Happy Resurrection Sunday! Christ is Risen!- You respond he is risen indeed!
My friends today we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is our living savior and Lord. It is so wonderful to be a part of the Kingdom and Family of God.
Today we have partaken of Holy Communion and remembered Jesus moments with his disciples before his betrayal, arrest, beatings and crucifixion.
We have sung songs about his resurrection.
We have heard a poem about his resurrection.
At 1:00pm today we are going to gather in the Gym to baptize people who would like to make their public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and follow his example in baptism.
This morning at 5:57 the Lord woke me up with 2 scriptures that I believe the Lord would like for us to spend time learning about this morning:
1 Corinthians 9:22
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
2 Corinthians 4:7
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
I want to begin
John 20
King James Version
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
***1st point of the message today: Christ is risen and he revels himself to those who seek him.
Jeremiah 29:13
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
***Point #2 of the Message this morning: Christ desires that you share the good news of his resurrection with others.
***Jump with me to the book of Matthew
Matthew 28
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
***1st point of the message today: Christ is risen and he revels himself to those who seek him.
***Point #2 of the Message this morning: Christ desires that you share the good news of his resurrection with others.
***Point #3 of the Message this morning: There will always be doubters, but they do not change the truth.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
**Go back with me to John 20:19
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
***Point #4 of Message today: Do not be afraid to ask God for confirmation of his word or promise to you.
**There are many examples in God’s word of men and women of God who asked God to confirm his word:
- Gideon and the fleece
- Moses and the staff
- King Hezekiah- God caused the sun dial to go backwards
- Elijah called fire down from heaven in front of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
*** I want everyone to hear me and hear me well. Someone may have come this morning and even now you are saying in your heart……..I am not sure I believe Jesus was raised from the Dead. I want you to know that Jesus takes the time to reveal himself to all who are honest seekers of him. God will revel himself to you. God will give you a revelation of your true condition and your need for a savior today. If you seek him you will find him if you search for him with all your heart.
The question is, what will you do with the revelation of Jesus Christ to you today?
You see you cannot simply un-see what you have seen…..
You cannot simply un-know what you have known…….
When you are confronted with the truth of who you really are and who Christ really is then you have to make a decision……….
What do you do with Jesus Christ?
Go with me to Romans and lets read part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church at Rome:
Romans 1:16-20
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
****In a little bit at 1:00pm we are going to gather in the Daniel Paul Bennett Youth Center for a very special event. We are going to baptize those individuals who are ready to make their public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Pastor Doug, Pastor Edwin and I are going to lead you in baptism.
Your public confession of faith will be in accordance to
Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
***Following your confession of Faith we are going to lower you into the water to symbolize your old man dying and death and your new man being raised to life in Christ Jesus:
Romans 6:4
King James Version
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
***1st point of the message today: Christ is risen and he revels himself to those who seek him.
***Point #2 of the Message this morning: Christ desires that you share the good news of his resurrection with others.
***Point #3 of the Message this morning: There will always be doubters, but they do not change the truth.
***Point #4 of Message today: Do not be afraid to ask God for confirmation of his word or promise to you.
*** I would like to pivot the message at this point to our new life after baptism. To do this I want to go back to the 2 scriptures the Lord gave me this morning to share with you:
1 Corinthians 9:22
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
When you look at the context of this passage of scripture you will recognize that Paul the Apostle is not teaching us to get drunk so we can reach the alcoholic. We are not to go gambling at the Casino to reach the person caught in a gambling addiction.
What Paul is saying is that he places at the forefront. At the most important place of what he does day in and day out as reaching the lost soul for Christ. He sets aside all his liberties and rights in order that he can reach the most people for Christ.
If you would go back with me to Romans 14 and let’s hear Paul talk about how we can apply this principle.
Romans 14
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Point #5 of the Message today: Live your life in such a way to reach the most people possible for Christ.
**Remember your actions speak louder than you words…..but your words are extremely powerful. They can be instruments to build up or weapons to tear down. The same hammer, drill and saw that used properly can enable the master carpenter to construct the most amazing piece of furniture…….these same tools can be used to cut, destroy and shatter that piece of art in the hands of an novice or applied with an attitude of anger.
***In Closing and as the choir comes up to prepare to sing. Let’s look together at the last scripture found in 2 Corinthians 4:7
2 Corinthians 4:7
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
What is the treasure that we have? If you back up to the beginning of the Chapter 4 we will see a little better perspective:
2 Corinthians 4:1-7
King James Version
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
I love the words of Christ in Matthew 13 as he describes the Kingdom of God as the treasure:
Matthew 13:44-46
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
*** So what is God’s word telling us in: 2 Corinthians 4:7
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
***The 6th and closing point of the Message today: Jesus is the treasure, It is all about Jesus, not about us.
***1st point of the message today: Christ is risen and he revels himself to those who seek him.
***Point #2 of the Message this morning: Christ desires that you share the good news of his resurrection with others.
***Point #3 of the Message this morning: There will always be doubters, but they do not change the truth.
***Point #4 of Message today: Do not be afraid to ask God for confirmation of his word or promise to you.
Point #5 of the Message today: Live your life in such a way to reach the most people possible for Christ.
***The 6th and closing point of the Message today: Jesus is the treasure, It is all about Jesus, not about us.