Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/Sermons/zz20020915.htm

JESUS CHRIST IN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY
Part VII: Healing For September 11 From Christ's Predicted Resurrection
(Psalm 16 with Acts 2:23-32)

Introduction: (To show the need . . . )

Especially in light of the anniversary of September 11 this past week, a lot of people STILL experience fear, sadness and a sense of helplessness about the whole subject:

(1) Last Sunday, a believer spoke with me about personal unrest she was experiencing in view of the coming anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks on September 11.

(2) Then, on Tuesday morning when I went to my mailbox, I found a flyer in it from a young girl on my street who was inviting the neighborhood to a candlelight vigil at her home to be held at 7:30 p.m. on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks. She wrote in that flyer these moving words: "Sometimes when people get together, it is easier to get through the sadness and that feeling of being helpless. Maybe we could talk about where we were or how our lives have changed. Or maybe we can just stand silently together . . ."

(3) Last year's terrorist attacks has really affected America's children. On my way to work last Wednesday, the anniversary of the attacks, I heard Connecticut's Governor John Rowland on the Brad Davis morning talk show relate he had turned down literally hundreds of invitations so he could attend the memorial gathering at Bloomfield High School. The Governor expressed his reason for this choice, saying the effect of the attacks on America's teens and children has been the most profound, so he wanted to demonstrate his support for these who are the most vulnerable of the afflicted among us.

(4) When I returned from the Board Meeting late Wednesday evening, I briefly saw the end of the day-long ABC News program on the "9-11" events. The program was then highlighting the ongoing personal challenges the surviving family members of the victims of the attacks were experiencing. The whole show seemed to seek ways to help people "get on" with their lives, but yet obviously struggled with expressing just how to do that!

Well, HOW does GOD expect US and ESPECIALLY our CHILDREN to gain "closure" on the September 11 issue when so many people DIED so VIOLENTLY and so UNJUSTLY on September 11, 2001? What is the ANSWER to this whole matter?



(We turn to the sermon "Need" section . . . )

Need: "Either I or a friend has CONTINUED ACUTE unrest over the September 11 events. What would GOD expect us to do NOW?!"
  1. Christ's fulfillment of Psalm 16 about His death and resurrection opened the DOOR for US to overcome in life's WORST traumas:
    1. The RISEN Jesus told the disciples on the road to Emmaus how He fulfilled Old Testament Messianic prophecies, Luke 24:25-27.
    2. As these men were edified by Christ's exposition of those passages (Luke 24:32), we also view them, following the list of prophecies named in the Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, s. v. "Messianic Prophecies."
    3. The prophecy that Christ's BODY would not experience DECAY in Psalm 16:10 shows He would RISE from the dead:
      1. Peter cited Psalm 16:8-11 to prove the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth was predicted in that Old Testament psalm (as follows):
        1. While preaching on Pentecost, Peter said it was impossible for Jesus to stay dead after his crucifixion, Acts 2:24b.
        2. He cited Psalm 16:8-11 as proof, showing the passage predicted Messiah's temporary death and resurrection, Acts 2:25-28.
        3. Peter then explained how Psalm 16:8-11 predicted Messiah's death and resurrection particularly at Psalm 16:10 as follows: (a) Peter noted David predicted God would not allow His Holy One, the Messiah, to undergo decay, Psalm 16:10. (b) For that to occur, Messiah would die and rise from the dead, a fact Peter related to Christ's experience, Acts 2:31.
      2. Peter used this fact to claim Christ is the Messiah because He likewise died and rose from the dead, Acts 2:31-32.
    4. Well, this psalm in light of OTHER Scripture shows US how WE can follow CHRIST to handle even life's WORST TRAUMAS:
      1. The Bible teaches once we trust in Christ for salvation, we become God's child and are placed "in Christ," Jn. 1:11-12; 2 Cor. 5:17.
      2. Then, the instant such a person "in Christ" dies, his soul is caught up to heaven's bliss to be with God, 2 Corinthians 5:2, 6, 8.
      3. Then, "in Christ," he stays in heaven until the rapture when Christ returns with him to raise him in his body in glory, 1 Thes. 4:13-16.
      4. While these believers "in Christ" are in heaven, they are conscious and radiate God's glory in what theologians call "intermediate bodies" supplied for current functions, Rev. 22:8-9; Psalm 16:11.
      5. Thus, being "in Christ," we can "follow His steps" as 1 Peter 2:21 directs in how Jesus faced His death and resurrection in Psalm 16.
  2. We view that Psalm 16 path to overcoming life's WORST traumas:
    1. The believer "in Christ," as did Christ, can trust in God for his protection if he faces even a life-threatening situation, Psalm 16:1.
    2. The believer "in Christ" can rest in his trust in God based on several realities shown in Christ's earthly experience as named in Ps. 16:2-7:
      1. As did Christ, the believer "in Christ" can submit to God's will in life to enjoy God's help as long as God wants him to live, 16:2.
      2. As did Christ, the believer "in Christ" can recall past blessings he has experienced because OF his relationship to God for comfort that obeying God will be rewarded with future similar blessings: (a) he can recall the rapport he has enjoyed with fellow believers due to his walk with God, Ps. 16:3; 1 Jn. 1:7. (b) He can recall God's material blessings to have been wholesome as proof God will keep supplying whatever he needs to do His will in life, 16:5a, 6. (c) He can thus be confident in the security of such provisions as long as God wants him to live this life, Ps. 16:5b. (d) He can recall the fulfilling fellowship he has enjoyed with God as proof of God's continued spiritual provisions while he is alive, Psalm 16:7.
      3. Then, as Christ did, the believer "in Christ" can trust in God as opposed to other "idol crutches" for fulfillment in his future, 16:4.
    3. Due to these commitments, like Christ, the believer "in Christ" need not fear even death (v. 8), he can rejoice in what life he has to live (v. 9a) and be confident God will supply all he needs for what his future holds whether it be life or death or the rapture, Psalm 16:9b-11.
Application: If still in acute pain from the September 11 events, we must see our need to "release" our OWN expectations for our lives and yield to GOD'S WILL for them: namely, we must (1) trust in Christ as Savior from sin to become related to God as His child "in Christ," John 3:16; 1:11-12. (2) Then, (a) knowing Christ is SOVEREIGN over our LIVES (Rev. 1:17-18), we must (b) HEED His will in accord with Scripture for blessing in living. (c) We will then enjoy God's blessings and provisions for doing HIS will in life, (d) the memory of which sustenance encourages us when we face grave threats so that we have (e) hope of fullest meaning and joy no matter WHAT the future holds, Ps. 16:8-11!

Lesson: To deal with the trauma of the September 11 issue effectively, we must relate to the SOVEREIGN GOD of the BIBLE on HIS TERMS! >

Conclusion: (To illustrate the sermon lesson . . . )

 Lisa Beamer tells her own story in a new book entitled Let's Roll. She is the widow of Todd Beamer who on September 11, 2001 was overheard making those famous words, "Let's Roll!" on a cell phone before charging with other brave men toward the cabin of United flight 93 shortly before it crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.

Lisa and Todd were a Christian couple, and Lisa's "take" on the whole September 11 ordeal and the contrast between her husband's personal Christian memorial service and the public service held at the crash site illustrate this message better than I could ever do. In her own words, recorded in the August 17, 2002 issue of World magazine (p. 26), Lisa testified: "Following September 11, I saw firsthand many dear people who were trying their best to cope with loss, hurt, anger, fear, and a host of other feelings. Some had lost a husband, father, daughter, mother or friend. They wanted to soar like eagles; they deeply desired to get on with life. They wanted to look on the bright side and do the things clich<\i>s recommend, but they didn't have the strength. Worse yet, they had no hope. My family and I mourned the loss of Todd deeply that day . . . and we still do. But because we hope in the Lord, we know beyond a doubt that one day we will see Todd again. I hurt for the people who don't have that same hope, and I pray they will see something in our family that will encourage them to trust in the Lord.

I couldn't help but compare this service to the one in Cranbury the day before. Todd's [Christian] memorial service had been so uplifting, so inspiring, because the emphasis had been on the hope in the midst of crisis. On Monday, as I listened to the well-intentioned speakers [at the public memorial service at the crash site], who were doing their best to comfort but with little if any direct reference to the power of God to sustain us, I felt I was sliding helplessly down a high mountain into a deep crevasse. As much as I appreciated the kindness of the wonderful people who tried to encourage us, that afternoon was actually one of the lowest points in my grieving.