

The spirit is separate from the flesh. That was Gnosticism. And I think that’s what he’s dealing with at the end of chapter 1 when he says, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. He’s not saying by that all believers, even though they’ve obeyed the gospel, are sinning all the time. That’s not what he’s saying in 1 John chapter 1 and verse 8. But he is saying, even if we do sin occasionally, 1 John 2, 1 and 2, that there’s a remedy for that. He will find us again. I love Hebrews 7 25. He is able. Like Jude 24. He is able to keep us from stumbling. He is able to save forever those who draw near to him. And he ever lives to make intercession for us.

5. I Need Jesus Because He Is My Example

He ever lives to intercede on our behalf, to plead our case before the Father. I find tremendous consolation in Jesus as my intercessor and how this is all going to work out for me as I live by faith ongoing in my life. I need Jesus because he is my example. He teaches me. He left us an example that we should follow in his steps. 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 21. And I need that because sometimes I don’t know which way to go or what to do or how to think or how to behave. And that’s why I got in trouble in the first place. Jesus, who did no sin, is my example. 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 21 and 22. Jesus, I need him because he teaches me about conduct that’s harmful to me.

He teaches me the things I should do and the things I shouldn’t do. And even further than that, he addresses the problem of the heart where it all begins in the first place. He teaches me how to think. He teaches me how to place my priorities and how to set my affections. And I need his example. And I’ll tell you, I can’t exhaust it all. I’ve been studying this book for a lot of years. The years are stacking up on me. Not as much as some others, but the years are stacking up on me, and I still haven’t learned it all. I’m still learning from him about how to live.

6. You Need the Lord as Your Helper

Look at Hebrews 13. Hebrews 13, verses 5 and 6. One passage here. Here we’re learning from the Hebrew writer some things that we need to do to be like Jesus. He says, Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For he himself has said, I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. So that we confidently say, the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me? You need the Lord as your helper. And I’ll tell you there’s three reasons I want to share with you briefly why you need the Lord as your helper. Because life is too big to handle a load. Oh, some of the time we do okay, but there’s some greater issues involved here.

Anybody hear about the death of Junior Sayal this week? Strapping young Samoan football player in the NFL for many years. I remember him as a San Diego charger, Junior Sayal, sent text messages to his family saying he loved them and he took his life. It seems.

Same where at least pro football is concerned. And just no reason to live? What has happened? How did he get so depressed? Perhaps there have been some failures in relationships, I’m guessing. Things just haven’t panned out. He needed someone bigger than himself, as big as he was. Life is too big to handle alone. And beyond that, he gives meaning to my life. What sense does life make? Well, I have this job at this company. But the amazing thing about that is if I no longer had that job in that company, you know, they’d forget about me in about two weeks. Somebody else would do my job. And I have this home in this neighborhood, but you know, if I wasn’t living there, somebody else would be living there, and they would have all those neighbors that I have now.

And sooner or later when you die, your family forgets about you. You’re just a distant memory of maybe a few things somebody might remember for a few generations.

What does your life mean? My association with Jesus gives my life meaning. Without that, what would I have? And finally.

Conclusion

Where can you get that? Anywhere else. God hath brought immortality to light through the gospel. I love that. 2 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 10. You’re not going to find that anywhere else. Living forever. And not just existing forever, but living perfectly and wonderfully and blissfully and joyfully forever. Only Jesus can give you that. Well, I’m done preaching. Flip over to 2 Timothy. 1 Timothy rather, chapter 1. I’m going to read a few passages and then offer the Lord’s Invitation. 1 Timothy 6.12. Fight the good fight of faith. He says to Timothy. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you, in the presence of God, who gives life to all things.

And of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the proper time. He who is the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. Instruct those who are rich in this present world, not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct those who are rich, instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoid worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed, and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

Above in heaven above while we hear it ringing all on the road to the gold burden we must be, but we have help from round. We received all we have ringing, we ring blessing.

As we labor and wake, we must all be true and live to the call of love.

While we hear it ringing, clearly ringing, let’s see our call.