INTRO: [Read Story]
By: Patricia Rosales, L.V.N. – Lesson in Love
It was six am on a bright Sunday morning in April. A solemn, blond six-year-old boy was being admitted to our small pediatric until for a procedure not very common to young children: phlebotomy – this is, blood donation. Todd and his four-year-old sister shared a rare, genetic blood condition and now Jenny was going to undergo major cardiac surgery to save her life. One of the complications that the Dr. was anticipating was hemorrhage and since Jenny’s blood was almost impossible to match from any other donor, the parents were asked to bring Todd in for phlebotomy the day before the scheduled operation. So it was that Todd, Jenny, and their parents were greeted by a hushed atmosphere of hushed excitement. Jenny was a sunny, outgoing redhead. A tendency to tire easily was the only outward evidence of her life-threatening heart condition. Once Todd had been admitted and his height, weight and vital signs taken, he took his sister by the hand and led her around the room. The way he held her hand and looked at her revealed man unspoken things about the special relationship that existed between them. Just then the Dr. walked in, briefly patted Todd and Jenny on the head, then turned his attention to the parents. With one hesitant question from Jenny’s father he launched into a dissertation on certain technical aspects of his procedure. About this time, I was called in to serve in the capacity of assistant, equiptment holder and procurer of needed supplies. I loved watching Geri’s technique with children. Todd was now lying face up on the bed and Geri was talking quietly as she swabbed his arm just prior to inserting the needle. Her voice was friendly and easy-going: “OK, Todd, just a little stick and that’s all you’ll feel.” Todd’s face was grim and pale. I remember thinking I’d never seen him endure a procedure in such stoic silence before, but I attributed this to the adoring presence of his little sister who by this time had climbed up on the bed and settled in beside him, thumb in mouth, a doll clutched under her arm. Half an hour went by. I had gone after a glass of orange juice for Todd and on returning I stopped in the doorway. From that vantage point the room resembled a three-ring circus: the parents still listening raptly to the Dr.’s monologue, Geri fussing over the stubborn IV equipment. But in the core of this field of nervous energy Todd and Jenny seemed to form an island of stillness. Todd lay stiffly on his back, his face impassive as he watched the dark red blood travel slowly down the clear plastic tubing. Jenny sucked her thumb contentedly, her head on his shoulder. It seemed to me that Todd was trying to get Geri’s attention. I was about to intervene when the speaker suddenly paused and Todd’s quivery voice came through: “Geri? Excuse me, but how long will it be now?”
“Well, Todd, what do you mean exactly?” All of Geri’s attentions was on him now.
“I mean – how much time before I die after all my blood is gone out of me?” In the shocked silence that followed there was an exchange of looks between us, but nobody trusted his voice enough to speak. In a series of still-life pictures that remain forever etched in my mind. Only Geri – bless her – had the composure to speak. She crouched down until her eyes were level with his and said in a soft voice: “No sweetie, you aren’t going to die. Your body is making more blood right now!” With that Todd’s body crumpled. He turned away and buried his face in the pillow – his shoulders shaking. Gone was every last shred of pretense. As we came to our senses we became aware of the full magnitude of Todd’s sacrifice for his sister.
What a tremendous thing Todd did for his sister, but what about what Christ has done for us. What a greater thing He has done for mankind. My text is Chap. 15:2-8 (READ). Paul is writing to the church about the problems they are having since he was last with them (Corinth-Greek-port-city) (2nd missionary journey). Paul ahs heard from two sources about the division in the church so Paul is writing trying to encourage them, but to also reiterate the gospel. This, I believe, is the gospel in a nut shell. Today I’m going to talk about:
1. Christ died for our sins.
2. Christ was buried and raised from the dead.
3. Holding firm or believing in vain.
TITLE: The Blessed Hope
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:2-8
I. Christ Died for our Sins – v. 3
A. Why – Romans 4:25 – “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
justification.” Purpose was to cover or wipe clean man kind’s sins, so that we are able to be with
Him someday for eternity. Christ gave His life as a ransom to pay for our sins.
The picture that comes to my mind is of a broken-hearted father willing to do anything to be reunited
with his child. (Story: Father’s Day) Question might arise I thought OT Sacrifices were just a tool
to help the children of Isreal to be obedient and it also averted God’s wrath, but it didn’t take away
the build of the person or cleanse their conscience. Christ dying on the cross is the only way that
mankind could be with God.
B. How – Christ’s battle began in Gethsemane. Jesus and His disciples go up there to pray. Jesus tells
them to sit here and pray; but He takes his closest three (Peter, James and John) to help in
interceding for Him. It says, “that He began to be deeply distressed. My soul is overwhelmed with
sorrow to the point of death.” The realization of what was going to happen was causing great agony.
I was trying to think of something that would cause men to feel such agony. Being on the front lines of a war not knowing whether you are going to live or die. Watching the enemy charging, your heart is in your throat, you’re struggling not to freeze in panic. You’re short of breath. Your mind is in a daze. But in a battle you have the hope of making it out alive. Christ knew since the beginning of time what He was going to suffer. Christ knew His purpose as a man after being baptized and He knew what He was going to go through. It’s like being in the service knowing that you were going to get captured and tortured to death. You knew the exact time and everything that was going to be done to you. Do you think you could live with that thought? Also, we need to take it a step further. Christ was taking all of mankind’s sins upon Him. I believe the physical torture that He went through was nothing compared to having God turn away from Him (because of His holiness). Christ bearing mankind’s sin alone.
Back to the story – Jesus went over and began praying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” A beautiful prayer of submission telling the terror of what’s going to happen but then to be obedient to God’s will. Three times He prayed this prayer. It says his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (great anguish) over the horrendous upcoming event. Meantime, He goes back to see His friends and found them asleep not once but three times! Jesus, as we know, gets taken to the Sanhedrin and beaten and mocked, flogged by soldiers. He was hung on a cross with spikes driven into His feet and hands with a thorn of crowns jammed on His head. Hanging there like a bloody piece of meat, Lamb being led to slaughter for what reason: To wipe away mankind’s sins. Hanging there in unbearable agony came these words, “Father forgive them for they know now what they do.” Bearing mankind’s sin alone. Christ knows the pain of hell. Martin Luther says hell is a place void of God. Remember, Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Christ alone bearing the weight of the world on Him.
TS – My Second Point
II. Buried and Raised from the Dead – v. 4-8 (READ)
A. Paul was telling about Christ buried and being raised from the dead. He tries to make it more valid
by showing how many people saw Jesus after being crucified because they believed in the
immortality of the soul, but they thought that the body was man’s weakness and sin. They
welcomed death because of the separation from the body. That’s why resurrection was unthinkable
to them. Paul is trying to show the validity of Christ burial and resurrection.
B. Jesus’ burial and resurrection – Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He
took Jesus down and wrapped Him in cloth and put Him in his tomb. Chief priest wanted guards
placed at the tomb so no one would steal the body (knew the story) so Pilate gave the orders. Early
in the morning Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James went down to the tomb. An
earthquake shook the ground and an angel rolled away the stone. His appearance was like lightning,
clothes as white as snow. The guards were terrified and shook and became like dead men. The
angel told the women not to be afraid, showed them the tomb and told them to go and tell the other
disciples. They didn’t believe, but Peter ran to the tomb and saw the strips of cloth laying in the
tomb. Wondering what had happened. Jesus appears to the two on the road to Emmaus talking with
them about what had happened. They didn’t recognize Him until that evening that they broke bread
and then He disappeared. They went back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven. They were telling what
had happened when Jesus suddenly appears and says, “peace be with you.” Startled and frightened,
they thought he was a ghost. Jesus tries to calm them. Look at my hands and feet. Go ahead, touch
them. They still weren’t sure because of the excitement and joy. So Jesus asked for something to
eat. Sat down and explained and opened their minds. See this is what had to happen, you are my
witness. Jesus told them to stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Back to I Corinthians 15:5-8 Jesus appeared to Peter and the other 12, but he also appeared to more than 500 including James (brother of Jesus) and Paul.
C. The happiness and joy that they must have felt when they truly understood what happened that Christ
died for our sins enabling us to be with Him for eternity. [Celebration of Twins, world champions,
everyone cheering] Too bad people can’t get that excited over what Christ has done for them. If we
could only understand the full measure of what He did. Our problems would seem so minute
compared to the blessings and joy just ahead. Imagine the celebration that will take place in heaven
when all God’s children are untied with Him.
TS – Third point
III. Hold Firm Otherwise you have Believed in Vain – v. 2
A. Paul is telling the Corinthians to hold fast, stand on the Word otherwise you have believed in vain.
What good is it if you live a godly life for awhile and then turn your back on Him? What good does
it do you? You’re not going to make it.
Ex. Movie biography about Jim Jones. Little boy, following God, young man started church in slum. Decline, from affair, more affairs, homosexuality, paranoia of authority by government, traveled South America, committed suicide with everyone.
Someone who seemed like their following God only to become corrupt shows me how important it is to stand on the Word and know it like the back of your hand.
B. Non-believers – owner apartment complex, sad, cheating people out of deposit on trumped up
charges, hard-working man, no family life, God is money. He thinks he is happy because he has
nice possessions, prisoner and doesn’t know it. I feel like asking him what good are your
possessions? What good is it to gain the world and lose your soul?
C. Story of rich man and Lazarus. Rich man everything, Lazarus nothing. Laid at gate longing to eat.
Begger dies and went to paradise. Rich man dies and goes to hell. Rich man wants Lazarus dip
finger in water, touch tip of his tongue.
