The Plowman

Introduction
They are haunting words from the English poet Shelley as he described the sad remains of a once great empire:

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter’d visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp’d on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock’d them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Shelly mocks the pride of man as he speaks of the fleeting glory of earthly kingdoms.  Ozymandias was another name for Ramesses the Great, Pharoh of Egypt, his statue boasting of the greatness of his kingdom now buried in the desert sands.  So it is with all earthly kingdoms.  They come and go.  They rise and fall.  They are like the mist that appears today and is gone tomorrow.  The closing chapters of Jeremiah’s prophecy speak of God’s judgment on the nations.

Jeremiah thunders God’s judgment on Judah, Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Kedar and Elam.  He warned that Babylon was coming as Yahweh’s chosen instrument.  When reading these pronouncements you get the impression that it would be foolish to resist the coming destruction for Babylon was unstoppable.  But what becomes clear in this evening’s text is that Babylon was not a law unto herself.  Yes she was God’s instrument but she too would answer for her sins.  Our text is found in Jeremiah chapter 50.

Text: Jeremiah 50:1-46
This text is the climax of Jeremiah’s prophecy.?It’s message is clear, comforting and sobering.

Thesis: The destruction of Babylon signals Judah’s redemption.

The fall of one accompanies the rise of the other.  With the destruction of Babylon comes the restoration of Judah.  I want to point out two things from our text.

1. A surprising reversal in which the conqueror becomes the conquered.
2. A glorious transformation as the oppressed becomes the redeemed.
   1. First, note the presence of genuine repentance.  It is there in Jeremiah 50:4.
   2. Also note the means of a new relationship in 50:5.
   3. They were assured the presence of the Great Shepherd (50:6-7, 17-19).
   4. All this is made possible by our kinsmen redeemer (50:8, 44-46).
   5. Then comes the greatest promise of all the promise of full atonement (50:20).

This is what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross.

• He died for your sin.
• Those sins before you were a Christian.
• Those now and those in the future.
• All forgiven.
• All of them gone.
• The small and the great.
• The known and the unknown.

In the words of Philip P. Bliss:

Guilty, vile and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was he;
Full atonement!  Can it be?
Hallelujah!  What a Savior.

Introduction
There is something very satisfying about it.  That feeling you get watching a movie when the “bad guy” finally gets his.  You’ve watched him throughout the movie act with impunity and finally  he pays for it in the end.  I’ve been in theaters where the crowd actually cheered!  Because in spite of the corruption that surrounds us and regardless of how jaded we’ve become we want to believe in justice.  Justice is satisfying as long as we are focused on those who, unlike us, are guilty.  The problem with justice is that it cuts both ways.  If I’m guilty I don’t want justice I prefer mercy.  God’s truth is a two-edged sword.  The very thing that brings me satisfaction and comfort strikes terror in others.  Perspective is everything.  God is holy, just and righteous.  That comforts me when I am unjustly attacked, criticized or maligned.  It frightens me when I am heartless, cruel or indifferent to those in need.  The thought of the glories of heaven and the hope of the people of God is reassuring and comforting.  The thought of judgment and eternal damnation is horrifying.  Yet both come from the same God.  A God who is holy, just, majestic, sovereign and full of wrath; who is also loving, merciful, kind, gracious and compassionate.  This is the God consistently set forth by Jeremiah the weeping prophet as he ministered to Judah during her final days before exile.  In the text we are going to consider this evening Jeremiah presents yet another moving portrait of this sovereign yet gracious God.  Our text is found in Jeremiah chapter 49.

Text: Jeremiah 49:1-39
God had promised that Jeremiah’s ministry would be an “international” ministry. He was appointed over nations and kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (1:10) In the closing chapters of his book we find a collection of prophecies related to the nations.  God speaks His judgment on the nations surrounding Judah.

Thesis: As we explore chapter 49 we find ourselves standing in awe of both God’s sovereign justice and His tender mercies.

There are three things I want to call to your attention.

1. God in sovereignly promises to bring an end to all His enemies.
   He speaks His judgment on the Ammonites - 49:1-6
   He speaks His judgment on the Edomites - 49:7-22
   He speaks His judgment on Damascus - 49:23-27
   He speaks His judgment on Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor - 49:28-33
   He speaks His judgment on the Elamites - 49:34-39
2. God in holy justice comes in solemn judgment.
3. God in tender mercy assures His sovereign grace.

When considering the mystery of God’s grace, Derek Kidner pointed to Luke 23 and the story of the two thieves.  Both hurled insults at Jesus.  One acknowledged guilt and sought mercy the other did not.  One was saved, the other was left in his sin.  Here 5 nations are under judgment God sovereignly extends mercy to only 2.

Kidner remarks, “One was saved, that none might despair; yet only one, that none might presume.” (The Message of Jeremiah: Against the Wind and the Tide Inter-Varsity press p. 143)

That none might despair - God’s grace reaches even to his enemies.
That non might presume - God owes salvation to none.

Introduction
They seem harmless enough.  In fact to look at them you would never suspect that they were “up to no good.”  In spite of their known activity we pay little attention to them.  They freely roam our neighborhoods.  These brazen thieves don’t even bother to cloak themselves in darkness, they do their work in broad daylight!  In fact they walk right up to your front door when you are home and ring the doorbell.  Masquerading as “angels of light” they come preaching another gospel.  Jesus refers to them a “thieves,” “robbers,” and “strangers.”  Yes that is strong language and it certainly sounds harsh especially in our politically correct culture but then Jesus placed a premium on truth.  I understand that this kind of talk is troublesome in a pluralistic society.  We are supposed to say, “It’s okay whatever you believe.”  We are supposed to say, “Hey that’s great.  We are all going to the same place we’re just taking different paths.  We all worship the same God we just call him by different names.”  Yet Jesus was not nearly so tolerant.  He wasn’t “accepting” of such notions because truth exists.  There are right and wrong beliefs and the consequences are eternal.

Have you ever trusted or believed someone only to be disappointed?  Have you ever believed a lie?  When I was a kid my dad had pepper plants.  Routinely in the summer there would be a bowl of little hot peppers sitting on the kitchen table.  A little bowl of red, yellow, and orange balls of fire.  I loved my oldest brother and I trusted him.  He encouraged me to eat one.  I said that I knew they were hot and I wasn’t going to eat one.  He assured me the red ones were hot but  the yellow were sweet.  So, I ate one.  I cried for half and hour.  Later in the day he apologized.  He said the yellow ones were hot it was the orange pepper that was sweet.  I ate another.  Why would he do that?  He was my brother for heavens sake.  Why would he mislead me?

Nowhere is misplaced trust more damaging then when it comes to matters of faith.  There are a myriad of voices promising immortality, life and fulfillment.  They sound convincing but only one is true.  Our text this morning is found in John’s Gospel, chapter 10.

Text: John 10:1-21

The message of John in unmistakable in our text…

Thesis: Jesus our shepherd is the one and only savior and He is worthy of our trust.

There are two things I want to say from this text.

1. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone!  (10:1-10)
2. This shepherd of our is worthy of your trust  (10:11-18), because:
   1. He is a savior of profound love.
   2. He is a personal, intimate Savior.
   3. He is a Savior with a heart for the world.

Jesus our shepherd is the one and only savior and He is worthy of our trust.

Introduction:
Once again, as it has been throughout history, Israel is in the news.  Controversy abounds.  Disputes over land persists.  Blogs and prophecy programs speculate whether this could be the beginning of the end.  Could the current crisis in the Middle East draw Russia into a conflict involving Iran and Israel?  Where should the U.S stand on all of this?  What is our role in this unfolding drama?  How does this fit in with Old Testament prophecies and the book of Revelation?  Is the Rapture of the church on the horizon?  Are we about to enter the “Great Tribulation?”  I don’t know!  I’m not even sure we are asking the right questions.  Contrary to popular opinion the Church is not unified in its understanding of last things.  The doctrine of Eschatology is much disputed.  Good, godly, dedicated, Bible-believing folks have very different opinions about how this whole thing is going to play out.  While you and I may have a difference of opinion on the how and when of the end of the age I’m confident that we agree that  Jesus is coming again - visibly, physically to this earth.  That He is coming for His church.  That there will be a judgment to follow and we had best be ready when He comes and be about His business when He gets here.  Of those things I’m certain.  Beyond them I have opinions and beliefs but I’m not dogmatic about them and I will not draw a line in the sand because of them.  I can love, fellowship, worship and work with those who disagree with me on the details.

I do want to deal this morning with a related question.  The question is about the relationship between Israel and the church.  Does God have two people?  Israel and the church?  Are there two separate covenants or agreements?  Is there one purpose or destiny for Israel and another for the church? It seems there is a common perception today that God has two plans to bless people.  One is the Jewish covenant the other is the Christian covenant.  Jews don’t have to become Christians and Christians do not have to become Jews to be blessed.  Both can get to God their own way - with Jesus for Christians and without Jesus for Jews.  But is that what the Bible teaches?  Is that consistent with the message of the Bible?  I don’t believe it is and I want us to begin in Ephesians chapter 2.

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

In Ephesians 1:23 Paul states our destiny as the church is to be the fullness with which Christ fills all in all.  The key to understanding what that means is found in Ephesians 3:10: …so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. We are to be the showcase for the glory of God!  God will fill the universe with the glory of His Son by putting the church on display.  He will hold up the church and say to heaven and hell, “This is the glory of my Son, his bride, his body, his church.”

Do you get that picture?  The church is to reveal the glory of God.  This is an amazing thing coming from Paul the former Pharisee.  He knew the Old Testament well and he knew that was Israel’s destiny.  God had made these promises to Israel now Paul is saying that the church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, will be God’s people, the glory of God’s Son and the fullness of the Messiah’s glory in the world.

God chose Israel from all the nations on the earth as His own special possession.  In addition He gave them promises unlike that to any other.

Israel is to be God’s glory.  The church is to be God’s glory.  How do we reconcile that?  I’m convinced the answer lies in the fact that there is now and has always been only one way to be made right with God and that is by grace, through faith because of Christ.  Not one system under the Old Covenant and another system in the New Covenant.  Abraham believed God and it was “credited,” it was “counted” as righteousness.  He was declared righteous by God’s grace because he believed.  Further in Romans Paul speaks of Gentiles being grafted into the olive tree (representing the people of God) not planting a different tree - one people.

It has taken us awhile but let’s look at our text beginning with verse 12 as we consider our condition as Gentiles before Jesus the Messiah came. This is all possible because of the work of Christ.

The Bottom Line
There are not two saving covenants.  There are not two saved peoples.  There is one way of salvation and that is found in Christ and in Christ alone.  By His work on the cross the Lord Jesus removed the enmity between God and Jew and between God and Gentile.  In the process He reconciled Jews and Gentiles.

The shadows and types of the OT have be fulfilled in Christ.  Jews and Gentiles are now one in the true Israel - the church of the Lord Jesus.  The church is the showcase of God’s glory and no one who denies Jesus is the Christ will be found walking the streets of gold.

Introduction
It was exciting and exhilarating.  I was pumped.  I was fully alive.  I could not believe my constant pleading and badgering and whining had finally paid off.  “They” didn’t want me tagging along.  “They” said I was too little to go.  But there I was - one of the boys.  I was part of the gang.  Oh my brothers had “protested” but I had won the day.  I was officially on my first snipe hunt.  I was in charge of the sack.  I was told it was the most important job.  We had to wait until it was good and dark.  I was strategically placed behind a large tree and instructed to call out, “Snipe!  Snipe!” while they circled around to flush the illusive creatures in my direction.  About 10-15 minutes later I realized, “they are not coming back.”  I was alone.  In the dark.  My life flashed before my eyes (which is really pathetic when you’re only 6 years old).  Terror gripped me.  I knew I was going to  die in the wilds of Chandler Park.

Has your world ever come crashing down?  I mean as far as you could tell, life as you knew it was coming to an end.  It may have been as innocent as being the target of older siblings or as serious as the death of a spouse.  It may have come as a result of a lost job or a doctor’s diagnosis but you knew that life was going to be different from that point on.  What do you do when the ill winds of doubt, confusion and fear blow into your life?  Where do you turn when your world is shaken?  That’s how the disciples were feeling that night they gathered in the upper room to observe the Passover Meal.  A lot happened that night.  Jesus, their lord and master, had modeled loving service by washing their feet.  He spoke of death and betrayal and He instituted a new memorial meal.  Dazed and bewildered the disciples sought answers.  That brings us to our text found in John’s Gospel chapter 14 beginning at verse 1.

Text: John 14:1-6

Let’s actually begin back in chapter 13 at verse 36.  Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.  Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.  Jesus answered, Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.   (John 13:36-38)

They knew that Jesus was going to die.  They had warned him this was not the time to be going to Jerusalem.  The religious leaders had made their intentions clear.  They wanted to be rid of the troublemaking Galilean.  The question was really about “what then?”  Jesus had been talking about death for awhile but it didn’t register with them.  Now at dinner He talked about one of them betraying Him.  Who would do that?  What did He mean by betrayal?  How can that possibly be true?  Then in addition to the one who betrays - Peter would deny Him?  Not once but three times?  NO!  Not after Caesarea Philippi.  Not after that great confession.

To fully appreciate the words of Jesus in our text have must first understand the context.  These words are spoken in the midst of pain, confusion and uncertainty.  The disciples had committed their lives to Him.  They were convinced that He was the Messiah.  They thought He was going to usher in the Kingdom of God.  What is this talk of death and going away?  It didn’t fit their theology.  It was contrary to their expectation.  What would come of them?  Would they suffer the same fate?  Were they mistaken?  Was there another to come?  They had all kinds of questions and no answers.  Confused, hurting and frightened they wanted answers.

From our Lord’s response we learn…

Thesis: In the midst of doubt, hurt and confusion believers find peace in the person of Jesus Christ.

Yes this is a glorious message for us about heaven and God’s gracious provision.  We are encouraged about life beyond this life but it is more than that.  Yes there is the assurance of a perfect peace, a prepared place and a precious promise but this is not just about death and the life to come.  These words were intended to strengthen and encourage the disciples during the dark days that lie ahead.  Their world is about to be turned upside down.  Their hopes and dreams are about to be swept away in the grief of the cross and the horrors of crucifixion.  Then will come the bewilderment of a reported resurrection.  They need an anchor.  They need something big enough to sustain them.  That is what we find in our text.  Yes it is about the glory of the sweet by and by but it is also about courage for the nasty here and now!

Let me point to three important truths.

1. Peace is born in the heart that trusts in Jesus.  (14:1)
2. Assurance is anchored by the promise and provision of Christ.  (14:2-3)
3. Our confidence is rooted in who Jesus is.  (14:4-6)

When all Hell breaks loose, when your world comes crashing in on you, when darkness prevails peace, assurance and confidence are found in Christ and in Christ alone.