A Life Of No Regrets (The Redemption Road - Part I)

 

A LIFE OF NO REGRETS

Introduction: In the church calendar cycle, Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter. In Western churches, in several denominations, it begins on Ash Wednesday (last Wednesday). During Lent, many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. The Lenten season's purpose is to set aside time to reflect on Jesus Christ—to consider his life, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection.

We Baptists are not observant of the Lenten season. However, observing and meditating on the cross, redemption, resurrection, etc., would strengthen our Christian faith and give us a great deal of appreciation in celebrating Easter; otherwise, it is just like any other commercial holiday. For the next six weeks, we will trek the rugged Road of Redemption.

The Redemption Road is not a novel, movie, or not even a video game. It is a journey of those who are longing to find peace, fulfillment, and ultimate rest. It will take us through various stages. The first stage is regret. Whether you admit it or not, we go through certain regrets in life.

According to Forbes, here are some common regrets that most people have: Working hard at the expense of family and friendships, worrying about what others thought about me so much. Been happier more and have not taken life so seriously, letting my marriage break down, getting involved with the wrong group of friends.

Not spending more time with the kids and not taking care of my health when I had the chance—not visiting a dying friend before he died—not being a better father or mother, etc. We may relate to some or most of these regrets. We can't change the past, so this isn't meant for us to start a pity party. However, moving forward, we can make wise decisions that would keep us out of trouble and enable us, "A Life of No Regrets, Psalm 51:1-19. As we begin our journey, let us look at the word regret and its impact on us, I guarantee that you won't regret it.

Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment caused by something that has happened or something that you have done or not done. When you say, you regret something is a polite way of saying that you are sorry about it." Collins English. What regrets do you have in life?

When it comes to regret, there can be extremes. Some would never regret anything in life, and they think it is a sign of weakness and lack of confidence. Others seem to wallow in regret and could never come out of the pit of guilt and shame over things they had done years ago.  

Do you ever say sorry or apologize for your wrongdoings? How many times a day do people use the word "sorry"? Here are some interesting findings. Statistics on Americans are hard to find, but the BBC reports British people say it at least eight times a day, and some say it 20 times a day. Research supports that women say "sorry" much more often than men do.

What's wrong with saying sorry? Nothing, when you have done something, truly warrants an apology.[1] It is common and natural for humans to have this negative emotion called regret. Does God have any regrets? How do we understand Genesis 6:5-6?

 

I. DOES GOD HAVE REGRETS?

Genesis 6:5-6, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." This scripture puzzled Bible students for many years.

 

The Hebrew word, Nacham translated here as regret, has a range of meanings such as "to pant, to breathe vigorously, to groan; to be sorry to pity, to grieve; to feel repentance, to repent, etc. The idea of breathing deeply was a physical display of one's feelings, usually sorrow. When God saw humanity's rebellion, He breathed heavily, and his heart was filled with pain and grief.

How did God react to the continual wickedness of the human heart?  Like any loving father would do over his stubborn and rebellious children, God moved with compassion and love. To bring his lost children back to Himself, He sent His angels and prophets to warn them of the dangers of falling away. Finally, He sent His Son to complete His plan of redemption.

   

II. WHY IS REGRET NECESSARY IN LIFE?

The Redemption road begins with regret and ends with no regrets. Today in America, the dominant opinion on regret is essentially to get over it, let it go, or forget about it" In her TED Talk, Kathryn Schulz notes: "Our cultural idea about regret, is that lamenting things that occurred in the past is an absolute waste of time, that we should always look forward and not backward, and the best thing we can do is strive to live a life free of regret.[2]

There is some truth in this assertion. Yes, we should not keep on lamenting past failures, instead, strive to live a life free of regret. But If we want to live a guilt-free life, we need to reflect and acknowledge our sin and regret committing it. Then seek forgiveness and take appropriate steps of restitution where possible. That would help us overcome our shame.

In the passage, we read we hear a prayer of a broken man, King David. This prayer begins with regret and ends in joy and freedom from regrets. The background to this story is found in II Samuel's eleven and twelve chapters. It was the spring of the year when kings usually go out for war. When the kings were fighting, David wandered idly on the palace roof.

From there, he saw beautiful Bathsheba bathing. He coveted her beauty and ended up in bed with her. In other words, he committed adultery. Here is a warning for all of us. When we are alone, idle, and unaware, the devil tempts us to do things we may regret later. In David's case, his idleness led him to commit adultery and eventually the murder of Uriah.

Because of His great love for David, God sent a prophet Nathan and confronted him with his sin. After confessing to Nathan that he had sinned against the Lord, David prays this repentant prayer to God. In Vs. 1-2, he appeals to God's mercy, his unfailing love, and begs God to be compassionate towards him. Without sugar-coating his sin as mere wrongdoing, David calls it a rebellion against God. Any sinful act of man is a rebellion against God, and it is evil.

Vs. 5-9, He admits that he was a born sinner and recollects how his sins had haunted him day and night. David's sins have robbed him of the joy he once had in the presence of God. He recognizes that he could not hide from God, neither could he stand the exposure of his sins. No matter what he did, he knew sin's stains could not be removed, so he prays this earnest prayer:   

Vs. 10-13, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you." It came from a broken and contrite spirit. God never rejects such prayers.

 

III A LIFE OF NO REGRETS

            After that prayer of repentance, it seemed like David's life took a positive turn. Vs15-19 indicate Davide lived a life of no regrets. David rendered continual praise; his joy was restored.

 

He offered sacrifices with a clear conscience, and God was pleased with David. We remember David not for his sins but as a man after God's own heart. What can we learn from David? We all are sinners, and we commit sins that we regret. But like David, when we appeal to God's mercy and loving-kindness and recognize we have sinned against God, we too will experience the joy of God's salvation, for Godly sorrow results in our salvation. 2 Cor 7:10. When God forgives and restores our relationship with him, we become a new creation. The Old is gone, and everything becomes new, and we can go on to live a life of no regrets. Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/saying-sorry-destroys-confidence-maja-jovanovic-tedx-trinitybellwoods.html

[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201610/how-your-regrets-can-actually-help-you

A HOME YET TO COME

                                                                       A HOME YET TO COME!

Introduction: On his eightieth birthday, John Quincy Adams was strolling along a Boston street. A friend asked him, "How is John Quincy Adams today?" The former president replied graciously, "Thank you; John Quincy Adams is well, sir, quite well, I thank you. But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. It is tottering upon the foundations. 

Time and the seasons have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out, its walls are shattered, and it trembles with every wind. The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon, but he himself is quite well, sir." That is the attitude we need to have so that when they call home comes, we may say: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 

Whether you are the United States president or a man or woman living in the streets, there will come a day where you will have to vacate your earthly home/tent (your body). When that happens, where would you go? Would you have a home in eternity or become homeless? 

In April last year in Hebrews, we began our study with a message titled, "Has God Spoken to Us? After thirty-three messages, has God stopped speaking? No! He continues to speak. Hopefully, we are paying attention to and hearing a thing or two and mending our ways accordingly. Today we will complete our journey in Hebrews with some concluding themes. 

 In any letter, the concluding or the third part of the note is significant, as it often specifies what action you want the recipient to take. Chapter thirteen is the third part of the letter to the Hebrews, where the author gives his audience final reminders, warnings, and action points. He shares his prayer requests while pointing them to an eternal Home that is Yet to Come. In the end, he leaves them with a practical benediction, which is one of the most beautiful in Scripture.   

I. JESUS IS OUR SPIRITUAL ALTAR  

Vs. 10-13, "We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also, Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So, let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore."

In the Levitical practices, an altar is a significant place. In the Bible, there are over 400 references to altars. It is a place of sacrifice and a point of connection between God and people. The altar, the offerer, and the sacrifice are closely related. With specific offerings, the individual further identifies with the altar and the sacrifice by eating some of the sacrifices.

The Apostle Paul refers to this relationship to an altar while giving instructions to the Corinthians regarding eating meat offered to idols and the Lord's Supper (I Cor 10:18-21). In our passage, the author refers to the Day of Atonement, where the high priest brings the sacrificial animals' blood in a bowl and keeps it on the altar representing Israel's sins. 

The bodies of the animals were burnt outside the tent. Similarly, Jesus became our spiritual altar and the sacrificial lamb that was offered on behalf of our sins. Keeping with the Levitical custom and Roman crucifixion requirements, Jesus was crucified and buried outside Jerusalem city's walls to avoid contracting ritual impurity caused by contact with graves. (Lev 24:14; Nu 15:35 – 36; Dt 17:5). What does it mean that we have an altar today?

Matthew Henry notes, "The Christian Church has its altar. Not a material alter but a personal one, and that is Christ Jesus; he is both our altar and our sacrifice. This altar provides a feast for true believers. The Lord's supper is the feast of the gospel Passover. Those who adhere to the Levitical dispensation or return to it again exclude themselves from this altar's privileges."

The Levitical traditions no longer bind the followers of Christ; therefore, let's not be pressured into celebrating specific Jewish festivals like the Passover or Seder. However, it is worth understanding and reflecting on the significance of the Passover. 

How did the early Jewish Christians, who were many of the audience of the letter of Hebrews, understand Vs. 13, "So, let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore"? "Outside the camp" may imply enduring expulsion from their Jewish community, if need be, to follow the God of Abraham wholeheartedly. What does that mean for Christians of today? 

Jesus bore our disgrace upon himself when he suffered and died on the cross to purchase our salvation. "Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." Romans 12:2

We Christians bear the name of Jesus Christ. Our true identity is in Him. Therefore, let's take the name of Christ on us humbly and responsibly and represent Him well. When we obey His commandments, we may suffer much and even death. When that happens, let us rejoice and be glad because we are identifying with Him. (Mark 13:13; John 15:18–20)

Here is a powerful example of the early apostles how they bore disgrace for Christ. The apostles performed many miracles and healed many; as a result, many believed in Jesus.  That did not go well with the high priest, his officials, and the Sadducees. They put the apostles in prison, flogged them, and let them go with a warning never again to speak in the name of Jesus.

The apostles responded positively to this unwelcomed treatment, Acts 5:41, "The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus." God is looking for faithful followers who are willing to bear disgrace for His namesake. Can God find such people among us today? What made the OT prophets, the heroes of faith, the apostles, and the believers worldwide endure such hardship and disgrace?

II. A HOME YET TO COME  

Vs. 14, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." In other versions, it reads, "we are looking forward to an enduring city to come. I prefer "this translation of a home to a city" in this verse. Let me explain why? Home is a magical word that resonates with us. Even those who have come from broken homes or homes that no longer exist seek to build or make a home for themselves somewhere. That is human longing.  

For the first time when I left my home in 1985, I remember going to a massive city in India to join YWAM. For a lad who grew up in the countryside, going to a city was overwhelming. I felt homesick, missed my mom, dad, brother, sisters, and all that was familiar. 

On a Saturday, I watched the Wizard of Oz, where the young Dorothy with her dog Toto was transported into a magical world. Though she made new friends, explored various adventures, she wanted to go back home, where she was loved, felt safe, and lived happily. 

She didn't realize she all along had the power just right within her to return home until the kind white witch reminded her. "Click your heels together three times and say 'There's no place like home,' and you'll be there." When I heard those words, "there is no place like home, I so badly wanted to go back home that night. What made Dorothy get back home?

It was not the Ruby Slippers, but OBD: her obedience to follow instructions, her belief, and determination to get back home. Though it was a fantasy movie, it conveys a lot of truth. Dorothy's journey can be compared to the journey that many of us take to find something that will fill our hearts and make us truly feel at home. Nothing can fulfill that longing to be home. 

There is so much homelessness these days globally, but there is an even more significant problem, spiritual homelessness. Many are wandering without a spiritual home. It all began with the fall of Adam and Eve. When they were with God, they were home, loved, and secure.

But their sin broke that intimate relationship with God. Since that time, men and women became spiritual wanderers, longing to return to home with God. The further and longer you are away from God, the farther you are away from home. You will remain restless and live-in constant fear and anxiety. You don’t have to live that way; you can come back home with God. 

Jesus came into this world to take us back to our loving heavenly Father and guide us to our heavenly home once again. It was said of him when he came into the world, “the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” A literal translation is, “He tabernacled among us.” 

Once again, the presence of God dwelt among us for a while on the earth. All those who believe in and closely follow Jesus are, in one way, already returned home to be with God. Jesus promised that God would live with those who love and follow His instructions. “My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John 14:23. 

Do you know how big of a promise this is? If you love Jesus and follow his commands, the triune God will come and live with you in your heart. Where God is, there is love, no fear, no threats, no anxiety. One day Jesus will come back and take us all to our eternal home.

John 14:1-3, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you so that you will always be with me where I am.” 

The book of Hebrews' audiences was encouraged to look forward to a permanent home that is yet to come. So, are we! The early persecuted Christians had one word for this longing, Maranatha, an Aramaic word that means “come, O Lord.” It became the standard greeting of the oppressed believers, replacing the Jewish greeting shalom (“peace”) Amen!  

The Unchanging Christ

 

THE UNCHANGING CHRIST

Introduction. The great Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus asserted that "Life is Flux." Panta Rhei in Greek, meaning everything or all things change. There is an absolute truth in it. Everything, everyone, all the time, everywhere is changing. In other words, change is inevitable.

            From the time a child is born every day, he or she changes until death. The governments, politicians, their policies, cultures, and human-made philosophies vary over time. COVID-19 has shown us what change is like in a very demonstrative manner. Even the way we do Church has changed. Who would have ever thought that we would be sitting with masks on a year ago? When everything is all the time changing, is there someone or something that never changes?

            After talking about the Unshakable Kingdom, last week we talked about what it is to be a Kingdom Citizen practically in our day-to-day life. In the passage, we read we will look at a few more practical themes and finally focus on the BIG idea of our study of the book of Hebrews.

            Here are some important themes running through this passage: Remembering those in prison and abused—the sanctity of marriage—the cost of immorality and adultery. Remembering and following our pastoral leaders' faith. Remaining steadfast and The Unchanging Christ.

 

I. IDENTIFYING WITH THE PAIN OF OTHERS

Vs. 3, "Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies." One of the end-time ministries that Jesus would want His Church to be involved is "prison ministries." One way or the other, we got to be mindful and do all we can to reach out to those in prison.

When we minister to those in prison, we are serving Jesus (Matthew 25:36). During my first two years here at Hope Church, I visited one of our Church members in prison in Norfolk. Some of us used to write letters and send books to Eduardo. We prayed and took care of his family. Eduardo and his wife used to tell us how much that meant to their family.

You and I would have no idea what prisoners go through until we are imprisoned and our freedoms are taken away. The author was encouraging the believers to put themselves in the place of prisoners. The prison ministry's impact can be seen in the transformation of late Charles Colson, a convicted former special counsel to President Nixon. In his own words.

"In one sense, I had lost everything power, prestige, freedom, even my identity. In the summer of 1974, as prisoner number 23226 at Maxwell Federal Prison Camp. But in another sense, I had found everything, all that really matters: a personal relationship with the living God. My life had been dramatically transformed by Jesus Christ."[1] Chuck felt led by God to honor a promise he made to remember his fellow prisoners and their families. That promise grew into Prison Fellowship, the world's most prominent prison ministries."

We are to identify and minister to those in prison and those who are being mistreated. The author is inviting us into their place of imprisonment, suffering, and pain. As if we are experiencing it. Is it not how the body works? If one part hurts, the whole body feels the pain.

Similarly, we are to bear the pain of our fellow believers who are suffering around the world. I empathize with those suffering and undergoing physical and emotional pain. Unfortunately, certain sections of protestant Christians in America bought into a bad theology when it comes to pain and suffering. They believe that "financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them. Faith and positive speech will make and keep them healthy and wealthy. It is called prosperity theology. It is harmful, and many are affected by it.

The scriptures teach us to identify with the sufferings of Christ and others; the righteous will have many troubles, but God delivers Him from all, and God is our comfort in the midst of suffering. (I Peter 4:12-13, Psalms 34:19, 2 Corinthians 1:4)

 

II. THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

Vs. 4, "Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge immoral people and those who commit adultery." By looking at the context, the institution of marriage was not kept in high honor, and perhaps several members were unfaithful to their spouses. The author addresses such infidelity and unfaithfulness by reminding them that God will judge immoral and adulterous people.

The subject of marriage may be a sensitive topic, especially for those who have never been married and remained single. There is nothing wrong if you are single. It can be considered as a gift from God. Let me share a few thoughts about the sanctity of marriage.

Marriage is a God-ordained institution from the beginning; it was meant to be only between a man and woman. God performed the first wedding between Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Gen 2: 24-25, "This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." Later this divine institution of marriage was reaffirmed by Jesus.

Mark 10:6-9, "But 'God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together." These scriptures would give us the biblical basis of marriage. Unfortunately, this divine institution came under severe attack in the USA and broadly in the Western World.

The world normalizes same-sex marriages by making them even lawful. Even some churches affirm same-sex marriages, which is contrary to God's Word. “The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” I Timothy 4:1-2.

The Hebrew’s author encourages his audience to honor marriage and warns them against immorality and adultery. The same exhortation and warning apply to us all. I urge single people to exercise self-control and avoid sexual immorality and perversity. Those who are married, honor your marriage by being faithful and committed to your spouse. Honor your marriage vows. Protect the purity of your union. Don’t let the devil tempt you into pornography and adultery.

            I want to touch briefly on verses five to seven. Here we are encouraged not to love money but be satisfied with what we have. We all need money, and money is not necessarily is evil, but the love of money is. Therefore, we are not to love money; instead, we trust God, who has promised never to leave us and provide us with all our needs, so we can say God is our helper.

            When it comes to remembering your spiritual leaders, who teach you God’s Word and following their example, please pray for me. So that every time I open my mouth, I may speak God’s Word boldly with power and anointing. Pray that I will have God’s wisdom. Pray that I will teach the whole counsel of God, and I might be filled with His love, grace, and compassion. 

 

III THE UNCHANGING CHRIST

            Vs. 8-9, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.” Is Jesus truly the unchanging Christ?

Let us check the veracity of the statement that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This statement doesn’t mean that Jesus is rigid, unwilling, and can never change his mind or will. It only means that His presence, nature, teachings, redemptive work, and salvation plan remains the same for generations to come. Jesus truly is the unchanging Christ.

What is the scriptural and external evidence for such a bold assertion? The pre-existence of Jesus. In other words, He always existed. John 1:1-3, “In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.”

            When Moses asked God His name, God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14. After thousands of years in his back-and-forth arguments with the Jews, He clarifies that He was the great I AM. John 8:24,58.

When Jesus was crucified, died, and buried, the devil, the pharmacies, the world, and including his disciples might have thought that was the end of Jesus, and we may never see him again. For the Joy of his disciples and disappointment of his enemies, Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to his eleven disciples and to five hundred more to prove that He lives forever.

After His resurrection, He promised His disciples that He will always be with them even unto the end of the age. In our passage, the author reminds us of God’s promise that He would never leave us or forsakes us. I can give you more evidence that Jesus is the Unchanging Christ.

But with the given evidence of Jesus’ constant presence by the power of His Holy Spirit that resides in us, we can boldly face anything that might come at us. Including human-made philosophies and conspiracy theories. Jesus is alive today. He is here among us, walking by His Holy Spirit. Therefore, let’s cast all our anxiety upon Him because He Cares for us and calms all our fears.  Because Jesus lives forever; we can face the uncertain future with His help, Amen!   

 

 

 

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[1] Charles W. Colson Born Again Introduction page 7