From Sorrow to Joy

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Psalm 16

Psalm 16 NIV

A miktam of David. 1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

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Genesis 22:6-18

Genesis 22:6–18 NIV

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

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1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Corinthians 15:1–11 NIV

1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

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From Sorrow to Joy

On September 11, 2001, everything changed for the U.S. We were used to wars being raged on foreign fields, but suddenly it came to our own land. Everyone was mesmerized by the news and everyone began to feel vulnerable wherever they were.

We were used to watching this kind of news about other places, but we always felt safe and far away from it all. But all that changed and things have never totally been the same since.

This was a big event for us, but it really only affected us and maybe Canada. Such fear and concern were normal for many other countries.

However, no event has changed the entire world like the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was not a national event, this was a world event. Even more, it was a historical event that would impact every generation from Adam to the last child born on earth. It is an event that continues to play out. In the C.S. Lewis’ book “The Last Battle,” he states it well. “But for them, it was only the beginning of the true story...”. That is exactly what our own salvation stories are. The beginning true stories for each of us.

Today, we will zero in on a small part of this magnificient event to mine treasures to take into our hearts as we hear this event retold yet again.

Matthew 28:1–10 NIV

1 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.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Just like any event, there are different perspectives and remembrances of an event from different witnesses. The Easter account is no different. There was one woman says one and several women another recounts. She went to Peter and John. They returned to the disciples. And so the accounts continue. Last week, I blended the accounts into one. However, this week I am going to keep it simple and just relate Matthews account. It is important to note that they are all creditable. It is not a matter of conflict but about timing and who talked with whom.

The Jewish Sabbath goes from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. The morning following Sabbath, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene and another Mary set out for the tomb of Jesus. They more than likely had plans to join up with other women.

It would probably seem unusually quiet at this time in the morning. They may or may not have been conversing quietly, but more than likely, they were silent each caught up in their own grief over the loss of Jesus.

As they travel, there is a fearsome earthquake. How frightened they must have felt as they were caught out in the open when this quake occurs.

Unbeknownst to them, something incredible is occurring at the tomb. An angel suddenly appears before the guards. He reaches over and shoves the stone aside which creates this violent earthquake. He seems to glow like lightening and his clothes are so white, it is like nothing they have ever seen. The angel then sits on the stone and looks at these men. They are so frightened, they shivered and then faint dead away.

About this time, Mary and Mary come upon the scene. They observe the guards all collapsed on the sight and the angel on the rock. Then he speaks to them.

Matthew 28:5–7 NIV

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.”

They do not know whether to be afraid or to be joyful. They have never seen anything like this. However, they do as they are told. They turn and run for the disciples. On the way, they see a man in the distance. They wonder if it is one of the disciples and they slow their pace, when a voice cries out “Greetings!” They would know that voice anywhere. They run and fall at His feet, praising and worshiping the Lord they thought they had lost.

Then Jesus gives them an important message to give to the others.

Matthew 28:10 NIV

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

They have just gone from sorrow to joy in 60 seconds. They must not have been able to believe their eyes. It was true! Jesus was no longer dead but risen!

Matthew’s account opens with a baby being born. He shares this baby’s lineage, giving proof that He fulfills the necessary lineage to be the Messiah. And then Matthew closes his gospel with the Messiah saying, “I am with you always.”

Matthew wrote his account for the Jews, but we (as Gentiles) can look at his account and find all the necessary prophecies fulfilled to prove to us that Jesus is the Messiah that was to come as well.

You see, Jesus came not just for the Jew, but for all of us. Jesus’ resurrection proves five things that are important to all of us. So, look with me at...

A. Five Key Assurances We Gain From the Resurrection

1. It assures our future resurrection, 1 Thes 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NIV

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Jesus has promised to raise us from the dead and to provide a home for us. His resurrection is proof of His power to do exactly that. The angels are also proof that Jesus is who He said He was and that He can do what He has promised.

There is so much physical proof and so many witnesses that this story has been proved if people will just look into it.

There are many accounts of people of vast skills that have set out to disprove the account and only came to believe it. Lee Strobel was a journalist. Josh McDowell was a scientist. Both were determined to prove this account as false, but both became such avid believers that they right books and resources to show others the proof to believe it for themselves.

There are many theories about what comes after death. However, Jesus demonstrated it for us. We can trust what He says.

2. It is the proof of a future judgment, Acts 17:31

Acts 17:31 NIV

31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Jesus, as well as Old Testament scriptures, spoke of a coming day of judgment. Jesus has taught us how to have a positive outcome from this judgment. You see, His death provided the means for us to be set free from the sin that brings negative judgment.

Jesus death and resurrection proves He is who He said He is. We, therefore, are stupid to pick through what He taught and choose to believe some of it without believing all of it.

There are too many who believe in heaven and not hell. They believe in God’s love but deny His judgment. Like the Pharisees, they want God on their terms. They can only have that by denying God’s judgment.

We need to study His teachings and understand these things. Most of all, we should be thankful for the price He paid so that we do not have to suffer judgment but instead can live a blessed eternity.

The truth is, we can only have the promises of heaven if there is judgment. Without judgment, sin would reign and what kind of heaven would that be?

3. It is the basis for Christ’s heavenly priesthood, Hebrews 7:23-28

Hebrews 7:23–28 NIV

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

In the Old Testament days, the priests had to make sacrifices for themselves to be able to perform the sacrifices for the people. The reason was that they were as guilty as the people. In some cases, even guiltier!

However, Jesus is perfect. He never sinned. His sacrifice was the only sacrifice that was good forever. He had to only needed to make it once. Now, He is able to represent us before the Father for eternity.

As our forever priest, He also understands us at all times because He has lived as one of us. He has experienced everything we have ever experienced. Rejected love, friendship, deceit, persecution, bullying, etc… His understanding is perfect. His compassion is perfect. His forgiveness is perfect. No priest could ever be better!

4. It gives power for Christian living, Romans 6:4

Romans 6:4 NIV

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.

Our new life does not begin after we die. It begins the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior and follow Him. His spirit enters us and gives us the power and motivation we need to change our life for the better, forever.

We often work from the outside in. We begin changing behaviors by following rules. We hope by changing our habits and behaviors we will begin to get a desire to change. However, in most cases we fail. No matter how hard we desire to change, we seem to fail over and over again. Some people have a break through. Someone may lose wait and keep it off. Some may stop smoking and not go back to it. But there are always other things we wish to change and fail at.

Paul talks about this issue when he says, “the good I want to do I do not do and the things I do not want to do I continue to do.” Wow, haven’t we all been there on certain issues in our life?

However, Jesus sends His Spirit to change us from the inside out. He gives us internal power to help us. We just each need to learn how to plug into that power.

Not only do we have a new power to live a new life here and now, but Jesus resurrection does something more.

5. It assures our future inheritance, 1 Peter 1:3-5

1 Peter 1:3–5 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

I inherited a Bylo Baby doll from my grandmother. In many ways it is in good shape. However, the hands have become brittle over time and the fingers snap off with very little pressure.

No matter what things we inherit here on earth, they are imperfect. Over time they become tarnished, torn, faded, and worthless. However, the inheritance we have in heaven is perfect. It will last and never be ruined. I believe it will be unique and special for each of us. That is the kind of perfect Father that God is.

When Jesus was resurrected from the dead, just like He said, it was proof of His power to keep all of His promises.

The best part is that these promises are available to everyone! It does not matter your ethnicity, or if you are male or female or child.

In the days of the Bible, women and slaves did not have much to look forward to. They were considered substandard and were nothing more than property, yet, they shared all the same promises from Christ.

Perhaps that is why it was the women who were the last at the cross and the first to come to the tomb. For the first time, someone treated them as an equal.

Even better yet, it does not matter what you have done in your past. All you need to do is trust God here and now with today and your future. He will begin to heal the pain of the past and give you a better tomorrow, because no matter what you face, you will face it together with Him.

Today, we will honor His Word by receiving communion. If you have put your trust in Jesus, you are welcome to receive communion with us.

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