Community - May 25th, 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

The kid had swallowed a coin and it got stuck in his throat. Panicking, his mother ran out in the street yelling for help. A man passing by took the boy by his shoulders and hit him with a few strong strokes on the back, and he coughed the coin out. "I don't know how to thank you, doctor," his mother started. "I'm not a doctor," the man replied. "I'm from the IRS."

Seems we always make light of the IRS and their ability to squeeze every penny they can out of the American Taxpayer. Most Americans begrudgingly pay their taxes. Many try to find a way to honestly protect their wealth from the prying hands of the IRS. Some even cheat. But our government needs our money. It is quite busy not only protecting this country but caring for the needs of the people as well. There are a lot of people in crisis, and the government must step in and help. However, imagine how shocking it would be if a group of Americans saw a great need in this country and stepped in to help instead of asking the government to solve the problem. The people meet the need. They come to the aid of others instead of telling our government to step in and do something.

Something like this did happen once, a long time ago. There was a group who noticed that the government was not caring for the needs of the people. Some were too sick to pay for a doctor. Some were turned away at the Food Bank. Others were out of work because of emotional problems. The community in which they lived did nothing to help them. The local authorities ignored them, and the government didn’t even know they existed. But one group saw them. One group of people cared. The Church saw their need, and did what it could to help them in their need.

Long ago God planed for this. He revealed Himself to us through Christ Jesus. People came to God through this Messiah. They called Him Savior and Lord. Then those who were born again were called together and united as the church. And in the book of Acts we learn what God intended to accomplish through His church; this assembly of believers. Filled with the Spirit, this church proclaims Christ as Lord, they pray for courage, and their eyes are opened to the needs of those around them.

In this early Church we see genuine concern for others. Gone is the selfish “me” centered mentality. We see compassion and love being demonstrated by the church. Seeing the needs of others, this assembly of believers doesn’t wait for the government to step in and help. They take matters into their own hands. (Read Acts 4:32-37).

Don’t be confused by the events here. The point was not that they sold things to help others. The point is that they became a family; a community. Instead of being selfish or indifferent to the needs of others, they did whatever they could to help those in need.

This is a wonderful story about the early church. Not only did they care about the Spiritual needs of others, but they truly had become a family. But I want you to look specifically at verse 33. “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33). What do you suppose they were doing that testified about the resurrection? To answer this question, we need ask a question. Why did Luke feel it necessary to point out this attitude of community among the early church in the first place? Why were their attitudes and actions so significant? This answer can be found by looking at the attitudes and actions within the culture.

As we look back through the New Testament we get a glimpse into some of the common attitudes and actions of the people. We read about a Jewish lawyer who asked Jesus to define who his neighbor was (Luke 10:29). Apparently he wasn’t very neighborly, and wanted to justify his actions. We see selfishness from the crowd through the eyes of a cripple (John 5:7). No one would take the time to help this man. Everyone was more concerned about themselves. The helpless were left to fend for themselves (Acts 3:2). Even if they couldn’t heal this man, at least they could have raised some money to support him. But instead they carried him to this spot every day and dropped him there. Now I’m not saying every Jew in Israel had this attitude, but it sure seems Luke was lifting up the actions of the early church as highly unusual. Apparently people just didn’t care for one another in this way.

It’s possible that the witness Luke mentions here was not just in words but in deeds as well. In the early church there was community. A person was made to feel welcomed; that here was a place they could belong. Everyone made everyone feel like someone cared. No one was marginalized. No one was forgotten. And this becomes significant when you consider that this church of over 5000 people was filled with ex prostitutes, former cripples, Levites, Priests, fishermen, tax collectors, those freed from demons, political activist, and those formerly dead. They all felt like they belonged.

In this church, the people were so driven by a love for others that when they saw a need they said “I have an extra bed you can have”. “I have an extra car”. “I can pay your rent this month”. “Here’s a load of wood for your stove”. It is this depth of love and caring that becomes another powerful way to testify about Christ’s resurrection. Sure the apostles preached this, but the church lived this. And because of this love, the community of believers became a testimony to Jesus.

Somehow it seems this attitude of community has been forgotten. It seems the church has moved from “we” to “me”. You can sense it when people start using the word “I”. “I don’t like this” or “That’s not what I would do”. You can tell community is missing in a church when other worshipers are referred to as “them” or “they”. A church that is filled with this type of selfishness has lost its ability to testify about Jesus. No matter what that church says about Jesus, no one will believe because in that church there is no community.

Jesus said “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35). So if I am going to be a Christian then I must admit that indeed I am my brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9). I know when he falls. I know when he is weak. I know when he is in need. And I willingly stretch out my hand and ask “What can I do to help.”

No one was beyond the grace of Jesus. No one was beyond His care. And because Jesus truly cared about others, we cannot call ourselves a follower of Christ and ignore those whom Christ has loved. We cannot turn a blind eye toward those we can help. If we do; if we truly become so self-focused that we no longer care even for one another, then we have truly lost the ability to testify about Jesus. If we don’t even care for one another the world will not believe that we care for them.

Foundations of the Church - Transformed: May 18th, 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

         As you read through the New Testament one thing you will notice is a transformation that happened in those who followed Jesus.  In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) we are introduced to disciples; people who followed Jesus.  We read about the Twelve Apostles; those Jesus called to work alongside Him.  But these men seemed ill-equipped for the task they would eventually be given; to continue the work of Jesus here on earth.  These men seemed blind to the Kingdom of Heaven and blind to the needs of others.  They didn’t seem to care for anyone except themselves.  Peter chose to deny Jesus three times instead of speaking up in His defense (Luke 22:34).  John was ready to call down fire from heaven so that those who opposed Jesus might be destroyed (Luke 9:54).  Most of the group suffered from a “Me” mentality; they only cared about themselves.  But in order for these men to continue the work of Jesus, they needed to move from “Me to Thee”.

          By the time we get to the book of Acts, something changes in these men.  Something caused them to see this world in a whole new way.  For example, this same Peter and this same John, the same men who were selfish and indifferent toward others, begin to notice things and do things that indicate their attitude has moved from “Me to Thee”.  And their eyes have not just moved toward God, but toward others as well.  (Read Acts 3:1-10).

          At one point, Peter had no desire to tell others about Jesus.  He was more concerned about his own safety.  At one point, John looked down on those who were not part of the group.  But transformed, these two men noticed the needs of those around them; the need for people to hear and know about Jesus.  Peter and John did not simply walk past this man like everyone else did.  They saw this man and saw his need.  And in the name of Jesus they reached out to this man.  This time, when given an opportunity to proclaim Jesus, Peter speaks up, even when he finds himself in trouble (see Acts 4).

          Well, this transformation continues in the book of Acts.  We meet a Pharisee named Saul who was threatening the early church.  Here was a man who hunted down Christians and had them arrested.  But one day he meets Jesus, and afterwards this same man, now called Paul, begins to proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord.

          There is a marked difference in these men.  There is a definite difference in the way they see Jesus and the way they see the world.  Their outlook in life has moved from “Me” to “Thee”; from themselves to God and from themselves to others.  And it’s clear that this difference can be attributed to one certain event; the baptism of the Holy Spirit in these people’s lives.  In order for God to use the early church, He had to prepare the church for His work.  He needed these early followers of Jesus to move their hearts from “Me” to “Thee”.  And He accomplished this by the power of the Spirit.  And this group of early Christians, who had their eyes opened to the needs of others, were able to change their world.

          One of the marks of a believer is someone who cares about the Eternal Destiny of the lost.  A Champion of the Faith is someone willing to speak up and tell others about Jesus.  Likewise, another distinguishing characteristic of a believer is someone who has their eyes opened to the needs of others, especially those overlooked by the rest of the world.  Unfortunately these characteristics don’t seem to be quite as evident in today’s church as they were when the church began.  Today it seems that most Christians are content to remain silent about Jesus.  Today most Christians are more concerned about their own comfort than the the needs of others.  As I look at Christianity in general, the most prevalent attitude I see is “Me” rather than “Thee”.  Truthfully it seems pretty clear that many Christians today need to experience the same transformation these early followers did.  Most of us need the Spirit to move our hearts away from “Me” toward “Thee”.  And if we don’t then the church will be filled with people ill-equipped to continue the work of Jesus.

          It seems the prevalent attitude in the American church is not “Thee” but “Me”.  And if God needed to transform the early Christians away from this attitude before He could use them, perhaps He needs to transform us as well.  Perhaps in order for us to first become one of these Champions of the Faith, the Spirit will need to move us from “Me” to “Thee”.

          What really strikes me about the early church was its ability to change people and change an entire community.  Paul and Silas had such an effect on the city of Ephesus that people were no longer participating in the worship of Artemis (compare Acts 19:23-27).  How did this happen?  It’s because the church was first transformed.  People genuinely cared about the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others.  They realized that the Lord did not hang on a cross so they could keep a pew warm, but so that they might continue the work He first began.

          I believe the same thing can happen today.  I believe the only thing keeping today’s church from transforming the world is a “me” centered attitude; where the church is more concerned about itself than it is about others.  But if we could just learn to see others as Peter and John did; to stop a moment and care for those the world has neglected, I am convinced a church full of people with this attitude could change the world.

Currents

I just finished reading a magazine published by the denomination.  It seems much of what was presented was designed to encourage change.  I was called to open my heart and mind to the new ways God was working in the church and through the church.  I was presented with facts and studies that told me how the old way of thinking were becoming irrelevant and outdated.  I was told that the old approach to the Bible and the old interpretations were driving young adults away from the church.  I read the magazine thinking that I should be convicted for feeling differently.  I felt that at some point in my reading, the Holy Spirit should be loosened within me to do His work, and convict.

The trouble is that I didn't feel a twinge.  Not one prick.  At no point did the Spirit grip my heart and convict me for feeling contrary to what was written.  And yet here were good people writing passionately about their thoughts and feelings.  They incorporated scripture to make a point.  They presented me with current trends and facts that should cause me to stand up and take notice.  But, as I said, I felt nothing.

Oh, don't get me wrong.  I've been convicted by the Spirit on many occasions.  I know what it feels like to have the Spirit jump from behind the organ and wrestle my heart to the ground.  But on this day I could not help but wonder why He was not confronting me like He has so often in the past.

I'm not entirely sure, but I suspect it had something to do with currents.

In contrast to what is often spoken by some Christian leaders today, where we are encouraged to follow trends and adapt our theology to what is popular, Christian leaders in the past called us turn away from trends and adopt a theology that is not popular.  In other words, instead of riding the current, the early Christian leaders called us to turn and swim upstream.  The apostles of Jesus seemed to point us toward Jesus or taught us to reject popular opinion and instead follow the teachings of God.  And I suspect this is the big difference.  In New Testament times Christians were called to embrace a way of living that resisted the current; to "hold fast to the Word of Life" (Philippians 2:16).

Christian leaders today should be calling people to hold on to something, not let go and be swept away.  But unfortunately that is exactly what some are doing.  Some Christian leaders, even within my denomination, are calling people to let go.  And perhaps that's why I was not convicted.  I once followed the current and allowed my life to be swept away by what was popular.  At one time in my life I followed the broad path.  And it was from that very path God called me.  He did not convict me to stay the course, to ride the current, or follow the crowd.  He pointed to the destination and called me to turn away from destruction; to walk the narrow path (see Matthew 7:14).

Maybe that's why the Spirit was silent.  Or then again, maybe He was not quite so silent after all.  He did give me a troubled heart from what I was reading.  But not troubled so that I might change, but troubled so that I might remain steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that my toil is not in vain (compare 1 Corinthians 15:58).

Borrowing the words of the Apostle Paul, may I remind you to hold fast to the teachings of God instead of following the current?  May I remind you to "prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life" (Philippians 2:15-16).

Did You Ever Have a Mother Like That?–Mother’s Day sermon

By Pastor Greg

Mother’s can be quite interesting at times. Take, for instance, my mother who constantly complained about my dirty face, then would clean it with her spit. And I’m like, “Eww, germs! Hello, there are germs here!” Did you ever have a mother like that? Did you ever have a mother wash your mouth out with soap? What’s up with that? She holds open your mouth and shoves in some Irish Spring. Talk about making you gag! One day my mother held open my mouth and shoved in some Sauerkraut, and I couldn’t for the life of me think what bad thing I had just said. I told her next time use the soap, it tasted better.

For those of you who may not know this yet, your mother will take you shopping. She will complain about the way you are dressed. She will make you eat things you may not like. A mother will take her 14 year old boy shopping for new underwear, and she will hold it up in the store and shout “what do you think about this kind of underwear?” Ever have a mother like that? Your mother will bake cupcakes on your birthday and she will bring them into school. And don’t even think that she’ll drop them off at the principal’s office. She will bring them right into class yelling “Surprise!”

If you’ve ever had a mother like that, you should be thankful. You could have had a mother who did not care. You could have had a mother who neglected you, ignored you, didn’t want you, or abused you. You could have had a mother who made you feel like you ruined her life.

There seems to be a growing trend in this world where the things some of us have taken for granted (the love, attention, and nurturing care of a godly mother) are becoming less and less common. And I suspect it’s because we are seeing fewer godly mothers. Most importantly, there are fewer godly grandmothers to teach their daughters the character traits of a godly mother. And so those mothers, who have been given no godly instruction from their mother, turn to society for help. And of course we all know that we live in a fallen world with a fallen perspective on life. So when young mothers turn to the world for advice in parenting, what will they find? Will they find any godly teaching at all?

Now I know this can sound a bit sensationalized but it is unfortunately quite true. When godly parenting skills are not demonstrated and passed along by mothers, it only takes a generation or two for the whole family unit to resemble the ways of the world and not the ways of God. Consider what happened shortly after Adam and Eve sinned. It didn’t take long for society to be filled with vengeance and cruelty. Lamech kills a boy for hitting him (Genesis 4:23). After the Exodus from Egypt, God pulled Israel aside and told her to stop acting like the rest of the world and start acting like His people. Why did Moses instruct the nation to read God’s covenant every seven years? It was so the “children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the Lord your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy” (Deuteronomy 31:13). Without godly instruction, the family faces destruction.

Where there are godly mothers, mothers who follow the teachings of God, entire communities are transformed. The world is changed simply because a God-fearing woman cares enough to get involved. Do you think I’m exaggerating here? Well, back when Christianity was in its infancy, there was a distinct absence of godliness in the world. According to the early church leader Tertullian, parents throughout the Roman Empire had a habit of exposing their unwanted children, which literally means throwing them outside to die. It was acceptable in that culture. There are even instructions on how to induce an abortion dating back to the 4^th century. But along comes the Church filled with mothers who had received this godly instruction and who saw value in human life. Transformed by Christ and the Spirit, they would spend their day wandering through the streets, rummaging through the trash, looking for those unwanted babies to raise as their own. And it didn’t take long for the world to take notice. A second century letter to Diognetus confesses “They marry and have children just like everyone else; but they do not kill unwanted babies”.

Why is it important for mothers to live godly lives and demonstrate this godliness to their children? It’s because godly instruction and the example of a godly mother become the one thing that keeps a society from falling apart. I’m serious about this. If you take godly mothers out of the picture, if you remove from a society the influence of a godly mother, that society will degrade back into one where babies are simply thrown away. History has proven that in the absence of godliness children are ignored and forgotten; made to walk through the fire as an offering to the god Molech (compare 2 Kings 23:10).

Look at the effects a woman of faith had on Timothy. Paul says, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” [1] (2 Timothy 1:5) To raise a child of faith, a mother needs to be a woman of faith; a woman who has first received the wisdom of the Word and the guiding of the Spirit.

It is the mother who falls on her knees before God and pleads with Him for wisdom and understanding that we find giving proper instruction to her child. This is the mother who prays constantly for herself and her child. Did you ever have a mother like that, a mother who prayed for you, a mother who actually cared about you? You should count yourself fortunate because in today’s world this kind of mother is becoming harder to find.

If you did have a mother like that, God is asking you to do one more thing. I know raising a child is difficult enough, especially when they squirm and fuss during church. But just as your mother taught you, you are called to pass that along to another generation. What your mother taught you yesterday, God is calling you to teach today. “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” [2] (Titus 2:3-5) God needs you, mothers, to show this world how it’s done. We all need you to be a mother like that.

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^[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Tit 2:3-5). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

A Big Box of Forgiveness - May 4th, 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

Do you remember the story of the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof? To demonstrate His power, Jesus heals his body, a task that was embarrassingly simple for our Savior. He says, “Get up and walk” (Luke 5:24). That’s it! And for the Jews in that room who were wondering about this Jesus guy, they most certainly needed a bigger box.

Do you remember the disciples who were out on the boat during a storm? They fought the waves like Captain Jack Sparrow. Petrified, they wake up Jesus who walks to the bow of the boat and says (yes, says) “simmer down”. And the storm obeys. Do you think the disciples needed a bigger box? I do, cause the one they were trying to put Jesus in was like way too small.

Every time Jesus spoke, every wave of His hand and every time He spit in someone’s eye, the crowd that followed Him needed to get a bigger box. This fellow was far more that meets the eye. But you want to know the most impressive things Jesus really did? It was the times He would forgive people’s sins. Think back to that paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof. What was the first thing Jesus said? Do you remember? He said, “Your sins are forgiven”. Jesus says, “All the things that you have done wrong toward others, all the times you’ve disobeyed God, and all the wicked thoughts you’ve had, I now forgive”. It’s the forgiveness side of Jesus that makes me need to get a bigger box.

Read through the Gospels some time. Tell me if you don’t notice a trend. When people came to Jesus, all He heard was “Make me better”, “Fix my problem”, “Help my child”, “Make more wine”. But tell me, who came to Jesus begging for their sins to be forgiven? Did anyone? No, because it seems all we humans can think about is the shallow comforts of this present life.

Most of us approach Jesus the same way. Most of us spend our time before the Lord asking things like, “Lord, I really need help on this test”. “Jesus, please help Josh notice me”. “God, please heal my grandpa who is really sick”. That’s the depth of most people’s prayers. Really, that’s it? That’s all you want or expect from Jesus? From God? I say, get a bigger box!

King Solomon seemed to have a grasp on the majesty and grandness of God. He confesses in 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” And as Solomon prayed during this dedication of the Temple, I think he had a better understanding of God that most of us do today. Listen to these words. ²⁸ Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. ²⁹ May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, ‘My name will be there.’ May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. ³⁰ May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive. (1 Kings 8:28-30)

Do you hear what Solomon is asking? He says, "Lord, forgive us when we pray". He doesn’t ask God to bless the nation, to give them all they need to prosper, to subdue their enemies. And (this is surprising to me) he doesn’t say, "Lord, when we sacrifice, forgive''. That thinking is surprisingly absent here. No, Solomon recognizes that the singular most important and the most powerful thing God can do is to forgive. Solomon sure had a bigger understanding of God than most. And I want a box as big as his.

Okay, two things we need to learn here. First of all Solomon understood that forgiveness is far more important than human comfort. Later on Solomon even confesses that when bad things happen to the nation, it’s probably because they have sinned (verses 31-53). And secondly, he understands that forgiveness is granted, not earned. God doesn’t forgive us because we’ve been good, but because we’ve asked Him for grace and mercy.

These are great lessons from Solomon, lessons that I believe will help us gain a bigger understanding of who God is and the role He plays in our life. But I’d like to add my own two cents here as well. You know that forgiveness thing we’ve been talking about? Well, I think we need to realize that forgiveness is for everyone, not just for you. Okay, so George has made your life miserable. Well, guess what. When he prays to God for forgiveness, you know what will happen? That’s right. God will forgive. And in order to understand how this boy who tormented your life for years can find forgiveness from God, you’re gonna need a bigger box.

IT SOUNDS LIKE JESUS–Easter 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

A pastor was giving the children's message during church. On this particular Sunday, he was using squirrels for an object lesson on industry and preparation. He started out by saying, "I'm going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is." The children nodded eagerly. "This thing lives in trees (pause) and eats nuts (pause)..." No hands went up. "And it is grey (pause) and has a long bushy tail (pause)..." The children were looking at each other, but still no hands were raised. "And it jumps from branch to branch (pause) and chatters and flips its tail when it's excited (pause)..." Finally one little boy tentatively raised his hand. The pastor breathed a sigh of relief and called on him. "Well...," said the boy, "I *know* the answer is Jesus...but is sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"

In 586 BC, the Babylonian empire captured Jerusalem, destroyed the city, and began the 70 year captivity at the hands of a king named Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Isaiah, God declared this would happen because of the sins of Israel. And, indeed, the Nation had all but abandoned God; worshiping just about anything they could get their hands on. The people God had chosen as His own had turned their back upon the One who had rescued them. God had warned His people time and time again to turn away from their sin and return to Him. And if they would not, He would punish them for their sin; they would suffer the wrath of God. But God also went on to declare that once their punishment was over, they would return and be restored.

In Isaiah chapters 51 and 52, God tells His people to look alive; to wake up. The punishment for their sin is over and it’s time to get back on their feet. As a matter of fact, God makes an incredible promise to His people in chapter 51. “This is what the Sovereign Lord, your God and Defender, says: ‘See, I am taking the terrible cup from your hands. You will drink no more of my fury. It is gone at last!” (Isaiah 51:22). God promised that a day was coming when this “Cup of His fury” or the “Chalice of His wrath” would be passed on to His chosen suffering servant. Now, if the cup of God’s wrath is being taken away from them, then to whom will it be given? God’s wrath against sin and unrighteousness still exists, I mean, it’s not like He has gone soft on sin. So then, who will drink of His wrath and fury?

Probably one of the most frequent Bible verses you’ll hear during Easter comes from Isaiah 53. [4] “Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God for His own sins! [5] But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! [6] All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6). God promised that one day His wrath will be poured out upon His “Suffering Servant”. The cup of God’s fury will be taken from us and given to the One of God’s own choosing. Do you know who God is talking about? Who does this sound like?

Think back to the whole crucifixion story. Do you recall a time in the gospels when a cup is mentioned? Luke records the words of Jesus as He knelt in passionate prayer. Jesus pleads “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will, not Mine”. (Luke 22:42). And again Jesus says to Peter in John 18:11 “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given Me?” Any one who reads this prophesy in Isaiah and then reads the crucifixion account in the gospels should be able to draw the connection. It sounds like Jesus. Jesus was this “Suffering Servant” that God had promised 700 years before Jesus was even born.

I think we need to realize that God’s wrath against our disobedience and our sin has not disappeared. He is just as angry today when we turn our backs to Him as He was back then. His wrath still burns against those who disobey His laws. He is just as intolerant against sin today as He was with these Hebrew people (boy, there’s an image of God many in America don’t like to hear!). Nothing about God has changed. It’s just that His wrath has been taken from us and given to another. It sounds like Jesus is the One it has been given to, and I just can’t get that thought out of my mind.

Is it the fact that God has taken this cup from my hands without even asking that has affected me so? Not really. Is it the fact that He said I will never drink from it again? Maybe. I think that what has impacted me the most is that Jesus did not deserve it. He had never done anything to deserve the cup of God’s wrath. But I did. I keep on expecting to drink form this cup that I know I deserve, but it never seems to happen. I go searching for the chalice of God’s wrath and find that it has already been given to another; one who has done no wrong. I didn’t ask Him to take it. I didn’t freely pass it into the hands of Jesus; God took it from me and gave it to Him. It wasn’t that I was a real good person or had enough stars on the Perfect Attendance chart in Sunday School. I did nothing to earn this. I was a miserable, despicable, sinful person. And yet God snatched this cup from my hands and passed on to the Messiah; our “Suffering Servant”.

[10] “But it was the Lord's good plan to crush Him and fill Him with grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's plan will prosper in His hands. [11] When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of what He has experienced, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.” (Isaiah 53:10 & 11

I continue to be amazed at the wrath God laid upon His Son. As I said earlier, there are many days when I expect to find this “Cup of Fury” to be pressed against my lips. After all, I had done exactly what God had told me not to do. And every time I see a nail, a whip, a crown of thorns, and especially a cross, I am reminded of the One who is holding the cup I so deserve. I am amazed at the wrath God laid upon His Son; that upon the cross He drank from the cup I should have been holding in the first place.

I think that’s what it means to come to the cross empty handed. When we realize what has been taken out of our hands and given to Jesus, there is nothing left to hold on to. When we admit that we should be the one to suffer and die, the only thing we have left to give as we stand before Him is our life; our soul. How does it affect you knowing that the wrath you deserve has been given to another? How does it affect you knowing that the One who did receive God’s wrath was willing to so? What makes the sacrificial death of Jesus so special to you?

And This Will be a Sign for You - Sunrise Service April 20th, 2014

By Pastor Greg

I think the church is missing something. I think we are missing an important item that symbolizes our relationship with Jesus. I know that the church does a good job placing signs within the building at Christmas which reminds us of Jesus – notably the manger scenes. We do this because the Angel announced to the shepherds, “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). We place manger scenes in our homes and in our churches to remind us of the coming of Christ.

Likewise, most church buildings have a symbol in a prominent place year round to remind everyone of Easter. An image of the cross is a continual reminder of what Jesus did for all of humanity. This too is a sign. Pointing to His crucifixion, Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). At Easter we often talk about the cross or sing about the cross. And we do this because the cross of Christ gives eternal life to all who believe. But I think there was another sign given to us; a sign that is often overlooked. And honestly, I’d like to see this sign placed somewhere outside the church, just like the cross on many steeples, to remind everyone who passes by that Christianity does not stop at the cross.

All four Gospels tell the story of the cross of Friday, AND the story of the tomb of Sunday; notably the stone that had sealed the tomb. Mark writes, Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,* who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” 8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.

What I find to be significant is that the stone was rolled away not so that Jesus could get out of the tomb, but so that those on the outside could see in. The empty tomb becomes a sign that death could not keep Jesus. But the empty tomb also becomes a sign for you and me. King David knew of this promise; this sign. He wrote, “For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave” (Psalm 16:10). Just as Christ rose from the dead to live so too will those who believe have eternal life. And the empty tomb becomes a sign of this promise.

My friend, please remember this one important promise: Jesus said that those who believe will have eternal life. That means we will not rot in the grave. He opened His tomb so that it may become a sign for you and me. As He is now, we will one day be. The shout we make on Easter morning is one of triumph for Jesus and one of promise; His promise to us.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

The sign of the empty tomb points to the fact that one day we too will rise again. We too will follow Jesus out of the grave. We too will be “dressed” in a body that is transformed and eternal. This Easter, let’s remember that along with the cross there is also the empty tomb. And it is a symbol that should cause us to rejoice as well.