Easter at Traders Point The Comeback.… · 2017-04-20 · Transcript April 15 and 16, 2017 ... We’re actually going to be looking at the Old Testament book, Song of Solomon

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Transcript April 15 and 16, 2017

Easter at Traders Point | The Comeback Aaron Brockett | John 10:17-18

Alright,how’severybodydoing?Good.HappyEastertoyou.Iwanttowelcomeeverybody,especiallyifthisisyourfirsttimetobewithus.Sogladtohaveyou.MynameisAaronandI’moneofthepastorsaroundhere.RightnowIwanttogreetourNorthandourDowntowncampuses.Wejustsayhellotoyou.HappyEastertoyouguys.Hearinggreatreportsaboutwhat’sgoingonwithyou.Beforewegetrolling,I’dliketobealittlebitstraightforward.I’dliketojustaskyousomethingmaybeyouweren’texpectingtobeasked,especiallyifyou’renewaroundhere.I’dliketoaskyoutoconsidercomingbackthenextfourweekendsinarow.NowIknowsomeofyoumaybethinking,“Whoa,whoa,whoaholduptherepreacherboy.It’samiracleI’mevenhererightnow.Let’sseehowthefirstdategoesandthenwecantalkaboutsomethingcrazylikefourweekendsinarow.”Igetthat.Maybeyouwouldn’tconsideryourselfachurchpersonorareligiousperson.You’renotnecessarilyconvincedthatyoubelieveallofthis.ButI’dliketoaskyoutoconsidercomingbackforthenextfourweeksandjustlistening—justtakinginwhatitisthatwe’regoingtocover.We’regoingtobeinaseriesoffourtalkscalledMarriageSoundtrack.We’reactuallygoingtobelookingattheOldTestamentbook,SongofSolomon,sometimesreferredtoasSongofSongs.Andthat’swhatitis.It’sasoundtrack.It’sthisoldermarriedcouplewhowriteasongabouttheirrelationship.Sotheygoallthewaybackandtheytalkaboutwhentheymet.Andtheytalkabouttheirdatingdays.Andtheytalkabouttheengagementandtheweddingandthehoneymoon.Anditgetsalittleheated,actually.Andtheytalkabouttheirveryfirstargumentandhowtheyhandlethatanddealwithit.There’salotthatwecanlearnfromit.SongofSolomonoffersussomeencouragementandsomeinsightandsomehopetoourrelationships.AndIknowsomeofyoumaybethinking,“Man,ifthisisamarriageseries,I’moutbecauseI’mnotmarried,don’twanttobemarried,don’twanttobemarriedagain.I’mgoingthroughamessyseparationoradivorcerightnow.IthinkI’vehearditall.Idon’tthinkthatthisisforme.”CanIjustsaytoyouthatIunderstandthat?Igetthat.IwanttoaskyoutosetsomeofthosehesitationsasideandjustcomewithanopenheartandanopenmindbecauseSongofSolomonoffersussomeencouragementandsomeinsightandsomehopeanditdoesn’tmatterwhatyourmaritalstatusiscurrently,weallneedthosethreethings.Don’tyouthink?Ineedsomehopeinmylifeandsomeencouragementandsome

EasteratTradersPoint|TheComebackApril15and16,2017

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insight.SoIhopethatyou’llbebackthenextfourweekends.IfyouhaveaBibleoradevicewithaBibleonit,wouldyougoaheadandfindthisbookcalledJohn,whichisoneofthefourbiographiesofJesus’life.Andasyou’returningthereIjustwanttoaskyouthisquestion.Doesanybodyhereloveagoodcomeback?Don’tyouloveagoodcomebackstory?Youknowlikewhenyourteamcomesfrombehind,theyhitthelastminuteshotandwinthegameinthefinalseconds.OraCinderellateamgoesdeepinatournament.Allofusloveagoodcomebackstorybecauseit’sinspiringtosaytheleast.Infact,Iwastryingtothinkaboutsomeofmyfavoritecomebackstories.WhenIwasgrowingupIwasahugeMichaelJordanfan,whichmeantthatIwasdevastatedwhenheannouncedhisearlyretirementtogoplayminorleaguebaseball.Iwasjustlike,“Michael,whatareyoudoing?”Ijustcouldn’tbelieveit.AndthenonedayhecamebackandIremembergettingtheSport’sIllustratedissuethatsaid,“I’mback.”Iwassoexcitedandhewaswearingnumber45andthatwasalittleweird,thattookalittlebitofgettingusedtobutitwasstillMJsoItookit.Itwasagreatcomeback.Whataboutthis?Iknowalotofyouweresoexcitedaboutthiswhen,lastfall,theChicagoCubswontheWorldSeriesforthefirsttimesince1908,right?Theycamebackandtheywonit.Idon’tknowifyouknewthisornot.Theseothernewsstorieskindofgotpusheddownintheheadlinesbecausethiswinwasinthespotlight,butthiswasactuallythesamedaythatpigsflewandhellfrozeover.Butyoudidn’tnecessarilyreadaboutthatbecausetheCubswontheWorldSeries.Whataboutthis?InSeptemberof2013,DianaNyad,shecamebacktobetheveryfirstpersontoswim110milesfromCubatoFlorida.It’sjustabsolutelyamazing.Shehadtriedthisfourprevioustimesandfailedforsmallthingslikejellyfishstings,andlightningstrikes.Youknow,I’mnotreallysurewhatherproblemwas.Butshecamebackandsheaccomplishedthisincredibletask.OrwhataboutBethanyHamilton?DidyouseethemovieSoulSurfer?Attheageof13,shewasattackedbyasharkanditwasn’tjustalittlescratch.Sheactuallygotherarmbittenoff.IfIseeasharkwithin20feetofme,I’mnevergoingintheoceanagain,alright?ButBethanyHamiltoncamebacktobecomeaprofessionalsurfer.OrwhataboutAbrahamLincoln?ManyconsiderhimtobeoneofthegreatestpresidentsinAmericanhistory.Icertainlydo.Butyethehadallofthesethingsstackedagainsthim.Idon’tknowifyouknowthathegrewuppoor,hefailedatbusinessventurestwice,andhesufferedanervousbreakdown.HelostwhenheranforCongress,helosttwicewhenheranforSenate,lostoncewhenheranasaVicePresidentialcandidateallbeforebecomingthe16thPresidentoftheUnitedStates.I’mabigmoviebuff.Idon’tknowifanyofyoulovemovies.Man,Idon’tcarewhatkind



ofmovieitis.I’mupforactionflicks,comedies,dramas—Idon’treallycare.Ilovemovies.InfactIevenlovedTheNotebook.Andforsomeofyoumystockeitherwentdownoritwentupdependinguponthatstatement.ButIdon’tcare.I’mconfidentenoughinmymanhoodtostandinfrontofallofyouandtellyouthatIactuallylikedTheNotebook.InfactthedayaftermywifeandIrenteditandwewatchedit,IwentoutandboughtoneofthoselittleblacknotebooksandIstartedrecordingourlovestoryjustincasemywifeevergottheamnesia—doyoucatchthatlikeacoldorsomething?We’dbesittinginthenursinghomeandI’dreadherourlovestoryandshe’dcomebacktome.That’sjustwhatIthought.Man,Ilikelovemovies—itdoesn’tmatter.ButmyfavoritegenreofmoviesthatI’malwaysinthemoodforisagoodcomebackstory.IloveHoosiers.IloveRudy.IlovethatmovieInvincible.Infact,whatI’dlikeforyoutodoatallofourcampusesisthatI’dlikeforyoutotake30seconds,turntothepersonbesideyou,andtellthemyourfavoritecomebackmovie,alright?Go—30seconds.Thisissogreat.InallofourservicesIwishyoucouldseewhatIsee.Someofyouarelikeabsolutelylovingthis.You’realreadyonyourfourthmovieandsomeofyouarelike,“I’mnotdoingthis.Sorry,noonetotalkto.”YouknowIthinkthatthereasonwhycomebackmoviesinspireussomuchisthattheyaffirmsomethingwithinusthatsays,“Youknowwhat?Mycircumstancesandmyfailuresandmysetbacksanddoubtsandfearsandinsecuritiesandshame—theydon’thavethefinalsay.”Yousee,there’ssomethingaboutacomebackstorythatgivesussomehopethatmaybewemightbeabletocomebackfromoursetofcircumstances,whatevertheymaybe.Andasitturnsout,Godlovescomebackstoriesaswell.Idon’tknowifyouknowthatornot.InfactIwouldeventakeitastepfurtherandsaythatGodistheonewhoinventedthecomebackstory.IfIcouldsummarizetheentireBible,GenesisthroughRevelation,Iwouldsaythatitisthestoryofacomeback,notonlyacomebackbutaseriesofcomebackswhereregular,ordinarypeoplelikeyouandmecomebackfromasetofcircumstancesthatlookedlikeadeadendintheirlife.StorieslikeJoseph’s,whosebrothersbetrayedhimandsoldhimintoslaveryandtheygobackandtelltheirfatherthatJosephhaddied.AndyetJosephheldontohischaracter.Herefusedtobeconsumedbybitterness,andhecameback.OrladieslikeNaomiwhosehusbandandhergrownsonsallpassawaysuddenlyleavingherasawidow.Andshehadthisgreatdaughter-in-lawbythenameofRuth.AndbecauseRuthwouldnotleaveherandRuthhadgreatcharacter,Naomiexperiencedacomeback.Andonandonwecouldgo.WecouldtalkaboutDavid,andJob,andPeter,



andPaul.Youknow,someofthethingsthatpeoplecomebackfromaretheirownfault.Theymadeabadchoiceorabadmistake.I’vecertainlydonethatinmylife.Andsomeofthemitwasjustasetofcircumstancesthatwereoutoftheircontrolthattheywereabletocomebackfrom.ButoneofthethingsthatisveryclearaswereadthroughtheScripturesisthatthesewereimperfectpeopleandtheystruggledwiththingsjustlikeyouandIstrugglewiththem.AndyettheyhadthehopeofacomebackbecauseGodisaGodofcomebackstories.Idon’tknowifyouhaveeverhearditthatwaybefore.Idon’tknowifyouwouldactuallysaythatyoubelievethat.ForthelongesttimeinmylifethewayinwhichIsawGod,thewayinwhichIviewedHimwassortoflikethisdisengagedperfectionist.LiketheguywhoalwaysgotitrightandIalwaysgotitwrong,andHewasalwaysfailingme.Kindofliketheinstructorwhositsnexttoyouduringyourdriver’stest.He’sgottheclipboard,makinglittlenotesofmistakesandjustwaitingforyoutofail.ThatwasmyperceptionandviewofGod.Ifyouwouldhaveaskedme,Iwouldhavesaid,“Well,yeah.IthinkHelovesmebecauseHesortofhasto.That’sHisjob.He’sGod.ButHedoesn’treallylikemebecauseIkeepmessingupandIkeeptellingHimthatI’lldosomethingandIneverfollowthrough.Soattheveryleast,He’sannoyedatme.”Idon’tknowifanyofyoucanrelatetothat.Maybeyoucan.Maybeyoucan’t.CanIaskyouthisquestionrightnow:WhatisyourperceptionofGod?HowdoyouseeHim?Whenyouformulateapictureinyourmind,what’syourviewofHim?What’sHedoingrightnow?Nowsomeofyoumaysay,“Well,Idon’tknowifIcandothatbecauseIdon’tknowthatIbelieveinGod.”That’sfair.Howaboutthis?WhatisyourviewoftheGodthatyoudon’tbelievein?DoyouhaveadescriptionofHim?IndoingwhatIdoasapastor,everynowandthenI’llgetanemailorhavesomebodyreachouttomeandthey’llsay,“I’dliketomeetwithyousometimeandI’dliketohaveaconversationbecausesee,I’vegotsomequestions.”Maybe,“I’mstrugglingwithsomethings,”or,“I’vegotsomequestionsabouttheBible,”or,“Ihadareallybadchurchexperience,”or,“Igrewupinareallylegalisticenvironmentanditsortofwoundedme.Ijustcan’tshakethisGodthingbutyetIcan’treallygetoverthehumpofit.”Or,it’saguywho’sdatingagirlandhe’sbeencomingbecauseofherandhe’slike,“Well,I’dliketotalktoyousothatwayIcanfigureouthowtostayherebecauseI’dreallyliketocontinuetodateher.”IlovethoseconversationsandeverynowandthenI’llhaveameetingatacoffeehouseorsomewhereandI’lllookacrossthetable…Ilovethoseconversationswhenpeoplearejusthonestandrealandhumbleandsay,“Man,I’vejustgotthesequestions.”



AndwhenI’mabletomeet,oftentimesI’llbeginthisway.I’llsay,“Whydon’twestarthere.Whydon’tyoudescribetometheGodthatyoudon’tbelievein?”Andit’snotuncommontohearwordslike:disengaged,ordisapproving,orangry,orjudgmental,ordetached.AndwhenIgetdonelisteningtothemIlookbackandIcansay,“Man,Idon’tblameyoufornotbelievinginthatGod.Idon’tbelieveinthatGodeither.“LetmetellyouabouttheGodIwishyouknew.LetmetellyouabouttheGodofsecondchances.LetmetellyouabouttheGodwhoisrighteousandjustandreallyisgood.LetmetellyouabouttheGodwhoisactuallycheeringyouon.DidyouknowthattheBiblesaysthatHe’sactuallyforyou?He’snotagainstyou.Hewantsthebestforyou.”Andifyou’vebeenaroundhereforlongerthanaweekortwo,oneofthethingsthatyou’veprobablybeguntopickuponbecomesprettycleartoyou.WetalkalotaboutthisguynamedJesus.ItrytospotlightHimineverysingletalkandmessagethatIgive.Andthere’sareallygoodreasonwhy.It’sbecauseJesuscametoshowuswhatGodislike.Infact,JesuswouldsaythisaboutHimselfinJohn,chapter10,verse30,“”IandtheFatherareone.”Meaning,“We’rethesameperson.”Thatmightbekindofdifficulttowrapyourmindaround,butbasically,Jesusissaying,“IfyouwanttoknowwhatGodislike,ifyouwanttoknowwhatGodisthinking,ifyouwanttoknowwhatHewouldsay,ifyouwanttoknowwhereHewouldgo,ifyouwanttoknowhowHewouldtreatpeoplewhowerehurtingthenlookatMeandthatwilltellyouallthatyouneedtoknow.”See,oneofthethingsaboutJesusisthatHecametothisearthasanunderdog.Hedidnotcometothisworldasadecoratedkingwithaprivilegedupbringing—couldhavebutHedidn’t.Hewasborntopeasantparentsinabarn.Hisbirthwassounderstatedthattheentireworldjustaboutmissedit.HegrewupinthepodunktownofNazareth,ithadonestoplightandonefeedstore,alright?HeworkedinawoodshopwithhiscarpenterdadallthroughHis20suntil,attheageof30,HebegantostartHisformalteachingministryandgoontheroad.HisfamilydoubtedHim.TheythoughtHewascrazy.Theywerelike,“Jesus,whatareYoudoingwithYourlife?”Andsomeofyouknowexactlywhatthatfeelslike.EventuallythereligiousandpoliticalauthoritiesarrestedHim,theytriedHimillegallyandunfairly,theybeatHimtowithinaninchofHislife,theyrippedthefleshoffofHisbody,andtheynailedHimtoaRomancross.Ifthatdoesn’tsayunderdogIdon’tknowwhatdoes.SeethereasonwhyJesuscamethewaythatHedid,andthereasonwhyHediedthewaythatHedied—alltheeventsofthecrucifixionstory—isbecauseGodispersonalandupclose.Heisnotdistantandremoved.Heisnotunapproachableanddetached.JesuscamethewaythatHedidsothateverysingleoneofusmightbeableto



relateandtohavehope.Here’swhatIknow.Allofyoulisteningtothisrightnow,someofyouarerunningonemotionalfumes.Someofyourightnowarestandingonyourlastleg,spirituallyandrelationally.Someofyouarejustholdingonbyyourfingernails.Someofyouarenot.Someofyouareactuallyprettyself-sufficient.You’redoingprettywellforyourself.You’relike,“Man,bytheageof40,bytheageof45,bytheageof50—IneverthoughtI’dbemakingasmuchmoneyasIam.IneverthoughtthatIwouldbeassecureasIam.Ourmarriageisprettygood.It’snotperfectbutit’sprettygood.Andourkidsareturningoutokaydespitemyattemptsatmessingthemup.We’redoingokay.”Andthenyou’vegoteverybodyinbetween.Iwouldjustsimplysaythis.Atsomepointinyourlife,nomatterhowputtogetheryoupretendorappeartobe—thereisgoingtocomeatimewhenyou’regoingtocomefacetofacewithyourfears,yourinsecurities,yourfailures,andyourshame.Andwhenyoudo,whathopewillyouhave?Whathopedoyouhave?OurGodisaGodofcomebacksandeverybodyneedsacomebackstory.IlovehowtheBookofPhilippiansdescribesJesus.It’ssounexpected.Itsays,“ThoughHewasGod,HedidnotthinkofequalitywithGodassomethingtoclingto.”Couldhave,“Instead,HegaveupHisdivineprivileges;Hetookthehumblepositionofaslaveandwasbornasahumanbeing.WhenHeappearedinhumanform,HehumbledHimselfinobediencetoGodanddiedacriminal’sdeathonacross.”NowwhatIwantyoutoseeinthisis:Whodoesthat?Canyouthinkofanexampleorseveralexamples—whetherit’sanindividualoragroupofpeople,whetherit’ssomebodyinpoliticsorsomebodyinsports,oracelebrityfigure—ofpeoplewhoactuallyhumblethemselves,whoactuallyhaveprivilegesandopportunitiesthattheywillinglyletgoofsothatotherscangoinfrontofthem?Whodoesthat?Nowwemightthinkofanexampleortwo,anisolatedincidenthereandtherebutwhodoesthatonaconsistentbasis?Iattempttodothis.Icertainlydon’tdoitconsistently.AndJesuscameandHehadeveryrighttoholdontoHisstatusastheSonofGodandyetHegaveitupandHewillinglycametous.HehumbledHimself.Hewasn’thumiliated,HehumbledHimself.HelaidHislifedown.Ifanybodyhadbraggingrights,itwasJesus.IfanybodycouldhavewalkedwithaswaginHisstep,itwasJesus.Ifanybodyhadanadvantage,itwasJesus.ButHelaidallofthosethingsdownandwillinglybecameanunderdog.AndHedidthatforyouandHedidthatforme.HelaidHislifedownandwasnailedtoaRomancrosstopayoffthedebtthatyouandIcouldneverbegintopayinamillionyears.Andthatstatementrighttheremaystirupallkindsofquestionsinyourmind.YoumaywanttobelieveitbutassoonasIsaythatyoumayhaveaseriesofquestions.



I’veaskedthosequestionsbefore.IhavethemaskedofmeeveryEaster.Mayberightnowyou’rewondering,“Well,whyacrucifixion?Whydiditneedtohappenthatway?Whydiditneedtobesogory?Imean,IsawthatMelGibsonPassionmovieseveralyearsagoandthatwaskindofoverthetop.Whydidthathavetobethatdramatic?WhyaRomancross?What’sthesignificanceofthat?“Whythreedays?WhydoestheBiblesaythatHecamebackthreedayslater,becauseitseemstome,ifyou’rerunningthemaththatitwasactuallymorelikeaday-and-a-half,maybetwodaystopsbecauseJesuswenttoacrossonFridayandHewasresurrectedSundaymorning.Thatdoesn’tseemlikethreedaystome.”Reallygoodquestions,right?Infactyourboyfriendormaybeyourwife,orwhoeveraskedyouthosequestionsonthewayhereandyouhadnoideahowtoanswerthem,right?Goodquestions.Letmejusttrytoexplainthattherearesomegoodanswerstothosequestions.Youcanaskthembuttherearegoodanswers.Seeoneofthereasonswhythecrucifixionwassogory,numberone:theydidn’tinventthisforJesus.TheRomanshadperfectedthisbeforeHegotthere.See,Romewantedtodemonstrateitspowersoithadbecomeexpertintryingtofigureouthowtoinflictthemaximumamountofpainuponsomebodywithoutactuallyputtinghimtodeath.Itwasbrutal.Butthespiritualsideofthisisrecognizingthat—ifyouwanttoknowhowsinimpactsandtearsyourlifeandyourrelationshipsapartyoulookatthecross.It’saprettydramaticpictureofwhatsindoesinourlives.Well,whyaRomancross?WellRomancrosseswerefirstcenturybillboards.Todayifyougetontheinterstate,youdrivedowntheinterstate,it’snotuncommontoseeabillboardandbillboardscommunicatemessages.They’retryingtosellthingswhetherit’sfoodorrealestateoranopportunityforyoutotravelsomewhere.Inthefirstcenturytheyhadbillboardsaswell.NotaswehavethembuttheirbillboardswereRomancrossesandwhenRomewantedtosendamessagetoeverybodyelse,theyhungpeopleoncrossesandputthemonthesideoftheroadfordays.Anditsentaprettyeffectivemessagethatsaid:Don’tmesswithRome.SoJesuswouldconfrontthatveryself-efficiencythatisfoundinallofus—thatpride.Wellwhataboutthisthreedaything?ItsaysthatHewasinthegraveforthreedaysandthenHecameback.Itdoesn’treallyseem,ifyouworkthemathout,thatHewasthereforthreedays.It’sagreatquestion.InthefirstcenturytheywerenotnearlyasfixatedonkeepingtimeaswhatyouandIaretoday.Wearetotallyobsessedwithit.Wehaveaphonewithaclockonit.Weallwearthesewatchesaroundourwrists.We’reconstantlylookingatthetime.Whattimeisitnow?Wellit’s12:30.Whattimeisitnow?Wellit’s12:31.Andwe’vegotthesecondstickingdown.I’vegotaclockrightinfrontofmethattellsmehowmuchtimeIhavelefttopreach.



Andit’singreenletters:15:43,15:42,15:41…Itdrivesmecrazy.It’slikerightthereinfrontofme.Weareobsessedwithtimeinourworldtoday.Butinthefirstcenturytheydidn’thaveclocksandwatcheslikewedo.Whenthesuncameupeveryeventthathappened—didn’tmatterifithappenedearlyorlateintheday,itwasjustconsideredthatday.SoJesuswenttoacrossmid-dayonFriday.Hedied.Hewasputintoatomb.EarlyonSundayHewasresurrected.SotheywouldsaythatHewasalldayFriday,alldaySaturday,andalldaySunday—threedays.Theyweren’tcountinghours.It’skindoflikethis.Let’sjustsaythatIgoonabusinesstrip.IflyoutonFridayafternoonandIleavemywifewithourfourchildrenathome.Hypothetically,Igoonatrip.I’mgone.IcomebackSundayafternoonandIwalkinthedoorandshe’skindoffrazzled.Youcantellshe’stired.She’sstressedout,“Man,I’vebeenwatchingthekidsbecauseyou’vebeengoneforthreedays.”AndifIlookedbackatherandsaid,“Well,honey,actuallyIthinkthatIwasonlygonemoreliketwodaysbecauseitwasFridayafternoonthatIflewoutandnowI’mbackhereSundayafternoon…”Nowisitthreedaysorisittwodays?Who’srightandwho’swrong?Yeah,yeah,she’sright.She’salways,right.Hey,listen.It’sagreatquestionbutinthefirstcenturytheykepttimedifferentlythanwekeepittoday.SoJesuswascrucifiedandin1,2,3daysHecamebacktolife.Nowlisten,whenHetookHislastbreathonthecrossandHisbodywentlimp—Hedidn’tjustpassout,Hedidn’tjustswoon,itwasover.TherewasnolifeleftinHim.Nosecondsontheclock.Turnoutthelights.Lockupthedoors,Jesusdied.AndHewasburiedinaborrowedtombandthreedayslaterHewalkedoutanditwasandistheultimatecomeback.Infact,IlovehowJesusdescribesthisinJohn,chapter10,verse17.Hesays,“TheFatherlovesMebecauseIsacrificeMylifesoImaytakeitbackagain.NoonecantakeMylifefromMe.Isacrificeitvoluntarily.ForIhavetheauthoritytolayitdownwhenIwanttoandalsototakeitupagain.”SowhatJesusissayinghereisthatHelaidHislifedown.Hewasnotavictim.Hewasincontrol.ThingswerenotoutofHiscontrol.HeknewexactlywhatHewasdoingandHelaidHislifedownsothatyouandImighthavehopeforourlives.CanIsayitthisway?Jesuscamebacksoyoucouldcomebackfromwhateversituationorcircumstancethatyoumightbefacingrightnow,whetherit’sfailuresorsetbacksorguiltorshameorembarrassment.Andtheresurrectionstoryisnotjustsomerandomfairy-tale.ThereisareasonwhyJesuscamethewaythatHedid.ThereisareasonwhyHewascrucifiedthewaythatHewascrucified.ThereisareasonwhyHecamebackwhenHedidandasHedid.



BecauseofEaster,Godissendingamessage—whetheryouwillacceptitorrejectitdoesn’treallymatter.Themessageisstilloutthere.HeissayingthereisnotanythinginyourliferightnowthattakesGodbysurpriseorthatHecan’thandle.BecauseJesuscamebackfromthedead,youcancomebacknomatterwhatitisthatyouarefacing,nomatterhowcrazy,complex,orcrushingitmightseem,God’sgotitcovered.Andthatmightseeminspiringandsomeofyoumightbelievethattoyourcoreandsomeofyouarelike,“Man,I’mjustnotsosure.Aaron,I’dliketobelievethat.Thatsoundsreallygoodbutinorderformetoactuallybelievethat,inorderformetotrustthat,you’rebasicallytellingmethatIhavetobelievethatdeadpeoplecomebacktolifeagain.”AndIwouldsay,“No,Idon’texpectyoutobelievethatdeadpeoplecomebacktolifeagain.Ijustwantyoutobelievethatonepersondid,andHisnameisJesus.Andifyou’restrugglingwiththat,Igetthat.Infact,ifyouareaverylogicalperson,ifyoulovequestionsandyouloveforthingstomakesense—manyouarespeakingmylovelanguage.That’slikeme,man.I’mfromMissouri—theShowMestate.I’mnotgoingtobelievethatjustbecauseyoutellme—takemeandshowme.Iwanttoseewithmyowneye-balls.Mytoptwospiritualgiftsaresarcasmandcynicism,alright.I’mreally,reallygoodatthosethings.Andifitdoesn’tmakelogicalsense,Idon’twanttoacceptit.Ifthat’syou,“ManIjustcan’tbringmyselftothatspot.”Man,Icanreallyrespectthat.Didyouknowthatthere’sanotherguybythenameofPaulwhowaswiredupalotlikeweare?AndIlovewhenhewastalkingabouttheresurrectionhowintellectuallyhonestheisashedescribesittothechurchthatmetinCorinth.Listentowhathesaysin1Corinthians,chapter15.Hesays,“…ifChristhasnotbeenraised,thenallourpreaching,”whatI’mdoingrightnow“isuseless,andyourfaith,”thoseofusinthisroomwhodobelieveitrightnow“isuseless.Andweapostleswouldallbe,”thisisastunningword,“lying...”Itdoesn’tsaymisguided,misinterpreted,wemisseditbyaccident.Noit’sactuallyanalloutlie,“aboutGod—forwehavesaidthatGodraisedChristfromthegrave.Butthatcan’tbetrueifthereisnoresurrectionofthedead.”Wegooninverse17.Itsays,“AndifChristhasnotbeenraised,thenyourfaithisuselessandyouarestillguiltyofyoursins.Inthatcase,allwhohavediedbelievinginChristarelost!”Everybody,throughouthistorywhohaseverputtheirtrustinthis—they’relost.“AndifourhopeinChristisonlyforthislife,wearemoretobepitiedthananyoneintheworld.”That’saheavystatement.Butthenheconcludeswiththis.“Butinfact,Christhasbeenraisedfromthedead.Heisthefirstofagreatharvestofallwhohavedied.”Translation:SinceJesuscamebackfromthegrave,youandIhavethehopeofa



comeback.Notjustinthesituationyoumaybecurrentlyfacinginyourliferightnow,butalsoforyoureternallife.OneofthereasonsthatIlovethissectionofScripturehereisjusthowintellectuallyhonestPaulisbeing.He’sbasicallysaying,“Look,Iknowthatthisishardtobelieve.Iknowthismightbeagiantbarrierforsomeofyou.”SowhatPaulisdoinghereinthesestatementsistheequivalentofhimgoingtoVegasandjustpushingallofthechipsintothemiddleofthetable.Andhesaysthatitallridesonthisevent:DidJesuswalkoutofagrave?AndifHedidn’tthenwhatwe’redoingrightnowisjustacolossalwasteoftime.IfHedidn’ttheveryfirstthingIshoulddowhenI’mfinishedtalkingisquitmyjobasapastorandgodosomethingelsebecausethisissilly.CanItakeitastepfurther?Someofyoucameheretodaynotexpectingtohearapastorsaythis.IfJesusdidn’twalkoutofagraveyouneverhavetofeelobligatedtocometoanEasterserviceeveragain.Andsomeofyouarelike,“Sweet.CanIgetthatinwritingpreacherboy?Somymomormaybemygirlfriendwillstopinvitingmetochurch.”AndIwouldsay,“Yes,youcangetitinwritingandyouhaveitinwriting.”Paulwroteitin1Corinthians15.That’swhatheissaying.SomeofyouarereallyuncomfortablethatIevensaiditlikethatbutletmetakeyouintheotherdirection.Ifitdidhappen,whoa—what’sthatmean?Thatkindofmeansthatthiscan’tbesortoftrueandsortofnottruelikeIkindofbelieveitbutIdon’treallybelieveit.Or,“Yeah,manitsoundsreallygoodwheneverI’mherebutthenduringtheweekmaybenotsomuch.”Someofus—andmanIwashereforalongtime.It’ssortoflikethis.Iwaskindofstraddlingthefence.IwantedJesusforwhatHewoulddoforme.IwantedJesustobailmeoutofthebindsthatIwasin.IwantedJesustocomfortmebutIkindofalsowantedtobeinthedriver’sseattooandmakesomeofmyowndecisionsandenjoysomeofthethingsinmylifethatIwantedtoenjoy.Jesusisbasicallysaying,“WillyoutrustMeinthis?”AndIknowthatthatmightbedifficultforallofus—someofusatvaryingdegrees.Someofyou,what’shangingyouuprightnowarethesetwolittlewordsrighthere:blindfaith.Youhatethat.You’rejustlike,“Man,ifI’vegottobuythisthatmeansthatyou’retellingmethatIhavetohavethisblindfaith.”AtthisparticularpointI’mnoteventryingtoconvinceyouofanything.Ijustwantyoutothinkaboutthisonethingrighthere:Youalreadyliveyourlifebyblindfaith.There’snooptingoutofit.Everysingleoneofusliveourliveshavingblindfaithinthesensethatwecan’tproveeverythingthatwechoosetoliveourlivesby.Wejustcan’t.It’sphysicallyimpossible.I’mgoingtomakeabigstatementhere.Andyoudon’thavetobelievethisrightaway



butIjustwantyoutotakeitwithyouandchewonitforawhile,alright?Youhavetohavejustasmuchfaithtobelievethattheresurrectiondidn’thappenasyoudotobelievethatitdid.Nowjustchewonthatforaminutebeforeyoudismissitorbeforeyousay,“I’mnotsosureaboutit.”Takeapictureofthiswithyourphone.Thinkaboutitduringtheweek.Justchewonthatforaminute.Here’swhatImean.Youweren’tthere.Noneofuswere.AndsojustinthesensethatIcan’tprovetoyoubyshowingyouthatJesuswalkedoutofagrave…IwishIcould.That’dbegreat.IfIhadaDeloreanonstagerightnowwithaflexcapacitorwecouldallgetinandDoccouldgetinwithusandwecouldgoback2,000yearsandIcansay,“See,stopdoubting.Thetombisempty.”Andyou’dprobablybelike,“Alright.That’sgreat.”Ormaybetheotherway,wegobackandyouseethatHedidn’twalkoutofagrave.Butwecan’tdothat.Wecan’tprovetooneanotherbyshowingeachother.Soyournon-beliefisstillaleapoffaith.InfactIwouldsayit’sjustasmuchofabigleapoffaith,ifnotmoreso,thanmyoptiontobelievewhatJesussaidistrueandwhatHedidistruebecauseyourbelievingsomebody’scommentaryaboutit.Andyoumaysay,“Idon’tknowthatIcantrusttheauthorsoftheBible.”Okay,wellwhoareyoutrusting?Thewriterofthatblog?It’skindofthesamedeal.It’sstillahumanbeingtellingyouwhattheythinkhappenedordidn’thappen.It’sstillblindfaithinthesensethatyouweren’ttheretoseeit.Letmegiveyouthisstatementrighthere.Here’swhatfaithis.Thisisallthatitis:Faithistrust…everyonetrustssomethingorsomeone…thereforeeveryonelivesbyfaith.SoIwouldcontendthat…Ifyousay,“Well,I’mjustnotapersonoffaith.”Iwouldsay,“Ofcourseyouarebecauseyoutrustthingsthatyoucan’talwaysprove.”Youdoiteveryday.Youdoiteverytimeyougotoarestaurant.Didyouknowthat?Likeeverytimeyousitdownatthetableandyouorderyoursaladyouhavenoideawhat’shappeningbehindthosedoors.Noidea.Youhavenoideaifsomethingfelloutofthecook’snoseintoyoursaladandhejustdidn’tknow.You’rewelcome,alright?IjustruinedEasterlunchforeverybody.No,no.Yougetthesaladandyoueatitbyfaith.Well,nowyou’renotbutyougettheidea,alright?Oreverytimeyougetonanairplane.Youhavenoideawhothepilotis.Youhavenoideawhatkindofconditionheorsheisin.Youdon’tknowifthemechanicskippedoneoftheitemsonthemaintenancechecklist.Youhavenoidea.Youcan’tproveit.Youbuckleupbyfaith.You’relivingbyfaithrightnowasyou’relisteningtomebecauseyouwalkedintowhateverroomyou’rewatchingthisfromandyouploppeddownintoachairthatyoudidn’tdesign,build,orlikelyinspectbeforeyoujustrestedyourfullbody



weightonit.Youaresittingbyfaith.SotakethewholeChristianitythingoutofitforaminute.AllIwanttoproposetoyouisthatyoulivebyfaithalready.Thequestionis:haveyouidentifiedwhatitis?Haveyounamedit?Seethereisasetofprinciplesthatyouhaveadopted,whetheryourealizeitornot,thereisasetofvaluesthatyouhaveinyourlife,whetheryourealizeitornot,thereisawayinwhichyouseetheworld—it’scalledaworldview—thathasbeeninformedbysomething,whetheryou’vetakenthetimetoidentifywhatitisornot.Ifit’sjustlike,“I’lltakealittlebitofeverythingandthrowitintoapotandthisismyuniquerecipeforlivingmylife,”it’sstillanactoffaith.SothequestionIjustwanttogiveyouisthis:Isitenough?Isitenough?Isitenoughtocarryyou?Isitenoughtosustainyou?Isitenoughtogiveyoupurposewhenyougetkickedinthegut?Listen.Jesusisnotaskingyoutobelieveinfairytales.Heisn’taskingyoutocheckyourbrainatthedoor.Heisn’taskingyoutostuffyourquestions.Heissimplyaskingyouandmetodosomethingthatwealreadydoeveryday—trust.Buttakethattrustandredirectitandplaceituponaperson,notyourfeelingsandnotyourownlogicandnotasetofpropositions.Here’sthething.WhatGodwantsfromyouisarelationshipnotaproposition.Sowhenthingsgetpersonalinarelationship,ourquestionsalwaysgetsmaller.Theyalwaysshrink.I’vebeenwalkingwithJesusnowforabout30yearsandI’mtellingyouIstillhavequestions.IhavequestionsallthewaybacktobeforeIcameintoarelationshipwithJesus.Andhere’swhathashappened,whatI’mdiscovering,whatI’mlearning.AsIwalkwithJesus,througharelationship—thepeaksandthevalleysoflife—Heanswersmyquestions,sometimesquestionsI’mnotevenasking.SometimesquestionsthatIforgotinatimetablethatIwasn’texpecting.Andyouknowwhat?Someofthequestions,theyjustgetsmallertothepointwhereI’mlike,“Actuallyit’snotevenreallyrelevant.”IthinkIwasmakingthatquestionupasasmokescreenbecauseIdidn’twanttogiveupmylife.Youdothisrightnowineveryotherrelationshipinyourlife,whetherit’sanintimaterelationshiporafriendship.Youbeginarelationshipwithsomebodyandyou’vegotquestionsandthingsareopen-ended.You’renotquitesurehowit’sgoingtogobutmorethanlikelyyoudon’tinterviewapotentialfriend.Youdon’tsitthereandsay,“Hey,I’vegotallofthesequestionsandifyoucananswerallofthesequestionsconvincinglyenoughthenI’llbeyourfriend.”That’sjustkindofweird,right?Someofyouarelike,“Oh,that’sactuallyagoodidea.”Wedon’tdoitthatway.Whatdowedo?Weenterintotherelationshipandwehavetrust.AndJesus—allHe’sasking…He’snotaskingyoutogetalloftheanswerstoyour



problems.Listen.IfyougothroughallofthebiographiesofJesus—Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn—youneveroncehearJesussay,“Hey,comeandfollowMeandI’llanswerallofyourquestions.”No,it’s,“Comeandlet’sjustdolifetogether.”AndthroughtheseriesofwalkingwithJesusyourquestionsgetansweredortheygetsmaller.SocanIjustleaveyouwiththisquestionrighthere?Whoorwhatareyouputtingyourtrustinrightnow?Iwantyoutojustnameit.Iwantyoutodescribeit.Ifit’snotJesusthenwhatisit?Justbehonestwithyourselfandthenaskyourself:Isitenoughtocarryme?Iwanttoaskyoutodosomethingkindofboldtoday.Irealizeit’skindofstraightforward.Manyofusjustmet.ButI’llgoaheadandI’lltaketheriskandIwantyoutoknowthatI’mdoingthisoutofaspirit—reallyashumblyasIcanaskthis…IwanttoaskyourightnowtoputyourtrustinJesus,asdirectlyasIcanputit.I’mnotaskingifyou’rereligious.I’mnotaskingifyougrewupinchurch.I’mnotaskingyouifyou’reagoodCatholicorBaptistorMethodist.I’mnotaskinganyofthat.Idon’tcareaboutthefaithofyourparents.Idon’tcareaboutthefaithofyourgrandparents.IwanttoknowwhatyouaretrustinginrightnowandI’maskingyou:WouldyouputyourtrustinJesustoday?Andsomeofyoumaysay,“Well,I’vegotthisquestionandthisquestion.I’vegotthishang-upandthishang-up.I’vegotthispastexperiencethatIcan’tquitegetover,”man,Igetthat.ThisiswhatJesustalkedaboutwhenHesaid,“CometomeandIwillcarryyourburdens.MyyokeiseasyletMecarryitwithyou.”IlovethisdefinitionoffaithinHebrews,chapter11,verse1.Itsays,“Faithshowstherealityofwhatwehopefor;itistheevidenceofthingswecannotsee.”AndtheevidenceisfoundinthepersonofJesusChrist.Someofyouhavebeenstraddlingthefence.You’rekindofin.You’rekindofout.Yousortofbelieve.Maybeyoudon’tbelieve.Maybeyou’rehereonEasterandChristmasbutnotquitesurewhereyouaretherestoftheyear.Iwanttoaskyoutosimplygoallin.Anditwillprobablynotmakesensetoyouuntilyoudo.OneofthefirstthingsthattheBibleasksustodotoenactourtrust,tosetitintomotion,istotakeactionuponwhatitisthatwesaythatwetrust.It’sonethingtosay,“Well,Itrustthis.”It’sanotherthingtoactuallyputitintoaction.SowhenyourecognizewhoGodisandwhoyouare.AndwhenyoubegintoacceptwhatsinhasdonetoyourrelationshipwithHimandwithothersandyousay,“Youknowwhat?I’mgoingtoputmytrustinJesus.I’mnotperfect.Idon’thavealloftheanswers.Idon’thaveitallfiguredoutbutI’mleaningmylifeagainsttheOnewho



does,”thentheBiblesaysthefirstactofobedience,theverythingthatJesusdidHimself,isforyoutoletgoandtodietoyourself—tohumbleyourself.Putyourselfinapositionwhereyousay,“Man,I’mdependentonthisOnenamedJesus.”TheBiblegivesusthisgreatthingtodo.It’scalledbaptism.It’sbeingloweredintoawaterygravewhereyouareidentifyingwithJesusdeath,Hisburial,andHisresurrectiontocomeupasanewcreation,notaperfectpersonwhosegotitallfiguredoutbutaredeemedpersonwho’splacedtrustontheOnewhocamebacksothatyoucancomeback.SoIwanttogiveyoutheopportunityatallofourcampusestobebaptized.It’sbeenprettyamazingovertheweekend.Idon’tknowthefullcount.Iknowthatwe’vehassomewherenorthof130baptismsalreadyatallofourcampusesandtherearesomeamazingstories.Ican’twaittohearabouttheothercampuses.Iknowtherearesomeamazingstoriesthere.ButhereattheNorthwestcampuswehadaguycometooneoftheserviceslastnight.Heheardthissermon,satthere,andhisinnerattorneykickedin.Hetalkedhimselfoutofthisandwenthome,camebackthismorningatthe8o’clocktogetbaptized.Hewaslike,“Man,I’mwrestlingwiththis.”Iwasstandinginthebackhallwayatthelastservice,whichwasabsolutelypacked,andthisladycameuptomeandsaid,“I’vethisquestion.It’sareallyunusualquestion”AndIneverknowwhat’scomingnextwhensomebodysaysthattome.Shepulledupherpantlegandshowedmeahousearrestbraceletonherankle.Shesaid,“Iwanttogetbaptizedbutthiscan’tgetwet.Canyoubaptizeme?”Iwaslike,“Uh,there’snomanualforthis.”AndI’mlike,“Ithinkso.Canweholdyoubyyouranklesanddipyou?”Andshegotbaptizedlasthour.Amazing.Nowlisten.Someofyouaren’treadyforthis.Totallycool,Ijustaskyoutocomeback.Comeandsee.Workthroughyourjunk.We’dlovetodothatwithyou.Someofyou,you’rereadyandyouknowit.Andyou’vebeentalkingyourselfoutofitforareallylongtime.Andyourinnerattorneysarealreadykickinginandyou’vegotEasterbrunchhereinabout20minutesandyou’relike,“Ican’tdothat.”Wouldn’titbegreatiftodaywasthedaythatyoudrewalineinthesandandsaidI’mgoingtoplacemytrustinJesus?I’mgoingtoturnthisovertoourcampuspastorsassoonasIfinishprayingandIwantthemtogiveyousomeinstructionsonwheretogo.Let’spraytogether.Father,wecometoYourightnow.IthankYouforthefactthatYou’retheGodofthecomebackstory.AndIneedone.Andweneedone.AndIknowthattherearesomelisteningtothisrightnowwhomayfeelliketheyaretheonlypersonintheroom,whethertheyarehereatNorthwestortheyareatNorthortheyareatDowntown.God,IprayrightnowthatthisthingwecalltheHolySpiritwouldcomeandjusttendtotheir



emotionalandspiritualneeds.Someofusneedtobepushedoffofthefencetosay,“I’min.I’mgoingtoplacemytrust,notinasetofpropositions,notinanswerstoquestions…”because,honestly,someofusaskquestionsjustasasmoke-screentokeepusfromcommittingtoanything.Andtodayweneedtoplaceourtrustinaperson.So,Father,todayIpraythatanumberofpeoplewouldbeaddedtothe130plusbaptismsalreadyandwouldexperiencedeathtolife,darknesstolight.WeaskthisrightnowinJesus’name.Amen.

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Easter at Traders Point The Comeback.… · 2017-04-20 · Transcript April 15 and 16, 2017 ... We’re actually going to be looking at the Old Testament book, Song of Solomon