Death and resurrection

One of my favorite verses of Scripture is Romans 4:25: "He was delivered over to death for our sins, he was raised to life for our justification. (NIV)

On that Good Friday, Jesus died a horrible death as a sacrifice for our sins. While on the cross, God the Son paid for our sins with his on sinless life. The heart of the gospel is that Jesus Christ did not die a martyr's death, but he overcame death by God the Father raising him from the dead. A Muslim who had converted to Christianity was asked why he converted and his response was: "If you come to a fork in the road would you ask the man who is dead for directions? Or the man who is alive? His point was that all other religious leaders, including Muhammad, died and stayed dead. Jesus died only to be raised to life as he said he would. The death and resurrection of Jesus are at the heart of Christianity. Therefore, if the resurrection of Jesus is true, then there is no possible way to overstate its importance. If it is untrue, then the Christian faith is a pointless: "if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17 NLT)

Consider briefly with me the evidence for the resurrection. First, the legal evidence. The tomb that Jesus was buried in was empty. If Jesus wasn't alive, all his critics had to do was present his body! Matthew 28:11-15 proves that his body could not have been stolen. The tomb was surrounded by Romans who knew that it meant the death penalty for them if the seal of the tomb was broken.

Secondly, the historical evidence. Christ's disciples were radically changed. Peter who had denied Christ earlier now became courageous and fearless. Historians write that the same Peter who had denied Christ the night before his death, was crucified on a cross upside down because he was now (post resurrection) unwilling to deny his Lord. Throughout the book of Acts we see the spread of Christianity and the preaching of Jesus being raised from the dead. The message of Jesus spread through out the world and persecution of Christians grew as well. Would people be willing to die for something the knew was a lie?
Also, in Matthew 28 we read that women were the first to see Jesus after his resurrection. At that point in time, women could not testify in court, they would only hurt the case for the resurrection. If the disciples were promoting a lie they would have never have chosen this way to build their case.

The resurrection of Jesus assures us of God's forgiveness. It was God the Father's stamp of approval that he had accepted Jesus' death as a sacrifice for our sins. Assurance of salvation would be prideful if it depended on our good works and behavior. However, our assurance is not based on us but on Jesus and what he did for us.

The resurrection of Jesus assures us of God's power. Can God really change people? Can God really meet our needs? Can God really heal the sick? Can God really do anything? If he can raise the dead we can rest assured with him all things are possible!

The resurrection of Jesus assures us of God's ultimate triumph. Whatever you are facing today you can face with courageous faith and hope because of the resurrection of Jesus:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT)

May God bless you this Easter with a greater understanding of His love and power in your life.

If I ever get a tattoo ...

I just started studying the book of Romans again. I have read Romans numerous times in my life and am always blown away with some new truth The Holy Spirit reveals as I read it. I agree wholeheartedly with what Martin Luther had to say about this magnificent book:

"This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes."

"Simul Iustus et Peccator". (yes you read that correctly and that would be part of my tattoo)

What does Simul Iustus et Peccator mean? It is a Latin phrase that was used during the Reformation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation ) by Martin Luther and other reformers to describe how a Christian should see themselves in this life.

"Simul" ...simultaneously

"Iustus" ...justified (or declared righteous and not guilty)

"et"...and

"Peccator" ...sinner

Understanding what this means is the heart of the book of Romans:

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26 NIV

"However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5 NIV

Simul Iustus et Peccator is what the Bible calls "justification". When someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, meaning they are relying on what He did in living a perfect life, dying a substitionary, sacrificial death, and being raised from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-6) for forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life, they are declared not guilty and righteous by God. The key is we are declared righteous while still in the sinning state. That is the scandal of the gospel.

Several years ago I was asked by a close friend of mine to share some scriptures with his father who was literally on his death bed dying of lung cancer. The first time I went to meet with Jack I quickly realized he was a man full of questions. Blind faith was not an option for him. Like many other people he was skeptical. He was a thinker and could not reconcile faith and science, and many other issues that blocked him from having faith. That particular day I gave him my best apologetics, my best reasoning, my best theological and philosophical arguments for faith in Christ. He did not get it. I felt like I was talking to a brick wall.

A few days later, my friend Barry told me that Jack wanted to meet with me again. I was a little shocked to be honest. So hesitantly I went back to his house. I really did not know what to say. So I asked the Lord what scriptures he wanted me to read to Jack. I felt led to read Romans 5:1-2:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand..."

After I read that passage, Jack said: "I have a always believed there had to be a God and a Creator, but I never really knew what to do with this Jesus fellow. But according to what you just read I can only come to God through Jesus." I said: "yes Jack that is what it means. Do you want to come to God through Jesus?" He said yes. So we prayed and he came into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus. A few days later he passed away. At his funeral I shared that story with his family and friends that had gathered to grieve his passing. Most of them looked confused because they knew Jack as a man who was not "religious". I shared about the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to let him into heaven when he died (Luke 24:42-43). Jesus promised him that his request that was filled faith would be granted. The thief lived as a sinner yet died justified. So did Jack. So will I. So can you if you put your faith in Jesus Christ.

Start over

When you’ve trusted God and walked his way
When you’ve felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way …
Start over.

When you’ve made your plans and they’ve gone awry
When you’ve tried your best and there’s no more try
When you’ve failed yourself and you don’t know why …
Start over.

When you’ve told your friends what you plan to do
When you’ve trusted them and they didn’t come through
And you’re all alone and it’s up to you …
Start over.

When you’ve failed your kids and they’re grown and gone
When you’ve done your best but it’s turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along …
Start over.

When you’ve prayed to God so you’ll know his will
When you’ve prayed and prayed and you don’t know still …
When you want to stop cause you’ve had your fill …
Start over.

When you think you’re finished and want to quit
When you’ve bottomed out in life’s deepest pit
When you’ve tried and tried to get out of it …
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you’re feeling blue
God gives a January just for you …
Start over.

Starting over means “Victories Won”
Starting over means “A Race Well Run”
Starting over means “God’s Will Done”
Don’t just sit there ………… ..

START OVER

By Woodrow Kroll

Josh Hamilton & the People of the second chance

Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers are playing in the American League Championship once again. His personal story is one of tragedy, failure, grace, redemption, stardom, and pain. He is one heck of a baseball player, a modern day Roy Hobbs. His story is a reminder that God never gives up on anyone and that the grace found in the gospel of Jesus Christ is bigger than any failure we can think of. (Click on the title of this post to watch and hear Josh's story)

Enjoy!

Lessons from "the seats"

Go figure. Last night I was at another Rockies baseball game. Early Tuesday morning I got the call from Dad that he had "the seats". These are not just any seats, these are front row seats were you can actually see the players faces and what they are saying to each other. I am used to usually sitting in the cheaper seats so "the seats" are an awesome experience.

A few years ago we were sitting in "the seats" and had a funny experience. "The seats" are real close to first base where you have a great angle on plays at first base. You can hear the umpire and the first baseman talking because you are that close.

On this particular night there was a really close play at first base that the umpire called in favor of the other team. As home fans do, they booed the umpire. To our shame we were booing as well. Somebody near us made a snide comment to the umpire and he looked over to see who said it. There is an old term in baseball for umpires who do not know how to over look frustrated fans and who hear every comment, its called "rabbit ears". Rabbits are know for their long ears and their keen sense of hearing. So when an umpire gets caught up into the comments of the fans or the players and coaches they are called "rabbit ears."

My dad being the fan that he is, saw the umpire look over to find the guilty fan who was verbally harassing him and blurted out: "just call the game rabbit ears!" I was thinking to myself that the umpire must be really mad and frustrated.

Proverbs 15:1 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." NIV

How would the umpire respond? Would he show his anger? Would he try to win a stare down and intimidate the fan that was talking to him and escalated the moment?

Instead of getting angry or tough he displayed wisdom and he modeled a lesson from the Proverbs, as crude as it was, on how to handle situations like that.

After hearing my Dad's comment about "rabbit ears" he very slowly pulled out both of his back pockets and let them dangle there on his dairy ere, as if to say:"I got your rabbit ears right here. He did this while staring stoically forward at the playing field. It was hilarious! What a great response. We all laughed and gave him applause. We had all forgotten that he blew the call and went on to enjoy the game.

I imagine he learned how to handle situations like that as a veteran umpire. I am sure as a young umpire he took it all way to personally, but learned that he would not last long as an umpire unless he learned how to respond appropriately. I walked away from that thinking about the Proverb: 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." NIV


Lets strive to be the type of people who do not stir up wrath by reacting to the moods, actions, and frustrations of others, but rather controlled by the Spirit we respond with a gentle answer and turn away wrath.

What is your hope in?

The world is a crazy place right now.

There are people rioting and looting in London, showing that when given the right opportunity human beings, even the "civilized" can be intensely insubordinate and cruel.

Following the stock market is like being on a brutal roller coaster ride. Following the National debt is so mind boggling it makes mathematicians shake their heads. Financial instability is causing people to be in great fear for their future.

People are hurting because people hurt one another, betray one another, and fail to keep their promises.

Things that we thought were stable have turned out to not be so stable. People we trusted turned out to be untrustworthy.

What do we do?

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)

How can I know that my hope is really in Christ? Ask the following questions of yourself.

1. How do I respond when I am falsely accused, misunderstood or betrayed?

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23)

2. When I am offended by others am I quick to forgive?

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)

3. Is my hope in money? My job? My 401K?

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

4. Is my hope in people, family, a good marriage, my kids? Is my hope truly in God alone?

"For if my father and mother should abandon me, you would welcome and comfort me." Psalm 27:10 TLB

I pray for us that..."the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

In the flow #1 (How would you answer?)

The following is from John Ortberg's latest book "the me I want to be" :

"How is your Spiritual life going?"

I used to answer this question by looking at the state of my devotional activities: Did I pray and read the Bible enough today?

The problem is that by this measure the Pharisees always win. People can be very disciplined, but remain proud and spiteful. How do we measure spiritual growth so that the Pharisees don't win?

I asked a wise man, "How do you assess the well-being of your soul?" He immediately said, "I ask myself two question".

* Am I growing more easily discouraged these days?

* Am I growing more easily irritated these days?

At the core of a flourishing soul are the love of God and the peace of God. If peace is growing in me, I am less easily discouraged. If love is growing, I am less easily irritated. It was a brilliantly helpful diagnostic to assess the health of my soul.

How would you answer those two questions?

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