January 17, 2016

This morning really the sermon title is part of the sermon the good news of Jesus Christ the center of Christianity really the sermon title today sermon title points to last week's sermon which focused on the centrality of Christ atonement on the cross to all of scripture. And and one of the main points that that that we talked about last week was the centrality of the atonement on the cross impacts the way we look at all the scripture so that specifically we talked about the fact that we look at the Old Testament through the New Testament in light of the New Testament. The Old Testament is inspired is God's authoritative word. It's something we go to his followers of Christ. Don't mishear me but the way we interpret the way we handle the way we approach the Old Testament is in light of the Cross is in light of the atonement of Christ. That's the very thing that Christ said and taught the disciples on the road to Emmaus the first words that they heard Resurrected Christ which to me that if this is the first time I've seen the resurrected Christ, I'd be hanging on every word. You know, you were in the grave and now you've come out of the Grave Boy tell me tell me and so Jesus says you need to not be downcast. You need to understand that this was all part of God's plan and the verses in Luke says that Jesus pointed back to the prophets to the Old Testament and it said look I told you this are the lights coming on now everything that was written about me in the old Covenant in the Old Testament and the prophets in the wall was supposed to come true all this was God's plan that I would suffer and that I would pay a price that I would go to the cross that I would redeem Humanities and that I'd be resurrected up out of the Grave until Jesus modeled for them this principle that the Old Testament is interpreted. It is viewed is understood in light of his atonement on the cross and that's foundational. Think about how much trouble that will keep us out of as Christians and as Bible students if we always know that the Old Testament is understood. An interpreted in light of the New Testament because most often we get in trouble. Sometimes theologically when we just think well, we are people of the book people of the Bible and the Bible is the center or the heart of Christianity. No, Jesus Christ atonement on the cross is the center of Christianity. Amen. That's an important but subtle distinctions that we need to make and hold in our hearts and then we go to scripture do all of scripture and especially Old Testament with that conviction in our hearts that the center of Christianity is the work of Christ on the cross and in light of his work on the cross. We look at the scriptures. We look at the scripture through Jesus ice. We look at the scripture through the apostles. I that becomes our guides and too often. We just flip open any page and say well here's the Bible here and we land or finger somewhere and suddenly we get in trouble interpreting in a way that's not true to Christ or the apostles. So I want to continue talking about that court Ruth. That's the centrality of the Gospel that the centrality of Christ's work on. The cross is the heart of Christianity itself.

I want to begin by reading and extended passage from 1st Peter. Okay, so if you will hang with me during this reading it's all going to be on the screen and it's going to be a little longer than you're used to but the take a breath you ready. He kind of mentally prepare yourself at the fact that we really want to look at a large. Here's the good part of it. Today is a little different instead of a short passage and a long sermon. I have a long passage and a short sermon. Can I get an amen read your brother? Right? So it will hang with me for this passage Peter. This is 1st Peter chapter 1 beginning and verse 1 Peter Apostle of Jesus Christ to all those living as aliens in the dispersion of pontus. Galatia, Cappadocia Asia and bithynia who have been chosen. In the four side of God the Father to be made Holy by the spirit obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood Grace and peace be yours in abundance blessed be God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ who in his great Mercy has given us a new birth into a Living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into a Heritage that can never be spoiled or soiled and Never Fade Away. It is reserved in heaven for you who are being kept Saved By God's power through faith until the Salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the final point of time. This is great joy to you even though for a short time yet, you must Bear all sorts of Trials so that the worth of your faith more valuable than gold which is Paris will even if it has been tested by fire may be proved to your praise and honor when Jesus Christ is Revealed you have not seen him yet. You love him and still without seeing him you believe in him and so are already filled with a joist old glorious that it cannot be described and you are sure of the goal of your faith. That is the Salvation of your souls this salvation was the subject of the search and investigation of the prophets who spoke of the grace you were to receive searching out the time and circumstances for which the spirit of Christ bearing witness in them was revealing the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that it was for your sake and not their own say that they were acting as service delivering the message which has now been announced to you by those who preach to you the gospel through the Holy Spirit Sent From Heaven. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

No, continue sense and verse 22 of chapter 1 and feed her since by your obedience to the truth. You have purified yourself so that you can experience the genuine love of Brothers love each other intensely from the heart for your new birth was not from any perishable seeds, but from the imperishable seed the living and enduring word of God for all humanity is grass and all is beauty like the wildflowers a grass withers the flower Fades, but the word of the Lord remains forever and this word is the good news that has been brought to you rid yourself then of all spite and distinct hypocrisy envy and carping criticism. Like newborn babies all your longing should be for the milk the unadulterated spiritual milk, which will help you to grow up to Salvation at any rate. If you have tasted that the Lord is good. He is the living Stone rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him set yourselves close to him so that you too may be living stones making a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual sacrifices made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ scripture chosen precious Cornerstone and no one who relies on this will be brought to disgrace to you Believers. It brings honor but for unbelievers, it is rather a stone which the builders rejected that became a Cornerstone a stumbling-stone a rock to trip people up they stumble over it because they do not believe in the word. It was the Fate in store for them. But you are a chosen race a kingdom of priests a holy nation a people to be a personal possession to sing the Praises of God's who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were an eye on people and now you are the people of God once you were outside is PD now you have received I heard you my dear friends as strangers and Nomads to keep yourselves free from the disordered natural inclinations that attacked the soul always behave honorably among the Gentiles so that you so that they can see for themselves. What moral life you lead and win the Day of Reckoning comes give thanks to God for the things which now make them denounce you as criminals.

What's the word of the Lord?

and last Sunday in preaching about the superiority of Christ Really I preach that sermon from notes from an undergrad class. And I've said this before I keep going back to one Professor who shagged me significantly in my Theology and talk Restoration Church, theology consistently throughout the students and I went back to those notes and love and treasure all these notes I have in my notebooks from him when he made those distinctions and last week cuz I was preaching that sermon I'm thinking about that since I was reminded of a sermon I'd heard Tim Keller give its from 2007 from a conference full of pastors kind of a nerdy academic thing. But I remember how it resonated. It's all want to share some of the things he shared in that talk. I want to give credit where credit is due. He talkin academic language about the doxological gospel in the Christ illogical gospel. I want to bring it down to the language. I have in my mind and in my heart and in such a way that resonate with the Restoration Church So against the storm is piled speak to what we're talking about. The day that Christ is the center of Christianity his work on the cross. The atonement is the heart of Christianity. The gospel is the heart of Christianity and it's vital to understand that distinction and understand that difference and that's what Peter speaks about and that's what he assumed In this passage. See the gospel is good news not good counsel, and I'm sure this before but think about that concept. The gospel is good news. It's the announcement of a new reality. It's the announcement of a victory that's different than counsel. But sometimes we slip into thinking of Christianity and and the gospel as good advice or Good Counsel. And so we look into the book. We look into the scripture to me to hear good things that I should strive to do and it becomes this thing that we're trying to achieve and that's not what the heart of Christianity is about. The heart of Christianity is the Christ on the cross that's the heart of Christianity. The heart of Christianity is the gospel itself. Jesus Christ is Central above everything in scripture. He is it starts and the good news is the announcement of Christ Victory. That's what the gospel is. That's what Christianity is. It's the announcement of a king's Victory and that's the difference between news and Council the word gospel those who preach the gospel comes from a time when a king would go out and fight a battle and if he won the battle then they would send these good news is you on jelly on they would send these good news your back to the city and they would arrive with this gospel this good news, and the News would be the King has one. Now, what do you think? What do you think was the response would be for that if you're in the city and the king is off fighting and he's got the majority of the army with him. So You're vulnerable back there in this little city and they go off and he's fighting and someone comes riding back in on a horse and you're waiting for the news in the news this the King has won the victory man. You talked about a celebration, right? That's what I know. There's nothing left for them to do. The victory has been one. The announcement is the King has won the victory Christ as he went to the cross the devil thought I got him at last I've got God at last time. I tricked them both. I took them in such a way that I am crucified his son come across 10 and on that third day the stone rolled away and Christ resurrected has stepped out Victorious and the good news. Jesus sent to Mary to the women have to go and share the good news to tell the disciples that I was dead. But now I'm resurrected. We thought of it as defeats but it's no longer to face his victory those disciples on the road to a Master heads are hung low. What's wrong? What's wrong? What's wrong? Jesus's don't, you know, don't you understand how to read the Old Testament prophets everything that's happened was the father's plan. And now I'm here to announce to you Victory. The King has secured Victory the one you thought. Defeated instead is Lord and savior of all? Paul says that truth one day will become completely known to every knee in Philippians 2. He says one day every knee will bow every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Not the prince of this world not the adversary who stirs up controversy and disunity and deceit and lays on us a burden and a guilt and a false gospel and tells us there is no Victory or that we must secure the victory or sell that liar that Father of Lies that Jesus refers to him is defeated already and one day that truth will be clear to everyone and every knee will bow every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And we are the gathered group who have already heard and understood and believed that good news that Jesus Christ is Lord that victory has been secured has been won on the cross of Christ.

It's a good news of the Kings Victory. If it was the announcement of defeat, it would be Council and not good news. Think about it. See if the king doesn't win. He sends back a few people to come back and say Gameloft so you need to show up that wall and you can all them and you can in the city and they need to show up this wall. Even young boys even women. You need to find what weapons you can find you need to do all these things or you will die because the Army is coming the King has been defeated. And when the King has been defeated it's not an announcement of something that is accomplished instead. It is counseled. They come back with panic and fear in their voice. And then after the city Feud what you must do or you will die. Sometimes we treat the gospel not like it's news but instead like it's counsel. Instead we feel like we've been told here or the things you must do to secure your own salvation. Here are the things you must do in order for you to save yourself. And so we walk in fear. We will have I have I gone to church enough haven't read my Bible enough. Am I holy enough and we're hoping that somehow we are securing our own salvation. And we're missing out on the core of Christianity the gospel itself the announcement of news not Council your salvation has been one by Christ. a man Honestly, there's times and I'm a time as I always say I'm at the top of this list and I'm not saying that just to be nice. I'm being honest and transparent there's times in the midst of worship that I think somebody ought a jam my honey with a big long needle, you know, they're going to be there a little something. How are we not dancing in the aisles that Christ has won our Victory. How are we not so loud and rambunctious that people say cut it out you're too loud and rambunctious have we ever been accused of being too loud and rambunctious? Anybody ever been to ask that, you know, would you tone your worship down just a little bit. We're trying to have dinner next door not know what you kids and your whole family doing your house so we can hear you screaming about Jesus and how great is that happened to you? Maybe it should. At least once in our lifetime. Should there be One Moment In Our Lifetime when somebody says you're just a little too happy, you know, there's too much skip in your step. What are you so excited about something that shows we are at least get excited as we do about the Wildcats. right Has anyone here ever been to a Wildcat game? Has anybody here ever yell? at Wildcat game if you haven't been to one cat game ever yelled at your TV set. During a wild cat game.

We are at least every now and then maybe Easter Sunday, maybe once a year, you know what every now and then we got to we got to be as excited about the victory that Christ has brought us as we are about basketball championship for football championship or a golf Victory or pick whatever it is that excites you Christ has won our Salvation Christianity is about that good news. The good news of a king's Victory equals. I want to serve the good Kings will The Council of the feet is what you must do not to die, which equals I must serve the Kings will so don't miss hear anything I'm saying here this morning. Both approaches equal a passion for obedience. I'm not preaching a Grace or an easy believism at this will Jesus save me and that's that. I don't have to do anything. It's just one big party for me. I believe that if you believe the true gospel that Jesus Christ has won your salvation, you will be drawn passionately to obey and serve that savior who has secured your victory that good King who went in the Bible on your behalf. He'll despite his wounds we deserve that was our face because of our Victory on your behalf. That's why we know he's a good game. Because he secured victory for us he suffered for us and then he brought back that gift that Victory spin-outs. One of the good news that Christ has won your salvation paid the price is it almost hear me? It is all Grace baby, but it merits a passion for obedience and holding us and response we can also well you don't want the news is that yours I got to do these things are not going to be safe and we end up with that must serve the Kings will Do you see how both of them inspire people to want to be good the inspire people to want to understand their Bible. They inspire people to want to pray and so forth, but you can can you see the difference in the hearts involved in that process?

So I'm not campaigning some sort of Eevee easy believism some sort of, you know Grace that doesn't challenge us and draw us will be obedient servants to God, but the position from which we approach our obedience to Christ is crucial. Do we approach as servants who have seen the gospel who have seen the good news that have said my king bought the victory for me. He paid the price. I am saved. I am righteous. I am cleansed. I am redeemed not because of me but because of Jesus Christ and because of that I want to be one of those knees that bow is right. Now one of those tongues that confesses right now. I don't want to have to wait till the day when it's forced. I don't have to wait till the day when it's a reality. That's no longer failed during this lifetime. But but it's so clear that every knee bow every tongue confess. I want to be somebody who doesn't now amen. I want to proclaim the goodness and the greatness of Jesus Christ with my words and with my life over and over and over because I believe that the gospel is true. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem Sinners as Paul would say of which I am the chief. That's the gospel. That's the good news. That we preach that we follow.

See if it's I want to serve the good King's wheel versus what you must do not to die. If it's the first one knowing and sharing the goodness of God becomes the number one thing in Christianity in the church in your life, if you understand the true God. You understand what Jesus did on the cross then your walk your life becomes one about I want to know God more fully. I want to understand just that the depth of his goodness the depths of his grace. That is why I want to know him is I want to know his character in his heart and who he is. I want to get close to him because he has provided the way Hebrews 4:16 because of the work of Christ throttle P vs. We can approach the throne of God boldly and that crazy. I mean, I don't know. I think I wanted to spend a lifetime trying to figure out a way to somehow Merritt boldly going to God's wrong. We just can't imagine that it's ours at the get-go. We just can't think well maybe when I'm a sweet little old man or sweet little lady who spent years in the church in years being kind to others. Maybe I'll merits that title of Sam. Ash close to God what scripture says that title is given you through the work of Jesus Christ, you are granted entry into the holy of holies when he died on the cross the curtain was torn into no longer where there be a barrier because of Jesus Christ. We can go to the throne boldly. That's all our Christianity becomes one, which our desire is to know the goodness of God and share that with others. Sometimes it ends up being the other thing done it if we end up thinking what I must do. Not to die is the priority then how to succeed becomes the number one thing in the church and then our walk as Christians that becomes the number one thing we're focused on so if you're an author who can write a how-to Christian book how to pray your way to the throne of God how to open up the scriptures in such a way that the hairs on the back of your neck stand and hearing from the very lips of God when you use my Bible study guides how to understand Revelation all those how to become things which we pursue with a desperation that does not reflect the glory of Christ and his sufficient death on the cross and instead our walk with God because when I'm sure I'm trying to do better Lord, I'm trying to get better. I'm going to get that new Beth Moore and I'm going to figure out how to become before I'm going to get the Victorious Christian walk. I'm going to go to that conference and get a triple dose of the spirits bologna. It's a completed work. What we need to do is believe the gospel. Believe what Jesus Christ has done and be so moved by the goodness of God still were not trying to figure out how to so that we can patter selfs on the back if they look at me Lord. I'm a pretty darn good servant. Instead we simply boldly with insane audacity go to the throne of gods and he welcomes us. He welcomes Us in at all. Because of the work of Christ while we were yet sinners almond says Christ died for us even wait for us to clean our act up. I love it. Sometimes when I go to daycare to pick up our little Foster babies and Skylynn who we call Sky is walking already and there's times when I walk and then I was happy to have his more readily with Lee and dance with me by the special Joy when it happens with me. There are times when I walk into the room and she'll be playing with another kid or playing with a toy or even eating a snack which one of her favorite things but every now and then she will just drop whatever she's doing and run straight to me. I'm in his fantastic. You think I would dare say? Oh no, no, no, no, no. No. No, you got a little crumb on your shirt, you know, somebody clean that child before she gets near me. He think I would start to make a list of things that would need to be accomplished before I just reach down and pick her up and hug her. And God the Father long for us to come to him. He's already provided a way. You don't have to find the next greatest book on prayer or or Bible study or devotion and somehow turn the corner. He accepts you and wants you wants you to come to him right now. Just as you are because what he wants is you.

you serenol because the truth is there's none of us that don't have sin. There's none of us that can somehow say Well when they come and get me becoming you Lord with her send, but I'm coming to you with no sin at all. It's just not possible and what he wants is you and he's provided the way I don't care what's in you have in your life on your heart. I don't care how much weighing you down. I don't care what you think separates you from everyone else in this room where everyone else in the world. I don't care if you think but you don't know what I've done. You don't know the secrets of my past Christ covers all of that. His blood is sufficient. Our Salvation is secure for something more precious than even what we can imagine is precious gold. It secured instead with the blood of Christ and its gives us confidence through the word of God that this is what the prophets were always saying in the Old Testament has what Christ fulfilled on the cross and what the apostles proclaimed in the New Testament that the gospel is true that Christ has provided salvation. So nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus nothing. So whatever it is that weighs you down whatever sin whatever you think will and I know you don't know this you can bring it to the throne of God, and he wiped it away without hesitation because of Christ. You just place your faith in Christ and his work.

I'm about to worship team to come forward.

After working on this sermon and thinking about the score truce it occurred to me that we really kind of walked ourselves right up to what's already existed before I ever even arrived at Hillandale is what we said for years is the purpose of the church. We exist Hillandale specifically we exist to reveal the goodness of God in all our relationships as we draw people to Jesus. That's our hearts desire. To be in relationships with folks in such a way that the relationships of us become this window on the goodness of God. That works like Christ in the way. We relate to others if they dare get close to us and open up and reveal a struggle or a sin in our life. We don't say I had you at my dinner table. I can't believe you got that kind of stuff in your life. You don't want you to get that fixed and then you might be welcomed stole the way God the Father looks upon us. We God the father treats us as we get close to someone and they dare to open up their struggles or their send our job is to reveal the goodness of God to them to reveal the prodigal and his father to reveal the father who sets on the porch and when he sees the prodigal runs to him. Give them all the Privileges of being a son just like that because he's returned. where to be that father to all the prodigals and we've which means we got to have relationships are particles, which means we're going to be in relationships that others criticize and we're going to be in places that other criticize Which is what Jesus face again again it would you quit hanging out with all the Sinners is the sick who need a doctor he told him. Our mission is to reveal the goodness of God and all our relationships and by revealing the goodness of God to draw people to Jesus Christ.

Balfour you it may start. Was spending some time in front of the cross. You may need to look at the gospel itself yourself. You may need to reject the lies of the adversarial are things that even pastors our churches have told you and get before the cross and look at the goodness of God displayed there. Look at what God has provided for you. You may need to let God get with you and working your heart and in your thoughts and help you see with Clarity his goodness. But he's good. That he's loving. What is forgiving? That he would rather die. They live without you. That he went to the cross that Jesus said no one takes my life. I lay it down. And let that goodness draw you to him draw you till BTS draw you to a passion to love him. disturb him