CROSS Series #3: What is the Word?

In our technological world of smartphones and Ipads, it is easy to become consumed with trends that constantly call into question how effectively we are living our lives. This gadget promises to improve your efficiency, this one promises to give you an accurate reading of your health, this new model runs more programs at once, this app can tell you what movies someone with your personality would like to view. The list goes on and on. Unfortunately, this predisposition to the “latest and greatest” in our technological world has infiltrated the church. In some circles, ministry is not viewed as effective unless it incorporates these three new ideas, worship services must have these new songs in order to be relevant, and buildings must have a coffee shop feel to attract new followers to Christ, etc. Although there is a proper place for innovation and change in the church, there are those things that I believe are unchanging priorities that should be involved any ministry strategy. We have already looked at a couple of them in our series (corporate worship and relationships) and defended their legitimacy. These priorities are foundational to the mission of God. However, how do we know this? Perhaps the third element of our strategy can answer this for us. Today’s sermon is brought to you by the letter “O” for “Obedience to the Word of God.” The Word of God is the very reason we know that corporate worship and relationships are important to the mission of God. In fact, we would not know the mission of God in the first place (to know Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ to the world) without the Word of God! Therefore, today we are going to take a look at what the Word of God says about itself from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and how this should impact the way we accomplish our God-given mission here at Crystal Spring Baptist Church.

I. PART #1: THE NATURE OF THE WORD OF GOD-3:16

 Having served the Lord faithfully for many years through world travels, church-planting, mentoring young ministers, and prolific letter-writing, Paul pens 2 Timothy from the perspective of a seasoned and trial-tested apostle. However, at this point in Paul’s ministry, he is nearing the end, awaiting his execution in prison for his persistence in sharing the gospel. In spite of his precarious position, Paul finds it in himself to take advantage of the opportunity he has to write one more letter to his “son in the faith.” Throughout this letter, we get a sense of the paternal connection Paul had with this young minister in Ephesus as he speaks candidly and communicates a litany of encouragements that are not unlike what a father might share with his son upon nearing the end of his life. Interestingly, Paul’s complex writing style is simplified in this letter. However, though his words lack the embellishment that other letters contain, Paul’s words are no less profound.

Immediately before 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul has made several comments concerning the Scripture’s effect on Timothy’s life. In light of the difficult times Timothy would face, Paul draws attention to the firm convictions upon which this young minister stood, saying, “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of,…” (3:14). Truly, Timothy had learned the gospel and its demands from a sterling groups of teachers (including Paul himself). These instructors had not only taught him the gospel’s message, but they also assured him of its truthfulness. Also, from a young boy, Timothy had been instructed in the “sacred writings” and had, as a result, apprehended “the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15).

After having commented on the effect the Scriptures had on Timothy’s life, Paul is compelled to let Timothy know that the Scriptures can be trusted and that he “need not search out new novelties on which he might squander his energies but to remain in the truths he had learned” (Lea and Griffin, 233).  This is why Paul says, “All Scripture is inspired by God” (3:16). However, what is Paul referring to when he says “Scripture”? Up to this point, only the Old Testament existed as an accepted grouping of divine texts. Is Paul only suggesting that these 39 books are inspired? Paul’s words seem to be more broad that this. In fact, elements of the New Testament were already being circulated in the early church by this time and were regarded by those that used them as God’s authoritative word. Therefore, Paul is saying “all writings that are Scripture are inspired by God.” One commentator has said, “if we affirm that each part of Scripture is inspired, we come eventually to assert that its entire content is inspired.” Through the miracle of progressive revelation, what Paul said about all Scripture that came before him, applies to all that would come after he penned these famous words.

But what does it mean for Scripture to be “inspired”? “Inspired” in Greek is an amalgamation of two words qeoV (God) and pneustoV (breath). This is where the term, “God-breathed” comes from in some translations. To be “God-breathed” means that the Scriptures have their origin in the mind of God and are given through those that He has appointed to write them down all under control of the Holy Spirit. This is what distinguishes the Bible from all other texts.

In Creation, God breathed life into man, rendering us distinct from all other creatures and His representation (icon) on the earth. Similarly, God breathed His message to the world, distinguishing the Scriptures from all other writings as the representation of His plan through words.

That the Scriptures are “inspired” means that they are from God, and therefore totally trustworthy. However, it also means that they are incredibly useful.

Paul delineates the Scriptures’ usefulness for Timothy, a young and promising minister, in order that he might put the Scriptures to good use in His church and ministry. First, Paul suggests that the Scriptures are “profitable for teaching.” This means that Scripture is a positive source of Christian doctrine. Because of the proliferation of heresy in the early church, Paul emphasized the importance of good teaching (using the term “teaching” no less than 15 times in the Pastoral Epistles). Against all of the heresy in the world, and in contrast to all of the falsities of inferior belief systems, the Bible as God’s inspired Word is useful in that it provides the true knowledge about God and the world through the various doctrines it presents (Creation, Redemption, Sin, Man, etc.).  Do you want to know what to believe? Look no further than the Word of God.

The second way in which the Scripture can be used is “for reproof” or “rebuke” (3:16c). This term means to expose error, whether in wrong teaching or in one’s personal life. Therefore, Scripture is able to expose failures, clarify mistakes, and point the way out of sin. No other book can do this! Only God’s inspired word convicts the misguided and disobedient of their errors and restores them to the right path.

Thirdly, Paul says that the Scriptures are useful “for correction” (3:16d). This is the first of two positive ways in which the Scriptures can be utilized. “This term, ‘correction,’ used only here in the New Testament, suggests that Scripture helps individuals to restore their doctrine or personal practice to a right state before God” (Lea and Griffin, 237). What a great grace the Word of God is, for it not only exposes shortcomings, but points the way to correction. 

One other way in which the Bible is useful is “for training in righteousness” (3:16e) –that is moral training for righteous living. “Training” denotes a system of discipline that a parent might use to teach a child Christian character. Applied to the Scriptures, the Word itself provides a system of discipline that encourages holiness. The Word of God might be likened to dumbbells in the gym of sanctification as it provides the work out necessary for the believers to get into spiritual shape.

Paul desires for Timothy to understand the incredible authority and usefulness of the Word of God so that He might take full advantage of it in his life and ministry. Its inspiration is timeless and its usefulness gives it eternal relevance.

Think of a Swiss Army Knife. This timeless tool, though a singular object, has many different applications (a spoon, a knife, a screw, a toothpick, etc.). These tools are also timeless and will never be out of date. We will always eat with spoons, have use for knives, and get food stuck in our teeth. It is a timeless and useful tool in the wilderness. A similar treatment might be given to “irreplaceable” smart phones complete with all of their necessary apps. The same can be said of the Word of God on a much deeper level. Though a single book, it has many different applications (teaching, reproof, correction, and training) that will never become obsolete. This renders it an essential tool for the believer as he or she lives and ministers in this wicked world.

What do all of these applications work toward in the life of the believer? The answer is found as Paul communicates the purpose of the Word of God to Timothy in verse 17.

II. PART #2: THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD OF GOD-3:17

One of the reasons that the Word of God has been given with all of these applications is “so that the man of God may be adequate” (3:17). This is a veiled reference to Timothy himself, rendering this a very personal encouragement to a close friend. Paul wants Timothy to make the most of the Word of God and all it has to offer so that He might be adequate to the task that he has been given in the church that he leads in Ephesus.

This principle applies to all disciples in their own ministries. Whether God has called upon a disciple to pastor a church or minister to a shut-in, or faithfully serve in the church, all disciples have been called to a task(s) in their lives that they are not prepared for in and of themselves. The Word of God’s teaches what their task might be, rebukes them when they fail to complete it or veer from it, corrects them back to it, and trains them for it in the first place. Therefore, the Word of God is the educational, disciplinary, correctional, and training system through which each disciple is prepared for his or her calling.

However, just because the Bible sits there on a dusty coffee table or leans on a populated bookshelf does not mean that it is effective in this endeavor. Notice the mood of the verb “may be” before “adequate.” Though the Bible is a powerful and life-changing resource, it must be read, studied, obeyed, and applied for it to make a man or a woman of God adequate to the task they have been handed. The Bible’s usefulness is dependent on the believer’s acquisition, apprehension, and application of it.

What does it mean to be “adequate” for the task at hand? Thankfully, Paul gives the answer to Timothy when he says, “equipped for every good work” (3:17). The implied idea here is that if Timothy would “nurture his spiritual life in the Scriptures…, he would be fully qualified and prepared to undertake whatever task God put before him” (Lea and Griffin, 238). It would prove tragic for Timothy’s ministry in Ephesus if he was not spiritually prepared for the task at hand, especially since he had everything he needed to prepare himself when he had the Scriptures.

The same is true of believers today in their own lives and ministries. When believers fail to obey the Word of God and take advantage of all it has to offer, they will ultimately find themselves ill-prepared for the world in which they live. This would be similar to a student taking a final exam without every reading the textbook, a pianist at a recital without ever rehearsing, or an individual at the starting line of a marathon without ever having trained. A student cannot hope to do well unless he has studied. A musician cannot hope to sound pleasing unless he or she has practiced. A runner cannot hope to finish a marathon without proper training. Similarly, a believer cannot be expected to be used of God to do good works in any meaningful way unless he or she obeys God’s Word.

So What?

Obedience to the Word of God, according to Paul, is not only a resource to be used to know God, it is a transformative agent that God uses to help believers grow in Him so that they might be used of God to show good works to the world (Know, Grow, and Show). If Timothy took full advantage of all that the Bible is and does he could expect to be adequate to the task God called upon him to perform in the world and equipped for every corresponding good work. This was Paul’s wish for his “son in the faith.” This is also God’s wish for every believer. The Bible is God’s timeless and useful message in all situations. It will never become obsolete and will never loose staying power. Truly, the Word of God is not only the manual for survival in the life of every believer and every church, it is God’s prescriptive plan for thriving in the midst of this evil world. Its applications never need updating, it never needs to be replaced by a newer model, will never run the risk of crashing, and requires no warranty. When was the last time you immersed yourself in its pages, meditated on its words, and studied its passages?

Obedience to the word of God is essential to the task of the church, for the mission of God is one of the Word of God’s commands. How well you are obeying God’s Word can be directly connected to how well you are pursuing the mission of God in this world.

 

 

CROSS Series Wee 2: Relationships that Matter

Last week we looked at the phenomenon of corporate worship and appreciated all that Jesus did so that we might have the chance to meet together like this in collective praise and adoration of the Father by means of drawing near to God, holding fast to His convictions, and spurring each other on in the assembly. We learned that corporate worship is not a mundane ritual, but an integral part of our mission to know Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ in this world. Today, as we continue our series and journey through the acronym C.R.O.S.S. we arrive at another phenomenon that is often under-appreciated and misunderstood. This phenomenon is indicated by the letter “R” which refers to “Relationships.”

Relationships have proven absolutely essential in my life. In fact, the old adage, “it is not what you know; it is who you know” helped give me several jobs, recruit workers for this church, and accomplish different tasks and responsibilities in life. This same can be true of my spiritual development and the general spiritual development of this church. When it comes to the second part of our mission, growing in Christ, what we know AND who we know are vitally important. Paul understood this when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica, a small church in a brave new world (sound familiar). In 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11, Paul presents three elements of relationships that are important for us to keep in mind as we work to accomplish the greatest mission ever given.

I. ELEMENT #1: The Occasion for Relationship-5:8

The verses leading up to this passage address the coming age, “the times and the epochs” (5:1). In these times, Paul predicts that the Lord will come like a thief in the night, there will be destruction, and darkness will sweep across the planet. However, those to whom this letter is addressed (the church body in Thessalonica), need not worry, for they are called, “sons of light,…” (1 Thess. 5:5). Therefore, Paul says “since we are children of the day…” there are certain encouragements necessary for the ministry to go forward during the difficult days to come. To be a person of the day means to be illuminated with the life of Christ, who is “the light.”

John 14:6-“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

Those who have the light of Christ are called to live in the coming age (the age in which we are living right now) conspicuously different from the world around them.

Sons and daughters of light are to live “soberly” in a world that is out of control. This word means to be in complete control over one’s thought processes and thus not in danger of irrational thinking.

Consider what people are like when they are inebriated. Often when people are drunk they are inhibition free, willing to do embarrassing or even dangerous stunts on a whim or a dare. Often this ends in disaster. Stammering around, those who are drunk yield control of their mind to alcohol, rendering them open to irrational and nonsensical thinking.

This is prohibited for those who are sons and daughters of light. And before you redact this command to literal sobriety from alcohol, consider the general principle to which this image is pointing. Christians are not to yield control of their minds over to anyone or anything except the Holy Spirit. In other words, alcohol is not the only thing Christians can get drunk on or a buzz from. Success, possessions, image, money, sex, etc. The call of Paul for the church in Thessalonica is to be sober in all of these areas. In a world of stammering drunks, believers are to remain clear-headed and steadfastly focused.

What causes this level of focus in a world that is like a bar offering an assortment of spirits? Paul quickly changes metaphors to answer this question, “having put on the breast-plate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation…” (5:8). Standing on the threshold of the coming age, complete with destruction and darkness, and drunkenness, Christians should arm themselves for action with self-control by means of a breast-plate and helmet.

The Roman breastplate referred to here would have covered a soldier from his neck to his waist and protected his most vital organs. This is what “faith and love” does for the believer’s spiritual lives. Faith and love protect the believer from the coming onslaught of evil.

Consider the nature of these two terms for a moment. Both faith and love are transitive, meaning they require an understood object as the recipient for the action they imply. A disciple cannot exercise faith without placing that faith in something or someone. Similarly, a disciple cannot love without an understood person or object receiving and reciprocating that love. Already, a relationship with God as the object of faith and love is being subtly referenced by Paul with these words.

While the breastplate protects the vital organs, the helmet protects the head, the seat of the mind and reason. In the believer’s case, protection comes in the form of hope through salvation. The salvation of the disciple was the source of hope for all in the early church and remains the most appropriate source of hope for the believer today. The church at Thessalonica would have to rely on the hope of their salvation when things would get rough, and so should we.

Sobriety and hope provide an opportunity for relationship to take place in the life of Jesus’ disciples. It is hard to have a functional relationship with a drunk or someone who battles depression. Sobriety, faith, love, and hope create an amazing opportunity for believers to have a relationship with God and with other disciples. However, what makes this possible in the first place?

II. ELEMENT #2: The Allowance for Relationship-5:9-10

“For God has not destined us for wrath” (5:9a). The disciple is allowed to enjoy relationship with God because God has not and will not assign wrath to them. Why would He spill out His wrath on those that He has saved? Why would He punish those who have apprehended the grace of Christ. The wrath that is to come upon the world in the days that Paul predicts here will pass over those who already belong to God.

This is not unlike what took place for the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. In the same way God’s wrath passed over the doors of the Hebrew slaves, His wrath passes over His children in the last days, rendering a relationship with Him possible and welcome.

In the place of deserved wrath, God provides the ultimate gift, “obtaining salvation” (1 Thess. 5:9). This is the antithesis of wrath reserved for those who are in the faith. For Jesus’ disciples, the greatest judgment is usurped by the greatest grace, punishment and penalty is overwhelmed by love and welcome. God’s gift of salvation is the definition of supererogation. (Take time to define supererogation).

This greatest of all gifts was given by means of the greatest of all acts, the Passion of Jesus Christ, “through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us…” (1 Thess. 5:9c-10). The cross is where light shined in the darkness to bring the opportunity of faith to the faithless world, love in the midst of hate, and hope in the growing despair.  

Paul concludes this thought by giving the reason for the salvific work of Christ in the first place—relationship, “so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him…”(1 Thess. 5:10b). If salvation is word we assign to a relationship with God, Jesus and His cross is its source. However, what does Paul mean by “whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him…”? A clue to the meaning of this is given in verse 6.

1 Thess. 5:6-“so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

Paul’s point here is that Christians are assured of life together with God, whether they are spiritually watchful or not. The relationship given to believers through Christ’s sacrifice is unconditional—there are no strings attached. Does this then give the believer’s license to act poorly? Absolutely not! (mh ginoita-to adopt another Pauling word). Instead, the unconditional nature of this precious gift should motivate disciples to holiness and appreciation as they make the most of the relationship that has been made possible through Jesus.

III. ELEMENT #3: The Command for Relationship-5:11

One way for the disciple to make the most of their relationship with God is to capitalize of his or her relationships with others in the body of Christ, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing…”(5:11). The command here is to “be actively consoling one another through various means, building each other up.” It describes a vibrant community of like-minded people spurring each other on as the world continues to propel itself toward destruction. This is something that Paul wanted to continue to see in the church of Thessalonica and it is something that he commends of them as well, “just as you also are doing.” Evidence that this church was already excelling in this endeavor can be seen earlier in Paul’s letter.

1 Thess. 4:9-10-“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,…”

The church of Thessalonica made it their habit to be about the business of building each other up and encouraging one another. This phenomenon of mutual encouragement, through vibrant relationships within the body of Christ, is built on the foundation of their collective relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Paul says to this church, “keep doing what you’re doing because of what Christ has done for you.”

So What?

This calling upon the church of Thessalonica is not unlike the calling that has been placed upon us here in South Roanoke. As Jesus’ disciples, we are commanded to make the most of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ by giving ourselves to meaningful relationship with our brothers and sisters here in this local body. This is one way in which we will grow in Christ (the second part of our mission as a church). But what is Crystal Spring doing to help foster this kind of community? What are we doing here to help you make the most of each other?

The answer is found in our more intimate group settings, both in the Sunday morning hour at 10:00am and on Wednesday nights at 7:00pm. These two groups meet not because we fell like we have to do something at those times or because we want to be like other churches or for my own health. We offer these opportunities for your benefit as times in which you can learn from each other, encourage one another through prayer, and build each other up as we all strive to live soberly in this world around us. Our commitment is to do the best we can to make these groups assessable, approachable, and worth your time. Are you making the most of what is being offered whenever you can? You are not making the most of your relationship with God if you are not making the most of your relationship with the body.

One way in which we accomplish our mission, (growing in Christ), is by giving ourselves to one another in this way. Can’t make it on Wednesday night or early Sunday morning? Start a group with a couple of others and make it whenever and wherever you can. But whatever you do, don’t miss out on all that God would have you gain through this phenomenon called relationship.

CROSS Series Week 1: Attendance Required

As we take a break from the book of John for several weeks I thought it would be appropriate to remind us of the mission that is set before us as a church: Crystal Spring Baptist Church exists for people to KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ, and SHOW Christ to others. Though this is a clever reflection of the very real biblical mandate for all disciples, a mission statement is merely a goal or intention if it is without a strategy to accomplish it. Therefore, I want to take a few weeks to demonstrate what I believe the Bible says is necessary to accomplish this mission in South Roanoke and around the world. (“Your direction not your intention determines your destination”-Andy Stanley)

 

 

In order to help us remember the important principles that we will learn in this series, I have decided to adopt and acrostic: C.R.O.S.S. to guide us through our series. Today we will be dealing with the C, which in this case stands for Corporate Worship. Corporate worship is something that Crystal Spring Baptist Church gives herself to and it is something I believe the Bible mandates, in part, to help move the mission of God forward. However, why is corporate worship worth our time? How vital is it? Where does the Bible say I have to go to church? In what ways does what we do on Sunday morning help us accomplish our goal? The answers to these questions are found in three elements found in Hebrews 10:19-25.

I. ELEMENT#1: The Conditions for Corporate Worship-10:19-21 & 22b-c

Hebrews 10:19-22 constitutes one long sentence (rendering especially difficult to diagram J). The length of this sentence does not merely emote complexity of thought, but intensity of appeal. The author of Hebrews begins a new thought in verse 19 as indicated by “therefore, brethren” and introduces something in response to what has just been discussed (namely, the superiority of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ). Having established that Jesus Christ is the greatest ever sacrifice and that His sacrifice was sufficient once for all, the author moves to encourage his audience in light of the supremacy of Jesus. First, he encourages an active, vibrant, corporate worship life.

However, before the content of this encouragement is made known, the author establishes the conditions that render corporate worship a possibility in the first place. In his mind, the encouragement he hopes to bring will have more staying power if he first reveals what has been done to make it possible. First, he suggests that a corporate worship life has been made available by means of the blood of Jesus (i.e. spilled during the sacrifice he has just finished discussing), “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” (10:19). The key word in this passage is “confidence,” meaning “authorization” to enter into the holy place. Whereas before Jesus’ death, the holy place was reserved for the select few who were appointed as high priests, all believers because of the sacrifice of Jesus are able to confidently enter into the presence of God because of the blood of Christ (emphasized as the last word in the phrase). Though today we take corporate worship and the free worship of God in His presence for granted, for those in this author’s audience, this was a relatively revolutionary idea! Jesus’ blood is the believer’s pass into the presence of God. Our worship of God is a most wondrous privilege that we can only dream of enjoying because of the most expensive tickets ever purchased, salvation through the blood of Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The author continues to explain why the believer has confidence to enter into worship of God in verse 20, “by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh…”  Jesus Himself is the “new and living way” through which believers have access to the Father. This idea of Jesus as the “way” evokes the idea of an entrance or doorway. Interestingly enough, these concepts of a new and living way and a door are in keeping with what we have been learning in John.

John 14:6-“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes unto the Father except through Me.”

John 10:9-"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture”

A simple illustration of Jesus’ role in creating this confidence before the presence of God might involve a first date with a potential mate. Though previously intimidated by his/her presence and perhaps even kept at an arm’s length because of who he or she is, someone who knows the person personally might sacrifices his/her time and energy to make it possible for you to sit down with this individual. Not only that, but when you arrive to speak with this man or woman, your friend walks with you and introduces you, giving you all the confidence in the world that you will not be turned away and every reason to enjoy your time with that person without fear. This is similar to what Jesus has done for every believer. Jesus has sacrificed a lot to make it available for disciples to meet God and worship Him and has even ushered them into His presence. This should give all believers confidence, rendering their worship possible and vibrant.

Confidence is the first condition of our worship. In part, disciples worship because they have confidence in the presence of almighty God through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no true worship of God without confidence in His presence.

However, not only has Jesus gone ahead and paid for our meal and introduced us to our date, He is a mediator and advocate for us in his/her midst. The second reason why believers can worship God in a meaningful way is because they have a cleric, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God” (10:21). Jesus as “a great high priest” is the mediator between us and God—the bridge between God and man—the advocate pleading the disciple’s case. Without Him, God would dismiss each disciple from His presence. However, Jesus steps in, speaks for them, and defends their legitimacy as worshippers, thereby captivating the almighty’s attention.

Confidence is the first condition of a believer’s worship. The second is a supreme cleric who acts as the believer’s greatest defense. Without Him, God would not give us the time of day. However, there is a third condition the writer of Hebrews spells out for worship.

The third condition of worship is “cleansing” (having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience) (10:22b).  This act of spiritual cleansing happens on two levels. First, the heart is cleansed from an evil conscience. This describes a washing of the inner self, complete with its nefarious motives, impurities, and general predisposition toward sin. This radical cleansing of the inner man is accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ described earlier in Hebrews 10 and echoed in Psalm 51:2.

Psalm 51:2-“Wash me thorough from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

However, not only has the heart been cleansed of Jesus, so has the body, “and our bodies washed with pure water” (10:22c). Parallel to “hearts sprinkled clean” this describes a consecration of the flesh as well or the outer man. Though this remains to be realized existentially, essentially God looks upon believers as those who are totally pure because of Jesus sacrifice (inside and out).

Jesus Christ has not only sacrificed Himself to set us up with God and advocated on our behalf in His presence, He has clothed us with righteousness, rendering us suitable for the occasion of true worship. This is not unlike a friend who makes you a reservation with a girl or boy of your interest, takes time to advocate on your behalf to him or her, and makes sure you look appropriate for your first date.

Jesus has given His disciples confidence, He acts as Cleric, and has Cleansed believers so that they might worship appropriately, rendering us capable of answering the call to worship.

II. ELEMENT#2: The Call to Corporate Worship-10:22a, 23-24

In light of the conditions given, the author of Hebrews moves to capitalize on the sense of wonder and awe created by what Jesus has done by calling all disciples to “draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (10:22a). This is the imperative upon which all of the conditions hang. In other words, the appropriate response to what Jesus has done is to make the most of the relationship He has paved the way for by drawing near to God with total assurance of faith, sincere in heart because, as stated earlier, the heart has been cleansed by Jesus.

The plural form of the verb for draw near (“let us draw near”) suggests that this date with God is a group date, to be enjoyed by all of the disciples that the author of Hebrews is encouraging.

Therefore, corporate worship involves drawing near to God with faithful assurance because of a cleansed heart. Drawing near to God identifies the vertical direction of worship (knowing Him).

The second part of the call to worship involves “hold[ing] fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful” (10:23). Not only are disciples to draw to God in worship together because of a clean heart, they are instructed here to hold fast to their hope in light of the confidence that Jesus has provided. Agreeing in form and function of the imperative before it (let us draw near), this word means to continue to believe, with the implication of acting in accordance with such belief. Continuing in belief implies a love for understanding and growth of knowledge of the things of God (growing in God). Because “the one who promised is faithful,” the believer has every confidence in their relationship with God and can unswervingly hold to the hope that comes with such a bond—the hope of eternity, the hope of life, the hope of blessing, etc.

Therefore, worship also involves inward conviction of the promises of God. Holding fast the confession of hope identifies the inward direction of worship (growing in Him).

However, there is a third part of worship, the aspect directed towards others, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (10:24). This solidifies the corporate aspect of worship within the context of this passage and the occasion of Hebrews as a whole. Not only are believers to draw near (disciple-God) and hold fast (disciple-self), they are to be about the business of spurring each other on to love and good deeds (disciple-disciple). The kind of activity described here, of actively encouraging one another toward love and good deeds seems to support a communal aspect of worship that has more recently been vilified.

Perhaps ever since Martin Luther’s Sola Scriptura idea was promulgated and mis-appropriated, the church has value personal pursuit of God over and above a corporate pursuit of God. This has led to an unhealthy and unbiblical view of spiritual autonomy that is never described in Scripture. The writer of Hebrews seems to say that part of true worship of God involves a dynamic community of people who are encouraging one another to the things of God (love and good deeds).

Therefore, the worship that has been made possible by all that Jesus has provided (confidence, a cleric, and cleansing), is upward focused (drawing near to God {knowing Him}), inward focused (holding fast to the confidence {growing in Him}), and outward focused (stimulating one another on {showing Him}). However, how is this supposed to be done?

III. ELEMENT #3: The Character of Corporate Worship-10:25

The third element answers this question as it provides the character of corporate worship, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some” (10:25a). Regular assembly is one way in which this kind of worship is accomplished.  Forsaking the opportunity of meeting together, as is the habit of some (according to the writer), is prohibited as it dilutes the worship experience and fails to take advantage of Jesus has provided. The character of corporate worship (the upward, inward, and outward elements [knowing God, growing in God, and showing God]) requires the assembly of believers.

If forsaking the assembly of believers is forbidden, what is called for? The answer is found in the end of verse 25, “but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” “Showing God” to others is not limited to demonstrating Him to unbelievers. It includes showing God to those inside the faith, providing encouragement to one another. This is especially significant in light of the end that is drawing near. As the world heads toward its end, the author of Hebrews, even 2000 years ago, understood the vital role encouragement of the saints would be.

So What?

The conditions, the call, and the characteristics of corporate worship all point to its significance in the life of a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. The conditions cause us to appreciate all that Jesus has done to allow for the corporate worship of God; the call to corporate worship commands us to give ourselves readily to drawing near, holding fast, and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ; and the characteristics compel us not to forsake this opportunity, but to, whenever possible, assemble together for the purposes of encouraging one another through knowing God, growing in Him and showing Him to others through love and good deeds.  

When we think about the nature of God, the significance of corporate worship should not surprise us. He Himself is in relationship with Himself in the Trinity and is constantly in a state of corporate worship. As those who are made in His image and those who have had their image renewed by Jesus Christ, one way that we reflect Him is by meeting together and worshipping Him corporately.

Therefore, your attendance in this assembly, is not based on tradition, ritual, or casual organization. It is an opportunity paid for by Christ’s blood for you to worship God as a community. DO NOT NEGLECT IT. God needs to be worshipped, and you and I need to be encouraged as the world draws near to its end as we know it. Our corporate worship is not just a routine, but an active way Crystal Spring Baptist Church seeks to accomplish the Mission of God to know Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ to others.

 

Resurrection Way- Roads Less Traveled #6

Well, we’ve finally made it to the end of our series, “Roads Less Traveled.” We began our journey on Zaccheus’ street (learning that no one is beyond saving) took a turn down Bartimaeus boulevard (which demonstrated that only Jesus can provide the life for which all humanity longs), followed Jesus on Main Street Jerusalem (discovering that true faith is loyal even under pressure), passed Gethsemane Circle (challenging our prayer lives to new heights), and witnessed a spectacle of death and suffering on Golgotha Boulevard (as Christ demonstrated the brokenness that He wants to see in His disciples for the world). Today we reach the destination we have been chasing after for these past six weeks—Resurrection Way. It took faith, prayer, and brokenness to get here, but we are finally here. However, as we look closely at Matt. 28:5-7, we observe that there still a little ways to go.

Many times, even seasoned believers can find themselves in some sort of stupor or state of discouragement that they cannot seem to shake. In these moments of self-pity and whining, I look to faithful friends to shake me from my deprivation and help point me in a more healthy and realistic direction. Many times in these humble moments, I realize that the cause of my fatigue is often failing to remember the promises of God and His presence in my life. My failure is a result of me forgetting to trust God at His Word. In a far more difficult scenario than I have ever run across, Jesus’ mother and friends had run into the same problem. Failing to remember what God had said left these women sad and grieving. However, God through one of His glowing messengers would soon shake them from their own spiritual stupor in the wake of the greatest miracle ever presented. The angel of the Lord provides supernatural encouragement and comfort to these morose matrons by means of four proclamations that I believe will also encourage us this Resurrection Sunday for these statements kill worry and annihilate fear in the lives of those who will head them.

I. PROCLAMATION #1: FEAR NOT!-28:5b

At the outset of this passage, the angel confronts the most obvious problem that the women probably had at this point. Not only had they watched their King be slaughtered and buried in the ground, but now they could not even visit the body of their beloved Savior. All things points to disparity as their lack of faith seems to begin obtaining justification. Anyone brought to this point would suffer great alarm and questions. Not to mention, the presence of an angel whose appearance “was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow,” would not do much to help calm things down. However, against all natural impulses and urges, the angel boldly prohibits fear. “Do not be afraid!”(28:5). One might assume from this clear call that the angel believes there is no good reason for fearing at this point and yet, the situation as far as the women could observe was undeniably bleak. It is to this situation that the angels then references.

The angel knew full well why the women were upset and now stricken with overwhelming grief—Jesus had been crucified. That was the simple fact. No one could deny the horror that must have taken place before these women who loved Jesus and devoted themselves to Him throughout His ministry on earth. It was this teacher, this healer, this leader, this king, who had been brutally executed. Watching a crucifixion went way beyond even some of the most gory movies or video games many are familiar with today. It was a spectacle of blood, excruciating pain, and unbelievable carnage that would have been forever imprinted on the mind of any witness. Such an act coupled with a weak faith would have driven anyone to fear. This would have been especially true of those who followed the victim, prescribed to His teachings, and believed in His saving power. However, it is in the midst of this despondency that the angel proclaims “FEAR NOT!” waking these women from their discouragement, readying them to receive the remainder of his message.

I’m not sure what you thought you would hear when you came in the door. I’m not sure what pain or trouble or confusion you are going through today. I’m not sure how bad things have become or how bleak the horizon is on your life, but I am confident that what you are traveling through now could not have been any worse than what these women at Jesus’ grave had witnessed. FEAR NOT! Allow these two simple words to awaken you to the message of hope that will follow.

The angel could prohibit the fear of these women, in part, because he was glowing and really cool-looking, but also because he recognized what they had failed to realize. This leads him to his second proclamation.

II. PROCLAMATION #2: WONDER NOT!-28:6

After describing the passion these women had witnessed and the death that they had grieved, the angel calls their attention to the empty grave, stating the arrestingly obvious detail that Jesus was no longer in His assigned burial plot. However, was this not also a cause for their concern? Was this not one of the contributing factors of their fear and discouragement? Didn’t the lack of Jesus’ body cause their alarm that fateful morning?

What these women had grown accustomed to following Jesus’ death, due to their lack of faith, was a bad case of assuming the worst. Lack of faith in a job can cause a manager to assume the worst when the boss calls for a private meeting. Lack of faith in a loved one’s health can cause a son or a daughter to panic when they get a call late at night. In the same way, the lack of faith in what Jesus said of Himself caused these women to assume the worst when His body went missing. Maybe the body was stolen, or secretly disposed of, etc. However, instead of the worst possible scenario, the most wonderful miracle took place.

Jesus had been resurrected in the proper sense of the word. He was the first to be brought back to life in an eternal sense. Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter had been resuscitated, but only Jesus had received His eternal and glorified body upon being brought back to life. The verbal sense of the words “has risen” suggests the completion of an activity. The resurrection validated the entirety of Jesus’ ministry, completed His redemptive ministry, and finished the work He had come to perform as Savior. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death, sin, and the world system. This act implies that those who belong to Him can necessarily conquer these elements as well. Death no longer has sting, Hell has been defeated, sin no longer is binding, Jesus had been risen! However, this should not have come as a surprise to anyone, especially the women standing speechless.

Jesus had indeed made no secret that He would die. Similarly, He dropped hints of hope that He would also be raised.

When did He say that?

Matt. 16:21-“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”

 Matt. 17:23-“and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day, and they were deeply grieved.”

Matt. 20:19-“and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up”

Matt. 26:32-“But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee”

Jesus time and time again desired to be taken at His Word. Ultimately, the fear and confusion of the women was constructed on weak faith—faith that believed the worst and forgot the best, faith that dwelt on the present situation and neglected to remember the hope they had for the future, faith that failed to take Jesus at His word and anticipate His resurrection.

 Unfortunately, observing these women is a lot like looking in the mirror. When God does something we are astonished or when things look bad around us we fear in large part because like these women we have failed to believe Jesus at His Word. He is mighty as demonstrated by His power over death; He is loving as witnessed in His death for humanity; He is Savior as alluded to in His life and ministry; and He IS ALIVE for the tomb is empty!!!!

When Jesus’ word was not enough for these women to believe ahead of time that Jesus would only remain in the tomb a few short days, the Angel aids their faith with a call to examine the evidence. He was not there! Truly, while all should take Jesus at His Word concerning His life and ministry, Jesus left the tomb with plenty of evidence behind in order to prove that this crucial event actually took place.

“There is no historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ.”-Brooke Foss Wescott. “No shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy or archaeology that would disprove that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was actually empty on the morning of the 1^st Easter.”-Dr. Paul L. Maier. “According to the law of legal evidence used in courts of law, there is more evidence for the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than for just about any other event in history.”-Dr. Simon Greenleaf, Harvard law professor.

The call of these women concerning the resurrection is the same call given to us. FEAR NOT! Why? Because we do not have to wonder where our Savior is. He is risen as He said and as can be proven without question! WONDER NOT! He has made good on what He said and proven to be the Savior He claimed of Himself. What now? What does one do with this knowledge.

III. PROCLAMATION #3: TARRY NOT!-28:7a-c

The angel assumed that these women would, having learned of Jesus’ resurrection, leave that place and head elsewhere with this new information. He assumes swift movement in response to such information. No doubt these women would have had quite a spring in their step after leaving the gravesite.

The theme of “going” is carried on throughout the rest of the final chapter in Matthew. The angel speaks of the going of these women to the disciples here in verse 7. Jesus speaks of “going” to the brethren in verse 10, “Do not be afraid; go…”. Finally, in the last verses of Matthew, Jesus assumes that His disciples would “go” into all of the world, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,…” (28:19).

It would appear that the natural and assumed response to Jesus’ completed work of redemption involves movement, not complacency, intentionality, not laziness, action, not inaction.  

Throughout this series we have learned the value of true faith, persistent prayer, and real brokenness for the world. However, these don’t mean a thing if as a result we are not going into the world for Christ as He has commanded of us in light of His resurrection.

In their going, the angel desired that they would accompany their steps with a message, “Jesus has risen from the dead!”  This was the very best part of the “good news.” Such a message would have brought comfort to the disciples mourning the loss of their Savior. This message continues to spread and bring similar comfort to believers today.

Going accompanies proclamation in all of the cases we perused throughout the remainder of Matthew’s book. Here, the women are charged to go and tell the disciples. In verse 10, Jesus calls them to go and take word to the brethren. In verse 19, Jesus calls His disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,…” In each of these cases, the scope grows larger and larger.

FEAR NOT! Why? God is not dead! WONDER NOT! He has made good on His word and there are plenty of reasons to believe Him. TARRY NOT! There is message that needs to be taken to the world and unfortunately the church is treating the greatest news of all like it is mundane.

IV. PROCLAMATION #4: WORRY NOT! -28:7c-e

In an effort to encourage these women further, the angel brings their attention to Jesus’ movement. Already, as they were encouraged to go and tell, Jesus was running ahead of them into Galilee where the disciples were. Suggesting that Jesus’ presence would precede their arrival would have brought much peace and excitement to these women as they made their way. This is the first time that Jesus’ present location is disclosed following the resurrection.

The angel then assures them that they will indeed look upon their Savior once again. Oh what a joy this would have been for Mary and her friends, who at the beginning of the day anticipated a corpse and now had learned that they would see their Savior and King alive and glorified!

Later in Matthew’s gospel Going and telling is shown to involve Jesus’ presence in much the same way. 28:10 says, “Go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see me.” Likewise, in the Great Commission, after calling them to Go and make disciples, Jesus comforts them with a promise of His presence.

Obedience to the call to go and proclaim assures God’s presence in one’s life in a special way. This is what the angel promises these women and what Jesus later promises to His disciples. In this way, neither had any cause for worry, He would be with them every step of the journey.  

The angel ends his proclamations with an appeal to his own authority. He, no doubt, was a glowing messenger from heaven charged by God himself to give this message and because of that, the women should take him at His word (although earlier we learned they had failed to extend Jesus that same courtesy). However, this time they had learned their lesson and would obey whole heartedly.

So What?

Fear Not! Wonder Not! Tarry Not! Worry Not! This is the promise of the resurrection—a life free of fear, that no longer has to wonder about God, that  is no longer stuck or immovable in sin, and is anxiety-free. I’m not sure about you, but that is the kind of life I would like to live. However, the tragic reality is that many live without this resurrection life and because they have not placed their faith in Jesus cannot cling to these proclamations for comfort. For those without Christ, the proclamations sound a lot different: “Fear everything because you are still of the world, keep wondering because you are still without any answers to the most difficult questions of life, tarry all you want because you are stuck in sin, and keep worrying things are very grim.” If you are living in fear, wonder, and worry, know that Jesus came, He died, and He rose, to save you from these.

 

However, if you are already a believer today, how well are you doing at the going and telling part of the Christian life? How great a gift we have been given through the cross! How great a Savior we have living within us because of His resurrection! What a message to proclaim and share with the whole world! If you and I want to experience God’s presence in a unique way today, you and I need to be obedient to go and tell of Him. If we really believe our God was killed and then raised from the dead the way the Bible reveals, what are we doing sitting around quietly twiddling our fingers? Many believers do a satisfactory job at the faith, prayer and maybe even the brokenness part of the Christian life. However, it does the world no good if we are not going and telling others.

 

Though the “Roads Less Traveled” are complete as far as this series is concerned, what road does the resurrection inspire you to take today? What street are you now compelled to take as you are about the business of going and telling others about Him? What boulevard have you neglected? Allow this resurrection message to thrust you into the roads less traveled in your life and in the life of this church as we take what we have learned to this neighborhood, city and world. No longer are we playing a man down. No longer are you and I working while wounded. No longer is failure an option. We have the resurrection power of God within us! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead! That alone is enough to do wonders we could never imagine. Be encouraged believer FEAR NOT! WONDER NOT! TARRY NOT! WORRY NOT! Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!

 

 

Golgotha Boulevard -Roads Less Traveled #5

In our travels in and around our city of Roanoke, there are those roads that you love to take and there are those roads that you avoid. Some provide beautiful scenic overlooks or are lined with gorgeous homes in safe and affluent neighborhoods like those streets that surround this church. Others are riddled with potholes, saturated with crime, and an eyesore. However, depending on where you are headed, sometimes these less glamorous boulevard are unavoidable.

Along our travels in the roads less taken thus far we have examined the results of true faith leading to restoration of life with Zaccheus and Bartimaues, the worthlessness of fickle believism with the triumphant entry and the preparatory value of prayer in Gethsemane. However, today as we narrow in on the destination that Jesus has been moving toward we are confronted with the most horrifying spectacle in all of Scripture--the dead end of Golgotha Boulevard—a road no one would choose to take unless forced. What redeemable principle can we possibly take away from Jesus’ crucifixion? What hope is there in the darkness of this most grim moment in all of history? Before we answer these questions, let us ask some of ourselves.

Faced with certain death, what would you say to God? Standing in excruciating pain what posture would you take? Interestingly enough, all of the answers to this question can be divided into two distinct categories that are represented by the two thieves on the crosses on either side of Christ. Their voices heard in the midst of their suffering are emblematic of the choices people make concerning God in light of their suffering today. Listen carefully to what you hear in between the gasps for air and vociferous cries of the spectators in Luke 23:39-43 on Golgotha Boulevard. As difficult as this road is to stomach, we will soon learn that this street is a necessary path for Christ to take in order to reach His destination. As gross and dark as this boulevard will prove to be, journeying through this text is necessary for our discipleship as we learn the invaluable role of brokenness for the Disciple.

I. VOICE #1: THE VOICE OF RAGE-23:39

Crucifixion was viewed by ancient writers as the cruelest and most barbaric of punishments. Recent historical and archaeological studies have helped bring a more realistic sense of crucifixion’s horrors. The bone fragments of a crucified individual were discovered in 1968 and revealed that his feet were each nailed laterally to the beam. In many cases, both the feet and wrists were nailed to the crossbeam the victim carried. This would have taken place after the victim was stripped of his clothes to increase the humiliation. After being nailed to the crossbeam, it would be raised high enough for the victim’s feet to clear the ground and then placed on a stake. Most guess that Jesus’ cross stood about 7 feet high. This method of execution was designed for one thing, a slow and tortuous death.  Death by crucifixion was a result of loss of blood, exposure, exhaustion, and suffocation, as the victim tried to lift himself to breathe. Sometimes, victims would linger for days in agony! After learning more about crucifixion, they can better appreciate the meaning of the word “excruciating,” which derives from the Latin excruciatus, “out of the cross.”

Though many tend to focus their attention on Jesus in the center of the Golgotha scene, it is important to remember that Jesus was one of three currently facing this unthinkable horror. Given the nature of their current predicament, it is no wonder that one of the thieves speaks up and in his rage says what he can in the midst of his ever-shallow breaths.

Though ill-advised in retrospect, one might understand how such a voice could be heard in the midst of such agony. The first thief’s voice illustrates one of choices everyone has in a situations like this-rage.  This is not a voice coming from a heart of brokenness, but a voice offered from a completely crushed heart and spirit bent against God.

In many ways this first thief represents a large sector of humanity. Those who in the face of suffering shake an angry fist at the God they  do not even believe in find a sympathizer in this man and might even be caught saying what he says here, “Are you no the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”

Although many uses of the word “save” allude to God’s work of salvation, given the context and the blasphemous nature of his remark, there is no way that this thief is making a legitimate plea for salvation. Instead, he is requesting rescue from their current predicament. In his limited view of Jesus, he sarcastically calls upon Him (in light of who he claims to be) to miraculously provide a means of escaping the death they all face.

In the last moments of life and in the midst of incredible pain, people will reach for anything to provide relief, even that which they blaspheme. However, instead of looking to Jesus in real hope of real salvation, this thief questions who Jesus claims to be and is sarcastic in his plea.

This hellacious cry echoes throughout the generations among those who fail to believe in Jesus Christ. Seeing no way of escape from their death or agony, instead of reaching out to Jesus in Faith for salvation, they question Him, His love, His sovereignty, and in their unbelief grasp only at straws.  Calvin says of this raging blasphemer, “this objection is directed against God Himself; just as wicked men, when they do not obtain what they wish, would willingly tear God from heaven. They ought indeed, to be tamed to humility by strokes; but this shows that the wicked heart, which no punishments can ben, is hard like iron.” The voice of rage says, “There is no God, look how much I’m hurting! If there was a God, why would he allow me this pain?”

II. VOICE #2: THE VOICE OF REASON-23:40-42

As we continue down Golgotha boulevard, there is a second voice crying out--the voice of reason and brokenness. The second thief cannot put up with the insistent blaspheming of Jesus while on the cross. Instead of holding his tongue or saving his breaths for himself as he too reals in pain on a cross of his own, he openly rebukes the statements being made on the other side of the skull rock. 

In what this second criminal says, the reader is made aware of another way, the proper way, to view one’s own predicament before Christ. Though in the first man’s response to pain and agony we heard the voice of a raging blasphemer, here we he the surprising and yet unmistakable voice of reason coming out of brokenness before the Lord.

The first statement uttered by this second voice is a statement of rebuke. “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” In other words, the second thief asks the first, “Does not your present condemnation compel you to fear God?” In this statement, the second robber is hoping that the first recognizes that death is coming soon, and it is no time to be blaspheming an innocent man. Though their present predicament was desperate and difficult, it would not compare to what he would feel before God in the judgment seat. Though he was now feeling the results of being condemned by the Roman government, he would soon discover what it would feel like to be condemned by God Himself!

Though this rebuke was designed to put the fear of God into this man, there is no evidence that suggests it was successful. Instead, his hard heart hardened. This is no different than many in our world today. Instead of fearing God they abstain from Him, harden themselves, and fall into condemnation.  Any reasonable person would understand that they should most fear the God who can kill body and spirit.

Matt. 10:28-“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The second thief understands that what they are experiencing is exactly what they “deserve.” He acknowledges here that the punishment which was common to all the three was “justly” inflicted on him and his companion, but not on Christ who had been dragged to the punishment of death, not by his own crime, but by the cruelty of enemies. He reasonably concludes, in light of his crime, that the punishment he is suffering at present is natural and expected, not something surprising or unjust. In fact, to not be punished in the manner he was currently experiencing would have been a gross injustice. Unlike his companion thief, who though God to be unjust and/or unreal, this man recognizes that the real injustice is being exercised on the man in the middle.

As alluded to earlier, this man might represent all who reasonably conclude that their present sufferings, agonies, and even anticipated death are a result of their own sinful choices, depravity, and extant wickedness that infects the entire fallen world. The difficulty they face in life and the hardships around them are understood by these as the product of sin in their lives, the lives of others, and in creation itself.  Therefore, what they are experiencing and will experience after death without Christ is not understood as unjust, but the proper penalty assigned to each of them. The only thing they can do in light of this is call upon the Lord because of their brokenness and desperation.

Calling upon the lord is exactly what is demonstrated by the second thief in this passage, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” In this phrase readers everywhere are given one of the most remarkable and striking examples of faith ever recorded! This thief, who not only had not been educated in the ways of Christ, had instead given himself up to a life of sin and endeavored to rid himself of any sense of right and wrong. However, here he suddenly rises higher than all the apostles and other disciples whom the Lord Himself had taken so much pains to instruct and adores Christ as King and calls to be invited to His kingdom! This he does while bleeding out and gasping for air on a cross! All credit for such a display of faith must go to the Holy Spirit, who, upon his understanding of his sin and necessary implications thereof, supplied the necessary faith to make this quantum leap to saving faith.

Those who in their brokenness understand their sin and the effects thereof are able to understand Jesus saving power for them by means of the Holy Spirit. In this we learn that those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are reaching a reasonable conclusion, Jesus is the only means of escaping the sting of death and have eternal life. The voice of reason says, “I am responsible for my actions, expect the consequences, and desperately need Jesus to save me.” Brokenness before Jesus demands the attention of God.

III. VOICE #3: THE VOICE OF REDEMPTION-23:43

Do not forget that Jesus is suffering under the same excruciating pain these two thieves are experiencing. He too is hanging seven feet above Golgotha boulevard and He is the source of the third voice in the unique conversation taking place above the crowd of spectators. In His response to what has been said, it is significant to notice that Jesus only addresses the second thief and ignores the first. These same kinds of responses can be expected by those who call out to Him in faith and who curse His name today! Jesus Himself responds to brokenness. What Jesus expresses to the thief of faith is none other than the voice of redemption.

To the reasonable thief Jesus says, “truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” This promise reveals that Jesus, though presently humiliated before the onlookers, was still the same powerful Savior of the world who was capable to bring life out of death and fulfilling every facet of His office. This thief could expect life after death that very death with Jesus in Paradise.

 “Paradise” is a word meaning heaven. Death is not defeat for those who belong to Jesus Christ, it the beginning of life with God in a more profound way. This is what the second thief could expect following his last breath. In fact, anyone who turns to Jesus, even in the last moments of their life, is granted fellowship with Him for eternity thereafter.

Romans 10:13-“Woever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Jesus has always been about awarding faith with grace. Here, he awards the faith of a thief at his execution with the grace of eternal life with Him in heaven. This same grace is available today to all who call upon Him, expecting to hear the voice of redemption. The voice of redemption says, “This world and its sufferings is not all that there is. Call upon me and know eternal life.”

Jesus is able to offer grace for the thief and the remainder of the world because of His own brokenness. Jesus heart broke so much for the dying world destined for hell that He decided to enter into its situation as a man, live as anyone else, and die a horrific death. Motivated by this brokenness and love, Jesus provided my salvation and gave me life and he offers it to you as well.

So What?

The sights and sounds surrounding Golgotha Boulevard draw attention to something that is far removed from many in this room today. This scene of horror and pain calls to mind the horror and pain experienced by all in this world. 13 students were stabbed while attending school the other day. The worst Ebola breakout in years is happening now in Africa. 80% of American citizens do not trust their government. 33 people died in the recent mudslide in Everett Washington. This past December a Memphis pastor was arrested for sexually abusing a 16-year-old family member. What makes this heartbreaking story even more repugnant is that church and family members had been informed about the abuse two years earlier, but failed to report the crime to the police. Instead, they decided that the best response was to simply pray for the offender and hope for the best. Why do I conjure up all of these images?--THERE IS NO BROKENNESS IN THE CHURCH!!! People in the church do not want to go down those roads and deal with things in a way that will involve their time or personally affect them in the least. For the most part we are not willing to invest in the mess of this world, dig down, and make any real difference in the lives around us! I’m hoping that our hearts might break again for the world around us.

Like these three, we are on our way to death and so is the world, living in the midst of sin and injustice, feeling the very real effects of sin along the way. In light of this, there are two choices. To those who speak of God in rage, who do not believe in God or can’t for the life of them believe that anyone would believe in a good God while there is so much pain and suffering, I say this, consider that Jesus’ own heart breaks for the world’s situation. His heart breaks so much that he was willing to travel on Golgotha Boulevard and experience the most horrific death imaginable to redeem you out of this mess and into eternal life. He died in the worst possible way and did not deserve any bit of it! We suffer because we are sinful. He suffered though He sinned not! To those who have been broken before Christ and in response have reached the reasonable conclusion that only He can give hope in the darkness, I hope and pray that your heart might again break for the world around you. If our hearts do not break for the world around us we will not reach the people that need to know Jesus Christ. If we fail to travel down the road of brokenness and like Christ, incarnate ourselves in the mess, this city will not receive the revival it desperately needs. Faith and prayer are well-lit and well paved avenues, but the dark and dangerous boulevard of brokenness is no less important in our journey as disciples.  We all look forward to resurrection Sunday; however, there would be no resurrection to life without brokenness.  Don't avoid the road of brokenness and choose only to travel on easy street. Like Christ, incarnate yourself in the mess of the world, let it bother you enough to love, move, and act on its behalf, so that many might know God.