What Christ Has Done For Us

As I was getting ready for and praying over this Easter Sunday, my mind kept coming to a tract I was introduced to in the 1970s written by a man named Bill Bright for the Campus Crusade for Christ titled The Four Spiritual Laws. In reflecting on the lectionary texts I kept seeing how the points Bright made in that tract appropriately fit in with the theme of this year’s Easter service of the Resurrection of the Lord.

The sermon is titled, What Christ Has Done For Us, and I am making it available for you in the following formats...

• As a Web Page (HTML)
• As a PDF file (good for printing)
• As an MP3 file you can download
• Archive.org Audio Page for Listening
• The Outline is also available in PDF format

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Internet Archive: Have This Mind (Sermon Posted)

Internet Archive: Details: Have This Mind: "In the second chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul calls upon the early Christians to imitate Jesus. He asks this to have the same mind as Christ, who is the very model of humility in that he emptied himself, taking human form to share in our humanity that we may share in his divinity - that is, his glory."

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The Risk of Faith (Sermon)

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Scriptures: Genesis 12:1-4a; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

In our texts today we consider the challenge of Jesus call to discipleship. When he challenges us to follow him, we have to do so without being weighted down by our pasts. How is that possible? We have to let go of the past.

Additional Notes and Scripture References for the sermon. (These notes will not make much sense by themselves. They are meant as references to check while listen to the sermon - or after having listened to the sermon).

I recently went back to Pennsylvania and it was an experience that was quite unique for me. It was the first time I had been back since my grandfather had died. For the first time I would see my grandparent’s home since it has been sold to another family. This house that was built in 1945 and served as a childhood home for my father’s generation and my generation would no longer be home. There would be no going back.

The tie to the past — the tie to land.

Abraham’s call to leave his home — his land: “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘;Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.’” Genesis 12:1 (NRSV)

Forgetting what lies behind...

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14 (English Standard Version)

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62 (ESV)

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night because he doesn’t want to jeopardize his ties to his past.

Letting go of the past can be healing.

“Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.”. Hebrews 3:6 (NASB)

Jesus warns that a life of discipleship will not be easy...

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22 (ESV)

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Facing the Temptations of Our Day (Sermon)

Texts: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

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Today we take a look at the temptations of Jesus. These three specifically mentioned temptations address both patterns of ministry rejected by Jesus and temptations we continue to deal with today.

The first temptation: turn these stones into bread. One of the temptations we struggle with is the desire to possess and own things we do not have. We have built tremendous shrines to this desire. We call them department stores. Jesus rejects a model of ministry where he will be a savior who simply provides for people's desires.

When Jesus does supply for physical needs and desires it usually results in people who follow him for what he provides rather than people who wish to be disciples - followers of Jesus. Jesus will not be a Savior who is there to cater to the needs and desires of people. This stands in sharp contrast with some preachers of today who offer a Gospel of Wealth. This is not the Gospel of Jesus.

The second temptation: Satan takes Jesus to a high place of the temple and challenges him to throw himself down and let God send his angels to lift him up. This would certainly make Jesus famous. Remember, Jesus is unknown at this point. But, Jesus rejects a model of ministry that depends on fame. Even when he touches the lives of people and brings them wholeness and healing he tells them to keep silent about it. When his fame does spread he again attracts people who follow him in an attempt to seem something miraculous - a show. When the people demand to see signs, he jrejects their request.

We, too, deal with a desire to be famous. The dream of so many young people is to be the next superstar: the next big quarterback or rock star. Auditions for shows like American Idol (the title is telling) gathers hundreds of people who certainly must know they have no talent whatsoever - but they come anyway.

Jesus rejects a glitzy style of ministry that seeks to attract people with show.

The third temptation: Satan finally takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world and offers them to Jesus if he would only bow down and worship him. After all, hasn't Jesus come to lay claim to the lives and souls of people? But this promise of power and a coersive claim over our souls is rejected by Jesus. He rejects a model of ministry that is based on power. He rejects an opportunity to claim souls by force. Jesus comes to offer life.

We deal with the temptation for power as well. How many times have we seen individuals, institutions, and nations impose their will on others for what is best.

After Jesus rejects these model he moves on with his ministry. He begins by walking along the shore and calls out to some fishermen. “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers for people.” He begins by gathering a small group around himself. People he will commit himself to. People he will prepare for continuing the work of his ministry.

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Mountaintop Light in the Valley of Shadows (Sermon)

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1. Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

2. Jesus said "I am the Light of the World"

3. Jesus said "You are the Light of the World!

      You put a light on a stand that all may see
     A City Built on a hill cannot be hid"

4. How are you a Light in the Valley?

The Power of Your Witness -- A Life of authenticity!

Exemplifying the Godly Act of Forgiveness!

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The Mark of Christ (Sermon)

The Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C)
May 13, 2007 (Mothers' Day)

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Texts...
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29

Revelation 22:4 "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads." World English Bible (WEB).

In our society there are many people who are concerned with the mark of the beast, but the real question should be if you bear the mark of Christ. Today we take a look at what it means to be marked by Christ.

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