Lessons from Resurrection Sunday
Matthew 28:1-8
From the day of His crucifixion on Good Friday to that first Easter morning. The day we know as Resurrection Sunday only three days have elapsed. Three days for the itinerary preacher of Nazareth to rise from the dead and check out of His borrowed tomb. Today, His tomb stands empty. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ has become the solid foundation upon which our Christian faith is built. The empty tomb is a sign for us that God’s plan of salvation is complete. The empty tomb is a testimony that Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, is who He claimed to be, the Son of God. The empty tomb is a symbol of hope for those who believe in the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, we must be concerned with the message that is going forth in our world that attempts to dilute the power of the resurrection. The angels at the tomb of Christ declared He Is Alive. The songwriter said it best “Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow, Because He Lives, All Hope Is Gone.” With all the lessons that we can learn from the Resurrection of Christ, I will only look at a few. Max Lucado writes in his book “He chose the nails.” Jesus was a backwater peasant. He never wrote a book, never held an office. He never journeyed more than 200 miles from His hometown. Friends left Him, one betrayed Him. Those He helped forgot Him. Prior to His death they abandoned Him. But after His death they couldn’t resist Him. What made the difference? The tomb was empty.
1) One of the lessons we learn from Resurrection Sunday is God alone has the power to move some of the stones in our situations. The women on their way to the gravesite expressed concern about their inability to move the stone at the entrance of the tomb of Christ. How many times in life do we face situations that we do not have the authority, ability or assistance needed to change the situation? We only complain. How many times are we faced with problems that are as solid as a rock? Too large to move. Not enough manpower to move it. And oftentimes those who could help us really don’t care about what’s happening to us. However there are times and stones that are only moveable through and by the hand of almighty God. God alone has the power to move the things in our lives that keeps us in tombs. Faith in God can move the stone of fear. Faith in God moves the stones of doubt and indifference. God’s love can and will move the stones of hatred. Whatever it is that has become a stone in your life, remember God has the power to move it. Oftentimes God does not move the stone to allow you to exit, but more often that not it is for others to enter. God did not roll away the stone for Jesus to leave, but for the troubled women to believe. To believe that He has the power to move, that which seems impossible with men is possible with God. God knows when to move that which impede His blessings for our life.
2) Also, we learn from Resurrection Sunday that God always keeps His word. The angels declared He had risen as He said. In a day when our word is no longer our bond. In a world of untrustworthy individuals, it’s good to know that we have a God who honors and keeps His word. All throughout the Bible, we read the words, “and it came to pass.” Jesus had spent more than 3 years teaching His disciples and others that He would be handed over to sinful men and be killed but would rise from the dead victorious. Since Christ keeps His word we should trust His word. In His word, He assures us as believers that we too will live forever with Him. He sits presently at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, yes for all of us, saved and unsaved. We have His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We have His word that what men intend for evil; God often works it for our good. Nothing can bring us closer together than difficult times. We have His word, He is no longer in the grave, but He is alive. He will one day return for all believers. You can be rest assured in the Word of god that God will take care of His own. “Be calm; don’t be afraid” was the message given to the first sonrise visitors. This message is still a resounding message for us today. Regardless of how bad things appear, no matter how lifeless it maybe now, God keeps His word to those who are submitted to Him through Jesus Christ.
3) Another lesson we learn is that you cannot keep a Godly man down, but the Bible declares there is only one that’s good, “God!” The text declares that He is risen which indicates He was down but he is no longer. God will always raise those who follow Him. The Bible declares that a righteous man may fall seven times but he will not remain down. We may sin but as Christians we don’t remain in the same sinful state, day in and day out. We correct our errors by repenting. Jesus shows us in the Resurrection narrative that regardless of who or what it was that knocks you down, we should rise again. If you are down today, you owe it to yourself to find a way to get up. You don’t have to remain down. Things don’t have to remain the same. You cannot keep a Godly man/woman down. You don’t have to remain in a life of sin. You don’t have to go through life feeling bad about your mistakes, correct them and move. All of us present today are recipients of Resurrection Sunday liquid paper (correction liquid) called the blood of Christ. We have all sinned and come short of God’s approval. However the Resurrection provides for us hope of a new life to come. Jesus is our correct type, error fixer, Savior and friend.
As I viewed “Passion of The Christ” movie, I was extremely disappointed in not what I saw, but what I did not see. I did not see a scene that portrayed Christ as a risen Lord. The end of the real story of the passion of Christ says He bleed, He suffered, He died, but that He also rose again. He is alive, He is alive and alive forever more. To God Be The Glory!
Matthew 28:1-8
From the day of His crucifixion on Good Friday to that first Easter morning. The day we know as Resurrection Sunday only three days have elapsed. Three days for the itinerary preacher of Nazareth to rise from the dead and check out of His borrowed tomb. Today, His tomb stands empty. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ has become the solid foundation upon which our Christian faith is built. The empty tomb is a sign for us that God’s plan of salvation is complete. The empty tomb is a testimony that Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, is who He claimed to be, the Son of God. The empty tomb is a symbol of hope for those who believe in the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, we must be concerned with the message that is going forth in our world that attempts to dilute the power of the resurrection. The angels at the tomb of Christ declared He Is Alive. The songwriter said it best “Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow, Because He Lives, All Hope Is Gone.” With all the lessons that we can learn from the Resurrection of Christ, I will only look at a few. Max Lucado writes in his book “He chose the nails.” Jesus was a backwater peasant. He never wrote a book, never held an office. He never journeyed more than 200 miles from His hometown. Friends left Him, one betrayed Him. Those He helped forgot Him. Prior to His death they abandoned Him. But after His death they couldn’t resist Him. What made the difference? The tomb was empty.
1) One of the lessons we learn from Resurrection Sunday is God alone has the power to move some of the stones in our situations. The women on their way to the gravesite expressed concern about their inability to move the stone at the entrance of the tomb of Christ. How many times in life do we face situations that we do not have the authority, ability or assistance needed to change the situation? We only complain. How many times are we faced with problems that are as solid as a rock? Too large to move. Not enough manpower to move it. And oftentimes those who could help us really don’t care about what’s happening to us. However there are times and stones that are only moveable through and by the hand of almighty God. God alone has the power to move the things in our lives that keeps us in tombs. Faith in God can move the stone of fear. Faith in God moves the stones of doubt and indifference. God’s love can and will move the stones of hatred. Whatever it is that has become a stone in your life, remember God has the power to move it. Oftentimes God does not move the stone to allow you to exit, but more often that not it is for others to enter. God did not roll away the stone for Jesus to leave, but for the troubled women to believe. To believe that He has the power to move, that which seems impossible with men is possible with God. God knows when to move that which impede His blessings for our life.
2) Also, we learn from Resurrection Sunday that God always keeps His word. The angels declared He had risen as He said. In a day when our word is no longer our bond. In a world of untrustworthy individuals, it’s good to know that we have a God who honors and keeps His word. All throughout the Bible, we read the words, “and it came to pass.” Jesus had spent more than 3 years teaching His disciples and others that He would be handed over to sinful men and be killed but would rise from the dead victorious. Since Christ keeps His word we should trust His word. In His word, He assures us as believers that we too will live forever with Him. He sits presently at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, yes for all of us, saved and unsaved. We have His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We have His word that what men intend for evil; God often works it for our good. Nothing can bring us closer together than difficult times. We have His word, He is no longer in the grave, but He is alive. He will one day return for all believers. You can be rest assured in the Word of god that God will take care of His own. “Be calm; don’t be afraid” was the message given to the first sonrise visitors. This message is still a resounding message for us today. Regardless of how bad things appear, no matter how lifeless it maybe now, God keeps His word to those who are submitted to Him through Jesus Christ.
3) Another lesson we learn is that you cannot keep a Godly man down, but the Bible declares there is only one that’s good, “God!” The text declares that He is risen which indicates He was down but he is no longer. God will always raise those who follow Him. The Bible declares that a righteous man may fall seven times but he will not remain down. We may sin but as Christians we don’t remain in the same sinful state, day in and day out. We correct our errors by repenting. Jesus shows us in the Resurrection narrative that regardless of who or what it was that knocks you down, we should rise again. If you are down today, you owe it to yourself to find a way to get up. You don’t have to remain down. Things don’t have to remain the same. You cannot keep a Godly man/woman down. You don’t have to remain in a life of sin. You don’t have to go through life feeling bad about your mistakes, correct them and move. All of us present today are recipients of Resurrection Sunday liquid paper (correction liquid) called the blood of Christ. We have all sinned and come short of God’s approval. However the Resurrection provides for us hope of a new life to come. Jesus is our correct type, error fixer, Savior and friend.
As I viewed “Passion of The Christ” movie, I was extremely disappointed in not what I saw, but what I did not see. I did not see a scene that portrayed Christ as a risen Lord. The end of the real story of the passion of Christ says He bleed, He suffered, He died, but that He also rose again. He is alive, He is alive and alive forever more. To God Be The Glory!
1 comment:
A great sermon...a great man of God!!!
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