Who We Are

1. “…In the world, you will have much trouble…” ~John 16:33(b).

To be alive is to know hardship. Life is a series of uneventful epochs, spotted intermittently with hurt and heartbreak, and hopefully, some joy. In this world, there will be trouble.

There is but one hope to overcome the world, which is to follow the one who has already overcome it. Which leads us to the second thing we want you to know.

2. God has overcome the world. 

“I have told you these things so you may have peace in Me. In the world, you will have much trouble. But take hope! I have power over the world!”

God intervened. He “so loved the world that He gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus, son of God, the second person of the triune God, is born as a man. He lives his whole life in sinless obedience to, and communion with, God the Father. He lives the life intended for us, in our place. He is the perfect servant in service to the perfect Master.

Jesus begins his ministry, takes on disciples, travels far and wide to open the eyes of the physically blind, but also the spiritually blind. He wants them to know the he, Jesus, is the way, the truth, and the light. That no man can come to the Father but through him.

He heals the sick. Forgives sinners. He preaches with the authority of God, because he is God. Sinners flock to Him. Sick and diseased cry out to him. He obliges.

The lowly people adore him. The Romans fear him. The religious leaders despise him.

God’s redemptive plan continues to unfold. Jesus, as pre-ordained, is captured by his enemies. They beat him, torture him, humiliate him. Eventually he is nailed to a cross. There he dies a death reserved only for the worst of the worst sinners.

The most important moment in all of history arrives. God the Father has stored up an eternity of wrath against sin, your sin, my sin, the sin of all believers. He unleashes onto the sinless body of his only begotten Son, Jesus. He is the perfect substitute. The wrath meant for us dies with Jesus. Our sin has been atoned for willingly, by an innocent man who chose to die in our place.

The veil in the temple rips asunder. The world goes momentarily black. God’s holy and justified wrath is satisfied. Christ is dead. Punished by God for us. Humiliated by man, for sins could never commit. Our sin ledger is wiped clean. God now deals with us as though we are holy and sinless, even though we are from it. We have become his righteousness, and he is our prize. 

If that were the end of the gospel it would be a tragedy, but it’s final chapter is its most stunning. Three days later Jesus literally conquers death. The grave could not contain him, and so the Son of Man was raised to life! And because our old sinful selves died with Jesus, who were once dead in our sins, were resurrected with him! We are, new creations, perfect in God’s sight, free to pursue holiness out of love for God, instead of fear or guilt.

God the Righteous and Holy Judge, is now our doting Father who loves us, guides us, disciplines us, keeps us from now till eternity.

But we must remember, despite being the beneficiaries of the gospel…

3. The gospel is NOT about us

Yes, Christ washes clean our debt of sin, reconciles us to God, secures us even unto death. When we arrive in Heaven, Jesus himself will receive us as weary veterans; survivors with testimonies of daring, of struggle, and of great joy.

But those testimonies are all about Jesus! It is Him who is daring and courageous when we are frail, weak, fearful. It is Him who is our only strength when we are bent over from the weight of the world. It was His work alone that makes our eternal glory a reality. Our testimonies are of the Savior who conquered Satan, Sin, and Death on our behalf and to our benefit, but, solely for the Glory of God alone.

Soli Deo Gloria!!!!

All of this brings us to our final point.

4. We love you Cross Lanes!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given to the world. We love you so much that we want to share it with you.

The Bible is clear that none of us can find lasting peace on our own. The good news is you don’t have to. God loves you. He has a seat for you at His table, which is brimming with a magnificent feast.

We hope this good news affects you. We hope it brings you to our church to hear and receive this good news personally.

Be blessed Cross Lanes.

See you on Sunday. 🙂