Sermon: "Are You Still Amazed?"
"Everlasting God"
Offertory- special music "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" with video
Video: "Are You Amazed"
We want to share some things with you that still amaze us and we hope it will turn into a celebration at the end of the service
At Christmas we marveled at the special events surrounding Jesus' birth. He was born to a virgin because the Holy Spirit made Mary pregnant. So from the beginning he was a special person. This became even more evident when he grew up and began teaching and speaking to people.
I. Are You Still Amazed
A. Are You Amazed at His Teaching? Listen to some of what he taught.
Matthew 7:24-29 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Right here we have just a simple illustration that Jesus used to make a point. To make the point that our success, our ability to survive in life, our sense of life being worth while, rises and falls on whether we will listen to what Jesus said.
I wish I could've been there to hear him speak, because when he spoke, he spoke in a way that made people think -- "this guy knows what he is talking about." When he read the Law or what the Prophets said, it's like he knew exactly what they meant.
Have you ever called customer support -- particularly for a computer problem? You get some technicians who try to help you and you hang up shaking your head thinking that was more confusing than helpful -- your computer is worse off after than before.
Another time you get a technician who seems to know exactly what your computer is doing -- and he or she can walk you through the repair step-by-step. It's like they are looking over your shoulder at your computer screen and can tell you exactly what you're looking at and what to do about it. That's a person who speaks with authority -- someone you will listen to.
Friends, that is what Jesus teaching is. Because he knows exactly what we are facing and he knows what we should do to fix it. I am amazed at how often I find an answer to a situation in my life, right in the Bible.
B. Are You Amazed at His Authority
1. Over Nature
Matthew 8:23-27 23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
We find ourselves frightened in many circumstances in life. It can be in a bad storm. Some people are afraid of going places for fear of being in an accident. Sometimes as parents we don't allow our children to go on a missions trip or a retreat because we are afraid something might happen to them.
We struggle with the same fear and lack of faith the disciples had that day. As we learn to trust God and believe in his power to control even the natural forces of this universe, we can live each day with a sense of peace and security.
Not only is Jesus in control of the natural world, he is also in control of the spiritual realm and has the authority:
2. To Forgive Sins
Matthew 9:1-8 1Jesus came to his own town. 2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Yes Jesus has power to heal us when we are sick. From the story we also learn that he has power to forgive our sins.
Many people, including some of you in here, face each day with heavy hearts. You are quarreling in your homes, in your marriages, with your extended families. Some of you don't speak to each other anymore. There is no joy when you get together -- you have to walk on eggshells around each other.
Some of your hearts are heavy because you are carrying guilt for the things you said or done, and you don't know how to get a clear conscience or restore your relationship.
The key, my friends, is receiving God's forgiveness and then learning to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Jesus is the one who can forgive our sins and teach us to forgive. We read in
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
This morning be amazed at Jesus' power to give you a clean and refreshed soul.
C. Are You Amazed at His Compassion
Jesus always had time for people, even when they seemed to be an interruption. He has the desire and ability to help us. Listen to this story
Matthew 9:27-36 27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Do you feel harassed and helpless this morning? I want to introduce you to someone who really cares about what's going on in your life and can help you with it. He is Jesus.
Jesus even had compassion for people caught in sin. Listen
John 8:3-11 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Oh, we would be so quick to throw the book at this woman. Her sin is so obvious. She is so guilty. But the man who is most offended by sin -- the sinless one, Jesus, -- is the first to offer mercy and grace.
Have you come in here this morning feeling like that woman must have felt? Come to Jesus and let him show you his amazing compassion.
Another character trait of Jesus that still amazes me and probably because I struggle with pride so much in my own life is Jesus' humility.
D. Are You Amazed At His Humility
John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
This would be like the CEO of the company where you work, during the company banquet, taking off his suit to jump in the trash barrel to pack it down so the servers could put more garbage in there. That sort of thing came naturally to Jesus. There was no task that was beneath him because he was a humble man. He says we should live the same way.
Paul said it this way to the Philippians:
Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very natureGod, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very natureof a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Jesus didn't die because he was too weak to save himself. He gave up his life because he loved us so much and was willing to pay the debt for your sin and mine, so that we could have life and peace with God.
Let's pause for a few minutes and worship Jesus our Lord. Thanking him and praising him - remembering his death on the cross. While we sing, the altar is open for you to come and meet with Jesus. Feel free to come and pray for a while and then return to your seat.
Maybe you're looking for that forgiveness I spoke about. Maybe your heart is just welling up with thanks as we've remember the stories of Jesus. Feel free to come and talk to him about it.
Song Package -
"The Wonderful Cross"
"Jesus Paid It All"
"In Christ Alone"
This isn't a story with a sad ending -- the death of the hero. You see, this amazing man Jesus, freely gave up his life, but he also had the power to rise from the dead and he did.
E. Are You Amazed at His Power to Rise from the Dead
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Luke records that the disciples did not believe the women because they thought the women were 'speaking nonsense.' Understandably so. Would you believe it if someone told you that a person you had seen dead and buried had come back to life?
But Jesus did appear several times to his disciples so they would know and could believe, and then could tell other people. The Bible goes on to tell us that Jesus, after spending several more weeks with his disciples went back to heaven where he is at a place of highest honor beside the throne of God.
Stephen saw him there just before he was killed.
Acts 7:55-56 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
F. Are you Amazed at his Majesty
Are you amazed at the position Jesus now holds in God's kingdom? Have you stopped to think recently of just how important this man is? This man who wants to be your close friend -- a closer friend than even your own brother could be? Listen as Paul describes how God has honored him.
Philippians 2:9-11
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
There is one more amazing thing about this whole story that we should know. This event, the life of Jesus, is not just one more event to help fill up a history book as we have stories of other amazing people, Julius Caesar, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln and so on.
You see, Jesus is still alive. He is in heaven preparing a place to take everyone who will believe in him and trust him with their life. The bible tells us that those who sincerely believe in Jesus and will confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord, will be saved from the wrath of God that will send all unbelievers to hell.
G. Are You Amazed that Those Who Believe Will Be Saved
We read about it in the book of Romans:
Romans 10:5-13 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
II Invitation for Belief and Salvation
I want to give you an opportunity this morning to turn your life over to Jesus. Coming to church today or any other day does not earn you any favor with God. It doesn't make God feel good about you.
What God wants is for you and me to believe in his Son Jesus, to listen to what he says and to obey his teaching. What it takes is for a person to humbly confess that they are a sinner, then choose to turn away from the life that they have been living and instead follow the way of Jesus, because you believe that he is who he says he is - The Son of God.
If you are willing to do that this morning, I invite you to come to the front during this next song and let me pray with you. God is mighty to save.
Closing Celebration - Song Package.
"Mighty to Save"
"My Redeemer Lives"