A Permanent Victory

 (To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon, given on Easter Sunday, is based upon the phrase, "Death is swallowed up in victory," which is found in 1 Corinthians 15:54. The message emphasizes the fact that the resurrection is not merely a momentary victory, but it is a permanent victory because of the implications of the wording Paul uses in this verse.

Written Excerpts:

1 Cor. 15:54 ^(NKJV) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

Introduction:

Who doesn’t love a good contest? Who doesn’t admire a truly worthy winner?

For some people, a good contest is any kind of sporting event, or perhaps only one particular sporting event. Other people love to follow academic kinds of contests such as: forensic speech competitions. From time to time I read articles in the Sharon Herald about students from area schools competing in speech competitions. Our own son, Andrew, competed in speech contests while in college.

I don’t know how many people are aware of it, but in vocational schools across the country competitions are held for various trade skills that students are learning and in which they may compete with other students around the region, state or nation.

When my twin brother was in high school he attended the Crawford County Vo-Tech School in Meadville his sophomore, junior and senior years and took the welding course. He excelled in the training and during his senior year he competed against welding students from other schools in the field of Heli arch welding working with aluminum and stainless steel.

The competition included blueprint reading and welding small pieces of stainless steel in horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, as well as pipe welds. If I remember correctly, the welds were judged not only on appearance, but they were x-rayed to make sure they were solid welds.

He won first place at the regional competition, then he also won first place at the state competition, which qualified him for nationals in San Antonio Texas. It seemed like a dream to even think of him winning at nationals against state winners from 40-some other states. So, you might imagine the time of great celebration it was when we learned that he also won first place at the national competition and had qualified for an international contest in Europe, which was later canceled. It was a thrilling victory that we relished for many years.

There are various reasons why people are motivated to root for their favorite team or individual contestant. Our family obviously rooted for my brother because of our close relationship with him. Others were hoping he would win because he was from their school, their town, or their state.

One thing about victories is they are always temporary or momentary. It really depends on what type of competition you are referring to, but in sports, for example, there may be only one victory before there is a loss, or at best, an entire undefeated season. But eventually the victory is interrupted by more losses. In this life, victory is never permanent.

Today, we are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. In the passage of Scripture that was read earlier, there is a phrase in verse 54 that made me think of the title I chose for today’s message. That phrase is, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” For the next several minutes I want to talk to you about the permanent victory that Christ gained when He rose again from the grave.

I. The Element of the Victory

When we mention the “element” of the victory, we are talking about the fact of the resurrection and what it really means. Because of all the implications surrounding the resurrection, which we will talk about shortly, the devil has always orchestrated opposition to the idea of a literal resurrection.

There have been all kinds of arguments made against the resurrection by atheists and other completely secular sources. It is very sad that there are also some professing Christians, especially in the academic world, who argue against the resurrection. One such argument is that Jesus didn’t bodily rise from the dead, but He simply rose in the minds, hearts and ideas of the disciples so they could be motivated to go out and tell the good news of salvation. This kind of description makes the resurrection out to be nothing more than a spiritual experience.

So, it is very important to understand how the Apostle begins this chapter simply stating some of the obvious details surrounding the resurrection such as Christ appearing in His bodily form to various people. Then, the Apostle says that He also was “seen by over five hundred brethren at once.”

It might be possible to conceive of the close-knit group of disciples having such a spiritual experience as I described a moment ago, but think about how difficult it would be to get more than 500 brothers to all experience the same thing at the same time. And, not only to have the same experience, but to stick to the same story. Many of those same people would have still been living when Paul wrote these words, so any skeptic could have looked them up and verified Paul’s account.

This is only one example of the very intentional detail given by the eyewitnesses of the resurrection to refute any such alternative ideas. Paul wants to begin this whole discussion of resurrection by firmly defending the fact that it was a real event.

II. The Effect of the Victory

The effect of the victory pertains to the arguments that Paul makes throughout the chapter regarding the consequences of the resurrection.

He mentions such things as:

1 Corinthians 15:13ff ^(NKJV) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty… ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Paul efficiently argues that all these things, and much more, would have no meaning or reality if Christ did not rise from the dead. 

III. The Extent of the Victory

As we get closer to the end of the chapter, Paul is answering the hypothetical question of what will the resurrection mean for us? What will it be like? What will we become?

In verses 35 – 58, he explains some of those answers. There is a lot to digest in the information he gives, but I want to focus mainly on the words in v. 54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” This phrase is borrowed from the OT book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 25:8 ^(NKJV) He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

So, Paul is saying that the resurrection is the fulfillment of this prophecy and therefore it really is true what he had said earlier in v. 26, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” (Adapted from Verlyn Verbrugge, Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

(R.C.H. Lenski New Testament Commentary) – The [language] "swallow up" is drastic and expresses complete destruction. Luther: "The Scriptures announce how one death (Christ's) devoured the other (ours)."

Lenski goes on to explain that the words, “in victory” bring out the true meaning of the OT prophecy in the original Hebrew. Listen carefully to this quote:

Death is not merely destroyed so that it cannot do further harm while all of the harm which it has wrought on God's children remains. The tornado is not merely checked so that no additional homes are wrecked while those that were wrecked still lie in ruin. The destruction of death is far more intense: death and all of its apparent victories are undone for God's children. What looks like a victory for death and like a defeat for us when our bodies die and decay shall be utterly reversed so that death dies in absolute defeat, and our bodies live again in absolute victory.

Conclusion:

I want to close my message today by assuring each one of us in the strongest terms possible that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a thorough and permanent victory over death. Jesus not only rose again from the grave, but His resurrection is the guarantee that we will be raised from the dead as well. As Paul asks in the closing verses, “O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?” The obvious answer is – there is no sting; there is no victory for death and the grave. All that death and the grave have accomplished or acquired has been permanently overturned by the resurrection of Jesus.

He Lives! Hallelujah!

Let us rejoice in this fact by standing together and singing the closing hymn: Rejoice, the Lord Is King

Till He Comes

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was given during a Palm Sunday service in which the sacrament of communion was celebrated. It focuses on the words found in 1 Cor. 15:26 where the Apostle states that we proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. The message speaks about how this phrase relates to the actual words of Jesus, which not only imply His return but also His resurrection.

Written Excerpts:

1 Corinthians 11:26 ^(NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

Introduction:

On the first Sunday of March, when we last celebrated the Lord’s Supper, I spoke to you about this same verse in First Corinthians. If you were here, you might recall that we emphasized the phrase, “You proclaim the Lord’s death.” We talked about how communion can be a perpetual proclamation of our redemption through the blood of Christ.

Today we are revisiting this same verse, but I want to examine a different phrase than we did before. I want to speak to you about the phrase “till He comes.” The Apostle is saying we are to keep on proclaiming the suffering and death of the Lord through participation in communion until the time when He comes again. 

I think it is especially fitting for us to focus on this phrase at this particular time of the year because there truly is a resurrection theme in these words of the Apostle Paul.

I.      This phrase announces a return.

(Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) – There is also an eschatological [i.e. end times] element in this supper, for by it we testify to the truth that Jesus will return. This element is apparent in the original Last Supper, since Jesus said to his disciples: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. . . . I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes” (Lk 22:15-18).

The author of this commentary is reminding us that Paul’s statement is based upon the words uttered by Jesus when He celebrated the Passover and Last Supper with His disciples. In the comments of Jesus recorded in Luke 22:15-18, He explains that there will be no more occasions when they share the Passover celebration meal nor drink the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

We have spoken in the past how that the gospels portray the kingdom of God as something that had already arrived, but was not yet fully here or completely here. Jesus spoke in some places as though the kingdom had come, but in other places He speaks about it still coming in the future. Knowing that Jesus was very near death, we can assume that He was simply telling them He would not eat or drink the Passover meal in this earthly life again. However, He states that He will share it again with them in the kingdom of God.

Many commentary authors believe that the Apostle Paul was thinking about these words of Jesus when he says we must keep on proclaiming the death of Jesus by partaking of the communion emblems, and we must do it until the Lord comes again.

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) – From the night in which Jesus was betrayed onward until his return in glory at the last day this proclamation is to be made. The aorist subjunctive ἔλθῃ [he comes] denotes a single future act and an actual coming.

This author (Lenski), confirms that the sentence and word usage of the Apostle Paul clearly requires a future return of the Lord. So Paul’s emphasis, based on the words of Jesus, is that communion is not only a remembrance of Jesus’ suffering, but it is also a reminder of His future coming.

II.    This phrase assumes a resurrection.

Not only did Jesus imply that He was going to return, so that he could drink it anew with them, but His words also imply a resurrection. A “dead man” cannot return unless there is a resurrection first! He wasn’t talking about His Spirit drinking wine in the kingdom of God, because spirits can’t eat and drink. That is why it is a significant point that Jesus asked the disciples for something to eat after His resurrection. They may have imagined that they were just seeing a spirit, but when He asked for food, it was to show that He really was “flesh and blood.”)

On the night when Jesus instituted the communion, He states that He will someday drink anew with them in the kingdom of God, which could not be possible if He is still dead. Jesus’ promise to drink the fruit of the vine with them again in the kingdom of God presumes that there will be a resurrection, which He had already told the disciples many times.

He had repeatedly told them that He was going to be put to death but would rise again. Luke records one such occasion at the beginning of chapter 22. Then during the supper (v. 21) He told them that one of them would betray Him. In spite of the fact He is going to be betrayed, and in spite of the fact He had predicted His own crucifixion, Jesus still talks about drinking the wine with them in the kingdom of God. This could not be possible without His resurrection from the dead.

So, it seems that the Apostle Paul states his words on the basis of these very same conclusions. We keep on proclaiming the death of the Lord through sharing of communion until He comes back again, which He is sure to do because He is alive and well! On this Palm Sunday as we share the elements of communion, let us do so with the renewed understanding that Jesus is alive and coming again!

Conclusion:

(The IVP Bible Background Commentary) – [Old Testament] Passover celebrations looked forward to the future redemption of Israel as well as backward to how God had redeemed them in the exodus of Moses’ day.

The original Passover event was looking forward to the coming deliverance or redemption of Israel from bondage. Each subsequent Passover celebration would look back on the miraculous deliverance God has provided. In a similar way the elements of the Lord’s Supper remind us to look back at Calvary and the deliverance Christ provided from sin, but to also look forward to the future and final deliverance from this sin-cursed world and our entrance into the eternal kingdom of God.

Before we share the communion sacrament together, let us sing this great hymn, Wounded for Me.

He's Been There, Done That

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is based on Hebrews 12:2-3 and explores the reasons why Christians are urged to keep their focus on Jesus while going through life. We receive encouragement by remembering three main things about Jesus: what He went through, who He is, and He is always with us.

Written Excerpts:

Hebrews 12:3 ^(NKJV) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Introduction:
Imagine that you are being prepared for an extensive surgery that will require a lengthy rehabilitation process following surgery. There is a close friend with you trying to encourage you for the long process ahead. They tell you that you’ll be able to get through it; the pain won’t really be that bad; and you will eventually be back to normal functions of daily life.

You look at them and ask, “Have you been through this before?”

They suddenly get a blank look on their face and reply, “No, but I read a book about it!”

How would that make you feel? How much encouragement would that provide for you?

Wouldn’t you rather hear from someone who had been through the exact same experience and “lived to tell about it?”

Last Sunday we discussed a phrase found in Heb. 12:2 – “looking unto Jesus.” We talked about four different qualities that were evident in the life of Jesus from His birth until His resurrection. I mentioned how we can look at those qualities exhibited in the life of Christ and use them as a model or pattern for our own walk of faith.

Today, I would like to draw your attention to verse 3. Those early Christians were instructed to think about Jesus who had endured severe hostility from His peers. Obviously, they would have understood that the writer was not only speaking about the verbal opposition Jesus received during His ministry, but even more, the physical suffering they put Him through with the crucifixion. We mentioned before that they were urged in v. 1 to “run the race with patience” or endurance. I had mentioned then and at other times that this patience or endurance is not the kind we describe by the phrase, “grin and bear it.” Nor is it some kind of light, frivolous emotion that pretends things aren’t really as bad as they are.

I came across a quote by William Barclay that I wanted to share regarding endurance. He writes, “… [it] does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them. It is not some romantic thing which lends us wings to fly over the difficulties and the hard places. It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undenying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.”

Last week we already mentioned that we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. In that message we talked about some of the general aspects of His life and the qualities He exhibited. Today, I want to further explore how “looking to Jesus” can be of any help to us when we are traveling through this life and dealing with all its obstacles and challenges.

I.      We can remember what He went through.

“He endured the cross” – As I read earlier the quote from Wm. Barclay, this phrase reminds us that Jesus didn’t evade the cross; He endured it. He accepted it and faced it “head on” and went through the whole ordeal.

“Despised the shame” – The death of crucifixion was shameful. It was the death reserved for “criminals.” There was a huge social stigma associated with it. But Jesus despised all of that – He didn’t allow those facts to deter Him from fulfilling the Father’s plan.

“endured contradiction of sinners” – Boldly and confidently faced the opposition directed to Him by sinners.

These sinners included the socially respected, religious leaders.

“resisted unto blood” (v. 4) – He went through it all including the point of shedding blood. He gave His very life, which has not yet been the experience of the readers. Writer may have also been thinking of others who were included in the examples given in chapter 11, who also died (shed their blood) because of their faith in God. (Barclay)

II.    We can remember who He is.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think we can begin to reason – well, Jesus was God after all, so He had supernatural powers and He was better fitted for these situations than I am.

Let’s look at a few of the verses that was read earlier in the service.

Hebrews 2:17 ^(NKJV) Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:15 ^(NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

The writer goes to great lengths to show us that Jesus is human just like us. He did have the supernatural power of God in those situations where He was demonstrating God’s grace and love to people, and for confirming His own deity. However, the Bible clearly states that He laid aside His divine power in order to submit to the Father’s will for the plan of redemption. When it came to benefiting himself, He willfully chose not to use divine powers so that He could fully experience our humanness in suffering and in representing us in His death.

He literally and truly has “been there and done that.”

III.   We can remember that He is with us all the way.

Finally, I want to remind us that the hope and good news goes further than simply instructing us to keep Jesus in mind as we endure opposition, persecution, or adversity. We need to remember that His presence is actually with us and in us.

Wm. Barclay – “He is at once goal of our journey and the companion of our way; at once the one whom we go to meet and the one with whom we travel…. forever in the company of him who has already made the journey and reached the goal, and who waits to welcome us when we reach the end.”

Conclusion:

Life is full of obstacles, opposition and suffering, especially when we purpose to be completely devoted to the Lord and do His will. Let us remember that Jesus has gone through the same experiences. “He was tempted (tested) in all points, or all kinds of ways, such as we are.” Let us remember that He was fully and completely human, just like us. He didn’t use His divine prerogatives for His own benefit. Let us remember that He is always with us, whether we can sense it or not; He is there.

Therefore, let us keep on trusting Him. Trust Him for direction and guidance in tough decisions. Trust Him for comfort in grief and sorrow. Trust Him for relief in suffering and pain. Trust Him for power to overcome temptations and trials.

Our closing hymn is a song about trusting Jesus. Let us stand and sing it together, Trusting Jesus

Look at Jesus

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon based on Hebrews 12:2 in which the author urges believers to look unto Jesus for encouragement in running the race that is set before them. The message includes four different qualities found in the life of Christ and urges hearers to seek to imitate Jesus in their lives.

Written Excerpts:

Hebrews 12:2 ^(NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Introduction:

In this second verse, the readers are being admonished to “look unto Jesus.” Or, today we might say it like, “take a look at Jesus.” I want to use this phrase to introduce my message to you today about some of the qualities of Jesus’ life. Perhaps we will use the next few weeks to return to this passage and explore it in closer detail.

Have you ever been encouraged to really get to know someone? Maybe you already knew them in a casual way, but you were challenged to really get to know them more intimately. Have you ever been surprised, once you did get a more intimate knowledge of someone, to find out that they were much different than you previously thought?

In our Scripture passage today we have read in verse 1 that believers are urged to “run a race.” This race is obviously a spiritual race, not literal. But, it is a race that has many parallels to a literal race. The rigors of the race can be compared to the life of faith. For example, many people have compared our life of faith to be much more like a marathon than a sprint or dash. It has been described more like an endurance race than one that focuses on who’s in first place. Just being able to make it to the finish line is the primary goal.

In the admonition given here, the writer offers two different sources of inspiration to the runners. One source would include the saints of faith described in chapter 11 who have “witnessed” or testified by their actions that they have been overcomers, or should we say “winners.” The other source of inspiration to these “racers” is mentioned in verse 2 – Jesus. There are specific reasons they are urged to consider Him as a source of inspiration, which we will probably explore in future sermons, but none-the-less, they have been encouraged to use Jesus as a source of knowledge, strength and inspiration as they daily run the race of life in faith.

Today I would like to direct your thoughts toward Jesus and some specific qualities that the Bible tells us about Him. In doing this, I hope it will inspire and challenge us to be more like Him.

There are a number of different Bible passages that urge readers (or listeners) to strive to be like Jesus.

For example: 

1 Peter 2:21 ^(NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Philippians 2:5 ^(NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

John 13:34 ^(NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

If we are admonished to look at Jesus and to imitate Jesus, then it is important to review some important qualities of His life. I want to express just four of those qualities for you today.

I.      In His birth, He demonstrated His humility.

There are at least two ways that Jesus demonstrated humility in His birth.

A.    Humility is demonstrated in His voluntary condescension from heaven to earth.

Philippians 2:7 ^(NKJV) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

“no reputation” – lit. to make empty or void (Thayer); does not selfishly exploit His divine form but lays it aside… (TDNT).

“form of bondservant” – took on the characteristics of a slave (A.T. Robertson).

B.     Humility is demonstrated in the humble circumstances surrounding His birth and life.

Poor virgin; stable; lowly carpenter’s home…

In a spiritual race, humility is an important characteristic to possess.

Benjamin Franklin – Pride is the hardest trait to erase from one’s life. If I should succeed in removing all pride from my life, I may then be strongly tempted to be proud of my humility. (Not an exact quote.)

Humility is a most strange thing. The moment that you think you have acquired it is just the moment you have lost it. – Bernard Meltzer (Draper’s Quotations)

I recently read this quip: A humble man never blows his "knows" in public!

Matthew 20:26-28 ^(NKJV) … whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

II.    In His life, He demonstrated His compassion.

As we read through the four gospels and review the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, it is very possible the one thing that would stand out the most about Him would be His consistent compassion for people.

While preaching, Peter summarizes the life of Jesus by saying, “He went about doing good.”

Acts 10:38 ^(NKJV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

There are at least 10 different places in the gospels where it mentions “Jesus had compassion.” Sometimes the object of His compassion was described as multitude(s) and other times it was a single individual. Everywhere Jesus went, He was moved by the conditions of humanity, whether it was pain and suffering, poverty, or other conditions, He saw their deepest needs and was moved to the point of action.

May God help us to see that trait so clearly in Christ, that we seek to pattern our own lives after Him.

Jesus – “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

III.   In His passion, He demonstrated His obedience.

Philippians 2:8 ^(NKJV) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Paul’s point here seems to be that once the Son humbled Himself and took the characteristics of humanity, even as a “slave/servant,” then in that status of humanity He continued being obedient to His Father to the very point of death.

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – His obedience is a sure token of his deity and authority for, as Lohmeyer says in a brilliant insight, only a divine being can accept death as obedience; for ordinary people it is a necessity.

And, it wasn’t just a natural death, or a hero’s death on the battlefield, but it was the cursed death on a cross, as if He was a criminal.

Hebrews 5:8 ^(NKJV) though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

Learning is related to the word knowledge, and the word know in Greek almost always included the idea of knowing by experience. Luke 2:52 tells us that Jesus as a child and youth “grew in wisdom and stature.” That is, as a human being, even one that was without sin, He continued to increase in wisdom. So, Jesus didn’t “learn obedience” as if He had not known what obedience was, but He learned it in the sense of experiencing more and more what obedience involved.

Last Sunday I spoke on the subject of obedience to God as it was emphasized by the prophet Samuel to King Saul. Ever since the Garden of Eden, the Devil has constantly lured people into disobedience against God. It will always be his scheme to defy God by convincing His creatures that they do not need to obey their Creator.

Look at Jesus and emulate His obedience to the Father!

IV.   In His resurrection, He demonstrated His Power.

You’ve heard me say this many times, but whenever the OT wants to express the great power of God, the writers often refer back to the Exodus from Egypt and the victory at the Red Sea.

The NT writers also referred to the Exodus, but whenever they wanted to express the epitome of power, they usually spoke of the resurrection of Christ.

Ephesians 1:18-20 ^(NKJV) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Believers that are running an endurance race, trying to make it to the finish line in the midst of all kinds of opposition, trials, and suffering, need the reassurance that God’s power is able to carry them through to the end. It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. You and I can make it to the end of life, through all the trial, temptations and tribulations because Christ’s resurrection power is available to us.

Conclusion:

I mentioned at the beginning of the message today that the writer is encouraging his readers to faithfully and successfully run the spiritual race that we all must run. As we run the race, there are plenty of opportunities for us to become discouraged and to give up.

Knowing this, the author offered two different sources of encouragement: the people who have lived before us, and most of all, our Lord Jesus Christ. If we keep our eyes focused on Him, and not on those around us, then we can successfully finish the race and receive the “winner’s reward.”

We have taken a look at four different qualities in the life of Jesus. As we remember them, let us use His example as a model for our own lives of faith as we run this spiritual race.

As we do that, our greatest desire should be the desire to be like Jesus. So, let’s sing that as our prayer for the closing hymn this morning.

I Want to Be Like Jesus 

Substitute Sacrifices

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon comes from 1 Samuel 15 regarding the story of Saul's battle against the Amalekites in which he spared the best of the animals to bring back and sacrifice to God. Samuel rebukes him by telling him that sacrifices cannot take the place of obedience to God's commands. The message suggests some of the ways people offer God something other than obedience to His Word.

Written Excerpts:

1 Samuel 15:22 ^(NKJV) So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Introduction:

Does anyone remember when you were a child or teenager your father/mother either asked you or told you to do something you didn’t really want to do? Rather than do what you were asked to do, you decided to do something else instead. Maybe you reasoned, this other job/task is much more pleasant and they really like that too, so it will be better anyway. I’ll be happier and they will be happy! Or, maybe one of your own children tried that approach a time or two.

So… How did that work out? If your parents were anything like mine, the other job, which I did instead of the one they told me to do, did not accomplish what I had hoped it would! In fact, the only thing my little scheme accomplished was to prolong the amount of time to get the original job done that I was told to do. If I had just done what I was told, I would have been done with it and on my “merry way” long before I was.

Well, that little illustration relates to the story in our Scripture lesson today.

Earlier in the chapter, the prophet Samuel told King Saul that God was ordering the total destruction of the Amalekites. Why? Because they had fought against the people of Israel when they were traveling from Egypt to Canaan. Even after the Israelites settled in Canaan, the people of Amalek repeatedly fought against the Israelites. (Recorded in the book of Judges.)

Exodus 17:14-16 ^(NKJV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." ¹⁵ And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; ¹⁶ for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

Deuteronomy 25:17-19 ^(NKJV) "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, ¹⁸ how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. ¹⁹ Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.

When God says something is going to take place, it doesn’t always mean it will happen immediately. So now this is many years later and God is giving the orders to go to war against the people of Amalek and completely destroy them.

King Saul gets back from the big war campaign and meets up with Samuel. Saul says, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” ¹⁴ But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (1 Samuel 15:13-14)

Saul and the army were supposed to destroy everyone, including the animals. But Samuel can hear animals. Saul also spared the life of the wicked King Agag. Saul didn’t really give any excuse for sparing Agag’s life, but this is what he said concerning the animals:

1 Samuel 15: 21 ^(NKJV) … "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

So you see that Saul is essentially saying, “Well, the people thought that the best of the animals would make really good sacrifices for the Lord. So we just decided to bring those on back home and we’ll present an extra special sacrifice to the Lord!” Samuel’s reply to Saul can be paraphrased like this, “It is far better to obey the command of the Lord than to offer Him all kinds of sacrifices. God doesn’t approve of or even want your sacrifices if you haven’t obeyed Him.” The point of the story seems to be the fact that Saul thought that impressive sacrifices could cover up for the disobedience. Saul isn’t the last person to ever think that!

Today, I want to refer to some other Scriptures to describe the kinds of sacrifices people substitute for obedience to the Lord.

I.      Some people offer sacrifices of religious service as a substitute for obedience.

In Isaiah, after God says to the people of Israel, who has required all these sacrifices and offerings from you? Then He says in vv. 16-17:

Isaiah 1:16-17 ^(NKJV) "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, ¹⁷ Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 

Matthew 5:23-24 ^(NKJV) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

In both of these contexts, God is reminding us that religious activity, even the kind that He requires or asks for, is not a substitute for obedience in the other areas of our lives. People who go to church on Sunday mornings to give God “the required two hours for this week” but they completely disregard God’s Word and His will through the other six days are a lot like these Israelites that Isaiah is describing.

II.    Some people offer the sacrifice of a good moral life as a substitute for obedience.

Rich young ruler.

Matthew 19:21 ^(NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Jesus told this young ruler what he needed to do after the man had affirmed that he had obeyed all the commands Jesus quoted to him. Jesus wasn’t just adding one more command to the list for him to live by, but He was touching on the very thing that the young ruler had his heart, his affections and his trust in.

The Bible says that he went away sorrowful. He had been willing to keep doing all the things he already had been doing, but he wasn’t willing to obey the Lord and give up the one thing he trusted in.

III.   Some people offer the sacrifice of a nominal faith as a substitute for obedience.

James 2:17 ^(NKJV) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

The Apostle James and other writers in the NT distinguish between a belief that is merely intellectual agreement vs. genuine faith that produces a lifestyle that confirms what we say we believe.

There are a lot of people who say they believe in God; a lot of people who say they believe in Jesus and the fact He died for our sins. They say they believe in His resurrection, but their belief has never had any real impact on the way they live their lives. It hasn’t translated into obedience to His will.

They tend to excuse ungodly behavior by saying such things as, “No one is perfect.” “We all sin.” That kind of “faith” is not a substitute for a genuine faith that produces obedience and devotion to God.

IV.   What kind of sacrifice does God want?

The Psalms tell us that God desires sacrifices that come from a broken, humble and contrite spirit. (Ps. 51:17)

God desires sacrifices of righteousness (Ps. 4:5). That is, sacrifices of right living accompanied with right attitudes; not hypocritical.

God desires sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15 ^(NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Conclusion:

Several years ago, I was in my car listening to the radio, and I heard part of a sermon by Dr. Joseph Stowell, who was currently the president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

He said, “God’s first commandment is: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, which obviously includes ‘obey Him.’

“We say, ‘Okay, God, I’ll love you and obey you.’

“So God says, ‘My second command is love your neighbor as yourself.’

“Immediately we respond, ‘But Lord, you don’t know what my neighbor is like! I’ll double my tithe. I’ll be a missionary. I’ll even volunteer for nursery duty!’”

Well, I’m afraid it is true of many Christians. We’re too much like King Saul. Rather than obey the word of God when He clearly reveals to us what He desires, we try to “appease” Him by offering bigger and better “sacrifices.”

Look at the NT Saul, who became the Apostle Paul. He, along with most all of the Pharisees and religious leaders, became more and more zealous with their legalism and rule-making, thinking they were doing a great service to God.

I urge every one of us today, to examine our hearts and lives to see if we too have been guilty of trying to avoid what God has told us He wants, and we’ve offered something else to Him instead.

The answer is in the closing hymn: Living for Jesus

God's Love Is so Precious

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is based on the words of Psalm 36:7 in which the Psalmist declares that God's lovingkindness is precious. The message begins by giving a definition and a description of the word "precious," then presents various reasons why God's love is so precious. 

Written Excerpts:

Psalm 36:7 ^(NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Introduction:

Several weeks ago in a Wednesday night prayer service, I shared several different passages of Scripture that all spoke about God’s love in some way. Each passage highlighted a different aspect of His love as it is revealed and directed toward His creation and His creatures who are made in His image. One of those passages we shared was Psalm 36:7 in which the love (lovingkindness) of God is said to be “precious.”

The first part of the Psalm, King David describes the characteristics of the wicked. Then, in contrast, he describes the love and mercy of the Lord. In verse 7, he used the word “excellent” (KJV) or “precious” (NKJV, et.al.).

“Precious” (Theological Wordbook of the OT) It comes from a Semitic root which conveys the idea of "heavy," "honor," "dignity." An object is considered precious or valuable either because of its intrinsic worth or its rarity.

(The Complete Word Study Dict. – OT) An adjective meaning valuable, rare, precious. It carries the sense of being rare in some contexts (1 Sam. 3:1). It is used to describe precious and costly stones (2 Sam. 12:30; 1 Ki. 10:2, 10, 11); the valuable foundation stones of buildings (1 Ki. 5:17[31]); any expensive building stones or materials (1 Ki. 7:9-11). It is used of the Lord's lovingkindness (ḥesed̠) to His people (Ps. 36:7[8]). Wisdom is asserted to be more valuable than jewels (Prov. 3:15). It is used as an abstract collective term for that which is valuable, noble, moral, ethical, or worthy compared to what is worthless (Jer. 15:19).

(Brown, Driver, & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon) Highly valued /esteemed, costly, rare, weighty…

If I were to ask you, “What is something that you consider to be precious?” What would you say? People think of jewelry as precious because of its cost. Some things are precious because they’re so rare. Sometimes, people don’t even know how precious an item really is. I hope all of us here recognize that the most precious thing we have is life itself. Every material possession we have can be replaced with something equally precious, but nothing can replace a human life.

Here in Ps. 36, King David is proclaiming the value, worth, weightiness of God’s love.

“Lovingkindness” – I have mentioned this word a few times in the past. When I had the privilege to hear Dr. John Oswalt, OT scholar and author, he stated that this is a Hebrew word that has no parallel in other Semitic literature. No single word can adequately translate this word. It is the passionate, undying devotion of a superior to an inferior, especially when undeserved.

So David says that this undying devotion God has toward the creatures made in His image is very precious; highly valuable; & costly.

The Bible has so much to say about the love of God. There are also many passages that talk about the wrath of God. I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that I heard many more sermons about the wrath of God when I was growing up, than I did about the love of God. Believe me, it is important to know that the Bible teaches both. However, if I understand the Bible correctly, the day of God’s wrath is future. The day of His love is now. 

Yes, there is coming a time when God will release His awesome anger and punishment on all those who reject Him. But, the Bible tells me that He is “not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” I was so afraid of God in my younger years that every time I stumbled and fell into sin, I figured God was done with me. It was hard for me to believe and accept the fact that God loved me so passionately that He wanted me. 

Now, some people preach the love of God until His wrath and judgment is never mentioned. This is not right either. I fear that there are many people who presume God is always going to condone and smile upon them because He “loves them,” and even in spite of their persistent resistance against God, they expect Him to just welcome them into heaven. 

My message today is about the love of God and why it is so precious or valuable.

I.      God’s love is precious because it’s sacrificial.

The love of God isn’t precious because of what we have to “pay” in order to get it. It is precious because of what He paid in order to give it!

Galatians 2:20 ^(NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

I know I’ve said this before, but someone once said, God owns everything in the universe, but He only has one Son. Yet, He willingly sacrificed His own Son for our salvation. He sacrificially gave the only Son He had so we could be redeemed, forgiven, and transformed.

II.    God’s love is precious because it is covenantal.

Leviticus 26:45 ^(NKJV) But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.' " 

The word “love” is not included in this verse or the surrounding verses, but if you read the context…

(Review the context in preceding verses. God is telling them that it doesn’t matter where they may be scattered from the judgments of God, if they return to God, He will remember His covenant and will take them back. He will not completely destroy them.)

If you read the history of Israel throughout the OT, you see how often they forsook the Lord and followed pagan gods and pagan practices. God did bring judgment and He did send them into exile, but God is always wooing and calling them back to Himself because His love is linked to His covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 7:8 ^(NKJV) but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Today, God’s love is linked to the new covenant provided by the blood of a new sacrificial Lamb – Jesus. It doesn’t matter how many times we stumble, or how far we stray, because of the covenant God has made through the blood of Jesus, His love is always faithful and redemptive. 

III.   God’s love is precious because it is beyond understanding. 

The Apostle Paul is describing the content of his prayers for the Ephesian believers, and one of the things he prays for is that they would know the love which passes knowledge.

Ephesians 3:19 ^(NKJV) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

God’s love is mind-blowing; incomprehensible; and unfathomable.

(Today's Best Illustrations)

Dad Meets the Messy Baby

On a short flight, a woman sat opposite me with a darling baby. They were going home, and Daddy was waiting for them. Every time the baby cried the young mother fed her a little fruit and a little orange juice. The flight was very turbulent. Everything that had gone down came up. The carpet was a mess. The baby was crying and looked awful. Those of us across the aisle couldn't cry but looked awful.

Getting off the plane, we moved very carefully. It was really unpleasant. At the gate was a young man who had to be Daddy: white slacks, white shirt, and flowers. I thought, "He's going to run to that baby, get one look, and keep running!" As he ran to his wife, I wouldn't say she threw the baby at him, but she did leave quickly to go get cleaned up. He said, "Daddy's baby's come home." All the way to the luggage claim area, he never stopped hugging and kissing that baby, stroking her hair, welcoming her back home.

I thought, "Where did I ever get the idea that my Father God is less loving than a young daddy in white slacks and white shirt?" — Jeannette Clift George, Preaching Today, Tape No. 93, quoted in Men of Integrity, Vol. 2, no. 4.

God’s love defies human understanding. When we’re all messed up with our sin and Satan has made a mockery of us, God loves us with a love that no one understands. When the Prodigal Son comes home from the pigpen of life; covered with the filth of the world; the father grabs him and hugs him and throws a party!

Do you understand that? Is that reasonable? No! It defies reason, but that is the kind of love our God has for each one of us.

IV.   God’s love is so precious because it is universal.

John 3:16 God so loved the world…

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

Again, the word “love” is not included in this verse, but love is implied as the reason why God delays His judgment. He’s not willing that ANY should perish. That is why He sent His only Son into the world – because of His love for the whole world.

Whoever you are, you are not outside of the scope of God’s love. Wherever you go and whoever you meet, no one is outside of the scope of God’s love. We need to remember that God loves every person; no matter how messy they are (like the story we shared a little while ago about the messy baby). 

Conclusion

With a heart of worship and a voice of praise, let us join together and sing: The Love of God 

Proclaiming the Lord's Death

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was based on 1 Corinthians 11:26 where Paul declares that we proclaim the Lord's death every time we share the sacrament of communion. This message explores the idea of making a proclamation regarding the death of Jesus Christ by sharing the emblems of communion.

Written Excerpts:

1 Corinthians 11:26 ^(NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 

Introduction:

Proclamations are a very familiar activity of mayors, governors and presidents, as well as the leaders of innumerable organizations.

I found a website called the “National Day Calendar” where over 1500 national days/weeks/months and years are listed.

Here is a partial list of national days just for the month of March:

March National Days

March 1

National Dadgum That’s Good Day

National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day

March 2

National Old Stuff Day

National Banana Cream Pie Day

March 3

National Anthem Day

National I Want You to be Happy Day

March 4

National Pound Cake Day

National Hug a G.I. Day

March 5

National Multiple Personality Day

National Cheese Doodle Day

March 6

National Dentist’s Day

National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day

March 7

National Be Heard  Day

National Cereal Day

March 8

National Peanut Cluster Day

National Tartar Sauce Day – Friday After Lent Begins

March 9

National Barbie Day

National Get Over it Day

March 10

National Blueberry Popover Day

National Pack Your Lunch Day

March 11

National Johnny Appleseed Day

National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day

March 12

National Girl Scout Day

National Plant a Flower Day

March 13

National Earmuff Day

National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day

March 14

National Potato Chip Day

National Pi Day

March 15

National Shoe the World Day

National Everything You Think is Wrong Day

March 16

National Everything You Do is Right Day

National Artichoke Hearts Day

March 17

National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day

St. Patrick’s Day

March 18

National Awkward Moments Day

National Sloppy Joe Day

March 19

National Poultry Day

National Chocolate Caramel Day

March 20

National Ravioli Day

National Proposal Day

March 21

National Common Courtesy Day

National Fragrance Day

March 22

National Goof Off Day

National Puppy Day 

March 23

National Chip and Dip Day

National Melba Toast Day

March 24

National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

March 25

National Lobster Newburg Day

National Medal of Honor Day

March 26

National Spinach Day

Epilepsy Awareness Day – Purple Day

March 27

National Scribble Day

National Joe Day

March 28

National Weed Appreciation Day

National Something on a Stick Day

March 29

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

March 30

National Take a Walk in the Park Day

National I Am in Control Day

March 31

National Crayon Day

National Bunsen Burner Day

The interesting thing to think about is: Every one of these “national days” that have been designated probably got started by a proclamation of some sort. Can you imagine the proclamation that got some of these “national days” started? What about National Sloppy Joe Day (Mar. 18^th)? The website states that in their research, they weren’t able to identify the founder of “National Sloppy Joe Day.” But, if there was a proclamation somewhere, maybe it would be something like this…

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches are definitely sloppy; 

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches have become just as common as the name “Joe”;

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches deserve to be recognized for the role they fill in the diet of millions of Americans, 

Therefore, let it be proclaimed throughout these United States of America that March 18^th shall henceforth be designated as “National Sloppy Joe Day.”

“If you think something is important, then it should have a proclamation making it universally important!” A proclamation lets the world know what we think is so important, and it attempts to recruit others to join the noble recognition.

Our Scripture reference for today, 1 Cor. 11:26 ^(NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 

The Apostle is declaring the truth that every time we observe the sacrament of communion, we are proclaiming the Lord’s death.

NKJV – “…you proclaim the Lord’s death…” 

KJV – “… ye do shew the Lord’s death…”

In the KJV, the English word “show” is only used 3 times to translate the particular Greek word that it represents. However, 10 times the same Greek word is translated “preach.”

(Thayer’s Gk.-Eng. Lexicon) …to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish…; with the included idea of celebrating, commending, openly praising….

Paul is telling the Corinthian Christians that every time they partake of the communion emblems they are proclaiming, announcing and publicly declaring the death of Jesus. In light of the fact that this Greek word is translated as “preach” 10 different times in the NT, perhaps we could say that every believer who participates in communion is preaching about the death of the Savior.

Listen to these comments from 4 different sources about this phrase:

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – [Quotes two other sources in writing,] The Eucharist is an acted sermon, an acted proclamation of the death which it commemorates’ (Robertson and Plummer).

(Lenski NT Commentary) – In v. 23 Paul introduces the account of the institution of the Sacrament with γάρ, "for," in order to substantiate his rebuke of the disorderly proceedings current among the Corinthians. Now he continues with a second γάρ and draws attention to the point in this account which especially calls attention to the gravity of the Corinthian disorders. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you are proclaiming the death of the Lord till he shall come.

[In other words] "This is what you must consider when you assemble for the Sacrament."

Essentially, Paul is saying, “Because of the fact that you are preaching the death of Christ every time you partake of communion, you should never act like you’ve been acting when you come together to the Lord’s Table.

(Adam Clarke's Commentary) – As in the Passover they showed forth the bondage they had been in, and the redemption they had received from it; so in the Eucharist they showed forth the sacrificial death of Christ, and the redemption from sin derived from it.

Adam Clarke is drawing a parallel analogy between what the Passover proclaims and what the communion proclaims. One proclaims God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt. The other proclaims God’s redemption from sin.

(Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) – In other words, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is a visible means of telling the story of Jesus’ passion and death. 

So what do we proclaim when we partake of communion?

We proclaim the death of Jesus.

To proclaim the death of Jesus necessarily raises the following questions:

Why did He die?

For whom did He die?

What resulted from His death?

Every time we eat the bread and drink the juice we are preaching a message about what Jesus has done for us. We preach a message about how we have benefited from His death. And, we tell the world Jesus died for them too.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would like to offer a modern-day proclamation concerning the death of Jesus Christ.

Whereas Jesus Christ is the sinless, pure and holy Son of God, and;

Whereas every other human being stands condemned before God because of sin, and;

Whereas Jesus Christ willingly became the substitute for every person by accepting their punishment, and;

Whereas Jesus Christ freely submitted himself to the cruel death of crucifixion, and;

Whereas His death is credited against the guilt of everyone who places all their trust in Him;

Therefore, in obedience to His command, let every Christian believer henceforth proclaim these eternal facts by willingly, openly, and repeatedly partaking of the emblems of His suffering. AMEN

Before we share the sacrament of communion I invite you to join me in singing an old hymn about the blood of Jesus.

Covered By the Blood