Alive: What Jesus' Resurrection Means for Us

Welcome to the radio ministry at Cleveland church in Henderson. Margo is to make Christ visible Clearview is a place of genuine worship with ministries for all age groups and all people. For more information, visit us at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online@clearviewb.org now join us for this week's message by Pastor Otto Libby begin a brand-new series leading into Easter is called alive what Jesus's resurrection means for us this morning is the first message before we do that. Have you ever had a bad day, but I don't know of anybody who can top the one that we go look at today. He had the worst deal anyone in history. One morning a gang of thieves raided his farm killed all his workers and stole all his farm equipment on the same day. If fire burned up his dairy farm and killed all his employees on the same day a rival business stole all his vehicles and killed all his drivers on the same day his children and their spouses were having a cookout at the older brothers house where they were inside in a tornado ripped through that house toward the house down and killed every one of his children, spouses, grandchildren you can imagine on wiped out his entire family was wiped out.

If that wasn't enough, a couple of days later he was struck with horrible sores all over his body out if you ever had poison ivy poison oak I have.

It's not fun but imagine both of those on steroids. He is so miserable he cannot sit in the house. He cannot lie on the bed. He actually goes outside where nothing can touch him, sits on an ash heap was like powder that's the only thing that he felt would make him feel good, was beside some theological reasons finds a sharp piece of pottery scratches those sores because he has no relief if that wasn't enough. His wife thought she was encouraging him comes to him and says this and the only way you can get relief is to commit suicide.

You know I'm talking about Joe in the message. When you look at today to see that even though he was going through so many trials so many problems were happening to him on the same day, he did find hope in the hope he found was not in himself.

The hope was not in his family or his friends or the fact that life goes through ups and downs, or cycles in things are down but things will look up tomorrow.

He found his hope in the resurrection of his Redeemer, Jesus Christ. You see, the resurrection of Christ is not a stale doctrine always the time of the year. Jesus rose from the grave. It is very relevant.

It was relevant even before Jesus came and now it is just as relevant until he comes again. If you have your Bibles Job chapter 19 starting in verse 23. Job is saying these words all that my words were written all that they were inscribed in a book that they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead for ever. For I know that my Redeemer lives and he shall stand at last on the earth and after my skin is destroyed, this I know that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold, and not another homebuyer hard your words within me trials in life have a way of clarifying things to us. You know when things are going well job is great help this awesome family is getting along.

It is so wonderful. But we don't grow unless we go through trials just like an oak tree is not going to grow unless the sun beats down on it unless it has to dig deep to find water unless the wind blows against it. Unless these things happen that all free will just fizzle out, so also in our lives difficult seasons have a way of taking us deeper with God but I don't know anybody here, I know, not me that we say God bring on the trials I want to go deeper with you that, yes, but if you let the Holy Spirit work in your life. Those trials can mature you.

They can grow you and help you know God, and know Jesus Christ in a way you've never known before the me ask you.

I'm sure all of you have been through trials.

How do you see your trials and been a pastor for almost 20 years, but all kinds of people.

Some people lose heart. They get discouraged.

Some people become cynical to become critical. Coming to charters it would come to church but to become practicing atheists look at everybody around them to look at the pastor. The question his motives look at everybody around them as being so juvenile they only went through what you have been through. Oh, then you know what life is really about the become very pessimistic.

The lose all faith lose all hope the become so stoic.

The become so strong in themselves, nothing moves them anymore but I just describe you this morning. My hope is that as we walked to this message. The Holy Spirit will begin to massage your heart, so to speak, soften your heart so that you can receive the truth. Drop your guard long enough to say, God, what is it what is that you're trying to teach me. You may not be going through trials right this moment, but you've been through so let God bring you back on the road and the road is Christ. We also asked the question, do you know him to the message is great. The message would be working in someone's life. But for you it's going to be irrelevant unless you have asked Jesus to be your savior.

You cannot go to the grave to the empty tomb unless you go by the way of the cross. Have you been to the cross. Have you seen him dying on the cross for your sins and receive him as your Savior, your substitute have you done that. If you haven't done that even before I get on the next point in your heart as Jesus to save you a man asking to save you.

Ask him to come into your life tank him for dying for your sins. Now you are ready for the message. Now you are ready to know the risen Savior. So let's begin. Joe, the Bible tells us that when Joe's friends heard about what was happening to him. They came together they made an appointment to come see him three friends to be exact. The first one was Eliphaz the tenant night Bildad the shoe hide so far the Nama type now. Praise God for friends.

Amen. Praise God for friends who come into our lives and say hey I heard what's happening. I'm very sorry to hear that I'm praying for you what you need. But in job situation. These friends did not bring him comfort.

They cried with him a little bit but then they said words to him that deeply wounded him that took hope away from him. In fact, the first one. Eliphaz he was the older one of the group. He told JoJo you're a good man but I think you lost your way.

That's why these things are happening to you know sometimes people can say that to you. Your good person, but you must have done something wrong.

Not true. The second one. Bildad said hey Joe, you are committing blasphemy because your questioning God you shouldn't be questioning God. Sometimes I hear that among Christians to hey what are you saying why God you should be saying, why not God. Hey listen that's not a Christian idea is okay as a believer to say God why are you have letting this happen to me. God wants you to ask him and then he can say let me tell you what's going on over here or hang in there. My grace is sufficient for you.

This one said hey listen you know why your family died because they must have blasphemed God by questioning him to do the same thing. The third one. So far, he was the most cost to get what I mean by costing very abrasive very sharp tone. He like to say things that pierce your heart and he said to Jill Jill. You either need to repent or die. You must have some sin hidden in your heart and the only way out is for you to repent.

Hey listen very carefully. Sometimes trials come in our lives because of sin, but many times it has nothing to do with sin its life. So when you see somebody going through a tragedy.

Don't start thinking in your mind. They must know something wrong and God is trying to get their attention. Please don't think that it was definitely not the way in Job's life, things happen. So the question again for us is who are you listening to. Sometimes it is things we have heard from family from friends from pastors from teachers that we need to examine in the light of God's word is that true because it is not true is only going to discourage you to stifle you is gonna take hope away from you so reject false views.

What else for the next few minutes I was to focus on how Joe responded to his friends.

He redirected his focus. Listen to what happens here. Job says in verse 23 we just read this passage all that my words were written all that they were inscribed in a book that they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever. What Job is saying here is this what I'm about to say to you, I wish somebody would chisel it on the wall. I wish somebody would open up a parchment and start writing one about to say because when about to say is very very very important. The second reason why Job is saying please write it down is because he may not be around when what he's about to say will come to pass folks sometimes were looking for justice in this life. It may not happen while you live. Many, many years ago a lady came to me she was struggling from abuse growing up from this man, older man and now he was very sick and she told me she said you know it really angers me that he is going to get away with this. And then he died and she was so angry, so frustrated she said I wish in this life that he would've suffered for what he put me through, he destroyed my home he destroyed my marriage if he did all these things because of how he treated me and what all he did to me sexual abuse, death is only a temporary interruption of our physical existence. Life doesn't end at death. You know that right your story is still not complete the final chapter is not done when you in this life. What Job is saying here is this please write it down. I maybe 6 feet under. When this actually comes to pass. What will come to pass.

Job listen to what he says, for I know that my Redeemer lives. John is saying here. I'm go to be in the grave, but please mark my words.

I know I can see through my telescope will be here far away that someone is standing for me someone is living who will speak for me.

His friends were not speaking for him. His family members were speaking for him. No one was speaking for him. Joe says there's no one around here, but I can see through the telescope of history way down there. There is someone who is living who is this someone my Redeemer. Now you need to understand what the word Redeemer means the word is go well now it has several meanings. For example, it can have a criminal meaning in the sense that somebody stole from you.

Somebody kidnapped you your nearest relative has to become your Redeemer, he has to become your coil and go retrieve it for you.

For example, Abraham and Lot member. The four kings of Shinar came in kidnapped him and his whole family took Abraham had to go after him and rescue his nephew for example if somebody kills a person over here. The nearest kin has now the obligation to go, administer justice, find the man who his and take his life not of not revenge, but he has to be the one to redeem his life in of the Bedouins in Israel still do that is why nobody messes with them. Graveyard one of their families coming after you there obligated to, and then I can arrest you can go to the other side of the moon. The gonna find you until the kill you. There is also another meeting here. It's a several meanings like this. If a person died and they lost all their property. The nearest kin has to do whatever he can to redeem your inheritance. For example, Ruth in the Old Testament. She was married to the son of Elimelech and Naomi Elimelech died, Ruth's husband died and then she came back into Israel and then the nearest kin was a man by the name of Boaz. Boaz was now obligated to redeem the inheritance, and how did he do that. He married a Moabite woman and got everything back for the family. So the word Redeemer is not just a random word.

It has deep meaning for the people of Israel. It had even deeper meaning because God was that Redeemer if no one stood for them.

They had one thing for sure God was going to stand for them. For example, in Exodus chapter 6 verse six, God said to Moses, say to the children of Israel. I am the Lord. I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptian those Egyptians have enslaved my people. I am obligated to go down and I will rescue them from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm redeem Jeremiah 50 verse 34 there Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is his name. He will thoroughly plead their case for the Redeemer was not only a institution but for God's people. God is the Redeemer. He is the nearest of kin who will always do what he can to bring things back to you to make things right for you. Listen again to what Job says, for I know that my Redeemer lives through his telescope. He is so far back. He is 2500 years before Christ believe Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Even though his telescope is smudge he can see no one here is to speak for me. No one will speak for me in history.

Because once I'm gone I'll be forgotten, but I can see where down there.

My Redeemer is still there talking about Jesus Christ.

Job didn't understand every detail.

He didn't know that Jesus I don't know if you knew the name Jesus. He didn't see the Romans because there were no Romans. He didn't see a hill called Calvary, because we don't even know at the time it was called Calvary, the Jebusites probably were living there but he saw where down in history in the future that there is one standing who would be his nearest kin. Praise God for you and me, we don't have to look through a telescope. That's all smudge we can just look right here and we can see Jesus Christ clearly dying for us being buried rose again coming back folks. We are so much privilege I want to go back to the time of Job. Do you, but something else. He says here he says he is my Redeemer is Jesus Christ, your Savior, have you ever asked him in your life to be your civic job may not have understood everything about Christ, but he knew this much is gotta be my Redeemer and he is living now to know again of Job understood that he's gonna die and live again. But Job didn't see him dead.

He saw him alive and you and I can back and see that yes he died, but wasn't was about to say what is Peterson accepted to Jesus of Nazareth, whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be held by Job would say, of course, that's I'm living, Paul said in second Timothy chapter 1 therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, who has polished death. Jesus is always living. What is he doing is living to make intercession for us. The writer of Hebrews tells us, but Job's not done. Listen, what else he says he says this time is running away, he shall stand at last on the earth. He sees the Redeemer way down there and he's standing on the earth. By the way, the word for earth can also be dust. I believe this is my opinion, the dust represents Job's graveside in her years ago. It was not just funeral director who would do everything for you. When the service was over.

It would lower the coffin in front of you and you actually through the dust. The dirt on the coffin are any of your member that is is is not done anymore like that it's too painful and that's fine ashes to ashes, dust to dust what Job is saying here is this at last he's gonna stand by my graveside by my polyp dust.

Did you know that it when we talk about the resurrection.

We only thing that Jesus gonna come the trumpet will sound way up there. All the sudden you're like oh I'm here somewhere in the jungle of Africa or I'm over there deep in the ocean. The sharks eat me up and I became whatever forearm will buried somewhere deep in the North Carolina hen and somehow want to hear no did you know that Jesus is, I believe that actually do come to you. Graveside, is how do you know that just like Lazarus went to his graveside and said Lazarus come forth in a beautiful, but he is not forgotten. He knows exactly where every one of his own are buried and was going to do is go to stand on that dust on the ground were buried because it's time for redemption, he is coming to claim back what he has purchased that's not against you, that is for you. Listen to what is says in acts 2028 therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood. Boaz had to purchase everything by his own money. Jesus Christ purchased us by his own blood, which means you and I are doing belong to the grave. We don't belong to death. We don't belong to the enemy or hell or anything because Christ has paid the purchase. He's coming back to retrieve what is his listen again what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 13 but now in Christ Jesus you once were far off have been brought nearby the blood of Christ. Jesus is not some Redeemer is like it's all free salt free is like not paid for that body belongs to me. See what happens now.

Job says in verse 26 and after my skin is destroyed. He can see his skin getting destroyed. But he says one day when my body is in that grave. The warms will destroy it after my skin is destroyed, this I know that in my flesh I shall see God.

Job knows that one day he is coming back to life but did you know that pagans ancient people don't believe there was something after death but didn't believe that your body is going to come back that that is a very unique biblical idea. The same body that you have is a comeback will be glorified and be transformed job is saying this and I see to the telescope. My Redeemer is standing where down there and he is standing by my graveside and I can see him calling my name. And here I come out and I still have my body, but is different, and who is the first person I'm see in my flesh I shall see God first person you not go to see when you come out of the grave is not uncle and aunts and mom and grandma on children or whatever the first person to see many, the gravest Jesus Christ as the Redeemer is the one standing by the grave and he's seeing God as our people wonder is Jesus God or not a ride.

There is are you safe this morning. Are you ready to see Jesus Christ do you want to see him. This is what Job says in verse 27, when I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold, and not another because I know for sure who this person is how my heart yearns within me, means he is longing for that day when he can come out of that grave see his Redeemer know that he is God and he is holy transform these no longer just bones down there. He has a full resurrected glorified body. Just like the Redeemer. Are you looking forward to that day. But if I were in the message here is a depressing message.

You see, we have moved past the need for vindication vindication is set the record straight all of what I've been through. No one understands what I've been through under they took advantage of me. Life wasn't fair to me.

All this happened to me in the end God will set the record straight.

That is guaranteed, but for it Christian.

We don't look forward to the vindication something more has been given to us to do what is something more. Paul tells us this is second Corinthians chapter 5 verse 14 for the love of Christ compels us. Paul, do you want to go back and be like Job is like no, for the love of Christ compels us, because we judged us that if one died for all, and all died means.

If you are in Christ you have died to your old pain you have died to your old trials you have died to where people have mistreated you. It's done.

It's over and he died for all the doors who live should live no longer for themselves but for him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation old things have passed away behold all things have become new. Joe is looking forward to one day all things will be made new. Paul says right now. Old things are passed away. All things are become new job was looking for the telescope. Paul says put the telescope down. Guess what now right now where you are.

You are a new creation. While I still got him to be buried unless Christ comes first in all this could happen. Now I know that but even now you are a new creation in Christ. So what do I do listen to what Paul says not all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ.

I have to look through a telescope for the reconciliation. It has happened and has given us. What has he given us a read with me three words the ministry of reconciliation. What is that mean now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us.

We implore you on Christ's behalf be reconciled to God.

Don't miss what I'm about to say, we live on this side of the cross. We are no longer looking for vindication, but reconciliation. Our job is no longer to say I'm a victim of my circumstances. God is my witness was going to make it right. I am an ambassador of Jesus Christ. My job is to make you right with God. Many Christians are living on the job side of things that one day God's go take care of it and he's been expose people and he is going to set the record straight, but we should be saying forget the record now my job is what to be an ambassador for Christ to reconciled people to Jesus.

The resurrection changes everything. If you are the victim you can have hope.

If you are the perpetrator, seek forgiveness, but if you are in Christ, everything is forgiven. I'm not living for vindication. I'm living for reconciliation. My job is to get you to meet God, thank you so much for joining us for the service. Jesus is alive.

Just like Job, it gives us the hope that one day he will vindicate us. But as believers were not looking for vindication.

We are called right now to live in reconciliation reconciling others to Christ.

For more information visit us online@clearviewbc.org and for today's sermon notes my blog site that I bid on Shaw.com