Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, August 28, 2005, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including zipped files of outlines from previous years, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

JESUS - THE SHIBBOLETH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

By Michael D. O'Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Judges 12:1-6

Text: Judges 12:6

Judges 12:6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

Introduction: A couple of years ago I decided that if God would help me, I would preach at least one message every Sunday on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of these messages have consisted of finding Jesus throughout the Bible, beginning at Genesis.

Since I have been looking for the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament, I have found Him appearing more often than I ever saw Him before. But we should not be surprised, for He said:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

He met with two discouraged disciples after His resurrection:

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

In our text, there was a password that allowed the men of Gilead to identify the invading Ephraimites, who they were defeating soundly at the time. The word was Shibboleth. The men of Ephraim could not get the "h" sound, called an aspirate, so the word came out as "sibboleth." This
difficult exists among races today, as many black people have a hard time getting the "sk" sound correct in ask, pronouncing it as axe. Orientals sometimes have trouble with English words that have "r" in them. Likewise, Americans have difficulties when they try properly pronouncing the words with "r" in the Spanish language.

What does this have to do with Jesus? Well, this passage made me think of a verse in the New Testament. Turn to it with me and read it.

1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

False teachers are identified by what they say that is contrary to the Bible.

False believers, phony Christians, fake saints are also identified by what they DON'T say. They don't say that JESUS IS THE LORD. This is not exactly the same as "calling" Jesus Lord. Many lost people do that. It is an open profession that Jesus is the Lord. I take joy in say that today from the heart. Let me say, concerning His Lordship, that:

I. JESUS IS THE LORD OF CREATION

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Verse 14 identifies the Word, who made all things, as JESUS:

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

A. He is the maker of all creation

B. He is the master of all creation

II. JESUS WAS THE LORD AT CONCEPTION

Elizabeth knew this, right after it was known that Mary was with child. She said:

Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

A. The virgin birth was a miracle

B. The virgin birth was a manifestation (1 Tim. 3:16)

III. JESUS WAS THE LORD IN THE CRADLE

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

A. Jesus is come in the flesh (1 Jn. 4:3)

B. Justification is come in the flesh

C. Joy is come in the flesh - TRUE joy is in JESUS

IV. JESUS IS THE LORD OF CONVICTION

John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

A. By His examination (those scribes and Pharisees came to examine and accuse Jesus (v. 6), but He turned the tables and examined them

B. By His eye contact - Peter

C. By His example of power and purity - several times this happened in His earthly ministry

V. JESUS WAS THE LORD ON CALVARY

Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

As LORD ...

A. Jesus was the sinless sacrifice and substitute for our sins

B. Jesus was the sovereign Savior in control of conversion (more on this in my final point)

VI. JESUS IS THE LORD OF CONDEMNATION

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

A. His judgment cannot be avoided

B. His judgment cannot be appealed

VII. JESUS IS THE LORD OF CONVERSION

Acts 16:29-31 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

As Lord:

A. He designated the requirement
1. What MUST I do ... ? the jailor asked
2. Ye MUST be born again (Jn. 3:7)
3. none other name ... whereby we MUST be saved (Acts 4:12)

B. He declared the result
1. "thou SHALT be saved" - Acts 16:31
2. "shall never perish" - Jn. 10:28

Is Jesus YOUR personal Lord and Savior?