Quotes from Sunday's Sermon

November 23, 2008

Jesus Comes to the Broken-Hearted

A man in Atlanta was looking for a restaurant to eat at, and found a listing called the Church of God Grill. The name piqued his curiosity and he dialed the number. A voice answered, cheerfully, “the Church of God Grill”. He asked him about the name, and his answer was startling: “Well, we had a little mission church down here and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sundays to help us with the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After awhile, we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving the chicken dinners. So, we kept the name we started with – the Church of God Grill”

The church probably started with one objective to dispense salt and light in their community – now it dispenses chicken dinners and French fries, and the only light is a neon sign! They do attract customers, but don’t you agree that it’s all hollow and empty?

“Mary was thinking in terms of a dead body. She’d been weeping for three days and three nights and her heart was empty even though she still had a few tears left. She had passed through unutterable anguish and had been for many hours without sleep. She had been three times out to the tomb and twice back to the town. Now she offered to carry away the full weight of the body of a man, plus the hundred pound weight of myrrh and aloes. But Mary did not think of this for she loved the Lord Jesus, and though her faith and hope were dead, her love was strong. Here is one of the greatest character portrayals in all of literature, human or divine. Here is the heart of a good woman. Here is love, offering to do the impossible as love always does.” (Donald Gray Barnhouse)

“At the moment when Jesus died, nothing could have seemed more abjectly weak, more pitifully hopeless, more absolutely doomed to scorn and extinction, and despair, than the Church which He had founded. It numbered but a handful of weak followers, of whom the boldest had denied His Lord with blasphemy, and the most devoted had forsaken Him and fled. They were poor, they were ignorant, they were helpless. So feeble were they and insignificant, that it would have looked foolish to prophesy their ongoing existence as a band of followers.

How was it that these dull and ignorant men, with their cross of wood, triumphed over all the religions of their day, conquered kings and their armies, and overcame the world? What was it that caused strength to be made perfect out of abject weakness? There is one, and one only possible answer – the resurrection of the dead.”

“Jesus’ body had been transmuted into something new and different and wonderful. . . A glance at those grave clothes proved the reality, and indicated the nature of the resurrection.” (J. Stott)

In one of his great sermons on the resurrection D.L. Moody tells the story of a bright young girl about 15 years of age who suddenly was cast upon a bed of suffering, completely paralyzed on one side and nearly blind. She could hardly see, but she could hear. As she lay in bed one day she heard the family doctor say to her parents as they stood by her bedside, “She has seen her best days, poor child.” The girl was a believer in Jesus, and she quickly replied, “No, doctor, my best days are yet to come, when I shall see the King in His beauty.”

November 16, 2008

Looking to the Cross: Past, Present, and Future

“Christmas is really for the children. Especially for children who like animals, stables, stars and babies wrapped in swaddling clothes. Then there are wise men, kings in fine robes, humble shepherds and a hint of rich perfume.

Easter is not really for the children. . . unless accompanied by a cream-filled egg. It has whips, blood, nails, a spear and allegations of body snatching. It involves politics, God and the sins of the world. It is not good for people of a nervous disposition. They would do better to think on rabbits, chickens and the first snowdrop of spring.” (Steve Turner)

The Romans weren’t the ones who came up with the idea of crucifying its criminals. In fact, it was reserved for slaves, prisoners of war, and foreigners. It was such a terrible punishment that no Roman citizen could be crucified except by authorization of the Emperor himself. Crucifixion originated in Persia, which is modern day Iran. To Persians, the earth was sacred, and they wished to avoid defiling it with the body of a criminal; so they nailed him to a cross and left him to die there, leaving the vultures to complete the work

“It is curious that people who are filled with horrified indignation whenever a cat kills a sparrow can hear the story of the killing of God told Sunday after Sunday and not experience any shock at all.” (Dorothy Sayers)

“That our Lord’s bones should remain unbroken, and yet that He should be pierced, seemed a very unlikely thing; but it was carried out. When next you meet with an unlikely promise, believe it firmly. When next you see things working contrary to the truth of God, believe God, and believe nothing else. Though men and devils should lie, hold on to what God has spoken; for heaven and earth shall pass away, but God’s word shall not fail.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

“IT IS FINISHED”. 3 words in English – only one in Greek – “Tetelestai” – “Paid in full”.

A.W. Pink writes:

“This was not the despairing cry of a helpless martyr; it was not an expression of satisfaction that the termination of His sufferings was now reached; it was not the last gasp of a worn-out life. No, rather was it the declaration of the part of the Divine Redeemer that all for which He came from heaven to earth to do, was now done; that all that was needed to reveal the full character of God had now been accomplished; that all that was required by the law before sinners could be saved had now been performed; that the full price of our redemption was now paid.”

A Christian farmer, deeply concerned over a friend of his who was an unbeliever, and who was a carpenter, was trying to explain the gospel, and especially the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ. But the carpenter, who was a self-reliant man, insisted that he had to work diligently to make it into the kingdom. On day the farmer asked his friend to make a gate for him, and when it was finished he came for it and carried it away in his wagon. He hung it on a fence, and then asked the carpenter to stop by and make sure he had hung it properly. He came, but when he arrived he was surprised to see the farmer standing by the gate with a sharp axe in his hand. He asked, “What is that for?” “I’m going to add a few strokes to your work,” was his reply.“But there’s no need to do that,” the carpenter protested. “The gate is perfect as it is. I did everything that was necessary.” The farmer took his axe and began to strike the gate any way, keeping at it until in a short while it was ruined. “Look at what you’ve done,” cried the carpenter. “You’ve ruined my work!” “Yes,” said his friend. And that is exactly what you’re trying to do. You are trying to ruin the work of Christ by your own miserable additions to it.”

What a promise the repentant, now believing thief heard – “Truly, I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” D. L. Moody, preaching on this text:

“The thief got more than he asked for. He only asked to be remembered, but Christ says to him, ‘I will take you right into My Kingdom today!’ No doubt Satan had said to himself, ‘I will have the soul of that thief pretty soon down here in the caverns of the lost. He belongs to me.’ But Christ snapped the fetters of his soul and set him at liberty. Satan lost his prey.

What a contrast! In the morning he is led out a condemned criminal – in the evening he is saved from his sins. In the morning he is cursing – in the evening the repentant thief is singing hallelujahs with a choir of angels. In the morning he is condemned by men as not fit to live on earth – in the evening he is reckoned good enough for heaven. In the morning, nailed to the cross – in the evening in the paradise of God, crowned with a crown he should wear through the ages. In the morning, not an eye to pity – in the evening washed and made clean in the blood of the Lamb. In the morning in the society of thieves and outcasts – in the evening Christ is not ashamed to walk arm in arm with him down the golden pavements of the eternal city.” (D.L. Moody)

O, welcome all ye noble saints of old,

As now before your very eyes unfold
The wonders all so long ago foretold,

God and man at table are sat down.
 Elders, martyrs, all are falling down,
Prophets, patriarchs are gathering ‘round
What angels longed to see now man has found,
God and man at table are sat down.
 Who is this who spreads the victory feast?
Who is this who makes our warring cease?
Jesus, Risen Savior, Prince of Peace,
God and man at table are sat down.
 Beggars, lame, and harlots also here,
Repentant publicans are drawing near,
Wayward sons come home without a fear,
 God and man at table are sat down.

Worship in the presence of the Lord

With joyful songs and hearts in one accord

And let our Host of table be adored,

God and man at table are sat down,
 When at last this earth shall pass away

When Jesus and His bride are one to stay

The feast of love is just begun that day

God and man at table are sat down.

November 9, 2008

Who’s on Trial?

Pilate’s name has only appeared once in Scripture up to this point, and we know very little about an event that had taken place a few years earlier. Luke mentions it:

“On the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” (Lk. 13:1)

Evidently, Pilate had ordered the brutal massacre of some Jews even as they were worshiping their God. That tells us something about the character of this man. Pilate had assumed his post of governor in 26 AD, about 4 years previous. In that short amount of time, he had managed to earn the Jews’ hatred over 3 major blunders. Roman governors in Judea had been careful to avoid exhibiting any flags or standards that bore the image of their emperor, for they knew the Jewish populace regarded such as idolatry. But when Pilate first arrived in Judea, he had sent soldiers into Jerusalem by night carrying banners blazoned with the images of Tiberius. When the Jews discovered this in daylight, they flocked down to Caesarea, where Pilate was staying, demanding that the standards be removed. He refused, and the stalemate went on for 5 days. At last he lost his patience, surrounded the Jewish protesters with soldiers, and gave notice they would be killed if they didn’t immediately disperse. To his surprise they threw themselves to the ground, bared their necks, and declared that they would rather die than see their holy city contaminated. When he saw that he could only get his way by slaughtering all of them, he backed off and removed the banners.

The second blunder was over the building of an aqueduct to bring water from the Pools of Solomon into Jerusalem. Of course, the people loved that idea, that is until he sent his soldiers into the sacred treasury demanding taxes to pay for the work! They plundered the temple treasury. When they continued protesting, he sent soldiers into the crowd disguised as Jews, who on a prearranged signal, drew out hidden clubs and knives and attacked the protesters.

Thirdly, despite his previous experiences, he insisted that Roman shields dedicated to the Emperor be placed in Herod’s palace. Again the Jews objected, and Pilate refused to remove the shields. At this point, a petition was signed by leading Jews and was sent to the Emperor, who granted the request, and the shields were removed. As you can imagine, this didn’t exactly endear the Jews to Pilate either. Under examination, we’d all declare him guilty! He was a ruthless, violent man.

According to legal scholars, who have studied Jewish law, there were at least 12 legal errors that never should have taken place or allowed.

1. Annas had no legal authority to act as judge

2. Annas acted alone, without the required witnesses

3. Caiaphas had previously declared that Jesus deserved to die

4. No legal process was allowed to take place on a Feast day

5. No legal process could be started at night

6. Jesus’ guilt had already been assumed

7. False witnesses had been lined up to testify against Jesus

8. No one should be compelled to testify against himself

9. The verdict came simultaneously, not by individual vote

10. Prisoners were not to be physically abused

11. In cases involving capital punishment, the verdict could not be given on the same day, but only after 24 hours had elapsed

12. Secret trials were illegal – they had to be held in public

People of Jesus’ day and Paul’s day rejected the Christian message because of its claims to be the only way. D.A. Carson:

“They insisted that salvation came exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ, and this struck pagans as narrow-minded and, well, absolutist. Without exception, all of Christianity’s earliest pagan critics insisted that there is no one way to the divine.” (D.A. Carson)

I don’t think Pilate meant for Jesus’ scourging to be punitive. I think he reasoned that surely this would satisfy the Jews’ thirst for blood. William Barclay is right on target when he writes:

“It must have been Pilate’s intention to awaken the pity of the Jews. ‘Look!’ he said. ‘Look at this poor, bruised, bleeding creature! Look at this wretchedness! Can you possibly wish to hound such a creature like this to an utterly unnecessary death?”

A Romanian pastor, who had gone through a great deal of persecution said:

“It is my experience that 95% of the believers here who face the test of persecution pass it, and 95% of those who face the test of prosperity fail it.”

Matthew tells us in his account that Pilate took water and washed his hands, stating that he was innocent of this Man’s blood. We know better. Talmage said:

“All that was well for symbol, but here is a man who proposes to wash away the guilt of a sin of which he does not repent. Pilate’s wash basin was a dead failure. . . The outward must be symbolic of the inward. Wash the hands, by all means; but more than all, wash the heart. Poor Pilate! His conscience was after him, and he knew the stain would never be washed from the right hand or the left hand; that, until the day of his death, though he might wash in all the lavers of the Roman Empire, there would be still eight fingers and two thumbs red. . . That night, I see Pilate arise from his tapestried and sleepless couch and go to the laver and begin to wash his hands, crying: ‘Out! Out, crimson spot! Is there nothing that can remove these dreadful stains? Must I to the day of my death carry the blood of this innocent man on my heart and hands? Out, thou crimson spot!” (DeWitt Talmage)

November 2, 2008

Three Portraits to Reflect on at Election Time

“Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If that body be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation, it will be because those who represent the culture and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” (Pres. James Garfield)

“Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough? Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying: He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely. . . God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on the stage the play is over.” (C.S. Lewis)

“Peter was better at casting a net than wielding a sword. He struck a very bungling blow. He learned later that the sword is for piercing hearts, not for cutting off ears, and at Pentecost he proved himself a valiant swordsman, till all around him were ‘pierced to the heart, and asked how to be saved.’ That day about 3000 fell at the feet of Jesus before Peter’s stalwart swordplay.” (Macauley)

In the 1800’s, a pastor by the name of William Cushing had been laboring in the work when his wife died. As if that wasn’t enough, he went through the trial of losing his voice permanently, forcing him to resign. As he struggled with despair, he asked God to enable him to serve in some other area of ministry, and the Lord led him to begin writing hymns – perhaps the one that he’s best known for goes like this:

Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings, who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide, safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,

Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Under His wings, under His wings, who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide, safely abide forever.

“Jesus bound? Think of those hands being bound which were never extended except to heal; and never to injure, unless it be considered a crime to uncover to mankind their wounds, in order to heal and bind them up. . . Jesus bound! Can we trust our eyes? Omnipotence in chains, the Creator of the world bound by the creature; the Lord of the world, the captive of His mortal subjects!”

A German pastor in the mid 1800’s named F.W. Krummacher writes:

“For this very crime alone, it was fit that hell should open up its mouth and swallow him up, as the pit formerly did Korah and his company. But Jesus came not to hasten our perdition, but to prevent it. We therefore do not behold the wicked man scathed by lightning from heaven, nor his hand withered like that of Jereboam, on his stretching it out to smite our Lord.” (F.W. Krummacher)

Ken Gire wrote out this prayer in one of his books:

“Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for Peter. He was a great man. He loved you so much. He left everything to follow You. In Your name he healed the sick, cast out demons, and preached the kingdom. When the soldiers came to take You away, he stood up for You. When the others deserted You, he followed all the way to the temple courtyard. I confess I would have never made it that far. Help me not to pass judgment on him. Rather, may his great and fervent love for You pass judgment on me. Help me to see that I deny You in so many areas of my life, in so many ways and at so many different times. When I am too busy to pray, I deny that You are the center of my life. When I neglect Your Word, I deny that You are competent to guide me. When I worry, I deny that You are Lord of all circumstances. When I steal something from another person to enrich or enhance my life – whether that be something material or some credit that is rightly due another, which I have claimed for myself, I deny that You are the source of all blessings. Forgive me, Jesus, for all those quiet ways, known only to You, in which I have denied You. Thank you for all the times You have prayed for me that my faith may not fail. There is no telling how many times I have been rescued from Satan’s hand because You stood beside me. And thank you, most faithful One, that no matter how terribly I have failed You, I can always look into Your eyes, and there find forgiveness.”

Gire writes: “The disciple catches Jesus looking at him. It is a brief moment, almost too short to be intimate. But a moment like this has a way of stretching and framing itself to hang in the mind. The Savior utters no words. Nor does He shake His head in disgust. Or lower it in disappointment. His look is not a begrudged ‘I-told-you-so’. It is sympathetic, from one who knows what it’s like to fall into the winnowing hands of Satan. Jesus has been there, too. For forty days in a barren wilderness. He knows how hard the winnow is and how ruthless the adversary’s hand that holds it. No, His look carries no grudge. It is the look of a Friend who understands.”

We conclude with hearing words about the look penned centuries ago by John Newton.

I saw one hanging on a tree in agony and blood;

Who fixed His loving eyes on me as near His cross I stood;

And never till my dying breath will I forget that look

It seemed to charge me with His death

Though not a word He spoke

My conscience felt and owned the guilt and plunged me in despair;

I saw my sins His blood had spilt and helped to nail Him there

But with a second look He said, “I freely all forgive

This blood is for your ransom paid, I died that you might live”

Forever etched upon my mind is the look of Him who died,

The Lamb I crucified;

And now my life will sing the praise of pure atoning grace

That looked on me and gladly took my place

Thus while His death my sin displays for all the world to view;

Such is the mystery of grace - it seals my pardon too;

With pleasing grief and mournful joy

My spirit now is filled;

That I should such a life destroy

Yet live by Him I killed

Forever etched upon my mind is the look of Him who died

The Lamb I crucified;

And now my life will sing the praise of pure atoning grace

That looked on me and took my place