Drew’s Blog - Drew Boswell

“Hope for the Chosen Stranger” 1 Peter 1:1-12

“Living Hope”

A Sermon Series Through 1 Peter

“Hope for the Chosen Stranger”

1 Peter 1:1-12

Introduction

For centuries men have tried to run a mile in four minutes. It has been attempted for thousands of years. The Romans and Greeks even tied athletes to bulls so they would run faster and develop stronger muscles, but in the end no one was able to complete the mile in four minutes.

It was simply deemed impossible, and people concluded that the physiological makeup of human beings prohibited them from this feat. In a well known slice of history, one man shattered millennia of belief when he did in fact run the mile in four minutes in 1954.

Roger Bannister finally did what people had tried to do for thousands of years, giving people a new reference about what was possible. Amazingly, once people had a new belief because of his model, within the next twelve months some two dozen others were able to break the four minute mile as well; something that today is a common occurrence. It is remarkable how everything changes when someone opens to us the truth.

Indeed, both can be demanding and both require that we push ourselves to the limit so that our muscles can more fully develop and our endurance increases. And in the end we will be able to look back and see how far God has brought us and be amazed as we can testify that, “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

“what the Christian life is meant to be in times of stress.”[1]

The Author and His Audience (vv. 1-2)

Peter,

In Matthew 4:18 we see Peter’s calling to be one of Jesus’ disciples, “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he (Jesus) saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”2 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Leaving his fishing business behind, he and his brother were with Jesus all through his earthly ministry. John 1:42 says, “Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).” Jesus looked at this man and could see that he would be a rock for the faith. Matthew 16:18, “upon this rock I will build my church.”

Mark 8:31, “And he (Jesus) began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” The book of 1 Peter was written to churches who were suffering because of their following Jesus’ teachings. Peter has grown in his understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times, and when the rooster crowed he knew Jesus had been correct. After the resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and after asking Peter three times, “do you love me? John 21:17-19 “Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter was with Jesus all the way to His going up into heaven, and then was commissioned to go and tell the gospel, to “go therefore and make disciples.” His relationship with Jesus changed over the years of being with Him. The words, “follow me,” mean the same thing as when he is now an apostle – but to “follow me,” changes as we walk with the Lord. By the time the events in Acts took place, Peter gives moving sermons without hesitation declaring Jesus the Son of the living God, performs miracles, has visions, helps the early church advance, and his writings are included in the canon of the Bible.

an apostle of Jesus Christ,

“an apostle is an emissary who operates with full authority of the one whom he is sent.”[2] Peter was one of the twelve disciples who were apart of a group Jesus personally called to be his disciples. These men held the authority of apostles, and represented Jesus and His teachings. Jesus gave them “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” judicial authority to “bind and loose” in the church (Matt. 16:19), and the responsibility to “feed” or “shepherd” Jesus’ followers (John 21:15-17).

In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians, it was agreed that Paul had been “entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews” (Gal. 2:7).

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood[3]:

“Who are elect exiles” – the chosen strangers, “these believers are estranged from their communities because of their distinctive Christian lifestyles.”[4] These elect exiles are scattered “the Dispersion” into various cities in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Asia, etc.) because of persecution of some kind (we are not told what it is). It does not seem to be persecution from the state, instead it is a result of the culture/the local people don’t like the Christian lifestyle (Christians in society) and so are pushing them out.[5]

What is it about these Christians that would cause society to want them to go away? They are described as “elect” and later in v. 3 “born again to a living hope.” Chosen or set apart to be changed and have a relationship with God. When a person becomes a Christian, they begin to break away from societal norms, they become citizens of another country. The traditions they once held, they no longer conform to – they become strangers to the world.

(v. 2) “according to the foreknowledge of God,” – foreknowledge[6], “refers to the past act of putting limits upon something with the present result that some certain thing has been appointed or decreed.”[7] The people are suffering, but God is not caught off guard. Just as Jesus’ suffering and going to the cross was part of God’s plan, their suffering is known by God and He is using it for their benefit, and for the furtherance of the gospel.

Salvation is a work of the Trinity, the Father’s foreknowledge (see above), The Spirit’s sanctification (sanctify means “to set apart”), and the Son’s blood being sprinkled. It is the Father’s “sovereign plan to save His people. That redemption is accomplished by Christ and applied to people’s lives by the Holy Spirit.”[8] This plan for our lives doesn’t stop at salvation, but God works in our lives and lays out a path for us.

God’s foreknowledge God is an ordained plan for our lives, complete with boundaries and direction. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

“for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood,” In the OT on the Day of Atonement, when reconciliation was made for the people of God, the blood of slain animals was taken by the high priest into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat. It was a symbol of the covering of their sins by the blood sacrifice. When Jesus died on the cross his blood once and for all covered our sin.

With Salvation there is the expectation of obedience.

Exodus 24:7-8 “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Peter is referencing the OT people’s pledge to obedience to God’s word who were then sprinkled with blood. NT believers are also called to be obedient to God’s Word, but we are not sprinkled with the blood of animals, but with Christ’s blood. “God is the ultimate source (of our salvation), activated by the Spirit, for the express purpose of/for obedience.”[9]

The obedience that is referred to first is the obedience of following the Holy Spirit’s instruction to have faith in the blood of Christ – to follow the Word of God who became flesh (John 1:1,14). Then as we are sanctified by the Spirit we continue to grow in following God’s Word. We are set apart for God’s kingdom as his children, yet we remain in this fallen world which rejects God.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

What the Christian Life Means In Times of Stress (vv. 3-12)

A Living Hope (vv. 3-5)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance[10] that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter gives a blessing to God, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” – a short doxology, a praise. Why would Peter just stop in mid-sentence and praise God? We are to bless God because we have a “living hope.” When we think of hope it is usually about something we want to happen in the future, but we are not sure if it will happen. As in “I hope they have cheesecake as a dessert option.” But when the Bible uses the word, hope, it is a certainty that will take place in the future. Our hope of eternal life is living and certain because Jesus is living, resurrected from the dead.

This living hope carries more than just living (as in alive), but also actively living, an energizing hope, an optimistic attitude, one that produces excitement and movement.[11] The hope we have in our salvation moves us to action.

A living hope affects how we see the world around us and how we encounter life’s struggles, Proverbs 4:18-19 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”

Peter then tells us of an inheritance, that is waiting for us in heaven. The inheritance is described as, “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” Because we are the children of God, co-heirs with Christ, we have an inheritance that will never go down in value, substance, or purity, and it can never be taken away.

“by God’s power are being guarded through faith,” – Is there anything that break into heaven and steal our salvation, or somehow dimmish its value, or stain its beauty? No, God himself, guards our salvation – He will reveal it “in the last time.” By our faith in God we are able to understand God’s power – the power that guards our inheritance.

But what is the inheritance? “We received justification at the moment we believed. We are receiving sanctification, namely victory over sin and growth as a Christian life now. We will yet receive that part of salvation which awaits us in Glory.”[12] This is glorification – we will inherit a glorified body in which all things are made perfect.

We Can Have Joy In the Midst of Stress Because We have Eternal Life and An Inheritance.

Joy In The Midst of Trials (vv. 6-9)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(v. 6) “In this you rejoice,” – The central theme that runs through 1 Peter is that followers of Jesus, who are suffering (because of the Dispersion) should have hope. Peter is writing to comfort and encourage them. These trials they are enduring are temporary and they have a purpose. God is going to use this persecution against the followers of Jesus for their ultimate well-being.

(v. 7) “so that the tested genuineness of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor” God uses the pain and stress of this life to purify and strengthen our faith. The reason is, “that the trial of our faith might result in praise and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”[13] The result is when Christ is revealed our praise and glory and honor of His name will be true and pure. That process (God’s sanctifying work in your life) is more precious than gold (or any earthly measurement of value).

1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

We Experience Joy Because it is founded upon the promises of God

not Our Current Life Situation.

God values humanity so much that he was willing to give His only Son so that it could be redeemed – Your soul has immense value to God. Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” The economy of God values human souls and having a relationship with Him incredibly high – how do you value your own soul? But just as gold is refined so is the human soul.

You value your current comfort; God values your soul’s development and how you end up. “Just as fire separates gold from useless dross, so God uses suffering and trials to separate true faith from superficial profession.”[14]

We Can Have Joy In the Midst of Stress Because God Is At Work In Our Soul.

The Prophetic Witness of the Christian Hope (10-12)

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

This idea of salvation was not something new; the prophets of all throughout the OT spoke of God’s grace, salvation, and future glory. But they didn’t know when the Messiah would arrive. They had prophesied about where Jesus would be born, how he would live His life, even the details of the crucifixion. They knew Jesus would suffer.

Those Christians suffering as a result of the Dispersion, have experienced God’s grace and salvation through Jesus. But just as Jesus had suffered, they too, as His followers must also suffer – but His suffering led to Hid glory, and our suffering in His name (or because of our following His teachings) will lead to our being more like Christ.

12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The prophets looked on and marveled at God’s promises, and the angels also look at on and marvel at what God is doing for human beings. Angels are not participants in salvation but spectators of it. Angels marvel at how once depraved creatures far form God, now live holy lives glorifying God. The angels delight in looking on to what God is doing on earth, and when one sinner repents, there is cheering in heaven, “Luke 15:10 “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Also, the prophets of old were painting a prophetic picture of Jesus and salvation over generations, and their ministry “were serving not themselves but you,” They were pointing the way for Jesus to fulfill their prophecy, and their words were for the future generations to have faith in Jesus because of their revelations. Today we are blessed to have the complete revelation of who Jesus is.

We Can Have Joy in the Midst of Stress Because We Have The Complete Salvation Picture.

Conclusion

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[1] J. Ramsey Michaels, Word Biblical Themes, 1 Peter (Dallas, Texas; Word Publishing, 1989) x.

[2] Greg W. Forbes, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament, 1 Peter (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman, 2014) 11.

[3] See also Ezekiel 36:25-27.

[4] Forbes, 12.

[5] Leonhard Goppelt, A Commentary of 1 Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993) 20.

[6] Not knowledge beforehand.

[7] Kenneth S. Wuest, First Peter in the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1960) 16.

[8] R. C. Sproul, An Expositional Commentary, 1-2 Peter (Sanford, Florida; Ligonier Ministries, 2019) 7.

[9] Forbes, 13.

[10] See also Matthew 6:19-21.

[11] Wuest, 20.

[12] Wuest, 22.

[13] Wuest, 25.

[14] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1 Peter (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Publishers, 2004) 44.

“What Does The Empty Tomb Mean?” Luke 24:1-31

“What Does The Empty Tomb Mean?”

Luke 24:1-31

Introduction

Years ago we bought a couple of movies for a road trip that the Boswell family was going to take. One the movies was “Meet the Robinsons.” I had read the reviews of an it was a Disney movie so I put it in the dvd player and we got on the road. There was a part that I could not see that both of the boys (Joshua and Caleb) really did not like – even border line scaring them. It is where the boy is desiring to be adopted so he is trying to impress the potential parents by showing them his invention of a peanut butter and jelly gun. There is a malfunction and the peanut butter gun explodes sending it all over the man who has a bad reaction. The woman grabs an epi pen and injects her husband just in time before he was going to pass out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVZ-BFZmDTQ (play behind with no sound)

Joshua and Caleb are very allergic to peanut butter. It causes them to swell up and we have to stay on top of things constantly. At one stage Joshua tested 4 out of 5 for reaction to peanuts – with 5 being shock and death. So, the boys have had a fear of peanuts their whole life. There have been a few occasions over the years when they have gotten too close, and the effects were very scary.

As their father I am helpless to change this about them. The best that I can do is to try and protect them from the potential dangers. So, from now on the boys will have to live with this severe allergy. But what if I could somehow take this fear away, to make it to where the boys could sit down and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? To even know what peanut butter tastes like!

But this to me is what Easter is all about – we all have a condition that we cannot change, we were born with it, and it is leading us to an eternal death. But God as the all-powerful Father has made a way to be rid of sin and death forever. We no longer have to live in fear of death. This Easter I would like to invite you to journey with me as we discover what the empty tomb means for your life. Let’s go look into the empty tomb.

Prayer – Lord, show us this morning what you would have us to know about you and the power of your resurrection. Show us areas in our lives where we need to change and become more like, and show us where we need to trust you more. You alone are good and gracious, and you alone have the power over sin and death. Thank you for enduring the cross for us, and giving us eternal life. To you belongs all the praise, and all the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

For the Women the Empty Tomb Meant Hope (vv. 1-12)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 23:48-49 “And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle [Christ’s crucifixion], when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.” The woman had followed Jesus through his ministry, watched as he was crucified.

Luke 23:55-56 “The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.”

Old Testament law required that they rest on the Sabbath [Saturday], so they sat smelling the spices and the perfumes they had purchased and prepared. Thinking of their teacher laying in the tomb bloody, his body broken, and they would have had an urgency to prepare Christ’s body before the stink of decomposition.

Two of those women who would have been among their number was Mary and Martha, as they smelled the pungent spices and sat and rested their minds would have rushed back to their own brother’s death. Martha would have remembered running up to Jesus.

John 11:21-26 “ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:40-44 “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Then on Sunday morning, literally Sunday at “deep dawn” the women set out to carry the 80 plus pounds of spices and perfumes to cover the smell of decay. But when they get there the only thing left in the tomb are the grave clothes, the sheet that Jesus’ body had been wrapped in. There was no smell of death, there was no body, there was only an empty tomb.

Matthew 28:4 “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.” In order for the women to look into the tomb, they had to step over the soldiers as they lay scattered on the ground.

Where were the 11 disciples? The disciples do not seem to be focused on getting Christ’s body from Pilate, preparing his body for burial, finding a place to even bury him, or performing some kind of a ceremony – the disciples are focused on how their plans were not working out.

Jesus had clearly told them what was going to happen. Matthew 20:17-22 “And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

But the disciples had their own plan – “20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”

“4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,”

The women were coming to cover the smell of death with perfumes and spices, then they remembered his words, not only that “on the third day be raised again,” but what about his other words, “I am the resurrection and the life,

John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

“Then they remembered his words” – what does God have to do for us to get it? Jesus himself told them on several occasions, so the angel says, “Remember how he told you”, the earth shook at his death, the Temple curtain was torn in two, the dead were raised and walked among the people, Jesus’ body was not in the tomb, and finally angels themselves say, “He is not here, he has risen!”

9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

In all the gospel accounts of the resurrection, once the women saw the angels, had seen that the tomb was empty, they quickly went back to tell the disciples. The spices and perfumes that they were going to be used to cover Christ’s body were never mentioned again.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Because of Christ’s resurrection, we have victory over sin, the power that raised Christ from the dead now lives within the believer. We have victory over death, Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The sting that comes with death can be swallowed up in victory because we know that we have eternal life through Christ. We can leave the concerns and the weight of death behind us in order to run forward and announce to others Jesus is risen! We don’t have to pretend that we are ok, we don’t have to cover up the filth with pungent excuses – we can be changed, we can have real life, a new life.

When the women go back and tell the disciples – the disciples have two responses. One is disbelief because it seemed like nonsense. They had seen Jesus calm the storm, heal the sick, cast out demons, they heard him teach unlike anyone they had ever heard before, they even saw Jesus raise the dead – but they still didn’t get it.

If you just don’t get it, that’s ok, the men who spent three years face to face with Christ didn’t get at first either. But let me encourage you do what Peter does. He responds by running to the tomb. Peter wanted to see for himself. “he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” He observed the evidence.

This morning if you are wondering about Jesus’ death and this whole idea of Jesus actually being raised from the dead – don’t dismiss it as non-sense. Instead, go and challenge the evidence. It has held up to two thousand years of skeptics, it can hold up to any questions you may bring against it.

Because what if it’s true? 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

For the Disciples the Empty Tomb Meant Purpose (vv. 13-32)

They had a purpose in life (vv. 13-20)

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

The disciples did not understand that one day they would be separated from Jesus and that He would go to be with His Father in heaven. But even more astounding than this is that the disciples had a mission that they were to accomplish.

John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” As believers pray, Jesus in heaven intercedes for us before the Father. As we seek to follow God’s will he will give us the desires of our heart.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This purpose required a substitution of their wants and plans (v. 21-24)

21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

For these disciples the redemption of Israel was in terms of political freedom from the Romans. Jesus had told them several times[1] what would happen they put it all in terms of how they would benefit.

Their concept of redemption was freedom from Rome, not freedom from sin – They were all looking for “the one” and since they had given three years of their lives – who knows what they were expecting “to get from Jesus” when he became a king. But now his death had changed all that.

The resurrection teaches us that if we are to be true disciples of Christ we have to put away our plans and our wants and ask God “what’s your plan for my life.” The disciples were in essence saying “we had hoped he would do this for us, and this for us,” they never stopped to think that Jesus’ plan for them was beyond anything they could ever even imagine.

For Jesus the Empty Tomb Meant Redemption (vv. 25-27, 30-31)

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. . . 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

Even bigger than the question of was Jesus raised from the dead? Is the question “Why was Jesus raised from the dead?” All of the Old Testament pointed to a promised messiah who would redeem mankind from the bondage of sin.

The Old Testament also explains that this Messiah that was to come had to suffer these things in order to make a way for mankind to have a relationship with God.

Jesus did not come to simply amaze people with miracles for no reason, he told the disciples time after time why he would suffer the cross. The resurrection means that the power that raised Jesus from the dead can take away all the wrongs that you have ever done, it can give you power to live a new life, it can give your life purpose and meaning.

The real question this morning is “what does the resurrection mean to you?

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins, I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.” In Jesus’ Name

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[1] Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:33

“Where Is The Lamb?” Genesis 22:9-24

Father Abraham

A Sermon Series

“Where Is The Lamb?”

Genesis 22:9-24

John 1:29 “The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

A Father Who Holds Nothing Back (vv. 9-10)

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

(v. 2) “go to the land of Moriah,” – Abraham and Isaac have traveled to a very specific place for what is about to transpire. Moriah is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:1 – this would be the place where the temple would be built, and where Jesus would die on the cross. God told them, I want you to go to a very specific place (the eventual place of the cross), to do a very specific act of worship (lay down your son as a way of forgiveness of sin), in a very specific way (laying down his life). All of this points to Jesus.

This foundational act of worship (Abraham offering his one and only son as commanded by God) would take place in the land of Moriah. Then the Temple worship would come to be where animals would be slaughtered in accordance to the law. Then in the fullness of time, the cross would be lifted up where the Son of God would lay down his life, and be slaughtered for the sin of humanity).

Isaac was likely a young man, not a small child. Estimates generally range from his late teens to 37 years old. Common scholarly and traditional views suggest he was roughly 25 to 37 years old, as he was strong enough to carry the wood for the sacrifice up Mount Moriah[1] – more than strong enough to wrestle away from a 100-year-old man. He was not taken by force, Isaac willingly laid down on the alter because his father told him to.

Isaac carried the wood where he would be the sacrifice, the Father carried the knife and the fire and would be the one who kills his own son.[2]

God is not cruel or seeking to strip something away from Abraham,[3]

He is foreshadowing a Savior that is coming,

God is showing how a father will sacrifice his son for the covering of sin.

(v. 1) tells us that this was a test, “God tested Abraham,” – So what is the test? The test is “Can I trust God?” To have faith is to accept certain things about God (truth, love, just, etc.) that is why we have the Bible, so we can get a true picture of who He is, and then to act on His Word. All of the salvation story revolves on how we respond to God’s Word – we are saved by faith.

A Father Whose Heart Is Broken (vv. 11- 14)

11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Why did God put Abraham through this “test?” Because he has to feel and understand what a substitute means. If there is no understanding of loss, there is no rejoicing in the substitute. Ultimately this is a foreshadowing of how God laid His own Son down, and offered him as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world. He would not stop mid-blow, but instead bring down His full wrath upon his one and only son, the son who he loved.

Salvation means nothing until a person truly understands where they stand before God apart from Christ. What is the value of a substitute if you have never felt the pain of loss. Why turn from sin if you have never understood what that sin cost our heavenly father? God has to get Abraham to the point of realizing his complete loss (of Isaac), and then in that mourning and fear of loss God provides the substitute. Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”

Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, once said, “The use of this dreadful subject, may be for awakening unconverted people in this congregation. What you have heard is the case of every one of you who are out of Christ. That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you! There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God! There is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open, and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of! There is nothing between you and Hell but the thin air! It is only the power and mere pleasure of God, which holds you up!”

When we realize that because of our sin, we have lost everything of any value in this world or in the next, we cry out for Jesus. Then, God withholds nothing for those who place their faith in His Son. He lavishes them with forgiveness of sin, spiritual gifts, eternal life, adoption as His children, placing on them a robe, and ring, and sandals on their feet – their poverty of sin is turned to heavenly riches of grace and mercy.

But you cannot understand the power of the father running to us as the prodigal, unless you realize that you have lost everything and your stomach aches to eat what the pigs are eating. Otherwise, the father’s running to you in love, the ring, the coat, and sandals are easily discarded for Satanic substitutes.

(v.14) “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”” – Jehovah Jireh or “The Lord will see to it.” This description and name is given in the future tense, meaning God will see to and provide in the future a substitute for man’s sin – The Father will see our sinful condition, and provide a substitute so that we may live – so that we will not have to pay the penalty for the sin we have committed. When Isaac asked, “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, . . .”

“Where is the lamb?”

“How can I be free from my sin?”

“What must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:25-31 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Our Father has seen our need (sin) and has provided a way for you to be saved from your sin. He gave His One and Only Son as a substitute for you.

Isaiah 53:5-6 “. . . he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

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In this account Abraham received a picture of what the Messiah would be like, John 8:56 Jesus is discussing who He is with the religious leaders, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” But what did Abraham see about Jesus that made him glad?

“When he takes the knife, and stretches forth his hand to slay his son, he is made to realize the intensity of the love of him who spared not his own Son, but gave him up even to death.” Ultimately, Abraham would not have to give his son, but he would understand the love given to him and all other sinners because of the true sacrifice.

“The lamb provided for Isaac’s release, there is a vivid representation of the great principle of the sacrifice of Christ – the principle of substitution (substitutionary atonement). A ransom is found for the doomed and condemned – an acceptable victim in their place.” Abraham would know the feeling of joy and release in that he doesn’t have to give his own son as a sin offering.

“In the reception of Isaac again by Abraham virtually from the dead, and his welcome restoration to his father’s embrace – not, however, without a sacrifice, not without blood – the resurrection of the Son of God, and his return to the bosom of the Father – after undergoing that death which Isaac underwent only in figure – might clearly and strikingly discerned.”[4] What Abraham experienced showed him all that his faith longed to see. Jesus would return to and be embraced by the Father – Abraham understood what that reception would be like.

There is joy in a day of resurrection; Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” With Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, sin and death has been defeated. Death causes us to weep and mourn. Jesus thinking about his friend Lazarus’ tomb and wept. But Abraham through this experience was able to see a day when Jesus would come, and defeat death and there will be a day of resurrection when all things will be made right once more. Joy will come in the morning.

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A Father Who Is Blessed By God (vv. 15-19)

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.[5] And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

(v. 18) This is the first time we have the word “obey” in the Bible – because Abraham obeyed God’s command, etc… Abraham’s obedience was immediate. When he was told to circumcise the males in his camp, “on that very day,” (Gen. 17) he carried out the command. When told to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering, “he arose early the next morning,” (Gen. 22). He was obedient in that he obeyed quickly. Abraham was going to Mt. Moriah to worship God; Worship is rooted in obedience – you cannot worship God while willfully being disobedient.

(v. 16) We are told why Abraham is being blessed, “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you . . .” Hebrews again speaks to this passage, Hebrews 6:13-15 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”

Abraham’s descendants, have already been described as “a great nation,” “as the dust of the earth,” “the stars of the sky” and here God adds, “as the sand that is on the seashore,” Abraham’s faith is rewarded in that many others will also place their faith in Christ – His faith will direct countless others to put their faith in the one true God, and the substitute He provides (His own Son).

(v. 17) “And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” – Those who put their faith in Jesus don’t have to win the battle over sin; victory over sin and death has already been completed – they simply possess it. The enemy and his city have been defeated. The children of God simply occupy/possess the land already conquered.

James 2:21-24 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Salvation is received (we obtain salvation) by faith alone (not works) – but that faith in God should drive us to obedient actions. Abraham’s faith demanded that he sacrifice Isaac – which his heart was willing to do.[6] There are countless opportunities to express your faith in Christ in your church (we are starting Good News Clubs, young adult ministries, there is group that gathers to pray every Wednesday morning, children’s ministry, student ministry, you can invite people to church or your Sunday School class, Easter is a few weeks away, on and on are opportunities).

If you think of faith the inward, and works as the outward – both have to exist. Faith without works is dead (it’s not real, its pretend, your just religious). Works without faith is exhausting self-righteousness, trying to accomplish the impossible. You don’t even know why you are doing what you are doing – there is no foundation underneath your efforts.

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When he received the command to offer his son as a burnt offering he left early the next day, saddled his donkey, cut wood, and went to Mt. Moriah. Faith and Works. Inward and Outward.

James tells us that Abraham “was called a friend of God.” – How does one become a friend of God? 1) They are called by God 2) They repent when they sin and seek to worship God as He has instructed 3) They have faith in His Word 4) They are obedient to His Word 5) Their blessing is the salvation of others – what is important to God is important to them. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

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[1] John 19:17 “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.” Isaac is carrying the wood where he will be the burnt offering.

[2] Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Genesis (Downers Grove, Illinois; Inter-Varsity Press, 1967) 143.

[3] If this were an idolatrous stripping away for Abraham’s sake, then “Abraham without Isaac is greatly troubling, but Abraham without God is unbearable.”

[4] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, Genesis (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2002) 698.

[5] Hebrews 11:12 “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

[6] C. H. Mackintosh, Notes on the Pentateuch, Genesis to Deuteronomy (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers, 1972) 98.