Humanism and Christianity.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to the village. My name is Steve. This is your first time here [0:05] And you think it’s hot? Well, it is July [0:09] But I know they’re having some HVAC problems this morning [0:12] We don’t know what it is, but I think it’s been turned around and it’s starting to cool down in here [0:17] But we’re gonna suffer for the gospel together and I’ll make one promise. I will get far sweatier than you will [0:25] All right. So for every ounce of sweat that you drop I promise I’ll drop two and I’ll live

[0:32] And I’ll just drink some water later and be alright and you’ll be alright, too [0:36] All right [0:37] I want to cover a little bit do a little business up front talk to you as if you’ve been here over the past couple [0:44] Of weeks we’ve been talking a little bit about a building [0:46] That we may possibly be moving into that is still progressing [0:50] But sometimes these things go at a little bit of a snail’s pace

[0:54] You’re far more patient than I am so it’s driving me a little more crazy than it’s probably driving you [0:58] But we’ve heard nothing but positive [1:01] From you as a church and we are an elder led church

[1:07] But [1:08] We want you to understand that we’re leasing this as a church and if you’re part of the village [1:14] Well, then you’re leasing it, too [1:17] So if you are someone that gives once we have all of the financial stuff [1:22] And it looks like a lease is is is pending [1:26] Then what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna send an email out to all of the people that give regularly with all of the information

[1:32] With all of the costs that it’s gonna be and and if you have any any feedback to give us I’d love to hear it [1:39] But but thus far we’ve heard nothing but positive especially when the air conditioner in this building breaks [1:44] The air conditioning over there is practically brand new so that’s good, right? Yeah [1:49] If especially if you’re as fat as I am that’s just really good. All right [1:55] But things are moving along great. There’s just a few more steps in the process and as we get information you get information [2:02] So over the next couple of weeks

[2:04] Probably if you are someone that gives regularly expect to receive some information about that [2:10] And if you’re not someone that gives regularly well give regularly [2:13] Alright [2:15] And you’ll get that email. All right, there it is. All right [2:19] But today what we’re doing today is last week. We talked about Mormonism [2:25] There’s a couple of prevailing worldviews that over the next couple of months as we enter into the great American election season

[2:33] Where everybody’s really friendly? [2:35] You’re gonna you’re gonna be hearing about [2:37] Too [2:38] Opposing really in our culture where we’ve come today [2:42] worldviews and so what we thought as a leadership team might be helpful is if we spent two weeks just [2:48] Really unpacking what the core of those two worldviews are and so last week we talked about Mormonism

[2:56] And this week we’re gonna talk about humanism which in our culture what I want you to understand the prevailing [3:03] worldview or basically [3:04] You don’t know what that is what that is is really the philosophy through which you see all of life [3:10] All right, the prevailing worldview is this worldview called secular humanism, right? [3:17] And that’s what we’re gonna unpack today. All right, we’re just gonna talk about that. Where does that come from? How does that? [3:23] Fit with with a Christian worldview and so if you’ll join me, it’s gonna be fun

[3:28] I promise it’s not gonna be a college lecture or anything [3:31] I try to preach rather than teach usually but you if you’re a good preacher will you inevitably teach? [3:37] So we’re gonna put our thinking caps on and we’re gonna go in that together because what I want you to know is [3:42] any time that we [3:45] Kind of look at a leader and this goes with last week as much as it does this week

[3:52] What that person’s core and how they view life [3:57] Is is very important [3:59] All right, it’s not just [4:03] We have the same morals [4:06] All right. We have the same values. That’s not enough [4:10] All right, if you believe scripture frankly

[4:14] What I want to know is why? [4:18] Why do you see the world the way in which you see what is the foundation on which you’re building life on and [4:25] on which you’re going to lead with and [4:28] Frankly, that should be the question no matter what you’re doing in life [4:31] If you are someone that that comes the village of this is your first Sunday here [4:35] You’re someone that comes all the time and you’ve bought in you love the village. You’re a member here

[4:40] It should matter what the core of the leadership team is [4:45] What we believe now we typically wear it on our sleeve [4:49] So it’s not really hard to figure out what we believe but that should matter to you [4:53] It shouldn’t just be about well we have great music and he’s a really entertaining preacher or what he says makes sense [5:01] You should really wonder [5:04] What makes that guy tick? I mean you should really wonder that anyway, because that’s probably driving you crazy

[5:09] Anyway, you know, why is that guy so weird? All right, but but it should matter what my foundation in life is [5:16] And that’s inevitably the most important thing in any season [5:20] And what I really were driving at in this is that you understand that as a culture there’s really never been a time [5:27] when the true [5:29] Gospel now it’s important for all time [5:33] But there’s never been a time when so much is at stake

[5:36] Whereas the truth of the gospel whereas there is a temptation to compromise that which is most important for that [5:43] Which is temporal or temporary? [5:47] And so this morning I want to continue what we’re talking about last week and understanding that the core of the gospel is far different [5:53] Than anything that’s being portrayed in leadership right now

[5:57] We’re entering into a season where really someone that is seeing the truth of the gospel really isn’t there I’ll be that frank with you [6:06] And so it’s not really this battle cry of don’t do anything. It’s more a battle cry to protect the gospel [6:12] Believe that which is true and compromise and nothing [6:16] Because the kingdom of God is far more important than anything else [6:20] and what we do is we seek the welfare of the city as he tells us to in Jeremiah chapter 29 and [6:25] In that we do it as best we can

[6:28] with an undergirding of truth above all with more hope than anyone else can possibly have because of [6:35] the truth of God [6:37] But today I’m gonna spend really a few moments unpacking humanism [6:42] Really the cap or the bookend of this series and that is the kingdom that we [6:47] Truly live for and that is the kingdom of God and what does that look like is it? [6:52] Morals is it values is it right and wrong or is it something bigger than that is it something greater?

[6:59] Now secular humanism is this interesting

[7:04] Belief system and it’s not a term that we would often use moms and dads when you’re sitting down with your kids [7:10] dinner [7:11] You don’t typically use words like secular humanism and let’s be frank [7:15] That’s a term that is sort of outside of our vocabulary, but it is predominant. It is prevailing in our culture [7:22] I would call it the largest religion in the Western Hemisphere [7:26] Because it is what drives most of what most people do and

[7:31] What should convict us today and what I’ve realized as I’ve been studying this that it is probably what drives [7:38] many of our lives [7:40] Whether we realize it or not

[7:44] Now I [7:46] Just want to jump into it

[7:49] Secular humanism point number one is a movement to ascribe purpose and prestige to a humanity apart from God [7:59] Whereas Mormonism is this great movement to bring man as [8:04] becoming a God and bring God as being a man who has [8:09] Transcended humanity and has become a god of this world and possibly this section of the universe where it’s somewhat [8:17] extraterrestrial [8:19] Humanism is this great move to

[8:22] Do away with God in the 1890s [8:25] There was a man by the name of Thomas Huxley who his life’s goal in science was to disprove and [8:33] really replace the Christian worldview [8:36] Back in the 1890s in Western culture Christianity was the prevailing influence in culture and [8:44] Once Charles Darwin had written origin of the species there became a movement to see [8:50] Christianity as that which is causing most of the problems in the world

[8:53] Much of the conflict throughout the centuries has been religion [8:58] If we look at the centuries where the Crusades were happening these were religious wars and often up until today [9:04] It is seen that religion causes conflict. Well after the evolutionary theory came about [9:10] There was a thought that entered many in science philosophy and even some in theology [9:17] There was this thought that crept into their mind. Well, if we could take man away from religion and [9:23] Replace it with a belief that there is no God or that God is not involved

[9:30] Conflict would come to an end [9:33] Because that which most of us are fighting over [9:36] Would not be that which is influential therefore the wars would cease and we would live for the betterment of [9:43] humanity [9:44] So Thomas Huxley began to start this movement and what it has become is it has moved in the evolutionary theory [9:53] to put humans as the apex currently of

[9:58] evolution [10:00] Therefore there is no God we should instead focus on the dignity of man and the driving force of [10:08] Evolution whereas we are responsible for one another and we can build a better world [10:15] apart from religion [10:17] It was the influence of that that kind of came out of what was seen as modernism and [10:24] Modernism is something that brought about about really the evolutionary theory and that which said all that exists is

[10:32] That which can be measured [10:34] And the reality is as God is transcendent God cannot be measured by science [10:41] Nor can the heavens they cannot be measured by science [10:45] so [10:46] under the under the influence of [10:49] Modernism and under the influence of Thomas Huxley and Charles Darwin and others who were promoting this theory

[10:56] It was said and then believed by many

[11:01] That God simply is out of the equation Thomas Huxley was not an atheist he was an agnostic [11:06] He would go on to say there may be a God [11:10] But such things cannot be known therefore do not matter

[11:16] Over the last century [11:19] This theory and this thought and then what has become a philosophy what started in science began to transcend science and influence every other [11:28] facet of academics [11:30] Those who were scholars are those who really begin throughout the 1900s [11:36] To move culture in a certain direction [11:39] So what was convinced upon everyone is the reality that that which is of this world is

[11:46] of the utmost importance and [11:49] That which affects your life right here right now is [11:54] That which is ultimately the driving force and ultimately important so that which is unseen [12:00] That which designed all that which even possibly created at best [12:06] He’s removed himself from the situation [12:08] So anything that is immaterial

[12:12] Anything that takes faith [12:15] You’re better off without it because it does not improve your life, but rather it causes suffering in your life [12:24] Okay, so whereas Mormonism is this great movement to what I would say [12:31] pervert the truth and [12:33] Bring it and to a redefinition and a re-envisioning

[12:39] Humanism is completely opposed therefore. It’s not an attempt at reinterpretation [12:44] It’s not an attempt at re-envisioning rather [12:48] It is an attempt of douche simply doing away with it and replacing it with something brand new and that is the agenda of [12:55] humanity as a God and [13:00] That which is temporal or material or that which can be consumed in this world and clearly seen is what you see [13:07] What should drive you in your life

[13:11] Okay [13:12] therefore [13:14] cultural progression is [13:16] the driving morality of

[13:20] humanism [13:21] Cultural progression is the driving morality of humanism [13:25] Here’s what Brian Schwartley says secular humanism is the belief that man lives in a closed universe [13:31] There is no God who is transcendent [13:34] above and beyond created reality [13:37] When you look at the universe in that way

[13:40] there then is a question that comes begging in our culture because up until the late 1800s in the early [13:49] 1900s morality [13:50] was an influence of religion [13:54] Therefore a question comes and it must come up and it’s what they deal with and up until this day in any debates [13:59] That happen which is not what we’re here for today, but any debates that happen is is okay. Well, then why be moral? [14:05] If there is no God if there is no authority then why should morality even matter and the answer comes in the

[14:14] influence of [14:16] cultural progression in evolution [14:18] William Lane Craig who’s a philosopher puts it this way [14:23] Morality is the result of the evolutionary process and there has been instilled and ingrained [14:30] heard [14:31] Morality that enables us to live in community

[14:34] There are objective truths then about the way community is fostered [14:41] Okay, so here’s what we have in that we have this reality that is humans [14:46] We relate to one another in specific ways and that there are better ways to promote unity in community [14:54] than other ways [14:57] So then that which promotes the betterment of society and moves [15:01] progression in society and moves science to new discoveries and moves us to measure that which is good and makes us better in humanity

[15:10] Well, that’s morality [15:12] That is how we preserve right and wrong in that though is also the admission [15:20] That morality can take one look in one culture [15:24] And be completely different in another culture [15:28] Because number one some cultures are a little more evolved than other cultures and some people in [15:35] Authority may just simply choose to drive that culture with a different morality than another morality

[15:39] Okay, so right and wrong [15:42] Can never really be absolute [15:47] now [15:49] You can probably see issues that may arise in that [15:54] But the important thing to understand is that is simply an attempt [15:59] To move society without God. It is simply an attempt

[16:04] To bring us to a place where value is found in this life and in this world alone [16:12] Because there is [16:14] Nothing else and what can often happen is is that in this type of worldview and they admit it themselves [16:20] That it can move towards a different type of philosophy and that philosophy is nihilism right now nihilism just real simple [16:26] I’ll tell you this nothing matters [16:28] There is no purpose

[16:31] Do whatever it’s somewhat chaotic [16:34] now in [16:35] Humanism they tend to sometimes fight that but most humanists move to what is understood as the left of that position, which is [16:44] What’s good for me is good for me. What’s good for you is good for you [16:47] And that’s insignificant otherwise now [16:52] That may be oversimplifying it and if you’re you know, Harvard educated philosopher in here. You’re like you’re just making that real simple

[16:59] I’m not as smart as you so that’s the way I see it. All right now

[17:07] This is not a theological system [17:11] and that’s one of the problems in [17:14] Somewhat unpacking it it’s a philosophy of life and a philosophy of science [17:20] Therefore there aren’t any real points like with Mormonism [17:23] I can just compare and contrast all right and say this is God to them. This is God to us [17:28] This is Jesus to them. This is Jesus to us inside of humanism

[17:32] What I really have is this philosophy that just simply puts me at the apex of all that exists and it’s my driving influence [17:39] At becoming better at life than anyone else, I guess you could say [17:43] And so those who are further along in the progression well, then ultimately they are the ones that are to rule those who are little [17:51] less along

[17:54] The question is [17:57] And this is where I want to go with us today because I’ve been studying it this week. I [18:03] Was kind of overcome and overwhelmed with a reality that if I have a biblical worldview and [18:10] I see the world through the guise of Scripture and I say there is a God there is authority there is [18:18] absolutism [18:20] Right then I will immediately

[18:24] Say well, that’s clearly wrong [18:27] But my question is not what I would say my question is more that of what I do

[18:36] Okay [18:37] Because Jesus and Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 [18:43] He says this Jesus says

[18:47] This but seek first [18:50] the kingdom of God and [18:53] his righteousness and [18:55] All these things will be added to you

[19:03] Jesus comes into this world

[19:07] And that’s not debated [19:08] All right. That’s just no one debates it. I mean he existed [19:12] All right, but he says things like this that really have to make me take a look at my life when he says things like [19:19] Seek first the kingdom of God [19:22] What he’s saying there is that this is not all that there is [19:28] There is something greater there is something in which my life is to be focused on

[19:36] More than my life is to be focused on in the here and the now [19:41] Okay, and he says that is what we are to seek [19:46] But what I want you to really notice in on if you have your Bibles [19:50] I’m not sure if it’s gonna get up on the screen [19:52] But if you have your Bibles and look at me Matthew chapter 6 and starting in verse 24 up and through verse 34

[20:00] 33 lies right at the end of that and he says seek first the kingdom of God [20:05] The whole realm of that thank you in the whole realm of that what he does is is he’s leading this off with this [20:13] Reality of don’t worry so much about this life [20:18] He says things like even the birds of the air [20:22] One does not fall that God does not see says the grass does nothing to keep itself alive [20:29] But God even in the mornings provides the dew of the ground dew on the ground to feed it

[20:35] Or give it sustenance [20:38] and [20:39] Then he says in that don’t be anxious for what you will eat what you will drink or what you will wear tomorrow [20:46] Worry yourself with something more [20:49] Worry yourself with this thing that I am and then bringing you knowledge of and that is the kingdom [20:57] When he says that it’s totally revolutionary

[21:02] Because I can’t see anything else

[21:07] All I can see is this world all I can see is this life

[21:14] It’s just sometimes let me say all the time it’s far easier

[21:20] For me to say [21:23] What am I gonna eat tomorrow [21:26] What am I gonna drink I’m gonna pay my bills where am I gonna live

[21:33] It’s the best thing for my kids right now

[21:39] Who am I gonna marry [21:41] How can I have fun? How can I be happy? [21:46] And I can ask myself those questions and the answers that I look for where do I look? [21:53] Where am I looking?

[21:56] More often than not [21:58] Where I look

[22:03] Is here [22:05] Where I look is things of this life

[22:11] Where I look for my son’s future I’ll be honest with you quite often if I’m just gonna be transparent with you this morning [22:19] A success in this world [22:24] Because [22:26] Figuring out how to live for the kingdom

[22:32] That’s something that I can’t measure right I [22:37] Can’t find an easy answer for that all the time science can’t tell me about that

[22:46] Money

[22:48] Is it even gonna matter

[22:53] But that which is in front of me and that which is right now

[22:57] It demands my attention [23:00] But that which is something that Jesus is saying which in the context you understand when he says don’t think anything about [23:07] That type of stuff of this world and he says but seek first the kingdom [23:11] He’s putting a predominance on the kingdom of God a predominance on that which I can’t see a predominance on something that I can’t measure [23:18] A predominance on something that’s not of this world that he hasn’t even brought to me yet [23:23] And he’s saying that

[23:26] Is what you do with your life, and then he has the audacity

[23:34] To say all these things

[23:41] These other things [23:43] That you’re so focused on [23:46] They will simply be added to you [23:49] If you seek me first if you seek my kingdom if you seek my values if you seek my world if you seek that [23:56] Which I’m bringing you

[24:00] You will know life

[24:04] Jesus says some crazy things can I just be straight with you on that [24:08] You cannot go through the four Gospels [24:12] Read the things that are attributed to Jesus by his followers, and I believe he said them [24:18] He says things like one day [24:20] He’s looking at military and they’re saying we better look out and Jesus looks at the Pharisees and looks at his disciples [24:25] And he says yes

[24:26] They can kill us, but don’t fear the person that can kill you and then once you’re dead he can’t bother you [24:31] He says this in the book of Luke. I think it’s chapter 12. Don’t quote me on that [24:34] But he says I’ll tell you who to fear fear him who after he kills you he can damn your soul [24:41] Fear him follows it up with anything fear him [24:44] And imagine being a disciple you’re like okay happy [24:50] You know we really like the parts of the Bible where Jesus is like don’t suffer the little children to come unto me

[24:56] Come sit on my lap Johnny [24:58] Any Jesus is just smiling [25:01] All the kids love him and the moms are like that Jesus

[25:06] The next day he’s like by the way God can kill you and damn you fear that guy, huh

[25:16] Okay

[25:18] All right, I guess I see where you’re going with that there is another world and we should be worried about it

[25:29] Humanism I would say is our natural drift

[25:35] We don’t naturally drift towards God [25:41] Not since sin entered the world [25:43] No [25:45] We drift towards humanism. It’s just our natural default mode [25:50] Brand new cars bigger houses, you know vacation homes [25:56] Bigger stuff new cures for diseases

[25:59] You know that’s where we drift towards because we want to last here as long as we possibly can and while we’re in it [26:07] Be as comfortable as we possibly can [26:09] And as happy as we possibly can

[26:14] When Jesus comes he says there is something that’s greater than that because it’s eternal

[26:21] These you’re gonna be here 70 80 years, maybe a little bit longer [26:27] Depends on how many vitamins you take. I don’t know

[26:32] Jesus gives us this reality that there’s another kingdom [26:37] And in that one

[26:41] You’re not gonna die [26:44] It’s not gonna end it’s forever

[26:50] And there’s one thing it’s going to determine what that’s like for you

[26:59] And thought the rest of Jesus’s ministry and thought the rest of his life Jesus poses it [27:04] Towards you saying whatever you think about me is gonna determine that it’s gonna determine it

[27:15] The gospel reveals the presence of and a redeemed allegiance to

[27:23] another kingdom

[27:26] There’s two things that I want to break down with you in Matthew 6 33 and you’re like I thought you already did that sorry [27:31] I didn’t [27:35] It’s cooling down in here I like it

[27:38] There’s two things that Jesus I think really pushes home and the first thing is is that this world is [27:45] Not to be the chief of our concerns

[27:51] It’s not [27:53] That doesn’t sound right. That’s what he says [27:56] He literally looks and he says you are all caught up and how your comfort level is gonna be right here [28:04] Right now for this life for everyone around you and he comes and he says that should not be the thing that [28:11] Captivates your attention the thing that should be that captivates your attention is ultimately how you deal with God and [28:20] His kingdom and that’s really where he leaves it

[28:25] He gives us a lot of parables in which he says the kingdom of God is like the kingdom of God is like this [28:31] But ultimately what it always boils down to is what has God provided for you? [28:37] And how are you going to respond to it?

[28:41] That’s where he always boils it down to [28:44] Look at the different parables

[28:47] and in this section of Matthew chapter 6 in the Sermon on the Mount

[28:54] He says ultimately how you respond will determine your anxiety will determine your stress will determine your joy [29:01] And it will determine your eternity [29:03] But the problem is is even those who say we trust Jesus even those who say we follow Jesus my question is is how do you [29:10] Typically use your time your effort and your energy

[29:15] Are they focused on that which will not outlive you [29:22] And your children

[29:32] Or are they focused on the kingdom that is yet to come?

[29:40] You say well you can’t measure that

[29:45] Jesus seems to think that you can

[29:49] And all the commands and all the the imperatives that [29:55] Jesus gives he measures it while we don’t have time to go through all of those today [29:59] What I will say that for the most part how we use our lives more often than not [30:07] Are not focused on that which Jesus measured himself [30:10] But rather it’s focused on that which I can measure and that which I can point my life towards

[30:19] And quite often the reason that we don’t invest eternally the reason that we don’t worship with our lives the reason that we don’t [30:26] Focus all of our energy and all of our passions on the things of God is because we’re so worn out on that which won’t outlive us [30:36] On that which will fade

[30:42] Another place Jesus says lay up not for your self treasures on this earth that which moth and rust will corrupt but lay up for your self treasures in heaven

[30:53] It’s not this indictment to go deplete your bank account and go throw it off a bridge [30:57] What it is is an indictment on how are you stewarding that which God gave you [31:04] Read the New Testament [31:06] Jesus tells the rich how to deal with their riches and how to deal with their wealth [31:08] And he tells the poor how to deal with their poorness [31:12] And it’s all the same

[31:14] He says use it for my kingdom [31:17] Use it for my kingdom [31:18] Point it towards me [31:20] The fact of the matter is we’re so worn out by this kingdom that we can’t even have any energy left over for his

[31:30] And we will put this kingdom before his kingdom in a heartbeat and I know it because I see some of you doing it [31:36] And I love you too much not to tell you [31:39] If I didn’t confront you with that reality this morning I wouldn’t love you [31:45] But because I do I want you to understand that for the gospel to impact your life you have got to get over your obsession [31:54] With this world [31:56] You have got to get over your obsession

[31:59] With your comfort [32:01] You have got to get over your happiness and the thrills and frills of this life and find what is joy [32:12] And that is a realization of a kingdom that is eternal and everlasting and that is in Jesus [32:18] And you say but I don’t know if it’s real how do I know

[32:25] I finished this morning by saying the only way you can really know is through one thing [32:37] And that’s finally this morning [32:40] The resurrection of Jesus is the dividing line of hope, meaning and purpose [32:50] You say where is the hope for this society because we are indoctrinated [32:55] Humanism is in our education system, it’s in our political system, it’s in our banking system, it’s everything [33:01] Everything in this culture will tell you you are crazy if you don’t build a kingdom in this world

[33:10] So you’re crazy because this is all there is [33:16] You cannot find fulfillment in this world, you cannot find meaning and purpose in this world [33:20] And you cannot find hope in this world [33:23] The best there is that you get as comfortable as you can in this life and then that’s it [33:29] That’s not hope folks

[33:33] That’s like freeze me when I turn 65 and once you find the cure for death, thaw me [33:38] Alright, Walt Disney doesn’t seem too crazy then does he? [33:42] Some of you will get that when you Google it later

[33:48] Just Google that

[33:52] Here’s the ultimate question, where is the hope for the humanist? [33:56] Because all of us drift that way [34:00] It’s in one question [34:03] It’s in one question [34:05] Did Jesus rise from the dead? [34:10] Did he?

[34:12] Did he? [34:13] Because if he did, then the miraculous exists [34:18] If he did, then there’s something different about him than there is about me [34:23] Because trust me, you put me down right now, that’s it, I’m not coming back

[34:29] But if Jesus rose from the dead, then I submit that that is proof positive that there is a God [34:39] And that God is Jesus [34:42] Because no one else did that, no one else can do that, science cannot explain it [34:50] And you say, well I don’t know if he did

[34:54] The evidence is there [34:56] I talked about that a little bit in the doctrine series

[35:01] But it does take faith, friends [35:04] It does

[35:07] Here’s what I want to posit towards you [35:09] If Jesus rose from the dead, then he is who he says he is [35:16] And what he said was true [35:19] If a man under his own power can rise from the dead, then he is to be trusted above everything else [35:30] Then he has the authority to tell me what real joy looks like [35:34] He has the authority to tell me where satisfaction really lies

[35:38] He has the authority to tell me how to live my life [35:43] And more than that, he has the authority and the right to redeem me

[35:52] The reason humanism exists is the same reason all other false religions exist [35:58] Sin [36:00] Through all the years that I’ve studied many of them, they all come back to the dignity of man over the reality of God [36:06] They all boil down to that

[36:10] The reason that it exists is because of our sin [36:14] Because of our drastic movement and rebellion against the God who is there [36:20] And when Jesus came, he came to reveal to us that there is more to life than what I can see [36:27] He proclaimed it, he preached it, he died for it, and then he rose again to prove it [36:34] And when he says seek first the kingdom of God, he does not say it so that I can be right [36:43] I think that is the biggest misconception about the difference between humanism and Christianity

[36:50] We think it makes our morals valid [36:53] That wasn’t Jesus’ point [36:57] Jesus’ point is that number one, morals are valuable and they are valid [37:03] But more than that, we can’t measure up to them and we never will [37:10] What he came to prove is that he is the pathway into that kingdom

[37:18] And he says that constantly when he says things like follow me [37:23] I came to seek and to save that which was lost [37:29] These fissures of men [37:31] All of these statements that he gives are these redemptive statements of saying

[37:39] I’m the path, I’m the door, I’m the life

[37:47] And he says that [37:48] Guys, if Jesus is who he says he is

[37:53] Then this life is to be about him

[37:59] That which brings my gaze onto this world [38:06] I must flee from [38:11] And so must you [38:14] It’s a hard road [38:16] But it’s the only true one [38:20] As the band comes up

[38:25] I want you to understand in 1 Corinthians 15, 19 [38:29] Paul makes this statement that he says that if in Christ we have hope in this life only [38:36] We are of all people most to be pitied

[38:41] What he’s really positing there is this reality that the dividing line is the resurrection of Jesus [38:47] And if Jesus didn’t rise again then there is no hope [38:50] But more than that, if you read the verses around there [38:53] He’s bringing this thought into it that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead [39:00] His life would make no sense [39:03] Because everything that he did, everything that he woke up for every night

[39:07] Every night, every morning, and every night that when he went to bed exhausted [39:10] It was because he’d been living for the reality of who Jesus is all day

[39:17] So the question that I want you to understand [39:19] And the question I want you to answer to yourself this morning [39:23] Is if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, would your life make sense?

[39:31] In other words, if it was found that Jesus is just another man

[39:36] Would anything in your life really change?

[39:42] Anything? Maybe just what you do on Sunday morning

[39:47] Because Paul had this understanding that Christianity was about a life that was revolutionized [39:51] And completely transformed by the reality that Jesus is God and that he redeemed us

[39:59] And he said that the norm, the minimum [40:01] The minimum is a life so impacted

[40:09] That without the resurrection, it was a waste

[40:16] My fear is that at the end of my life [40:23] I will have invested in things that have nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ

[40:32] My hope, my hope

[40:37] Is that he gives me the power and the strength that it doesn’t have to be that way

[40:46] Jesus says

[40:52] I don’t want you to waste your life

[41:02] Live for the gospel

[41:07] Risk everything else for it

[41:12] Because when you invest in just this

[41:19] Just money, just weekend getaways [41:24] Just a 401k and then you’re dead

[41:29] Jesus calls that a wasted life

[41:35] Change that [41:38] Change it

[41:41] Because when you change that [41:44] The world sees hope [41:47] Your neighbors see hope [41:51] Your family sees hope [41:56] The question is right now do they just see someone that lives exactly like them [42:03] Except on Sundays

[42:09] Kingdom of God is coming

[42:15] May we find joy in that

[42:20] Right now we celebrate something that’s very kingdom centered [42:25] And that’s communion [42:28] So we look at the broken body and the shed blood of Jesus, his death and we take joy [42:34] Because we know he didn’t stay that way but rather he gave his life to give us life [42:39] So that in him we could find that joy that we can’t find in this life [42:44] And it’s offensive but that’s the offense of the gospel

[42:49] That God killed his own son so that you could have a relationship with him [42:56] And if you’re a follower of Jesus his table is wide open for you

[43:02] If you don’t know Jesus or I’ve said something to you this morning that has sparked something [43:08] I want you to know that today can be the day of salvation for you [43:14] Today can be the day where you realize that there is a God and his name is Jesus and he loves you so much [43:21] That he took your sin onto himself and he died on a cross for you [43:28] That he rose again to give me life [43:34] I’d love to talk about it with you

[43:36] There’s people in the back that would love to talk about it with you [43:41] But right now if you’re a follower of Jesus his table is open and if you’re not come pray with me