Death Defeated

 

(originally posted to Airdrie Ebenezer Evangelical Church 12 April 2020)

When I was younger, myself and my wee brother had an Atari ST (a 1980s version of an Xbox!) It was our pride and joy. Over the years we collected a lot of games, and found that many of them had a familiar pattern; you would defeat the bad guys successfully as you progressed before meeting the ‘end of level baddie’. This baddie was bigger, stronger and scarier than those that had come before. The end of game baddie was the biggest and the baddest and the scariest of all. Usually we couldn’t beat this baddie, but sometimes we could cheat it (cheat codes could usually be obtained at school) How happy we were when we managed to win!

As we walk through the gospel accounts of the life and work of Jesus we see him display his authority over things which seem to us to be enormously powerful and fearsome. The wind and the waves are stilled with a word from his lips. Illness bows the knee before him as the sick are made well. Demons and the spiritual forces of darkness are no match for his might- fleeing at his command. But the thing which frightens us most, is death. 

In 1 Corinthians 15 the apostle Paul argues for the truth and the importance of the resurrection of Christ. He reminds them of that which he proclaimed:

³ “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  ⁵ and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”

Even death bows the knee before King Jesus! He who was dead is alive forevermore! And this victory is not just for Jesus, it is for all who trust in him. Our sins were nailed to his cross. When Goliath fell the victory wasn’t just for David- it was for all of God’s people- those who had stood terrified in the presence of such a foe.

Jesus’ victory is your victory if he is your Lord and Saviour. Death has been defeated. It has become the doorway to life in the presence of your Lord.

 

Paul goes on to remind the Corinthians that when Christ comes again death will be ‘destroyed’ (or ‘entirely removed’)

 ²⁵ “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Easter is a time for looking back to the resurrection of our Lord with gratitude and joy. It is also a time for looking forward to the day he returns to make all things new, then “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have has passed away.”

We cannot beat our final enemy in our own strength or goodness, we cannot cheat death and yet we have no need to live in fear, our greatest enemy has been toppled and his presence will soon be utterly removed by King Jesus. Are you trusting in Him?

If so, rejoice this Easter, and always!

Yours in His service

Ross

Trouble or Trust

(originally posted to Airdrie Ebenezer Evangelical Church 5th April 2020)

Spring has sprung! The clocks have moved forward. The sun is shining (a wee bit) but we’re all still stuck indoors, watching our screens and hearing the news of more people succumbing to disease and death. What do we have to say to a hurting world in days like these?

Jesus, as he prepared his followers for his own death, said: 

John 14:1-4, 6b "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  4 You know the way to the place where I am going."  

 6 …"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Firstly, we can say that there IS a way. There is a way for us to know God as our Father; to live in right relationship with him, and therefore to live free from fear. Jesus still says “Do not let your hearts be troubled” to his people. He is with us in the troubles of this life and our place is secure in that new world without sickness, separation or sorrow (Rev 21). 

Secondly, we can say that this way is Jesus. We must be clear. Jesus does not say merely that he knows the way, but that he is the way. Jesus is not just a good teacher who offers good advice as to how we might try to please God. He is God the Son, sent to seek and to save that which was lost. Neither does Jesus say that he is a way, one among many. As is the case in all of the I AM statements, Jesus makes an exclusive claim- he is the only way; the only way to life in all of its fullness, the only way to life eternal.

Thirdly, we can say there is one we can trust absolutely, his Name is Jesus. I have read recently that there are people trying to take advantage of the vulnerable in the Corona-Crisis. Some of us have been let down or even betrayed by those we have trusted in the past- Jesus assures us that he is the very truth of God. It is impossible for him to lie, all of the glorious promises of God find their yes and amen in him.

That means we can trust him, allowing our hearts to be free from fear- and encourage others to do the same.  

Forward Together

(originally posted to Airdrie Ebenezer Evangelical Church 29th March 2020)

It’s often said that we never really appreciate what we have until we lose it. That could certainly be said for many of us in recent days. Suddenly we’re unable to shake hands, leave our homes, meet with others, buy toilet roll!.. 

 These are unprecedented circumstances which present unprecedented challenges. As elders we’ve been in constant discussion and prayer as to how the Church might be found faithful and fruitful in Christ’s service in these strange days. Maybe outlining some of our considerations as leaders would be helpful.

 

A People of Peace

 As believers in the Lord Jesus we have nothing to fear. As Jesus was preparing his disciples for the frightening reality of his own death he promised them that they would not be left alone- they would receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus then said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

That same Spirit is with us today. He is more than able to comfort us and bring the presence of Jesus to bear in our lives. 

Jesus is still with us by his Spirit and God is still Sovereign. These may be unprecedented times for us, but the God who has seen Kingdoms rise and fall -our God- is still on the throne. We rest in that knowledge today, tomorrow and always.

We also have a real opportunity to bear witness to the freedom from the fear of death that is ours in Christ Jesus at this time.

 

A Community of Love

The Church ought to be a community of love. In this strange season (and it is only a season) loving others means changing the way we serve together for the gospel. Keeping our distance from each other, meeting less often, not shaking hands seems to cut to the very heart of who we are as a loving Church family- but it is the best way to curb the spread of this virus and therefore to love the most vulnerable in our society. It allows us to show our respect for the authorities God has put in place while loving our neighbour as ourselves. It ought to drive us not ultimately to Whatsapp or to Facebook -or to despair! But to our knees in prayer for each other, for our community and for our world.

Making it personal

May I close by encouraging all of us to remember the appeal of the apostle Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

And also to think prayerfully about how you can best serve those in need at this time in the name of Christ Jesus.

Yours in Christ’s service

Ross

Coming Soon!

 

Today Lanarkshire moves into tier 4 of lockdown restrictions (the highest level in Scotland). After so many months of rules and regulations, it’s something no one is looking forward to. 

2020 has been a difficult year. And yet in the struggles and the sorrows there have been causes to be grateful, even joyful too. We’ve spent a lot more time in our houses and yet we’ve been able to say with Paul (who was not in lockdown- but was literally locked-up for his Christian faith!)

“But God’s Word is not chained!”

People have been drawn to church for the first time in a long time, or the first time ever, growth in grace has taken place and we’ve learned how to adapt to new forms of fellowship.

At Airdrie Ebenezer we’ve used Zoom, WhatsApp and our Church blog more than ever before. It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged regularly on my own personal blog, so I thought I might begin to post the devotional articles I write on the Church blog up here too.  

Keller on the Christian Gospel

'The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and snivelling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.'

— Tim Keller, The Reason for God

John Calvin on the Hypostatic Union

John Calvin on Christ's divine and human natures:

'For we know that in Christ the two natures were united into one person in such a manner that each retained its own properties; and more especially the divine nature was in a state of repose, and did not at all exert itself, whenever it was necessary that the human nature should act separately, according to what was peculiar to itself, in discharging the office of mediator. There would be no impropriety, therefore in saying that Christ, who knew all things (John 21:17), was ignorant of something in respect of his perception as a man; for otherwise he could not have been liable to grief and anxiety, and could not have been like us (Hebrews 2:17).'

John Calvin’s Commentaries on the Harmony of the Gospels, Vol 3, p145

Also see:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/you-asked-how-can-jesus-not-know-but-still-be-divine/

Spurgeon on blessing God

 "If we never cease to bless him till he ceases to bless us, our employment will be eternal."

Charles Spurgeon (commenting on Psalm 103:5)