Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12. The Gospel and the Gangster

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1 Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12 The Gospel and the Gangster 1

2 "Christian football players, Christian cowboys, Christian politicians; why not a Christian gangster? "--- Mickey Cohen Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12 2

3 Open your Bibles to John chapter 12. (page 898 in the Pew Bibles ) Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12 3

4 I. The Right Reason Be certain they turn to Christ for the right reason. The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 4

5 15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign (John 12:12-18) I. The Right Reason Be certain they turn to Christ for the right reason. 5

6 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. (John 6:24-26) I. The Right Reason Be certain they turn to Christ for the right reason. 6

7 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. 30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man" (John 12: 30-24) 7

8 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. "Christian football players, Christian cowboys, Christian politicians; why not a Christian gangster? --- Mickey Cohen 8

9 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. "In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since." --- Voltaire 9

10 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:25-26) 10

11 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. 23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? " (Luke 9:23-25) 11

12 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. "Christian football players, Christian cowboys, Christian politicians; why not a Christian gangster? " --- Mickey Cohen 12

13 II. The Right Gospel Confirm they ve believed the right Gospel. Review: I. The Right Reason II. The Right Gospel 13

14 Big Idea: Make certain you have come to Jesus for the right reason and make sure you know what it means to come to Jesus so that you can point others to Christ the right way and for the right reason. Application: 14

15 Gospel A,B,C s: Admit Gospel A,B,C s: Believe 15

16 Gospel A,B,C s: Commit Application: 16

17 Baptism Testimony: Before Christ my life was Baptism Testimony: Meeting Christ I realized 17

18 Baptism Testimony: Since trusting Christ my life has changed Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12 18

19 Resource: The Gospel According to the Apostles, by John MacArthur Acclaimed and Forgotten (The Ways and Means of Personal Peace) John 12 19