Easter Means No Fear of Judgment

Ever heard of the Ascension blue bird?  Why don't we ask people who look up if they can see Jesus coming back again?  There is no Santa Claus/Easter Bunny equivalent for Ascension.  That doesn't mean the holiday isn't a big deal.  The coronation of our king culminates our Lord and Savior's life's work and kicks off the New Testament church as he gives the disciples their marching orders.  Consider these questions as you read this sermon from 1 Peter 3:15-22.

• What day of the week does Ascension always fall on?
• How prepared are you to give the reason for the hope that you have?
• Why and when did Jesus descend into hell?
• Baptism save you.  Who is doing the "pledging" in baptism?
• When will Jesus come back again?  ...October 21st?

1 Peter 3:15-22 (NIV84)

^{ 15} But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ^16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ^17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ^18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, ^19 through whom^ also he went and preached to the spirits in prison ^20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ^21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

If you look back over the course of church history.  Christmas – the birth of our Savior has always been a big deal.  Easter, the recent celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead has always been high on the list.  And the third really big festival that the church has always celebrated is… Ascension.  The problem is that the 40^th day after Easter Sunday every year always falls on a Thursday.  The rest of society isn’t on board with Christianity like they are with Christmas.  So this third great festival of the church year kind of gets forgotten.  Today we will remember one last time that Easter means no fear.  On this festival of the Ascension we’ll see that Easter means no fear of judgment.  Judgment the rest of your days, yes even on the Last Day, Judgment Day. 

Our text starts with verse 15, but you’ll be happy to know that in verse 14 Peter says.  ^13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ^14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear^; do not be frightened.”  He’s talking about having no fear!  Ah, but why?  The people around you and their threats are very real.  I know that might mean – they won’t be your friend.  You won’t be invited to a party.  You might feel alone – the only one who doesn’t do it.  You don’t fear because you know who is in charge.  Set apart Christ as Lord.  Don’t trust yourself.  How’d that go the last time you tried to pump yourself up.  Trust in someone – the only who will never let you down.

Now you have a crippling phrase.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  Are you always prepared to talk to the cult member who darkens your door – these are the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses?  Are you always prepared in school when a random science factoid provides an opening for the obnoxious atheist to slam your stupid faith?  Are you always prepared?  No.  I’m not.  Do you know how many times people have asked me something – this happens very quickly when folks find out I’m a pastor?  On a field trip.  Traveling on an airplane.  The most recent one was at the soccer party.  What about that guy in Californian?  What about him…  We’ll hit him later.  First off – know that you don’t have to have all the answers.  All Peter is saying is can you tell people where you found that hope? 

I turned 35 on Friday.  And for my birthday meal I wanted frozen pizza.  Normally it’s the cardboard crust Tombstone – great.  But Jenna found Frescheta rising crust on sale for less than the standby Tombstone pizza’s their at Food Lion.  That was very easy to do.  Peter is pointing out that witnessing your faith – the reason for your hope – is no different.  This next verse is just as important.

 

But do this with gentleness and respect, ^16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  Nothing sounds worse than a braggart.  If I were to have asked you what you had for supper Friday, and then proceded to tell you how much better my frozen pizza was that might come off as a little haughty.  Know that it can be intimidating for people to talk to you.  If you are confident in your faith, you do look and sound like you know everything.  Peter acknowledges that you can’t stop people from talking, but you can keep your conscience clear.  Just as a sharp conscience can condemn you for your sin, it can defend your heart when you are wrongfully accused.

When you – lifelong WELSer – you who know your doctrine backwards and forwards.  You know that Jesus our great prophet and priest – has taken his throne in heaven as our king as rules all things for our glory.  You know this.  So when someone who is not confident in his or her faith is talking to you – when they say something that isn’t perfect, don’t stomp over their confession of faith.  There was a professor at the seminary who had a way of taking even the worst answer from a sem student and turning it around so that he could find some good.  Never did he say – that’s totally wrong.  He’d say, “Mr. Guldberg, you’re right, Jesus rose from the dead, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t go down to hell to suffer; he did that on the cross.”  You can gently and with respect correct people, that’s good, but remember to build up your fellow Christians.  Don’t tear them down.  One of the reasons Easter means no fear is because you can scatter that fear with the gospel.  The next verses are great examples.

^18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  You don’t work to reach God.  You don’t decide to come to God.  You do sin and run the other way, but Jesus died for you once for all so that you might be brought to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, ^19 through whom^ also he went and preached to the spirits in prison ^20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  This verses places Jesus descent into hell – that we often confess in the creed – he descended into hell – that happened after Jesus resurrection.  Even though it says that he preached to them.  Don’t think Jesus is given the damned a second chance.  Think of Jesus doing the Lambeu Leap in the wrong stadium.  He is rubbing it in their faces.  I won.  It’s over.  Why did Peter pick Noah?  He mentions Noah in the previous chapter as an object of persecution – I’m sure a few people pointed and laughed as he built a big barge in he back yard.  Peter is about to use Noah’s rescue as an illustration of Baptism.  Before we leave this verse, why don’t we need to be afraid of the final judgment?  Easter means No Fear because you will never go to hell.  Satan lost; you belong to God.  Peter is going to tell you more.

In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ^21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.  You don’t know how many people either have never heard of this verse or who twist it on its head.  This verse says baptism now saves you also.  Not because it cleans the pores and degreases your hair, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.  This word pledge works fine as long as you understand who’s doing the pledging in baptism.  God gives us the good conscience.  God is the one who washes the sins away.  As in the Sacrament of the Altar, God is the one who works.  We only benefit.

It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Peter points you back one more time to the resurrection.  Easter is the proof that everything Jesus promised is true.  That it really happened just as he said.  But now to the why?  Why did Jesus leave us?  Did he abandon his church when he ascended into heaven?  No.

First he promised.  Never will I leave you.  Never will I forsake you.  But it sure looks like he left.  He’s no longer walking around the earth, is he?  This is true, but remember Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”  This is VERY confusing to SO many people.  Jesus did not come to the world to make it a better place.  Jesus didn’t come to rid the world of disease or end world hunger.  Jesus came to redeem the world from sin death and the devil.  This he did perfectly. 

If he would’ve stayed, our ministry of telling the world about it’s redemption accomplished by our King would have been impossible.  Through out Jesus’ ministry even his own disciples didn’t understand his purpose.  On the Mt. of Ascension his disciples asked if he was going to restore the kingdom.  Jesus had to leave.  We have work to do. 

That work is not easy.  The recent events only make it more difficult.  Harold Camping has a radio ministry in California.  He also has stashed away millions in his bank account by people who support him.  He claimed that the world would end on Saturday, May 21^st.  He was so sure of this that he put some of his money where his mouth is.  He launched a nation wide billboard campaign to tell everyone that the world was going to end on that Saturday in May.  The problem is that he multiplied a few numbers that regularly occur in the Bible together and came up with the exact date of May 21^st.  Jesus tells us that no one knows the day except God alone.  He says that the day will come like a thief in the night.  Most thieves I know don’t take out a billboard warning that they will rob you blind on the third Saturday in May.  No one knows the day.  Instead Jesus warns us to watch and be ready for his return.  If there is something you need to do, if there is someone you need to speak with, God says, “Now the day of Salvation.”  Don’t wait, even if the world ends, what makes you think that you’ll have another chance to speak.

If you haven’t heard, the world didn’t end on May 21^st.  Harold is still setting dates.  He says that Jesus came – secretly – and that the world has already been judged.  No need to tell anyone the good news of Jesus anymore, according to him it won’t make any difference.  According to him the new day is October 21^st.  On that day the world will end.

Harold Camping is wrong about so many things – the end of the world is one of them.  For this sermon on the festival of the Ascension, you have no reason to fear the end whenever God decides bring the Last Day.  Don’t fear because Easter Means No Fear.  Jesus resurrection means no fear of judgment.  Amen.

Easter Means No Fear of Judgment 

The picture above is Chris Paul the New Orleans Hornets star standing next to his grandpa, Papa Chili.  The sermon this week went over the tragic events that surrounded Papa Chili's death.  As you listen to the sermon by clicking here or reading below I want you to consider these discussion questions.  Your comments and questions are welcome.

• If Papa Chili was your grandpa what would justice look like if you determined the fate of the five teens?
• Do you think that Chris Paul is being fair to the five men or is he wrong?
• Fear of judgment can be a powerful motivation.  Describe what gospel motivation means to you.
• What do you love most about your mom?
• What are a few ways we can combat the empty way of life that surrounds us these days?

1 Peter 1:17-21

^17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. ^18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ^19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ^20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ^21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

On the evening of November 15, 2002 Nathaniel Jones had closed up shop at his filling station and was taking groceries out of his white van, when something tragic was about to happen. 

But you need to know a few things about Nathaniel.  His friends called him “Papa Chili”.  Papa Chili was the first black man to open, own and run his own gas station in North Carolina.  He was known to let people run tabs when times got tough.  Plenty of times he had handed people money right out of the till so they could get by.

Probably the most important thing about Papa Chili was that he was Chris Paul’s grandpa.  Chris Paul is the point guard for the New Orleans Hornets NBA basket ball team.  Chris Paul played his college ball right here at Wake.  Chris Paul went to the same high school as many of our teens, West Forsyth.  Chris called he grandpa – Papa Chili – his best friend.

On November 14^th Chris Paul signed to play for Wake and guess who was the first person to put that Demon Deacons hat on Chris?  Papa Chili.  The next day five teens bound the 61-year-old’s wrists, duct taped his mouth and beat him with a pipe until his heart stopped beating.

None of the five teen were hardened criminals.  One of them had run away from home and stolen his mother’s car but for the other four this was their first crime.  They decided that evening that they wanted to rob someone and when they saw Papa Chili, one of them said “Let’s go get him.”  According to the judge who sentences them they beat in a "relentless, remorseless, conscienceless" attack.  Nathaniel Jones died in his carport.

Dear friends, Easter Means We Have No Fear of Judgment.  Listen to what the Apostle Peter says, ^17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  What is your judgment on these five?

They didn’t need the money.  They didn’t particularly hate PaPa Chili, who would?  They didn’t have any reason to kill Nathaniel Jones.  They were sitting around with nothing better to do so they robbed someone.  They committed that crime because they could.

Dear friends as you live here as strangers in reverent fear I want you to know, that is terrifying.  While I know that none of you have ever beaten and killed anyone, to my knowledge, the same evil that welled up inside those boys, lurks in your heart.  That scares me.

I’m going to be blunt.  Do you think that God is impressed if you have avoided having sex outside the marriage you are in – or sex outside of marriage in general only because there has been nobody who was willing to break it with you. 

Do you think that God is impressed if you have avoided murder only because you either didn’t have these five thugs to your dirty work, or because you lacked the guts to do it yourself.

There was once a missionary in a remote village in the Third World.  His family, his sending church, and the people whom he served all thought he was the kindest, saintliest man they had ever known.  In his journal he reflected on what a high opinion everybody had of him, and what a farce it all was.  He wrote, “If the children in my village knew the thoughts that sometimes pass through my head, they would have every right to take me out and stone me to death.” 

There are some things about this that are hard to understand and some that are not so hard.  The hard question is not, “How could these five boys do that?”  When you think about it, that’s really not such a difficult question at all.  There is a part of you that understands and is terrifying of the evil.  You know that your Father will judge your sins.

Justice is blind.  But do you understand that your God is blind from one sin to another? “The one who judges each man’s work impartially.” All sins even the ones you hide in your heart are an open book for our God.  Maybe you could call it complete blindness.  God doesn’t care if you did something wrong, thought something wrong, or said something wrong.  All of it is sinful.  Do you understand the depth of your sin?  That bush tribe missionary understood it.

Sadly we know what sin is.  We understand it all too well.  What is hard to understand is this comment from Chris Paul.

I wish I could talk to them and tell them, 'I forgive you. Honestly.' I hate to know that they're going to be in jail for such a long time. I hate it."  How could he?!  They killed Papa Chili!  The defense attorney in the case almost nine years ago called Chris Paul’s comments generous.  I’ll say!  There is no way!  Would I be happy if they had killed my grandpa.  It’s mother’s day.  If they killed my mom?  They should rot in jail.  ^17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  Generous doesn’t quite touch it.  The theme of the sermon is…  Easter Means We Have No Fear of Judgment.  How do we get to that generous place with God?  Peter lays it out so eloquently in the next couple verses. 

^18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ^19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 

Gold is worth a little under $1500 an once right now.  The lamb is worth less than that in dollars and sense.  The lamb that Peter is talking about is really special.  That lamb gave up his life so that you could be bought back body and soul.  The empty way of life handed down to you could be different for everyone here – I’m talking about your ethnic heritage, your religion – not everyone was Christian even all of this life, your customs.  All of us inherited a sinful nature that was truly empty – sinful.  Those blind scales God’s justice don’t care who you are.  Your redemption is complete.  You are bought body and soul.  Easter takes away the doubts. 

^20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. This had been the plan all along. Those disciples on the road to Emmaus knew the facts, but couldn’t put it together.  If you haven’t watched the dramatized version of the Road to Emmaus video, the actors go deeper than the gospel account and show how Jesus had to die and rise from the dead.  Share it with a friend.  This had been the plan all along.  And so your faith and hope are in God. 

You have no fear.  How could God do that?  The only way is through Jesus, that lamb.

As for the “Why?” You end up at the same place if you talk to Chris Paul or your Heavenly Father who judges each man’s work impartially.  It’s not fuzzy math or a shell game.  By faith in Jesus you are perfect.  That doesn’t mean God’s impartial or blind justice means he has no idea who you are or what you’ve done.  No, when God looks at you he judges his son’s work.  Your sins are forgiven.  Your sins are covered under the blood of the lamb.  There is nothing more for you to do.

That is great place to be.  While Jesus did everything for us, our souls cry what can I do?!  How can I thank you, Jesus?  If Chris Paul used his leverage as an NBA star to go to jail and take their place, what would they owe him?  At least a few years of their lives, right?

What do you owe your God?  Don’t pass down an empty way of life.  Pass down “No Fear.”  Pass down forgiveness.  Pass down redemption so that your kids can hold their heads high.  You don’t bear shame – you can be proud to be God’s child.

I had a friend who finally figured out what life was like.  Life is about family.  He came home and wanted to make amends with all the people he hurt.  Then mom died.  He realized that it is all about family not your family here but your family in heaven.  You are an adopted child of God, your heavenly Father.

You can live as strangers here because heaven is your home.  You can live in reverent fear and say with the psalmist Lord with you there is forgiveness therefore you are feared.  Stand in the awe and mercy of your God.

Easter Means No Fear of Judgment.  Amen.

Easter Means No Fear

Nothing says, "I can take on the world," like a NO FEAR T-shirt.  I had one of these back in the early 90's.  Every fear imaginable has been classified and named by the scientific community.  The trouble is they don't know how to take away every fear.  The Gospel lesson from John 20:1-18 shows fear removed and joy restored at the sight of Jesus.  Easter Means No Fear.  The only was to see that is through Jesus' life, specifically Jesus' life retaken as he rose from the dead.  Please click here to read and here to listen to the Easter sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.  Here are some questions to consider as you take in Easter's message.

• What are you afraid of?  If you are willing, please type out a comment.  This whole Easter season we will be working through some common fears, showing how Jesus conquers them all.
• Have you ever been to a funeral of a non-Christian?  How was it different?
• Rob Bell made a comment that he was no theologian when people asked him to defend his stance on dismissing hell.  Why do you think people would listen to a guy who doesn't speak from God's word?
• There are some things that you may not be afraid of, but you really struggle "surrendering the outcome" to God.
• What is your verse to die by?