April 23, 2006 - Having Worship That Pleases God

By: Rev. Steve Bass

April 23, 2006

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

• How many worship services have attended over the course of your life?
  • I’ll bet if you included every...
    • Sunday am, Sunday & Wednesday pm
    • Wedding- funeral- prayer meeting and special seasonal service
    • Bible study- prayer group- Vacation Bible School assembly- concert- convention and camp sing-a-long
  • The number would be STAGGERING
• Let’s put it this way:
  • If you’re as old as I am
    • I’m almost fifty
    • And been in church all my life
  • You may have attended anywhere from 5-10 THOUSAND services of worship
• Now let me ask you a question:
  • How many times did you walk away from a worship service and thought: I didn’t get ANYTHING out of that!?
  • 80- 90- 95% of the time?
• If that’s true- you needed to be reminded of something:
  • The primary purpose for worship isn’t for YOU to GET something out of the service
  • The primary purpose for worship is for YOU to

  GIVE something back to God

  • It’s why you were made! Read what the Bible says in
    • Psalm 148:1-14
    • Hebrews 13:15
  • Since we’re made to worship it’s important to make sure that the worship we make is pleasing to God
    • The question is: What pleases God in worship?
    • Let’s try and answer that question this morning

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD IS CENTERED ON GOD

• Illustration: "Throwing A Birthday Party"
  • Let's say you've decided to throw your best friend a birthday party
  • In planning for the party you spare no expense:
    • You get the best food
    • You arrange for terrific entertainment
    • You buy fantastic decorations
    • You send out hand-engraved invitations
  • Finally- it’s time for the party to begin
    • EVERYTHING is ready- EVERYONE is there
    • When suddenly you realize something:
      • The guest of honor isn’t there!
      • You forgot to invite the guest of honor!
• This is what happens at many so-called worship services today
  • A full-scale extravaganza is planned- one that’s guaranteed to blow you away
  • But then- tragically- God doesn't bother to show up
• Look- just because:
  • Someone is singing Christian music doesn’t mean they're praising God
  • Something happens in a church doesn't automatically insure that the Name of the Lord is being exalted
  • Someone is speaking from the pulpit doesn't guarantee that the eternal truth of God is being proclaimed
  • You think that what you're doing is worship doesn't mean that GOD thinks that what you’re doing is worship!
• The problem is that a lot of what passes for worship to-day is people-centered- not God-centered
  • A pastor recently told his congregation:
    • Don't bring your Bibles to church.
    • Visitors feel uncomfortable when they see you walking around with a Bible under your arm
  • Some churches use rock bands- drama- video clips- and spectacular light shows...
    • Not to enhance worship
    • But to get people in the front door!
• God-centered worship is always focused on three things:
  • WHO God is. He is...
    • The Sovereign Lord of all Creation
    • The Alpha and Omega- the first and the last- the beginning and the end
    • Our Strength and Redeemer- a very present help in times of danger
    • All-powerful, all-knowing, all-merciful, all-gracious, all-loving
    • Our Father in heaven-
      • The One who knows the number of hairs on your head
      • The One who wants only the best for His children
    • King of kings and Lord of Lords
    • THE object of our worship because He ALONE is God!
  • WHAT God has done
    • He sent Jesus Christ- His only Begotten Son- to die on the Cross for our sins
    • He raised Jesus up from the dead on Easter Sunday morning
    • He has promised salvation to ANYONE and EVERYONE who believes on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
  • HOW God blesses you
    • He loves you as His own dear child
    • He ALWAYS answers the fervent, righteous prayers of His children
    • He has promised that He will never fail or forsake you
• Here's the bottom line: God-centered worship is a thankful, awe-inspired response to knowing God in Christ Jesus
• Earlier this morning we read Revelation 4:1-11
  • Now THERE was an experience of God-centered worship!
  • I want you to notice what happened
    • John was sitting in a jail cell on the Isle of Patmos but through a vision he was ushered into the throne room of God
    • In one glorious moment he received a fresh understanding of WHO God is and WHAT God has done
  • No wonder he allows his heart- his mind- and his voice to proclaim the greatness of God
• Read what it says in verse 11

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD IS REVERENT-BUT NOT DULL

• Illustration: "Opposites In Style"
  • I know of two churches that are on opposite ends of the spectrum where worship style is concerned
  • The contrast:
    • FBC/Henderson- So reverent and solemn its worship seems kind of boring and lifeless
    • Halifax BC- So energetic and boisterous its worship seems to have all the reverence of a college frat party
• Worship that pleases God is both reverent AND lively
  • It's reverent because we approach God with a sense of awe and wonder and humility
  • But it's also lively because worship is a natural, expression of the joy we find in the Lord
• David had a worship life that was filled with reverence
  • You can hear it in the Psalms he composed
  • But it was LIVELY!
• Remember what happened when he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem
  • David lead the parade by singing and shouting and dancing and praising God's Name with reckless abandon
  • Suffice it to say: David's actions disgusted his conservative wife: You have disgraced yourself by your performance
• Read what David says in 2 Samuel 6:21-22
  • I’m worshiping my Heavenly Father out of a heart that’s grateful and filled with praise.
  • If you think I look like a fool now- you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
• The question is: So what does all this mean on a practical level? How can worship be both reverent AND lively? It’s easy if...
  • You bring a certain attitude
  • And practice certain behavior when you worship
• The attitude you bring has to be one of reverence:
  • God is God. He is holy and righteous and pure.
  • He deserves my respect and honor
• Behaving reverently includes:
  • Recognizing that THIS place is GOD'S House
    • And you treat it with RESPECT
    • In other words: You DON'T leave trash in the pews or bulletins in the book racks or hymnbooks laying on the floor
  • Avoiding unnecessary movement during the worship service
    • Sometimes people HAVE to get up and leave the Sanctuary during the service
    • But the time to go to the bathroom- if at all possible- is BEFORE and AFTER the worship hour!
  • Refraining from casual conversation which may disturb others
• Parents- I admit that is an exception to the rule
  • When MY kids were young there were times when Pam had to:
  • Explain something that was going on in the service
  • And OCCASIONALLY offer some instant discipline for misbehavior
  • That’s part of being a good parent and you have permission to do the same thing
• Here’s the bottom line: Reverence in worship means:
  • You focus ALL your attention on God
  • And give other people an opportunity to do the same thing!
• Experiencing lively worship means you come with an attitude that says:
  • God has done something WONDERFUL for me in Christ
  • He wants- and deserves- my love, my praise, my adoration
• Lively behavior in worship means you:
  • Sing your praise to God
    • The Bible says God wants to hear a joyful noise coming from the lips of His children
    • Singing is one of the BEST ways to express your devotion to God
      • It’s not the only way
      • But it ranks up there in the top two or three!
  • Don’t just listen to others pray- but actively pray yourself
  • Smile and look like you are happy to be here
  • Experience a GENUINE sense of joy from being in the presence of God
• Bottom line: Liveliness in worship means you...
  • Become a worship participant
  • Not just a casual observer
• Someone described a basketball game as 15,000 people who desperately need to get up and exercise watching 10 people who desperately need to sit down and rest
  • If you've been sitting on the sidelines watching other people worship
  • The time has come for you to get up and start praising the name of Jesus!

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD EXPRESSES GENUINE EMOTIONAL

• Illustration: "We Will Have Decisions"
  • Some years ago I was attending an organizational meeting for a city-wide Youth Crusade
  • At one point the evangelist said:
    • Everything builds up to Saturday night.
    • I’m gonna have the kids so pumped up I guarantee we’ll have at LEAST 200 decisions made
  • And you know what?
    • It happened just like he said it would
    • For three nights he played on these kids emotions like a concert violinist plays a violin
  2) Folks, this is an example of a dangerous trend in modern worship called emotionalism
  • Emotionalism is the use and manipulation of emotion
  • A lot of churches today specialize in this kind of worship
    • During the frenzy of the moment everybody is energized and excited
    • But when the service is over- it’s over
      • Everyone leaves feeling emotionally empty and exhausted
      • And you can’t help but wonder: Has God really been worshiped?
• Here's the thing: The PROOF that worship has taken place is a life that's been changed!
  • That doesn’t mean you have to have walk-the-aisle decisions at every service
  • But it DOES mean you HAVE been confronted with, and challenged by, the genuine truth of God’s Word!
• Illustration: "Isaiah's Experience"
  • Remember what happened to Isaiah in the year that King Uzziah died? You can read about it in the sixth chapter of Isaiah
  • Now THAT is an example of emotional worship
    • Isaiah was lifted out of his depression and despair and taken into the presence of God
    • There he recognized his sin- and confessed it with a broken heart
    • Then with joy and celebration he heard God speak words of forgiveness and salvation
  • But the proof that Isaiah's experience of worship was real comes next
    • God's asks: Whom will I send, and who will go for us?
    • And Isaiah replies: Here am I Lord, send me!
      • Father- I’ve been changed!
      • And I'm ready to live each and every day for Your glory and honor and praise!
• Folks- worship is an EMOTIONAL experience
  • If you can't be awed and thrilled and excited by who God is- and what God has done
  • Why did you come to church in the first place?
• Think about it
  • God...
    • Created the world and everything in it:
    • Provided a way of salvation by sacrificing His only begotten Son on the Cross of Calvary
    • Raised Jesus from the dead the first fruits of them that sleep
    • Promises salvation to whosoever will call on the Name of the Lord
  • And finally- a day is coming when God the Father is going to send Jesus back to Earth a Second Time
    • He’s going to His Son and say: This is IT! It’s time for You to go back and bring My people to be with Me!
    • And when that Day comes every knee is going to bow- and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
• When you think about these things-
  • You ought to get EMOTIONAL!
  • But always remember: The proof of worship is a changed life
    • When you respond to the greatness of God by saying: Here I am Lord- use me!
    • You can KNOW you’ve WORSHIPED!

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD ISN’T DESIGNED TO BE ENTERTAINMENT

• Illustration: "The Andy Griffith Show"
  • Most of you know I love The Andy Griffith Show
  • Unlike so much of what's on television today "Andy" is GREAT entertainment
    • It's a 30 minute vacation from the real world
    • Which is a pretty good definition of entertainment: It's a light and breezy escape from the burdens and concerns of the real world
• The problem is that in many churches entertainment values have begun to influence their approach to worship
  • See a lot of folks don't come to church to worship God in spirit and truth
  • They come to be entertained. So-
    • The preacher better be witty and engaging
    • The choir better be singing on perfect pitch
    • The pews better be comfortable
    • The sound system better be well-adjusted
    • And the lighting better be perfect
• Folks, if you came here looking to be entertained I've got a news for you.
  • You’ll-
    • Hear better music at a Verizon concert
    • Get more thrills on a ride at Carowinds
    • And hear better preaching on cable television
  • The point is that we're not in the entertainment business here at Sunset Road Baptist Church
    • We'll use the medium
    • But here- the MESSAGE is what counts!
• You see, worship deals with something infinitely more serious than entertainment
  • Worship proclaims the glory and eternal truth of God
  • Furthermore- when we worship
    • The point is not for us to be entertained
    • The point is for us to praise and glorify our Father in Heaven...PERIOD!

WORSHIP THAT PLEASES GOD PROCLAIMS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED

• Illustration: "Eulogies"
  • I don't do eulogies when I preach a funeral
    • I'll try to share some memories of the deceased
    • But that's about it
  • Here’s the thing: A funeral is a WORSHIP service and a worship service-
    • Does not glorify a human being
    • It glorifies Jesus Christ- and Him crucified!
• Here’s how you can judge the validity of a worship service
  • Ask a simple question: Was Jesus Christ pro-claimed as the only begotten Son of God, and was salvation offered in His name?
  • If the answer is
    • YES- then worship has occurred
    • NO-
      • SOMETHING happened in that building
      • But it wasn't worship
• Over the years I’ve mentioned the small brass plaque on this pulpit
  • It says: Sir- we would see Jesus
  • Every time I step into the pulpit it reminds me of my responsibility to proclaim the salvation offered in the name of Jesus Christ!
• I want you to...
  • Hear the words of Jesus as He teaches us how we're supposed to live our lives day-by-day
  • Remember what Jesus did when He hung on the "old rugged Cross" and died for our sin
  • Rejoice in Jesus' words of encouragement: I will not leave you comfortless- I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me Because I live, you shall live also.
  • Respond to Jesus' invitation to receive eternal life in His name (John 3:16)
• Do you believe in Him? Let us pray

April 9, 2006 - Are You The Christ, The Son Of The Blessed One?

By: Rev. Steve Bass

April 9, 2006

Scripture Meditation: Mark 14:53-64

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

• Let's face it: We all love a good courtroom drama
  • It doesn't matter if it's a book- or a movie- or a television show
  • If it's got a judge- a jury- lawyers- and a client in peril-
    • We love it!
    • Finding it highly entertaining
• I don't want you to think of this morning's message as an entertaining courtroom drama
  • Granted- it involved a high-stakes trial
  • And it's filled with intense drama
• But this was the real deal
  • It was the most important trial of all time
    • Its outcome changed eternity
    • And in many ways- it's still being decided today
  • It was the case of Jesus of Nazareth v. the Sanhedrin
• This morning I want us to examine this trial
  • Try to understand what was happening- and what it meant
  • As we begin this message- let's think about this question:

WHO WERE THE SANHEDRIN?

• The Sanhedrin were the most powerful and important Jewish council in time of Jesus
  • It was composed of 71 members- headed by the high priest
  • Its primary mission was to interpret- and enforce- the Old Testament Law of God
• According to Jewish tradition the Sanhedrin had origin-ally been established by Moses in Numbers 11:16-17
• The high priest served as the presiding officer of the Sanhedrin. In Jesus' time the office was held by a man named Caiaphas
  • Caiaphas was a VERY controversial figure
    • The OT Law specifically said the high priest HAD to be a direct descendant of Aaron-
    • Caiaphas was not
  • In fact- he'd been appointed to the office by the Romans
• How many of you have seen the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Discovery Place? Awesome- aren't they?
  • The Scrolls were created by a Jewish sect called the Essenes- some Biblical scholars believe John the Baptist may have been an Essene
  • Sometime during Jesus' lifetime- the Essene community had...
    • Abandoned Jerusalem to live in a desert monastery called Qumran
    • They chose to live in the desert because they rejected the legitimacy of a high priest- like Caiaphas- who was appointed by Rome
• Because Caiaphas' authority was widely seen as illegitimate-
  • He was especially sensitive to any threat to his office
  • Which is why he'd been plotting to get Jesus out of the picture for a long time
• Scripture references
  • Matthew 21:42-46
  • Luke 22:1-6

WHY DID THE SANHEDRIN HATE JESUS?

• Now at this point you might be thinking:
  • But Steve- why did Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin hate JESUS?
  • All He'd ever done was love people, forgive them of their sins and proclaim the Good News of God's love and grace
• Well- there's your answer!
  • What's good news to us-
    • The best news we can imagine
    • The news that is the source of our salvation
  • Was seen as a dangerous threat by Caiaphas and his cronies. Here's the thing:
    • The fundamental structure of Judaism- the Law, the Temple, and the sacrificial system- was the source of their power and prestige
    • And almost everything Jesus did during His ministry challenged the fundamental structure of Judaism
• Take His approach to the OT Law
  • On the one hand- He said I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
  • On the other hand- Jesus routinely violated the most conservative interpretations of the Law by:
    • Healing people on the Sabbath
    • Enjoying table fellowship with so-called sinners
    • Failing to pay the Temple Tax
    • And being less than diligent when it came to matters of religious cleanliness
• But that wasn't the worst of it:
  • Throughout the Gospels, Jesus went out of His way to blast the corruption and hypocrisy of the religious establishment
  • Please read Matthew 23:15;27-28
• If Jesus' intention was to antagonize the religious establishment in Jerusalem-
  • He'd succeeded beyond His wildest dreams
  • They...
    • Not only wanted Him silenced
    • Wanted Him dead

THE CHALLENGES CAIAPHAS FACED

• In preparing for Jesus' trial Caiaphas faced two primary challenges:
  • He had to prove to his colleagues on the Sanhedrin that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy
  • But more importantly- he had to convince the Ro-mans Jesus was a political revolutionary who deserved the death penalty
    • The Sanhedrin didn't possess the authority to execute a death sentence
    • Only the Romans could do that
• Just convicting Jesus on the blasphemy charge was going to be tough enough
  • Blasphemy had a narrow legal definition under Jewish law
  • Blasphemy was:
    • Explicitly pronouncing the Holy name God had given Moses at the Burning Bush
    • Or claiming to be equal with God
• Another challenge Caiaphas faced was a divided Sanhedrin.
  • Some members of the Council agreed with Caiaphas and thought Jesus was a dangerous revolutionary who needed to be silenced at all costs
  • Others thought He wasn't that big a deal. They believed Jesus was:
    • A misguided fool who needed to be investigated and censured
    • Not a heretic who deserved to die
  • And finally- whether Caiaphas realized it or not- some members of the Council had come to believe Jesus was who He said He was:
    • The Messiah- the Christ
    • The Son of the Living God
• And then there was Rome- and its local governing authority Pontius Pilate
  • Caiaphas knew Pilate could have cared less about a religious dispute between Jesus and the Sanhedrin
  • Unless he could be convinced Jesus threatened Roman power-
    • There was NO WAY Pilate was going to have Jesus executed
    • Given the contempt he had for the Jewish faith
      • He'd probably let Jesus go free
      • Just to rub it in the priests' faces
• Despite all the obstacles they faced- Caiaphas and his team managed to come up with a brilliant plan
  • They decide to base their case on issues that-
    • Would have one meaning for the members of the Sanhedrin
    • And another meaning altogether for the Romans
  • That's why they started with the Temple

THE TEMPLE ISSUE

• The Temple at Jerusalem was the focal point of the Jewish faith- and the Jews were fanatically devoted to it
  • Remember the outrage Muslims expressed over the publication of cartoons picturing Mohammed in a turban that looked like a bomb?
  • The Temple provoked even stronger emotions among the Jews of Jesus' day
• To give you an example: When Pilate first arrived in Jerusalem he tried to raise the Roman flag over the Temple complex
  • Immediately violent riots broke out in the streets
    • In a desperate effort to regain control
    • Pilate announced that anyone joining the riot would be killed on the spot
  • The historian Josephus says-
    • Tens of thousands of Jews immediately laid down on the ground and bared their throats
    • Chanting they would rather be killed than accept the desecration of the Temple
• Because it was such a powder-keg the Romans kept a close eye on the Temple complex
  • They even built a military installation near the entrance- it was called the Antonia Fortress
  • During important Jewish holidays- such as Passover Rome would dispatch thousands of troops to control the crowds
    • But the soldiers were under strict orders not to enter the Temple itself
    • Even Pilate had come to understand THAT would ignite a full-fledged war
• So Caiaphas' Temple strategy was a brilliant legal tactic
  • It would infuriate the Jews- and raise a red-flag for the Romans
  • There was only one problem:
    • It was a non-starter- it didn't have any legs- it didn't work
    • Because the witnesses couldn't even agree on what Jesus had said
• Notice what it says in Mark 14: 57-59
• By this point in the trial- Caiaphas was becoming desperate
  • As the high priest-
    • He could do all the cajoling and arm-twisting he pleased behind the scenes
    • But during the trial itself he was supposed to remain above the fray
  • But Caiaphas realized his case was coming unraveled-
    • It looked like Jesus was going to go free
    • He had to do SOMETHING- it was time to play his trump card

THE QUESTION

• So Caiaphas stands up- walks across the room- puts his finger in Jesus' chest and asks: Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
• It must have felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room
  • Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
    • THIS was the most explosive issue of all
    • IT was the question that would ultimately determine Jesus' fate
  • Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
• For centuries, the Jews had been dreaming of- and praying for- the coming of the Messiah- the Christ
  • They KNEW He would be God's Chosen One
    • The new David-
    • The rightful KING of the Jews
  • Over the centuries, they'd come to BELIEVE the Christ would...
    • Lead a mighty army that would overthrow the Romans
    • Reestablish the throne of David
    • And restore the shekinah glory of God to Israel
• In playing his trump card- Caiaphas knew that having Jesus admit He was the king of the Jews-
  • Would have no impact on the members of the Sanhedrin
    • It wasn't a crime to claim to be the Messiah
    • Hundreds and hundreds of people had made that claim over the years
  • But he knew THIS would definitely get Pilate's attention
    • If Pilate believed Jesus was setting Himself up as a rival king to Rome
    • Caiaphas knew he would have Jesus killed before the sun went down
• Are you the Christ, the SON OF THE BLESSED ONE?
  • THIS was the part of the question that would have resonated with the Sanhedrin
  • Are You the Son of the Blessed One? Are You God's Son?
• There was nothing political here
  • This cut to the heart of the blasphemy charge against Jesus
    • If He claimed to be the son of God
    • He would- by definition- be claiming equality with God
  • And THAT would convict Jesus on the spot
• Over the centuries legal experts have suggested Jesus should have taken the fifth at this point
  • Remember-
    • He'd refused to answer the charges concerning the Temple
    • Later He would refuse to answer many of Pilate's questions
  • But at this point Jesus decided to speak up

CASE CLOSED

• If anyone ever tells you Jesus didn't claim to be God in human flesh- show them Mark 14:62
  • Then- if they still doubt it- ask 'em a question
  • Then why did Caiaphas and the other members of the Sanhedrin react the way they did?
• Look at what it says in verses 63-64
• These men knew EXACTLY what Jesus was saying
  • They-
    • Were experts in the Holy Scripture-
    • GOT all the Old Testament Scripture references He was making
  • And they KNEW Jesus was saying: I am the incarnated Son of the Living God!
• Just using the words I AM was bad enough. The Sanhedrin understood this was a reference to Exodus 3:13-14
• God identified Himself to Moses as I AM
  • This is My holy name- this is the name by which you will know Me
  • I AM
    • The Hebrew word is pronounced Yahweh
    • In Latin it's Jehovah
• It was God's sacred and holy name-
  • The name He gave Himself- the name Jews refused to pronounce out of reverence to God
  • And here Jesus uses it to describe HIM self!
• The Sanhedrin scholars would have also understood the allusion to the Son of Man
  • This was a Messianic title given in the book of Daniel
  • Clearly- Jesus is saying: I am the Messiah- the Christ- the son of the living God!
• But He doesn't stop there.
  • He goes on to say: And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
  • With that in mind- listen to these passages of Scripture
    • Psalm 110:1
    • Numbers 10:33-34
    • Psalm 104:1-5
• Here's the bottom line:
  • Jesus was saying: I am the living presence of God in the midst of His people!
  • I am GOD- in human flesh!

CONCLUSION

• Jesus' claim sealed His fate with the Sanhedrin
  • As far as they were concerned He was a blasphemer- a sinner- a wicked man
  • Someone who deserved to DIE a violent death
• The irony is- the roles should have been reversed
  • THEY were the blasphemers-
  • THEYwere the sinners-
  • THEYwere the wicked men
  • THEY were the ones who deserved to die a violent death for their sin before God
• But that wasn't God's plan
  • God's plan was to have His Son- to have HIMSELF- die for the sin of the world
    • For their sin
    • For your sin
    • For my sin
    • For EVERYONE'S sin
  • So that in turn He could pour out His love and grace and forgiveness in each of our lives- so we all could be saved
• When the Sanhedrin heard Jesus' claims they-
  • Rejected Him
  • Declared that He was worthy of death
• How about you? What's your verdict?
  • Is He a blasphemer who is guilty of death?
  • Or He is the Savior who rescued you from the wages of sin which is death?
• Let us pray

April 2, 2006 - A Cross, The Savior and A Hopeless Man

By: Rev. Steve Bass

April 2, 2006

Scripture Meditation: Luke 23:32-43

• This morning we’re going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper
  • Which shouldn’t be a surprise if you stop and think about it
  • After all, this is the first Sunday in April-
    • Even though we celebrate the Lord’s Supper on special occasions throughout the year
    • Like most Baptist churches our regular practice is to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first Sundays in January, April, July and October
• In establishing the Lord’s Supper Jesus...
  • Took the ancient Jewish ritual of Passover
  • And transformed it into a memorial to the sacrifice He made for us on the Cross
• Since we’re celebrating Easter in April this year
  • You can think of this as the official kick-off of the 2006 Easter season
  • Which is the time to remember- and give thanks- for what Jesus did for us when-
    • He died on Calvary’s Cross
    • And was physically raised from the dead three days later
• This morning- for just a few moments- I want us to think about what-
  • Jesus did for all of us-
  • By focusing on what He did for one particular man

Luke 23:32-43

• How to describe the thief on the Cross
  • Some people would have called him a terrorist
  • Others would have called him a Zealot or a freedom fighter
  • The Romans called him an insurrectionist and a murderer
• Frankly-
  • We don’t know a whole lot about him-
    • Where he came from
    • Or what he believed in
    • For that matter- we don’t even know what his NAME was
  • EVERYTHING we know about him is found in these four verses of Scripture from the Gospel of Luke
• The irony is that if he’d been executed one day earlier or one day later-
  • He would’ve been completely lost to history
  • Just another one of the thousands of Jews who were crucified at the hands of the Roman government
• Earlier that day he’d joined in the chorus of insults and curses that were being hurled at Jesus
  • But then something happened- something he could hardly believe
  • He heard Jesus utter a quiet prayer: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing
• FORGIVE them?
  • Forgive the people who had..
    • Imprisoned and beaten You to within an inch of your life
    • Insulted and nailed You to a Cross?
  • What kind of man could POSSIBLY pray this kind of prayer?
    • An innocent man? Undoubtedly
    • A good man? Absolutely
    • A godly man? Unquestionably
• With that- the thief on the Cross begins to wonder if maybe...
  • Jesus WAS the king of the Jews
  • And if He was- could He be the new David- the Messiah- the Christ- the hope of the world- the Son of the living God?
• So he turned to Jesus and said: remember me when you come into your kingdom
  • I’ll grant you-
    • He didn’t have anything to loose
    • And it certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional profession of faith- but that’s what it is
  • Essentially- he’s saying: Jesus, I believe You ARE the Christ- the Son of the Living God. Please show me mercy and grace when You establish Your kingdom in power and glory
• Now here’s the thing: This guy came to Jesus just as he was
  • He didn’t have-/ And he certainly didn’t have-
    • Any religious credentials to his credit
    • A lifetime of good words and kind deeds to fall back on
  • What he had was blood on his hands.
    • He was being executed for crimes that the Roman government said merited the death penalty
    • What’s more- he could hardly argue the point
      • He was guilty-
      • And he knew it
  • The fact is this man’s ONLY hope was Jesus who was- at that very moment- dying for his sin
• Now I want you to notice how Jesus responds to this man:
  • He doesn’t say: Forget it man! You’re a cold-blooded killer- a murderer
    • You don’t deserve any forgiveness or salvation
    • The crimes you’ve done- the sins you’ve committed- have placed you totally beyond the scope of God’s love and grace
  • Instead Jesus tells him: Today you will be with Me in paradise
    • In other words: Your sin- as great as it was- has been forgiven
    • You have called on My name- and now you’ve been saved for all eternity

APPLICATION TO LORD’S SUPPER

• And here’s the irony of this story: A lot of people- including many Christians- don’t like it.
  • Murderers aren’t supposed to get a free ticket to heaven because of some death-row conversion
  • And prodigal sons aren’t supposed to be welcomed home after rejecting their father’s love and squandering the family fortune
  • And thieves and prostitutes and adulterers aren’t supposed to be accepted as a child of God after the people they’ve hurt and the way they’ve lived their life
  • Rapists and drug dealers and child abusers should be thrown under the jail- not looking forward to receiving a mansion in heaven
• Good people- religious people- THEY’RE the ones who should have the hope of eternal life in Christ
  • You know- people like you. People like me.
  • There’s only one problem with that theory:
    • The Bible says there is no one who is good- who seeks after righteousness
    • And as for religion- all the piety and devotion in the world can’t save you
• Where does that leave you? The same place this thief on the cross found himself
  • A lost and dying sinner
  • Destined to spend eternity separated from God in a place called hell...
• Which is why Jesus had to die on the Cross
  • The Bible says that by dying on the Cross Jesus became the propitiation for our sins
  • That means...
    • God poured out all of His righteous anger towards sin on Jesus
    • So that in turn- He could pour out His unlimited grace and mercy and love on ANYONE who calls on the name of Jesus
• That’s what-
  • The Lord’s Supper commemorates
  • Easter celebrates
• Let us pray