Steve Gentry
[0:00] Good morning. Go ahead and have a seat. This is your first time here. My name is Steve [0:05] I am one of the pastors here at the village. I’m so thankful that you guys chose to spend this holiday with us [0:13] Hope that [0:15] That you enjoy your time. I hope that it’s pleasant [0:18] I hope you have a great rest of your Easter holiday and those of you to get tomorrow off [0:23] Congratulations
[0:25] I want to start this morning [0:27] By telling a story and then we’re going to jump off of that back in [0:32] 1960 a long time ago before a lot of you were born some of you had been born for quite a while at that point [0:38] But a man by the name of Bernie Madoff started a company and what his company did was is it was called a wealth management [0:45] Firm which means most of us would never have had anything to do with him because we’re not wealthy [0:51] All right, but what would happen is is those who had wealth and by wealth
[0:55] I mean more money than you could fit in a bank account because it would be uninsured what they would do is is [1:00] That they would give him their money and he kind of ran a fund with his family as well as with other employees [1:06] And they would invest people’s wealth and they were trusted to gain more wealth by investing this money [1:14] But some say back in the 70s [1:18] This company began to ran into trouble they begin to lose money [1:22] But rather than kind of going to his investors and admitting this and ending the company once for all
[1:29] He chose to begin to what some people call cook the books [1:33] He would backdate investments and then claim [1:37] That wealth was gained and that there was money to be made and that interest had accrued and so when people came and they [1:44] Wanted to withdraw their money [1:45] He would basically take what other investors had given and he would pretend that these people had made a profit [1:52] And he would give them way more than they invested and so if he started this in the 70s
[1:57] He was able to do this for years and years and years. It wasn’t until the year 2008 [2:05] When everything came crashing down in [2:08] light of an economic collapse around the nation people began to come and they would look at their account and say this is [2:15] What’s in my account I need it Bernie [2:17] And so he began to kind of pay off some of these accounts and give them the profit so that he wouldn’t be found [2:23] out but after a while
[2:26] He realized he did not have the money to pay everyone off [2:31] It’s a very quickly the walls began to come in around him and [2:36] the hope [2:37] That people had been placing in this man [2:41] Was found to be a lie [2:43] If you watch the news or you’re familiar at all you know that he’s now serving
[2:49] More years in prison than he has left on this earth [2:53] One of his children committed suicide rather than face the embarrassment because he was one of the executives at the firm
[3:01] Hundreds of people were forced to declare bankruptcy [3:05] more than that lost all of their retirement and
[3:09] Lawsuits upon lawsuits upon lawsuits are still in court to this day as people attempt to get their money back [3:18] The real thing that happened in the story though is that people trusted [3:23] That this man and those who worked for him and many of those who worked for him had no idea what was going on [3:28] But they trusted [3:29] That he was telling the truth [3:32] they trusted
[3:34] That this man would give them a return on all of the hope [3:38] That they had in him to gain them more wealth the problem though with the story is is that their trust was in vain
[3:48] That when you believe something to be true no matter how much hope you have in that truth [3:53] Or the fact that it is true no matter how much stake you put in it if it turns out to be a lie
[4:03] It’s over [4:04] Your trust was pointless was in vain [4:08] You played a fool [4:10] Because it was not truth it was a lie
[4:17] Since the beginning of man really we’ve believed many lies [4:23] There was another man who’s a con artist. He was actually an angel [4:28] And he came in Genesis chapters one tells a little bit, but mostly in chapter 3 we see the story of [4:36] Another being coming to man and saying the hope that you’re putting in [4:42] God the false hope [4:44] He’s not telling you the whole story trust in the truth that I’m going to tell you
[4:51] trust [4:52] And invest your life and what I want you to go in I can make you equal to him [4:57] I can make you more powerful beyond your wildest dreams and so mankind trusted in him in [5:03] Genesis 3 we see the story that man rebelled against God and put all of their stock all of their hope all of their trust [5:11] and the lie of Satan and [5:15] In that we disobeyed God
[5:18] Years later [5:20] When all seemed that it was all gone that all hope was lost [5:25] Another man came proclaiming that he had hope more than that he proclaimed that he had [5:33] truth [5:35] And so the question that I want to deal with is very simple this morning [5:39] What is the difference between the truth?
[5:43] That Jesus claimed to have and the hope that he caught he called people to put in him and what he [5:50] Would give as hope what is the difference between that? [5:54] And all other claims to truth all other claims to invest our lives in something else all other [6:01] Claims that say give me your life give me your game [6:05] Give it to me, and I will give you more return than you can even handle it is his claim too good to be true [6:13] in John chapter 8 32
[6:16] Jesus in speaking to a group of people who trusted him who believed that he had come and that he was the Son of God [6:24] And that he was going to redeem people from their sins if I can get John 8 32 on the screen [6:29] Jesus says this [6:31] After saying if you abide in my word you’re truly my disciples after saying that what he’s saying is if you truly [6:39] Trust me with everything that you have you will know the truth [6:44] And more than that he says it goes past knowledge
[6:48] He said and you’ll know it and it will set you free
[6:55] It’s one reality that have come to see in life [6:57] And if you watch people who are lied to if you watch people who are made fools by someone else
[7:04] When that lie comes to light and you realize that everything you’ve trusted in is crumbling around you it can become a prison [7:12] It’s a prison of embarrassment [7:15] It’s a prison of hopelessness
[7:18] Because what you’ve trusted in is a lie, but here Jesus very clearly states [7:25] He says if you trust me [7:27] If you believe the claims [7:29] I make if you believe the hope that I’m gonna give you and then I’m gonna fulfill all of these [7:35] Promises that I’ve made to you if you read the gospel of John or any other [7:39] Count in scripture Jesus made a great number of claims made a great number of promises
[7:44] He says in me is not just true statements [7:50] Jesus says that in me is just simply truth
[7:56] So because it’s one thing for me to make a true statement [8:00] It’s one thing for me to tell you two plus two equals four and that’s that’s a true statement [8:06] But it’s quite another thing when I claim [8:10] To be the very foundation of what truth is [8:14] Because what I’m saying then is that everything that comes out of me is truth therefore all other truths [8:22] Everything else it’s true
[8:24] What’s because of me and how could Jesus make such a claim? [8:30] How could he claim to be the source of everything that is true? [8:36] How could he claim to be the complete opposite of a lie or the lie? [8:43] How can claim that?
[8:47] The only way that he could claim that is is that everything that exists [8:51] Finds its ultimate source in him the only way that he could claim that is [8:57] if he is the creator of everything the ruler of everything the authority of everything [9:06] That would make him God
[9:11] See to make a statement like you are the source of truth
[9:18] It’s much higher than a claim that I’ll invest your money and get you a great profit [9:23] It’s much higher than a claim that I can give you a pretty decent life on this earth. I can make you comfortable [9:30] What he’s actually claiming here is that he is? [9:34] The eternal God of all that is and all that will ever be [9:41] He had another conversation with a man [9:44] right before
[9:46] He died and in this conversation. He was actually standing trial for his very life [9:52] And he came before this Roman governor [9:55] Rome was in power over Israel in that time and the Jewish religious authorities [10:00] Did not like Jesus making claims like he does in John chapter 8 and at the end of John chapter 8 people actually take [10:07] Up stones to kill him because they know what he’s saying
[10:14] Stands for this man named Pontius Pilate is the Roman governor over Israel at that time over Judea rather
[10:21] And he has this conversation in John chapter 18, and I want to ask you to turn there if you just read it on the screen [10:28] He says so Pilate enters his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him [10:33] Are you the king of the Jews? [10:37] And Jesus answers do you say this of your own accord or did others say it to you about me? [10:43] Pilate answered am I a Jew your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? [10:51] Jesus answered my kingdom is not of this world if
[10:56] My kingdom were of this world my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews [11:03] But my kingdom is not of this world then Pilate said to him so you are a king [11:07] Jesus answered you say that I am a king [11:12] For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to [11:20] truth [11:22] Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice
[11:26] Pilate said to him what is truth?
[11:33] And then pilot walks away doesn’t wait for an answer [11:36] It seems to be what defines our culture in this time is this great [11:41] Seeking for truth this great seeking for hope will put it in political figures [11:46] We’ll put it in our bank accounts will put it in our significant others [11:50] And we’ll say give us hope or really saying is give us that which is true and in our culture [11:58] There are so many competing voices for what is truth that quite often
[12:04] We do not know what to put our hope in what to believe is ultimate truth [12:10] We don’t know which direction to turn to but Jesus in this passage makes it very clear [12:16] He says everyone that listens to me [12:19] Knows the truth [12:23] Everyone that knows my voice everyone that follows that which I say everyone that follows me has it [12:31] What he’s also saying in that is the opposite
[12:34] The opposite of that statement is this [12:37] If you don’t listen to my voice [12:40] If you don’t know the things that I say or like I said in John chapter 831 if you don’t abide by my word
[12:50] And you don’t know truth [12:53] Then you don’t have it
[12:56] The question goes back again. What’s the difference here between Jesus and anything else?
[13:06] Fact of the matter is is that John 1837 he makes a very clear statement
[13:13] When he says this
[13:18] In 1837 then Pilate said to him so you’re king and Jesus said you say that I am king and for this purpose [13:22] I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world
[13:28] Makes a very clear boasting he says I’ve come here for a specific [13:33] Purpose and that purpose is to reveal truth [13:37] So the first thing I want you to understand in this passage is that Jesus is making the claim that in him truth is revealed [13:43] So Jesus is refused me so truth then is revealed in Jesus [13:49] The second thing I want you to understand this morning very quickly is is that if Jesus says this
[13:56] If Jesus claims that truth is in him and that truth is coming by him and [14:02] Then as we know as we’ve heard probably many times as we fast-forward the story he goes to the cross and he dies
[14:11] If that is the end of the story then Jesus is no more a source of truth than Bernie Madoff was
[14:23] If all that Jesus did was die [14:27] Then nothing that he did nothing that he said nothing that he claimed to be the existence of [14:37] None of its true [14:39] None of it
[14:43] If Jesus simply died and that’s the end of the story
[14:51] Then this book the Bible [14:53] Is nothing more but yet another [14:57] collection of religious writings that can be thrown on top of a stack of others and [15:07] Quite frankly [15:08] What is truth and what is hope your guess is as good as mine
[15:15] Because we’ve had so many people throughout the centuries of the world beginning with Satan in Genesis 3
[15:24] Mohammed Krishna Buddha [15:28] To any number of those who in Hinduism reached the ultimate level
[15:36] And the claims of Jesus are no different than theirs and really there is no way of us knowing what is true
[15:45] And we can simply just make truth [15:51] Whatever we want it to be [15:54] Whatever makes us sleep better at night because if Jesus isn’t God
[16:01] He’s just dead
[16:04] We’ve got nothing
[16:08] But a few days after he died [16:12] People began to make certain claims about him [16:15] three days [16:17] After he’s dead. He’s buried and there’s a couple of theories. Did he die? Yeah [16:23] He’s pretty dead [16:25] Doesn’t get any more dead than Jesus was dead
[16:28] All right a little known fact and I’ll move on actually might be a known fact if you’ve been here for a while because I said [16:32] But those who made the pronouncements of death in Rome [16:37] If they got it wrong, they themselves were crucified [16:43] Okay [16:44] So they didn’t lightly say oh he’s dead and then he’s wrong because then he’s dead [16:50] And I know if I’m gonna die. I’m gonna make sure someone’s dead. I don’t get it if I have to take a hammer with me
[16:55] All right, they’re gonna be dead. It’s my job
[17:00] So Jesus is dead and a few days later people begin to make claims that he rose [17:07] That physically not just some spirit floating around that guys were eating with him [17:12] He was taking walks on beaches with people [17:16] in the garden women were crawling and [17:20] Touching his feet and touching his clothes and and says in John chapter 21 that Thomas actually [17:27] Touched his wounds
[17:30] His response is my Lord and my God [17:35] Think that would be my response [17:37] Clearly if you die then come back you got something. I don’t I [17:43] Might need that [17:45] You’re gonna hang out with me for a while
[17:49] All of the claims that Jesus makes about himself
[17:55] Only matter if you rose from the dead [17:59] Because then he is who he says he is because the resurrection of Jesus reveals both the plan and [18:07] The person of God here’s what I mean by that in [18:11] Mark chapter 8 [18:13] Jesus is talking to the disciples and and he actually makes the claim [18:16] He says look the Son of Man must suffer many things
[18:21] And be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and after three days [18:26] rise again [18:27] And I love the way that Mark writes this because many people think that Peter [18:32] actually [18:33] Spoke the book of Mark to mark and mark would write it down from his perspective [18:38] And he makes this great statement at the end of mark chapter 8 when he’s in verse 32 when he says and he said this
[18:45] plainly [18:46] In other words this isn’t a mistake [18:50] He said this and I didn’t misunderstand the words that were coming out of his mouth [18:54] He said he was gonna rise again [18:56] And then Peter actually embarrasses himself and it says and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him [19:02] That’s what’s so amazing about the books that Peter wrote is because Peter always throws himself under the bus
[19:08] If I was writing a book I might leave that out [19:12] It’s one of the reasons you can trust the Bible is they put stuff like that in there [19:15] That’s a little bit embarrassing [19:16] Peter took him aside and said Jesus don’t say this whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa you can’t do that [19:22] And Jesus actually looks back at Peter and he says get behind me Satan
[19:30] Everything that Jesus said everything that Jesus claimed everything that God had planned
[19:36] Hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ [19:39] Both his plan and his person here’s what I mean by that the plan of God [19:45] Is really unveiled in the resurrection of Jesus [19:48] And here’s what I mean by that when we look at things like the cross and we look at the scriptures [19:52] And we see that on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind
[19:58] If he didn’t rise again
[20:03] Then that playing didn’t work out
[20:06] Because if you die and stay that way that means you’re paying the penalty for your own sin and [20:14] If Jesus died and then didn’t rise again well, then he was a sinner. He wasn’t God
[20:22] Also [20:22] Redemption depends the plan of redemption rather depends on the resurrection if we’re to have any hope [20:31] Through our sin then we need redemption from death Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death
[20:40] So when you are a sinner your [20:44] Payment is going to be your death first in this life and then eternal separation from God
[20:52] And so if Jesus simply dies then there is no redemption because death has power over him [20:59] But if he rose from the dead then he has power over death [21:06] And secondly it reveals the person of God [21:09] If you look in pop culture there are so many things that are almost this [21:14] Godlike power and Star Wars we have the force and the matrix we have Neo who’s the one in many things [21:21] You know we people claim to have voices coming to them, and this is God in my life
[21:25] But it’s this unknown [21:27] Mystical being mystical force that that doesn’t really just can’t be found it can’t perfectly be identified [21:33] But what Jesus does in the resurrection is he not only shows that there is a God [21:39] But he shows that God can be known and God knows you [21:45] Because he puts a personal effect on who God is he is God as a person [21:53] And he gives God an identity and God can be known by us
[21:58] Not just as some far-out being who’s not that involved [22:02] But as a God who actually comes and makes himself one of humanity [22:07] So that he can bring all of humanity to himself if they’ll trust him
[22:13] Jesus reveals that God is a personal God [22:17] Therefore if you do not know Jesus [22:21] You cannot possibly know God
[22:25] Because he’s Jesus [22:29] Finally this morning [22:31] the quest for meaning in life hinges on the resurrection [22:41] If you look back in John 832
[22:46] We read this [22:49] And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free [22:54] It’s a very important word and there’s so much that we can do with the resurrection this morning [22:57] But I want to hint back in on this [23:01] The word that I want you to focus in on that passage is the word will
[23:06] will
[23:09] When I tell you you will understand this someday [23:13] I’m saying that’s going to happen down the road [23:16] In other words right now you don’t fully know what’s going on [23:21] You don’t fully understand you can’t fully comprehend it but you will [23:28] Why was Jesus as the eternal God [23:31] If you’ve ever read through the book of John if you haven’t excuse me
[23:34] Read through the book of John because the book of John really uncovers [23:37] It unfolds the identity of God and the work of God for people who don’t know him [23:43] The book of John was not written for a religious audience [23:46] The book of John was written for a culture that is looking for meaning and saying what is truth [23:54] And Jesus says you will [23:56] Get it? You will understand
[23:59] Jesus says it that way because he needed to die and rise again before they could grasp who he was [24:10] More than that before they could grasp what his purpose was for them [24:16] What do I mean by that? Here’s what I mean [24:20] In John chapter 11 verse 25 [24:23] Jesus is speaking and he says
[24:29] So he die yet shall he live
[24:35] 1 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 [24:39] Paul very adamantly tells us that if Jesus did not rise from the dead [24:49] Then all of our hope in him is meaningless
[24:55] You see Jesus told them that they will know [24:58] And Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world [25:02] Because he was about to do something that would ultimately and forever reveal his power over everything forever [25:12] Why is his kingdom not of this world? What does that even mean? [25:17] His kingdom isn’t of this world because this world is too small for him
[25:21] His kingdom is not of this world because this world cannot contain him [25:25] If his kingdom was of this world and you killed him he would have stayed dead [25:30] But the fact that he rose from the dead is the ultimate revelation that this world is not his kingdom [25:38] Everything is his kingdom [25:42] His followers did not revolt because he was not bound to anything [25:47] Because Jesus wanted to be killed
[25:50] Jesus walked headlong into the crucifixion with the knowledge and the reality [25:56] Yes I am going to suffer greatly [25:58] Yes I am going to die a painful death [26:00] But in that death I am taking the penalty of everyone that has ever sinned against me [26:07] And once I am dead I will come back because death has no power over me [26:16] I am the source of life therefore you can kill me
[26:21] But it is me who decides whether or not I stay that way [26:25] Because life was designed and created by me [26:29] And because of that if you want any truth whatsoever it is in me
[26:39] What else? If you follow me on Facebook I wrote this last night in excitement [26:43] What else would explain why a group of cowards [26:49] Who as soon as the soldiers came and arrested Jesus they fled in terror [26:56] Peter won’t even tell homeless people that he knows the guy
[27:02] Then as soon as he appeared to them after his death in his resurrection [27:09] Now these men are courageous warriors who gladly risk their lives [27:17] To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ all of them being martyred
[27:26] What else could possible make that type of change in a person’s life? [27:33] I will tell you if they knew the one who proved that he had power over death
[27:46] If they knew him that could change everything
[27:56] Friends if Jesus is dead all hope is lost [28:02] Your guess is as good as mine as to what truth is
[28:07] But if you look at the evidence, if you look at the changed lives [28:12] If you look at the historical accounts
[28:17] He’s not dead [28:20] Jesus is alive [28:23] And he’s no longer saying you will know the truth [28:29] Now he stands at the right hand of the Father simply saying [28:34] I’ve revealed the truth [28:37] Life is in me
[28:40] Meaning is in me [28:41] Purpose is in me [28:43] And if your life is to ever have any meaning whatsoever [28:49] It’s in him [28:52] It’s in him [28:55] Because if he has the power to rise from the dead
[29:00] And you put your trust and hope in anything else [29:06] You’re a fool [29:09] You’re a fool [29:11] If you’re banking your dreams [29:14] If you’re banking your trust [29:18] In anything other than Jesus
[29:24] Turn from it and trust him [29:27] Because there’s nothing else that has power over death [29:33] There’s nothing else that in the face of great suffering [29:37] Can promise you that on the other side of that suffering [29:41] There’s life eternal [29:44] There’s reconciliation with the creator of the universe
[29:46] There’s redemption from sins in his work on your behalf [29:51] There’s nothing else that can claim that and have a valid reason for it [29:57] Everything else is a pipe dream [29:59] But Jesus rose from the dead [30:02] And that fact alone deserves your allegiance
[30:11] Finally, the resurrection of Jesus is more than an event
[30:18] What I mean by that is there’s one thing to agree [30:21] Yeah, he probably rose from the dead [30:23] But it’s another thing to follow him [30:27] That’s what the disciples did [30:29] They banked their future on that resurrection
[30:35] Do you simply just look at the resurrection and say [30:38] That’s a good event
[30:41] Or have you given your life to him [30:44] Do you trust him with your all [30:47] Do you trust him with your tomorrow
[30:53] When Jesus was on this earth
[30:58] His claims were not that he was going to start a new religion [31:04] That he was going to start a new discipline for people to follow with their lives [31:08] When Jesus was on this earth [31:11] He made claims like if you follow me [31:14] You have to deny everything else and give me everything [31:18] I am the way, the truth, and the life
[31:21] No man comes to the Father but by me [31:23] He made bold claims [31:26] He wanted a bold conviction from his followers [31:29] He wanted an absolute commitment to himself
[31:34] And in light of the resurrection [31:37] I think he has the authority to make those claims
[31:42] In Matthew chapter 28 he looks at his followers one last time [31:45] Before he ascends up into heaven [31:47] Must have been a sight [31:50] He says all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me [31:55] Go make disciples of all nations [32:00] In other words he was saying
[32:01] Guys you know what I just did [32:03] I just came back from lit up [32:07] If you have any common sense [32:10] That stands as a good reason to follow me with everything you’ve got
[32:17] Jesus doesn’t want us to loaf on this [32:20] He wants you to make a decision [32:23] He wants you to follow him with everything that you have [32:27] Because that is where freedom lies
[32:33] Captivity is a great lie [32:35] Freedom is not simply knowing the truth [32:39] But knowing that the truth knows you [32:42] And claims you [32:44] And gives you life [32:48] Follow the truth
[32:51] Father we come before you right now [32:55] In light of all that you’ve done [32:57] In light of all that you did on our behalf
[33:02] What else can we do but say yes [33:05] What else can we do but come to you in light that you are God
[33:13] Lord the truth can set us free [33:17] We don’t have to wait for you to unfold anything else [33:19] We don’t have to wait for you to reveal anything else because you’ve done it [33:24] You defeated sin [33:25] You defeated death [33:27] You defeated all principalities, all powers that would convince us otherwise
[33:32] In your glorious resurrection [33:35] And this morning I pray that it would become more than an event to us [33:39] But instead it would become the very claim to our lives [33:45] Lord it’s only in following you that we can ever have any true meaning [33:49] Everything else is a Ponzi scheme [33:51] Everything else is counterfeit
[33:53] Everything else claims to have hope [33:56] But at the end of the day it’s going to leave us broken [33:58] It’s going to leave us without hope [34:00] And at the end of our lives if we don’t know you [34:03] We know nothing
[34:09] Every Sunday we as a church reflect on what’s called communion [34:14] It’s called the Lord’s Supper [34:16] And it’s interesting as the Lord’s Supper [34:18] It proclaims the death of Jesus
[34:22] We eat of his broken body [34:24] We drink of his shed blood [34:27] It’s bread and juice, don’t worry [34:30] But it’s very interesting that we reflect on death
[34:35] But here’s why [34:38] It’s only in the fact that he’s risen [34:41] That we can take any joy in his death
[34:45] If you’re a follower of Jesus this morning [34:47] I want your response to be [34:49] First, to commit to following the risen Savior with everything you’ve got [34:56] And then secondly [34:58] I want you to come forward and preach the gospel [35:01] To each other through communion
[35:03] Commit to each other as a people [35:05] If you trust Jesus do that [35:08] If you don’t know him [35:10] I’m going to ask you today to follow him [35:14] I’ll be up here, there will be people in the back [35:17] If you want to know Jesus
[35:19] Today is the day of salvation [35:23] When you’re ready [35:25] Come and preach the gospel