Was God Ever Dead?

One thing we need to understand about our God is…we will never understand Him! There are things about Him we cannot wrap our finite mind around. Even though He has made clear and understandable what Easter accomplished for humanity, there are many aspects that cannot be fully explained.

A major Truth that is impossible to fully comprehend is what happened when Jesus, God in the flesh, died.

Some have tried to say that the Eternal God died…the Divine nature perished. Everything Scripture states is to the contrary! The Triune God could never cease to Be. So how do we explain this? Well, to explain it would be the same as trying to explain the incarnation of Jesus Christ. How can we explain that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man? Only an Infinite mind could comprehend that!

Jesus did die on the Cross; exactly what happened is beyond our comprehension. The Son of Man died…His spirit separated from His flesh. That is the meaning of “death” – separation.

However, though we cannot grasp what happened, we can apply some great Truths to our life.

Let’s go back to the Cross: It’s now 12 Noon - Midday - Darkness fell upon the land. Some try and say it was a natural eclipse. Hardly! No eclipse lasts three hours.

This darkness was so thick, because the Light of the world was being snuffed out!

The darkness of sin…sin entered the Sinless. The Perfect Man was made a

Sinner.  God allowed no one to share                                            in this sight, He turned out the lights.

A theologian once wrote: "If you could pierce that Darkness and gaze at the Saviour's face, I believe that what you would see would drive you stark raving mad."

After 3 hours of silent Darkness Jesus shattered that silence with a scream:

Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

The Ultimate price: No longer Father - Abba - Daddy - Intimacy was broken - Fellowship was changed.

Theologically I cannot figure this one out: Jesus never ceased being God. Yet there was a separation of some kind. Truth is Truth whether we can comprehend it or not. 

What we do know is the Author of Life’s body went into a tomb! Now, we must ask our selves what can we learn from that?

Two realities hit me:

First: My sin cost Him that terrible price, so is that “little” sin really so little?

Next time we get ready to sin – perhaps we should think – “MY GOD!”

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

Second: Never think God has forsaken you! God will forsake no one. They will choose through unbelief to forsake Him. If you become part of the family of God, He will never forsake you!

Psalm 27:10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the LORD will take me up.

Isaiah 49:15  “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

As we celebrate the great Love that come communicated this Easter let’s spend some time pondering - The Sacrifice of Christ!

Have we Hoped in God in vain?

Probing Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, my thoughts go to those 11 men that spent 3 years walking the earth with Christ. How their hearts must of sank as they met together knowing He had suffered and died. BUT WAIT…reports from Mary and others begin to surface that He is alive! Can you imagine the mixture of doubt and hope they felt?

What joy filled their hearts when that Hope became sight! Move forward a little bit in time and we see them again together, this time watching the Lord of Lords ascend into heaven in a cloud, with a promise of a new Hope…He will come back for all of you!

Acts 1:11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

It has been over 2,000 years and so many have lived and died with the Hope of Christ’s return. Has He failed?

2 Peter 3:1–9…I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created…But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

No failure, God is patient, all those dear saints that left their bodies waiting for Christ’s return are even at this moment safe and secure in the presence of our Lord. God desires as many as want it, to be with Him in eternity, so He waits giving many more that opportunity. What many miss is that this “eternal” Hope is the source of the everyday Hope we need right now! The reality of a Living Hope is what separates it from the “world’s hope.”  As we look at the final point let’s review:

World’s hope: We saw that the world’s hope is Hazardous! It depends on fate.

Living Hope: God’s hope brings Help from on High! We are not even dependant on ourselves! God is the source of our hope.

World’s hope: Opposition! We only see the negative side of trials.

Living Hope: Ouch! We understand that trials hit everyone, yet we can see they bring with them a tremendous opportunity for growth!

World’s hope: “Pot Luck!” Trying to find what can help you through the situation.

Living Hope: Priceless Inheritance! The what does not matter because we know Who is in control and He is an endless fountain of Hope.

H.O.P.E.

With the world’s hope everything is an Effort! The whole system is based on works, which means it is dependant on the individual that is seeking hope. Whether it be a temporal hope that deals with a situation right here and now, or the eternal hope of what happens to me after my body dies…all of it is based on works. 

You might make it through the here and now situations, but no work you do will ever satisfy God’s standard, which is required to live with Him forever. No matter how hard you work...the path will fall short! 

A Living Hope brings an Expectation! This is not a “Just Get By” mentality, nor a getting ahead…“ahead” of what? Based on the knowledge that you possess an eternal Hope that will go into the endless future, you can be excited about what God will do today! No matter the circumstances, no matter the odds, the One Who possesses all power, all opportunities, all outcomes…Possesses YOU! That’s the way to live life!

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Philip. 1:19-21 For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The so what: A Living HOPE gives you the power to think like Job: "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” Job 13:15. Can you honestly say that? Don’t trust your circumstance…Trust God!

How long does Hope live?

Throughout my life, traveling many places, encountering so many different people, I have found that most have something very much in common. They desire that their life count for something! That desire finds itself in the center of the meaning of Hope.

I know for myself, even with the regret I have for the many mistakes and failures I have experienced in my life, I have a Hope that I have touched the lives of some and caused them to do better things. I especially desire that the “good” I endeavored to live will leave a lasting legacy in my children.

As we come to the “P” of H.O.P.E. we will see the clear difference between the world’s approach and God’s approach. Let’s review:

Probing Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

World’s hope: We saw that the world’s hope is Hazardous! It depends on fate.

Living Hope: God’s hope brings Help from on High! We are not even dependant on ourselves! God is the source of our hope.

World’s hope: Opposition! We only see the negative side of trials.

Living Hope: Ouch! We understand that trials hit everyone, yet we can see they bring with them a tremendous opportunity for growth!

The world’s hope approaches life from a “Pot Luck” mentality. The focus is to find whatever you need to get by. With all the “whats” out in the world the table is very large. A little positive thinking, counsel from people that see life as you do, a new job, a new home, escape on vacation, whatever! We drive ourselves to look for the “what” that will renew us and give us hope that tomorrow will be better!

The Living Hope brings a Priceless Inheritance…now and forever! We don’t have to be consumed by the “what” because we know the Who that is in control. When the Sovereign of the universe is in control of your life you know that nothing is outside of the realm of the possible! Instead of anxiety, worry and busyness we spend our time resting in Him. We CAN rest because we know that His thoughts are far more than we can ever comprehend. Spend these last moments meditating and contemplating these Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 2:6–9 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Peter 1:8–12 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Our Living Hope has the eternal perspective, not just the here and now!

The So What: When life takes a turn you did not expect, do you hurry your life to try and control it? What does it mean to you, to Rest in Him? Looking at our life in comparison to eternity, is there anything in this short time on this earth that can take away what God has in store for you in eternity? Does your hope only last as long as your body does, or do you see an eternal Hope?

E. Tomorrow!

The painful side of Hope.

Probing Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

If there is any one thought that expresses a person’s concept of Who Jesus Christ is, it is Hope! When I hear a person state something is hopeless I know for a fact that they have loss sight of Christ. Obviously I have experienced this with unbelievers, but what is so painful is when I experience it with believers.

Please do not think I am not sensitive to the fact that emotions of despair impact us all, but so far, by God’s grace I have not crossed the line where I have lost all hope. Hopelessness and Christ are incompatible!

For example, when I have counseled a couple that believe their relationship is hopeless, no one can save it, I have them turn to John 7. As we go through the passage I ask them what kind of communication did Mary and Martha have with Lazarus?  What kind of “warm and fuzzies” did they have? The answer is a stark one …none…Lazarus was DEAD! So if we believe in the same Jesus as John 7, and if both individuals in the marriage are still breathing, then they are already far ahead of Lazarus and his sisters. If Jesus can restore the relationship of a dead man, He can restore any marriage!

Easter should be a time of hope. We are examining the world’s hope versus God’s hope, which is a Living hope! I am using the acronym H.O.P.E. to illustrate. Let’s review:

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

World’s hope: We saw that the world’s hope is Hazardous! It depends on fate.

Living Hope: God’s hope brings Help from on High! We are not even dependant on ourselves! God is the source of our hope.

No we look at the O.

As I stated, hope is most experienced when we are in the midst of difficulties. Scriptures call these “Trials” and no one is exempt! We live in a very fallen world, and that world attacks us from every direction it can. Whether it is by taking away everything you have, leaving you to feel abandoned, or by giving you all the material things you desire, leaving you empty inside as you discover “things” can never satisfy the hunger of the soul. As this goes on the world’s hope turns every Trial into Opposition – all you can see is the negative. You see no good from it, just trouble and discomfort. At best you say to yourself, “suck it up, and just get through it!” You may survive, but the gain you could have had is never realized.

God’s Hope does not spare you from Trials, but it brings a different point of view. Living Hope brings the “Ouch!” to life. Reality must be a part of life…if it is an authentic life. The “Ouch” of hope brings 3 very important realities to our life.

First: We need to develop a patient approach to life. Immediate gratification does not become our norm. We wait upon our God, Who will bring to reality our hope in His time.

Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Second: We desire relief; God knows we need strength. The world is a tough place; if we cannot handle the little trials we can never experience the victory of overcoming large trials! Jeremiah is asking God about the trials he is going through:

Jeremiah 12:1-5 You are always righteous, O Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice:  Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. Yet you know me, O Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you

God challenges Jeremiah about his perception of the trials he is enduring:

…"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

Third: We can turn a trial from an opportunity to fail into a potential for growth! I had a professor that used to call trials “opportunities in working clothes!” How true, if we have the proper mindset we can see trials as good, painful as they are. 

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The So What: How much time do you spend wishing things were different than they are? Have you embraced the life God has given you, the easy and the difficult? Do you see times of trouble, only as trouble? When was the last time you went through a trial and noticed the growth you gained from it? 

There are two kinds of Hope…which one do you possess?

Probing Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

How appropriate this Proverb is as we enter the week of Easter! There are very few words in our language that carry as much weight as the word “Hope!”  The only person I have ever met in this journey I have been on, that has no hope is one either dying or is already dead. I want to spend some time this week meditating on Hope.

The loss of all hope is death…so the world says. Over 2,000 years ago God said NO to that lie, when Jesus Christ raised from the dead and proved there is hope beyond the grave!

This Proverb states it well, the reality of hope is a dream being fulfilled, and brings LIFE!

Let’s just consider a few thoughts about Hope this week.

Here is a simple definition of Hope: To cherish a desire with anticipation, to desire with expectation of obtainment, to expect with confidence.

Hope is most experienced when in the midst of adversity. What is very important is what kind of Hope do you have? There is the hope of the world versus the Hope from God. What is the difference? That is what we will look at in our time together.

The world’s hope is based on circumstances and chance…which is a very precarious way to live.

God’s Hope is best described by Peter:

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

We will use the acronym H.O.P.E. to provoke our thinking.

H. The hope of the world is Hazardous! It depends on circumstances or other individuals that are at best in the same boat as you are! When it comes to the real issues of life – you are dependent on a system that bottom line serves it’s self.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, But the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.

Psalm 33:10-11 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

H. A Living Hope brings Help from on High! Where as we are limited to a wisdom that barely sees past our nose on our own, a Living Hope comes from the One who sees all the way past the end of the ages and into eternity! Our help not only sees all, He can do all!  

1 Peter 1:4–7 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

In the days ahead we will consider O.P.E.

The So What: When you hear about countries with bombs that are threatening the world, when you hear about the financial situation in the world, when you hear about “global warming” or even when you hear due to downsizing you may lose your job…are you consumed by worry, or do you sense a calm from the Hope of Who is really in control?