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Published: 21 July 2016

I’ve said it.  I’ve said it after reading certain portions of the Old Testament.  I’ve said it after hearing some sermons.  I’ve said it after watching a movie.  In each case, it was very likely my fault.  Sometimes I just don’t listen very well.  Quite often I lack capacity.  When I was a student at Cedarville we had a very distinguished professor from Grand Rapids speak in chapel for four days on the 10 Commandments.  I left everyday saying, “I didn’t get anything from that.”  I know there was profound material proclaimed but I missed it.  I’m a little concerned some might leave this coming Sunday with those words.  The burial of Jesus Christ is recorded by all four gospel writers.  There is meticulous attention to detail.  It is tempting to wonder why it is recorded.  As I think about all the issues people face, even I wonder why we need to think about the burial of Jesus.  How does this assist the hurting parent?  How does this help the struggling marriage?  How does this comfort the grieving person?  The answer comes with time.  We have to soak in this awhile to absorb the truth.  We have to stare at the “picture” until we see it more clearly.  We have to get quiet that we might hear things we might not otherwise hear.  There is something here for all of us because this record of the burial of the King is foundational to the rest of the story we hold close to our hearts.  Without a genuine death and a validated burial, Matthew 28 is a hoax…and if Matthew 28 is a hoax…well, read 1 Corinthians 15.  

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Published: 14 July 2016

There are at least two ways that phrase is used.  First, it is used by the person who has determined a certain identity, course or position and they are stating their commitment.  This can be good or bad.  For example, a person who has decided to follow Jesus might say, “I have chosen Jesus as my principal Teacher for life, I’ll never change.”  That would be good.  On the other hand a person might say, “I hate Dutch people, I’ll never change.”  That would be bad.  There is a second way that phrase is used but it is not reflective of commitment; it is stated in despair.  Maybe you’ve been afflicted with a besetting sin.  You know, that one that always gets you.  Maybe you are addicted to something.  Maybe you have anger issues.  Maybe you have a habit that alienates you from others and brings you shame.  You try and try and try and for a while you do okay and then…boom…you blow it.  In despair you say to others, or under your breath to your disappointed self, “I’ll never change.”  It’s a hopeless feeling and can lead some people to give up all together.  Believe it or not, our study of the cross of Christ has a cure for the loss of hope when it comes to the subject of change.  Lord willing, we’ll be looking at it with some detail on Sunday but in summary, consider this.  According to Romans 6, a person who is united to Christ by faith was crucified with Him!  This means that a believer is no longer under the penalty of sin AND no longer subject to its influence.  What it means for us is this, we do not have to sin.  Seriously?  We often make up excuses…”Well I’m a guy, so I have to…”  “Well, I’m a pessimist so I have to…”  “Well I’m lonely so I have to…”  We underestimate the power and sufficiency of the cross of Christ if we are thinking that way.  Paul admonishes a new thought pattern based upon our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, “Consider yourself to be dead to sin!”  WARNING: C.S. Lewis wrote, “Make no mistake, God says, “If you let me, I will make you perfect.  The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for.  Nothing less than or other than that…you can push Me away, but if you do not, understand that I am going to see this job through.””  And, the cross is the reason for this and the resource available to us to cooperate with God to His ends.  “I can change; on to perfection!!!”