Emory Baptist Church

O Magnify the Lord with Me!

Painful Finances

Painful Decisions

If you have your Bibles this morning, I want you to find 1 Samuel 15.  I want to share a message with you this morning about painful decisions.

 

If you were here last Sunday morning, you know that I introduced a Sunday morning summer sermon series.  It is about lives full of pain.

 

However, my aim is not simply to identify pains in this earthly life.  My goal is address them biblically, and show us, from God’s word, how to survive.

 

BTW…the only time and place that is pain free is eternity in heaven.  That time and place is secured only for those that receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

 

Life is full of decisions.  One “Psychology Today” estimated that we make 35,000 decisions per day.

 

Sometimes, we make painful decisions. Typically, they are painful because of the consequences, and that is true of Saul in 1 Samuel 15.

 

 

1. God’s directions and expectations are most of the time clear, 15:1-3.

 

The reason I saw most of the time is because I don’t think God tells in His word where to specifically to go to college or specifically to work or specifically how many kids to have.  However, He does tell us specifically to honor our parents and be honest and don’t murder or steal or commit adultery.

 

For Saul, God’s directions were crystal clear.  See 15:3.

 

The question that you are probably asking is why.  I asked that same question.  Isn’t this extra?  Isn’t God going overboard…the women, the babies, the animals?

 

Exodus 17:8-16, 8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

 

But is this all?  This doesn’t sound like much.

 

Deuteronomy 25:17-18, 17 “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, 18 how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.

 

God was angry that Amalek attacked His people?  How did he attack them?  He attacked them from behind and when they were tired and weary.

 

When God gives instructions and directions, He expects us to obey.  The challenge that you and I face is deciding whether we know better than God.

 

 

2. God hates sin, and partial obedience is sin, 15:4-25.

 

For Saul, he thought his human wisdom was better than God’s instruction. Consequently, this led him down the road of partial disobedience and a series of painful decisions.

 

Yes, he obeyed God partially.  However, partial obedience is disobedience.  

 

Instead of what God had said, what did Saul do?  Look at verse 9.

 

He spared the king and the best animals.  This was painful decision number 1.

 

When Samuel confronted him, Saul lied.  Look at verse 13.  This was painful decision number 2.

 

When pressed even further, Saul blamed his people for his own decision.  Look at verse 15.  This was painful decision number 3.

 

In verse 21, Saul tried to justify his painful decision and those of his people by pointing out the good they were going to do. This was painful decision number 4. 

 

However, notice how Samuel responded in verse 22.  Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

 

In other words, don’t brag about your obedience in some areas when your disobedience is glaring.  Don’t tell me how much you’re giving to offerings when you aren’t tithing.  Don’t tell me about how much your serving when your forsaking the assembly on Sunday mornings.  Don’t tell me how much you want to know and follow God’s will and then you’re sexually active with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

 

Saul’s last painful decision is in verse 24.  This was number five as he feared the people more than he feared God. 

 

BTW…We typically don’t just make one painful decisions.  Once we start downhill, the ball is hard to stop rolling. 

 

 

3. Saul’s decisions were most painful because they meant forfeiting God’s blessing, 15:26-35.

 

Yes, Saul confessed in verse 26.  However, it was too late.

 

Not immediately, but eventually, God would take the nation of Israel from Saul.  He would remove him as king.

 

Did God do that?  Of course He did in making David king.

 

 

Conclusion

What is God making crystal clear to you right now, and you’re not obeying completely?  Is it your money? Is it your commitment to EBC?  It is your purity or your relationships?

 

Partial obedience is disobedience.  Disobedience runs the risk of forfeiting God’s blessing.  Stop making painful decisions today.

 

 

No Place Like Heaven...Pain Free

Life is FULL of pain.  That is probably not the encouraging word that you were looking for this morning before you arrived.

 

However, it is true, and I think you all would agree.  As Christians, I sometimes feel that the expectation from others is that we are to just put our head down and go on or bury our head in the sand and act like our pain doesn’t exist.  That’s not what we are going to do this summer at EBC.

 

Earlier this spring, the Hunt Baptist Association hosted a one-day seminar with Dr. Matthew Kim.  He wrote this book, “Preaching to People in Pain: How Suffering Can Shaper Your Sermons and Connect with Your Congregation.”

Ronnie and Chris and I all attended this seminar.  I especially was impacted to the degree that I felt you, as people in pain, needed to hear from God’s Word. 

 

In the Bible, the word “pain” is used 39 times.  12 times it refers to emotional or spiritual pain.  26 times it refers to physical pain.  The most common type of physical pain mentioned is childbirth.

 

This summer, we will talk about various types and circumstances of pain.  See bulletin insert.

 

I said pain was mentioned 39 times in the Bible.  12 are emotional or spiritual.  26 are physical.  12 plus 26 equals 38. 

 

The last time that pain is mentioned, it actually speaks to the absence of pain.  Where?

 

This life is FULL of pain, and the next life will be an eternity of pain.  However, there is a time and place where pain will be no more.

 

Take your Bibles and turn to Revelation 21:1. I want to share a message with you entitled, “No Place Like Heaven.”

 

 

1. Heaven will be pain FREE, Revelation 21:1-5a!

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

 

In verse 1, John said he saw a new heaven and a new earth because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  The first heaven and the first earth are what we have now, but when will they pass away? 

 

 

Revelation doesn’t tell us. However, 2 Peter 3 does.

 

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

Remember our timeline.  We are waiting on the rapture.  Then will be the tribulation.  Then Jesus will return. Then He will reign on hearth for 1,000 years.  Then eternity will begin.

 

According to 2 Peter 3, after Jesus comes back and before eternity begins, the first heaven and the first earth will pass away, and there will be no more sea.  They pass away because they are tainted with sin.

 

However, specifically, why will there be no more sea?  It is hard to say.

 

It may something to do with the anti-Christ coming from the sea in Revelation 13.  It may have something to do with being the place of the dead in Revelation 20.  The bottom line is that Scripture isn’t clear.

 

In verse 2, John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. John compared her to a bride adorned for her husband. 

 

Don’t simply pass over the significance of this analogy of a wedding and a marriage that has one bride and one groom.  We can probably conclude that John uses this analogy because the holy city will be the home of the bride of Christ, His Church. 

 

The absolute greatest fact about heaven is revealed in verse 3.  Heaven will mean the presence of Christ.  In verse 3, He is called the Tabernacle of God which reminds us of the Old Testament.  However, it also reminds us of John 1:14.

 

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

In His first coming, Jesus became flesh and dwelt or tabernacled among us.  He will do that again in heaven. 

 

Now listen to verse 4.  Eternity will be a return to Genesis with the new heaven and the new hearth.  It will be the presence of God in Jesus Christ, and it will be the absence of sorrow with NO pain.

 

Verse 4 is one of our favorite and most comforting verses in all of the Bible.  There will be NO pain at all…zero, none, nota.

 

Think about all of the pain in this life.  We will talk about painful decisions, painful finances, painful health, painful losses, painful relationships, and painful sins. 

 

However, that won’t be true in the life to come.  There will be no illness.  There will be no death.  There will be no betrayal.  There will be no abuse.  There will be no loss. 

 

There will be NO pain.  Heaven will be pain FREE.

 

 

2. You can’t count on this truth, Revelation 21:5b!

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

 

You might be wondering how will there be no sorrow and no pain.  The answer is in verse 5.  Jesus said He will make all things new. 

 

Here is what I know about this transformation just from one verse.  First of all, in heaven, Jesus will be in charge.  It won’t be me.  It won’t be you.  It won’t be anyone other than Him.

 

Second, His promise leaves nothing out.  There are no exceptions.  He said, “I will make ALL things new.”  There is no need to elaborate.  Heaven will be the transformation of every single thing.

 

Third, this promise is a promise made and a promise kept.  It hasn’t happened yet, but it will.  These words are faithful and true.

 

 

 

3. Will your pain end when you get to heaven, Revelation 21:6-8?

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

Finally, in our last three verses for today, there is an invitation to experience life and eternal life.  This is an invitation for your pain to end!

 

In verse 6, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  Those are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. He is the beginning and the end.

 

He was there in the beginning, and was the Creator in Genesis.  He will be there in Heaven in the end for eternity in Revelation, and He invites anyone who thirsts to come to the fountain of the water of life. 

 

He isn’t talking about physical thirst but spiritual thirst.  That may be you this morning. 

 

Is there something more to this life?  Are you missing something?  Are you not at peace with your Creator? 

 

Are you tired of pain and more pain and more pain?  Come to Jesus and thirst no more and experience freedom from pain.

 

However, if your life is characterized by cowardliness, unbelief, anger, murder, sexual immorality, sorcery, idolatry and lies, you haven’t been saved.  You don’t have a home in heaven.

 

You will experience the second death.  You will die physically and then spiritually for eternity.

 

Not only will you continue to experience pain in this life, you will experience pain for eternity.  Jesus invites you to be saved today.

 

Navigating the Road Ahead

The Peace We All Need

Here in Luke 12, Jesus is talking about the end of time.  If you have your Bibles, turn them to Luke 12:54, and I want to share with you a message entitled, “The Peace We All Need.”

 

Again, in the recent Sundays, we have been talking about end of time events because Jesus has been addressing the end of time.  We know that specifically because of Luke 12:40.

 

40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

 

When talking about end time events, here at Emory Baptist Church, we generally use this time line.  The rapture of the church will be unexpected and begin a seven-year earthly tribulation of Christians.  The return of Christ is after the tribulation and begins a one-thousand-year earthly reign.  At the end of the millennium, eternity begins.

 

However, of those events, one is talked about more than others, and for good reason.  That is the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

 

 

Exposition

In Luke 12:45, we see that Jesus was talking to the multitudes.  Therefore, all of us need to pay attention this morning.

 

In verses 55-56, Jesus spoke about the weather.  He affirmed that these people were good at know the signs of impending weather.  However, they didn’t have radars or weather apps.

 

What did they have?  They had their eyes.

 

When they saw clouds coming from the west off of the Mediterranean Sea, they knew it would rain soon. Also, when they saw and felt the wind blowing from the south, they knew they were in for some hot weather. 

 

However, Jesus chastised them, and called them hypocrites.  Why?

 

They could see accurately discern the signs for weather.  However, the savior of the world was standing in front of them talking, but they didn’t recognize Him.

 

What should they do?  Verses 58-59 contain a parable.

 

If you are odds or conflict with your enemy, you better get the situation resolved.  Otherwise, a judge going to throw you in jail, and you won’t have the means to get out.

 

The main point of this parable and my message today is found in verse 58.  Make every effort along the way to settle with him.

 

What does that mean for us today?  Simply put, be at peace!

 

 

Application

Before I get more into peace with whom and how, does the Bible really commend a life of peace?  Consider these verses all from the New Testament.

 

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

 

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

Therefore, I think we can say, without question, that the Bible commends a life of peace.  However, with whom and how?

 

First and foremost, and most important, and the primary point of this text at the end of Luke 12 is that we are invited to be at peace with God, our creator.  However, that doesn’t happen automatically.  See Romans 5:1.

 

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Second, we are encouraged and challenged to be at peace with one another or our neighbor. However, we know from the story of the Good Samaritan that our neighbor isn’t just our geographical neighbor but anyone that God puts in our path each and every day.

 

It may be our across the fence neighbor.  It may be our school neighbor.  It may be our work neighbor.  It may be our family neighbor.  It may be our mom or son or daughter.

 

Be at peace with God.  Be at peace with one another.

 

Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

 

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

 

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

 

1 Peter 3:10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.  11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.  12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

 

But let me share one last thing with you.  For you to be peace with some of your neighbors or one of your neighbors, you might need to say, “I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.”

 

And please listen to this.  You don’t have to know how you hurt someone to apologize.  You just have to know THAT you hurt someone. 

 

And for others of you, for you to be peace with some of your neighbors or one of your neighbors, you might need to say, “I forgive you.”

 

And you might be saying, “You don’t know how bad he or she hurt me.”  That’s true.  I don’t, but God does.

 

And God says this in the Sermon on the Mount.  See Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 6:14-15.

 

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

 

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

 

Conclusion

This morning, I invite you to be at peace with God through your faith in Jesus Christ.  If you already are, I invite you to be at peace with your neighbor by saying I’m sorry or I forgive you.

 

Division That Is Inevitable

to share a message with you entitled, “Division That Is Inevitable.”

 

In the recent messages in Luke 12, Jesus has been telling parables that have all had the same main idea.  It is found in Luke 12:40.

 

40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

 

As we continue to think about the return of Christ today, we are going to look at the subject of division.  Generally speaking, division in the church or a church is not positive, and should be avoid at all costs.

 

Romans 16:17-18, 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10, 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

Titus 3:9-11, 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

 

These divisions are avoidable.  They are about often about personal preferences and personalities.

 

However, some division is inevitable.  That is the division regarding the person of Christ, and that is our topic for today.

 

 

1. At the end of time judgment, fire will punish the sinner and purify the saint, Luke 12:49.

49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

 

So many times in the Old and New Testaments, fire is understood to mean judgment.  Since we are talking about the return of Christ, I assume that is what Jesus means here as well.

 

BTW…as it relates to end of time timeline, here is what I believe in very general terms.  Unexpectedly, the rapture of the church will be first.  Then, there will be a seven-year earthly tribulation, and it will be really bad.

 

At the end of that seven years, Jesus Christ will return and begin His one-thousand-year earthly kingdom.  Then, eternity will begin.

 

Just before eternity begins, God will punish unbelieving sinners with fire.  See Revelation 20:11-15.

 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

Also, sometime before eternity begins, God will purify His saints with fire.  See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

 

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

 

Why did Jesus say he was looking forward this?  It was will be ultimate consummation of God’s plan and kingdom!

 

 

2. With His death on the cross, Jesus received God’s judgment on sin for all who would believe, Luke 12:50.

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

 

Jesus spoke of His judgement as a baptism.  Notice it was a future event from the time of this account. 

 

He was talking about His death on the cross, and no one in their right mind would look forward to it.  Jesus was distressed about it.

 

Why?  Wasn’t it God’s plan?  Yes, but Jesus became every sin every committed and would be committed. 

 

Think about that.  He became every act of rape and every act of murder and every act of sexual abuse and every act of drunkenness and every act terror in addition to every anger and every lie and every lust and every pride.

 

We know this because of 2 Corinthians 5:21. Therefore, either Jesus was judged for your sin or your will be judged for you sin.  The choice is yours.

 

 

3. Every single individual will be judged by what he or she has done in relation to the person of Christ, and division is inevitable, Luke 12:51-53.

51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

 

Because of His character, Jesus will be a source of division and not peace.  This is true because of the exclusive claims that Jesus makes about God and Himself.

 

For example, any individual can only have the peace of God when they are at peace with God through the Son of God, the Prince of Peace.  See Romans 5:1.

 

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

To be justified means to be made right.  We need to be made right because we are all wrong because of our sin.

 

We are only made right through faith in Jesus Christ.  However, it is not faith in some good person.  It is not faith in some moral teacher.  It is faith in the perfect, sinless Son of God as Lord and Savior.

 

When a person makes that decision, there will be others who don’t, and those others will even be family members.  This division is inevitable.

 

Fathers will disagree with sons and vice versa.  Mothers will disagree with daughters and vice versa.  Extended family will disagree with extended family and vice versa. 

 

 

Conclusion

However, Jesus worth it all!  See Matthew 19:29.

 

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

The Parable of the Faithful Steward

Introduction

If you have your Bible this morning, please take it and find Luke 12:41.  This morning, we are going to look at what is often referred to as, “The Parable of the Faithful Steward.”

 

On the first Sunday in April, Bro. Ronnie taught us from Luke 12:35-40.  Those verses contain at least one parable and possibly two.  They certainly contain the parable of the expectant steward and maybe the parable of the surprised master.

 

In today’s context, steward means someone who is in charge.  However, this steward is also a servant or a slave.

 

Please remember that a parable is an earthly story with a spiritual meaning or even multiple meanings.  Also, we would be wise not press the parable too hard.  In other words, we don’t have to find a spiritual meaning for noun or verb in the parable.

 

Look back at 12:40. The point of the previous parable or parables is the point of the today’s parable.

 

40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

 

As follower of Christ, we must be ready for the return of Christ.  If you’re not a follower of Christ, I would say you are NOT ready for the return of Christ.

 

 

Exposition

Peter asked in verse 41 if the previous parable was for the disciples only or for the multitude as well.  Jesus didn’t answer explicitly, but I believe the text indicates that previous parable and today’s parable is meant for the multitude.

 

I want us to see three main characters: the master, faithful steward, and the unfaithful servant.

 

 

1. The Master

 

Undoubtedly, the master is the Lord Jesus, and let’s notice the master’s role.  However, we shouldn’t make the parable say something we know isn’t true.

 

In verse 42, the master has authority and give authority to the faithful and wise steward.

 

In verse 43, the master inspects the work of the steward and the servants.

 

In verse 45, the master goes away for an indefinite period of time. 

 

In verse 46, when the master returns, he holds the servants accountable for their work.  He even punishes the unfaithful ones by cutting them in two and grouping them with unbelievers.

 

Does this mean Jesus cuts unbelievers in two?  This is called hyperbole. 

 

Jesus is exaggerating to get your attention.  He did this in the Sermon on the Mount when He said pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin or cut off your hand if it causes you to sin.

 

 

2. The Faithful Steward

 

In verse 42, the faithful steward is also wise.  His master has given certain responsibilities to him, and he is faithful to do them. 

 

In verses 43-44, when the master returns from his trip, if he finds the steward or servant doing his will, the master will give even more responsibility to him.  This servant will be extremely blessed for his work. 

 

 

3. The Unfaithful Servant

 

In verse 45, the unfaithful servant thinks he has plenty of time before his master returns.  Therefore, he begins to beat the other servants and he drinks and gets drunk. 

 

In verse 46, he will be judged by his master with severe punishment.  His master will assign a place with the unbelievers. 

 

In verse 47, the unfaithful servant will be punished with many stripes or beatings.  Why? He knew his master’s will and did not do it. 

 

BTW…Notice verses 47 and 48 together.  This make shock you, but this parable seems to indicate that there will be differing degrees of hell.

 

The parable seems to say that hell will be hotter or more painful for the one who had knowledge of how to be saved, and yet reject it.  For the one who had less knowledge, it will still be hell, but not as painful.

 

Also, this is related as to why Southern Baptists are so passionate about missions.  We give to missions.  We pray for missions.  We go on mission.

 

Why?  Because we believe that the Bible says that the only way to go to heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus. 

 

We have to get the gospel to those who haven’t heard.  There is no other way.

 

 

Applications/Conclusions

First, we must be ready for the return of Christ.  We are ready when we are saved. 

 

To not be saved when we have the opportunity is literally playing with fire.  See Revelation 20:11-15.

 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

Second, the way for the saved to be ready is to be busy doing the Master’s will.  See 1 Corinthians 15:58.

 

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 

Specifically, what is the work of the Lord?  It is pointing others to Christ. 

 

It is sharing your salvation story.  It is sharing a gospel presentation.  It is sharing an evangelistic tract.  It is inviting neighbors and family and friends to church to hear the gospel. 

 

Finally, when you are follower of Christ and you know God’s will, there is a level of accountability for you to live your life honoring Him.  To whom much is given, much is required, and for whom much is required, Jesus is more than worth it!

 

 

 

The Three Days of Easter

If you have your Bibles this morning, please find Mark 15:42.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Three Days of Easter.”

 

As you are finding our text, I am reminded my annual Easter joke of Brother Billy when he preached his Easter sermon at Main Street BC.  In the children’s sermon that morning, he asked them, “Can anyone tell me what happened on Easter?”  No one answered.

 

He persisted by saying, “Now I know that someone here knows what happened a long time ago for us to celebrate Easter today.”  Again, no one answered. 

 

Now frustrated, Brother Billy exclaimed, “Somebody please tell me about Easter Sunday!”  Little Johnny slowly raised his hand and said, “They killed Jesus!”  Brother Billy praised Johnny, “That’s right!”

 

“And then what?”  Little Johnny answered again, “They buried him, and he was in the tomb for three days.”  Brother Billy praised Johnny again, “That’s right!”

 

“And then what?”  Little Johnny answered a third time, “And on Easter morning, Jesus came out of the tomb!”  “That’s right,” Brother Billy exclaimed. 

 

Then Johnny blurted out, “And if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.”

 

Little Johnny’s account of Easter is mostly true.  However, I want to remind you of the Easter story this morning that is completely true, and it revolves around the three days of Easter.

 

 

1. Good Friday, Mark 15:42-47

42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

For us, we celebrate Good Friday, and it was good for us that Jesus died on the cross in our place and for our sins.  He became sin who knew no sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

 

As for Good Friday, notice first of all, Joseph of Arimathea. We pick up in verse 42 just before sundown on Friday.  The Sabbath started at sundown on Friday and went until sundown on Saturday. 

 

We know that Jesus died on the cross on Friday.  He was put on the cross at approximately 9 AM.  We know it got dark around 12 noon.  We know Jesus died, and the temple veil was torn in two at approximately 3 PM.

 

Because of the Sabbath, we know that He had to be taken down sometime before 6 PM.  Why?  See Deuteronomy 21:22-23.

 

22 “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

 

Therefore, it seems to be probably between 3-4 PM.  Verse 43 introduces us to Joseph of Arimathea.  He was a prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin or council. 

 

Mark’s gospel said he was waiting for the kingdom of God.  Therefore, we know had recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. 

 

Joseph was also very courageous because he came to Pilate to request Jesus’ body.    Pilate was not a fan of the Jews and felt like the Sanhedrin forced him to execute an innocent man.

 

Second, on Good Friday, notice Jesus who died.  Pilate verified that fact with the Roman centurion in verses 44-45.  He confirmed that Jesus was dead, and Joseph wrapped His dead body in linen and placed Him in a previously unused tomb.  Therefore, we have at least three individuals who confirmed that Jesus’ death was a fact and not a figment of someone’s imagination or made up: Pilate, the Roman centurion, and Joseph. 

 

Verse 46 tells us that Joseph buried Jesus’ body.  We know from John’s gospel that Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body with probably close to 100 pounds of grave clothes and placed Him in a family tomb belonging to Joseph. 

 

Verse 46 also tell us that the tomb was sealed.  The stone was circular and on a track and was rolled down an incline and into place to protect the body from grave robbers and wild animals. 

 

It was not as difficult to get the tomb sealed.  However, it would take a supernatural act to move that stone.

 

In verse 47, we see the Marys followed Joseph and Nicodemus to the tomb.  That fact will be important as we move from Good Friday to Silent Saturday.  

 

 

2. Silent Saturday, Mark 16:1

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

 

On Saturday, the disciples were afraid.  That is understandable right? 

 

They had just witnessed their Lord, their Savior, their Messiah brutally murdered.  If the Jews and the Romans did that to Jesus, what would they do to them?

 

Jesus was still dead.  We don’t hear a single word from Him because He literally died.  He literally was in the tomb, and the tomb was literally sealed.

 

However, we do read again about the Marys.  Because they didn’t understand what Jesus had told them about His resurrection, they He would still be dead, and they bought spices on Saturday night to anoint Jesus’ body early on Sunday morning after Sabbath was over.

 

How would they know where to go?  Go back to 15:47.

 

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. 

 

Now, let’s move from Silent Saturday to Resurrection Sunday!

 

 

3. Resurrection Sunday, Mark 16:2-8

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”  8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

Verse 2 says the Marys came to the tomb on Sunday morning, the first day of the week, to anoint Jesus’ body to keep it from stinking.  Again, the end of chapter 15 says they saw were Jesus was laid.

 

As they were on the way to the tomb, they began to get worried about who would move the stone.  As I said previously, this would have been a round stone that would have been rolled down an incline into a track.  Therefore, while it was easier to put in place, it would have been difficult to move and would have required the efforts of multiple men.

 

Matthew’s gospel tells us that a localized earthquake dislodged the stone, and an angel moved it.  Keep in mind that Jesus was already gone.  Therefore, moving the stone was to allow the witnesses in, not to let Jesus out.

 

When they arrived, the stone had been rolled away, and they were greeted by an angel.  Again, the other gospels tell us there were two angels, but only one of them spoke.  However, these women were deathly afraid which is the common human response to interactions with angels in the Bible.

 

Beginning in verse 6, we see the angel announced a message to the women. He informed the ladies that Jesus was in fact alive.  The Jesus they were seeking, who had been crucified, had been raised. 

 

The NKJV says He is risen.  In other words, Jesus was alive!

 

The angel then invited the ladies to look at the place where Jesus had been laid.  He was gone.  He was not there. 

 

In verse 7, the angel told the ladies to go and tell the disciples that Jesus would be awaiting them in Galilee.  Not only was He alive, but they would get to see Him again. 

 

Verse 8 says they left the tomb amazed at the prospect of Jesus, whom they saw die with their own eyes, living again.  These women came, and saw, and were sent.

 

BTW…Look back at verse 7.  Remember that Mark’s gospel is Peter’s eyewitness accounts that were written down by Mark. 

 

Verse 7 is talking about the same Peter who back in Mark 14 denied any association with the Lord on three occasions.  Then the rooster crowed.

 

However, in this verse 7, we see the foreshadowing of Peter’s restoration from a mistake and for ministry.  Again, Peter didn’t just deny the Lord once or even twice but three times. 

 

It was a huge mistake, but the Lord wasn’t done with Peter.  He would later use him mightily in the book of Acts preaching and seeing thousands saved and as a prominent leader in the early church.

 

Some of you are here today and the devil has told you that your time and opportunity for the Lord using you is done because of mistakes in your past.  I want you to know that the Lord can and will restore you for future ministry if you let Him. 

 

Tell the Lord that you’re sorry for those mistakes and ask for His forgiveness.  Then, ask Him to restore you and use you again in ministry for His Church. 

 

 

Invitation

I have two invitations this morning to give to you.  If you are a follower of Christ, I invite you to come again to the empty tomb on the pages of Scripture and see that Jesus is alive, and like the Marys, live sent…pointing others to Jesus as Lord and Savior with your words and your life.

 

My second invitation is for those who have never believed.  Today, I invite you to come to the empty tomb on the pages of Scripture and see that Jesus alive and call on Him this morning to save you.

 

The empty tomb is what separates Jesus and Christianity from every other world religion.  Jesus is alive!

 

Girded and Guarded