Sermon Tone Analysis

Romans

No one wants to be in a grave, right?

I mean they are small and cramped, wet and dark, and there is no positive light to be shown upon a person in a grave.

In fact, I would bet you that if we went out to the graveyard in the back of the church and dug 20 new graves, and put out a For Rent sign no one would take us up on that offer.

Because no one in their right mind would want to live in a grave.....right?

No one wants to live in a grave....rent out graves in the graveyard....

Well, I have got some good news for you today- Jesus is not in the grave.

This is one of the amazing differences between the Christian faith and all other faith traditions.

Today followers of the Islamic faith can visit the tomb of their leader Mohammed.

Today followers of the Buddhist religion can go to the grave of their founder, Buddha.

You can visit the graves of past presidents and historical figures, you can visit the graves of past loved ones, but you cannot visit the burial place of the greatest man that ever lived, Jesus Christ, because he rose from the dead and lives even today.

This is not just good news for Jesus, or for God, or for the saints, this is good news for everyone.

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event in the history of all mankind, and its effects are still impacting us here today.

I want to show you how, today.

Good news Jesus’ Death was Perfect Hebrews 2:9

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Think about this for a moment- Jesus’ death was so perfect that it stands in place of the death for every other person that has/is/ever will walk the Earth.

Every other life that has been or ever will be is tainted by sin, and thus unable to satisfy God; but not Jesus.

How perfect was Jesus’ death?

I will show you two things about the death of Jesus that illustrate how perfect his death really was.

His death was so perfect it sanctified you and me

Hebrews 10:12-14

I want to point out two specific things about this Scripture today.

First- the word perfected.

In other words to end, mature, conclude.

Jesus’ suffering and death was so perfect that it perfected you.

It ended the work.

The Bible does not say it made you better, or improved you, or gave you the chance to change, NO if you accept Jesus and allow the blood of Christ to pour over you then in the sight of God you are seen perfect- period.

“But Jon” some of you say, “I do not feel perfect” Perfection is not a feeling- it is a state of being.

“But Jon” others say “I mess up all the time” Welcome to the club- all of us mess up all of the time.

Your perfection is not because of your ability to get it right- it is on the perfection of Jesus’ death.

Second thing I want to point out: For all time.

There is no expiration date on the sacrifice of Christ.

There will never be an end to his guarantee of forgiveness.

No matter how many times you mess up, his death will always cover your sins.

All you have to do is believe in the finished work....take it, open it...

A pastor friend recently told the true story of one of his church members, an attorney, who after meditating on several scriptures, decided to cancel the debts of all his clients that had owed him money for more than 6 months.

He drafted a letter explaining his decision and its biblical basis and sent 17 debt canceling letters via certified mail.

One by one, the letters began to return, unsigned and undelivered.

Perhaps a couple people had moved away though not likely.

16 of the 17 letters came back to him because the clients refused to sign for and open the envelopes fearing that this attorney was suing them for their debts.

Perhaps a couple people had moved away though not likely.

16 of the 17 letters came back to him because the clients refused to sign for and open the envelopes fearing that this attorney was suing them for their debts.

How profound!

We owe a debt for our sin and God is willing to cancel it but too many people will not even open the letter that explains that.

Now, I want to unpack one more verse about Jesus’ perfect death for you before we wrap it up today.

I spent a few hours this week trying to wrap my mind around this one verse, and today I want to share a little bit of what God was teaching me through this verse; is that okay?

Romans

Okay, we are going to break this down starting with the middle, then to the beginning, and then finish with the end of the verse.

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of God-

So, I was trying to understand what does it mean that Jesus was raised from the dead by the GLORY OF GOD?

Let me share what I found, because this floored me and I think it will do the same for you.

It hinges on 2 words BY and GLORY

By- the Greek word is DIA (διά) and it carries a multitude of meanings, but in this case it seems as though it means “by the means of” or “As a result of”

So what we’ve got so far is Christ was raised from the dead as a result of the glory of God....

Now, word #2 GLORY - OR the Greek word doxa (δόξα)- as in the doxology- meaning the praise.

So....

Jesus Christ was raised from the dead as a result of GOD’S PRAISE

Or as John Piper put it “Jesus’ death was so perfect, so complete, and so fulfilling that God Himself shouts AMEN!

And the stone rolled away!”

Now, add the first part of the verse....

When we are baptized we are attaching ourselves to the death of Jesus.

Baptism is a lot like a wedding ring.

Baptism is symbolic of the washing away of our sins.

It is also symbolic of a new way of life.

It has been said that Baptism is to the Christian faith what the wedding ring is to a marriage.

It is a symbol.

"Like the wedding ring, baptism draws a mark on the ground between the past and the future.

Like the wedding ring, it says, "From this day forward, I stand with God."

So, when we attach ourselves to Jesus the same AMEN of God that raised Jesus from the dead is proclaimed over you and gives you the chance to walk in the newness of life- or As puts it:

God’s rejoicing over you today because the the Spirit lives in you and you too can walk in newness, in faith, and in peace....

So why do we live in graves?