Revelation 20:11-15  “Is There Any Comfort in Final Judgment? B.C. 37
Rev. Jerry Hoek
 
 
 
Introduction:
            I am going to tell you something today that I know will likely appall some of you.  I suspect that some of you will think I’m wrong and you will simply not understand how I can do what I do and why I do it.  Nonetheless, here it is: I will often read the last chapter of a book to find out what happens in the end.  More than that, if I’m watching a movie, I don’t mind knowing how it ends!  For me, knowing the ending makes the story that much better.  If it’s a good story, just going through the story itself is great and knowing how it ends can  make me savor the plot even more.
            The Bible tells us the story of mankind’s salvation, sometimes called the history of redemption.  And this is one of the things I like about it: we know the ending!  Now, granted that there are still many details and specifics that we are not aware of at this point.  I’m content to let many things remain a mystery, but the bottom line is that God has won the victory and ultimately, all things will be made right, whole and perfect once again.
            Today as we conclude our study of the Belgic Confession, we look at the final chapter in history: the final judgment.  Where does all of what the Bible teaches lead up to?  The day of final judgment is when we will be judged by God.  Let’s read Revelation 20:11-15.
 
I. The Setting of Judgment                       
II. The Judgment Process
III. The Life Everlasting      
IV. What Do We Do With Final Judgment?
 
 
I. The Setting of Judgment is described in verse 11.
            First, John directs our attention to a great white throne.  In chapters 4-5, throne room was described as being surrounded by choirs celebrating the victory of the lamb.  Now the throne is described simply, but full of majesty and glory.  The throne’s great size represents the authority of God in that He has all authority to judge all people.  Its shining appearance reflects the intense glory of God.  Now God, the creator and ruler of all things, is sitting on the throne and is about to pronounce judgment.
            The scene is so great that the earth and sky flee from God’s presence.  The earth and sky represent this present earth and age.  They are corrupt and contaminated with sin.  They cannot stand to be in the presence of God in this time of judgment so they must flee.
            “There was no place for them,” means that they passed from existence.  Isaiah 51:6 speaks of a time when the earth will vanish like a garment and the heavens like smoke.  The old order must make way for the new heaven and earth.
            This then is the setting for the final judgment.  God is on His throne in all His splendor and majesty and it is time for the new heavens and new earth.  Former congressional representative Lynn Martin once said, “No matter what your religion, you should try to become a government program, for then you shall have everlasting life.”  This is more than just life that keeps on going without ending.  The end of this present age has now arrived; now all people will be judged.  That is what the first paragraph of Article 37 says: “Finally we believe, according to God’s Word, that when the time appointed by the Lord is come (which is unknown to all creatures) and the number of the elect is complete, our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, bodily and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty, to declare himself the judge of the living and the dead.  He will burn this old world, in fire and flame, in order to cleanse it.”
 
II. Next the Judgment Process is described.  There are several things to note here in verses 12-13.
            First is that all people must come before God’s judgment throne.  Verse 12 says that the dead, both great and small stood before the throne.  Everyone must stand before God the judge.  Bank robbers, rapists, sexual abusers and dictators.  Elders, deacons, ministers and all those who led exemplary lives.  Kings and presidents all the way to the helpless refugees.  All must stand before God, great and small.
            John says that even the sea will also give up her dead.  In those days, when a person died it was said that when your body went to the grave, it went to Hades, the place of the dead.  Those who died at sea couldn’t be buried and so it was believed that they weren’t in Hades.  No matter what happens to a person’s body, that person will stand before God.  The point is that at the time of judgment, all believers or unbelievers, must stand before God.
            That is the point of the second paragraph of Article 37: “Then all human creatures will appear in person before the great judge; men, women, and children, who have lived from the beginning until the end of the world.  They will be summoned thereby the voice of the archangel and by the sound of the divine trumpet.  For all those who died before that time will be raised from the earth, their spirits being joined and united with their own bodies in which they lived.  And as for those who are still alive, they will not die like the others but will be changed ‘in the twinkling of an eye’ from ‘corruptible to incorruptible.’”
            What happens then?  Books are opened that contain everything a person has ever done in his life.  Needless to say, there is enough evidence in those books to convict us and lock us up for eternity.  The point is that we will be judged according to our deeds.  That is something that is taught throughout the Bible.  Psalm 62 says that God judges a man according to his works.  Romans 2:6 says God will render to every man according to his works.  1 Peter 1:17 says that God will judge each one impartially according to his deeds.  The basis of God’s judgment is what every man, woman and child has done with his or her life.
            Article 37 continues:   “Then ‘the books’ (that is, the consciences) will be opened, and the dead will be judged according to the things they did in the world, whether good or evil.  Indeed, all people will give account of all the idle words they have spoken, which the world regards as only playing games.  And then the secrets and hypocrisies of men will be publicly uncovered in the sight of all.”
            Now I don’t know about you, but to me that can be a scary thought!  I think of the things I did when I was young.  I think of the things I still do now that I know are sinful.  We can pretend to think that we are pretty good people, but when we stop to think about it, we wouldn’t stand a chance before God as judge!
            But then John mentions another book; the book of life is now opened.  This is the book containing the names of those who have eternal life, all who believe in Jesus Christ.  That is the ultimate “Who’s Who” book.  You can be listed in all kinds of books on earth.  You can be listed in “Who’s Who” or any other prestigious book.  I’m mentioned, even quoted in a book by an author from Pella,.  You can even write your own book and have it be a best-seller.  But if your name is not written in that book of life in heaven, it doesn’t mean a thing!
            Because if you are not listed in the book of life, what happens?  Well, according to verse 15, you are thrown into the lake of fire.  That is hell and that is not where we want to be.  We need to be listed in that book of life!
            How do you get in that book?  Believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was for all the terrible things that you have done that are written in those other books.  Confess your sins, believe in Jesus and you are in the book of life.
            Now maybe heaven or hell may seem to be too hard a distinction.  But that is simply what the Bible teaches and we had better come to grips with it.  Those who believe are saved; those who do not accept Christ go to hell.
            Listen to what the next paragraphs say in Article 37.
            “Therefore, with good reason the thought of this judgment is horrible and dreadful to wicked and evil people.  But it is very pleasant and a great comfort to the righteous and elect, since their total redemption will then be accomplished.  They will then receive the fruits of their labor and of the trouble they have suffered; their innocence will be openly recognized by all; and they will see the terrible vengeance that God will bring on the evil ones who tyrannized, oppressed, and tormented them in this world.”
                        “The evil ones will be convicted by the witness of their own consciences, and shall be made immortal; but only to be tormented in the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  In contrast, the faithful and elect will be crowned with glory and honor. The Son of God will ‘confess their names’ before God his Father and the holy and elect angels; all tears will be ‘wiped from their eyes’; and their cause; at present condemned as heretical and evil by many judges and civil officers; will be acknowledged as the ‘cause of the Son of God’.”
 
III. Let’s look more specifically at what The Life Everlasting is like for those who believe.
            Verse 14 says that death and Hades are thrown into the fire.  What does that mean?  It simply means that it is the end of death.  Together death and Hades symbolize the effects of sin and wickedness that entered the world through the sin of the first man.  Death is the last enemy which is now disposed of so that it leaves no further obstacle to the eternal reign of God.  Now the last trace of sin is done away with completely.
            At the Judgment Day, the full and final victory will be achieved.  Then those whose names are written on book of life will never again face death.  The beauty of  this is seen in the last paragraph in Article 37: “And as a gracious reward the Lord will make them possess a glory such as the heart of man could never imagine.  So we look forward to that great day with longing in order to enjoy fully the promises of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
            We don’t know what the new heavens and the new earth will be like.  But it will be far, far better than anything we can possibly imagine.  One young mother named Sandra Cox told of a time while leaving her small-town carnival, her sons, ages six and two, were walking hand-in-hand behind she and her husband. They overheard Tyler tell his younger brother, Cory, ‘This is what heaven is like — except it’s free!’”  We don’t know exactly what heaven will be like, but it will be a wonderful place!
            But for now, of course, people still die in this world.  And that pain of death is very real and very painful.  Even though we look forward to the resurrection, we are still reminded of the ugliness of death.  Eternal life cannot be experienced until death itself is banished, but the good news is that THAT DAY IS COMING!
            C.S. Lewis writes, “God knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive.  Keep on.  Do what you can.  One day he will give you a new one.”  That day is the final judgment day when we will receive a new and far better “machine,” a machine in which we can spend eternity.
            But in spite of the future, our death can still be a frightening thing.  When John Todd, a 19th century minister was 6, both his parents died.  A kind-hearted aunt raised him until he left home to study for the ministry.  Later, this aunt became seriously ill, and fearing death, she wrote Todd a letter.  Would death mean the end of everything, or could she hope for something beyond?
            He wrote back:
            “It’s not 35 years since I, as a boy of six, was left alone in the world.  You sent me word that you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me.  I have never forgotten the day I made the long journey to your house.  I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant, Caesar, to fetch me.”
            “I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on your horse and clinging tightly to Caesar, I rode off to my new home.  Night fell before we finished the journey, and I became lonely and afraid.  ‘Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?’ I asked Caesar.  ‘Oh no!’ he said reassuringly, ‘She’ll stay up for you.  When we got out these woods, you’ll see her candle shining in the window.’”
            “Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle.  I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close around me – a tired and bewildered little boy.  You had a fire burning in the hearth, a hot supper waiting on the stove.  After supper you took me to my new room, heard me say my prayers, and then sat beside me till I fell asleep.”
            “Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home.  Don’t fear the summons, the stranger journey, or the messenger of death.  God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago.  At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God’s care.”
            That is what we who believe in Jesus can look forward to as well.
 
IV. The final question is, What Do We Do With Final Judgment right now?
            First, let’s recognize that the thought of people spending eternity in hell should not be easy for us.  God says that He wants no one to perish, but all to be saved.  Sadly, many reject the offer of grace and are punished for their sins.  We should not dismiss them lightly to hell.
            Nor should we view this as our chance to get even with sinners.  Hell is not the Christian’s chance to make us feel better for the wrongs that we may have suffered.
            I’ve always been struck by what happens at highly public executions.  Some gather outside the prison walls, cheering, celebrating the fact that the one who had hurt them by taking away their loved one was going to die.  The guilty person was finally getting what was coming to them.  We should not succumb to such an attitude, especially about eternal punishment.  The thought of someone eternally cut off from God should fill us with sadness.
            Second, the final judgment should help us to become humble ourselves.  Remember that we are all listed in the books that list all the sins and offenses against God.  It’s not like there are two rosters of people, one in the book of life, one in the book of deeds.  Every single person is listed in the books of deeds of all the rotten things we have done.  It is only by God’s grace that we have our names listed in the book of life.
            Those listed in the book of life should be struck by a profound sense of humility and gratitude.  Not arrogant pride in what they have accomplished, but genuine humility that God should have worked in their hearts to prompt them to accept the grace offered to them in Jesus.
            Third, let’s remember that at the final judgment we will have to give an account for everything we do.  And so let’s think carefully about the way we act and what we do.  We cannot have the attitude that it doesn’t matter what I do on earth as long as I believe in Jesus.  If we persist in sin, what does that say about our relationship with the one who has saved us?  We must allow the Spirit to work in us, helping us to become stronger disciples of Christ so that we can do the things that Jesus wants us to do.
            Finally, the final judgment should motivate us to have an attitude of urgency.  There are many people today who do not know Jesus as their Savior.  How can we idly stand by when they are heading to the lake of fire?  Our sense of compassion, Christ’s sense of compassion should be fill us, should move us to share the gospel with unbelievers so that we can have an opportunity to share the love of God with them.  We must support those who are actively working with those who don’t yet believe so that more can be reached.  Judgment day should move us to proclaim the gospel with urgency.
            The bottom line is critical for us and for others.  We are not just playing church here, not just going through the motions.
            During the Arab-Israeli war 1967 a reporter was flying over the Sinai desert with an Israeli officer, and they spotted fifty thousand stranded Egyptian soldiers who were dying of thirst.  When the situation was reported in the newspapers, a number of world leaders and organizations tried to do something to help. But every time a plan was suggested, some military, diplomatic, or bureaucratic obstacle prevented its being carried out.  By the time help came, thousands of the soldiers had died.
            How tragic it is for churches to spin their wheels in programs and committees while thousands around them are desperately in need of the spiritual water of the Word.”  We are talking about eternal destinies of life and death.
            Let’s thank God for the eternal life that is promised to those of us who believe in Jesus.  Are we working as hard as we can to share that news with others?
 

Romans 13:1, 5-7 

“The Christian and Government” B.C. Article 36

Rev. Jerry Hoek
 
 
Introduction:
            I thought I’d begin this morning by telling you who I am planning on voting for in this fall’s presidential election and why. Moreover, I thought I’d tell you why it’s important that you vote for the same person and why.   Now, those of you who know me, know that this is something I have never done and will most likely never do.
            But what do we do with the government?  Some Christians have simply given up on the process.  They just want the government to leave them alone or they have become very cynical about the whole thing. People can carry on a conversation about many different topics with a general positive tone.  However, as soon as any aspect of government comes up, a positive conversation quickly turns cynical.  We and we tend to have a bad attitude toward the government.
            So it is very interesting to read what the Bible says about how Christians should view government.  Romans 13 should challenge our thinking about paying taxes and government in general.  Read Romans 13:1-7.
 
I. The Basic Principle of Government    
II. Motivations for Obeying the Government
III. Paul’s Application for Obedience      
IV. How Should We View the Government?
 
I. The Basic Principle of Government
            First it is important to understand the setting of the church at that time.  At this point, the relationship between the church and the Roman Empire was a good one.  The empire had allowed the Jews to maintain pretty much their own religious lifestyle.  The Romans viewed Christianity as a variation of the Jewish religion and treated it with tolerance.
            However, it was only a matter of time before Rome became one of the chief persecutors against the church.  That persecution and antagonism against the church is reflected in parts of the book of Revelation.
            Paul however, does not write that they should obey the government because it has been good to them.  Paul deals with the issue of the Christian and government on strictly a theological level.  He does this because this was especially important to these Christians living in Rome.  It would be the same as if Paul today would write a letter to the churches in Washington D.C. telling them how they should view the government that is centered there.  It was an issue of immediate concern for the Christians in Rome.
            It is also an issue of concern for us for we Christians can have a confused view of government.  In an article in Christianity Today several years ago, Don Ratzlaff wrote:  “If Jesus is Lord then he must also be Lord of our politics. That’s an unarguable Christian truth — that everybody argues about. … Too many of us Christians confuse political convictions with spiritual convictions. Insecure with ambiguity, we assume people of one Lord, one faith and one baptism must also promote one political agenda. That assumption leads the church into trouble. First, it prompts us to make judgments about people that ought to be left to God. … Second, when the church confuses spiritual and political convictions it is tempted to use political power to forward a ‘spiritual’ agenda.”
            We need to hear the basic principles that Paul teaches in this chapter.  The basic principle Paul gives is simply that everyone should submit to the government.  Paul includes the whole range from the emperor down to the local mayor.  They should do what the government tells them to do.  They should also be loyal to the government rulers over them.
            Why must they submit?  Simply because they have received their authority from God.  Government is a natural extension of God’s providence as He rules over all.  In order to protect His creatures from unrestrained sin, God provides the people with civil rulers just as he provides sun and rain for the good of His people.  Government is a tool of God’s grace and care.
            The main principle is that God has given authority to governments so that evil may be restrained in this world.  This is what the first part of Article 36 says:  “We believe that because of the depravity of the human race our good God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers.  He wants the world to be governed by laws and policies so that human lawlessness may be restrained and that everything may be conducted in good order among human beings.”
 
II. What are the Motivations for Obeying the Government?  Romans 13:5 gives two motivations.
            The first is the fear of being punished.  This is certainly a valid reason.  The government exercises and reflects God’s authority and so it should be obeyed.  Therefore, it follows that if a person disobeys the government, he can expect to be punished by means of the government’s power.
            God will use the sword of the government to maintain order in the world.  Article 36 of the Belgic Confession continues: “For that purpose he has placed the sword  in the hands of the government, to punish evil people and protect the good.”
            But more importantly for Paul is obeying the government for conscience’ sake.  In other words, Christians should obey the government because it is a positive way of serving the Lord.  One should submit because of the believer’s relationship to God.  It is God’s will that a believer submit himself to the authorities which God, in his providence, has placed over him for the subject’s good.
            And again, verse 6 says that the state is in fact a servant of God.  The word for servant here is one which is almost always used in religious, not governmental settings.  In the Bible it is used to describe the priests who served in the temple.  Paul calls himself a minister or servant of Christ to the Gentiles.  The word means a servant, a person specially chosen by God to serve Him in this world.
            The rulers in Rome, whether they knew it or not, were not serving the emperor but were serving God.  They owed their authority to God.  Because of this, Paul says that Christians should submit to them.
            This is reflected in the next part of article 36 of the Belgic Confession.  It says: “And being called in this manner to contribute to the advancement of a society that is pleasing to God, the civil rulers have the task, subject to God’s law, of removing every obstacle to the preaching of the gospel and to every aspect of divine worship.  They should do this while completely refraining from every tendency toward exercising absolute authority, and while functioning in the sphere entrusted to them, with the means belonging to them.  They should do it in order that the Word of God may have free course; the kingdom of Jesus Christ may make progress; and every anti-Christian power may be resisted.”
            The purpose of government is a tool in God’s hands to remove obstacles to the preaching of the gospel and to further the kingdom of God.
            But you may ask, “What if they are doing things that God does not approve of?”  Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.”  But what if Caesar claims more and claims what is really God’s?  What if the authorities are unrighteous and evil?
            What are we to do in those situations where we believe the government is wrong?  What if the government says that we should fight in an unjust war?  What if the government says that we should neglect the weak?  What if the government forbids the worship of God and says that the state is “god” in our lives?  What if the government says that certain things like abortion, racial injustice and discrimination are fine when we as Christians say that they are wrong?
            I think Paul would say Christians that should try to remain loyal to the state.  Certainly, when the values clearly conflict, then the Christian must say no and serve God rather than man.  But their “no” will be that much more effective if in all other things, their “yes” has been overwhelmingly heard.
            We are very good at saying “no” to a many things the government does.  The government may be wrong in many things.  If the government does something that is wrong, we are very good at letting them know about it.
            But we need to be more emphatic in saying “yes” to the good the government does.  When congress passes a good law, do we let them know that they have done well?  If they succeed in promoting good values in our society, do we let them know that we approve?  If we support the good as much as vocalize against the negative, our “no’s” would be that much more effective.  We need to work with the government in a positive way as well as negative.
III. What is Paul’s specific application for obedience?
            The basic guideline as to how to obey the government is simply, “Give everyone what you owe him.”  Because government leaders and rulers are ministers of God in positions of authority, they can expect certain things from those whom they lead.  We should expect to give them certain things so that they can fulfill their ministry from God.
            First, Paul says that we are to obey the government externally.  Specifically, Paul says we are to pay taxes if we owe taxes; revenue if revenue is due.  Taxes were things like our income taxes and property taxes.  Revenue would be a source of income for the government that would be similar to customs and tariffs on manufactured and imported goods.
            We must show our obedience by supporting the government in a physical way. Promoting good and restraining evil can cost a great deal of money.  It is important that Christians support this fully.
            Since the government often doesn’t realize that it is a means of God’s rule, it is possible that the powers of evil could take root.  If Christians are involved in the government by voting and paying taxes, this may not be as likely.  We must support the government financially so that God can use this tool to restrain evil, and also expand and further the kingdom.
            Second, we are to obey internally with our attitude.  Paul says, “Give respect if respect is due and honor if honor is due.  We should respect and honor our leaders not because they wield the power and influence that could further our cause.  Rather we respect our leaders because they have been appointed by God.
            To treat them with less then their due of honor is to dishonor God.  Now we have to admit that some politicians are not worthy of a great deal of honor.
            The Dallas Morning News recently reported on Carrollton, Texas, Mayor Becky Miller, whose interesting list of claimed accomplishments was investigated when she ran for reelection.  Her campaign materials say she went to Western  Kentucky University, but the university has no record of her.  She said she was a backup singer for Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, and was engaged to Eagles singer Don Henley. When all said they didn’t know Miller, she claimed they were mistaken and said, “Maybe I was going by a different name. Did you think about that?”
            Miller has said she had a brother who was killed in the Vietnam war. After her father said that his son is still alive, and never fought in Vietnam, Miller claimed her father has Alzheimer’s and “He can’t remember tomorrow.”  Reporters found her brother, but he refused to comment. Miller then explained the brother she was referring to was “not my blood brother,” but she refused to provide his name.  Voters weren’t impressed with her explanations: Miller was defeated in her reelection bid.
            We must admit that some leaders don’t deserve a lot of respect.  However, as servants appointed by God, they are due all the respect, obedience and honor that anyone in authority should have.
            Paul’s point here is that we must submit in both our actions and our attitudes.  It is not enough to simply pay our taxes to the government.  You and I likely pay our taxes but grumble about the government.  However, Paul is saying that this is not right for we should support them in our attitude as well.
            Moreover, it is meaningless to say that we honor our leaders and respect them but not pay any taxes.  A young second lieutenant at Fort Bragg discovered that he had no change when he was about to buy a soft drink from a vending machine.  He flagged down a passing private and asked him, “Do you have change for a dollar?” The private said cheerfully, “I think so, let me take a look.”  The lieutenant drew himself up stiffly and said, “Soldier, that’s no way to address an officer. We’ll start all over again. Do you have change for a dollar?”  The private came to attention, saluted smartly, and said, “No, sir!”
            Words must be backed up with action or else the words are meaningless.  Remember, our leaders are God’s ministers!
 
IV. How then Should We View the Government today?
            The Belgic Confession lists 4 important ways that reflect these verses here:  Moreover everyone, regardless of status, condition, or rank, must be subject to the government, and pay taxes, and hold its representatives in honor and respect, and obey them in all things that are not in conflict with God’s Word, praying for them that the Lord may be willing to lead them in all their ways and that we may live a peaceful and quiet life  in all piety and decency.
            We must pay our taxes just as Paul said, and even when we don’t like it or like the way the money is used.  We must also honor and respect our leaders in government for God rules through these people.  How about writing our congressmen to thank them for their work?  We should try to curb our cynicism and try to think of our leaders more positively.
            We must obey in all things except when it is contrary to the word of God.  Again this is a very difficult area.  Should Christians have been involved in a plot to kill Hitler?  Should the Dutch have hidden the Jews when the Nazis came looking for them?
            Any civil disobedience must be done very thoughtfully and carefully.  John Calvin says that even when rulers are wrong and unjust, our main position should be one of prayer and patience.  We may, in fact, be being punished for our sin.
            Yet there are times when it is necessary to disobey.  When a ruler commands you to do what is contrary to God’s Word or forbids you to do something that God commands you to do, you must disobey.  There is a place for revolution in order to allow other leaders the chance to govern justly.
            And we must continually pray for our leaders.  They need God’s wisdom and strength to lead in the right way.  We should be continually praying that they may accurately reflect the desires and will of the One who placed them there.  I challenge us to pray for our leaders even when we have doubts about them.
            Beyond these things, the church must be a prophetic voice in our world.  The church must support and work for the good in government.  And the church today must speak out against the wrong in the government.
            Ernest Campbell offers an analogy of a canary in a mine.  He writes: “For years it was common practice in mining to take a canary down into the mine.  The canary with its sensitive breathing mechanisms could detect early any poisonous gasses that might be seeping in.  When the miners stopped hearing the canary sing and saw its body topple to the bottom of the cage, they know that they had to get out.”
            Neal Plantinga comments on this analogy by saying, “When we, the church, speak strongly to our government about abortion, civil rights, war, prison reform, pornography, freedom of education, and other issues, we perform the ‘canary function.’  We act as a kind of early warning system.”
            Let’s try not be cynical about government, even though it is easy to do.  Rather let’s support our leaders so that God’s kingdom may be advanced even through them.

John 6:52-58
“Jesus:  The Bread of Life”
Rev. Jerry Hoek
 
Introduction:
            We had pizza last night for supper.  It is in fact a family tradition that we almost always have pizza on Saturday nights.  Last week Saturday, however, we had pizza but it was different.  It was our son’s birthday and he requested that we have pizza as well.  Now the birthday pizzas were a bit more elaborate than the usual ones we make, but what made that pizza dinner special was the fact that we were celebrating a birthday.   It was similar food, but it was a different and special occasion.
            A bit later on this morning, we will eat and drink together.  First, it will be with the bread and juice that you see up here.  Later on, we will gather together for a meal in the fellowship hall.  In both cases, we are eating and drinking, but the first eating and drinking is far more significant.  What happens when we eat this bread and drink the cup?
            This morning we continue our study of the Belgic Confession by looking at the article on the Lord’s Supper.  In this article we see what it means for us to celebrate communion.  We also will be looking at something that Jesus said in John 6:52-58.  This is one of those sayings of Jesus that are very difficult to understand.  While Jesus is not speaking directly of celebrating the Lord’s Supper, what he says about eating his body and drinking his blood has a lot of significance for us as we consider the Lord’s Supper today.  Let’s read John 6:41-59.
 
I. The Controversy                            
II. Eating Flesh, Drinking Blood
III. The Essence of Life                       
IV. Eating and Drinking Today
 
I. The Controversy
            First, a bit of historical background may help us understand this article of the Belgic Confession here.  When the Belgic Confession was written in 1561, there were two main Christian groups in Europe:  the Roman Catholics and the Protestants.  Within the Protestant camp, there were 3 main views with respect to the Lord’s Supper.  Let’s look at these main views of what happens in the Lord’s Supper.
            The first view is the Roman Catholic view.  This view, called “transubstantiation,” holds that the bread and wine are changed into the actual and literal flesh and blood of Christ.  The taste, texture and color of the bread and wine remain the same.  However, at the moment in the mass when the priest says, “hoc est corpus meum” these elements become the actual body and blood of Christ.  Now this is an admittedly simplified view; nonetheless, it remains the official teaching of the church.
            A second view is that of Martin Luther.  This view is called “consubstantiation” and is somewhat similar to the Roman Catholic view.  In this view, Christ is present “in, with and under” the elements of the bread and wine, but it does not literally become the body and blood of Christ.  By eating the bread and drinking the cup, you do receive Christ into yourself in a way that is unique.  Luther, with the Roman Catholics, looked to John 6 as proof for their views.
            Then there is the view held by Ulrich Zwingli.  What is often taught as a Zwingliin view is often misunderstood.  Many think of Zwingli’s view of the Lord’s Supper as being a memorial service with visual aids.  There is no presence of Christ at all.  The problem is that Zwingli’s view was more complex than that.  He did believe that Christ was present spiritually in the Lord’s Supper.  He believed that the Lord’s Supper was also a sign of what God is doing for the believer in the sacrament.  But the emphasis remains on remembering the past event of Christ’s death.
            The Belgic Confession  reflects the view of John Calvin.  Article 35 of the Belgic Confession states:
            To represent to us this spiritual and heavenly bread Christ has instituted an earthly and visible bread as the sacrament of his body and wine as the sacrament of his blood.  He did this to testify to us that just as truly as we take and hold the sacraments in our hands and eat and drink it in our mouths, by which our life is then sustained, so truly we receive into our souls, for our spiritual life, the true body and true blood of Christ, our only Savior.
            We receive these by faith, which is the hand and mouth of our souls.  Now it is certain that Jesus Christ did not prescribe his sacraments for us in vain, since he works in us all he represents by these holy signs, although the manner in which he does it goes beyond our understanding and is uncomprehensible to us, just as the operation of God’s Spirit is hidden and incomprehensible.
            Yet we do not go wrong when we say that what is eaten is Christ’s own natural body and what is drunk is his own blood; but the manner in which we eat it is not by the mouth but by the Spirit, through faith.  In that way Jesus Christ remains always seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; but he never refrains on that account to communicate himself to us through faith.  This banquet is a spiritual table at which Christ communicates himself to us with all his benefits.
            Calvin’s view reflects the teaching that Christ is indeed very much present in the sacrament.  He is not bodily present in the elements, but still very much present.
            Moreover, something very specific happens when we eat and drink.  We don’t take Christ’s physical body into our own.  Yet through this we receive present Spiritual nourishment.  We want to look at what Jesus says in John 6 so that we may understand what is happening when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
 
II. Jesus here is speaking of Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood.
            This discussion between Jesus and the Jews arises out of the feeding of the 5,000 people with the five loaves and two fish.  The people thought this miracle was great!  They wanted to know if Jesus could do this on a regular basis.  Moses, after all, did this for them in the wilderness.  They wanted Jesus to do it as well.
            But Jesus answers, “If you want bread, here I am!”  Jesus says that he will give Himself as Bread for the people.  Jesus will nourish them, but in a way that was far different than what they could have imagined.
            Jesus says in verses 51-58 that they must eat his flesh.  Notice the different words Jesus uses here for “eat.”  The word in verse 53 is the word for “to dine” or “eat supper.”  However, the word He uses in verse 54 is a different word that implies the more specific act of eating.  It has the more active meaning of to “munch or chew” on something.  For example, “We ate steak at the restaurant, but it was so tough, we had to chew and chew!”  Jesus is saying that the people must chew and take in His flesh.
            No wonder this was such a hard thing for the Jews to accept.  Already in verse 52, they were wondering how Jesus could give His flesh to them to eat.  This is impossible!  But Jesus doesn’t stop there.
            He becomes even more vivid and says they must also drink His blood.  Now this would be especially abhorrent to the Jews!  They could not even have any blood left in the meat of the animals they ate.  Now Jesus says that they were to drink his human blood?  This was totally unthinkable to them!
            Now what does Jesus mean here?  Obviously, Jesus is not promoting a form of cannibalism, although to an unbeliever, it may sound like that.  In fact, that was one of the charges brought against the early Christians:  “They are eating human flesh and drinking blood!”  The Roman Catholics would say that yes, we are actually eating the body and blood of Christ, just in a different form.
            However, we must realize that when Jesus is speaking of giving His flesh and blood to eat, He is referring to his own sacrificial death on the cross and how we may benefit from that.  His flesh and blood refer to His body hanging on the cross and his blood spilling on the ground.  Jesus would feed his people through His death on the cross.
            After missionary Jonathan Goforth had spoken in a chapel in southern China, a man asked to talk to him. He said “I have heard you speak three times, and you always have the same theme. You always speak of Jesus Christ. Why?”  Goforth replied, “Before answering your question, let me ask, ‘What did you have for dinner today?’”  “Rice,” replied the man.  “What did you have yesterday?” “The same thing.”  “And what do you expect to eat tomorrow?” “Rice, of course.  It gives me strength.  I could not do without it.  Sir, it is __“ the man hesitated as if looking for a strong word.  Then he added, “Sir, it is my very life!”  The missionary responded,  “What you have said of rice, Jesus is to our soul!  He is the ‘rice’ or ‘bread of life.’”     That becomes more clear when we look at the theme of life found throughout these verses.
 
III. The Essence of Life gives the key to what Jesus means.
            Note first of all the references to life.  In verse 53, Jesus says if you don’t eat His flesh and drink his blood, you are dead.  You won’t have life within you.  On the other hand, as we see in verse 54, if you do eat and drink, you will not only live, you will have eternal life.
            Moreover, verse 57 says that this life comes from the Father who sent Jesus.  The life we have is divine life from God Himself.  So when we eat and drink, we are united with Christ and the Father.  Even more, verse 54 says that the resulting life that Jesus’ flesh and blood will bring will guarantee that you will be raised up on the last day.  Life from Christ means not only life now, but life after death.  Jesus’ point is this:  If you believe in Jesus, if you accept His sacrificial death on the cross as being for you, you will have life.
            But why does Jesus use such graphic pictures to describe belief in Him?  First, He wanted His followers to realize what it means to believe in Him.  It is more than just agreeing with a set of beliefs or subscribing to a set of propositions.  We must take Him into our life as if we ate and drank Him.  He becomes one with us.
            Secondly, Jesus also wishes to emphasize just how much it cost Him to give us life.  Some people think very little of Christianity because there is no work required on the part of the person.  It is too easy!  All you have to do is believe?  But just because it was easy for us, doesn’t make it cheap for God.
            Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan told of a coal miner who came to him and said, “I would give anything to believe that God would forgive my sins, but I cannot believe that He will forgive them if I just ask Him.  It is too cheap.”  Morgan said, “My friend, have you been working today?” “Yes, I was down in the mine.” “How did you get out of the pit?  Did you pay?” “Of course not.  I just got into to cage and was pulled to the top.” “Were you not afraid to entrust yourself to that cage?  Was it not too cheap?” Morgan asked. “Oh no,” said the miner, “it was cheap for me, but it cost the company a lot of money to sink the shaft.”
            Suddenly the truth struck him.  What had not cost him anything __ salvation __ had not come cheap to God.  This miner had never thought of the great price God paid to send His Son so He could rescue fallen humanity.  Now he realized that all anyone had to do was to “get into the cage” by faith.  Jesus wants us to realize the cost and give ourselves completely to Him and take Him fully into ourselves.
IV. Eating and Drinking Today
            We must remember that to eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood means to give yourself fully over to Christ and believe that His death was for you!  I like the way the Belgic Confession says about this in article 35.  The table is a “spiritual banquet at which Christ communicates himself to us with all his benefits.”  We are to see Christ and take him into ourselves spiritually in the Lord’s Supper.
            Eating bread and drinking wine at the Lord’s Supper is not essential for one to have eternal life.  Think of the thief on the cross.  He never took bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper.  Yet, he ate Jesus’ flesh and drank His blood because he fully believed, he entrusted his life to Christ completely.
            The point is that the bread and juice which we eat and drink do not contain “shots” of salvation, like some kind of medicine.  The Lord’s Supper reminds us of Christ’s death and also strengthens us so we can live with him more and more.
            However, we need to be eating and drinking Jesus daily.  Just as we need physical food daily in order to live, we also need spiritual food as well if we are to survive as Christians.  We receive this nourishment at the Lord’s Supper.  We also receive spiritual food when we hear God’s word proclaimed.  But we must also daily feed that relationship we have with our Lord through reading His Word and time in prayer.
            Finally, let’s also realize that we are in the presence of our Lord right now and especially in the sacrament this morning.  We tend to let the familiar go by without notice.  We can become so familiar with the bread and juice that the meaning of it can slip by.
            In an article in Christianity Today, James Allen Sparks, tells of one unusual communion service.  A bread loaf used to stand on the Communion table.  It had been kneaded from real flour and baked with a mom’s loving touch in an oven, only to be lacquered into permanent staleness to preside for more than a decade over many a celebration of Communion.  One day, without warning, it vanished, to be replaced by wheat spikes in a vase.  The bread loaf, it seems, was a casualty of a visiting preacher. In the middle of a Communion service, the preacher mistakenly took the mummified bread with both hands, blessed it and broke it in the ancient tradition.  Yielding to two hundred pounds of preacher, the crisp shell exploded and disintegrated before the startled solemn congregation.  James Allen Sparks writes, “Every time we celebrate Communion, I think of God’s words to Ezekiel: “Son of man, you are to tremble as you eat your bread.”
            People, we need to tremble in awe as we consider that Jesus gave up his flesh and blood for us.  It’s not just something that happened long ago.  It happened for us and Christ wants us to take his sacrifice fully into our lives.  Let’s do that now this morning and continue to do that every day as well.

Snapshots from Kenya – Kapenguria One More Time
 
            After our noisy night at Lockichar, we got up and began the long hot drive back to Kaepenguria.  After some time we left the hot arid area and soon were back in the mountainous region.
 
            As we entered the region, we saw more people this time alongside the road selling things.  Tom and Imelda Osuru bought some onions but I soon learned that what they really hoped to find was a good deal on charcoal.  Charcoal is the basic fuel for cooking in this part of Kenya.  It is what fuels the kitchen fires at the school and their homes as well.  Since this was in the region where the charcoal was produced, they were hoping to get a really good deal on the large bags.
 
            They stopped a few times, inquired how much a bag was and after some quick consultation, agreed that it was still too much.  Eventually we came to a place where there was a large pile of the filled bags off of the road.  After much negotiating, the sellers and buyers finally agreed on a price and they began loading the large bags on top of the truck.

 
            Three families purchased the bags and when they were all loaded there were about 10 bags piled up on top of the truck.  Claire and I looked at the truck, looked at the mountains and remembered the narrow very curvy roads that went through them.  We reassured ourselves by thinking that they certainly knew what they are doing. 
 
            That is when Tom, the driver, looked at the truck and bags and then at us and looked worried.  He said something about it being stacked high and then a motion of the truck tipping over, which did nothing to reassure us.  Needless to say as we made our way back the rest of the way, we did our best to maintain a low center of gravity…… and prayed a lot!
 
            We made it back to the school where many of the students were now at home since it was Saturday.  There was a small group of students there, however, who came running up to the truck as we pulled in, clearly very excited about something.  Rev. Murupus explained to us that they had been at an academic competition that day and had placed very high once again in that competition.
 
            What struck us, however, was the award given to the school.   There was a trophy but then also three large metal wash basins which the students seemed equally proud of.  The basins reminded me of the kind of metal basins that my mother used to use back on the farm in the early sixties.  Yet these students seemed thrilled with such an award!  They were very proud of their accomplishments and displayed them proudly.

 
            As we stood there, watching them, it struck us just how simple life was for the people in Kenya.  If our children had participated in such a competition and had been given a metal wash basin as a prize, they would have been terribly disappointed. Yet this was clearly a special award to the Kenyan school children.