Untitled Sermon (6)

We are all wired for justice and we are all told that forgiveness is a good thing. But how do we balance those two things? Can those two things coexist? Is forgiveness fair? These are all things that we have to wrestle with in Christianity because at the bottom of our heart we know that they can and indeed do, but how do we flesh that out? How do we come to an understanding of what it is that we believe.

This is at the heart of what we’ve been discussing in this 2 part series, The Leap of Doubt, and The Reasons for God. How do we understand what it is that we believe, or what it is that we’ve been told over the course of a lifetime.

Many people have asked over the course of time, "Why is the cross so necessary?” Isn’t it enough just to focus on the love aspect of God. Isn’t it enough to just focus on God being forgiving? And this is such a worthy question because the cross is indeed at the center of what we believe right? We, Christians, don’t just believe that Jesus was a really cool guy. He wasn’t just some really profound activist or social justice warrior. But what He performed, what He did, at the cross is at the center of our hope. So is it true? Is it true, this story of the Cross.

I beg those of you who would dare call yourself a believer, perk up tonight because this is the best encouragement that I can offer you. And if you are not a believer, lean in, because this… is… life-changing.

[Slide]

, (CSB)

THE DEATH OF JESUS

, (CSB)

THE DEATH OF JESUS

33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon., 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”,

37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Most of us have poured over this narrative before. Many of us have seen depictions or even movies that paint out what much of this may have looked like. But what I want to happen tonight as we consider these few verses is consider what truth lies behind it all. What does it all mean that this man named Jesus came and died on a cross. Why was it necessary? What does that mean for me?

37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Most of us have poured over this narrative before. Many of us have seen depictions or even movies that paint out what much of this may have looked like. But what I want to happen tonight as we consider these few verses is consider what truth lies behind it all. What does it all mean that this man named Jesus came and died on a cross. Why was it necessary? What does that mean for me?

We spoke last week about the problem of sin, that our hearts wander away from the one for whom it was made and this has caused all sorts of chaos in this world, both on a global scale and within ourselves, right? No one gets out of this life, unfortunately without experiencing the fallenness of this world and the fallenness of our own hearts. We turn to things, stuff, ambitions and passions to fulfill us, all the while there is a God in Heaven who looks at you and says, “No, be with me!”

Most of us have poured over this narrative before. Many of us have seen depictions or even movies that paint out what much of this may have looked like. But what I want to happen tonight as we consider these few verses is consider what truth lies behind it all. What does it all mean that this man named Jesus came and died on a cross. Why was it necessary? What does that mean for me?

We spoke last week about the problem of sin, that our hearts wander away from the one for whom it was made and this has caused all sorts of chaos in this world, both on a global scale and within ourselves, right? No one gets out of this life, unfortunately without experiencing the fallenness of this world and the fallenness of our own hearts. We turn to things, stuff, ambitions and passions to fulfill us, all the while there is a God in Heaven who looks at you and says, “No, be with me!”

So something has to happen to remedy all of this, right?

You might ask, why? "Why can’t we just call it forgiveness and call it a day?”

To which I ask, is it possible to grant forgiveness and there not be some sort of payment?

You might ask, why? "Why can’t we just call it forgiveness and call it a day?”

To which I ask, is it possible to grant forgiveness and there not be some sort of payment?

Think of it like this, many of you are able to drive or about to be able to drive, let me ask you. If you flipped your keys to a trusted friend who said they were going to borrow your car and bring it right back, and backing out the drive way the swerve off the driveway and run over a fence and a mailbox, there is no doubt that there are damages that have to be fixed yeah? Fence has to be repaired, mailbox has to be replaced and you might need a new bumper. And if you don’t know… all of those things are more expensive to replace than you think.

To which I ask, is it possible to grant forgiveness and there not be some sort of payment?

Think of it like this, many of you are able to drive or about to be able to drive, let me ask you. If you flipped your keys to a trusted friend who said they were going to borrow your car and bring it right back, and backing out the drive way the swerve off the driveway and run over a fence and a mailbox, there is no doubt that there are damages that have to be fixed yeah? Fence has to be repaired, mailbox has to be replaced and you might need a new bumper. And if you don’t know… all of those things are more expensive to replace than you think.

Illustration

I’ve owned a house for about a year now and that’s been the most surprising thing to me. Like a couch costs how much?

But if thats you you are faced with a couple of options right?

Think of it like this, many of you are able to drive or about to be able to drive, let me ask you. If you flipped your keys to a trusted friend who said they were going to borrow your car and bring it right back, and backing out the drive way the swerve off the driveway and run over a fence and a mailbox, there is no doubt that there are damages that have to be fixed yeah? Fence has to be repaired, mailbox has to be replaced and you might need a new bumper. And if you don’t know… all of those things are more expensive to replace than you think.

I’ve owned a house for about a year now and that’s been the most surprising thing to me. Like a couch costs how much?

They pay for it all

I’ve owned a house for about a year now and that’s been the most surprising thing to me. Like a couch costs how much?

But if thats you you are faced with a couple of options right?

They pay for it all

You come to an agreement where y’all split the costs

Or you are just the best friend in the whole world and you say, don’t worry about it man. Happens. I’ll take care of it.

You come to an agreement where y’all split the costs

They pay for it all

You come to an agreement where y’all split the costs

In no way, in any of those scenarios does the reality of the cost go away.

Or you are just the best friend in the whole world and you say, don’t worry about it man. Happens. I’ll take care of it.

In no way, in any of those scenarios does the reality of the cost go away.

Either they are bearing the weight of the cost. You and them both or possible a couple of parents play mediator, bear the weight of the cost, or you bear the weight of the cost. Even the noble notion of forgiveness or sometimes lack thereof, means that a price be paid.

In no way, in any of those scenarios does the reality of the cost go away.

Either they are bearing the weight of the cost. You and them both or possible a couple of parents play mediator, bear the weight of the cost, or you bear the weight of the cost. Even the noble notion of forgiveness or sometimes lack thereof, means that a price be paid.

You might be wired more like that first person and demand, you did it, you pay for it. You might desire to seek retribution and vengeance and those feelings are not totally misguided but I have to ask, when we get beyond the illustration of just a car and a fence and someone really does you wrong or possibly you do someone else wrong, at what point are you satisfied that they have paid enough?

Cause lets face it, we live in a world where a lot more wrong than running over a fence and a mailbox takes place. Many of you have been inflicted with hurt and pain beyond words. Maybe physical, maybe emotional, maybe spiritual pain and who on earth could measure that level of wrong? Cause we’re talking about hurts that extend far beyond just an immediate instance but baggage that you carry with you for years and lifetimes down the road.

Where is justice satisfied then? Cause if you're like me you have to fight against hate mongering and saying, “They’re getting what they deserve.” But then I take a step back and realize that there’s a blackness, and rot, and decay coming out of my heart at that moment and I am imprisoned to my own anger.

Cause lets face it, we live in a world where a lot more wrong than running over a fence and a mailbox takes place. Many of you have been inflicted with hurt and pain beyond words. Maybe physical, maybe emotional, maybe spiritual pain and who on earth could measure that level of wrong? Cause we’re talking about hurts that extend far beyond just an immediate instance but baggage that you carry with you for years and lifetimes down the road.

There is no doubt that there are many of you in this room who have experienced great hurt and wrong in your life. And the thought of forgiveness just doesn’t seem like an option. And I admit, it is so difficult, because to truly forgive someone means that you then bear the weight of punishment. You then bear the weight of suffering as well. But in that moment you rob hate and evil of its power to continue.

Where is justice satisfied then? Cause if you're like me you have to fight against hate mongering and saying, “They’re getting what they deserve.” But then I take a step back and realize that there’s a blackness, and rot, and decay coming out of my heart at that moment and I am imprisoned to my own anger.

There is no doubt that there are many of you in this room who have experienced great hurt and wrong in your life. And the thought of forgiveness just doesn’t seem like an option. And I admit, it is so difficult, because to truly forgive someone means that you then bear the weight of punishment. You then bear the weight of suffering as well. But in that moment you rob hate and evil of its power to continue.

You may have heard the saying, “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world…? What?”

And the saying bears true because when you demand payment through revenge, evil does not disappear. It spreads, like cancer into your soul.

You may have heard the saying, “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world…? What?”

And the saying bears true because when you demand payment through revenge, evil does not disappear. It spreads, like cancer into your soul.

That is what Jesus himself meant when he turned to his disciples and said,

[Slide]

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. - (CSB)

[Slide]

If you want to follow after Jesus, you have to pick up your cross and follow, because that is exactly what he did!

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. - (CSB)

If you want to follow after Jesus, you have to pick up your cross and follow, because that is exactly what he did!

When evil, sin and shame demanded that a price be paid Jesus didn’t pass the buck. He didn’t look to inflict pain on the evil doers of this world. He died for the evil doer. You, me, all of us. We have all looked our savior dead in the face at some point or another and said, “NO! I don’t obey you. I obey me! I’m gonna live how I want to because I know better.” And just like that we all commit treason of cosmic proportions

You know treason, it's typically used in the context of someone turning their back on their country. But how true is it that at some point in our lives and if you’re being real, many times in our lives, we have turned our back against God.

When evil, sin and shame demanded that a price be paid Jesus didn’t pass the buck. He didn’t look to inflict pain on the evil doers of this world. He died for the evil doer. For you, for me, for us all. We have all looked our savior dead in the face at some point or another and said, “NO! I don’t obey you. I obey me! I’m gonna live how I want to because I know better.” And just like that we all commit treason of cosmic proportions

You know treason, it's typically used in the context of someone turning their back on their country. But how true is it that at some point in our lives and if you’re being real, many times in our lives, we have turned our back against God.

So what I am asking of you tonight is to take part in divine forgiveness because that is what has happened on your behalf. No one, “just forgives,” especially if the evil is serious, which all evil is. But what I am calling you to live out and what Jesus calls you to live out in your lives, is to follow him.

Just like when he called his first disciples in the fishing boat, follow me. Just like when he embarked on his ministry saving the lost, follow me. Just like when he was called to die on a cross he says, follow me. And when he climbs out of that grave, he says, follow me. And just as he dwells in eternity in heaven, he calls out to you, follow me.

So what then? Do we just ignore all the evil? Everyone goes free? The worst of the worst can go free if they just believe in Jesus? Yes.

That is the beauty of the cross. That you in your worst moment stand forgiven when yo place your faith in Jesus alone to save you. And the same holds true for everyone in this room.

Forgiveness is always a form of costly punishment. When you forgive someone you deprive that instinctual need to see harm inflicted upon others and what you see is the death of evil, and eventually a resurrection in forgiveness as you are freed from being a slave to anger and sin.

So where do we go from here? What does this look like for you, a teenager in high school? Just as in this great reversal where Jesus took your place on a cross so that you could take Jesus’ place in heaven, there is a great reversal throughout our lives here and now. Money and acclaim are no longer things to be hoarded for selfish reasons, but we look to give it away so that God may be made famous. Power is not used for leverage but to serve others and the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve. Sex is no longer the pinnacle of your relationship but instead it's something meant to glorify God and only permissible under his standards in marriage.

That is what happens when you know this Great Reversal in your life. That you, a sinner, goes free and forgiven not just by mere words, but because someone marched up that mountainside and took your place on a sinner’s cross. The gospel its not just some moving story that happened long ago far away. But its our story. Have you been changed by the gospel? Have yo been changed by this great reversal? It’s one thing to know the story. But is it your story?

Bow your heads as we close.