Hypothetically, what if someone approached me and said that if I offered myself as a sacrifice, then EVERYTHING would go back to the way it was prior to Covid-19, and that Covid-19 would no longer have an effect on anyone – ever. And what if I agreed to this plan / this vaccine (sacrifice of myself) that would make everyone else completely well? Would the world show appreciation for my sacrifice? This morning I’d like for us to consider what Christ did as a substitute for each and every one of us. How then can we show our appreciation to Him for what He did in our place? Take the following words and passages into consideration and see how the Lord would have you to apply these truths.
Nate

From gotquestions.org
Question: "What is the substitutionary atonement?"

Answer: The substitutionary atonement refers to Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. The Scriptures teach that all men are sinners (Romans 3:9-18, 23). The penalty for our sinfulness is death. Romans 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That verse teaches us several things. Without Christ, we are going to die and spend an eternity in hell as payment for our sins. Death in the Scriptures refers to a “separation.” Everyone will die, but some will live in heaven with the Lord for eternity, while others will live a life in hell for eternity. The death spoken of here refers to the life in hell. However, the second thing this verse teaches us is that eternal life is available through Jesus Christ. This is His substitutionary atonement.

Jesus Christ died in our place when He was crucified on the cross. We deserved to be the ones placed on that cross to die because we are the ones who live sinful lives. But Christ took the punishment on Himself in our place—He substituted Himself for us and took what we rightly deserved. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Here again we see that Christ took the sins we committed onto Himself to pay the price for us. A few verses later we read, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Not only do these verses teach us about the substitute that Christ was for us, but they also teach that He was the atonement, meaning He satisfied the payment due for the sinfulness of man.

One more passage that talks about the substitutionary atonement is Isaiah 53:5. This verse talks about the coming Christ who was to die on the cross for our sins. The prophecy is very detailed, and the crucifixion happened just as it was foretold. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Notice the substitution. Here again we see that Christ paid the price for us!

We can only pay the price of sin on our own by being punished and placed in hell for all eternity. But God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to pay for the price of our sins. Because He did this for us, we now have the opportunity to not only have our sins forgiven, but to spend eternity with Him. In order to do this we must place our faith in what Christ did on the cross. We cannot save ourselves; we need a substitute to take our place. The death of Jesus Christ is the substitutionary atonement. https://www.gotquestions.org/substitutionary-atonement.html
Isaiah 53:6 (NLT) All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in…
Romans 5:6-21 (NLT) Christ in our Place
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Adam and Christ Contrasted
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NLT)
55 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Real Dudes,
Message Title: Growing Deeper Together
Passage: Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV) [Notice the three “let us” commands in this passage, and more specifically we’ll focus on the last command for today’s challenge…]
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
At about the 4:49:45 to the 4:50:15 mark (in the link below), Pastor Sol at Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa points out that “53 times the Apostle Paul refers to the Christian faith, and he says, ‘Our Lord.’ And only one time he says ‘my Lord.’ Which tells us something about how he intends for us to walk with our Lord. It’s a together thing…it’s a team sport, this is a community…[and we need community in order] to walk well with Christ.” https://cornerstonelife.com/live/
What’s your community? Are you in one?
Here’s one practical way in which you can grow deeper together with other believers…
Pastor Mark Vance reminds us at the 4:32:45 to the 4:33:33 mark, that “membership at a church is a lot different than a membership at a country club. Because membership at a country club is just trying to be ritzy so people think you’re a big deal. Membership at a church is different. Because when we say membership, we don’t mean like buying into something [(money-wise / flaunting our money)], membership in a church is based on the teaching of the scripture where it says that when we are in Christ we are members of one another because we are part of His body. Membership means inter-connected. It’s what it means to say I don’t just go to this Church, this is my church, I’m invested in it. I want to be faithful to see this church and the people in it and its ministry of the gospel grow and go forward.” https://cornerstonelife.com/live/
What steps are you taking in order to grow deeper together with other believers so you can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well (2 Peter 3:18)?
Nate

Real Dudes,
We met as a group on 8-8-20. We had 17 men present and one new attendee. Kent Reed was our guest speaker. He did a fabulous job describing his story and then concluding with how he’s seen the blessings from God in it all.

Here's the link to the live stream...https://youtu.be/DNI8_jX9DzM

Kent explained a little about his sister who’s had MS for much of her life. He’s learned many life lessons from her which little did he know would prepare him for what was to come in his own life. She taught him to make the most of each day, regardless of your circumstances, and to see the best in life at all times. 

On June 2nd of 2016 Kent was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, which altered his life significantly. He and his family love motorcycles and are firm believers in wearing a helmet when out on the road. This particular day Kent was just going for a short ride with his daughter to get her a tape measure for her college dorm room — he didn’t feel as though he needed his helmet for this adventure…so he set it aside and put it on the bench in his parents garage. What he’s come to find out in research since then is that most accidents happen within 3 miles of your home. As they were riding on this short journey Kent needed to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. He thought he’d looked carefully and allowed the first vehicle to pass and then he was going to proceed. His eyes missed seeing a van also approaching on this two-lane highway. Before he knew it, they got sideswiped. The van threw Kent and his daughter from the bike. Kent remembers sitting in the gravel alongside the road with a laceration on the back of his head, which ended up being more serious than he originally thought. His daughter Lizzy, on the other hand, came out of the accident with very few minor injuries. 
Kent was rushed to the hospital, and immediately put into a comma. He had suffered from the accident three fractures in his skull, a brain bleed, and a heart flutter. When Kent came out of a comma he had an intubation tube and neck brace on. The tube was so uncomfortable…he attempted to communicate to his cousin to help him remove the tube, but to no avail. A day and a half after coming out of a comma he had 25 friends / family come visit him…they were unsure if he’d make it so they wanted to be there for him. Kent recalls feeling so much guilt for not wearing his helmet, but very blessed to find his mind still working…though he did suffer some memory loss. 
Kent spent eight days in ICU at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. During his time there he needed assistance from nurses and from a walker. Kent’s wife helped him recoup at his parents house for the first week. In that first week he experienced horrible headaches and much discomfort. Kent decided to take notes on his phone during this entire process…we’ll hit on that in his blessings section below. He’d often have to see an Occupational Therapist, and since he had a seizure in the ER he too had to see a Neurologist. Because of the seizure he also loss his license for 6 months. When it was time to retake the driving and written tests he found the experience tougher than he’d imagined…he barely passed either one. Each of these experiences were VERY humbling to have to go through. 
Kent’s accident caused him to ask himself this question, “What will I do with the rest of my life?” He was excited to share the answer the Lord gave him with his daughters (his wife knew he was a dreamer so he went to his daughters first). His plan was to come up with a foundation that would make it possible to pay back/forward to medics/ER workers/and Veterans. Out of that discussion arose AmericanBraun.US and then the development of an advisory board. Kent was so excited to see this dream moving forward that he was full on ready to have a rally to get it started.
Someone gently reminded Kent that we all need to crawl before we walk, and walk before we can run. Eventually the rally did take place. He has t-shirts made. Dinner was provided. 60 people showed up and Kent was able to share his passion/vision and to raise a good amount of money to start with. A couple of months later he launched the second rally in Des Moines. 70 showed up to this one, and he was able to raise 3K. Since then he has partnered with Stop Soldier Suicide, and has raised a grand total of a little over 20K. His foundation has been able to give away nearly 19K to help the causes he set out to help with. He’s enjoyed meeting their specific needs and seeing the smiles on their faces in person. It brings Kent great joy to see where these raised dollars are going. 
Since Covid hit it has been difficult making contacts via Zoom, and to keep the drive alive / moving forward. But nonetheless, he’s super excited to be here today and to be living. 
The MAIN thing he learned is that all blessings come from the Lord. He believes in no such thing as “luck.” Here are a few blessings he’s kept notes on throughout this recovery process…

1. He and his daughter were sideswiped and not broadsided. 
2. The Altoona medics didn’t have any other calls, and so they were able to get to them very quickly at the scene. 
3. His recovery has been amazing and pretty much miraculous. 
4. Because he had a skull fracture, it allowed some blood to seep out and not clot. 
5. His daughter Lizzy was fine after the accident…just lightheaded. 
6. His wife was finishing up her school year…teaching preschool at Fairview, and so she was able to be by his side and assist him throughout his recovery/rehab without taking any time off work. 
7. He had purchased accident insurance (short and long term) just a few months prior to the accident. 

Lessons learned and praises…

1. YOLO (You Only Live Once). 
2. Enjoy life, and make the most of it. 
3. Life is from God. 
4. Let others know how much you truly appreciate them. Never forget those who were there for you in your time of need. Stay in community with them and remain in His word. 
5. His daughter Lizzy got married one year later. 
6. Learn to set aside the Evil Ego monster inside of us…be able to let it go, and be willing to admit when you recognize that you’ve backed yourself into the “jerk corner.” 
7.   Display love more often. Resist and evil ego in the name of love. Inconvenienced, interrupted, but still in Love with His Savior. A perfectly timed awakening.  
8. Write down blessing as you recognize them from the Lord. 

We all have choices to make in life. We can choose to blame God and become bitter towards Him. Or we can choose to humble ourselves before Him, and trust that He’s got our best interest in mind at all times. (Book of John…why did this happen? for His glory). We can choose to give up on life, or give life our absolute best. What’s interesting is that when it comes to our physical well-being we choose to give it our all so we can get back to 100%. Yet sometimes when we have a BROKEN fellowship with the Lord because of our decision to continue to live in sin, we’re somehow good with that. We need to use Scripture to fend off our enemy when we feel like giving up and giving in. 
Praise God for men who can share relatable experiences. We’ve recently heard from Terry Freeborn, Jared Johnston and now Kent Reed…men who have allowed the Lord to take them through some deep valley’s. Now each of them are on the mountain tops cheering others on to get to where they are. What a huge benefit and resource for our Ox Strong group, community, pastors and churches.

Be looking for men to help in their time of need, and be willing and humbled enough to be helped in your time of need.

Song: Give me your eyes…for Humanity by Brandon Heath

Point #1: What have been some problematic mindsets/responses/results towards repentant adult believers?

• Expectations and personal preferences becoming ones faith beliefs.
• A means to divert others from your own personal sins...getting the focus and attention off yourself...justifying your sins, "See, I'm not as bad as..."
  • Luke 18:9-14 (NLT) 9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
  • 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
• Develop a Narcissistic Immunity lifestyle.
  • “they firmly believe that their acts have - or will have - a great influence on mankind…Narcissistic immunity is the (erroneous) feeling, harboured by the narcissist, that he is immune to the consequences of his actions. That he will never be effected by the results of his own decisions, opinions, beliefs, deeds and misdeeds, acts, inaction and by his membership of certain groups of people. That he is above reproach and punishment (though not above adulation). That, magically, he is protected and will miraculously be saved at the last moment.” The article continues to explain that they become this way by the sources of false identity (nothing can happen to me…I cannot be punished because I am immune), unique entitlement (allowed special rights and treatment…punishments are for ordinary people…above the law), being manipulative (charming, convincing…“this is going to hurt me more than it will you”, “I have to do this because way I love you.” Exempt. Upper Class mentality. Scapegoats who can get away with it, but others can’t…personal immunity, above punishment. A narcissistic hierarchy.), and unwilling to act empathetically (can’t put him or herself in someone else’s shoes. To accept punishment is to divert scarce energy and resources from the all-important task of fulfilling his mission in life…punishment is impossible in his or her life…He projects his aggression onto others, and continues to be in shock when any sort of persecuting punishment is directed his or her own way. Pre-ordained to live such a way. Attempts to force others to feel envious of him). https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/narcissistic-immunity#video
  • No fear of God…a feeling of being exempt from God’s chastening.
  • The belief and practice that the older / more mature believers / individuals / higher authority are exempt from being made a public example.
• Runs and clings to the recognized authority within their church/Christian institution, rather than running to and consoling their repentant brother or sister first. Satan is an accuser of God’s people. How does the Lord respond to Satan when he attempt to accuse His people? https://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-accuser.html
• Redefining terms and or sins so that you don’t fit into sinful categories and association practices.
  • For example: Calling punishment just being protective.
    • Ask yourself, “Do they feel loved or punished?”
• Exasperating reproof (correction)…constantly reminding them of their sin, continually bringing up the past. Hashing out and compiling their sin and failures.
  • Your repentant adult brother or sister already still feels the reproof and is frustrated.
    • It’d be like chewing out a field goal kicker for missing a previous extra point and then expecting him to kick the winning field goal moments later. Mentally and physically he can’t perform…knowing his coach doesn’t have his best interest in mind…knowing he doesn’t have much respect for the leadership who isn’t really cheering him on.
  • Paul states this about godly love in 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
    • That’s what true love does…IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS, yet time and time again that’s what some have historically done, and still do to other repentant adult believers. Keeping the file and waving it in their face as a reminder.
• Quick to distribute consequences…
  • A demand to live by the written laws.
    • If you do __________, then be ready to deal with __________.
  • “Give them the chair.”
    • Consider these words from the Houston Astros owner Jim Crane…
      • “‘People are aggravated the players didn't get suspended,’ Crane told USA Today for a story published Friday, ‘but I didn't have anything to do with that. That was [commissioner] Rob [Manfred's] call. Listen, it's always going to be whatever you want to call it. A black mark. An asterisk. It happened. It's not good for anybody. It's not good for the game. We broke the rules. We got penalized. We were punished. There's no doubt it weighs on all of us every single day.’ Manfred suspended general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch for the 2020 season -- both were subsequently fired by the Astros -- as well as fining the team $5 million and taking away their top two draft picks in 2020 and 2021. But Astros players were given immunity as part of Major League Baseball's investigation. ‘I don't know what else they want us to do,’ Crane told the newspaper. ‘I mean, you couldn't do a lot more. We took a big penalty. Rob sent a message. We accepted the message and went above and beyond. We're sorry. We apologized. But no matter what happened, it wasn't going to be enough. People wanted me out of baseball. They wanted players to be suspended. They wanted everything.’"

Point #2: What have been some problematic responses towards correction/discipline/punishment on the part of the repentant adult believer?

• Emotions get hijacked.
  • Don’t allow your emotions to get hijacked due to others not showing you grace.
    • What will happen if I allow them to get hijacked? Will I walk away feeling good or walk away with regret?
      • Reconciliation is moving from hostility to harmony. Some choose to live in anger and disharmony due to the way they’ve been treated and such attitudes greatly affect many relationships and service for the Lord.  
    • Don’t allow others to control your emotions. Don’t allow them to push your buttons…don’t reveal to them what your buttons are in the first place. Recognize what your buttons are and what they’re attached to.
    • It is a fact that when your emotions go up, your reasoning goes down. The Holy Spirit is sounding all alarms…be sensitive to them.  
    • Your emotions are a gauge, not a guide. They only help by allowing us to recognize something.  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/your-emotions-are-a-gauge-not-a-guide

Point #3: What was Christ’s response towards repentant adult believers?

• Someone recently reminded me that grace isn’t available only for salvation, but also available throughout the entire sanctification process. If Christ applies it that way, then we too need to as well.
• Sin is against God, which is why He PARDONS and or distributes forgiveness…He already paid for my sin.
  • One author states that, “Guilt implies a being bound or subjected to censure, penalty or punishment. To pardon, is to give up this obligation, and release the offender. We apply the word to the crime or to the person. We pardon an offense, when we remove it from the offender and consider him as not guilty; we pardon the offender, when we release or absolve him from his liability to suffer punishment.” https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/pardon.html
• He is Faithful…He will never leave or forsake your side no matter what.
  • In the movie Cinderalla Man, the son stole some meat from the Butcher and his dad went with him to return it. Afterwards he feared that his dad would ship him off, but in a gentle and loving voice he reassured his son that “I promise you, we will never send you away.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzOR_EjFvWs
    In other words, “We will never ship you off.” “We will committedly stick with you through good and bad, rather than making you live in fear your entire life.” “My son, you are pardoned!”

Point #4: What should be the fellow-believer’s correct response to his/her repentant adult believer?

• Displaying love, glorifying God, and a having a plan towards restoration should be ones ultimate goals. Make the repentant feel important and loved by you and the Lord.
• Continue to assist by directing your repentant brother or sister constructively. Helping point them in the way he or she should go after just having repented. Making every effort to see to it that they don’t return to their erring ways.
• Desire tools that’ll help them…provide them something that is hopeful, not hurtful.
• Moses and Aaron plead with God to forgive His people. Do you plead with the Lord, or do you choose to take matters into your own hands and distribute the punishment yourself? “Pardoned by God, but not by me.”
• Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. How has God treated you? How are you treating them?
• Focus on relationship more than on tradition.
• Be approachable. Leave the doors open…don’t put up walls. Long to have a continued voice in their hearts and minds.

Point #5: What should be the proper Biblical response of the repentant adult believer?

• Animal Planet’s Pit Bulls and Paroles…“The only thing better than getting a second chance is giving one.” Are you practicing giving grace, or practicing being more like the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35?
• Be gracious to all at all times. Give grace even when others don’t show you grace…be patient with them as God’s been patient with you. It might take them time to really wrap their minds around and appreciate God’s grace for what it is. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NLT) that, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”
  • Quarrelers – debaters, a taking to court imagery.
  • Verse 24 (NKJV) “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,”
  • Verse 25 (ESV) “correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,”
  • Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
  • Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
  • Titus 3:2 (NLT) They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
  • 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Awareness of my relationship with Christ:

• Atonement:
  • As a believer my sins are already paid for…they’re washed away. I stand blameless before Him. Question is…Am I treating this atonement cheaply?
• What do I know about my relationship with Christ? What am I willing to look at?
• I am a child of the King. I’m ultimately accountable to Him.

Engaging in my relationship with Christ:

• What will I do ________? How do I see myself? Takes Humility.

Hymn:

• Redeemed how I love to proclaim it.

Song:

• Christ is Mine Forevermore by CityAlight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roQovDZeAWE