Showing posts with label cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cross. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
The Three Gardens Series - Part 1 - Eden-Why the Cross?
Pastor Rick begins a short series on the Three Gardens. The first answers the question as to why did God use a cross for the salvation of mankind?
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Thursday, February 15, 2018
2017 Advent Sunday 1 - The Hope of Prophets
Today's Service was not recorded due to its unique Nature. As a result, Pastor Rick has just included the outline below:
The Prophet
My name is Isaiah. Many years before the birth of Jesus the Christ, I prophesied many things about Him though I did not know Him then. Once I stood before the King Ahaz and spoke the Word of the Lord: “7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” I had no idea at the time how incredible were these words!
Later I prophesied to my countrymen, “9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined… 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
What glorious words of hope! In my time Israel was falling like a star from the heavens. Great wickedness was all around. Great was the coming judgement of God. Yet, in the midst of these times and circumstances, God gave marvelous glimpses of hope! 700 years later, the fulfillment of these prophecies would come to pass in the midst of hard times for our nation under the heel of Rome as it once again approached destruction. There again in my beloved nation which was full of corrupt religion and facing impending doom, the glorious light of God shined as a baby was born to a virgin fulfilling my words from so long before.
That baby grew to manhood without sin and eventually fulfilled other words I prophesied: “53:1 ¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
(KJV)”
As He gave His life in intercession on the cross, He opened the way of redemption to us. Three days after he died, he raised to life again and a few weeks later ascended back into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for you. Now the hope about which I prophesied has come to pass and is even now held before you. Once again the world is in chaos with wickedness all around. Once again the world faces imminent doom. But the light I prophesied about so long ago, fulfilled in Christ Jesus, is still the hope for all mankind. There is no other. No man can come to the Father except by Him! No man has any hope of redemption or eternal life without Him! Have you opened your heart to the hope of the prophets? Does He live in you?
Pause for a Prayer.
Now I want to reinforce what I have said with these children here:
KIDZONE – Decorating Christmas Trees
Why do we decorate Christmas trees? Well, some people trace the origins of the Christmas Tree back across many centuries to various times and places. Some people associate it with very negative or bad ideas. However, in our modern era, the Christmas Tree has become almost empty of symbolism and meaning and for most people is just another object associated with the holiday. That alone is reason enough for its existence.
However, here at WLF we like to take every opportunity we can to redeem things and to imbue them with meaning. We also like to do things that reinforce truth in our minds and the minds of our children. So that is what we are going to do with our Christmas Trees this year.
Let’s talk about the symbolism of some of the elements we have before us.
The Evergreen – The evergreen tree is a symbol of growth, health, and life. It is constantly green amid even the harshest winter. It is to us a symbol of “Eternal Life that comes from God through the gift of his Son, Jesus, Christ our Lord (John 3:16). Additionally, we think of the manger (possibly made of wood) and the cross (definitely made of wood) as two objects made from trees that were used in the greatest love story ever told.
The Lights – The lights represent so many things that we see around Christmas time. What are some of those? The star? The Bright Angels? Jesus Himself: There are three Scriptures that reference this:
John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The Stars – I have here some stars. What do these represent? Yes! The Star of Bethlehem and the bright and morning star, Jesus!
Matthew 2:9 – When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2Pe 1:19 – We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
The Candy Canes – There are legends about the candy cane that you can research on your own, but today we use them to symbolize several things:
What is the shape of a candy cane? Like a shepherd’s crook – with which he could steer or rescue sheep. Psalm 23:1-4 & John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Also the shape is like a “J” which stands for Jesus! – Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Underneath it is white like snow. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Then the red stripes represent how Jesus was scourged or whipped before his crucifixion and represent the blood He shed for us. Isaiah 53:5-6 - 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The Crosses – These ornaments represent the reason Jesus came at Christmas. He was born to die. He was born to give his life as a ransom for sinful mankind.
Matthew 20:27-28 – “27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
The Nails – With nails Jesus was attached to the cross. How do we know this? We know from the remarks of Thomas recorded in John 20:25, The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. With these nails we represent the agony He was born to carry for us.
The Rocks – What can these rocks represent? Well they can represent some of the teaching of Jesus: Matthew 7 where he tells us about the wise man who built his house on the solid foundation of rock. It can speak of Jesus Himself about whom the Apostle Paul wrote, “Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” But most of all for us it represents the end of the Easter story that gives meaning to Christmas. Jesus was buried in a tomb made of ___. Across the entrance was placed a heavy ___. When the women came early on the first day of the week to anoint his body they found the ___ had been rolled away! (Luke 23:53 & Luke 24:1-3)
The Empty Egg – This is an Easter Egg. That’s a strange thing to see at Christmas – especially on a Christmas Tree! Why would we put an Easter Egg on the Christmas Tree? What’s inside this Easter Egg? NOTHING! What does that make you think of? Yes! The Empty Tomb!
Luke 24: 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Don’t you think that is what Christmas is all about? That is the reason we celebrate His birth, remember His death, and rejoice in His resurrection! Because all of this means we serve the Living God and His Son our Risen Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah! It also means that since He kept His promise to rise again, He will also keep His promise to give us eternal life if we believe on Him and He will come again to receive us unto Himself just as He promised He would! This is our glorious hope the hope of the resurrection in Christ! In his powerful opening statement to the Ephesian Christians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “16 [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
On this first Sunday of Advent – the Day of Prophets & Hope, I hope you have been reminded that God is our Good Father Who Keeps His Promises as we talked about last week; Who fulfills His prophetic Word and Gave us the Greatest Gift in all of History in His Son Jesus. As we have decorated these Christmas Trees today, I hope the symbolism we have included helps you to think all Christmas Season about the real meaning for the season.
The Prophet
My name is Isaiah. Many years before the birth of Jesus the Christ, I prophesied many things about Him though I did not know Him then. Once I stood before the King Ahaz and spoke the Word of the Lord: “7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” I had no idea at the time how incredible were these words!
Later I prophesied to my countrymen, “9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined… 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
What glorious words of hope! In my time Israel was falling like a star from the heavens. Great wickedness was all around. Great was the coming judgement of God. Yet, in the midst of these times and circumstances, God gave marvelous glimpses of hope! 700 years later, the fulfillment of these prophecies would come to pass in the midst of hard times for our nation under the heel of Rome as it once again approached destruction. There again in my beloved nation which was full of corrupt religion and facing impending doom, the glorious light of God shined as a baby was born to a virgin fulfilling my words from so long before.
That baby grew to manhood without sin and eventually fulfilled other words I prophesied: “53:1 ¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
(KJV)”
As He gave His life in intercession on the cross, He opened the way of redemption to us. Three days after he died, he raised to life again and a few weeks later ascended back into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for you. Now the hope about which I prophesied has come to pass and is even now held before you. Once again the world is in chaos with wickedness all around. Once again the world faces imminent doom. But the light I prophesied about so long ago, fulfilled in Christ Jesus, is still the hope for all mankind. There is no other. No man can come to the Father except by Him! No man has any hope of redemption or eternal life without Him! Have you opened your heart to the hope of the prophets? Does He live in you?
Pause for a Prayer.
Now I want to reinforce what I have said with these children here:
KIDZONE – Decorating Christmas Trees
Why do we decorate Christmas trees? Well, some people trace the origins of the Christmas Tree back across many centuries to various times and places. Some people associate it with very negative or bad ideas. However, in our modern era, the Christmas Tree has become almost empty of symbolism and meaning and for most people is just another object associated with the holiday. That alone is reason enough for its existence.
However, here at WLF we like to take every opportunity we can to redeem things and to imbue them with meaning. We also like to do things that reinforce truth in our minds and the minds of our children. So that is what we are going to do with our Christmas Trees this year.
Let’s talk about the symbolism of some of the elements we have before us.
The Evergreen – The evergreen tree is a symbol of growth, health, and life. It is constantly green amid even the harshest winter. It is to us a symbol of “Eternal Life that comes from God through the gift of his Son, Jesus, Christ our Lord (John 3:16). Additionally, we think of the manger (possibly made of wood) and the cross (definitely made of wood) as two objects made from trees that were used in the greatest love story ever told.
The Lights – The lights represent so many things that we see around Christmas time. What are some of those? The star? The Bright Angels? Jesus Himself: There are three Scriptures that reference this:
John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The Stars – I have here some stars. What do these represent? Yes! The Star of Bethlehem and the bright and morning star, Jesus!
Matthew 2:9 – When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2Pe 1:19 – We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
The Candy Canes – There are legends about the candy cane that you can research on your own, but today we use them to symbolize several things:
What is the shape of a candy cane? Like a shepherd’s crook – with which he could steer or rescue sheep. Psalm 23:1-4 & John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Also the shape is like a “J” which stands for Jesus! – Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Underneath it is white like snow. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Then the red stripes represent how Jesus was scourged or whipped before his crucifixion and represent the blood He shed for us. Isaiah 53:5-6 - 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The Crosses – These ornaments represent the reason Jesus came at Christmas. He was born to die. He was born to give his life as a ransom for sinful mankind.
Matthew 20:27-28 – “27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
The Nails – With nails Jesus was attached to the cross. How do we know this? We know from the remarks of Thomas recorded in John 20:25, The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. With these nails we represent the agony He was born to carry for us.
The Rocks – What can these rocks represent? Well they can represent some of the teaching of Jesus: Matthew 7 where he tells us about the wise man who built his house on the solid foundation of rock. It can speak of Jesus Himself about whom the Apostle Paul wrote, “Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” But most of all for us it represents the end of the Easter story that gives meaning to Christmas. Jesus was buried in a tomb made of ___. Across the entrance was placed a heavy ___. When the women came early on the first day of the week to anoint his body they found the ___ had been rolled away! (Luke 23:53 & Luke 24:1-3)
The Empty Egg – This is an Easter Egg. That’s a strange thing to see at Christmas – especially on a Christmas Tree! Why would we put an Easter Egg on the Christmas Tree? What’s inside this Easter Egg? NOTHING! What does that make you think of? Yes! The Empty Tomb!
Luke 24: 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Don’t you think that is what Christmas is all about? That is the reason we celebrate His birth, remember His death, and rejoice in His resurrection! Because all of this means we serve the Living God and His Son our Risen Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah! It also means that since He kept His promise to rise again, He will also keep His promise to give us eternal life if we believe on Him and He will come again to receive us unto Himself just as He promised He would! This is our glorious hope the hope of the resurrection in Christ! In his powerful opening statement to the Ephesian Christians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “16 [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
On this first Sunday of Advent – the Day of Prophets & Hope, I hope you have been reminded that God is our Good Father Who Keeps His Promises as we talked about last week; Who fulfills His prophetic Word and Gave us the Greatest Gift in all of History in His Son Jesus. As we have decorated these Christmas Trees today, I hope the symbolism we have included helps you to think all Christmas Season about the real meaning for the season.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
The Kingdom Coming
You see, without His ark of safety, none of us can escape the flood. Without His shepherding and shielding, none of us can escape the city of sin. Without the cross, none of us can be saved. Without the resurrection, none of us can have eternal life. So run to Him today. If you don’t know Him personally – if you have not been born again through the power of His grace – please surrender to His pleading and get aboard the ark of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Confess your sins and surrender to His Lordship. If you are saved today and you have turned your back on the city of sin, then join me in calling out to the lost and dying all around us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We have no time to lose.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Beyond the Want To - Reprised
Pastor Rick does something in this sermon that is rare: He re-preaches a sermon. :-) We trust it remains a blessing to you in its reprised format.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Who Is God to You?
Due to technical challenges, this message was not recorded. However, the notes are included below.
1 ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 ¶ To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
(KJV)
PRAYER
In this chapter, Isaiah declares that the idols of Babylon were so weak and so incapable that they themselves had to be carried on the backs and carts of beasts. These false gods were so weak they could not even walk or move themselves. Isaiah contrasts this with the love and care of the living God for Israel from beginning to end – from birth to death. In verses 5-7 he then calls upon them to think about the origins and weakness of such made up gods. Then in verse 8 Isaiah calls on them to face the truth and consider who God is. Then he writes some beautiful words about God in verses 9-13, which include a prophecy of the Jews’ future deliverance from captivity and looks ahead to distant future coming of the Messiah.
So now that we have a vague understanding of the passage generally, let’s home in on our focus today:
Listen to Pastor Rick’s translation here of God’s re-introduction of Himself:
“Remember what you once knew: that I am God and there is no other living God at all. I am the God there is nothing you can create that is like me. I know and declare what will happen from the very beginning before it ever happens and what I say will happen, happens. Whatever I desire to do, I do it and no one or no thing can stop me. If I speak it I will bring it to pass and if I decide to do something it will be done. I am bringing my righteousness nearby. It is not far away. I am bringing my salvation that will not wait any longer. This salvation is established in Israel for my glory.”
These are powerful powerful words! We will come back to them. But with God’s words in your mind, I want to ask you a serious question today: Who is God to you? – Not only the general theological question, “Who is God?” but I added the prepositional phrase, “…to you?”
Let’s see the difference: Ask an adult, “Who is God?” followed by “Who is God to You?”
Maybe this seems like a weird question to ask in a Christian church. But let’s ponder it for a little bit. (Ask several people, “Who is God to you?”)
We live in a world full of gods and goddesses invented by humans for many different purposes. For some they are means of control or power. For others they are a means of income. For still others they are a means to pleasure or fantasy, or an opening of the doors of the imagination. For some they are an outlet for art and creativity. For others they are a source of humor or mockery. And on and on. Even the story of the Supreme God of Christianity is manipulated and abused in these ways. From the supreme deity of the Hindus, Krishna, with his hundreds of millions of sub-gods to the absence of God entirely in the lives of those who have enthroned themselves as god and master of their own destiny, the wide range of beliefs and ideas leaves many people reeling. Then rather than deal with it, or sort through it, or address the hard questions, you begin to hear things like this:
“All roads lead to the same place.”
“Everyone worships the same God – He just has different names.”
“No one is wrong – everyone is right – we just need to be tolerant and coexist.”
“There is no God really so it doesn’t matter who or what you worship as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
These vague and dangerous generalizations leave many people lost, confused, empty, with still a nagging feeling inside that something just isn’t quite right. And that’s because something still isn’t right. The God of the Bible rather than by being fashioned according to the hands of men instead states that He fashioned them. Rather than being invented, He invents. Rather than being created, He creates. And reveals Himself to mankind throughout history.
But now, over 2000 years after the life of Jesus Christ, millions of Christians worldwide gather in His name to worship God and their methods and traditions and even their proclamations of what is true vary widely. How are we in our little church able to know Who God is generally and even more important on a personal level, who He is to us?
Sadly, even in Christendom, God is far too often misunderstood, misjudged, and misrepresented.
For some He is their ticket to prosperity. If you follow the right formula of faith you will land a good job, have lots of money, live in a grand house, drive a Cadillac, and never be ill.
For some He is their health guru. If you follow His dietary restrictions and pray the prayers of faith anointing with olive oil from Israel in a special fancy bottle then you will not get sick – or if you get sick you will always every time me miraculously healed.
For some He is their talisman and good luck charm. They pray little prayers of protection when they travel or do dangerous things. They expect that God will take care of them shielding them from harm like He is some kind of glorified rabbit’s foot.
For some He is their ticket into a social club. If they say and do the right things then they get to be part of a community of people that all say they believe the same things. They get to hang out, have friends, and do cool stuff.
For some He is a security blanket. They rub Him when they are afraid or when life is tough: but only then. As soon as the danger is past the forget all about Him.
For some He is their personal bodyguard and avenger. They summon His protection amid their own foolishness and demand His wrath upon their enemies.
Now in all of these singular abuses of understanding are glimpses of the true identity of God. He IS a source of blessing, sustainment, healing, protection, strength, peace, belonging, safety, and justice. But these are merely fragments of His actions and abilities. He is far more than some kind of vending machine for our well-being. Focusing in on these various attributes and abilities of God in a vacuum causes many people to lose faith; when they pray for success and instead find failure; When they pray for protection and they are hurt in a car accident; when they pray for healing and yet their cancer persists; when these things happen, people are left wondering, “Who is God and is He even real?”
You see we have not truly discovered Who God Is to Us in the way He revealed Himself for us to know. So if you will allow me for a moment, I want to introduce you to God in the way He wants us to know Him.
God begins all things with Himself…”In the beginning God….” He masterfully creates everything we know of (and perhaps things we do not know). Then, as He concludes His creation, He designs a reflection of Himself and His glory as ultimate objects of His love and devotion: male and female He creates them and places them in the midst of all He has made and then invites them to walk only with Him in love. In that sweet relationship of communion and peace He intends to reveal all they ever need to know about everything and about Himself. But they spurn His love and the dream is shattered.
Across the succeeding centuries, humankind willfully rejects all God designed to be to them. They forsake Him utterly until the earth was full of wickedness and sin until only the family of one man can be found who will listen at all to the voice of the Creator. For 120 years this man cries out to his generation calling them to repentance and back into relationship with God. No one listens. Finally the ark is finished. Noah and his family enter in. The door is shut. God wipes the world clean of its wickedness and prepares to start again. But it is not long before the children of men turn their backs again on the God Who made them. Again the fall far from His glory. They rush away madly after the pleasures of their own desires and in many ways push God completely out of their memory.
But God is love. He is light. He is holy. He cannot abandon His creation no matter how far they flee Him. So with great longsuffering He preserves a people and a family line that stretches all the way back to the beginning – through which He sends His only begotten Son for the salvation of mankind. His Son comes – Jesus the Christ – and clarifies so much that had been forgotten and misunderstood about God. Finally, Jesus laid down His life on the cross atoning for the sins of all men and raised again from the dead sealing the work He had completed. Then He commissioned his band of followers to go into all the world with the good news that God had provided a means of restoration to Eden. Eden might not be known again on earth, but walking with God as in Eden was again possible if only we would believe. If only we will trust in Christ we will find the redemption of our hearts and the cleansing of our spirits that once again we might know God as He always intended that we might know Him: personally, individually, intimately walking with Him as Creator, as Friend, as Father, as Lover.
In his proclamation of what God might do for fallen sinful Israel, the prophet Micah exclaimed, “7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
Jesus embodied this love and longsuffering of God and called us to know Him again.
I ask you again today: Who is God to you?
Is he merely your security blanket, your ticket to the club, or your fire escape? Or is He Who He always intended to be in your heart:
Your Creator Whom You Worship
Your Friend Who Walks Always Beside You
Your Father In Who You Utterly Trust
Your Lover In Whom You Delight
Maybe you say, Pastor Rick, I have been guilty of only knowing God in a fragmented way and not knowing Him for real in the present in the way He designed me to know Him. How can I go deeper? How can I go beyond relying on Him as my own personal vending machine?
Listen to the writing of the Apostle John who was the closest disciple to Jesus during his time on earth:
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 4: 14 ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
2 John 1:9b He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
In other words, surrender your life to Christ, take up your cross, and follow Him. Say “Yes” to His proposal! When you believe on Christ and walk in obedience in His ways, you will discover what life with God means and what it really is to know Him now. Through the power of the Holy Spirit you can know Eden again in your heart and walk with Him every day whether you fail or prosper, whether you are well or ill, whether you are happy or sad. No matter what your life may hold, you can KNOW him and walk in the hope of His life in you!
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
1 ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 ¶ To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
(KJV)
PRAYER
In this chapter, Isaiah declares that the idols of Babylon were so weak and so incapable that they themselves had to be carried on the backs and carts of beasts. These false gods were so weak they could not even walk or move themselves. Isaiah contrasts this with the love and care of the living God for Israel from beginning to end – from birth to death. In verses 5-7 he then calls upon them to think about the origins and weakness of such made up gods. Then in verse 8 Isaiah calls on them to face the truth and consider who God is. Then he writes some beautiful words about God in verses 9-13, which include a prophecy of the Jews’ future deliverance from captivity and looks ahead to distant future coming of the Messiah.
So now that we have a vague understanding of the passage generally, let’s home in on our focus today:
Listen to Pastor Rick’s translation here of God’s re-introduction of Himself:
“Remember what you once knew: that I am God and there is no other living God at all. I am the God there is nothing you can create that is like me. I know and declare what will happen from the very beginning before it ever happens and what I say will happen, happens. Whatever I desire to do, I do it and no one or no thing can stop me. If I speak it I will bring it to pass and if I decide to do something it will be done. I am bringing my righteousness nearby. It is not far away. I am bringing my salvation that will not wait any longer. This salvation is established in Israel for my glory.”
These are powerful powerful words! We will come back to them. But with God’s words in your mind, I want to ask you a serious question today: Who is God to you? – Not only the general theological question, “Who is God?” but I added the prepositional phrase, “…to you?”
Let’s see the difference: Ask an adult, “Who is God?” followed by “Who is God to You?”
Maybe this seems like a weird question to ask in a Christian church. But let’s ponder it for a little bit. (Ask several people, “Who is God to you?”)
We live in a world full of gods and goddesses invented by humans for many different purposes. For some they are means of control or power. For others they are a means of income. For still others they are a means to pleasure or fantasy, or an opening of the doors of the imagination. For some they are an outlet for art and creativity. For others they are a source of humor or mockery. And on and on. Even the story of the Supreme God of Christianity is manipulated and abused in these ways. From the supreme deity of the Hindus, Krishna, with his hundreds of millions of sub-gods to the absence of God entirely in the lives of those who have enthroned themselves as god and master of their own destiny, the wide range of beliefs and ideas leaves many people reeling. Then rather than deal with it, or sort through it, or address the hard questions, you begin to hear things like this:
“All roads lead to the same place.”
“Everyone worships the same God – He just has different names.”
“No one is wrong – everyone is right – we just need to be tolerant and coexist.”
“There is no God really so it doesn’t matter who or what you worship as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
These vague and dangerous generalizations leave many people lost, confused, empty, with still a nagging feeling inside that something just isn’t quite right. And that’s because something still isn’t right. The God of the Bible rather than by being fashioned according to the hands of men instead states that He fashioned them. Rather than being invented, He invents. Rather than being created, He creates. And reveals Himself to mankind throughout history.
But now, over 2000 years after the life of Jesus Christ, millions of Christians worldwide gather in His name to worship God and their methods and traditions and even their proclamations of what is true vary widely. How are we in our little church able to know Who God is generally and even more important on a personal level, who He is to us?
Sadly, even in Christendom, God is far too often misunderstood, misjudged, and misrepresented.
For some He is their ticket to prosperity. If you follow the right formula of faith you will land a good job, have lots of money, live in a grand house, drive a Cadillac, and never be ill.
For some He is their health guru. If you follow His dietary restrictions and pray the prayers of faith anointing with olive oil from Israel in a special fancy bottle then you will not get sick – or if you get sick you will always every time me miraculously healed.
For some He is their talisman and good luck charm. They pray little prayers of protection when they travel or do dangerous things. They expect that God will take care of them shielding them from harm like He is some kind of glorified rabbit’s foot.
For some He is their ticket into a social club. If they say and do the right things then they get to be part of a community of people that all say they believe the same things. They get to hang out, have friends, and do cool stuff.
For some He is a security blanket. They rub Him when they are afraid or when life is tough: but only then. As soon as the danger is past the forget all about Him.
For some He is their personal bodyguard and avenger. They summon His protection amid their own foolishness and demand His wrath upon their enemies.
Now in all of these singular abuses of understanding are glimpses of the true identity of God. He IS a source of blessing, sustainment, healing, protection, strength, peace, belonging, safety, and justice. But these are merely fragments of His actions and abilities. He is far more than some kind of vending machine for our well-being. Focusing in on these various attributes and abilities of God in a vacuum causes many people to lose faith; when they pray for success and instead find failure; When they pray for protection and they are hurt in a car accident; when they pray for healing and yet their cancer persists; when these things happen, people are left wondering, “Who is God and is He even real?”
You see we have not truly discovered Who God Is to Us in the way He revealed Himself for us to know. So if you will allow me for a moment, I want to introduce you to God in the way He wants us to know Him.
God begins all things with Himself…”In the beginning God….” He masterfully creates everything we know of (and perhaps things we do not know). Then, as He concludes His creation, He designs a reflection of Himself and His glory as ultimate objects of His love and devotion: male and female He creates them and places them in the midst of all He has made and then invites them to walk only with Him in love. In that sweet relationship of communion and peace He intends to reveal all they ever need to know about everything and about Himself. But they spurn His love and the dream is shattered.
Across the succeeding centuries, humankind willfully rejects all God designed to be to them. They forsake Him utterly until the earth was full of wickedness and sin until only the family of one man can be found who will listen at all to the voice of the Creator. For 120 years this man cries out to his generation calling them to repentance and back into relationship with God. No one listens. Finally the ark is finished. Noah and his family enter in. The door is shut. God wipes the world clean of its wickedness and prepares to start again. But it is not long before the children of men turn their backs again on the God Who made them. Again the fall far from His glory. They rush away madly after the pleasures of their own desires and in many ways push God completely out of their memory.
But God is love. He is light. He is holy. He cannot abandon His creation no matter how far they flee Him. So with great longsuffering He preserves a people and a family line that stretches all the way back to the beginning – through which He sends His only begotten Son for the salvation of mankind. His Son comes – Jesus the Christ – and clarifies so much that had been forgotten and misunderstood about God. Finally, Jesus laid down His life on the cross atoning for the sins of all men and raised again from the dead sealing the work He had completed. Then He commissioned his band of followers to go into all the world with the good news that God had provided a means of restoration to Eden. Eden might not be known again on earth, but walking with God as in Eden was again possible if only we would believe. If only we will trust in Christ we will find the redemption of our hearts and the cleansing of our spirits that once again we might know God as He always intended that we might know Him: personally, individually, intimately walking with Him as Creator, as Friend, as Father, as Lover.
In his proclamation of what God might do for fallen sinful Israel, the prophet Micah exclaimed, “7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
Jesus embodied this love and longsuffering of God and called us to know Him again.
I ask you again today: Who is God to you?
Is he merely your security blanket, your ticket to the club, or your fire escape? Or is He Who He always intended to be in your heart:
Your Creator Whom You Worship
Your Friend Who Walks Always Beside You
Your Father In Who You Utterly Trust
Your Lover In Whom You Delight
Maybe you say, Pastor Rick, I have been guilty of only knowing God in a fragmented way and not knowing Him for real in the present in the way He designed me to know Him. How can I go deeper? How can I go beyond relying on Him as my own personal vending machine?
Listen to the writing of the Apostle John who was the closest disciple to Jesus during his time on earth:
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 4: 14 ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
2 John 1:9b He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
In other words, surrender your life to Christ, take up your cross, and follow Him. Say “Yes” to His proposal! When you believe on Christ and walk in obedience in His ways, you will discover what life with God means and what it really is to know Him now. Through the power of the Holy Spirit you can know Eden again in your heart and walk with Him every day whether you fail or prosper, whether you are well or ill, whether you are happy or sad. No matter what your life may hold, you can KNOW him and walk in the hope of His life in you!
8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Hard Things Series 1 - Take Up Your Cross
Pastor Rick shared a series of sermons with us this summer stating, "The Bible calls me and you to some of the hardest things I can think of doing. They are things that in many ways see impossible to do, to accomplish, or to live. I believe the Lord wants to talk with me and you about some of these 'Hard Things....'"
In this first message of the series, Pastor Rick focuses on "Take up the cross – Matthew 16:24" and illustrates some of this sermon with his experience of a recent climb of Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
The Tomb & Jesus the Master
In this final sermon of the series, "A Donkey, A Garden, A Cross, & A Tomb" Pastor Rick shares the glorious message of Easter.
The "message to us today is
not one of apologetics or defense of the faith.
I have [shared such] in the past and will likely do so again in the
future. But today, I simply want to
share a story with you so that you may feel with me the joy of the
resurrection. For today is a day of
rejoicing!"
A Cross & Jesus the Mediator
Due to technical difficulties, the third sermon of the series was not recorded. As a result, the notes of the sermon are included below.
Today is Palm Sunday, when
typically the church is decorated with palm fronds and we celebrate the
triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem.
However, I already shared a message about this day with you two weeks
ago. Today is also the First Day of
Spring – though it doesn’t feel like it out there! However, I am very happy Spring is here. I love Spring! It is the season of rebirth, and all things
spring to life after the bleakness of winter.
Today I also want to talk about life – eternal life – but I am going to
talk to you about it framed within a picture of death.
Two weeks ago we began our
sermon series “A Donkey, A Garden, A Cross, & A Tomb.” So far we have discovered that the donkey
itself was a prophecy fulfilled and that this humble animal heralded THE
Messiah. We learned that the story of
the donkey mattered because it underscored the accuracy of the Scriptures as
trustworthy. It emphasized that Jesus
the Christ was fully cognizant of His own identity as both God and man and
lived according to the Messiah paradigm.
It demonstrated that Jesus willingly purposefully approached Jerusalem
to fulfill his destiny: not of an earthly throne but a cross. And, finally, it highlighted the fact that
having fulfilled hundreds of prophecies and promises to come the first time,
Jesus’ promise to come again is rich and full and can be relied upon. He kept His promise to come the first
time. We can be sure He will keep His
promise to come the second time.
Last week, we learned of
the agony suffered by our Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prepared to
drink the cup of suffering, sin, and death that was set before Him. We discussed this at length but concluded
that His love is high and deep and wide.
His love is so great that though He was under no obligation to do so, He
chose to redeem mankind. Though He does
not need us, His love is so great that He would rather die than live without
us. And so, Jesus submitted to the
Father and accepted the cup that night in the Garden where His suffering began.
There in the place of the olive press, the Christ was pressed and out of Him
flowed submission and willingness to humbly obey. Driven by His love for the Father and His
love for mankind the Man of Sorrows took the cup in His hands, lifted it to His
lips and began to drink.
This week I would like you
to join me in looking upon the cross.
Many in the world today and for thousands of years have looked upon the
cross with misunderstanding, with skepticism, with disapproval, or even nonchalance. For some the cross is an insurmountable
obstacle to faith. They cannot
understand it. They say things like –
how could of Love require such a bloody thing?
For others they look upon the cross askance saying, “What good would
that do me?” Others look upon the cross
and say, “Cursed is everything that hangeth on a tree” – quoting the Old
Testament – and they walk away shaking their heads in disapproval. For still others, the cross is merely a
talisman or piece of jewelry worn thoughtlessly as they continue in their sin
and wickedness.
These problems are not
new. In his first letter to the new
Christians at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the preaching of the cross
is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the
power of God.” I would like to try
to explain just a little bit why this is so.
Let’s start with a
difficult Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15 – “11 But Christ being come an high priest
of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with
hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves,
but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and
the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.”
This is an incredible
portion of Scripture worthy of careful study.
But I only call your attention to it today because of what it emphasized
– that Christ is a Mediator through the shedding of His own blood.
What is a mediator?
According to Webster, a
mediator is “one that interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of
reconciling them.”[1] Now that might seem a little hard to
understand, so let’s try the GOOGLE definition: “a person who attempts to make
people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go between.” Maybe that is still too hard to follow. So let’s try Pastor Rick’s explanation. Let’s say Emma smacked Abbie. Abbie is ready to haul off and smack her back
– but I come between them and say, “Wait a minute. Hold on.
What is going on here?” And I get involved to figure out the source of
their fighting and resolve it – to help them make peace with one another and
return to happily playing together. When
I do that – and play the peacemaker – I am a mediator. So for Pastor Rick, the simple definition of
a mediator is the one in the middle.
I want you to hold onto
that thought that the mediator is the peacemaker in the middle as we now turn
to the Scripture I want to focus on today.
Colossians 1:19-21
19 For it pleased the
Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made
peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things
unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in
heaven.
21 And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled.
This Scripture is talking
about an idea known as the doctrine of “atonement.” Atonement is almost the only theological term
of English origin. It was likely first used in William Tyndale’s English
translation of the Bible and derived from the phrase “in accord” or literally
“at one.” In most places it is
translated today as the word “reconciliation.”[2]
Shockingly, there are
people out there today even in Christendom that deny the atonement and its
place in Scripture and theology. They
deny or water down the importance of the substitutionary work that Jesus did on
the cross. This is difficult to
comprehend because it is central to our faith.
Now this is a subject that is broad and deep so much so, that I can
scarcely even introduce it today, but I want to try.
To atone is to reconcile a
broken relationship on behalf of another. The Christian teaching of atonement
is not just about the general idea of dying for others, but about an actual
terrible sacrificial death. It happened
to a man from Nazareth on a particular hill on a particular day. The significance of that death is not merely
an expression of human violence and hatred, or of Jesus” moral courage. It accomplished an incomparable work of
divine mercy for humanity. The word the
cross speaks is not a word we say to ourselves.
It is a word that God speaks to us through an inescapably concrete,
irreversible, disturbing event. The
heart of its meaning is confessed in the creed: he died for us. “He died” is a fact. “For us” is the meaning of that fact.[3]
I.
Righteous God
First, I want you to
understand that God is righteous, holy, and perfect in all ways and all things
for all of eternity. There are many
things we do not know about God but we do know these. Leviticus 20:7 – “Sanctify yourselves
therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.” 1 Peter 1:16 – “Because
it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Matthew 5:48 – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
Heaven is perfect.” Daniel 9:14 – “…for
the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth….” This is hard for us to grasp because we live
in a broken scarred world as part of the human race which is shattered by
sin. Yet, we can glimpse the magnificence
of the perfect God in things like an atmosphere so finely tuned to support life
that it could not possibly have evolved which exists under the glare of a
remarkably stable star perfectly placed at the right distance to sustain life
on earth where it resides perfectly placed in the Milky Way galaxy so that we
can look beyond our own cosmic neighborhood into the depths of the far-flung
universe with awe. Yes, in these things
and many others we can clearly see the magnificence of a perfect God and His
marvelous creation. But, this is
intimidating to us because we are not righteous. We are not perfect. We are not holy.
II.
Sin & Sinners
Far from it. We are unrighteous. We are imperfect. We are unholy. From a very early age, children begin to
display incorrect unrighteous behavior.
They are broken inside. Oh – sure
– every human child has a capacity for goodness due to retaining vestiges of
being created in the image of God. But
every human child also has within them great potential for evil due to the
corruption and curse of sin.
What is sin? Sin is an “immoral act considered to be a
transgression against divine law.”[4]
This is that which violates the righteousness, holiness, and perfection of God,
particularly in the areas where He has given express command. People try to deny that sin exists. But with the vile events that occur in our
world, we are confronted with the problem of evil and the existence of that
which is unrighteous, unholy, and imperfect: from innocents are slaughtered in
the name of religion to the drug dealer on the corner that feeds your addiction
so he can make money from your pain. Yes
sin exists. And in its simplest form,
sin is a breaking of the relationship with God.
The Perfect God designed
and created a perfect universe – including perfect people. But when they disobeyed His command, they violated
the righteous, holy, perfect order of things and plunged all of time into chaos
and separating themselves from the Perfect God who loved them. This was a moment of despair for all of
creation. What could possibly be done to
restore redeem or repair this brokenness?
Some say, “Well if God is a God of Love, why didn’t He just forgive
everybody and everybody live happily ever after? That’s a nice idea, but here’s why not.
III.
Judge & Lover
God is holy. His holiness constrains, orders, and
conditions His love. His love infuses,
empowers, constrains, and complements His holiness. God would not be as holy as God is without
being incomparably loving. God would not
be as loving as God is without being incomparably holy. God’s holiness without God’s love would be
unbearable. God’s love without God’s
holiness would be unjust.
“Suppose a plan of
salvation in which God’s holiness would be stressed but God’s love
neglected. If God’s holiness should
remain unmitigated by God’s love, the supposed “salvation” could easily turn
into a distorted picture of God as angry avenger who unmercifully permits the
slaying of his own Son to even the score for the divine honor” [as some sort of
righteous Divine honor killing]. This
would be a distorted view and if God was only holy and not also love it would
be what we were left with.
Let me see if I can
explain. If Ethan here murdered
Christian – God forbid – what kind of judge would let him go free with no
penalty? Certainly not a just and fair
judge. A righteous judge is compelled to
punish unrighteousness. In the same way,
God’s holiness makes a penalty for sin necessary. If He did not require it, He would be unjust. However, God’s love compelled Him to provide
mercy to humanity. As a result, He
offered Himself to endure the penalty for the transgressor(s). “In this way, both His righteous holiness and
His perfect love could be in harmony and justice would be satisfied. It is God’s holiness that manifests God’s
love on the cross. It is God’s love that
sustains and embodies God’s holiness on the cross. There the holiness and love of God is once
for all clarified, and the love of the holy God is fully embodied.”[5]
IV.
Cross of Christ
“It is only in the cross
that Christianity finds the proper balance of God’s holiness and love. There holiness opposes sin. There God’s love provides a ransom for the
history of sin.”[6] Love was the divine motive. Holiness the divine requirement. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” This is why the cross is so special to us as
Christians. We grasp that the Holy God
must see justice satisfied. He cannot do
else. On the cross justice for all
mankind for all of time is satisfied.
But we also grasp that the Loving God must be true to His creation. He cannot do else! On the cross, His love is displayed for all
to witness – that He would rather lay down His own life under the terrible
weight of sin than to leave us to face His just wrath. On the one hand we have the holy perfect
righteous God standing rightfully in judgement.
On the other we have mankind smashed by sin willfully violating the
holiness, righteousness, and perfection of God.
If this were all there was in the picture, then it would be a hopeless
picture indeed.
V.
Mediator –
Mediation
But such a picture is
incomplete. For between the righteous,
holy, perfect, good God, and unrighteous, unholy, imperfect, bad humanity is a
mediator – the God-man in the middle.
Jesus Christ, himself, laid down His life as a ransom – a redemption for
many!
“Jesus come to be the
sacrifice, not clarify the concept of sacrifice. He did not come to teach about the cross, but
to be nailed to it. He came that there
might be a gospel to preach.
Christianity proclaims not merely that Christ died, but that his death
had significance for the otherwise apparently absurd course of human
history.
Sin dug a gulf in a
relationship. The cross bridged it. Sin resulted in estrangement. The cross reconciled it. Sin made war.
The cross made peace. Sin broke
fellowship. The cross restored it.”[7]
The cross of Christ is the
re-uniter between God and His dearest creation.
Only on the cross could man be reconciled to God. Only in the cross do justice and love
meet. Only in the cross is the curse of
sin vanquished and the love of God triumphant.
Only in the death of Christ upon the cross could eternal life be
restored to mankind.
There are many more things
that might be said about this concept of the atonement. It is a wonderful thing to study. But the simple facts are these: God in His
perfect holy righteousness cannot ignore evil and must respond to it
justly. God in His perfect holy love
cannot ignore the sinner broken by sin.
As a result, He sent His only son to be a mediator. This mediation was accomplished on the cross
by Christ where both justice and love were satisfied and displayed and by which
atonement was complete and reconciliation between man and God was made
possible.
On this final Sunday
before Easter I ask, have you knelt at the cross so that YOU might be
reconciled to God? Have you come before
His righteous holiness and cast yourself upon His mercy and love to find your
sins forgiven? If you have not, I
welcome you to do so.
[3]
Thomas C. Oden, A Systematic Theology, p. 401-402
[5]
Thomas C. Oden, A Systematic Theology, p. 404-405
[6]
Thomas C. Oden, A Systematic Theology, p. 404-405
[7]
Thomas C. Oden, A Systematic Theology, p. 401
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