Title: I'm Lost and Have Little Time to Live Meta: If someone has realized that they're lost and don't have much time to live, what should they do? Should they give up and resign to being lost? Should they wait for God to regenerate them? Should they try to warn other people, and yet remain lost themselves? Tags:time,question,death, heaven,hell,sickness 1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,878 "Dear Pastor Tim, 2 00:00:06,878 --> 00:00:11,167 I've been ill for several months. 3 00:00:11,167 --> 00:00:14,136 A nominal Christian, 4 00:00:14,136 --> 00:00:17,770 i.e. Not a Christian." 5 00:00:17,770 --> 00:00:20,629 In other words... 6 00:00:20,629 --> 00:00:22,756 a nominal Christian, 7 00:00:22,756 --> 00:00:27,715 that is, not a Christian. 8 00:00:27,715 --> 00:00:29,907 "...for most of my life. 9 00:00:29,907 --> 00:00:54,557 (Incomplete thought) 10 00:00:54,557 --> 00:00:57,604 I've recently become aware of your YouTube channel 11 00:00:57,604 --> 00:00:59,482 and have come to the conclusion 12 00:00:59,482 --> 00:01:06,568 that I'm most likely unregenerate, 13 00:01:06,568 --> 00:01:11,432 complete with the knowledge of what that brings. 14 00:01:11,432 --> 00:01:13,848 (being unregenerate) 15 00:01:13,848 --> 00:01:19,697 Although, I still harbor doubts. 16 00:01:19,697 --> 00:01:22,701 In the time I have left..." 17 00:01:22,701 --> 00:01:26,053 Tim: So, it sounds like he's assuming 18 00:01:26,053 --> 00:01:29,882 this is a terminal disease perhaps. 19 00:01:29,882 --> 00:01:31,757 "In the time I have left, 20 00:01:31,757 --> 00:01:35,984 what should I be doing? 21 00:01:35,984 --> 00:01:37,543 Since I'm a writer, 22 00:01:37,543 --> 00:01:39,199 should I use this awareness 23 00:01:39,199 --> 00:01:44,452 to inform others of what the embrace of sin leads to? 24 00:01:44,452 --> 00:01:47,396 Or is that a pointless endeavor? 25 00:01:47,396 --> 00:01:51,340 I'm also concerned a public revelation 26 00:01:51,340 --> 00:01:53,907 might bring shame upon my family, 27 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:57,192 especially those who are committed Christians." 28 00:01:57,192 --> 00:01:59,071 I think what he's saying there 29 00:01:59,071 --> 00:02:02,791 is if I came out and made it public 30 00:02:02,791 --> 00:02:06,613 that I wasn't really saved, 31 00:02:06,613 --> 00:02:08,257 I'm concerned that that kind of 32 00:02:08,257 --> 00:02:12,677 public confession or admittance 33 00:02:12,677 --> 00:02:14,874 might bring shame upon my family, 34 00:02:14,874 --> 00:02:19,788 especially those who are committed Christians. 35 00:02:19,788 --> 00:02:22,511 What do you think? 36 00:02:22,511 --> 00:02:28,530 This guy's across from you. 37 00:02:28,530 --> 00:02:30,015 (From the room) 38 00:02:30,015 --> 00:02:31,097 I'm confused. 39 00:02:31,097 --> 00:02:33,634 Is he saying that the public revelation 40 00:02:33,634 --> 00:02:36,745 was in regard to his illness? 41 00:02:36,745 --> 00:02:40,760 Tim: I think in regard to not being regenerate. 42 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,381 At least, that's what he's saying. 43 00:02:43,381 --> 00:02:45,586 So, let me go through it again. 44 00:02:45,586 --> 00:02:48,128 "I've been ill for several months. 45 00:02:48,128 --> 00:02:50,091 A nominal Christian, 46 00:02:50,091 --> 00:02:53,337 that is, not a Christian, 47 00:02:53,337 --> 00:02:54,836 for most of my life. 48 00:02:54,836 --> 00:02:56,101 I've recently become aware 49 00:02:56,101 --> 00:02:57,705 of your YouTube channel, 50 00:02:57,705 --> 00:02:59,434 and have come to the conclusion 51 00:02:59,434 --> 00:03:02,596 that I'm most likely unregenerate, 52 00:03:02,596 --> 00:03:07,275 complete with the knowledge of what that brings - 53 00:03:07,275 --> 00:03:12,228 although I still harbor some doubts. 54 00:03:12,228 --> 00:03:13,553 In the time I have left, 55 00:03:13,553 --> 00:03:14,727 what should I be doing? 56 00:03:14,727 --> 00:03:16,145 Since I'm a writer, should I 57 00:03:16,145 --> 00:03:18,206 use this awareness to inform others 58 00:03:18,206 --> 00:03:21,466 of what the embrace of sin leads to? 59 00:03:21,466 --> 00:03:23,833 Or is that a pointless endeavor? 60 00:03:23,833 --> 00:03:26,410 I'm also concerned a public revelation..." 61 00:03:26,410 --> 00:03:28,409 Tim: now it might be a public revelation 62 00:03:28,409 --> 00:03:30,987 about the embrace of sin. 63 00:03:30,987 --> 00:03:33,322 That might be what he's talking about too. 64 00:03:33,322 --> 00:03:35,868 That if he actually began writing openly 65 00:03:35,868 --> 00:03:37,777 about what embracing sin, 66 00:03:37,777 --> 00:03:40,689 and he confessed what sin he embraced, 67 00:03:40,689 --> 00:03:43,311 that might be the public revelation 68 00:03:43,311 --> 00:03:45,429 that would bring shame upon his family, 69 00:03:45,429 --> 00:03:49,340 especially those who are committed Christians. 70 00:03:49,340 --> 00:03:59,630 So, there you have it. 71 00:03:59,630 --> 00:04:04,833 You guys have Bibles? 72 00:04:04,833 --> 00:04:06,775 What do you say? 73 00:04:06,775 --> 00:04:08,248 What do you do? 74 00:04:08,248 --> 00:04:09,455 Where do you go? 75 00:04:09,455 --> 00:04:10,290 (From the room) 76 00:04:10,290 --> 00:04:12,233 I think the first thing he needs to do 77 00:04:12,233 --> 00:04:14,207 is - he says he's not a Christian, so, 78 00:04:14,207 --> 00:04:16,000 confess the Lord Jesus as his Savior. 79 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,045 First off. 80 00:04:17,045 --> 00:04:20,461 Tim: So, he says he's not a Christian. 81 00:04:20,461 --> 00:04:25,759 And that's interesting. 82 00:04:25,759 --> 00:04:28,604 Here's something that jumps out at me. 83 00:04:28,604 --> 00:04:30,341 That he says, 84 00:04:30,341 --> 00:04:32,636 "I've come to the conclusion that I 85 00:04:32,636 --> 00:04:37,011 am most likely unregenerate." 86 00:04:37,011 --> 00:04:39,745 I have concerns when somebody 87 00:04:39,745 --> 00:04:44,888 says that about themselves. 88 00:04:44,888 --> 00:04:47,162 Why do you think? 89 00:04:47,162 --> 00:04:47,998 (From the room) 90 00:04:47,998 --> 00:04:53,132 Because they're not truly owning up to their lostness; 91 00:04:53,132 --> 00:04:57,487 they're not being honest completely it seems. 92 00:04:57,487 --> 00:05:00,029 Tim: When people start talking 93 00:05:00,029 --> 00:05:03,295 regenerate and unregenerate, 94 00:05:03,295 --> 00:05:06,684 this is my feel, 95 00:05:06,684 --> 00:05:09,472 that it's God's fault. 96 00:05:09,472 --> 00:05:11,884 Or that they're putting it in God's lap. 97 00:05:11,884 --> 00:05:12,857 Now look, it's true, 98 00:05:12,857 --> 00:05:17,016 somebody is regenerate or unregenerate. 99 00:05:17,016 --> 00:05:20,449 But you know what I think about? 100 00:05:20,449 --> 00:05:33,799 Let's look at John 3. 101 00:05:33,799 --> 00:05:37,804 We need to keep John 3 in our minds. 102 00:05:37,804 --> 00:05:45,509 Because it's our Lord dealing with a lost man. 103 00:05:45,509 --> 00:05:49,034 He's inquiring. 104 00:05:49,034 --> 00:05:55,503 But, as he deals with what it is to be born again... 105 00:05:55,503 --> 00:05:57,582 I know we don't get the regenerate - 106 00:05:57,582 --> 00:05:59,556 unregenerate language here, 107 00:05:59,556 --> 00:06:01,989 but we get synonymous terminology. 108 00:06:01,989 --> 00:06:03,901 The born again language. 109 00:06:03,901 --> 00:06:05,305 But notice the flow, 110 00:06:05,305 --> 00:06:08,902 John 3, 111 00:06:08,902 --> 00:06:11,131 Verse 1 - Man named Nicodemus, 112 00:06:11,131 --> 00:06:12,546 ruler of the Jews; 113 00:06:12,546 --> 00:06:16,663 2 - this man came to Jesus by night. 114 00:06:16,663 --> 00:06:19,623 "Rabbi, we know You are a Teacher come from God." 115 00:06:19,623 --> 00:06:22,311 3 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, 116 00:06:22,311 --> 00:06:23,969 unless one is born again, 117 00:06:23,969 --> 00:06:26,211 he cannot see the kingdom of God." 118 00:06:26,211 --> 00:06:29,295 Well, Nicodemus begins to ask questions here. 119 00:06:29,295 --> 00:06:31,327 "How can a man be born when he's old? 120 00:06:31,327 --> 00:06:34,118 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?" 121 00:06:34,118 --> 00:06:36,943 Jesus answers, verse 5, 122 00:06:36,943 --> 00:06:40,450 "I say unto you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, 123 00:06:40,450 --> 00:06:42,394 he cannot enter the kingdom of God." 124 00:06:42,394 --> 00:06:44,655 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh. 125 00:06:44,655 --> 00:06:46,815 That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 126 00:06:46,815 --> 00:06:50,255 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'you must be born again,'" 127 00:06:50,255 --> 00:06:52,950 Verse 8, "The wind blows where it wishes, 128 00:06:52,950 --> 00:06:54,136 and you hear its sound, 129 00:06:54,136 --> 00:06:56,078 but you do not know where it comes from 130 00:06:56,078 --> 00:06:57,067 or where it goes, 131 00:06:57,067 --> 00:06:59,198 so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 132 00:06:59,198 --> 00:07:01,169 And see, what He's doing here is 133 00:07:01,169 --> 00:07:06,512 He's constructing salvation as a bring born again, 134 00:07:06,512 --> 00:07:08,201 being born of the Spirit, 135 00:07:08,201 --> 00:07:09,739 the Spirit is like the wind, 136 00:07:09,739 --> 00:07:11,738 the Spirit blows where He wishes. 137 00:07:11,738 --> 00:07:13,539 You see the effects of it, 138 00:07:13,539 --> 00:07:15,265 but you can't see the wind. 139 00:07:15,265 --> 00:07:16,485 You can't see the Spirit. 140 00:07:16,485 --> 00:07:18,178 But you can see the fruit of it. 141 00:07:18,178 --> 00:07:21,529 The fruit of this is that a person is made alive. 142 00:07:21,529 --> 00:07:22,564 They're born again. 143 00:07:22,564 --> 00:07:23,882 It's by the Spirit. 144 00:07:23,882 --> 00:07:26,941 It's not something that we cause to happen. 145 00:07:26,941 --> 00:07:32,920 It's something that the Spirit causes to happen. 146 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,217 "And Nicodemus said to him, 147 00:07:34,217 --> 00:07:35,519 'how can these things be?' 148 00:07:35,519 --> 00:07:36,964 'Are you a teacher in Israel, 149 00:07:36,964 --> 00:07:38,993 and you do not understand these things?'" 150 00:07:38,993 --> 00:07:41,153 In other words, you're a teacher in Israel, 151 00:07:41,153 --> 00:07:44,265 there's enough light on this subject 152 00:07:44,265 --> 00:07:47,313 in your Old Testament Scriptures 153 00:07:47,313 --> 00:07:53,889 that you should know about this. 154 00:07:53,889 --> 00:08:00,284 And He keeps going on here. 155 00:08:00,284 --> 00:08:05,002 The thing is, He doesn't leave him at this point. 156 00:08:05,002 --> 00:08:07,382 He doesn't just shut the conversation down. 157 00:08:07,382 --> 00:08:09,605 You're not born by the Spirit, 158 00:08:09,605 --> 00:08:14,517 and so, just basically sit there 159 00:08:14,517 --> 00:08:19,115 and wait for God to do that to you. 160 00:08:19,115 --> 00:08:20,431 It's interesting. 161 00:08:20,431 --> 00:08:22,280 Jesus has no problem 162 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:26,310 moving out of the realm of what God does 163 00:08:26,310 --> 00:08:28,983 right into the realm of responsibility. 164 00:08:28,983 --> 00:08:32,865 He just flows right into it. 165 00:08:32,865 --> 00:08:34,372 In His own teaching, 166 00:08:34,372 --> 00:08:35,999 in His own mind, 167 00:08:35,999 --> 00:08:37,919 in His own logic, 168 00:08:37,919 --> 00:08:40,751 there's no bump here for Him. 169 00:08:40,751 --> 00:08:45,180 He just very naturally flows right into this. 170 00:08:45,180 --> 00:08:47,314 And He says, 171 00:08:47,314 --> 00:08:50,215 in verse 14, "As Moses lifted up the serpent 172 00:08:50,215 --> 00:08:52,640 in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man 173 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,465 be lifted up that whoever believes in Him 174 00:08:55,465 --> 00:08:57,005 may have eternal life." 175 00:08:57,005 --> 00:08:58,205 See, that's interesting. 176 00:08:58,205 --> 00:08:59,887 You must be born again. 177 00:08:59,887 --> 00:09:01,346 But here's the reality, 178 00:09:01,346 --> 00:09:03,346 the Son of Man is going to be lifted up, 179 00:09:03,346 --> 00:09:05,101 just like that serpent was lifted up 180 00:09:05,101 --> 00:09:06,605 in the wilderness by Moses. 181 00:09:06,605 --> 00:09:09,148 And whoever looks, just like back there, 182 00:09:09,148 --> 00:09:11,250 whoever looked at the serpent was healed. 183 00:09:11,250 --> 00:09:15,317 That prefigured Christ all over the place. 184 00:09:15,317 --> 00:09:16,703 And that's the picture here. 185 00:09:16,703 --> 00:09:18,709 The Son of Man is going to be lifted up, 186 00:09:18,709 --> 00:09:21,717 and whoever believes is going to have eternal life. 187 00:09:21,717 --> 00:09:23,087 "For God so loved the world, 188 00:09:23,087 --> 00:09:24,378 that He gave His only Son, 189 00:09:24,378 --> 00:09:25,811 that whoever believes in Him, 190 00:09:25,811 --> 00:09:27,778 should not perish, but have eternal life. 191 00:09:27,778 --> 00:09:29,947 For God did not send His Son in to the world 192 00:09:29,947 --> 00:09:31,804 to condemn the world, but in order that 193 00:09:31,804 --> 00:09:33,691 the world might be saved through Him. 194 00:09:33,691 --> 00:09:34,907 Whoever believes in Him, 195 00:09:34,907 --> 00:09:36,317 is not condemned. 196 00:09:36,317 --> 00:09:38,607 Whoever does not believe is condemned already, 197 00:09:38,607 --> 00:09:40,096 because he has not believed 198 00:09:40,096 --> 00:09:43,418 in the name of the only Son of God." 199 00:09:43,418 --> 00:09:45,749 Well, then He goes on to say this: 200 00:09:45,749 --> 00:09:48,537 "This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, 201 00:09:48,537 --> 00:09:51,509 people love the darkness rather than the light 202 00:09:51,509 --> 00:09:53,074 because their works were evil. 203 00:09:53,074 --> 00:09:54,864 For everyone who does wicked things 204 00:09:54,864 --> 00:09:57,186 hates the light and does not come to the light, 205 00:09:57,186 --> 00:09:59,295 lest his works should be exposed. 206 00:09:59,295 --> 00:10:01,579 Whoever does what is true, comes to the light 207 00:10:01,579 --> 00:10:03,761 so that it may be clearly seen that his works 208 00:10:03,761 --> 00:10:06,466 have been carried out in God." 209 00:10:06,466 --> 00:10:08,299 So you have a man here 210 00:10:08,299 --> 00:10:10,762 that basically says - 211 00:10:10,762 --> 00:10:13,067 it's almost like he's resigned. 212 00:10:13,067 --> 00:10:14,912 Well, I think I'm unregenerate, 213 00:10:14,912 --> 00:10:16,206 and so what should I do? 214 00:10:16,206 --> 00:10:17,684 Should I take up my pen 215 00:10:17,684 --> 00:10:19,149 and start writing? 216 00:10:19,149 --> 00:10:22,129 Like what? To warn people 217 00:10:22,129 --> 00:10:24,564 if you embrace sin like I did, 218 00:10:24,564 --> 00:10:27,523 you end up ultimately sick 219 00:10:27,523 --> 00:10:30,227 and? 220 00:10:30,227 --> 00:10:32,981 Maybe he has a disease that's connected 221 00:10:32,981 --> 00:10:35,178 with the sin that he embraced? 222 00:10:35,178 --> 00:10:36,840 And now he's dying? 223 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,081 I mean, you can kind of put pieces together. 224 00:10:39,081 --> 00:10:46,714 Perhaps you can see what that looks like. 225 00:10:46,714 --> 00:10:49,314 But, he doesn't call himself an unbeliever. 226 00:10:49,314 --> 00:10:51,619 You see, when you call yourself an unbeliever, 227 00:10:51,619 --> 00:10:53,912 it really places a whole lot of responsibility. 228 00:10:53,912 --> 00:10:56,057 If you say, "I'm an unbeliever." 229 00:10:56,057 --> 00:10:58,112 Well, see, now you're really putting that 230 00:10:58,112 --> 00:10:59,213 more in your own lap. 231 00:10:59,213 --> 00:11:01,879 Or if you say, "I'm unrepentent." 232 00:11:01,879 --> 00:11:04,531 That's really putting the thing 233 00:11:04,531 --> 00:11:07,993 much more in your own lap. 234 00:11:07,993 --> 00:11:09,953 To say you're unregenerate 235 00:11:09,953 --> 00:11:11,904 is to say God hasn't caused me 236 00:11:11,904 --> 00:11:12,865 to be born again. 237 00:11:12,865 --> 00:11:17,367 God hasn't regenerated me. 238 00:11:17,367 --> 00:11:18,996 So that jumps out. 239 00:11:18,996 --> 00:11:21,051 Now what he meant by that, I don't know. 240 00:11:21,051 --> 00:11:24,293 But it just has that hyper-Calvinistic flavor 241 00:11:24,293 --> 00:11:30,984 that perhaps there's not a whole lot I could do. 242 00:11:30,984 --> 00:11:36,323 I would say to a man like this, 243 00:11:36,323 --> 00:11:40,947 it's almost like, well, I'm not a Christian, 244 00:11:40,947 --> 00:11:47,633 I'm not regenerate, and... 245 00:11:47,633 --> 00:11:49,969 It's almost like I can't do anything about that 246 00:11:49,969 --> 00:11:52,310 so I should just go on with my life 247 00:11:52,310 --> 00:11:54,237 and please give me some counsel 248 00:11:54,237 --> 00:11:58,548 about what I should do. 249 00:11:58,548 --> 00:12:02,049 Isn't that kind of how it feels? 250 00:12:02,049 --> 00:12:06,249 I think you press the man. 251 00:12:06,249 --> 00:12:07,699 Can anybody think about 252 00:12:07,699 --> 00:12:09,750 a place in the Scripture 253 00:12:09,750 --> 00:12:11,989 that presses urgency? 254 00:12:11,989 --> 00:12:13,059 (From the room) 255 00:12:13,059 --> 00:12:15,001 Today is the day of salvation. 256 00:12:15,001 --> 00:12:18,030 Tim: Do you know where that is? 257 00:12:18,030 --> 00:12:19,175 In the New Testament, 258 00:12:19,175 --> 00:12:27,511 it's found in 2 Corinthians 6:2, I believe. 259 00:12:27,511 --> 00:12:28,516 (From the room) 260 00:12:28,516 --> 00:12:33,330 For He says, "I heard you in an acceptable time, 261 00:12:33,330 --> 00:12:36,673 and I helped you in the day of salvation. 262 00:12:36,673 --> 00:12:39,846 Look, now is the acceptable time. 263 00:12:39,846 --> 00:12:41,546 Now is the day of salvation." 264 00:12:41,546 --> 00:12:43,970 Tim: "Now is the day of salvation." 265 00:12:43,970 --> 00:12:45,978 We want to press people. 266 00:12:45,978 --> 00:12:47,757 There's an urgency. 267 00:12:47,757 --> 00:12:49,553 We don't know if a man has tomorrow. 268 00:12:49,553 --> 00:12:51,402 We don't know if a woman has tomorrow. 269 00:12:51,402 --> 00:12:52,889 There needs to be an urgency. 270 00:12:52,889 --> 00:12:55,175 If you're talking to this guy, 271 00:12:55,175 --> 00:12:58,227 it's like why are you standing there? 272 00:12:58,227 --> 00:12:59,760 Why are you standing still? 273 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:02,264 Why are you standing on the brink of destruction 274 00:13:02,264 --> 00:13:03,714 and just standing there 275 00:13:03,714 --> 00:13:09,101 thinking about whether you should start writing? 276 00:13:09,101 --> 00:13:12,641 What's important in your life right now 277 00:13:12,641 --> 00:13:15,596 is not whether you're an author or not. 278 00:13:15,596 --> 00:13:17,203 Your greatest need right now 279 00:13:17,203 --> 00:13:18,392 is to be saved. 280 00:13:18,392 --> 00:13:19,859 Your greatest need right now 281 00:13:19,859 --> 00:13:21,763 is you're on the edge of destruction. 282 00:13:21,763 --> 00:13:23,326 There's an urgency. 283 00:13:23,326 --> 00:13:24,888 You want to talk to this guy 284 00:13:24,888 --> 00:13:26,566 a lot like the author of Hebrews 285 00:13:26,566 --> 00:13:28,808 would talk to those he's writing to. 286 00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:29,956 There's an urgency. 287 00:13:29,956 --> 00:13:33,006 "It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." 288 00:13:33,006 --> 00:13:36,678 And you're not saved by your own admission. 289 00:13:36,678 --> 00:13:39,353 Listen, Scripture talks about fleeing 290 00:13:39,353 --> 00:13:40,787 from the wrath to come. 291 00:13:40,787 --> 00:13:42,765 Scripture talks about going to Christ. 292 00:13:42,765 --> 00:13:45,595 Scripture talks about what must a man do to be saved. 293 00:13:45,595 --> 00:13:47,171 What can I do to be saved? 294 00:13:47,171 --> 00:13:48,453 Paul didn't say nothing. 295 00:13:48,453 --> 00:13:49,866 Well, you're unregenerate. 296 00:13:49,866 --> 00:13:51,494 Just sit there and take up the pen 297 00:13:51,494 --> 00:13:53,490 and start writing to your family members. 298 00:13:53,490 --> 00:13:54,700 He didn't say that. 299 00:13:54,700 --> 00:13:57,902 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 300 00:13:57,902 --> 00:14:00,486 There's no other name under heaven given among men 301 00:14:00,486 --> 00:14:01,687 whereby we must be saved. 302 00:14:01,687 --> 00:14:03,579 You do not want to despise this. 303 00:14:03,579 --> 00:14:07,490 You do not want to despise 304 00:14:07,490 --> 00:14:10,684 such a great salvation as this. 305 00:14:10,684 --> 00:14:12,710 You want urgency. 306 00:14:12,710 --> 00:14:14,564 That's what you want to do with people 307 00:14:14,564 --> 00:14:16,818 that basically come... 308 00:14:16,818 --> 00:14:19,674 Well, you know, I don't think I'm saved, 309 00:14:19,674 --> 00:14:21,061 but what? 310 00:14:21,061 --> 00:14:23,008 Well, if there's no urgency, 311 00:14:23,008 --> 00:14:25,694 or if they're not at all asking questions. 312 00:14:25,694 --> 00:14:28,000 His question isn't what must I do to be saved, 313 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,361 like the Philippian jailer. 314 00:14:29,361 --> 00:14:32,384 His question is, should I write? 315 00:14:32,384 --> 00:14:34,585 It's almost like he's throwing in the towel. 316 00:14:34,585 --> 00:14:37,129 It's almost like he's writing like, 317 00:14:37,129 --> 00:14:40,606 well, you know what, I'm not regenerate. 318 00:14:40,606 --> 00:14:42,013 I've got this sickness. 319 00:14:42,013 --> 00:14:43,421 I don't have long to live. 320 00:14:43,421 --> 00:14:45,509 Is there any good thing that I can do 321 00:14:45,509 --> 00:14:46,956 with the rest of my life? 322 00:14:46,956 --> 00:14:49,296 That's kind of how this sounds. 323 00:14:49,296 --> 00:14:51,347 You do not need to be 324 00:14:51,347 --> 00:14:52,480 thinking about writing. 325 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:54,077 You don't need to be thinking about anything 326 00:14:54,077 --> 00:14:55,052 but one thing. 327 00:14:55,052 --> 00:14:56,932 You're perishing. You're in trouble. 328 00:14:56,932 --> 00:14:59,520 It doesn't sound like you have much time left. 329 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,764 You want to press the issue 330 00:15:01,764 --> 00:15:03,816 that now is the day of salvation. 331 00:15:03,816 --> 00:15:09,640 Now. Now. Now. Now. 332 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,676 Brethren, one of the things, 333 00:15:12,676 --> 00:15:16,536 we've dealt with this at different times. 334 00:15:16,536 --> 00:15:23,451 But you know what you want to keep an ear open to as well? 335 00:15:23,451 --> 00:15:26,503 You get the feeling a lot of times 336 00:15:26,503 --> 00:15:29,004 that people are looking at themselves 337 00:15:29,004 --> 00:15:31,855 as to whether they are regenerate. 338 00:15:31,855 --> 00:15:33,566 Or, they're looking at themselves 339 00:15:33,566 --> 00:15:35,552 as to whether, you know, I think I'm in; 340 00:15:35,552 --> 00:15:39,339 I'm just not quite sure I'm in. 341 00:15:39,339 --> 00:15:44,657 Brethren, saving faith is not believing you're saved. 342 00:15:44,657 --> 00:15:49,826 Saving faith is believing that Jesus Christ 343 00:15:49,826 --> 00:15:52,744 is everything that Scripture is saying. 344 00:15:52,744 --> 00:15:54,383 It's not like you have to believe 345 00:15:54,383 --> 00:15:55,720 every single thing. 346 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:58,489 But saving faith is believing on 347 00:15:58,489 --> 00:16:02,122 and casting your hope on, 348 00:16:02,122 --> 00:16:04,562 your trust in this Christ 349 00:16:04,562 --> 00:16:08,754 that's revealed in the pages of Scripture. 350 00:16:08,754 --> 00:16:17,384 That's the issue. 351 00:16:17,384 --> 00:16:24,258 Brethren, to me this is massively helpful. 352 00:16:24,258 --> 00:16:34,669 Look at John 20. 353 00:16:34,669 --> 00:16:36,832 If your Bible's like my Bible, 354 00:16:36,832 --> 00:16:41,383 last two verses 355 00:16:41,383 --> 00:16:46,074 are basically in a paragraph by themselves. 356 00:16:46,074 --> 00:16:50,634 John still has another chapter to go, 357 00:16:50,634 --> 00:16:54,619 but listen to this: 358 00:16:54,619 --> 00:16:57,577 This is John 20:30. 359 00:16:57,577 --> 00:17:00,427 "Now Jesus did many other signs 360 00:17:00,427 --> 00:17:02,823 in the presence of His disciples 361 00:17:02,823 --> 00:17:04,947 which are not written in this book. 362 00:17:04,947 --> 00:17:06,949 But these are written 363 00:17:06,949 --> 00:17:10,577 so that you may believe 364 00:17:10,577 --> 00:17:13,707 that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 365 00:17:13,707 --> 00:17:17,354 and that by believing, you may have life in His name." 366 00:17:17,354 --> 00:17:20,678 Listen, on a regular basis, 367 00:17:20,678 --> 00:17:22,792 and that's what all of these are. 368 00:17:22,792 --> 00:17:26,139 And we get lots, lots of emails. 369 00:17:26,139 --> 00:17:28,415 And I'm sure I only see the tip of the iceberg 370 00:17:28,415 --> 00:17:30,873 compared to what James sees. 371 00:17:30,873 --> 00:17:35,337 People who, they're all over the place. 372 00:17:35,337 --> 00:17:37,787 They think they're saved or they think they're not. 373 00:17:37,787 --> 00:17:39,235 They're battling. 374 00:17:39,235 --> 00:17:41,213 They thought they were saved at one time, 375 00:17:41,213 --> 00:17:42,805 now they're thinking they're not. 376 00:17:42,805 --> 00:17:45,100 They looked at tests of assurance in Scripture, 377 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:46,848 or in a message, and now they're 378 00:17:46,848 --> 00:17:48,632 believing that they're not converted. 379 00:17:48,632 --> 00:17:51,840 Or they've tried to repent and they can't. 380 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:53,182 Or they've tried to believe 381 00:17:53,182 --> 00:17:54,502 and God's not saving them. 382 00:17:54,502 --> 00:17:56,702 We get this kind of stuff all the time. 383 00:17:56,702 --> 00:17:58,371 Listen to what John says. 384 00:17:58,371 --> 00:18:03,233 You wonder what you tell people. 385 00:18:03,233 --> 00:18:05,778 Think with me. 386 00:18:05,778 --> 00:18:13,582 These signs - John has recorded them, 387 00:18:13,582 --> 00:18:18,187 so that we would see these things, 388 00:18:18,187 --> 00:18:25,966 we would see the Christ Who did these things, 389 00:18:25,966 --> 00:18:33,310 and our minds would engage these works 390 00:18:33,310 --> 00:18:36,460 and see the kind of Christ this is, 391 00:18:36,460 --> 00:18:38,762 and trust that Christ, 392 00:18:38,762 --> 00:18:42,173 believe on Him as the Son of God, 393 00:18:42,173 --> 00:18:51,056 and in believing, have eternal life. 394 00:18:51,056 --> 00:18:53,101 (There's a place right here, sister, 395 00:18:53,101 --> 00:19:01,906 if you don't mind moving to the front.) 396 00:19:01,906 --> 00:19:06,391 So, think with me there. 397 00:19:06,391 --> 00:19:08,485 Recently, I had a guy write me 398 00:19:08,485 --> 00:19:12,461 and say what am I supposed to do? 399 00:19:12,461 --> 00:19:21,280 Don't tell me repent and believe. 400 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:25,085 Here's what he said. 401 00:19:25,085 --> 00:19:27,020 He said because if it was that simple 402 00:19:27,020 --> 00:19:31,142 there would be all sorts of people doing it. 403 00:19:31,142 --> 00:19:32,599 And he's tried to do it 404 00:19:32,599 --> 00:19:36,867 and he says it doesn't work. 405 00:19:36,867 --> 00:19:38,606 Listen, brethren. 406 00:19:38,606 --> 00:19:40,343 That's what Scripture says. 407 00:19:40,343 --> 00:19:44,983 And people in Scripture who repent and believe get saved. 408 00:19:44,983 --> 00:19:46,933 But the problem is that people 409 00:19:46,933 --> 00:19:49,372 think they're doing something 410 00:19:49,372 --> 00:19:52,348 that isn't what they think they're doing. 411 00:19:52,348 --> 00:19:54,657 But I would say this, 412 00:19:54,657 --> 00:19:56,586 a lot of people get hung up 413 00:19:56,586 --> 00:20:00,194 with whether they actually believe or not. 414 00:20:00,194 --> 00:20:02,094 And they're always trying to figure out 415 00:20:02,094 --> 00:20:03,978 whether they really believe. 416 00:20:03,978 --> 00:20:06,148 And see, what they're doing is - 417 00:20:06,148 --> 00:20:08,447 their real issue is 418 00:20:08,447 --> 00:20:12,709 do they believe they're believers? 419 00:20:12,709 --> 00:20:14,944 And so they're constantly examining that 420 00:20:14,944 --> 00:20:18,105 and constantly asking themselves how they feel, 421 00:20:18,105 --> 00:20:22,381 and constantly looking at various fruits 422 00:20:22,381 --> 00:20:25,128 and various emotions and various feelings, 423 00:20:25,128 --> 00:20:27,740 and they have ideas about what's going to happen 424 00:20:27,740 --> 00:20:29,744 when it really happens. 425 00:20:29,744 --> 00:20:31,753 And they don't feel like they've had this 426 00:20:31,753 --> 00:20:34,153 certain experience that they obviously 427 00:20:34,153 --> 00:20:36,861 think that they're going to have. 428 00:20:36,861 --> 00:20:40,419 But brethren, saving faith is not 429 00:20:40,419 --> 00:20:43,246 coming to believe you've had a certain experience. 430 00:20:43,246 --> 00:20:49,435 It's not coming to believe that you're a believer. 431 00:20:49,435 --> 00:20:50,604 You know what? 432 00:20:50,604 --> 00:20:52,356 You may have serious doubts about 433 00:20:52,356 --> 00:20:54,844 whether you're a true believer, 434 00:20:54,844 --> 00:20:58,097 but if your faith is firmly planted in Christ, 435 00:20:58,097 --> 00:20:59,848 you're saved. 436 00:20:59,848 --> 00:21:01,881 Because He is the Savior. 437 00:21:01,881 --> 00:21:02,869 He is the issue. 438 00:21:02,869 --> 00:21:04,680 It's like Charles Leiter in J&R 439 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,361 about the bridge - remember the rotted bridge 440 00:21:07,361 --> 00:21:11,844 versus this big, stout, steel girder bridge? 441 00:21:11,844 --> 00:21:16,655 Your faith can be ever so hesitant and weak, 442 00:21:16,655 --> 00:21:18,398 but if you step out on that bridge, 443 00:21:18,398 --> 00:21:20,904 it's going to hold you. 444 00:21:20,904 --> 00:21:22,743 You can be ever so confident, 445 00:21:22,743 --> 00:21:24,267 step out on the rotten thing 446 00:21:24,267 --> 00:21:27,545 and you're going to plunge to your doom. 447 00:21:27,545 --> 00:21:30,988 Think about what John's doing. 448 00:21:30,988 --> 00:21:34,405 I have set this Christ before you. 449 00:21:34,405 --> 00:21:38,389 I've written these things. 450 00:21:38,389 --> 00:21:39,963 What I would tell this man, 451 00:21:39,963 --> 00:21:41,301 I tell people this. 452 00:21:41,301 --> 00:21:42,849 This man who said don't tell me 453 00:21:42,849 --> 00:21:45,297 it's repent and believe. 454 00:21:45,297 --> 00:21:49,156 Some months ago, I sent him to the book of John. 455 00:21:49,156 --> 00:21:52,268 I said study the book of John. 456 00:21:52,268 --> 00:21:59,155 And I said call upon that Christ. 457 00:21:59,155 --> 00:22:07,758 Anybody have something else they'd say to this man? 458 00:22:07,758 --> 00:22:08,549 (from the room) 459 00:22:08,549 --> 00:22:09,926 If the blind lead the blind, 460 00:22:09,926 --> 00:22:11,382 both will fall into a pit. 461 00:22:11,382 --> 00:22:13,830 This idea of him going and making 462 00:22:13,830 --> 00:22:15,264 writings to help people, 463 00:22:15,264 --> 00:22:17,837 that's pride, self-righteousness, 464 00:22:17,837 --> 00:22:20,033 that's just crazy. 465 00:22:20,033 --> 00:22:23,149 Tim: Oh yeah, if we want to go after that part of it, 466 00:22:23,149 --> 00:22:26,947 him writing and seeking to help people... 467 00:22:26,947 --> 00:22:32,089 For him to try to help people avoid perishing 468 00:22:32,089 --> 00:22:37,811 when he himself doesn't have the remedy 469 00:22:37,811 --> 00:22:45,949 is not going to be a very effective witness. 470 00:22:45,949 --> 00:22:48,086 Here's a man that sounds like 471 00:22:48,086 --> 00:22:51,688 doesn't have much time left. 472 00:22:51,688 --> 00:22:54,873 He's basically settling down in this fact: 473 00:22:54,873 --> 00:22:59,139 I'm unregenerate. 474 00:22:59,139 --> 00:23:00,642 But think about the passages 475 00:23:00,642 --> 00:23:03,532 that invite sinners to come. 476 00:23:03,532 --> 00:23:10,546 Give me one. 477 00:23:10,546 --> 00:23:22,823 Revelation 21. What does that say? 478 00:23:22,823 --> 00:23:31,033 There is one in Revelation 21. 479 00:23:31,033 --> 00:23:35,285 There's one there - without payment. 480 00:23:35,285 --> 00:23:36,806 (From the room) 481 00:23:36,806 --> 00:24:04,081 (Incomplete thought) 482 00:24:04,081 --> 00:24:06,216 That's not the right one - it's in 22. 483 00:24:06,216 --> 00:24:08,996 Tim: Well, there's one in 21 too. 484 00:24:08,996 --> 00:24:13,475 But go ahead and read the one in 22 if you can find it. 485 00:24:13,475 --> 00:24:14,658 Revelation 22:17 486 00:24:14,658 --> 00:24:16,953 "Both the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' 487 00:24:16,953 --> 00:24:19,355 And let the one who hears say, 'Come.'" 488 00:24:19,355 --> 00:24:22,988 Tim: The Spirit says come. 489 00:24:22,988 --> 00:24:30,234 The Bride, that's the church, we say come. 490 00:24:30,234 --> 00:24:32,001 Whosoever will. 491 00:24:32,001 --> 00:24:35,994 And you're to come without price. 492 00:24:35,994 --> 00:24:38,215 There's another invitation to come. 493 00:24:38,215 --> 00:24:40,321 Matthew 11 494 00:24:40,321 --> 00:24:44,503 "Come to Me, all you who are weary 495 00:24:44,503 --> 00:24:46,442 and burdened, and I will give you rest. 496 00:24:46,442 --> 00:24:49,021 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. 497 00:24:49,021 --> 00:24:51,408 For I am gentle and humble in heart, 498 00:24:51,408 --> 00:24:53,521 and you'll find rest for your souls." 499 00:24:53,521 --> 00:24:55,051 Can anybody think of another? 500 00:24:55,051 --> 00:24:56,453 Isaiah 55 501 00:24:56,453 --> 00:24:58,170 "Come, all you who are thirsty. 502 00:24:58,170 --> 00:24:59,407 Come to the waters. 503 00:24:59,407 --> 00:25:00,661 And you who have no money, 504 00:25:00,661 --> 00:25:02,276 come buy and eat." 505 00:25:02,276 --> 00:25:06,237 Somebody else think of one? 506 00:25:06,237 --> 00:25:10,225 Remember what Jesus said in John 7? 507 00:25:10,225 --> 00:25:12,026 The great day of the feast, 508 00:25:12,026 --> 00:25:15,113 He stood up and He cried out. 509 00:25:15,113 --> 00:25:18,747 Can anybody remember what He said? 510 00:25:18,747 --> 00:25:21,081 If anyone thirsts, let him come. 511 00:25:21,081 --> 00:25:24,088 Come to Me and drink. 512 00:25:24,088 --> 00:25:31,535 Think of any other invitations? 513 00:25:31,535 --> 00:25:35,173 Just think with me here. 514 00:25:35,173 --> 00:25:38,299 What must I do to be saved? 515 00:25:38,299 --> 00:25:41,846 The wedding banquet. 516 00:25:41,846 --> 00:25:46,389 Luke 14 517 00:25:46,389 --> 00:25:48,286 Isaiah 51 518 00:25:48,286 --> 00:25:50,861 Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness; 519 00:25:50,861 --> 00:25:57,546 you who seek the Lord." 520 00:25:57,546 --> 00:26:01,655 But think with me, 521 00:26:01,655 --> 00:26:04,185 what must I do to be saved? 522 00:26:04,185 --> 00:26:08,287 The answer is never: nothing. 523 00:26:08,287 --> 00:26:10,186 Now that doesn't mean that 524 00:26:10,186 --> 00:26:16,415 you go to work to save yourself. 525 00:26:16,415 --> 00:26:19,433 But it's always going to Christ. 526 00:26:19,433 --> 00:26:22,104 It's always setting your eyes on Christ. 527 00:26:22,104 --> 00:26:25,007 It's always finding your hope in Him. 528 00:26:25,007 --> 00:26:26,814 It's always seeing Him as the One 529 00:26:26,814 --> 00:26:28,540 Who gives rest. 530 00:26:28,540 --> 00:26:32,601 He's the One that gives to drink. 531 00:26:32,601 --> 00:26:36,223 He's the One that give the rest. 532 00:26:36,223 --> 00:26:41,181 He's the One that there's no other name. 533 00:26:41,181 --> 00:26:44,456 It's only His name 534 00:26:44,456 --> 00:26:48,427 whereby I must be saved. 535 00:26:48,427 --> 00:26:49,994 It's believing in Him. 536 00:26:49,994 --> 00:26:52,965 It's coming to Him. 537 00:26:52,965 --> 00:26:55,166 That's the thing. 538 00:26:55,166 --> 00:26:57,189 It's never: do nothing, 539 00:26:57,189 --> 00:27:00,781 but it's never: do something in your own strength. 540 00:27:00,781 --> 00:27:02,706 It's never: you try to save yourself. 541 00:27:02,706 --> 00:27:04,547 It's never: you're trying to do works 542 00:27:04,547 --> 00:27:06,733 that are going to get you in. 543 00:27:06,733 --> 00:27:10,978 It's always: you can't do anything, 544 00:27:10,978 --> 00:27:12,705 you go without price 545 00:27:12,705 --> 00:27:15,029 and do business with Christ. 546 00:27:15,029 --> 00:27:17,246 That's always it. 547 00:27:17,246 --> 00:27:21,006 Christ is always calling men to Himself. 548 00:27:21,006 --> 00:27:25,651 That's always it.