I am constantly amazed by the grace of God. In today's sermon we heard one more outstanding example of this grace. In the book of Revelation, chapter 3, Christ is addressing the church at Laodicea. This church doesn't have much going for it. In fact he explains to them that they are lost souls clothed in comfortable religion. He describes them as wretched, pitiful, blind, and naked. These folks are the worst of the worst in God's eyes. Christ tells them to repent and trust in Him. Now look what he offers in return for that repentance. "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." The worst of the worst, those who have sinned their entire lives without shame are offered a seat on the throne of heaven. All they had to do was repent and accept Christ's death for those sins they committed. By simply sacrificing their pride, they could gain everything.
God's grace is not for the perfect it is for those who acknowledge their sins and turn to Christ. He wants to invite us onto His throne...let's take him up on that offer.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tolerance
In Ephesians 4 Paul is discussing how the church can be built up through Christ. He goes on to say in Ephesians 4:14, "Then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."
These directions were given so that the church would become a grown up, steadfast instrument of God in Christ. They were given so that people would be guided in love to live in the truth of Christ rather than the lies of man.
Recently I've heard a lot from friends, from different news sources and society in general that the church and in particular the Christian church needs to be more tolerant. In other words just take the "in love" part from the verse above. People choose churches based on how tolerant it's attitudes are towards different practices, faiths and world views.
What does tolerance really mean when you put it into the context of the church? It means that the church is taking on the role of God and in fact claiming superiority to God. The church is now deciding what sin it will tolerate instead of leaving the judgement of sin to God. Some churches are even stepping away from claiming Christ as the only way to God. In these churches the goal is comfort, with the greatest downfall being offending people. Sadly, the comfort they seek will last only a short time as God demands payment for sin. Those who are fooled into thinking they can live in their sin and deny Christ will end up in eternal discomfort without a savior by their side to rescue them.
Churches that water down scripture probably think they're doing so out of love. But, if they truly loved their congregations they would care enough to tell them the truth about what God desires for their lives. God's moral will for people's lives is not to put them in a rigid box of rules, it is to make people more useful instruments for His kingdom and to set them free from the slavery of sin. Those aren't empty words either because I have experienced that freedom firsthand.
It's very convenient to remove truth from scripture because it allows the church leaders and it's members to go on without the persecution that comes with standing up for God's will. However we get a very different picture of faith from the early first century church. Paul and many others were willing to die for what they saw with their own eyes and knew to be true. They were willing to die spreading the good news of Christ because they knew he died for their sins. They knew it wasn't their place to decide what truth best suited their needs.
Jesus said he is the truth and the only way to God. He's the son of God, so I say okay. I don't get to decide if that's too harsh or strict or intolerant. He was God's gift to me, my creator's provision for my sin. And if God says, this is it, this is the way I made for you, take it or leave it. I take it. This is the truth that needs to be taught in love to the thousands that pour through church doors every weekend. To hide that truth is to hide the amazing grace, love and peace given to us in the truth of Christ.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Faith Builder - The Suffering Servant
How would you summarize the ministry of Jesus? Starting with the creed of the early church, and the Gospels, many have summarized his life, his works, his death and his resurrection. Just as other prominent figures in history, the story of his life was recorded. But, unlike other prominent figures in history, his story was actually told well before his ministry on earth began.
The prophet Isaiah wrote around 700 B.C. what we now call the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Inside this book, a very complete summary of Jesus' life and purpose exist. Starting with verse 4 of Isaiah 53 speaking of God's suffering servant:
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own ways; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
It goes on to say, "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? Fore he was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence nor was any deceit in his mouth."
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
This passage was written 700 years before Jesus walked the earth. When compared with Jesus' ministry in the Gospels, it's unmistakable who this passage refers to. Some have argued these verses were simply added after Jesus' life, which actually gives further testimony that the passage clearly refers to Jesus. This argument died about a half century ago with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Among these scrolls was found an entire copy of the book of Isaiah. The latest date carbon dating offers for this scroll is 120 B.C., well before the time of Jesus.
These days the ministry of Jesus draws many critics. Some would say he was a good teacher, a nice guy, someone who cared for the poor, but not the Messiah. Some would equate him with Gandhi or Mother Theresa, but not the savior of their soul. This passage should give pause to any who hold those views. It encompasses his trials, his death, and his resurrection with astonishing detail. This prophecy revealed to Isaiah by God, summarized not only the events, but also the purpose of Jesus' life, 700 years beforehand. The last line reads,"For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors".
Compare these words to the words written shortly after his death and resurrection by those who knew Jesus. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living" 1 Cor 1:15. That passage was written within 5 years of Jesus' death.
Those who knew Jesus, who witnessed his death and resurrection were not saying Jesus was a nice guy or a good teacher. They understood him to be the son of God given as an offering for their sins; a fulfillment of prophecy from ancient times.
So here we are 2000 year later making new claims and new judgements. That's like people living 2000 years after your death saying your family, best friends, co-workers etc. didn't really know you or what you did or what you stood for, and then further claiming that they knew who you really were. Highly unlikely.
The most likely scenario, and what I know to be true, is that Jesus was exactly who he said he was and still is. He is the son of God who died for your sins and mine. Whoever believes in him will have their sins erased and will have the amazing honor of spending eternity in heaven. As stated in the Gospels, God sent Jesus not to condemn but to save.
(If you have any questions please leave a comment!)
The prophet Isaiah wrote around 700 B.C. what we now call the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Inside this book, a very complete summary of Jesus' life and purpose exist. Starting with verse 4 of Isaiah 53 speaking of God's suffering servant:
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own ways; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
It goes on to say, "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? Fore he was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence nor was any deceit in his mouth."
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
This passage was written 700 years before Jesus walked the earth. When compared with Jesus' ministry in the Gospels, it's unmistakable who this passage refers to. Some have argued these verses were simply added after Jesus' life, which actually gives further testimony that the passage clearly refers to Jesus. This argument died about a half century ago with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Among these scrolls was found an entire copy of the book of Isaiah. The latest date carbon dating offers for this scroll is 120 B.C., well before the time of Jesus.
These days the ministry of Jesus draws many critics. Some would say he was a good teacher, a nice guy, someone who cared for the poor, but not the Messiah. Some would equate him with Gandhi or Mother Theresa, but not the savior of their soul. This passage should give pause to any who hold those views. It encompasses his trials, his death, and his resurrection with astonishing detail. This prophecy revealed to Isaiah by God, summarized not only the events, but also the purpose of Jesus' life, 700 years beforehand. The last line reads,"For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors".
Compare these words to the words written shortly after his death and resurrection by those who knew Jesus. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living" 1 Cor 1:15. That passage was written within 5 years of Jesus' death.
Those who knew Jesus, who witnessed his death and resurrection were not saying Jesus was a nice guy or a good teacher. They understood him to be the son of God given as an offering for their sins; a fulfillment of prophecy from ancient times.
So here we are 2000 year later making new claims and new judgements. That's like people living 2000 years after your death saying your family, best friends, co-workers etc. didn't really know you or what you did or what you stood for, and then further claiming that they knew who you really were. Highly unlikely.
The most likely scenario, and what I know to be true, is that Jesus was exactly who he said he was and still is. He is the son of God who died for your sins and mine. Whoever believes in him will have their sins erased and will have the amazing honor of spending eternity in heaven. As stated in the Gospels, God sent Jesus not to condemn but to save.
(If you have any questions please leave a comment!)
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