Chardon church of Christ

Clinging Obstinately To Sin

Mark 12:1-12

INTRO: Good morning church. For our text this morning open your Bibles to Mark chapter 12. I’m going to read a fairly lengthy section of scripture. It’s a familiar section and I beg your indulgence as I read this. We’ll begin with verse one.

Mark 12:1-12 – “1. Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2. "Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3. "And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4. "Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5. "And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6. "Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, `They will respect my son.' 7. "But those vinedressers said among themselves, `This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8. "And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9. "Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10. "Have you not read this Scripture: `The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 11. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?'' 12. And they sought to lay hold of Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.”

The parable recorded in our text is, in comparison with the rest of the parables, unusual, and different. There are historical thoughts here suggesting this is a parable concerning the Jewish nation.

In fact, one commentator refers to this parable as a “historical parable” which he believes gives briefly the history of the Jewish nation from the exodus to the destruction of Jerusalem.
The parable is most assuredly pointed... so pointed, in fact, that the hearers would have had no difficulty in understanding its message.

Because this parable is very significant to the time Jesus was living and teaching, I think we need to spend some time examining, at least in brief, the details we find. As we look at these details we might think “this really isn’t all that relevant to me and to our time”. However, if we carefully engage in the study of the parable, there are great lessons to be learned here.

I particularly want you to look at verse 12: "And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way." I would like you to note this verse; we will come back to it later. I’ve entitled this lesson “Clinging Obstinately to Sin”.
Verse 12 indicates that was exactly the response of the people to whom the parable was spoken and for whom it was intended. They clung obstinately to their sin.

I. Points to note: Let’s turn our thoughts to the points recorded in this parable.

A. We’re introduced, first of all, to a vineyard. Clearly from a scriptural reference the vineyard refers to the nation of Israel.

1. You might want to turn with me to Isaiah’s prophecy chapter five and we will begin at verse one. Here’s what we read: Isaiah 5:1-7 – “1. Now let me sing to my Well-beloved a song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard. My Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. 2. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; so He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. 3. "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? 5. And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; and break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6. I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned or dug, but there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it.'' 7. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, weeping.” Clearly, as I said, the vineyard is Israel.
2. Notice the people when they heard this parable were aware that it was spoken against them. They immediately were able to make the connection. When we carefully read both the parable and the passage from Isaiah, we notice that there are some similar pictures, well-known pictures, take from Isaiah chapter 5 and included in the parable in Mark chapter 12.
3. These people are aware of the prophecy of Isaiah. When Jesus begins to speak they know the subject He is speaking about.

B. In the parable there are the husbandmen or vinedressers, as some translations have it; these are the religious leaders of the Jews.

1. Now, it was not all that unusual for there to be an absentee landlord who would rent out his land to others.
2. We are told that historically there were wealthy people who owned property they would rent out and they themselves resided elsewhere. Indeed this was common in many places and cultures up to, and including modern times.
3. As we read the parable and as we look at Isaiah chapter 5, we notice that the land owner has done everything that he could possibly do to give advantage to the vineyard so that it will produce a good crop. He has hedged it around to protect it. He has dug it up and planted well. He has put in the tower and the winepress.
4. But he is an absentee landlord. Distant ownership can give opportunity for irresponsibility and corruption.

C. We are also told in the parable about the servants that the landlord sent time and time again. Who were these servants? They were the prophets whom God had repeatedly sent to Israel.

1. These servants were sent to collect the rent for the land. It should have produced a great crop. The crop should have been sold. Money should have been plentiful. It was reasonable for the land owner to be paid his due for renting the land.
2. What happened? These prophets, these servants who were sent, were treated shamefully. The Bible says they even killed some of them. How…very…tragic.
3. In Matthew 23 verse 37 Jesus is heard lamenting over the treatment of the prophets by Israel. Matthew 23:37 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” These are tragic words—words where Jesus speaks volumes of the history of Israel’s treatment of the prophets.
4. In Acts 7:52, the preacher Stephen asks a pointed question of the Jewish leaders. Acts 7:52 He says: “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,” Well the truth hurts, doesn’t it? Rather than being affected positively by the truth, these people who heard the question knew it was a question asked of them in an accusatory way. What did they do? Ultimately they killed Stephen.

D. As we read the parable we notice that servants are sent repeatedly (think about that) he didn’t just send one servant to collect the rent. Repeatedly the land owner sent his servants hoping to collect his due. The fact that God repeatedly sent the prophets speaks to me of the longsuffering nature of God.

1. As I studied this I realize that the land owner had legal rights and he could have exercised those rights.
2. God could have ended His relationship with an ungrateful Israel at any time and He would have been absolutely justified for doing so.
3. I want you to turn to 2nd Chronicles 36 and read some verses with me—verses that help us see the nature of our God. 2^nd Chronicles 36:14-16 – “14. Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the Lord which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15. And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.” Look at those words. Why did He do this? Why over and over again did He send the prophets? Because He had compassion on them.
4. If we learn nothing else from this parable in Mark 12 we need to learn the lesson that God is longsuffering. In 2^nd Peter 3:9 - Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

E. The parable goes on to talk about the land owner sending his only son, his dearly beloved son.

1. The son will come and speak with greater authority than the servants who were sent, because he is the son. In the parable the landowner probably thought: They won’t treat my son the way they treated my servants.
2. In Hebrews chapter 1 beginning at verse 1 the writer of the book records this: Hebrews 1:1-3 – “1. God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets. 2. has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3. who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
3. Yes, God spoke for hundreds of years through the prophets, but in these last times has spoken to us by His Son, by His Heir. His Heir has come to reveal the commandments of the father. How was He treated? Not a bit better than the prophets who had come before Him.
4. When He came they killed Him and threw Him unceremoniously out of the vineyard which belonged to His Father. I want to go back to this passage in Mark 12 for just a minute and there’s a verse at which I would particularly like us to pay attention. It is verse eight: Mark 12:8 – “And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.” This is a reference to Jesus. Jesus knew when He spoke these words that this was a reference to Himself. Here is another indication of His knowing that He is ultimately going to be killed by His religious enemies.
5. There is something said in the parable that gives us some insight into the thinking of those wicked husbandmen. They thought if they could kill the heir they could come into legal possession of the vineyard. The religious leaders in Jesus time were so jealous of their position, their power among the Jews; they would do anything to preserve it. Just as these husbandmen would do anything to preserve their position. There’s a little indicator in the 11th chapter of the gospel of John. Verses 47 and 48: John 11:47-48 – “47. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (Now look especially at verse 48.) 48. "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.''” They were jealous for their position and they wanted nothing to happen that would endanger their power and their role as leaders among the Jews. Does this have application today?

F. Jesus then makes another reference in the parable. He makes reference to the fact that the vineyard is going to be given to others. The others to whom He refers are the Gentiles.

1. Again in John’s gospel, chapter 10 at verse 16, Jesus says: John 10:16 – “and other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” Jesus never shied away from making reference to the inclusion of the Gentiles into the fold of God.
2. Turn to the book of Hosea 2:23. Hosea 2:23 – “Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, and I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, `You are My people!' And they shall say, `You are my God!' ” This passage is quoted in Romans the ninth chapter verses 23 through 25. Romans 9:23-25 – “23. and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24. even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25. As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved.''”
3. Clearly it is an inclusion of people who are not His people, but would become His people… the Gentiles. I have a strong suspicion that the Jewish leaders who heard these words were not thrilled with what they heard.
4. Jewish thought in those days would have been that any spiritual equality of Gentiles with Jews just “did not compute”. What Jesus said was offensive to the priests and the Pharisees and Scribes, but they knew that He had spoken this parable against them.

II. The Response: What was the response? How did they respond?

A. We read it a while ago in Mark 12:12 (that verse that I said we would come back to): Mark 12:12 – “And they sought to lay hold of Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.” They tried to find a way to lay hold on Him, to arrest Him, but those people who were so jealous for their position were also filled with fear of the population. Often that is the way with people who find themselves in error. They can be bold when all the circumstances are for them, but when the circumstances are a little iffy their boldness turns to flight. They left Him.

1. Here’s the point. There was no change. Jesus had spoken, clearly had taught with reference to historical facts of the Jewish nation and they knew it. We have heard the statement that those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Those people were not learning the lessons.
2. Its one thing for something to be so unsettled, so confused, that you don’t get the point. But they knew Jesus had spoken a parable against them. Yet there was no change. There was no learning. They were clinging obstinately to their sins.

B. That brings us to the question I want us to think about this morning: Why in the world do people cling obstinately to sin, to error?

1. Is it possible that they think God is so distant, so uninvolved, so unconcerned, with human affairs? In the 94th Psalm beginning to read a verse four: Psalms 94:4-7 – “4. They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. 5. They break in pieces your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage. 6. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. 7. Yet they say, "The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.''” What the Psalmist is saying is some people have the impression that God is so far away that you can do whatever you want and He will not see, and you will not be held responsible. If you think that… you are very wrong. God sees. God knows.
2. Well, that’s one reason I believe that people cling obstinately to sin because they think He is not involved. It’s like when a young person goes off to college. While they were at home with their parents their behavior would likely fit their parent’s expectations. Now that they are away from their parents, the parents cannot see what is being done, or hear what is being said. The student may do what they like and the parents will never know. I’ve got a news flash. Parents always seem to find out. But that’s our way of thinking. Distance. God is distant from us—we think—so we can do what we like.
3. Is it possible that people think that God WILL NOT punish them for their sins? Perhaps. In the book of Ecclesiastes the eighth chapter beginning at verse 11: Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 – “11. Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.”
4. When Nina & I travel to Tennessee, along I-40 for example, people are whizzing by us. They aren’t going 70 miles per hour. They are going noticeably faster. I don’t know what their thoughts are. Yet I have a suspicion that most of them think: I’m not going to get caught, and… if I’m not caught then I won’t be punished. If I’m not going to be punished… then I’ll just do what I want to do. Is that why do people do what they want to do? I’m not going to get caught. I’m not going to be punished. God is love, He loves me. Is that why they cling to their sins, their error? I’m not going to be punished?
5. Or perhaps people value their own ways so highly that they minimize their relationship with God. Once again the book of Psalms, chapter 10 and verse 4 the Bible says: Psalms 10:4 – “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” Notice the word “proud”. I’m all about me. It’s ALL about me. My relationship with God isn’t really all that important as long as I can have my way, live MY life. And be able to say… I did it MY way. Is that why people cling obstinately to sin? I want to have my way. My ways are just so important to me that I really don’t have time to think about God.
6. Here’s another thought. Is it possible that there are just people who refuse to admit they’re wrong, that they’ve made mistakes—that they’ve sinned? Obstinate refusal to admit sin. Perhaps that was the situation with the people to whom Jesus was speaking in this parable. If you turn your Bibles to Romans chapter two, listen to what the writer says in verse one. He’s writing this to people who should have known better. Romans 2:1 – “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” That’s what they were doing—judging others. The writer says by the inspiration of the spirit of God, they were guilty of the same things. In their judgment of others they are not recognizing their own error. They refuse to admit their mistakes.
7. Is it possible that there are people who are just enjoying their own role, their position, so much, that they really don’t have time for a relationship with God? I think of something that is said in Galatians 1:10 that addresses itself to this idea. The apostle Paul wrote: Galatians 1:10 “ For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” So many people are affected by this malady—men pleasers. Is that why people cling obstinately to their sins, their error?

CONCLUSION:
There are many reasons why people cling to their sins, but listen, folks, not a one of those reasons is worth the consequences. Not a one.

I wonder, do we make the same mistake these stubborn, obstinate people made; those against whom Jesus spoke this parable? I’m going to continue what I do. I’m going to continue to enjoy what it is that I’m doing even if it is wrong. I don’t care. I’m going to do it. Would that ever be our attitude?

If you recall some past lessons where we read of the sermons on Solomon’s porch we saw again illustrated the obstinate refusal of the religious leaders. Those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. What a wonderful message that is. Yet, there comes a termination point. Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die."  During my lifetime I can repent. I can turn to God. I can be obedient to God. Once I come to this termination point (and it comes for all of us) it’s too late. In the meantime God doesn’t desire the perishing of a single soul. Both Old and New Testaments say the same thing. He doesn’t have pleasure in the death of the wicked.

The issue hangs on our repentance. That was the issue for many of those religious leaders — and they were not willing to repent. I’m going to have my way no matter what it hurts, not matter who it hurts. I’m going to have my way—obstinacy.

When I think about the book of Jonah, I’m sure Jonah believed with all his heart that there was absolutely no reason for him to go to Nineveh to preach. These are sinful people. They are not about to change.

Finally though, he came and began to preach a simple message, just a few words as a matter of fact. He moved on to another place and preached the same message. And the first thing you know those sinful, awful people where repenting! They were not clinging stubbornly to their obstinate ways; and from the king to the lowest of the people they repented in sackcloth.

I wonder today about those who hear the message and are not yet Christians. If you are one, will you repent of your sins whatever they may be? Or for some reason cling obstinately to the way you are? Perhaps you see and understand, that repentance calls for you to in obedience to the gospel; “come and be baptized into Christ”. Yet, for some reason you are unwilling to repent before God and change your heart in a way that brings you to obedience.

We also should be concerned about Christian people. Yes, we are concerned about those who are out of Christ and lost, because they are lost. We all know many Christian people, people dear to us. We love them and are concerned with the impenitence of some Christians. As the cares of this life weigh us down, some of us slip into only giving lip service to God. Do we think; “I’m here. I’m able to be checked as present this morning as I should be." Do we recognize the things about our lives that we need to change? Or… do we cling, obstinately, to error?

As we sing the song of invitation, if you’ve been clinging to your own sinful ways let us urge you to repent, and make whatever changes need to be made. As a Christian if you need to change, ask God’s forgiveness. If you need our prayers, we would be glad to pray with you. If you need to be baptized into Christ, don’t cling obstinately to a way of life without the Lord for there will come a time when it is too late.

Whatever you need we invite you to come as we stand together and sing.

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Reference Sermon: Cecil A. Hutson

Why Is Repentance So Important?

Mark 1:15

About 10 years ago, there was a 67-year-old Belgian woman named Sabine Moreau. She had left home to travel about 1 ½ hours to Brussels (the capital city of Belgium).

TWO DAYS LATER, after having crossed five international borders, she found herself in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, nearly 900 miles from her home.

It was probably at that point that she suddenly realized that she might not be in Belgium anymore. She admitted that she’d seen “all kinds of traffic signs. First in French, then in German, and so on “But I didn't ask myself any questions. I was just distracted…” But the real problem was that her GPS had malfunctioned, and she just took it for granted that it was guiding her to her destination. She later said: "When I passed Zagreb (the capital city of Croatia) I told myself I should turn around."

She’d gone the wrong way - was miles away from home - and she finally told herself she needed to TURN AROUND.
In our text today we see a word that means “turn around”… the word “REPENT”.

Jesus said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT (turn around) and believe in the gospel."   (Mark 1:15)
You see, many of the Jews had gone the wrong way in their lives - they’d traveled MILES away from God – and they needed to turn around… and go back to Him.
THEY NEEDED TO REPENT!

* This idea of repentance is a repeated theme throughout the Bible.
The Old Testament prophets told Israel repent/turn away from their sins - saying “Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Ezekiel 14:6

* When John the Baptist was baptizing people at the Jordan River, he preached about “The baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Luke 3:3

* At one point, Jesus sent out His 12 disciples and THEY preached that “People should repent.” Mark 6:12

* On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

* And the Apostle Paul preached “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

It shows up again, and again, and again throughout the Bible. So obviously… repentance is important to God – which raises the question: Why do we have to repent? Why is it so important? Well, the main reason is – we tend to mess things up in our lives.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 says “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”   We’ve all said or thought or done things in our lives that make us ashamed. And if we don’t repent of those things we can end up traveling a long way away from God.

And yes, even Christians need to repent.  In I John 1:9 John tells Christians: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Confessing our sins means that we admit we’ve messed up and we intend turn away from those sins and return to God.

ILLUS: One of my favorite Old Testament stories is about Adam and Eve after they’d sinned.  God comes down to the Garden and asks a couple of questions: First, God called out to Adam and asks “Where are you?”  And Adam replied “I was afraid, because I was naked, & I hid myself." And God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"

Now – quiz time: When God asked Adam “Where are you?” … didn’t God KNOW where Adam was? Of course, God knew! God knows everything!  Then why ask the question?

Because God was giving Adam a chance to “fess up”… to REPENT of what he’d done.
Then God asked “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"  But didn’t God know Adam had eaten of that fruit? Of course, God knew! God knows everything!  So, why ask the question?

God was giving Adam another chance to repent.  So twice, God gave Adam a chance to confess/repent but Adam must have figured, what God didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. He figured that if he just covered his SIN/nakedness with leaves, and hid in the bushes… Well, God wouldn’t notice! Adam decided that – all he had to do was ignore the sin and the problem would go away.
But it doesn’t work that way. Sin makes us feel guilty, and even makes us want to wash away our guilt.

ILLUS: Back in 2006, researchers at the University of Toronto reported they’d found that People who suffered from an experience that brought a guilty conscience had this “powerful urge to wash themselves.”

In the study, the researchers asked some of the volunteers to recall their past sins. And then they were all given an opportunity to wash their hands as a symbol of cleansing their conscience of past sins. Those who had been instructed to recall their sins washed their hands at “twice the rate of study subjects who had not been asked to think about their past transgressions.”  We’re not geared to feel comfortable with the shame of our sins. In fact, even a PARTIAL admission of guilt isn’t enough.

ILLUS: There was a study conducted about 10 years ago that was titled: “I Cheated, But Only a Little.”  The researchers studied over 4,000 people and discovered that people who only PARTIALLY confessed a transgression felt worse than those who didn’t confess at all.

The point is this: repentance is necessary to rebuild a person’s life. Without true, complete repentance, the shame and guilt of past behavior can cripple us… or even destroy us.

ILLUS: There was once a gifted author named Earnest Hemingway. He wrote books like “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, “The Old Man and The Sea”, “A Farewell To Arms” and dozens of other novels and short-stories.

His writing style was so powerful that it influenced numerous authors of the day. And Hemingway was romanticized for his adventurous lifestyle and his outspoken and blunt public image.
As a child, Hemingway grew up in a very devout church-going family and yet, when he grew up - he wanted nothing to do with God. He ended up living a depraved and immoral lifestyle and seemingly had no conscience and no moral standards. At the age of 61, Earnest Hemingway… took his own life.

At one point he wrote “I live in a vacuum that is as lonely as a radio tube when the batteries are dead and there is no current to plug into.”

He lived and died an empty life because he had no intention of turning away from the kind of life he’d lived. He had no desire to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. If Hemingway HAD repented, his life could have turned out differently.

Acts 3:19-20 says “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you.”

Without repentance we can’t have any of that.  
Our sins cannot be blotted out. Without repentance, there is no refreshing of our lives. In other words… without repentance life can become very empty and meaningless.

But when we repent, our sins are blotted out and we can be refreshed because God removes the guilt and shame from our lives. That stumbling block is removed and life gets easier.

Now, in our verse today, Jesus said “Repent and BELIEVE…" (Mark 1:15) Why did Jesus include that word BELIEVE?

Well, Proverbs 3:5-8 actually tells us why: “Trust (believe) in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

Wow! That almost sounds like what we read in the book of Acts. Acts told us that - if we repented/ if we turned away from evil/ times of refreshment would come from the LORD!  And Proverbs told us that if we repented/ if we turned away from evil/ God would give us healing for our flesh, and refreshment for our bones.

But Proverbs starts out by telling us that we need to do something else FIRST – “Trust in the LORD will all our hearts and NOT lean on our own understanding.”  You see… we have to acknowledge God – and we have to believe He cares for us – and THEN He can do things in our lives.

What Proverbs 3 is saying is this – Trust God/ Repent Of Evil, and if we do that… God can fix the problems in our lives.  Proverbs is basically saying – make God your authority; make Him your guide; make HIM your… GPS.

ILLUS: Do you remember the lady who got lost in Europe?
She’d only intended to go to Brussels, but she ended up going 900 miles in the wrong direction. Why did she get lost? Well yeah, she got distracted and wasn’t paying attention, but the real problem was that her GPS wasn’t trustworthy. Her man-made guidance system malfunctioned and led her the wrong way.

Now a lot of people in this world spiritually rely on man-made guidance systems. If they need wisdom… they turn to their friends, they turn to the internet, and turn to various scholars and experts.

But they don’t look to God for their wisdom. They don’t trust God for His advice. They DON’T trust the LORD to GUIDE them in life. And (well) why should they?

They’ve got those OTHER GPS systems they trust THEIR FRIENDS…THE INTERNET…ETC.so, why bother with looking to God first?

Do you know what happens when they rely on something other than God? And, Do you know what happens when something else becomes their source of wisdom/advice/guidance?(PAUSE) Well, they tend to get lost in this life.  

Have you ever been lost? You’re were in a strange city, or on a country road with no signs. You don’t know where you’re at and you have no idea how to get where you want to go.  Do you remember how you felt at that point? Well, when I’ve gotten lost I got anxious, worried, and frustrated. The information I thought I could rely on… misled me.

Now, we all live in a lost world, and we’re surrounded with advice and directions that are wrong – and the reason they’re wrong is because – they are not based in God’s thinking.

And when we listen to that WRONG information we tend to get anxious, worried, and angry, because those are the feelings we get… when we get lost.

And when you and I start feeling that way about life, it’s a sign that our personal GPS has misled us. That’s why Jesus said: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

If we want to stop being anxious/ stop being worried/ stop being angry about things we cannot control, then we have to give up trying to control things our way… and let Jesus have control.

We need to trust (believe) God and turn away from sin, and we’ll find forgiveness of sin, a time of refreshment, and rest for our souls. THAT’S WHAT JESUS PROMISED!!!

CLOSE: I want to close with a familiar story of a young man who got lost. He was one of 2 sons of a wealthy man, but he didn’t respect his dad and he wanted to live life HIS own way.

So, he demanded his share of the inheritance and he went off to live his life HIS WAY. And it was a GOOD life. A lavish life. A life focused on enjoyment and partying. And he had all kinds of friends who helped him party and enjoy his wealth. But when his money ran out… so did his friends.

As Jesus told the story: he stated that a severe famine arose in that country, and the boy began to be in need. So, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

And he got so hungry he longed to be fed with the food that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. I suspect he’d come to the point in his life where he became anxious/worried/ maybe even angry with himself.

And Jesus said that the prodigal Son … “came to himself”. He took a good look in the mirror and he said “I don’t want to live like this.”

He realized it was time to turn around and return home. So, he repented/ turned his back on the empty life he’d been living, and went back to his father. And, while the boy was still a long way off the father saw him… and RAN to him. He hugged his son, and kissed him. He dressed him in the finest of garments, put a ring on his finger & shoes on his feet and had fatted calf killed … and they had themselves a party.

And the Father said: “‘my son was dead, and is alive again; he was LOST and is found.’ And they began to celebrate." Luke 15:24

Jesus was talking about us.

We have oftentimes wandered off from the Father, and we have to understand that the empty way of life that many people embrace leads to a lot of emotions we don't want to have.  We want to be at peace.

So Jesus says: "Repent" because you and I need it as much as the people outside the church. Now the advantage we have is that at least we have the book to read and we can learn how God wants us to think.

Now, people outside of Christ don't have that... and that's our advantage. Because when we see a friend or a relative, and they're anxious and worried and even filled with anger, we can ask them "Do you really want to live like that? Let me tell you about Jesus.

INVITATION

Reference Sermon by: Jeff Strite

The Second Great Commandment

By Jerad Allen

Good morning. How's everybody's day been? I can understand the snow. It's been a bit much.

As some of you may know, I go to Bowling Green State University. I'm there as an education major. Right now I'm on Thanksgiving break, so I'm home for now. As an education major, we're being taught how to properly educate our youth.

I'm specifically a middle childhood major. I'll be teaching middle school, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th graders. One important thing that I've learned is to be able to relate the content to the students. I'm a math and social studies major. Math in particular is something kids can find a hard time relating it to their life.

Oftentimes, you'll see students asking, when am I going to use this? Why is this important? When does this apply to me? One thing teachers must do is find ways these students can relate it to real life. One example is when we're going over division and fractions. We can easily relate that to price discounts. If it says 50% off, that's a fraction or one half. You can relate that to students as a fraction and relate math in that way.

What I want to do today is bring up a time, as Christians, we might ask, “How am I to be a Christian?” Today we will be going over Luke 10:25-37. Some of you may know, this is the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus answers the question, What does a Christian look like?

I'll start with verses 25 through 27. “On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What is written in the law? He replied, how do you read it? He answered, love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Here, the lawyer is referencing Moses in Deuteronomy chapter six, when he's talking about the Israelites. Moses is talking to the Israelites about God's covenant. Here, specifically, verses five and six are being referenced. These are the Lord's commands. Jesus call them two of the greatest commands. Love him with all your strength, all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Earlier in class, we were talking a lot about brotherly love and what that is and how that shows. It's in the same vein, love your neighbors, love your brothers, and love those around you. What does this look like though? There are plenty of examples in the Bible. Many times Jesus attended to the poor and the weak.

In Mark 12:28-31, it says, one of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating, noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer. He asked of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one answered is hear, O Israel, the Lord, your God, love your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. These commandments, as I was researching for this sermon, were repeated many times in the Bible.

One of the ladies here, after my first sermon, told me that to get it through to people you're preaching to is tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them and then tell them what your told them. I believe what she was say was say it once, say it twice to make sure they hear it, and then say it three times to really just make sure they get the point. That's what I think is being done here. These are very important commands so the Lord repeats them, and He repeats them again, and again, and again.

Verses 28 an 29, says, you have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, who is my neighbor?

The lawyer is testing Jesus here. He is questioning Him. He is, I don't want to say interrogating, but he is pressing onward. He is trying to test Jesus' knowledge. I just kind of have to ask, how arrogant must you be? The Jews had been prophesying about a savior for their entire existence. Now that savior is here in front of you, and you have the gall to test him? The gall to test his knowledge? To test what he knows?

I also think that the lawyer knows who his neighbor is. He knows exactly what Jesus means when he says, your neighbor. He just wants to believe it is the people he thinks it should be, the people he wants it to be, but not the people he knows it is—the people he knows he should treat neighborly. Here he is really asking, who must I treat neighborly?

In Romans 12:20, we are told, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will keep burning coals on his head.

Feed your enemy. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. I would say this is acting pretty neighborly, right? If you're to act neighborly to your enemy, to someone you despise, to someone who has harmed you, to someone who seeks ill will upon you, who else do you think you should act neighborly towards? Your brother? Your actual neighbor who lives right across from you? Maybe the random kid on the street who is outside all the time, but doesn't necessarily have friends? I ask you, if you are to treat your enemy neighborly, shouldn't you treat everyone around you neighborly? Any man, woman, child you come across?

Let’s move on to Luke 10:30-32. “In reply, Jesus said, a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road. When he saw the man, he passed on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed on the other side.”

Notice who passed him here, a priest and a Levite. A priest is meant to lead his people spiritually. This is a spiritual leader. This is an important man, and a Levite, from what I saw, is a man to aid the priest. These are important figures in the temple. These are important figures in the Jewish faith, and they pass over the man. Of course, they were probably not without reason. They may have assumed that it was a trap. Maybe he was trying to lure people closer to him so he could in turn rob them. They may have thought it was a lie. That’s not a bad assumption, but as spiritual leaders, as people who are meant to be the example their followers look to, I think they should have done better.

As the lawyer earlier mentioned, you must love your neighbor as yourself. As we looked at earlier, even your enemy is your neighbor. The men here did not act neighborly; they didn't even have the decency to ask if the man was okay. Notice how they didn't just pass by. They didn't say a word to him. They saw him, looked away, and went on their merry way. They didn't have to get close to him to simply ask a question, but no, they didn't ask.

In 1 John 4:20, it says, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen.”

Christ is calling the priests and the Levites specifically out here. I think this is a specific example for the culture and the people of the time. They were not only not being neighborly, but for not loving God. If they did love God, as the commandments state, they would also love their neighbor, right? Those are the two greatest commandments.

Love God, love your neighbor. If you truly loved your brother or your neighbor, then you would help them in their time of need. You would ask them, are you okay? You would help them in their time of need. You would aid them. Here though, they just passed by, and did nothing. Religious leader, important people in the temple did not help. They did not do a thing.

Moving on with our text, “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was. And when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day, he took two denarius and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him, he said. And when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”

This Samaritan showed kindness, showed brotherly love. It is interesting that Jesus used a Samaritan in particular as the man who was showing love, who was showing kindness. Samaritans were not looked on kindly. The looked down on them. They were a racially mixed people and were looked on as a lesser class by society as a whole at the time.

Jesus uses one here to emphasize, not only should everyone act neighborly, but everyone should be given neighborly acts as well. If a Samaritan man is showing kindness to a man he has never met, to a man he knows nothing about, and then so should the Jews of the time as well. So should everyone else. No one is exempt from this. It seems like Christ likes using Samaritans in the Bible. The woman at the well is another good example of Him doing the same thing.

She was a Samaritan woman and he had a lengthy conversation with her in John 4. It makes sense though. Since they were looked down upon, since they were seen as a lesser people, Christ would use them to show everybody can be saved, that everybody needs to act this way to gain this thing and that this is available to everyone who does this. It is a gift anyone can accept. I believe that's why he uses a Samaritan man here.

In Galatians 3:13-14, it says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

Christ's gift is for everyone. He is the fulfillment of the Jewish law. It is for everyone, not just the Jews of the time, not just for a select few. It is for all of us, so we should act in accordance. We should act neighborly to all.

Back to our text verses 36-37, “which of these three do you think was neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in this law said the one who had mercy on him. Jesus said go and do likewise.”

I want to point out something else before I get into anything. Notice what the lawyer said. Did he mention the Samaritan? Did he say Samaritan? He didn't. He said the one who had mercy. He actively went out of his way to not mention the man's race, to not mention his class, to not mention who he was. Instead, he said the one who had shown mercy. Notice, again, the arrogance this lawyer shows.

Jesus just went through this whole parable explaining to the lawyer how he should act and how it should be applied to everyone. It seems he can't even let his own prejudice towards those people, towards Samaritans, let him acknowledge the Samaritan that was used as an example. The man that acted neighborly when his own priests, when his own Levites, people he would see as worthy, didn't. Think about that how this lawyer in particular, shows just how arrogant he was.

I asked you when you go into the world do not be like the priest or the Levite. Be like the Samaritan and be a neighbor to all. Feed the hungry and take care of the sick. For if we love God then we must love our neighbors as well. If we love our neighbors, then we show our love for God as well.

Mark 12:30-31 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
Christ loved us more than we could ever imagine. It is our job as Christians to replicate that love and follow in his footsteps, to do as he did. His life was an example on how we are supposed to act. He has told us that those two commandments, those two simple commands, that is the key to following a good and Christian life. That is how He walked. Those commandments led His every decision.

Most important to me is to love your Lord. Love our God, because if you truly love the Lord, then the love for the neighbors will come naturally. Those works, those kind acts will follow.

If you truly love the Lord, then you will obey His commandments and be baptized for the remission of your sins. If you love the Lord, why wait? Death is in any corner. At any point, robbers could jump out of nowhere and stab you, and you might not be as lucky as the man in the story who was able to survive and received help. You may be left with nothing. Death can come whenever, wherever, at any point.

Why wait? There is no way but His way. As I leave to you today, I asked you if you have not been baptized, please come. Thank you.

More Righteous Than These

Matthew 5:20-48

A man was telling about being a student at the University of Southern California, and he and his friends worked hard to earn their PhDs, because they wanted to be allowed to hold the coveted title of “doctor”.

Then, one day one of their professors told about a friend of his who’d called his home and asked if the “doctor” was in. The professor’s 10-year-old answered the phone & replied, “Well, yes… but he’s not the kind that can do you any good.”

Today, we’re going to read about a group of men who had the titles. They were men of importance and prominence in Israel. They were like the PhDs who were called “doctor”… but they didn’t have TITLES that could do you any good.

In our text today Jesus tells his audience (in the Sermon on the Mt) that “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

Now, that’s kind of an odd thing for Jesus to say, because Jesus really didn’t like the Pharisees all that much. There’s a famous passage from Matthew 23:27-28 where Jesus says “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but withinare full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So, you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
I mean, at one point in our passage it would seem that Jesus is praising the Pharisees, but then, in the passage in Matthew 23, He's condemning them as hypocrites and white-washed tombs. What's the deal?

Well - it helps to understand that the Pharisees were respectable religious leaders in Israel. The Pharisees were major teachers and leaders in the synagogues (which were kind of like the churches of our day). They were known for their high moral standards, and for their encyclopedic knowledge of the Scriptures.

Now, by contrast, there was another group of men called the Sadducees. The Sadducees were often the priests and leaders at the Temple; So, here we have the Pharisees, who essentially ran things the synagogues, and then you had the Sadducees who ran things at the Temple.
And these Sadducees - while they believed in God – they didn’t really believe in a God who could do anything. Sadducees didn’t believe in the miracles of Scripture, nor in the promise of resurrection of the dead.

That sort of set the Pharisees and the Sadducees at odds with each other... and the Pharisees were constantly standing up against the Sadducees who were widely known to be corrupt… and not really nice people!
And Jesus NEVER praised the Sadducees… but he did kind of praise the Pharisees.
Even when Jesus was slapping down the Pharisees in Matthew 23:2-3 He said that,

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat (in other words, they taught from the Bible) so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice." Matthew 23:2-3

That’s where we get the phrase:
“PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH”.

These Pharisees knew their Bibles but they didn't obey it. They could tell you the difference between right and wrong. But they didn’t practice what they preached.
They had the title of being religious people… but their title didn’t do them any good.
Someone has noted that the Pharisees would have made impressive church members.
They knew their Bible inside and out; they prayed at least 3 times a day; dressed in their Sunday best for worship; they took their morality seriously. But they were hard people to get along with.

A young Christian woman told of her experience dealing with Christians as she worked at Lowes. She stated that a lot of the folks who worked at Lowes absolutely hated to work on Sundays. It seems that the church folk who came and shopped there on Sundays after church were the most disrespectful, selfish, and insulting people she’d ever met.

In fact, I’ve been told that there’s a lot of waitresses who hate waiting on tables of church-goers, eating lunch after worship on Sundays, because of how demanding and ungrateful these people often are. In essence, they don't reflect well on the Jesus they say they serve.

Those people are the Pharisees of our culture. They are the religious people who wouldn’t miss church on a bet, and who have memorized Bible verses by the boatload – but they only care about themselves. They only care about what you can do for them, not for what they can do for you. And they stand in judgment of anybody who doesn't live up to their standards. And that’s just OUTSIDE the church building. On the inside of the church building… things can get even worse.

Jesus told the story about “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:
‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:10-14

In our day, when people come to church, there are those amongst them that are like that Pharisee. They say "God I'm thankful I'm not like that person! I'm thankful I don't behave like they do! I'm grateful that I do more at church than they do!" And they go on and on and on about how much more righteous they are than that other person. They're kind of like the person who said: “No one’s saved but thee and me… and I’m not sure of thee.”

(PAUSE) Now, back in the days of Jesus the thing the Pharisees would do was that they set the bar of morality really high. They'd tell you what YOU needed to do. They might not do those things themselves, but they wanted to make sure YOU knew what was expected of you. They did that to impress people with how religious they were. They could play the game so that you'd think they were more righteous than they were.

But then Jesus came along and He set the bar of righteousness even higher than the Pharisees did. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus would quote something the Pharisees endorsed… and then Jesus would explain that that wasn’t quite enough for God.

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ I mean… that’s right out of the Bible. The Pharisees would have taught that. In fact, they probably felt pretty good about themselves when Jesus said this because they’d never murdered anyone… But then Jesus upped the ante. It’s not enough not to murder anyone…

“I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22

Then Jesus quoted the Bible again: "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ It's right there in the 10 Commandments. And the Pharisees would smile and say “Yep… I've got that box checked – I’ve never committed adultery!" But then, again – Jesus said that wasn’t good enough – “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
Ahhh man! Seriously? They believed they could look lustfully at a woman and God wouldn't mind. But God did mind.

Jesus was exposing their selfishness and shortcomings!

And I could go on and on and on "You've heard it said..." "But I say unto you..." telling them "let me tell you what God REALLY thinks about that. And he cut the Pharisees down, bit by bit until there was no righteousness they could claim for themselves.

The Pharisees had felt they all had their moral ducks in a row; and here was Jesus, just shooting down all their ducks. Their morality was never going to be good enough for God.

(Pause) AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT!
Jesus said “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” But the righteousness of the Pharisees fell short. God’s righteousness would always exceed that of even the most righteous Pharisee.

Romans 3:10 said “It is written: ‘none is righteous, no, not one.’”; Romans 3:23 said “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”; and Romans 3:20 declared “No-one will be declared righteous in (God’s) sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”

The point is – you can’t be righteous enough to earn your way into heaven. Even the most righteous Pharisee wasn’t gonna be good enough, because God’s bar of righteousness was just too high. Now, why would God do that? Why would God set that bar so high?

Well, the answer is: God set it that high because He was God.
God is the very portrait of what righteousness, and holiness and perfection would look like. And so He's telling us what He's expecting from us. We'll never really quite get "there" – I mean, even the Pharisees couldn't get there, so even the best of us is going to fail.

God was saying "this is where the bar is – you shoot for that bar!

Because it's important for me (God) to know you're at least trying to reach that bar."

By contrast, gods of the Greeks and Romans that were in the cultures around Israel – they weren’t very moral at all. Stories were told of how selfish and untrustworthy these gods were; there were stories about their partying and drunkenness; and how they could be jealous and vengeful.

In short, the pagan gods were a lot like the people who worshipped them, because these people who worshipped them had literally created their gods… in their own image.

Someone once speculated… that the pagans probably did this (created their gods as being selfish, etc.) so that they could make themselves feel better about their own shortcomings. If these gods could be immoral in how they behaved, then that would give their worshippers an excuse for any sins they might commit.

The pagans created their gods in their own image, but we didn't. We didn’t create our God in our image …
HE CREATED US IN HIS, and He set the standard of what was right and what was wrong.

And God DID set a high standard for us. God said “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

And at the end of the passage we read from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said -
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
But wait a minute - we just got done saying that God is way more righteous and holy and perfect than we’ll ever be. That's a high standard. Why set it so high! I mean - if God knows I can’t be moral like Him, why would he set the bar of morality so high?

Well… if God had set the bar low, all we’d have to do to be righteous would be to be more righteous than the person sitting next to us (don't go looking around at the person next to you) and, if I could compare myself with several other folks - that would give me bragging rights.

My morality would be impressive because I was better than most people I knew. And you'll hear people say that! "Well, yeah, I know I don't do what I ought to do, but at least I'm better than my neighbor or relative who claim to be Christians! You ought to see that church goers down the street."

They compare themselves with other people because by comparing themselves, they make themselves look better.

But that’s not the way things work with God. MY self-righteousness would never be impressive to God. That’s part of the reason the bar is so high – so we’d know we DON'T deserve heaven. I don't, and you don't.

When Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he spent the first part of his letter telling how much God loved them. But then he pointed out– that BEFORE they became Christians – they were “dead in their sins” and they “were, by nature, children of wrath” before they came to Christ.
Then he wrote: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works (your righteous deeds), so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:4-9

I can’t boast about my personal righteousness, because I was saved from sin when I was still dead in my trespasses. God gave me the gift of his grace when I did not deserve it.
I didn’t deserve His grace/forgiveness, but He gave it anyway because He loved me (and you).

CLOSING: Now, it just so happens that there’s a story in the Bible about a prominent Pharisee who was as impressive as any man could be. If you ever thought you had a reason to be confident – that your works would impress God – this man had a far better pedigree than you (or I) would ever have.

He was “circumcised on the eighth day,
of the people of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of Hebrews;
as to the law, a Pharisee;
as to zeal, a persecutor of the church;
as to righteousness under the law,
blameless.” Philippians 3:4-6

HE WAS BLAMELESS!!!
If anybody had a right to get to heaven… he did! But then, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life was never the same. We know that this Pharisee as a man named Paul. He was a man who wrote nearly ½ Of our New Testament; A man who planted numerous churches across Asia in places like Corinth, Ephesus and Philippi;
He was a man who most of us would like to be like.

And yet he wrote:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners,
Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” I Timothy 1:15-16

The BEST of the Pharisees realized he was the WORST of sinners! And as he was baptized into Christ he was told “Rise and be baptized and WASH AWAY YOUR SINS, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)
Reflecting on that decision to turn his life over to Jesus, Paul wrote: “I count everything as loss (all of his righteousness/all his accomplishments) because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

INVITATION

The Foolishness of Preaching - Preaching The Cross

1st Corinthians 1:21-24

INTRO: Good morning church. Every year many people celebrate an event they call the Holy Week and Easter. The focus of this event is on the last days of Jesus on earth and culminates with Easter Sunday, the cross and the resurrection. To some it is an obligation from the religious community to which they belong. They go to church because they feel they have to put in an appearance, but most of the rest of the year they do not show up.

When we began this series we talked about “the scandal of the cross”. In the religious world the reality of the cross is not often preached. I wonder if by going to an assembly on Easter some of these people are put off from looking deeper into the cross. A Baptist preacher once said: “Bluntly stated, the cross is bloody, it's an offensive message and it's a shameful death in the ears of the world”.

Death is a topic most people like to distance themselves from. The preacher continued; “the word of the cross is foolishness. In other words, it's nonsense, pointless, idiotic, and mindless. That is what the cross is to the natural man”. Perhaps that is why most of the year in many churches you do not hear the cross preached.

I. FOOLISHNESS.

A. That preacher said “the word of the cross is foolishness”. What is foolishness? What is a fool? What is it to be foolish? The synonyms in the dictionary give us some hints. These include: simpleton, dolt, dunce, blockhead, numskull, ignoramus, dunderhead, ninny, nincompoop, saphead, sap. 2. Zany, clown. 5. Moron, imbecile, idiot. 6. To delude, hoodwink, cheat, gull, hoax, cozen, dupe.

1. Turn with me in your bibles to 1^st Corinthians 3:18 – “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” Interesting, I thought that foolishness was the opposite of being wise. Doesn’t Proverbs 1:7 say in part: “Fools despise wisdom”? Yet, here Paul says something that sounds different, “let him become foolish that he may become wise.”
2. Let’s look at 1^st Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Are not those that are lost… perishing… the ones in need of this message? Why then is it foolishness to them?

B. Consider what some people think about preaching the cross.

1. They say; someone dying on a cross almost two thousand years ago has no relevance today. They are not interested, and they don’t even want to discuss it. Besides, - they might tell you, - there have been many good men who have died for good causes down through the years. Surprisingly this is also the attitude of some in the religious world.
2. A Dean of St. Albans Cathedral, Jeffrey John, said on BBC radio that the crucifixion of Jesus for the sins of the world is: “pretty repulsive as well as nonsensical [i.e. foolish] … What sort of God was this, getting so angry with the world and the people He created and then, to calm Himself down, demanding the blood of His own son? ... Anyway, why should God forgive us through punishing somebody else? It was worse than illogical, it was insane. It made God sound like a psychopath. If any human being behaved like this, we would say they were a monster.”
3. Dr. John Dominic Crossan, former co-chairman of the theologically liberal Jesus Seminar, made a similar comment in October 2000 when he said he finds it "an obscenity" that God had somebody else suffer for our sins and that sacrificing His own son was "a sort of transcendental child abuse."
4. Yes, for the unsaved and the unrepentant … the preaching of the cross is foolishness.

II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL US?

A. Paul says in 1^st Corinthians 9:16 – “…woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”

1. Paul knew how unacceptable his preaching would be … but still, he preached the cross.
2. He knew the words he was saying were completely contrary to the spirit of the age. He came to them in fear and trembling. His message was alien to them. Many had never heard of Jesus, and they had no interest in hearing about Him. “Why tell us Greeks and Romans about a Jew whose end was crucifixion? He is nothing to us. We have our own gods and our own religions, we don’t need another!”
3. Paul wasn’t telling them “nice‟ stories, with fanciful lyrics and ear-tickling daintiness. He preached to them nothing else and nothing less than the Son of God who died on the cross to save sinners.
4. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know anything else, because he did. He was a clever and intelligent man who had been taught the deep things of his Jewish faith from a master, the Pharisee Gamaliel. He had an advanced education. … Yet, when the Lord saved him, he did not hesitate to become a fool for Christ.
5. Paul was not an uneducated man. We read in 1^st Corinthians 2:1-5 – “1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5. that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

B. That brings me to our text for this morning. Read with me 1^st Corinthians 1:21-24 where Paul tells us – “21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23. but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24. but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

1. When the apostle Paul referred to the “the foolishness of preaching”, he acknowledged that there were many who considered the message of the cross just plain foolishness.
2. I am not certain just what was happening among the Christians in Corinth, but we know they lived in a city dominated by Greek thinking and wisdom. We also know that the church there was one of divided loyalties.
3. There was some pressing need for the apostle to emphasize the cross of Christ. While the resurrection was central to the apostle’s preaching, we cannot escape the fact that the cross was always in his mind and teaching.
4. I would like us to think for a few minutes of some things in the context of the verses we have just read.

III. THE CONTEXT

A. The cross was to the Jews a stumbling block - 1:23a. Why?

1. In spite of scripture to the contrary they expected a militant Messiah. They cried “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!” when He went into Jerusalem. (John 12:13)
2. We read the Jews sought a “sign” - Let’s look at Matthew 12:38-40 – “38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.'' 39. But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

B. We read that the cross was to the Greeks foolishness - 1:23b Why?

1. Theirs was the world of the great Greek philosophers.
2. Secular wisdom is what was highly valued among them.
3. The idea of a savior executed by crucifixion made no sense to them, just as it makes no sense to some today.

C. Preaching the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing– as we read in 1^st Corinthians 1:18a. Why was that?

1. To the Jews and Greeks of Paul’s time, they just could not get past their prejudices. In fact, Paul, then called Saul, was among those. He wasn’t interested in Christ. Jesus held no appeal whatsoever for him. In fact, more than any other name, he despised and rejected the Name of Jesus. Yes… he understood those to whom he was preaching because he was once as they were.
2. The Jews and Greeks had a lot of trouble accepting the idea of a crucified Savior. As in our day, so it was in Paul’s day … Speak to them about anything else, virtually, and they will listen to you, at least for a short while … but speak to them about Christ, and immediately the “shutters come down”. Every type of religion is given a platform, but if you preach the Gospel, you meet with aversion and opposition.
3. Look with me at 2^nd Corinthians 4:3-5 – “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (referring to Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.”[KJV] There is a personal choice involved and Satan is right there to blind those who will not believe. ... Failing to accept the benefits of Jesus’ atoning death is true foolishness.

D. Worldly wisdom leads to unbelief in 1^st Corinthians 1:21 – “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, …”[NKJV]

1. Worldly wisdom puts its trust in what man can do and provide. Many attend church to be entertained, to be made to “feel good”.
2. Worldly wisdom does not believe in what it cannot see - or in that which does not seem logical or rational.
3. We need to remember Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” - unbelief is inexcusable!

E. In 1^st Corinthians again, look with me at 1^st Corinthians 1:26 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.”[ESV] The wise, the powerful and the noble of the world are rarely among the called.

1. It is a sad, true fact confirmed in human experience, yet it is not to say that none of the wise and mighty are called for we find there was Dionysius at Athens (Acts 17:34); Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Crete (Acts 13:6-12); the noble ladies at Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:4,12); and Erastus, the city treasurer (Roman 16:23).
2. When we are called we are called by the gospel 2^nd Thessalonians 2:14 – “to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”[NKJV] Paul writes that God called them by the gospel. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are the central facts of the gospel.
3. Are perhaps, those who reject the gospel simply “above” such needs as those the cross supplies? I’m thinking of the sermons on Solomon’s porch.

F. In 1st Corinthians 1:18b we read: - “… but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” In v.24 “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” The preaching of the cross is the power of God to the saved.

1. The word translated as “preaching” is from the Greek word which means “to proclaim or to publish”.
2. We may tend to forget in this world which emphasizes entertainment, that it is the message and not the messenger or their eloquence which is God’s power.
3. Human wisdom is very dismissive of God’s truth for so, so many reasons - but the “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) can accept His truth and act upon it.

G. The idea of the cross is rejected by human wisdom. This morning I mentioned some religious leaders that were talking negatively about the idea of the cross. In 1^st Corinthians read with me 1^st Corinthians 1:25-28 – “25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28. and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,” That cross, that thing of disgrace, is a challenge to human wisdom. “that old rugged cross, so despised by the world”.

1. I would suggest that the whole idea of the word of the cross is to bring one to faith. God explains something to us in Isaiah 55:8-9 – “8. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,'' says the Lord. 9. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
2. Think about baptism – it is so rejected by the wisdom of the world. I know of those who profess belief up until the act of baptism, and then they say they cannot see the point!
3. Human wisdom would design something much more elaborate, more “meaningful” or logical ... but faith simply acts in obedience to the word.

IV. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PREACHING THE CROSS.

A. The world looks at us as fools, - and even in some church circles there are those who look at us as fools because… we hold to the Gospel and we continue to preach it. It is foolishness to them … but it is the message God gives His children to proclaim the way He has set before us. Yes, the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but it is a message the Christ-rejecting world cannot afford—not to hear, and consider …

1. What is said in v. 21 is in part … “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”
2. There is only one means of entrance into Heaven and it is on the basis of what Christ did on the cross. There is no other way of salvation, only God’s way which He purposed, and has completed, through His Son.
3. Therefore, each time we present the Gospel there is always, - a response. God’s Word is met with either acceptance or rejection. Either the Christ of the Gospel is accepted, or He is rejected; there is no “in-between”, there is no half-way decision.

B. How does the foolishness of preaching the cross become effective in the salvation of souls? If I was to stand and preach the Gospel with tears running down my face, would that convince someone to be saved? If I was with them in a room for hours and we spoke about nothing but their need to come to Christ, would that be effective? Is it about the methods we use, - how up-to-date, or how old-fashioned? No, we are clearly told not to attempt to use the worldly wisdom of words.

1. Here is how the preaching of the Gospel becomes effective … “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” The salvation of lost souls is the consequence of God’s pleasure to offer salvation, - in other words, His will. The means by which His will in the salvation of souls becomes effective is through the foolishness of preaching the Word of God.
2. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached Christ. He spoke to the crowds about their need for salvation. Following Pentecost, what were the apostles doing? … “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

V. WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?

A. Search the Scriptures and you will find preaching is God’s way of telling lost sinners they need to be saved. Ah, some say, we’re not in the first century anymore! … Yes, I know we are not, but what we need to realize is God has never instructed us to replace preaching. … Preaching has always been the method He has used to proclaim the Gospel.

1. It is not the plans, programs, or the latest techniques of men that capture the soul for Christ … It is the Holy Spirit Who draws the sinner to salvation through the preaching of the Word of God!
2. Advance another method, and you’re attempting to take away from God and apply man’s wisdom!
3. Lost souls can only be saved when God’s word is sown in their hearts, and then He brings it to fruition.
4. This is the Gospel He sets in your heart, and this is the Gospel with which He saves you. Through the preaching of His Word, we learned we were sinners in need of a Savior. We were led to that place where we would believe and accept that message. True salvation has no other source than God. It will never be attractive or appealing until through His word, He opens our blinded eyes to see it. It will never make sense until through His word He gives us understanding. It will only be “foolishness” and a “stumbling-block”.

B. What kind of people does God call to preach the foolishness of the Gospel? He calls those who are committed to it, and convinced of it ... the kind who know it is real themselves. It is not just the person that stands up here, it is all of us. It has nothing to do with titles, or degrees, or anything else... It has all to do with knowing Christ, and desiring to make Him known.

1. Christ, and all He represents, is the true wisdom of God – 1^st Corinthians 1:30 – “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption ”
2. Because of the wisdom of God, we, (“the called”), are in Christ.
3. Christ and the cross are set in contrast to the wisdom of the world. The wisdom of the world crucified Jesus – but because of Jesus the called are seen by God as righteous, sanctified and redeemed!

C. Yes, we glory in the Lord! I would call to your mind Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

1. So many in our present world would dismiss Christ and scripture.
2. The world argues today for a secular society with no mention of God ... much less the cross. “The cross of Christ crucifies Christians to the world, by inspiring them with such principles and leading them to a course of life which renders them in the eyes of the world as contemptible, and as unfit for their purposes as if they were crucified and dead." (MacKnight)
3. But we are of the called ... and we will preach Christ and Him crucified ... and we will find our joy in the blessing of the cross.
4. It is the only message we are told to preach. From the moment of our conversion until the moment the Lord calls us home or comes for us – it is our responsibility to make the Name of Christ known as the only Savior.

CONCLUSION:
Of course, not every believer is called to stand before a group or teach a class … but every believer is called to make the Name of Jesus known. Some of us are tillers of the soil. We, by our actions or our words, help prepare the ground for the gospel to take root. Like those early New England farmers we find rocks in peoples lives that can hinder the seed taking root. By our actions and our words we can help to remove those rocks. Sometimes it is only one rock at a time, perhaps by a kind word or deed. Sometimes by finding a rock that is a misunderstanding and doing a little teaching. In the end, stone by stone, the ground is cleared and the seed finds a place to grow.

You don’t need to stand at the podium to preach a sermon. You can preach a sermon in your own home or in your work-place. The words you say, the attitude with which you say them, the opportunities you take … your friends may look at you and think you are “strange” … They might not understand or be able to make sense of what you are saying …

But you don’t have to use fancy words and try to impress them … simply believe and trust in what God’s Word says in, 1st Corinthians 1:17f – “… preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” … 21. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” …

God has blessed us with many things; that includes the ability to choose. He has also blessed us with the ability to learn, given us His word and this wonderful universe to learn from. With the abilities to choose and learn, we also have the ability to change our minds as we learn. We see this all the time as we study the natural world and learn more. If one never hears the word their choices will be limited. Preaching the cross, be it with our words, our actions, our lives, is our joy and this foolishness ... the wisdom of God.
Folks, if you are here this morning and subject to the gospel invitation we invite you to come and let us know your need. For those who need to be baptized into Christ we would like to assist you in that need. If your need is prayers of your brothers and sisters we are ready to pray with you. However we can help you, we encourage you to come while we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson

The Third Sermon - Preaching The Cross

Acts 5:42

INTRO: Good morning church. We continue our look at the cross today with Acts 5:42 – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” This tells us that the apostles preached Jesus "daily in the temple, and in every house". Last time we read of the healing of the lame man at the Gate called Beautiful at the temple. Peter has declared this healing was done by the power of Jesus, “whom you crucified”. The Sadducees were incensed at this! But Acts 4:14 tells us – “And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”

We do not find that the council gave any reason why the doctrine of Christ must be suppressed. They could not say that it was either false or dangerous, or of any evil tendency; and they were ashamed to own the true reason… that it testified against their hypocrisy, wickedness and tyranny. What the Sanhedrin did not do is of great significance. They had denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a fact Peter had boldly affirmed in their presence, but they could not deny the healing of the lame man.

They conferred among themselves determined to oppose the teaching of the apostles. The best thing they could think of, at the moment, was to threaten them. Therefore they "commanded” the apostles “..not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18).

The early days of preaching and teaching in Jerusalem must have been exciting. The word "multitude" was used to describe the number of the disciples. Can you imagine a time when hundreds of people were responding to gospel preaching in a desire to be baptized into Christ? It was a time of great generosity as people shared their material blessings with those who had little or nothing. It was a time when miracles of healing were very evident. All of this, however, did not go unnoticed by the high priest and his henchmen! So...

I. THE "ADDING" OF DISCIPLES CONTINUED DRAMATICALLY

A. Teaching continued on Solomon’s porch and Acts 5:14 tells us – “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”.

1. Remembering Acts 2:41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” these are people being baptized!
2. We also remember Acts 2:47 – “… And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” these are saved people being added!

B. The apostles have been warned, commanded, not to speak in the name of Jesus and then let go. What happened? Let’s read in Acts 4:23-31 – “23. And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25. "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: `Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26. the kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.' 27. "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28. "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29. "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30. "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.''”

1. Notice this next verse, Acts 4:31 – “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” God gave this visible sign that His promise of miraculous power to the Twelve would continue to be honored. The place was shaken.
2. They had prayed to be granted that “Your servants with all boldness may speak Your word,” Then in v. 31 we are told “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” This was not a repetition of the wonder at Pentecost, but a continuation in the apostles of that power "from on high" which had been promised, and the result was their speaking the word with boldness.
3. We know they spoke of the crucifixion and we read in Acts 4:27-28 – “"For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.”
4. They also spoke powerfully of the resurrection - Acts 4:33 – “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

II. BUT HOSTILITY TO THEIR PREACHING WAS VERY REAL

A. I recall when Paul was giving his defense to King Agrippa what he said about Christ...

1. Acts 26:26 – “For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.” Done in a corner? In a manner of speaking it was done in a little corner of the universe known as the Planet Earth; but it was not unnoticed. As some of the Sadducees and Pharisees were able to see while He was among them: “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "… Look, the world has gone after Him!”” John 12:19.
2. The preaching of the apostles was not done in a corner hidden from view either. They were in Solomon's porch - they could hardly be missed!

B. Let’s move on to Acts chapter 5. Acts 5:12 – “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.” They had prayed in Acts 4:29-30 – “grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.''”

1. We read “…through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done…”
2. Their power and authority were vastly strengthened; and the forward thrust of Christianity was greatly augmented.
3. Acts 5:14-16 – “14. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15. so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”

a. The scripture does not tell us that any of the people upon whom Peter's shadow fell were healed. However, this does emphasize the overwhelming popularity they were experiencing.
b. Luke testified, particularly at the close of Acts 5:16 that Peter performed many miracles of healing, but he does not describe the mode.

C. Done in a corner? Oh no! The results were predictable. Acts 5:17-18 – “Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” Ah, the Sadducees again

1. Preaching of Jesus' resurrection was grossly objectionable to them. It was a repudiation of their system; and therefore they seized the apostles.
2. That teaching would undermine the Sadducees credibility. Their solution? Jail them!

D. But God had other plans for them. Acts 5:19-20 – “But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.''”

1. This deliverance from the prison was certainly an exceptional thing. This is another of the supernatural wonders that attended the inception of Christianity.
2. I notice though that the reason had nothing to do with the injustice, the personal discomforts, and such things - it was all about teaching "the words of this life". This means all the words relative to eternal life in Jesus Christ. A similar meaning to what we see in John 6:68, where Peter's words to Jesus are recorded, "you have the words of eternal life."

E. What did the apostles do? We continue in Acts 5:21-28 – “21. And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22. But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23. saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!'' 24. Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25. Then one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!'' 26. Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council…” Let’s stop there for a moment.

1. The first thing we see is they did EXACTLY as they were told by the angel. They went to the temple and taught. The command to go straight back and preach in the Temple sounds to a prudent mind almost incredible. To obey that command seems like an act of reckless audacity. Yet, they went.
2. It is clear now that the purpose of the angelic rescue of the apostles from prison was not connected with their personal safety; for the angel's directive put them right back in a position that was vulnerable to the persecution of the priests. We conclude then, that the purpose of their release was the continuation of their preaching the word of God to the people.
3. None of the miracles done by the apostles, through them, or upon their behalf should be viewed as anything other than God working with them for the preaching of the gospel.
4. Sign after sign was given to these hard-hearted leaders of Israel, but they remained stubborn. Under the circumstances, they could not have failed to know that God was with the apostles of Christ, but they were determined to carry forward their opposition in the face of all this.
5. It seems to have been utterly beyond their comprehension that God would remove their whole nation rather than allow them to block the world-wide proclamation of the faith in Christ.

III. THE HIGH PRIEST'S CHARGE

A. Acts 5:27b-28 – “…And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!''”
B. The high priest said three very distinct things here.

1. First, he reminded them they had been forbidden to teach in Jesus' name. It seems incredible to me, the hatred which the Jewish religious hierarchy had for the blessed name of Jesus, which name they simply would not say under any circumstances, saying "this name," as is said here instead, and always referring to Him as "this man" or "that man."
2. Second, he accused them of filling Jerusalem with their doctrine. I suppose we should not be surprised at that. These religious leaders had been replacing God’s word with their own “doctrine” for generations.
3. Third, he accused them of trying to lay the blame for Jesus' death on them.

a. They remembered well the crucifixion ... they had initiated it.
b. Guilty people often want to shift blame to others - guilt is not fun. Thomas Scott wrote in his commentary; “See how those who with presumption will do an evil thing, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. They could cry daringly enough, ‘His blood be on us’; but now they take it as a heinous affront to have Christ's blood laid upon them.”

C. The "words of this life" referred to by the angel, challenged their tradition and status quo.

1. Arrogance and prejudice are enemies of truth and are the children of pride.
2. If there is any challenge to arrogance, or prejudice… it is unwanted, and unpopular!
3. This high priest and his crew were well entrenched in position and power - leaving no room for any admission of error – no room for change – and no room for growth.

IV. THE APOSTLES' RESPONSE TO THE HIGH PRIEST

A. They first acknowledged loyalty to God - Acts 5:29 – “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.”

1. It is true, human authority had commanded them to stop preaching. There was no device by which the powerful priestly enemies of the Lord could intimidate the witnesses of His resurrection.
2. When faced with this choice - God, or men – the only choice is God. They were bluntly told by the apostles that they were subject to God's orders, rather than to the Sanhedrin's prejudice. A new age had dawned, and the religious leaders could not prevent it.
3. The apostles’ response is a truth for you and me as well.

B. They proclaimed the cross of Christ - Acts 5:30 – “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”

1. They make clear that Jesus was sent by God - thus, He is the Messiah.
2. The apostles are unafraid of identifying them as guilty of crucifying Jesus.
3. When we read and study the book of Acts, we see the crucifixion mentioned in various ways - but always as central to the proclamation of the word of God.

C. They proclaimed the resurrection by reference to exaltation - Acts 5:31 – “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

1. The “One” that the Jewish rulers had declared unworthy, God declared to be Prince & Savior. It is implied that repentance as well as remission of sins is a gift; however to give repentance does not mean to bestow it without the exercise of our own will; for repentance itself is an act of our will.
2. The great need of Israel? Repentance. This statement that Israel needed to repent was totally unacceptable to the Sanhedrin. That they, the religious leaders of the people, needed to repent was preposterous in their eyes. As Walker said: “They were as much incensed as a body of bishops would be today, if the same charge should be made against them. They had absolute confidence that their descent from Abraham guaranteed them complete possession of every promise of the Old Testament.
3. Pride and arrogance led them to prejudice, the “us vs. them” mentality which still divides the people of the world into the imagined “good guys vs bad guys”, friends versus foes. The “us” group consists of people who agree with our beliefs, share our worldview, and hold to our same prejudices and preferences. In the “them” are those who disagree with us or hold a different ideology. There are many dangers in having an “us vs. them” mentality as a Christian, the uppermost being that it is contrary to the heart of God our Father.
4. Last week we saw that the great possibility because of the cross, was forgiveness, the blotting out of our sins. Something not possible under the Law of Moses and something the religious leaders should have embraced. Instead they rejected the Just One.

D. This is not a retelling of a tale heard from others, for the apostles proclaim in Acts 5:32 – "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” ... "we are his witnesses of these things"

1. The high priest and Jewish leaders could deny, complain, and do bodily harm, but there was no way they could bury the truth of Jesus.
2. Their predictable response? Acts 5:33 – “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”[KJV] ... their answer for any opposition seemed to be "kill it"!

a. This sermon was essentially the same as the one delivered on Pentecost; but the results produced by the declaration of the gospel were different. On Pentecost the people were pricked in the heart, they believed and many repented. Here the priests were infuriated and filled with murderous intent.
b. The difference being the ground on which these words fell. Paul affirmed this in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. It saves some, destroys others, yet it is not the gospel, but people's response to it. There is an old saying "It is the set of the sail, and not the gale, that determines the way we go."

3. The word "Obey," is used here, indicating that "a lifelong obedience to God" was a continuing condition to be fulfilled by those desiring to enjoy the continued gift of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 4:6-7 we read – “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!'' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” [NKJV] Here is declared that the Holy Spirit is given to men, not to make them sons, but as a consequence of their already being sons. The popular notion to the effect that God sends the Holy Spirit with the purpose of making men desire to serve Him is totally wrong.

CONCLUSION: In the past few weeks we have seen three sermons given by the apostles.
The first sermon was on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection when Peter preached the gospel, convicting those listening of their guilt and confirming the risen Christ. Peter told them the answer to sin, of what Jesus had done for all of us, and how to accept God’s grace that was offered. Three thousand obeyed.

The second sermon of the apostles was on Solomon’s porch at the temple following the astounding miracle of the healing of the man born lame. Peter preached the cross and the resurrection to the people gathered there. The religious leaders showed up and detained the apostles. We saw the defense Peter gave, convicting those same leaders and we are told five thousand people believed.

In this third sermon the apostles are again teaching on Solomon’s porch. It was a time of great teaching and healing and people flocked to the apostles even from the surrounding cities. For some physical healing of course, but for those who believed the healing of their souls. Peter again preaches the gospel message, the religious leaders interfere and put the apostles in common prison. God sends a messenger to release the apostles and confirms they are to continue the work.

Each one who hears the gospel message is at some point going to give an answer. Even ignoring the message is an answer. What is your answer to gospel truth? To the cross? Jesus' crucifixion is not isolated in history, it happened - and it happened for you and me.

Preaching the cross does not always make sense to the prideful and arrogant people, who have become stubborn and prejudiced. My hope and prayer are that the preaching of the cross of Jesus will affect each of us and make of us better people. . Like the high priest, we make the choice - he chose badly - will you?

We are about to sing the invitation song. God’s invitation to “come” is always open.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson

The Second Sermon - Preaching The Cross

Acts 3:1-15

INTRO: Good morning church. Last week we looked at Acts chapter 2 and the first sermon that was preached after the resurrection. Today we are going to read a portion of text which describes what happened because of an incident which occurred in the temple. Christians for a time after Pentecost continued to frequent the temple, especially at the hours of prayer, not merely for the purpose of praying, but also, it may be supposed, for the opportunities afforded by such occasions for preaching Christ to the people. In time though, God would remove the temple; and the separation from Judaism would become complete.

Let’s read Acts 3:1-11 – “1. Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3. who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us.'' 5. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'' 7. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God. 9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.”

The scripture continues in Acts 3:12-15 – “12. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13. "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14. "But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15. "and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” Then in Acts 4:4 we read – “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

I would like to have seen the temple in Jerusalem of that time. From an architectural point of view it must have been a splendid place. Solomon’s porch was a very large covered area on the east side of the temple and was the place the teachers and rabbis would be found teaching. For a while it was a gathering place for Christians. The incident surrounding our text for this study began there. We may read Acts chapters 3 and 4 not thinking of what is going on there as preaching, such as we understand it today, but we need to realize that there was powerful preaching being done in Solomon’s porch. As a result of this powerful preaching 5000 men came to believe, and I assume to obedience to the gospel. This morning I want to talk about the preaching that occurred where we might not expect it, in the very midst of the temple area. Let’s begin by thinking of the incident before us.

I. THE INCIDENT AT THE TEMPLE

A. Remember that the disciples have not yet become unwelcome at the temple.

1. Peter and John are going into the temple for what is called the hour of prayer which was 3 in the afternoon and the time of the burning of incense.
2. Remember that the temple and synagogues were places the apostles often went to preach Christ – at least as long as they were welcome.

B. What do we know about this lame man in the text?

1. We know he was a man who was born lame. We know that carried daily to this Beautiful Gate, as it is called in the scripture, and he was laid there to beg for alms.
2. On this occasion Peter and John are coming into the temple area going from the court of the women into the court of the men and they are passing through the Beautiful Gate. It is there that this man sees them and asks them in v. 3, “for alms”. What were the “alms” which Peter and John gave him? We are told he expected to receive something of them, but he did not expect to get what he ultimately received. Something that was much more valuable then silver and gold! Here we are told is a man who has never walked and now he can! Still there is more.

C. What else happened?

1. Look at Acts 3:8 – “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God.” Remember that this man had been laid at this gate daily. He was familiar to the worshipers in Jerusalem. Here he is walking ….leaping…praising God…amidst the crowds of people who are in the temple area at three in the afternoon. The people there recognize this man and know it is he whom they have seen laid at the gate for years. We continue to read now in -
2. Acts 3:9-11 – “And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.”
3. Can you imagine this scene? I have no idea of how many people were there but we are told a little later on that 5000 believed so there must have been a throng of people.

II. AN OPPORTUNITY TO PREACH THE CROSS OF CHRIST!

A. Look at Acts 3:12 – “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” Peter and John took no personal credit for this miracle. Peter then goes on to explain that it was by the power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that it was done.

1. I recall that in Acts 2:43 – “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” What we have in Acts chapter 3 is just one incident of what is described so briefly in Acts chapter 2 about the wonders and signs the apostles did.
2. Perhaps we should also look at Hebrews 2:3-4 – “3. how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,” . Think about this. What has happened in the temple? A great and notable miracle has occurred. Next in v. 4 “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”
3. What is the power by which Peter and John are able to effect the healing of this man? Not by their own power, but by the power of God… bearing witness to what they are preaching and teaching.

B. As we look at the next verses, Acts 3:13-15, notice how Peter “convicted” the hearers.

1. The first thing he says to them is this; God had glorified this Jesus – this Jesus, whom he goes on to say, you have killed. God glorified Jesus. Remember what we read of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:4-5 – “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
2. Ok, now back to Acts 2:33 – “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” And in verse 36 – “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Peter begins his process of convicting the hearers by telling them outright God glorified Jesus. BUT;
3. You have delivered up Jesus and denied Him before Pilate when Pilate was willing to release him! That’s not all. You have denied the Holy and Just and you insisted on the release of a murderer!
4. You have killed the Prince of life – folks, think about this. It has just been a short time since Jesus was crucified. The event of the cross is only a little while before the events of Acts 2. These people to whom Peter and John are speaking know very well about those events.

C. Peter and John did not stop there. The cross was not the end ... only the beginning. Look at the last part of Acts 3:15 – “… whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”

1. You killed him, God raised him.
2. Then they add, … we have seen the risen Christ.

III. THE HOPE BECAUSE OF THE CROSS. The sermon continues.

A. Peter goes on and preaches about the hope we have because of the cross. The blotting out of sins is now possible, Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”. We now have the hope of the blotting out, the remission of sins.

1. In that connection I’d like for us to recall Hebrews 8:10-13 – “10. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days,'' says the Lord, "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11. "None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” AND “12. "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.'' 13. In that He says, "A new covenant,'' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”
2. That which was not possible under the covenant of Moses can now be preached! Sins can now be blotted out! “Sins and iniquities will I remember no more”!
3. What are the terms of this wonderful blessing of hope we now have? Peter and John explain it. First “repent” - simple definition: change of mind leading to change of life and direction.
4. Then “be converted” and the word in the original means to “turn about” - here is the turning toward God which is accomplished by the change of mind. This turning toward God begins apparently in the obedience of baptism (note the parallel passage in Acts 2:38 – “… Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;…” Peter is talking about the blotting out of sins, how does it occur? When we repent and are converted, when we repent and are baptized. That is where it all begins. That is the great hope we have because of the preaching of the cross. The forgiveness of sins! That is not all….

B. We have the anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 3:20-21 – “and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” The Lord is coming again, to receive His own to Himself.

1. In Acts 2:38 Peter had promised that remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit would follow their obeying the gospel. Here is assigned another consequence, namely, that (God) may send the Christ, etc. Christ had already come and completed the work of His First Advent, making this a reference to the Second Coming.
2. I don’t know how many of us might think about this, but a little while ago we ate the unleavened bread, we drank the fruit of the vine as the Lord had instituted in the book of Matthew. One of the things we do as we eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine is to declare the death of Jesus Christ till He come again. 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.”
3. As often as we eat the bread and drink the cup, what are we doing? We are remembering the cross, we are remembering the death of Christ, and we are remembering the body and the blood given in our stead. That is true. Inspiration has the apostle Paul remind us something else... We show forth the death of Christ till He comes again.
4. This is the wonderful news of the preaching of the cross. Not only the blotting out of our sins, but the Lord is going to come again and receive us to Himself! We will get to spend the vastness of eternity in the presence of the Lord who loved us, died for us, and was raised by the power of God! What wonderful good news we have!
5. This all unfolds even more in - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 – “13. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
6. Everything is moving along clearly at this point in Acts… until the priests get wind of what is occurring at Solomon’s porch.

IV. THEY WANTED JESUS DEAD!

A. Acts 4:1-4 – “1. Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2. being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.” Note verse 4… “ 4. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” – What was the offense? preaching the resurrection

1. We learned in previous lessons that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. We learned of the two groups, Pharisee and Sadducee. Though the Pharisees were the larger of the two groups, the Sadducees were the more powerful. Often the chief priest and the high priest were Sadducees.
2. When Christ was crucified, and remember the chief priest (a Sadducee) was instrumental in that action, they thought the “nonsense” of Jesus was ended. But even a guard could not keep from happening what happened on that first Lord’s Day following His crucifixion. The stone was rolled away and Jesus, by the power of God, was raised from the dead to live again. The Sadducees were not happy.
3. The apostles could not preach the cross without preaching the resurrection. Then on this particular occasion such an amazing thing occurred. 5000 men believed! Why men? This was a part of the temple where the women were not permitted.

B. How did Peter and John defend themselves? Acts 4:7-10 – “7. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?'' 8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9. "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to the helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10. "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.”– The defense? It is healing by the power of Jesus.

1. Notice how Peter identifies that the healing, the miracle, was by the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Once again Peter adds, “whom you crucified” - the cross again. But the cross was not the end and Peter goes on ... “whom God raised from the dead”
3. It is by the name of this man, whom God has raised from the dead, that this once lame man stands before you whole. The risen Christ is their worst “nightmare” because it directly contradicts their belief. Peter concludes Acts 4:11-12 – “This is the `stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
4. In his conclusion Peter quotes from Psalm 118:22 – “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”. – The significance of that passage is those words were well-known to Jewish people.
5. Notice also that he says, “...which was rejected by you builders...”. Peter does not give them any space at all but leaves them accused. You have cast aside the stone that has become the head of the corner. You have rejected the only name by where men must be saved.
6. Peter concludes by affirming that salvation is only possible through Jesus.

C. I wonder how many people there are who will hear this message of Peter and still reject the preaching of the cross. Reject all that it means and seal their eternal fate? Rejecting as those people did on that day. You can not preach the cross without preaching the resurrection.

CONCLUSION: What began that day as a simple trip to the temple at the hour of prayer… concluded in a wonderful exhibition of the power of God and His word. Matthew Henry wrote of this sermon; “The scope of the sermon which was preached here was to bring people to Christ, to repent of their sin in crucifying Him (Acts 3:12-19), to believe in Him now that He was glorified, and to comply with the Father's design in glorifying Him, (Acts 3:20-26). The former part of the discourse opens the wound, the latter applies the remedy.”
We must not forget, however, in considering this miracle that it provided an opportunity to preach the cross of Christ! We can say today, there is power in the blood! The blood that was shed at Calvary, the blood that was shed for you and me, the blood which cleanses away our sins. Believing and penitent people in the first century, confessing the name of Jesus Christ were buried with Christ in baptism to receive newness of life because of the cross. Yes, there is power in that great sacrifice, and in baptism we are immersed into the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the benefits of the cross, the cleansing, the blotting out of our sins. There is power in the blood.
We are about to be led in the invitation song. For those here today who need to respond in a public way as we sing this song, we want you to know that you are welcome to do so. If we can help you, if we can assist you in any way, we want to do that. If you need to come, come now while we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson

The First Sermon - Preaching The Cross

Acts 2:22-24

INTRO: Good morning church! As we drew to a close last week we read in Matthew 28:19-20 that Jesus gave the apostles instructions to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.''” Then in Mark 16:20 we were told, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

We said this period of time was not the end but the end of the beginning. Let’s turn to the book of Acts where we find the writer describes an earlier report he wrote to someone named Theophilus. Acts 1:1-3 – “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

In v. 8 Jesus tells them that they were to be “witnesses to me” to the “end of the earth”. With those thoughts in mind we are not surprised by the events in Acts chapter 2. There are for example the coming of the Holy Spirit (as Jesus had foretold), the speaking in languages not learned, and a reference to a well-known prophecy from the book of Joel. There was also the “first” sermon preached in keeping with the marching orders of the Lord. It was the first occasion recorded of the preaching of the cross by someone other than the Lord Himself. We begin this morning on a day called Pentecost in Acts 2.

I. THE DAY OF PENTECOST

A. This was the first day of the week and we read in - Acts 2:1 – “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

1. The day of Pentecost was determined by seven Sabbaths (weeks) plus one day ... thus, it was the day we call Sunday. Seven Sabbaths from the Passover Sabbath plus one day.
2. This was one of three great feast days ... the feast of weeks. You can read about it in Exodus 34:22-23 – “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end. Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel.”
3. Certainly, on this day Jerusalem would have been very crowded with worshipers because it was one of those three days when all Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem to worship. On this particular Pentecost it was the first feast of weeks following the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

B. On this day of Pentecost we are informed of the coming of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:2-4 – “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The coming of the Holy Spirit. This was that which Jesus had promised before death on the cross and before His ascension.

1. Turn with me to: John 16:7-13 – “7. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10. "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11. "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”. – The coming of the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus had promised before the crucifixion.
2. Then in the gospel of Luke: Luke 24:49 – “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” - This was truly a significant day in God’s plan!
3. Turning back with me to Acts chapter 1. Here are two verses for us to consider: Acts 1:5 & Acts 1:8 – “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Next, in verse 8, and here we see things concerning the coming of the Holy Ghost, the coming of power, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The coming of the Holy Spirit. This was indeed a significant day, but that is not all!

C. There was more on this day. There was this incredible speaking in languages by people who had never learned them. We continue to read in Acts the second chapter beginning at verse 5. - Acts 2:5-11 – “5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak, Galileans? 8. "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9. "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10. "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11. "Cretans and Arabs we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.''”

1. “Tongues” were known languages which the speakers had not learned—a phenomenon significant to that time and to that place.
2. Notice here that the writer records the apostles spoke of “the wonderful works of God”.
3. That suggests to me that before the sermon begins, which is recorded, at least in part in Acts 2, that the wonderful works of God are already being expounded. They were already hearing praise to God and hearing of the wonderful things that God has done.

D. We notice as we read on in Acts the people were amazed and wondered about the meaning of it all. Some were wondering if perhaps the apostles were drunk, but verse 16 begins - Acts 2:16-21 – “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17. `And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18. and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 19. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord. 21. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

1. The first thing to notice is that Peter by inspiration of the Spirit of God identifies the prophecy of Joel with the coming of the Holy Spirit and the initiation of the messianic age. This point is made very clear.
2. I notice how Peter gives emphasis to these words “who ever shall call on the name...”
3. It is with this statement that Peter transitions to preach of Jesus Christ - crucified, and raised.

II. WHAT HE SAID OF THE LORD ON WHOM THEY(WE) SHOULD CALL?

A. The first thing that Peter says, … lets read in verse 22: - Acts 2:22 – “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know ” The first thing we see is that Jesus Christ is a man approved by God.

1. How do we know this? by miracles, wonders, and signs. This takes my mind to - John 20:30-31 – “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”. And then in
2. John 3:1-2 – “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God;" how did they know? Listen and think about it. "for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” To this Jesus replied ….. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” What I want us to see here is this very logical observation of Nicodemus.
3. Now today’s text, Acts 2:22-24 – “22. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know 23. "Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24. "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”
4. Peter as he preaches in Acts 2 makes it very clear there are some of those people in the audience who had seen the things of which he speaks “...in the midst of you...” he says. Jesus Christ, a man approved of God, how? By miracles and signs which you actually saw he says to them. What else does Peter say?

B. Acts 2:23 – “Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” You have crucified and slain this man approved of God.

1. Peter first plainly tells them that Jesus’ death was God’s plan. Notice how he says it; “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” - His death had everything to do with our calling on His name for salvation.
2. Recall in: 1 Peter 1:19-20 – “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”. This was no accident. It was not something that Pilate decided. It was part of God’s plan long before there was an earth, and was something that had to be done to take care of the sins of people like you and me.
3. Peter goes on to say in Acts 2:23 “you have taken by lawless hands”. In other words, they were guilty.
4. It may be true that it was the Romans that actually killed Jesus by crucifying Him. For the Jews, themselves, could not do this at that particular time. Nevertheless, they were responsible! Who was it that brought Jesus, the Jewish leaders, and who was it that cried “crucify him, crucify him”? It was the Jewish mob. From the Jewish religious leadership down to the mob it was they who were also guilty. There is still more.

C. Peter goes on to say in: - Acts 2:24 – “whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” “whom God raised up”

1. Preaching the cross does not end with the cross! That is the magnificent truth we are privileged to declare to the world even today.
2. Preaching the Cross continues with this great fact: “Whom God raised up”
3. In 1 Corinthians 15:14 – “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain.”- The resurrection is “the rest of the story”. Many of us have actually heard or heard of Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was a news commentator and he always told of something and then went on to tell “the rest of the story”. This “rest of the story” made it all complete. The Cross is part of the story, but the rest of the story is the resurrection. The preaching of the cross is considered by many people to be foolishness. Folks, crossless preaching is powerless preaching. The wonderful thing about preaching the cross is that we do not have to end with a death. We are privileged to continue with a resurrection, a living savior.

D. Peter continues on and takes pains to confirm the resurrection fact. All knew Jesus died on the cross. How does he do this?

1. First by prophecy Peter quotes from the prophecy in Psalms chapter 16. Let’s read that and then we need to look at what Peter says about this prophecy. Start in Psalm 16:8-11 – “8. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
2. Thus Peter says, Acts 2:29-31 – “29. "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30. "Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31. "he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.”
3. Second, Peter appeals to eyewitness testimony - Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” There is a common expression that is something like “we are going out to witness” or ‘we are his witnesses”. Folks, neither you nor I are a true witness, for neither you nor I saw the risen Christ, but the apostles did! They are God’s witnesses not I. I may give testimony through the preaching of God’s word but it is through my faith that I believe and not by sight. The apostles were witnesses however. They saw the risen Christ.
4. Third, Peter appeals by David’s testimony - Acts 2:33-35 – “33. "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34. "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: (These are the words of David in Psalm 110:1 – ) `The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, 35. till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'''” David acknowledges his Lord. Approved of God? Oh, yes. Crucified by wicked hands? Oh, yes. Raised by the power of God, and this confirmed by the resurrection.

III. THE GREAT CONCLUSION?

A. “...Jesus, whom you crucified...” is your Lord and your Christ - Acts 2:36 – “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

1. Notice that Peter refers again to the cross. He is not accusing the Romans. It is the Jews to whom he is speaking.
2. Lest we get too caught up in thinking about the guilt of the Jews let me remind you that you and I, though we were not present on that day on Calvary, are as guilty of the sin as they, for we practice sin in our lives and it is for our sin Christ died. 1 John 2:2 – “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

B. They are complicit the in crucifying of the Lord. What are they to do? We read next that very question - Acts 2:37 – “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?''”

1. They face a situation we all face when we sin. Once the deed was done there were things that could not be changed. They could not change the fact that Jesus had been crucified. They could not change the fact that they had cried out for his crucifixion.
2. They are cut to the quick. They are pierced through and stand convicted in their deeds.
3. They feel acutely their guilt and the fact that it can not be undone. “… What are we to do?”

C. Because of the cross, here is the answer - Acts 2:38 – “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Here is what you can do. You can’t change what you have done. You can’t change the fact you have sinned. But…

1. You can repent. There must be repentance (more than just acknowledging guilt). It must be a change of mind leading to a change of life. That is what they were told to do. You can’t change the facts, but you can change your direction, your life, by changing your mind.
2. You can be baptized then ... into the death of Jesus. Romans 6:3 – “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” By doing this they could receive the blessing and benefits of the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. It becomes mine when I am baptized.
3. According to Acts chapter two there were many who did exactly that. Acts 2: 41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; …”

CONCLUSION: Because He died on that cross, I can live again. Because He lives, I have a real tomorrow.
Because He lives, folks, we have the hope of eternity. If your sins are remitted, you receive that forgiveness. On that day of Pentecost we are told that about three thousand souls were added unto them. Three thousand people! Thinking of their sins, applying the lesson to themselves, understanding they could not change what was done.
Have we ever felt what those people felt? I wonder. Is the fact of our sin just an intellectual thing? Do we understand how we hurt God with our sin? I don’t know. They did. 3000 of them were baptized on that day and added to the Lord’s church--because He lives.

I wonder this morning, is there anyone hearing this message, that needs, because He lives, to claim the benefit of the death that He died? To claim the blessing of that sacrifice? Is there anyone here who needs to be baptized for the remission of their sins? Each of us must decide what we are going to do with the death of Christ and the fact of His resurrection. If you have that need, or if you have any other need, we stand ready to assist as we invite you to come while we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson

The End of The Begining - Preaching The Cross

Matthew 28:19-20

INTRO: Good morning church! As we continue our look at the cross today we will be starting with Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” [NKJV]

The empty tomb. There were angelic announcements. Appearances to the disciples. Forty days of appearances and teaching concerning the kingdom of God. All of these things brought from the disciples mixed reactions. We saw the enemies of Jesus had concocted a story about His body having been stolen by the disciples, in order to have some credible explanation on why the tomb was empty on that awesome first day of the week. That story, according to Matthew’s gospel, was commonly reported in certain quarters as late as the writing of his gospel. (Matthew 28:15). Interestingly even today some espouse the idea that His disciples stole the body.

Was this the end? Or, was this just the beginning? His enemies most assuredly wanted it to be the end. Even His closest associates, the apostles, had difficulty with the idea of the third-day-resurrection. They had to be reminded repeatedly that He had told them that He would rise from the dead on the third day. As I look at this brief period of time, from the resurrection to the ascension, I’ll prefer to refer to it as the end of the beginning.

I. CLEARLY, THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END SOME HAD HOPED

A. The cross was not the end many had hoped it would be. I invite you to turn in your bible to the gospel of John chapter 11. There starting at verse 47 I would like us to read. John 11:47-53 – “47. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48. "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.'' 49. And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50. "nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.'' 51. Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52. and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53. Then from that day on they plotted to put Him to death.” [NKJV]  “...it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish....”

1. There was apparently a great deal of “hand wringing” among the Pharisees, the Sadducees… the priestly class.
2. They recognized that the popularity of Jesus had grown to the point that it was eclipsing their own influence.
3. It is of interest to me they even recognized that He performed many miracles, and signs as some translations say.
4. These religious leaders had a great fear, and fear causes people to do illogical and irrational things. Their fear was that if Jesus prevailed, the Romans would take away their position.

B. What to do? Instead of seeking a means of dealing with this question in a way that was lawful and right and moral, they chose expediency.

1. Their choice was; for Jesus to be killed. That, they believed, would make their position secure.
2. They sought then for a means to accomplish that. They believed that it was better for one man to die (innocent, or not) than for the Romans to take away the last vestiges of their power. They feared that Jesus’ claim of being a King would get to Roman ears and those authorities would come and bring an end to any power that remained.
3. A dead Jesus was their answer. It did not matter that He might be innocent of anything punishable by death. An idea of expediency was all they could conclude. If we just kill Him that would be the end of the matter.
4. There is something else about that passage… so interesting to me… here is this man Caiaphas, the high priest at that time, and John says: he prophesied concerning the death of Christ and that Jesus’ death would bring all of God’s children into one. Did Caiaphas prophesy knowingly? Or were the words of Caiaphas, words of the high priest’s own choosing, yet with God’s providence behind them?
5. Whatever the case, the death of Jesus was not the end His enemies sought. Not the end, but the end of the beginning.

II. BEFORE THE ASCENSION

A. If you would please turn in your bibles to John’s gospel, chapter 21. I’m going to spend a little bit of time in this chapter today because there are some things found here that are interesting to me…this time before the ascension. John 21:1f – The first of them is Peter’s “last” fishing trip. I’m going to read a fairly lengthy section of scripture beginning at verse 1. Please follow with me. “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:” In other words, here is how it took place. “2. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing.'' (pause) They said to him, "We are going with you also.'' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?'' They answered Him, "No.'' 6. And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.'' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!'' Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.'' 11. Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast.'' Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?'' knowing that it was the Lord. 13. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. 14. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”

1. What is going on here? “I am going fishing” I have thought about this little incident many times. “I am going fishing”. The cross is still vivid in memory. The death of his dear and beloved friend Jesus has occurred. There have been reports of Jesus being raised from the dead. And Peter says, “I am going fishing”. What is going on?
2. Was it just the need to fill some empty time? Or was this a manifestation, at least in part, of some doubt? Or a feeling that “it’s all over”? I don’t know. I just know Peter went fishing. They returned to their old tasks.
3. We also know this; the occasion provided Jesus an opportunity to “prove” it was indeed He. To prove His identity to these men who knew Him so intimately, so well.
4. Later the idea was spoken that the apostles had only seen “visions” - “spirits”. That idea did gain some credibility in that time and even now some would suggest such a thing.
5. It was therefore important that Jesus prove beyond a shadow of any reasonable doubt, to credible eye witnesses, that He had risen from the dead.
6. When the fishermen came to shore, they see Jesus, and they recognize Him! Jesus has made a fire and cooked a meal, they ate with Him. Ghosts do not build a fire, cook a meal, and eat bread and fish.
7. Later, much later, John would write this in: 1 John 1:1 – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” Now verse 3: “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” They saw Him! They touched Him, they ate with Him. There was no doubt Jesus has risen from the dead!
8. Yes, they had returned to their old tasks and did not catch anything. Jesus shows up, gives them instructions, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” … “So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish”.

B. Returning now to chapter 21 of John’s gospel and starting in verse 15. John 21:15f – we see Peter’s three affirmations of his love for Jesus. “15. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?'' He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'' He said to him, "Feed My lambs.'' 16. He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?'' He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'' He said to him, "Tend My sheep.'' 17. He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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, "Feed My sheep.”

1. I suspect this must have been an embarrassing time for Simon Peter. Why? Because of those three denials Peter made not very many days before and was still fresh in his memory.
2. “...do you love Me more than these...?” Jesus says. I don’t know what the “these” are. The text does not specifically tell us. Was he being asked - more than “things”? These nets, these boats? Was he being asked more than other apostles? I don’t know. Yet I feel certain that Peter must have felt the pain of the question repeated three times.
3. Something you do not see in English is the different words for love that are used. The first two times Jesus asks He is using a form of the word “agape”. When Peter says “you know I love you” he does not use that word. He uses a form of the word “philia”. They are different words. Philia is the love of a friend for friends, agape is that wonderful spiritual love which loves in a supreme way above everything else, seeking that which is best for everyone and for the Lord. A sacrificial love. Then the third time Jesus asks and He uses a form of the word “philia”, leaving the spiritual plane of the word agape and asks if Peter loves Him as a friend. Peter uses the same word to respond, “yes I do”.
4. Three times Peter is asked. How many times did Peter deny the Lord, three? In the gospel of Luke, chapter 22, would you turn there and read with me? Beginning in verse 31 I want you to listen again to what happens before the death of Christ, before the denials Luke 22:31-34 – “31. And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32. "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'' 33. But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.'' 34. Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.''”
5. What is going on here? Peter, do you love me? I love you. Second time, Peter, do you love me? I love you. Third time, Peter, do you love me? Lord you know everything. Peter is grieved by his having to be asked the third time, but there were three denials and three questions. I wonder, is there perhaps, in the mind of Peter a relationship between the questions Jesus asks and those three denials?
6. I wonder too if what is going on here may not be a very integral part of what Jesus said; “…when you have returned to Me…” Another translation puts it this way; “…So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
7. I suggest that perhaps this exchange between Jesus and Peter becomes a vital part of that which Jesus spoke. Is this part of the process of that great change that has to take place in Peter? The change that must take place so that this man, who has failed miserably at the cross, would become an effective proclaimer of it!
8. We are not finished. Let’s return to John’s gospel chapter 21 again, and we read at v. 18: John 21:18-19 – “"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.'' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me.''” The Prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom.
9. Do you love me? Yes, Lord, you know I love you. Let me tell you something Peter, your love for me is going to result in your being killed someday. Your life will be taken from you. I know there are many different legends about how Peter was killed, martyred. The most well-known of these is that he was crucified and that he chose not to be crucified in the same fashion in which the Lord was, but he requested to be crucified upside down.
10. John’s gospel does not tell us the means by which Peter will be killed. Just that Peter’s life will be taken from him in his old age. Just as the cross was always in Jesus’ future, always looming as a reality, so martyrdom always loomed as a reality in Peter’s.
11. Peter says something in the second of his two letters to which I would like to make reference. 2 Peter 1:12-14 – “Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”
12. I have work to do. I will work while it is yet “day” - but “night” is coming when I will not be able to work. During my life, he says, I am going to do whatever I can to help you remember what you need to remember about our Lord. Peter is now an old man, but notice he refers to the very words our Lord spoke to him so many years before. Peter says; “…just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me…” Years had passed, but Peter did not forget what Jesus had told him.

C. Let’s look now in the gospel of Luke chapter 24. Luke 24:43-45 – “And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'' And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Here, and the successive verses, we have what we might call the dawning of the light.

1. Now they understand. Jesus’ death folks, was not an accident - it was not the result of some great conspiracy.
2. It is true, human agencies had been very much involved in the events. We have the advantage of seeing with the light of the scriptures.
3. We realize that all of these things that took place were just the serving of prophetic purpose! Jesus needed for these men to understand that He, His life, His death, were all a part of God’s great plan to redeem humanity from the curse of sin.
4. Jumping ahead to Acts 10, Acts 10:39-43 – Here Peter is the preacher and Cornelius and his family, are the audience. Peter says: “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.” There it is, the cross… “40. "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41. "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42. "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43. "To Him to whom? To Jesus… all the prophets witness that through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.''”
5. Those words “To him all the prophets witness…” You see, what Jesus was doing in Luke 24:44-45 in referring to the Law of Moses and the prophets, Psalms, all of which have in them reference to the coming messiah; what He was doing was reinforcing that none of these things have happened just a quirk of circumstance. All these things that have happened were to fulfill the prophecies; and that which God prophesies, He brings to pass. Later in the preaching of the word of God the apostle can say; to this Man, with Whom we talked and walked and ate, to this Man, give all the prophets witness.

D. That brings me to Matthew 28:18-20 – “18. Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'' Amen.”

1. These are their “marching orders”. They have seen Him for 40 days. He has taught them of the kingdom of God. With those words ringing in their ears they watched Him ascend to the Father on high.
2. Mark 16:19-20 - what did they do? Mark’s gospel concludes with these two verses: “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they (the apostles) went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
3. What did they do? They are no longer a dispirited band of men. “...they went forth and preached...” And they never forgot, folks, the significance of the cross of Jesus Christ in all that they taught.
4. There is a verse in the book of Galatians that helps us to understand in the successive years the depth of feeling these people had about the cross. Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” As old as these men became they never forgot the cross.

CLOSE: From a trip to catch fish, the apostles went forth to fish for men. What was the drawing power of their preaching, their message? I’m sure their message included many things needful for that world and ours. Folks, the drawing power of their message; was the message of the cross. It is still the cross which draws people to Jesus. In John 12:32 – Jesus says; "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
It is Christ that draws all people unto Him. It is our privilege today to take the gospel of the cross to mankind just as the apostles took that message all those years ago. The message of the cross, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and His resurrection are just as important and compelling today. Every day more people come into the world, and even in a great land like ours, there is a very real possibility they will go through their lives without ever truly, having heard the gospel message.

When we are united in the death of Jesus Christ in baptism our burden of sin is lifted. We no longer live under its weight. In prayer, because of the cross, we have this marvelous advocate to the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you have not been baptized into the death of Christ, then friend, you still labor under the burden of sin. Jesus would lift that burden when you are baptized into His death, burial and resurrection. That burden of sin cannot be lifted in any other way.

We know from scripture that we must hear the word, believe in Christ, confess our faith in Jesus, repent of our sins and then be baptized.

There may be Christian people listening whose burdens need to be lifted, who need the advocacy of Jesus Christ with the Father. Remember; it is for us to take this message to others so they can take the first step and hear the word, and we cannot do so if we ourselves are not right with God. Come boldly to the throne of grace with your needs as we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson

He Arose - Preaching The Cross

He Arose
Luke 23:55 – Luke 24:1-7

INTRO: Good morning church! As we continue our look at the cross today we will be starting with Luke 23:55-56 – “And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Continue with me at Luke 24:1 – “1. Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.”[NKJV]

It had no doubt… been a somber and agonizing Sabbath day for the disciples of Jesus. Mark’s gospel tells us that “they mourned and wept” (Mark 16:10). We can understand and appreciate this grief. Through the gospel records we see the closeness of the disciples interactions with Jesus, their Lord and Master. It was more than simply a “teacher/student” relationship, and the manner in which He had been taken from them contributed to the pain they felt, and the grief they endured. From what we see in scripture I believe that among the disciples there were no expectations of resurrection on that Saturday. They intended to go to the tomb on that first day of the week for the final burial preparations. As the first day of the week dawned they most assuredly were not prepared for what they found! We remember, it had been Friday, now it is Sunday. We begin our thoughts today early on that Sunday morning.

I. EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING

A. Turn in your bibles with me to the sixteenth chapter of the gospel of Mark. Mark 16:1-3 – “1. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?''” “And very early in the morning the first day of the week...”

1. You recall that Joseph & Nicodemus had taken the body of Jesus and laid it in Joseph’s own tomb. There had been some preparation for burial but it had been late on the day before the Sabbath. They were rushed to complete what they could before the Sabbath would begin.
2. The Sabbath is now past and the women were coming to finish the burial process according to the customs of the day.
3. They are concerned because they recall having seen a very large stone rolled across the entrance to the tomb. They ask among themselves “who is going to roll away the stone?” To you and me that may not seem like a great concern, we would imagine we would find someone to help. Yet, no matter how small the issue might seem to us, what they are asking tells me that they have no expectation, what so ever, that Jesus is going to rise from the dead. Their concern is on who is going to roll away the stone. They had no idea that when they arrived the stone might already be rolled away. They did not understand that on the third day He would rise again.

B. As we continue, Luke’s gospel tells us in verse 2 of chapter 24. Luke 24:2-7 – “But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” They needed the stone rolled away so they could prepare the body of Jesus for its final internment. They arrive and they find the stone rolled away from the tomb… and they enter.

1. “3. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6. "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7. "saying, `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' ''”
2. They had been worried about the rolling away of the stone, and when they arrive they find the stone is rolled away. Then they enter the tomb and the body of Jesus is missing! They were very perplexed, we might say confused. They had seen Jesus body laid in that tomb and now they are faced with the fact: the body of Jesus was not there!
3. But there is good news - “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!"
4. These “two men”… are doubtless angels sent from God for this very purpose. They remind those women of what had been said over and over again by the Lord. Oh yes, - it is His lot to suffer and to die but always He said He would rise again. There are in Luke 9:21-22, these words of Jesus which finally… they remember! – “And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.''”

C. You are probably thinking, wait, you skipped over something, and I did. What about this business of the guards that were put at the tomb? We remember that because the enemies of Jesus asked Pilate to do something to prevent anything happening which would give anyone cause to claim that He had been raised from the dead. Pilate told them to take a guard, and make the tomb as secure as they could. “So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”

1. What happened? The stone was rolled away, the body of Jesus missing. How is this going to be explained?
2. Going to Matthew 28:11-15 – we read about how all this is going to be explained. “Now while they were going, (that is the women going to tell the disciples) behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.”
3. “12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,” (in other words they bribed them) 13 saying, (here is why they bribed them) “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying ( that is, the saying that His disciples stole His body by night) is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
4. It was important to the Jewish leaders that nothing happen that could give rise to a claim of Jesus resurrection. Now that the tomb is empty, they have to concoct a story, an explanation. Something has to be said to explain why the tomb is empty or else His disciples are going to say “He is risen!” What they came up with was to bribe the soldiers to say that His disciples came by night and stole away his body. A plausible explanation for the empty tomb. (or was it really plausible?)
5. The fact that money was paid labels their report as false; no bounty would have been required to tell the truth. Interestingly the record says that this was the explanation still being believed at the time of the writing of Matthew’s gospel, among the Jews at least.

D. Let’s look at another incident found in John’s gospel involving Mary Magdalene and the empty tomb. Look with me at John 20:1-2 – “On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.''” Now look at verse 11 – “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping,…”

1. Mary Magdalene had come with the other women early on that Sunday morning to prepare the body of Jesus. (Matthew 28:1)
2. Seeing the open tomb, she immediately ran to Peter with the only conclusion she could imagine - “they have taken away the Lord...”
3. You may recall from Luke 8:2 that it was Mary Magdalene out of whom Jesus cast seven devils. No wonder her appreciation for Jesus. No wonder the emotions she felt at the death of her Lord. Doubtless, from this healing grew great love, and appreciation.
4. The guards are to say that His disciples’ had stolen His body but His disciples did not know where it had gone.

E. Two important things to remember at this point...

1. Jewish leaders absolutely could not have a risen Christ. They had to have some explanation, as implausible as it probably seemed. They knew the disciples had not stolen the body but the story would be that they did.
2. The disciples themselves are saying that the tomb is empty and we don’t know where the body is.
3. The fact is, that the tomb was empty. No one argued against that fact, the tomb was empty. –all agreed ... but the question was, what happened to the body?

II. SOME OF THE RESURRECTION APPEARANCES - That brings us to the resurrection appearances. These moments in time where the disciples see the risen Christ, sometimes with fear and trembling.

A. Turn in your bibles to John 20:11-18 – Here we will read of the first of His appearances. This one was to Mary Magdalene after the other disciples had gone to their homes. “11. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?'' She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.'' 14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'' She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.'' 16. Jesus said to her, "Mary!'' She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!'' (which is to say, Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, `I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' '' 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” Can you imagine this grief stricken woman standing outside of the tomb weeping? She stoops down and looks inside and there are the two angels. Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?

1. Notice that Mary says, she believed someone had taken away the body.
2. Then Jesus appears to her and she does not recognize Him. She thinks He is the gardener, and asks if He moved the body. Then Jesus calls her by name. When He called her by name she recognized that it was Him.
3. In v. 17- He says to her “do not cling to me”. Again, can you imagine the emotions she must be feeling at that instant? Surely she would have wanted to embrace and cling to her Lord. Hang on to him because she had seen Him die! Now He is there! … I would suggest that Jesus is asking her not to cling to Him, since He had not ascended and there would be time before He did. There was something more important for her to do right then. Go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and not yet ascended, and she obeyed.

B. In Mark 16:12 – we see another appearance to two of the disciples. “After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.”

1. Look now at Luke 24:13-17 – “13. Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus (uh•may•uhs), which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 17. And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?''”
2. Here you see a fairly full account of this particular appearance of the Lord to these two disciples and we are told they are on their way to Emmaus upon leaving Jerusalem after the Passover. They are on their way home and as they walk along it is obvious they are very sad. Jesus comes along, and they do not recognize who He is, and He asks them, why are you so sad?
3. Let’s continue reading starting in verse 19. Luke 24:19-24 – “19. And He said to them, "What things?'' And they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20. "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21. "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22. "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23. "When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24. "And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.''”
4. Here then is why they are sad. These are His disciples and they loved Him. This is the third day and they are remembering that on the third day He would be raised from the dead. There have been reports that the tomb is empty and certain disciples have gone there and confirmed it. They have heard of visions of angels who have said He is alive! “but Him they did not see” All these things have happened… but they have not seen Him.
5. I wonder, are they laboring under the impression that someone has stolen away the body of Jesus? Perhaps. Take a look at verse 31… Luke 24:31 – “Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him;…” Mary Magdalene knew it was Jesus whom she had seen. Now these two disciples know that it is Jesus whom they see.

C. Reading at verse 33… Luke 24:33-36 – “33. So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34. saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35. And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 36. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”” Jesus appears not to one, not to two but to the eleven and others with them.

1. It was already being reported that He had appeared to Peter (v. 34)
2. Late on this first day of the week, He appears to the group and confirms His identity. Jesus confirms to those who knew Him best, that He is risen from the dead.
3. What was their immediate reaction to this wondrous event? (read verse 37) Luke 24:37 - “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.”
4. Jesus then challenges them to look at His hands and feet where they would see the marks of crucifixion. Seeing those marks and His being with them surely… they would understand that this was the Jesus whom they loved in life and is now risen.
5. It seems though they are having a problem. Because we are told, “they still did not believe … and marveled,” - a ghost? a spirit?
6. Then Jesus does something that a spirit would not do. He asks them, do you have anything to eat? They give Him fish and honeycomb and He eats before them. By doing so, they realized it is He! This is our Lord, our Master! You can read this in Luke 24:40-43

D. One more resurrection appearance I must not forget is found in John 20:24-29 -

1. You remember Thomas, and reading at v. 24 we find that Thomas had apparently not seen the Lord on the previous Lord’s Day, and he manifests the same disbelief which had been evident in the others. “24. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.””
2. In verse 26 we find they are gathered together again and this time Thomas is with them, and Jesus appears in like manner as before. “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!””
3. In vs. 27-28. Jesus confronts Thomas and his unbelief in the marvelous incident which has given rise to a name for Thomas, which I’m not sure he deserves… Doubting Thomas. Did not all of them doubt at one time or another? Specifically to Thomas Jesus invites him to touch the nail prints on His hands and feet and place his fingers into the wound in His side. Thomas says these wonderful words, “My Lord and my God”. “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!””
4. Let’s look at the words in v. 29 – the last part of this verse is so important. “Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” This, folks, applies to you and me. Thomas was privileged to see with his physical eyes the risen savior. He was privileged to put his physical finger in the physical nail prints and the wound in Jesus’ side. You and I have not been so privileged… yet based on such credible testimony, - we believe. We sang “He Arose” and we believe in the living Christ.

E. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – we find a section of scripture that deals with the resurrection. “3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” I read this verse because I want you to know that the resurrection appearances of Jesus, unmistakable as they were, are too numerous for a credible question or doubt. Inspiration calls Paul to write, “some have died but most are still alive”. That is a challenge isn’t it? If you do not believe me go ask these people. There are plenty of them around.
F. For us, all of them have long since died and you and I are left with the certified testimony, of credible witnesses, that Jesus is alive.

CLOSE: It is the first day of the week and He arose. The resurrection transformed this dispirited band of disciples into the courageous men and women they became. In Acts 2:32 the apostle Peter says: “we all are witnesses”. You and I are not witnesses who have seen with our physical eyes the risen Christ and cannot witness that fact. They could and they did and because of their testimony, this morning it is our privilege to declare, Jesus, is alive. Jesus is in heaven reining at the right hand of God. The tomb could not keep Him. The guards could not keep Him. The seal could not keep Him. He is alive! Because He is alive, we can face tomorrow with confidence and certainty... confidence in our future and the certainty that the promises of God are kept.

Just As I Am (the song says). Our salvation is not something we merit or earn from God. That has been done for us at the cross and has been confirmed for us by the resurrection. It is provided by a loving God and we need to respond to this gift with loving obedience to His word. God’s word tells us; you need to believe in Jesus; repent of your sins; then confess your belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and make the decision to be baptized into His death.

If you have not done so, I would urge you as we sing the song of invitation, to make the decision to be baptized this morning. Leave this place with your sins forgiven. Forgiven because of the cross, not because of anything you’ve done to claim, or to earn, but because of the cross and what Jesus did. Come and be forgiven.

There might be Christian people in the assembly today that have let the meaning of the cross slip from their minds. Things and events and even people have become too important to them and the fact of the cross has slipped away. The cross my friends is all there is.

If you need to come we invite you to do so now as we stand and as we sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson