Sermon
Easter March 31, 2013
John
1: 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “ I have Seen the
Lord.”
Sometimes when we share the gospel, people don't want to hear it. I have had many situations like that when I got up to speak somewhere. I could see it on the faces looking back at me, as if they were saying, "What are you going to tell me?"
But then there are times when people are receptive and responsive and drink in every word.
That is what we find in Acts 10, when Cornelius and his friends and family had gathered to hear Peter speak to them. Peter gave them a classic gospel presentation. He reviewed the life of Jesus (verse 38). He spoke of His death and His resurrection (verses 39–41), telling everyone that He will return as Judge (verse 42). Then Peter offered salvation through Christ. And notice that Peter got the memo about it being for both Jews and non-Jews: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins" (verse 43).
This single sermon of Peter's changed church history. And I find it interesting that it all started in a place called Joppa. Remember Jonah? He was connected to Joppa too. When God told him to take the gospel to the people of Nineveh, Jonah boarded a ship in Joppa that was sailing in the opposite direction.
So Joppa was the place Jonah went to get away from God, but it is also the place where Peter answered God's call to go to Caesarea and reach some Gentiles.
In contrast to Jonah, who didn't really want to go to his enemies, we have Peter, who was willing to go. If Peter had said, "Never, Lord!" that could have been the end of it. But he responded to God's call.
Where is God calling you to go today?
Sometimes when we share the gospel, people don't want to hear it. I have had many situations like that when I got up to speak somewhere. I could see it on the faces looking back at me, as if they were saying, "What are you going to tell me?"
But then there are times when people are receptive and responsive and drink in every word.
That is what we find in Acts 10, when Cornelius and his friends and family had gathered to hear Peter speak to them. Peter gave them a classic gospel presentation. He reviewed the life of Jesus (verse 38). He spoke of His death and His resurrection (verses 39–41), telling everyone that He will return as Judge (verse 42). Then Peter offered salvation through Christ. And notice that Peter got the memo about it being for both Jews and non-Jews: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins" (verse 43).
This single sermon of Peter's changed church history. And I find it interesting that it all started in a place called Joppa. Remember Jonah? He was connected to Joppa too. When God told him to take the gospel to the people of Nineveh, Jonah boarded a ship in Joppa that was sailing in the opposite direction.
So Joppa was the place Jonah went to get away from God, but it is also the place where Peter answered God's call to go to Caesarea and reach some Gentiles.
In contrast to Jonah, who didn't really want to go to his enemies, we have Peter, who was willing to go. If Peter had said, "Never, Lord!" that could have been the end of it. But he responded to God's call.
Where is God calling you to go today?
Many times, it is our fear of ridicule that gets in
the way of bringing the message that God has brought to us. We live in a world
that looks on experiences with God as events belonging to the mentally
unstable, or tricks of the mind. We live in a world that often considers the
supernatural to be superstition rather than true heartfelt experiences with
God.
Today we celebrate the event that defines the very heart of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ IS the very heart of Christianity. Today we express the fact that Jesus Christ defeated death and gave us salvation from our sins.
You see without the central belief that Jesus Christ physically resurrected himself, then Christianity is a lie. Everything we come to church for, everything we live our lives as is a lie. This is the very point Paul made earlier in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:12-19.
2 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV)
Today we celebrate the event that defines the very heart of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ IS the very heart of Christianity. Today we express the fact that Jesus Christ defeated death and gave us salvation from our sins.
You see without the central belief that Jesus Christ physically resurrected himself, then Christianity is a lie. Everything we come to church for, everything we live our lives as is a lie. This is the very point Paul made earlier in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:12-19.
2 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV)
2 But if it is preached that Christ has
been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no
resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection
of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is
your faith. 15 More than that, we are then
found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he
raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are
not raised. 16 For if the dead are not
raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in
your sins. 18 Then those also who have
fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only
for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.)
Moreover, without the resurrection of Jesus, all the sins and wrongdoings of our past are still there. We have not been forgiven and we will perish on Judgment Day. This is the consequences of there not having been a resurrection or in the denial of the actual Resurrection of Jesus.
The truth of the matter is there was a physical Resurrection of Jesus, and like Mary Magdalene, we are to announce it wherever we go. If we truly have faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should not be afraid or fearful that we may make someone uncomfortable. Why should we be ashamed to tell someone that Christ loves them so much that he laid down his live and took it up again so that they might have life everlasting?
Those moments that put people ill at ease should be moments of dialogue and times to share ones own faith. Listening to each other’s spiritual walk or testimonies in faith is a good way to bridge the gaps. In other words sharing what Christ has done in our lives could and should become our central purpose in life.
The hope to be found in Jesus’ defeat of death makes it possible for all of us to have a new beginning each and everyday of our lives. As the hymn “To God be the Glory” states, even the foulest offender, he or she too can be made clean and anew in Christ.
His resurrection makes it possible for each one of us to say, “I have seen the Lord”. Not only to just say it, but truly mean it with heart felt conviction, because Jesus
Moreover, without the resurrection of Jesus, all the sins and wrongdoings of our past are still there. We have not been forgiven and we will perish on Judgment Day. This is the consequences of there not having been a resurrection or in the denial of the actual Resurrection of Jesus.
The truth of the matter is there was a physical Resurrection of Jesus, and like Mary Magdalene, we are to announce it wherever we go. If we truly have faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should not be afraid or fearful that we may make someone uncomfortable. Why should we be ashamed to tell someone that Christ loves them so much that he laid down his live and took it up again so that they might have life everlasting?
Those moments that put people ill at ease should be moments of dialogue and times to share ones own faith. Listening to each other’s spiritual walk or testimonies in faith is a good way to bridge the gaps. In other words sharing what Christ has done in our lives could and should become our central purpose in life.
The hope to be found in Jesus’ defeat of death makes it possible for all of us to have a new beginning each and everyday of our lives. As the hymn “To God be the Glory” states, even the foulest offender, he or she too can be made clean and anew in Christ.
His resurrection makes it possible for each one of us to say, “I have seen the Lord”. Not only to just say it, but truly mean it with heart felt conviction, because Jesus
Christ is alive today. Early Christian preacher and
evangelist John Chrysostom in his famous Easter Sermon from around 400 AD said
it this way about our celebration of the resurrection.
First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the faith, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! (John Chrysostom’s Easter Sermon)
In other words, celebrate this day; make joyful noises of praise and worship. Shout from the rooftops and the street corners, “I Have SEEN THE LORD!!” He is Risen. Because of your faith in Christ Jesus, you will be rewarded far above your wildest dreams. There is a poem I found which I would like to share with you today.It was written by Darlene Anderson entitled, The Silent One.
I was there for His trial and His scourging,
when they accused Him of crimes He’d not done;
But I spoke not a word in His defense,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there as He struggled up Calvary,
as dark clouds covered the sun;
And when they nailed His torn flesh to the cross,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there when they cast lots for His garment,
As they jeered and heckled in fun;
And when the spear was thrust deep in His side,
I was "The Silent One."
I saw Him die for all mankind,
And when it was "finished" and done;
He raised Himself up as He promised,
yet-I was "The Silent One."
And now, everyday I encounter,
lost souls sent my way by God’s Son;
Still I act as though I don’t know Him,
I am "The Silent One."
Dear Lord, when at last I’m before you,
when my race on earth is run;
Will you speak up for me to the Father?
Or will YOU be "The Silent One?"
First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the faith, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! (John Chrysostom’s Easter Sermon)
In other words, celebrate this day; make joyful noises of praise and worship. Shout from the rooftops and the street corners, “I Have SEEN THE LORD!!” He is Risen. Because of your faith in Christ Jesus, you will be rewarded far above your wildest dreams. There is a poem I found which I would like to share with you today.It was written by Darlene Anderson entitled, The Silent One.
I was there for His trial and His scourging,
when they accused Him of crimes He’d not done;
But I spoke not a word in His defense,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there as He struggled up Calvary,
as dark clouds covered the sun;
And when they nailed His torn flesh to the cross,
I was "The Silent One."
I was there when they cast lots for His garment,
As they jeered and heckled in fun;
And when the spear was thrust deep in His side,
I was "The Silent One."
I saw Him die for all mankind,
And when it was "finished" and done;
He raised Himself up as He promised,
yet-I was "The Silent One."
And now, everyday I encounter,
lost souls sent my way by God’s Son;
Still I act as though I don’t know Him,
I am "The Silent One."
Dear Lord, when at last I’m before you,
when my race on earth is run;
Will you speak up for me to the Father?
Or will YOU be "The Silent One?"
As you leave here today, I would like you to take up an ancient custom whose roots are from the middle east. As you prepare to gather around the table for your Easter dinner, set a place for a stranger, for you never know who might be in your midst.
You may find your self face to face with Jesus. It may be well into the meal before He reveals Himself to you by calling out to you. Just like He did to Mary Magdalene at the tomb so many centuries ago. Then you too can go to your friends and neighbors and say, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen;
Prayer: Father forgive us for our Silence. Forgive
us for our fearfulness. Renew us today on this day of Resurrection. Give us
courage to leave this place determined to share our faith and the joy that we
know that Christ is alive. Amen
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