Easter Sunday
Notes
Transcript
Being in charge means
Being in charge means
Freedom - “You’re not the boss of me...”
“I did it my way” - yes, but now you’re dead.
What does it matter that Jesus is in charge -
Alive again from the dead
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
An aside on evidence: eyewitnesses, empty tomb, seeing Jesus at various points - most sensible conclusion -alive again.
So what?
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
Good news - do not be afraid.
Unless you’re not with Jesus:
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel has no words of comfort for the guards. (Same problem as on Friday - Jesus is the only safe place from God’s judgment)
Two more asides:
Since there’s a resurrection - all will come back (Daniel words on resurrection) - death is no escape for the wicked, or simply those who’ve ignored God.
The plan:
All authority, all nations, all commands, all time
Since all will come back - who’s the boss matters -
ALL Authority (telescope and microscope)
He was wrongly tried in an illegal nighttime courtcase, rejected, mistreated, convicted, mocked, executed, abandoned...
And then he comes back alive
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
He is the cosmic overlord.
This means it’s not a private thing to have faith in Jesus. Something where you can ‘keep your faith’ out of it. Since Jesus has all authority, he is in charge of every aspect of life, everywhere, for everyone - even those who don’t trust and follow him. Your boss, your co worker, neighbour, friend, family member, unbelieving spouse. In the end, nobody ‘gives Jesus their heart’ - he already owns their heart - coming to Jesus is simply recognising reality.
What might we expect if he is in charge.
- Our new king used his power to be cranky about the pens he’s given - or to curtail some abuses of monarchy’s resources.
- in some countries a new ruler executes all rivals - or locks them up indefinitely (china, korea)
- A new government in Australia changes every policy and can’t acknowledge any good of previous government.
ALL NATIONS (globe)
What about Jesus?
How does he use his literally earth-shattering power?
To crush Herod, gather an army and sort out Caesar, show the Pharisees who he is?
Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
To gather family (in the name of father, son and Holy Spirit).
Make disciples, baptise them - gather people to turn back to God thorugh Jesus’ forgiveness. Baptism is for turning away from sin (from wrong thinking about God and Jesus) and being forgiven by Jesus and becoming one of his followers.
Jesus the cosmic overlord is offering everybody a new start.
ALL nations:
not leaving each nation to their own spirituality, ‘God, or whoever you choose to call it’ -
all nations, from all their relgiions - are called to turn to Jesus. [Jesus living cosmic overlord is very different to - a dead Buddha, dead Mohamed, fairy tales in Hinduism, dead ancestors in paganism and animism - no other person has claimed absolute authority on how all should live and then back from death to prove he’s right about it]
From the very beginning, Christianity has always been international, multi-ethnic, and a missionary people.
Yes, it would be arrogant if Jesus was not cosmic overlord - but because he is - it is right that everybody in every land should know him.
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
ALL COMMANDS (Bible)
Following Jesus is not a Christmas and Easter only kind of deal - though we’re glad you’ve come.
It is all of life. And it isn’t a choose your own adventure kind of deal either:
Bits on loving God and the bits on loving humans
Bits on the sin of greed and the bits on the sins of sexual immorality
Bits on forgiveness and the bits on dying to selfishness
And not just the red letters - the apostles were Jesus delegates - what they write is binding on us too. And Jesus upheld the Old Testament (though we’re not Jews and don’t have to live like them).
This is ongoing. Is not independent. [Connect groups?]
Cosmic overlord, for all nations to turn to, to be led in life by his commands -
it could (and would) get hard, in a messy hateful selfish world where things are broken (including our own minds and bodies, let alone everyone else’s)...
ALWAYS
Christians are never alone.
As sure as breathing. As sure as his resurrection and the coming of the end of the world.
Jesus is with you if you’re one of his.
If you’re not his. You can be. He is alive. He is using his absolute authority not to crush but to gather and forgive and change and empower.
The resurrection changes everything.
Has it changed you?
Next steps: might be to finally surrender to his authority, or to learn his commands, or to share his invitation, - all the while being safe in his company.