WHEN GOD COMES NEAR, DO NOT TURN HIM AWAY | Luke 19:41–44

WHEN GOD COMES NEAR, DO NOT TURN HIM AWAY | Luke 19:41–44

Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem?

Jesus did not weep merely because walls, buildings, and stones would be destroyed. He wept because the people He loved refused to repent, rejected the King of Peace, and failed to recognize the time of God’s visitation.

Luke 19:41–44 records one of the most heartbreaking moments in the ministry of Jesus Christ. As He approached Jerusalem, the crowds celebrated—but Jesus wept. They saw a religious festival, but He saw approaching judgment. They admired their magnificent city, but He saw spiritually blinded souls. Their promised Messiah had come near, yet many turned Him away.

This powerful, Christ-centered message confronts one of life’s greatest dangers: passionately pursuing temporary things while neglecting the soul that will exist forever. People prepare for careers, retirement, vacations, possessions, and earthly success, yet many remain unprepared to meet God.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, the King of Glory, and the only Savior sent to rescue humanity from the bondage of sin. You cannot reject the Prince of Peace and still possess the peace that only He can give. You cannot make peace with sin, reject Jesus Christ, and still experience the true peace that comes from being reconciled to God.

God’s patience is not permission to continue in sin. It is mercy holding back judgment and giving sinners another opportunity to repent. Second Peter 3:9 reminds us that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

This sermon will help you understand:

• Why Jesus wept over Jerusalem
 • What the day of God’s visitation means
 • Why rejecting Jesus Christ leads to spiritual blindness
 • The difference between religious activity and genuine repentance
 • Why earthly success can never replace salvation
 • How sin separates humanity from God
 • Why Jesus Christ is the only source of peace with God
 • The eternal consequences of continually rejecting Christ
 • How to recognize when God is calling you
 • Why repentance must not be postponed
 • How to receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ

The tragedy of Jerusalem remains a warning to every generation. God came near, but many did not recognize Him. They heard the truth, witnessed His miracles, and saw the Messiah, yet they hardened their hearts.

Could the same thing be happening in your life?

Is Jesus Christ weeping over you because you have heard the gospel repeatedly but still refuse to repent? Do you want His blessings while rejecting His lordship? Are you preparing for everything in this world while remaining unprepared for eternity?

Do not ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Do not mistake God’s patience for His approval. Do not keep saying “tomorrow” when the Bible says that today is the day of salvation.

The King of Peace has come near. The King of Glory is calling. The Savior is offering forgiveness. His blood can wash away your sins, His grace can restore your life, and His power can break every chain.

When God comes near, do not turn Him away!

MAIN SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:41–44 (NIV)

RELATED SCRIPTURES: Mark 8:36; Luke 13:3; Luke 19:10; John 1:11; John 3:16; John 3:36; Acts 3:19; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 3:15; Revelation 1:7.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:06

This is the faith I'll come and believe. When burdens are lifted and hearts are relieved. The word is alive, it speaks to our soul. Calling us higher, making us whole. Faith comes by hearing, hearing God's word, a voice in the silence, true to be heard. Let every heart go, let every time free. This is the faith that's speaking to me, I feel the air. Jesus is present, stands to prayer. No fear to linger, where his truth is known. He built a spirit, he claims it dawned here, hearing my word, a voice in the time, just to be good, let me heart down, let me downfree. This is the face that word God is speaking to me.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

When God comes near, do not turn him away. There was once a wedding man who received two letters on the same morning. The first letter announced that he has won an expensive luxury vacation. He promised beautiful accommodation, fine food, entertainment, and several unforgettable days in a distant paradise. The second letter came from his doctor. He warned him that recent test results reveal life threatening conditions and urged him to come to the hospital immediately. The man opened the vacation letter first. He became overwhelmed with excitement. He called his friend, bought new clothes, searched for the best restaurant near the resort, and spent hours planning every detail of the journey. The letter from his doctor remained unopened on the table. He pursued what could entertain him for a few days while ignoring what could determine whether he live or die. He passionately prepared for a temporary vacation while negating the unjust condition of his life. My brothers and sisters, this is a picture of our world. People are running passionately after things that cannot last. Why ignoring the God who holds eternity in his hand? They are preparing for retirement, but not preparing to meet God. They insure their houses, cars, businesses, and possession, but they leave their soul uninsured against eternity. They know the latest news, follow the latest trend, pursue the latest technology and remember every important appointment, but they continually postpone their appointment with Jesus Christ. People spend years building bodies that will eventually return to dust. When they need souls that we exist forever, they decorate houses, they will one day leave behind, but do not prepare for the eternal home, they must enter one day. They pursue hapless that will soon become silent, money that will pass into other hands, beauty that will fade, position they will eventually surrender, and pleasures that last only for a moment. Jesus asked. In Mark chapter 8, verse 36, what good is it for someone to gain the own world yet for it their soul? What good? What a frightening exchange. To gain what is temporary and lose what is eternal, to become successful before people but remain unprepared before God. To be celebrated on earth but unknown in heaven. Unknown in heaven. To possess everything money can purchase but reject the salvation that only Jesus Christ can provide. This was the tragedy of Jerusalem in Luke chapter 19. The city was busy, the people were celebrating. Religious activities filled the street. Cows surround Jesus. Yet, while everybody else was shouting, Jesus was weeping. The tragedy of Jerusalem then is suddenly seen the brains of many today. Luke, chapter 19, verse 41 to 44 says, As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, If you, even you had only know on this day, what will bring you peace. But now it is hidden from your eyes. The day will come upon you when your enemy will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hang you in every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God coming to you. The crowd saw celebration, but Jesus saw a catastrophe. They saw a magnificent city, but Jesus saw spiritually bright souls. They saw the temple, the walls, the stone, the ceremony, but Jesus saw people who was rejected their only Messiah. They were close to Jesus physically, yet far from him spiritually. God had come near, but they were turning him away. When everybody was rejoicing, Jesus was weeping. Jesus was entering Jerusalem as the promise came. People spread their clothes on the road. The disciples praised God joyfully. The crowd shouted, Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Look, chapter 19, verse 38 says, This shall be a moment of joy. The promised Messiah has arrived. The king was entering his city. Prophecy was being fulfilled before their eyes. Yet Jesus wept. The word used for his weeping communicated more than the quiet tears running down his face. Jesus broke into a deep sorrow. His heart was overwhelmed with grief. He was not weeping because he was afraid of what would happen to him in Jerusalem. Jesus knew that betrayal, rejection, humiliation, scourging, and crucification awaits him. But his tears was for the people's soul. He was not permanently weeping for the concrete walls, the citadel, the building and stones. He was weeping for men, women, children, families and generations who refused to recognize that God has come near them. Jesus saw people celebrating a religious festival while rejecting the Lord of the festival. He saw outward celebration, but no inner conviction. He saw people admiring the temple while resisting the God who gave the temp temple its meaning. He saw people looking for political freedom while remaining impressive by sin. They were pursuing what was temporary while rejecting what was eternal. The walls of Jerusalem will fall. The temple will be destroyed. The stone will be scattered. The earthly glory of the city will pass away. But every soul within that city will one day stand before God. He sees the consequences that sin is hidden from you. He sees the emptiness behind the pleasures, the destruction behind the temptation and the judgment beyond persistent unbelief. There are many reasons behind the weeping. Number one, Jesus wept because they rejected the king of peace. Jesus said in Luke chapter 19, verse 42, if you, even you, had only known on this day what will bring you peace. But now it is hidden from your eyes. Jerusalem was known as the city of peace. But the city of peace rejected the Prince of Peace. They wanted peace from Rome, but Jesus came to give them peace with God. They wanted their political condition change, but Jesus came to change their sinful heart. They wanted a military conqueror, but God sent them a crucified Savior. They wanted Jesus to defeat their earthly enemies, but he came to defeat sin and Satan and death and the grave. Their definition of peace was too small. Many people still make that mistake today. Many people still make that mistake. They want Jesus to solve their problem but not save them from their sins. And they say, Lord, give me peace. Why continue to embrace the same that destroys peace? They say, Lord, bless my life, but refuse to surrender that life, that life to him. They say, Lord, open doors for me. Why keep the door of their heart closed against Jesus? You cannot reject the Prince of Peace and still possess the peace that only He can give. You cannot close your heart to the King of peace and expect your soul to enjoy the peace found only under his reign. You cannot make peace with sin, reject Jesus Christ, and still experience the true peace that comes from being reconciled to God. Romans chapter 5, verse 1 is emphatic when Apostle Paul brilliantly wrote, therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our greatest problem is not merely stress, poverty, sickness, loneliness, conflict, or disappointment. Humanity's deepest problem is sin. Sin has separated us from God. Sin has corrupted the human heart. Sin has divided us. Sin has brought mysteries on humanity. Sin has placed humanity under condemnation. But Jesus Christ came. He came to reconcile sinner to God. He came to bear our sin upon the cross. He came to receive the judgment we deserved. He came to shed his blood for our forgiveness. He came to rise from the dead and offer us eternal life. Peace with God is not found in religion, good works, money, morality, education, or human philosophy. Peace with God comes only through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Brothers and sisters, the King of peace is calling you today. Do not turn him away. Number two, Jesus wept because they refused to repent. Jerusalem was deeply religious, but religion is not the same as repentance. The temple was operating. Priests were serving. Sacrifices were being made. Scripture were being read. Prayers and plenty of them were being offered. Festival were being observed. Yet many hearts remained hardened against God. They had religious activities without spiritual surrender. They had ceremonies without compassion. They honor God with their lips, while their heart remaining far from Him. Jesus is already one in Luke chapter 13, verse 3. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Repentance is not merely feeling bad because sin has produced painful consequences. Repentance is not crying today and returning to the same rebellion tomorrow. Repentance is a genuine turning of the heart from sin towards God. Repentance says, God, you are right, I am wrong. Sin has ruined long enough. I cannot save myself. I turn away from my rebellion and I surrender to Jesus Christ. Some people want forgiveness without repentance, they want heaven without holiness. They want salvation without surrender. They want the promise of Christ without the lordship of Christ. But the gospel does not tell sinner to negotiate with sin. He commands us to repent. Chapter 3, verse 19, declare without compromise. Repent then and turn to God so that your sin may be wiped out. Jerusalem, Jerusalem people did not lack opportunity to repent. They had heard the preaching of John the Baptist. They had witnessed the miracles of Jesus Christ. They had heard his teaching. They have seen demons flee, sick people heal, blind eyes open, and dead people raised. They have seen Jesus Christ did only what God can do. God has given them evidence. God has sent them warnings. God has extended mercy. Yet many still refuse to repent. Brethren, how many warnings has God given you? How many sermons have you heard? How many times has the Holy Spirit convicted you? How many times has God rescued you from consequences that could have destroyed you? How many times? How many promises have you made to God during moment of crisis only to forget them when the crisis passed? Do not confuse God patient with his approval. His delay in judgment is an opportunity for repentance. Second Peter chapter 3, verse 9 says that the Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God's delay is not permission to continue in sin. It is the mercy holding back judgment and giving you another opportunity to repent before it is too late. Every additional day God gives you is a call to repent. Do not mistake his patient to witness. Because the same Lord who waits patiently today will judge righteousness on the appointed day. If the Spirit of God is confronting your sin, God has come near you. Do not turn him away. Jesus wept because they rejected their promised Messiah. John chapter 1, verse 11 says, He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. For centuries, God has spoken through the prophets. The scriptures announced the coming Messiahs. The promises pointed toward him. The sacrificial system foreshadowed his death. The Passover lamp pointed to his blood. Yet, when the fulfillment of those promises stood among them, many refused to receive him. They wanted a Messiah shaped by their expectation. They wanted a king who will serve their political ambitions. But Jesus came as the Savior they truly needed. He came as the Lamp of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came as the bread of life for spiritually hungry souls. He came as the light of the world for those walking in the darkness. He came as the good shepherd to seek lost ship. He came as the resurrection and the life to conquer death. He came as the only way and the truth and the life. The only way to Father. But many looked at the King of Glory and said, in effect, we will not have this man rule over us. People are still rejecting Jesus Christ today. Some reject him openly. Others reject him politely. Some reject him through unbelief. Some reject him through their behavior. Others reject him through endless postponement. Some reject his identity. Others speak respectfully about Jesus while refusing his authority. You can admire Jesus and still reject him. You can study Jesus and still reject him. You can preach about Jesus and still reject him. You can sing about Jesus and still reject him. You can wear a cross around your neck while refusing to carry your cross and follow him. Jesus is not merely a religious teacher to be admired. He is the Lord before whom every nail we bow. Acts chapter 4, verse 12 declares, salvation is found in no one earth, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. God has not said many saviors and asked us to select our preferences. He said is one and only Son. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject God's only provision for salvation. When the only saviors come near, do not turn him away. This was not physical blindness. They could see Jesus. But they could not recognize him. They could see his work but refused to accept his identity. They had his word, but had their heart against against his truth. Persistent rejection of truth produces spiritual blindness. Every time you resist conviction, your heart becomes harder. Every time you rescue sins, his grip becomes stronger. Every time you prosper repentance, obedience becomes more difficult. Every time you silence your conscience, its warning grows fainter and fainter. 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 4 says, The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel. The tragedy is that spiritual blind people often believe they can see clearly. They can recognize business opportunity, but could not recognize divine visitation. They can analyze financial markets but cannot understand the condition of their soul. They can see flaws in everybody else. Why remaining blind to their own sin? Jerusalem could see his temple, his tradition, his priest, and religious ceremony, but he could not see the Son of God standing in its midst. What a tragedy. To possess scripture and miss the Savior reveil by the scripture. To stand beside the light of the world and remain in darkness. To hear the word of eternal life and choose the voice of the cloud, what a tragedy. Do not play games with spiritual blindness. Pray, Lord, open my eyes, show me my true conditions. Expose every lie I have believed. Bring the pride that keep me from repentance. The most dangerous condition is not blindness of the eyes. No. It is the blindness of the soul. While the light of the world is standing before you. Number five, Jesus wept because they missed the day of their visitation. The most heartbreaking words in this passage appear in Luke chapter 19, verse 44. Because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. God came to them, but they did not recognize him. The creator walked through the streets of Jerusalem. The Savior stood at their gate, the king entered their city. Mercy spoke to them. Truth confronted them. Eternal life came within their reach. Yet they missed their moment. Their day of visitation became their day of rejection. Many might say, I have not had the day of my visitation yet. Well, listen to this carefully. Please do listen carefully. A defined visitation is a moment when God draws near in a special way. It may happen through a sermon that passes your heart. A poster by the roadside, a teach-shirt signage someone is wearing, proclaiming Jesus as the Lord. It may come through the scripture that exposes your condition. It may happen during sickness, loss, danger, disappointment, or a narrow escape from death. That might be the day of your facilitation. It may come through the testimony of a believer or the loving correction of someone God has placed in your life. When your heart becomes aware of sins, grace, judgment, and eternity, do not treat the moment casually. No. God may be drawing near. That might be the day of your visitation. That confliction you feel is not an inconvenience. It is massive knocking at your heart. That restlessness within your soul may be God awakening you. That voice calling you to abandon sin may be the Holy Spirit warning you. That sermon comforting your lifestyle may be your day of visitation. You know, Hebrew chapter 3, verse 15. Says loudly and clearly to anyone listening right now. Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your voice. Notice that the scripture says today, it does not say next year, it does not say after you have enjoyed sin for a little longer. It does not say that you have achieved your earthly ambitions. The devil will tell you that there is plenty of time. He does not always need you to say, I will never accept Christ. He is satisfied if you keep saying, Not today. Delay repentance is dangerous because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Not to me, not to you. You may postpone salvation, but death will not postpone it survivor because you are unprepared. You may ignore eternity, but eternity will not ignore you. You may refuse to recognize God's visitation, but you cannot prevent the day when you must stand before Him. When God comes near, do not turn Him away. Number six, Jesus wept because He saw the judgment that they could not see. Jesus described what will happen to Jerusalem. Enemies will surround the city, encircle it, and bring terrible destruction. He said they will not leave one stone upon another. Jesus was not guessing. He saw the judgment approaching, and in AD 17, Roman forces destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. The magnificent stone fell. The city was devastated. The citadel was in ruin. The celebration of Luke 19 could not stop the catastrophe that Jesus had foreseen. But the falling stone were now the greatest strategy, tragedy. The greatest tragedy was that people had rejected the Savior who came to rescue them. The chairs of Jesus refer to truth that must never be separated. God is compassionate. God is just. Some people speak about God's love as if his love means that sin has no consequences. Others speak of judgment as if God delighted in destroying sinner. Both ideas misrepresent him. Jesus wept because he loved them, but his fear did not cancel the consequences of their rejection. Define compassion does not eliminate divine justice. Ezekiel, chapter 33, verse 11, reveal God's heart. I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. God called the sinner to turn and live. He provides salvation. He warned of judgment, he extends mercy. But if grace is continually rejected, judgment remains. Judgment remains. Acts chapter 17, verse 31 declare, for he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. Grace has a voice of an invitation. But judgment has an appointed day. Mercy is calling today, but nobody should presume upon tomorrow. Number seven. Why did Jesus weep? He wept because he loved the people who were rejecting him. He knew Jerusalem would betray him, falsely accuse him, mock him, even prefer Barnabas the chief to him, condemn him and demand his crucification. Yet he still wept over the city. These were not tears of weakness, these were tears of divine compassion. Jesus was not approaching Jerusalem to destroy sinners, he was approaching Jerusalem to die for the sinners. He was moving towards the cross where he will bear our guilt, endure our judgment, and shed his blood for our redemption. Luke chapter 9, verse, Luke chapter 19, verse 10, give the reason for his coming. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. He came to rescue us from the bandage of sin. Sin is not a harmless habit, he is a cruel master. He promises freedom, but produces slavery. He promises pleasure, but pays with death. He promises satisfaction but leaves the soul empty all the time. Leave the soul empty. But Jesus came to break chains, since a chains of sin. He came to forgive the guilt. He came to cleanse the unclean. He came to restore the broken. He came to give life to the spiritually dead. He came near because humanity could not climb its way to God. Religion could not save us. Good work could not erase our guilt. Education could not transform our sinful nature. Money could not purchase eternal life. Therefore, God came near to us in Jesus Christ. You know, John chapter 3, verse 16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The tears over Jerusalem and the blood shed at Calvary proclaimed the same message. God does not want you to perish, but love must be received. Mercy must not be mocked. The Savior must not be torn away. Return to the man in our opening illustration. He became consumed with temporary vacation while ignoring the letters that concern his life. That is exactly what sin encouraged people to do. 1 John chapter 2, verse 17 says, The word and its desire passes away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Your possession will pass away. Your physical beauty will change. Your position will one day belong to someone else. Your world will gather dust. Your house will eventually become another person's property. Your outlet will become silent. But your soul will continue to eternity. Do not become so busy making a living that you forget to prepare for death. Do not become so occupied with your body that you negate your soul. Do not gain followers on earth while refusing to follow Jesus Christ. Do not accumulate possession that you cannot carry beyond the grave while rejecting the eternal treasure offered by Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke about a rich man whose land produce an abundant harvest. Demand builds a larger vans and plant years of pleasures. But God said in Luke chapter 12, verse 20, He said, You fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you. Demand prepared for many years, but was not prepared for that night. He had full bones, but an empty soul. He was rich towards himself, but poor toward God. What are you pursuing with your passion? Why ignoring eternity? What receives your best time, energy, affection, and attention? What have you allowed to become more important than knowing God? If something temporary is keeping you away from Christ, it has become too expensive. Anything that costs you, your soul, costs more than you can avoid. I'm telling you. There are profound eternal implications for everyone who rejects Christ. Jerusalem's tragedy is a warning for every generation. You know, John chapter 3, verse 36 says, Whoever believes in his son has eternal life, but whoever rejects his son will not see life. For God's right, for God's right remain in death. The Bible does not present Jesus as an optional improvement to an otherwise acceptable life. Without Jesus Christ, humanity remains lost, condemned, and separated from God. You may reject Jesus loudly through unbelief or quietly through postponement. You may reject him intellectually or practically. You may profess faith with your mouth. Why deny him through your behavior and your conduct and your lifestyle? Neutrality toward Jesus is impossible. If he is truly the Son of God, then he deserves more than admiration. He deserves repentance, faith, worship, obedience, and complete surrender. One day, every person will recognize Jesus. Yes. Philippians chapter 2, verse 10 says, declare that every knee we bow, every tongue we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is not whether you will eventually acknowledge him. The question is whether you will bow before him now as Savior and stand before him then as judge. Brethren, is Jesus Christ weeping over you? Is he weeping over you right now? This question must become personal. Is Jesus Christ weeping over you because you are surrendered, you are surrounded by the truth, but continue to resist it? Is he weeping because you have heard the gospel repeatedly, but still refuse to repent? Is he weeping because you wanted his blessing but reject his worship? Is he weeping because your late call him Lord, but your choices say, I will rule my own life? Is he weeping because you are mistaken church attendance for salvation? Is he weeping because you are pursuing money, pleasure, recognition, possession and source? Why your soul remains unprepared for eternity? Is he weeping because he has come near through you? Through conviction, but you keep turning him away. Some people are one sermon away from repentance, but they hide their heart. Some are one prayer away from surrender, but pride holds them back. Some know exactly what they must that they must what they must abandon, but they love their chains more than they desire freedom. Some have even been saying, tomorrow to Jesus for years of tomorrow. But tomorrow is the language of procrastination. Today is the language of salvation. Second Corinthians chapter 6, verse 12 declare, I tell you, now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation. The day of facitation is coming. There is a felitation of mercy taking place now. Christ is calling sin unto repentance. The gospel is being preached all over the world. The door of salvation remains open. But there is also a final visitation coming. The first time Jesus came, he came as a baby in Bethlehem. He will return as the king of king. The first time he entered Jerusalem riding on the donkey. He will return in power and great glory. The first time he wore a crown of towns. He will return wearing a crown of universal authority. The first time, sinful people stood in judgment over him. When he returned, he will judge the world in righteousness. The first time people ask, What shall I do with Jesus? On the final day, the decisive question will be, What will Jesus do with you? Revelation chapter 1, verse 7 says, Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him. Every eye. The day of visitation is coming. The question is whether it will be a day of joyful deliverance or a day of dreadful judgment for you. Do not wait until trumpets sound to begin searching for the Savior. Don't wait. Seek him now, seek him while he may be found. Do not wait until the door closes to begin knocking. Enter. Why mercy hold it open? Brothers and sisters, Jerusalem has its moment. But many did not recognize it. They had the prophet, but they had the promises. They had the scripture. They had miracle. They saw miracles. They had the Messiah. They saw Messiah. God came near, but they turned him away. Do not repeat their tragedy. Perhaps God has brought this message to you because this is your day of visitation. Perhaps this word is reaching you in your home, your car, your hospital, in your workplace, in the prison cell, or somewhere far away from your family. You may believe nobody knows what is happening inside you. But God knows. He knows your secret sin. He knows your private pain. He knows your guilt. He knows your fear. He knows the chain you cannot break by yourself. And he has come near. Not merely to condemn you, but to save you. Jesus says in John chapter 6, verse 37. He says, Whoever comes to me, I will never drive them away. You may have torn him away before, but he is calling again. Do not presume that you will always fail this confession. Do not assume that there will always be another sermon, another invitation, another opportunity, or another tomorrow. When God calls near, open your heart. When truth comforts you, humble yourself. When the Holy Spirit convicts you, repent. When Jesus called you follow him, the man in our opening illustration gave all his attention to letter, promising temporary pleasure while ignoring the letter concerning life and death. Many people are doing the same thing spiritually. The world keeping sending advertisements for temporary pleasures, success, entertainment, wealth, and recognition. People eagerly open those messages and build their lives around them. But God has also sent a message. But his message also said that Jesus Christ died for sinners, rose from the grave, and offered eternal life to everyone who repents and believe. Do not ignore the message that concerns your eternity. The King of peace has come near. The King of glory is calling you. The only Savior is offering forgiveness. The bondage of sin can be broken. The guilt can be pardoned. The lust can be found. The spiritually dead can receive life. But you must not turn him away. Today, recognize the time of God's coming to you. Today, open your heart. Today, surrender to Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Savior. Today, receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. Do not allow the tears Jesus shed over Jerusalem to become the tears He shed over you, over your continual rejection. If you are not certain that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, do not leave this moment unchanged. Confess that you are a sinner. Stop defending what God condemned. Turn away from your rebellion. Believe that Jesus Christ died upon the cross for your sin and that God raised him from the dead. Surrender the truth of your life to him. Romans chapter 10, verse 9 says, If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Do not merely repeat word while holding tightly to your sins. Come with a broken heart. Believe it and surrender heart. The Savior is near. Mercy is available. The door is wide open. Come to Jesus Christ now. Come to Him now. Let us pray. Almighty God, we come before you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for coming near to us in mercy. Thank you for sending your one and only Son to seek and save the lost. Thank you for the tears of compassion Jesus shed over Jerusalem and for the precious blood He shed upon the cross for our salvation. Lord, open every spiritually blinded eye today. Break every hardy heart. Expose every false confidence. Awaken everyone who is pursuing temporary things while negating eternity. Let the sinner recognize this day of precipitation. Let the backslider return home. Let the hypocrite abandon empty religion. Let every chain of sin be broken by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, we confess that we have sinned against you. Forgive us. Watch us in your precious blood. Deliver us from the bandage of sin, Lord. We believe that you died for our sin and rose again. We surrender our hearts, plan, possession, relationship, and future to you. Be our Savior, our Lord, and our King. Give us grace to live in holiness. Walk in obedience. Love what you love. Reject what you hate and proclaim your gospel to the world. Keep us ready for the day of your return. May no one hearing this message turn you away. May today become a day of repentance, salvation, restoration, and eternal transformation. In the mighty, merciful, and saving name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. I am evangelist, Dr. Gabriel Olua Kutame, and on behalf of all of us at Faith Wallet Global Gospel Ministry, thank you for joining us today at the Faith Hour. If you'd like to hear this message again and again or explore more messages, visit us on YouTube, Facebook, and our official website. For those always on the go, you can also listen on Spotify, Apple, Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many other platforms. We urge you to download our Ghostbell Radio mobile app, The Voice of Grace Ghost Spare Radio. You can listen to all our messages anywhere in the world at any time you want. Until we meet again, stay blessed, stay grounded in Christ and keep the fire of faith burning. Thank you so much. God bless you. Amen.

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