Lazarus

All I wanted to do was leave the building and go about my day. The meeting on the third floor was over, so I gathered my documents and got into the elevator. Pushing the button for the lobby I patently waited as the doors slid shut. Then I did what I suppose most people do in an elevator; I stood there and waited, and waited, and waited. The elevator car had indeed descended to the first floor, but the doors unexpectedly remained shut. Now, after a few seconds you get that feeling that something isn’t quite right. A minute ago everything was normal, but suddenly something was amiss. I’m typically the kind of person that stays calm in situations like this. Much of that is due to my military training, I suppose. So, being the cool-headed guy I am, I did the next logical thing; I hit the “door open” button about fifteen times with increasing force and speed. Can you believe that didn’t work? Okay, I am actually trapped in an elevator, I concluded.

I remembered upon entering the building, located in downtown Beaver Falls, that a receptionist, or security guard, or someone behind a desk in the lobby had greeted me. The next logical thing to do as I stood alone, trapped inside the elevator car was…pound loudly on the doors, right? Those things must be well insulated, because I pounded quite loudly and there was no response. “Ah, the cell phone, dummy,” I said out loud. My hand went to my pocket and I reminded that I had left the phone in the car. I felt like I was in a sitcom.

I stood for a moment pondering my next move. Looking more closely at the elevator’s control panel I spotted a “call” button. It was worth a try. Immediately upon pressing it, I heard some electronic beeping and then a voice, “911 operator, what is your emergency?” I explained my plight and she put in a call to the fire department while remaining on line with me. Once the BFFD was dispatched, the 911 operator started asking if I was okay. “Yes, I am fine,” I assured her; “I’m not claustrophobic served on a submarine.” Some moments later I heard the Fire Department personnel out in the lobby. They too were asking if I was alright and I assured them I was. Within another thirty seconds or so, the doors where pried open and I was set free from my temporary cell.

As we approach Easter 2020, life has suddenly taken some unexpected turns. Obviously there is covid19, but there are other things going on as well. Most of which I seem to have no control over. Let’s face it, any amount of control we think we have is more illusion than reality. This virus illustrates that. Three months ago did any of us see this coming? Recorded in the amazing words of the Bible’s Old and New Testaments are many, many accounts of people who’s lives were suddenly altered for one reason or another. The account we will consider in this blog is one that impacted the final days before Jesus went to the Cross to redeem all who believe. The account begins with someone who was sick and dying; his name was Lazarus. Please stop for a moment, take out your Bible and read John 11:1-37.

There is so much happening in John 11; let’s review some of the main points. Lazarus lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Bethany was like a suburb of Jerusalem. This Mary would later anoint Jesus with oil and wipe His feet with her hair; that can be found in John 12:1-8. Thus, at the time of Lazarus’ sickness in John 11, the anointing had not taken place yet. Remember, the Gospel was written after the events took place, it was not recorded live. Anyway, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, who was some distance away. Upon hearing the news Jesus did not go to Bethany immediately because He and the Father had a different plan. Jesus makes clear in John 11:4 that the end result of Lazarus’ sickness would be God’s glory, not Lazarus’ death. The people needed to learn something about who Jesus is.

Then in John 11:5 Jesus tells His disciples it is time to return. We don’t know how long it was from Lazarus’ initial signs of illness until the sisters sent for Jesus. We do know from John 11:17 that when Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Further, 11:5 states Jesus left where He was two days after the messengers came to Him. You also will note that Jesus’ disciples were concerned about His returning to the area of Jerusalem because the religious and political leaders wanted to kill Him, some out of jealousy (John 12:9) and some out of fear (John 11:41). Regardless, Jesus was returning because the Father was to be glorified.

Meeting Jesus as He returned, Martha expresses her faith in Him as the Christ, the Son of God. She says, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died, but even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

After a short conversation Jesus responds, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Then He asked that all important question, “Do you believe this?”

Martha confirmed her faith and then ran to get her sister Mary who then went out to meet Jesus. She wasn’t alone as she went, for many from Bethany and Jerusalem were there consoling the sisters; they followed Mary. Mary expresses the same belief that if Jesus had been there He could have healed Lazarus. The crowd believed this also according to John 11:17. So Jesus, Mary, Martha, the Disciples, and the crowd all went to the tomb.

Upon arriving at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus instructs some people to remove the stone from the tomb’s entrance and Martha reminds Jesus that her brother had been dead for four days. It would seem that she didn’t really expect what was coming next; she just thought Jesus wanted to see the body. Even if you know this account well, take time to ponder what Jesus said next.

He said, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

This was more about revealing the Father’s glory and that same glory in Jesus as a testimony to all those witnesses, and by extension to you and me as we read this account.

Jesus continued, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me, and I know that You always hear Me. But because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

That’s the other piece, Jesus delayed returning to Bethany until Lazarus had been dead for four days, so that we could believe that He is God the Son who came from the Father and is one with the Father. He is the Christ, God the Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and who has the power over sin and death.

Jesus cried out, “Lazarus, come forth!”

And Lazarus rose from the dead and walked out of that tomb.

Now, is this a promise that Jesus will raise all of our departed loved ones from the grave so that we can have a little more time with them? No. As Jesus said, resurrection to Life is only for those who believe He is the Christ. Furthermore, that resurrection is not now, but in the future when all the dead in Christ will rise (stop again here and read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Those who believe in Jesus now will eventually die physically, unless He returns first. But let me say this, not every tomb is covered by a rock. The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul in Romans that every person has sinned (3:23) and that what we’ve earned in our sin is death (6:23). Without faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no person will get to God except through the Blood of Jesus (John 14:6), there is no forgiveness. Only Jesus’ substitutionary death on the Cross can wipe away our sin and make us accepted to the Father (Ephesians 1:7). Without faith in Jesus we are all walking dead, spiritually dead that is. When we realize and confess that our sin is rebellion against God and His will for us, when we repent of our sin and believe that God the Son died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin, when we realize salvation is only through Jesus Christ, then we too have “come forth” from death into Life.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I was set free from a malfunctioning elevator in Beaver Falls one day, but that is absolutely nothing in comparison to the prison of sin and death my Saviour Jesus freed me from by the grace He gave to me, a grace I truly did not deserve. The similarity is this: as long as you or I insist we are alright, that we have things under control and don’t need any help we will remain trapped in sin, and the wages of sin is death.

If you have never committed your life to Jesus Christ, today is the day. These are troubling times, and today is the day of salvation.

“Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

If you have believed and have committed your life to Him, then know that in these troubling times you need to continue to trust Him and be a witness for Him, now more than ever. Look, I said earlier that Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead had an impact on the following week, the Passion Week, when Jesus went to the Cross. Many people saw Lazarus in the days following his resurrection by the power of Jesus. John 12:9-11 says many came to see Jesus and Lazarus and that the Jewish leaders then plotted to kill Lazarus also, “because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” Lazarus, raised to life from death was a powerful witness to who Jesus is. Jesus’ delay in returning, and His raising Lazarus from the dead brought glory to God by leading many to faith in Him and the redemption of their souls

You, being raised to Life from death are a powerful witness to who Jesus is. People need that witness, open your mouth and let the Holy Spirit speak through you. The time is now.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Mark

Blind Bartimaeus

The walls in our house moved. You could put your hand on them and feel the vibration, but I wasn’t concerned in the least. The sounds of Zach Williams’ song “Stand Up” surrounded and filled not only our home but our souls too. If you haven’t heard the song you can find it on YouTube. The Lord is making some great music through that man and uses it to encourage me often. With so many forces trying to discourage us these days, you and I need some good old fashioned praise to the Lord. I would encourage you to put on some of your favorite praise and worship music this weekend, and everyday for that matter, and let the Lord minister to your soul. He does tell us in Ephesians 5 to be filled with the Spirit, “singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (5:19b). It felt good to lift our hands and give Him praise. I could have done that for hours. Instead, I returned to my computer and started this blog post, but in the back of my mind the sweet melody and uplifting words about giving testimony to the greatness of God reverberated.

As I sat at the computer, I struggled to concentrate on writing because I found myself singing. Focus, Mark, I told myself. I started thinking about people in the Gospels giving praise to Jesus and this is who came to mind: blind Bartimaeus. Three of the Gospels tell of Bartimaeus. Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43 place the account just prior to Jesus’ Triumphal Entry which we celebrate on Palm Sunday and since that is just two weeks away, Bartimaeus is where my mind settled. I turned to Mark 10:46.

He sat along the busy road, but he was utterly alone. To the people around him, he was an absolute nobody. No doubt considered a sinner, undeserving of anyone’s attention, let alone anyone’s care. As I pondered what it would be like to be Bartimaeus sitting there along that road I felt a sudden heaviness, a loneliness. The praise I was feeling before was gone and in its place I could only imagine the hopelessness and emptiness that must have been the place Bartimaeus lived every single day. There was no remedy. No hope of a cure. No way out of the misery. On a different day, Jesus and his disciples passed by another man, blind from birth (John 9). His disciples asked Jesus, “who sinned, this man or his parents?” People considered Bartimaeus worthless; some made themselves feel better by throwing him a few measly mites (pennies) or maybe some old bread. But they cared nothing about the person.

The day had started like any other. Bartimaeus was facing more of the endless darkness, ridicule, and rejection. But this would soon prove to be a day like no other for him. His life was about to be changed forever, literally forever. Jesus was coming down the road.

Accompanying Jesus that day was a great multitude, as was often the case. Bartimaeus heard the tumult, the sound of the large crowd. The number of voices was overwhelming; he couldn’t isolate any one of them in order to understand what was happening. He called out to those around him, “What’s happening, what is the reason for this tumult?” They ignored him at first, I’m sure. They were tying to see for themselves, they had no time for the beggar. Finally, someone threw him a scrap, telling him that Jesus was coming. Jesus, he thought, I’ve heard of Him. Everyone’s heard about Him! Something stirred in him, a hope he had never felt before. Bartimaeus sat up tall, an unfamiliar strength filled his lungs. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people around him told him to be silent, after all, what was this blind beggar doing calling out to Jesus? Bartimaeus was a nobody, less than a nobody, he was considered worthless.

Inside him, the hope that filled his lungs and voice continued undaunted by the rebukes of those telling him to be quiet. He could not be quiet. He cried out again, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” His heart was pounding, his body strengthened; it wasn’t anything he had ever felt before; it was hope. Not hope in some medicine, not in someone who might give him an old piece of bread. No, this was hope centered upon Jesus, the Messiah.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he cried.

The crowd was passing by, never giving any notice except to rebuke his audacious cries, but One at the center of the crowd heard. Jesus stopped. When He did, everyone else did also. Jesus looked in the direction of Bartimaeus who remained on the ground. Jesus commanded for the beggar to come.

“Stand up! Stand up! Bartimaeus. He is calling for you!” they told him.

Bartimaeus’ hope rose to even greater levels even as he leaped to his feet, throwing his cover aside like the dirty, old rag that it was. Someone next to Bartimaeus led him to Jesus. Suddenly, he was face to face with Jesus. While he couldn’t see Jesus, he knew he was standing before the King of Kings. He must have felt a little like the prophet in Isaiah 6, suddenly in God’s presence, completely overwhelmed and feeling utterly unworthy. Then Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Jesus, God the Son, the giver of mercy and grace stopped and stood with the blind beggar. That is the testimony. He cared for the unloved, but for the others too. The masses gathered and followed Jesus because He was a miracle-worker who did what no one else could do, but also because He spoke like no one else spoke (John 6:68-69; 7:46). They had seen him do miracles before. This one, however, would not only testify to who He is, but that He has compassion on the down-trodden and the outcasts. It testified to that crowd and to you and me that no one is worthless in the eyes of Almighty God.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked Bartimaeus.

“Teacher, that I may receive my sight,” the blind man answered in full expectation.

In that very moment, he was not disappointed; everything changed. The eyes that were blind began to see. Light began to shine into the darkness and the darkness fled away. Darkness cannot overcome light, Light overcomes darkness.

“Go your way, your faith has made you well,” Jesus said as Light filled Bartimaeus.

In the words of Zach Williams, “Stand up if you believe in the God of freedom, somebody give Him praise. Stand up if you believe in the name of Jesus, somebody give Him praise. Can I get a witness! Can I get an Amen!” Now imagine yourself as Bartimaeus. His faith in Jesus Christ made him whole. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? If so raise your hands with Bartimaeus and give praise to the King of Kings who has made you whole! He has called you from darkness into the Light, from death into Life, and from utter emptiness into His glorious presence. Can I get a testimony?

You are not defeated. You are not without hope. You are not worthless. You are not alone. According to Ephesians 1, through faith in Jesus, the King of Kings, you are accepted, redeemed through His Blood, granted forgiveness for sin by the riches of His grace. Moreover, He has revealed His will, promises to gather together in one all things in Christ and granted you an inheritance which now includes receiving the Holy Spirit as a guarantee! As blessed as Bartimaeus was that day and afterward, he has nothing on you!

Bartimaeus, a disciple of Jesus, began to follow Him that day as He continued down the road. There is another song by Zach Williams playing in my mind right now; it’s called “Walk with You” (also on YouTube). I can almost hear Bartimaeus singing that song. How about you, what road are you walking? What song are you singing?

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Mark

Week of March 16, 2020

The decision to suspend meeting times for our Prayer Gatherings and Bible Studies has been difficult but one necessitated by the world-wide coronavirus crisis with growing concerns right here in Beaver County. These are unprecedented times for so many of us. There have been international and national health crisis in our lifetimes, but this one has grabbed everyone’s attention more than any others I can remember. We know our government leaders and medical experts tell us we must isolate as much as possible, and as good citizens who care about one another we should honor those instructions. On the other hand, we know that isolation, combined with stressful situations is a breeding ground for discouragement, depression and greater susceptibility to temptation.

As a result of this dilemma, we are pursuing a new course of action. First, Bible lessons will be posted on Wednesdays and Fridays in place of our normal prayer and REAL gatherings. Those lessons will not be posted here, however, they will be on a newly created third blog. This Firstbaptistchurch blog will be used for the Sunday morning message. Second, we will be making phone calls to those interested during our normal meeting times. Thus, on Wednesdays, for example, you can check out the blog anytime during the evening; we will also call you between 7:00 and 8:00pm, the regularly scheduled time of prayer meeting. If you would like to be included in receiving but you haven’t been regularly attending our services, call 724.846.3830 and we will add you to the phone list. You can also email us for the same purpose at firstbaptistchurchnb@gmail.com. Questions or comment can be posted on the blogs or send via email.

Here is a breakdown of what blogs will be used and which lessons you can find on them:

firstbaptistchurchnb – Sunday messages and church announcements

crnewbrighton – Celebrate Recovery lessons

Goddoestherightthing – Wednesday and REAL discussions

Links to these blogs are located on the right-side panel of each blog.

Hope to see you back here on Sunday!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Mark