Easter

Pray

Well yesterday around lunchtime, I took my son carter on a 2-hour drive to our favorite state up north… Michigan. You see Carter, being my son, has to appreciate good sports. From a young age, it’s important to value a quality team when he sees one… Like of course, the Ohio State buckeyes, maybe the Cleveland browns, but of course above all others… the Boston Red Sox. And so decked out as he was in his little jersey, the 2 of us guys, headed for Detroit to watch two top end contenders face off. I didn’t but I pondered wearing a red sox cap to the game, along with my Ohio state sweatshirt. (I don’t know if I’d be here this morning if I did that.)

But on the drive to the game, I couldn’t help but think about my Grammy Hanks. You see, my grandmother was also from Michigan. And on today, being Easter Sunday, there is nothing that I wish more than to be with my grandparents. There’s nothing I wish more than to visit small town, Rumney Baptist church, in Rumney New Hampshire. To hear my grandpa Hanks, play the piano as he leads the congregation in our morning hymns. And then after supper, to spend the afternoon, outback, watching my kids (their great grandkids), hunt for easter eggs or maybe sneak inside for an ice cream sandwich and a Pepsi.

You see, in looking back… there are found memories of growing up. Memories of the holidays, which whether I realize it or not, I’m forming these same memories with my own children today. And you in your own homes, with grandparents, mom and dad, your own children, you have your own traditions, you have your own holidays, and things that you remember from growing up. You have precious memories of days gone by.

And here’s the key… Although, many of you, like me, have both joy, and yet sadness while thinking about these memories… although there’s fondness… and yet pain… For us this morning, there is joy, knowing that as Christians, when we breathe our last breath… That this isn’t the end, no, it’s really just the beginning; in fact, it’s better than anything we could imagine. For us this morning, there’s encouragement knowing that “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And that at the end of this life, there is so much more to come.

There’s excitement in being reunited with those who have gone before us. There is excitement, of no pain, no heartache, no sin, no struggle, no loss. And above all this we should be most excited at the prospect of daily being in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

But listen… it’s only possible, because of His sacrifice. It’s only possible because of Jesus. because of the cross, and the empty tomb. You see, it’s only possible because He has Risen.

But here’s the problem, while Jesus has given us life, some of us are living like were still dead. Some of us are running back to the old grave, back to the tomb, and God wants to set you free from your burial cloths and bring you back out to life. Others of us this morning, need encouragement. Maybe we’re going through a season of difficulty in life… and we need to remember that Jesus has gone ahead of us. We need to remember that as we struggle, as we face pain, even unto death… that he went ahead of us, and that we simply need to follow him this morning.

But wherever you are this morning. We can be encouraged, because he has risen. If you have your bibles, turn with me to Matthew 27. And as you’re turn there, you’ll recall from last week. That Jesus was born with a purpose. That among other things, he was Born to serve. Born to sovereignty, and Born to surrender, ultimately as our sacrifice.

But this morning we see that Jesus was raised. He Is Risen. And he was 1. Raised to Life. 2. Raised to Go ahead. And 3. Raised to Go. If you have your bibles turn with me to Matthew 27:45-56.

As we see that 1. Jesus was Raised to Life

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

So, as we look at the scripture this morning, there are several things that we notice. You’ll recall that the night before his crucifixion, Jesus was kissed and betrayed by Judas. He’s arrested by the Sanhedrin. and taken to the home of the High Priest Caiaphas, where the council has gathered to begin making their case against Jesus. And this was just the beginning of the trials, as in the coming hours he would face several additional trials. He would be disowned by his disciples, falsely accused of blasphemy, rejected by society, and sentenced to death.

In the coming hours he would spat upon, hit, flogged, humiliated, and mocked. As the people ultimately called for Jesus to be crucified. And for 6 hours, from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, he would hang on the cross. Facing a brutal, agonizing death. Ultimately taking our sin upon himself. So much so that just before his death 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, he quotes Psalm 22 and says: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Then he cries out again, and gives up his spirit.

You see, this event, which we celebrate on Good Friday. Was the death of Jesus. His life, lived for 33 years, spent from the time he was a baby boy up until this moment… would seemingly come to an end.

And here’s what’s interesting, at this point in History, Crucifixion was the harshest punishment, reserved only for the most horrific of criminals. And at this point, 30,000 people had ultimately been crucified by the romans. 30,000 had been crucified, and 30,000 died.

But listen… only ONE rose from the grave.

The bible says: 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

You see this is an earth shaking, rock braking, tomb opening moment.

You see, The curtain of the temple tears in two. The curtain of the temple by the way does not refer to the Temple as a whole but to the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies… where once a year the high priest would pass through the veil on the day of atonement, sprinkle the blood of the animal sacrifice on the alter for the sins of people. And then be required to leave the Holy of Holies until the next year. Well now, this curtain was torn. You no longer needed animals sacrifice, Jesus became the atoning sacrifice once and for all. You no longer needed the priest to intercede for you, you now had direct access to the Father.

But listen, God does away with the old covenant, he simultaneously brings about a new covenant through Jesus. The earth is shaken up, the rocks are splitting. And Jesus has defeated death. And here’s the key, the bible says: 52 the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

And why is this? Because of Resurrection power

You see, I’m reminded of a story. A friend of mine used to work as a denominational official in Minnesota. One of his jobs was to travel to little rural communities where they didn't have churches to do funerals. He would go out with an undertaker, and they would drive together in the undertaker's hearse. One time, they were on their way back from a funeral, and my friend, John, was feeling quite tired. He decided he would take a nap. Since they were in a hearse, he thought, Well, I'll just lie down in the back of the hearse.

Sounds like kind of a creepy thing to do, but this is a true story. The guy who was driving the hearse pulled into a service station, because he was running low on gas. The service station attendant was filling up the tank and he was kind of freaked out, because there was a body stretched out in the back. While he was filling the tank, John woke up, opened his eyes, knocked on the window and waved at the attendant. John said he never saw anybody run so fast in his whole life.

You see church here’s the point. Some of us, figuratively speaking have been riding around in a hearse for some time… but your life in Christ doesn’t start once you die… It begins the moment that you say yes.

You see, you were called to rise up… You were called to life. Everlasting Life, which begins now. You’re called to put off the fruitless deeds of darkness as Ephesians 5:14 tells us:14 “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

You see Romans 6:1-5 tells us: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

You see church, if we’ve been united with him in death… we also will experience resurrection… but look again at verse 4.Just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too are called to live a new life. How are we doing with that this morning? Are we living today for Jesus?

2. Jesus was Raised to go ahead

As we continue with the scripture, Matthew 28:1 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

So, as we look at the scripture, we see that After the sabbath. On what would have been Sunday. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, that being Mary the Mother of James and Joseph. Arrive first in the morning with anointing spices for the body of Jesus. But what we find is that a violent earthquake takes place, as an angel of the Lord has come down from Heaven, and the angel goes on to roll away the stone and then sit upon it.

And what I found in researching. Is that the angel did not move the stone in order to Let Jesus out of the tomb, as many Easter Stories and paintings suggest.Afterall if Jesus had the power to be raised to life, then he didn’t need the angel to move the stone. And in comparing the gospels, it is clear that Jesus had already left the tomb when the stone was rolled away. So Instead, the reason the stone was moved was not to let Jesus out… but to let the women and the disciples in.

But here’s where I want us to focus in on for a brief moment. We see in verse 5 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Now we do know that Jesus would in fact appear to his disciples before several times before appearing before them in Galilee. And yet Jesus would choose Galilee, the place where Jesus would begin his ministry, and the place where he would ultimately commission them for ministry as well see in a second.

But here’s the key is that Jesus went before them.

You see, when we see this word go aheadin Vs. 7. the Greek word here is: Proagō, which means to : to lead forward.

And over the last 3 years, Jesus hasled his disciples. He’s been their rabbi, their teacher, and their friend. But now, he goes before them as their savior. The one who endured persecution, and beating, and mockery and rejection and Even his death… but the key is, he went before.

You see most of the disciples would go on to face their own rejection, persecution, and death for their faith. But he went before. He led them in an example that they should follow.

He can relate, he can empathize this morning…

You see I’m reminded of a story involving a dad and his daughter. The story explains, Forty-two-year-old David Saunders waited on the driveway of his Hanover, Michigan, home for his 4-year-old daughter, Danielle, to get off her school bus. A pickup truck was stopped behind the bus. Saunders crossed the street to meet Danielle at the bus and then the two crossed the street together and stood in the Saunders' driveway.

Suddenly he noticed that a car behind the bus was traveling too fast to stop safely before entering the crossing zone. The car swerved to avoid the pickup and went into the Saunders' driveway. Heading directly for them both, Saunders grabbed Danielle by the arm and flung her away from himself and into their front yard.

He was then struck by the car. Saunders was pronounced dead at the scene. While Danielle only needed to be treated for minor injuries at the nearby hospital

Sheriff's Captain Tony Philipps said, "It was a heroic act by a father to save his child. He did everything he could, and in the process, he lost his own life."

I share that story with you this morning, because although we didn’t know David Saunders or what’s become his little girl. This event no doubt had an impact on the rest of her life. She’ll always be able to look at the sacrifice of her father. And I would wonder if that has shaped who she has become today.

This morning church, we can be encouraged, because we too have a Father that would lay his life down for us. Though stainless, though sinless. He laid down his life. And more so, he understands us… He gets us… he knows the hardships and difficulties that we face. He knows the challenges that experience… and in all seasons of life, he empathizes with us. And here’s the key, his desire is that we go to Him in prayer.

But church, here’s the point… he wants to go with you this morning...

Will you allow Him to do that?

3. Final point we see this morning is that Jesus was Raised to go.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

We won’t spend a ton of time on this last point. What I do want us to see is that Jesus does indeed call his disciples to Go to Galilee. To the mountain where Jesus told them to Go. In this moment, they worship him (although some doubt.) and here’s the key, because of the authority of Jesus, these disciples were then sent out to Go and make disciples of all nations. To then go on, and take these disciples and baptize them and teach them. And ultimately, were told, that Christ is with us to the very end of the age.

But I want us to hone in on one key word for a brief moment. That word is GO. You see, the disciples were told to GO.

By definition. It means to pursue the journey on which one has entered. Or to follow one’s lead.

And here, as Christ would soon be ascending to the Father. But He tells them Go. But here’s the key… if we think of the opposite of the word Go. What word Comes to mind? Yes, STAY.But the disciples, weren’t being called to stay, no they would each have a territory that God was commissioning and sending them to. Much like a firefighter recruit who has recently finished the fire academy… they aren’t called to graduate and then stay around the fire academy anymore. No, they have to get out and put some fires out…

You see Jesus rose from the grave. And his desire this morning is to continue to Go… through you now, as his vessel, so that a dying generation can be reached.

It’s been said before “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

And church, we don’t know the day or the hour, but we do know the day is coming.

Yes, sometimes we need to stay. We need to be at church. We need to be in fellowship with one another. But after the huddle is over, at some point… you have to run a play. Church, we are God’s plan A. We, this morning have been given the commission to Go. We have been called to be his hands in feet, in Kenton Ohio and to all ends of the earth. Will we accept this commissioning this morning?

I’m Going to call Lisa back up at this time.

And as we so often say. I would just ask you, what is the Holy Spirit saying to you in light of God’s word this morning?

1. Some of us have never accepted Christ as our savior. You’ve never laid down your life and made Jesus Lord.

Others. We’ve accepted Christ. But we’re actually running back to the old Grave. We’re living in sin… Today can be a turning point. (Just between you and the Lord.)

2. Maybe you’re here in a season of life this morning. A trial, a struggle, an overwhelming situation. Christ Goes before you.

3. Maybe you’re here, and if you were honest this easter Sunday. You were called to GO… But you tend to stay… You’ve been content on your couch. Maybe on your computer, maybe on your cell phone, maybe with cable. This morning, you can change your focus to the commission of Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Pray