What Happens After Easter

John 21:1-19

Pastor Barry Kerner

Last week was fantastic, wasn’t it?  Churches were full of people who wanted to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. We had some fantastic music to help us worship the one who died and rose for us. God moved, and it was a great day. Easter usually is, isn’t it? It is a special time of excitement and celebration. Even for those who don’t believe in Jesus there are eggs to hunt, candy to eat, and pretty clothes to wear.

What happened on Monday, though? Some of you may have had a day off, but by Tuesday, life was back to normal for most of the world. Kids were back at school, either online or in person, work was still work, and the Easter candy was marked down to 75% off. You know, that happened on the first Easter too? When Jesus was crucified, all of Jerusalem knew about it.  I am sure that there was a buzz in town when they found out that the body was gone and that some were saying he had been raised from the dead.

However, like everything else sensational in our world, the buzz started to fade.

In those first few weeks after the Resurrection, the world at large continued going about their business.  In fact, even Jesus’ closest followers quickly found themselves returning back to the lives they had led. We find that in John 21, so go ahead and open to John Chapter 21. We’ll read verses 1 through 19.

It had been a some time since Jesus had last appeared to the disciples, and it appears that they were getting antsy. One of the leading disciples, Peter, who had denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest and trial, was a man of action. It didn’t suit him well to just sit around and wait. He decided to get the guys together, and they would go fishing. If Jesus wasn’t around to tell them what to do, they were just going to go back to doing what they knew best.

It’s when they thought the whole “resurrection” thing was over that Jesus meets them.

How about you? What is your life like after Easter?  Did you carry the joy of Sunday with you into your home this week and love your spouse and your kids like Jesus had been raised? Did you do your best in your classes or at work because you are serving a living Savior? Did you cry out for help to fight against sin and live a God-honoring life because you knew that Jesus had defeated sin and death for you? Does your life show that the resurrection happened and changed things, or are you going back to what you were doing, living as if nothing ever happened?

Maybe God hasn’t come through on your timetable, and you’re a little upset…so upset that you’ve decided to just go back to the way things used to be. This morning, I want you to hear this: Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over. Life is still hard, situations don’t work out in your timing, and you still fight the temptation to turn away. As we look at the disciples and their desire to turn away this morning, I want you to acknowledge the fact that Jesus is still with you, still risen, and still the conqueror of death and sin in three ways today.

Read with me to set the stage. John 21:1-19

This story is so relatable, because it is the same temptation we all face when God doesn’t work like we want him to. As we watch this interaction with Christ, I want to encourage you with the way God meets us after Easter. I want to challenge you to do what the disciples did in the story—not the turning away part, but in coming back to Christ.

First, after Easter, we must Recognize His Presence.

Pick back up with me in verses 4-8.

The first thing that Peter and the others learned that morning was that Jesus was, in fact, still around. Think about it with me: many of these men had been professional fishermen before they started following Jesus. It is one thing if you are fishing just to get out on the water for a few hours, but not catching a single fish all night long? That would have been frustrating.

Suddenly, a stranger from the shore yells out, “Hey boys, you don’t have any fish, do you?” The NIV here translates this as “friends”, but literally, Jesus called them children!

Can you imagine how this stranger’s question would have gotten under the skin of these men? They were professionals; who was this guy to question them?! Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. Remember that he had promised Jesus that he would be willing to die for him, and then hours later swore that he didn’t even know him! Wouldn’t you feel like a failure as a disciple at that point? Now, he has gone back to fishing, and he can’t even do that! On top of that, he is exhausted, and some dude is standing on the shore pouring salt in the wound by asking if they have caught anything.

At first, it seems weird to us that the disciples didn’t realize they were talking to Jesus. After all, they had heard him teach for years, had traveled with him, and had already seen him after his resurrection. Maybe the reason they didn’t know was because they weren’t looking for him. It is possible, though, that Jesus kept them from recognizing Him, just like He did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

That does bring up the question: When’s the last time you actually looked for the presence of God in your circumstance? When’s did you last pray for something and actually expectantly watch for Him to answer? Just like the disciples, you might miss Him if you’re not careful. In fact, if you and I are going to keep walking in joy after Easter, we need to recognize that he is constantly with us.

Jesus goes on to tell them to let down their nets one more time. For Peter, James, and John, this would have sounded awfully familiar – In , we read of when Jesus called these three men under similar circumstances – they had fished all night, and that time, Peter mouthed off and told Jesus how unhappy he was with the suggestion that they let down their nets. The catch was so great that they couldn’t bring it to shore with only one boat, and he had to call James & John to come over with him. This time, they didn’t mouth off at all – You almost wonder if they looked at each other, shrugged, and threw in the net.

As soon as they started pulling it in, John realized what was going on. He knew it was Jesus, so he told Peter. Peter, always the impetuous one, got dressed, jumped in the water, and swam for shore, leaving the other 6 guys to deal with the fish. John and Peter recognized Jesus because he knew what Jesus is capable of. He remembered what Jesus had done in the past, and it triggered his memory when he saw it again.

So what’s our application? Be looking for things that bear the fingerprint of God…things that are similar to what you have seen him do in the past. One great way to do this is to familiarize yourself with the people of Scripture. Go back and read some of those stories you learned in VBS and Sunday School as a child. They will make more sense now, as you see how God moved in their lives and at certain times.

Another helpful exercise is to learn the promises God has made. You can Google it and come up with a list of Promises God makes to believers. One of the promises He makes is that of His continuing presence. If today, a week after Easter, you are living as though He never rose from the dead, remember His promises. Look for signs that He is there with you, working, moving, and completing His plan in your life. Just like those disciples who knew Jesus best, you may be missing Him standing right there.

Remember, Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over. However, if we are going to see our lives changed by that reality, we must recognize his presence.

Not only that, we must also…Rest in His Provision

We pick it up in verses 9-14…

Jesus provided in multiple ways during this quick event. First, He provided a massive haul of fish – 153 large ones, as the eye-witness John recounts! Not only that, He had breakfast waiting on them when they got to shore! Isn’t it amazing that instead of rebuking them for going back to their old way of life, Jesus meets them where they were and meets their needs. I’m sure they didn’t need the reminder of who it was…verse 12 tells us that much.

As an aside, some speculate that the reason Peter went back to fishing was because he was concerned about providing for his family. The concern of providing for your family is very real and valid. What was wrong about what Peter and the others were doing was that they had stopped trusting God to help them, and they went back to doing what they “knew” they could do to make money. I have friends who have felt God leading them to step out in faith to follow him in unique ways. They have no income to speak of, yet because they are obeying God’s call to live by faith, He is meeting every need they have.

What decision has God called you to trust Him on that is potentially difficult for your family financially?  I am not talking about sending the preacher on TV the $1,000 he is asking for so you will get $10,000 back. I am not talking about making a wild, risky investment against all advice. However, sometimes, what God calls us to do doesn’t make a ton of sense financially. Maybe He is telling you to stop using tactics that are unethical and immoral, but not doing business that way will cut your pay.  Maybe He is telling you to switch careers so you can have more time at home with your kids.

Maybe you haven’t been giving God a portion of your income, and you know you need to even though things are tight as is. Whatever it is, this story shows that He is capable of providing for you better than you could ever provide for yourself, and He will do it when you need it.

Peter and the others could have put that net down 1,000 more times and may never have caught a thing.  Even if they did, John seems to indicate that the net should have broken, letting at least some go.  Jesus can provide, not only long-term, but immediate needs. They had been fishing all night long, and would have been worn out. To have a nice, hot breakfast would have been so refreshing.

As we look at that provision of breakfast we can learn that God’s Provision is Supernatural

They hadn’t noticed Jesus on shore, yet he already had a charcoal fire, some fish, and some bread.  How long did it take to get the fire going? Where did He get the fish? What about the bread? Matthew Henry, a Biblical commentator, said this, We need not be curious in inquiring whence this fire, and fish, and bread, came, any more than whence the meat came which the ravens brought to Elijah. He that could multiply the loaves and fishes that were, could make new ones if he pleased, or turn stones into bread, or send his angels to fetch it, where he knew it was to be had. It isn’t important how the provision came; it is important that He did provide in a way that none of us ever could.

Keep in mind, I am not advocating sitting around, doing nothing, expecting God to provide. What happens here is that Jesus supernaturally meets a need that they couldn’t meet on their own. They would have had no fish to cook, no bread, and no fire.

There are times when you do everything you can to follow through, and it just isn’t enough. It is times like that where God moves supernaturally on your behalf.

I could give you example after example where God has supernaturally provided for us. God has shown Himself faithful to provide for us, and He will continue to provide for you.

Know also that His Provision is Enough

As welcome as a hot meal was for those disciples, there is one thing to notice: it wasn’t a seven-course gourmet spread. His provision will always be enough, and it will always be good; however, it may not be exactly what you would want. He will not always allow you to get the brand-new car; in fact, he may not provide you with a car at all! He will, however, give you the strength to walk or a friend to ride with…he will always provide.

We see this in how God provided for Elijah in , which is what Matthew Henry referred to in the quote a few minutes ago. God had just told Elijah that He was going to send drought and famine to the land. To follow that up, God sends him to a brook to drink from. He also tells him that he will send ravens with his food. Now I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t exactly appeal to me…Ravens bringing food and all. In time, the brook dried up – I would imagine that the water started to stagnate some and get a little muddy and nasty – That’s not exactly what I would have wanted, but it was enough.

Not only that, when it stopped being enough, God showed Elijah how He would provide for him next – through a widow.

Did they feast as kings? Absolutely not. Was it enough? Absolutely! God will always provide you with what you need. As difficult as it is to believe in lean times, He will sustain you. You may not have everything, but you will have enough. Remember, just because Easter is over, Jesus isn’t gone. You need to see that he is still there, still concerned, still loving, and still providing enough for you.

For us to keep living out the truth of Easter, though, we must also… Return to His Purpose. After refreshing everyone with a hot meal, Jesus pulls Peter aside. This is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture I can think of. Reread verses 15-19…

Remember, who it was who denied Jesus? Whose idea was it to go back to fishing?

Peter, like the rest of us, would have still carried the guilt and the shame for failing Jesus. He went back on a promise he had made, even to the point of correcting Jesus!

In fact, there is an interesting connection between Peter’s denial and this story. In the original Greek the text says that it was a charcoal fire? That word is only used twice in the entire New Testament. Want to know the other time?

 When Peter denied Christ. The Bible tells us, “Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.” It was around a similar fire that Peter denied Jesus. Imagine how his heart may have broken as he caught the aroma of that fire, looked up, and saw the very one he denied sitting at a charcoal fire.

Notice, though, that it isn’t how Jesus left him. Despite Peter’s failure, Jesus knew the plan He had for Peter. It had not changed – Peter was still supposed to be a fisher of men. Lovingly, gently, Jesus restored Peter to right relationship with Him.

Ask yourself, have you failed Jesus? Are you going back to the way you used to live because you think you are worthless to God? Maybe today, He is sitting at a charcoal fire, wanting to restore you. What if Peter had been too embarrassed to come to Jesus for forgiveness and restoration? He would have gone back to fishing, and would never have experienced the great things God had in store for Him, and neither will you.

God has a tremendous plan for you, despite your failures and your sin. It may be that something you have done will not allow you to be used the same way you might have been able to if you hadn’t, but God still has a plan for you. In 21:18-19, we find out that Jesus’ plan, as its final earthly act, would include Peter being executed. This man who was unwilling to die with Christ would eventually be called on to die for Him. What a plan to have!

His plans are unique to you. If you look down to verses 20-23, you have a somewhat comical story. Peter looks around and sees John, the one referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, and asks, “What about him?” Notice Jesus’ reply, though. Jesus tells Peter essentially, “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing with him—you just worry about what I’ve told you to do”

Your walk with Christ will look drastically different than mine. You will not experience the same things I will. God may make you insanely famous and a household name, where he may use me in a way that no one ever remembers who I was. Since God made you, He knows exactly what it will take to mold your character into the image of Christ. Because of that, His plan for you will be drastically different than His plan for me.

Rejoice in that! How boring would it be if we all came out the same way? If we all lived the same, talked the same, acted the same? The important thing is that you are following His plan for your life. His plan will always line up with Scripture, so it’s not like you can go out and live a life of sin and call that God’s unique plan for your life!

How have you failed Him? How have you denied Christ? Just like Peter, He still has a plan for you! He still desires to use you to bring people to a saving knowledge of Him! He still wants you to encourage other Christians in their walk with Christ. He still has a purpose – get back to it!

After Easter, Peter decided to go fishing. He wanted to act as though nothing had ever happened. What did he find when he went? He found that Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over. He discovered the presence of Jesus as he and the others recognized His hand in what was going on. He received the provision of Jesus as he ate that fish and bread breakfast. He was restored to the purpose of Jesus as Christ lovingly restored him and outlined the plan for Peter’s life.

The candy has all been eaten, the baskets are 75% off, but always know that Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.

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Resurrection Sunday

Philippians 2:1-11, John 20:1-9

Glorious Day!

Pastor Barry Kerner

Christ is Risen! Isn’t it a glorious day? Sadly, most of the world doesn’t understand why many churches sing the song, Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate!

A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl raised her hand and said: “Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and pumpkin pie, and sing about the pilgrims and all watch football.” “No, that’s not it,” said the teacher.

A second student raised his hand and said. “Oh, Oh, “I know what Easter is.” “Easter is when you get a tree and decorate it and give gifts to everybody and sing lots of songs.” “Nope, that’s not it either,” said the teacher.

Finally a third student spoke up, “Easter is when Jesus was killed, and put in a tomb and left for three days.” The teacher thought to herself, “Thank goodness somebody knows.”

But then the student went on: “Then everybody stands outside the tomb and waits to see if Jesus comes out, and if he sees his shadow he has to go back inside and we have six more weeks of winter.”

There are many people, including Christians, who have to stop for a minute to remember what Easter is about under the fluffy bunnies, jelly beans, and chocolate eggs.

Over the years I’ve sung in some Gospel Choirs and in a few cantatas. The last Easter Cantata featured songs by a Contemporary Christian Rock Band, Casting Crowns.  This morning our service includes one of Casting Crowns’ songs called Glorious Day.

The original song was written by John Wilbur Chapman in 1911 and it is titled One Day. Band members Mark Hall and Michael Bleecker rewrote the tune in 2009 for Casting Crowns. The chorus is:

Living He loved me,

Dying He saved me,

And buried He carried my sins far away,

Rising He justified freely forever,

One day He’s coming, oh, glorious day.

The original hymn, One Day,  appears in many Hymnals and I remember singing it in church a few times over the years.

The song tells the truth about the Easter Story in a very powerful way but it never hit home with me until I learned the words and contemporary tune for that Easter Cantata. This morning, using God’s Word as our guide I want us to look at five distinct “Glorious Days” that are part of every Christians’ Easter Story.

The first verse of the song tells us that

One day when heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be,

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,

Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us, His glory revealed

The Nativity Story found in Luke chapter two is The First Glorious Day of the Greatest Story Ever Told

Luke tells us that  “While they were there in Bethlehem, , the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no space in the upper room available for them.”

Paul in his letter to the Galatians says that, “when the fullness of time had come, at just the right moment, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Luke goes on

“there were shepherds living out in the fields that night, keeping watch over their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. For unto you is born this day,  in the city of David, a Savior; which is the Messiah, Christ, the Lord.

Then suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

On that night long ago it wasn’t just that shepherds quaked, angels announced, and sheep did whatever sheep do. That night, God’s Glory, which had been conceived by the Holy Spirit was born of a young woman named Mary and began to live among us.

And that’s the First Glorious Day of our Easter Story that in Living, He loved me. And you!

John says that,  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John also said, “For God so loved the world. “that’s us, you and me”, that he sent his only begotten son.”

Paul wrote to the Philippians that, “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

First, Jesus laid aside the form of God for us.

Second, He made Himself nothing, and became a servant for us.

Third, He became obedient to His Father unto death for us.

The Word did not pretend to be a man or play at being human. The Word became flesh. The Word did not “beam down” in full bodily form as in a Star Trek movie. The Word did not enter into and possess another human being. John doesn’t say that the Word “dwelled in” human flesh but that the eternal Word, God the Son, entered into this world by being born as a human being.

John also tells us that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

What a Glorious Day that was when God chose to make His dwelling among us.

But Jesus didn’t just come to earth to show us the right way, the song says, “Living He Loved me, but it also says Dying He saved me.”

One day they led Him up Calvary Mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on a tree

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree, and took the nails for me.

That Good Friday, so long ago when “Dying, He saved me.” was a Second Glorious Day.

Paul writing to the Corinthians, reminded them, “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3

In Mel Gibson’s Movie, “The Passion of Christ” there is an obscure detail in the crucifixion scene. It goes unnoticed by most people, but it is a detail that speaks volumes.

When Jesus is being placed on the cross, the camera comes close to watch as a large spike is positioned in the middle of Jesus’ hand. Then, a mallet comes into focus, and a rugged hand swings it to drive the spike. All things you expect to see in a scene about the Crucifixion.

But there is something you don’t see. You never see the face of the one who drives that nail. You never get a glimpse into the eyes, or heart of the one who so assuredly pounds away until the spike has pierced Jesus’ flesh and comes to rest in the wood of the cross.

The person who plays that role in the movie is the director himself, Mel Gibson. And, there is a reason why he never shows the face of the one who nailed Jesus to the cross? There is a reason why we never see the face of one who had the gall to put the Son of God to death?

He didn’t show us that face because that face was his. And, that face was mine. And, that face was yours.  It wasn’t the Romans. It wasn’t the Jews. It was our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross.

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

 Romans 6:10 verifies that, “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.”

Psalms 103:12 confirms that, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

The price for sin is death, but, Jesus paid that price, for our sin, once and for all, on Calvary. And being Buried, He carried our sins far away. .

By living God loved us! What a Glorious Day when, “God showed us His love for us in that while we were still sinners, His Son, Jesus Christ, chose to die for us!”  Romans 5:8

In John 20:1-9, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)”

Joseph of Arimathea was a very wealthy Pharisee, a member of the council, and a secret follower of Jesus. It was Joseph who went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. And it was Joseph who supplied the tomb for Jesus’ burial. Well, it seems that someone pulled him aside and said, “Joseph, that was such beautiful tomb. It must have cost quite a bit. Why on earth did you give it to someone else to be buried in?” Joseph just smiled. “Why not? He only needed it for the weekend.”

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer

One day the stone rolled away from the door.

Then He arose, over death He had conquered

Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him from rising again.

I don’t know about you, but to me, THAT MAKES RESSURECTION SUNDAY A GLORIOUS DAY.

The song says, Rising, He justified us. Freely forever.

We are forever free from the curse of our sins – spiritual death

Colossians 2:13-15 reads, “When you were dead in your sins, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, and canceled our debt by nailing it to the cross. He has disarmed the enemy and made a public spectacle of them. He has triumphed over them and gained victory by the cross. “

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” And, thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God provides a  Fourth Glorious Day for His sons and daughters. It was the day that you took back what the Devil stole from you. It was the day that you reaped the harvest God promised you. It was the day you confessed Christ as Lord and Savior, were born again, became an heir to the Kingdom and took possession of the “Glory of Christ.”

Paul told the Thessalonians, “God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation, through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth, to which he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13–14)

What I want you to understand is that that is your calling — the God-appointed, blood-bought, Spirit-assured goal of your life is that you obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your calling, faith, salvation and sanctification are all for this: “that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• The caller is God.
• The instrument is the Gospel.
• The pathway is faith and holiness.
• The workers are the Spirit and the Word
• And the end… is the possession of the glory of Christ.

What a Glorious Day it is when one of His lost sheep is found. What a Glorious Day it is when a prodigal son or daughter returns home to find outstretched arms.

The Passover recalls the mighty works of God in bringing His people out of captivity and setting them free.

Several times I’ve led a a Seder which is a Passover meal. During part of the Haggadah, the order of the Passover service, we read a song that the Jewish people have been singing for thousands of years. That Passover Song is called called Dayenu. For millennia Dayenu has been a template for gratitude and a model for true thanks for Israelites. Dayenu means “It would have been enough.” Paul calls it being content.

The theme of the song is that if God had done this mighty work but not this one, which He did anyways, then Dayenu: it still would have been enough. But our God isn’t isn’t a stingy God. Our God is a God of abundance. Time and again God forgave and poured out His blessings on Israel. He continues to forgive and pour out an abundance of blessing to His children even today. Luke wrote that God’s forgiveness and blessing is not just a good measure. It’s not just a cup full. It’s shaken together, packed down, and then more is added, running over into our laps.

If Christ would have just been born, would just have died for our sins, and would just have risen from that grave then… Dayenu: It would have been enough. But even after all that God didn’t walk away and hope for the best. God, through the Holy Spirit, called us into fellowship with His Son and into life and hope. And you know what? Dayenu. That would have been enough.

But, like Paul Harvey’s radio show, The Rest Of The Story,” God has more in store. God has one more Glorious Day prepared for His people!

As John Chapman wrote and Casting Crowns sing:

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine

Wonderful day, my Beloved One is bringing

My Savior Jesus is mine

JESUS WILL RETURN and for those of us who are in Christ Jesus it will be a Glorious Day.

Yes, One day He’s coming. Revelation 22:20 tells us that, Jesus Christ, who testified to John throughout that book, says, “Surely I am coming soon”

Paul described that day to the Thessalonians “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

What a GLORIOUS DAY that will be when Christ Jesus returns and we see Him face to face!

 As John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons [and daughters] of God, and while it does not yet appear what we will be: we know that, when he does appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Today is a day of celebration for those of us who are found in Christ Jesus;

Today is a day we recall all the glory of God;

Today is a day we revel in the glory of what our Savior, Jesus Christ accomplished for us;

And, today is a day we look forward to when the trumpet shall sound and Christ shall return.

Can I get an amen that today is most certainly a Glorious Day?

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Palm Sunday – Can I Get A Witness?

Luke 19:28-40

Pastor Barry Kerner

Today is Palm Sunday and we have palms available. In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. We give palms out today to help us remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, rejoice in his victory over sin and look expectantly to his second coming.

Have you ever listened to a private conversation? Maybe you were standing by a door or in a hallway and you heard people talking about someone else you know. And you could not help it. You paused… you perked up your ears… and you listened.

You knew, of course, that these people were not speaking to you. You eavesdropped.

To eavesdrop means to secretly listen to the conversations of others. Some types of people are very good at eavesdropping. Nosy people, people who like to gossip and spies are all good eavesdroppers.

On the other hand, if you accidentally happen to hear something that doesn’t concern you, you may say that you have overheard it. Overhearing is more innocent than eavesdropping. You can overhear something by being in the wrong place at the right time.

English has another expression related to listening to other people’s conversations: the walls have ears. This means be careful what you say as there might be people listening.

Some word experts say this expression may come from the story about an ancient Greek ruler who had an ear-shaped cave cut and connected between the rooms of his palace. This allowed him to listen to conversations in other rooms.

But, what if the walls of your house really had ears and could bear witness to what goes on in your home. Would the report be good or would there be things you’d want the walls to refrain from speaking about. Would the walls speak of the good that goes on in your home or would they cry out in judgment for what goes on there? Would they sing your praises or would they talk about the poor way that you treat your spouse and kids? Would they bear witness to the trash being read and watched on TV? Let’s pray that their witness would glorify God.

If you open your Bibles to Luke Chapter 19 we’ll be looking at verses 28 through 40.

These verse speak of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

The scene is the “Triumphal Entry”. Jesus is on a donkey colt entering Jerusalem as people spread their cloaks on the road in front of him, joyfully shouting praises to God, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:37-38) This declaration of Jesus as the king of Israel, the son of David, the One who comes in the name of the Lord, provoked a rebuke from the Pharisees.

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

That sounds more like a Star Trek episode in my mind than it does the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Kirk: Spock, what it is?

Spock: Captain, my sensors indicate that the words we hear aren’t coming from carbon- based creatures at all.

Kirk: My God, Spock, what are you saying?

Spock: Yes, Captain. My sensors have correctly deduced that these words are coming from the very rocks under our feet.

Kirk: Scotty, beam us outta here, will ya!?!

This statement by Jesus is the subject of some choruses and has brought about many statements about how we might see rocks singing the praises of Jesus if we don’t! Jesus wasn’t saying that the stones will sing praises if the disciples stop singing them. You don’t even have to know Greek to see it; I’m talking about what your English translations say (just like the Greek). It doesn’t say the stones will sing praises if the disciples don’t.

What does it say? It says that if the disciples don’t joyfully shout these praises, the rocks will cry out. However, it does not say what they will cry out. To understand what Jesus means by the rocks crying out, I believe we must understand the background to this statement.

The first hint we have to anything like this comes in the 4th chapter of the Bible. Cain had taken the fleeting life of righteous Abel. The Lord declares to Cain, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10) What was Abel’s blood crying out? It was crying out guilt – Cain’s guilt.

This particular incident gets mentioned later. Hebrews 12:24 tells us that we have come to the blood of Jesus which speaks “a better word than the blood of Abel.” Though Abel’s blood spoke of guilt, Jesus’ blood speaks of forgiveness! Both had fleeting lives; both were taken in the prime of life; both were unjustly killed by a jealous older brother (figuratively in Jesus’ case).

In Joshua 24, Joshua warns the people of Israel of what the Lord requires to serve Him, and what the consequences are of turning away from the Lord. They chose to serve the Lord, so Joshua set up a stone under an oak tree and said,

“See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” (Joshua 24:27)

The stone had been present when all the warnings were issued by Joshua; the stone heard the people’s commitment to serve the Lord. In the event that the people failed to keep the covenant they couldn’t deny that they had made the commitment for the stone was present. Therefore the stone could serve as a witness in a court case against the people if they failed to keep the covenant.

In Habakkuk 2:9-11 we read of the stones of a wall crying out against those who had, in their presence, made and plotted their greedy plans. Once again the stones hear and testify against those who did wrong in their presence. Of course, this all seems to be a figurative way of saying, “you will be brought to account for what you have done… and will not be able to deny it. These stones will serve as witnesses against you.”

Habakkuk prophesied of the coming Righteous One (“The Righteous One by faith shall live”) and continued with a diatribe against a “selfish man”:

Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, To put his nest on high, To be delivered from the hand of calamity! You have devised a shameful thing for your house by cutting off many peoples; so you are sinning against yourself. Surely the stone will cry out from the wall, and the rafter will answer it from the framework. . . . For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 12:9-14, ASV)

The meaning behind the “shame to thy house” isn’t covetousness, but the Jews’ exclusion of the Gentiles from the Gospel. Read the verses again, substituting “Jews” with the selfish man and you’ll see that Habakkuk says that they’ve brought shame to their nest on high “by cutting off many peoples” because, in the end, “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.” The stones that cry out of the wall are a metaphor for the Gentiles who have been locked out of the Gospel house.

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5, KJV)

In 1 Peter 2.5, Peter calls born-again believers “lively stones” that are built up as a spiritual house — an echo to Habakkuk’s prophecy. In Peter’s house, the very stones of the house are to offer up spiritual sacrifices, that is, praise, acceptable to God. These “lively stones” are also consistent with Paul’s exegesis of Ezekiel’s prophecies:

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20, KJV)

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:26-27, KJV)

For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3.3, KJV)

Given this insight, we better understand John the Baptist’s own use of the crying stones:

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them,  O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3.9, KJV)

John rebukes the Pharisees for their “nest on high” smugness — that they are saved because of their lineage to Abraham — by the pejorative declaration that “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Was John pointing to the rocks under the Pharisees’ feet or to something else? The Gospels show us that John didn’t just have a clan of repentant Jews at the Jordan river, but also a lot of ne’er-do-well Gentiles:

And the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” …Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?(Luke 3:10, 12, KJV) And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? (Luke 3.14, KJV)

John, by telling the Pharisees that their unfruitful tree was being hewn down, was echoing

Habakkuk’s prophecy that God would not let the Jews corner the Gospel, but that “the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God.” We see the fulfillment of that prophecy in Galatians:

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7-9, KJV)

When I read Luke 19:40 I don’t envision stones singing, I imagine stones witnessing the rejection of Christ by those who saw the miracles and deeds crying out guilt in the face of their impending judgment.

When we arrive in Luke 19:40 it is best to read the background into the statement Jesus makes. In other words, “If after seeing all these miracles and deeds I have done, no one shouts out praises and honors me as the Messianic King, your judgment is sure and the stones will cry out in judgment against this city!” It will be taken from you and given to another.

So when the Pharisees told Jesus to make his disciples stop praising God, Jesus didn’t point to some inanimate rocks and tell the Pharisees that they were about to burst out in song. No, instead he was saying that if the Jews didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah and offer praise for “the king that cometh in the name of the Lord,” then the very stones of Jerusalem would cry out in judgment and as  to their rejection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus had prophesied his rejection by the Jews in Mark 13:2, when he told his disciples, “Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'” In 70 ad the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and Jesus” prophesy was fulfilled. The fallen stones cried out in judgment for the Jews rejection of Jesus Christ.

May we respond and sing the praises of the King! Hebrews 12:24 tells us “His sprinkled blood speaks better things…”  It speaks of our forgiveness rather than our guilt! And that will produce many praises for Jesus Christ our King.

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Lenten Series #5

Behold The Man

John 19:1-22

Pastor Barry Kerner

A group of people volunteered to do a parachute jump for charity. On their first day of training, the instructor made an important point about preparing for landing at 300 feet off the ground. One woman asked “How do you know when you’re at 300 feet?” The instructor smiled and said: “Good question. At 300 feet you can recognize the faces of people on the ground.” The woman thought about this for a moment and then said: “What happens if there’s nobody there I know?”

If you’ll open your Bibles to John chapter 19 we’re going to be reading verses 1 through 22.

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified

1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” 13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Recognizing people… it’s an important part of living. It’s embarrassing when somebody comes up to you and they know you but you’re pretty sure you don’t know them!

In our text today, we have a number of people who don’t know WHO Jesus is.

John 19:2-3 says, “The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck him with their hands.”

THEY DIDN’T REALLY BELIEVE HE WAS A KING… BUT HE IS!

John 19:6-7 tells us that, “The Jews answered (Pilate), ‘We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.’”

THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE HE WAS THE SON OF GOD… BUT HE IS!

In John 19:15, “Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’”

THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE JESUS WAS THEIR KING and yet Philippians 4:9-10 tells us the day is coming that “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The soldiers, the Jews and the chief priests none of them recognized who Jesus was! But there’s one man on the scene who seemed to get it right. One man who spoke as if he almost knew who Jesus was. Pontius Pilate

In John 19:5, He stands before the masses and declares: “Behold the man!”

And again in John 19:14, Pilate speaks and says: “Behold your King!”

And in John 19:15 he asks: “Would you have me crucify your King?”

Each phrase has power. Each phrase has a deep a powerful meaning. Each phrase was spoken as if they were the very words of God. It’s almost like… Pilate is reading from a script. In fact, I think he was reading from a Script… God’s script.

Acts 4:27-28 declared that, “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”

You see, there was a script and Pilate and Herod were reading from that same script. It was a script God had written LONG beforehand. And this wouldn’t have been the first time that somebody read from God’s script: In John 11:48-51 we’re told “Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, ‘… You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation’”

Caiaphas didn’t speak on his own he was reading from the script. And I don’t think Pilate said what he said that day on his own. I personally believe that the words that Pilate spoke that day were the words that God spoke… through Pilate For example, Pilate stood before the crowd & declared “BEHOLD THE MAN!”

Now, this puzzled me for a little while. The phrase didn’t seem to make any sense! Why Pilate would say that? It just doesn’t seem to … mean anything. Then someone noted that Pilate didn’t want to crucify Jesus. Pilate saw this whole episode as totally unnecessary and irrational. He didn’t understand the hatred that drove these people. And so, Pilate’s made this declaration “HERE IS THE MAN you find so dangerous and threatening: can you not see he is harmless and somewhat ridiculous?”

Essentially, Pilate is mocking the Jews for their cruelty, and he’d like to shame them into changing their minds. And that’s probably what drove Pilate to say what HE said. But there’s another layer of meaning to that statement: “BEHOLD THE MAN.” There’s a layer of meaning that I believe GOD wants us to see.

You see, without realizing it, Pilate had quoted a Messianic prophecy from Zechariah 6:12 “BEHOLD THE MAN whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.” This was such an obvious Messianic prophecy, that the Targum, which was an ancient Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible from about the 1st century AD, declared: “BEHOLD THE MAN, Messiah is his name.”

Jesus… was THAT man! He’d come to fulfill even that prophecy from Zechariah: “Behold The Man.”

It’s also interesting that, when Jesus stood before Pilate, it was on a Friday morning. Friday. Does anyone know what day of the week that is? It’s the 6th day of the week, isn’t it? Do you recall what God created on the 6th day of creation? MAN! Genesis 2:7 tells us “the LORD God formed THE MAN of dust…” That MAN was ADAM.

And the Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 15:45 that “The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit.” The Bible goes on to say in I Corinthians 15:21-22′ Because that FIRST Adam chose to sin “… by A MAN came death, (and) by A MAN (Jesus) has also come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

You see, Jesus, was the second Adam. He was THE MAN who took away my sin and disgrace. He was the ADAM who defeated death and gave me everlasting life!

So… what God is saying to us here is this: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? Do you believe that Jesus is “The Man” who took away your sin and disgrace, and has brought you eternal life? BEHOLD (says God) THIS IS THE MAN!… Do you believe in Him!

Pilate also asks the Jews “Would you have me crucify your King?” It’s like he’s pleading with the Jews to reconsider their decision. But notice how the Jews respond in John 19:15, “We have no King but Caesar”

We have no king but Caesar? Seriously? Now, just a history lesson for those of you who don’t know this – but the Jews hated the Romans, and they despised Caesar. Rome controlled and dominated Israel, and the people longed to be an independent nation where they could be in charge of their own lives. they were not a free people – and they hated that. And yet, when asked if they would crucify their King (Jesus) they basically said “we’d rather be enslaved than accept Jesus.”

I’ve seen that kind of attitude numerous times. I even had one troubled and miserable young man tell me – “Your Christianity may work for you but it doesn’t work for me” In other words, “I’d rather suffer MY way. I’d rather be miserable all MY life than to turn to Jesus for help.” People want to freed from their unhappiness, but they don’t want Jesus’ help.

And yet in John 8:34-36 Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  In other words – if you want to be freed from your burdens and troubles… turn to Jesus! If the Son sets you free, you’ll be free indeed!

Lastly, let’s take a look Pilate’s words: “Behold Your King!”  Now, I don’t think Pilate really thought that Jesus was a King. I think Pilate was just annoyed by the Jewish leaders and he wanted to get their goat. And so he says “BEHOLD YOUR KING” … and the Jews take the bait! “They cried out, “Away with him, away with him. Crucify him!”

So, when Jesus hung on the cross, Pilate tweaked them again. Pilate had a plaque placed above Jesus head declaring “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) Pilate wanted to remind them “You wanted to Crucify this man, Then KNOW that you have crucified your King.”

And that was the message that God wanted the Jews to remember: “You crucified your king!” Once again, I believe God inspired Pilate to make that statement, because God brought that topic up again about a month later. The day was Pentecost – and a huge number of Jews had gathered in Jerusalem to observe that feast. God got their attention when the Spirit came upon the Apostles, and they began to speak in languages they’d never learned telling of the mighty works of God. It was so unusual – that a large crowd gathered.

Peter began to preach to them explaining from Old Testament prophecies that Jesus was their Messiah – the KING they had waited so long for. And then, Peter told them, “YOU CRUCIFIED HIM!” In Acts 2:22-23 Peter preached, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, YOU CRUCIFIED AND KILLED by the hands of lawless men.”

Later, in Acts 3, Peter is driving home the same point to a different crowd: “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him… YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead.”  (Acts 3:13 & 15)

God drove it home, over and over again – YOU crucified you King. Did you realize that that’s what Scripture says that you and I did? It was because of our sins that Christ was on the cross. In 1 Peter 2:24 we’re told “(Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” It’s important that we understand that truth: Jesus died to take away YOUR sins… and MINE.

Back in the 1600s there was a famous Dutch painter named Rembrandt. He did numerous famous paintings but there was one that particularly unique called “The Raising of the Cross.” There at the base of the cross Rembrandt painted… HIMSELF.  Rembrandt wanted his audience to understand that he believed that it was his sins that put Christ on the cross.

There’s a song that drives that home: “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us.”

The words of the 2nd and 3rd verses go “Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear MY MOCKING VOICE call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.

“I will not boast in anything – no gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart – His wounds have paid my ransom.”

Now, one last thought here: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He died there because He VOLUNTEERED to be crucified! It was His idea. He died there so that our sins could be forgiven and so we could be changed. Look again at 1 Peter 2:24 “(Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, THAT we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Jesus didn’t do what He did because He hated you! He didn’t do it because He thought “I’ve got to do that, but I don’t want to do that, and I don’t even like these people!” No. He died on the cross because YOU mattered to Him. We’re told, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” He LOVED YOU.

You see, Jesus wasn’t nailed to the Cross BY our sins! He volunteered to be nailed there… FOR our sins. Jesus freely offered His life in exchange for yours and mine; because He wanted to free us from our sins.

That’s the whole concept here. He died so that you could be free. And the way in which you accept His free gift is simple. It’s not complex. He’s not making you jump though hoops. It’s very simple. In fact it talks about in Acts chapter 2 verse 38. You want to change your life? Do you want to be forgiven of your sins? Well, all you have to do is “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.”

The idea is – it’s talked about in Romans 6 – that just as Jesus died FOR your sins, you choose to die TO your past. You say “I don’t want to be that person anymore!” And then, just as Jesus was buried in the ground, you allow yourself to be buried in a watery grave. You join with Jesus. Jesus died and was buried for you. And now you die to your sins and are buried with Him. But you don’t stay there! You see, Jesus didn’t stay there. He rose from the grave to give us a new life. And so, YOU rise from that watery grave to “walk in newness of life.” It’s that simple.

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Lenten Series #4

Who Are You Looking For?

John 18:1-14

Pastor Barry Kerner

About 10 years ago, there was a sight-seeing tour in Iceland that lost one of its sightseers. She was no where to be found. Panicked, they called in the police and the search began. Hours later (about 3 in the morning) they discovered that the woman they were searching for had been there all the time. Apparently, the woman had left the tourist group to change clothes and when she returned in a different outfit the rest of her tour group did not recognize her. On top of that, when the description of the “missing person” described her as – “An Asian woman, in dark clothing and speaks English well” – the woman seemingly didn’t realize they were describing HER. So she began to assist the others in searching… for herself.

She didn’t know who she was looking for!

If you’ll open your Bibles to John 18 we’ll read together verses 1 through 14.

John 18:1-14

 “When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.”

In our text today we’re told that: “Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went (to the Garden) with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’”

WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Jesus asked.

You know, Jesus loved to ask questions. If you search the scriptures you’ll find that Jesus asked at least 135 questions during His ministry: Do you believe that I am able to do this? (Matthew 9:28); Who do you say I am? (Matthew 16:15); What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51); Why are you so afraid? (Mark 4:40); Do you love me? (John 21:17); and perhaps one of the most important of His questions: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Jesus always seemed to ask the right question at the right time to challenge people to think about what they were doing. And so, when this band of armed men come to arrest Him, Jesus asked the right question/ at the right time/ to challenge them to think: “Who are you looking for?”

Well WHO were they looking for?

Let’s look at first guy out of the box … Judas. WHO was he looking for? We’re told “JUDAS, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went (to the Garden) with lanterns and torches and weapons.” Judas is leading an armed band to go and arrest Jesus. Judas was LOOKING for Jesus to betray him with a kiss.

At the story of the Last Supper, in Matthew 26:21-25, Jesus said “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me”… Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”

Judas wasn’t a very nice guy and he’s gone down in history as one of the most despised men of all time. He’s become the symbol of betrayal. But why? Why did Judas betray Jesus? Well, he was a man driven by greed. In John 12:6, John described him a thief — he stole money from the money bag that the disciples used to buy stuff.

Judas’ reputation was so blackened by this treachery that in every one of the Gospels, whenever there’s a list of the disciples…he’s always LAST. In fact, one of the other disciples (named Thaddeus) was also called Judas, and in John 14:22 John refers to him as “Judas (not Judas Iscariot)” just make sure no one confused the good Judas with the bad one.

Now, all that said, what’s interesting to me is HOW the Bible talks about Judas beyond that. Did you realize that Jesus never mistreated Judas? In fact, Judas was at the Last Supper… and Jesus even washed Judas’ feet. In addition, aside from the Gospels, Judas is only mentioned just one more time in Acts 1:13-25 and he’s never mentioned ever again in rest of the New Testament. You’d think that one of the most notorious traitors in Scripture would have gotten more press than that. I mean, Benedict Arnold gets worse treatment than that in American History! Why does Judas get this “kid-glove” treatment in the Bible?

Well here’s the deal… the message of Scripture is that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – every one of us!! In I Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul writes: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” THEY’RE ALL GONNA GO TO HELL!!!!!

But, we’ve all sinned too, and that means we all DESERVE go to hell. But then in 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul writes: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

The main theme of Scripture is that Jesus came to save the lost. In fact, In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul wrote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” Paul was essentially declaring: whatever you think of Judas… I was worse!

So, I believe Judas, who was someone I would have seen as the worst of sinners, got the “kid glove” treatment because God didn’t want to give us the impression that SOME folks weren’t worth saving. Jesus will save anyone who believes and repents. Jesus came to save the worst of sinners, whether Judas, Paul… or me.

So Judas came looking for Jesus that night – and he was leading a band of armed soldiers. Who were these soldiers looking for? Well, they SAID they were looking for “Jesus of Nazareth” but they didn’t recognize Him. They didn’t really KNOW who He was, so they had no idea WHO they were looking for. You see, this mob knew very little about Jesus except that others hated Him. And because others hated Him they didn’t like Him much either.

There’s a lot of folks out there like that. They don’t know much about Jesus, but the people they hang around don’t like Him, and that tends to make them a little hostile toward Christ. They’ve listened to the wrong people and come to the wrong conclusions. And all they need is someone like Peter, swinging a sword and cutting off people’s ears, to confirm their doubts about our faith.

So how do you deal with folks like this? Well, you definitely don’t swing any swords at them. You don’t get angry, and you don’t attack. You don’t push… because they’ll tend to push back and things can get ugly. Instead, the best thing to do, is what Jesus did. He wasn’t offended. He walked right up them and He told them what they needed to hear.

And what do people need to hear? It all depends. A couple years ago I was in a residential part of town handing out flyers when a couple girls across the street shouted to me. They’d been to some of out Sidewalk Sunday School outreaches in the past and they began to engage in a discussion: “Do you believe homosexuals are going to hell?” Now, if I’d been smart I’d have followed Jesus example and asked them a question in return. Something like “Do you want to go to heaven?” But I wasn’t that smart (atheists and skeptics try to dominate a conversation by keeping us on the defensive – Jesus defused that approach by putting his adversaries on the defensive with His questions). However, I wasn’t quite that smart. I just pointed out that all sinful people who refused to turn their lives over to Jesus and change their behavior would go to hell… not just homosexuals. “Well we’re lesbians. Do you mean that we’re going to hell?” I responded “God doesn’t want anyone to go to hell, no matter what they’ve done. But if people insist on doing things their own way… they’ve already decided they don’t want to go to be with Him.” I don’t know if they were lesbians or not. They could have just been trying to get me aggravated and say harsh things – but I wasn’t going to go there. I simply told them what they needed to hear without being harsh or self-righteous, which is what I think they were hoping to get from me.

But here’s the deal – Jesus wasn’t afraid to tell people what they needed to hear, and we shouldn’t be either.

One problem too many people have is that they are afraid that they don’t know enough to witness to others. Do you realize how Jesus witnessed to that crowd? He asked who they were looking for, and He simply said “I am he” and THAT WAS IT! He didn’t get into a deep theological discussion with them. Sometimes that’s all you have to do… point to Jesus. Don’t point to the church, don’t point to the preacher. Just point to Jesus. You don’t have to get theological, just tell people what Jesus means to you.

Someone once said: A good witness is like a signpost. Nobody cares if a signpost is ugly or pretty – or if its old or new. All that matters is that the signpost points in the right direction. All that matters is that it easily understood. If we are witnesses for Christ, our job is simply to point to Him.” WE ARE SIGNPOSTS! We point to Jesus and say “This is who I believe in and He’s changed my life”

Now, lastly, there’s one more person I want to focus on this morning, a man named Malchus. Just as a reminder, let’s look again at what John tells us about him in John 18:10-12: “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’ Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus…”

Malchus was the servant of the High Priest and Peter cut off his ear. That’s all we know about him from Scripture. And yet, we’re told his name: Malchus. Why are we told this man’s name? If you go through the Gospels most of the people mentioned don’t have names. We never find out the names of the Wisemen, the Centurions, or any of those sick and lame and leprous that Jesus healed. These were all people that Jesus encountered throughout His ministry, but they’re all unknown! We don’t know their names.

So, why are we told Malchus’ name? It only shows up this once in all of Scripture. Well, I’m going to go out on a limb here and speculate. I’m giving you my opinion here.

There’s a common agreement among a lot of Biblical scholars that when you read a person’s name in the Gospels it’s probably because he or she had become a Christian and they are well known in the early church! For example, In Mark 15:21, the man who carried Jesus’ cross to Calvary we are told was “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus.”  Alexander and Rufus seem to have been referenced in Acts and Romans. Then there’s Zacchaeus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. There are some scholars who believe all these people became Christians and were well known to the early Christians. I mean, why give a person’s name, if nobody knew them?

So, here we have Malchus. If he DID become a Christian… why would he do that? Why become a Christian? Well, Luke 22:50-51 tells us that: “one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

Jesus HEALED the guy who came to arrest Him? And He Was The Servant Of One Of Jesus’ Arch-Enemies!!! He worked for the High Priest. And yet, Jesus touched him – and healed him. I suspect Jesus did more for this man than heal his severed ear. I suspect Jesus’ kindness touched a part of the man’s soul and laid the groundwork for conversion.

There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, “Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.” To which the girl replied, “Yes, I know. But they told me in Sunday school that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.”

The way for us to touch people for Jesus is to share how Jesus touched us. There’s an old Gospel song that goes this way:

“Shackled by a heavy burden, ‘Neath a load of guilt and shame. Then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same. He touched me, oh, He touched me. And oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know – He touched me and made me whole.”

So how did Jesus “touch” you? What did He do to change YOUR life? Once you focus on that – that is your key way to witness to others.

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Lenten Series #3

Blessings Through The Blood Of Jesus

Ephesians 1:7

Pastor Barry Kerner

How many of you donated your blood at least once to a Blood Bank?

I still remember the first time I donated my blood when I was in my early 20s. I have to admit that I was fearful. After donating my blood for the first time, I felt dizzy and I said to myself that I will never donate my blood again. However, I donated my blood a few more times after that.

Now, what motivated me in donating my blood? One thing that motivated me in donating blood was that someone else’s life will be saved because of my blood. I’m sure you might have seen this written in the hospitals – ‘Donate blood, save a life.’

Leviticus 17:11 says, “the life of a creature is in the blood.” That is what the Word of God declares. Blood is essential to human life. The Bible tells us the most powerful cleansing agent in the world is blood. In fact, God created blood to be a cleansing agent. In your body blood takes oxygen and other supplies to cells and removes waste and impurities from those cells. Blood literally cleans out the filth from your body. That is one of its major responsibilities.

There is no other cleansing agent known to man that can purify our bodily system as well as the blood that courses through our veins. So also, there is no other cleansing agent known to man that can rid your soul of its filth and shame than the blood of Jesus. This evening, I’m going to talk about the blessings that we have through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Would you take God’s Word and turn in your Bibles with me to Ephesians 1:7. Ephesians 1:7 reads, “ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

This is the third message in our Lenten Series looking forward to the Feast of our Salvation and I’ve titled it “Blessings Through The Blood Of Jesus”

Humanity is in a fallen state and all have been born into sin. Romans 3:23 tells us, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Many Christians either don’t know or forget the blessings that we receive through the blood of Christ. We need to remind ourselves of the blessings that we receive through the blood of Christ so that we can enjoy those blessings that God has for us. The following are the blessings that God has graciously granted us through the blood of Jesus Christ:

First. The Blood Of Christ Redeems Us From Sin.

Our verse for today Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” The price paid for our redemption from bondage to sin was costly beyond measure; it was the very lifeblood of Christ himself, poured out in his death on the Cross. What was foreshadowed in the Levitical system of sacrifices was realized at the Cross when the Son of God laid down his life in death and ransomed us from sin.

I Peter 1:18-19 reminds us, “18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Here Peter reminds his readers of the cost of redemption, based on the value of the Person of the righteous Messiah himself.

The Greek word for “redeem” goes back to the institution of slavery in ancient Rome. Any representative first-century church would have three kinds of members: slaves, freemen, and freedmen. People became slaves in various ways–through war, bankruptcy, sale by themselves, sale by parents, or by birth. Slaves normally could look forward to freedom after a certain period of service and often after the payment of a price. Money to buy one’s freedom could be earned by the slave in his spare time or by doing more than his owner required. Often the price would be provided by someone else, who purchased a person’s freedom from servitude.

A freedman was a person who formerly had been a slave but was now set free. Christians are freedmen who have been redeemed from the “empty” lifestyle of the world.

Verse 19 stresses the value of the purchase price of redemption and at the same time identifies the blood as that of a spotless lamb—Jesus Christ.

Some of us are like a man who has built up a huge debt and can’t pay it. The man’s wealthy boss comes along and pays the bill without telling his employee — then calls him in to give him the good news. The man sits down, is handed a large pile of papers. He flips through the pages to see the list of bills he has accumulated. He thinks, “I’ll never be able to pay all this. They’re going to throw me in jail!” When the Boss sees the man’s fearful countenance, he is perplexed. He says, “Excuse me — did you look at page one?” The man flips back to the first page, which reads: “Paid in full.”

Many Christians are just like this man: They don’t know their sin has been covered, paid in full! We have to enter into that knowledge by faith in order to have the benefit — which is peace with God!

Jesus’ blood has purchased the whole church of God. Acts 20:28 tells Pastors and Church Elders,  “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

The Church has been blood-bought for eternity! Since Christ redeemed us from sin, we need turn away from the empty form of life.

Second, The Blood Of Christ Sanctifies Us.

1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  The blood of Jesus keeps on cleansing us from every defilement due to sin. Without Christ’s ongoing cleansing, enduring fellowship would be impossible, for the guilt resulting from sin destroys fellowship.

This ought to put a big faith-smile on your face. You are sanctified — sprinkled clean!This is a continuing work of the Spirit. We clean a lot of things regularly. We need to clean our lives through the precious blood of Christ regularly. Sanctification is possible because of the blood of Christ. Submit to the Holy Spirit to sanctify you!

Third, The Blood Of Christ Gives Us Bold Access To God In Worship And Prayer.

Hebrews 10:19 says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus”  Christians approach God confidently, completely at home in the situation created by Christ’s saving work. They enter “the Most Holy Place,” which, of course, is no physical sanctuary but is, in truth, the presence of God. And they enter it “by the blood of Jesus,” on the basis of his saving death. We are to come to our Father boldly — without fear! The Blood of Christ gives us access to God.

The blood of Christ brings us near to God. Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.”

The blood of Jesus Christ is so precious because the blood of Jesus Christ gives us peace with God. Colossians 1:19-20 tells us, “19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

For by it, we who had been at war with God on Satan’s side, are granted not only peace with God–but also the peace of God. We are no longer under condemnation or fear!

A lot of people have been redeemed and justified by the blood — but they don’t know it because they live in fear and condemnation. We are given this great privilege of entering into God’s presence with boldness. Let’s enter into the presence of God knowing that He accepts us because of the blood of Jesus.

Fourth, The Blood Of Christ Cleanses Our Consciousness.

Hebrews 9:14 declares, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Christ offered himself in sacrifice, the aim being “to cleanse our consciences.” His saving work operates on quite a different level from that of the Levitical sacrifices. These latter were external and material, as the author repeatedly emphasizes. But Christ was concerned with the sins that trouble the human conscience. Thus, his sacrifice was directed to cleansing the conscience, something that the Old Testament sacrifices could never do.

This cleansing is “from acts that lead to death,” and the final result of those purified by Christ is that they “serve the living God”. The Christian way is positive, not negative.

Do you want to put your head on the pillow at night without any feeling of guilt? Only the blood of Christ can do that. Jesus Christ paid for ALL of our sins. False religions tell us to serve God in hopes that our conscience will be clean. Christ, on the other hand, clears up our conscience so we can and also want to serve Him.

There is a story that one night Martin Luther went to sleep troubled about his sin. In a dream, he saw an angel standing by a blackboard and at the top of the board was Luther’s name. The angel, chalk in hand, was listing all of Luther’s sins, and the list filled the blackboard. Luther shuddered in despair, feeling that his sins were so many that he could never be forgiven. But suddenly in his dream, he saw a pierced hand writing above the list these words: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. As Luther gazed in amazement, the blood flowed from the wounded hand and washed the record clean.

We don’t have to bear a guilty conscience. If you have sinned, immediately confess your sin before the Lord and repent of your sin. The blood of Christ cleanses our conscience.

Fifth, The Blood Of Christ Helps Us To Overcome Satan.

Revelation 12:10-11 reads, “10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

In times past, Satan’s chief role as the adversary was directed toward accusing God’s people of disobedience to God. The justice of these accusations was recognized by God, and therefore Satan’s presence in heaven was tolerated.

But now the presence of the crucified Savior in God’s presence provides the required satisfaction of God’s justice regarding our sins 1 John 2:1-2 reminds us, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Thus, Satan’s accusations are no longer valid and he is cast out. What strong consolation this provides for God’s faltering people! Any attempt in entering the arena of conflict with our mortal foe without the power of the blood is not only foolish but useless. We often sing of its power in our songs, but live so much of our lives without that power.

Sixth, The Blood Of Christ Breaks Down All Walls.

Ephesians 2:13-14 says, “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,”

At Delphi Falls United Church we come from different places and different backgrounds. But, we are all one in Christ — a blood-sprinkled church. Indeed, those who are blood-sprinkled no longer have any walls. They’ve all come down! The blood of Christ breaks all the barriers among people.

Finally, The Blood Of Christ Saves Us From The Wrath To Come.

Romans 5:9 – “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”

Because we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ we are to put sin out of our lives. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Even as the Old Testament picture of deliverance to the Jews in bondage to Egypt, Christ became our Paschal Lamb (who was slain before the foundation of the world) so that by applying His blood to our hearts, we, too, shall escape the wrath to come.

God’s wrath will be poured upon the unbelievers. But the blood of Jesus saves us from the wrath of God!

God has graciously granted us several blessings through the blood of our Jesus Christ.

I challenge you to put the Word of God into practice by ceasing to live a sinful life.

You are redeemed not to go back to your old, sinful lifestyle but to live a life which brings glory to God!

Let’s be grateful for the Lord’s awesome sacrifice.

There is wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb!

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