September 9, 2007

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Mural Worthey

 

The Real Story, #2

 

Introduction: Last Sunday, we emphasized the real story of 1 Samuel 17. It is not the story of David and Goliath; that is the part that catches our imaginations and interest. But the real story is the difference between David and Saul, two kings. Saul was hiding behind the rocks while David walked out to confront the giant in the name of God.

 

The real story found in Jonah is not about a man getting swallowed by a great fish; that is intriguing and interesting. But the real story is God’s love for the Ninevites; for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Jonah was swallowed because he running away from the command of God to go preach to the Ninevites. Jonah said that he knew that God would be gracious and merciful, forgiving the Assyrians. (4:2.) The prophet of God did not want God to forgive them. At the end, he sat under the shade of a gourd and pouted because God did not destroy the city of Nineveh. That is the real story.

 

In addition, Jesus told scribes and Pharisees in his day that no sign would be given to them except the sign of Jonah the prophet. (Matt. 12:38-41.) It is characteristic of fickle man to want to see some sign, some unusual thing. Jesus revealed that the nobleman from Capernaum, whose son was sick, would not believe unless he saw some sign or wonder. (John 4:48.) Herod wanted to interview Jesus when he was on trial in Jerusalem because he was curious to see him do a miracle. Man has not changed much from that day. We miss the real story, the most important part, because we want to see something spectacular. All three of the above stories about David and Goliath, Jonah and the great fish, and the signs that Jesus performed emphasized that same point. The real story is about the kind of people God wants us to become; it is about preaching to the lost; it is about learning who Jesus is and following him. It is not about seeing something remarkable or spectacular. God is not going to satisfy the childish curiosity of man’s heart. He wants us to learn his Gospel and become his people. (John 20:30-31.)

 

 

What is preaching all about. Apostles and disciples were sent forth to preach the Good News of redemption through Jesus Christ. Some misunderstood the role of preaching. Many had been trained in oratory. They knew how to use words and impress audiences. Paul contrasted his preaching with what others were doing. This is what he wrote.

 

“For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor. 1:22-25.)

 

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5.)

 

The real story behind preaching is not how it is done, but the message that is conveyed. The Greeks wanted a demonstration of human wisdom; God wants Jesus Christ crucified preached. That is the real story, or there is no story at all. Redemption is found in Christ Jesus our Lord and in no other. “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11.)

 

Last Sunday AM and today, we have covered two points about the real story. 1) The Jews required a sign (as many others do); but the real story is about Jesus Christ. (John 20:30-31.) 2) The Greeks sought after wisdom (as many do today); but the real story is Jesus Christ crucified, the wisdom and power of God. He is the real story of the Bible. Let us not miss the most important part of all. (John 5:39-40.)

 

Philemon, Onesimus and Paul. There is a little letter in the New Testament, only 25 verses, sandwiched between Titus and Hebrews. It is about a runaway slave who lived at Colossae whose master was a Christian. Paul met him in Rome, taught him the gospel, and sent him back home to Philemon. Paul could have used his assistance in Rome, but would not take advantage of Onesimus’ appreciation for Paul teaching him the gospel without Philemon’s consent. So, Paul sent him back home to make things right with his master. This is the right thing for a Christian to do; not to run away from debts or crimes, but to go and make them right. Paul also put Philemon on the carpet by sending Onesimus back. How would Philemon respond to his servant now that he is a fellow Christian? Besides, why had Philemon not taught Onesimus the gospel? Paul told Philemon that he would pay whatever Onesimus owed him; put it on my account. (Philemon 18.) Apparently, to Philemon’s credit, he received Onesimus back again. Both were members of the Christian community at Colossae.

 

Is this the whole story? This would have fit well in Luke’s conversion accounts in Acts. Many have recognized that there may be more to this story than just the conversion of one man. We are the runaway; the sinner. We have sinned against our Master in heaven. Jesus has converted us and sent us back to the Father with a letter; the letter of the Gospel of Christ. In the letter, it says to the Father, “Whatever they owe, put it on my account. I will pay it in full.” On our way back to the Father, we go cautiously and reluctantly because we know what we have done and we read the letter often on the way home. What if the Father rejects us and judges us guilty? But Jesus wrote, “Receive him as myself.” (Verse 17.) Would the Father reject the Son? No, then he will not reject us. The Father counts us as if we were Jesus His Son. “If you count me as a partner, receive him as myself.” That is the real story of Philemon.

 

The release of Barabbas. During the trials of Jesus, Pilate tried to avoid condemning Jesus to death. He reminded them that it was his custom to release a prisoner of the Jews each year. He wanted to release Jesus and spare him, but the crowd rejected the offer. They wanted a noted criminal released and Jesus crucified. Barabbas was released; and Jesus went to the cross. (Mark 15:1-14.) This really happened; but there may be more to the story than just the release of one prisoner and sinner. Bible names often signify deeper meanings. His name, Barabbas, means the son (bar) of a father (abba); a very general name; a rather strange name, except that it could refer to all of us. Jesus went to the cross so that we might be released. That is the real story of the release of Barabbas.

A noted criminal who deserved to be put to death was released because Jesus took his place. This is the real story. Pilate could not have known that it had any further significance. He was just trying to get out of a difficult situation; he lacked the moral fortitude to say no to the Jews. Pilate knew that they had delivered Jesus unto him out of envy. (Mark 15:10.)

 

The death of Jesus on the cross. If you had asked the crowd, the Jewish leaders, or Pilate and Herod, they would have said that Jesus got caught up in a religious, political problem and was crucified. Pilate knew that Jesus was not guilty of what the Jews accused, but he did not understand the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ death. Many today miss the real story. They deny it and fail to gain redemption through his death. The real story is that Jesus died for our sins; he died for our eternal salvation. We are guilty of sin before God (Rom. 3:23); the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). But Jesus has set us free. “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36.)

 

I am surprised at the things that I read today about the reason why Jesus died. The Bible says plainly, “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3.) Peter wrote, “For Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18.) Years before, Isaiah wrote by inspiration: “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5.) God “laid upon him the iniquity of us all.” (53:6.)

 

In view of all of that, it is astonishing to read: “In no sense whatsoever are our sins imputed to Christ.” (Does the Holy Spirit Operate Directly Upon the Heart of a Saint?, “Transferred Righteousness,” Curtis A. Cates, 200.) Some miss the real story of the cross because of Jewish prejudice, political wrangling between Jews and Romans, and misunderstandings about what Jesus came to establish (whether a political or spiritual kingdom). Others miss the real story because of a wrong-headed system of justification and salvation. The real story is that “Jesus died for our sins.” What does that mean? Did he die for our sins or not? Paul wrote, “God made him to be sin for us.” (2 Cor. 5:21.) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13.) Did not Jesus bear the punishment of our sins that we were due? Wasn’t Barabbas guilty, but yet he went free? We are guilty, but we are set free because Jesus took our place. We place our trust and confidence in Him and what he accomplished on the cross. That’s the real story.

 

For centuries, Jews offered animal sacrifices. Some animals were sacrificed for the sins of the people; others were peace and thanksgiving offerings. The real story behind all these sacrifices is what John the Baptist said to his followers: “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, 36.) This is the real story behind the sacrifices of the OT.