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Stories Resonate… Spider-Man

• Peter is part of a family where a member (Uncle Ben/Aunt May) dies. Peter grieves deeply and carries guilt due to his inability to stop the death. This experience mirrors the biblical truth of human guilt connected to the death of Jesus Christ.
• Peter Parker was bit by a spider and has a slow and supernatural transformation. Peter resists some of these early changes because he knows he will be misunderstood by outsiders. Eventually,
  he learns to embrace this new identity.
• Peter is exhorted: “with great power comes great responsibility.”
  Thus, he lives with distinction and devotion for the good of others and the glory of his purpose.
• Peter risks his life to serve. There are times he/Spider-Man makes mistakes; doubts himself; disappoints people; even loses some battles. God’s heroes are the same: they fail and fall. But the Bible never elevates flawless human heroes but points us to the faithful Savior who loves us and lifts us up when we repent.
• It’s also interesting that all the villains in Peter’s life mirror his own heart. They’re prideful, power-hungry, greedy, and revenge-driven. Peter is knows that his own heart has villain characteristics that he must fight, and refocus his motivations for a higher purpose.
• The story of Spider-Man should inspire us to pursue our identity in something / someone greater than ourselves. Each of our lives are telling a story – what’s yours?

Jesus was the greatest story teller. Parables were simple but fascinating stories. They were designed for the listener to place themselves inside a situation and make a decision. Jesus’ teachings always demanded a response. Let’s dive in to one of Jesus’ parables.

Note: Jesus Chronicles / portions Mt 21-23 with today’s focus…

Jesus is in the last week of life – death is pending – yet, He’s telling stories. He’s meek and mild, but He will not be mocked. Each story provokes action.

EXAMINE    Being Good Isn’t Enough (Matthew 21:28-32)

²⁸ “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. ³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Faith in God is relational not abstract.

• One of Jesus’ famous parables was Father with prodigal son vs pleasant son.
• Next parable after one we’re looking today has a Father & owner of vineyard sending servants and eventually his son to collect profits, but the villagers kill the servants, and shockingly even murder the son!
• THIS parable has a father with 2 sons…
• Jesus repeatedly communicates God is the Heavenly Father / source of clarity amid chaos, refuge amid unfriendly, strength and provider amid need.
• Bible repeatedly communicates by grace thru faith in Christ, we are adopted sons/daughters.

J.I. Packer

“Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.”
“Adoption is the highest privilege of the gospel. The traitor is forgiven, brought in for supper, and given the family name. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater.”

In OT, each year on the Day of Atonement, there were 2 sacrificial goats (Lev16): The first goat was a sin offering, sacrificed on the altar as payment for sin. This symbolized propitiation, where the penalty of sin is paid. The second goat was sent away, outside the camp, into the wilderness as a symbol that sin and guilt were removed from the people. This symbolized expiation – “As far as east is from west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). In expiation, the power of sin is removed. So, being adopted by God gives us a permanent relationship with God that isn’t based on fickle feelings or changing circumstances. God’s love is a “never-stopping, never-giving-up, unbreaking, always and forever love”.[1]

*You will either give yourself to the fading love of many things, or you will receive the faithful love of one, who will enable you to rightly love forever.

>>Take your next step for salvation.

>>Avail yourself to God’s love through community – not found but formed…!

Faith in God involves both attitude and actions.

• Both sons were disobedient. We must realize how sin saturates our life, and there is a deviant nature in all of us.
• One son was a reluctant worker. He had an arrogant attitude and planned disobedience.
  • This son also represented the tax collectors and harlots, bc initially their lifestyle was against God. But they changed. They were confronted with the truth and grace convicted them to amend their actions.
  • This reminds us that past actions do not have to define your lifestyle or disqualify your future. God is the author of forgiving grace and fresh starts.  
• Another son was a rebellious worker. He was a big talker but little in action. He was either outright deceitful or without thought to his commitments. He was polite in attitude but rebellious in action.
  • This son represents Israel, and the religious who outwardly appear to follow God. Yet, in reality they are ungrateful servants and disobedient followers.
  • Faith is more than good intentions. Lip service does not equal life authenticity. False professions are popular but they are not profitable to God (cf Isa 29:13-14; Mt 7:21-23; James 2:14-26).

*While it may be easier to identify sins of commission/action, we should also examine and repent from sins of omission/inaction.

• Apathy. Neglecting Bible reading and prayer. (1Thes 5:17)
• Attitude. Ungrateful and feeling entitled. (1Thes 5:18)
• Affection. Unconcerned and uncaring to act kindly to others. Immediately saying “No” when someone asks you to help. (1Thes 5:12-19)

Further, there are “respectable sins” that are not clearly unethical but more acceptable to society.[2]

• Worry looks like care and leadership. But exceeds the good to doubt God will get it right; doubting God’s faithfulness and driven by fear.
• Bitterness appears righteous. But it exceeds believing God got it wrong; it doubts God’s wisdom and is driven by selfishness.
• Suspicion is frequently assuming the worst about someone. Indeed, Christians should be discerning, but we cannot allow ourselves the spirit of the world that promotes a superiority complex, and fails to love others.
• Freedom is the anthem of Western <><. Yet, it can lead to inactive and un-contributing members and crossing gray-area boundaries that lead to sin.   

>> Meditate on Beatitudes. These are inclusive of actions & attitudes and prompt us to move forward in our spiritual growth.

>>  Listen or Sing “Amazing Grace.” This song is truly an anthem that grounds Christian identity and elevates our hope. The song author John Newton said:
“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be… but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.”

>> See everyone as someone who needs encouragement from Jesus.

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be… but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” – John Newton

Faith in God includes forgiving grace. 

• Jesus commended the first son because of his change of mind. Additionally, Jesus continues teaching and inviting those like the second son to change their minds.
• Jesus refers to John Baptizer’s call to “repent and believe,” where many sinners like tax collectors & harlots converted. The message is that being good isn’t enough; we need God’s forgiving and persevering grace, which is open to anyone willing to acknowledge their need.
• Jesus is not satisfied with a peaceful coexistence. Instead, Jesus wants cheerful alignment. Jesus rejects unrepentant sinners, but He also rebukes un-surrendered saints. Too many churchgoers are existing with a mediocre peace but are out of alignment and disobedient to God.
  Scariest words in Mt 7:23: “Not everyone who says to Jesus, “Lord, did we not practice righteousness and perform good deeds in your name?” But Jesus will declare, “I never knew you, you workers of lawlessness.”

>> Where are you mis-aligned or un-surrendered to God?

Jesus is not satisfied with a peaceful coexistence. Instead, Jesus wants cheerful alignment. He equally rejects unrepentant sinners and un-surrendered saints.

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Being adopted by God means you have faith and family.

• But faith and community is not something you obtain cheaply.
• These need cultivated. It takes years of showing up, studying, asking questions, serving, carrying burdens, walking through highs & lows with heartbreak. These are nurtured slowly but progressively through faithfulness. It’s not just about attending a church but belonging to one. Belonging means being content with imperfect people and choosing still to love, because that is what Jesus has done for us.
• What is your next step toward faith and family?

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[1] Sally Lloyd Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible.

[2] See Jerry Bridges, “Respectable Sins.”