Scars #5 - Labels

Labels are often nasty things, especially when other people label us. They label us as this or that. They characterize us as this or that. Jesus was labeled, too: “This is the King of the Jews.” He was labeled as the One who would take our sin, take our death, and take our punishment. So that we might have a new label: Forgiven! (Cf. also Colossians 2:13-15). We'll be looking at Luke 23:32-38.

Scars #4 - The Substitute

He should have been crucified. He should have been hung on that cross. I’m talking about Barabbas, of course. He deserved every bit of the pain of that cross and more of God, in heaven. Yet, there was a substitute for him – Jesus! What a miscarriage of justice! What an improper use of power on Pilate’s part, making Jesus a pawn so that he might keep control of the people. Yet, Jesus stood in for Barabbas and us too! We deserved every bit of the pain of the cross and more! Yet, Jesus took our place! He stood in for. He was abandoned. He was rejected by God and the people. All this so that we will not be abandoned. All this so that we will not be rejected. Luke 23:13-25

Scars #3 - The Scars of Rejection

I wonder how Jesus felt when his own people mocked him and rejected him. I wonder what he felt as people nailed him to the cross and rejected him. We ponder these things because we just don’t know how Jesus felt. But we do know how we feel when people mock and reject us. We do know how we feel when we are spurned and turned away by people. We also know this. Jesus was unafraid to step to the cross and endure its pain because he knew two things: 1) He knew that he was the Son of God. This had been affirmed to him (at least) twice before. 2) He knew that his rejection meant our acceptance by God. Our rejection by people will still hurt, yet we know that we are not and will not be rejected by our Father in heaven. (cf also Isaiah 53). Luke 22:63-71.

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Scars #2 - The Scars of Memory

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The Scriptures share countless stories of failure on the part of the followers of Jesus. Peter fell asleep. Judas betrayed him. The disciples ran when Jesus was arrested. Peter denied him. We aren’t so different. If we were to tell the stories of our failures, the list would be long. Our memories are often scarred by the memories of our sins. Yet, Jesus rises to meet the betrayer. Jesus rises to embrace the cross. He leans into it because he knows that his cross means that our record is clean and erased. As a result, we have a new name. Luke 22:47-62.

Scars #1 - The Weight of Responsibility

Luke 22:24-46 – The Weight of Responsibility

More was asked of Peter than he could possibly do. He was given a weight of responsibility – first for his brothers and then for Jesus himself. The weight was too much! Peter buckled under the pressure even as Jesus gave the command and made the request. Yet, Jesus did not leave Peter under the burden. Jesus carried Peter’s burden and ours, too.

Rally the Family #4 - The Experience of Joy

A huge part of the Israelites' lives before the Lord, and their commitment to him grew out of their attention to the Lord. We cannot rally the family or set out on any journey together unless we are giving our full attention to the Lord and his Word. Our festival joy doesn’t just grow out of finishing projects, but from the Lord and in his Word, where we find that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

Rally the Family #3 - Selfless Generosity

The Israelites had sinned. Some were taking advantage of each other. Nehemiah called them to live in the fear of the Lord. He also set the example of selfless generosity. As we live in the “fear of the Lord,” we will seek to do what pleases him, even live selflessly with one another and for him. This includes a life of generous offerings to the Lord. We’ll be looking at Nehemiah 5.

Rally the Family #2 - The Report

Nehemiah asked for a report, but then he went to see for himself what was going on and how things were going. He did it when no one else was looking or watching. He investigated, and then he gave his report to the people of Israel, to those who had returned from exile. We have a report to make to you about the life and health of Mount Lebanon. There is a report to be given to you about the life you get to live for God. There is a report to be given and a report to be heard. Then, after we’ve heard the report – what are we going to do about it? What will you do about it in your life of following Jesus? What will we do as we pursue a mission with him? We’ll be looking at Nehemiah 2.

Rally the Family #1 - The Assessment

Before we tackle anything, we have to know where we are and what is going on. Nehemiah first had to learn what was going on. He had to listen and ask questions. Then, before he could even attend to any work or plan, he begged God to attend to him. “Let your ears be attentive,” he prayed. This is true both in our daily lives and in our corporate lives. What is our baseline? Where is our base camp? This is the beginning of rallying the family. Nehemiah 1.