Welcome to the Easter weekend edition of the the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for reading the post today. I hope that all of you have a wonderful Easter weekend.
This past week was was very busy. I've had to start with the lawn work already as it has been exceptionally warm here. Then, after the warm weather, it snowed one day. I am feeling a little bit better now, and I would just ask that you keep me in your prayers. I am still trying to find the right job for me all the while thankful that I have a job right now.
In prayer this week, please remember those in Belgium who were the victims of the horrific terrorist attack. Pray that those who are injured may recover, and pray that those who mourn will be comforted. Also pray for an end to terrorism. Pray for peace and justice in the world.
I would also ask that you pray for those in the southern United States who have experienced storm damage and flooding. Many people in Louisiana and Texas are still trying to recover.
During your prayer time this week, please remember to pray for the spread of the message of Jesus' love around the world. Let us pray for the nations of Gambia, Senegal, Tunisia and Bhutan this week.
For the past several weeks, we have been in a series of messages on the Apostles' Creed and what this important creed has to teach us about the important doctrines of our faith. I didn't plan it out this way, but on this Easter weekend we just happened to be at the section of the Creed that speaks about the Resurrection. The Creed states, "On the third day He rose again from the dead."
As we saw last week, and in the Good Friday message yesterday, Jesus died on the cross in order to save us from our sins. He bore our sins in His body that we might have redemption from sin. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved in order that we might be reconciled to God our Father.
Jesus died, and He was taken down from the cross and buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was assisted by Nicodemus who had a conversation with Jesus that is recorded in John 3. Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus body with spices. Pilate then ordered that a stone be placed in front of Jesus' tomb and a seal be placed upon it. Roman soldiers were then placed at the tomb's entrance.
On the following Sunday morning, the Bible records that Mary Magdalene and some others came to the tomb to further prepare the body of Jesus for burial. When they came to the tomb, they found that the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not in the tomb.
There's something that I want to note at this point. Jesus had predicted and taught His disciples over and over again that He would be crucified and die. This had happened. Jesus also clearly taught His disciples that He would rise again from the dead three days later. Jesus called this the sign of Jonah in one of His teachings. Jesus said that just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights so must He be in the tomb for three days. Jesus clearly told His followers that He would rise again.
Here is what amazes me. No one seemed to believe what Jesus had said to them. Joseph and Nicodemus used many pounds of spices to bury Jesus. The women coming to the tomb were bringing more items to prepare the body of Jesus for His burial. The disciples were in hiding fearing for their own lives. None of them were expecting Jesus to rise again from the grave on Easter morning. It's no wonder that Jesus at times became rather upset with His followers while He was here on earth. Sometimes, we aren't any better. We don't believe the things the Lord has spoken to us as well. Jesus has clearly told us that He is coming again. Are we living in such a way that we are expecting the return of the Lord Jesus at any moment?
The Bible says that angels announced that Jesus was not in the grave. He had risen just as He had said. Later, Jesus would appear to Mary Magdalene. After speaking with her Lord, she would rush to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive and risen.
I believe with all of my heart that Jesus rose bodily from the grave. It was not just His spirit that appeared to the disciples. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Without the bodily resurrection of Jesus, our faith is in vain and we have no hope.
When Jesus died on the cross, He dealt with sin itself. When Jesus rose bodily from the grave, He conquered the consequences of sin. Sin brought about death. The reason that death exists in this world is because sin came into God's perfect creation. The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life. This is possible because Jesus was the victor over death, hell and the grave. He has risen, and He lives forevermore.
Because Jesus rose again from the dead, those of us who have placed our faith and trust in Him do not need to fear death. Jesus is the victor. Those of us who have known fellow believers who have died do not have to grieve as those who have no hope. Because He lives, we can rest assured that those who have died in Christ are with Jesus right now. They are in His very presence. One day, when we pass from this life, we will be reunited with our friends and loved ones in Heaven because Jesus was the victor over death on Easter morning.
This fills me with Easter joy. I've lost so many over the last few years. My parents have both died, and all of my closest friends have now passed away. I know that I will see them all again because they are with Jesus. They all had asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins. They believed that Jesus rose again from the dead. They all had made Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives.
Some people try to discount the resurrection of Jesus and explain it away as a myth. I believe that the best evidence that Jesus really did rise bodily from the grave is the evidence from the followers of Jesus. When they saw the risen Lord, it changed their lives completely. All of them were willing to face persecution, and all but one faced death for the sake of Jesus. They would not have done this if they knew Jesus was not alive.
They had experienced the risen Lord. They knew He was alive, and they staked their eternity upon that fact.
I want to tell you today that Jesus is risen. You can have a personal relationship with the risen Lord. You no longer have to fear death because Jesus is alive.
In order to have a personal relationship with Christ you must recognize the fact that you are a sinner and you need a Savior. You must believe that Jesus died in order to save you from your sins. You need to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Then you must confess that Jesus is risen from the dead. Then commit to Jesus that you will make Him the Lord of your life from this moment on. If you will do this today, Jesus will come into your heart and become your Savior and Lord. You will have a relationship with the Risen Lord that will last throughout all of eternity.
This week, we will back to our regular schedule on the blog. I will post the memory verses on Monday and a review on Wednesday. The sermon will appear on Friday, and we will continue our Apostles' Creed study. May God bless you all. Amen.
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