11 September 2013
10 September 2013
Because He Loves Me
Why did Jesus die for us? If you were asked that question, you might have a simple answer, or a deeply theological explanation. You might go into the meaning of substitutionary atonement and from there, launch into the definition of the words expiation and propitiation. You might even talk about the Old Testament laws of sacrifice and atonement.
But a more compelling, elegant, and personal answer comes from John 3:16 – He died because God loves us.
The Bible gives multiple reasons why Jesus died on a cross. Each one adds more dimension and more depth of understanding. Here is a non-exhaustive biblical list of reasons why Jesus died for us:
• He died because God loves us: John 3:16
• Jesus died for our sins: I Corinthians 15:3
• He died for our sins so that we can be made acceptable to God: Romans 4:25, Romans 5:19, Galatians 2:21
• God made peace with us: Romans 5:10
• He died so we can share in His death and resurrection through baptism: Romans 6:3-4
• God paid a great price for us: I Corinthians 6:20; 7:23
• We were nailed to the cross with Him so we could die with Him: Galatians 2:19-20
• He became a curse in our place: Galatians 3:13
• He died to set us free: Ephesians 1:7
• He died so we can be near God: Ephesians 2:13 & I Peter 3:18
• He took the accusations against us and nailed them to the cross: Colossians 2:14
• He died for everyone: Hebrews 2:9
• He died to destroy the devil: Hebrews 2:14
• Suffering made Jesus perfect and so that He could learn obedience: Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9, Isaiah 53:11
• He died once so that He could take away the sins of many: Hebrews 9:28
• He died so that we would stop sinning and live right: I Peter 2:24
• His blood washes away our sins: I John 1:7
• It was an example of love so that we can love one another: I John 4:10-11
The Gospel of John goes on to say, "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Tim Shaner - 2012
But a more compelling, elegant, and personal answer comes from John 3:16 – He died because God loves us.
“For God so loved the world...”
The Bible gives multiple reasons why Jesus died on a cross. Each one adds more dimension and more depth of understanding. Here is a non-exhaustive biblical list of reasons why Jesus died for us:
• He died because God loves us: John 3:16
• Jesus died for our sins: I Corinthians 15:3
• He died for our sins so that we can be made acceptable to God: Romans 4:25, Romans 5:19, Galatians 2:21
• God made peace with us: Romans 5:10
• He died so we can share in His death and resurrection through baptism: Romans 6:3-4
• God paid a great price for us: I Corinthians 6:20; 7:23
• We were nailed to the cross with Him so we could die with Him: Galatians 2:19-20
• He became a curse in our place: Galatians 3:13
• He died to set us free: Ephesians 1:7
• He died so we can be near God: Ephesians 2:13 & I Peter 3:18
• He took the accusations against us and nailed them to the cross: Colossians 2:14
• He died for everyone: Hebrews 2:9
• He died to destroy the devil: Hebrews 2:14
• Suffering made Jesus perfect and so that He could learn obedience: Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9, Isaiah 53:11
• He died once so that He could take away the sins of many: Hebrews 9:28
• He died so that we would stop sinning and live right: I Peter 2:24
• His blood washes away our sins: I John 1:7
• It was an example of love so that we can love one another: I John 4:10-11
The Gospel of John goes on to say, "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Tim Shaner - 2012
05 September 2013
Putting Away Regret
In my preaching series through the book of Genesis, I find it fascinating to study the life of Jacob. As he got older, Jacob had many reasons to regret his past. Instead of relying on the Lord's strength, many times he relied on his own strength. He made a lot of mistakes. Yet God always encouraged Jacob - he kept promising that he would be with him. He continually blessed him, and promised that he would always be with him. God made him successful and made him rich. He also blessed him with twelve sons (tribes), including Judah, who would later be the direct line to David and then eventually to Jesus. And if that weren't enough, God vindicates Jacob at the end of his life when he is reunited with Joseph and with his grandchildren.
But what strikes me is God's providence through Jacob. It's what God does despite Jacob. Inexplicably, God accomplishes his sovereign will through us and includes us in his plan. Somehow, he manages to carry-out his perfect plan using imperfect people. In fact, if I were to sum-up the book of Genesis in two words, it would be, "God's providence". The book of Genesis is all about the sovereignty of God.
Contrast Jacob's life with the life of his son, Joseph. Joseph is a "type" of Christ - and we can draw many examples of the Gospel through the story of his life. The Bible never accents his sinful life, but highlights his impeccable character...like when he runs away from the temptation of Potiphar's wife in the face of imprisonment. He also shows great character through suffering and through prosperity. He becomes second in command of all of Egypt, but it never seems to go to his head.
But Joseph endured suffering like any other Bible character! Why is that? He doesn't seem to deserve all that happened to him. He usually made very wise decisions and always gave honor to the Lord, but he also went through tremendous trials.
So, Jacob suffered and Joseph suffered. But did Joseph deserve his suffering?
As a pastor, I go on my own personal quarterly prayer retreats. I fast and get away from everyone for an entire day and just be with God. My last prayer retreat took me to the mountains and I found a quiet spot to pray and meditate. God was quiet with me for several hours. I tried praying, but my thoughts were plagued with self-pity...I felt so inadequate to serve him like he wants me to.
Eventually, I happened to look at the large tree next to me - I don't know, 120 feet tall, or so? It was huge and I was thinking that if this thing were standing next to a road, even a big truck would not survive a collision with its massive trunk. Then I reached out and started pulling off the loose bark. The bark easily crumbled in my hand. I wondered, “how could this massive, strong tree be so fragile on the outside?”.
Then God spoke to me, "That's what it's like with you. You are like that fragile, outside part. You are only strong because of me inside you. People will see you as a strong tree, only because I am with you."
A few minutes later, I looked to my right and noticed a dead tree which had fallen to the ground many, many years ago. I reached out and grabbed a branch – which easily broke off in my hand. Then God spoke to me again, "That's what you would be like without me. You will be dead and fragile like this fallen tree without my strength inside you."
The enemy wants us to focus on ourselves and feel regret, but we know that God is our strength. God will work his wonderful plan through our lives if we let him. We need to forget the past and believe that since God began a good work in us, he will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. We need to abide in him. He is the vine and we are the branches.
Tim Shaner – July 2013
(This article highlights my preaching series through the book of Genesis which was completed in the Summer of 2013. My sermons originate from Roots Family Church - Lake Elsinore 951-764-7642)
But what strikes me is God's providence through Jacob. It's what God does despite Jacob. Inexplicably, God accomplishes his sovereign will through us and includes us in his plan. Somehow, he manages to carry-out his perfect plan using imperfect people. In fact, if I were to sum-up the book of Genesis in two words, it would be, "God's providence". The book of Genesis is all about the sovereignty of God.
Contrast Jacob's life with the life of his son, Joseph. Joseph is a "type" of Christ - and we can draw many examples of the Gospel through the story of his life. The Bible never accents his sinful life, but highlights his impeccable character...like when he runs away from the temptation of Potiphar's wife in the face of imprisonment. He also shows great character through suffering and through prosperity. He becomes second in command of all of Egypt, but it never seems to go to his head.
But Joseph endured suffering like any other Bible character! Why is that? He doesn't seem to deserve all that happened to him. He usually made very wise decisions and always gave honor to the Lord, but he also went through tremendous trials.
So, Jacob suffered and Joseph suffered. But did Joseph deserve his suffering?
As a pastor, I go on my own personal quarterly prayer retreats. I fast and get away from everyone for an entire day and just be with God. My last prayer retreat took me to the mountains and I found a quiet spot to pray and meditate. God was quiet with me for several hours. I tried praying, but my thoughts were plagued with self-pity...I felt so inadequate to serve him like he wants me to.
Eventually, I happened to look at the large tree next to me - I don't know, 120 feet tall, or so? It was huge and I was thinking that if this thing were standing next to a road, even a big truck would not survive a collision with its massive trunk. Then I reached out and started pulling off the loose bark. The bark easily crumbled in my hand. I wondered, “how could this massive, strong tree be so fragile on the outside?”.
Then God spoke to me, "That's what it's like with you. You are like that fragile, outside part. You are only strong because of me inside you. People will see you as a strong tree, only because I am with you."
A few minutes later, I looked to my right and noticed a dead tree which had fallen to the ground many, many years ago. I reached out and grabbed a branch – which easily broke off in my hand. Then God spoke to me again, "That's what you would be like without me. You will be dead and fragile like this fallen tree without my strength inside you."
The enemy wants us to focus on ourselves and feel regret, but we know that God is our strength. God will work his wonderful plan through our lives if we let him. We need to forget the past and believe that since God began a good work in us, he will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. We need to abide in him. He is the vine and we are the branches.
Tim Shaner – July 2013
(This article highlights my preaching series through the book of Genesis which was completed in the Summer of 2013. My sermons originate from Roots Family Church - Lake Elsinore 951-764-7642)
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