Bulletin Article for May 6, 2012

These Things I Have Spoken To You

by Chris Simmons

Without a question, Jesus left the right hand of God and came to this world so that He might give Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins. Beyond His sacrifice, there were other things He sought to accomplish while He lived among men. In Mark 1:38, after being notified by the apostles that “everyone is looking for you” in order to see Jesus perform more miracles, Jesus responded by saying, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came out for.” In coming to this world, Jesus had something to say, something to teach and something to proclaim. In contrast to those today who, in the name of religion, primarily seek to entertain and amuse their audiences, Jesus had more spiritual, eternal, and otherwise grander purposes for the things He spoke. Jesus Himself identified these purposes in the book of John in His frequent use of the expression, “these things I have spoken to you” followed by a noble spiritual objective that we need to meditate on and seek to emulate when we have the opportunity to preach and teach.

“These things I have spoken to you” to sanctify and cleanse us from our sins. Jesus said in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” The words that Jesus had spoken to the apostles were not for the purpose of becoming physically clean but spiritually clean. Our cleansing today is only possible through the word of God, spoken by His Son. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.” The words of Jesus Christ are able to save our souls (James 1:21) and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we are willing to believe and obey.

“These things I have spoken to you” to enable us to have peace. Jesus again said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Having been cleansed of our sins, we can enjoy the peace that man seems to find so elusive. The peace that came through the words of Jesus Christ is a peace that the world just can’t offer as Jesus stated in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” The world seeks to give man peace by suggesting that they are fine just as they are, continuing in their sinful ways. We read in Jeremiah 6:14, “And they have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” The peace of Christ is far from superficial and demands complete surrender of our will unto God’s but provides a peace “which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:6). Peace through faith, obedience and repentance. Peace through forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship. Peace through Jesus Christ and His spoken word to man.

“These things I have spoken to you” that our joy may be made full. Jesus said in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Being cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ leads to true peace which in turns provides a joy that truly lasts and endures. There are pleasures and joys in those things that are worldly and sinful but the problem is, they don’t last. We read only of the “passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Through Christ alone can joy be made “complete” (I John 1:4). When we reflect on what God’s word says is the “outcome of your faith” which is the “salvation of your souls,” our only reaction can be to “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible” (I Peter 1:8-9). Jesus spoke and taught that we might know a joy that transcends every possible human experience, both good and bad, so that we might “consider it all joy” (James 1:2). Only through Jesus Christ and that which He has spoken to us may we “rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

“These things I have spoken to you” to keep us from stumbling. Jesus said in John 16:1, “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.” Satan will never cease to try and get those who have been cleansed and enjoy the peace and joy that comes from being in Christ, to return to their sinful ways – to stumble. Jesus taught what He taught and spoke what he spoke to keep that from happening. Jesus spoke that we might be steadfast and immovable and always abounding in the Lord’s work (I Corinthians 15:58). The key to preventing ourselves from stumbling is to never stop growing. Peter wrote in II Peter 1:10-11, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” “These things” that Peter refers to are the spiritual qualities mentioned in verses 5-7 such as faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, brotherly kindness, and love that we are to persist in growing and increasing in. Adherence, diligence, and commitment to God’s word will indeed keep His children from stumbling. If we neglect the scriptures, we are inviting occasions of stumbling to come our way. The choice is ours.

“These things I have spoken to you” to help us deal with our hours of trial. Jesus said in John 16:4, “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.” Jesus had just told His disciples about the persecution that would come upon them and He wanted them to remember that He had foretold them of such and that He would be with them during their hour of trial. God has told us that persecution in some form will come to the godly (II Timothy 3:12) and that we need not be surprised by any and all challenges to our faith (I Peter 4:12).

Jesus indeed taught with a noble and spiritually focused purpose. He spoke that we might be cleansed of our sins, that we might have peace, that our joy might be full, that we be kept from stumbling and that we might overcome the hour of trial. May our preaching and teaching today be focused on these principles and overcome the temptation to use our Bible studies as an opportunity to entertain and amuse.