## The Great Passage

## John 5:24

Living in Indiana, we probably don't give a lot of though to mountain ranges. Nowadays if we have a need to cross over any mountain range we have many modern conveniences. We could fly over them or drive over nicely paved roads in the comfort of our vehicles.

However it hasn't always been that way. To many of the early settlers, the mt. ranges seemed to be impassable. The only way they could cross them was to find a passage through them, and even that did not guarantee a safe crossing.

In 1846, the Donner party of about 87 people headed for California. They were caught unexpectedly by a winter storm in a passage through the Sierra Nevada Mts. They named the place "Donner Pass". There are many other passes that have gained notoriety through the years because they were the only way through some very difficult mountain range.

This morning I want to draw your attention to the Word of God. Here we find the greatest passage of all time. It is the passage from death unto life. READ: John 5:24

I. The State of Death

A. It is our native country.

B. Isaiah calls this world in which we live the "land of the shadow of death" cf Is. 9:2

C. The nature of this country is not very appealing.

1. It is a place of misery.

a. we are all guilty

b. we have already been condemned

c. to be in the state of death is to be continually in darkness and shadows

d. great is the misery of all who are in that state

2. It is a place of helplessness.

a. we are without the strength needed in order to leave

b. even if we tried, we are powerless to escape to freedom

c. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Ro. 3:23

d. there is no greater frustration than to want to do something and find that you are helpless!

3. It is a place of separation.

a. death always brings separation, both physically and spiritually

b. sin is death, and it alienates us from God

c. ever since Adam & Eve were disobedient to God, sin has separated us from Him

d. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear." Is. 59:2

II. The State of Life.

A. This is the place that we seek to enter.

B. To enter the state of life means:

1. Deliverance

a. deliverance from the old ways: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." cf. 2 Co. 5:17

b. deliverance purchased by the blood of Christ: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the precious blood of Christ" 1 Peter 1:18-19a

2. Fulness of life.

a. where there was emptiness now there is fulness

b. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" John 10:10

3. Happiness.

a. not a superficial emotion

b. not a gratification of the flesh

c. but a true happiness...a peace that passeth all understanding

III. The Passage Between.

A. It is a short passage.

1. For the Pilgrims to cross over to the new land meant many months of travel.

2. For one to pass from death unto life takes only a moment.

3. It isn't a long process at all, just as long as it takes for one to truly repent and believe on Him.

B. It is a safe passage.

1. John 6:37b, "...and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

2. It isn't a dark and treacherous passage as through some mountain range.

3. It is lit by the Light of the world!

C. It is a free passage.

1. There are no toll gates along the way!

2. The invitation reads: "Whosever will may come"

3. Only one condition is given concerning this passage: "He that heareth my Word , and believeth on Him that sent me." cf John 5:24

4. Man places all kinds of requirements upon himself, but Jesus said that it was free!

D. It is a sure passage.

1. There are no false trails. illus: cave exploring and getting turned around or wind up in a dead end.

2. Jesus said, "I am the door."

a. that door is the entrance

b. there is no exit!

3. "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish!" cf John 10:28

4. We never have to wonder about whether we have crossed over from death unto life...it is a sure passage, there is no guesswork! cf. 1 John 3:14a, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."

Conclusion: This is truly a great passage. The sad thing is that many are still in the state of death. They have never passed unto life. Where are you today? Have you passed from death unto a new life in Jesus Christ? Why not come today and find new life that only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Christian, perhaps you know someone who is lost this morning, could it be that they are waiting for you to show them the way? Do you need to come this morning? Whatever the need: Christ is the answer! Come right now and make things right with God.