Jeremiah writes here concerning the downfall of Jerusalem. King Nebuchadnezzar and his Baby-lonian army had just pillaged the once beautiful city with its glorious temple. Jeremiah personifies the city and asks this piercing question, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" It is as if the city were asking, "Does anyone care about what has happened to me?".
In our last missions conference our missionary to Kenya, Christina Fulmer, gave this verse as the one that challenged her concerning surrendering her life to be a missionary. "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" What we are talking about is indifference. An attitude of just not caring. I want to apply this verse in two ways this morning. First to the people who live there lives with no consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for them. And then I want to apply it to the believer and their indifference to those who are in need of Christ, here and around the world.
I. Indifference Towards the Lord.
A. Consider His Unique Person.
1. It was the sinless Son of God who died at Calvary in our place.
2. And yet it seems that millions of people couldn't care less.
3. Note: Illustration of John Griffith
4. As tragic an illustration that is, it doesn't really hit the mark.
a. The people on the train had no way of knowing John had sacrificed his son to save them from certain death.
b. But millions of people have heard the gospel, they have heard how that God loved them so much that He gave His Only-begotten Son to die on Calvary for them.
c. Can we hear the Lord saying, "Is it nothing to you, all that pass by, that I have sacrificed My Son that you might have life?"
B. His Unique Place.
1. Jesus was the only person in the universe who could have taken our place on the cross.
2. He alone was the God-man.
3. He was the only one who DID die for us!
4. On January 13, 1982 a jet airliner crashed into the 14th St. bridge and plunged some of the survivors into the icy Potomac River.
a. A man by the name of Arland Williams was among those who were in the water.
b. Rescue helicopters lowered a rope down to the survivors.
c. On five occasions the rope was lowered to Williams, but each time he gave it to another that they might be rescued.
d. When the helicopter returned for the sixth time to rescue Williams, he had drowned!
e. Do you suppose that his death meant anything to the five people whose lives he considered more important than his own?
5. Jesus Christ took our place on Calvary, He died for you and for me! 6. Is it nothing to you?
C. His Unique Price.
1. Peter reminds us that Christ did not redeem us with corruptible things like silver and gold.
2. He bought us with His precious blood, yet many people remain unmoved.
3. He paid the debt He didn't owe with the price we couldn't pay!
4. Is it nothing to you?
II. Indifference to the Lost.
A. The Condition of the Lost.
1. The Bible describes the condition of a non-Christian in alarming terms.
a. He is dead in sins. cf Ep. 2:1
b. He is separated from God and Christ.
c. He is without hope. cf Ep. 2:12
d. His mind has been spiritually blinded by Satan. cf 2Co. 4:4
e. All of this and more is included in the condition we refer to as 'being lost'.
2. These are people you and I know:
a. Family members, neighbors, co- workers, and friends.
b. These people sense that something is wrong.
c. That is why they search for fulfillment in drugs, alcohol, illicit relationships, and a host of other things that the world has to offer.
d. You and I know that they will only discover fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
e. How can we be indifferent to their condition?
B. Their Condemnation from Christ.
1. One that is clear to me is that many people are simply ignorant of the Word of God.
2. If you read the 'letters to the editor' page in the newspaper you will discover just how ignorant they really are.
3. Recent letters concerning those who oppose homosexuality being promoted as an acceptable lifestyle have become the object of attack by people who do not know what the Word of God actually teaches concerning this abomination.
4. They do not understand that God loves the sinner, but hates the sin!
5. They are quick to point out that Jesus admonished us to love one another, but they miss the point that Jesus spoke of a place called hell!
6. It was Jesus who said, "...He that believeth not is condemned already..."
7. He also said, "For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
8. Hell is a reality for those who are lost, and if we Christians don't explain to perishing people the way of salvation, no one else will!
9. Is it nothing to you if people perish for eternity?
I believe that God is grieved by the wicked indifference of the lost in this world, but I believe the indifference of His own children. Do you care this morning?
If you are here without Christ, do you care that God loved you so much that He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in your place? Why not come and accept His free offer of salvation today?
Christians, do you care about others? "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" If we don't care enough to share the gospel with the lost, who will?