Praises of Men or of God?

Larry Siegle
03/24/24 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: Praises of Men or of God? - L Siegle

“Praises of MEN or of GOD?”

(John 12:42, 43)

Thesis:  It is the human desire to not be “caught” doing something that brings embarrassment and a sense of shame.

INTRODUCTION

1.  The title of this message is, “Praises of MEN or of GOD?”.  

2.  How many times in our lives have we done something really foolish and had

     an immediate sense of embarrassment or regret?

     a.  Embarrassment --involves a ‘feeling’ and moment of ‘self-consciousness’ when we realize that something is “just not right”

          1)  A ‘full-length mirror’ in the bedroom where we have to get dressed

               Everyday.  (sliding closet doors were a huge mirror!).

          2)  Sometimes there is a sense of shame that comes the very moment we do

               something wrong and realize there are consequences that soon follow…

3.  There are times when that sense of having done something wrong is

     legitimate.

     a.  Accident--broken pottery of a aunt (tried to put the pieces back together).

     b.  Brand new pants, playing in the oil paint, got white paint on dark blue pants--used BLEACH to get the stain out… made it FAR WORSE.

4.  We live in a world where standing for certain principles that runs counter to

     our common culture creates a moment where we have to make a decision.

5.  Do we feel the need to speak up and to speak out when we know the

     difference between what is right and what is wrong?

     a.  Sometimes it is easier to stay silent or to go along with the crowd.

     b.  The need to feel ‘liked’ and ‘accepted’ is far easier-go with the flow

CONTEXT

1.  Jesus is making His way into Jerusalem, a ‘triumphal entry’ and the people

     are crying out (John 12:12, 13).

     a.  The religious leaders wanted to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death (John

          12:9-11).

     b.  The power of the ministry of Jesus was having the effect of people putting

          their faith in Him

2.  Many believed in Christ, but there was a sense of ‘fear’ that they would be put

     out of the synagogue (John 12:42).

     a.  There is a ‘cost’ of taking a stand for what is right.

     b.  They would not ‘confess’ Him… (homologeo) ‘speak the same thing’

     c.  Acknowledgement, make an admission.

3.  When we ‘confess’ Christ, He ‘confesses’ us before the Father (Luke 12:8, 9).

4.  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, and he paid a price for his love and

     devotion to God rather than the majority of those who had been his brethren

     (Rom. 1:16).

CONCLUSION

1.  There is a blessing that comes from doing what is right even in the midst of

     adversity and when there is a cost involved (Acts 4:17-22; 5:28, 29).

2.  There are times in life when it is wise to be ashamed, and those times when it

     is necessary to take a stand for what it right.