March 28, 2016

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26

This is quite a claim made by Jesus! Very confident and quite comforting!

If you will live and believe in Jesus, and if you allow Him to live in you by faith, you will never die!

However, there ARE several things that WILL die when you die and I feel compelled to point those out.

When you die, suffering dies. The moment you slip away from your earthly body and into eternity with Jesus - your suffering is over! Forever!

When you die, sorrow dies. At your last breath in this life, you are done with sorrow! Once your spirit enters into the presence of God there will be only joy! Sadness has no place in Heaven! You will shed no more tears. You will know no more heartbreak!

When you die, sin dies. If you die in Christ and enter into His paradise you will enter a safe, secure, sin-free environment. Not only will you be free from sin but you will not have to deal with temptation either!

So, you see, death is final - final for the things that are not worthy of God or right for eternity!

As we bring the Easter Holiday to a close I just wanted to remind you of a few reasons why it is the pivotal event in all of human history! You will never die, but all the things that make your life difficult or painful will die!

He's alive! You will live! Your heart-ache and hardships won't! Your crises and crosses will become crowns!

EASTER SUNDAY 2016

"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:1-20

They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord!

That phrase best capsulizes the emotion that Easter should bring to the human heart. Recognizing that Jesus is alive and that our sins are forgiven makes a world of difference in how we view ourselves, our God, other people and our purpose for living!

Everyone of these Christ-followers were filled with joy when they saw Jesus but there is one who was especially thrilled and I think this video clip captures that! 

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFDknSGVmXw

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FAILURES ARE FORGIVEN!

Peter, a lot like you and me, was his own worst enemy. This was the disicple who had only one speed - full! He had some of the highest highs and a few of the deepest lows.

Peter had been with Jesus and a select few on the Mount of Transfiguration. He had seen the glorified Jesus along with Moses and Elijah! Peter had been there when the 5,000 were fed and then the 4,000. He had been there when Lazarus walked out to the grave! For Pete's sake - he had walked on water!

But he had also vowed that He would never forsake Jesus and in the Garden he impulsively grabbed his sword and tried to decapitate the Roman guard. And on that fateful night after Jesus was arrested he denied three times and even cursed for emphasis.

It was that final failure that almost did him in - until he saw the Risen Jesus! 

Then he was filled with joy knowing that Jesus was alive and his failures were forgiven!

Do you have some failures that haunt you?

Have you betrayed Jesus with your decisions and choices?

Could you use a few “do-overs”? Does some forgiveness sound good?

Well, the good news is, as Peter discovered, JESUS IS ALIVE and your sins can be forgiven!

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FAITH IS FIRM!

Peter had fully invested all of his hopes and dreams in Jesus.

Peter had fully bought into all of Jesus’ teachings and accepted Him as the Messiah.

Peter had seen all the miracles and he even done a few himself.

But then everything was up for grabs when Jesus was arrested and killed.

But the good news is JESUS IS ALIVE and everything is TRUE!

BECAUSE HE LIVES PETER’S FUTURE WAS FOREVER!

For the last few days Peter lived in fear. They had killed his leader and he fully expected them to be coming after him.

He had left his business and his family and invested his entire future in Jesus – then Jesus was DEAD!

In just a few days his future had gone from safe, secure and certain – to fearful and murky.

But the good news is JESUS IS ALIVE and his future is FOREVER!

That is the great news of Easter - WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR!

When He died on the cross He conquered sin. He pain the price for your sins and mine! And When He raised form the dead He conquered death! We no longer have to live in sin or fear death!

We can live in joy! We can live in freedom! We can live in power! We never have to be alone! And we know we will live forever!

BECAUSE HE LIVES!

March 26, 2016

"Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads  and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  Matthew 27:38-41

Easter celebrates the greatest event in history the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

I wonder why we don't get more excited about our Savior arising from the dead to give us victory over sin and death?

Not to be morbid but think about the person whose death causes you the most sorrow and grief. Now think about having that person back alive with you to never die again. I'm guessing you would celebrate that!

But when Easter rolls around you get more excited about bunnies and baskets and bonnets and brunches than you do about a Savior who came back from three days in the grave to conquer sin and death forever. Why is that?

Perhaps we lose sight of the significance of this supernatural event. I fear I am guilty of it as well. As I was searching the Bible this week God led me to this rather unusual portion of Scripture and shared a few insights with me. I want to take a few minutes to share it with you and hope it will bless you as it blessed me.

First, realize the essence of the lie - "save yourself"

The mocker's taunts give several insights into reasons you might be less excited about the Resurrection. 

If you believe it is possible to save yourself you would not be excited about the Resurrection. Why should you if don't believe you need a Savior?

The belief that you can save yourself and don't really need a savior is the essence of sin. Lucifer said to himself, "I can be like God." Later, he tempted Eve, "You will be like God." Believing that would not excite you about the Resurrection.

If you believe you should save yourself from sin or  suffering you would not be excited about the Resurrection.

By the way, in this story Jesus shows you how to respond to mockers. Jesus remained silent and stayed on the cross. He didn't try to retaliate nor did He attempt to defend Himself. In three days He would make a mockery of their mockery when He arose from death and proved them wrong.

Second, realize the essence of love in this story is seen in the fact that Jesus did not come off the cross but hung there to die for the very sinners who were mocking Him. He gave Himself He didn't save Himself.

What a vivid illustration of loving people to life! 

Here at FredWes we are called not to save ourselves but to give ourselves to those He wants to save! We will sacrifice for them and if necessary suffer for them.

Love stays on the cross. 

Love is more focused on saving others than saving themselves.

People who know what it is to love love the Resurrection!

Third, the essence of life is seen in this story - dying on the cross. Jesus gave Himself to save others. He had to die so they could live. But He also had to die in order that He could live the Resurrection life, the everlasting life.

The Resurrection meant a LOT to Jesus! It was a BIG deal because He died!


It will mean a lot to you unless you believe you can somehow save yourself. If saving yourself from needless suffering or sacrifice is your motivation the Resurrection holds little interest to you.

But if you are willing to take up your cross like Jesus and suffer.

If you are more concerned about saving others than saving yourself.

And if you are willing to die to your self-interest, self-centeredness and selfishness then you can experience the resurrection life. You can't truly know life until you die to self and arise to life in Christ!

March 25, 2016

"When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.  Above his head they placed the written charge against him:    this is jesus, the king of the jews.  Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.   Those who passed by hurled insults at him,  shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  Matthew 27:35-40

Few places in the Scriptures will you find more irony than in this encounter between the Master and the mockers. It is a sharp contrast between His holy nature and their haughty hatred toward Him.

When you take note of their accusations and slander you are exposed to the nature of evil at its core. 

First, 

the very fact that they are slandering the sinless Son of God gives evidence of a corrupted heart. Why would you do that otherwise?

Let's look at their verbal assaults directed His way.

"You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days" 

- in saying this they are implying that Jesus is either a liar or a lunatic for suggesting such a thing. Also, they are effectively calling Him a failure at the most vulnerable times of His life. For what purpose? To what end?

For the record, Jesus was referring to His Body not a building. 

And He did indeed rebuild it when He walked out of the tomb on Easter Sunday!

"if you are the Son of God!” 

- again, here are these evil men casting doubt on the claims of Christ. If you will remember, this phrase strangely similar to other attacks by Satan the Accuser at various times in Scripture. While the devil is extremely evil he is also entirely unoriginal.

God is under no obligation to prove Himself to Satan or anyone else! 

If the grandeur of creation and the countless miracles He has wrought from the beginning up to the moment of these mockeries haven't proved the true nature of Christ nothing He would do then could convince them!

"save yourself! Come down from the cross" 

- this shows either incredible evil on their part or even more incredible ignorance. Jesus didn't go to the cross to save Himself He went to the cross to save them! In trying to coax Him off the cross they were unwittingly attempting to seal their own fate.

Here again is the ugly, futile and arrogant nature of sin. The very notion that you can "save your self is the essence of sin! It is the lie that brought down Lucifer and Adam.

In conclusion I call your attention once more to the irony that they very thing they were doing was the very reason Jesus was on the cross dying!

What a blessing for them He ignored their taunts and remained on the cross!

What a blessing for you and me as well!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

March 24, 2016

"When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.  Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” Matthew 27:35-40

Have you ever been mocked or ridiculed?

How did that feel?

Were you ridiculed in the process of dying to save the world from sin?

Me neither.

But Jesus was. We see it in this portion of the Scriptural account of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is worth noting because of what Jesus did while He was doing something historical. The same people who had cruelly beaten Him and then nailed Him to a cross piled on verbal abuse as He hung there suffering. They were attempting to heap shame upon His shameful treatment and the shameful method of execution and the shame of His nakedness.

In a day and age when Christianity and Christians are being mocked and reviled with increasing regularity and intensity, it is good to note how Jesus responded to their mockery.

He took it!

He stayed on the cross!

While they were giving Him grief He was giving them grace!

That's the proper response to mockery and insults.

But how do I do that, Brad?

Only by His strength!

The same grace and strength that Jesus manifested while being verbally abused on the cross is the very same strength and grace He can instill in you by His Spirit!

And by the way, three days later when He walked out of the grave having conquered sin and death He made a mockery of their mockery!

While that wasn't His purpose it is the power of grace and truth!

As you pray this morning will you ask God to give you the grace to bless those who curse you and pray for those who despite fully use you?

Will you promise Him that in His strength you will give grace to those who give you grief?

March 23, 2016

"Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him." Matthew 27:38-44

No doubt you have heard the expression you can't keep a good man down! I like that sentiment and have found it generally to be true. But occasionally it doesn't work. Life can become so cruel and chaotic that even a good man can crumble under the crush of opposition.

I prefer the truth that arises from the Easter Story because it captures the essence of Easter! It goes like this - "You can't keep a God man down!".

Jesus was a good man for sure! Never has there been a better man than Him! But face it, the cross got him down! After a sadistic beating that would have killed most of us Jesus was savagely flung to the ground and suffered the unimaginable agony of having spikes driven through His wrists and his feet. When the roughly-hewed cross was lifted and dropped into a hole to hold it upright the movement caused the spikes to tear against his flesh and restricted His breathing.

If the agony of the crucifixion wasn't enough, He had to endure the vicious mockery of those who had crucify him. They disparaged Him and degraded Him and demanded that He prove His divinity by coming off the cross.

Make no mistake he could have! It wasn't seven-inched spikes that held Him on the cross it was love! Jesus' love for God and His commitment to the redemptive plan to save humanity from its sin and deliver it from sinfulness kept Him on the cross!

Ironically, it was Jesus' commitment to the salvation of His accusers that prevented Him from climbing off the cross.

Jesus showed us that we shouldn't attempt to silence scoffers by capitulating to their accusations. Simply stick with God's plan and surrender to His will vindication will come. Three days later when Jesus arose from the grave He mocked the mockery of the mockers!

But the bigger blessing I want to extract from this story is that suffering is sometimes necessary for those who follow God. But because of Christ's suffering on the cross suffering in the will of God is never done in vain. Thanks to Calvary suffering makes sense! No more will Christ-followers ever have to endure senseless suffering. Because of the cross suffering leads to VICTORY and to VINDICATION every time!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

March 22, 2016

"So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.  The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.  Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:43-45

God's promises are the traffic signs and signals and guardrails that will guide you safely out of your Egypt, through your wilderness and into your Promised Land!

God's promises define what is real in your life.

God's promises define what is right in your life.

Thirdly, God's promises define what is reliable in your life.

There are several ways God teaches you what you can rely on. The first way is by showing you what you can't rely on!

In Egypt and the wilderness they could not rely on their flesh. They weren't strong enough to overthrow the Pharaoh or to open the Red Sea. They didn't have the power to produce food or water in the desert or preserve their clothing during the journey.

In Egypt and the wilderness they could not rely on their feelings. Emotions are too directly affected by circumstances and their circumstances often weren't very good! 

Another way God teaches us what to rely on is by bailing us out of our failures.

God had taught Moses through his failures. After living as a fugitive for 40 years tending sheep in the desert, God called him to leadership.

Led by a former-failure turned humble leader, God's people spent 40 years wandering in tedious circles through the wilderness because of their failures to obey Moses, submit to God and believe God's promises.

400 hundred years of slavery and 40 years of futility and frustration finally brought God's people to a place where they would rely on Him. Only when they learned they could not rely on themselves and they could rely on God to rescue them did they begin to rely on God!

Like the Hebrews and like Moses, most of us learn to rely on God's promises from relying on unreliable things like our own strength or our own emotions or our own flawed judgment.

You can rely on God's promises first time, every time, any time and all the time! Today, choose to rely on His promises and stop trusting on unreliable sources.

You can rely on that advice! I promise!