Easter Festival

O God, for our redemption You have given Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by His glorious resurrection You have delivered us from the power of our enemy. Therefore grant that all our sins may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day a new person may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

But these words seemed to them as idle tale, and they did not believe them – Luke 24:11

In our world there is an ever increasing lack of conviction that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an historical event. This is critical to the heart of the Christian message for it stands or falls on the message of Easter. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearance to others is more then a mere matter of faith. It is what the faith is founded upon.

Best sellers today are listed under the headings, “fiction” or “non-fiction.” According to our text, the disciples considered the women’s story to be an idle tale – pure fiction. Many today would join the disciples and follow those in holding that the Easter story has no historical base.[1] To them, the resurrection is held to be the product of the disciples’ faith that Jesus was alive. Those who do not believe in a life after death reveal their failure to accept the resurrection as fact.

Whether the resurrection is fiction or non-fiction is one of the most important issues for the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, we are in a most miserable and hopeless condition. Without the resurrection there is no forgiveness of sins, no hope of eternal life, and no confidence that Jesus is the Son of God.

There are four reasons for putting the resurrection under the heading “non-fiction”

1. The Fact of Jesus’ death. According to the gospel accounts, Jesus went through six different trials before He was condemned to die on a cross. Three of the trials were before Gentiles and three were before the Jews. He was repeatedly put before people to be tried and the whole time He was under heavy guard. They knew who Jesus was. So, this excludes the possibility of mistaken identity.
It is highly unlikely that the Romans would have crucified a man by mistake. Remember, Jesus had been performing many miracles and was quite well known in the area. Since the Roman soldiers had him in their possession during the trials, during the beatings, and finally on the way to the cross, the most logical conclusion is that they did not make a mistake and crucified someone else instead of Jesus. Therefore, we can logically conclude that Jesus really did die on a cross.
The details of Jesus' trial and Pilate's decision to execute him, there is a strong consensus that Jesus did, in fact, die on a cross. Of course, for Christians the story doesn't end at Jesus' death. Christ's death on the Cross is only the beginning. Being under Roman rule, the Jews were only able to get rid of Jesus by having the Romans kill him. They did not actually perform the execution. They did, however, bring false charges against him which set him up for the Roman authorities to have Him crucified. The task of crucifixion was entrusted to professional Roman soldiers for whom crucifixion was a routine task, and failure to carry out such an order was punishable by death.[2] Pilate also wanted to be quite sure Jesus was dead. Mark records that he would not agree to the removal of the body, until after he had summoned the centurion and obtained confirmation that Jesus had been dead for quite some time. [3]

2. The fact of an empty tomb. Another obvious fact after the resurrection is the empty tomb. The Disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the fabrication would be evident. The empty tomb was "too notorious to be denied." One commentator put it this way that the resurrection "could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned."[4]

THE GRAVECLOTHES SPEAK VOLUMES! In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty--because of an amazing incident. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty--like a caterpillar's cocoon; with the head piece neatly folded and laying to the side. That's enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it. The first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes--undisturbed in form and position.

3. The fact of Christ’s appearance after the resurrection. Christ appeared alive on several occasions after the cataclysmic events of that first Easter. When studying an event in history, it is important to know whether enough people who were participants or eyewitnesses to the event were alive when the facts about the event were published. To know this is obviously helpful in ascertaining the accuracy of the published report. If the number of eyewitnesses is substantial, the event can be regarded as fairly well established. For instance, if we all witness a robbery and a later police report turns out to be a fabrication of lies, we as eyewitnesses can refute it.
Several very important factors are often overlooked when considering Christ's post-resurrection appearances to individuals. The first is the large number of witnesses of Christ after that resurrection morning. One of the earliest records of Christ's appearing after the resurrection is by the Apostle Paul. The apostle appealed to his audience's knowledge of the fact that Christ had been seen by more than 500 people at one time. Paul reminded them that the majority of those people were still alive and could be questioned. Dr. Edwin M. Yamauchi, associate professor of history at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, emphasizes: "What gives a special authority to the list (of witnesses) as historical evidence is the reference to most of the five hundred brethren being still alive. St. Paul says in effect, 'If you do not believe me, you can ask them.' Such a statement in an admittedly genuine letter written within thirty years of the event is almost as strong evidence as one could hope to get for something that happened nearly two thousand years ago."
Take the more than 500 witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His death and burial, and place them in a courtroom. Do you realize that if each of those 500 people were to testify for only six minutes, you would have an amazing 50 hours of firsthand testimony? Add to this the testimony of many other eyewitnesses and you would well have the largest and most lopsided trial in history.
4. The fact of the changed lives of those who met Him. But the most telling testimony of all must be the lives of those early Christians. We must ask ourselves: What caused them to go everywhere telling the message of the risen Christ?
Had there been any visible benefits accrued to them from their efforts--prestige, wealth, increased social status or material benefits--we might logically attempt to account for their actions, for their whole-hearted and total allegiance to this "risen Christ."
As a reward for their efforts, however, those early Christians were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified. Every conceivable method was used to stop them from talking.
Yet, they laid down their lives as the ultimate proof of their complete confidence in the truth of their message.
The Facts of the resurrection speak volumes to us today. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah!


[1] (Bultmann)
[2] (Matthew 27:27-36, Mark 15:16, Luke 23:47, John 19:23)
[3] (Mark 15:42-6).
[4] Paul Althaus



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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!

The Burial of Jesus

Lamentations 3:1-9
1 Peter 4:1-8
April 3, 2010

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. - John 19:38-42

Jesus was subject to a speedy trial. His death by crucifixion lasted not a few days but three short hours. The Sabbath was about to begin He is buried in a new tomb in close proximity to the place where He had died. Everything was done in hast. His arrest was arranged in secret for fear of the crowd. His trial was conducted at night because it was expedient. He was sentenced to death and executed just prior to a major festival while so many people were distracted by the events happening in the city. Now His lifeless body would rest in the tomb. After the holiday there would be time for additional spices and mourning.

The events leading up to His death were unparalleled. His death was unlike any other. Nor would anything ever be the same once there was a return to His tomb. Today there is silence. We remember the events of yesterday we anticipate the joy of tomorrow and are left today to reflect how this one solitary life has changed us forever. The cross of yesterday and the empty tomb of tomorrow can not be separated. They are the tokens of your salvation.

Guard us waking, guard us sleeping, And when we die,
May we in Your mighty keeping all peaceful lie.
When the last dread call shall wake us, Then O Lord, do not forsake us,
But to reign in glory take us With You on high.

O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Holy Saturday Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
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God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven stanza three Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St Louis

7th Word - "The word of Conclusion"

Into Your hands I commit My spirit

INTRODUCTION: "Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit" This is the 7th and last word of our Savior spoken from the cross. Having spoken these words the Son of God breathed His last and rendered up His life. What can we draw from this final testimony of the Son of God?
1. Notice that Jesus dismisses His own spirit.
A. Jesus' death is different from any other
1. The wages of sin is death - the Bible tells us. Each man must die as a result of sin. We will face death because of our common corrupt nature - found in every person who has ever taken the breath of life. Jesus' death is different, as He never sinned.
2. The Bible further tells us; "It is appointed for man once to die and after this comes judgment" We will face the judgment seat of God once we die. There will be a day or reckoning for every soul upon this earth. Again, not so with Jesus. His was a perfect sacrifice. As He was innocent and yet charged and judged. Yet He bore our punishment for us - that His sentencing might be sufficient for the sin of the entire world.
B. Jesus' death is absolutely voluntary - no one else- including His enemies or the devil himself -can take His life from Him. The death of Jesus is a supreme sacrifice. Jesus tells us plainly "No one takes My life from Me - I lay it down and I take it up again"
Transition: Jesus dismisses His life voluntarily. He does it of His own will. This selfless act is necessary and essential to your salvation.
2. This voluntary element is absolutely essential to salvation.
A. It had to be voluntary for God to be just. There is an element of justice with God. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life. Each sin must be dealt with. Total payment must be made. The debt for sin must be paid. Jesus Christ by His voluntary death paid the ultimate price for sin.
B. It had to be voluntary for God to be God. People can't kill God. We can ignore Him. We can defy Him. We can abandon and disown Him. But we can't kill Him. The devil thought in his heart of hearts that he had killed the Lord of life. Not so! Remember those words of Jesus "No one takes My life from Me - I lay it down and I take it up again. That's why Jesus could pray "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit."
C. It had to be voluntary to display fully His love. The death of Jesus was not a selfish act. It was a labor o life to demonstrate fully His love for us. Jesus says in John chapter three: "God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
CONCLUSION: See what manner of love the Farther has for us that we might be the children of God. As the Son has given up His life for you now you are free and your sins they are no more!

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Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Hebrews 10:16-25
April 2, 2010


When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! - John 13:31-38

After the resurrection Peter and Jesus have another heart to heart meeting. Three times Jesus would ask Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” John would remind us in his gospel account, “Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him for a third time do you love Me?” – John 21:17

Roman Catholics maintain that Peter was the first Pope. To this day Protestant parishes in Europe will place a rooster instead of a cross on the top of their spires as a not so friendly reminder of Peter’s seedy past. Not much has changed over the years. Have there been instances in our lives when we have not acted as becomes a child of God? Have you had to be reminded of that moment only to relive it once again?

Each of us can recall those moments in our lives in which we are not proud! Peter’s’ denial crushed him – but what he found was restoration by the Savior!

Peter’s freedom came at a price – the price of Jesus’ life. To be crushed by conscience and the Law is never a pleasant thing. But Christ’s redemption leads to recovery – to be reconciled to the Father and also to each other – all has been made possible by the Savior’s amazing grace!

Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Good Friday Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

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The Lord's Supper

Exodus 12:1-42
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
April 1, 2010
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. - Mark 14:12-26

The Lord’s Supper is important because it was the last meal the disciples had with Jesus before He was crucified. Jesus had this mean to let the disciples know that they should continue this holy sacrament after His crucifixion. Communion is a sacrament during which the bread and wine are blessed and partaken of by worshipers as the body and blood are present there. Our church celebrates the Lord’s Supper by having communion every first, third, and fifth Sunday of every month and on feast day celebrations. We participate in communion because God says it cleanses us and takes away our sins. Than you God, for giving us this holy sacrament!

Meghan Manley

O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of your passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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6th Word - The word of completion

It is finished!

INTRODUCTION: From the 6th hour to the 9th hour the Bible tells us, the sun was hidden from view. Darkness covered the land. Then at the 9th hour Jesus offered to us His 6th word - a word of completion. It is finished! When Jesus cried these words what exactly is finished? I would suggest four things were brought to completion on the day Christ died -
1 The first thing to find its conclusion is the physical sufferings of Jesus.
A. This was the plan of God from the very beginning. On the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus Jesus had to explain to the two from Scripture that the Son of God had to be arrested, tried, crucified, died and rise again. The crucifixion of Christ was never a surprise to the Father. It happened all according to His divine plan.
B. Because the Savior fulfilled this divine plan we no longer have to fear that we will have to suffer for our sins. Oh yes, there might be consequences that we might have to bear because of sin. For example; a thief might have to do time when caught. Running a stop sign might mean an accident. However, we need not fear that we will have to suffer for our sins as punishment from God. All suffering for punishment was finished at the cross - mark the words of Jesus well: "It is finished!"
2. The humiliation of Jesus Christ is now finished.
A. Because Jesus has suffered all His mission of humiliation is finished. What is the humiliation? The humiliation are those steps Jesus deliberately took where He had all of the power and glory and majesty of God but refused to use it.
B. Let's retrace those steps again-
Ø He was born of the virgin Mary
Ø He suffered
Ø Under Pontius Pilate He was crucified
Ø He died
Ø He was buried
3. The whole program of the Old Testament is now finished.
A. The gap bridging institutions of the Old Testament was no longer necessary nor are they valid. A question - why don't we sacrifice animals any more? Why don't we observe ceremonies established in the Old Testament any more? There is a clear answer - "It is finished!" These things are no longer necessary because they were a focus of things to come. Their substance belongs to Christ.
B. To symbolize that these practices had come to an end the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. The rent of the veil in the middle of the temple speaks volumes - the animosity and the barrier that separated God and man are now broken down! Why do we have nothing hindering the chancel area in the front of the church? Because Jesus speaking from the cross said: "It is finished! The cross reminds us that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
4. The work of redemption is now finished!
A. The center of Christ's of redemption is found at the cross. Throughout the pages of the Old Testament we see a common thread that says at the fullness of time, at just the right time - the Son of God would suffer and die on a cross for the redemption of man. The whole world's salvation is focused on the cross. Your personal redemption is found at the cross. When the Son of God suffered and died on the cross all sin was forgiven. At the cross all debts were canceled. So the cross now stands at the center of the entire world's and your personal salvation.
B. What does this mean for us today?
1. God and man are now reconciled. St. Paul tells us "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
2. The conflict of the ages is already won. Now there is peace on earth and good will toward men. The powers of sin death and Satan are now rendered powerless. They have no control over you. They are no longer in control. They can no longer have any power over you.
3. Because of Jesus' work on the cross a door is now open to all to receive the Lord's free salvation. It is great and free. A glorious future awaits you because this redemptive work has been completed.
CONCLUSION: It is finished! It is finished indeed!

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