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Faith Church Nashville

Preserving Our Heritage

7/7/2019

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Text: Joshua 22:10-34

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God In Three Persons?

6/23/2019

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Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 1:1-11
Theme: We worship three divine persons who are one in love and purpose, word + work.

One evening Ruth and I visited a mother who was single and overworked. 
At one point I sensed she might appreciate some one-to-one time with Ruth. 
So I offered to put her seven year-old son to bed and say his prayers with him. 
 
Little did I expect the string of questions Joshua would ask!
If God sends angels to watch over me, how come I never see one peeking in my window? 
Then: If God is everywhere, will I bump him when I comb through my hair?   
So I tried my best to explain that angels and God who are beyond our sight or touch.
 
But he wasn't done with me yet!! 
If Jesus prays to God, and Jesus is God, does that mean he is talking to himself? 
I was dealing with quite the little theologian! 
With one question, Joshua got at the heart of the puzzling doctrine of the Trinity. 
We claim to believe there is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 
What does this mean exactly?  
Is God a single divine being so versatile that he can play three different roles at once? 
I recall a kid’s sermon comparing God to H2O: changing from water to ice or steam. 
 
In the third century a theologian named Sabellius held this view of God. 
He thought God was one person who takes on different forms: Father, Son and Spirit. 
The classic term for this is modalism: one person taking on different modes of being. 
 
However, after biblical reflection, the church rejected this idea. 
Modalism was deemed a heresy- as a denial of three distinct, divine persons.
So, you better be careful how you explain the Trinity, even in a children’s message! 
 
I’ve also heard the Trinity compared to an apple.  One apple with skin, meat and core. 
All three contain the essence of apple: the apple nature. 
That’s helpful: as all three divine persons share the same divine essence or nature. 
But the analogy has a major flaw: an apple isn’t a person; it definitely isn’t three persons.
 
God in three persons. Mostly what I've heard from preachers + teachers is: it’s a mystery. 
You can’t understand it.  You just have to accept it. 
But that doesn't help me answer little Joshua. 
If Jesus prays to God, and Jesus is God, does that mean he is talking to himself?
Perhaps preachers have been vague, because the church's teaching has often been vague. 
Take the Heidelberg Catechism.  Question 25 gets right to the heart of the things:
Since there is but one God, why do you speak of three? 
Answer: Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word.
 
Well yes; but that doesn't help much! We know the Bible reveals God in three persons. 
But we want to make sense of it. How do we think about God?  How do we speak to him? 
Many thoughtful people have listened to fuzzy responses and concluded it’s nonsense. 
Either God is one or he is three.  You can't have it both ways.
 
Most of you have heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
They broke away from the church precisely over the doctrine of the Trinity.
The claim that God is one and three at the same time didn’t make sense to them. 
They concluded that there is only one divine person: Jehovah.
 
So where does that leave Jesus?  They solved that by claiming Jesus is not divine.  
Rather he is a unique, high capacity creature with the power to save us from our sins. 
And the Holy Spirit?  Merely a power, a force that flows from God- not a person. 
In other words, they have rejected the historic Christian teaching of the Trinity.
 
One true God; three distinct persons.  Six simple words.  Yet full of nuance and riches. 
 
So, let's try to sort this out.  The doctrine of the Trinity is actually rooted in Jesus’ life. 
Before Christ, believers thought that the one true God meant one divine person. 
 
But gradually the followers of Jesus came to see that he is not just another prophet. 
The disciples were astonished by Jesus' miracles, by the authority of his teaching,
by his forgiveness of sins, by the impact of his life and death and resurrection. 
They feel led to worship him.  And whom do you worship?  God alone.
So, now we have two divine persons: the Father who sent his Son.
 
To make things even more mind-boggling, Jesus didn't stop with himself + the Father. 
He also speaks of the Holy Spirit- the Comforter- whom he will send. 
Then at Pentecost this Spirit arrives. And Peter preaches about the Spirit + Jesus + God.
Matthew then recalls some of Jesus’ final words to them:
Go + make disciples, baptizing them into the name of the Father, Son + Holy Spirit. 
 
So now there are not just two, but three divine persons to reckon with. 
This was clearly a whole new way of thinking about God. 
Eventually it led to the church's historic confession: God in three persons.
So, what is the answer to Joshua's question? 
Well, it wasn't that Jesus was doing something strange, like talking to himself. 
No, Jesus was talking to God the Father, who is another divine person.
The truth is: the three persons of the Trinity talk to each other. 
 
The opening of Mark's gospel gives us a glimpse of that. 
Verse 2: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.
Well, who is talking to whom?  It turns out to be God the Father talking to Jesus-
somewhere back in eternity- about sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. 
From all eternity the three talk; enjoy perfect fellowship; and make plans together.
 
A bit later in Mark 1 we find all three in action together- vs 10:
when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the Holy Spirit descending on him
like a dove and he heard the Father's voice say: You are my Son, whom I love.
Three divine persons- who each think and feel and speak and choose and act.
 
Perhaps by now you are thinking: Wait a minute!  That sounds a lot like three gods!
What about Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one. 
What about the other half of the church's confession- that there is one true God?
 
You know what? I’ve noticed that when pushed about the Trinity,
in our minds the one usually trumps the three.
We don’t really think there are actually three distinct persons. 
You see that in Joshua’s question. Why did he wonder if Jesus was talking to himself? 
He wasn’t thinking of three persons who each think and feel and talk to each other.
 
I believe there is a key to better understand the Trinity.  The key is the word one.
Before Deuteronomy 6 refers to God as one, Genesis 2 refers to a man + wife as one.
A man will…be united to his wife, and they will become one- one flesh.
Do a husband and wife merge into one person with four eyes, four arms and four legs? 
Of course not.  To become one in marriage means unity: physical and relational unity. 
 
So too, in saying that God is one, it seems Deuteronomy 6 is proclaiming God's unity. 
Remember, Deuteronomy is set against the background of pagan beliefs:
of many different gods who did their own thing and often worked at cross purposes. 
Think of the mythical Greek deities who often competed and quarreled and clashed.
 
In contrast, the Father, Son and Spirit are one: unified in all they think and say and do.
 
Jesus himself reinforces this interpretation.  In John 10 he says: I + the Father are one. 
Well, one what?  One person?  No.  Jesus clearly relates to his Father as another person. 
When Jesus says I and the Father are one he is referring to their intimate unity. 
They have one word.  Jesus spoke the words of the Father. 
They have one will.  Jesus freely obeys the will of the Father. 
They have one work.  Jesus does nothing but what the Father sent him to do. 
And they are one in having the same divine nature: eternal, almighty, loving and just.
 
Jesus reinforces this understanding of oneness in his prayer for his disciples in John 17.
Father, protect them… so that they may be one as we are one. That they may be one.
Well, how are Christians one?  Are we absorbed into one communal blob? 
Definitely not.  But we are one church, one body, one spiritual building, one in unity.
The church- one body, many members- reflects the Trinity: one God, three persons. 
 
So there you have it. The Bible’s teaching is no vague mystery- or sheer nonsense. 
God’s Word reveals there are three divine persons- living in perfect unity or oneness.
 
In closing, let me highlight three practical implications of this teaching. 
First, we can relate to each of the three divine persons individually. 
I think because the Father, Son and Spirit all have the same divine nature and work,
it’s easy to confuse them.  Sort of like we might get identical triplets confused.
 
But they are distinct.  For example, God the Father had the primary hand in creation. 
God the Father is head over Christ.  God the Father sent Jesus into the world. 
Jesus is the only one who became human + died for us- not the Father or the Spirit. 
The Spirit is the one who was poured out at Pentecost and causes our spiritual birth. 
Get to know the distinct work of each divine person. Pray to them with that awareness.
 
Second: the perfect fellowship between the Father, Son and Spirit is a model for us. 
In God we have a model not of isolation and self-centeredness, but of community. 
To be designed in God's image is to find purpose + fulfillment in Christian community. 
This is why participation and commitment to a specific church is so important.
 
Third, the most powerful witness to the world is not some great evangelism program.
The most effective witness is God’s people reflecting the loving unity of the Trinity.
Diverse people living and serving together with one love, one spirit, one purpose. 
Faith Church- in its lovely diversity and loving unity- can embody that beautifully.
That kind of loving community will have great appeal to a watching world.
 
That night when I tucked Joshua into bed, I didn’t have the time to explain all this. 
But I do think he understood Jesus' prayer to the Father was not babbling to himself. 
I hope you will know the Father, Son + Spirit more clearly, relate to each more personally,

Neil; Jasperse
Faith Church
Nashville, TN
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Waiting with Laughter

6/16/2019

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Text: Genesis 18:1-15

Kat Olsen
Nashville. TN
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Keep in Step with the Spirit

6/9/2019

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Text: Galatians 5:25; Acts 8:26-39
Theme: The Spirit is full of energy + action; we are called to keep in step with the Spirit.

After his junior year at Trinity Christian College my son took on a big challenge. 
Paul attended a ten-week Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. 
They got up at 5:00am.  They took long hikes with heavy backpacks. 
They navigated obstacle courses.  They learned hand-to-hand combat techniques.
That’s why I’m afraid of Paul when he gets rambunctious with me.
 
And a drill sergeant had them learn how to march in step. 
Marching in step has always been a big deal in the military.
It shows you are listening.  It shows you are following orders. It shows unity of force.
At his graduation it was impressive to see them march in step on the parade grounds. 
 
On Pentecost God poured out his Holy Spirit. 
Immediately the Spirit sparked all kinds of action: the apostles speak in other languages;
thousands come to believe in Jesus; miraculous signs and wonders are performed. 
No wonder the Apostle Paul urges the Galatians: Keep in step with the Spirit. 
To keep in step with the Spirit, we have to be on their toes.
 
Acts 8 provides a prime example of keeping in step with the Spirit. 
In this passage I’ll highlight various insights into the Spirit’s activity.
Together it provides a beginning theology of the Holy Spirit.
 
Vs. 26: An angel of the Lord said to Philip…
We don’t know anything about this angel or how it spoke to Philip. 
But we do know Philip; he was one of seven Spirit-filled men chosen to serve as a deacon.
 
Now the Lord has an assignment for Philip:
Go south to the road- the desert road- that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 
This major road headed south- then cut west to the Mediterranean Sea + the city of Gaza. 
 
Go south to the road- the desert road…  That’s all Philip gets from the angel.
No explanation about why. No clue to what the Spirit has in mind. Just a cryptic command.
 
So, here’s a first insight to keep in step with the Spirit: God by his Spirit gives directives. 
Maybe it’s to go somewhere.  Or to send a note of encouragement.  Or to write a check. 
You may not always know why.  But you can expect the Spirit to direct you. 
So let me ask: are you alert to the Spirit’s leading?  Are you keeping in step with the Spirit?
Now, Philip may have had plenty of reasons to dismiss this message. 
Hey, that desert road is mighty hot.  Or: as one of the seven deacons I’m way too busy. 
Or the capper: Maybe that angel’s message was just a figment of my imagination.
When we receive a prompting from the Spirit, it may be easy to ignore it- or dismiss it.
 
But Philip does no such thing.  Vs. 27 simply says: So he started out.
The Lord sends.  Philip obeys. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
And notice: that first step of obedience opened up the amazing ministry that followed.
So here’s a second insight: keeping in step with the Spirit takes that first step. 
 
Three years ago I served in Gallup, NM: on the edge of the Navajo reservation. 
Soon after arriving I visited a Navajo young man, who was gravely sick.  Later he died. 
The cause: scirrosis of the liver- caused by a lifetime of drinking
In the middle of that great loss I got to know his mom and his sister, Twyla Whitehair. 
And I got a little sense of their community: fifteen miles away in Iyanbito.
 
Soon after, I believe the Spirit gave me a prompting.  Here’s how it went:
Iyanbito is just far enough away that it’s not always easy to get to Gallup for worship. 
Some people there didn’t have reliable transportation to make it in. 
What if we started a Bible study group right there?  It might be just what people need! 
 
So, I took a first step: I shared my idea with Twyla + her husband. Right away it was: Yes!
So we held a small group at their house. We studied John’s gospel + prayed for each other. 
For some it was life changing.  Starting that group all hinged on taking that first step.
 
Let me ask: Is the Spirit prompting you to take some action, to head down a particular road? 
Like Philip, will you simply trust God and obey?  Will you keep in step with the Spirit? 
 
Vs. 27: So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch,
an important official in charge of all the treasury of the… queen of the Ethiopians. 
This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home
was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
 
Clearly the Spirit had been at work in this man’s heart and mind for some time.
Somehow he’d developed a hunger for God; somehow he heard the Jews knew about God.
He was so interested that he traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship God.
 
And his visit comes right after Jesus’ death + resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 
Now on the way home the Ethiopian is reading from a precious scroll of their scripture.
Here’s a 3rd insight on keeping in step with the Spirit: he goes before us to prepare the way.
Now vs 29: The Spirit told Philip: Go to that chariot and stay near it. Fascinating! 
Stay near.  Hang out by that chariot.  We might call this the ministry of presence. 
 
Rev. Jim Kok led the pastoral care department at the Crystal Cathedral in its heyday. 
From his experience he wrote a book titled: 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up. 
He saw that often opportunities arise simply by being there. Being present. Being available.
That’s how it started with Philip + the Ethiopian. Stay near that chariot.
That’s a fourth insight for keeping in step with the Spirit: the ministry of presence. 
 
You know, we have so many things that keep us off on our own.  Television is a big one.
Now our smart phones can keep us preoccupied even when we are with other people.
Today the average church member attends far fewer church activities than forty years ago.
 
But building Christian community takes time.  Building community takes staying near. 
When you are near you get to know people. You’re available to listen. You pick up on needs.
That won’t happen if you’re not around. 
 
The world needs the ministry of presence.  At home.  In our neighborhoods.  At church. 
When you think of it, that’s exactly what Jesus did: he made his dwelling among us.
So let me ask: do you make space to be present with others- to keep in step with the Spirit?
 
Vs. 30: Then Philip ran up to the chariot + heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.
Philip gets near.  And immediately he spots an opportunity.  The Spirit is leading. 
 
Philip poses a good question: Do you understand what you’re reading?”
The official is honest: not really.  How can I, unless someone explains it to me? 
So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Take about an opportunity! 
 
You know: my Bible study in Iyanbito was great. But a Bible study in a chariot: that’s cool!
Here’s a fifth insight for keeping in step with the Spirit: if you see an opportunity, go for it. 
 
But there’s more: of all things this important official is reading from Isaiah 53.
Isaiah 53: the Bible’s clearest prophecy of Jesus’ death to take away our sins.
Was the Spirit orchestrating this encounter?  You bet.  Vs. 35: Then Philip began
with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
 
So, here we come to a sixth insight: the Spirit of God works through the Word of God.
And because the Spirit works through the Word, we need teachers of the Word.
You might suppose that with the outpouring of the Spirit we instantly understand things.
Not so!  The Ethiopian official still needed a teacher; he needed Philip to explain the gospel.
So do we.  That’s why Romans 12 says the Spirit has gifted some to be teachers. 
Let me ask: do you make time to hear God’s Word taught- through good preaching,
through good books, through a solid Bible study group- to keep in step with the Spirit?
And if you have the knowledge and ability to teach, are you doing so?
 
Finally vs 36:As they traveled along... they came to some water+the eunuch said:
Look, here is water.  What can stand in the way of my being baptized?
And he gave orders to stop the chariot.  
Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
 
The official believed in Jesus and was baptized.  Imagine the thrill for him and Philip! 
Now Philip knew why the angel told him: Go south to the road- the desert road.
Now Philip got a bigger appreciation of keeping in step with the Spirit.
 
Here’s one final insight: the Spirit can be surprising.
In John 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus: The wind blows wherever it pleases.
The Spirit is like the wind.  Often the Spirit blows in unexpected directions. 
 
Think of this: in Jerusalem there were many Jews born into God’s covenant family.
They studied the scripture on their father’s lap.  They lived near the temple.
But when Jesus came, many didn’t believe in him.  They closed their hearts to him.
 
And here is an Ethiopian man who was not a part of God’s covenant people;
who had no background in scripture; who grew up far from the temple.
But when Philip explained Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away our sins, he believed. 
The Spirit blows wherever he wills.  Like Philip, let’s go wherever the Spirit is leading.
 
Brothers and sisters, we live in light of Pentecost.
You know, sometimes people think the Christian faith is little more than what we believe.
To be a Christian is to have certain convictions: expressed in the Apostle’s Creed or the HC.
 
But the Christian life is way more than that! Jesus has sent us the gift of his Spirit. 
The Spirit sparks all kinds of action.  The Spirit will direct us and send us.
The big question is: like Philip are you keeping in step?
Each moment, each hour, each day are you keeping in step with the Spirit?
 
When you do, it may be inconvenient; it may push you out of your comfort zone.
But it will also be quite the adventure!!
When you do, you’ll get in on all kinds of kingdom action!!

Neil Jasperse
Nashville, TN
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Where You Sit Matters

6/2/2019

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Text: Luke 24:50-53; Ephesians 2:1-7
Theme: When Jesus ascended, God seated us with him in the heavenly realms.

Where you sit matters.  I’ll give two examples from my childhood. 
Mary was one of my classmates at Sheboygan Christian School.
She was the smartest in our class.  She was the best piano player.  I liked her.
 
But in my school back then the boys hung out with boys and the girls hung out with girls. 
And I was timid.  I certainly didn’t want to get teased. 
 
So, I looked to school activities that provided natural interaction. 
For example, I was a starting guard on our basketball team; she was a cheerleader. 
There were the seating assignments teachers gave.  I always hoped to sit near Mary.
 
Where you sit matters.  Here’s a second story. 
Back in 1970, McDonald’s sponsored a competition called: Run-Throw-Bunt-Hit. 
I don’t recall how many kids entered the Sheboygan competition.  In any case, I won.
 
Next came the state competition. It was actually held at the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium.  
I wasn’t as big and strong as some winners from other cities.  But I practiced.
In the competition I laid down three nearly perfect bunts- right down the third base line. 
Those bunts piled up so many points that I won!  I was the Wisconsin champion!
 
Get this: the main prize was an all-expenses paid trip with my dad to the World Series!
We flew from Chicago to Cincinnati where the Big Red Machine took on the Orioles. 
We were hosted there by home run king, Frank Howard, and all-star pitcher, Jim Kaat.
 
When my family went to a Brewers game, we always got cheap tickets in the upper deck. 
But I got to sit with Frank Howard + Jim Kaat in box seats at the World Series! Awesome!
 
Where you sit matters.  People in Jesus’ day were keenly aware of that. 
Matthew 20 records the time when the mother of James and John asked Jesus a favor: 
Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right
and the other at your left in your kingdom. These were seats of highest honor + power!
 
Where you sit matters.  The Apostle Paul certainly knew that. 
In Ephesians 2 he highlights the great things God has done for us in Christ. 
Then vs 6: God raised us up with Christ + seated us with him in the heavenly realms.
God’s people get prime spots in the heavenly realms- right there with Jesus!
Seated with God in the heavenly realms.  But, how should we understand that? 
After all, when we look around we don’t see God. Physically we haven’t gone to heaven. 
We’re are still here on planet earth.  Clearly Paul refers to a spiritual reality.
 
When we recite the Apostle’s Creed we say: On the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. 
These three events are referred to as the resurrection, the ascension and the session. 
 
Here in Ephesians 2 Paul refers to all three events.
But notice: Paul isn’t talking about Jesus here!  He’s talking about us!
God made us alive; God raised us up; God seated us with him in the heavenly realms.
 
Have any of you done any mountain climbing?
When mountain climbers scale a steep peak, they attach themselves to each other by rope.
Being attached makes it more likely they’ll make it safely to the top.
Well, by faith we’re connected to Christ: attached to him. 
And we end up seated with him in a spot loftier then Mt. Everest- in the heavenly realms.
 
And here’s something really amazing. Notice the tense of the verbs. It’s not: he will seat us.
It’s not a future tense.  It’s not something God will do in the life to come. 
No, it’s past tense.  God made us alive; God raised us up; God seated us with him. 
It’s already happened! By faith in Christ we’re seated with God in the heavens- right now!
 
Now, this all sounds grand.  But what does it mean exactly? 
What are the practical implications for us, here and now?
 
Let me highlight three benefits of being seated with God in the heavenly realms. 
First: being seated with God means we’re close to him.  We are close to him.
 
After graduation from college, I volunteered to work at a church in the S. F. Bay Area. 
I’d never been there before. When I stepped off the train it was to meet virtual strangers. 
I enjoyed a great year of ministry, but I did feel lonely at times. I missed home + friends.
 
But at the same time I really felt God’s nearness to me.
I felt God’s presence in some of the incredible beauty of northern California.
In my Bible reading I was regularly impressed with God’s love and presence with me. 
I felt God’s nearness in the Christian brothers and sisters there.
 
So, physically I had moved 2,000 miles. But spiritually I hadn’t moved an inch.
I was still seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. I was close to God; he was close to me.   
So, let this truth soak in!  Fix it in your mind!
Does God sometimes seem remote?  Remember: in Christ God has seated you with him. 
Do you sometimes wonder if he hears your prayers? 
Remember, in Christ God has seated you right next to him; he certainly hears you.
Do you ever feel very alone? You’re not: you are still seated with God right beside you. 
 
Where you sit matters.  Here’s a second practical benefit.  We enjoy a position of favor. 
You know, it’s one thing for a teacher to assign a seat near a girl you like. 
But it’s much better if that girl invites you to sit by her- as a sign of her favor. 
Being seated with Christ in the heavenly realms means we enjoy his favor.
 
You know, we all have a certain self-image.  Our self-image is shaped by many things:
our height/weight or family or personality or education or job or friendships or nationality. 
In a sin-broken world, lots of us struggle with a low self-image.
Sometimes we aren’t sure if others really like us.  We fear we aren’t fully loved. 
To be cherished- to be held in honor and favor is something we all long for. 
 
Here’s the gospel- the good news: your self-image should be shaped by this truth.
In Christ I am seated with God himself!  I have a position of divine favor and glory.
God’s favor means more than any other opinion- any day.
 
So let this truth soak in!  Fix it in your mind!
Do you feel too insignificant for God’s favor? Remember: God has seated you with him. 
Do you wonder if God could love someone so flawed?  God has seated you with him. 
Do you worry that some stupid actions have forfeited the favor of God?
Not so: in Christ God has seated you with him.  You are in a position of divine favor.
 
Where you sit matters.  Third, being seated with God means we share in his mission. 
We share in his mission- just like the disciples shared in Jesus’ mission. 
 
Suppose you were tapped to serve on the cabinet of the next president of the United States.  
What an honor!  You’re part of the team.  You sit at his/her table and plan strategy. 
And you work hard- to carry out the president’s directives to serve our country. 
 
In the same way, being seated with God means we share his mission. 
We are part of God’s team.  We get to be part of the most exciting enterprise on the planet.
 
You know, some people lack a sense of purpose in life.  They drift along. 
They aren’t really headed anywhere.  Days just come and go.  They watch TV.
They get bored.  Some end up doing stupid stuff for kicks.  Little sense of purpose.
But people who sit with God in the heavenly realms know they are part of his mission. 
We’re on his team.  We know our life matters. What we do has eternal significance. 
We get in on the action: loving our neighbor, seeking justice, showing mercy to the poor,
healing the sick, visiting prisoners, aiding refugees, serving in God’s church + kingdom.
 
Let this truth soak in! Fix it in your mind!
Do you wonder about the ultimate purpose in your life? 
Remember: God has seated us with him in the heavenly realms- to carry out his mission. 
 
Where you sit matters. It matters in school, especially if you like a girl in your class.   
It matters at a baseball stadium, especially in the World Series. And it matters with God. 
 
And here’s our sure and certain hope.  One day our position won’t be only spiritual. 
One day Jesus will come back for his own; God’s people will be raised to new life. 
And we will see the Father and his Son face to face. 
We’ll have the thrill of being seated with them- body and soul, for all eternity.
 
Jesus died.  He rose again.  And he ascended into heaven.
In Christ God has already seated us with him in the heavenly realms. It’s awesome! 
And that makes all the difference right now.
 
Let’s never forget it.  Let’s make the most of it.  Let’s live up to our position in Christ.

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church
Nashville, TN
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Jordan River Memorial Stones

5/26/2019

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Text: Joshua 3:14-4:7

Theme: Memorials help us remember God's great deeds and blessings with gratitude. 

Some years ago, my family visited the capitol. We toured some of the great memorials. 
Most prominent are the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.     
Then there is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial,
and more recently the WWII Memorial.

Of course, all these memorials are expensive. It takes plenty of tax dollars
to design them, build them, maintain them + protect them. So why do we do it?

Because memorials help us remember things we should remember.
Our memories need to be prodded; otherwise we are prone to forget.
We forget what a precarious experiment democracy was
when George Washington became our first president.
We forget how easily our country could have been split except for Abe Lincoln.
We forget the world's future really hung in the balance when Hitler rolled over Europe.

In our Joshua text God’s people are poised to enter the Promised Land.
But their path is blocked by the Jordan River swelled during a spring flood stage.
Then God did something spectacular: he stopped the river’s raging force- completely.
It’s as if he placed the Hoover Dam upstream: the water simply piled up in a heap.
And the whole nation of Israel crossed over on dry ground.
 
Notice the symmetry in the journey of God’s people.
To exit the land of slavery, the people crossed the Red Sea on dry ground.
Now to enter the land of prosperity, the people cross the Jordan River on dry ground.
Both display God’s immense power and miraculous provision for his people.
 
And get this: while God is performing this great feat, he is already arranging a memorial.
It’s as if General Washington rowed across the Delaware + stopped to set up a landmark,
before catching the British off guard in a surprise attack.
Or as if Union soldiers had no sooner repulsed Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg
then they preserved their cannon and flags for a war memorial.
 
Joshua 4:1 Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,
and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right
where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at
the place where you stay tonight.
 
Then vs 6: In the future, when your children ask you: What do these stones mean?
Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant...
These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
I'll call it the Jordan River Memorial.
 
Now, there wasn’t any visitor center there or any park rangers to give a tour. 
But picture generations of children in the Promised Land coming across those stones. 
Picture their descendants being told what happened there. 
Our text notes that when the book of Joshua was written, the stones were still there.
The stones were still standing to remind people that God had done a great wonder.

Memorials help us remember things we should remember. 
When we forget what God has done, we are the poorer.
Our faith in God grows fainter.  When we forget, we are prone to wander from him.

Generations after the Israelites reached the Promised Land that very thing happened.
Judges 3:7 says: They forgot the LORD their God.  They forget what he had done.
They forgot the awesome plagues he sent on Egypt. 
They forgot how God parted the Red Sea to let them walk through on dry ground.

They forgot Gods provision of quail and manna and water in the desert.
They forgot his stopping the Jordan River to let them march into the Promised Land.  They forgot how the hand of the Lord conquered the mighty people in the land.
And in their forgetting they ran after other gods. 

Memorials help us remember things we should remember. 
And the remembering is more than just keeping the historical record straight. 
The physical presence of a memorial prompts a remembering that moves us. 
At memorials there is emotion, sometimes tears, often a deep sense of gratitude. 

I think of people finding the names of loved ones on the Vietnam War Memorial.  Tracing the name etched in stone; tears in their eyes.
When I visited the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania there was a sense of awe:
awe at the horror of terrorism that can strike anywhere + gratitude for heroic passengers.

In the same way, the memorial stones were meant to move Gods people.
Look at those stones! They come from the middle of the Jordan!
God stopped the force of this entire river!  Isn’t he great?  Look what he’s done for us!! 
Now we possess a land flowing with milk and honey!
Those twelve stones were meant to inspire worship!

Memorials help us remember things we should remember. 
Remembering gives proper attention to what God has done. 
Remembering is really a window to God.  It helps us know him- that he is powerful. Remembering helps us trust him and live by faith in the present.

Now, I don't think the twelve memorial stones are still standing today- 3,000 years later.  None of us live near the Jordan river. Does that mean we have to do without memorials?  Absolutely not.  Memorials still have an important place for us. 

First, there are personal and family memorials. 
You know that both my boys were adopted- while I was a church planter in California.  At the last-minute Paul's birthmother invited us to come to the hospital for his birth.  We dropped everything, got in our car and drove the four hours to get there.

But here’s another detail: we did have the presence of mind to pack a video-camera.
And we put it to good use to capture the action around Paul’s birth. 
A while ago, we got out that tape and watched it as a family. 
We hooted; we hollered; we poked fun; we laughed; we cried. It helped us remember.  And we praised God all over again for his goodness in making us a family.

Some people know the time and place where they accepted Jesus into their lives. Celebrating a spiritual birthday can be a memorial- to remember God’s saving grace. Wedding anniversaries can be a memorial- to savor God’s gift of committed love.  Recovering alcoholics may celebrate the date they stopped drinking + remained sober. What about you?  What special moments of grace in your life ought to have a memorial?

Second, there are civic memorials. 
I've already mentioned the various national monuments in Washington DC. 
And holidays like this function as a memorial. 
We specially remember all those who served in the military
and laid down their lives to defend liberty + justice for all.  Memorials of God’s grace.

Third and most important, we still have God-given memorials. 
The twelve stones at the Jordan are long scattered and gone. 
But in a broad way the Bible itself acts as a memorial.

Through the Bible every new generation remembers what God has done. 
Through the Bible we learn about God's great deeds-
from the first day of creation to the last day of redemption.   
Through the Bible we remember and give thanks that God stopped the Jordan River, so that his people could cross over into the Promised Land.
About 1400 years later a more important event took place in the waters of the Jordan.  We don't know if the twelve stones were still there. 
But in his gospel Mark writes: Jesus came... and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Having been baptized and filled with the Spirit, Jesus began his work of redemption. 
He conquered giants in the land- disease, spiritual blindness, evil spirits + Satan himself. 
His final victory was accomplished by dying on the cross to save us from our sins.
His redeeming work was so important the Holy Spirit inspired four accounts about it. 

And already the night before his death, he set up a memorial.
This time he didn’t give us stones; he gave us bread and wine. 
Eat this bread; drink this cup in remembrance of me.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

Memorials help us remember things we should remember. 
What stones should you set up to mark God’s power and grace in your life? 
What memorials should you be visiting? 
God’s people must always look forward in hope. 
But may we also know the importance of remembering.

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church Nashville
Memorial Day Service

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Honor Your Mother- and Father

5/12/2019

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Text: Exodus 20:12; Mark 7:5-13
Theme: Honoring parents takes different forms: for kids- obedience;         for teens- respect; in middle years prizing them, and in later years          caring for them.

Perhaps you went shopping for a Mother’s day card this week. 
The variety of cards is amazing: religious ones, sentimental ones, humorous ones.
There are regular sized cards and huge ones; fancy ones and even more fancy ones. 
However, there’s a better way to show appreciation to your mother: how you treat her.
As the fifth commandment says: Honor your father and your mother. 
 
Honoring our father and mother over a lifetime involves different stages. 
Each stage of life brings different challenges as we and our parents grow older. 
I will highlight four stages of honoring our parents.
 
The first stage of honor is to obey.  The Apostle Paul makes that clear in Ephesians 6:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
 
Boys + girls, the quickest way to dishonor your parents is refuse to listen to them.
Make a mess with your toys even when Mom repeatedly told you to pick them up.
Grumble every time Dad asks you to help with chores. Make a fuss when its bedtime.
But if you want to honor your father and mother, cooperate.  Obey them!
 
Here I think of a great scene from beloved book: Anne of Green Gables. 
When Anne first arrived on Prince Edward Island, she discovered it was all a mistake.
Marilla Cuthbert had actually asked for an orphan boy- to help on the farm. 
 
Well, Matthew takes this freckled, skinny, talkative orphan to Green Gables anyway. 
After great reluctance and a trial period, Marilla finally announces Anne can stay.
Anne is thrilled? She says: I'm so happy. I'll try to be so good.  It will be uphill work.
Mrs. Thomas often told me I was desperately wicked.  But, I'll do my very best. 
 
Boys and girls, a willing spirit of cooperation and obedience is what counts.
 
Jesus himself is a fine example.  At age twelve, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 
He wanted to be in the temple- his Father’s house. His knowledge wowed the people.
When his parents returned + found him, they scolded him for causing them such worry. 
 
How did Jesus’ respond?  He went along with them and was obedient to them.  
 
So kids, when you get home, don’t just ignore this: obey your parents. 
When you get up each morning, pray: God, help me to obey my mom and dad today. 
That’s one of the main duties you have in life right now.
Honor your father and your mother.  A second facet of honor is respect. 
Respect is really a synonym for honor. 
 
You may obey your parents on the outside. But that doesn't mean you respect them inside.
I can remember friends who would call their parents “my old man" or "my old lady." 
Saying my old lady kind of took their mother down a few notches.
Then what she said didn’t seem as important. 
 
I never could bring myself to talk like that.  Maybe I feared my parents too much. 
But I think I also respected them too much.
 
Respect your father and mother.  Perhaps this specially applies to teens + young adults.
During these years we start to think more independently.  We notice other families.
We discover: not every family does things like our family. 
And sometimes we like how other families do things better.
 
 
I remember this stage: it was easy for criticism and disrespect to creep in. 
For some teens it can be a favorite pastime with peers: to cut down your parents. 
Here's a real challenge: to respect your parents- to their face and behind their backs.
 
Now, that doesn't mean that your parents' decisions won't gripe you at times.
It doesn't mean that you pretend your parents never mess up. 
But it does mean that you give them respect- because God made them your parents.
 
You know, I think one important ingredient in respect is appreciation. 
When we truly appreciate what someone has done, we’re much quicker to respect them.
And nine times out of ten there is no one who has done more for you than your parents.
 
The investment parents make in their kids is incredible! 
Just giving birth: the discomfort of a pregnancy and then the pain of labor! 
Then there are all the diapers.  A baby has what- nearly ten diaper changes a day?
That means in the first year alone parents change diapers over 3,000 times! 
When we truly appreciate what parents have done for us, we'll be quicker to respect them.
 
So, young people, if you want to wipe your parents out, never show any appreciation. 
Just assume they owe it to you.  It’s what every kid deserves anyway. 
But if you want honor them, then show your appreciation- for the meals Mom makes,
for taking you places, for sending you to sports camps or music camps,
for cheering you on, for just being there for you.
 
Honor your father and your mother.  A third facet of honor is to prize highly. 
This is a special challenge for middle-aged adults. You are busy.
You are busy with work; you are busy with kids; busy keeping up the house and yard;
you are busy with church; you’re just plain busy. At this time in life it’s easy
for your parents to get the leftovers in your schedule.
 
To prize highly means to hold your parents as a high priority in your life. 
Make time for them.  Take initiative with them.  Do special things for them. 
Involve them in the lives of your kids.  That will be a great joy to your parents.
Middle-agers: how might you prize your parents- in this busy stage of life?
 
During my years as a pastor I never lived closer than 200 miles from my parents. 
But one old-fashioned thing I could always do is write. And I did- nearly every week.
Thru those letters my mom/dad stayed deeply connected with my activities + thoughts.
They read those letters and re-read them.  They saved them.
They deeply appreciated that I prized them enough to take the time to write.
 
Here I want to say a word to anyone whose parents have been a disappointment.
Because of that truly honoring them may seem impossible. 
They hurt me too much for me to honor them.  They don't deserve it. 
 My father was never there for me.  My mother always made me feel inadequate.
You wouldn't expect me to honor that woman if you knew what she did.
 
These are deep, agonizing hurts.  It may take years to work through pain like that.
Yet God doesn't say: Honor your father + mother if they've never done you wrong-
if they've been really good parents. No, God says: Honor your father + mother- period. 
 
The Heidelberg Catechism wisely adds this: be patient with their failings. 
To do that may not be easy. But the Holy Spirit offers the power to make this possible.
 
Honor your father and your mother.  A fourth + final facet of honor is to care for.
In our gospel reading Jesus got after the Pharisees for not caring for their parents. 
The Pharisees encouraged that money to help parents be given instead to the temple.
Jesus angrily rebuked them: You have a fine way of setting aside the commands
of God in order to observe your own traditions!
 
Jesus himself gives us a tender example of care for his mother.  It’s on the cross. 
He's being mocked by the crowd.  He's racked with pain.  He’s in the middle of dying.
And yet Jesus saw his mother there + the disciple whom he loved standing near by.
And he said to his mother: “Dear woman, here is your son” and to the disciple:
"Here is your mother."  Despite his own suffering, Jesus provided for his mother!
 
Caring for your parents.  This especially becomes an issue when they grow older.
Then they may not be able to provide for themselves.  Then roles are often reversed.
Then children honor their aging parents by ensuring that all their basic needs are met.
 
I think of Ruth’s father.  He was an engineering professor, author + college president.
All his life he has been highly capable and competent- providing for so many others. 
But at age 99, his mind has slowed; he gets confused; he can no longer do basic things.
 
Fortunately Ruth has three siblings who live right in town. 
A sister takes care of his checking and finances.  She often goes shopping for him.   
A brother lives a few blocks away and can scoot over if some need arises.
Another brother is a doctor who can consult various health issues. 
It’s a beautiful thing: the children honoring their father by caring for him.
 
You never know when you’ll get that phone call. 
That phone call... saying that your Mom or Dad has died. 
And when you get it, won't it be great if you've done everything you could for them? 
Caring for aged parents may the greatest opportunity of all to honor them.
 
Honor your father and your mother. Each stage of life presents different challenges.
For children there is obedience.  For teens there is respect. 
For busy middle-agers there is taking the time to prize highly. 
And when parents are well advanced in years, there is the challenge of providing care.
 
It’s interesting that only the fifth commandment ends with a promise:
Honor your father and your mother,
so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 
 
Ephesians 6 gives us the New Testament version of that promise:
that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. 
As we honor our parents, God promises to honor and bless us.  It’s a circle of grace.
 
This morning I want to leave you with a challenge. 
For those with parents still living, look to honor them in some special way. 
Think about them and your stage of life.  What would they appreciate?  Be creative. 
Do something which says loud and clear: Mom, Dad, I honor you with all my heart.

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church (Mothers Day)
Nashville, Tenn.
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Do Not Worry

5/5/2019

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Text: Matthew 6:25-30
Theme: The secret of worry-free living is proper perspective and trust in God.

In many respects we have it better today than any era in history.  We have freedom.
We have ample food + clothing.  We have many appliances that reduce life’s drudgery. We have handy transportation.  We have advanced medical care.
 
In many ways we have it so much better than ever before.  And yet we worry!
 
I once asked my Bible study group this question: How many of you are worriers? 
Of the ten people there, seven of them confessed they were worriers. 
A few even qualified as world-class worriers.
 
Worry.  We worry about the quality of our schools.  We worry about our finances.
We worry about the influence of television- its violence, trashy language, sexual scenes;
We worry about global warming and the seeming increase in devestating tornadoes. We worry about a dysfunctional US government.  We worry about terrorism.
Some have labeled ours as the age of anxiety- or the age of prozac.
 
I don’t view myself as a worrier. But I have to admit that all kinds of anxieties creep in. Worry about my boys doing well in school once; now about their work + relationships. 
Worry about developing a fresh, Christ-centered sermon that will nourish the soul.  Worry about someone in the church family who is really hurting or struggling . 
Worry about if my Green Bay Packers will bounce back to their former greatness. 
Each of you could probably add your own personal list of worries. 
 
Worry is a cousin of fear. Fear is a stronger emotion that arises from an actual threat.  Worry is a low-grade fear that something bad might happen. 
 
None of our worries may be that big in themselves.  But they nag at you. 
They cloud over your peace of mind. They take some shine off your happiness.
They have a way of keeping you on edge.  Does this sound familiar?
 
Jesus knows all about that.  In Matthew 6:25 he speaks to our situation.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.
 
Now, perhaps that sounds a bit unrealistic. 
We’ve all heard people say: I've always been a worrier; my Mom was and so am I.
Or: That's just how I am.  I can't help it.  It’s as if worry is a gene some are born with.
The implication is: You can't really expect me to stop worrying.
But may we dismiss Jesus' words that way?  Notice that verse 25 isn't just a wish. 
It isn’t just a suggestion.  It’s not just for those born without a worry gene. 
It’s an exhortation- really a command. Jesus commands all his followers not to worry.
 
And notice that it’s not a low-key command!  Jesus issues this command three times:
vs 25- do not worry; vs 31- do not worry; and vs 34- do not worry. 
It’s as if Jesus knows what a problem worry is. 
He knows it keeps popping up like unwanted weeds. 
So he repeats himself to show he means business: do not worry.
 
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear. 
Jesus knows worry is a besetting problem.  So Jesus fortifies his command with reasons.
 
Reason #1: there are more important things than ordinary, physical needs. 
Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?   
In other words, don't sweat the little stuff. Don’t sweat the daily stuff- like food + clothes.
 
When I grew up in Sheboygan nearly every wife was a full-time homemaker. 
Many in my church believed that cleanliness was next to godliness. 
I think they spent half their lives making sure their house was swept and spotless.
 
But how insignificant compared to really important things- being there for your kids; growing in Christ; serving in your church; helping the hungry or the homeless;
or sharing the gospel with a neighbor. 
So I officially declare that worrying about keeping things pin neat is unspiritual. 
 
Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  In other words, Jesus wants his people to have a sense of priorities. 
Set your sights on what matters in life- things of eternal value. Don't sweat the little stuff. 
I'll let you fill in the blank about what is little stuff in your life.
 
I tell you, do not worry.  Here is Jesus’ second reason: God will provide for you. 
Vs 26: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
 
One day in Michigan I was driving back from the hospital on a frigid winter day. 
By the bridge over the Grand River I saw an enormous flock of birds. 
In fact, there were more birds than I think I’ve ever seen at one time. 
They half covered the sky.  It reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, The Birds.
 
Now, those birds had no tools for farming. They had no furnace-heated homes. 
They had no capacity to think, communicate, or love God like we do. 
And yet those birds were thriving- on a bitterly cold day. 
Jesus' logic moves from the lesser to the greater:
Are you not much more valuable than they? 
I
In vs 28-30 Jesus basically restates this same point, only he uses another example.
See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you
that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that
is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow
is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" 
Hard to argue with that logic.
 
Let's zero in on those last few words: O you of little faith. 
Here Jesus cuts thru all our excuses.
Worrying is not just a matter of how you were born. 
It is not just a matter of whether things are going well or not.
Ultimately it’s a matter of trust. Do you trust God to take care of you?
Do you have faith?
 
Here we find a wonderful dimension of the gospel. 
The Bible talks about all the benefits we receive through faith in Jesus. 
Well, one major benefit is worry-free living. Proper concern? Yes!  But worry? No!
 
Think a moment how wonderful life would be without any worries- none at all. 
No worries about how well-liked you are; no worries about your kids’ future;
no worries about a difficult relationship at work; or making ends meet financially;
no worries about health. More faith means less worry. That's what Jesus wants for us!
 
The prophet Habakkuk provides a powerful example:
"Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." 
 
I think of a lady from my congregation who had trouble with a lingering cough-
on top of a dropping blood count.  The doctors weren’t quite sure what was going on.  When I visited June she simply said: I’m not going to worry about it; I’m in God’s hands.  And that’s right.  If God provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field,
he will provide for you and me.
 
You know, it’s easy to talk about our faith in God- or to sing about it. 
But here’s a practical test: how much does your trust in God cut down on your worry?
I tell you, do not worry.  Reason #3: worrying won't do you a bit of good. 
Vs 27: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
 
Worrying won't do you a bit of good. Just the opposite: it takes the fun out of life.  Worry is worse than a pesky mosquito in your tent at bedtime.
 
Worry won't add a single hour to your life.  But it will raise your blood pressure;
it will create headaches; it will cause ulcers; it will shorten your life. 
 
When someone turns 100, they’re often asked about their secret to long life.
I’ve heard many interesting answers: I rolled with the punches. I never smoked or drank.  Or I drank a beer every night.  But I’ve never yet heard: Because I worried a lot.
 
I tell you, do not worry.  Here I want to suggest a take-home assignment. 
As yourself: what two or three things do you worry about the most? 
Once you've identified them, give it the three-part analysis.
Will worry gain you anything?  Is it really that important? 
And do you or don't you trust that your heavenly Father will provide for you? 
 
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church
Nashville, TN
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You Do Not Know?

4/28/2019

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Text: Luke 24:13-35
Theme: Knowing matters: Jesus’ death and resurrection; God’s plan in those events; and knowing Jesus in person.

Richard Scarry’s busy books are beloved the world over. They’ve sold 100 million copies.
The figures are endearing:Huckle the Cat; Sergeant Murphy; Bananas Gorilla; Lowly Worm.
In every nook and cranny of each page, there is busy, busy activity.
 
We might say that the first Easter was the busiest day ever. 
God raising Jesus from the dead.  The angel rolling back the stone from the tomb. 
The guards running off into town.  The women visiting the grave early in the morning.
Peter and John hustling to the tomb.  The news spreading about.
 
Luke records one more event on this busy, busy day.
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem. 
Scholars aren’t sure where Emmaus was located. But you could walk it in about two hours.
 
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 
They had heard of amazing, mind-boggling developments.  So they were processing it.
 
As they talked and discussed these things with each other,
Jesus himself came up and walked along with them…  
You can picture these two deep in conversation when Jesus overtakes them + falls in step.
 
And now a surprising twist: they were kept from recognizing him. 
These two were disciples of Jesus.  They certainly knew what he looked like. 
But they were kept from recognizing him.  How?  Presumably by God’s hand. 
 
Why?  Luke doesn’t say. But from what follows this seems the most natural conclusion:
God wanted them to recognize his salvation plan before they recognized Jesus, the Savior.
 
Now: in his usual way Jesus asks a leading question:
What are you discussing together as you walk along? 
At this question, they stood still, their faces downcast.
They actually stopped in their tracks; their gloomy feelings put a halt to their feet.
 
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him: Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem
and do not know the things that have happened there in these days? You do not know?
It seemed incredible that anyone was ignorant of the news that dominated their minds.
In reply Jesus simply asks: What things?  This simple question opens the floodgates. 
The two disciples pour out what’s on their minds and hearts.
 
They start with their beliefs: that Jesus was a prophet; he was powerful in word + deed.
Next they reported what happened: the religious leaders handed Jesus over to be crucified.
This was a huge blow; they had hoped Jesus was the messiah, who would redeem Israel.
 
But now their emotions are being jerked around by some rumors. 
A few women reported seeing angels at Jesus’ tomb who said he was alive. 
Then some men confirmed that the tomb was empty.  But they didn’t see Jesus. 
The rumors just seemed too wild- too good to be true.  So the two remained downcast.
 
Now Jesus moves from a good question to a gentle rebuke:
How foolish you are + how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?
You see, their view of Jesus’ death was all wrong; his suffering was part of God’s plan! 
 
Then Jesus moves from a rebuke to masterful teaching. Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
 
Imagine the thrill of having Jesus himself open scripture and interpret it for you! 
It’s a wonder the two disciples didn’t stand transfixed and never get to Emmaus.
Amazing: to have the incarnate Word of God explain the written Word of God.
One commentator writes with deep longing: We should give much
for even a record of the passages he used, give more for his exegesis of those passages. 
 
Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets
he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 
Here Luke provides an important insight into the nature of sacred scripture. 
The Old Testament promises Jesus; the coming of Jesus fulfills that promise. 
Reformed theology holds that promise + fulfillment is a key strand uniting the whole Bible.
 
What does this mean as we study the Bible? 
It doesn’t mean that we should manufacture allusions to Jesus in every OT chapter. 
But it does mean we should be alert to how the grand prophecies, the precious law,
the central ceremonies and symbols, the key characters the great events all point to Jesus.
 
For example, Genesis 3 pledges that one day the offspring of Eve would crush the serpent,
an evil agent of Satan.  We should see that one day Jesus fulfilled that pledge-
by his death and resurrection he crushed Satan and his power.
In Genesis 22 Isaac submits to God’s command that he be placed on an altar as a sacrifice.
There we should see that Isaac foreshadowed Jesus: who submitted to God’s plan
for Jesus to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world- on that very mountain 2,000 years later.
 
In Exodus Moses help free God’s people from miserable slavery to Pharaoh.
We should see that Jesus is the great Moses figure: freeing us from slavery to sin + death.
 
In Exodus 20 the fourth commandment calls for a Sabbath rest.
We should see that Jesus fulfills the Sabbath by providing us eternal rest.
Perhaps Jesus explained these very passages!
 
Here’s a wonderful irony in this encounter: when Jesus first came alongside them,
the two were astonished by his seeming ignorance: you do not know?
But it turns out they were the ones who didn’t know!
 
They didn’t know that Jesus had in fact risen from the dead.
They didn’t know the significance of Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection.
They didn’t know the law and the prophets all pointed to Jesus and God’s salvation plan.
And they didn’t know that it was Jesus himself at their side. How much they didn’t know!
 
As they approached the village…, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 
But they urged him strongly: Stay with us; it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.
When we offer hospitality to a stranger, who knows what will come of it? 
They ended up hosting Jesus himself!
 
After their journey they naturally sit down for some food and refreshment. 
When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it
and began to give it to them.  Wait a minute!  Since when does the guest serve the host? 
 
And wait another minute: this pattern seems mighty familiar.  When Jesus fed the 5,000
he took the loaves and gave thanks and broke them + gave them to the disciples (Luke 9). 
In the upper room, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it + gave it to them (Luke 22). 
 
This was a case of déjà vu.  Aha!  At last the lights came on in their minds. 
Then their eyes were opened + they recognized him + he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other: Were not our hearts burning within us
while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
 
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.  Here the two are symbolic.
God’s Word says that sin blinds us.  II Corinthians 4 pictures it like a veil over our eyes.  Vs. 4:
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers,
so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ.
 
God’s people are called to witness to Jesus and the good news of his kingdom.
But we should equally pray for the Spirit’s sovereign work: to remove the veil.
Then and only then will people recognize Jesus for who he is, just like the two disciples.
 
Then they eagerly reflected: Were not our hearts burning within us?  Burning hearts.
One mark of God’s Spirit in us is that God’s Word makes our hearts burn within us.
God’s Word becomes personal, penetrating, profoundly powerful and alive.
I think of worship times, Bible studies, personal devotions where my heart has burned.
I imagine that many of you can relate to that experience: your heart burning within you.
 
What are we to make of people in the church who are ho-hum about God’s Word?
They don’t really study it seriously on their own.  They don’t join Bible study groups.
They don’t make it a high priority to attend to the preaching of the Word.
I must say this: if the Word of God never causes your heart to burn within you,
then you need to question whether you have the Spirit of God + truly are a child of God.
 
You do not know?  In this passage we find three layers of knowing. 
First, we need to know what happened- about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Second, we need to know why these things happened- their significance. 
Third, we need to know Jesus himself. We need to know and recognize Jesus with us.
 
The church is called by Christ himself to promote all three layers of knowing.  
Sometimes missionaries must first explain the basics: what happened to Jesus. 
After all, some people have only read the book of nature which tells of a great Creator.
They know nothing of Jesus: his life and death and resurrection.
 
Second, the church must teach good theology: why Jesus had to suffer these things. 
There are always voices that seek to strip away the true significance of Jesus’ life + death.
We need to search all of scripture to find a full understanding of Jesus’ saving work.
 
Third, the mission of the church is to help people to know Jesus personally. 
Not just knowledge about the Lord.  But knowing Jesus personally- who walks with us.
With those two disciples may we come to know Jesus in the full sense: all three dimensions. 

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church
Nashville, TN
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Victory

4/21/2019

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Text: I Corinthians 15:54b-58
Theme: Jesus’ resurrection gives us ultimate victory in life and in death.

When I was a boy, ABC broadcast a popular show: The Wide World of Sports. 
Each broadcast began with this memorable line: the thrill of victory + the agony of defeat. 
The thrill of victory: athletes with arms upraised, sheer joy on their faces, fans cheering. 
And the agony of defeat: a skier wildly catapulting and crashing into a crumpled heap.
 
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. During March Madness we’ve witness it.
Winners pump their fists, jump for joy, tackle each other and get mobbed by their fans. 
Losing players hang their heads, disappointment all over their faces.
 
We see it on election night as voting results roll in.
One candidate is in the lead: all smiles + satisfaction; the other camp grim and gloomy.
 
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
That memorable line from The Wide World of Sports offers an apt description of life.
In a sin-broken world it’s a mixed bag. We have some victories but also some defeats.
With grades.  On sports teams. In relationships.  In our jobs.  In politics.  In the church.
 
But here’s good news: because Jesus rose from the dead we can have ultimate victory! 
Listen again to these electrifying words: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 
'Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?' 
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I can just see Paul pumping his arms and shouting: YES!
 
Here’s why this victory is doubly dramatic: it’s snatched from seeming defeat. 
Just days before: Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice [and] gave up his spirit. 
He died. He was stone cold dead. His body was taken down from the cross and buried.
 
Sure Jesus had a commanding presence about him. 
Sure he was an unparalleled teacher about the kingdom of God. 
Sure Jesus had performed amazing miracles and healed all kinds of people. 
But now, like everybody else, Jesus was dead. 
Just dead: no loving presence, no words, no miracles, no life. 
 
Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve there was the persistent drumbeat of death.
Now it seemed Jesus was no exception. And so the disciples drifted off in a daze.
They thought it was all over. But now a mind-boggling twist!
When the grieving disciples visited that tomb of death, the stone has been rolled away. 
Angels are there to greet them.  They say: Jesus is not here; he has risen. 
So Paul shouts Death has been swallowed up in victory!
 
In the emotion of Paul’s words I don't want you to miss a clever twist in our text. 
Often we picture death as a snake that swallows its victims. 
But now by God’s power there is a stunning reversal: death has been swallowed up.
 
The thrill of victory over death. By the way, the Greek word for victory here is nike. 
That's where Nike shoes got its name.  Their swoosh is a symbol of victory. 
So every time you see the symbol of Nike, remember Jesus’ victory over death.
 
NOW... if Jesus was victorious and that was all, it wouldn't mean much. 
It would be like New Zealand winning the world cup in cricket.  We’d say: so what? 
 
But in vs 57 Paul goes on to say: He gives us the victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Easter isn’t just about God’s victory 2,000 years ago. 
Through Christ, we share in that victory.  Through Christ we’re on the winner’s stand.
 
Think of World War II.  In that terrible conflict, how did victory come? 
Through the Allied nations and their armies. 
To be a winner in the war you had to be on the Allied side: not Germany or Japan. 
So too, if you’re on the right side, aligned with Christ, you have victory over sin + death. 
 
On this Easter morning let me ask this crucial question: are you on the Lord’s side? 
Have you enlisted in his ranks through baptism?  Do you obey his commands? 
Are you loyal to him?  If so, you will share in Christ’ victory.  If not, you’ll miss out.
 
Now, some of you may be unimpressed with this victory.  It doesn’t thrill you.
To be honest, you already think you are a winner- on your own.
 
You have a nice family and a good circle of friends; you have a comfortable house;
you have a steady job; you are in good health; you enjoy interesting hobbies. 
You may not say it, but your prevailing attitude is: Life is good.  Who needs Jesus?
 
Is that what you’re thinking?  If so, then perhaps you are among the fortunate.
By God’s grace some are largely spared from the agony of life’s defeats.
But: can you guarantee it will always be that way? 
Any number of events beyond your control can tear open your cozy cocoon. 
The lurking danger of cancer alone reminds us that no nest is entirely safe. 
And at the end even the fortunate will face death like everyone else. 
No matter how good your life is, death will come knocking.  Death will defeat you.
Ultimate victory- for time and eternity- is only to be found through the risen Jesus.
 
I also want to speak to another group. 
You may be unimpressed by this victory, but for opposite reasons. 
You believe that Jesus died on the cross to give us victory over sin and death. 
But honestly you don't feel very victorious. 
 
You still face your share of setbacks and disappointments. 
Your GPA wasn’t what you wanted.  You didn’t get that job you applied for. 
You stepped on someone’s toes- again.  Or you struggle with a low self-image. 
Or you’ve got annoying health problems.  The truth is: you're barely getting by.  Victorious?  Hardly.
 
Yet no defeats here and now can take away from the final victory we have thru Christ.
Perhaps Paul puts it best in II Corinthians 4:
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
 
Here’s something amazing about the gospel of Jesus:
when you cast your lot with Jesus as Savior and Lord, you are a winner- period. 
For all eternity you are a bigger winner than any successful person standing on his own.
 
To summarize: first Paul celebrates Jesus resurrection- God’s victory over sin + death.
Second, he makes it clear that we can share in this victory- through Jesus Christ.
Third and finally, this victory should give us great confidence in our lives now. 
 
Vs 58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you. 
I think of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg.
The tide turned when Union troops stood their ground against Pickett’s headlong charge.
So too, because of Christ’s victory, we can stand strong against any foe or adversity. 
 
Goliath was a giant: over nine feet tall, armed to the teeth.
Yet young David was not intimidated.  When Goliath advanced, David stood firm. 
In fact, David ran toward him, firing a stone from his slingshot. Goliath fell face down. 
 
Or take Paul’s example.  In II Corinthians 11 he recounts terrible adversity:
I have been in prison, been flogged severely, been exposed to death again and again,
three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times shipwrecked etc.
He could have said: This is too much!  I can’t take it anymore!
No; Paul stood firm.  He let nothing move him.  He carried on with the gospel.
What about you?  Unsure of what you want to do in life; worried about the future?
Stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  You already have victory in Christ!
 
Do certain temptations seem overwhelming: overeating or drinking or pornography? 
Stand firm.  Let nothing move you.
 
Has some accident or sickness thrown you for a loop?  Feeling out of kilter?
Stand firm.  Let nothing move you.
 
Do you have spiritual doubts?  At times does God seem far from you? 
Stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  
Let’s live confident of our victory!  Let’s give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
 
Tomorrow night the final game of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament will be held. 
Once again we’ll see the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. 
One team will be crowned champion.  The other will fall one game short. 
 
But the big question in life is: What victory matters most? 
So what if you are a winner in March Madness.
So what if you are a winner at horseshoes at Family Camp.
So what if you are a winner in an election or in getting a plum job or winning the lottery.
So what- if you are not a winner in what matters most- for all time and eternity?
 
Brothers and sisters, here is good news: Christ is risen! 
God has triumphed over sin and death.  Let’s shout with the Apostle Paul:
Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

Neil Jasperse
Faith Church Nashville, TN
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15512 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37211
615-833-5977
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