Death on SermonAudio

In "What Is That To You?" (John 21:20-25), Pastor Robert McNutt shows how John's Gospel, written that we may believe and have life, closes with a turn toward discipleship. Having restored Peter and foretold the death by which he would glorify God, Jesus commands, "Follow Me" - and Peter immediately turns to look at John and asks, "Lord, what about this man?" Christ's answer, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me," is among the most liberating sentences in Scripture, freeing us from the exhausting work of comparing and contesting with other believers. McNutt notes that distraction comes not only through the cares, riches, and pleasures that choke the seed, or Martha's much serving, or the prospering wicked that made Asaph stumble, but even through godly, Christ-following saints whose gifts we covet. He then distinguishes what is common to every Christian - faith in Christ alone, obedience to His commands, and the mission of being sent as the Father sent the Son - from what God sovereignly varies: our particular calling, seen in Peter's public ministry and martyrdom against John's quieter life of written witness; the measure of our gifting, illustrated by the parable of the talents, where the two-talent servant hears the same "well done" as the five; and the cost of following, which is heavier for some than others. The Christ-centered life is the undistracted life, and it makes sense because of the superior worth of Christ's person and the superior wealth of His promises - He is preparing a place, He will come again, and when we see Him we shall be like Him. So keep your eyes on the Author and Finisher of faith: you follow Me.

The sermon addresses the immediate and eternal consequences of death, distinguishing sharply between the fate of the saved and the lost. Using the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, it illustrates that upon death, the soul enters eternity immediately, with the unsaved facing torment in hell. The preacher emphasizes that religious rituals or good works cannot secure salvation, which requires a genuine heart transformation through faith in Jesus Christ alone. References to Mark 9 and Revelation 20 further describe the unquenchable fire and the final Great White Throne judgment where all will be judged according to their works. The message serves as an urgent call to accept Christ as Savior before it is too late, highlighting the hope of eternal life for believers versus the hopeless doom for those who die without Him.

In his second sermon on From Glory to the Grave, Pastor Holland again explores the profound humility of Jesus Christ as described in Philippians 2, emphasizing His voluntary descent from divine glory to human servitude. He highlights the reality of His true humanity and His obedience unto a shameful and agonizing death on the cross.

The sermon explores the theological significance of baptism as outlined in Colossians 2:12, emphasizing its role as an outward sign of inward spiritual grace. It highlights the believer's union with Jesus Christ through identification with his death, burial, and resurrection. The text argues that faith is the essential means by which this union is realized. The preacher warns against viewing baptism as a mechanical ritual or dismissing it as unimportant, insisting instead on its vital connection to conversion and the gospel. Ultimately, the message calls for the need of true faith if we are to benefit from the sacraments.

We are preparing to enter into the most sacred and holy truth of all scripture. We come closer and closer to the beating heart of the Gospel and find the One waiting there is glorious beyond all description! He is the One who has loved us, who has given Himself for us and who will one day return and take us home to be with Him forever!! He is not the cold vengeance-filled god born of Muhammed's imagination… He is not the feeble, vapid and effete godlett of American liberal "Christianity". He is not the demon-gods of the Hindu, nor the happy fat Buddha, but He is the God of the Bible. He ALONE is God and He ALONE is worthy to be praised!! The God who holds out the glory of the Gospel is YHWH, creator of Heaven and Earth... He is Jesus Christ, YHWH made flesh, the second person of the Eternal Godhead and He has entered the true Holiest Place, entered the very throne room of Heaven and paid the ransom for our sin! He has purchased us back with the price of His Own Blood!! The most perfect sacrifice and the absolute, total payment for sin!

The sermon explores how believers should respond when their hearts are overwhelmed by grief, anxiety, fear, or life's burdens, using Psalm 61 as the primary text. It emphasizes that faith does not require emotional composure but rather a desperate cry to God for refuge and strength. The preacher highlights three movements in the psalm: the urgent cry of the distressed heart, the shelter found in God's faithful character and the community of believers, and the ultimate hope in the reign of the everlasting King. By connecting David's ancient hopes to Jesus Christ's resurrection, the message assures listeners that their security rests not in self-control or circumstances, but in the eternal sovereignty and mercy of Christ. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to persevere in daily faith and corporate worship, trusting that Christ has conquered death and secures the believer's future.

The Voluntariness, Visceralness, and Vicariousness of Christ's Death

I. Now No Condemnation A. Though Sin Often Makes Us Feel Wretched B. For We are in a Living Union with Christ Jesus 1. Died to Sin's Dominion in His Death 2. Alive to Righteousness in His Resurrection C. If We Are Walking in the Spirit, not the Flesh ll. Freed from the Law of Sin and Death A. By the New Principle of Life in Christ 1. Not under the Rule of Sin, Curse of Death 2. In Christ our Vine, Who Quickens, Supplies B. By the Life-Giving Spirit of Holiness 1. Who Binds Us to Christ (John 16:15; Eph. 1:14) 2. Who Works Christ's Life in Us 3. Who Walks with Us through His Means

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 1. The Servant. 2. The Shape. 3. The Sacrifice. The sermon explores the profound humility of Jesus Christ as presented in Philippians 2, positioning Him as the ultimate role model for believers. It highlights three key aspects of His humiliation: His voluntary servanthood, His full identification with human nature, and His obedient sacrifice unto death on the cross. The preacher contrasts worldly role models with Christ's self-emptying love, urging listeners to embrace humility and service rather than seeking status or pleasure. By examining Christ's submission to the Father and His bearing of sin, the message emphasizes that true Christian character is found in following this divine example. The narrative concludes by pointing to Christ's subsequent exaltation, offering hope and a call to personal devotion.