Happy Resurrection Sunday Everyone!
For most of the past year we have talked a lot about the instruction of the Apostle Paul. And most of those conversations were really about how we as believers must change, think, or otherwise alter our mindsets for the purpose of embracing our new life in Christ. In reality, the changes we discussed were focused on our proper response or reaction to the very thing that we celebrate today.
We had a request for this, so I’d like to share with you this short clip with you to for context.
{That’s My King /Dr. S. M. Lockridge}
My Big idea today is His big idea to glorify the Father through the Son. And my prayer today, as we celebrate our risen Lord, is that together, you and Me, would come to know the fullness of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That by His spirit something special would be unlocked in us, that we walk closer with Jesus than ever before. If you have your Bibles today you can join me as we turn to, John Chapter 20 starting at verse 19.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19-23
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 2 sections or points. Let’s take a look at my first point. Many of us are programmed to focus on the empty tomb, but today I want to look at the actual causes for our celebration.
When we celebrate the Resurrection…
We Celebrate His Peace.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19-20
Right off, probably realizing the he was about to scare the disciples half to death after sneaking up on them through the locked door, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” This is like saying, “I have just defeated the last of all the threats to humanity and now you can be at peace in the community of God. From the beginning of time, God foreknew the darkness that would come when Adam and Eve fell.
“…The lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”
Revelation 13:8
This was always God‘s plan A. That those born into condemnation, who are at enmity with God would be given a savior/Messiah.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
Matthew 25:34
The promise of peace and right relationship with God was always part of the plan. Church, this is why we celebrate! The Death sacrifice of Jesus was to be for all time but was never meant to be the end of the story.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15
Not the seed of the man where the sin nature is transferred, but the seed of the woman by way of the Holy Spirit. And we see a death blow to the head of the serpent and a temporary affliction to her offspring which you all know is Jesus. This was all planned out in God’s perfect timing. Defeating death, hell, and the grave. Christ arose and appeared to the world in a super personal way that we might have PEACE is Christ Jesus.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Somebody needs to celebrate with me today.
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Galatians 4:4-7
This is not just so we can have a good life here. Having a family, Going to church, Paying your bills, This the real peace that gives us the joy of the Lord. This is the eternal peace of God and with God! Not just being ok with God, But being in love with God. And God is in love with you. So much so that he has adopted you as an heir to His kingdom with the full birthright of a son/coheir with Christ. Not to leave you ladies out, your status just got elevated too. No glass ceilings here. Were talking about the resurrected king.
They saw his hands and side and they were overjoyed! These marks of Jesus are the most recognizable features of any person who ever lived and I can only imagine seeing those hands and feeling that joy and feeling His peace come over me.
Let’s look at my next/final point. When we celebrate the Resurrection…
We Celebrate The Promise of New Life.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:21-23
Receiving the Holy Spirit in this way is second birth. It is the newness of life that is being born again. John the Baptist speaks to the prophetic removal or rebirth from the sin nature. “Behold the Lamb of God! Who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus teaches Nicodemus the Pharisee
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:3
Jesus continues…
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
John 3:5-6
This is the promise of new life. This is also the promise of new purpose. Jesus has sent us to work this harvest of our time. Having a renewed purpose in life brings a new energy, amen? As Children of God and of the risen Lord there is a new life and a new purpose for our lives. So many people I have met live in this state of chaos and dysfunction. They hate themselves and what their life has become that they would give anything for a chance at a new life. They have lost hope. The old man/person has passed away and the new man/person is alive in Christ Jesus! Justified! Sanctified! Are you celebrating in the risen Lord today?
Bear with me as I close.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
John 3:16-21
This is a celebration of our risen Lord! Will you receive His peace today? Will you celebrate your new life in Jesus Christ today?
Will you open your hearts today and receive what God has for you? Will you ask Him to Help your unbelief today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. There’s some form of deadness or bondage in your life or your relationships today and God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to resurrect this in your life. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here.
Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me.
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’