Sunday, March 31, 2013

LIFE STRAIGHTENED OUT


Confused—Sad—Overwhelmed by life?  You’ve come to the right place—the tomb of Jesus! 

John 20:1-18 

What did the disciples and family of Jesus experience THAT weekend? 

·         Confusion—Jesus, the Messiah, was arrested and convicted.

·         Sadness—Jesus, the Messiah, was beaten and crucified.

·         Overwhelmed by life—What does this all mean?  Where do we go from here?  How does life begin again? 

Friday and Saturday—hard days.  But then Sunday came—and at first all these only seemed to get worse. 

Mary goes to the tomb—the body is gone—did someone steal the body?  Did the Romans or Jews move the body?  Where was the dead body of Jesus? 

Peter and John come to the tomb—to see for themselves—they find no body—only the grave clothes—but why would they be there if someone had stolen the body?  And why would they be so neatly folded and left there? 

They did not yet understand—they did not remember Scripture—no one had ever experienced resurrection.  A glimpse in the healings Jesus had performed—another glimpse in Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  But who could raise the Healer—who could raise the One who raised others from the dead? 

Confusion—sadness—feeling overwhelmed—fear now that THEY might be accused of taking the body. 

But at the tomb, life was straightened out. 

Mary goes back—two angels appear and ask her who she is looking for.  And then Jesus appears and asks her the same question. 

Jesus didn’t look like Jesus to her—was he the person taking care of the tombs and making the garden area beautiful? 

But then … 

He calls her by name—“Mary.” 

And she realized—this was the Rabbi, the Teacher, Jesus! 

And He was back from the dead.  Alive again!  What great news! 

But Jesus says to her, “Don’t think that it all is as it was before, when I was here physically with you.  You can’t keep me here as I was.  I am leaving to be with the Father God.” 

Back in the upper room, John 14 and 16, Jesus had told the disciples of His going away to prepare a place for them.  He also told them of the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus had to leave for the Spirit to come to them.  And how beneficial it would be to have the Holy Spirit instead of Jesus in their very presence. 

“Yes, Mary, it is Me.  But I am going away to be in God’s presence.” 

“In the meantime, you go tell the others that you saw me—that I am alive—and what I told you about my going away again.” 

And she did!  “I have seen the LORD!”  Testimony—witness by someone who knew Him before His death, and saw Him afterward.  She knew for certain THIS WAS JESUS. 

Yet, he would leave them again—and it would be best for them for that to occur. 

The early gospel message—Jesus would be buried, raised and then ascended to the Father. 

More confusion—more sadness—more overwhelming news.  But because of the empty tomb—because of seeing Jesus—because of His resurrection—it all would be much, much better for them. 

Lessons for us:

1.      Just as with Mary, Jesus knows your name—personal relationship with Him—you are not unknown by God—you are not left out. 

2.      Jesus left—but the Holy Spirit is here—to comfort us in sadness—to help us when we are confused—to guide us and help us cope when we are overwhelmed by news and events in our lives.

3.      Death for Jesus was not the final event—He defeated death—and because He lives, we will live again after our death too.  That gives peace for now and hope for our future.

4.      Jesus will return—“I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again, to receive you to myself.”  For now, we do not have a Savior physically present with us—but one day, we will be with Him eternally.  He’s coming back for us one day. 

Confused—remember the empty tomb 

Sad—remember the resurrection of Jesus 

Overwhelmed by life—remember the Holy Spirit is with you 

In all of these things, remember—Jesus is coming back for you one day. 

If you have accepted Jesus, He knows your name.

Monday, March 25, 2013

WHOLE WORLD GOING AFTER HIM

People often do the opposite of what you try to get them to do.  Kids often do—adults also often do.  Part of that is our nature as sinners—part of that is rebelling against authority.  In our Palm Sunday passage, we find that doing the opposite was the best thing to occur.

John 12:9-21; Psalm 118:22-27

Lazarus had been raised from the dead by Jesus.  Jewish religious leaders were upset and even plotted killing Lazarus because he was evidence that Jesus had done miracles. 

Passover time—one of the three great Jewish feasts when everyone who could was to come to Jerusalem to worship and celebrate God’s goodness.  The city swelled to thousands during this Passover event. 

Many on the road to Jerusalem.  To pass time, they sang songs—often hymns from the Psalms.  Especially Psalms of Ascent (120-134) because when you went to Jerusalem—because of its elevation—you went up.  And this was a good time to praise God for His goodness. 

Certain psalms were used at the Passover Seder—the meal and ceremony of remembering freedom from slavery in Egypt—and God’s passing over the Hebrew children by the death angel.

“Hosanna”—(repeat and have them repeat)—“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Repeat and have them)—Words heard at this time of celebration—but this year—especially referring to Jesus. 

Waving branches and putting clothes on the road—just as they would hail a conquering king or hero—even though Jesus came in on a donkey rather than a great white horse. 

Was this Messiah—Chosen One of God—the Anointed One Jews had waited for all these years?  Was He one like David—throwing off Roman oppression and freeing them once again? 

Hosanna—literally, “Save us, save us now.”  A cry for freedom from oppression. 

Blessed is he—Blessed is the King of Israel—words of Scripture from Psalm 118, describing this ideal leader, king, conquering hero.  Interesting the context—a hymn about deliverance from enemies.  Note especially vv. 22-27. 

“Stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”—prophecy about Jesus they did not realize. 

“O Lord save us.  O Lord, give us success. (Hosanna) 

“With bough in hand, join in the festal procession to” (the Temple). 

Do you hear what they were saying as Jesus came into the city that Sunday?  Save us—mighty conquering Davidic king—Messiah—may you have success—we praise you with palms waved and laid down in submission to you. 

Yet in the passage from Ps. 118 as well, “The stone the builders rejected”—He would not be accepted by religious leaders—and would not come into His kingdom as they thought He should—donkey not a white horse—crucifixion not a victorious earthly battle. 

But notice also what happened? 

·         V. 11, “many of the Jews were putting their faith in him.”
·          V. 13, Pilgrims to Jerusalem, “took palm branches and went out to meet him.”
·         V. 18  “Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign went out to meet him.”
·         V. 19 Testimony of the Pharisees, “Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
·         Vv. 20-21  “Now there were some Greeks … with a request.  We would like to see Jesus.” 

The religious leaders rejected him—“the stone that the builders rejected”—sought after by common people—Jews and Gentiles both—“has become the chief cornerstone.”  The whole world has gone after him! 

Yet in a few days, when he was arrested/crucified—others would turn away as well—conquering heroes and kings don’t get killed on a cross when their kingdom is coming in—not the way it’s done politically.  He must not be the Messiah.

Save us—save us now—salvation was to be a spiritual thing—not a political thing—brought to us through His death on a cross for our sin. 

He is the “blessed King”—but coming into His kingdom as none would expect—a baby born in a poor family—a crucifixion despite being a miracle worker. 

Despised—rejected—by religious and others alike who did not understand. 

Yet, “the whole world has gone after him”—since his resurrection and ascension. 

This past week—inauguration of Pope Francis—large world-wide church.  There for the event—people from all over the world—flags waving from all nations. 

But even more—believers from all nations—celebrating Easter next week—crucifixion on our behalf—for our sin—resurrecting and overcoming death—ascending to be with God and hearing our prayers—taking us with Him to heaven one day. 

“The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”—and “the whole world has gone after Him.” 

Yes, Hosanna—save us now.  Yes, blessed is the King of Israel and the whole world—the One who comes in the name of the Lord.  Wave your banners high to that One—Jesus!

Monday, March 18, 2013

MORE POWER THAN YOU REALIZE


Christians do not realize the power Jesus has!  Today, an episode in the life of Jesus that contributed to his crucifixion—John 11:17-37
One of 7 signs in Gospel of John that point to who Jesus is.  First is turning water into wine.  This, raising of Lazarus, is the final of the seven.
Sign—something pointing to something else—giving instruction or directions.  John’s purpose—to point out who Jesus is and an aspect of His character and teaching.  All seven especially point out the power Jesus has.
As reader reads these, ask the question, “Who is Jesus that He would be able to be or do this?”
In the tomb four days—Jews believed spirit hovered over person for three days—but then, the person was gone, fully dead.  Buried very quickly in that culture—still do today—day of death if at all possible.
Martha and Mary—something of their personality—Luke 10—Jesus at their house—Martha cooks; Mary sits/listens to Jesus.  Here—Martha goes out to meet Jesus—Mary stays.
Repetition in Bible—something important—do not miss.  Each sister says same thing here.  Then at end, crowd gathered to mourn Lazarus says very similar thing.
“If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Crowd said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of a blind man have kept this man from dying?” (v. 37)
We say similar things on hearing of death—“If only I had been there—if only—I.”  Their statement was one better—“If only HE”—points to power of Jesus to keep people from dying.  We do not have that power, though we wish we did.
Jesus—“Your brother will rise again.” (v. 23)
Martha—“I know he will rise when all other dead rise—later—second coming—general resurrection of dead.” (v. 24)
Then, interesting statement—key statement of this passage—“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vv. 25-26)
Key statements:
1.       I am power over life and death.
2.       The key is belief (trust) in Me.
3.       Do you believe?
Jesus does not say, “I can resurrect myself”—nor “I can resurrect others.”  He says, “I am the resurrection.”  I am the power to resurrect—power even over death. 
We need to ask, “Who has power over death”—who—only God.  Jesus is God!  I AM statement—seven of those in Gospel of John also—I AM refers to name of God in Exodus.
“I am the resurrection!”  Only I have power over death—I am God!
Martha and Mary believed this—to some extent—“If only YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.”  He had power over death—before it happened.
But Jesus also said, “I am the LIFE.”  I am the purpose for life—I am the way to live life—I am the focus of life.”  Similar statements to what we have seen Paul say about Jesus in Colossians.
I am the life—Jesus is not just for death—He is very much for life as well.  The power of Jesus—power to live with Jesus begins now and is for now—not just later.
Martha said the right words—but did she really believe?  V. 27  “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”  Is that enough?  If it is just a formula we have learned—maybe not—or at least—there is more to believe—deeper faith (trust), hope.  Yes, you are Messiah.  Yes, you are God’s Son.
But is there more?  “Yes, You are God!”  With all the powers that brings.
Jesus message is interesting—“He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
The message is for the dead—and the message is for those who live also.  The dead will rise again—hope for those gone on who believed.  Jesus can overcome the grave.
But also hope for the living—will never really die.  Will they die physically—most all of us will—though some will not—those alive when Jesus returns.  But death for the one who believes is not really death—it is just a door from this life to life with God.  Never really dying.
Belief is for now and for death as well.  Trust—hope—in Jesus.  “I am the resurrection AND the life.”
“Do you believe?”  Most important question for them—most important question for us—“Do YOU believe?”
Seven signs in John—point to who Jesus is—cause us to ask, “Who is Jesus” and “Do I believe?”
“Who is this who changes water into wine?”  “Who is this who can heal the blind from birth?”  Who is this that even the wind and waves obey?”  “Who is this who raises the dead?”
“Do I believe?”  Really?
He is good for your death—Is He good for your life?  Worth dying for—is He worth living for?
Jesus proved who He was later in John 11 by raising Lazarus from death.  Led the religious leaders to want to kill Him even more, and to kill the proof—Lazarus—as well.  “Better for you that one die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (v. 50)  “So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him” (John 12:11)
Martha and Mary grew in their belief.  Other Jews came to believe.  Do you believe?
He’s good for death—Is He also power for life?  For you?

Sunday, March 17, 2013

LIFE INSURANCE FOR LIVING

Is your life insurance up to date?  What about your auto and your home insurance?

No, I am not an insurance salesman.  But as I was working on a sermon from John 11 this morning, it struck me, the way many people live their lives may be similar to what we would LIKE to do with insurance or retirement.

Lazarus, friend of Jesus and brother to Martha and Mary, had died.  Martha meets Jesus on his way to them, and says, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died."  Jesus then makes a statement about himself.

Jesus said in John 11:25-27, Jesus said to Martha, sister of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”  (NIV, www.biblegateway.com)

Why did Jesus say it as he did?  Did he not have it backward?  He said, "I am the resurrection and the life" rather than "I am the life and the resurrection."  Now life could mean eternal life.  But could he also mean he is not only for overcoming death, but he is for this life as well?

Many people want people for death, but not for life.  I heard of a person recently, not a believer, make the statement, "I am not ready yet," meaning he was not ready to accept Jesus as his Savior and Master.  The problem is, when is the time?  And he apparently had made this statement before when asked about becoming a Christian.  But when one is getting older, and this person is, one's days on this earth are short.  It is important to know that NOW is the time for salvation.

Life insurance--wouldn't it be great if I could wait until the day before I died, and then pay my premium, and my family would receive the total amount?  Or the day before the wreck of the car or the fire at my home?  But that's not the way it works, is it?

Premiums are paid over time--sometimes over a lifetime, even a long lifetime, but when the death or the wreck or the fire occurs, then the payment from the company comes.  If I knew when the death or the wreck or the fire would happen, then the other way would work, but NONE of us knows those things beforehand.

Same with physical death--will I die at age 61 (my age now), or 81, or 101?  Don't really know--do you?

So I pay my premiums now.  And I prepare now for that final earthly event.  Jesus is the resurrection for us when death comes.  He is eternal life for us.  But living for him now is like the premium I pay for insurance.  AND it provides me with a much more secure feeling, a much more secure life, and a valuable, growing life now, while here on this earth.

Is your life insurance paid up?  Have you paid the premiums up to date?  What about your life now?  Is Jesus an important part--not just for death, but for life as well?

Now is the time to make that belief in Jesus.  NOW!

Monday, March 11, 2013

WIVES AND HUSBANDS

Col. 3:17  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (NIV) 

Whatever you do—word and deed.  Read on. 

Colossians 3:18-19 

At this point, Paul addresses what difference living for Jesus should make in three sets of relationships—wives and husbands, children and parents, and slaves and masters.  Today—wives and husbands. 

Interesting in a male oriented society that he should address women first.  But he does so in each of these three relationships—the one looked upon by their society as the lesser is addressed first.  Is Paul raising the status by addressing them first? 

In Galatians, Paul says in Christ, there is neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male or female.  All are equals in Christ. 

So what does Paul say? 

  1. Wives submit to your husband—he does not say, women submit to any man—or wives submit to any man—but wives submit to your husband.  Why wives submit?
                                                              i.      Males were looked upon as leaders
                                                            ii.      Christian husbands are looked upon by God as leaders of their families
                                                          iii.      If he is the leader, then others should submit
                                                          iv.      Apparently this submission—this placing yourself under the other’s authority—is a voluntary thing—not something the man can command.  Choice of the wife.
                                                            v.      “As is fitting in the Lord”—apparently God wants this—so in following Christ a wife is to submit to her husband
                                                          vi.      Not a doormat—doesn’t mean man calls all the shots—in Ephesians 5, mutual submission is stated.
                                                        vii.      Ultimately the husband is spiritually responsible to God for his wife and family.  They may discuss the issues, but ultimately the husband then makes a decision.  Wife is then to support her husband in that decision.
                                                      viii.      Some say the reason wives are told to “submit” is that it was the greatest need of wives at that time.  Maybe they had more trouble submitting to their husband than other ways of relating to him. 

  1. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them—Was this the tendency of men also—the greatest need—to truly love their wives and not treat them harshly?
    1. Love—“agape”—sacrificial love, giving love, godly love
    2. Paul says in Ephesians 5, “Love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”
    3. Do you love your wife as Christ loved the church?
    4. In their society, wife was like property—treat her anyway you wanted—just a social arrangement or convenient arrangement.  Paul said it should be much, much more.
    5. Spiritual leaders are to help others grow spiritually—husband is to be spiritual leader in family--do you do that for your wife?
    6. Spiritual leaders pray about the decisions they make—especially those that affect others—do you do that for your wife and family?
    7. Further—do not be harsh—some men then had pretty mean tempers—easy to take it out on the wife who was closest to you.  Still is easy, but not the Christian thing to do not the spiritual family leader thing to do.
    8. Is Christ harsh toward you?  Then don’t be harsh toward your wife?

Someone once said that if the husband truly loved his wife in this way, and especially as Christ loved the church, then it would be easy for a wife to submit to her husband. 

But each is responsible to God for their part—submission or love and lack of harshness, regardless of whether the other does their part. 

The issue here for both is discipleship—following Jesus—living the Lord’s way in this wife/husband relationship. 

“Whatever you do, in word and deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”   

Does the way you relate to your husband or wife reflect your love for Christ and honor Him? 

Does the way you talk to or about your husband or wife show that you are a follower of Jesus to others—other family, other believers, other friends? 

This relationship—marriage relationship—can be a tremendous witness to the world of a life committed to Jesus.  Or it can be a turn-off from following Jesus. 

Does your relationship with Christ make your marriage different from those who do not know Jesus? 

Wives submit—this pleases God.

Husbands love wives and do not treat them harshly—this too pleases God. 

So how do you need to grow so you can do this more effectively in your marriage?

Monday, March 4, 2013

PUT OFF--PUT ON


 
Life in Christ is not a negative thing—it is a positive thing.  And life is changed, molded, remade—into the image of Christ. 

Colossians 3:1-3, 9-10, 17 

Ch. 3, Paul moves in his letter from teaching theology to how to live it out.  NIV titles this section, “Rules for Holy Living.”  Yes, you believe these things about God—then what difference does it make in your life—how you treat others—how you relate to others—and your own character? 

If Christ is over all—the head of the body, the church—the very image or likeness of God—and things were created for him (as it says in chapter 1)—then how does that impact the life of those who say they follow this One? 

Paul says in 3:1-2, “set your hearts—set your minds on things above.”  Could be just seeking to escape this world—think about heaven all the time—ignore what goes on in your life and this world.  Not what Paul is saying. 

Make as focus of your life—the ways of Christ—letting the One who is God remold your life—to become more like Him. 

Hearts—minds—your whole person—all of you—not just one part—let Him have every area of your life—be committed in all things.  Hence in v. 17, “whatever you do—in word or deed—do it all in the name of the Lord.” 

Taken off—have put on (vv. 9-10)—picture of taking off some clothes to put on others.  (I wish living for Christ was that easy, don’t you?) 

There are things to remove from your life—and there are things to place into your life. Christian life is not just a negative—a list of “don’ts.”  It is also a list of “do’s”. 

Take off, put on—(notice some of the other verses—list of things to put off in ch. 3, but also things to put on. 

  • Put off—put on
  • Put to death—rid yourselves of
  • Clothe yourselves
  • Put on (v. 14)
  • What you do—do it
There are things to stop or behavior to quit—but in place there are ways of treating others—character to seek to live out. 

Practical ways of living life focused on Jesus--Col, ch. 3 

Christian faith—replacement theology—leaving behind negative habits and ways of living—for positive ways of living—and that is the Jesus’ way.  Can’t just “quit” doing something—have to “replace” it with the right things. 

Jesus talked about it when he mentioned demons being cast out.  Said that at times when demon was cast out, others would come in, and would do so in force—several—so the last situation is worse than the first.  Idea was that you don’t just sweep your house clean—your life—and think it will never get dirty again (I wish that would happen).  Instead, had to fill the emptiness—the void—with the good.  And that is what Paul teaches in ch. 3. 

Notice v. 10—Christian life is renewal—being made new—remade again—and all into the image of Christ.  “Being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” 

That is why the Christian reads the Word—prays—spends time with God in worship—spends time with others who are in process of being changed into the image/likeness of Christ.  Aids our spiritual growth—helps us have healthy models of Christian faith—challenges us to be changed and to keep our focus as the world attempts to pull us away from Christ to other things.

T.B. Maston—taught Christian Ethics at SWBTS.  Little book for teens called, Right and Wrong.  Gave questions to make decisions about things to do or not do.  Simple ways to make choices between right and wrong. 

Food even for adults—“When I do this (activity), can God bless me in the doing of it?”  “When I do this, will it show Christ positively to others?” 

v. 17  what it is all about—“whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”   

When I say this, does it honor Christ?  Does it show His character to others? 

When I do this, does it give praise to Christ?  Does it point others to a life lived worthy of the nature and character of Christ? 

In other words, by my words and my actions, can God bless me as I say/do this? 

How do you know what to “put off” and what to “put on”? 
  • Read/study/listen—to God, to His Word—to the life of Jesus.
  • Ask, “What is Jesus like?”  And ask, “What am I like?”  Compare, “Where am I like Jesus, and where am I not?”
Remember—it isn’t just about what you “don’t” do, it is about what you “do” and the character of Christ being developed in your life. 

Series of attempts and failures—“We fall down, but we get up.”  Lifelong journey. 

Whatever you do—whatever you say—do it all in the name of Christ. 

Can God bless me as I say this—do this? 

An action of God in our life—developing the character of Christ.  Don’t give up the struggle—letting Him have access.