Old Grave Clothes
Notes
Transcript
Good morning.
July 21st, 2019
July 22nd, 2022/Miriam Davis/received a text yesterday
the miracle of death to life
Discuss death to life last week’s sermon
zombies
eating flesh
one thing that motivates them is feeding their flesh
Old Grave Clothes
Old Grave Clothes
one of the last miracles Jesus performed
Jesus was getting ready to go to Jerusalem
explain how Jesus waited until Lazarus was extremely dead
foreshadowed Jesus’ death
If you are willing and able, will you please stand for the reading of God’s Holy Word?
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Pray. Thank you. You may be seated.
On Oct 2nd Ebenezer Baptist ordained me into ministry. This very church put their stamp, if you will, on Clay Johnson.
Would it be awkward if I still went to the mall with my jeans sagging and my collar popped?
Maybe with the front tuck going on?
What if I were hollering at the honeys?
Would it be offensive if I still went to the Cypress Grill and closed it down?
Let’s take it a step further.
What if you and your family saw Natalie and I at The Cove having glass of wine or maybe a beer?
Would any these scenarios offend or at the very least disturb you?
What is the difference in me and you?
What old grave clothes are you still wearing?
What does it look like to be New in Christ?
(Acrostic) N.E.W.
(Acrostic) N.E.W.
The N is for the New Life in which God has given you at the moment of salvation!
The N is for the New Life in which God has given you at the moment of salvation!
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I was unfaithful in every relationship before Christ.
This brings us to the E, which stands for Exemplify. We must exemplify Christ in our daily walk!
This brings us to the E, which stands for Exemplify. We must exemplify Christ in our daily walk!
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
The first time I ever had the honor to preach at Ebenezer was on a Sunday night a few years ago. I gave an example of a Nikki Minaj and it offended someone and for that I am sorry. I was making a point of what our culture glorifies.
Country Music Television says it will no longer air the music video “Try that in a Small Town” by Jason Aldean after critics of the video said it contained lyrics that glorified gun violence and conveyed traditionally racist ideas.
And people everywhere are outraged.
Hey let’s take it a step further. As Christians shouldn’t we boycott any music that glorifies getting drunk, going to the bar, and promiscuous living?
Yes that would mean boycotting our local hero Luke Bryan as well.
There’s really no difference in the context of their songs and the context of what rappers glorify. They just do it in a country manner.
Maybe I’m a fanatic, but we don’t listen to anything but Christian music at the Johnson house. Nor do we watch anything but Pureflix.
Finally we come to the W, which is our Walk. Does our walk match our talk?
Finally we come to the W, which is our Walk. Does our walk match our talk?
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
I know a pastor who says that he goes out of town to pick up his beer.
Explain how that is walking in darkness.
I am a teetotaler.
In recovery they tell us that if you have ever drank to get drunk, you qualify as an alcoholic.
Oxford did a study and in homes where alcohol is consumed, it dramatically increases the statistical chances that the children of that home will consume alcohol.
People ask me is it a sin.
Being a stumbling block is a sin.
Listen, “Why would you play with something that people have to be delivered from?”
Hey. Some never get delivered.
Transition to new and the relationship
Every man and woman in here has a purpose and plan
God wants a relationship
Explain the Gospel
Are you willing to be used?
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send them!”
Do you have the relationship issue taking care of?
invitation