April11-13, 2015 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: John 20:24-31 “YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED!”

EASTER 2

April11-13, 2015

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: John 20:24-31

“YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED!”

John 20:24-31 (NIV1984)  “Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." ²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." ²⁸ Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." ³⁰ Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

          For the record I do not recommend getting your theology from Rolling Stones lyrics. However even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. It was hard not to notice all the buzz and hype, billboard hints and news coverage about this old rock band coming to Summerfest. Not really a fan. Don’t know many of their songs. But there is that one that keeps repeating this truth: You get what you need. I don’t know where their songwriters got that from, if it was a bit of the natural knowledge of God poking through because that statement is true. God gives us what we need in so many different ways and certainly when it comes to the faith we need to serve as seen in the always reliable word of God before us today.

          Now I don’t know how you feel but I kind of think Jesus’ disciple Thomas kind of gets a bum rap. What’s he known as? Doubting Thomas, right? Because of what he did here. Yet when Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead and was warned that that would put Him right back with the folks who had tried to stone Him, Thomas is the one who said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go that we may die with him.” Think of some of the other disciples. We don’t call Peter, Denying Peter, or the brothers, Selfish James and John! Perhaps there is something else here that should grab our attention instead of Thomas’ doubt. Let’s find out.

          In the Gospel lesson you heard about the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples. It was the evening of Easter. The disciples were scared. Thomas was not there. Jesus appeared! Jesus showed those 10 disciples the proof that He was not a ghost or their imagination but Jesus Himself. He showed them his hands that had been pierced with nails, His side that had been pierced by a spear. They got what they needed. They were overjoyed. Of course they would share that news. “Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" We don’t know exactly when this news was shared with Thomas but can you imagine being him? With every fiber of your being you would want this news to be true but it can’t possibly be true. In fact isn’t it true that every one of the people from the Emmaus disciples to Mary Magdalene at first doubted they were really seeing Jesus alive? And isn’t it also true that when you and I hear something that sounds too good to be true we greet it with a healthy dose of skepticism? I think Thomas’ reaction is kind of normal.” But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

          That sets the stage for Jesus’ second visit.  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." I would have loved to have seen the faces of the disciples and especially Thomas. The exact words that Thomas had used, the exact proof the Thomas had asked for he got. You get what you need. Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Thomas confessed his faith beautifully. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God. Confessing Thomas! Then Thomas also lived his faith beautifully. All of these 11 disciples went on to serve Jesus by telling others and serving as founders of the Christian church. While we are not told  in the Bible what Thomas did or where he went, according to tradition, Thomas travelled all the way to India to proclaim Jesus as Savior to people who had not heard. That’s a long way to go when travel was not easy like it is now. Maybe he should be known as Missionary Thomas. According to tradition India was where Thomas died as a martyr. Faithful Thomas. Why was he able to do all of this? The Lord gave him what he needed, the very proof he had demanded.  It’s true. You get what you need.

          It’s true for us too. Jesus went on to say,  "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Have you ever found yourself wishing you could have been one of those men or women who was alive when Jesus walked the earth? Have you thought about how neat it would have been to see Him do miracles and all the rest? Have you ever in some dilemma prayed, “Lord, just give me a sign. Let me see!” Do you want to rethink that? Listen again to what Jesus said. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

          He’s talking to us. He’s telling us that you are more blessed when you believe without seeing. That’s the Bible’s definition of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. But Jesus doesn’t demand faith without providing. You get what you need! Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” You get what you need. As Jesus provided Thomas what he needed to serve He has done the same for you and me. We have His word or rather His words. John the Gospel writer reminds us that Jesus did many miracles that are not recorded in the Bible. While our curiosity might wonder what they were we don’t need to know them. What we need to know is written down so that we can believe without seeing. And through this belief, this faith in Jesus we have life. Yes, we will have life eternal but we have life now too. Lives where we can serve.

          You get what you need. The Lord may not be planning for you to become a world missionary but for you younger brothers and sisters that may happen in many different ways but what about that family member? What about the guy across the street? The lost soul misfit at work.? Like with Thomas our good old skepticism can set in there. Why bother telling him why I have hope. It won’t do any good any way. Stop doubting and believe. You get what you need. I don’t have the right words to say. I tried before but nothing has happened. Stop doubting and believe. You get what you need. The Lord has equipped you by making you, you! Be yourself. Perhaps telling someone else about your hope in Jesus is the last thing on your mind right now. Your life is a mess. You are just trying to hold on. You are at the “Lord I can’t take any more of this” point. You get what you need. It may not feel like it at times but Jesus is with you. He is in control. He will keep the promise to work all things for good. You can believe this without seeing the end just yet. You will be blessed through that believe. Jesus says so and you get what you need!

          While I can’t recommend getting your theology, your beliefs from Rolling Stones song lyrics I can whole heartedly recommend getting them from the Bible, God’s true and holy word. This word of God is not about a doubting Thomas but a providing Jesus.  Jesus asked Thomas and the other disciples to do a lot, all except John dying the martyr’s death. He gave them what they needed to do that. Of this you can be sure, whatever Jesus asks you to do or go through for Him, He will provide. So while you can’t always get what you want with Jesus you’ll find you get what you need! Amen.

April 5-6, 2015 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Mark 16:1-8 “THE TRUTH IS: JESUS LIVES!”

EASTER

April 5-6, 2015

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Mark 16:1-8

“THE TRUTH IS: JESUS LIVES!”

1.     Good Friday’s Truth.

2.     The women’s Truth.

3.     The angel’s Truth.

4.     Your truth!

Mark 16:1-8 (NIV 1984) “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ⁶ "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

          Those of  you who have been with us the entire Lenten season know that we looked at the “I tell you the truth,” statements of Jesus that were tied to His passion. Today we look at the truth of Easter.  Now there are some times when figuring out the truth isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Teachers will tell you that. When something happens between students in the classroom or on the playground and they talk with the students each has his own truth. And while the stories don’t exactly match up the kids aren’t necessarily lying. They are telling the event as they saw it and felt it. They are telling their truth. The teacher then has to figure out what the truth is. Police will tell you something similar. When a crime has been committed and they interview the eyewitnesses the accounts of what happened aren’t exactly the same. If they are exactly the same the police know there has been collusion because normally people tell what happened from their perspective and their feelings. Their truth. Then the police have to figure out what the real truth is. What’s the truth of Easter? Let’s find out by looking again at what God has told us about Easter in the Gospel of Mark.

          We actually have to start with the truth of Good Friday. What happened there? Mark tells us in the 15^th chapter of his Gospel.  “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”  The truth of Good Friday is clear. Jesus died. The Roman centurion saw it. The Marys and Salome saw it. Jesus’ body was buried. The Marys saw where that was. Now some deaths are understandable—when someone we consider old dies. Some deaths are hard to understand—when someone young dies. Some deaths we describe as senseless—like the 150 who died as the co-pilot committed suicide. Although Jesus was only 33 His death was not senseless but planned and on purpose and understandable because He died to pay for sin. That is Good Friday’s truth.

          Now let’s listen to the women’s truth. “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" The women’s truth was they were going to Jesus’ tomb on Easter Sunday morning expecting to find Jesus’ dead body and properly prepare it for burial. There’s more. “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.” The women’s truth is that they saw an angel and just like if you or I really saw an angel we’d be alarmed and scared so were they. There’s more. “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Even though the angel had given them a message the women were just overcome. They were having a hard time grasping what they had heard and seen. Can we blame them?

          That takes us to the angel’s truth. What had he said that puzzled these ladies so much? "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " Now friends, when you read your Bibles you will find that angels don’t appear to people very often. God only does that when there are important messages to deliver. Messages that are important for salvation. After this angel rolled the stone away from the tomb, he waited for the women. He told them that the one they were looking for, Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified, died and buried was not there. He had risen from the dead. He showed them the proof and told them to tell others. The angel’s truth.

          There you have it. You’ve heard the different reports. Now what? You have to do something with it. After teachers hear student A’s truth and student B’s truth they have to figure out the truth and whether someone is in trouble or not. When the police hear all the truths of all the different witnesses they have to decide whether or not to press charges against someone. We’ve heard the truths. What will we do with them? How about believe and rejoice! The truth is Jesus lives! Here’s why that matters. The Bible tells us that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins but was raised to life for our justification. Justification here is actually a courtroom term. In a courtroom someone who is justified is declared innocent. So the truth is that Jesus died to pay for our sins and was raised to life as proof that our sins are paid for, all of them. How about those dumb ones you did in the past, the ones that you hope your kids or grandkids won’t find out about? How about those ones that you know if you did them in these days with video recording everywhere and videos going viral would shame you and probably change the course of your future? Yes. Paid for. Jesus is living proof. How about last week’s sins the ones that are still searing your conscience? Yes. Paid in full. Jesus lives. There’s more. Before He died Jesus said, “Because I live you too will live.” He does so we will. We all know that life here isn’t always the most fun. Senior saints will sometimes tell you getting old doesn’t feel good. The body runs down as we slowly move to death. But death isn’t the end for those who believe in Jesus. It’s the beginning of real life with Jesus. And when He raises our bodies on the last day they will be glorious and never fail us again. There’s more. When Jesus told his disciples what was about to happen to Him, that He would be betrayed, arrested, crucified, die, that they would not see Him for a bit, but then would later, He also told them their grief would turn to joy. Yours will too. Easter is fun to celebrate. It’s filled with joy. But the rest of life isn’t always like that. We have griefs. We have grief when we bury our loved ones. We have grief in our relationships with other people. We have grief when we run into life’s unfairness. All these and many more. But the truth of Easter is that grief won’t last. Grief will turn to joy. Jesus lives. He will make that happen. When you run into those griefs, hang on, hold on to Jesus. At the right time he’ll turn those griefs to Joy.

          Jesus lives. That’s the truth of Easter. It was true for the angel. It was true for the women. It’s true for you and me too. Christ is risen! Amen.

April 2, 2015 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Mark 14:22-25 “I TELL YOU THE TRUTH… UNTIL I DRINK IT ANEW!

MAUNDY THURSDAY

April 2, 2015

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Mark 14:22-25

“I TELL YOU THE TRUTH…

UNTIL I DRINK IT ANEW!

1.     An Old Testament Banquet

2.     A New Testament Banquet

3.     A Heavenly Banquet

Mark 14:22-25 (NIV 1984) “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

          So what’s the deal with food anyway? Do you realize how much of our life revolves around food? Sure our bodies need it to survive but there’s more to it than that. There’s an emotional attachment. Both my daughters went away for their Spring Break, had a great time and were fed very well by their hosts. Both came home longing for some “regular” meals. Then there are those foods called comfort foods—the go tos when you aren’t feeling well. Chicken noodle soup. Ice cream. What’ s yours? So many people when asked about favorite childhood memories talk about the family meals. Today in God’s word we see that this food and family meal thing is more than just physical and emotional. God Himself chose to add a spiritual component to eating and drinking. Jesus points us to that with His “I tell you the Truth” statement for today—“Until I drink it anew.”

          Jesus spoke those words when He was having a special family meal with His disciples. “While they were eating…” What Jesus and His disciples were eating was an Old Testament banquet, a feast called the Passover. Actually there were several Old Testament banquets that all had different teaching or worship purposes for God’s people. There was the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. These were held as kind of extended Thanksgiving days for the people. Good eating. Thankfulness. Joy. The Passover Feast had a different purpose. It commemorated the time when God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt sparing them the 10^th deadly plague of the firstborn where the angel of death passed over the homes that had the blood of a lamb painted on the doorway. When God’s people ate this banquet they were reminded to be thankful for what God had done for them in the past. At the same time the Passover pointed ahead. At this meal the head of the household would teach his family what God had done for them and what God would do for them with the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed for the sins of the people. Jesus was celebrating the meal that pointed to Him! Clearly God likes to provide special meals for His people.

          It should not surprise us then since Jesus would fulfill the Old Testament banquet that the Lord would provide a New Testament one. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.” The New Testament banquet we normally call Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Different from the Old Testament banquet that was only celebrated once a year, the New Testament banquet gets repeated during the year. At the same time the New Testament banquet is similar to the Old Testament banquet. It points us to Jesus. It connects us to the forgiveness that Jesus won on the cross. Just like Jesus was present in the Old Testament banquet as the perfect Lamb who was slain so God’s people could live, Jesus is present in the New Testament banquet, really present in some miraculous way beyond our understanding He gives us His body with the bread and His blood with the wine. It’s a covenant meal of forgiveness. Just like the Old Testament banquet, when God’s people celebrate the New Testament banquet it leads to thanksgiving for what God has done for us. Just like the Old Testament banquet was celebrated as family with those you were united to, the New Testament banquet is celebrated in unity as a church family where beliefs are shared.

Just like the Old Testament banquet was replaced by another one the New Testament banquet will get replaced too. That’s one aspect of celebrating the Lord’s Supper that we often forget. Listen again to Jesus’ truth statement. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." Did you hear that? Until I drink it anew! There’s another banquet coming. Think of  the many times Jesus compared heaven to a special banquet. How is heaven described? Joy and happiness and now we are right back to how so many of our happy times here are centered around food, feast, a banquet. I’m not sure exactly what the heavenly banquets are going to be like but we know they will be awesome. They will be awesome and better than any of the earthly banquets God prepared for His people. No longer will Jesus be pictured in a lamb or present miraculously we will see Him face to face. We will be in perfect harmony with the Lord and each other. Sin will be gone for good. What a blessing to look forward to.

And do look forward when you celebrate the Lord’s Supper. So much is going on. We come to this meal with repentant hearts. We bare our souls to God and own up to our sins. We look back with regret, remorse, shame. But then Jesus comes to us miraculously. “I forgive you!” He says. Do you need proof? Are you afraid I’m going to forgive you the way you sometimes forgive others? No. I forgive you completely, totally, freely. Here. Here is your proof. This is my body which hung on the cross as I fully paid for all of your sins. Here. Here is the blood I shed as I gave my life for you. You are forgiven.” And we move forward. Freed from our sins we look forward to battling Satan and temptation the next time. This time we will resist him and he will have to flee. This time my life, my words will honor Jesus. Look forward to those little victories. And for the failures come back to the Lord’s Supper.

We are going to keep needing it until…Did that word jump out at you? A small word but one to hold on to. “Until,” Jesus said. “Until that day when I drink it anew.” Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we are proclaiming our confidence that the heavenly banquet is coming. Until then. Amen.