The Making of a Shepherd - May 18, 2014

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SERMON:

In one of my favorite books, there is a story about a chipmunk who survives the great flood aboard Noah’s ark. The story is called, “How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes”, and it’s told from the perspective of one Jacob Chipmunk. Now, of course, Jacob’s story isn’t found in the Biblical account of the flood, but you’ll understand why I’m telling you about this little story in just a second.

In the story, the ark finally runs aground on Mt. Ararat. And Jacob Chipmunk finds that through his nervous chewing he has bored a hole clear through the ship to the outside world. And so, before the doors are opened, and the animals set loose, one lone chipmunk scampers down onto the soggy ground.

Jacob Chipmunk is, of course, ecstatic  to be on land again. But he notices that there’s still a big huge ocean of water surrounding the ark. And he realizes that this little bit of beach property won’t be big enough for all the animals.

So, the hyperactive chipmunk devises a plan to dry up the world. He runs to the water’s edge, soaks his tail full of water, and then runs back up the beach to wring it out. He figures that with enough trips, he can drain the sea away.

Back and forth the little chipmunk races, until all of the sudden a huge hand reaches down and scoops him up into the bright blue sky. It is, of course, the hand of God. And in the story, God goes on to explain how silly it is that Jacob chipmunk should try to dry up the whole world with his little chipmunk tail. This was God’s job, and God would do it. And so with a deep and fathomless breath, God breathes out over the waters and does in an instant, what Jacob couldn’t have done in a million years.

Now, here’s the part I wanted to share with you. As God sets the little chipmunk down on the newly dried land, the author writes…

“Just before the hand was withdrawn, however, the tips of the fingers brushed once, lightly, along Jacob’s head and back, leaving a most profound and mysterious impression upon the little Chipmunk. For somehow it seemed, this mystic stroke, to be a combination of two things, two things impossibly different: In one way , it was like the long-ago memory of his own mother’s tongue, licking him; but also it was like the claws of a great bird of prey raking through his flesh.

The pain, however, was only for a moment, while the delicious sensation of the tenderest of caresses remained forever. And along with it came four beautiful white stripes, embedded in the Chipmunk’s fur, running the length of his body and set like a crown on the top of his head: the sign of being stroked by the Almighty’s love” (How the Chipmunk God His Stripes, by Mike Mason).

The tale of how the chipmunk got his stripes is fiction of course. But that description of the Lord’s touch is sometimes quite truth. Sometimes God deals with us in this way. Sometimes his touch is both sharp and painful, and yet at the same time full of compassion and tenderness.

With his Law God rakes through our conscience laying bare the reality of our sin and guilt. He says, “Love me above all. Honor my Name. Take time for me. Honor your parents. Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t covet what isn’t yours to have.” And with his Law, God cuts deep down to our true motives, to our secrets sins. He reveals that in our arrogance and selfishness we have failed to live up to his standards time and time again.

And yet at the same time, through the message of Christ’s gift of forgiveness, God tenderly soothes and heals our deepest hurts. He restores our souls and cleanses our conscience through the fact that His Son suffered and died in our place, and now lives as our great Savior and King.

Yes, sometimes the touch of God is both painful, and utterly soothing.

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In our Scripture reading for today, Jesus applies both Law and Gospel to the apostle Peter. And Peter feels both the deep cut of the Lord’s rebuke, and the tender healing of his forgiveness.

John 21:15-17 (NASB)

  15   So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

  16   He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

  17   He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

This conversation between Peter and his Lord took place on a beach, on the Sea of Galilee. It took place after the crucifixion and after the resurrection of our Lord from the dead. John tells us this was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples as a group. But our Lord’s words here, were directed not to the group, but to Simon Peter alone.

Jesus calls Peter by his given name, Simon. And he adds, “son of John”. I was curious about this. Why does Jesus adds this “last name” of sorts. So, I searched and found that Jesus only callsPeter the “son of John” on three occasions—all important ones. He called him “Simon, son of John” when they met for the first time, after Peter had confessed him as the Son of God, and on this occasion. It’s as if Jesus is adding weight to their interaction by calling Peter “Simon, son of John”. Kinda like when your mom or dad use your middle name.

I don’t know about you, but my mom would call me “Caleb John!” at two times. When I had done something particularly bad, or when she wished to express love. Perhaps Jesus was doing both when he called Peter, “Simon, son of John”.

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Peter had indeed done something particularly bad. We remember. When pressed into a tight corner, Peter had denied even knowing Jesus—three separate times. He even called down curses on himself to prove that he didn’t know Jesus.

And Peter had done this just hours after swearing to Jesus that even if all the other disciples abandoned Jesus, Peter would remain true. Peter would die before denying Jesus. Or so he had claimed. Sadly, the reality played out much differently.

And so, Jesus begins this conversation by asking, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15 NASB). That is to say, do you still claim your love for me is so much stronger than the love of these others?

Peter is humbled by the directness of Jesus. In his reply, Peter doesn’t even use the same word for love that Jesus does. Instead, he affirms his love for Christ with different word for love. Peter is through comparing himself with others. Peter is done claiming great powers of love for himself.

And with the first stroke of rebuke delivered, Jesus follows that blow with tenderness. He says to Peter, “Tend by lambs” (John 21:15 NASB). He means, of course, be a keeper of my people. An overseer of those who trust in me. And in this gracious assignment, Jesus expresses both his love and his forgiveness. For Jesus only calls those who have tasted his forgiveness to be purveyors of it.

Peter’s days of self-centered boasting were at an end. His life would now be one of serving his Savior, and serving his Savior’s people.

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But the rebuke was not at an end. And the deepest cut was yet to come.

Like the right hook that follows the left jab, Jesus’ next question hits Peter squarely in his pride. Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16 NASB). This time Jesus doesn’t ask if Peter love him MORE than the others do. This time Jesus asks Peter if he loves him at all.

It is all that Peter can do to reply. And he again uses a lesser word for love than Jesus does. Peter repeats his claim with the same simple words that he used the first time, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:16 NASB).

And with the second stroke of rebuke delivered, Jesus follows his blow with more tenderness. He says to Peter, “Shepherd My Sheep” (John 21:16 NASB). Note those words well. These are JESUS’ sheep that Peter is to shepherd. It is not PETER’s flock. He’s not the boss. He is but the under-shepherd of the Good Shepherd. And again, by repeating this gracious assignment, Jesus is expressing his forgiveness to Peter. For as odd as it may sound, in the Savior’s flock, all the under-shepherds are themselves sheep. They are stumbling, bumbling sheep, whom the Good Shepherd has claimed for eternity by his precious blood shed on the cross.

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This remarkable assignment from the Lord could have rekindled Peter’s pride. Think about it like this, if the resurrected Jesus appeared to YOU and said, “I want YOU to be a shepherd of My sheep” wouldn’t a tiny bit of you think, “Me? Well I guess I do have some suitable qualities. I mean, you thought of me for the job, right?” Pride dies hard, doesn’t it?

The reality is that none of us have anything to offer God that has not already been given to us by his hand. We cannot claim even a scrap of goodness apart from the Lord’s working in us through his Word.

As the Bible says,

“…no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3 NASB).

And,

“…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NKJV).

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And so Jesus asks Peter a third, and final question. One final cut, and the deepest of all. One final blow to knock Peter’s sinful pride to the ground. Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” (John 21:17 NASB). But this time Jesus exchanges his word of high love, for Peter’s lower word for love. In essence, Jesus says, “Peter, do you really love me, like you keep saying you do?”

And all that Peter can do is cling to the truth. He does love Jesus. And he knows that Jesus must know that, for Jesus knows all things. He is the divine Son of God, who after suffering and dying on the cross for the sins of all people, took up the full use of his divine powers once again. And so Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You” (John 21:17 NASB).

And one more time, Jesus follows the blow of rebuke, with the tender embrace of forgiveness. He repeats the task he has given to Peter, his redeemed servant. He says, “Tend My Sheep” (John 21:17 NASB).

Three denials from Peter. Three questions from the Lord. Three blows of rebuke, which cut deep. And three assurances that Peter was truly, and completely forgiven. That is what we find here in this little exchange on the shores of Galilee’s lake.

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It’s easy to put ourselves in Peter’s shoes, isn’t it? Through arrogance and selfishness we too have failed to love God by the things we say and do.

And if we actually pick up the Bible to see what God has to say about it, we find that God has some rather serious words to say about our behavior. The Bible says…

“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23 NIV).

“…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 NKJV).

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;” (Isaiah 53:6 NKJV).

But you know how those passages end, don’t you?

“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24 NIV).

“…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV).

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6 NKJV).

The raking claws of God’s Law are followed by the tender caress of his undeserved love and forgiveness. And on the heels of this complete forgiveness comes an assignment.

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No, we are not all called to be apostles like Peter. No, we are not all called to teach Bible Class on Sunday or proclaim the Gospel from a pulpit in church. But we are all called to shepherd God’s flock. For the shepherds are the sheep. The forgiven are the called.

And the calls is simple. Our Savior died for all. They need to know it. And the sheep that are in the fold already, they need to stay safely in the fold. And we need to tend them. You and me.

We need to keep each other from danger. Diligently watching each other with love. Being present in the lives of our fellow Christians. Praying for one another. Applying the rebuke of the Law when needed, and the tender embrace of the Gospel.

We need to keep each other well pastured and watered. Continually speaking the Word of the Almighty God to one another. With an email. With a post. With a phone call. With a text. And yes, even IN PERSON.

We need to bind up the wounds of our fellow sheep and nurse them to health with the powerful Word of God. Patiently bearing each other’s burdens. Exercising the compassion and wisdom that our divine Savior teaches.

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When God asked Cain where his brother was, the world’s first murderer replied, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 NKJV).

Help us Holy Spirit, that this would NEVER be our response to the grace and mercy we have received in Christ. Let our response instead be, “I AM my brother’s keeper. I will go and find him. I will call him with your Word. Your power will do the work, but I will be your humble instrument. I will tend your sheep.”

Through God’s Law and Gospel, Peter was made a redeemed sinner, and a shepherd of his fellow sheep. God’s cutting Law, and healing Gospel has done the same for us. We are redeemed. Let us now be about the business of tending the Good Shepherd’s flock, together.

Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus.

Sheep, Not Shepherds - May 11, 2014

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This Sunday’s Sermon was written by Pastor Mike Roehl and provided through “Ministry by Mail”. To read it online go to “Ministry by Mail” by clicking here. 

The Friend We Have In Jesus - May 4, 2014

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SERMON:

Oprah Winfrey once said,

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

She was talking, of course, about friendship.

A true friend is more than someone who shares your same interests, or helps you out, or makes you laugh. A true friend is someone who loves YOU more than being loved BY you.

In our sermon reading for today, the apostle John shows us just what kind of friend we have in Jesus.

John 21:1-14 (NASB)

    1   After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.

    2   Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.

    3   Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

    4   But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

    5   So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”

    6   And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

    7   Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.

    8   But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

    9   So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.

  10   Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”

  11   Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

  12   Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.

  13   Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

  14   This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

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During his earthly life, Jesus had learned how to be a carpenter, not a fisherman. But he was familiar with what his fisherman friends did for work. He knew they did their work at night, and that it was hard work: Move the boat, cast the net, drag the net back in, repeat until you have all the fish you need.

Jesus also knew that a fisherman’s work didn’t end when the boat hit shore. The fish that had been caught needed to be processed and preserved if they weren’t going to be sold immediately. And the nets would have to be repaired in preparation for the next outing. A little tear in the net would only get bigger, letting fish get away.

But before this shore work, a hungry fishing team would need to get some food in their bellies. A little breakfast would carry them through the remainder of their work.

Jesus was familiar with these things during his earthly life. And after his crucifixion and resurrection he knew them too. And as our risen Savior stood on the shore on that morning so long ago, he turned his thoughts toward his beloved disciples out there on the lake. He thought of them, and planned to give them a string of gifts.

That’s really what this simple story presents isn’t it? Our Savior presenting a parade of gifts to his followers.

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The first gift is easy enough to see. They had been toiling all night, and now had nothing to show for it. And so the God-Man flexed his almighty power, just a little, and filled their nets with fish. He gave them the biggest catch he could fit in their nets.

And when they arrived on shore, he gave them his next gift: breakfast. Roasted fish and bread were waiting for this band of hungry fishermen.

And there would be no rock, paper, scissors to see who would have to serve the group. Jesus himself took the bread and the fish and distributed them to each man.

And after their breakfast, these experienced fishermen noted that they didn’t have to mend the nets. For even after such a huge catch, not even a single strand of webbing was broken. They recognized that this was no coincidence. It was another gift from Jesus.

These gifts were fine enough, but we dare not forget the simplest gift that Jesus gave them here. For his simplest gift was the most important one. Jesus gave them his presence.

This was the third time that the risen Christ had appeared to his disciples. And the main reason Jesus came here wasn’t to help them with their fishing. The main reason Jesus came here was to show them once more that he was alive. That their Master and Savior was truly risen from the dead. And therefore, everything he had taught them about himself was true. He had suffered and died for their sins. They were now forgiven sinners, restored to God, and destined for eternal glory in heaven.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was not like a Bigfoot sighting. The people who knew Jesus, and had followed him, didn’t just glimpse him from a distance. He ate with them. He talked with them. He fed them breakfast. He patiently graced them with his presence over the span of forty days so that they would be certain that it was truly him. The impossible had happened: their sins had been paid for, and the risen Jesus was proof of it.

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This is the friend they had in Jesus. And this is the friend we have in Jesus also. Jesus used his ALMIGHTY POWER to provide a catch of fish for those disciples. And he still uses his power to provide for us today.

Jesus was THOUGHTFUL toward those disciples. And he is mindful of us today also. He knows what we need, and he provides it. This it true whether we’re talking about food and drink, house and home, or whether we’re talking about the Gospel of forgiveness, and the spiritual truths he teaches us in the Bible.

Jesus LOVINGLY SERVED those disciples breakfast, like a mother putting a second helping of spaghetti on her children’s plate. And he does the same for us. He sends his Holy Spirit into our hearts through the message of sin and grace. When we come to the Lord’s Supper he feeds us with his own body and blood, banishing all our fears of judgment and replacing them with peace.

When serving those disciples Jesus paid ATTENTION TO THE SMALLEST OF DETAILS, keeping every strand of their nets whole. And with us he maintains that same eye for detail. He answers our prayers, saying “yes” to all that he knows will benefit our souls, and saying “no” to all that will not—according to his perfect knowledge. No prayer of his people is forgotten. No prayer of his people is lost or neglected.

And just as Jesus was PATIENT with those disciples, appearing over and over to them to cement the reality of his resurrection, he is also patient with us. Over and over he whispers the truth of our salvation to us through his Word. Through our Christian friends, through our teachers, through our pastors, through our hymns, through times of meditation on his Word.

When we stray from his will, he patiently calls us back in repentance. When we stray from his Word, he patiently calls us back the source of all things Spiritual and lasting.

This is the friend we have in Jesus.

Jesus is not a high maintenance friend that is always asking for more. He is not a pretend friend that is only there when things are going good. Jesus is the type of friend who gives and gives and gives, because he truly loves us.

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Simply put, Jesus took the bus, so we could ride in the limo. It’s kind of a sad analogy, because it falls so short of the reality. The reality is: he took the cross, so we could sit with him on his throne. He suffered the hell, so we could savor the heaven.

This it he friend we have in Jesus.  

Jesus is a friend who came to the shores of Tiberias to remind you and me that he came to GIVE, not to take.

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When your life is hard, think of THIS JESUS. The true Jesus. The Biblical Jesus. He came to give you forgiveness, life, and a future.

When your sins weigh heavy on your conscience, think of THIS JESUS. He says your dark past has been erased. All has been forgiven.

This is the friend we have in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we face disappointment in life, come to us in Word and Sacrament. Remind us of the simple way you loved and served your disciples on the beach of Tiberias. Remind us of the astounding way you loved and served us all on the cross. And give us strength to face anything this life can throw at us. He us to remember that you still stand at our side, the greatest, most powerful, and most loving, of all our friends. Amen.

Living Lord, Powerful Peace - Apr 27, 2014

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SERMON:

Sometimes ordinary words become extraordinary. When the situation is right, a common phrase can become much more powerful than it usually is.  

Think of a child coming home from school. As soon as he opens the door, and sets his bag down, he calls out, “Hi mom, I’m home!” Such a simple phrase, and probably a common one as well. And yet it manages to bring a smile to many a mother’s face each and every day. That common phrase, “Hi mom, I’m home”, has a measure of power.

But imagine, for a moment, that this child lived during the American Civil War. Imagine that he had gone away from his home to serve in the army. Imagine that he had been gone for three long years. He had tried to send letters, but all but the first few had been lost along the way. Mom hadn’t heard from her son in a long time. She didn’t know if he was alright, or not.

Now imagine the weight those words would carry. The door creaking open. The familiar thump of a bag set on the floor. And the voice of a long lost child calling out gently, “Hi mom, I’m home.”

Sometimes ordinary words become extraordinary.

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In our sermon reading for today, Jesus greets his disciples with a very common Jewish greeting. He says, “Shalom”, or in English, “Peace be with you.” But since Jesus uttered this phrase on Easter Sunday, his greeting takes on special weight. Coming from the recently crucified and now risen Jesus the phrase, “Peace be with you” carries profound meaning and great power.

John 20:19-31 (NASB)

  19   So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

  20   And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

  21   So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

  22   And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

  23   “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

  24   But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

  25   So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

  26   After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

  27   Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

  28   Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

  29   Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

  30   Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

  31   but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

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Early on this very day the women had gone to the tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and others. All dear friends of Jesus. 

First, they had found the tomb broken open. Then they had seen a vision of angels. And then they had seen Jesus himself—in the flesh.

Sometime during the day the risen Jesus appeared to Peter also.

In the evening, two disciples hurried back to Jerusalem after Jesus had appeared to them in the little village of Emmaus.

And now they were gathered in this locked room. Ten apostles who had not yet seen Jesus. Peter who had. And the two disciples who just came from Emmaus with the latest Jesus sighting.

And they were afraid. John tells us they were afraid of the Jews. That is to say, they were afraid of the Chief Priests and the Pharisees who were Jesus’ enemies. These Jews had, after all, just recently gotten their master and friend crucified. These Jews had manipulated the Roman governor to execute a man that the governor himself had already declared innocent. You and I would have been afraid of the Jews too. Afraid of persecution, and afraid of death.

But when Jesus appeared to the disciples in this locked room, the very first thing he told them was not to be afraid. He didn’t say it in those words. He didn’t say, “Don’t be afraid” like the angels told the shepherds at his birth. Here in the upper room Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” But it amounts to the same thing.

Why should they be afraid of persecution or death? Jesus was standing there right in front of them—ALIVE! The nail prints in this hands, and the fatal wound in his side remained, but he was not suffering in the least. He obviously wasn’t subject to death anymore. So why should they, his followers, be afraid of death?

The short answer is—they shouldn’t!

And neither should we. Look at the last verse in our reading.  Verse 31 says…

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31 NASB).

Jesus gives us peace with God by taking our sins away. He suffered our hell on the cross, and died in our place. All who believe in him, have life in His name. Life from God. Life that will not end on the day of our death.

A resurrection and ever living Jesus means we don’t have to fear death anymore. Our Savior lives, and he promises that we too shall rise—to eternal life at his side.

This is why these disciples, so fearful in this little locked room, later stood boldly before the Chief Priests and Pharisees and refused to stop preaching the message of sins forgiven through Jesus. This is why the apostle Paul jumped at the chance to share the Gospel Message, even with an angry mob! The apostles of Jesus weren’t afraid of death anymore, because their JESUS was stronger than death.

I pray that the risen Christ will fill us with the same peace, so that we never fear death, even the tiniest bit. 

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After Jesus greeted the disciples, they rejoiced. It must have been a bit of a crazy scene. But Jesus moves right on to business. He’s got a mission for his followers, and he’s going to start preparing them to carry it out RIGHT NOW, on Easter Sunday evening. Verse 21 says…

“ 21   So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

  22   And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

  23   “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained” (John 20:21-23 NASB).

Jesus was giving his followers a pretty heavy job here. They were to go out into the world and preach his Message. They would tell people about God, and sin, and sin’s consequences, and how God sent his Son Jesus to save them from hell.

When they came across people who were clearly NOT SORRY about their sins, they were bound by Christ’s command to tell them that their sins were still on them.

When they came across people who were clearly SORRY about their sins, they were bound by Christ’s command to tell them that because of Christ their sins were forgiven in full.

This authority, to forgive or retain sins, is sometimes called “The Office of the Keys.” You know, one key locks the door, and one key opens the door. This is a pretty serious responsibility that Christ gives to his followers here.

It is a heavy thing to tell a person, “You are obviously not sorry for sinning against God, and so your sin remains on you. You have no part in Christ.”

On the other hand it’s also a pretty amazing thing to tell a person, “I can see you’re sorry about what you’ve done, and that you trust in Christ as your Savior. So, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

To help his disciples with this great responsibility, Jesus gives then the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would go with them, and help them to use “The Office of the Keys” properly. To proclaim sins forgiven, or not forgiven, in the name of the Father. 

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The disciples didn’t need to fear death, Jesus was risen.

The disciple didn’t need to fear the assignment he was giving them—the Holy Spirit would help them. And the same Holy Spirit will help us today.

Through the Holy Word of God, Jesus himself speaks to you and me today. And he says the same thing he said on Easter. He says, “Peace be with you. I’m alive. Peace be with you. I give you the Holy Spirit as your guide. Speak my Word. Use the keys. Don’t be afraid.”

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But there was one disciples absent on that first Easter Sunday: Thomas. And he was given a special kind of peace when Christ appeared to him a week after Easter. Thomas had refused to believe his closest friends. He said that unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes, and touched those wounds with his own hands, Thomas just couldn’t believe it.

And so the gentle Savior granted Thomas’ request. When the disciples were gathered again. When the doors were shut. Jesus appeared before them again.

And instead of a harsh rebuke, Jesus had the same powerful greeting for Thomas. He said, “Peace be with you.” And then he invited Thomas to touch the wounds with his own fingers. He said, Go ahead, put your hand into my side. Stop doubting, and believe.

And Thomas found that he didn’t need to fear Jesus. For his risen and living Lord and God, was patient and loving. A God whom the Bible says desires that all people be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:4).

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From that first Easter Sunday, and throughout their lives, the disciples of Jesus learned how deep and powerful that phrase really was coming from the mouth of Jesus, “Peace be with you.”

They found that a living Lord meant powerful peace. Peace beyond what the world could offer. Peace that goes beyond this life.

With Christ living, we don’t need to fear death. That’s peace.

With Christ living, we don’t need to fear anything God directs us to do. He’ll help us do it, through his powerful Word and his Holy Spirit.

With Christ living, we can depend on God’s patience. Thomas knew it. And we should too. After all, don’t we pray, “His mercy endures forever?” That’s patience. That’s our Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we’re afraid of death or something else that seems scary to us, remind us of your power, your love, and your patience. When we feel inadequate to carry out your mission to let the world know your love, remind us that we’re just a little part of the plan. And that the Holy Spirit will do the major lifting. And when we’re stubborn against some part of your Word, be patient with us. Soften our hearts and open our eyes. That just like Thomas we may finally look on the truth with eyes of faith. Give us your peace, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Tomb Empty, Faith Full - Apr 20, 2014

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SERMON:

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was no accident. It was predicted in the Old Testament of the Bible, hundreds of years before it happened. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 contain detailed descriptions of the crucifixion even though Isaiah was written 700 years before the crucifixion, and Psalm 22 was written nearly 1000 years before.

Ancient though they are, these prophecies match up perfectly with what happened to Jesus: His hands and feet pierced, his silence acceptance of mockery, lots cast to divide up his remaining possessions. These ancients Scriptures even tell us that Christ was not suffering because of something he had done. He was suffering for the sins of others.

To many involved, the crucifixion was an unexpected turn of events. But not to Jesus. And not to his heavenly Father. To them, the crucifixion was the culmination of a great plan to rescue sinners from hell.

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You see, the God who created the universe is a good God. A God of love, righteousness, and justice. As a just God, he must punish evil. And the penalty for sinning against the Almighty, is separation from him, and all his goodness—forever. In a word, the punishment for sin, is HELL.  This is what the Son of God suffered that Friday afternoon as he hung from on the cross. And he suffered this in your place, for your sins, to save you from hell.

No, the crucifixion was not an accident. It was foretold, and carried out, so that your sins now stand forgiven in Christ.

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But today, our mediation does not focus on the cross. On Easter Sunday we focus on what came AFTER the cross: THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE DEAD.

Like the crucifixion, the resurrection was also, not an accident.  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was foretold in the Old Testament. The resurrection was also expected by Jesus.

To many involved, the resurrection was an unexpected turn of events. But not to Jesus. And not to his heavenly Father. To them, the resurrection was a predicted, calculated event, meant to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that everything Jesus had said about himself was true.

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To help us understand how important the resurrection is, today we’re going to read from a letter written by the apostle Paul. This letter was written to Christians gathering in the ancient city of Corinth.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals that there were some people at Corinth who were saying that any type of resurrection from the dead was a fiction, and impossibility. But that’s not what God’s Word says. And that’s not what Paul had been teaching. May the Holy Spirit help us, through his Word, to see how very important the resurrection of Jesus truly is.

1 Corinthians 15:13-23 (NASB)

  13   But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;

  14   and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

  15   Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.

  16   For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;

  17   and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

  18   Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

  19   If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

  20   But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

  21   For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.

  22   For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

  23   But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,

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You remember that old Jimmy Stewart movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life?” You know, the one that used to play over, and over, every Christmas? In the movie Stewart plays “George Bailey”, a businessman with a beautiful family. George becomes depressed and begins to despair thinking that his life hasn’t mattered at all. That the world would have been a better place without him. Then an angel steps in to help George see that his life has been very important to the people around him. The angel does this by showing George what the world would have been like if he had never existed.

The apostle Paul does something similar here. The apostle Paul helps the Christians in Corinth by showing them what life would be like if Christ Jesus had never been raised from the dead.

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Paul says, Okay Corinthians, there are people among you teaching that resurrection from the dead isn’t possible? Don’t you realize what this would mean if it was true?

Let’s start with what this would mean for those who have gone out into the world to teach the Gospel. Do you realize what would this mean for them?

It would mean  that this message that they’ve been risking their lives to spread—is empty. That’s what that word “vain” means in the Greek. Empty. Without substance. Hollow. Nothing there.

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And not only would their preaching be empty, it would be a blatant lie. If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, then all of the apostles who said they saw him alive after he had been dead—they were liars. And all those other people who claimed to have seen him, conversed with him, to have eaten with him, hundreds of people over the span of forty days—they were all liars too. And not just liars, they were guilty of lying about God.

That’s not a good idea to lie about God. We’re all going to stand before God one day and he’s going to judge our choices according to his standards. It’s not a good idea to lie about God.

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Not only that. Paul says, Corinthians, do you realize what this would mean? Think about your friends. Your Christian friends who died trusting in Jesus as their Savior from sin. If Christ is not raised, then he can’t be the Savior. And so any who died trusting in him are lost forever.

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And think about yourselves, Corinthians. If Christ is dead and rotting, then your faith is empty. Like I said, he can’t be the Savior if he wasn’t raised from the dead. And if Jesus isn’t the Savior, you don’t have a Savior, and your sins are still on you.

If Jesus is still in the tomb, then Christianity is a truly pathetic religion. I mean, think about it. Jesus never promised to give us good health in this life. He never promised to give us millions of dollars. He never even promised to give us good times in this life. In fact, he promised the opposite to his closest disciples. Jesus told them…

“‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20 ESV).

Jesus promised his disciples persecution in this life. That’s what he promised. In another one of Paul’s letters he writes…

“¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV).

So, let me get this Christianity thing straight. There’s no promise of health, riches, or good times. And the one we trust in, depend upon, and put our hope in—is dead and rotting in a tomb somewhere? If that were the case, our faith is about the most pathetic religion in the entire world. It has NOTHING to offer.

Later in this same chapter Paul writes…

“If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32 NASB).

That would make sense. Enjoy it while you can. If there is no resurrection from the dead. No judgment to come. No afterlife.

But that’s not the case.

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Paul says, enough of this pretending. Enough of this “It’s a Wonderful Life” storyline. Let’s get back to the reality. Look at verse 20 again. Paul says…

“ 20   But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

  21   For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.

  22   For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

  23   But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NASB).

I LOVE that first sentence there, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” There’s SO MUCH wrapped up there.

Now I know we’re not all farmers, but I think we can get the idea here. The “first fruits” are the FIRST…   …FRUITS. I mean that’s not hard to grasp! It’s the first stuff that comes out of the field. And that implies that there’s going to be…   …MORE!

Jesus wasn’t the first person in history to be raised from the dead. But he was the first one who never died again. When he was raised from the dead, the Father raised him to eternal life. His body was changed, glorified, so that he could walk around with that hole in his side that they could touch and feel, and these holes in his hands that they could see. And yet he wasn’t in pain. He only let those marks remain so he could show them it was really him. Really their Jesus, the one who had been crucified to death, but was now alive.

He was the first fruits of those who will rise, never to die again.

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Paul says, Death came into the world through a man—Adam. Life and resurrection come through Jesus.

Picture two big circles. An Adam circle, and a Christ circle. We’re all in the Adam circle. We’re his descendants, part of the human race. As Adam’s descendants, we’re subject to death because of the sin he brought into the world.

Now think of the Christ circle. Not everyone is in the Christ circle. Only those who trust in him. But for those in Christ, he brings life. He brings forgiveness of sins, reunification with our Creator, and one day, bodily resurrection to eternal life. 

But each in his own order: Christ first, then those who are Christ’s, when he returns. Jesus is the first harvest. When he returns, he will harvest the rest. He will make alive, and bring with him, all who are in him by faith.

And Christ invites each one of us to be in that circle. He didn’t just die for some, he died for all. And he invites each one of us to rely on him. To be in that circle.

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It all hinges on the resurrection. If Jesus had remained dead, and they had found him rotting in that tomb on Easter morning—then we’d know that everything Jesus claimed about himself was a lie.

But that’s not what they found. First they found and empty tomb, and then they met their risen Savior.

You know, it’s ironic. When the disciples of Jesus came to his tomb, they were all shocked and confused and full of fear because the tomb was empty! That was actually the best thing possible! If they had found the body of a dead Jesus, any faith in Jesus, would have been an empty faith.

Because his tomb was empty, our faith is full. Everything that Jesus said about himself is true:

He is the Son of God.

He died for our sins.

We stand forgiven.

The Bible can be trusted.

One day he will return, and if we have died by that time, he will raise us from the dead to eternal glory.

This is what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means.

This is what Easter means.

Because his tomb was empty, our faith is full.

Full of God’s forgiveness.

Full of peace.

Full of joy.

Full of power.

Full of solid hope for the future.

He is risen.

And thank God that he is!

Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds, in Christ Jesus.