CHAMPION

Snippet

Don’t  we need a God-man Savior?  A just-God Jesus could make us but not understand us.  A Just-man Jesus could love us but never save us.  But a God-man Jesus?  Near enough to touch.  Strong enough to trust.  A next door Savior. 

A Savior found by millions be irrestible.  Nothing compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8 RSV) the reward of Christianity is Christ.  

(Max Lucado Next Door Savior  Co 2003  Pg 5  Word Pub Nashville Tenn)

Scripture

Then Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?”

 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

 Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because no person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am.  So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. Matthew 16:15-18 NCV

Song

Champion By Carmen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUzR4HKbi9w

In the vast expanse of a timeless place,

Where silence ruled the outer space,

Ominously, towering it stood,

The symbol of a spirit war

Between the one name Lucifer,

And the Morning Star, The ultimate of good.

Enveloped by a trillion planets,

Clean as lightning and hard as granite,

A cosmic coliseum would host the end

Of the war between the lord of sin and death,

And the Omnipotent Creator of man's first breath,

Who will decide who forever will be the Champion.

The audience for the 'Fight of the Ages' was assembled and in place.

The angels came in splendor from a star.

The saints that had gone before were there: Jeremiah, Enoch, Job.

They were singing the "Song of Zion" on David's harp.

The demons arrived, offensive and vile, cursing and blaspheming God.

Followed by their 'trophies' dead and gone.

Hitler, Napoleon, Pharaoh, Capone,

Tormented and vexed and grieved.

Waiting for their judgment From the Throne.

Then a chill swept through the mammoth crowd and the demons squealed with glee,

as a sordid, vulgar, repulsive essence was felt.

Arrogantly prancing, hands held high, draped in a sparkling shroud

Trolled by demons, Satan ascended from Hell.

Then Satan cringed, the sinners groaned!

The demons reeled in pain as a swell of power like silent thunder rolled

With a surge of light beyond intense, illuminating the universe,

In resplendent glory appeared the Son of God.

Then a Persona, yes, Extraordinaire appeared in center ring.

God the Father will oversee the duel.

Opening the Book of Life, each grandstand hushed in awe as

majestically He said,

"Now here's the rules. He'll be wounded for their transgressions,

bruised for iniquities"

When He said, "By His stripes they're healed," the devil shook!

He screamed, "Sickness is my specialty. I hate that healing junk!"

God said, "You shut your face, I wrote the book!"

Then the Father looked at His only Son and said,

"You know the rules.

Your blood will cleanse their sins and calm their fears."

Then He pointed His finger at Satan and said,

"And I know you know the rules.

You've been twisting them to deceive My people for years."

Satan screamed, "I'll kill you Christ! You'll never win this fight!"

The demons wheezed, "That's right, there ain't no way."

Satan jeered, "You're dead meat, Jesus, I'm gonna bust you UP tonight!"

Jesus said, "Go ahead, make my day!"

The bell rang, the crowd cheered, the fight was on,

And the devil leaped in fury.

With all his evil tricks he came undone.

He threw his jabs of hate and lust.

A stab of pride and envy but the hand that knew no sin blocked every one.

Forty days and nights they fought, and Satan couldn't touch Him.

Now the final blow saved for the final round.

Prophetically Christ's hands came down

And Satan struck in vengeance!

The blow of death felled Jesus to the ground.

The devils roared in victory!

The saints shocked and perplexed as wounds appeared upon His hands and feet.

Then Satan kicked Him in His side, and blood and water flowed.

And they waited for the 10 count of defeat.

God the Father turned His head,

His tears announcing Christ was dead!

The 10 count would proclaim the battle's end.

Then Satan trembled through his sweat in unexpected horror, yet...

As God started to count by saying,

"...10..."

"Hey wait a minute, God..." "...9..." "Stop! You're counting wrong..."

"...8..."

His eyes are moving...

"...7..."

His fingers are twitching...

"...6..."

"Where's all this Light coming from?"

"...5..."

"He's alive!"

"...4..."

"Oh - nooooo!"

"...3..."

"And yet,"

"...2..."

"Oh...Yessssss!

"...1..."

He has won!

He has won!

He's alive forevermore!

He is risen, He is Lord,

He has won!

He has won!

He's alive forevermore,

He is risen!

He is Lord!

Proclaim the news in every tongue,

Through endless ages and beyond

Let it be voiced from mountains loud and strong

Captivity has been set free, salvation bought for you and me

'Cause Satan is defeated,

And Jesus is The Champion

Sentence Prayer

God,

You are out beginning and you will be our end;

We are made in your image and likeness.

We praise and thank you for this day.

This is the day on which you created light

And saw that it was good.

This is the day in whose early morning light.

We discovered the tomb was empty,

And encountered Christ, the world’s true light.

This is the day you have made;

We shall rejoice and be glad in it.  Amen

(A New Zealand Prayer Book  pg 105 W. Collins Pub 1989)