Transcript

Resurrection Hope

Deuteronomy 8:1-11
April 4, 2010 • Resurrection Sunday
Pastor Randy Smith

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The greatest injustice in the history of mankind had just been committed. An innocent Man was falsely accused, whipped to a bloody pulp and executed by the dreadful means of crucifixion. A large stone was rolled before the grave that apparently sealed the fate of Jesus Christ.

To most it was not supposed to end this way. His band of disciples sacrificed much to follow Him. They pinned their hopes on the fact that He was at last the long-awaited Messiah. Yet their dreams were dashed on a hill called Calvary. Behind locked doors they hid in fear believing that perhaps they would be the next to be eradicated.

Others rejoiced that first "Good Friday". "The Man who opposed our teaching has been eliminated," said the religious leaders. "Peace can again be established," said the Romans. "God's plan to save the world came to a humiliating defeat," said the demons.

For God's people all hope appeared to be lost. Is that right? We'll come back to that.

Hundreds of years earlier we read in the Bible about the Exodus. The Israelites were delivered from their Egyptian captivity through various signs and wonders. The compassionate ears of God heard their cries, raised up a leader named Moses and set them on a trek to a place called the Promised Land.

Yet while they marched through the desert, things did not seem too promising. Scorpions, snakes and other wilderness hazards. The need for food and drink. Hot days and cold nights. Soon the restlessness led to anarchy followed by idolatry. Years passed in the barren wasteland. "We want to go back to Egypt," they cried. "Where is this Promised Land?!"

Once again, all hope appeared to be lost. Right?

It goes without saying that for several reasons this is a very special day in the life of our church. First and foremost this is Resurrection Sunday. The Resurrection is God's answer to a crucified Messiah. The Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the Resurrection everything crumbles. And without the Resurrection, as the apostle Paul said, "We are of all men most to be pitied" (1 Cor. 15:19). Second this is our inaugural service in our new facility. We experienced some wilderness wanderings (cf. Dt. 1:19; 3:5), and finally God has brought us in a sense to our new home, our Promised Land. So much to celebrate today. There are many reasons to find hope.

After their forty years in the desert the Israelites did make it to the Promised Land. Moses, within sight of Canaan now one hundred and twenty years old, gathered all the people for a farewell address. As they prepared to occupy the territory, he spoke to the new generation and reminded them of what they needed to do in order to find God's favor. His message is recorded in Deuteronomy, or as it is sometimes called, "The second giving of the Law."

Today as a church family we begin a new chapter. It is appropriate that we do it on Resurrection Sunday, a day that signifies new birth. We have received a wonderful gift from the Lord and stand to enter our land of promise. I believe it is also therefore appropriate to study Deuteronomy this morning to understand how God would have us conduct ourselves as we begin this new and exciting journey together. What lessons can we glean from Moses that our applicable to us today in order to have success? Allow me to give you five.

First, we must never forget the Lord. Moses repeated that statement at least seven times in his speech (Dt. 4:23; 6:12; 8:11, 14, 19; 9:7; 25:19). God is the One who provided this facility, and it was given to us so that this building, moreover our very lives, could be dedicated to His purposes. All is from Him and for Him. And any true success will only be accomplished through Him. We must never forget the Lord.

It is easy to remember God when we are desperate for His help. But we as humans have a tendency to put God on the backburner during times of prosperity. Moses understood this concern very well. In 4:9 he says, "Do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life." Moses knew the time would come when their houses and gold and flocks would multiply (Dt. 8:12-13). They would become satisfied and comfortable. They would even have the audacity to think they achieved these blessings by and for themselves (cf. Dt. 1:10). As he says in 8:14, "Then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." So the warning is clearly established in 8:19, "It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish" (cf. 4:26-27).

Like the Israelites we are not above this tendency to take God for granted and let other priorities slide to the forefront. Therefore, we must be watchful (Dt. 6:12). We must be accountable. We must, Hebrews 12:2, "[fix] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." We must keep God's glory foremost in all our corporate ministries and personal lifestyles. And we must remember, as the Israelites were eventually exiled out of the Promised Land, that the Lord could just as easily remove us. Always remember, God first.

Second, we need to be obedient (Dt. 4:1-2, 5, 39; 6:17-18; 7:9-11; 8:6; 10:13; 11:1, 27-28, 32). That means by God's grace we must put forth every effort to follow His Word. As Jesus said, obedience is the greatest evidence of our love for Him (Jn. 14:15). God demands obedience and God promises to bless obedience (Dt. 4:40; 6:18; 10:13).

Throughout his speech Moses cites specific commands that are applicable to us as well. 4:2, "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it." 6:5, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." 6:13, "You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name." 10:12, "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." 13:4, "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him."

If we call ourselves God's servants, it is only natural that we will do as He says. And if we call God our Father, it is only natural that we will believe that what He says is for our very best.

Third, we must remember the Lord will work for us. As I walk through this building I am intimidated. It is ten times the size of our former facility. Massive fuse boxes. More light bulbs than the mind can fathom. Security codes. Utility bills that will send chills down my spine. Yet we must remember that the same God who brought us here is the same God that will keep us here. Our strength is not in our own cleverness or willpower, but rather in His grace operative in our lives. And if you think we have challenges that lie ahead, just imagine what the Israelites thought as they prepared to enter their Promised Land!

The Israelites would face hostile people, but God was on their side. 3:22, "Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you" (cf. 1:30-31). The Israelites would have need for provisions, but God was on their side. 2:7, "These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing."

We can have the same confidence that God will sustain us in every trial He permits our way. If we keep our focus on Him and live obedient lives (our first two points), we can be assured that He will provide for our every need.

As Moses said in 1:21, "Do not fear or be dismayed." If we trusted in ourselves we would have every right to express those emotions. But our trust is in the Lord who has already demonstrated Himself faithful. Right?

Our trust is in the God, 3:24, who has revealed His "greatness" and "strong hand." Our trust is in the God, 4:24, who is a "consuming fire." Our trust is in the God, 4:39, who is "in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other." Our trust is in the God, 7:9, who is "faithful…[to] keep His covenant and lovingkindness." And our trust is in the God, 10:17, who is "the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God."

We must always remember that the adequacy is not from ourselves. We must depend upon God both understanding and relying upon His attributes, and He will be there to help us every step of the way. No wonder Moses could confidently say in 4:7, "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him?"

Fourth, we must consider the future generations. As your aging body is probably reminding you, we will not be around forever. Part of our vision was not to prepare this for ourselves, but to lay a solid foundation that could be built upon by our children and the present youth within our community. Our desire is that they take what we entrust to them and expand the vision to places we have only dreamed of.

But in order for all this to be accomplished, we must be diligent to teach them not so much the vision, but primarily the Word of God. And we must be faithful to do this in the church, but primarily in our homes. And this instruction takes place in formal family devotionals, but primarily as we interact with our children throughout the day.

In speaking of God commands, Moses said in 6:7, "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

And when our children's interests are piqued about God and they ask us, 6:20, "What do the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments mean which the LORD our God commanded you?" We must be prepared with the right answers based upon God's Word and His faithfulness to us (cf. Dt. 4:9).

So if we wish to be successful in our land of promise, we must never forget the Lord. We must be obedient. We must remember the Lord will work for us. We must teach future generations. And fifth we must thank and praise the Lord.

There is no doubt that God has given us a gift. As the Israelites entered the Promised Land Moses told them in chapter 6 they would be receiving cities they did not build, houses full of good things they did not fill, cisterns they did not dig and vineyards and olive trees they did not plant (Dt. 6:10-11). So much of that applies to us as well. We are no doubt grateful for those who first established this complex, but ultimately we need to be thankful to God for such a gracious, ready-to-go provision.

Therefore, it is no wonder Moses said in 10:21, "He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen" (cf. Dt. 8:10). And I, as your pastor, praise God for the work He has done through all of you to bring us to this point.

I praise God for the first few families who came with teens and looked around and saw a tiny youth group (or no youth group at all). And while many would have gone to a larger church you remained and allowed us to establish the thriving youth ministry we enjoy today.

I praise God for the first few singles that came and looked around and saw few fellow singles. While many would have departed to a larger church you remained (some of you even found a spouse) and gave us a core to start our first single's ministry.

I praise God for the seniors who saw things change in their little church right before their eyes - new policies, new leaders, new ministries and even new music. And while many might have preferred the older way better, you remained and permitted us to have a multigenerational church.

I praise God for all the people who have skin tone darker than mine (and that is not saying a lot!). You arrived and looked around and understood that we see things much deeper than skin color at the Grace Tabernacle. You remained and permitted us to have a multiethnic church.

I praise God for all the people who endured with me when I arrived as an inexperienced new pastor. And I praise God for all of you who still endure with me as a still inexperienced older pastor. Thank you for your patience and perseverance when at times you considered greener pastures. Your loyalty is much appreciated.

I praise God for all the transfers from Seaside Heights. You listened and believed the vision of what we could accomplish together. Thank you for your trust and generous donation.

I praise God for all of you who prayed and fasted for this new facility. Possibly it was on your own. Possibly it was with the ladies on Tuesday morning. Possibly it was on Wednesday night when we faithfully gathered as a church and repeatedly brought this request to the Lord. Your prayers have been answered.

I praise God for everyone who gave financially to this church. I know how so many of you gave sacrificially from retirement funds and home mortgages. I know children who drained their piggy banks. Many did without so God could do much with their offerings. Without your generosity we would not be here this morning.

I praise God for every person who played a specific role. Whether it be former pastors who established this church or leaders who met countless hours and their wives who saw less of their husbands or people within who helped to negotiate the price or people who worked so hard cleaning and organizing this building over the past week or those who just provided general encouragement and cooperation. This was a team effort whereby each of us played a significant role.

May we never forget what God has done for us and may we never get tired thanking Him and praising Him for His works.

So we heed these five priorities given to us through Moses: Never forget the Lord, be obedient, remember God will work through us, teach future generations and always thank and praise God. And as one of your leaders allow me to reaffirm the following priorities for our new church.

We will keep God first in everything we do. He will be lifted up in our worship. All decisions will be based upon the Scriptures regardless of how they contradict the emotions and intuition of people. We will teach the Word to all ages without error, compromise and apology.

We will prioritize love. We will strive to love God with all our hearts in word and actions of obedience. Second, we will strive to love others more than ourselves. This means we will faithfully practice the graces of forgiveness, forbearance and charity. Even as the church grows, we hope to always maintain a family atmosphere. Without love we are nothing.

We will extend our love to those outside the church in the greatest way by sharing the life-changing message of Christ. We will support missionaries worldwide but concentrate our evangelism on Central Jersey by using common and creative methods that in no way alter the eternal Gospel that has been once and for all delivered to the saints. We hope to build our flock primarily on conversions and not transfers from other Bible-believing churches.

We will work with the Holy Spirit to produce mature disciples. Regardless of where people are at, we wish to see our flock grow in their faith whereby they can be ever-increasing productive servants for the Lord. All of Grace Tabernacle should be able to conduct private devotionals, articulate the Gospel, defend the faith and utilize their spiritual gifts in the local church. Ultimately we seek to produce disciples who are able to make more disciples.

And we will know that we are only strong as long as we remain on our knees. Prayer is an expression of our humility and dependence on God. Prayer is the tool that moves God's hand. Prayer is, I believe, one of the primary reasons God has chosen to put us here today. So we reaffirm the priority of individual and corporate prayer seasoned with fasting.

We have much to celebrate, and I trust many good times ahead. But I need to conclude where I began. That sealed tomb was not the end of Jesus Christ. The only reason we are here today, the only reason we have our sins forgiven, the only reason we have hope is because Jesus Christ defeated sin and Satan and death when He rose from the dead on the third day. Even the excitement of a new building pales in comparison to the Resurrection.

So when we doubt God's power, let's remember the Resurrection. When we question God's love, let's remember the Resurrection. And when think things are impossible, let's recall the crucified Messiah and remember the Resurrection.

This is a day to celebrate new birth. Our first service in our new church. After a strenuous journey God has finally brought us home, to our land of promise. Another new birth is the Resurrection of our Lord. When all hope was lost He came bursting from the grave victoriously, alive and never to die again. And another new birth might just be your salvation. Maybe today God has been working on your heart. Maybe you understand God's holiness and your sinfulness. Maybe today you will trust the work of Jesus Christ to have paid the penalty for your sins. Maybe today you will be adopted into God's family. Maybe today you walked in spiritually dead and will depart spiritually alive. Apart from Jesus Christ there is no hope for salvation. Will you trust Him today?

So as we go forward, may we embrace the past, smile at the future and serve God in the present with all our hearts.