I have been struggling with this sermon for quite some time. I knew the general idea of what I wanted to say, but could not find a way to present it that I felt justified the message. Then I realized, Derrick, you speak of simplification of the gospel, but are complicating it further. Just say it and be done with it, don’t flower it up or throw in any complicated ideologies. Present the facts and that’s all.
What I want to talk about today is getting back to the basics. Simplifying the message of salvation and the gospel of Christ. Man has striven to make his life easier since the dawn of time. From the invention of the wheel to the latest gadget that we must have for our homes. Take computers for example. What began as a glorified calculator has become an essential part of life for most of the world. Yet the more computers can do to simplify things the more complicated they must become. Don’t get me wrong, I am not about to preach to you about the “evils of technology” for a goal of mine is to be a card-carrying computer geek. Many people are terrified of computers. Especially when they think about what power lies in those tiny computer chips. Yet computing is surprisingly simple. No matter what type of computer you are using or what program you are running, they all rely on two little numbers, 0 and 1. That’s right, break apart every application or operating system and you find binary code running everything. So, become fluent in binary code and you will know exactly what is going on with your computer.
The Bible is similar. There are hundreds of different translations of the Bible. From Wycliffe’s translation from Latin to the latest one in magazine format with glossy photos and quizzes designed to appeal to teenage girls. Yet millions are turned off by the Bible by the complex theology and doctrine within its pages. They don’t realize it is all very simple. The Bible was given to us as a roadmap. Directions to salvation and a closer walk with the Lord. But because of the volumes upon volumes of literature written about the Bible, explaining the ideologies inside, people don’t take the time to boil it down to its simplest form. That is what I hope to do today.
The first step to finding anything is the desire to find it and the willingness to look. Take for example, the tale of the rich young ruler found in Mark 10:17-22. It tells of a young man who ran through the town to find Jesus and ask “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He did not ask this question lightly, seeking an easy route to eternity. No, he had an earnest desire to seek and follow the Lord. He knew that he was missing something and sought to find it. What he found he could not swallow. The obedience to the commandments was not an issue, he had kept them since his youth. The abandonment of worldly pleasures and treasures, however, was a little more than he could bear.
Look also at the jailer of Acts 16:30,31. Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison and shortly thereafter endured an earthquake so violent it broke loose all the prison doors. When the jailer saw the doors open he feared all the prisoners had escaped. He knew that his superiors would allow no excuse for the escape and hold the warden responsible, which would more than likely entail a cruel painful death. To spare himself the pain he decided to end his own life. He had drawn his sword and was poised ready to plunge it into his heart when he heard a shout “don’t harm yourself, we are all here!” At this the jailer knew there was something different about these men, he rushed to them and asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He too knew that there was something lacking in his life that was present in these two men, Paul and Silas, that they would willingly remain imprisoned, when there was nothing to stop them from escaping and that the other prisoners touched by that same power, held fast in their cells as well. “What must I do to be saved?” Believe in the Lord Jesus...and he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in the Lord.
Two examples of people searching, longing for the road to salvation. One asked the Master Himself, the other asked two of the founding apostles of the early church. Both times no intricate explanation of theological ideals nor complex doctrine to master in order to achieve salvation. These two men both took the first step, yet with very different outcomes. Jesus said “obey my commands” and give up all other things and follow Him. Paul said to believe. Neither of these answers were overly complicated or too hard to accomplish. Believe, obey, and follow. How many cannot comprehend any of these things?
We must make the first step and constantly make an effort to stay committed to the cause of Christ. Yet most of the work falls on the shoulders of Christ. So why has the message become so skewed? Divided into hundreds of denominations, each with a little different doctrine, each claiming to have the only truth. Christ did not dwell on complex theology, baffling the crowds with intricate details of what it means to be justified or the principles of imputation. He used a three fold approach in His ministry, Mt. 4:23 says “teaching, preaching, and healing.” This is also the approach of the early church leaders. When He came to town, it was not the scholars that flocked to him with their papyrus and quills to take notes from His lectures on the intricacies of Mosaic law; it was the commoners and those searching who came to Him to be touched by the healing hands of Jesus. People everywhere need healing. Whether it be for a physical ailment, mental or emotional distress, or spiritual emptiness that comes from sin. Then to hear the preaching of the love of the creator and the sacrifice made for our sins. Speaking the words that comfort and fill the lives of those around us with warmth. Then when the people have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior of their lives, then the teaching of doctrine and theology can begin.
The Christian life is not a complicated set of “dos and don’ts,” or and endless bureaucracy like government operations. “If you love Me, obey My commands.” When you truly love someone, you will do anything to make that relationship blossom. There are a few basic concepts that the Christian must understand: love, redemption, salvation, and justification. Now I know I said at the beginning I wanted to simplify things and it seems as if those concepts are delving into deeper concepts of Christianity, not so.
What is redemption? Redemption in simplest terms is a rescuing or ransoming. The concept of redemption was introduced early in the Old Testament as a means to buy back property, free one from slavery, or liberate from prison. It conveys a general sense of deliverance, especially in regards to the Jewish nation. Israel was in need of deliverance about every other generation. From slavery in Egypt, occupation by other nations, or exile in a foreign land. The connotations around redemption in the New Testament lean more toward ransom. Christ offered Himself as payment for our redemption from the curse of sin. Sin is the primary force behind man’s misfortune and calamities. Christ would have His redemptive power deliver us not only from the restrictive nature and negative force the law entails, but also from the consequences of sin. The intent of redemption is to give us life in abundance. Just as modern inventions have made many aspects of our work easier, so too the ancient concept of redemption makes life easier, for it relieves us of the burden sin attempts to use to weigh us down. Such as guilt, fear and hate. “Life cannot progress in any of its normal activities until it is redeemed from evil.” In a world dominated by the quest of “keeping up with the Jones,’” having a bigger house, fancier cars, and a thicker wallet; redemption leads us to live a life like Christ. For Jesus was not interested in a six figure salary or a shiny new carriage, or even the latest high tech carpentry equipment. He focused on strengthening the interpersonal relationships He formed with those he met. Redemption gives us the power over evil, power over death because it places us at the right hand of God. Rom. 8:35-39. Sin causes a schism between us and our creator. Redemption does not build a bridge across the expanse, but puts both sides together again.
Salvation. It is a common misconception that the theology of salvation and the concepts we are discussing today are purely founded in the New Testament. This is if you do not take into account that the plan of salvation and reconciliation of the world was developed and implemented before the foundations of the world were created. The word salvation is first mentioned by Jacob in Gen. 49:18, in the middle of a discourse blessing his twelve sons. He is faint and on the doorstep of death when he loses his strength and pauses to reflect and to look forward to a time and land where sin is no more and peace reigns supreme.
The first mention of salvation from the Lord is found in Ex. 14:13, when Moses is consoling the Israelites on their escape from Egypt, with the Egyptian army bearing down on their position. This example gives both sides of the coin. The faithful Israelites were granted safe passage through the Red Sea en route to the promised land, while the wicked Egyptians had judgement passed and executed as they were drowned in the sea. This passage clearly illustrates the complete essence of salvation. He will deliver His faithful followers to the promised land, while the wicked will reap the rewards they have sought in the forsaking Him.
It is easy to know the outcome of salvation, but what is it exactly? Webster’s dictionary defines salvation as deliverance from the power and effects of sin. Just as the Hebrew nation was held captive and in slavery in Egypt for generations until one day God liberated them and led them to a land of milk and honey. So too we can be held in bondage by this world, many times without us consciously knowing it. We may become focused on seemingly harmless things, like a bigger house or more money to send the kids to college, yet if we do so without the help and approval of Jesus, we can quickly let the desires of this world become our masters. I am in no way implying Christ does not want us to have everything that we need. However, if we need a bigger car, why do we want a Cadillac when a Ford would suffice. Or do we really need a solid marble bath tub when ceramic would work just as well. God’s plan is to deliver us from the powers of this world, but we must want and accept this deliverance. Webster also says salvation is the agent or means that effect salvation. Salvation in other words is Christ. It is not only the result which is eternal life, but is the embodiment of Christ. It does not come from our faith or works or even the words of the Bible. It not only comes from Jesus Christ but is Jesus Himself. The Israelites enjoyed salvation temporarily, but we may enjoy the great deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin. Heb. 2:3 says if we disregard the law we have punishment on earth, but if we disregard Christ we will endure calamity greater than any thought of by man, we will miss out on eternity.
Next we come to justification. The root of justification is justify; to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation. When we earnestly seek forgiveness, God does not hold our sins against us. Whenever we are wronged by another, we may forgive, but the hurt of the injustice and the suspicion that it may happen again remain. Yet, when God grants us forgiveness, the existence of the sin is obliterated. Which is why our most heinous infractions, if forgiven, will not be held against us when our names come up for judgement. Rom. 5:1 says that through justification we have peace with God. Not only superficial peace, such as lack of guilt or fear, but have a new, stronger relationship with our Savior. For through justification we are no longer enemies of God, for sin is at odds with the character of God, yet with complete and total absolution we are made sons and daughters of God, which entitle us to all the blessings that go along with heirs to salvation. Col. 1:21, 22, through the complete sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we can be brought to the Father holy and blameless, truly worthy of salvation.
Let me digress for a moment. When we give a description of Jesus, one of the paramount features we mention is His sinless life. Why is this so important? We have heard said that we are not under the law, but under grace, so in our Christian walk, why must we strive for a perfect life? The statement, not under the law, but grace simply means we are not judged by the letter of the law, for if we were, we would have no hope of salvation. Instead by the power of God and our acceptance of Him, entrusting Him with our very lives, minds, and hearts; He justifies us. He treats us as if we have fulfilled the requirements of the law and satisfied its demands. This does not mean the law has been done away with, instead its requirements of us have been met completely by the power of Christ. Ps. 31:1,2. The only condition to receiving this justification is faith. Complete trust in the Lord. Do not be under the impression that it is our faith that causes us to be justified, only it is a sign to God that we place ourselves at His mercy; it is His compassion that grants us pardon and His will to exercise forgiveness.
Finally we have love. Love is the basis, the foundation for all things; from our very creation to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, to our hope of tomorrow. Christ said that the law and the prophets hang on love; Paul said the greatest attribute of the Christian life is love. “As love is the highest expression of God and His relation to man, so it must be the highest expression of man’s relation to His Maker and to his fellow man.” Listen to this definition of love; it is an earnest and anxious desire for and an active and beneficent interest in the well being of the one loved. Now in English it says that love is the drive for those we love to have all of their needs met, from basic food shelter and clothing, to spiritual and emotional needs. It is a want, a yearning to give our loved ones all. Though there may be many different forms of love, husband and wife, parent and child, friend to friend, this basic desire is evident in them all.
Love comes from God. He is the creator and the epitome of love. The love that we know and hold comes from the love that God has for His creation. The foremost object of God’s love is His son. This does not leave us a distant second, quite the contrary. For if we are united in faith with Christ we receive the same measure of love as the Son. For in our being reconciled, brought back into the fold, through our acceptance of the sacrifice and promise Christ gave to the world, we become one in Christ and likewise, one with the Father. God loved us while we were still sinners. He sent His son to die the death we deserve, while we were yet unrepentant and wicked, following our own lusts instead of the will of the Father. How much deeper is His love when we come to the foot of the cross, seeking mercy and acknowledging that Christ is our only true sense of hope and salvation. In this world love can be lost, forgotten, or never really present. But with God, His love is never ceasing, always present. How could He forget about His people when His love is engraved upon the hands of Jesus? We will love with this unfailing love if we are truly one with God. 1 Jn. 4:20,21. Our love for our fellow man should be as far reaching as that of Christ for all mankind. Limited not only to those we like, but our enemies as well. Yes, even with love exuding from our bodies, we can still have enemies. If we treat them with love instead of animosity, God will fight our battles, leaving us from to cater to the needs unfulfilled that are creating enemies around us. “Love bears the infirmities of the weak, does not please itself, but seeks the welfare of others; it surrenders things which may be innocent in themselves but nevertheless may become a stumbling block to others; it gladly forgives injuries, and gives the place of honor to another. Should we strive for nothing less? For love is the fulfillment of the royal law (James 2:8), and is to be put above everything else; it is the binder that holds all the other graces of the Christian life in place; by the possession of such love we know that we have passed from death unto life, and it is the supreme test of our abiding in God and God in us.”
Peter summed it up in his address to the crowd at Pentecost. He spoke of the return of the Lord, the joy that accompanies a relationship with God, how Christ defeated death for us, and the call to repent and be baptized. How simple it is to be a Christian and to walk the life of Christ? We must believe, follow, obey and above all love. If we focus on becoming perfect before coming to Christ, we will never get there, or if we are obsessed with fulfilling the theological teaching of one author or another, we will find it an exercise in futility. Love, obey, follow. Jesus and the Holy Spirit will take over and lead us down the paths that we should go, instilling in us a perfect sense of direction and writing the will of the Father on our hearts so that all other things will come to us as naturally as breathing. Do not make things harder than they are; live the abundant life God has in mind for us. Do this simply through love.
