Sermon Preview 4-5-09

Morning: We will continue looking at the seven sayings of the cross. This message will come from Luke 23: 44-46, where Jesus cries, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" This message will look at the implications of Jesus' statement.

Evening: We will look at evangelism once more. During this session we will look at potential passages that one might wish to mark in their "witnessing" Bible.

Sermon Review 3-29-09

Sunday: The morning message focused on Matthew 27:45-46. In this saying from the cross, Jesus asks an important question, "My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me?". Although, many answers could be give we focused on three. These words of Jesus are often quoted to show his humanity and stress his fear. But, in reality they show his complete trust as he is quoting Psalm 22, which foretells of the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. The Psalmist, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, not only described the event of the crucifixion, but he also expresses a profound trust in the Lord.

Jesus was forsaken because of the holiness of God. God's eyes are too pure to look on sin (see Habakkuk 1:13). The sin of the world rested on Jesus as he hung on the cross. The wrath of God abided on Jesus, while the sins of the world rested on him. While Jesus was suffering as the sin offering, in our place, the Father could not look on him.

Jesus was forsaken so that God could be both just and the One who justifies (see Rom. 3:26). We are descendants of Adam and share in his nature, we live in a fallen evironment (that is under satanic control), and we are naturally bent toward sin. Yet, God is his forebearance does not destroy us the instant we sin. Why? It's not because he is incapable. Nor is he unjust. Sin has been or will be punished. It either has been punished in Jesus, on the cross, or it will be punished in the sinner, for not fleeing to the cross. Yet, if none of us are righteous how can God accept us? He can accept us because he has appointed a substitute, that has bore the penalty for sin, which is death. Jesus is that substitute.

Jesus was forsaken so that we might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Cor. 5:21). Paul, tells us that God made Christ to be a sin offering for us, so that we might through Christ become the righteousness of God. Jesus was forsaken not only to kill our sin, but so that we could share in his righteousness.

If we come to Christ in faith, we can never be forsaken, because he has already be forsaken and vindicated. Our sin has received its just punishment in Christ's death.

Evening: We talked about praying for the lost. Pray is an important principle in evangelism. We need to continually pray for opportunity to share and the boldness to witness. We need to continually ask the Spirit to open eyes blinded by the enemy and give our hearers receptive hearts.

Think Before You Speak

"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Prov. 29:20).

This proverb reminds us of a simple principle: think before you speak and choose your words wisely. This proverb most likely speaks to situations where people make vows in the heat of the moment that are quickly forgotten. Vows of this type are often spoken during illness or hardship, but never followed through when health or relief come.

It is better for a fool than one who speaks rashly, because the fool doesn't think to bargain with God. The fool is content to meander along his way without thinking about God at all. He takes hardship without considering whether it is meant for good or bad. The fool has concluded that there is no God, thus no judgment, and therefore lives his life by whatever "fate" or "luck" he is given. The fool will be punished for his folly, but he will not face punishment for breaking an oath to God. But, the hasty speaker will be judged for both his folly and his broken pledge.

Think before you speak and choose your words wisely. When you make an vow to the Lord, be quick in fulfilling it. Honor your commitments to the Lord and it will go well with you.

What Wondrous Love Is This

Sometimes it is difficult to place the meditations of the heart into words. Even when words come to mind they some how feel inadequate. During the last few weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday, I have found myself meditating on the cross. Doing a series of sermons on the words of Jesus from the cross has been both difficult and rewarding. The context for all of these sermons is the crucifixion of Jesus, and so it is only natural that I find the cross continually returning to my mind.

Meditating on the cross creates in me anxiety at times. It causes me to feel like I don't know enough about it. It makes me realize the coldness of my heart toward the death of Christ. Meditating on the cross demonstrates the ease with which the world can seduce me and draw me away from my first love, Jesus.

Meditating on the cross also creates in me love, devotion, and gratitude. When I think of the the lengths that Jesus went through to secure my pardon with the Father, I can't help but feel love. I am unworthy of his care and kindness. The cross not only reminds me that salvation is all of grace, but that it is all of great over-abounding grace lavished upon us for God's own pleasure. He delights in redeeming us, and that should astound us.

The reality is that meditating on the cross should bring us into a state of humble submission to God. The old hymn, "What Wondrous Love Is This," captures it wonderfully:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this,
That caused the Lord of bliss,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down,
Beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb
Who is the great "I Am,"
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyfully be,
And thro' eternity I'll sing on,
And thro' eternity I'll sing on.

Have Faith in God

My mind continues to return to the concept of providence. Providence is the doctrine that teaches us about God's care for his creation and his people. It speaks of his provision and care. The hymn, "Have Faith in God," reminds us of God's care.

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of his children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your pray'rs are unanswered,
Your earnest plea he will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust his Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, he'll answer yet.

(Chorus)
Have faith in God, he's on his throne;
Have faith in God he watches o'er his own;
He cannot fail, he must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all you cares and your burdens upon him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God tho all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, he provides for his own;
He cannot fail tho all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, he reigns upon his throne.

I am comforted to know that the Reigning One is willing and able to provide for his own. May this hymn compel us to have faith in God. He is surely worthy.

There Is A Fountain

I love hymns. I especially love hymns with great theological content. Memorizing hymns (usually through repeated singing/listening) is a great way to learn doctrine and guide devotional times. I was listening to "There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood" from Red Mountain Music (Depth of Mercy album) earlier today and I was reminded of the forgiveness that flows to us through Christ's death on the cross. The words are a powerful reminder of the redemption offered free to all who will turn and believe.

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there my I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away:
Wash all may sins away, wash all my sins away,
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood shall never lose its pow'r,
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more:
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more,
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

E'er since by faith I saw the stream they flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
---William Cowper (1771)

I am grateful to God that my sins have been washed away in that precious fountain. I pray that he will enable me to forever sing of his redeeming love. I hope you, too, have been washed in that fountain, and that you will forever sing of his redeeming love.

Que Tu Es Grand

I had to take two years of a foreign language to finish out my high school diploma. As often is the case, I suffered from short-sightedness as a teenager. I picked the language class (French) that had the largest percentage of girls (none of whom would give me the time of day in either language). I could have taken Spanish which would have allowed me to woo Delia twice as effectively, but I didn't think I would need it.

In fact, other than the ability to say "I don't know" in two languages, I have found that the study of French has only aided me on just one occasion. I was at a church event where a man sang "How Great Thou Art" in French. Although I hadn't studied French in a few years (and never very diligently), I began trying to "translate" the song. That event happened almost 10 years ago, but every time I hear "How Great Thou Art," I can hear him sing "Que tu es grand, Que tu es grand" (How great thou art, How great thou art). Since that time I have had the privilege of hearing "How Great Thou Art" sung in Spanish and Swahili. Each time there is something so similiar and yet so different. And somehow the differences made the original (to me) more meaningful.

The most powerful verse (number 3) often goes unsung in church gatherings. As Stuart K. Hine translated it:

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die,
I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my shoul, my Saviour God to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!

Dear friends I hope you think often of the fact that God didn't spare his Son, but sent him to bear your sin on the cross. And I hope that your soul sings the the greatness of God--in every language it can!