The Resurrection - Dilemma or Hope?

“The Year Man Becomes Immortal” 2045

This was the title on the cover sheet of the February 21st issue of Time Magazine.

This lengthy article written by Lev Grossman described Raymond Kurzweil’s vision of a time when technology becomes so rapid and profound, it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. Kurzweil believes that by 2045 humanity will create superhuman intelligence where we can scan our consciousness into computers and enter a virtual existence or swap our dying bodies for immortal robots. He goes on to say, “We ditch Darwin and take charge of our own evolution. Indefinite life extension becomes a reality; people die only if they choose to. Death loses its sting once and for all.” Kurzweil says he hopes to bring his dead father back to life.

For the Christian such thinking seems absurd as it ignores some of the clearest and simplest teachings of the Bible, namely the fabric rupturing reality, in human history, of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and the hope of the resurrection faithfully taught throughout Church history. It also conveniently fails to address the cause of death which is sin, and the only cure made available to mankind through Jesus Christ.

However, to those influenced by modernism, who have rejected the supernatural (and made God like man), and to those who have bought into the lie of the postmodern meta-narrative, that reality is that which is real to you, such thinking is acceptable. Like Kurzweil everybody wants the story of life to end, “And they lived happily ever after.”

Consider with me three realities of the Resurrection so that you might truly know God’s provision to a life lived happily ever after.

We will consider the resurrection of our bodies, the resurrection dilemma, and the resurrection hope.

1. The Resurrection of Our Bodies!

Only 36 % of Americans believe in a literal bodily resurrection? What about you?

Jesus said: “The Son of Man [that’s Jesus] is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 17:22–23)

When Jesus speaks of the resurrection He is saying that there is a day coming when every person who has ever lived and died will be raised bodily from the dead some to life everlasting and the joys of heaven and some to everlasting judgment and the fires of hell.

By His own testimony He states, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even if he dies.” (John 11:25)

The testimony of the angel to the two Mary’s who came to the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath is profoundly unmistakable as to a physical resurrection. He said to them, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying” (Matthew 28:6)

The empty tomb stands as concrete evidence in support of a bodily resurrection.

The Apostle Paul answers the Corinthians, who were curious as to what the resurrected body would be like, that our resurrected bodies will be very different in composition. He asks them to picture the difference between a seed and the plant that grows from that seed. The plant may come from the seed but it is entirely different in composition, so it will be in the resurrection of the saints.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42–44)

So, the Bible clearly speaks of a bodily resurrection. A resurrection that transforms the body of our humble estate into a glorious body fit for the rigors of heaven. It will be a body that is imperishable, not perishable, heavenly not earthly.

2. The Resurrection Dilemma!

“Have you ever stopped and considered the horrendous problem there is if there is such a thing as a bodily resurrection – as life after death?”

The dictionary defines “dilemma” as a situation with unsatisfactory choices: That is a situation in which somebody must choose one of two or more unsatisfactory alternatives.

You either choose to believe the resurrection or you don’t. Both these choices leave mankind drowning in a lake of despair.

The dilemma of the resurrection is demonstrated in Matthew 27:62-66 where the Chief priests and the Pharisees asked Pilate to set a guard over the tomb because they knew that before he was crucified Jesus had said that death would not hold Him. That He would spend three days and nights in the grave and then He would rise from the dead.

So on Pilate’s provision they positioned a Roman guard, placed a large stone over the entrance of the tomb, and put Caesar’s seal on that stone. Breaking the seal would have meant instant death either for the one breaking it or for the men in the Roman guard.

The dilemma of the believing the resurrection is twofold:

Firstly, it would authenticate the person, teaching, and work of Jesus Christ. If He rose from the dead then everything else He said becomes true. Secondly, it would mean that mankind would now be accountable to God as to how they have lived out the life God gave them.

Neither of these two realities are acceptable options for Christ-rejecting, and God-hating human hearts.

There is a logical progression which leads to this dilemma. It goes like this…

• If there is such a thing as a resurrection then it means there must be someone with the ability or means to overpower death and grant eternal life.
• If someone has that kind of power then they must be themselves immortal because the only thing stopping man from living forever is death itself, and if you have power over death then they must be by nature immortal, imperishable, and eternal.
• Therefore, the promise of the resurrection from the dead and immortality requires an equal or greater cause.
• The Bibles teaches that the cause behind the resurrection of the dead is an infinite being who is able to bring about this reality.
• The Bible calls this being GOD!

So, when the Bible speaks of the resurrection is speaks of an infinite holy God who created all men and to whom all men must give an account of their lives.

Now to some this is not a problem in their minds because they don’t know the true nature of God, or the true nature of man.

These people are like a child who stumbles upon an old undetonated bomb in a war torn country and doesn’t know the nature of the devise but thinks it would be OK to pick it up and take it home for show and tell at school.

God by nature is Holy and Perfect (1 Sam. 2:2; Psalm 99:3; 1 Tim. 6:16). God in his holiness and justice must deal with every imperfection, every lie, every injustice, every evil thought or attitude. Otherwise He would not be a just God. God is a JUST God who will punish all iniquity and sin (Psalm 37:28; Isa 30:18). You see sin is not merely that we have broken some laws but that we have offended a holy God who demands our total allegiance. He expects that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Anything less demonstrates dishonor to Him as God and prideful self-righteous human dependence.

Now most of us think that we are good people, right?

Well let me help you test that goodness by the perfect standard of the 10 Commandments. Let’s see if you pass God’s goodness test and so have the right to enter His kingdom.

The 9th commandment says, “You shall not lie.” Can you say that you have always told the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth? If not, what would that make you? (A Liar)
The 8th commandment says, “You shall not steal.” Can you say that you have never stolen or taken from someone what is not yours? If not, what would that make you? (A Thief)
The 6th commandment says, “You shall not kill.” Jesus said that he is angry with his brother has committed murder in his heart. Can you say that you have never been angry with your brother or sister and wished them dead? If not this would make you a murderer at heart.
The 7th commandment says, “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus said he who looks with lust upon a woman (man) has committed adultery in his (her) heart. Have you ever looked with sexual lust on a woman or a man? If you have this would make you an adulterer at heart.
The 3rd commandment says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.” Can you say that you have never spoken God’s name in a flippant or careless way? The Bible calls this blasphemy.

So then, if you were to be judge by God according to His standard of the 10 commandments would you be found guilty or innocent. And if you are found guilty, which the Bible says all men are, then would you go to heaven or to hell?

If you answered hell in your heart then God bless you for being honest before God who knows. Does this concern you? It should! It concerned God enough to provide a way for sinful man to be saved

Herein is the dilemma. If you say there is a resurrection then this means you as a lawbreaker and sinner will face God’s holy judgment and be found condemned forever. On the other hand to deny the resurrection is to bring upon the human race a sickening meaninglessness to human existence, a condemnation and surrender to death.

This brings me to the third point and its good news in light of such bad news.

3. The Resurrection Hope!

In contrast to such a debilitating defeat of humanity the resurrection means there is one who has vanquished the enemy of death.

Jesus came to remove the curse of death by becoming a curse for us. He left heaven came down to the earth, and offered Himself freely to God as a sacrifice on the cross to satisfy God’s holy wrath against sinners. He comes into a world enslaved to sin and death and by His own power gives Himself to God the Father as a ransom price to redeem us from the slave market of sin.

He died that we might live. He endured the cross and the grave so that we might go free from the fear of death. He rose from the dead as a testimony of His power over those things that hold us captive. He now is able to provide the solution to the problem of our sins. God is now justly able to offer forgiveness and mercy based on Jesus becoming our substitute and bearing in His own body the Fathers wrath against our sins.

All we need to do is turn from our sin and trust totally in the finished work of Jesus as God’s gift to us. In so doing we surrender our life, or as Jesus said, “lose our life for His sake” and then, and only then, will we find it. Jesus becomes to us both Lord and Savior. This gift of life, forgiveness of sins, and peace with God brings overwhelming joy!

When the Lord Jesus cried out in victory "It is finished," from the cross, divine justice was satisfied, mercy was granted, atonement was achieved, expiation was completed, sin was forgiven, the debt was cancelled, guilt was removed, redemption was paid, reconciliation was accomplished,

When Jesus rose from the dead three days and three nights later Satan was defeated, death was conquered, salvation was secured, hope was cemented, and joy was provided forevermore. The resurrection proves this salvation offer is genuine, and so heaven is opened and genuine believers are set free from sin to worship and live their lives for God!

Jesus alone is the name that saves (Acts 4:12). The way of salvation is not by a set of does or don’ts, it is not by works, but by the grace of God Himself (Ephesians 2:8-9). God lovingly gave His Son to die in our place, so that we might be brought back into a right relationship with Him.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5)

Jesus is Alive! He is Risen just as He said He would! The gift of forgiveness of sins, and an eternal home in the Fathers house is extended to you. Oh joy, glorious joy for the one whose sin is covered, who is now adopted into the family of God. Eternal love and joy become his possession, and no one will ever be able to take these realities of the resurrection away.

The Father Heart of God

Many years ago Barby and I were visiting family and had stopped off at a local mall to do some shopping. While browsing some books, Reuben and Rebekah, who were only 2 yrs and 4 yrs old at the time, totally vanished in a matter of seconds. After searching the mall and not finding them, panic set in as I realized that these precious children of mine might have been kidnapped. We put out a public announcement for them, seemingly to no avail. After several minutes of waiting, and while I consoling Barby, I turned and saw coming down the mall the most precious sight I could have wished for - both children walking hand in hand toward us without a care in the world. They had heard their names on the mall intercom and decided that they had better find Mom and Dad. I scooped them up in my arms and gave them the most gi-normous hug. I was not angry at them for wandering off. I was simply overwhelmed with the emotion of joy that they were ok and back together with us.

In the same way, Luke 15 reveals to us heaven’s great joy in recovering that which was lost. In verses 11-23 we find the parable that is most famously called the parable of the prodigal son. This parable could equally be called, “The Seeking Father”, or “The Father Heart of God”.

For many people their view of God is that He is a harsh judge who simply dishes out His wrath without mercy; that He is an angry, oppressive, domineering God. For others the idea of God being a father figure is frightening because fathers represent abandonment, detachment, anger, abuse and failure. The Scriptures, however, show a faithful God who is full of compassion and lovingkindness. He is the true model of a Father, and one worthy of our attention.

Please consider with me Luke 15:11-23, a parable which powerfully and persuasively presents to the reader a portrait of the Father heart of God.

I see in this parable four amazing characteristics of the “Father heart of God”, so that you might truly understand God and find the home that you were created to belong to.

I. A Watching Heart: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him.”

The shameful request of the son to take his inheritance early and go and live life as though his father was already dead did not change the fact that the father longingly watched for the return of his son every day. This was the son who had dishonored and disgraced the family name amongst the town folks.

The very fact that this father saw his son while he was still a long way off tells us that this father was not just leaning on the railing of his house. The father had to go out to the city gate and look intently down the road every day. Day after day the father made this trip to the city gate, maybe several times a day. There was a deep heartache and longing for the return of his son. He privately bore unspeakable pain over the brokenness of the relationship. He desperately hoped that the son would soon learn that the world cannot offer what the father’s house could offer and so return.

This watching heart of the father is true of our Creator. He watches and longs for us to return to Him. He has from the beginning of time anticipated the return of every son of His.

“God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God.” (Psalm 53:2)

“For the Son of Man [Jesus Christ, God incarnate] has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) The Lord has been watching from eternity past.

II. A Loving Heart: “And he felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

The father was moved to compassion when he saw the son dragging himself, starving and hungry, weak and frail, up the road to the town. He was moved to do something that was considered totally inappropriate for a man of dignity and importance. He ran! This was a scandal, and as Jesus told this parable, this picture of a Jewish man running would have been viewed by the Pharisees as offensive and shocking to say the least. Yet this act of running was an expression of the father’s humble love.

The love of the father was such that it overwhelmed him to the point that he embraced the swine smelling, dirty bodied son, and kissed him repeatedly. To kiss in this manner was “to regard and treat somebody as one of one’s own people”. The father’s compassion was not merely sorrow over the son’s past sin, nor was it produced by the sight of his son’s filthy, emancipated body; rather, the father saw the desperate relational state of the son as he walked towards his home town. He knew that the son was carrying guilt and shame, and that there would be contempt from the neighbors; he knew that there would be those who would heap scorn upon him for his shameless lifestyle. So the father ran to reach the son first because he wanted to cover and protect him, to assure him that he was forgiven and welcome.

This is such a vivid picture of Jesus Christ who humbled Himself, endured the cross despising the shame (Heb. 12:12). Like this father Jesus Christ ran ahead of us and bore the reproach and shame we rightfully should have borne. He endured the scorn and hatred of men, taking our guilt upon Himself, even giving up His reputation, and then dying the death of a criminal that we might go free. This loving heart of God brought about a means by which we might be forgiven.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10, NAS)

The Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

To know the loving heart of God is to experience the forgiveness of your sins and to be declared by God a new creation in Christ Jesus. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. ” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

III. A Generous Heart: “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.”

Now, don’t miss what happens next. This is so fundamental to the heart of God. The father doesn’t simply wipe the slate of the son’s shame away; he does so much more. He reinstates the son’s position in the family.

He calls for the best robe to be put upon him. This robe was a gift of honor. It was the father’s personal robe made of the finest materials available. It would have only ever worn on special occasions such as a wedding. Imagine how undeserving the son would have felt as this robe was put on him to cover his shame.

Next there is a ring placed on his finger – this spoke of the gift of authority. This ring was the signet ring that had the family crest. It would be used to seal formal documents and served as legal authentication.

Next the father calls for sandals to be put on his feet. The sandals speak to the gift of sonship. Slaves and hired servants of the house would generally go barefoot. Only masters and sons wore sandals.

When considering the son’s sinful and shameful past, this father was going above and beyond anything that would have been done in the culture that Jesus was speaking to. All this is a powerful reminder of the eternal grace of God that He pours out upon us so undeservedly and freely.

As law breakers we deserve only God’s wrath. Yet, through His Son, He generously brings us into the place of sonship, gives us an inheritance in heaven, and covers us with the righteous robe of His Son.

IV. A Rejoicing Heart: “And bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Finally, we see a rejoicing heart. Here, put on full display, is the extravagant grace of God. As Jesus described the scene, He pictured an extraordinary celebration. This was the party to end all parties. The fattened calf was prepared and cooked. The banquet was prepared, and the greatest celebration this family had ever known began. What was the cause of this celebration? It was the repentance of the son; it was the relational reality that to this Father his son had been as good as dead, but now he was alive. This son was as good as lost, but now he was found.

““I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

Conclusion:

You might be asking, “How do I get to experience such a wonderful heavenly father?” “What do I have to do to be the recipient of such loving and sharing, such rejoicing and giving?”

Like the prodigal son, you must come to your senses (v.17). You must see the folly of trying to live life without the Father. You must experience the desperation of true spiritual hunger. You must see that what the world is offering you will no more satisfy your soul than the husks of the pig’s food. You must see that your sin is not only of earthly consequences but is against heaven itself.

If you don’t think you are a sinner then you will not see the need of a Savior. So many today have bought into the lie that God will not address sin. Yet if God is to be a just God, He must deal with sin, your sin! There are two ways that can come about. Either you take the Law’s payment of eternal separation from God, which is death, or you seek the mercy and forgiveness of God, who is able to justly forgive you because Jesus died in your place.

If you are to know God’s Father-heart, you must see that the love of pleasure and money will only bring you into a slavery that will leave you hungry and unsatisfied. You must come humbled and broken, mourning over all the sins you have committed, knowing you are no longer worthy to be called God’s son, willing to be His slave, knowing that even this is more than you deserve.

You may have abandoned the Father, but the Father is watching for your return. Will you come and be loved and blessed, and join in the great celebration at the table of God?

Joy To The World

One of the outstanding marks of the Christmas Season is this idea of joy and happiness! As I was thinking on the pursuit of happiness, it dawned on me that we pursue this joy and happiness because in reality we haven’t yet found it. The truth is that everything we claim that brings us this joy in this world soon fades away. Joy is such an elusive dream for so many.

It is often good news, such as a baby being born, or the news of a loved one who has been lost for days finally being found, that produces a joyful response. In Luke 2:10 the angel messenger to the shepherds announced, “I bring you good news of great JOY which will be for all the people”, and it is this phrase that caught my attention and I hope will catch yours.

The scene being described is no mere everyday scene. This is not even explainable by natural phenomena. What we have here is the God of the universe, the God who is self existent, eternal, all powerful and all knowing, breaking into time and space through one of His messengers to deliver this message, this good news of great JOY!

What Luke highlights in Luke 2:10-14 are four essential reasons that the good news from God will produce “Great Joy” in you. Consider these reasons with me.


I. The Good News of Christmas is True for all People: v. 10 “I bring you good news of great JOY which will be for all the people”

You will never know great joy until you find good news that is truly universal. This joy being proclaimed here by the angels is based on something much greater than the individual or the circumstances one might be in. It is a joy that transcends cultures. It is a joy to ALL the PEOPLE. This good news is good news no matter what your ethnic background.

So, the good news of Christmas is a transcendent message for all people, including you personally this morning. This is worthy of great joy! The second essential reason for great joy is that…


II. The Good News of Christmas Declares God’s Salvation Plan: v. 11 “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior”

You will never know great joy without knowing the good news of the Creator God’s plan of salvation. The true JOY of Christmas is based on the eternal plan of God to offer salvation to mankind. Mankind as a whole is unsatisfied with life. Like a man who has been lost in the mountains for many days, he is hungry, cold, miserable, and fearing death. He is longing to be found. This state of emptiness exists in the heart of man because he knows he was created for much more than what this life has to offer and so searches for it all the days of his life.
God had set a particular day - “Today” - for the Savior to be born.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Not only was there to be a precise point in history, but there was to be a precise place in which the Savior of the world would come. “For today in the city of David,” which is called Bethlehem. It was no accident that the baby was born in Bethlehem. This fulfilled a 700-year old prophecy found in Micah 5:2.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”

There is great joy in knowing that God has a plan of salvation, and He is working out that plan in the person of Jesus the Baby who was born in Bethlehem.


III. The Good News of Christmas Identifies the Savior: v.11-12 “a Savior Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

You will never know great joy until you discover the One whom God said would be the Prophet, Priest, and King of the earth. What will bring great joy to your life is when you know and have relationship with Jesus Christ as your Prophet, Priest and King. We see all three offices of Jesus’ saving work in this verse.

As the Savior, He assumes the role of a Prophet and proclaims salvation through Himself. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

As the Christ, which means anointed one, He is our Priest chosen by God, and as that priest He offers up His body as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin and sheds his blood to cover our sins from a holy and just God.

As the Lord, He is King of Kings and provides for us a kingdom where there is no more sin, sickness, pain, or dying. He exercises His dominion over all and casts Satan and His demons into the Lake of Fire forever.

There is no greater joy, no more lasting reality of joy to be found anywhere, than in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that this message is foolishness to the Greeks’ rational mind. It is a stumbling block to the Jewish national kingdom mind-set, but to those who are being saved, the good news of a Savior is the power of God unto salvation - a salvation where life is eternal, where there is peace forevermore, where there is everlasting joy!


IV. The Good News of Christmas is Praiseworthy: v.13-14, 20

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."”

v. 20 "The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them."

You will never know great joy until the good news becomes yours and fills your heart and life with the praises and glory of God. The reason for great joy is that through Jesus Christ there is the possibility of being at peace with God. No more fear or anxiety. No more guilt over sins committed - only pure, unadulterated peace.

The reason God created mankind in His image is that they might praise and glorify Him. This is why we exist. However, mankind thought he knew better and so sort to glorify himself and thus found that God does not share His glory with another. Mankind found himself an enemy of God, hostile to God, warring in his soul against God and all that God commanded. This is who you and I are. We are at war with God, and if you read the Bible, you know who is going to win - and it isn’t you. The Bible declares that there is no peace for the wicked (Isa. 48:22).

The good news that brings great joy is that Jesus has obtained peace with God for you. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we understand the good news of God correctly, there is truly great joy to those who receive it. I love the way Peter puts it as he describes this joy in the life of a true disciple of Jesus.

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Can you say that you have this great joy of an eternal hope?

Can you say you greatly rejoice with a joy inexpressible and full of glory even in the midst of difficult and trying times?

Can you say that regardless of what circumstances you find yourself in I have a deep, abiding Joy?

The personal experience of “Great Joy” is the result of God’s good news, news of the plan of salvation for all people, news of the Savior Jesus Christ who paid the price to purchase us from the slave market of sin, news of peace with God made possible at the cross. All this can only illicit one response, and that is praise and glory to God. This is the good news of Christmas.

Learning from Jesus the Master Evangelist

By Andy Woodfield

John 4:7-42 gives us an incredible insight into personal witnessing. The Lord Jesus exemplified this thrilling process in his dialogue with the Samaritan woman.

Consider with me eight basic lessons we must learn if we are to be an effective in personal witnessing for Jesus.

I. You must Engage People in Conversation: vv. 7-9

John 4:7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

There is really no such thing as a silent witness. A witness by definition must speak of that which they have observed and experienced. In order to do this you must first get the attention of another. Jesus does this by asking her for a drink. He knew this would get her attention because He was a Jew and she was a Samaritan.
You must have a mindset and preparedness to engage in conversation.

II. You Must Guide the Conversation from the Natural Realm to the Spiritual Realm. vv. 10-14

“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
Jesus takes the current request of natural water and then turns it towards the realm of spiritual water.

• First, notice that Jesus at this point has not talked about sin or judgment or hell.
• Second, Jesus has presented a valuable gift to her. A gift that will meet her deepest needs in life.
• Third, look at the spiritual language He uses in the transition: Gift of God; living water (I mean how does one kill water?); eternal life.
• Fourth, notice that Jesus doesn’t react to her challenges about, nothing to draw with, and being greater than Jacob.

There is no Bible bashing, or forcing the conversation, there is simply an opening of the door to spiritual things and the Woman of Samaria seems quite prepared to walk through. Jesus up until now is sowing seeds and has in the process aroused this woman’s spiritual interest.

III. You Must Expose the Individuals Spiritual Need. vv. 15-18

v. 16 He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”

Jesus had to help this woman see where her true thirst in life was. She needed to see that her multiple and adulterous relationships were sinful and sin separates us from God. She is and has lived a sin laden life. She feels exposed by his knowledge of her life. She doesn’t want to be exposed in her sin but through this exposure she perceives Jesus to be a prophet because she feels he has laid her bare before God.

At the same time as Jesus exposes her sin He also commends her for her truthfulness. Jesus has used the Law that this woman knew so well to expose her need. He doesn’t hammer her ungodly lifestyle He simply affirms that she has been truthful to God about her sin.

This step is absolutely crucial when sharing the gospel. If the person you are speaking to doesn’t acknowledge they have broken God’s law and are under His condemnation, then they will not see the need to be rescued from their condition of spiritual death. So we must learn to expose the persons spiritual need by using the Law of God which is acts like a school master to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24).

IV. You Must Provide Spiritual Solutions to Sin and Corrections to Wrong Thinking. vv 19-24

The first thing that often happens once a person understands that they stand condemned before God is they seek to find a reason for not believing or seeking God as they should. For the Samaritan, the excuse was related to confusion over worship. Jesus supplies the solution to her confusion.

Jesus also corrects wrong thinking by showing her that salvation is of the Jews. This wasn’t a slap down but a reminder of the source of her faith and that the Messiah she and her people were looking for was coming though the lineage of the Jewish people.

Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him."

So, we must provide the solution to the questions being raised, whether legitimate or simply a self defense mechanism. We must also be actively correcting wrong thinking by pointing people to the Word of God. We must find ourselves in this process if we are to be effective in our witnessing.

V. You Must Present Jesus as the Savior of Mankind. vv. 25-26

John 4:25-26 “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus presents Himself to her as the God-sent Messiah which she says she is looking for. He is in effect calling her to trust in Him and His spiritual promises of living and thirst quenching water.

We also must make it clear to those we witness too that Jesus Christ is the rightful Sovereign Lord over all. He is sovereign over His Creation and He is Sovereign over death. He is the Creator and we are His Creatures, therefore He has the right to rule over us.

VI. You Must Be Motivated By Obedience to God not the Political correctness of Man. vv. 27, 31-34

First in verse 27 we see that obedience to God’s will is not always in accord with man centered protocol or political correctness. The disciples were amazed that Jesus has been speaking to a woman and at the very point at which they returned that had heard Him declare himself as Messiah. This was politically and culturally incorrect.

Second, when we do the will of God our souls are most satisfied. We must be about the Fathers business, we must feed our souls and when you feed something it grows…

VII. You Must Believe In and Encourage others To Gather the Harvest: vv. 28-29. 35-38
Jesus believed in this woman that she would be able to go and effectively witness of Him. It is the witness of the woman that brought great blessing to her town.

Jesus was expectant of a harvest and encourages others to see what He sees. This is not a harvest bound by the limits of natural laws, but a harvest that can be gathered right on top of the seed that has just been sown. This is a perpetual harvesting. We need to get on board. (1 Cor. 3:6)

We are most satisfied when we are fulfilling the ongoing purposes of God for our lives. We got saved for the purpose of becoming soul winners and helping the Lord of the Harvest gather in the harvest in its due season. That season to be sowing and harvesting is right now!

VIII. You Must Establish Those in the Faith Who Believe: vv. 39-42

What we have in these final verses is the grounding of those who have been harvested to eternal life. Jesus went to the village and spent two days to establish them in the truth before moving on.

So the question goes out, who can be a soul winner? Anyone who is saved! Who will you go and personally evangelize?

Robert Murray McCheyne, was one of Scotland's greatest preachers, who died when he was only twenty-nine. A biographer wrote that everywhere he stepped, Scotland shook. Whenever he opened his mouth, a spiritual force seemed to sweep in every direction. Thousands followed him to the feet of Christ. A traveler, eager to see where McCheyne had preached, went to his old church. An old sexton agreed to give him a tour. He led the way into McCheyne's study. "Sit in that chair," he ordered. The traveler hesitated a moment, then sat in the chair. On the table before him was an open Bible. "Drop your head in that book and weep. That is what our minister always did before he preached," said the old man. With such a passion for God's Word and the souls of the lost, is it any wonder the Holy Spirit used McCheyne to draw so many to the Savior?

May we be found praying for the lost, engaging the lost, caring for the lost, exposing the need of the lost, preaching Christ to the lost and establishing those who believe in the faith.

A Remarkable Love

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

How often have you heard the question, “God is a forgiving God isn’t He?” The thinking behind this question goes something like this: “Even though I have done wrong things I hope that God will look at all that I have done and see that I have done good things as well, and will forgive the wrong things and accept me into His kingdom based on the good things I have done.” Yet the Bible paints a very different picture of how God will deal with our sin. John 3:16 which is most often quoted to support the idea that God will forgive everyone in the end clearly does not teach such a truth-less and unjust love. Yet it is true to say that God’s love is a remarkable love and John 3:16 puts this love on full display.

Consider with me six remarkable realities of God’s love:

1. It is A Divine love – For God so loved – Here John presents us with the greatest Lover who has loved to the greatest degree. This love is not the love of the creature but the love of the Creator to the creature. God is presented here as the great initiator of love. There is no greater or more glorious love than divine love.

God does not need to be pacified and drawn out by our plight and human efforts to love Him He simply loves because that is His nature. God is not a stern angry unforgiving God, but rather a God whose love motivated Him to create this world knowing that His beloved Son would need to be sent to die for us, to take our place under judgment for our sins. This truly is divine love, a giving love not based on anything man could do but rather on what God had decided to do for mankind.

Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. It is A Universal love – …world – God’s love is expressed without partiality or particularity of peoples. An old children’s song says it best, “Red and yellow black and white all are precious in His sight.” To love the world means that God’s love is not conditioned on nationality, or social status. This love smashes through all the national and natural boundaries and saves men of every kindred, tribe, nation, and tongue, and in the process saves the worst of sinners. His love is able to save to the uttermost those whom he has chosen.

3. It is A Sacrificial love – …gave His only begotten Son –In this statement we behold the greatest act, and the greatest gift ever given in the entire universe.
The phrase only begotten means “unique.” Jesus is the unique Son of God; there is no one like him, no one who is his equal. Therefore when God gave Jesus, he gave the best gift in the universe.

The verb he gave must be taken in the sense of he gave unto death as an offering for sin. This is what Calvary’s cross is all about. Jesus Christ came to give His life a ransom for many.

The cross displays in full measure the heinous nature of sin, heinous, because the ransom price cost God the death of His unique and only Son.

The cross displays the way of forgiveness consistent with the justice of God. A holy God cannot wink at sin or else He would no longer be holy or just. God provided a way by having the judge (Jesus Christ) stand and receive the punishment of the condemned.

The cross displays the full measure of sacrificial love in that God simply gave… He was not coerced, or manipulated to love. He wasn’t moved by any good thing in us, He simply set His love upon us, and it cost Him the very best of Heaven.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

The very best of heaven died a cruel death and endured a holy wrath that was fitting for sinful men causing the eternal Son to cry out “My God My God why have you forsaken me?”

4. It is A Dividing love – …that whoever believes – here we see that this love divides humanity into two camps – those who will believe and those who won’t. So while it is true to say that the God of the Bible is a forgiving God that forgiveness flows unconditionally only to those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Having turned from their sin to follow Him they will personally experience the reality of this love. To everyone else this message is simply foolishness.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

To reject and harden your heart towards the love of God is to remain in the camp of unbelief and condemnation. To believe is to leave the loves of this world behind and embrace the only love worth holding on to – God’s love. How you respond to this love will determine your eternal destiny. You will either spend eternity in the Fathers house or you will spend eternity in hell.

5. It is A Delivering love – …shall not perish – This love delivers us from eternal judgment

To “perish” does not merely speak of losing your physical existence; nor does it mean you will be annihilated. As the context (verse 17) indicates, the perishing of which this verse speaks indicates divine condemnation, complete and everlasting, so that one is banished from the presence of the God of love and dwells forever in the presence of a God of wrath.

6. It is A Purposeful love – …but have eternal life - This speaks to the hope and destiny of such love. It means that the relationship between God and man which was broken by mankind’s sin has been restored never to be broken again.

The sweet communion and fellowship with the creator of the universe becomes a reality to the believer here and now. We are able to live our lives in the reality of fellowship with God.

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

So then, we can see divine loves incredible purpose in that it is a love that stretches all the way from heaven to earth, from the holy to the unholy, to bring us back to a right relationship with God. It is an infinite love in that it extends from eternity past to eternity future, it is a grace filled love because it gave the precious gift of the only begotten son of God and it is an immutable love because it never changes for it flows from the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The question remains to be asked, “Have you experienced this love? Do you live your life in or outside the circle of such love?” Remember your eternal destiny depends on your answer to these questions.

The Father I Never Knew

In preparing a Father’s Day message, I was somewhat sickened, shocked, and appalled as I discovered that the majority of my church congregation do not, or did not, have a godly example of fatherhood in their lives.

For most people the word father represents that which is selfish, hurtful, and detestable at best. Angry, abusive, selfish, and sinful fathers have blurred the vision of fatherhood as God originally intended, and have left behind the wreckage of so many who were never able to please, or gain approval, from their earthly fathers.

Fathers play such a primary and vital role in the development of a child’s identity and security as they experience either a loving acceptance and approval, or a cold, distant disapproval from their fathers. Where do we go to gain a correct view of fatherhood in times like these? I found myself reading Luke 15:11-24 with a new focus on the Father-heart of God.

In this parable we discover five qualities that are true of the Father-heart of God so that we might regain what our society has lost.

The first quality of the Father’s heart is that…

I. He is a Giver Providing Mankind’s Needs: (vv. 12,17), So he divided his wealth between them …”How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!”

Firstly, in v.12 we see the father’s provision as he divided his inheritance to both sons. This inheritance was not based on what the sons did or would do with it - he simply gave it because that is his nature. As this planet spins around on its axis, God gives and provides for mankind every day. Like the son in this story, mankind has taken the inheritance of life all right, and we have squandered it for our own selfish ends.

The tragedy is that the human race in general lives with the expectation that we deserve this world and all its many blessings, and when something goes wrong we curse God at best and at worst live with the notion that there is no God.

I am sure that the father in our story was deeply hurt by his son’s shocking request and morally depraved lifestyle. You must understand that when the son asked for his inheritance, he was in effect saying, “Dad, I want to live as though you were already dead.” He demonstrated no love to the father at all, yet the father still gave!

Secondly, the father provided not only for his own offspring, but in v. 17 we see him providing for the needs of his hired men. The son who was starving in a distant land cried out, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!” It is the knowledge of his father’s generous provisions for day laborers that stimulated the rebellious son to rethink his position in life.

The Father in Heaven is the great provider, and although He will not force you to come home from eating the unsatisfying husks of this world, He wants you to be wooed by His abundant provisions for you. God alone can satisfy the human heart. God alone can meet your soul’s deepest needs.

The second quality of the Father’s heart is that…

II. He is a Seeker of the Spiritually Lost: (v.20a) But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…

This indicates he was constantly scanning the horizon, straining his eyes, looking for his son. This father had a seeking heart; he was not bitter and angry at his son who tarnished his good name. He was not sitting at home waiting for the door to open and his son to come on in. No! He was out at the city gate looking down the road in the direction that the son had left. His seeking wasn’t private; it was in a public gathering place. His heart was longing and aching for the return of his son.

The seeking call of God the Father goes out every day as the gospel is preached and Jesus Christ is proclaimed. The Father seeks us, even in our rebellion. John tells us that the Father seeks after true worshippers (John 4:23).

Fathers, do you seek the hearts of your children? Do you parent for convenience, or do you parent for relationship? Men, we live in a self centered society where life is - all about us. This is reflected in our parenting as so often we see our children as nothing but an inconvenience to our selfish agendas. This is nothing new! In Luke 1:17 speaking of John the Baptist, it says, “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

The third quality of the Father’s heart is that…

III. He Overflows with Compassion to Those Who Return: (v. 20b) and felt compassion for him and ran and embraced him and kissed him.…

Firstly, the father’s compassion is seen in the fact that he ran: Middle Eastern noblemen don't run. It was undignified. The word running here is the Greek word that is a technical word for racing in a stadium. This father literally sprinted down the road to his son. Now, to do this he would have had to lift up his long flowing garments and expose his legs, which was a social “no-no!”

Secondly, the father’s compassion is seen in that he embraced and kissed his son: In a situation where the son had shamed the family name, it would have been unthinkable for the father to embrace or kiss the son. Instead, the son would receive a rather cool reception, and he would be required to bow low and kiss the father's feet. He would then be told what he would have to do and for how long. After reparation and restitution was made, then he could be reconciled.

But the father in the story kissed his son repeatedly. This is truly incredible! God will embrace the sinner with all His strength and plant kisses all over the sinner's head. God is not a reluctant Savior. His kisses are kisses of affection flowing from a heart of compassion. The embrace and kisses were a gesture in the culture of acceptance, friendship, love, forgiveness, restoration, reconciliation.

This is the picture of God’s compassion to us. The moment you turn from your sin, God will run toward you. Compassion wells up within Him, [and] He sprints toward the sinner. Exodus 34:6 …the Lord passed by in front of [Moses] and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”

Fathers, we need to show compassion to our children when they return to us and say sorry. We must avoid exasperating our children. Our children must know we love them; they must feel we love them and would sacrifice ourselves for them.

The fourth quality of the Father’s heart is that…

IV. He Desires Reconciliation and Restoration of the Broken Relationship: (v.22) But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;”

The father’s heart was not to isolate and distance himself from the son, but rather to reconcile and restore him. "The father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out the best robe, put it on him, put a ring on his hand, sandals on his feet’,"

The father showed no shame. The best robe in the closet represented dignity and honor being bestowed on the son. In effect, the father was saying in this act alone that everything I have belongs to you. The ring would have been a signet ring, and it would have on the ring the family crest or seal. This was used in wax as an authentication for sending documentation; it represented the family authority. More than that, the servants were to put sandals on his feet! The hired men went barefoot and servants went barefoot. Only masters and sons wore sandals. What happened here was the father was restoring the son to the full honor of sonship.

This is our Heavenly Father’s greatest honor: to reconcile men to Himself by His grace, and restore the broken relationships of those who have gotten lost and who have died spiritually.

Fathers, the greatest blessing you can ever leave to your children is a knowledge of the grace of God in your lives. Salvation, to God, is by grace alone. It is the gift of God. God doesn’t want you coming to Him in any different way than this prodigal son. You must come to the Father in the stench of your sin, in the rags of your sinful lifestyle, with empty hands, nothing to offer the Father but a repentant heart. That's how you are to come because God justifies the ungodly.

Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Finally, the fifth quality of the Father’s heart is that…

V. He Celebrates Saving Faith: (vv. 23-24) ‘…and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

The father had only one response, and that was that this reconciliation deserved to be celebrated. Why? Because this was a glorious moment of grace. That which was dead was now alive, and that which was lost was now found. That’s why there is joy in the house of God…

You have to understand that the basis of the celebration was that the son came to his senses, recognized his foolishness to live as if the father didn’t exist, saw that his sin was against heaven as well as his father, and then repents from his self-seeking, sinful lifestyle. With a broken, contrite, and humble, scattered heart, he goes back to the father in faith, believing he will have his needs met.

A lesser father would have waited for his son to arrive; a lesser father would have outlined the conditions of his son’s return; a lesser father would have wanted explanations; but our Father in Heaven has embraced us and kissed us, has brought us into the full rights of sonship, and has called us to His joyous celebration of grace.