Easter

SERMON - Be Strong in the Grace of Christ Jesus!!

INI

I. A grace based in the resurrection gospel!

Grace and peace be yours through our living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Text: 2 Timothy 2:1, 8

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel…

Jesus lives! Dear fellow-redeemed:

Consider the strong vs. weak contrasts of the last few days:

• A governor in the powerful Roman empire was made to look weak by a Jewish mob when he bent to their desires.

• Brave, strong soldiers of the Roman empire shook with fear and became like dead men at the coming of angel sent by God.

• And that weak…beaten…bloody…silent, helpless man on the middle cross? The one who succumbed to death—seemingly beaten by that strong grim reaper that theoretically lets no one escape? He rose victoriously on Easter morning. “Death, Hell, and Satan, He vanquished His foes! (TLH 198:3)

The whole of Holy Week, and really Jesus’ entire life and ministry, demonstrates that what appears to be strong may be very weak, and what appears to be weak may indeed be very strong. Thus, when the apostle Paul writes, “keep on being strengthened…” it is certainly a genuine strength that we would desire and seek to pursue.

Paul’s words come in a very personal letter to his young and much-loved friend, and co-missionary, Timothy—Paul endearingly refers to Timothy as “my son” and pastor, Timothy. Paul’s letter is very serious because it would be his last—Paul would soon be executed because of his faith in Christ. Paul was encouraging Timothy in his very great calling as a pastor and especially so because of the troublesome days that were on the horizon.

With a loving, yet serious approach, Paul urges Timothy, “You on your part, keep being strengthened.” Again, Paul is very personal—you on your part. At the moment Paul wasn’t talking about anyone or anything else. Yes, the goal of both Paul and Timothy was to witness Christ to all. Yes, there was much of which to be aware about those around Timothy, but first—on your part, keep being strengthened!

This personal and direct encouragement which Paul gave Timothy is part of the inspired word of God which the Holy Spirit led Paul to write. Therefore, this is also a very personal word to each of you: “You on your part, keep on being strengthened.”

What does this strength look like? Paul urged Timothy to be strengthened in the sphere of grace—living under God’s grace, rejoicing in God’s grace, being strengthened in faith by God’s grace, and fulfilling the work of being a disciple of Christ.

But where would Timothy—where would we—find that strength? Some athletes who are looking for quick ‘n easy strength turn to steroids. There is no quick ’n easy pill to take for spiritual strength. Some athletes work hard for their physical strength, but no hard work that we do can strengthen our souls and increase our faith. But living under God’s grace and making use of the Means of Grace (the Gospel) will keep making us strong.

God’s grace—His undeserved love—chose you before time began. His grace sent Jesus. His grace called you to faith. “…by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God’s grace is what will continue to protect and strengthen you.

Only with our Lord and Savior and by His grace are we able to be strong. So Paul urges the Ephesians, “Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10) and to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

In the second verse of the text, Paul hones in a little more on how we are strengthened: “Keep on remembering Jesus Christ according to my Good News.” Paul had shared the Gospel—the Good News—with Timothy and that Gospel message is what would continually keep him strong.

Paul emphasizes two identifying characteristics of Jesus: He is the one who is and remains “raised from the dead,” and He is the one who is out “of the seed of David.” Both of these truths concerning Jesus are important to our salvation and strength.

Both of these parts are important:

Jesus’ lineage through King David’s family demonstrates that God’s Word is true, for God promised David that the Messiah would come from his family line. Being a seed of David also testifies to the truth that Jesus took on flesh and blood and became fully human. Jesus had to take on humanity to be your substitute, taking your place and dying for you. No other way could you be saved from your sin.

At the same time that this Jesus became your substitute and died, He is also the One who is raised from the dead and lives, nevermore to die!

This is now the defining characteristic Jesus. There are a lot of false ideas concerning Jesus: the political Jesus, the good example Jesus…the social Jesus…the convenient-when-I-want-Him-to-be Jesus.

But there are also many truths concerning Jesus: Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the son of Mary, Jesus the feeder of 5,000, Jesus the healer, Jesus the protector and stiller of storms, the seeking Jesus, the teaching Jesus—all of these are true, but now, after the third day, the one thing that stands out above all others, the enduring characteristic is that HE IS RAISED AND REMAINS ALIVE!

Now think of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “If Christ be not raised your faith is vain you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). If Jesus is not raised, you have no salvation…it’s that simple.

Imagine how worthless grace is if the defining and enduring characteristic of Jesus is not that He lives from the dead. What kind of love is a love that doesn’t do anything? We’d be left with empty words, empty promises, empty Gospel.

If Christ isn’t raised, grace isn’t grace and we’d be left to sing:

But instead we sing…

We can sing it because Jesus lives!

A Christ who was raised after completing the sacrifice (cf. “It is finished”) for sins as a man and after being fully and truly dead is vital to grace and to our strength!

Paul wrote to Timothy to keep being strengthened in connection with grace…to keep on remembering Jesus Christ—fully human, his substitute, risen from the death never more to die. This truth would be strength and help for each day that lay ahead for Timothy, and so it is also for us.

A grace based on the resurrection Gospel means the work we do is not for naught: “Therefore, your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

A grace based on the resurrection Gospel means we don’t have to be afraid: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;   And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…(Isaiah 43:1ff).

A grace based on the resurrection Gospel is a grace-filled message telling you that the sacrifice for your sins was accepted by the heavenly Father and you are at peace with Him.

A grace based on the resurrection Gospel is real. It is saving. It is assured to you and made certain by the empty tomb and God’s Word through the angel: “He is not here, He is risen.”

—Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt

II. A life flowing from the resurrection Gospel

Text: 2 Timothy 2:1, 8, 19

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel…. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

In Christ Jesus, whose resurrection is to impact every aspect of our lives, dear lovers of our living Lord:

You have heard in our Scripture lessons and our first meditation this morning how important Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is to our Christian faith and our hope of securing everlasting life. The apostle Paul informs us: “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” [1 Corinthians 15:17-21]. The validity of our entire Christian faith rests upon the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. The hope that we have for our future in heaven likewise rests upon the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. That resurrection gospel, however, is not to impact our minds alone, nor does it have application only for our future lives in heaven. No, in this text from 2 Timothy the apostle Paul informs us that it is to impact every aspect of our daily lives. Therefore, in our second Easter meditation I would encourage you: BE STRONG IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST JESUS! That grace leads to a life flowing from the resurrection gospel! Such a life is possible, Paul says, because our Lord knows us personally and has claimed us as His own. Consequently, as brothers and sisters of Christ God calls upon us to depart from iniquity!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is omniscient. That means He knows all things. The Psalmist informs us: “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works” [Psalm 33:13-15]. God knows everything about everyone. When Paul informs us that “the Lord knows those who are His,” however, he is talking about something more than mere omniscience. He is talking about an intimate knowledge gained through personal experience. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ declares us to be both His disciples and His friends. On Maundy Thursday evening He declared: “I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” [John 15:15b-16a]. Jesus promises to be with us always—every day until the end of the age [Matthew 28:20]. Beyond that He promises to live within us by faith. In the Revelation He makes this offer and promise, which is true for every believing child of God: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” [Revelation3:20-21]. We can, therefore, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST JESUS. Our lives are to flow from the resurrection gospel, which assures us that our Savior knows us intimately, cares about us personally, and dwells within each of our hearts.

That closeness of our Savior to us is bound to have an effect on our daily lives. Paul calls upon us as individuals who identify ourselves as Christians to “depart from iniquity.” Iniquity is another word for sin. It suggests a failure to do what is right and proper—iniquity is doing what is wrong in God’s eyes. We live in a world filled with iniquity—with unrighteousness of all forms. We live in a world which, in fact, champions that which is wrong, suggesting that not only should such iniquity be tolerated, but promoted as being right—even when God says it is wrong! But we Christians are to BE STRONG IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST JESUS! Paul assures us in Romans 6 that through baptism we are united with Christ in both His death and His resurrection. Having been raised with Christ, Paul states: “We also should walk in newness of life” [Romans 6:3-4].

How can we do just that? May I suggest the following: 1) Let us invite Jesus Christ into our hearts to dwell there, as He both offers and promises in the Revelation. This is something we want consciously to do, for we need our Savior to be in control of our thoughts and actions. 2) Let us each daily come before our living Savior in humble repentance, acknowledging His lordship in our lives and confessing our iniquity to Him. Let us then seek His assistance in removing such unrighteousness from our lives. 3) Let us daily seek His guidance through His Word, for by daily reading His Word we will prepare ourselves with answers to the challenges this world makes over against the truths of God. 4) Let us avoid those people and those situations which lead us into temptation and sin. We cannot have Christ in our hearts, while welcoming Satan to whisper in our ears. This may be extremely difficult to do, because it may mean severing ties with people we have known a long time, and it may mean ending patterns of life that have long been established. 5) Let us set as our personal spiritual goal—absolute faithfulness to our Savior. Let us strive to use everything that our Savior has given us in the best possible way to honor Him, to bless others, and to advance His kingdom’s goals. Then, my dear friends, we will BE STRONG IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST JESUS, and we will live a life flowing from the resurrection gospel! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Soli Gloria Deo!