Repent or Perish
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 13 viewsNotes
Transcript
One of my readings during Lent is the book The Pursuit of God by the late pastor A.W. Tozer. This book is full of godly wisdom and has been a great guide for me as I seek to strengthen my relationship with the Lord. In one particular section, Tozer observes that if you want an accurate description of the human race, turn the Beatitudes, the blessed virtues, that Jesus spoke at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount “wrong side out.” For example, instead of “blessed are the poor in spirit” - read blessed are the prideful. Instead of “blessed are the peacemakers”, read blessed are the quarrelsome and resentful. These are the characteristics that describe the heart of a sinful man or woman.
It is with observation, that Tozer states the following - which ties into today’s message.
He writes:
“Pride, arrogance, resentfulness, evil imaginings, malice, and greed are the sources of more human pain than all the diseases that ever afflicted mortal flesh.
Into a world like this the sound of Jesus' words comes wonderful and strange, a visitation from above. It is well that He spoke, for no one else could have done it as well; and it is good that we listen. His words are the essence of truth. He is not offering an opinion; Jesus never uttered opinions. He never guessed; He knew, and He knows. His words are not as Solomon's were, the sum of sound wisdom or the results of keen observation. He spoke out of the fulness of His Godhead, and His words are very Truth itself. He is the only one who could say "blessed" with complete authority, for He is the Blessed One come from the world above to confer blessedness upon mankind. And His words were supported by deeds mightier than any performed on this earth by any other man. It is wisdom for us to listen.”
This week, as I was reading and reflecting on our scripture passage from the gospel of Luke, and the context in which it was set, what I observed was just how direct and to the point Jesus spoke to his listeners. He never wasted words. He never beat around the bush. He was not concerned with hurting feelings - he loved people to much to let feelings get in the way of truth. He always knew just what to say and how to say it. As Tozer stated, His words are Truth itself.
That is not always the case with us - we may hold wrong assumptions, or get so focused on details that we are unable to see the overall picture, or we get caught up in “what -ifs” that we fail to make a decision.
For example, maybe you’ve served on a church committee and - this is easy to do - you find yourself so focused on fixing problems that you lose sight of what the Church is actually here to do - failing to ask yourself “how do my words and actions contribute to or detract from the overall mission?”
This is why it was so important for Jesus to come to us in the flesh. To speak words of truth - to be direct - to wake us up from our slumber and rattle our senses. It is why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so vitally important to receive - so we have the power within us to receive truth and respond accordingly.
Before we examine Jesus response to those who told him about a group of pilgrims who were slaughtered by Pilate - I think we need to hear what he was saying just before this exchange, the broader conversation, and the tone in which he spoke. Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem from Galilee and is attracting big crowds. Many are listening, but few truly hear. Most hold wrong assumptions, or are so focused on details that they are unable to see the big picture, or get caught up in “what -ifs” that they fail to make a decision.
In chapter 11, Jesus is invited to eat a meal with some Pharisees and experts on the law, and during this meal - Jesus directly confronted them on their failure to lead God’s people.
The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
Jesus calls them out - you spend so much time creating the appearance of a holy man of God - but you neglect what it most important, a pure spirit and heart. It is safe to say, Jesus did not make many friends with the Pharisees after this encounter - they did not take this needed rebuke and change, instead they set out to silence him.
He goes out and speaks directly to the people.
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Again, the people listen, but they do not truly hear.
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Some dude in the crowd recognized that Jesus had authority, that He was an expert, and brings forth a trivial personal matter needing resolution. Jesus responds “who made me Judge?” - which we can take as him saying I am not the judge, but we would be wrong. Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter by way of parable:
Then he told them a parable: “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! Then he thought, Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That’s where I’ll store all my grain and goods. I’ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. But God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have prepared for yourself?’
Jesus’ judgement is this: You are worried about possessions. Worried about getting your fair share. You are worried about your riches here in this life, but not about being rich in your relationship with God. That is what needs to change.
Jesus continues dropping truth bombs - here is how the world lives, but here is how you are to live.
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
He tells them to be ready, for the day is coming when this world will end and all will be held to account.
Again, many are listening, but few truly hear. Most hold wrong assumptions, or are so focused on details that they are unable to see the big picture, or get caught up in “what -ifs” that they fail to make a decision.
Have you ever watched those video clips featuring a Christian speaking on a college campus or public square inviting debate as they share the gospel to a typically hostile crowd?
Quite often, you will hear a non-believer step up to the mic to make an argument based on a misconception of who Jesus actually is, or said, or did. They hold wrong assumptions. They present a man who was a good teacher, who sought peace at all costs, get along with everybody, no judgements, a loving and gentle hippie type.
Compare that with Luke 12:49-53
“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
To follow Jesus may result in those closest to you coming against you. Human experience has shown that some followers of Jesus find themselves cut-off from their families and friends, disowned, even abused. Despite the danger, despite the loss of relationship - Jesus is saying to us, follow me. This is the most important decision you make in your life.
Many listen, but few truly hear.
Jesus spoke truth to those who were unable to see the big picture.
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
The present time for those listening but not hearing was this:
The Messiah had arrived. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies that they were to look for. But instead of listening to what He said and turning from their ways to follow His way - their hearts were so bent toward self preservation, pride and malice that they wanted nothing more than the defeat of Rome and for Israel to have a king whom all nations would succumb. They wanted vengeance. They wanted earthly power and wealth.
What did Jesus teach?
Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Turn the other cheek.
And so we are now ready to look at today’s passage. “Jesus, have you heard about those pilgrims, those farmers and fishermen, from Galilee who made their way to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices at the Temple to God. Did you hear how the ruthless governor, Pontius Pilate, sent his soldiers in to the Temple and slaughtered them right in front of the altar - their blood mingling with the blood of the animals.
Why did they feel the need to bring this up?
Maybe they wanted to see his indignation toward their oppressors - hear how the Messiah would make Rome pay for this injustice.
Maybe they were curious - Jesus, if Pilate brazenly did this to these pilgrims, aren’t you worried about him coming after you?
Maybe they were just wondering to themselves, what horrible sin had these pilgrims done that God allowed for this to happen?
Jesus didn’t offer opinions. He didn’t guess. He never wasted words. He never beat around the bush. He was not concerned with hurting feelings. He went straight to the heart of the matter.
Those Galileans didn’t suffer and die because they were worst sinners than others. Just like the those who perished when the some tower near the center of Jerusalem fell and crushed 18. But if you continue down this path that you are on - if your whole mindset is set on overthrowing Rome and seeking worldly power and might, then you will perish the same way.
As N.T. Wright noted,
Luke for Everyone The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:1–9)
Jesus is making it clear that those who refuse his summons to change direction, to abandon the crazy flight into national rebellion against Rome, will suffer the consequences. Those who take the sword will perish with the sword.
And history proved Jesus was correct. The Jews did rebel against Rome, and in 70 AD, Jerusalem fell. The walls of the Temple came crashing down. Those who were holed up in the city were slaughtered by the sword - their blood mingling on the stone of the altar.
But those who did listen and heard what he said, who repented - turning from their ways and choosing to walk in the Way of Jesus, they fled before the destruction came and survived. Not only did they survive the Fall of Rome, but by following Jesus, praying the their enemies, turning the other cheek, even during intense persecution - they spread the gospel until is reached the whole world. The Church of Jesus still stands today - the Roman Empire does not.
The same direct response applies to us as well. We may at times wonder - why did those people die in that plane crash? Why are those Christians in Syria being killed? Why did my loved one suffer so much before dying?
To which Jesus speaks truth. You do not know the full story. It is not for you to know all the reasons why things happen the way they do. Know that God is good and His mercy is great.
Unless you repent, you will perish.
Turn to Jesus and live.
Amen.
