24 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - Abuse (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on March 2, 2015, at Kenwood Church based on Adam Hamilton's work by the same name)

Abuse is never an easy topic to discuss.  Verbal, sexual, physical, psychological, child, elder abuse.  The list goes on and on.  Discussing such matters is always filled with angst and pain.

I have noticed in my 25 years of ministry experience and 48 years of life experience that people who have suffered abuse usually connect more effectively with others who have met a similar fate.  I have often been surprised that the nature of the abuse is not always the common denominator.  Abuse in its broad sense seems to offer a framework for connection.

If you have been abused, run the the son of God that went through abuse.  The one who understands the pain of torture, pain, humiliation, degradation.  God came in the flesh, in part, to endure what we endure.  We have a savior who understands.  Really he does.

If you have felt the pain of abuse, let Jesus help you heal.

24 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - Ridiculing the King (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on March 2, 2015, at Kenwood Church based on Adam Hamilton's work by the same name)

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  This little bit of wisdom or a powerful spell for a preteen weirdo did not have its desired effect for me.  I was almost 6 feet tall in 6th grade.  I needed to lose some baby fat.  I looked Asian enough to receive the label "chink".  I was a nice kid too nice to fight back at the older kids who loved to make fun of this smart, goofy, genial kid.

The truth is that the words always hurt me.  Now I grew to be mature enough that I didn't give the bullies the power they so terribly wanted.  But until probably 7th grade, the words hurt.  In fact, I would have rather fought one of them than have to listen to their stinging words.

Jesus was mocked as the "king of the Jews."  True words but spoken with the wrong intent.  I am sure that Jesus was mature enough to live above the trite words of an immature crowd.  I am also sure that these attacks broke the heart of the king of heaven who all too well know they would some day all know him as he truly is - "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord."

24 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - The Torture and Humiliation of the King (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on March 2, 2015, at Kenwood Church based on Adam Hamilton's work by the same name)

Torture has become a more common word in the American vernacular since the rise of radical Islamists.  Surprisingly the term is used to describe the actions of both sides of this global conflict.  The amazing part of that fact to me is that we have naively placed this word and its accompanying actions somewhere deep in our minds as if to say that such things certainly cannot happen in our modern world.  The truth is that torture has always been around because it works.  The humiliation, degradation, physical abuse, psychological terror, and unbelievably creative means of inflicting pain have always brought about their desired effect--the breaking of the human spirit.

How does torture work on a human spirit that cannot be broken?  When that spirit is combined with the essence of the God-head, what really happens?  "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Mt. 26:41) seems to imply that the body cannot keep up with the willingness of the spirit.

How much more humiliated can the son of God who "being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8) be.  The torture was just the beginning.  Humility in the flesh would be humiliated and then some.  

Humility would triumph over humiliation!

6Who, being in very nature^a God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature^b of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

      to the glory of God the Father. 

(Philippians 2:6-11)

24 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on March 22, 2015 based upon the book "24 Hours that Changed the World" by Adam Hamilton)

Betrayal, denial, arrest, condemnation.  That was just the beginning of the evening for Jesus.  His friends and religious leaders all turned away or on him this night.  No one stood to defend him.  People either accused him or denied knowing him.  When he made it to Pilate, he was utterly alone.

I have been very blessed.  During the most difficult times of my life, I have never been alone.  I have always had someone by my side.  In the midst of accusation, persecution, illness, betrayal, I have always had someone to turn to.  In this moment, Jesus is utterly alone.

This was only a few short days from Jesus being encircled by throngs of people as he entered the city on Palm Sunday.  The crowds, the disciples, the friends; they had all left.  Now he stands before his judge utterly alone.

Alone.

24 Hours That Changed the World - In the Garden (a blogpost for a sermon series inspired by Adam Hamiliton's book by the same name to be preached beginning on March 8, 2015)

What do you think about the events in the Garden of Gethsemane?  Do you feel for Jesus in his time of need?  Do you identify with the disciples as they fell asleep while their master was in great need?  What do you picture the garden to look like?  Was Jesus weak that night or just human?  How do you understand the prayers of God to Himself?  What do you think about the events in the Garden of Gethsemane?