New Testament Reading: John 21:1-25

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. 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.’ (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 turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’ This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:1–25, ESV)

Introduction

Some have wondered about John chapter 21. It seems to some like a strange addition to a letter that has already been concluded. It is true that everything comes to a climax in chapter 20. Jesus lived, he died, he rose again, he appeared to his disciples in his resurrection, leading even doubting Thomas to say, “My Lord, and my God”. And Chapter 20 seems to conclude nicely with this little remark: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31, ESV) It feels like a conclusion. But then there is chapter 21.

It is understandable, then, that some believe this chapter to have been added later by someone other than the original author. Ultimately, I find their arguments to be unpersuasive. For one, there is no manuscript evidence that would suggest this chapter was a late addition. And two, there are good reasons to believe that chapter 21 was indeed a part of the original, literarily speaking.

For example, notice how chapter 21 ties up some loose ends. Peter would go on to be one of the prominent leaders in the days of the early church, but at the end of chapter 20 we know him only as the one who denied Jesus three times over. The author picks up that important element and brings it to a conclusion.

Notice also how chapter 21 is forward looking. In it Peter is restored and recommissioned to serve Christ from that day forward. A word is said about Peter’s future. And a word is also said about John’s future. While chapters 1-20 primarily look back upon the life of Christ, chapter 21 has a forward looking aspect to it.

When you read it it feels a bit like a one of those sequel hooks that sometimes appear at the end of a movie. The movie itself has come to a climax and a conclusion, but a scene is added at the end in order to communicate the idea that there is more to the story.

This is the literary effect that chapter 21 has upon the Gospel of John. It wraps up loose ends, and it does so in such away to communicate that Christ will continue his work in the world through his Apostles, and through the church that is to be built upon them. In other words, the story does not end with Jesus’ early ministry. In some respects, it has only just begun.

Notice three things about this passage:

Jesus Revealed Himself To His Disciples For The Third Time

First of all, notice that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples for the third time.

We know from other sources that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples in his resurrection more than three times, but John presents us with three instances. The number three often represents completion. God is Triune. Jesus rose on the third day. Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus, as we will see, will ask if Peter loves him three times. Here John presents us with three instances where the risen Christ revealed himself to his disciples.

It is interesting that John does not count Jesus’ appearance to Mary. If that were counted, this would be the fourth appearance presented in his Gospel. It is not as if Mary wasn’t a disciple. It is not as if her testimony didn’t count. If it didn’t count John wouldn’t have told us about her experience at all. John is not belittling Mary’s experience. Rather he is drawing attention to the significance of the eye witness testimony of Jesus’ original disciples – the Apostles of Jesus, who were uniquely called and commissioned by him. It is the word of the Apostles that serve as the foundation of Christ’s church. And for that reason John draws attention to them. They saw the risen Lord, not once, not twice, but three times. He appeared to them, not as individuals, but as a group. They, together, were sure that he was alive. Their testimony is true.

Notice that there were seven of them. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were there at the Sea of Tiberias, also known as the Sea or Lake of Galilee. Some commentators insist that there is something symbolic about the number seven. I’m not so sure. There is nothing the Gospel that would lead us to take the number symbolically.

And notice that Peter is still functioning as a leader, despite his shortcomings. He said to the others,  “I am going fishing”, and they followed him. Some have suggested that it was an act of rebellion for Peter to go fishing. The idea is that he was further abandoning the call of Christ, returning to his old way of life, and encouraging the others to the same. He was a fisherman when Christ called him to become a fisher of men, and now he was returning that old profession in rebellion against the call of Christ.

It preaches well, I’ll admit. But we should be careful about being too hard on Peter. These men were in Galilee in obedience to the command of Christ. He told them, “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Mark 14:28, ESV) They left Jerusalem for Galilee after the Passover feast in obedience to Christ, not in rebellion against him. And there is noting inherently sinful about going fishing. Might we not commend Peter for his work ethic? Instead of sitting around idly he went to work. Good for him. And in a moment we will see Peter responding to Jesus, not as a person in a state of rebellion would, but as one who is repentant, longing to commune with the risen Lord.

That said, it should be admitted that the narrative does portray the Apostles as directionless. They do not know what to do. They are far from fruitful, this we must admit. The fishing that night typified their overall experience in life during that season. They worked all night and caught nothing at all. They needed the risen Lord. And they needed the promised Holy Spirit before they could get on with the fruitful work as it is portrayed to us in the book of Acts.

They fished all night and caught nothing. They were coming into shore. And being about 100 yards away from the shore they saw a figure standing there in the early morning light. The man called out to them saying, “‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’” (John 21:5, ESV) The man then said, “‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.” (John 21:6, ESV).

The disciples did not know that it was Jesus when he first spoke to them. It was probably early morning and the light was dim. Perhaps they assumed it was another fisherman giving them some helpful advice. But when they pulled in this incredible catch, John, along with the others, knew that it was the Lord. Remember that they had a similar experience with Jesus when he called them for the first time.

Peter, being the impetuous person that he was, tied up his loose garments and jumped into the water to swim the 100 yards that separated him from Jesus. Of course the other disciples were left with the task of dragging the huge catch of fish to shore, but Peter needed to see Jesus more than he needed the fish.

Notice that once the net was dragged to shore and the fish were counted two things are said: One, there were 153 of them. And two, the net was not torn so that none were lost. Why would John record these small details for us?

Some have labored to find significance in the number 153 as if it had some specific and esoteric meaning. I haven’t been persuaded by their attempts. They are far fetched, in my opinion. What is clear is that there were lots of fish in the net. It was an unusually large catch. One that you would expect to break the nets. The disciples took the time to count the fish because it was such and unusually large catch. Also, we should pay attention to the comment that the nets were not broken. Not one fish was lost.

It does seem as if something is being symbolized here, we just need to be careful not to push the symbolism too far. The obvious symbolism seems to be this: the disciples of Christ who are fruitless in and of themselves, are made fruitful by the risen Christ. It is by his word that they have an abundance. It is by his word that they loose none. Certainly this symbolizes the fruitfulness of the ministry they will soon enjoy in the name of Christ and by the power of the Spirit whom he will send. They will indeed be fishers of men. Their nets will be full. None of those given to the Son by the Father will be lost. The church, beginning with the Apostles themselves, will cast out their nets in obedience to the word of Christ, and will bring many to salvation from every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Brothers and sisters, consider the narrative of John 21. Consider the aimless, fruitless, and frustrated disciples. This is what life is like in this world apart from the risen Christ. It really is futile. It really is empty. The writer of Ecclesiastes spoke truth when he wrote, “Vanity of vanities… vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2–3, ESV) This world is truly empty, in an ultimate sense, apart from Jesus Christ. He is the one that brings us to God. He is the one that brings us life everlasting. He is the one who brings true fulness – true meaning and significance – to our lives today.

Jesus revealed himself to his disciples for the third time, and he filled their net.

Jesus Refreshed His Disciples

Noticed, secondly, that the risen Lord refreshed his disciples.

I will not say much about this. Simply notice that when the disciples get to shore Jesus had a charcoal fire built and a few fish on it. He also had bread. Jesus then invited them to bring some of the fish they had just caught to contribute to the meal. Perhaps this symbolizes the facts that the disciples would soon go into the world as fishers of men and would indeed be used to bring many to Christ.

In verse 13 we read that “Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.” (John 21:13, ESV) He served them. This should remind us of how Jesus served his disciples by washing their feet in the upper room before they partook of the Passover meal. He served them in his earthly ministry, and he served them in his resurrection.

This was an important lesson for the disciples to learn. Jesus had promised that he would not leave them as orphans. Here he is demonstrating to them that his care for them remains. He served them – he refreshed them – in his resurrection

Jesus Restored His Wayward Disciple 

Notice, lastly, that Jesus restored his wayward disciple.

Peter had denied Christ on the night before his crucifixion. He denied his Lord in public. He denied him three times over. Here we see that Jesus restored Peter.

Peter, as I pointed out before, was repentant. He was eager to see Jesus. And notice that Jesus was happy to see Peter. Jesus does not shun repentant sinners. He receives and restores them. But he restores them, not by ignoring sin – not by brushing issues to the side – but by directly addressing sin. Christ calls us out about our stuff. He rebukes us. He convicts us.

Notice that Jesus confronted and restored Peter in public. Peter denied Jesus in public, and Jesus confronted and restored Peter in public. It was after breakfast, and in front of the other disciples, when Jesus addressed Peter saying, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15, ESV) This was restoration was important for Peter, but it was also important for the other disciples to see.

Notice that Jesus called Peter by his “old” name. Jesus had renamed him “Peter”, but here he refers to him as Simon, son of John”. This seems to be a rebuke, confronting Peter with the fact that he had stumbled back into his old ways.

And notice that Jesus does not simply say, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”, but “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” In other words, “do you claim to love me more than these other disciples do?” Jesus is here addressing, not only the threefold denial, but the sin of the heart which lead to the denial – pride. Peter was self confident before the denial. He was sure that he would never deny Jesus. He was sure that his love for Jesus was supreme. Here Jesus addresses that issue saying, “Is it true, Peter? Do you really love me more than these other men do?” Peter’s response is a good one. He did not claim to love more than the others did. He simply said, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”

This question was repeated three times. Peter was offended that Jesus asked him for the third time, “do you love me?”, but the meaning was crystal clear. Jesus’ three questions corresponded perfectly to Peter’s three denials. Clearly Jesus was confronting the sin of Peter. And clearly he was communicating the fulness of the forgiveness and restoration he desired to extend. For every denial there is a reaffirmation of Jesus’ commitment to Peter.

“‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15–17, ESV)

Jesus not only forgives Peter. He also restores him to his office with the words, “feed, my lambs”, “tend my sheep”, feed my sheep”. Peter was an Apostle, but the Apostles were also to function as Pastors and Shepherd who care for the flock of God. That is way Jesus called Peter to initially, and that is what Jesus restored him to.

Isn’t the forgiveness of God incredible? He washes away our sins the moment we believe upon Christ. He justifies us – declares us not guilty – fully and completely. But he also restores us again and again as we struggle with sin in this world and return to him with repentant hearts. His mercies are new everyday.

It is here that Jesus says a word about Peter’s future.

“‘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.’ (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.’” (John 21:18–19, ESV)

When John wrote these words Peter had already been put to death for his faith. He was probably crucified. Some claim that Peter requested to be crucified upside down, not feeling worthy to die in the same way that his Lord had died. The historical evidence for that is actually rather week. It is likely that he died by way of crucifixion though.

It is important to notice that Jesus restored Peter, revealed that he would one day be martyred for his faith, and the commanded him, saying, “follow me”. This is the Peter, who only a couple of weeks earlier was too afraid to follow Jesus faithfully. He is restored by Jesus and empowered to follow Christ has he ought to, even to the point of death.

Peter, in typical fashion, turned and saw “the disciple who Jesus loved” (John), and said “what about this man?” What will his fate be? In other words, Lord, you have reveled to me that a difficult road is in my future. What about him? What will he have to endure? Jesus responded, saying “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22, ESV) Evidentially a rumor spread concerning John that he would not die (he was was probably in his late 80’s or early 90’s when he wrote). But that is not what Jesus said, only “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:23, ESV)

The will of God is different for everyone. Some live short lives. Others long. Some endure more suffering than others. We should not be concerned as to why some have it one way and others another, but we should, each one of us, fix our eyes upon Jesus and follow him faithfully to the end.

Peter stumbled badly, but he was restored powerfully. He would serve Christ faithfully from that day forward, even to the point of death.

Conclusion

Here in verse 24 we have what seems to be a remark from someone other than the author. They speak of John, saying, “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.” (John 21:24, ESV) It is likely that these are Christians, or fellow elders who were with John when he wrote, perhaps in Ephesus. They are testifying that these are his words, and that they are true.

And then we again have the remark that,  “there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25, ESV)

This sounds at first like an exaggeration, but there is truth to it. Jesus Christ is such and incredible figure that if everything were said about him it my be true that all the books in the world could not  contain the words. John’s Gospel has been rich indeed in revealing the glory of Christ to us.

May we believe in him, and find life in his name.

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 21
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Pre-Introduction

The sermon text for today is 1 Samuel 7:1-14. I should say a word about the setting of this passage before I read it. The story that is told here happened in the days when judges ruled over Israel. Moses had lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for 40 years. Joshua had led the people into the promised land to take possession of it in fulfillment to some of the promises made to Abraham. The kings were not yet. Saul would be anointed king not long after the events mentioned here. And David would be king after Saul. But from the days of Joshua to the days of anointing of Saul as king, judges ruled in Israel. Some of the judges were good, some were bad. Mainly these were difficult times for the people of Israel. They were assaulted from without and from within.

The troubles within came in the form of wicked, unfaithful rulers, and false worship. Take Eli the priest and his “worthless sons” (that is how the scriptures speak of them) as an example. They served themselves instead of God. They worshipped falsely. They abused the people.

The troubles without came mainly in the form of conflict with the Philistines. Joshua led Israel into the land of promise, but the people failed to drive out all of their enemies. The conquest was left unfinished. And the Philistines harassed the people continually.

In 1 Samuel we are told of the birth of Samuel, who would eventually lead the people of Israel faithfully in the combined role of prophet, priest, and judge. These were days of renewal. These days were not without difficulty, please don’t misunderstand, but things were headed in the right direction. These were days of reformation. Proper worship was in the process of being restored. Samuel was faithful in his service. The people were exhorted to put away their idols. Victory was being won over the Philistines.

With that as the background, here now the reading of God’s holy word:

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 7:1–14

“And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.’ So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, ‘Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.’ So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, ‘We have sinned against the Lord.’ And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.’ So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.” (1 Samuel 7:1–14, ESV)

Introduction

Today, as you know, marks the five year anniversary of Emmaus Christians Fellowship. The people who would eventually constitute the church gathered for worship for the first time on Sunday, June the 5th, 2011. Those were tumultuous times, but the Lord has been faithful.

I would like to accomplish two things today. First of all, I would like to reflect upon the past five years in order to remember the faithfulness of God, and to give thanks. Secondly, I would like to say a brief word concerning the way forward.

Till Now The Lord Has Helped Us

First of all, let us look back upon the past five years and echo Samuel’s cry, saying, “till now the Lord has helped us!”

Remember that the people of Israel were enjoying victory over the Philistines. “The men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.” (1 Samuel 7:11, ESV) And Samuel, knowing that victory was the Lord’s victory, “took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:12, ESV)

This stone was a memorial stone. It was a stone that served as a monument to the fact that God had helped his people and had given them victory. It served as a visible reminder to the faithfulness of God, calling the people to forever trust in him.

It is good, I think, for the people of God to pause from time to time to remember God’s faithfulness. It is good for our souls and for our faith to set up “memorial stones” as Samuel did, even if we only erect them verbally. It is good for us to stop, to remember God’s faithfulness, and to give thanks to him. That is how I would like for todays sermon to function. I want for it to be a kind of verbal Ebenezer – a memorial stone in form of speech which leads us to rejoice, saying, “till now the Lord has helped us!”

And so let us think back upon the past five years so that we might give thanks.

Tumultuous Times 

Many of the people who would eventually constitute Emmaus Christian Fellowship gathered for worship for the first time on June 5, 2011. Do you remember that first meeting? I do! We met there in the Youth House at BFC. It was awkward. I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect.

We were all members, or regular attenders, of Bible Fellowship Church before that day. I was born and raised in that church. I was about 19 when I began to serve as Jr. High Youth Director in that church. I think I was 23 or 24 when I was hired on as their full time Youth Pastor. I do have a lot fond memories of my experience there. A lot of wonderful relationship were established during that time. A lot of good things happened. I certainly learned a lot. I suppose I was 28 or 29 when I was asked to become the next Sr. Pastor after the founding pastor retired. A five year transition plan was established and announced to the congregation.

I think we were probably a year into it when troubles started to brew. There were a couple of individuals in the church (one in particular) who started to notice that I believed in the sovereignty of God over salvation and the doctrines of grace, also known as Calvinism. I wasn’t teaching this explicitly from the pulpit at that time. I don’t remember ever mentioning Calvin’s name. But you can tell that a guy is a Calvinist if you are listening for it. I had been one since my Sophomore year of college, that is from the age of about 19. So I was hired as a Calvinist from the beginning. It was known by others on staff that I was a Calvinist. It was not hidden. But I didn’t teach the doctrine explicitly. The reason for this is probably due to the fact that BFC wasn’t a church that taught much doctrine at all, at least not in a systematic and explicit way. But of course I had a fully formed Calvinistic worldview. And that worldview undoubtably informed and permeated all that I did say. And there were a couple of folks who picked up on it. And they decided to stir up trouble.

The elders of BFC were aware of this. And over the course of about a year there were countless meetings on the subject. There were meetings with those who were bothered about Calvinism, meetings with the Sr. Pastor, meetings with myself, meetings with the staff – meetings, meetings, meetings. And there were studies too. Books were read on the subject. And the elders were given the task by the Sr. Pastor to study the issue in order to determine how to progress with the transition plan that had been established. They did. And they determined that, though more study was needed, the doctrine was sound, and that the transition plan should continue.

These men devoted a lot of time to this.  And you would think that this would have settled the issue in an elder run church, but it didn’t. For a year these individuals, for reasons that I will not discuss here, were allowed to stir up trouble. Over time more were gathered to support their cause. And some who had a lot of influence within the church – people who should know better – people that you would expect more from – joined in to stir up trouble. A culture of gossip spread. Misinformation speed. Selfish ambition and self protection ruled the day. These elders who had served faithfully – who had worked very hard in their study, sitting in on meeting after meeting over the course of about a year – were not honored as they should have been honored, but rather a mob mentality developed. Emotions ran high. Eventually it became obvious that the situation had escalated to a point of no return. It was time to leave.

To this day if I am asked, “what caused the split?” I do not say Calvinism. That was indeed the presenting issue. But the true cause was sin. Gossip, slander, manipulation, double-talk, selfish ambition, pride, self-protection. The scriptures warn about these things. James says,

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:14–18, ESV)

Brothers and sisters, there was a way forward during those difficult days that would have been God honoring. Instead the name of Christ was defamed in those days.

Those were tumultuous times. The spring of 2011was not very enjoyable. Those were dark days for my wife and I. Not only was my immediate family effected, but also my extended family. We had been a part of Bible Fellowship Church for a very long time. And, as you could imagine, it was also difficult for the elders and their wives. Some of them had served faithfully as elders for decades. We lost a lot, brothers and sisters. Some of you lost a lot when you threw your hat in with us on June 5, 2011.

Why do I bring all of this up on a day that is supposed to be about celebration?

One, I do think the story needs to be told. We’ve been quiet about it for five years. Very little has been said in public. We decided to go away, to let the emotions settle, to work on forgiving from the heart, and to pray for opportunities for reconciliation. We’ve done that. We are a congregation at peace. We are ready and willing to forgive. And a few opportunities for reconciliation have presented themselves in the past six months or so, praise be to God. But it is good, I think, for the story to be told. To this day it amazes how a church could watch it’s entire elder board leave (with the exception of the Sr. Pastor) and not ask, what happened? A few have had the courage to ask. Most rather not know. But I think it is right, now that some time has passed, to say a few words about it. I’m not interested in slandering anyone. But is it not good to say just enough to set the record straight? Those who served as elders at BFC had their reputations damaged. Our church has a reputation to uphold in this valley. And in my experience most people don’t have a clue as to how things went down 5 years ago.

Two, it is very important that remember these things. I do not want you to remember so as to be stirred to anger. Forgive, brothers and and sisters. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12–13, ESV) Forgive your brothers and sisters in Christ. But you must not forget the past.  You know the expression, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” There is truth to that.

Someone recently asked me, “do you ever wonder if the same sort of thing that happened at BFC will happen at Emmaus someday?” My answer was, “I do not wonder if it will happen, I know it will! We will face difficulty at some point (actually, we’ve already faced some). It’s not if, but when? The key is to not be caught off guard. It is important for us to continue to build and maintain sure foundations so that we might weather the storms of life. And after that we must decide to be nice to each other when there are differences of opinion! That is the real issue here. Troubles will arise, but we are to handle ourselves in a way that is godly. We are to show one another brotherly love. We are to do things in a decent and orderly way. Ultimately, I do not worry about these things because I trust that God will sustain us.

Thirdly, I bring up the difficulty from the past in order to serve as a backdrop to what I’m about to say. Brothers and sisters, it is amazing to me that we are here today. God has been so go to us. He is has been faithful to us, despite our difficult beginnings. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:1–2, 11 ESV)

Now that I have said a word about the struggle out of which we were born, I would like to list some of the ways that God has been faithful. And as you listen to these things I want for you to imagine Samuel setting up that memorial stone as a reminder to the people of Israel that the Lord had helped them thus far.

Faithful To Provide A Place Of  Worship

Brothers and sisters, remember that God has been faithful to provide a place for us to worship from the beginning.

Bible Fellowship Church, to their credit, was kind enough to allow us to use their youth room as we started out. As I sat down to write this I had in my mind that we were only there for a few weeks, but I went back into our sermon archive to investigate. We have every sermon, with the exception of one, I think, in video form on our website. The early ones are painful to watch. I was just a kid! I was reminded by those videos that BFC allowed us to stay for 10 weeks!

We meet in the evenings. We were grateful for their hospitality. But I will admit it was a little awkward to drive back onto that campus and walk into the room where I had served as a youth pastor for years, having just been canned.

And remember, we didn’t know where we would go from there. We had 10 weeks to find a more permeant solution. I remember meeting with a few pastors around the valley, enquiring if we could rent from them. Nothing was panning out. But then EV Free came through. They offered us their place at 4:00pm on Sundays, and at such a reasonable rate. Pastor Bill was new to the church. He and their elders were very gracious to us.

EV Free served us well for about 2 years. The facility was very comfortable. Relationships between the churches were very good. But we longed to meet on Sunday mornings and to be in a part of the valley where there was no other church. It was then that a door opened here at Diamond Valley Middle School. The price was right. We were able to purchase a trailer and other equipment needed to make this work. We’ve been here for almost 3 years now.

We’d love to own our own building someday, but we are very comfortable and thankful for this place. And we should remember and not forget that God has been faithful in this area to this present day. We’ve always had a place to meet. Thanks be to God.

Faithful To Provide Elders, and Later, Deacons

And the Lord has always been faithful to provide leadership for the church.

We started with a solid group of elders. Steve Bovee, Jon Severns, Ron Overton and I served as elders from the start. Rom VomSteeg was an elder at BFC, but he did not serve at Emmaus because he was caring for his first wife, Chris, who passed in November of 2013. Danny Anady served as treasurer from the beginning. What a blessing these men were to us from the start! Eventually we added two deacons – Mike Thezier and Dave Anady.

Over time Jon Severns and Ron Overton resigned from eldership. Jon was caring for ailing parents. Ron and Kathy moved to Riverside. Kris Vanderschuit was appointed to the office of elder during that time, and later Phil Anady and Russell Schmidt we appointed.

We have been so blessed to have faithful men hold these offices. Praise be to God.

Faithful To Lead The Elders Through Important Studies

The Lord has also been faithful to lead these elders through important and foundational studies.

One of the first studies we undertook was the topic of biblical eldership and deaconship. We worked hard to establish our foundation documents – our Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Church Covenant, Emmaus Distinctive’s, along with other key documents. We also studied the London Baptist Confession and decided to adopt it. As we studied the Confession we also studied various views of the law of Moses and the Christian Sabbath. After that we undertook a study on eschatology. There have been other studies too. But I mention these because there was a lot riding on each of these. There was the potential for division amongst the elders. These doctrinal issues were very important. I’m sure we will only grow more aware of their significance as we will look back upon them in the years to come.

God has been faithful to carry through us these studies and to bless us with an unusually high degree of unity.

Faithful To Lead Us Through Difficult And Important Decisions

Connected to this is the fact that God has also brought us through major ministry decisions.

A ton of work has gone into establishing our overall philosophy of ministry. Deciding to become a fully confessional church (adopting the LBC as our confession) was a huge decision. We struggled early on with questions concerning music. We labored to establish our membership process. We also made some rather important decisions concerning youth and children’s ministry. Recently we decided to join an association of churches. We also decided to move to the weekly observance of the Supper and to the use of wine.

It really is astonishing to think about all of the changes that have happened over the past five years. When you are in the thick of it sometimes it feels like things are moving slow (in my opinion). But when you step back from it and begin to list it out you realize how quickly things have moved. To put into church lingo, we have transitioned from a broadly evangelical, totally independent, seeker friendly church, to one that is decidedly Reformed, confessional, associational, and devoted to the ordinary means of grace.

Brothers and sisters, these are big changes.  Thank God that things have gone well. Foundations have been laid. Lord willing, we will enjoy building upon these foundation for years to come.

Faithful To Provide Members

God has also been faithful to provide members. This is what a fully formed church consists of – officers and members. We have been blessed with such a solid core of members from the beginning.

We formally received members for the first time in January of 2013. It took about a year and a half long to adopt our foundation documents and to develop a membership process. Our records show that we received 25 members on January 6, 2013. We received 2 more in February.  Another 12 were added in June of 2013. All of these folks were with us from the beginning, it simply to time to move everyone through the process. So by June of 2013 we had 39 members on the roster with about 22 children on top of that. More were attending the church than that. Some were visiting. Others were there to stay, they just hadn’t progressed through membership for one reason or another.

Today we have 81 members with another 15 or so who regularly attend who will, Lord willing, become formal members soon. Friends, did you know that there are 50 children in this church? I kid you not – 50! And I know of at least one in the oven. They could overthrow us if they wanted to.

Brothers and sisters, the membership of Emmaus is a faithful membership. We are not the kind of church that brings people into membership in a carless way. Nor are we the kind of church who will leave people on the membership roster forever even if they do not attend but once or twice a year. Membership means something here. You enter into a covenant. You agree be here. You agree to support the ministry here. You agree to love one another as a church family, and to use your spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.

I’m so thankful for the members of Emmaus. It is truly a pleasure to serve as one of your pastors. And I am also thankful that God has been please to, slowly but surely, add to our number over the years. We have seen a lot of people move away. That is never easy. But, thanks be to God, he has brought others in too. The membership of Emmaus has been a faithful membership.

Faithful To Bless Us With Unity

The Lord has also blessed us with unity. This is a gift from God.

And it seems to me that the unity we enjoy is of the substantial kind. It is unity rooted in sound doctrine. And it is unity rooted in meaningful relationships. In other words, it is not superficial unity – the kind you get by avoiding potentially difficult subjects, or by avoiding relational depth. I’ve been pleased with the way that we have labored in the word together, and the way that you have loved one another in the Lord.

We have unity. I see that as a gift from God. May it forever remain.

Faithful To Provide Finically

The Lord has also been faithful to provide for the church financially. I don’t know if you understand how rare it is for a church to be able to stand on it’s own, supporting a full time pastor and other support staff, from day one. It’s rare. We have never been without. God has always provided what need. I’m so thankful for this.

Faithful To Protect Us From Attacks From Within And Without – Some Subtle, Some More Obvious 

God has also been faithful to protect us from attacks from within and without – some subtle, some more obvious.

There are a lot of things that happen to the church and in the church that you don’t see. Let me just say that I, along with the elders and deacons, are very much aware of the fact that there is a constant battle that rages in the spiritual realm. The Lord has been faithful to protect us. Praise be to God.

Let Us Continue in Full Dependence Upon our God

I’d like to say a brief word about the way forward from here before we conclude.

As positive as I have been about the church in this sermon please understand that I am aware of the fact that we are far from perfect. We are off to a good start, I think. But friends, there is so much work to be done. We have weakness. I plan to address some of them this summer after we conclude our series in John and before we start Revelation in the fall.

Not only is there a lot of work to be done, but we must remember that the enemy always threatens. He is forever on the prowl, seeking to devour. And who will he devour? He will devour the one who has grown comfortable and complacent.

Brothers and sisters, it for these reasons that I feel compelled to say that we must continue on in full dependence upon our God.

And how do we do this? How do we depend upon God? We depend upon him through prayer. Prayer is one of the means by which we depend upon God.

I would like to see us learn to better labor in prayer as a church.

A while ago I was reading in Colossians devotionally and I came across 4:2 where Paul’s commands us to, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2, ESV) A bit later he commends a man by the name of Epaphras. He was “one of [the Colossians, Paul says], a servant of Christ Jesus… always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12, ESV)

This is my hope, that would grow in our prayers. That we would “continue steadfastly” in them, “struggling” for one another in them. My hope is that we would pray this way as individuals, as families, in small groups, as elders and deacons, and as a congregation.

The elders would like to begin something new on the third Sunday of July. We would like to start gathering together for a prayer service on Sunday evening on the third Sunday of every month. I plan to send you prayer updates once a month starting in June. These prayer updates will include general and specific prayers for the church, or association, the community, and the nations.

Conclusion

I’m aware of the fact that this sermon was unusual. We did not really study 1 Samuel 7. We drew one principle from it and built upon that. But I though that it would be good for us to do what Samuel did when he raised that Ebenezer. He remembered the Lord’s faithfulness and he built a monument to the Lord as a reminder to the people saying, “till now the Lord has helped us!” It is good for us to do the same. To pause from time to time to remember the Lord’s faithfulness and to give him thanks. This we have done. May the Lord help us from this day forward.

“Here I raise my ‘Ebenezer’
Hither by Thy help I come.
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.”

(Come Thou Fount)

Tags: 1 Samuel 7

Posted in Sermons 1 Samuel 7 Joe Anady
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Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:1–14

“Then Moses answered, ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’’ The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A staff.’ And he said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, ‘Put out your hand and catch it by the tail’—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— ‘that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.’ Again, the Lord said to him, ‘Put your hand inside your cloak.’ And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, ‘Put your hand back inside your cloak.’ So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. ‘If they will not believe you,’ God said, ‘or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.’” (Exodus 4:1–9, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:30-31

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31, ESV)

Introduction

I think I have made reference to this passage more than any other in John’s Gospel throughout the course of this series. In fact the introductory sermon to the series came to focus upon this text. It was strange to begin near the end, but it was helpful, I think. For it is here at the end of his Gospel that John states with clarity his reason for writing. So we began with this text, and I also made mention of it over and over again as the series progressed. I did this to help us keep our bearings. John has a lot to say in his Gospel. It would be easy to get lost in it. This purpose statement helps the reader to stay on track as he or she progresses through the Gospel. We might wonder, why did John choose to tell this story or that? The answer is given here in 20:30-31. He wrote this and that “so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing… have life in his name.”

I’ve made reference to this passage so often that the thought occurred to me, should I even devote a sermon to it now that we are here? The temptation was to move past it quickly, or to skip over it completely. But I thought that unwise for two reasons. One, we really have not devoted an adequate amount of time to this important text. It has been referenced many times, but often in passing. And two, this text takes on a new level of significance as we come to it in order, as the author intended, having now studied all that precedes it in John’s Gospel.

So let us now carefully consider John 20:30-31.

John Has Not Told Us Everything

The first thing to notice is that John admits he has not told us everything. Look at verse 20 where John writes, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book…” Later we will read these words which make the same point: “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25, ESV)

The point is that John carefully selected only a few things from the life of Christ to highlight. He presented some of Jesus’ teachings, and some of his deeds, but not all. I find this to be fascinating. It gives us a great deal of insight into the mind of the Apostle as he wrote. His objective was not to set before us an exhaustive and thorough history of Jesus of Nazareth. His motive was something other than to give us all of the details. He wrote for another purpose, which we will come to in a moment.

Notice that John refers to the miracles that Jesus preformed as “signs”. “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book…” This is significant in that it helps us to understand the purpose of the miracles that Jesus preformed. They functioned as “signs”. The ultimate purpose of a sign is not to draw attention to itself, but to direct one’s attention  elsewhere. When you are driving down the freeway and you see an In-N-Out sign shining brightly in the night the purpose is to draw you, not to the sign, but to the thing signified – namely the double-double with regular unions and chopped chillies.

The miracles that Jesus preformed in his earthly ministry – the turning of water to wine; the healing of the officials son; the healing of the invalid on the Sabbath; the feeding of the five thousand; Jesus’ walking on water; the healing of the blind man; the raising of Lazarus from the dead – these are called “signs”. Their purpose, then, was to direct out attention away from the miraculous event itself and to  point to some other thing – some other reality or truth.

I read the passage from Exodus 4 in order to illustrate this principle. Moses was called by God to go to Pharaoh and to demand the release of the Hebrews. He was also to go to the Hebrews and announce the coming deliverance. “Then Moses answered, ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.” (Exodus 4:1) It was a legitimate fear. Why would the Hebrews believe Moses’ word? Why would they accept his claim that God had sent him? It was then that God gave Moses the ability to preform “signs”. His staff would turn into a snake; his hand would turn leprous and then be healed when as he took it in and out of his cloak; water would turn to blood. These things were signs. And what were they signs of? Well, among other things, of the fact that God was with Moses – that Moses was indeed sent by God Almighty.

The same is true of the miracles that Christ preformed. The same can also be said of the miracles that were preformed by the Apostles of Christ – those who were eyewitness to his life and ministry, his death and resurrection. These would be sent out into the world to testify concerning the Christ. Some of them, it is reported, preformed miracles.

But these miracles were not the norm from the days of Moses onward. They were present in the days when that great act of redemption from Egypt was accomplished, and shortly thereafter, as a testimony to the fact that God was on the move, accomplishing redemption.

The same can be said about the miracles in the days of Christ, and shortly thereafter. Miracles were not the norm in the days after the Apostles. They are not the norm today, nor should they be expected. They were present in the life of Christ and in the ministry of the Apostles – those directly commissioned by Christ – as a testimony to the fact that God had accomplishing redemption, this time, not from Egypt, but from the evil one himself. He brought defeat, not to Pharaoh, but to sin, sickness, and the serpent himself. The miracles that Jesus preformed were “signs” which pointed to this reality.

I will not take the time here to show how each of the miracles in John signify something specific about the redemption accomplished by Christ – I’ve done that in the past and I don’t have time to repeat it here – but the principle is important. When Jesus healed the blind man, for example, it was not just about Jesus having compassion on a man blind from birth (though it was not less than that). No, it was a sign which pointed, first of all, to the fact that Jesus was from God just as he claimed. And, secondly, that he has the power to open, not only physical eyes, but also spiritual. He is the remedy to our spiritual blindness.

John calls these miracles “signs” so that we might not make to much of the miracles themselves. They were associated with Jesus’ ministry, and the ministry of those who were eyewitnesses – his Apostles. And they were preformed for the purpose of directing our attention away from the miracle itself on to the thing that the miracle signified, namely Jesus, his person and his work.

What a strange sight it is to see those who name the name of Christ fixate upon miracles.

They assume that miracles should be the norm today. The scriptures reveal otherwise. Miracles have happened in the world. And God is indeed able to act in miraculous ways even today. But miracles have been concentrated in times associated with God’s intrusion into human history as he has accomplished great acts of redemption. Brothers and sisters, our redemption has been accomplished. Only the consummation remains.

Some imagine that Christ came to preform miracles. He did not. He came to accomplish redemption for his people. The miracles that he preformed were signs which pointed to him, confirmed his claims, and signified things that were true his person and work. Those who obsess over miracles have made a tangential thing the main thing. They have failed to recognize the role that signs play in relation to the thing signified.

Next time you go to In-N-Out I dare you to go to the sign out on the street corner and facing it. Talk to it. Place your order there. And wait. I think you will be disappointed at the result. The sign has no substance in itself. It cannot feed you. It is there to point you to the substance and the food. Christ is the food. The good news about his work of redemption is the food. The miracles he preformed were meant to draw our attention to him.

Jesus preformed many signs in his time on earth. John has only told us about a few of them.

What He Has Said, He Has Said That We Might Believe

And notice, secondly, his reason for telling us these things. What he has said, he has said that we might believe.

To believe something is to understand it and to confess that it is true.

I was taught from a young age that one plus one equals two. I understand the claim. I understand the equation. And, on top of that, I have also come to believe that the equation is true. I believe it.

The same is required to believe in Jesus. We must first of all understand the claims – who he claimed to be and what he claimed to accomplish. And after that we must also come to confess that his claims are indeed true. It is only then that we can say that we believe.

And what are the claims of Christ concerning himself? What does the word of God teach us about him? The scriptures present Jesus to us as the Christ, the Son of God. John wrote what he did in his gospel that we “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” (John 20:31, ESV).

What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ?

It means that he is the anointed one that God promised to send long ago. He is the one who would save his people from their sins. He is the seed of the woman who God promised would crush the head of the serpent. He is the seed of Abraham through whom all the people of the earth would be blessed. He is the Prophet like Moses to whom we are to listen. He is the Priest in the order of Melchizedek who has made atonement for our sins, once for all. He is the King, the son of David, who has conquered all of his and our enemies, who has subdued even our own hearts, bringing us to call him Lord. In short, he is the promised one spoken of in the law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He is the Christ – the Messiah.     

And what does it mean that he is the Son of God?

When this phrase is applied to Jesus it is a clear reference to his divine and human natures. He is the Messiah, it is true. He is a man – the Son of Man – born of woman. But more than, he is of God and from God. He is God with us – Immanuel. He proceeds from the Father.

John’s Gospel has insisted upon the divinity of Christ from beginning to end. He is the eternal word of God, the one who existed in the beginning – who was with God, and who was God (John 1:1) This is the one – the second person go the Trinity, the eternal Word of God – who became flesh and tabernacled amongst us.

John wrote his Gospel so that we might understand the claim that Jesus is the Christ and that he is the Son of God and agree that they are true. He wants us to believe.

Of course believing in a Biblical sense involves more than just understanding principles or facts and agreeing that they are true. To believe is also to trust.  We are to trust in, depend upon, have faith in this Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of God. So believing really involves three things: understanding principles, agreeing that they are indeed true, and trust. We are trust in Jesus, who is the Christ. We are to see him for what he is. We are to understand what he has accomplished for us in his life, death, and resurrection. And we are to say “yes” to it all. “Yes, it is true!” And “yes, I trust in him because of who he is and what he has accomplished for us.”

It Is Through Believing That We Have Life In Jesus’ Name. 

The end goal of John’s writing is that we would have life in Jesus’ name.

Life is what we need.

Though we come into this world alive, we do not come into this world alive. We are born living in state of spiritual deadness due to the sins of our forefathers. We confirm that we are born in fallen and sinful state with our own personal sins. Though we are alive according to the flesh we are dead according to the spirit.

Adam was warned concerning that forbidden tree. He was told that “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17, ESV) He ate. And death reigned from that day forward. Paul is right to say that “[We] were dead in the trespasses and sins in which [we] once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1–3, ESV) Though we were born into this world alive according to the flesh, we were dead according to the spirit. We were by nature children of wrath. Life is what we need.

And do you see that life is what Jesus has earned?

He rose from the grave on the third day conquering the power of death so that we might have eternal life. For you and I, and for all born of Adam, death has dominion over us. We cannot conquer it. We cannot overcome it. From the moment we are born into this world death threatens us. It looms large over us. It is forever harassing us, desiring to pull us down into it’s depths. And once we pass from this world death holds on to us with a ferociousness and strength that is far too much for us to resist. Death dominates the son’s and daughters of Adam. They are hopeless in and of themselves. But Jesus Christ, who is the lion of the tribe of Judah, was more ferocious and more powerful than death. He was given over to it so that he might devour it. He broke it’s power. “‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57, ESV)

Jesus has earned eternal life. For him death is not the final word. Life is. He possesses “the power of an indestructible life.” (Hebrews 7:16, ESV)

And what kind of life is it that he has earned? Did Jesus earn life as we know it now for all eternity? Is that the kind of life that he has laid ahold of? One marked by sin, suffering, sickness, and sorrow? Is that the kind of life that he secured for all eternity? I hope not. That sounds more hellish than heavenly. Thanks be to God that Christ has entered into a state of being that is undefiled, imperishable, and unfading. He has entered into glory. That is the kind of life that he has earned. It is eternal – unending. And it is glorious.

And notice that it is this kind of life that Jesus gives to those who believe in his name.

You say, well I still struggle with sin, suffering, sickness, and sorrow. What do you mean that I have this kind of life by believing in Jesus’ name? 

Brothers and sisters, we must pass from this world before we enjoy the fulness of that life that Christ has earned for us. But we have it now. We have it in that we have begun to taste it. And we have it in that it is our sure inheritance. For the Father has, “according to his great mercy… caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for [us], who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this [we] rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, [we] have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of [our] 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.” (1 Peter 1:3–7, ESV)

We have life by believing in Jesus’ name. It is life that is everlasting. Death is no longer the final  word for those believing in Christ Jesus. And it is a glorious life – imperishable, undefiled, unfading.

Application

Brothers and sisters, and friends who do not yet know Christ, let is consider the teachings of Christ and the signs that he (and his Apostles) preformed. Let us not grow obsessed with the miracles, as if they were preformed in order to draw or attention to them, or to set our hope in them. May they serve their function as signs which derelict our eyes to Christ, his person and his work, and to the substantial salvation that he has procured for those who believe upon him.

And once we look upon him, let us believe upon him. I pray that those who do not yet believe, would believe, and that those who say they believe now would believe to the end. Friends, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and there is life in his name. Believe that it is true, trust in him, lay down your life, so that in dying to yourself you might truly live.

And brothers and sisters, now that you are alive in Christ, let us walk in the newness of that life.

“[We] who were dead in [our] trespasses and the uncircumcision of [our] flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross… If then [we] have been raised with Christ, [let us] seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Let us] set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For [we] have died, and [our] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is [our] life appears, then [we] also will appear with him in glory. [Let us] put to death therefore what is earthly in [us]: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these [we] too once walked, when [we] were living in them. But now [we] must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from [our] mouth[s]. [Let us] not lie to one another, seeing that [we] have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.’” (Colossians 2:13–14; 3:1–10, ESV)

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 20:30-31
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Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:1–14

“‘At that time’, declares the Lord, ‘I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.’ Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:1–14, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:24-29

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:24–29, ESV)

Introduction

Friends, we are rapidly approaching the end of our study of the Gospel of John. I’m a little sad about that. I’ve really enjoyed this book and there is a part of me that wishes we could linger in it longer. We will probably only be here for two or three more weeks.

Do you remember the Leon Morris quote that I shared with you in the introductory sermon to this series? I’m sure it’s fresh on your minds! Morris, in the introduction to his commentary on John noted that “John’s Gospel [is like] a pool in which a child may wade and an elephant can swim. It is both simple and profound. It is for the veriest beginner in the faith and for the mature Christian. Its appeal is immediate and never failing.” (Morris, 3) That has proven true, I think. John’s Gospel is encouraging to those young in Christ, and those mature, both in it’s simplicity and depth.

There is much that can be said about chapters 20 and 21 of John’s Gospel. It is here that we are introduced to the risen Lord. We see him in a state of glory. He is alive, but not in the same way that he was alive before. He, through his obedient life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection has earned a higher form of life than you and I experience. In fact, he has earned a higher form of life than Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden paradise of God. They enjoyed a perfect life, but theirs was mutable. Sin was a possibility. Death threatened. Not so with Christ who is the second Adam. He rose, not to a fallen state like ours. He rose, not to a perfect but mutable state like pre-fall Adam. No, he rose from the grave to a state of glory.  What the first Adam was offered but forfeited, the second Adam has earned.

We should pay careful attention to what we see here. This forty day period where the risen Lord appeared to his disciples in the flesh of his resurrection was utterly unique in this history of the world. Steven would see the risen Lord after his ascension to the Father, but by way of heavenly vision. “He said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (Acts 7:56, ESV) Paul also saw the risen Lord after the ascension, but it too was a bit different from the resurrection appearances contained within this forty day period. “As [Paul, who was then called Saul] went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” (Acts 9:3–6, ESV) These resemble heavenly visions. They differ a bit from the appearances of the risen Lord which preceded his ascension to the Father. For forty days the risen Lord presented himself alive in the flesh to his disciples before ascending to the right hand of God.

I’ve labored to demonstrate the significance of these appearances.

Christ appeared to his his disciples to prove that he was, in fact, alive.

He also appeared to show what kind of life he had risen to. It was a physical existence that he enjoyed – one that corresponded somehow to his previous life. But it was a glorified existence – one that far surpassed the natural order of things in regard to glory. Remember how Paul explains all of this in 1 Corinthians 15 with the illustration of a seed and the plant that comes from it. The seed represents the natural man, the plant represents the glorified man. The seed and the plant correspond to one another – they are not altogether different – they are made up of the same stuff. But the plant far surpasses the seed in regard to glory. So it is with the relationship between Christ’s natural body and his resurrection body. So it will be for those who are united to Christ by faith. This is one thing that Jesus sought to demonstrate to his disciples in that forty day period as he walked among them in his resurrection – he showed what kind of life he had been raised to.

And remember that he also appeared to them in order to encourage them, teach them, and commission them so that they would be well prepared for the journey ahead. Christ rose from the grave and would ascend, but his disciples would continue in this fallen world. They were to continue his work. They needed instruction. Christ provided it.

The Risen Christ Walks In The Midst Of His People

Today I would like to step back from these detailed observations concerning the significance of Christ’s post-resurrection and pre-ascension appearances to make a general observation.

Notice this simple fact: The risen Christ walks in the midst of his people. He meets with them. He communes with them. He instructs and encourages them. He is present with them in this world. That is the general truth which binds all of these post resurrection appearance together. The glorified Christ walks in the midst of his people.

You say, well that must have been nice for them! Those original disciples enjoyed three or so years with Christ in his earthly ministry, and they also enjoyed forty days with him in his resurrection. Nice for them!

Brothers and sisters, the point I am making is that Christ walked in the midst of his disciples in his resurrection, and he walks in the midst of us too! That forty day period was unique in that Christ appeared in the flesh before his ascension – we do not expect him to appear to us in the flesh (except for at the consummation) – but it was also prototypical. It was during those forty days that Christ demonstrated to his disciples that he would indeed be with them though he was glorified. He would still common with them. He would still be in the midst of them even though a new era had begun. The post resurrection appearance of Christ had the effect of ensuring his followers that he would indeed go with them, and remain with them, throughout their wilderness wanderings. Of course after the ascension, he would be with them, not in the flesh, but by the Spirit.

This was not the first time in the history of redemption that God offered special support and assurance to his people concerning his continued presences with them as a new era or dispensation was being ushered in.

Remember how God accomplished redemption for the people of Israel from Egypt. He brought them out with “great power and a mighty hand” (Ex. 32:11). They were freed from Egypt by the ten plagues and by passing through the Red Sea. God accomplished a kind of redemption of them. But they were fearful of going it alone. Moses spoke to God, saying, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15, ESV) It was in response to this request that God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (Exodus 33:19, ESV) God offered special support and assurance to Moses, and to the people of Israel through him, by showing Moses his glory and goodness. We might also mention the pillar of fire and the glory cloud, both of which were a manifestation of the glory of God and a kind of guarantee that the presence of God was with the people of God.

The appearances of Christ in his glory serve the same purpose. Christ had accomplished redemption by his death, burial, and resurrection, and then he appeared to disciples, manifesting his glory to them for forty days to assuring them that his presence would be with them as they wandered in this world as pilgrims and sojourners.

Brothers and sisters, the risen Christ walks in the midst of his people.

He is present with us by the agency of the Holy Spirit whom he has sent. Remember Jesus’ words:

“‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” (John 14:15–23, ESV)

He is particularly present with his people as they gather together in local churches.

Remember the opening vision in the book of Revelation where John (The same John that wrote this Gospel)

“…turned to see the voice that was speaking to [him], and on turning… saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When [he] saw him, [he] fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on [him], saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:12–20, ESV)

This vision communicates the very thing that has already been stated – Christ walks in the midst of his people, and particularly in the midst of his churches, not in the flesh as he did in the days prior to the ascension, but by the agency of the Spirit whom he has sent.

Brothers and sisters, this ought to encourage you greatly. Christ has not left you alone in this world. And his appearance to the disciples in his resurrection body is an assurance of these things.

The Risen Christ Sustains The Faith Of His People

In particular I want you to notice how Christ drew near to those disciples of his who were struggling. Notice that he pursued “doubting Thomas”, and, as we will see, he pursued “denying Peter”. The important thing to see is that Jesus does not abandon those who belong to him. Though they my stumble, the risen Christ purses them, the end result being that he loses none of those given to him by the Father (see John 17:12). See how the risen Christ sustains the faith of his people.

Notice that everything comes to focus on Thomas in this passage. His fellow disciples had testified to him concerning the bodily resurrection of Christ. They had, with one voice, given testimony to the resurrection. Thomas should have believed on the basis of their word. He himself would go on to testify concerning the risen Christ. He would ask others to believe upon Jesus through his testimony, and the word of his fellow Apostles, but he himself did not believe their word. Instead he responded to them saying, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25, ESV) He was skeptical. In all fairness the others did have the advantage of seeing the risen Lord. They too were skeptical and confused.

But do you see that Thomas belonged to Christ? He was one of Jesus’ chosen one’s. He was one of those given to him by the Father. And so although Thomas was indeed skeptical, Christ pursued him and provided him with all that he needed to believe, and to go on believing.

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:26, ESV) This was a repeat of what had happened on the previous Sunday. The disciples were gathered together again. Again they were meeting with the doors closed and locked, presumably for fear of the Jews. And again Christ appeared to them, urging them to be at peace. The difference is that Thomas was with them this time.

So Jesus turned to Thomas, reached out his hands to him, and said, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27, ESV)

Thomas has said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” And what did Christ do except present Thomas with the marks in his hands and in his side.

Thank God that it is he who sustains us in the faith and not we who sustain ourselves.

That is not to say that we have no responsibility in the matter. We do indeed have obligations. The scriptures compel us to abide in Christ, to persevere in the means of grace that God has prescribed for us – the fellowship, the sacraments, the word of God, and prayer. We are warned to “Take care… lest there be in any of [us] an evil, unbelieving heart, leading [us] to fall away from the living God. But [we are to] exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none…may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12–13, ESV) Similarly we are warned, “not [to neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV)

Thomas was indeed negligent in these things. He failed to persevere. He allowed an evil, unbelieving heart to settle in. He neglected the fellowship. For this he was guilty. But do you see this wonderfully encouraging truth, that it is Christ who pursues us? He is the one who sustains the faith of those who belong to him, praise be to God.  Take courage, brothers and sisters, “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

The Risen Christ Brings Glory To His Name Through His People

Thirdly, and lastly, notice that the risen Christ brings glory to his name through those who belong to him. Thankfully he manages to use us to bring glory to his name despite our weaknesses and our many blunders.

Thomas was doubting, it is true. And it was wrong from him to doubt. He should have persevered in the faith. But do you see how Christ turned this evil into good? For it was from the lips of “doubting Thomas” that Christ received the highest praise. It was from the lips of “doubting Thomas” that we encounter the pinnacle profession of faith. When “doubting Thomas” saw the pierces hands, and the pierced side of Christ, and when he heard his words, “‘Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27–28, ESV) Thomas was the first of Jesus’ disciples to explicitly confess that Jesus was divine – that he was indeed “God”. He confessed that he was both “Lord and God”.

Let’s analyze Thomas’ personality for a moment, and let’s say something positive about him.

He seems to be a straight shooter – a no nonsense kind of guy. We encountered him in John 11:16 were, in response to Jesus’ word that he would go up to see Lazarus, “said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” (John 11:16, ESV) It was in 14:5 that Thomas responded to Jesus’ words abut knowing the way to where he was going that Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5, ESV) He seems to me to be a straight shooter. I like that. And when it came to the resurrection, it was too much for him to believe.

But our brother came to the right conclusion. He was skeptical at first, but upon seeing the risen Lord he could do nothing except confess that Jesus Christ was his Lord and his God.

His confession plays a very significant role in John’s Gospel. In the introduction we were told about who Jesus was. He was the eternal word of God – the one who was with God in the beginning, indeed the one who was God – who took on flesh ad dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14). John wrote, we are told in 20:31, “that [we[ may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [we] may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, ESV) And Thomas is the one who confesses these thinking with the greatest clarity as he responded to Jesus, saying “My Lord and my God!”

Notice that Jesus received Thomas’ confession. He did not rebuke him or deny it. If Jesus were not God, then he would have been wrong to accept such high praise. But he was God come in the flesh, therefore he received.

Notice also that Jesus rebuked Thomas slightly, saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29, ESV) Thomas should had believed the testimony of his brothers. The day was rapidly approaching where those who would believe upon Christ would have to believe, not because they would see the risen Lord, but through the testimony of the Apostles of Christ. Blessed are those who “have not seen and yet have believed.” That refers to all who have believed ever since the ascension, including you and me.

Thomas was used by God to bring glory to his name. He glorified God through this pinnacle profession. And he would glorify God in the days to come through his faithful witness.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, Christ is in the midst of us when we gather.

Thanks be to God that he is the one who sustains us in the faith! Were it not for his gracious intervention we would not come to faith nor would we remain in it. But he has promised to keep those given to him by the Father, the end result being that he looses not one

Let us, therefore, bring glory to his name by giving him the praise he deserves and by testifying concerning his goodness. Some have allowed sins of the past to restrain that. We should repent of our sins, allow the Lord to restore us, and serve him faithfully to the glory of his name.

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 20:24-29
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Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26:1–4

“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.’” (Isaiah 26:1–4, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:19-23

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’” (John 20:19–23, ESV)

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived, he was crucified and buried, and on the third day he rose from the grave. This did not happen in a back alley somewhere. To use Paul’s language from his speech before Agrippa, the resurrection was not “done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26, ESV) No, our Lord rose from the grave and appeared to many over a forty day period of time before ascending to the Father. Paul testified to this in 1 Corinthians 15:3 when he wrote, “…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom [were] still alive [at the time of his writing], though some [had] fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me”, Paul says. (1 Corinthians 15:3–8, ESV)

Why did Jesus appear to so many?

Well, the most obvious reason was to prove that he was indeed alive. This, to quote Paul again, was of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3). If Christ did not raise from the dead then there is no reason to hope in him – there would be no reason to believe upon him if he was not raised. Jesus appeared to many over a period of forty days to, first of all, prove to them that he was indeed alive.

But was that the only reason? Last Sunday I sought to demonstrate that Christ also labored to show what kind of life he was raised to. It was a bodily resurrection – that is clear. But Christ was raised in glory. The body he had was a spiritual body, or a glorified body (see 1 Corinthians 15). Christ was raised from the dead, not to enjoy life as he had experienced it for the past thirty years or so, but to a higher order of life. In other words, Christ’s resurrection was similar to Lazarus’, but dissimilar in some significant ways. Christ was raised never to die again. He was raised to immortality, glory, and power. This he demonstrated in the forty days between his resurrection and ascension to the Father.

And notice a third reason for his meeting with the disciples in his resurrection. He sought to prepare them for the journey that was before them. Jesus would ascend, but his disciples would remain. And they would remain, not to sit idly awaiting Christ’s return, but to continue his work in the world. They would need boldness for the job. They would need a clearly defined mission. And they would need power to accomplish it. And so Jesus taught his disciples in the forty days between his resurrection and ascension. He instructed them from the scriptures. He encouraged them. He commissioned them. He prepared them for the road ahead. This is what we see going on in the text before us this morning.

Let me say a word about the setting before we get into the heart of the text.

First of all, notice that the disciples are no longer scattered each to his own home, but are now together in one place. We are to imagine at least ten of them. Judas is no longer with them. And we are told in 20:24 that Thomas was missing. If we work to harmonize the other gospels with what is said here in John it seems that Thomas was with the disciples at one point that evening but left in unbelief before Jesus appeared. Bummer for him. He would have certainly benefited from seeing the risen Lord, wouldn’t you agree? He was struggling with doubt, and it appears that he went off to sulk somewhere.

Let this be a lesson to those of you who, when you are struggling, decide to neglect gathering together with the people of God. It’s ironic, isn’t it? What you need is fellowship. What you need is to be ministered to by Christ and his people. And yet you, like doubting Thomas, decide to isolate yourselves from Christ. You say, well Christ can minister to me wherever I’m at!  There is some truth to that. But why would you assume that Christ would bless your disobedience. He warns us not to neglect the fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). Also, Christ is present in a special way when his church is gathered. The church is his body. The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The church is where the word is preached. The church is where the Supper is eaten. It is never wise to isolate yourself even when you do not feel like being around people. Had Thomas remained with his brothers his sorrow would have been relieved. But because he was negligent, his sorrow was prolonged for another week.

Well, at least there were 10 gathered, and perhaps more. “Disciples” certainly refers to the inner band of Jesus’ disciples (the Apostles), but it can be used more broadly. I imagine that the women were there along with others who, through they were not a part of the Apostolic band, were in fact disciples, or followers, of Jesus. Matthias, who would later be appointed to replace Judas, was probably also there. When you compare John 20 with Mark 16, Luke 24, and what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 it leads you to believe that there were more than the ten there. There were eleven if you count Matthias and other disciples too, including the men who had returned from the road to Emmaus, whoever they were.

Secondly, notice how Jesus emphasizes that Jesus appeared to these on “the evening of that day, [which was] the first day of the week.”  The risen Lord met with his disciples on Sunday, which is the first day of the week. I see this as very significant. A pattern is being established here. Look at John 20:26. There we read that, “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:26, ESV) Notice that the disciples were gathered together on the Sunday of the resurrection and Jesus appeared to them. And then they were gathered again “eight days later”. This is referring to the following Sunday according to the Jewish way of counting days. The first Sunday and the second Sunday would be included in the counting so that the phrase “eight days later” refers to the following Sunday. Again, Jesus appeared to his disciples as they were gathered together.

If anyone ever asks you the question, “who changed the Sabbath?” you can tell them that Jesus did. He changed it from Saturday to Sunday by virtue of his resurrection. The Jewish Sabbath – the Saturday, or seventh day, Sabbath – was patterned off of the first creation. It looked forward to the Sabbath rest offered to Adam, which would ultimately be earned by the coming Redeemer. The Christian Sabbath – the Sunday, or first day, Sabbath – is patterned off of the second, or new creation, inaugurated at Christ’s resurrection. It points us back to that decisive event where our redemption was earned by the Redeemer. Brothers and sisters, a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God (see Hebrews 4:9), and the day to observe it is Sunday, which John refers to elsewhere as “the Lord’s Day”. We, like the first disciples, and the early church which was born out of their ministry, ought to gather on the first day of the week expecting Christ to minister to us in a pronounced way as we do.

The last thing to notice about the setting is that the doors to the room where the disciples were meeting were locked. Why? Because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Their fear is understandable, wouldn’t you agree? It was on Friday that they saw their Lord brutally beaten and killed. Their suspicion was that the Jewish authorities would come for them also in order to snuff out the Jesus movement all together. And so they went to their homes on Friday evening, remained there on Saturday, and on into Sunday morning. The shepherd was struck and the sheep scattered. But then there was the rumor that the tomb was found empty and that some had seen the risen Lord. This was enough to bring them out of hiding to meet together, but it was especially risky.

They were afraid, and so they closed the doors and locked them. That needed to change. Christ did not raise from the dead so that his followers would cower in fear in this world. He rose so that they might have hope. He rose so that they might take courage in the world.

The Will Of Christ For His People Is That They Would Be At Peace

Notice that their fear is the first thing that Christ addressed.

Look at the end of verse 19: “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19, ESV) Look also at verse 21: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you…’” (John 20:21, ESV) The will of Christ for his people is that they would be at peace.  The church is to be a community at peace.

While it is true that the church is to enjoy unity, that is not what Jesus is referring to here. It is not “peace” in the sense of unity or lack of conflict that he is addressing in this instance, but “peace” in the sense of inner tranquility, calmness – a heart that is settled and at ease. It is peace as opposed to fear and anxiety that Jesus is offering.

These brothers and sisters were not at peace – they were overwhelmed by fear and worry. When Jesus appeared to them they were cowering in fear. They were hiding. The doors were locked. I’m sure that Jesus could see the fear in their eyes and feel the anxiety in the room. Brothers and sisters, notice that Jesus appeared to these and offered them peace.

And he does the same with you and I today. God’s desire is that his people would enjoy peace in this world. The world gives us plenty of reasons to fear, but Christ has overcome the world.

This has already been emphasized John’s gospel. In 14:27 we heard Jesus tell his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV) And in 16:33 he says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

These words are not only for the Apostles, but for all who believe upon Christ through their word. It is no wonder then that Paul begins his letters to the churches with this greeting: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 1:7, ESV) One of the characteristics of those who have faith in Christ is that they are at peace – not ruled by fear or worry or anxiety.

You say, well that’s great, Pastor! I do have faith in Christ, and yet I struggle greatly with those things. What do you have to say to me?

First of all, notice that peace does not come automatically to Christians. It must be cultivated.

Notice that these original disciples believed in Christ and yet they struggled with fear. You say, well that is because they did not know for sure that Christ had risen! True, but notice what John 20:26 says. “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”” (John 20:26, ESV) We have here on this second resurrection Sunday a repeat of what happened on the first. The disciples were still cowing in fear, and Jesus is still urging them to be at peace.

 

Secondly, notice that there is good reason for the Christian to enjoy peace in this world.

Here I wish to emphasize that the emotion of peace we enjoy in the heart is based upon something objective. There is a reason for it. The reality of the resurrection is the basis for our peace. Notice that Jesus appeared to his disciples, and not only did he say to them, “Peace be with you.” but he also “showed them his hands and his side.” (John 20:19–20, ESV) He presented to them the proof of his having raised from the dead. This was to be the ground of the peace they would enjoy in him. The resurrection of Christ is the ground of peace because in it we have victory over death itself.

Thirdly, notice that the Spirit of God must help us in our pursuit of peace.

We will return to this topic in a moment, but for now notice that these disciples who were cowering in fear had not yet received the promised Holy Spirit. It was after Pentecost that these disciples of Jesus grew bold. Acts 2 tells us all about the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It was after that event, which transpired approximately fifty days after the death of Christ, that the disciple of Christ followed Jesus boldly. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

So what is a Christian to do if he or she is lacking peace? First of all, don’t assume that something is wrong with you. By this I mean, don’t assume that all true Christians have peace automatically. No, peace must be cultivated and maintained, even by disciples of Christ. Secondly, set your mind and heart upon the word of God, and especially reflect upon the reality of the resurrection and all of it’s implications. This takes work. It is a battle. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Ephesians 6:16–17, ESV) And thirdly, brother and sisters, we must pray. We must pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18, ESV)

The will of Christ for his people is that they would be at peace.

The Will Of Christ For his People Is That They Would Continue His Work

Notice secondly that the will of Christ for his people is that they would continue his work in the world.

In verse 21 “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21, ESV) God the Father sent the Son to accomplish redemption, and here the Son sends those given to him by the Father to engage in the work of bringing the redemption he has earned to others.

In verse 23 Jesus says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:23, ESV) The meaning of this is that the church, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, is tasked with the proclamation of the gospel, and the baptizing and teaching of those who respond to the gospel by faith, in the context of the local church.

This is the task that Christ has given to his people. As the Father sent him, so now he has sent the apostles, and through them, you and I also. Our mission is not the same as Christ’s. He was to accomplish redemption. he was unique as the Messiah. But our task is not disconnected from Christ’s either. We are to continue his work. We are to be involved in the application of the redemption he has earned to sinners. As we are faithful to proclaim the gospel we will have a front row seat to this process where forgiveness of sins is either withheld or extended. In fact, it is the church (here I am thinking of the local church) that is the agent through which forgiveness of sin is either withheld or extended as the gospel is proclaimed and as men and women make decisions for or against Christ.

I am not saying that the church has the power in and of herself to forgive sin. Only Christ does. But Christ has determined to continue his work of redemption in this world through the church. He accomplished redemption, being sent by the Father to do so, and now he is applying redemption to his elect through the church, whom he has sent.

This is John’s version of what we typically call the great commission. Each of the Gospels, along with Acts, contain some account of Jesus’ commission his apostles, and through them, the church that would be build upon their foundation. Listen to each of the accounts and observe the consistency.

Matthew 28:18: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)

Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15–16, ESV)

Luke 24:44: “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’” (Luke 24:44–49, ESV)

Acts 1:7: “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” (Acts 1:7–8, ESV)

Brothers and sisters, we have work to do. When I say “we” I am not referring to you and I as individuals, but to you and I together as the church, the body of Christ. The great commission was not given to individuals. It was given to the church. It is impossible for an individual to fulfill the commission of Christ. No one individual can proclaim the gospel, baptize, teach, and do so to the ends of the earth. But the church can accomplish this – the church consisting of many members, each uniquely gifted to play a part in the accomplishment of this mission. Do you understand this? Christ commissioned the church to continue his work in this world. He did not commission individuals. He did not commission the family. He commissioned the church. He works through individuals and families, of course, but for the purpose of gathering his elect into the church.

This has huge implications for the way we do evangelism. Lord willing, we will be offering a course on evangelism in the fall. What I have just said here will serve as the foundational principles in that course.

The Will Of Christ For His People Is That They Would Be A Community Empowered By The Holy Spirit

Thirdly, and lastly, notice that the will of Christ for his people is that they would be a community empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21–22, ESV)

Here is the question. How does this event relate to Pentecost?

In Acts 2:1 Luke tells us that, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1–4, ESV)

It was on the day of Pentecost that promised Holy Spirit was poured out. This was in fulfillment to Old Testament prophesied like Ezekiel 37 and Joel 2. And this was in fulfillment to the promise of Christ.  For example he said to his disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18, ESV) And “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:25–26, ESV)

Most, if not all, agree that the events of Pentecost fulfilled these Old Testament prophesies and the promises of Christ. But how is John 20:21-22 to be understood?

There are two schools of thought. One is that the Spirit was actually given to the disciples here when Jesus breathed on them. The thought is that this was a mini or pre-pentecost. The other interpretation is that the Spirit was not actually given here, but that Christ is again indicating that the Spirit will be poured out upon those who believe.

I hold to the second view. I think this episode corresponds with what Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:4-5. “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” (Acts 1:4–5, ESV)

The important thing to notice is that Jesus, being anointed by the Spirit above measure in his life, raised by the Spirit, and glorified by the Spirit (spiritual body), also has the authority to give the Spirit to those who belong to him. The Spirit is a seal, or guarantee to us. The Spirit is a down payment or firstfruits, a promise of more good things to come. The Spirit empowers the disciples of  Christ to live as the ought to live in this world, to the glory of God. We are to walk by the Spirit.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, Christ rose and appeared to his disciples, not only to prove that he was alive, and not only to show what kind of life he had earned, but also to encourage, equip, and commission his disciples for the road ahead. His desire is that we would be at peace, that we would be about his work, and that we would do so by the Spirit, to his glory, honor and praise.

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 20:19-23
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I was blessed to attend the General Assembly (GA) of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America (ARBCA) this year. It was hosted by Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois from May 26-28. The host church went above and beyond in showing hospitality. It was truly an excellent experience. Mike and I recorded a podcast in which I provide an overview of the GA. If you have not listened to it yet, please do.

Here I wish to set before you some of the preaching and teaching that we were blessed to receive at the GA. There were a number of devotionals, lectures, and sermons delivered. All of them were very good. They can be found at arbca.com/sermons. I have selected these particular lectures and sermons because they speak directly to the issue of church associations. What is the biblical warrant for local churches belonging to an association of churches? How should associations be formed? How ought they to be maintained? What is the purpose of forming associations? These questions are addressed in one way or another in the teachings I have selected.

Brothers and sisters, I would encourage you to listen to these if you can find the time. The leadership of Emmaus has grown convinced over the years of the importance of belonging to an association of churches that share the same view of the Bible and the same view of the mission of the church. We have been officially received into the Southern California Association of Reformed Baptist Churches (SCARBC) and we will be prayerfully considering ARBCA in the months (maybe years) to come.

Foundational Teachings on Church Associations from the 2016 ARBCA GA:

A Defense of Confessionalism  – Arden Hodgins –  4/27/2016

A Tale of Two Associations Revisited – James M. Renihan – 4/27/2016

Devotional from John 17:20-26 – John Miller – 4/28/2016

Associational Churchmanship: LBC 26:12-15 – James M. Renihan – 4/28/2016

Posted in Good Thoughts from Others Theology Church Life Church Practices The Church Joe Anady
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Old Testament Reading: Psalm 22:16-31

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” (Psalm 22:16–31, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:17-18

“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’—and that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:17–18, ESV)

Introduction

Imagine a soldier who has been deployed. He kisses his wife and children goodbye and leaves for a foreign land. He is a good soldier. He fights in many battles, and he wins many victories. The day comes for him to go out on his last patrol. He goes out and he fights in the biggest battle of all, and he returns to the base safe and sound – victorious.

Tell me, brothers and sisters, is his mission over? Is his mission complete in the moment that he returns to the base? In some respects we might say, ‘yes! He has done his duty. His service is complete!’ But I would imagine that the mission is not over in his mind, nor is it complete in the mind of his wife and children until he walks through the front door and embraces them.

The mission of Christ corresponds to this. We speak often of his obedient life, his sacrificial death, and his victorious resurrection. But Christ’s work was not truly complete until he was received home into the loving embrace of the Father. It was then that he would send the Spirit to continue his work in the world until his return.

We speak often of the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, but we should not neglect the significance of the ascension of Christ to the Father. It was the ascension that completed the circuit. From the Father the eternal Son of God came, taking upon himself human nature, and to the Father Jesus, who is the Christ, would return.

Remember that Mary was the first to see the empty tomb. She ran to tell Peter and John. Evidently she followed them back to the empty tomb. They investigated and returned home, but Mary lingered at the tomb, and she wept. It was while she was weeping that the Lord appeared to her. This was the first time that the risen Lord was seen. Mary did not recognize him at first, but when he said her name she responded “in Aramaic, ‘’!’ (which means Teacher)” (John 20:16, ESV). Evidently Mary grabbed ahold of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel tells us that she “took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” (Matthew 28:9, ESV) It was in response to this kind of touch – this clinging – that Jesus said,“Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…”(John 20:17, ESV).

Some English translations have Jesus telling Mary, “do not touch me” instead of “do not cling to me”. The NET and KJV are this way. “Do not touch me” is a valid translation, for that is what the greek word means – “to touch” – but it can be misleading. It might give the impression that there was something about Jesus’ resurrection body that was simply untouchable, as if he were no longer flesh and blood, but some kind of phantom or spirit.

But we should remember that when Thomas saw the risen Lord for the first time, Jesus did not say, ‘do not touch me, Thomas’, but rather, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27, ESV) Jesus did not forbid touch, but rather invited it.

The problem was not that Mary touched Jesus, but that she clung to him. She grabbed ahold of him and would not let go. She grabbed ahold of him as if to say, ‘certainly you are here to stay now.’ But Jesus did not raise from the dead in order to go on living in this fallen world. He rose to ascend. This is why he said to Mary, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, ESV)

Acts 1:3 tells us that “[Jesus] presented himself alive to [his disciples] after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3, ESV) For forty days Jesus appeared to his disciples in his resurrection before “being lifted up… a cloud [taking] him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9, ESV)

What an interesting forty days this must have been! For forty days the risen Lord presented himself to his disciples before ascending. Why did he do this? The obvious reason was to prove to them that he was alive. But I would argue that Jesus also sought to demonstrate what kind of life he was raised to.

Have you ever thought about this? Have you ever asked the question, what is the nature of Christ’s resurrection? What is the character or quality of it? Do you know what I mean by this? You and I are alive, but it is a certain kind of life that we enjoy. It is life in a fallen world. It is life that is perishable. It is life characterized by dishonor and weakness. You and I are alive, but it is life of a particular kind – life of a particular quality. But what kind of life was Christ raised to?

Let me illustrate what I’m getting at by drawing your attention to the fact that there are actually two resurrections reported in John’s Gospel. The first is the resurrection of Lazarus, and the second is the resurrection Christ.

What do these two resurrections share in common? Well, in both instances human beings experience physical death. They died and they were buried being raised to life on the third day. Both Lazarus and Christ experienced these things.

But I hope you would also agree that these two resurrections were different in some very significant ways. Pertinent to the topic at hand is the fact that Lazarus was raised – not to a higher order of being, not to an advancement of life, not to ascend – but to life as he knew it before. He was brought back to this world. He was brought back to life as a natural man – a fallen man – given again to sin, sickness, and death. That was the kind of resurrection that Lazarus’ experienced.

Tell me, brother and sisters, was this the kind of resurrection that Christ experienced? I hope that you would agree that it was not. Christ’s resurrection from the dead was far more glorious.

Let us consider for a moment the quality or character of Christ’s resurrection. What kind of resurrection was it?

Jesus Was Raised A Human Being

The first thing to notice is that Jesus Christ was raised as a human being. This has already been said, but it is worth repeating. He was born a man, he died a man, and he was raised a man. He was not raised as a phantom or an angel, but as the Son of Man.

Luke 24:37 makes this very clear. When Jesus appeared to his disciples,

“…they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.” (Luke 24:37–43, ESV)

I have already made reference to Jesus’ interaction with doubting Thomas. He said ,“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27, ESV)

Jesus was very much concerned to prove to his disciples that he was raised as a man.

Jesus Was Raised To A Higher State Of Being

Notice, secondly, that Jesus was raised to a higher state of being. He was raised in glory.

When Jesus was born into this world he was born with a natural body – a body like ours, yet without sin – a body given to sickness and death – a body which grew tired and hungry and thirsty.

His natural body was perishable. Jesus could die. And he did die! But he was raised with a spiritual body. And this spiritual body is imperishable. Unlike Lazarus, Jesus rose from the dead never to die again.

Jesus’ natural body – the one that he was born with – the one like yours and mine – was given to dishonor. Think of the way that Christ suffered in the flesh. Think of how he was mistreated. But he was not raised in dishonor. No he was raised by the Spirit in glory.

His natural body was given also to weakness. Christ grew weary according to the flesh. He was tempted. He aged. He was beat down to the point of not being able to carry his own cross. Eventually his body gave out and succumbed to death. But he was not raised in weakness. No, he was raised by the Spirit in power.

Jesus was born with a natural body like yours and mine. But he was raised with a spiritual body – a glorified body – a body fully empowered, upheld, and exalted by the Holy Spirit.

This may sound strange to you, but it is precisely the language that Paul uses to describe the nature of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Please turn there with me.

Notice that the resurrection is certainly the theme of 1 Corinthians 15.

In verses 1-11 he makes a case for the historicity of Christ’s resurrection. ‘He was seen by so many people’, Paul insists.

In verses 12-19 Paul teaches that if Christ is not raised then our faith is futile. He says, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19, ESV)

And in verse 20 we read, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, ESV) What does this mean that Christ is “the firstfruits”? It means that what Christ has experienced in his resurrection, we too shall experience. In other words, Christ was raised, not as an isolated individual, but as a forerunner – a prototype – a trailblazer of sorts. He was the first of many. “Firstfruits” is an agricultural term. It is used to refer to the first of the fruit ready for harvest. When a farmer plucks that first ripe fig from the tree he does no think, well, I guess this it’, but rather, ‘here is but a sample of more good things to come!’ So it was with the resurrection of Christ. It is not only Jesus Christ who will raise, but all who are united to him by faith. He is the firstfruits.

And what is the nature, or quality of that resurrection? What kind of resurrection will those who are united to Christ by faith experience?

Paul addresses this in verse 35. Listen carefully.

“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come’? You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:35–44, ESV)

There is so much about this passage that can be said. Let me summarize it for the sake of time. Paul is addressing the question, what will our resurrection bodies be like? He is in fact also addressing the question, what was Jesus’ resurrection body like? given that he has just referred to Christ as the firstfruits. As it was for him, so it will be for us – as it will be for us, so was it for him.

He uses the illustration of a seed as it corresponds to the plant that comes from it to describe the relationship between our natural bodies and our spiritual, resurrection, or glorified bodies that will one day be.

The seed represents our natural body, and the plant represent our spiritual body. He notes that, “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.”A seed, if it is to produce a plant, must go into the ground and die. So it is with our natural bodies. Our natural bodies will one day die and go into the ground. But just as God has designed that a kernel of wheat or some other grain have the capacity to spring forth and produce a plant which correspond to it in kind, so too he has designed man so that natural man has the capacity to become spiritual man, or glorified man. Adam was created this way. He was created good and upright, but with the potential of entering into a higher state of being – a glorified state – a perfected and confirmed state – would he have obeyed the command of God. This is what verses 45 through 49 says. We will not read it for the sake of time.

For now, notice how in this illustration the seed and the plant which come from it correspond. A grain of wheat will produce what kind of plant? It will produce wheat of course! The seed and the plant correspond. But notice also how different the seed and the plant are.The plant far exceeds the seed in regard to glory. And so it is with the with the natural body and the spiritual body. They correspond, don’t they. They are both bodies. Jesus was Jesus after the resurrection. You will be you. The natural body and the spiritual body correspond. They are not all together different. The one comes from the other. But the spiritual body – the glorified body – will far exceed the natural in regard to glory. “What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:35–44, ESV)

Christ was born with a body like yours and mine. He was born with a natural body like Adam’s. He lived with this natural body. He died with this natural body, and he was buried with this natural body. But when he rose from the grave on the third day, he was raised, not with a natural body, but with a spiritual, glorified, perfected body. Notice that it was still a body! But it was a body in the state of glory. To use Paul’s language, Christ died with a σῶμα ψυχικόν (a natural body) and he was raised with a σῶμα πνευματικόν (a spiritual body).

It’s no wonder that Jesus told Mary not to cling to him. He had been furnished with a body suitable, not for life in this fallen world, but for confirmed life in the presence of God almighty.  This was the higher state of being – the higher order of life – that was offered to Adam in the garden which he forfeited. Christ, the second Adam has laid ahold of it, not only for himself, but for all who are united to him by faith.

Jesus Was Raised Having Earned Access To The Father For Himself And All Who Trust In Him

This leads us to the third and final observation. Jesus was raised having earned access to the Father for himself and all who are united to him by faith.

Notice that Jesus said to Mary, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, ESV)

Jesus calls the disciples ‘his brothers’ for the first time in John’s Gospel. This is significant. It points to that fact that he has earned that status for them. We are his brothers. Jesus is the Son of God, and we who are united to him by faith are sons and daughters of God. We are not sons and daughters on our own, but we have been adopted as sons and daughters in Christ Jesus.

“For those whom [God] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29–30, ESV)

“In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:4–5, ESV)

Notice the message that Mary is to take to ‘his brothers’. She is to tell them that he is risen, of course, and that “[he is] ascending to [his] Father and [their] Father, to [his] God and [their] God.”

Christ, through his death and resurrection, has earned access to the Father, not only for himself, but for all who belong to him by faith. He has reestablished the communion bond between God and his people. He has opened the way for us.

This has always been the goal. This eternal communion bond was offered to Adam but forfeited. But God, being rich in mercy, determined to make a way for those who being to him. The promise repeated throughout the scriptures is this, “I will be their God and they will be my people.” (Gen. 17:8; Jer. 24:7; 31:33; 32:38; Ez. 11:20; 37:23,27; Zech. 8:8). That is the goal of redemption. The goal of redemption is that we would be reconciled to God. That we would enjoy communion with him. That he would be our God and Father and that we would enjoy his presence forever. This is what Christ has accomplished for us.

“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:1–9, ESV)

Brothers and sisters, Christ lived for you, he died for you, he rose for you, and he also ascended for you. He is our trailblazer. He has made a way for us.

He came from the Father, and to the Father he has returned. But he did not return alone. He has brought with him all those given to him by the Father. He has lost not one. He has recoiled us to God, making us brothers and sisters in Christ and sons and daughters of the living God.

Conclusion

If we are to comprehend all that Christ has accomplished for us in his life, death, and resurrection, we must also consider the character of his resurrection. As it was for him, so will it before for us. And we should remember that he ascended to the Father so that where he is now we might also be. The scriptures teach that we are already seated with him in the heavenly places. We already enjoy communion with the living God through Christ. But we await the consummation when all who have faith in Christ will enjoy the fullness of that communion none for all eternity.

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 20:17-18
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Old Testament Reading: Psalm 33

“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:11-16

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” (John 20:11–16, ESV)

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, in the sermon last week we considered some “proofs” for the resurrection of Christ. Actually, I sought to demonstrate that the resurrection of Christ cannot really be proven. To prove something is to demonstrate it beyond all doubt. And the truth of the matter is that people often continue in unbelief after reading the scriptures, and hearing the testimony of the people of God concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is better, then, to refer to these testimonies presented in scripture, not as proofs, but as evidences.

Last week we looked at verses 1-10 of John 20 where we are told of Mary’s discovery of the empty tomb, and of Peter and John’s investigation of the empty tomb. We saw how the evidence pointed, not to a grave robbery, as Mary supposed, but to the resurrection. The things that Peter and John experienced directed their minds to the possibility of the resurrection, but it was not until they understood the scriptures that the Christ must rise from the dead, that they believed.

It was the testimony of God’s inspired, inerrant, and authoritative word which made everything click for the disciples. Their experience could only take them so far; the empirical evidence could only do so much for them. It was only when the Holy Spirit (to borrow the language of Luke 42:45) “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” that these men believed that Christ had risen.

Two things are very significant: One, notice that the Spirit must move upon the hearts of men if the evidences concerning Christ’s resurrection presented within the scriptures are going to have the force of proof. Two, notice that the scriptures – God’s special revelation concerning himself – have supreme authority in dictating what it is that the people of God are to believe, and how they are to live. I know this is review (and I do not typically offer this much review in the introduction to my sermons) but I think this is such an important principle. It was the testimony of scripture which prompted the disciples of Christ to believe.

This emphasis upon the supreme authority of scripture was presented to us early in John’s Gospel. Do you remember how, in John 2:19, Jesus said to the Jews,

“‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:19–22, ESV)

If the disciples of Christ were to believe something it needed to first be demonstrated by the scriptures.  This also was the practice of the early church. In Acts 17:10 we are told of the “noble minded” Jews who lived in Berea who, upon hearing the preaching of Paul and Silas, “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, ESV) If it is true that the disciples of Christ themselves had the scriptures as their supreme authority for truth, and if it is true that the early church also looked to the scriptures to know what to believe and what to reject, then should we not also have the same practice? Indeed we should.

I made the argument last week that it was the testimony of the Old Testament scriptures concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Christ which made the empirical evidence that the disciples of Christ were encountering exceedingly strong. To say it another way, the evidence for the resurrection is strong, in and of itself. The tomb was found empty. Christ was seen, not by one or two brothers, but by many men and women over a period of forty days. And the followers of Christ who claimed to see Jesus in his resurrection had noting gain from it, and everything to loose – many of them died on account of their faith in the risen Lord. The evidence is strong in and of itself. But it becomes exceedingly strong when we recognize that these events were foretold. They were predetermined in the mind of God, and revealed by God to man through many prophesies and promises, types and shadows, found throughout the Old Testament, written long before the Christ was born.

As I took my seat last week after the sermon, and after the Lord’s Supper, an illustration came to mind. Why the illustration did not come to mind sooner, I do not know.

Imagine serving as juror on a murder trail. And listening to one witness after another – dozens of them – being brought before the court to testify. These are eyewitness – people who saw the crime. Imagine them coming forward one after another to say, “I saw it. This man committed the crime.” That would be strong evidence, would it not? Of course the defense is sly and cunning (no offense to defense attorneys)  and they seek to discredit the witnesses. They attacks the character of some. They call into question the motive of others. They suggests that that perhaps some of them have misperceived.

As a juror you are left with dozens of eyewitness. They have each testified, and they have each been attacked in one way or another by the defense. But tell me, is the evidence strong? I would say that it is indeed strong, given the multitude of eyewitness.

But then the prosecution presents another piece of evidence. They have found letters written by the defendant, both on his computer, and written by hand. And these letters make it clear that the murder was premeditated. They reveal specific plans. They reveal motive. They reveal in detail the the preparations that were made.

The evidence was strong before, but now what you would say about it? I would argue that the written content has made the empirical evidence – the testimony of what the eyewitness experienced and saw – exceedingly strong.

Of course the defense attorney would see to also discredit the written material, claiming that they are inauthentic. But all of it taken together makes for a very strong case.

I hope you can see how this illustration corresponds to the evidence presented in the scriptures concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The faith of the church rests upon the testimony of eyewitness. Our faith rests upon their witness as it is preserved for us in the scriptures. But we have access, not only to the eyewitness account, but also to the scriptures written long before the birth of Christ which reveal that his obedient life, his sacrificial death, and his victorious resurrection were premeditated events. The Father predetermined to send the Son, the Son came in obedience the Father, and the Holy Spirit empowers it all.

These are not proofs, but evidences. And these evidences have the force of proof as the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to illumine the minds of God’s elect as the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached throughout all the world.

I have taken the time to review in this way, one, to strengthen a bit of what was said last week, and two, to pave the way for what we will encounter in John’s Gospel today and in the weeks to come. More evidence will be presented to us. We will be told of one encounter after the next between the risen Lord and the his followers. Each will have it’s own significance. May the Spirit of God strengthen our faith especially as we see that these things have happened in fulfillment to the scriptures.

Mary was the first to the see the empty tomb, and she was also the first to see the risen Lord.

I love this fact. I love it in part because of the way that it demonstrates the significance of women among the disciples of Christ. They were not Apostles. And they do not hold the office of elder or deacon within Christ’s church. But how absurd it is to assume that because a distinction is made between male and female, with different roles assigned to each each within the family and church, that that equates to some sort of degradation or devaluation of women. Brothers and sisters, women played a very significant role within the disciples of Christ. And they have always played a very significant role within the church of God. I’m sure you would all would agree that the same is true of the women of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. God, in mercy and grace, has saved us, male and female, and he uses us in the furtherance of his Kingdom. Praise be to God.

What can we learn from this passage which describes Mary’s encounter with the risen Lord?

It seems to me that this passage begins to reveal to us some of the benefits that come to us because of the resurrection of Christ.

Christ Is Risen, Therefore We Have Hope In This World

Notice one thing for today. The resurrection of Christ from the dead brings us hope. Brothers and sisters, see, and do not forget, that it is because Christ is risen that we have hope in this world.

Verse 11: “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” (John 20:11, ESV)

Mary wept. Wouldn’t you?

Verses 12-15: “And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’” (John 20:12–15, ESV)

“Mary, why are you weeping?”

This does not forbid weeping. Jesus wept. We should not be ashamed to weep. Suffering and death are unnatural to us. Run to Christ with your sorrow, but do not suppress the sorrow.

Illustration: Suffering in ARBCA.

Weeping is appropriate. But for Mary there really was no reason to weep given the reality of the resurrection.

Verses 15-16: “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” (John 20:15–16, ESV)

Mary did not immediately recognize Jesus. Was it too still dark? Were here eyes cloudy with tears? Was it because Jesus was bloody and bruised the last she saw him, and now he was somewhat whole (though the wounds in his hands and feet and side remained)? It’s hard to know.

This is common in the post resurrection appearances of Christ.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize him.

“But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:16, ESV)

Perhaps there is something about the fact that Jesus was glorified.

Mary recognized him when she heard his voice!

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14–16, ESV)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, ESV)

She called him “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Why “teacher”. Really, a very tender term. He had been her teacher. He needed him to teach. It’s as if she said, “please teach me!”

Life is difficult. It begins and ends with tears. Apart from God it is indeed vain and hopeless. Through Christ we have hope.

In the Old Testament God is called “the hope of Israel” (Jeremiah 14:8). In the New Testament we see that Christ, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, is the ground out of which this hope springs.

In Acts 26 Paul stands on trial before Agripa and says, “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:6–8, ESV)

In Romans 5:1-5 Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5, ESV)

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Paul writes to those grieving the death of loved ones. He says,“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, ESV)

I love the way this story of Mary’s encounter with the risen Lord illustrates the hope that the resurrection of Christ brings. Her sorrow was turned to joy because he is risen.

Application

Do you have hope? Is it a hope that goes beyond the grave?

To the one suffering – to the one discouraged by the difficulties of life – set your hope on Jesus.

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10, ESV)

To the one doing well in this world – do not set your hope on the things of this world. They will fail you in the end!

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace…” (2 Thessalonians 2:16, ESV)

Posted in Sermons Joe Anady John 20:11-16
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