ID10T - December 14th, 2014 sermon

by Pastor Greg

          I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Harold the computer guy, to come over. Harold clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. He gave me a bill for a minimum service call. As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was an ID ten T error." I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An 'ID ten T error'? What's that? Ya know, in case I need to fix it again?" The computer guy grinned, "Haven't you ever heard of an 'ID ten T Error' before?" "No," I replied.  "Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."  So I wrote out

I D 1 0 T

I used to like Harold.

One of the conundrums of becoming a Christian is learning what a sin is, and trying to stop doing those things that are sinful.  We know that certain thoughts about other people are wrong.  We know that lying is wrong.  But we end up doing them anyway.  What does that make me?  What does that make us?  Does it make us an idiot?  Perhaps, but according to the Apostle Paul it simply means we are human.

The Apostle Paul calls himself a slave to sin.  He confesses that nothing good lives within him.  And he cries out “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:24).  Isaiah writes, “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.  Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2)  He echoes the cry of all humanity when he writes, “For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us.  Yes, we know what sinners we are.” (Isaiah 59:12).  We, like Paul and like Isaiah realize that we are far too human.  There is far too much sin within us.  It’s not an ID10T error.  It’s a sin issue.  And that sin keeps us separated from God.

A long time ago an old man by the name of Eli said something to his sons that reveals the one truth all of us must face.  He said, “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” (1 Samuel 2:25).  And Eli’s question rings true for all of us.  His question begs an answer.  Indeed, who can intercede for us?  Since we humans sin against God and even sin against each other, who would be willing to stand before God and plead for such a sinner?  Who is even worthy to stand before God?  It’s not that God didn’t look for someone.  He did, but, “He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede;” (Isaiah 59:16a).  See, that’s the real problem, isn’t it?  All of us are just as guilty as the next person, and there is no one who can intercede.  What was God’s solution?  His solution was to take the matter into His own hands.  “So He himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained Him”. (Isaiah 59:16b)

So God made a promise to redeem Israel, to set them free by paying a price.  He promised that “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” (Isaiah 59:20).  This was the promise that was on the lips and the hearts of all Israel for generations.  Father’s told it to their children.  And the children told it to their children.  God would deliver.  God would redeem.  God would send a Savior; someone to intercede between Man and God.  This is the same proclamation made by an aged Temple Priest names Zacharias. (Read Luke 1:67-79)

Zacharias, who was the father of John the Baptist, exclaims that at last God had sent the One who would redeem (vs. 68), the One who would rescue (vs. 69-71), and the One who would provide the remission of sin (vs. 76-77).  At last a person will be able to serve God without fear, and at last a person will be able to stand before God in holiness and righteousness all their days, for as long as they live.

This is Christ the King, the One who would redeem His people.  “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)  This is the One who would rescue His people from the adversary.  “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins”. (Colossians 1:13-14)  And this is the One who would provide the remission of our sin.  “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12).

This is the Baby we sing about during the Christmas season.  The Child resting on Mary’s lap is Christ the Lord; the long awaited Messiah, the Savior and Redeemer of humanity.  However, Christmas becomes more than a story; more than simply a song or a celebration once we fully understand the question.  Remember what Eli asked?  Who can intercede when someone sins against God?  The only reason a Savior is needed in the first place is because our sins are piled up before God.  Our sins have cut us off from God.  The Child we talk about at Christmas, the One who is our Savior, is God’s answer to Eli’s question.

          Eli asked who can intercede.  God’s answer was Jesus.  On those days when we act far too human (when we behave as idiots), Jesus becomes out Advocate.  I John 2:1 says that he is our Advocate.  If anyone sins, Christ is in heaven pleading on our behalf.  He turns to the Father and says, “I know he behaved like an idiot, but I love him anyhow.  He is one of mine”.  Yes, my friend.  If you, as a believer, behave in a way that is contrary to the teachings of God (if you sin), Christ becomes our Advocate.  Rather than allow those sins to become piles up between us and God, Jesus takes them upon Himself, pointing to the cross.  This is why Paul, who in anguish cried out, “who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death”, was able to rejoice.  He found his answer.  It answers Eli’s question, and it answers our own question.  What happens to us when we, as a Christian, sin against God?  Paul gave us the answer.  “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25).  He is not just our Savior.  He is our Advocate as well.