New Beginnings Church, Lynnwood

A lesson on the folly of being a friend of the world, and the surpassing excellence of following and being a friend of Jesus. As we come to today's passage, we see Pilate's rejection of the truth about Christ, in order to get the world's approval. Likewise Israel, who had so thoroughly rejected God, outright denies Jesus as their King in favor of Caesar. It is a most sad state of affairs that in both instances, it would lead to the most wicked act humanity has committed in Christ's crucifixion. And furthermore, their rejection of Him for the world's approval would end in their own destruction. It is absolute foolishness to pursue the world with its enticements; they never fulfill, they never last, and they always bring forth judgement. Jesus on the other hand is the Sovereign God, Creator, and Sustainer of all things. Moreover, He died in the place of guilty sinners, so that we would not have to face the wrath we were owed, but instead can be reconciled to God, and have peace that will last for eternity. There is no greater hope than that.

A lesson on the Lord's Supper as one of the ordinary means of grace God has instituted for our sanctification, and for His glory. The Lord's Supper is a time of both celebration, as well as solemn reflection. It is an opportunity for the body of Christ to come, hold, and consume a picture of the gospel. To place into our bodies the reality of what has been accomplished and plied to us spiritually. The body of Christ was broken so that we may obtain His perfect obedient life and resurrection. His innocent blood was shed so that the wrath against sin we incurred would be paid in full, thereby receiving His life everlasting.

The fear of man is the result of not properly fearing God. And make no mistake, you will serve the one you fear the most. Yet even many Christians, though they mean well and desire to serve God, are ensnared by the fear of man. Peter, in his denial of the Lord, was a perfect example of this. The cure for being controlled by the fear of man is to rightly fear God. That requires setting aside all pride and self-sufficiency, and humbly entrusting yourself to God's sovereign purposes. He is omnipotent, omniscient, completely good, and entirely willing to demonstrate His lovingkindness unto His children. While man may indeed do much evil, God's will -including the demolition of evil- is accomplished most often not by its outright removal, but by His sovereign power being displayed through it, and in our faithfulness and obedience to Him in spite of it. Therefore it is necessary that as we follow Christ, we entrust ourselves to the sovereign hand of God. Wherever He leads and whatever He ordains is right- we are called simply to trust Him, and to obey His Word.

The fear of man is the result of not properly fearing God. And make no mistake, you will serve the one you fear the most. Yet even many Christians, though they mean well and desire to serve God, are ensnared by the fear of man. Peter, in his denial of the Lord, was a perfect example of this. The cure for being controlled by the fear of man is to rightly fear God. That requires setting aside all pride and self-sufficiency, and humbly entrusting yourself to God's sovereign purposes. He is omnipotent, omniscient, completely good, and entirely willing to demonstrate His lovingkindness unto His children. While man may indeed do much evil, God's will (including the demolition of evil) is accomplished most often not by its outright removal, but by His sovereign power being displayed through it, and in our faithfulness and obedience to Him in spite of it. Therefore it is necessary that as we follow Christ, we entrust ourselves to the sovereign hand of God. Wherever He leads and whatever He ordains is right; we are called simply to trust Him, and to obey His Word.

The total depravity of man is one of the core Biblical doctrines recovered in the Protestant Reformation, and is among the doctrines of grace. They are so named because they frame and demonstrate our absolute need for God's grace, as revealed in Scripture. Apart from it, we are exactly as those that demanded Jesus' crucifixion, scourged Him, and nailed Him to the cross. And because we are still sinners who are at war with God because of our old sinful nature -even while we may be positionally at peace with Him- we are constantly in need of His grace every moment of every day to kill it. Whenever we sin, we essentially yield ourselves back to that god of -self- which continually demands the death of our Lord. Praise be to Him that though we were rebels, the grace to be both forgiven of our sins and freed from its power are completely ours, found entirely in Christ alone. We are no longer utterly held captive by it, and one day we will be totally removed from its presence. This is what every Christ-follower patiently longs for.

The total depravity of man is one of the core Biblical doctrines recovered in the Protestant Reformation, and is among the doctrines of grace. They are so named because they frame and demonstrate our absolute need for God's grace, as revealed in Scripture. Apart from it, we are exactly as those that demanded Jesus' crucifixion, scourged Him, and nailed Him to the cross. And because we are still sinners who are at war with God because of our old sinful nature (even while we may be positionally at peace with Him) we are constantly in need of His grace every moment of every day to kill it. Whenever we sin, we essentially yield ourselves back to that god of "self" which continually demands the death of our Lord. Praise be to Him that though we were rebels, the grace to be both forgiven of our sins and freed from its power are completely ours, found entirely in Christ alone. We are no longer utterly held captive by it, and one day we will be totally removed from its presence. This is what every Christ-follower patiently longs for.

There is only way to to be rid of the guilt of your sin, and be reconciled to God, and that is through trusting in the perfect sacrifice of the sinless Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus Christ. How else do you suppose you will be right with Him- Through your obedience or 'trying your best'- Even your very best is nothing but filth in God's sight, because He is holy, spotless, and perfect in all His being. And if you seek to be in His presence, you must be holy as well. Thanks be to Him that He has made a way- He gave His Son to bear our guilt and shame so that the record of our transgressions would be blotted out completely- Are you in a season of sin now- How lightly do you esteem His lovingkindness- Repent and turn from your evil, and don't leave any provision for it. Cut it off at the root, whatever it is that enslaves you to it. Draw near to God on the basis of His mercy and lovingkindness. What a marvelous thing it is that God loves to forgive even more than we love to sin- Come to Him confessing your sin and guiltiness before Him, and plead for mercy on the basis of His Son. He wills not that you would perish in your sin, but that you would have your life and peace and joy in Him.

There is only way to to be rid of the guilt of your sin, and be reconciled to God, and that is through trusting in the perfect sacrifice of the sinless Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus Christ. How else do you suppose you will be right with Him? Through your obedience or 'trying your best'? Even your very best is nothing but filth in God's sight, because He is holy, spotless, and perfect in all His being. And if you seek to be in His presence, you must be holy as well. Thanks be to Him that He has made a way! He gave His Son to bear our guilt and shame so that the record of our transgressions would be blotted out completely! Are you in a season of sin now? How lightly do you esteem His lovingkindness? Repent and turn from your evil, and don't leave any provision for it. Cut it off at the root, whatever it is that enslaves you to it. Draw near to God on the basis of His mercy and lovingkindness. What a marvelous thing it is that God loves to forgive even more than we love to sin! Come to Him confessing your sin and guiltiness before Him, and plead for mercy on the basis of His Son. He wills not that you would perish in your sin, but that you would have your life and peace and joy in Him.

A lesson on the release of the criminal Barabbas, in place of the only perfect, guiltless, and sinless man, the Lord Jesus Christ. In God's sovereignty over the narrative of redemption, we see pictured in today's passage a mirror image as it were of our own escape from death. On the one hand, Barabbas was a criminal and an insurrectionist who was due for crucifixion because of his rebellion against the Roman government. On the other hand our Lord had done no wrong whatsoever, yet stood in the place of Barabbas, and was put to death at the demand of the mob. We likewise were due to receive the just wages for our sins -that being death-, and were mercifully released because the only innocent man who has ever lived took our place.-Like Barabbas who was released from the shackles of physical death at the expense of Christ and allowed to go free, we too were criminals held captative under sin and the power of the Law, awaiting the sentence of death. Our only hope is to yield ourselves to complete reliance upon the innocent man Christ Jesus, who stands in our stead and bears our guilt upon Himself. Are you relying on Him-

A lesson on the contrast and conflict of two kingdoms- one heavenly, and the other earthly.--The kingdom of this world -encompassing all earthly nations and peoples- has a disposition of animosity toward God their Creator. They will all fail and fall in the end. But Jesus reigns as King over a kingdom that will never be shaken- a heavenly kingdom established by God, and ruled by God, where His glory is not hidden, nor His lovingkindness obscured. For those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we have become partakers and inheritors of this heavenly kingdom. As such, while we live in this world we are ambassadors of another. Our hope and longing is not only to be rescued from the penalty of sin -which we have been, for those who trust in Christ-. Nor even merely from the external effects of the fall, such as pain, sorrow, and ultimately death. But we long to be free from the presence of sin altogether. --What offends God should offend us. What is criminal against our King is criminal to us as well- That is the Spirit abiding in us, causing us to live in the reality of our true home. Since we are of Christ's heavenly kingdom, and will be joined together with Him in glory in a short time to come, let us therefore make the most of the time God has entrusted with us here. We live not for earthly pleasures, but for God's glory. That is manifested in our preaching, our worship, our discipling, our evangelism, and all other means by which God's attributes are put on display. In so doing, our hearts are lifted up in praise and adoration of our marvelous God and King, Jesus Christ.