Easter Sunrise

 

Easter Sunrise
Luke 224:1-11
Life Now Makes Sense

Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever.[1]

The disciples’ early unbelief gave way to faith. When they saw the risen lord. Christ now overcomes people’ unbelief through His Word and promise. (Vv.25-27, 32, 45) These promises center in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Life now has meaning for us.

Have you ever felt that life has no meaning? No purpose? No sense to it all?

1.  The meaninglessness of life is a problem of human nature.

A.      Many have no purpose that reaches beyond this life; hence, despair and hopelessness arise.

B.      The fall robbed human beings of their life, hope and future.

C.      Because of sin, our only future is death and damnation.

2. Christ gives meaning to our life.

A.      His work gives meaning.

1.      He suffered and died (v.7a)

2.      He rose again (6 indications in our text!)

3.      This work was necessary (v.7) for people to have forgiveness (24:26-47) B. This gives meaning to all history.

B.      The previous ages looked forward to it.

1.      God’s saving acts in the Old Testament prefigured it. (See Ex.15:1-11)

2.      The Old Testament predictions foretold it. (See Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

3.      Christ Himself predicted it (see Luke 9:22, 44; 17:24-25; 18:31-33)

4.      Due to His work, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all.

C.      This gives meaning to each of us.

1.      Through the proclamation of Christ God offers the forgiveness of sin.

2.      With sin forgiven, we have life through the Living One (Luke 24:5)

3.      We now have a future and a home – eternal life.

4.      We now have a purpose in life – to proclaim repentance and forgiveness. In His name, we proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations.

Life is no longer meaningless. Because He lives, we shall live also! Because “He is not here; He is risen indeed!” Christ’s resurrection gives purpose to our life in this world.

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[1] Collect for Easter, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Easter Sunrise

Easter Sunrise

21 April, 2019

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

A Personal Easter Experience

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the Lord’s resurrection, may be raise from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Easter can be only a matter of history – of what happened to others. It can tell us of various appearances of the risen Christ to people of the past. Paul brings Easter up-to-date, involving his own personal experience. Today we can add a far longer list of resurrection appearances to people through twenty centuries, but can we with Paul say, “He appeared to me also?” As far as Paul is concerned, Easter never happened until you personally have an encounter with the risen Lord. If Easter is to be real to you…

1. You first need a contemporary experience, not only historical. – For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Vv. 3-7

A. Paul has no problem explaining the historical context of the Easter story. In fact, he insists on it. He tells the story of the resurrection just like every single generation has heard it and still needs to hear it. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

1. He reminds us that what he is passing on to us is the most important aspect of our Christian faith. Christianity stands or falls on the teaching of the resurrection. The heart of our faith is found in this one small yet powerful sentence, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

a. That Jesus died, was buried and rose again is the teaching that makes us uniquely Christian. Without this teaching, there is no Christian faith. This is the message you have come to hear Sunday after Sunday. It’s the message that makes us Easter people - Jesus died, was buried and rose again.

b. And this Easter story happened just as it was suppose to happen. Paul tells us this all happened “according to the Scriptures.” What was predicted by the prophets of old happened in time and space in the town of Jerusalem around the year 30 AD. What had been promised came true. It happened just as the prophecy was predicted.

2. In addition to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, there are also His appearances to countless persons over a forty-day period. He appeared to Peter, to the twelve, to more than five hundred believers at the same time, to James, and to all of the apostles.

B. There are countless sightings; there are many eye-witnesses, which give convincing proof of the resurrection. He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. These eye-witnesses give validity to the resurrection.

St. Paul gives us a list of those who were eye-witnesses, who met Jesus face to face after the resurrection. These eye-witnesses give credibility to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul is saying, “You Corinthians, you want proof? Here are the names. Here are the people involved. Have a conversation. Check out their story. Talk to them. They have all seen Jesus alive from the dead! It’s not made up as some have said. They have seen Jesus with their own eyes.”

Transition: The resurrection happened in time and space. But it needs to be personally experienced by you today.

2. You too need to encounter the living Christ. “And last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” V.8

A. Paul will speak personally of his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus. Not only was he an eye-witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ but his life was forever changed after that meeting. He was changed - from a man hell-bent on arresting and persecuting Christians to becoming the chief spokesperson for the Jesus movement. He was changed - from following rules, regulations, traditions and ceremonies to a man who would later write, “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:15

B. You too have connected with the Lord Christ. Ours is not a religion in which we work our way up to God by pre-determined steps. It’s the difference between Do and Done. And what a difference it is! The Faith is not purpose-driven its Spirit given. It’s a life lived with the living Lord Jesus. It is His life, which has changed you as He orders your days, guides each step and directs your life.
Reject not until you have examined the evidence. By His bodily resurrection and His appearance to countless eye-witnesses, we can say boldly and confidently this day, “He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”

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Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn
1 April 2018
Colossians 3:1-4
New Life

Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened for us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  – Collect for Easter Sunrise, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis.

Jesus lives!  The promise for you is this – “Because I live” Jesus reminds us, “you will live also!” –John 14:19 You have been given a wonderful promise of new life. Not just in a physical, earthly way. But in a higher, heavenly way. The life you live in Christ is to be lived at the highest level.

1. We have died to sin. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  –Colossians 3:3
A. Your sinful nature was buried with Christ in baptism. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” –Romans 6:3-4
1. Since we are not yet rid of sin in our bodies, we continue to feel the effect of sin.
a. We may become preoccupied with things earthly – making money, acquiring things, getting ahead. These in themselves are not bad. They only become stumbling blocks for us if they become our chief priority.
b. Our minds may dwell on evil rather than on good – and envying, lusting, and coveting.
c. We sometimes forget that evil thoughts, as the ancient collect for the 2nd Sunday in Lent puts it, “assaults and hurts the soul.”
2. Yet we can consider ourselves dead to sin. “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”–Romans 6:11
B. Christ’s power is available to us to put down sin in our bodies.
1 The same power that He displayed in His resurrection, He now uses fully at the Father’s right hand. As the living, ascended Lord, He gives us power to live on a higher level.
2 We do not have to set our minds “on things that are on earth.” (v.2) Nor do we have to occupy our minds with what is sensual and mean. Rather we can think on those things that age good, right, noble, and true.  Yes, our thoughts are important. Terribly important. “As a man thinks within himself, so he is.” –Proverbs 23:7

2. We have been raised with Christ. 
A. We were made spiritually alive in our baptism.
1. We live through faith in the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s resurrection guarantees this. “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the circumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,” –Colossians 2:12-13
2. We are now sensitive to God’s love toward us.
B. Our life is hid with Christ. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”   –Colossians 3:3
1. Christ is withdrawn from the world of sense, yet He is with us always
2. It is a mystery that we can be in Christ and He in us. Yet this is now your reality.
3. Christ in us draws us to Himself and enables us to think His own thoughts. “Do not be conformed to this world, [a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
C. Our life will be manifested when Christ appears. “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” –Colossians 3:4
1. Our living Lord will come again. Then we shall be like Him in glory.
2. Our life in Christ will have perfect bodily expression. But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.” -1 Corinthians 15:35,42,43

Life in Christ makes for heavenly-minded living. Continue to live with your sight heavenward.
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Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS

Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn
 April 17, 2017
“Tell them, I am has sent you.”
Matthew 22:23-33 Exodus 3:14

The Sadducees gather. Posing a question. Designed to ridicule a belief. That on the last day. God will raise the righteous dead to life. That they will share in the renewal of God’s creation. In the kingdom of God. 

“The same day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him.” 

The Sadducees. Were the party in power in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. The family of Caiaphas. The High Priest. And Annas. His father-in-law. Were Sadducees. This family had largely made their peace with the Roman occupation. And they had been rewarded with positions of power and influence as a result. 

The Sadducees were religious conservatives. They did not acknowledge the authority of the prophets or the “writings” (e.g. Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.), To the Sadducees, “the Scriptures” meant simply the five books of Moses, what we call today the Torah or simply, the Law.

The majority of ordinary Jewish people, however, took a different path. They believed in the resurrection of the body. The basic idea is very simple. God is the Creator of matter. Which, is therefore good and not evil. And God does not intend to abandon matter as a failed experiment when the Day of the Lord comes. 

Rather, on that day. The world will be set free from injustice and oppression. Evil and suffering.  And the righteous dead will be raised to life again. – A full bodily life – In which they will then enjoy this physical world in its renewed form. As God intended. 

In the time of Jesus. Only the Sadducees denied the resurrection. Their belief was that when you were dead. You were dead. And that was that.

 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying,  ‘Teacher, Moses said, “If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother”. Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow for his brother. The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh.  Last of all, the woman herself died.  In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.

Now originally this law was all about property. And the continuation of land in the family. A widow who inherited her late husband’s property. And then remarried outside his family would take the family property with her to her new husband, and therefore it would be lost to the family. 

Levirite marriage was intended to address this issue. It was a well-known law and everyone in the crowd would recognize the suggestion that the Sadducees were making. (Quoting, of course, from the only books they considered to be authoritative. The five books of Moses).

The Sadducees then construct a bizarre story. In which seven brothers in succession married a woman. And all died childless. The point of the story, of course, is to embarrass Jesus. ‘How ridiculous your beliefs are, Jesus! Will they all have to share her in the resurrection? Since each of them is her husband?’ 

This challenge is, of course, based on certain assumptions. About what the resurrection life will be like. Jesus will address those assumptions in His response.

Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.

This is an interesting verse.  It’s easy to see what Jesus means about them being wrong. Because they don’t know the scriptures. He is about to point them to a text in the Law which, in His view, proves that their beliefs about life after death are wrong. 

But what does he mean when he says that they are wrong because they do not know “the power of God?”  Are they limiting God? Are they assuming that God does not have the power to raise the dead? Or, that God is restricted to the customs and possibilities that exist in life, as we know it today? We need to know both the Scriptures and the power of God. Not one. Or the other.

For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

This sentence needs to be read carefully. Because it has been largely misunderstood in popular culture today. Jesus does not say that in the resurrection, “they are angels in heaven.”  What Jesus says is that they “are like angels in heaven.” 

There is an almost universal view today that when someone dies, ‘there’s another angel in heaven’. But this is very unbiblical. This is not found in the Scriptures. Human beings who die do not become angels. Angels, in the Bible, are seen as a completely different order of creation from humans. 

Existing before us.  They are God’s messengers. And occasionally even God’s warriors.  But they are not and have never been human.

And one difference between us. Jesus says. Is that in this life we humans marry and are given in marriage. But angels do not. This may be because we are physical beings and they are not, or it might be because they are immortal beings and we, at least in our present physical existence, are not. It is necessary for new human beings to be born and raised, and so marriage and sexuality are necessary. But after the resurrection, we will no longer be mortal. So there will be no more need to renew the human race with new human beings. Therefore “in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” (v.30).

The resurrection life will not be just a continuation of this one. Rather, God is going to “make all things new.” And what is going to come into existence is something we have not yet seen or even imagined.  Do not become shocked because we are only told what will not happen: marriage. 

And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God,  “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.  And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

This passage is from the story of the burning bush. Moses is on the mountain. He notices a bush that is burning but doesn’t burn up. When he gets closer. God speaks to him from the bush. He tells him to remove his sandals. Because he is standing on holy ground. And then continues, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6).

Jesus’ points to the tense of the verb. If Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were no longer in existence. God would have said, “I was the God of Abraham…” etc. The fact that he uses the present tense proves that to God, the patriarchs are still alive. 

For God to say, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” actually proves there is life beyond the grave.  In which the patriarchs are still alive. And the crowds were under no illusion as to who had won the debate. “And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at His teaching.”

To apply what Jesus says to our lives. Jesus affirms two things today. 

First, He is affirms that there is life after death. This is not your best life now. There is life yet to come. In the resurrection. 

Secondly, Jesus is also taking His stand. Life after death is not a shadowy existence. In which we float around. As disembodied spirits. In some unearthly paradise. With fluffy clouds. And harps. No, life after death is physical. On the last day. The day in which He renews His whole creation. And removes from it all causes of evil. God will raise the righteous dead to life. And they will enjoy the sort of life He had in mind when He first created them.

The main point is the resurrection. It is this, which leads to the real “life everlasting.” As we say in the Creed. (And yes. The order is important!) “I believe in…the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Easter Sun Rise

Easter Sunrise

April 5, 2015

Isaiah 25:6-9

“Happiness is…Easter!”

The one thing most people want is happiness. Our expressions at Easter indicate that Easter is supposed to be a happy time. Expressed in the words, “Easter joy”; or “Happy Easter”.  It is a time of rejoicing not because of our happy circumstances but because of what God has done for us in the Resurrection.  True, Christians are happy regardless of the hardships, handicaps and misfortunes they may be experiencing. Their joy is based on God’s victory, which they can share.

Easter is happy because…

It is a feast--v. 6 Isaiah tells us: "And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined."

There is nothing sectarian about God. "All peoples" are to get the benefit of God's conquest of evil, including death.  This must have been a shocking and revolutionary message for the nation of Israel.  Israel's enemies are among "all peoples"!  And yet, "all peoples" are brought to the Lord.  "ALL PEOPLES" receive the blessings of God!

By these words, we see all sorts of people benefiting from God's gracious act. God is concerned with the salvation of all people.  "God so loved the world…that He gave His only begotten Son." God desires all people to live forever with Him. God wishes all people to repent and come to Him.  He does not desire the loss of one single soul.

In the Old Testament, a feast is symbolic of the conclusion of God's salvation. It's a celebration at the conclusion of a job well done.  God has conquered all evil powers, including death.  Now comes the victory dinner. After a difficult or heavy job is done people like to celebrate a little. Easter is God's celebration!

God provides and prepares for this celebration. Believers in Christ are God's invited guests. You are here this morning because God has invited you.  You are here today because this is the feast of victory of our God. In the Holy Communion God comes to us offering His gifts of salvation.

In that meal, especially you and I celebrate His victory over death in the resurrection of His own Son.  This is why we celebrate Communion on Easter and on Sunday, which is the day in which Jesus rose from the dead. We celebrate with a feast, which has been prepared and furnished by God.

It is a victory--v. 7 Isaiah continues: "And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the Vail that is spread over all nations."

We are victorious because Christ is victorious. God's promise to defeat death has been fulfilled.  God promised the covering that was cast over all people and spread over all the nations.  Death is what is common to each of us - for it is the result of sin. 

In overcoming sin for us, Jesus has also overcome death!  Death no longer can rob us of that joy that Jesus has planned for us. Death has lost its sting! Death has lost its punch! Death is no match for God! Thanks be to Jesus who has overcome death for us!

It is salvation--v. 9 Isaiah concludes: "And it shall be in that day Lo, this is our God: we have waited for Him and He will save us; this is the LORD: we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

A Christian's happiness does not depend on his/her well-being in this world. A person can be oppressed, persecuted, and defeated but can still be happy.  How is this so? Because of Jesus. Because of Easter. The reason is the source of one's joy.  Our joy finds its focus in Christ. Because we are Easter people, we can rejoice because God has defeated our worst enemy, He has defeated death!

God has provided a banquet for each of us.  You are invited and the fare is only the best. Come to the banquet. He is the host. You are His guest! Come -for all things are now ready! 

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Easter Dawn

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:19-28
Victory is Guaranteed

Days prior to Super Bowl III New York Jets quarterback “Broadway Joe” Namath guaranteed victory. The country was shocked and taken aback. How could he be so sure, so brazen, and so confident? People simply didn’t make such predictions.

In a more serious note, St. Paul guarantees our victory over death. From the perspective of what God intended for us – that we should not die but live – death is indeed a certain enemy. Yet here in our text Paul makes a bold statement – our victory over death is guaranteed! How is this so?

I. Our victory over death is guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection.

A. Christ is the first fruits.

1. Just as the first sheaf of grain offered as a sacrifice to God in the Old Testament represented the full harvest that was to follow, so Christ’s resurrection is the first of many resurrections that will surely follow. (v.20)

2. Because our resurrection from the dead is assured, our physical death can be regarded as sleep (“who have fallen asleep” v.20)

3. The hope we have based on Christ’s resurrection does not relate only to this life but also to life beyond physical death (v.19)

B. Christ is the source of life.

1. Death is an event brought on by the first man, Adam.

2. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, the God-man, by His death and resurrection abolished death (V.22; 2 Timothy 1:10)

Transition: But when will this banishment of death occur for us in view of the fact that we must all experience physical death? “Each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (V.23) Our victory over death is guaranteed!

II. At Christ’s 2nd Coming.

A. The triumphs of evil that we see around us, especially the devastation caused by death, will not continue forever.

1. Christ, even now is in control and will one day openly display His victory over all evil.

2. In the meantime, He will not permit any evil, including death, to destroy us. (Vv.25, 27)

B. The day is coming when all the forces opposing God will be destroyed. (V. 24)

1. The scheming of Satan, the plotting of evil people, the perversities of our sinful nature, and the grip of death will be conquered.

2. From that day on there will be no more death!

C. The second coming of Christ will mark the beginning of a new existence in which the Triune God will be everything to us in a kingdom of glory without end. (V.28)

Can we guarantee victory without any hesitation or doubt? The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees our victory over death, pointing us to that day when we shall rise to endless life, and death shall be no more!

Artwork by Ed Riojas, ©Higher Things; - Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld ©WELS;
Artwork by Ed Rojas, © Higher Things

Easter Dawn

There is a night and day difference between the time the sun began to rise to the time it would set on that first Easter. As the sun began to rise, the disciples found themselves living in fear. What had just transpired the past twenty-four to thirty-six hours? Could they comprehend it all? Their friend, their hero, their Jesus had died such a tragic and senseless death. It was so pointless. Such ridiculous and absurd charges had been trumped up against Him. It was all so meaningless. He had been preaching openly day after day in the temple. The authorities had confronted Him time after time trying to silence Him. Every time they thought they had quieted Him, put Him in His place, His words; those wonderful, powerful, sweet words, those words of life and light - left them speechless. How foolish were they? Could the kingdom come in such a way as to change the world with such power? Could faith as small as mustard seed accomplish such that the mountains be tossed into the sea? How senseless had they been? The weekend had become such a blur. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath, they rested according to the commandment.(Luke 23:54-55)

Mindless and numb to the events of the past few days all they could do was prepare a few spices, and finish the task, which they could not complete because of the holiday. That slow, lonesome trek; back to the garden, back to the tomb, back to where it had ended so badly. They were numb.

1. Approaching the tomb, while it was dark, the disciples were filled with doubt and fear. The Sabbath ended at sunset. Jesus had been dead and buried Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Beginning at the previous sunset, it had now been three days [according to Jewish reckoning.]

How early was it? John reminds us that the Mary goes to the tomb “while it was yet dark.” Had she come to finish embalming the body? She did not expect a resurrection. To her astonishment, she found the stone rolled away.

A. Fear had taken her. Not knowing what to make of it she returns to Peter and John with the alarming news, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb. Vs. 2, She assumed that someone, somehow, had stolen His body and hid it from her. First, He was disrespected in His death, and now she thought, He would be disrespected in His burial.

B. Mary did not stay at the tomb and cry. Mary did not go home and try to forget about what she had seen. She ran! She ran to Peter and John and said, We don’t know where they have laid Him. Vs. 2, Why does Mary say this, especially on that First Easter morning? Isn’t she supposed to be full of hope? She notices that the stone has been rolled away from the tomb, and yet she weeps?

Mary Magdalene was expecting Jesus’ body to be in that tomb. Mary thinks that something precious has been lost to her, namely her Lord’s life and presence. Notice, though, that she runs to the tomb before Easter Sunday actually begins. Since it was still dark when Mary rushed to the tomb, it was not yet morning, not yet Sunday, not yet the first day of the week, not yet the Day of Resurrection. Mary’s statement is for her one of horror, loss, confusion. But Count it all joy, brothers and sisters. For Mary, and for Peter and John, and for the rest of the disciples, and for later Christians including us, the Empty Tomb is the cause of our great rejoicing. Because the body of the Lord has not been stolen, (cf. Mt 27:64; 28:13-15). They have not taken away our Lord. He is present with us, Emmanuel, and behold, He is even present with us to the end of the ages. (Mt 1:23; 28:20).

C. They did not know the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. Vs. 9, It was not some particular passage of Scripture, but the writings of the Old Testament in general, and the various places, which spoke of the resurrection in particular. It was determined, it was predicted, it was promised that the Savior would rise. Jesus had to rise from the dead. Your justification and salvation elect required it.

D. Without Scripture, without the witness of the resurrection there can be no faith. The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was telling them until He opened their understanding. The disciples on the road to Emmaus, that first Easter only understood the significance of the resurrection after Jesus had opened the Scriptures to them. Only after they had recognized Him did He vanish from their sight.

Transition: As the day dawned, there was much doubt and fear. At the end of the day, it would be replaced with faith.

2. Seeing is believing
. A. John, the one who came to the tomb first went in also. He saw and believed. Vs. 8, He was the first person that the Bible says, “believed” following the resurrection of Jesus. Seeing is believing. He “believed” before the rest of the disciples. He was one of the first eyewitnesses of the empty tomb. And his testimony never wavered. “We are witnesses of these things!” was the testimony of those 1st Century believers.

B. Look deeper. The grave is not empty. He saw the linen clothes lying there. Vs. 6 The stone was removed not that Jesus could get out but that we could get in. The place where Jesus was laid gives significant proof that the body of Jesus had been there. The linen clothes are lying there. But the body of Jesus is not there. Why seek the living among the dead? He is not here He is risen indeed! So when John looked at the clothes and the Bible says he “saw and believed,” he knew that no one took the body of Jesus away. If an enemy of Jesus took His body, they wouldn’t have removed it from the clothes and then neatly arranged the clothes to make it look like He had risen. And if the friends of Jesus had taken His body, they would have kept His clothes on Him.

No one took the body of Jesus away. When John saw the arrangement of the grave clothes, he instantly believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. God had intervened! God had performed the greatest miracle of all time!

The burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was “by itself.” It was not with the body clothes, but on the very spot where His head had rested. His head cloth was “folded up.” In other words, it had not been manually unfolded. The head cloth was not removed from the head; rather, the head had been removed from the cloth.

The linen clothes were there. The head cloth was there. Nothing had been undone. None of the folds had been disturbed. There was no change in their position. Everything was there...except the body.

C. He saw the handkerchief that had been around His head not lying with the linen clothes but folded together in a place by itself. Vs. 7 In a few moments, we will celebrate Communion. Think of these words whenever the pastor sets the table. On the credence table are the individual cups, the flagon, the wafers, and the ciborium (container). On the alter, is the challis and the paten containing consecrated wafers from the previous service. The coverings are removed and then folded. First from the table - then from the altar. When you see the coverings folded remember the liner cloths. When the smaller linen is taken from the altar remember the handkerchief that had been around His head not lying with the linen cloths but folded together in a place by itself. Every time we celebrate communion we are reminded of that first Easter. Every time we celebrate communion we are reminded that we are Easter people.

D. These disciples went away back to their own homes. Vs. 10 The disciples didn't get together until the same day in the evening. They were locked up in a room, probably afraid that the Jewish authorities would go looking for them, demanding to know what happened to Jesus' body.

They were hiding out trying to decide what to do. The disciples were hiding because they were afraid. These very same men deserted Jesus when He was arrested because they feared for their lives. They all forsook Him and fled. He had said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered'" Peter denied knowing Him three times because he was afraid. What changed all that? The appearance of Jesus Christ visibly from the dead. We do not have to be afraid as we now have the eyewitness testimony of those first disciples. Instead of going back to our homes we go back to the circumstances the Lord stations us as we gossip the gospel sharing with others the hope that we have in this new life.
You have seen and you too believe. As you go, back to your homes, shops and those places where you live and work share with them these things of faith.

Easter Sunrise

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim
10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42
Chartered February 25, 1838
Celebrating our 172nd Year
The Bicentennial of Wyneken’s birth

April 4, 2010
Easter Sunrise
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
A Personal Easter Experience

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the Lord’s resurrection, may be raise from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Easter can be only a matter of history – of what happened to others. It can tell us of various appearances of the risen Christ to people of the past. Paul in our text brings Easter up-to-date, involving him and his own personal experience. Today we can add a far longer list of resurrection appearances to people through twenty centuries, but can we with Paul say, “He appeared to me also?” As far as you are concerned, Easter never happened until you personally have an experience with the risen Lord. If Easter is to be real to you…

1. You first need a contemporary experience, not only historical. – For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Vv. 3-7

A. Make no doubt about it. Paul has no problem explaining the historical context of the Easter story. In fact, he insists on it. He tells the story of the resurrection just like every single generation has heard it and still needs to hear it. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
1. He reminds us that what he is passing on to us is the most important aspect of our Christian faith. Christianity stands or falls on the teaching of the resurrection. The heart of our faith is found in this one small yet powerful sentence, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

a. Jesus died, was buried and rose again is the teaching that makes us uniquely Christian. Without this teaching there is no Christian faith. This is the message you have come to hear Sunday after Sunday. It’s the message that makes us Easter people - Jesus died, was buried and rose again.

b. And this Easter story happened just as it was suppose to happen. Paul tells us this all happened according to the Scriptures. What was predicted by the prophets of old happened in time and space in the town of Jerusalem around the year 30 AD. What had been promised came true. It happened just as the prophecy was predicted.

2. In addition to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead there are also His appearances to countless persons over a forty day period of time. He appeared to Peter, to the twelve, to more than five hundred believers at the same time, to James, and to all of the apostles.

B. There are countless sightings; there are many eye-witnesses, which give convincing proof of the resurrection. He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. These eye- witnesses give validity to the resurrection. Think of it this way. 40 years ago Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Many of us saw the footage of that historic event live on television as it was beamed from the moon’s surface to the planet earth. And yet, to this day, there are countless people who are convinced that this footage was filmed by the government, a complete hoax! As strange as that may sound there is a segment of people in our world who have joined the “Man will never fly” society. They say, Neil Armstrong never made it to the moon let alone walk on its surface.

Now, if it were true, that Armstrong never walked on the moon but it was all made up at a Hollywood studio think of all the people who had to keep the secret all these years…the people who came up with the idea in the first place had to be sworn to secrecy, the actors, the film crew, the people who produced the video, those who distributed it. How many people would it take to propagate such a hoax? Hundreds if not thousands of people would be involved. And think of the money! How many millions of dollars would it take just in hush money to keep the secret hidden all these years? It’s one thing to say, “The whole thing was shot at a Hollywood studio.” It’s quite another to say, “I was there...I saw it!”

Have you ever watched the television show COPS? When the police officers on the scene want to determine the truth of the matter they separate all the eye-witnesses and get each person’s statement. In this way they can determine if they are hearing the same story or if it looks like its some fabrication.



The resurrection of Jesus Christ bodily from the dead is bigger then Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. How do we know the Resurrection wasn’t made up? How do we know it’s all true? St. Paul gives us a list of those who were eye-witnesses, who met Jesus face to face after the resurrection. These eye-witnesses give credibility to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Paul is saying, “you Corinthians, you want proof? Here are the names. Here are the people involved. Have a conversation. Check out their story. Talk to them. They have all seen Jesus alive from the dead! It’s not made up as some have said. They have seen Jesus with their own eyes.”

Transition: The resurrection happened in time and space. But it needs to be personally experienced by you today.

2. You too need a personal experience. And last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. V.8

A. Paul will speak personally of his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus. Not only was he an eye-witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ but his life was forever changed after that meeting. He was changed - from Saul to Paul. He was changed - from a man hell-bent on arresting and persecuting Christians to becoming the chief spokesmen for the Jesus movement. He was changed - from following rules, regulations, traditions and ceremonies to a many who would later write, “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:15

B. You too have had a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Ours is not a religion in which we work our way up to God by pre-determined steps. It’s the difference between Do and Done. And what a difference it is! The Faith is not purpose-driven its Spirit given. It’s a relationship with the living Lord Jesus. It is His life which has changed you as He orders your days, guides each step and directs your life.

Reject not until you have examined the evidence. By His bodily resurrection and His appearance to countless eye-witnesses we can say boldly and confidently this day, “He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Easter Sunrise

There is something scary about death. We tend to keep our distance from a corpse or a grave. While there is much superstition concerning coming in contact with the dead there is also much speculation concerning the whole issue of death and dying. People tend to proceed with caution when we tread on unfamiliar or dangerous ground. That is why there is good news for us on this Easter day.

On the first Easter we find three people who came to the tomb of the Savior with three different approaches. How much are we like them today? This morning let us ask this question; "How close are you to the Easter tomb?" This morning let's try to answer that very important question.

1 First there is a distant position. The person who observed the tomb of Jesus from a distance was that of Mary Magdalene. Mary saw from a distance that the stone was rolled away. On the way to the grave she was wondering "who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb" and the gospel writer reminds us "that it was a rather large stone". But when they got to the tomb they realized that the rather huge stone had already been rolled away. Fear entered her mind for no one could more that large of a stone by themselves. It was a stone that five to six men could not have moved. As a result she figured in her might that someone must have stolen the body of Christ away from the tomb.

How close are we to the position taken by Mary? We too can take the same position of Mary. We do that when we look at the resurrection from afar. We do this when we doubt and question whether Christ has in fact risen from the dead. We do this when we misunderstand the resurrection. This happened in the life of the church when some church teachers began to explain that Christ only rose from the dead in a symbolic way. They denied a physical resurrection. Instead, they were content to believe that Jesus merely rose in the life of the church, or in the hearts of believers.

We take a distant approach to the resurrection when we are content to become non involved in the Resurrection celebration. Easter to some is nothing more then a celebration of Spring, an observance of new life, a commemoration of another planting season. It we choose to observe Easter only from a distance we will not perceive or behold the life changing process that takes place because of Easter.

2 There is a closer position of Easter. The person who observed the tomb closer was that of John. John stood at the opening of the tomb. Having heard from Mary that the tomb was empty he headed toward the cemetery and out ran Peter. Coming to the tomb first he stopped. He did not enter the tomb. John only stood at the opening of the tomb for he was afraid to enter. He looked into the tomb but he was too timid to enter by himself. He came closer but he could not enter.

In our time, we can get close to Christ very close. During this Easter season we can get close to the resurrected Christ but some will go no further, they will not enter into Christ. Today the Gospel message of the Resurrection calls us to come closer to the reality of the empty tomb. The challenge for us is to go beyond merely being passive. Allow me to ask you this important question today. Are you content to be only a spectator of a drama?

That can happen when we hear the Easter story and observe it but fail to find the full impact of the Resurrection message. That message says that there is life, real life for all who are in Christ Jesus. The Resurrection is more then just a happy ending to a divine tragedy. The Easter message is more then a happy ending to the grim end of Friday. For us to grasp the lasting meaning of the Easter message is for us to understand that because Jesus lives we will live also.
Because He is alive there is the hope and promise of life in His Name. Because He is risen from the dead all of us who are baptized into His Name will put on Christ and will be ushered into His kingdom of glory. Because of Easter you and I can say "I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home!"

3 The next position for us to view the Resurrection is the direct position. The person who observed the tomb the directly was that of Peter. Peter, the disciple who had denied the Savior just a few days before now saw with his own eyes the reality of the resurrection.

Impulsive, daring, brazen Peter rushed into the empty tomb. He was not afraid to enter where angels may have feared to tread. He saw the absence of Jesus body in the empty tomb. He saw with his own eyes the grave clothes, and the facial napkin folded up and separated from the rest of the body cavity. Peter came into direct contact with the body of evidence. What did that evidence say? It said that the body of Jesus had completely changed. The physical grave clothes where there. The body had not been stolen. The body had not been buried in a different grave.

The grave clothes were there, but Jesus was not, His body had been transformed and resurrected. The stone was rolled not so that Jesus could get out but that we could get in so that we could see with our own eyes that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead.

4 Distant, close, and direct are three positions by which we can view the resurrection. But the only position for us to clearly see the resurrection is through the eyes of faith. True, the evidence is overwhelming.

It stands clearly as convincing proof. And yet all of the bravado of the evidence will not change anyone's mind or heart. The only way for you and I to truly believe the Resurrection is for us to come by faith. That is why we go back to timid John. He got to the tomb first and stopped. But as Peter rushed past him and stooped into the tomb itself John follows in faith. Once John entered to tomb also he senses the meaning of the evidence and believes.

If you believe in the Resurrection today it is the Holy Spirit that has brought you to that faith. The evidence which is rooted in time and space convinces us of the fact of the Resurrection not because it is factual, reliable, and correct. You simply believe because the Holy Spirit has convinced you of that reality.

Reject not until you have seen clearly the open tomb and the empty grave. Do not be content to observe the Resurrection from a distance. Come closer, much closer.

Don't be content only to peer in, step all the way to the front. See with your own eyes what is there. The grave is EMPTY! Christ is not there? Where have they taken Him? don't you understand, He is not buried among the dead. He is alive. He lives and reigns throughout all eternity! He is alive and because He lives we shall live also. A blessed Easter to one and all. In Christ we have all been made alive. Live and bask in the warmth of the Resurrection glow. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Easter Sunrise

Acts 10:40-43
The Resurrection is the Keystone of the Arch of Faith

 “O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of resurrection.”

Introduction: People need to realize and appreciate the indispensable place the resurrection holds in our Christian faith. If Christ did not rise, there would be no gospel. If Jesus did not rise, our faith would be futile. We need to face the fact that not all believe in the resurrection. What would happen to our faith if there were no resurrection? The resurrection is the keystone in the arch of Christianity. All the early disciples could say is summed up in verse 39 of our text, “We are witnesses of these things…”

 If there were no resurrection —

I)       There would be no preaching of the gospel — v. 42; “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.”

II)    Peter tells Cornelius and his friends that God raised Jesus from the dead. A very devout Roman centurion, Cornelius, sends for Peter to preach to him and his friends.

III) Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus including the crucifixion and resurrection. It is to be noted that Peter says God raised Jesus; he did not raise himself. Note also Peter explains that the risen Christ did not appear to people in general, but a few chosen ones whom he commanded to preach the Good News.

IV) There would be no Jesus to judge — v. 42.

A)    The life, death, and resurrection have cosmic dimensions. Jesus is the Savior of all humankind, not for any specific group, nation, or race.

V)    Though Jesus was Jew, though the Jews rejected Him, though the Romans crucified Him, Jesus suffered, died, and rose again for the entire world.

VI) This emphasis is seen in the lesson, “judge of the living and the dead”

VII)          Easter gives an imperative to share, witness, and evangelize — “Go and tell.”

VIII)       There would be no forgiveness of sins — v. 43; “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

A)    The key to it all is the resurrection to which the apostles testified.

(i)     Because of the resurrection, the apostles were commanded to preach the cross and resurrection.

B)    Jesus is therefore proclaimed as judge of the world. Through him, forgiveness is offered to all believers. Without the resurrection as the keystone, the arch of the Christian would fall. Paul taught that if Christ had not risen, our faith would be in vain.

C)    Luke assures us that God is the one responsible for Jesus: his coming, death, and resurrection. The cross and resurrection were not the work of Jesus, nor of man. This was solely God’s work of grace in saving the world. God sent Jesus, the Word, to earth (v. 36), anointed Jesus as Messiah (v. 38), raised him from the dead (v. 40), commanded the disciples to witness to the resurrection (v. 42), and ordained Jesus to be the judge of the world (v. 42).

Conclusion: The message of Easter is the message of the Risen Lord, of his triumph over sin and death. It is a permanent message of hope for Christians and for humankind. On the third day God raised him to life…We are His witnesses. It is to Him that all Prophets bear this witness. Christ is risen. Indeed He is risen. Let us rejoice and praise the Lord of glory.

Easter Sunrise

Easter Sunrise

April 16, 2006

1 Corinthians 15:19-28

Victory is Guaranteed

INTRODUCTION: Days prior to Super Bowl III New York Jets quarterback “Broadway Joe” Namath guaranteed victory. The country was shocked and taken aback. How could he be so sure, so brazen, and so confident? People simply didn’t make such predictions.

In a more serious note St. Paul guarantees our victory over death. From the perspective of what God intended for us – that we should not die but live – death is indeed a certain enemy.  Yet here in our text Paul makes a bold statement – our victory over death is guaranteed! How is this so?

I.        Our victory over death is guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection.

A.     Christ is the first-fruits.

1.      Just as the first sheaf of grain offered as a sacrifice to God in the Old Testament represented the full harvest that was to follow, so Christ’s resurrection is the first of many resurrections that will surely follow. (v.20)

2.      Because our resurrection from the dead is assured, our physical death can be regarded as sleep (“who have fallen asleep” v.20)

3.      The hope we have based on Christ’s resurrection does not relate only to this life but also to life beyond physical death (v.19)

B.     Christ is the source of life.

1.      Death is an event brought on by the first man, Adam.

2.      The second Adam, Jesus Christ, the God-man, by His death and resurrection abolished death (V.22; 2 Timothy 1:10)

Transition: But when will this banishment of death occur for us in view of the fact that we must all experience physical death? “Each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (V.23) Our victory over death is guaranteed!

II.     At Christ’s 2nd Coming.

A.     The triumphs of evil that we see around us, especially the devastation caused by death, will not continue forever.

1.      Christ is even now in control and will one day openly display His victory over all evil.

2.      In the meantime He will not permit any evil, including death, to destroy us. (Vv.25, 27)

B.     The day is coming when all the forces opposing God will be utterly destroyed. (V. 24)

1.      The scheming of Satan, the plotting of evil people, the perversities of our sinful nature, the grip of death will be conquered.

2.      From that day on there will be no more death!

C.     The second coming of Christ will mark the beginning of a new existence in which the Triune God will be everything to us in a kingdom of glory without end. (V.28)

CONCLUSION: Can we guarantee victory without any hesitation or doubt? The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees our victory over death, pointing us to that day when we shall rise to endless life, and death shall be no more!

Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn 

March 27, 2005

Luke 24:1-6

Vain Seeking

INTRODUCTION: Easter morning must have been amazing for the disciples. They had missed the message and must have been awed by the reality of it all. They received the rebuke, “why seek ye the living among the dead?” They heard the correction: “He is risen as He said.” Their seeking was vain! It is easy to be critical of them, but people today are still vain seeking.

I.               Seeking Him in Places He Cannot Be Found.

A.       In religion.

1.      Probably nothing has done more to hide Christ than organized religion.

2.      If He is found in much Christianity, it is accidental.

B.       In philosophy.

1.           The whole tone of modern philosophy is humanistic.

2.           There is no room for Christ because it is too full of human values, which mirror sinful mortals.

C.       In legalism.

1.      Through meeting and keeping terms of the law.

2.      Anything that makes performance necessary to salvation is incorrect because it misses the point of the resurrection.

II.          Seeking Him Among People Where He Cannot Be Found.

            A. The gloomy and despairing.

1.      If He is found here, it should not be so.

2.      No room for gloom and despair among His people.

B. The doubting and unsure.

1.        If Job could say, “I know that my redeemer liveth,” how much more should we. (Job 19:35)

2.        How sad to live life unsure of the things that pertain to Him.

C. The habitually sinning.

1.   Salvation makes a change; where there is no change, there must be a questioning of salvation.

2.   He should not be found among those who constantly practice sin.

D.    The worldly.

1.      “If ye then be risen with Christ…”

2.      He should not be found among those unwilling to renounce the world.

III.         Seeking Him in Ways in Which He Cannot Be Found.

            A. Ritualism.

1.      No religious observance leads to Christ.

2.      No religious observance necessary to come to Him.

B. Self-effort.

1.       Includes all forms of religious observance and self-help philosophies.

2.       No amount of self-effort can avail in finding Him.

C. Morality.

1.        Neither doing good or refraining from doing bad.

2.        There is no moral standard – even a hypothetical one – adequate to reach Him.

Conclusion: Then how or where is He found? He is found directly; He is found by faith; He is found in prayer; He is found in His Word and Sacrament. “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”

Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn

April 11, 2004

Matthew 28:6

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

INTRODUCTION:  The words are spoken every Easter "He is Risen! He Is risen indeed Alleluia! They define us as Christians. But what does it mean that Jesus is alive?  Let's consider the reality that Jesus is risen indeed.  Because Jesus lives…

I.        Life is really worth living.

A.      It has meaning. Because He lives you will live also.  Imagine

life without the resurrection. Would there really be any purpose or meaning to life without the hope of the resurrection? Life would only be confined to this life. All we could hope for would be brief detours along life’s journey. No wonder the philosophy of the time of St. Paul was one of simply for the moment. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:32: “If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised let us eat, drink, (and be merry) for tomorrow we die”

But life truly does have meaning because Jesus is alive. The life Jesus gives us is life in abundance. It is life in abundance with a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is life in all of its fullness. It is life with all of its possibilities. It is life with a promise because Jesus Christ is alive. John 10:10 says: “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly”

Transition: Not only do we have a life worth living we have a future.

I.        We have a future.

A.     God has a future for you. 

Ø      In Proverbs 23:18 God declares – “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Ø      In Proverbs 24:14 we read: “Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off”

Ø      The Lord speaking in Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us “For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Notice in all three references future and hope are connected. “My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean to Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand” [TLH # 370 stanza 1]

B.     He has promised to guide and direct you through His living Son Jesus. “I will never leave you and I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) He has promised to be with us always – “even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)

C.     His resurrection is a guarantee of this promise. The promises of Jesus are so simple and yet so profound. He promises us in John 14:19 “because I live you will live also”

Transition: We have a life worth living. We have a future and not even death can derail us.

III.   Even death can not harm us.

A.     It is life's most difficult subject.  Some would rather talk about anything then death. But for us death is so meaningless because it is powerless.

Death is so limited...

it has not crippled love,

it has not shattered hope,

it has not corroded faith,

it has not eaten away peace,

   nor destroyed confidence.

It has not killed friendship,

it has not shut out memories,

it has not silenced courage,

it has not invaded the soul,

    nor reduced eternal life.

It has not quenched the Spirit,

it cannot, has not,

    nor will not lesson the power of the resurrection.

B.     We can handle death only because Jesus handled it for us. Jesus handled it for us. Jesus in going to the cross to carry our sins defeated death in His own death. Matthew commenting on the scene at the moment of Jesus’ death tells us: “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out of their tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-52) 

When Jesus died death died! At the moment of Jesus’ death the table was cracked and death itself started working backwards!

IV.  Eternity is ours

A.     We can know this for certain. “I’m but a stranger here heaven is my home” is the way we sing the last hymn of our hymnal. That’s a reality we know as Christian believers!

B.     How can we be assured that eternity is ours? The Father will keep His promises – the Father will keep His Word. “(even) if we are faithless He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13)

CONCLUSION He is Risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia! That is your reality! A blessed Easter!