Wilderness Wanderings

A special, extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Colossians 1:1-14 from the New International Version of the Bible. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

DIVE IN QUESTIONS

1. Is it ok for a sermon to be about giving thanks for God's work in the congregation that sermon is being preached to? Why?

2. In what ways might you be able to make gratitude to God for the others in the church a bigger part of your life, and therefore, our life together as God's people?

3. What might you thank God for about Immanuel CRC?

4. What does pastor Anthony thank God for about the faith, hope, and love of Immanuel CRC? Were any of those things new or surprising to you?

5. Of course, our church isn't perfect: it never will be this side of eternity. God continues to do his work in us and we continue to grow in his grace. So, what do you pray for our church going forward?

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The day I prepare this devotional, I led the funeral for Henry Katerberg. Among the many things he will be remembered for is that he was a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a shepherd in Christ's church. I wonder how many times he travelled to a cemetery along with a family who was leaving behind their loved one.

I can imagine Henry standing at the graveside reading these words from 1 Thessalonians to reassure and comfort this grieving family. Today, I read them to Henry's family as they stood at his open grave. And we return to them, on the Friday after Easter, as we continue to meditate on the hope we have in Christ.

Remember that the Old Testament ideas about life after death were very vague. We find references to Sheol, the place of shadows and death. The idea of resurrection and heaven are not found there. They are things of the New Testament. Paul wrote these words to the church because many Christians were afraid of death, thus Paul ends saying, "Encourage one another with these words". In obedience to that challenge, we take up these words.

Paul wants to make several things clear. First, when Christian's die, they go to be with Jesus. We do not need to worry about them at all. They are in a much better place than we are. They are with their Lord and ours. In fact, they are so well cared for, that when Jesus returns, they come with him. Paul also says that their bodies will be raised, so resurrection, the reunion of body and soul.

Secondly, Paul wants us to understand what will happen when Jesus returns. He will come with those who have already died, and their bodies will be resurrected. Then those who are still alive will join them in the air and be with Him forever. Notice the emphasis on being with Jesus. This is eternity, being with Jesus forever. It will be the best family reunion ever. We will all be there, and we will all want to stay, which, of course, we will.

Paul makes something else clear: when Jesus returns it will be the opposite of his first coming. He came unobtrusively the first-time round. If the Magi from the east had not shown up in Jerusalem asking about him, who would have known? But not his second coming. There will be fanfare. This time, no one will miss it. Despite all the theories to the contrary, Christ's second coming will be seen by all on earth.

And please don't worry about how this will happen. We are talking about the God who can raise the dead. Surely, this will only be a minor miracle. All will see him and acknowledge him as Lord.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

These too, are words often heard at funerals. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

It can feel strange sometimes to hear them at a funeral. Because, isn't the sting and victory of death obvious there? How can Paul speak so confidently?

Our congregation has faced a lot of death this past year. Today we'll face it again at a funeral as we grieve Henry's death.

But funerals aren't the only place we feel the sting of death. We also feel it as we're once again ordered to stay at home and as we watch the case counts in our Province rise. We also face down death as we feel and witness the impacts, not just of the virus, but also of the lockdowns themselves. Jobs lost, inequities revealed, again, and mental health incidence rates, substance abuse, and other forms of abuse once again on the rise.

So how can Paul say that "Death has been swallowed up in victory"? Well, he says it, because he believes in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus defeated death. Jesus rose from death to life. He won the victory over death. And Jesus promises that that victory will be ours as well.

We too will live in the resurrection life of Jesus. Just, not yet. It's not a question of "if" it will happen. Paul quite clearly uses the word "when."

So yes, today death remains: all around us. Today, we find ourselves still waiting and longing for the day when our perishable bodies will be clothed with the imperishable, and our mortality with immortality. But, Jesus' human body was, the sure promise that ours will be too.

And so while we wait, we remind each other of this, our hope in Jesus Christ. We remind each other each time again in the face of death, as we'll do again today: that the day will come when the perishable is clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. The day when we will have finally received that promise we've waited for and believed all our lives. The day when it can truly and finally be said:

Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

This passage is a standard at Christian funerals. As I am sure we have said before here, it helps Christians to grieve well. I've noticed that many people are not sure what happens when someone dies and so they do not know how to respond to the death of a loved one.

No one has every told me that they believe we simply cease to exist. Most people believe that something of us continues after death but have only the vaguest idea of what that might mean. Its easy to live with a vague understanding of death until death affects one personally. Then, it really does matter what we believe about what is beyond death.

To lose a loved one is a deep emotional shock. And it can be a struggle is to bring our faith and emotions together. For the early Christians it also created spiritual questions. They had come to believe in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. Death was defeated, it had lost its sting. Is that not what we celebrated just this weekend? If death was defeated why were Christians dying? They believed that Jesus would return in their lifetime, not that Christians would die. So, what was going on?

This question was creating fears in the church. One answer was that those who died were not Christians at all. Their faith had never been real and now they were lost. This caused those still living to wonder if they truly believed. Another common option was that those who had died had a weak faith. This too caused anxious questions, "Is my faith strong enough?" Or maybe death had not been defeated?

That is one set of questions. But there was another. The second was that Christ had returned and all those who were still living had missed it, as in the Left Behind series. Christians who put any stock in the Biblical accuracy of that series ought to study this passage. The idea that they had missed Christ was an horrifying thought.

Ignorance leads to fear, and so Paul wants to assure that the Christians have the facts right. His most basic teaching is this: those who have died and those who are still alive are all in the hands of Jesus. To all this fear and anxiety, Paul says, 'Don't worry, those who have died are still in Christ's hands. We are all safe.

Our hope is grounded in Christ's victory over death through His resurrection. There is life after physical death. Paul uses the word 'sleep' to refer to death. It suggests something that is temporary. He, of course, borrows this from Jesus, who used that language about his friend Lazarus.

Being asleep involves future awakening. The point of sleeping is to wake up fresh and renewed. Those who die in Christ go to be with him. They are not separated from him. Jesus' resurrection means that Christians who have died will be raised too – these two belong together. Jesus' resurrection and ours, go hand in hand.

Death still separates, but not forever. When Jesus returns, he will bring with him all believers have already died. Its right for Christians to grieve when death comes. But we grieve with hope.

…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. … If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:14, 19-20a)

As the years go on, I'm more and more convinced about what Paul writes here. If the cornerstone of your faith is not anchored in a belief in the Jesus who rose from the dead: what are you doing here?

Church is not firstly about good community, impactful preaching, rich programs, engaging worship, or any of those other church-shopping list items we tend implicitly to look for and measure value by. Church is firstly about Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. If that is not a belief you hold, your faith is useless and so is your showing up in a church online or on a Sunday. Because if Jesus Christ has not been raised, then there is no good news to be found here. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, we're still in our sins, those who've died in Christ are lost, and there's no hope for the future.

It is that important.

But here's the thing: Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. That's why we celebrate on Easter. That's why we accompany our dearly departed loved ones at funerals with prayers, singing, and a Gospel proclamation of resurrection in Christ: that what you see here with a casket and a grave is not the end of the story for this Saint. It's why we work for justice and mercy in this world: because we believe that the risen Jesus is bringing all things to life throughout creation, renewing the whole world, and that he invites and empowers us to join him. And we can join him, because he's alive.

Sin has been atoned for, death and evil defeated. No terrible, evil, unjust, or deadly thing in this world will last. It is all passing away. Yes, even this present pandemic. Life is the end of the story. Life is the final word. Abundant, vibrant, diverse, and colourful life. All because Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.

It is that important.

In this season of Easter, I invite you to believe this good news in Jesus. Believe it again. Believe it anew. Believe it for the first time. And if you don't believe it, or have a hard time believing it: despite what I said at the beginning—don't let that stop you from coming to church. Join us, the company of fools who believe in a risen Lord.

And, even if we don't do it perfectly or as well as the other sweet preachers and worship leaders out there on YouTube: let us tell you this good news again and again. Let us offer it to you, sing it for you, pray it for you. I want you to have this hope that I hold for yourself. It is that important.

A special, extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Philippians 2:1-11 from the New International Version of the Bible (though, this time you'll have to look it up yourself!). No Dive In questions.

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

A special, Good Friday edition of Wilderness Wanderings. The text is John 15:9-17 from the New International Version of the Bible.

To see this sermon in its context of our Good Friday worship service, you can find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

Join us for Easter too!

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") (Matthew 27:45-46).

Today is April fool's day. But there is no tomfoolery in our text. Here we find the darkest, deepest mystery of the scriptural story. The Son of God hangs on a cross calling out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Theologians may look with puzzlement at this scene, but it should cause a sinner to gaze with wonder.

Echoing the darkness at creation, the earth is in chaos again. With darkness, the natural world puts on, as it were, widow's clothing, going into mourning. Here, the human world has committed its most heinous crime. The Son of God came to it, and in response the world's most godly religion and its most advanced government combined to kill him. In great sympathy with its Creator and his Son, the earth plunges into darkness. The king of glory hangs suspended between heaven and earth.

The weight of the world's evil converged upon Jesus, blotting out the sunlight of God's love. Jesus is 'giving his life as a ransom for many'. The sin of the many, which he is bearing, has for the first and only time in his experience caused a cloud to come between him and the father. Jesus has loved and obeyed the father, the one who delighted in him. Now he hangs on the cursed tree.

Jesus remained obedient to the Father to the end. And this, this period of God-forsakenness, formed the heart of his God-given mission. He takes with him, into the darkness of death, the sin of the world: my sin, your sin, the sin of countless millions. This weight that hung around the world's neck is dragged down to destruction.

Rage, pain, and despair made crucifixions gruesome. Yet, Jesus' cry from the cross is not these but prayer. Matthew allows Jesus' Aramaic speech, as if to say: "These are sacred words." This sentence is the Gospel at its deepest; this is why Jesus came – to carry the judgement we deserve.

Jesus' lifeline has been cut. He dies here before he dies. This is Jesus' descent into hell. We should simply stand back in silence before this awful scene and wonder what it means.

When Mel Gibson was producing the film, The Passion of the Christ, he used his own hands in the scene of the Roman centurion nailing Jesus to the cross. In explanation, Gibson said, "It was me that put Him on the cross. It was my sins [that put Jesus there]."

Because of our sins Jesus went there. He turned his face to Jerusalem knowing death waited. He let himself be nailed to the cross to die for us, for the world, and for God's creation. We deserved the curse, but he willingly shouldered it.

Jesus hung on the cross so that we would not be hung there. He hung on the cross so that we would not be abandoned by God as he was. This is no tomfoolery. This is the love of God for me and you.

We need that cross. Without it we are doomed. Without the cross we do not see the love of God. This suffering of God, this sacrifice of God -- all for us, all because of our sin, all because we could not do it for ourselves. For even our death would not have brought us into fellowship with God, nor paid the penalty for our sin.

If all we know of the Bible is that Jesus died for us on an old, rugged cross, then we know enough. This is no tomfoolery. Here is the mystery of the thing: At the very moment when he was most fully embodying the love of God, he found himself totally separated from it, the love which he had known in precious intimacy from eternity.

As he hung on the cross, Jesus did without the Father's face, so that we might behold Him face to face. For see, hovering behind the dark clouds, the Holy Spirit waits for the Father's signal. When it comes, the Spirit will breathe life into the Son's body again. And see the Spirit, brimming with anticipation, to breathe life into all who believe in the foolishness of the cross.

Almighty God, from whom proceeds the fire of love which alone can destroy and purge all the evil of our hearts, and of our world: send your loving Holy Spirit upon us, baptizing us again with that holy fire, that we may ourselves be delivered from the snares of the enemy and be liberated to bring your love and redemption to the ends of the world: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:59-62)

These are the raw materials upon which Jesus said he'd build his church. Faithless, betraying, disowning disciples.

It's not that Peter wasn't given a second chance to think better of his decision to deny public association with Jesus. In fact he was given a third. But Peter doubled down on his denial. Some Gospel writers even report that he called down curses on himself to prove the point.

Today, in this moment in time, a number of reports and studies are going around, suggesting that the Church is hemorrhaging members. That the church of Jesus Christ in North America could be as much as 30% smaller on the other side of this pandemic. Will so many disown Jesus at this point in time? Maybe they wouldn't deny him today on a direct ask like Peter received, but with time, who knows?

That possibility creates a lot of fear for us, or at least it can, I think. Fear for the church. Worry for those who might or who have walked away or gotten lost in the chaos and hardship of this moment. Fear perhaps even, that we might be among them. That this whole hardship might just get to be too much for us if the night carries on for long.

On that night of Jesus' trial, it says: "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." Luke does not report what look Jesus gave to Peter though. Was it a look of anger on Jesus' face? Of condemnation? Of betrayal? Or was it a look of compassion? Of grace? Of love?

I'm not sure, but I do believe it was a moment where Jesus was intentionally discipling Peter. And that at the very least, is an act of loving care. Even while he was on a trumped up trial before the religious leaders that would lead to his death by daybreak—Jesus was working with Peter, the rock upon whom he would build his church.

God is constantly subverting any notion that we have his plans figured out. We never truly know whose out and whose in. Peter denied his Lord at the darkest hour of the night, and yet was forgiven in the cross, redeemed, and brought to new life as the spokesman for the fledgling church of Acts. The fractured rock upon which the church was built. Built ultimately, not because of the faithfulness or faithlessness of the church or disciples: but because of the loving faithfulness of God.

And you know what, God is faithful still. It's a dark hour in the life of the church. Not the darkest ever, but not the brightest either. In the middle of it, Jesus is still looking right at us and at the ones who have wandered or gotten lost along the way. Seeking contact with us still. Pursuing us still. Discipling us still. And always, building his church.

So take heart: Jesus hasn't abandoned us. Even now, he sees us, and through us, he's building his church.

When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him" (Luke 22:49-51)

That sin tries to cover its tracks is not unusual. We have heard stories of people showering their spouses with attention and gifts while seeing someone else on the side. Regularly, we hear of people pilfering funds designated for the needy as they work for relief organizations. Sin works to disguise itself.

In contrast stands Jesus. As Luke tells the story of Jesus arrest and crucifixion, he invites us to look at Jesus, to see him remain true to his mission to the bitter end. As his enemies surround and arrest him as a dangerous criminal, he stops his disciples from fighting back and heals the servant's ear. Here is a picture of the gospel. Jesus ministers to sinners in need. Judas and his crowd are the people Jesus came to minister to. He practices what he preached; he blesses his enemies.

Jesus puts a stop to the sword action of his followers. He wants no struggle at his arrest. He will submit to God's call and to the Jewish leadership's desire to arrest him. They will be held accountable to God for their actions. He picks up the severed ear and heals the servant. Everything about the arrest is told in a way that indicates how amazing it is that anyone seeks to arrest Jesus.

Luke calls the moment of Jesus' arrest a time "when darkness reigns". He means that even though Jesus' death has been ordained, it is not just (Acts 2:22–24). Satan's attempt to stop Jesus is underway again. But Satan's work will be stopped—not by preventing Jesus' death, as the disciples attempt, but through resurrection. Ironically, the cross will accomplish the exact opposite of what the darkness wishes. Such is the mystery of God's ways. Though the Jewish leadership seems to be in control, God and his agent are really in control.

Jesus claims to be on God's side, but those who arrest and crucify him disagree. Luke is inviting us to answer the question, "Which side represents God?" And then, which side will we choose? Will we embrace the forgiveness and blessing Jesus offers those who recognize him through faith? The catch being that he offers it freely to his enemies and ours as well. Can we possibly endure injustice done against us for the sake of the gospel? Jesus calls his followers to such a life.

Jesus' response and absence of violence communicates his confidence in God's sovereignty. He renounces the use of force. Defense comes through the injustice of his suffering, not through the sword. A day is coming when Jesus will do battle (see Rev. 19), but that is not today; we do not need to take up the sword for Jesus now. Our call is to share the Word, love our neighbor and enemy, and work for the unity of the saints.