Lent 1 - Genesis 22:1-14

“The Scripture Cannot be Broken” (John 10:35)

1. A bond made by a father and son.

2. A bond dependent on respect and trust.

Genesis 22:1-14 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."  

It's sad that today’s story is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented in the entire Bible. What makes this so unfortunate is that in reality it is one of more important and endearing portions of God’s Word. Those who oppose God’s Word say that it’s another example of typical backwards thinking displayed throughout the Bible, especially the Old Testament. We hear people say, “How could you follow a God who would demand human sacrifice?!”

But, the entire purpose of this text is that God didn’t require Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. The entire text pivots on the importance of a substitute. There are many lessons for us to learn in this story. We see examples of great faith in both Abraham and Isaac. We see an emotional glimpse into the difficulty of following and trusting God no matter what. Most importantly, we see a story of love as God connects what Abraham and Isaac endured (as father and son) to what He and Jesus endured (as Father and Son). It’s this bond, linked together throughout the holy and inspired pages of God’s Word, that makes this story one of the most important to our faith.

Our theme is pointed at that bond. A bond between Father and Son and the qualities they displayed. But also a bond in Scripture that connects these thoughts with the suffering and death of our Savior, Jesus – the only Son who was not spared. So, we center our thoughts on a single passage where Jesus described the unshakeable unity of His Father’s Word – “The Scripture cannot be broken.”

It was a tense moment in Jesus’ ministry when He spoke those words. He was conversing with the Jewish leaders. Jesus had just taught that famous speech about being the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and promises them eternal life. Immediately, in response to that promise we’re told that the Jews took up stones to kill Jesus. They thought He had blasphemed by claiming to do what only God could do. And so, Jesus pleads with them to examine the record. Had they really thought this through or were they being led by emotion? Because, the Scripture cannot be broken. Jesus taught them that when they examined God’s Word, they would find an inseparable bond between the Father and the Son.

This same principle was at play long ago on Mount Moriah. Consider for a moment all that was at stake for God in this story. God hated the heathen religions that demanded human sacrifice. Although His people Israel were not a unified nation at the time of Abraham, we know from their subsequent history where God stood on this matter. Jehovah was not the God who demanded human sacrifices. That’s one thing that separated Him from other false gods. At no other point would the true God demand a human sacrifice. And yet, this is the very thing He required of Abraham. Would God betray His very nature?

Another thing at stake was God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Think of how long Abraham had waited for Isaac to be born. That process alone was a tremendous test of Abraham’s faith. Finally, the fulfillment had come and God now wanted Abraham to kill his son. How could it be? Killing Isaac would negate the established promise that God provided. It would have turned all the prior tests of faith into pointless exercises – cruel expressions of the divine playing games with mortals.

And perhaps greatest of all, the salvation of the entire world was at risk here, for Isaac was also the heir of the Messianic promise. If he died, so also would that promise die, unless God either raised him from the dead or gave Abraham another heir. What agony must have been on Abraham’s heart and mind – seemingly pulled in two impossible directions; love my son, or follow my God.

Each of these results threatened the bond between father and son; not just between Abraham and Isaac but also between the Father and Jesus. As impossible of a situation as this seemed, the bond remained. As Jesus declared, the Scripture cannot be broken. That was true that day in Jerusalem and it was true that day on the mountain. As impossible as it seemed, God would not allow the bond to be broken – between father and son, and between the promise of His Word.

When everything seemed like it was about to fall about – a substitute enters. And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. God sent a substitute so that the bond would remain. God sent a substitute so that Isaac would be spared. God sent a substitute to vindicate His own merciful nature and to preserve the promise of salvation. Everything in this story surrounds the substitute. The horrific notions of this text only endure when the substitute is ignored. Listen to what God is describing. The terrifying shock of all the extremes we mentioned earlier is a glimpse into what life is like for deserving sinners when there is no substitute. Who doesn’t shutter at the thought of human sacrifice? Who doesn’t cringe at the thought of Abraham losing the very purpose and meaning of His life? Who is not angered at the thought of the innocent being condemned to death? Without a substitute, we would be left with these feelings and emotions.

Likewise, just as the bond between Abraham and Isaac remained, so also the bond between the Father and the Son remained. The Scripture would not be broken that day, nor would it be broken on Good Friday. As the righteous substitute for sinners, Jesus would ascend the cross in our place. He would carry our punishment so that we could go free. Yet, despite the many parallels, there is one difference. God’s Son would not be spared. The heavenly Father’s comparison with Abraham is fitting except in this one point. The materials would be gathered. The altar prepared. The Father would bind His Son, His only son, to the edifice of expiation. The implement of divine wrath would be yielded. Yet for Jesus, there was no escape as there was for Isaac. The death blow of God’s justice over sin would be fully met in His Son’s body upon the cross. Jesus was the Substitute.

Isaac needed to be spared to preserve the bond of father and son – and the bond of Scripture. In contrast, Jesus would need to be sacrificed to achieve the same end. The bond of Jesus and the Father was at stake on Calvary’s mountain. And as it pertains to you, so also was your bond with the heavenly Father as sons and daughters; rightful heirs of salvation. There was no other way to preserve the Scriptures. And so, as Jesus concluded with the Jewish leaders in His plea to consider the truth, He said, “…believe the works [that I do], that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” Jesus held together the bond of His Word, so that sinners could believe that the Father is in Him, and He in the Father. A bond between father and son.

Jesus became the sacrifice, suffering the very torments involved with a father offering up His only Son, so that you could believe and know. Believe and know what exactly? The same thing Abraham declared, that “the LORD will provide.” That’s why the bond of Scripture is important. That’s why the bond between the Father and the Son is important. So that you and I can believe that God will provide.

We see how that works in our text also. Faith takes an obedient, trusting attitude with God. Three times we see that displayed by Abraham, who upon following God’s will responds, “Here I am.” When the LORD calls, Abraham responds. When God’s plan is in motion, Abraham listens. This is the trusting obedience of faith. Abraham knew and believed what God said even though his entire being must have been filled with sorrow and shock. When all else seemed gone, Abraham still had his faith. This is the listening ear of faith, not the accusatory shout of defiance. And as Abraham clung to His LORD, he would witness the miracle of God’s mercy upon that mountain.

And so, we continue to believe and trust that God will provide. You know, the actual Hebrew of this phrase is that “God will see.” The same idea can mean that God looks upon or even visits. He sees with intention, with purpose. This is a common Biblical expression for blessing. Think of the familiar Benediction – “The LORD make His face shine upon, and lift up His countenance upon you.” Abraham and Isaac were not alone that day – God was watching. God saw. God provided. And Abraham believed and memorialized that gracious thought.

In the pain and the suffering, you experience, whether at your hands or someone else’s – the same blessing is in effect – God sees. God looks upon you with intention – to provide. Never forget why. Never forget the bond that will never be broken; a bond between a Father and a Son. Never forget, that because Jesus was forsaken; because no substitute was given for Him; because darkness reigned on the day of His crucifixion; because your Father provided for you and not for His own Son – you are saved. You are now His Child, and He made good on His promise – The Good Shepherd will lay down His life for the sheep - and no one can snatch you from His hand. Amen.

Pre-Lent 3 - Asking the Right Question for the Right Reason

Theme: Asking the Right Question for the Right Reason

The Question - Not: What was God thinking? But: What is God planning?

The Reason - Not: To Leave you in Doubt. But: To Give you Hope

We open our service in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Message One: 1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (ESV)

1 Samuel 16 begins with God telling Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king of Israel. Saul had resisted the LORD’s will. He had turned His back on God. He was no longer listening to God for guidance as a leader of the people. And so, the LORD tells Samuel to go to the house of a man named Jesse and “anoint the one I name to you.”

So, Samuel makes his way to Bethlehem and finds Jesse. Seven of Jesse’s sons stand before Samuel but none are chosen by God. The youngest, named David, was out in the fields tending the sheep. When they finally contacted David and he arrived before Samuel, the LORD told him, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one.”

This was a frustrating exercise for Samuel. The events leading up to David’s anointing were not easy on God’s servant. Samuel had to try to handle the frustrations brought upon the kingdom by Saul while also doing the Lord’s work. Now God was calling him to this oft-forgotten, backwater village of Bethlehem. Was this really where Israel’s next king would be found? When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s home he immediately thought that the eldest son, Eliab, would be the one chosen. Eliab must have fit the outward characteristics that a king would have – confident, strong, experienced.

But the LORD sent a message to both Samuel and Israel in choosing David and that message is given in the verse before us. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” If you remember, Saul was accepted as king largely because of his appearance. It’s true that the LORD chose Saul as well, but the people accepted that choice because Saul matched their expectation. Not so with David. It’s almost as if God was saying, “I’ve tried doing things the way you wanted, now it’s time for Me to show what is really important.”

As Samuel inquired of the LORD’s choice, there was a personal lesson for him also. The LORD wanted Samuel to trust. Samuel was seeking the LORD’s will on his own terms, with his own eyes. His dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs caused him to rush to judgment about the LORD’s plan. Samuel was not asking the right question for the right reason. In this moment, the LORD did not allow Samuel to see what was going to happen. David’s anointing did not take place as smoothly as Saul’s had. There were questions in Samuel’s mind. The LORD allowed him to have this temporary absence of understanding for a reason, to build Samuel’s hope in the LORD’s power and ability; to get Samuel to stop thinking of himself and his plan, and consider the LORD’s will.

Likewise, there are times when the LORD does not let you in on the plan. There’s always a reason behind His choice and it’s always for your best interests. Maybe something you’re going through, at home, at school, at work; maybe something with friends or family, or even in your faith – maybe something along those lines needs the same reminder Samuel got: Man looks at appearance, the LORD looks at the heart.

Sometimes God leaves you in the dark to build your trust in Him. When you’re in the dark, you need a guide, you need help. This gets even more compounded as we consider the darkness of our sins. It’s not easy to be on the outside of God’s wisdom, looking in. However, the LORD allows us to enter His understanding when we need to and when it is best for you. While on the outside, He can help you trust more and build your faith to be stronger in Jesus – the one who fulfills your needs. And when your faith is strong, so is your hope.    

Message Two: Luke 18:34

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. 

Our second message for today speaks of another time when God’s plan was hidden from believers. This time, it was the twelve disciples. Our single verse tells us that they didn’t understand what they had been told, but also that the meaning had been hidden from them. Again, we ask why God would conceal such a matter? Let us back up in the text to learn what the disciples had been told. In Luke 18:31-33, we’re told: Then He [Jesus] took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 "They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

Jesus told the disciples a simple summary of what the gospel is. But, the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant by this. However, the more perplexing aspect of this section for us is that we’re told that the meaning was hidden from them. Only God could do such a thing – but why? Why did He conceal the meaning of His suffering, death, and resurrection from them? A couple of important points come to mind as we answer.

First of all, this was the third time Jesus had made the same prediction to the disciples. Three times, at least, throughout His ministry, Jesus stopped what He was doing to explicitly foretell what was going to happen to Him on the cross. But He also reminded the disciples that He would not stay in the grave. He would rise from the dead. We learn a lot as we consider the disciples’ reactions to these three predictions.

After the first prediction, Peter boldly rebuked Jesus saying, “Far be it from you, Lord. This shall not happen to You (Matthew 16:21)!” Jesus had to remind Peter that he was following Satan by saying such a thing and that he was causing offense to God. So, not a good reaction to Jesus’ prediction.

After the second prediction, the Gospel of Mark tells us that none of the disciples understood what Jesus meant, and none of them asked Jesus for an explanation. Again, not a good response by the twelve.

And, after the third prediction, James and John took the opportunity to request that they be given a greater status in heaven than the rest of the twelve. Once, again, not a good look.

So, why would Jesus conceal the full meaning of His death and resurrection at this time? The short answer is that the disciples weren’t ready for it yet. Not only would the suffering and death of Jesus be hard for them to accept; it would be a shock to their faith, as evidenced by what happened on Good Friday; the disciples had also shown a lack of spiritual wisdom and a lack of desire to learn. On top of this all, they had proven that they would manipulate the true will of God into their own desires. Peter wanted to stop Jesus from dying for the sins of the world. James and John cared more about their selfish pride than the humble work of the Savior. They were a threat to holding Jesus back from His true mission and purpose.

Jesus knew that the twelve disciples needed to be led along gently, and that it would take time for them to fully understand and appreciate why Jesus needed to die and what His resurrection from the grave would mean. Like all of us, it was a learning process for the disciples. So, Jesus gave His three predictions, to remind them; but He concealed the full implication of what He was saying until the disciples were able truly accept it.

This is another example where it’s second nature for us to question God. It’s easy to imply that God didn’t know what He was doing. Human nature grates against the idea that God would withhold wisdom for a time. We naturally wonder at times, “What is God thinking?” We sympathize with the disciples in their struggle. But, the reality for us is that there are times when we’re not ready to receive God’s plan. He covers the end plan for a time to protect and lead us gently. We, too, like the disciples, have a tendency to get headstrong and the danger is present that we would veer off the path of God – thinking we know better. God conceals at times for our good, out of love for our fragile faith and existence.

As we consider the disciples, we bring to mind another word that comes from the same root – discipline. The book of Hebrews gives us insight into this question by saying, Hebrews 12:5-17 My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. 7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The Lord has a purpose for your life, even when He conceals the plan for a time. That purpose is always for the blessing of your faith and the goal of leading you to eternal life. That’s Christian discipleship, or discipline – and it’s a product of God’s love. As we seek to understand His will, let us remember to ask the right question and look for the right reason – and both come by faith in Jesus.   

Message Three: 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 

Our final reading for today has the same theme as the others. God holds back His wisdom from us for time. But, in this portion of 1 Corinthians it’s for a different reason than it was for Samuel or the disciples. For Samuel, his expectations got in the way of God’s plan. For the disciples, they weren’t ready to receive their Savior’s understanding. Paul tells the Corinthians here that God’s wisdom is withheld because of their inability to understand it. In verse 11, Paul speaks of growing in maturity just as a child grows into an adult. In verse 12, Paul speaks of being able to see something partially, but the overall picture is blurred. These descriptions fit because we’re sinners.

Ultimately, no matter how strong in faith we are, or how mature, or how wise – we cannot see the full picture because we’re not holy like God. It’s a harsh reality that we need to accept. No matter how much we think we know about God – our picture is blurred. In this sense we’ve come full circle in our study this morning because we started with the same thoughts from Psalm 14, right before we confessed our sins.

The thing is, most people don’t think of these thoughts in connection with 1 Corinthians 13. Maybe you’ve pondered the same thing, knowing what the majority of the chapter talks about. This is the famous chapter of love. It’s most often used on joyous occasions, like weddings. It’s true that in all the verses prior, Paul describes love. Some of his thoughts are the most memorable depictions of Biblical love.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in sin, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.

These things are all true. And often this chapter is used as a model for our lives, as it should be. But every sentiment of beauty and love in this chapter is governed by one single sentence: 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. (1Co 13:10 ESV)

Paul’s entire point in describing love is not so we can pat ourselves on the back for living up to it. Instead, it’s a reminder that we cannot measure up to this level of love until as he says, that moment “when the perfect comes.” God’s requirements of love, no matter how memorable or lovely they sound, are still aspects of His law. They are requirements that we must meet and that becomes a problem when we realize that our abilities are a fuzzy representation of what they should be. We are waiting for the perfect to come – and that’s Jesus.

Paul’s lesson here about why we struggle to ask the right question, for the right reason, goes back to the same thing described by David in Psalm 14. We can’t because we’re sinful. That’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially because we want to insist that we can love as God commands. We want to assume that we’re better than the rest of those who don’t know God’s love – those who obviously can’t love as God demands. We want to be considered better, and we are, but not in the way that we think.

We have access to God’s love through Jesus, not through ourselves. And because of the need that we have for Jesus as sinners, the path and plan of God will be dim in our understanding. That fact is a basic reality. It’s tempting to avoid it – but don’t. Embrace your need in Jesus because He always delivers. Notice how Paul describes that, in verse 12: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

In Jesus, we don’t get to claim that we’re better than everyone else – because the whole world is in the same boat. Rather, we rejoice that we will know ourselves, not in the way we want, but as Jesus knows us. That’s what heaven is. That’s how we know “the perfection” which Paul described has come. It’s about knowing what Jesus knows – in totality. Don’t you see that we, meaning what we think, what we want, what we expect, and all the other trappings that lead us away from God’s word; don’t you see that those things are completely separate from our hope? Everything centers on Jesus – both in His actions and in His wisdom. To know the perfect is to know Him. It is independent of who we are. 

So, yes, you will be outside the loop at times. You will have moments when you can’t perceive God’s will. Jesus might keep you in the dark for your own good, as a protection from what you might think or do or say in response to God’s eternal will. And, you are a sinner who, on your own, is very far away from God. Those harsh truths can sometimes cause us to ask wrong questions, in the wrong ways, and for the wrong reasons. Throughout the whole Bible we see the same things in the lives of other believers.

And consider especially those whom we covered today – David, Samuel, the twelve disciples, and Paul – they all had a direct, sometimes visible, connection to God. Some of them were inspired writers of the Bible through the Holy Spirit. And you know what? They struggled to ask the right question for the right reason. If it happened to them; if they felt those emotions, it will happen to you too. Hope is not about receiving a direct revelation from God. Our hope is not even about walking and talking with Jesus directly here on earth. Hope is not about having every question answered. Hope is not about prosperity, either in material or emotion things. It’s about finding Jesus in His Word. When you look there you’re going to see your needs, as raw and unforgiving as they are. But you’re going to see a path to salvation that doe not depend on you – that fills in your weaknesses. That’s Jesus. Hope is about the faith to trust that His way is best, even when unknown to you. It’s about looking toward perfection in heaven, when all wisdom will be known, just as Jesus knows you today – a sinner redeemed by His grace. Amen.

Pre-Lent 2 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Find Meaning in the “Theater of Pain”

1. The weaknesses of our bodies sustained by Christ’s strength

2. The weaknesses of our souls sustained by Christ’s grace

In a magazine on leadership, a pastor wrote about a story from his younger days in the ministry. He said that in his early 30's he began to experience sharp pain from migraine headaches. The thing about these headaches is that they became predictable, almost down to the very hour. The pastor remarked how the headaches would come during the month of May in every even-numbered year. They came on around 1:00 in the morning every other night and lasted about three weeks. Then they stopped until the next year. The pastor said he had four sequences of migraines that matched this schedule.

He went to see a specialist for more answers and to his surprise he found out that it was quite a common problem for young men in leadership roles. The specialist said that these incidents were marked by two commonalities – young men who were not at peace with themselves and had unresolved relationship issues. It turns out for the pastor that the relationship most unsettled was actually his relationship with God. When he took the time to draw nearer to God for his own personal faith, the physical pain subsided. When looking back on the problem, the pastor summarized his quest woth one question that needed answering: What does God want to teach me while I’m in the theater of pain?

That’s an interesting way to phrase the situation, but it’s also appropriate. We know God is loving. We know God is powerful. Why would He use pain to instruct? The very idea of our God connected to a theater of pain sounds absurd. And yet, the pastor learned the lesson and grew in his faith through it. The Lord used the pain to bless him, as He continues to do for so many others. Today, we explore that question for ourselves – how do we find meaning in the “theater of pain,” through another example, this time from the Bible and from the life of the Apostle Paul. We read from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

But he [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Paul was on the defensive here. He knew the Corinthians well. He helped establish the congregation. He lovingly admonished them in his first letter over a number of open and immoral sins. Yet, after all he had done for them, as a pastor, leader, and fellow Christian; near the end of his second letter here he was on the defensive. Paul was on the defensive because new teachers had entered the congregation. Paul called them “super-apostles,” or to put it another way, “teachers above and beyond.” He gave them this title because they spoke so much about their greatness. Paul was on the defensive because the Corinthians were listening to these false teachers and ignoring Paul. He was old news to them. He wasn’t relevant anymore. His message didn’t resonate with them. He wasn’t worth the time.

But the danger was that these super-apostles were not really apostles of Christ. Paul expressed his concerns for the Corinthians in this way, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-- you may well put up with it!

Part 1

So, on the defensive, both for his ministry and for the faith of the Corinthians, Paul gets personal. He takes a page out of the playbook of these super-apostles and boasts about his accomplishments. If anyone wanted to measure Paul’s worth based on qualities, or things given to God in the name of the ministry, he had quite a resume. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul doesn’t hold back in his experiences as an apostle: 

·       in labors more abundant,

·       in stripes above measure,

·       in prisons more frequently,

·       in deaths often.

·       From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

·       Three times I was beaten with rods;

·       once I was stoned;

·       three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

·       in journeys often,

o   in perils of waters,

o   in perils of robbers,

o   in perils of my own countrymen,

o   in perils of the Gentiles,

o   in perils in the city,

o   in perils in the wilderness,

o   in perils in the sea,

o   in perils among false brethren;

·       in weariness and toil,

·       in sleeplessness often,

·       in hunger and thirst,

·       in fastings often,

·       in cold and nakedness

·       besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.  

When the world measures the value of a person’s faith, it’s always done in terms of what they have gone through. Within that system, Paul was an apostle of the highest order. Even the highly regarded super-apostles, praised for their accomplishments, couldn’t hold a candle to Paul. And yet, at the very end of Paul’s list he says this, 2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

This was a lesson for the Corinthians, but also a confession from Paul. He didn’t want to boast. He wished he didn’t have to defend his apostleship – he had given plenty of evidence in the past to the Corinthians of his love for them, evidence that was so quickly forgotten. And he was concerned for the danger they were hastening after. So Paul did compare. He did boast. But, most important of all – he boasted of his weakness, because in His weakness the power of Christ was exalted.

Almost all of the ordeals that Paul mentioned dealt with his physical life. As Paul transitioned into chapter 12 he mentioned a specific physical ailment that he had. He doesn’t describe it in detail, other than calling it a “thorn in his flesh” and something delivered from Satan. Paul says he pleaded with the Lord three times to relieve this ailment, but the Lord chose not to. And in a direct message, Christ told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

With everything that Paul endured as an apostle, we don’t know why he spoke most directly of this “thorn in the flesh.” He had been through a number of things that many of us will never experience. It might sound easy to say on the surface that none of these things should have been an issue for Paul at all. It might be easy to criticize him as if he didn’t trust in the Lord enough. But those responses are as incorrect as they are heartless. Paul wasn’t complaining that the physical problems are more important than spiritual. He wasn’t doubting God’s grace or strength. Rather, like all sinful and forgiven mortal humans, Paul felt the connection between his body and his soul.

Ultimately, all believers know what is most important in life, and all believers trust that nothing can take away the love of Christ that promises eternal life. But it’s natural to feel the pain of physical burdens too. What happens to our natural bodies has an effect of the status of our souls. And as children of God who trust that He works everything for the best in our lives, we ponder the same questions about finding meaning in the theater of pain. Paul tells us what he learned. His strength was found in His almighty and powerful Savior and that strength was displayed to its fullest extent in the moments where Paul suffered the most. By grace we can say the same.

Like Paul, you can boast in your weaknesses. Don’t be like the super-apostles. They tried to mask their weaknesses in the vanity of their own strength. But, that thin veil was sure to rip apart under extreme trial. What might your thorn in the flesh be? You don’t have to feel ashamed about it. Don’t worry if others ignorantly try to minimize your struggles. Only you will ever know the full extent of its effect. But also learn and accept the greater lesson by faith. Whatever you go through, God is stronger. You become a stronger person too, the greater your weaknesses are evident, not because of who you are, but because of who Jesus is. And so in any state, there is always hope in His name.

Part 2

God is in control and cares for our physical lives. He is able to use His almighty power to take away our problems. Yet, there is so much more to our relationship with God than just these simple points. And without a deeper understanding of God grace, as well as His power, we will never find an answer to that question of understanding the theater or pain. Remember, Jesus said no to Paul’s prayer of deliverance three times. Remember, Paul did not boast in his mission of deliverance being accomplished, but instead in his abundant weaknesses. And most of all, remember what Jesus said to Paul. “My grace is sufficient.”

Grace is not a gift for our bodies. It’s a blessing that applies to the soul. Grace is what changes our hearts so that we can say with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Grace may not change any of the details of our physical lives. To the untrained observer, there may seem to be no change. And yet, grace moves obstacles that are insurmountable to our own efforts. This is part of the amazing miracle of God’s love in Christ. It defies observation just as much as it defies Satan’s ploys. It seems ordinary and insufficient but in reality it unlocks untold treasures of eternity. And so just as Jesus said, so Paul believed. “My grace is sufficient for you.” We’ve described grace to some extent. Let us move on to the second feature of that promise that defies expectation – Christ’s grace is sufficient. 

The thought of sufficiency means to bring an activity to completion, and not only to end it, but to complete it in the best way possible. This was the same word spoken by Christ on the cross, at the height of his physical and spiritual suffering – in the moment of being forsaken by His righteous Father, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Literally, it is sufficient. Jesus completed the task that was necessary for the salvation of the world – in the fullest way possible and in the best way possible. He was the acceptable sacrifice. Through faith, our sufficiency flows from Christ’s. Just as the Father put His divine approval on Jesus as the payment for sin, so also Jesus now has the power to declare that His love and mercy is approved to cover your problems. No matter what you face, whether a pain of body or soul, you are made complete in Christ’s grace.

Now the third amazing aspect of this promise. My grace is sufficient for you. Here’s where we see more than just the power of God’s grace. Sure, it can cover any sin, it can erase any mistake, it can blot out any transgression, it can heal any disease, or bind up any broken heart. But, I propose this is where it means the most – that it for you. If Christ was not for you, nothing else would matter. Grace becomes tender and personal when we see that God promises it for you. That’s when we can finally lower our defenses and trust God, when we see Him as both divine Lord and merciful Savior, who knows and calls us each by name.

So, how do we understand the theater of pain that so often afflicts our bodies and souls? Paul’s answer is surprising but also spot on. When I am weak, then I am strong. Not because of any boast I can make of my life. But because my sufficiency is from Christ. When He says, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I can trust that, because He verified that promise with His own life.

That doesn’t mean you won’t feel pain, or you won’t be touched by sorrow. Quite the contrary in fact. You might suffer more for being one of Christ’s. But, what it does mean is that you are complete, no matter how you might feel like your lacking. And it means you have a truth worth hanging onto – for eternity in fact. Amen.

Transfiguration Sunday - Exodus 3:1-6

Theme: The Significance of the Sacred

1. God’s Reveals Himself
2. A Departure not an Arrival
3. Sinners are Sanctified

Dear friends in Christ,

Is anything sacred?

Philosophers, theologians, historians, and many others have asked that question throughout history. The idea of something sacred holds much mystery and fascination for people. For religious people, the sacred is connected to the spiritual. Others doubt or question the sacred in this sense because the spiritual eludes our observation and understanding. But, no matter how we define the sacred, we all have it in some way. The simplest way to understand the sacred is what is in most important to each of us. What do you honor or value more than anything else? The answer to that question reveals what is sacred to you.

Another reason people question this is that there are so many cheap things that are sacred. Money, possessions, power, control, and experiences are often what people hold dearest to their hearts – yet they are hollow of true holiness. The Bible doesn’t pose the question, “Is anything sacred?” Rather, it cuts to the point by declaring again and again that God is sacred. The Bible’s idea of sacredness in the person of God does not disappoint or leave us wanting more. It fulfills our lives. Today’s text from God’s Word is a glimpse into the sacred, as defined, described, and given by God Himself. We read from Exodus 3:1-6: 

Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 Then the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought: I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn't the bush burning up? 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, "Moses, Moses!" "Here I am," he answered. 5 "Do not come closer," He said. "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then He continued, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. (HCSB)

Part 1: God Reveals Himself

The Transfiguration of Christ is an event about the sacred. What greater example is there in the Bible of Jesus displaying His glory and holiness? It was present both in His divine conversation with Moses and Elijah and also in His physical appearance. Here in Exodus, we see a similar display through the burning bush. And on top of this all, God Himself tells Moses, "Do not come closer," "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Here we see the sacred. But what makes it so?

First, we see that God reveals Himself. Even in religious contexts, the sacred is so often relegated to worldly things. We see this in the great religions of the world, with certain branches of Christianity notwithstanding. In the most popular religions of the world, the sacred centers on worldly things that are perceived to be special in some way. Things like: relics, shrines, pilgrimages, buildings, monuments, and even people (called saints) who are considered to be holy. Yet, no matter the pomp or circumstance these are still earthly things.

Even secularists, who claim no official religious creed have their own versions of the mundane sacred. For many it is natural world. Beautiful and spectacular as it may be, yes, even the world itself is still worldly.

The Bible says the truly sacred is about God revealing Himself, and it should be respected as such. It’s not that Moses’ removal of his sandals somehow made him holy enough to approach God. Instead, God was teaching Moses to be respectful of His presence. How does that play out in our lives? Well, God doesn’t show Himself in a burning bush. Jesus isn’t walking the earth anymore. To answer this in our lives, we ask again, the overarching question – How does God reveal Himself to us?

The answer is clear and we have learned in from our youth – God reveals Himself in His Word. God tells us 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2Ti 3:15 NKJ) A subset of that revelation through the Bible is the Sacraments – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. God gives special characterizations to these blessings which indicate that they reveal His presence to us. Therefore, we appropriately called them Sacraments, meaning “sacred acts.”  

Part 2: More about a Departure than an Arrival

The second aspect we see about the sacred is another Transfiguration theme. In the Scripture accounts for today we certainly see displays of God’s glory. But maybe you didn’t realize that we also see a theme of departure.   

Our text here is pretty obvious. It comes from the book of Exodus, meaning departure. God is calling Moses here for the purpose of freeing His people from Egypt. The meaning of Moses’ call would be realized when Israel, as a nation, departed Egypt and returned to the Promised Land. Two weeks ago we read the account from Exodus where they crossed the Red Sea, what was perhaps the most dramatic event along the way home.

Inside this text we also see a personal exodus for Moses. Up unto this point he has tried to manipulate God’s plan in His life. He murdered and hid. He denied and doubted. But here the LORD was not going to have any more excuses. It was time for Moses to step out of his shell of self-reliance and trust God.

The other themes of departure in the Gospel and Epistle accounts are not as easy to see, but they are certainly there. In Luke 9:31 we’re told what Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talked about; who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. You may have guessed that the Greek word for “departure” in these verses is literally “exodus.” Yes, Jesus was on the brink of His own departure when He was transfigured on the mountain. This exodus was His death on the cross. Ultimately, the exodus from Egypt was a picture of this exodus from Jesus. Time and time again throughout the Old Testament the prophets of God would remind the people how God delivered them from Egypt; not just as a history lesson, but as reason to hope that God would also fulfill His Messianic promise. When Jesus went to the cross, He delivered all people from sin, death, guilt, and shame. He departed this life so that we could all share in eternal life.

And, yes, we also see the theme of departure in Peter’s retelling of the Transfiguration. 2 Peter 1:14-15 says, knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has also shown me. 15 And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure. Again, the Greek word for exodus. We see our lives in Peter’s. As sinners, we know that we all face death, if the world lasts long enough. We will go through that same departure that Christ endured. Yet, for the believer, as Peter confesses, this does not leave us in despair. Because Christ died on our behalf, we have hope that death cannot conquer us. We are content by faith, to “lay aside the tent” of our bodies, just as Peter did – because of our confidence in Jesus.

You see, the sacred is more about a departure than an arrival. The sacred things of the world, the shrines, the relics, the holy places – they all have significance through those who arrive. Worship at the shrine. See the relic. Take a pilgrimage to the holy place. But, with God things are different. Holiness is not bound up in our ability to arrive. Instead, it’s about departure. First Christ’s, which paid for sin and gave me a place in heaven. And then my departure, when I leave this sad world to be in My Father’s house forever.

Sinners are Sanctified

So, we too, like Moses come before the Lord’s holiness with respect. We seek to remove the sandals of pride, self-righteousness, pre-conceived notions, and personal opinions. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

But we also recognize the last point of our sermon – that holy ground sanctifies sinners. That which is truly sacred, namely revealed by God and focused on the departure through Christ our Savior, is able to redeem and restore fallen sinners like us. We respect and obey God, but we do not worry about whether or not we can come to Him. In Jesus we are given access because Jesus is the justifier of the ungodly.

And with that cleansing, we are given new purpose in our lives. Take Moses as the example. Through this moment with God Moses became a new person. He wasn’t completely perfect to be sure, but he was changed. He was able to follow God’s will. He clung tightly to God’s revelation in power and in word. He led God’s people. He made intercession for sins in God’s name. Moses was changed. The Holy ground sanctified him through God’s presence, power, and mercy.

The same thing could be said of Peter, James, and John on the mountaintop. They were sinful and foolish. James and John argued about being greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Peter didn’t know what to say on the mountain. He would obviously later deny His Lord and Savior in the most critical moment. But Jesus’ message to them was not one of failure but one of purpose. They were forgiven and cleansed of their sin and their lives were changed to serve and glorify God. That’s holiness in action. It has the ability to change a sinner’s life.

And so, we come to ourselves. Is anything sacred? If you look at my life, if I look at yours, we probably can’t find much. We’re spiritually disgusting and dirty. We don’t deserve to approach God’s glory and we know it, even if we try to act differently sometimes. But like all the others, even we are forgiven and cleansed in Christ. He shows us the glory of God in the Word and Sacraments – things that seem ordinary and common on the outside but hold divine power and eternal blessings. He has atoned for our transgressions by offering up His life – the departure of His soul and body as well as the departure of His Father’s blessing because of our sins. Jesus was forsaken and despised on our behalf. But as surprising, joyful, and glorious as His resurrection from the grave was, so also our sanctification is surprising, joyful, and glorious. Holy ground is still here – wherever the unconditional grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed. And on that ground all sinners find a haven from sin’s storms. Amen.

Epiphany 4 - Romans 13:8-10

How to tell the difference between Legalism and Love

• ·       Start with God’s Love 
• ·       Test by God’s Word
• ·       Recover through God’s Son 

Romans 13:8-10 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9  For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10  Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

                   

You might be surprised to learn about the context in which the verses of our text are situated. At the beginning of Romans 13 Paul spoke about Christian conduct in the public forum, especially with respect to secular leaders. By introducing the thoughts of verses 8-10, Paul demonstrates that the law of God has a bearing on how we live and interact in the world around us. The end of chapter 13 talks about the Lord’s final day of judgment, and serves as a reminder that we should all be ready by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus.

It’s a strange combination of themes in this chapter, but perhaps one that makes more sense than we may think. We live in a culture that discourages the inter-mixing of our Christian faith with regular life. We have been raised to keep church and state separate, and there are good reasons for this distinction. However, our culture has taken it to an extreme where Christians are routinely maligned and even persecuted for living their faith in Christ and being examples to the world of what God’s inspired Word says. Many of the commandments that Paul lists here are still considered by our society to good for all people to follow. Most, but not all. There are obvious areas in our nation where some of these commandments are blatantly disregarded, or even worse, the sins condemned in them are openly celebrated. It’s in those areas where we need to pay attention, because we will be threatened to suppress our faith.

This lingering question of how to live as a Christian in a society that does not uphold God’s Word is a difficult one. At times it can feel like we’re constantly back-peddling from assaults against our faith. A major challenge before us as we witness to our world is that we aren’t perfect either. We, who claim to believe in and support these commandments, are just as bad as anyone else at keeping them. That’s a major problem. At the very beginning of our text, Paul tells us Christians to “owe no one anything except to love one another,” yet from the onset we cannot keep that single command, let alone the many others that follow.

The world to which we witness is well aware of this also. It’s easy to point out the hypocrisy of Christians. We preach a moral standard from God, which we believe all people should follow, yet we can’t do ourselves. The technical term for such behavior is hypocrisy when it’s intentional. The more subtle, less obvious form is called legalism. Legalism is following the commands of God outwardly. It’s doing what is good, not out of love for others, but as a way to look better than others. Think of it as doing the right thing for the wrong reason. The Bible describes legalism as following the letter of the law, but not the Spirit; with spirit meaning either the proper intent or the very person of God who inspired and gives meaning to the Word (Paul used this thought twice in Romans). Legalism is hypocrisy, the very type of hypocrisy that we Christians are most susceptible to. And its presence in our lives is all too common.

When Paul tells us to owe no one anything except love, legalism is the glaring blemish on our record. What he says in our text seems like a hopeless endeavor. No matter how hard we try, or how well we’re doing, there will always be some form of legalism that trips us up. But, the application of this text is not discouraging – when we see it in the proper way. True enough, if we focus entirely on our lives, our thoughts, our actions, our efforts, our goodness – we find no comfort. But, there is something greater here than legalism – there is love. Love from God and for sinners like us. Yes, even Christians and believers are still sinners, and therefore, yes, we need and long for the love of God. We see today, more than our own mistakes, the difference between legalism and love. We start with God’s love. We test by God’s Word. And we recover through God’s Son.

Part 1: Start with God’s love  

When we look at God’s commandments, we often feel burdened, defeated, and desperate. This is natural, because the law convicts us of our sins. The law is the impassable barrier between us and God. That is all true about the law and important to know. But, you can also look at the law from a different perspective. Not your own, but God’s. That’s what I want you to think about immediately today, because that’s the perspective that is given. In contrast to all the condemning notions of the law that we are so familiar with, Paul tells us that the law is about love. Love is the fulfillment, the summation of the law. This is God’s perspective. This is also how we can see the law by faith in Jesus.

When you start with God’s love, you can see the law as love in your life. From the very first verse we recognize how important this is. Paul writes, Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. When I think about myself in light of that verse, I have no hope. I am not completely blameless, that is, owing nothing. I have tremendous debts and obligations before the law. I also do not love in a fulfilling way. But, when I see this verse from the perspective of my Savior, Jesus, I have hope. Jesus assumed my debt and freed me from my obligations. I can truly be someone who owes nothing because of Jesus. Think of the parable of the unmerciful servant. In my life, I am unmerciful, not extending free forgiveness to others. Yet, Jesus comes into my life through His Word and forgives me of my much greater debt – free of charge! I owe nothing now, through Jesus, and I can show true love in light of the law. Because of God’s love for sinners, there is hope even here. 

Consider the last verse as well. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. If I only see myself in that verse, I have nothing. When I see Jesus in it, I have everything. Another way to learn this is by a passage like John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” The most common way that passage is interpreted by people is to think of service from person to person; like a firefighter, police officer, or soldier who literal puts their life on the line to save others. Self-sacrifice and love are inherently connected. However, in this verse, Jesus was speaking about Himself. He was describing love from God to people, the kind He would display just hours after He first spoke these words by offering His life on the cross. When we see Jesus’ love, as given by God the Father, we have much more hope that love is the fulfillment of the law. Focusing first and foremost on Jesus also curbs the desire for prideful legalism to enter our hearts.

Part 2: Test by God’s Word

It’s so important to always think of God, and what He does, first. But at some point, what God performs must apply to my life or it doesn’t mean anything for me. When it comes to using God’s love in my life – the next step beckons me to test by His Word.

Here we see that God’s love is not generic and vague. God’s love fulfills the law. Sometimes we struggle to define love. What does it look like? Who can do it? How does it happen? There are so many differing answers to these questions out in the world. But God simplifies it and gives us one answer – love fulfills the law. If whatever thought, word, and action is being tested, if it doesn’t seek to fulfill God’s law it’s not love. Examples are given through the well-known commandments that are listed. But so many of life’s situations fall somewhere below these explicit commands and it takes knowledge and maturity in the Word of God to test things adequately. Because God lets us live in freedom and leaves many decisions to the individual, we don’t want to unduly shackle others with constraints that God Himself doesn’t give. Yet, we also don’t want to leave all matters of truth, morality, and justice up to each person to decide. Love fulfills the law.

Paul used another word in verse 9 saying, “All the commandments are summed up in one thought – love your neighbor as yourself.” There can be no love without the law, and no law can be fulfilled without love. When we question what we should do in life, or what love really is – God would have us go back again to His Word. It’s our measure or rule for life. It will never change in what it has to say to each and every person in the world. And as we seek to be Christians who are mindful of God’s love for sinners, and as we desire that all people come to know and receive that love by faith in Jesus, we must use the Word of God.

Part 3: Recover through God’s Son 

What I’ve said so far is true, and it is a good summary of what Paul is teaching here. In order to show love and avoid legalism, you must be led by God’s love in Christ and you must continually go back to His Word of truth. That is all very true and very important to Christian faith and life. However, there’s something so important, so incredibly vital, that must also be said. The last step is to recover through Jesus.

Why add this last step? Doesn’t it suffice to say, follow God’s love and God’s Word? That’s true, but this last step is so necessary because you will inevitably mess up the first two. There may be times where you succeed in keeping God’s grace a priority for your faith, and where you are faithful to His Word. But for every successful moment there will be plenty of accompanying mistakes along the way. No matter how strong your faith, no matter how faithful your confession, no matter how pristine your life is, no matter how confident a person you are – you will fail.

Recover through Jesus. Like resting your body after a long day of work or an excruciating exercise – rest your soul in God’s Son. Rest assured, you’ll need it in life! This last step is so important because it’s often the life-long and well-established Christians who succumb to legalism. Jesus warned near the end of His life, And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Lawlessness, especially that which leads to lovelessness, can happen to Christians much easier than we care to admit. And legalism is the vehicle that makes it happen. Legalism breeds under self-righteousness before God’s commandments. Legalism has the form and appearance of Godliness without the substance. And it’s a pitfall for many mature believers and disciples of God’s Word.

Don’t try to go it alone – find recovery in Jesus. You may know the path. You may desire the sanctified outcome. You may mentally be in-step with God’s Word. But to defeat the sinful pride of legalism, you will always need more. And that is freely given through Jesus. He shows you what true love is. He has given you true love through the cross and by faith. And in those most desperate moments of failure he renews and restores you by that same love. Love is the fulfillment of the law. How blessed we are by God to be able to say and believe that as truth, because Jesus is our Savior who made it so. Amen.