Our Scars Tell Our Story - The Peace Church, Loyal OK

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 NIV

Loyal, OK

Pastor Leon Seaton

Our Scars Tell Our Story

If you see a group of experienced military personnel in their uniforms you will see a variety of ribbons on their chest. Each ribbon tells a story. There will be ribbons for each country served in; ribbons showing their ability with a rifle, combat ribbons, honors won, etc. If they have been injured in action you may see a purple heart.

You will also note their insignia of rank. Thus the uniform tells a story. If one of them was injured in battle you may see a scar on their face or arms; a limb may be missing – or they may be in a wheel chair.

What you cannot see are the scars on their psyche, spiritual scars and emotional scars.

The truth is, we all have lots of scars. Some of us gained a few at the hand of the surgeon in the past few months and years. We may not be particularly proud of them, but they exist. In my case some of the scars represent work that extends my life by a few years. Perhaps I should be proud of them, but I’m not sure about that! My missing finger represents carelessness at age eleven.

As we close out this year and head into 2008 it seems appropriate to think about our scars and see if we can turn them into stepping stones. Rather than feel sorry for ourselves or angry if someone else caused the scar, let’s make a decision to learn from each experience.

Hebrews 2:1-18

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

It is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is Man that you are mindful of Him, the Son of Man that you care for Him? You made Him a little lower than the angels; you crowned Him with glory and honor and put everything under His feet."

In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the One who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

He says,

"I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing Your praises."

And again, "I will put my trust in Him." And again He says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."

Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Since Jesus is our elder brother, our Lord and Master, our Savior and our God, it seems appropriate that we look at life like He did.

He did not ignore the calling on His life. He took His spiritual responsibilities very seriously. The Father had called Him to do a task, and He accomplished it, even though it involved suffering.

We are taught not to ignore our salvation. To do so invites punishment.

Note also that God made Jesus perfect through suffering. Matthew Henry observes that Christ was proved superior to the angels, which explains this scripture. He also notes, "Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not, without much care, retain what is poured into them."

He relates this problem to the corruption of our nature, temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. To sin against God and His word is to neglect our salvation.

As a true believer in Christ you are sanctified and endowed with holy principles and powers. You are also set apart from the world for high and holy purposes. When we are brought into relation with Christ then Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters.

When Jesus died on the cross He gave us power over sin – through the Holy Spirit. In order for this to really take place we have to do two things:

Believe that it is possible.

Set high personal goals and work to accomplishing them, understanding that mistakes will be made.

Truly believe that Jesus really wants to help us when we are being tempted.

The death of Jesus on the cross appeared to be victory for Satan and the enemies of Jesus. In reality it was exactly the opposite. Jesus won, Satan and the enemies of Jesus lost… and you and I really won!

The evening of His resurrection day, Jesus appeared to the disciples. Only one was missing – our friend Thomas. When the others told Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them he was skeptical. He said, "Unless I touch the scars in His hands and side I will not believe."

Jesus was not ashamed of those scars – the next week when He appeared to the disciples Thomas was there. Jesus showed Thomas the scars.

What about your scars? Now be careful! Don’t be showing us those scars that are hidden by your clothing. We will take your word for it! <Smile>

Many – if not all of us – have been hurt by a lot of people. Sometimes the ones that hurt us the most are the ones that we love the most… our family, our business friends and surprisingly, our church friends.

If someone has a major injury or illness that causes them to lose muscle and activity functions the physician will often order physical therapy to help speed the recovery process.

Do you need spiritual physical therapy? You may need to reach out for help. Most pastors are not trained spiritual counselors, including myself. If you do not think I can help you, that will not make me feel bad – and I might be able to find someone that can help. On the other hand I am generally available 24 hours a day, but like you, the daylight hours are the best!

If your spiritual problem and disability relates to the hurts we pick up from others, one of the prescriptions will be forgiveness. That may be a bitter pill to swallow, but it gives great relief! (Pun intended)

Many people feel a tremendous fear of failure. The truth is that most of us do. Some of us just keep going any way. But if you can’t do that, call for help.

Sometimes we have to learn to deal with the problems that life hands us. It isn’t always easy. Recently I read a story where a blind lady went to her pastor. She said, "Pastor, I have been blind all of my life. I was born blind, I was blind when I went to school, and I hold down a job that a blind person can do. I have learned to live with blindness. But I get upset at the people that tell me that if I had enough faith I could see again. What should I tell them?"

The pastor responded, "Do you use one of those white canes that blind people carry?" "Yes," she replied, "I have it with me now."

"Well," the pastor said, "The next time someone tells you that just whack them over the head with your cane and explain, ‘If you had enough faith that wouldn’t hurt!’"

Is God the source of our pain and problems? No… we are, or others are; at the root of those problems is sin. Because Adam and Eve sinned you and I are born sinners, have a sinful nature and live in a fallen world.

Jesus told us that we would be treated the same way that He was treated. Many loved Him, some ignored Him and some absolutely hated Him. "Welcome to the club!"

December 30, 2007

Matthew Henry:

The angels fell, and remained without hope or help. Christ never designed to be the Savior of the fallen angels, therefore He did not take their nature; and the nature of angels could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of man. Here is a price paid, enough for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature. Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what He must suffer in our nature, and how He must die in it, yet He readily took it upon Him. And this atonement made way for His people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and for the pardon of their sins through faith.

Let those who dread death, and strive to get the better of their terrors, no longer attempt to outbrave or to stifle them, no longer grow careless or wicked through despair. Let them not expect help from the world, or human devices; but let them seek pardon, peace, grace, and a lively hope of heaven, by faith in Him who died and rose again, that thus they may rise above the fear of death. The remembrance of His own sorrows and temptations, makes Christ mindful of the trials of His people, and ready to help them. He is ready and willing to succour those who are tempted, and seek Him. He became man, and was tempted, that He might be every way qualified to succour His people, seeing that He had passed through the same temptations Himself, but continued perfectly free from sin.

Then let not the afflicted and tempted despond, or give place to Satan, as if temptations made it wrong for them to come to the Lord in prayer. Not soul ever perished under temptation, that cried unto the Lord from real alarm at its danger, with faith and expectation of relief. This is our duty upon our first being surprised by temptations, and would stop their progress, which is our wisdom.