*

While God never changes, we know that change is a very real part of life. We wanted to tell you about a change ahead for us as a family and as a church. I have accepted a call to pastor a sister Ev. Free Ch. outside of Pittsburgh (Christ Community Fellowship in Sarver, PA).

After months of prayer and seeking God’s will for the next step in our ministry journey, we feel confident God is leading us to serve there. As we have researched, prayed and visited there, it seems like it would be a good fit and a timely change. Lord willing, I will serve the rest of March at Grace Bible and then will start there in mid-April.

Your commitment to God, His word and each other is a joy to us. You have been kind, generous and patient with me. We are greatly in your debt. We are thankful that even in times of change we can all entrust ourselves to Him. Allow me to remind us to:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 - ESV)

Our godly Elders have already been meeting and praying about “what’s next”. Feel free to contact them as well with questions or concerns.

With unchanged love and appreciation for you,

Kerry & Robin & the Krew

Are you still growing? Growing old is not the same as growing up. Few things are more tragic than immature Senior Citizens, petty people who added only years to their dossier and derriere. (That there is French for resume and rump: neither is to be padded.)

Advanced age is no excuse for childishness, it is instead an argument against it. As long as we are able, we are to keep maturing in all the ways we can. Twice, Dr. Luke in his gospel of Jesus tells us about Jesus growing up. After His birth, circumcision and presentation at the temple (Luke 2), the good Doctor tells us:

"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him" (Luke 2:39, 40 - NIV).

After Jesus' parents got lost and left Him in the Temple when He was twelve, we read: "Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:51& 52).

Matthew tells us His toddler years included a trip to Africa - fleeing madman Herod's sword (Matthew 2:13-23). When Jesus' family repatriated to Roman-occupied Israel, they lived in Nazareth.

As much as we would like to speculate about Jesus as a boy, all we are left to mull over is that he was obedient to his parents and that He grew up. Mind you, these are no small matters. Even in childhood, Jesus is THE example for us.

"He grew" we read. This is an umbrella description that seems bland unless you consider its opposite. New parents watch to make sure their child is growing. If they stop progressing in any realm, they head to the Doctor.

Our Heavenly Father is monitoring our growth as well. In fact, the letters to the churches in the New Testament are properly obsessed with matters of maturity (see 2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:18; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 20-25; Hebrews 2-4). Are you growing up? Have you changed much in the past years - for the good?

Getting more specific, we read that Jesus "became strong... grew in stature." Our love for God is to include our heart soul, mind and strength. Learning carpentry - which included woodwork and masonry - Jesus was a man's man. Forget those pictures of a pasty pansy in your old children's Bible.

Our bodies are even called - dramatic pause - His temple (1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 9:27)! We are to glorify God with our body. Is His temple in disrepair? How do you treat your body: getting enough sleep, eating too much?

Jesus grew, as we also must, in wisdom. He was not just a divine data depository, smart. He was "filled with wisdom." We see this when He stayed at the Temple at age 12, a pivotal year when Jewish boys transition into manhood.

He sat listening to the teachers, asking them questions - ones that astonished all who heard Him. His questions revealed such insight that they were motivated to ask His take on Scripture. Are you learning the Bible, moving past VBS-level insights? Does any one look to you for godly insight?

The mental sloppiness of God's people is criminal! What passes for teaching on much of Christian radio and TV [and pulpits] is amazing. Where is the discernment, some sane, Biblical discretion?

Spiritual counterfeits will continue to freely fleece the flock with their folly as long as believers stay ignorant and immature. Are you growing in true wisdom (see Colossians 1:15-29). A thought: read a chapter of Proverbs every day.

"God's grace was upon Him," we learn next from Luke. He grew "in favor with God." Jesus, as a human, spiritually matured. Here is a phrase for you: "He learned obedience through the things that He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Chew on that one. Jesus learned obedience.

We learn to obey through disobedience, God's discipline, forgiveness and restoration. Christ learned it through life's trials, being tempted by the Devil and rejected by His own people. In the Garden, He honestly states His preference to not be crucified. Yet, in the face of torture and humiliation, we hear: "Not My will but Thine."

As we live in the realm of obedience, we are in the place where God can favor, not discipline us (Hebrews 12:1-12; 1 John 2-4). He cannot love us more than He has or does (see Romans 5:1-11; 8:1, 31-39). However, we can live in such a way that He can bless His good kids (John 14:19-15:27).

Last of all, we discover that Jesus grew in favor with man. Common ones received Him gladly. Sometimes the crowds around Jesus swelled as they hoped for another free lunch and miracle show (John 6). Yet, we also know social outcasts and serious sinners felt at home in His presence. Children loved Him and they are often a great test of character.

One of the descriptions of an Elder, spiritual exemplars for the church, is that they would have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7). If you often make waiters and cashiers mad, drive like a loony and regularly tick off people, you might want to look into this area of growth.

Having favor with man does not mean you are compromising truth, snuggling up to the world. What we often call persecution and rejection of Jesus by people we witness to is often the sensible reaction of hurt people whom we treat like trash (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 9:19-23).

It is time to grow up, to keep pressing on (Philippians 3). As we face a still young year, repent of any stagnation in the past year. With God's help, commit to further growth in Him.

In honor of Dr. Luke, may I prescribe 2 Peter 1:5-11? If the baby Jesus grew up, so must we (1 John 2:6)!

The T-shirt said on the front: "I know that I know that I know that I know." With this being my sister,* I didn't know* where that shirt was going. Did I dare ask?

Reading her back (the shirt, not a tattoo) I saw what she knew. It was a quote from a Nicole C. Mullins song: "...that my redeemer lives. I talked to Him this morning." A great song which quotes in part from Job.

I never doubted you Kara. Thanks for the reminder! Hallelujah, we can know our risen Savior lives - even if we neglected to talk with Him this morning. Even if we never talk to Him - He lives.

So that was the shirt. Now, the coffee cup was immediate preacher fodder (i.e. sermon supplement). I drained the cup Saturday PM (decaf, mind you) and used it Sunday AM. For the record: not that I was desperate for material - this time. It genuinely fit my sermon.

Despite my "cool-because-she's-college-aged" daughter's teasing, I feel very hip in getting such a great quote from Stellar-dollars. They are an international company that celebrates multiculturalism (all cultures and their "truths" are equal) and total tolerance (again, all truths are equal). Later, go Google "postmodernism."

The cup read in part: "This is what we know to be true: We opened our very first store in (insert city and state), in (insert year). We still roast our coffee ourselves... We served the best cup of coffee 37 years ago... "

Did you see what got me juiced? Read their simple, wonderful assertion again: "This is what we know to be true." Wow! Truth that can be known, verified, legally, historically documented and even printed on a 10% post-consumer recycled fiber cup!

They know that they know that they know. And they want us to know what can be known with certainty as well. They point us to a place, a time, a process, a history. They even tell us they make the best coffee - daring us to taste and see that they are good.

It thrills me to see in a day of doubt which questions all truth claims that someone still uses such language. Alas, some sensible sanity! Verifiable data and historical reliability exists!

They rightfully expect that most cup-readers will understand this narrative of their origins is a clear, sensible, provable statement. No deconstruction or cultural reinterpretation needed.

This perky little cup holds its truth claims to be more than self-evident. It gives us enough facts to investigate and see if it will stand-up under scrutiny.

Were we to research this truth claim without bias - say, a preference for someone else's coffee - we could prove or disprove their truth claims. We too could say: This is what WE now know to be true! We too would know that what they know that they know.

Assuming their claims are valid, they are true even if I do not believe them. It does not need my faith to make it true. It can hold it own truth-grounds even if we did not drink a cup this morning.

The Bible gives us truth-claims about our living Redeemer. It asks - almost dares us - to verify them. The Apostle Paul set forth 500 eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. The Corinthians were invited to investigate if these multitudes had in fact seen Jesus alive again (1 Corinthians 15).

Dr. Luke tells us he investigated thoroughly what he wrote in his gospel account (see Luke 1:1-4, Acts 1). He spoke with eyewitnesses who heard Jesus teach, saw Him perform miracles, watched Him die a hideous death and then come back alive. Luke gives us names, places, times.

The Apostle John tells us he too was an eyewitness. He writes of what he heard, saw, touched and carefully observed (1 John 1). In an historical place, in a specific time, Jesus lived, died, rose again, ascended back to heaven and now offers salvation to all who obey Him by believing (John 1:1-18; 3:14-17; 21:24, 25).

Don't kid yourself: seeing ain't always believing. Many saw and did not believe. They had - as we do - heart issues, not intellectual difficulties.

Jesus graciously let Doubting Thomas see Him after His resurrection. He then blessed those who do not see yet still believe (John 20:24-31). Jesus left behind enough witnesses for us to be held responsible for making the right faith-choice concerning Him (John 1:12; 3:36; 5:24).

Jesus equates belief with obedience, not brain-deadness. We do not believe despite lacking facts. We believe because it is true, He is truth and the evidence is more than sufficient, reliable and compelling. Disbelief is disobedience.

Why will we take at face value what a hot beverage cup says? Simple: it makes no moral demands on my life, other than to recycle. Jesus, the Creator of the stars, is not one you should buck. You can talk to Him any part of the day. He lives and shall once again take His stand on the earth.

Some books for further investigation. First, the Bible! Then, mull over The Reason for God by Timothy Keller, currently on the New York Times bestseller list. Also just out is Choosing Your Faith by Mark Mittelberg, a unique approach that helps you see why you believe what you believe and if your faith-choice is solid.

I also recommended two classics by Josh McDowell: More than a Carpenter and Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Most importantly, I commend you to Jesus, who invites us to taste and see that He is good - Truth that you can know.

*Kerry S. Doyal* - Pastor *Grace Bible Church (an EFCA)* *Kingsport, TN*

Many feel this way about the church. They love Jesus, but struggle with His bride. There seems to be a glaring disconnect: how did He end up with her, what was He thinking?

The church is an easy target and does much to paint bull’s-eyes on herself. Some of the attitudes and behaviors of Jesus’ chosen spouse are astounding, inexcusable. “She said and did what? And she is married to Him?”

Pick your favorite and convenient horror story. Does it involve an abusive pastor, fickle so-called friends, gossip, closed cliques, abused pastors, “those preacher’s kids”, or wrongly judged and mistreated preacher’s kids and spouses?

Maybe your church story’s main character is a hypocritical deacon, or a Holy Joe that lived like the devil? Is money involved, or improprieties of 1000 different kinds?

GUILTY! Yes, His bride should blush and tear her wedding gown in repentance over her sinfulness. But this is not news. Most of the New Testament is written to help Christ’s Bride learn to be beautiful. The letters – epistles if you like church talk - are filled with correctives. This Fair Lady needs much learnin’ and refining.

Jesus’ earthly father handed off a trade to his boy: carpentry. This included wood and stone construction. He learned the hard, honest trade of building. According to Matthew 16:17-18, Jesus is still doing construction:

“Jesus replied, "…And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Using those who know Him, He is erecting, correcting and perfecting a spiritual house (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2).

Among the things Jesus is doing in heaven, at the top of His list is shepherding His sheep: finding the lost ones, healing the hurt, separating those fighting, and protecting, providing for and using all of them. Have you read Psalm 23 or John 10 lately?

In our fair city literally built around churches – Church Circle – if you cannot find one church to connect with, guess who might be the issue? With over 200 to shop from – which is what we consumer Christians do – if not one suites your taste – how convenient.

Yes, I know they ask for money, dress and talk funny, have hard pews, boring sermons and imperfect leaders (come visit my church if you need Exhibit A). Also agreed is that not everyone there is as sincere as you are (“hypocrites” is such a tired excuse). True too that some people use it as a social club.

Your point? Can the church “do church” better? No doubt. So? If Jesus says He is in love with His bride – He did die for her – then who are we to demand perfection this side of heaven? That is one of the promises of heaven – a pure, spotless, wrinkle-free Bride (Ephesians 5:25-33).

Yes, you got hurt one time, or several times. Tell it to Jesus who let his future bride nail Him to a cross.

Yes, speak prophetically to her of her sins, but not merely pathetically of her in your bitterness.

Do football fans give up because a few fans behave poorly? Some act like morons every week without fail. As one wit said: did you give up eating because Mom once burned the biscuits? Can you say potluck casseroles? But I digress.

Here is a hot secret: If you trash talk my wife, tell me you hate her, we are going to have issues. She is mine, I am hers, we are one. To try to separate us, to get me to side with you to impress me is worse than dumb, that may prove painful.

Ask a policeman the most dangerous calls they receive: domestics. If they get between sparring spouses, they risk creating a powerful tag team. Ask Jesus if you can disrespect and dismiss His bride? Don’t get Him started.

Which church or pastor do you owe a thank you note for providing you with a cheap excuse to give up on church?

Jesus the Carpenter is still building: creating, enlarging and putting finishing touches on His church. Rumors of His bride’s death are greatly exaggerated. Hell’s gates may look stronger and seem more daunting, but not to Him.

Christ has not given up on His church and neither must we. It is not an option. To stay outside the church is in some real ways to stay away from Jesus. Selective accountability is a dangerous place to be. All pride is (1 Peter 5).

Jesus is forming and fortifying Himself a people. He is using and empowering those who know Him – confess Him in truth. Build with Him! (Matt. 16:13-23; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24, 25; Acts 2:42). If I dare: Any old jackass can kick down a barn.

Get on His winning team! Christ’s church – His called-out ones - cannot be stopped (1 Peter 2:4-8; Romans 8). When we keep Christ as the chief cornerstone, building on Him, look out, hell.

*Kerry S. Doyal* - Pastor *Grace Bible Church (an EFCA)** *

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David…

“Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph… the son of David… the son of Abraham… the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 1:26-27; 3:23, 31, 34, 38 – ESV).

People who research their genealogy often make some boast-worthy discoveries: been here since the 1600’s, fought in the Revolutionary War, from *this* part of Ireland. Optimal bragging rights belong to those who can claim kinship to someone of renown: royalty, a president, an inventor. “George Washington is my great, great…” carries some nice weight.

Jesus’ family tree has some serious bragging rights: related to King David and to Father Abraham, to name a few. However, it’s one thing to be a distant son of David and a seed of Abraham. It is another to be THE Son of David - God’s Ruler - and THE seed Abraham - our Righteousness.

When Dr. Luke carefully tells us in his gospel of Jesus’ credentials and credibility, he points to some very sweet fruit from Jesus’ family tree. This virgin-born son of Mary, the “supposed son” of Joseph, is indeed the Christ. Jesus’ birth, up-bringing, baptism and now his birth record all reinforce His royalty and righteousness.

Genealogies give legal legitimacy. They point out true heirs and rightful relations. Jesus’ genealogy goes further than mere legalities, it points to His lordship – He is the virgin-born, adopted son of Joseph (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1). It also testifies of His linkage to God’s promises, His people and all people – son of Adam.

Christmas is a time of anticipation: longer lines, crankier customers, antsy kids and last minute shoppers. Hang tough, men! I’ll see you at the store Christmas Eve.

Christmas has always been a time of anticipation. When Jesus was born, God’s people had been waiting, longing for centuries for God’s promised Messiah. King David’s heir was to rule on the throne, restore the people to the land and the city to its glory (2 Sam. 7:2-16; Psalms 89:1-4; 19-37; 132:11, 12).

As still happens, false Messiahs in Jesus’ day claimed to be God’s anointed one. Yet only Jesus, as Luke clearly attests, is God’s Sent One, the Christ. He is the righteous Branch, the suffering Servant, the Son of David, the seed of Abraham.

As the son of David – not just “a” son – Jesus is the rightful Ruler of the Universe, not just Jerusalem. He belongs on the throne of the heavens and our hearts. He will - as Handel wrote, quoting scripture – reign forever and ever. We are wise to get not just on the right side of history, but eternity.

Even King David, the previous premiere emperor of Israel, calls his great-grandson Jesus “Lord” (Ps. 110; Matt. 22:41-46). Jesus, the Son, is greater than David; that happens when you are God. To King Jesus, every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God (Phil. 2:5-11).

A barren old man was given a promise of progeny: “You’ll have so many kids”, the Lord pledged to Abraham, “that you won’t be able to count them” (Gen. 12, 15). This seemingly laughable legacy lead not just to uncountable seeds, but a Seed. One in whom all the nations of earth would be blessed: Jesus (Galatians 3).

Abraham, the Father of faith, believed God’s wild promise and God declared him righteous. His faith – not law obedience – lead to a standing of righteousness before God; as does our faith (Gal. 3 & 4; Romans 5).

Paul, the Rabbi-turned-Apostle, tells us that The Seed, Jesus, is our source of righteousness. Because of Jesus’ death for us - taking our sin - God can count His righteousness to all who believe (2 Corin. 5:21). The Just died for the unjust.

Because of the Seed of Abraham, God can justly declare us innocent, acquitted, righteous, justified (Romans 3-5). Such a Seed, that supposed son of Joseph is! Oh Vey!

Dr. Luke gives us not just a birth record, but a praise-prompt. Jesus, the Ruler, is the son of David: bow. Jesus, our righteousness, is the seed of father Abraham: believe.

My Dad used to say he was afraid to research our family tree. He feared finding a horse thief hanging from it. Ironically, he did. There is another One who hung in our family tree – the crucified King, the Sovereign Seed.

Jesus said you can judge a tree by its fruit. His family tree points to a tree on which He took our judgment. Now He is alive, ascended and enthroned above and some day will return and rule.

Bow before the King. Believe in Him. Enjoy this fabulous fruit from God’s family tree. O come, let us adore Him, our Ruler and our Righteousness.

*Kerry S. Doyal* - Pastor *Grace Bible Church (an EFCA)* *Kingsport, TN ** *

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15<http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV1984&search=Deuteronomy%2018:15> NIV<http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=102>

And He did: He raised up many prophets various kinds and at different times faithfully and graciously

And they did not: listen to them learn from look to them

And Yet, He sent One more He raised up a Son, His Son He was from among the brothers He was from God, was God

*As John 1:11-14 conveys:*

11He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

*As we read in Hebrews* 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (ESV)

*Indeed, as Moses said:* “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15<http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV1984&search=Deuteronomy%2018:15> NIV <http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=102>

This is still a great admonition: *"You must listen to him.” *

Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Bible Church, an EFCA Making disciples of Jesus who love God & others by living & sharing His truth

Yes, we can and should learn much from Him, but His truth and teaching is intended to transform, not just inform.

He was no "Divine Data Dumper" on the dumb (that'd be us), nor did He instruct to just inspire or impress.

Further, truth is no toy to play with, examine and then just set back down. Truth is a dynamo that detonates and either destroys or delivers.

Jesus, knowing his friend Lazarus was terminally ill, divinely delayed a requested visit. Asked to come quickly, Jesus deferred Mary and Martha's pained-filled plea to heal their brother. Death came before Jesus. The demurring sisters grieve and fume: where was Jesus?

In deep mourning, Martha mixes it up with the Master about life after death. Disappointment and doubt drove her, pain pushed her. Jesus had failed her: He could have stopped this death.

Teaching her about their hope, Jesus challenged her -and us- with this question: "do you believe what I teach?" Read this instructive exchange from John 11:21-26

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

There it is: * "Do you believe this?” * Information is to be driven by and driven to application. Applied theology is the only really believed theology.

"Believe in Me & you will live", says Jesus. Great stuff! "Do you believe this?" asks Jesus? *Even better stuff. *

Yes, the thrust of this passage is about our hope in Jesus, even in the face of death. What a hope - the resurrection of those of faith! Such a promise.

Yet, promises merely processed without being procured by faith are powerless to us. Or, in plain words, when it comes to God's great gifts, "to receive it, you must also believe it."

"I am the conqueror of death and Hades", proclaims Jesus. "The ones who believe this live forever."

What a promise. Such a tremendous truth. But, let's not leave out the His salient & pertinent question: "Do you believe this?"

Do *YOU* believe this?

Do you believe* HIM*?

-- *Kerry S. Doyal* - Pastor *Grace Bible Church (an EFCA)* *Kingsport, TN * ** <http://www.GetGraced.org>*www.GetGraced.org *

We built some great tree houses when I was a kid. One had three levels and a roof escape hatch. Another was big enough to sleep in – almost fully stretched out.

But, alas, none are still standing. The craftsmanship and the materials doomed them to impermanence. Not to mention some were eyesores and were condemned by the landowner (read: Dad).

I take comfort in knowing that no structure built by people – be it material, social or political - lasts forever. Our best, even commendable efforts are doomed to finally fail. As has been said, heaven and earth will pass away. Ultimately even the Great Pyramids are just stone tree houses, as are nations and peoples.

Yet there is one kingdom that will last forever, one that is to elicit thanks and praise to its Builder. He employs superior skills and uses eternal materials yielding an enduring, unshakable realm.

You may have noticed, we are living in tumultuous times: the Arab Spring, economic upheaval in Europe and at home, not to mention those vile Rebecca Black haters. In the words of that great theologian Jerry Lee Lewis, there’s a whole lot a shakin’ going on.

Truth is, everyone has lived in shaky segments of history. Since the Fall, all of creation has been tumbling downhill, fast. Indeed: ashes, ashes, we all fall – not just Sir Humpty of Dumpty - down (see Romans 8:18-25; 3:23-25).

Yet we all long to be part of something solid and lasting - unshakable. Even truck and investment commercials appeal to our desire for rock-solid, enduring things. Permanence is not sexy but it is attractive; possibly a God-given urge.

Enter the re-Creator God. His original design was perfect, but we tainted it through and through. Thankfully, with Christ as our redeemer and restorer, there is a hope of a reboot. With sin dealt with on the cross, a new creation and kingdom can be established that is more than solid, it is eternal. Its builder and maker are none other than God (Heb. 11:10).

No wonder we read in Hebrews 12:28 that we are to thank and praise Him. God’s just judgment has been satisfied and there is a promise of a permanent place, received by grace through faith.

Though the original “Black Friday” - Jesus’ crucifixion - was not a shopping event, nonetheless a great purchase was made that day. Banking on Jesus’ unique sinless status, God offers to credit us with righteousness, forgiveness and even provide adoption (Col. 1:11-14). Jesus door-busting the gates of hell!

Even now, He is preparing a place for us that cannot be rattled by natural or spiritual forces (John 14:1-6; Rom. 8:21-38). Someday, after he shakes and breaks up the current heavens and earth, He will unveil His everlasting realm (Rev. 20 - 22).

Remarkably, He provides all this by grace. It is a “received” kingdom, not earned or deserved. We are citizens at His pleasure, not our plotting or striving (go imbibe Ephesians 2:1-10; John 1:10-13; Titus 3:3-7).

No wonder we are told to thank Him. It’s fittin’ to give Him proper praise that is filled with rightful respect. Away with our empty, flippant words and mindless, mere dutiful deeds, He deserves and demands sincere, worthy worship.

Will there be tree houses in the new heavens and earth? Who knows? There will be humble, grateful worshippers, objects of grace that practiced marveling at His majesty here and now.

Kingdoms come and go, but not His coming righteous realm. It’s unshakable! As Handel’s *Messiah* rightly rings out: And He shall reign forever and ever. Let us thank Him for this hope and worship Him with slack-jaw awe at His grace and power.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:28, 29 - NIV)

*Kerry S. Doyal* - Pastor *Grace Bible Church (an EFCA)* *Kingsport, TN* * <http://www.GetGraced.org> *

Of all times to get a parking ticket!* That night,* while trying to help some hurting people? As the saying goes, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

At least it can seem that way at times. And such inequities bother us greatly. “That’s not fair!” we cry. Justice denied is grievous to us.

But wait: justice applied seems to bother us even more. When it is fair for us to face consequences, we expect (demand?) mercy, even if the judge has to be unjust to give us a break. After all, what I did wasn’t that bad or as bad as *them*. Funny, fickle folks are we.

But enough legalese, back to my tragic tale of ticket “injustices”.

Once upon a time - well, about 15 years ago - I was visiting a troubled young family, again. It was a night-time crisis call, again. I was seeking to defuse a volatile situation, offer some encouragement.

After a tiring time of ministry, I wearily walked to my car, ready to get home. I was greeted and rewarded for my efforts by a parking ticket. I had parked on the wrong side of the street.

Lucky me (providentially speaking), I violated a Round Lake Beach, IL law I did not know existed. Though ignorant of it, I was guilty. A law had been broken, a penalty assessed and a price had to be paid. Yet, it didn’t seem fair. Refer back to “no good deed…”

It just so happened that the Mayor of that stickler-for-justice town was a good friend. In fact, he went to our church. Better still, the Chief of Police and I had gotten to know each other. Not exactly buddies, we were not strangers. *Ticket me, will ya?!*

However, it would have been wrong to go to either of these men asking them to dismiss my ticket. That would be cheating the system. If they extended me this “favor”, it would be unjust of them as well.

Arbitrary justice ain’t justice, even if it seems to my good. They would be obliged to dismiss any other pitiful plaintiffs that sought a break. I broke a just law, was penalized and a price had to be paid. Stinks to be me, but pony up and shut up already.

One day, as this true tale goes, my sweet wife – the heroine of our fine story - out of her own loving pity and initiative went to City Hall and paid my ticket. I had committed the crime, she did the time – well, dropped the dime.

My standing with the law, Mayor and Chief were set right. How? Because someone paid my price. I had a new legal relationship and I still have the “paid in full” stamped-receipt from the city to prove it. Sound familiar?

Writing about what God did for us through Jesus, Paul proclaimed: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 - ESV). Read that again.

Jesus’ friend and disciple Peter penned: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18 – NIV).

Tis’ true: “I had a debt I could not pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.” We have all broken God's law and a penalty with a price we cannot afford has to be paid. (Soberly read Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:26-28.)

In explaining God’s mega-good news - the gospel – Paul writes: “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:6b-10 - NIV).

Wow! We rightly-condemned sinners have been extended God’s just mercy. The sinless One – Jesus – has paid our fine with His life. A new relationship with Heaven’s Mayor is available. The Sheriff has been satisfied. Rebels can come home and have their records wiped clean.

Lawbreakers need to admit their guilt and submit to the Judge. Trusting the Risen One for forgiveness, we receive a status of “not guilty” – acquitted, justified. Our Judge now becomes our adopting Father. By His Spirit, He instructs and empowers us to know and fulfill His will (Romans 5-8).

I have another ticket to tell you about- an ignored, thrown to the wind writ-of-guilt. I found this one on a street in Chicago. Some people - scoff laws they are called – simply throw away their tickets, ignoring their guilt, the fine. They don’t believe there will be a day of reckoning.

We are far worse scoff laws when we dismiss or discount our guilt before God. We may reject or disdain His standards, but we are without excuse (see Romans 1:16-23; 3:10-31). There will be a day we have to give an account; yes, a day of judgment (John 3:36; 5:24).

We are not without hope, though. Whoever humbly calls out to God for mercy through Jesus’s death and resurrection is given eternal life (Romans 10:9-13). You are adopted and graced to live your new identity as His children.

Scoff laws daftly dare God to hold them accountable. Most others simply expect God to ignore their sins, even if He has to act unjustly to do so.

God calls us to repent of lawless living. To bow before His bar of justice, cry out for needed mercy which He freely offers through Jesus. Having died to our sinful ways, we lean on Him and learn a new way of life. Why not plead guilty and be declared innocent today?