Because He Lives, November 22, 2015
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November 22, 2015Christ the King/Mission SundayText: Daniel 7:9-10Psalm 93Revelation 1:4-8John 18;33-37Because He LivesIt seems anymore we hear of Christians being persecuted and even killed on a daily basis.Christians in northern Iraq woke up one day to find their houses had been sprayed painted byISIS with the Arabic letter “N” for Nazarene identifying them as Christians. They were given thechoice of converting Islam, leave, or die for their faith. Many left with only what they had ontheir backs while some chose to die.And then there is the image of Christians in orange jumpsuits, kneeling in front of Islamicterrorists about to have their heads cut off with knives in a gruesome process that takes minutesto do, not seconds- all because of their faith. To follow Christ and tell others the gospel is not aguarantee that life will be easy. In fact, the bible says many times not to be surprised if the worldhates you.I am on the mailing list for an organization called “Voice of the Martyrs”. It was founded byPastor Richard Wurmbrand some 30 years ago with a message that is just as important today ifnot more with the increased rise in attacks on Christians all over the world. Perhaps you haveheard of or read the book “Tortured for Christ” written by him.I want to show a video created by Voice of the Martyred. It is a re-enactment of a true story- thestory of a young Christians from India who was persecuted for his faith.Why would people be willing to be persecuted and even die for their faith? Certainly not for aphilosophy or social cause- or even for a way of life. They do it because of God’s love madeknown to them by the person Jesus Christ- God in the flesh who came to earth to die in ourplace. Jesus lived a perfect life and because of that, died a perfect sacrifice for our sins-and thenrose from the dead! He has become our reason for not only living- but for dying as well. Thewords of the apostle Paul to the Philippians resonate in our ears: “that I may know Him and thepower of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in His death. It is myhope with full courage- that Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death- forto me to live is Christ- and to die is gain.”May I remind you that these words came from the same man who held the coats of those stoningStephen for his faith in hopes of stopping “the Way” as the first Christians were called. Butpersecution- even death- cannot silence the message of the gospel. The power of the resurrectionis a game changer. It has the power to save and transforms.
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When Israel was enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt, God sent Moses to free them and lead them tothe promised land- and when Pharaoh would not let them go, God sent 10 plagues to convincehim to let them go.The final one was the angel of death that would take the life of the first born of every house. ButGod instructed the Israelites to sacrifice the most perfect lamb of their flock and smear the bloodover their doorposts. And when the angel of death saw the blood of the lamb identifying thehouse as a house of God, the angel passed over it, sparing the life of the first born inside.ISIS paints homes of Christians to identify and single them out for persecution and death. ButGod has covered us with His blood- not for death- but to save us for life.Today is the Sunday before Thanksgiving-a time to remember and thank God for all the thingswe so easily take for granted. But may we never take for granted the freedom of worship wehave in this country. Today is also Christ the King Sunday- remembering that we have beensaved by an almighty God- all-powerful, holy and righteous King- above all kings- If God is forus, who can be against?The apostle Paul suffered much for his faith- and this is what he had to say: “Who shall separateus from the love of God? Shall tribulation, distress or persecution, or famine or nakedness orperil or sword? No! in all these things we are more than conquerors through hi who loved us so.For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, northings to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be ableto separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He had learned to live it-notbecause of a will power of his own- but because the power of the resurrection- because Jesusrose from the dead and lives in us.As Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, He gave us a command- go- tell others- be my handsand feet to others- be my heart of compassion to others. Convince others of my love. Speakboldly and unreservedly the message of salvation.Why have people willingly endured persecution and even death for over 2,000 years? Becausewe serve a living savior-Hymn: “He Lives” # 132- all verses.
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