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About Jesus #29 (3-13-16) Bible Bap2st Church, Port Orchard, WA Dr. Al Hughes

A Question of Second-Hand Christianity

John 18:33-38 (text v. 34Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did
others tell it thee of me?).
This was a DRAMATIC SCENE: It is early in the morning (v. 28). Pon-
tius Pilate, the Roman governor, had barely wiped the sleep from his eyes
when the Jewish leaders brought Jesus before him.
Pilate had heard of Jesus. The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide
(Mt. 14:1; Luke 4:37; 5:15). Pilate certainly heard about Christs dramatic
entrance into Jerusalem just a few days earlier as the multitudes shouted,
Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the
Lord (John 12:13).
Now Jesus and Pilate stand face-to-face. Jesus didnt look like a
kingat least not the kind of king a Roman would recognize. So Pilate
asks Jesus plainly Art thou King of the Jews? 1
It was a straightforward question that could have been answered with a
simple yes or no. But Jesus doesnt answer Pilates question. Why?
Because, if Jesus answered, Yes, Pilate would see Jesus as a rival of Cae-
sar who came to overthrow Rome. On the other hand, if He answered,
No, He would deny the truth and "the hope of Israel."
The Lord turns the tables on Pilate with a question of His own
Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Pilate, are you asking because you want to know who I am for yourself,
or are you just asking because you heard others saying it?
Jesus question was directed at Pilate's conscience. He was pressing
upon Pilate his individual responsibility to decide for himself who Christ
was apart from what others were saying.
Jesus wanted Pilate to consider the source of his information. Pilate,
who told you this? Is it just hearsay? Is it second hand knowledge? Or,
did you come to this conclusion on your own?
Jesus was inviting Pilate to change something he heard second-hand
into a first-hand experience.
1 Pilate asked five questions: Four to Jesus and one to the crowdvs. 33, 35, 37, 38, 39.
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Unfortunately, Pilate evaded the question (v. 35). He could have admit-
ted that everything he knew about Jesus he got second-hand and he really
would like to know the truth for himself.

Instead, Pilate changed the subject and said, Am I a Jew? Why did
your own nation turn against you? This question opened the door for Je-
sus to explain the true nature of His Kingship (v. 36).
The value in hearsay. Most everything we know we got second-hand:

Historical knowledge of Julius Caesar, Columbus, George Washington.

Scientific knowledge Distance of earth from the sun is 92,000,000

miles. Temperature of the sun is 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ill take your word on that. There are somethings that I believe
without needing to experience them: Touching a fallen electrical line
is deadly Heroin and cocaine are addictive Smoking cigarettes
causes cancer Touching a hot stove will burn you.

But, there are some things I must experience for myself:

Personal salvationKnowing the Gospel is the power of God unto sal-

vation will not save me until I experience for myself.

Personal RevivalHearing about great revivals in the past are wonder-

ful, but it will never satisfy the need for revival in your my life today.

Gods BlessingsHearing what God did for others may be encourag-

ing, but it will not meet my need for God to do something in my own
life today. As Jacob professed in Genesis 30:27, I have learned by
experience that the Lord hath blessed me

I. Second-hand knowledge will never SATISFY your spirit.

It has been said theology (the study of God) is queen of all sci-
ences. Yet, no knowledge about God can ever take the place of
personally KNOWING GOD Himself. As Paul professed, I know
WHOM [not what] I have believed (2 Tim. 1:12).
A. KNOWING BY EXPERIENCE.
1. Ive learned how to grill a delicious steak I know how to
select a good steak at the store how to marinate it how
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hot to make the grill how long to grill the steak on each
side. But knowing all that will never satisfy my hunger.
2. A person can be very knowledgable about waterIts com-
positionits importance to lifewhere it can be found. But
that will never quench his thirst.
3. A person may know all there is about automobilesthe vari-
ous makes and brandshow they operatehow to repair
them. But that will never transport a person anywhere.
4. Likewise, a person can know all about God and Jesus Christ,
but still die and go to Hell.
B. TRANSLATING HEARSAY INTO EXPERIENCEHearsay is good as
far as it goes. Our initial knowledge of Christ probably came to
us second-hand. But what weve heard about Jesus must be
translated into a personal experience.
1. Do you know the Lord BY EXPERIENCE, or do you know the
Lord only by what others have said about Him?
2. What do you know of God by personal experience, apart from
anything anyone else may have told you? You must know Je-
sus for yourself, and not simply from the testimony of some-
one else.

Dont take someone else's word for itExperience the Lord for your-
self. O taste and see that the LORD is good (Ps. 34:8).

II. Second-hand knowledge will never SPUR you to serve.

Do you know who is most passionate about finding a cure for
cancer or about drunk drivers?
It is only those who have actually experienced first-hand the sav-
ing knowledge of Christ who are passionate about serving Christ.

A. In Mark 7 Jesus healed a man who was deaf and could not speak.
Then Jesus charged them that they should tell no man: but the
more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they
published it. (Mark 7:36)
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1. When someone has experienced first-hand the work of Christ

in their life, they cant be quiet about it (cf. Mark 1:40-45)!
2. It will motivate you to get involved in making Jesus known.

B. In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested and brought before the
Jewish council.
1. The council saw the boldness of Peter and John and took
knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Spending
time with Jesus first-hand will give you a boldness youll nev-
er get by just hearing someone else talk about Jesus.
2. The Jewish rulers threaten Peter and John not to speak of
Jesus. But they answered, We cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard. They had a first-hand expe-
rience of being with Christ and had to tell it!

III. Second-hand knowledge will never SAVE a lost soul.

Jesus question to Pilate is a question we should all seriously con-
sider. Is my knowledge of Christ a matter of hearsay or experi-
ence?
Basing your faith on hearsay or second-hand knowledge will not
get you to heaven. You must know Jesus for yourself, and not
simply by the testimony of someone else.
A. What are you basing your faith on?
1. Are you basing it on merely what others have said?
2. Are you basing your souls salvation on what you heard some
preacher tell you?
3. Is your faith based on some emotional feeling?
4. Or is it based upon the foundation of the Word of God and
confirmed in your heart by the Holy Ghost? (Acts 17:11).

B. Peter boldly confessed, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God. Where did Peter get that knowledge? Did he get it second-
hand? No! Jesus said to Peter, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jo-
na: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven (Mt. 16:16-17).
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1. We must have MORE than just the word of a man when it

comes to knowing the Lord for salvation (Acts 17:11).
2. Jesus told Pilate, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my
voice" (John 18:37). Have you heard His voice, or is your
faith merely resting on hearing some mans voice? Is your
faith based on education or revelation (Rom. 10:17).
SUMMATION: The WITNESS OF THE SPIRITIt is the Spirit that beareth
witness, because the Spirit is truth. And there are three that bear witness
in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree
in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:
for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that
believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: (1 John 5:6-10).
Does Gods Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are His child
(Rom. 8:16)?
When you witness to a lost person that Jesus is Lord and Savior, Are
you saying "this thing of thyself or did others tell it thee? Are you telling
others of Christ by experience, or are you just repeating what you heard
others say? Paul said, Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5).
How is second-hand knowledge translated into personal experience?
Jesus promised, If any man WILL DO HIS WILL, HE SHALL KNOW of the
doctrine (John 7:17). God will reveal the reality of the truth to anyone
who is honestly willing to follow the truth. As the prophet Hosea wrote,
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord (Hos. 6:3). The
more you time you spend in communion with the Lord (in the Word and
prayer), the more hearsay will be turned into personal experience.