Where Do You Stand?
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February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the event that is etched in our collective memory as the "Miracle on Ice". It was a defining moment for the members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the event that is etched in our collective memory as the "Miracle on Ice". It was a defining moment for the members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
On July 30th, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada dove into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. She fractured her vertebrae and became a quadriplegic. That was just one defining the moment in her life.
On July 20th, 1969, Niel Armstrong stepped on the moon, and spoke the famous words, "One small step for Man, one giant leap for mankind." That was his defining moment. He will forever be known as the man who first walked on the moon. It was also a defining moment for our country and countless numbers of young men and women who watched that historic event.
February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the event that is etched in our collective memory as the "Miracle on Ice". It was a defining moment for the members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
On July 30th, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada dove into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. She fractured her vertebrae and became a quadriplegic. That was just one defining the moment in her life.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but usually one way or another we all have one or two moments in our lives that are so significant, so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom, and this time they clean up for good. For the pornography addict, it may occur, when their spouse uncovers their addiction. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is that moment in our life when things will not be the same anymore. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, somehow something so significant has happened in our lives that we cannot be the same.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but always one way or another we all have some defining moments in our lives. Events that are so significant, events that are so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
Today is one of those moments.
Let me pray.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil." Some very significant rituals take place at this Mass, but what stands out is this is the time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you complete classes to learn about the Catholic faith, then when you are ready you receive the sacraments of Baptism, and Holy Communion, as this special Mass on Holy Saturday. I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space.
You see for me I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, there were many that were Lutheran, there were a few Baptist, and even a few Dutch Reformed, but these people they were something else altogether they were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Had that not heard of Jesus? Had there "old religion" been inadequate? Where would you come from that you weren't Christian, a foreign country? I had a million questions.
On July 30th, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada dove into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. She fractured her vertebrae and became a quadriplegic. That was just one defining the moment in her life.
The Catholic Church welcomes converts to the faith on Easter because that is the defining moment of the Church.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom, and this time they clean up for good. For the pornography addict, it may occur, when their addiction is uncovered. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or when the divorce papers are filed; It may happen when we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is that one event in our life when things will not be the same anymore. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, we no longer see things the same anymore. Somehow something so significant has happened in our lives that we cannot be the same.
1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 17 says,
February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the event that is etched in our collective memory as the "Miracle on Ice". It was a defining moment for the members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
Today celebrates one of those moments.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but always one way or another we all have some defining moments in our lives. Events that are so significant, events that are so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
Let me pray.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil." Some unique rituals take place at this Mass, but what stands out today is that this is the time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you take classes to learn about the Catholic faith, it could take months or even years, then when you are ready you receive the sacraments of Baptism, and Holy Communion, as this special Mass on Holy Saturday.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom, and this time they clean up for good. For the pornography addict, it may occur, when their addiction is uncovered. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or when the divorce papers are filed; It may happen when we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is that one event in our life when things will not be the same anymore. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, we no longer see things the same anymore. Somehow something so significant has happened in our lives that we cannot be the same.
I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space. I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, some were Lutheran, some were Baptist, and I even had a friend who was Dutch Reformed. I even knew some Jewish kids. But I didn't know a single person who didn't have some religion.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
On July 30th, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada dove into shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. She fractured her vertebrae and became a quadriplegic. That was just one defining the moment in her life.
That is why this was so strange. These people they were something else altogether they were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Had that not heard of Jesus before? Everyone I knew already had some sort of religion, even if they didn't act like it. This was really puzzling.
Today celebrates one of those moments.
Anyway, the Catholic Church welcomes converts to their faith one time a year, on Easter. They chose this day on purpose because Easter is the defining moment of the Christianity.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 17 the apostle Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
Let me pray.
Everything that we talk about in this Church, Everything that we talk about every Sunday, if Christ has not been raised, it doesn't matter, it is useless.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but usually one way or another we all have one or two moments in our lives that are so significant, so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
Because if Christ was not raised, it means that God has not forgiven our sins. If Christ has not been raised, then Jesus was not telling the truth. If Jesus was not telling the truth, he was not without sin. If Jesus was not without sin, he could not pay the price for our sins, and we are in the same condition we were in before we walked into those doors.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil." Some unique rituals take place at this Mass, but what stands out today is that this is the time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you take classes to learn about the Catholic faith, it could take months or even years, then when you are ready you receive the sacraments of Baptism, and Holy Communion, as this special Mass on Holy Saturday.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead because Jesus Christ was fully God. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because He was without sin. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because his sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ rising from the dead is the defining moment of Christianity.
This defining moment of Christianity is so huge, so monumental, that it has become a defining moment for the whole planet.
I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space. I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, some were Lutheran, some were Baptist, and I even had a friend who was Dutch Reformed. I even knew some Jewish kids. But I didn't know a single person who didn't have some religion.
Think about it for a moment. Our calendar refers to years either as BC or AD. The way we mark time is defined by Jesus Christ. There are churches all across the planet that gather every Sunday for worship, either in public or in secret because Sunday is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. People are dying for their faith every day across the globe because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Even people who are not necessarily religious cannot help but be affected by Easter.
You cannot walk into a store without seeing some Easter candy or decoration. Candy manufacturers actually have to gear up and change the shapes and style of their candy, because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ rose from dead.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom, and this time they clean up for good. For the pornography addict, it may occur, when their spouse uncovers their addiction. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is that moment in our life when things will not be the same anymore. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, somehow something so significant has happened in our lives that we cannot be the same.
That is why this was so strange. These people they were something else altogether they were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Had that not heard of Jesus before? Everyone I knew already had some sort of religion, even if they didn't act like it. This was really puzzling.
The New International Version Chapter 15
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” k
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” l
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Although collectively, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has been a defining moment, that does not mean that it is automatically a defining moment for us.
Even though we may have heard the story of Easter, it is still possible to hear about the event, to have the knowledge of the event, and still well, not get it.
Anyway, the Catholic Church welcomes converts to their faith one time a year, on Easter. They chose this day on purpose because Easter is the defining moment of the Christianity.
For me, although I grew up sitting in a pew, for me the resurrection of Jesus Christ was more metaphorical, or more of a parable. It is easy to believe that because we speak so metaphorically about death all the time. We talk about a loved one who has died and our memory of them that lives in our heart. There is a folksy saying that says, Someone is not really dead if we carry the memory of them in our heart.
This morning we are going to look at this defining moment in Christianity, through the eyes of 4 people and I invite you to learn how this event can be your defining moment.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 17 the apostle Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
Today is one of those moments.
Turn with me to John chapter 20. And we will look at our first person, Mary Magdalene.
Everything that we talk about in this Church, Everything that we talk about every Sunday, if Christ has not been raised, it doesn't matter, it is useless.
Mary Magdalene, already knew Jesus. In Luke chapter 8 verse Luke records that Jesus saved her from 7 demons. This language about demons is unfamiliar to us, so picture this if you will. Picture someone who is plagued by all the horrible things you can imagine, all at once. Picture a girl who is a sex addict, a heroin addict and alcoholic, Bi-polar schizophrenic and abused, you get the picture, and you what is really sad, it might have even been worse than that.
That was Mary Magdalene until she met Jesus. Until she encountered the living God, until she stood face to face with the Lord of Lords and he drove out all seven of the demons that were plaguing her. That was her defining moment. And from that moment on, she wasn't the same.
Because if Christ was not raised, it means that God has not forgiven our sins. If Christ has not been raised, then Jesus was not telling the truth. If Jesus was not telling the truth, he was not without sin. If Jesus was not without sin, he could not pay the price for our sins, and we are in the same condition we were in before we walked into those doors.
Let me pray.
She followed Jesus. She followed Jesus right to the cross. She followed him right to the foot of the cross, and with Jesus's mother Mary, and other women she witnessed Jesus die a horrible and painful death. She watched Jesus the same Jesus that removed the things that made her worthless, she watched Him as God the Father laid all of her sins, and all of our sins upon him, and she was there when he breathed his last and cried 'It is finished".
So she rose early and went to attend to his body. Where else would she go? To the market? To the river? Sleep in? Nope, Jesus was her defining moment, and she was going to be with him, alive or dead.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead because Jesus Christ was fully God. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because He was without sin. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because his sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ rising from the dead is the defining moment of Christianity.
Jesus was gone! The one who she owed her life to was not there, and she had no idea what happened. She wasn't thinking of a resurrection. I mean who would?
This defining moment of Christianity is so huge, so monumental, that it has become a defining moment for the whole planet.
I don't really fault her. Although Jesus talked about it, people talk about death and living on metaphorically all the time. So, she ran to tell Peter and John.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil." Some very significant rituals take place at this Mass, but what stands out is this is the time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you complete classes to learn about the Catholic faith, then when you are ready you receive the sacraments of Baptism, and Holy Communion, as this special Mass on Holy Saturday. I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space.
Let's look at Character number 2 Simon Peter.
Think about it for a moment. Our calendar refers to years either as BC or AD. The way we mark time is defined by Jesus Christ. There are churches all across the planet that gather every Sunday for worship, either in public or in secret because Sunday is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. People are dying for their faith every day across the globe because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Even people who are not necessarily religious cannot help but be affected by Easter.
Simon Peter was a fisherman. He was a member of Jesus's inner circle as they say. Peter James and John. They witnessed the transfiguration among other things and were perhaps the three disciples that were closest to Jesus. He may have had many defining moments. When Jesus walked on the water, Peter got out of the boat, when Jesus went to wash Peter's feet, Peter asked for a bath. He was forever defined as over the top. Although we see Him as reckless and impetuous, Christ saw Peter differently. Perhaps for Peter His defining moment came in Matthew chapter 16. In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked Peter a question point blank.
You cannot walk into a store without seeing some Easter candy or decoration. Candy manufacturers actually have to gear up and change the shapes and style of their candy, because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ rose from dead.
(NIV)
You see for me I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, there were many that were Lutheran, there were a few Baptist, and even a few Dutch Reformed, but these people they were something else altogether they were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Had that not heard of Jesus? Had there "old religion" been inadequate? Where would you come from that you weren't Christian, a foreign country? I had a million questions.
Although collectively, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has been a defining moment, that does not mean that it is automatically a defining moment for us.
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Even though we may have heard the story of Easter, it is still possible to hear about the event, to have the knowledge of the event, and still well, not get it.
And just as we learned last week, Jesus is fully revealed to us only by the power of God. Jesus replies, in .
"Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."
For me, although I grew up sitting in a pew, for me the resurrection of Jesus Christ was more metaphorical, or more of a parable. It is easy to believe that because we speak so metaphorically about death all the time. We talk about a loved one who has died and our memory of them that lives in our heart. There is a folksy saying that says, Someone is not really dead if we carry the memory of them in our heart.
The Catholic Church welcomes converts to the faith on Easter. They chose this day on purpose because Easter is the defining moment of the Christian faith.
And then Jesus changed his name to Peter, or rock.
This morning we are going to look at this defining moment in Christianity, through the eyes of 4 people and I invite you to learn how this event can be your defining moment.
Peter had his defining moment when God revealed to Him who Jesus was, but in spite of that, Peter faltered. Peter was the apostle that denied Christ. At the last supper Jesus said, you will deny me. But The rock didn't so. No, not the rock he thought he already had his defining moment right? But you know what, when He saw His leader captured, when He saw his leader under arrest, when he faced the prospect of being arrested himself, he forgot his defing moment and crumbled. Not much of a rock, more like a piece of sandstone.
Turn with me to John chapter 20. And we will look at our first person, Mary Magdalene.
So when Peter went running to the tomb, we can only guess what was on his mind. He was probably an emotional rollercoaster. You know when panic sets in, and emotions are high, and you are running. I'll be he couldn't even breathe. Where was Jesus? Was He regretting His denial? If he just had one more chance?
In , verse 17 the apostle Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
I don't know, but maybe Peter was running to Jesus, and away from his failure. Maybe, Peter was running to get rid of his guilt. Maybe the Holy Spirit was convicting him of his sin, and He was running to Jesus for forgiveness.
.
So, true to his nature, Peter does not hesitate, he goes straight into the tomb.
Mary Magdalene, already knew Jesus. In Luke chapter 8 verse Luke records that Jesus saved her from 7 demons. This language about demons is unfamiliar to us, so picture this if you will. Picture someone who is plagued by all the horrible things you can imagine, all at once. Picture a girl who is a sex addict, a heroin addict and alcoholic, Bi-polar schizophrenic and abused, you get the picture, and you what is really sad, it might have even been worse than that.
Everything that we talk about here, every Sunday, if Christ has not been raised, it doesn't matter. Because if Christ was not raised, it means that God has none forgiven our sins. If Christ has not been raised, then Jesus was not telling the truth. If Jesus was not telling the truth he was not without sin. If Jesus was not without sin, he could not pay for our sins.
Peter saw the burial cloths lying there, and the cloth that was wrapped around the head, possibly to tie the jaw shut was folded up separate from the linen. And Jesus was gone
That was Mary Magdalene until she met Jesus. Until she encountered the living God, until she stood face to face with the Lord of Lords and he drove out all seven of the demons that were plaguing her. That was her defining moment. And from that moment on, she wasn't the same.
character 3, John
John, the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. He was also one of the three closest to Jesus. He was leaning back on Jesus at the Last Supper. He was at the foot of the cross. He watched Jesus die. He watched Jesus struggle to speak during the suffocation of the crucifixion. And with Jesus's precious few last breaths, he gave his own mother into John's care. John arrived at the tomb first.
She followed Jesus. She followed Jesus right to the cross. She followed him right to the foot of the cross, and with Jesus's mother Mary, and other women she witnessed Jesus die a horrible and painful death. She watched Jesus the same Jesus that removed the things that made her worthless, she watched Him as God the Father laid all of her sins, and all of our sins upon him, and she was there when he breathed his last and cried 'It is finished".
.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead because Jesus Christ was fully God. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because He was without sin. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because his sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ rising from the dead is the defining moment of Christianity.
He arrived first, but didn't go in. John was maybe a little more of a thinker, rather than a doer. I don't know, but he didn'y go in. He saw the strips of cloth lying there but didn't go in, not until after Peter went in.
So she rose early and went to attend to his body. Where else would she go? To the market? To the river? Sleep in? Nope, Jesus was her defining moment, and she was going to be with him, alive or dead.
He went inside, and although he had the same information as Peter, the text tells us He saw and believed. Perhaps, John had that extra moment to process things, at the entrance. Perhaps he a had that extra second to evaluate the evidence and prepare himself for his defining moment. He didn't take a leap of faith. He saw the evidence and believed. He saw the burial cloths lying there, and he knew that grave robbers, take the clothes and leave the body. John had the time to process that a grave robber would not take the time to fold the head cloth, neatly remove the clothes, and then move a naked dead body. No one would want to do that. So John had his defining moment. He saw and believed, that Jesus Christ was alive.
Character 4, The Lord Jesus Christ.
The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. He is not there. Jesus is no longer in the grave; the tomb is empty. The grave clothes are there, but not Jesus. Jesus no longer had any need of the grave clothes. Jesus had conquered the grave, and he was now clothed in victory. Jesus had achieved victory over sin and death. Jesus had risen from the dead just as he said.
This defining moment of Christianity is so huge, so monumental, that really it has become a defining moment for the whole planet.
Jesus was gone! The one who she owed her life to was not there, and she had no idea what happened. She wasn't thinking of a resurrection. I mean who would?
When Jesus Christ physically got up from the dead, he is not in the grave. You will not find his body there. We do not just carry a memory of Jesus with us in our hearts, Jesus Christ is alive.
That was the defining moment. In that one singular event everything that Jesus had said, everything that Jesus had done, the entire scriptures were instantly validated, and the entire planet would not be the same again. The entire planet, which was once held captive by Satan, the whole planet enslaved by sin now had the option of getting set free.
I don't really fault her. Although Jesus talked about it, people talk about death and living on metaphorically all the time. So, she ran to tell Peter and John.
Jesus, by rising from the dead, proved he was without sin, Jesus proved that He was the God-Man, and Jesus proved that God the Father accepted His sacrifice for our sins at the cross. And what we have to do is believe the evidence.
We have to believe the evidence and come to our defining moment. We have to believe the evidence and come to Jesus Christ to define us. We have to give him our sins, we have to give him our shortcomings, we have to give over those other things that define us, and we need to be defined, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Think about it for a second. You know our calendar refers to years either as BC or AD. The way we mark time itself, is defined by Jesus Christ. There are churches all across the planet that gather every Sunday for worship, either in public or in secret because Sunday is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. You cannot walk into a store without seeing some sort of Easter candy or decoration. Candy manufacturers actually have to gear up and change the shapes and style of their candy, because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ rose from dead.
We need to be defined by the fact we are no longer slaves to sin, and we are no longer under the rule of the prince of this world. We are no
February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the event that is etched in our collective memory as the "Miracle on Ice". It was a defining moment for the members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
February 22, 1980, the members of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team had their lives changed forever, as they skated to victory in the "Miracle on Ice." It was the defining moment for those members of the U.S. Hockey Team, a defining moment for the U.S. Hockey program, and a defining moment for the people that watched the epic victory.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but always one way or another we all have some defining moments in our lives. Events that are so significant, events that are so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
On July 30th, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada dove into the shallow water in the Chesapeake Bay. She fractured her vertebrae and became a quadriplegic. As horrible as it was, that was just one defining the moment in her life.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom, and this time they clean up for good. For the pornography addict, it may occur, when their addiction is uncovered. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or when the divorce papers are filed; It may happen when we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is that one event in our life when things will not be the same anymore. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, we no longer see things the same anymore. Somehow something so significant has happened in our lives that we cannot be the same.
Defining moments can be gloriously victorious, or horribly tragic. We may witness them, or they may happen to us, but one way or every one us here has at least one defining moment in our lives. I am talking about events that are so significant, so monumental, that we cannot help but be the same after.
Today celebrates one of those moments.
For a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that moment may occur in a jail cell, as they finally reach their bottom and this time they clean up for good. It could happen when a loved one dies. It could happen when we meet our spouse, or when the divorce papers are filed; It may happen when we have a child. It might happen at a job promotion or financial catastrophe, but whatever it is. Whatever is it, it is an event in our life when afterword things will never be the same. Our outlook has changed, our perspective has shifted, whatever we want to call it, we no longer see things they way we once did, we see them in new light.
Let me pray.
Today celebrates one of those moments.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil." Some unique rituals take place at this Mass, but what stands out today is that this is the time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you take classes to learn about the Catholic faith, it could take months or even years, then when you are ready you receive the sacraments of Baptism, and Holy Communion, as this special Mass on Holy Saturday.
Let me pray.
I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space. I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, some were Lutheran, some were Baptist, and I even had a friend who was Dutch Reformed. I even knew some Jewish kids. But I didn't know a single person who didn't have some religion.
Father, help us today to look at the resurrection of you son Jesus in a fresh way, with new eyes, touch us and change us by you word, we ask this in Jesus name.
That is why this was so strange. These people they were something else altogether they were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Had that not heard of Jesus before? Everyone I knew already had some sort of religion, even if they didn't act like it. This was really puzzling.
I grew up Catholic. On Holy Saturday, or the Saturday before Easter Sunday, there was a unique service in the Catholic Church. The Saturday evening before Easter, the Catholic Church has a special Mass they call "The Easter Vigil."Certain rituals take place at this Mass, but what I remember most is that this is the one time that the Catholic Church baptizes adults coming into the faith. If you decide to become a Roman Catholic, you take classes to learn about the Catholic faith; it could take months or even years to complete. Then when you are ready, you receive the sacraments and become part of the church at this Mass on Holy Saturday.
Anyway, the Catholic Church welcomes converts to their faith one time a year, on Easter. They chose this day on purpose because Easter is the defining moment of the Christianity.
I remember when I was a young boy, I would stare wide-eyed at these strange adults converting to the Catholic faith. I looked at them like they were from outer space. I grew up in suburban Chicago. Everyone was Christian of some sort. Although a lot of my friends were Catholic, some were Lutheran; some were Baptist, but I didn't know a single person who didn't have some religion.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 17 the apostle Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
That is why this was so strange. These people they were something else altogether. They were CONVERTS. I couldn't figure it out. Didn't their family already have a religion? Everyone I knew already had was something. Where would they come from that they weren't already Christian?
Anyway, the Catholic Church welcomes converts to the faith one time a year, on Easter. They chose this day on purpose. They choose Easter because it is the defining moment of the Christianity.
Everything that we talk about in this Church, Everything that we talk about every Sunday, if Christ has not been raised, it doesn't matter, it is useless.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 17 the apostle Paul writes,
Because if Christ was not raised, it means that God has not forgiven our sins. If Christ has not been raised, then Jesus was not telling the truth. If Jesus was not telling the truth, he was not without sin. If Jesus was not without sin, he could not pay the price for our sins, and we are in the same condition we were in before we walked into those doors.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
Everything that we talk about in this Church, Everything that we talk about every Sunday, if Christ has not been raised from the dead, it doesn't matter, it is useless. It doesn't make any sense or have any relevance to our life.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead because Jesus Christ was fully God. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because He was without sin. Jesus Christ rose from the dead because his sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ rising from the dead is the defining moment of Christianity.
Jesus predicted his resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, then Jesus was not telling the truth. If Jesus was not telling the truth, he was not without sin. If Jesus was not without sin, he could not pay the price for our sins, and we are in the same condition we were in before we walked into those doors.
This defining moment of Christianity is so huge, so monumental, that it has become a defining moment for the whole planet.
But if Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, then Jesus was without sin. If Jesus was without sin, then he was indeed fully God, and fully man. If Christ rose from the dead, it confirms that his sacrifice for our sins was acceptable to God the Father. If Jesus rose from the dead, and we place our faith in him, then it means that our sins have been forgiven. Jesus Christ rising from the dead is the defining moment of Christianity.
Think about it for a moment. Our calendar refers to years either as BC or AD. The way we mark time is defined by Jesus Christ. There are churches all across the planet that gather every Sunday for worship, either in public or in secret because Sunday is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. People are dying for their faith every day across the globe because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Even people who are not necessarily religious cannot help but be affected by Easter.
This defining moment of Christianity is so huge, so monumental, that it has become a defining moment for the whole planet.
You cannot walk into a store without seeing some Easter candy or decoration. Candy manufacturers actually have to gear up and change the shapes and style of their candy, because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ rose from dead.
Think about it for a moment. Our calendar refers to years either as BC or AD. Jesus Christ even defines the way we mark time. All across the globe, people gather every Sunday for worship, either in public, or in secret because Sunday is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. People are willing to die for their faith every day because Jesus Christ rose from the dead because they have an assurance that they will live on in eternal life.
Although collectively, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has been a defining moment, that does not mean that it is automatically a defining moment for us.
Even people who are not Christians cannot help being affected by Easter. You cannot walk into a store without seeing some Easter candy or decoration. Candy manufacturers actually have to gear up and change the shapes and style of their candy, because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ rose from dead.
Even though we may have heard the story of Easter, it is still possible to hear about the event, to have the knowledge of the event, and still well, not get it.
Although collectively, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has been a defining moment, that does not mean that it is automatically a defining moment for us.
For me, although I grew up sitting in a pew, for me the resurrection of Jesus Christ was more metaphorical, or more of a parable. It is easy to believe that because we speak so metaphorically about death all the time. We talk about a loved one who has died and our memory of them that lives in our heart. There is a folksy saying that says, Someone is not really dead if we carry the memory of them in our heart.
Even though we may have heard the story of Easter, it may not necessarily define us. It is still possible to hear about the event, to have the knowledge of the event, and well, still not get it.
I know I was like that. For me, although I grew up sitting in a pew, for me the resurrection of Jesus Christ was more metaphorical, or more of a parable. We fall into that belief because we speak metaphorically about death all the time. We talk about a loved one who has died, and we say our memory of them lives on in our heart. There is a folksy saying that says, Someone is not really dead if we carry the memory of them in our heart.
This morning we are going to look at this defining moment in Christianity, through the eyes of 4 people and I invite you to learn how this event can be your defining moment.
This morning we are going to look at the defining moment in Christianity, through the eyes of 4 people and I invite you to consider if this event is your defining moment.
Turn with me to John chapter 20. And we will look at our first person, Mary Magdalene.
Turn with me to John chapter 20. And we will look at our first person, Mary Magdalene.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
Mary Magdalene, already knew Jesus. In Luke chapter 8 verse Luke records that Jesus saved her from 7 demons. This language about demons is unfamiliar to us, so picture this if you will. Picture someone who is plagued by all the horrible things you can imagine, all at once. Picture a girl who is a sex addict, a heroin addict and alcoholic, Bi-polar schizophrenic and abused, you get the picture, and you what is really sad, it might have even been worse than that.
Mary Magdalene, knew Jesus, before he died. In Luke chapter 8 verse 2 Luke records that Jesus saved her from 7 demons. This language about demons is unfamiliar to us, so picture this. Picture someone who is plagued by all the horrible things you can imagine, all at once. Picture a girl who is a sex addict, a heroin addict and alcoholic, Bi-polar schizophrenic and abused, you get the picture, and you what is really sad, it might have even been worse than that.
That was Mary Magdalene until she met Jesus. Until she encountered the living God, until she stood face to face with the Lord of Lords and he drove out all seven of the demons that were plaguing her. That was her defining moment. And from that moment on, she wasn't the same.
That was Mary Magdalene at least until she met Jesus. Until she encountered the living God, until she stood face to face with the Lord of Lords and he drove out all seven of those demons That was her defining moment. From that moment on, she wasn't the same.
She followed Jesus. She followed Jesus right to the cross. She followed him right to the foot of the cross, and with Jesus's mother Mary, and other women she witnessed Jesus die a horrible and painful death. She watched Jesus the same Jesus that removed the things that made her worthless, she watched Him as God the Father laid all of her sins, and all of our sins upon him, and she was there when he breathed his last and cried 'It is finished".
From that moment on she followed Jesus.
So she rose early and went to attend to his body. Where else would she go? To the market? To the river? Sleep in? Nope, Jesus was her defining moment, and she was going to be with him, alive or dead.
She followed Jesus right to the cross. She followed him right to the foot of the cross, and with Jesus's mother Mary, and other women she witnessed Jesus die a horrible and painful death. She watched Jesus, the same Jesus that removed the things that made her worthless, she watched Him as God the Father laid all of her sins, and all of our sins upon him, and she was there when he breathed his last and cried 'It is finished".
So she rose early and went to attend to his body. Where else would she go? To the market? To the river? Sleep in? Nope, Jesus was her defining moment, and she was going to be with him, alive or dead.
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Jesus was gone! The one who she owed her life to was not there, and she had no idea what happened. She wasn't thinking of a resurrection. I mean who would?
Jesus was gone! The one who she owed her life to was not there, and she had no idea what happened. She wasn't thinking of a resurrection. Who would?
I don't really fault her. Although Jesus talked about it, people talk about death and living on metaphorically all the time. So, she ran to tell Peter and John.
I don't fault her. Although Jesus talked about his resurrection, people talk about death and living on metaphorically all the time. The idea of someone coming back from the dead, was so out there, that it wasn't anybody's first thought. So, she ran to get help.
Let's look at Character number 2 Simon Peter.
Let's look at Character number two Simon Peter.
Simon Peter was a fisherman. He was a member of Jesus's inner circle as they say. Peter James and John. They witnessed the transfiguration among other things and were perhaps the three disciples that were closest to Jesus. He may have had many defining moments. When Jesus walked on the water, Peter got out of the boat, when Jesus went to wash Peter's feet, Peter asked for a bath. He was forever defined as over the top. Although we see Him as reckless and impetuous, Christ saw Peter differently. Perhaps for Peter His defining moment came in Matthew chapter 16. In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked Peter a question point blank.
Simon Peter was a fisherman. He was a member of Jesus's inner circle, Peter, James and John. They were the ones that witnessed the transfiguration and were the three disciples that were closest to Jesus. Simon Peter may have had many defining moments. It could have been when Jesus walked on the water, it was Peter who got out of the boat. It could have been when Jesus went to wash Peter's feet, and Peter asked for a bath.
He was forever defined as over the top. Although we see Him as reckless and impetuous, Christ saw Peter differently. Christ gave Peter His defining moment in Matthew chapter 16. In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked Peter a question point blank.
(NIV)
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
(NIV)
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
And just as we learned last week, Jesus is fully revealed to us only by the power of God. Jesus replies, in .
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
"Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."
And just as we learned 2 weeks ago, Jesus is fully revealed to us only by the power of God. Jesus replies, in
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
"Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."
And then Jesus changed his name to Peter, or rock.
And then to soldify the moment, Jesus changed his name to Peter, or rock.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Peter had his defining moment when God revealed to Him who Jesus was, but in spite of that, Peter faltered. Peter was the apostle that denied Christ. At the last supper Jesus said, you will deny me. But The rock didn't so. No, not the rock he thought he already had his defining moment right? But you know what, when He saw His leader captured, when He saw his leader under arrest, when he faced the prospect of being arrested himself, he forgot his defing moment and crumbled. Not much of a rock, more like a piece of sandstone.
Peter had his defining moment when God revealed to Him who Jesus was. Simon who was once reckless was finding a new identity in Jesus Christ. But, even with that, the old self dies hard, and Peter faltered. It was Peter who denied Christ. At the last supper, Jesus said to Peter, you will deny me. But the Rock didn't so. But you know what, when He saw His leader captured, when He saw his leader under arrest, when he faced the prospect of being arrested himself, he forgot his defining moment and crumbled, like a piece of sandstone. He let himself see Jesus as captured failed leader about to be defeated, rather than remembering that He was the Son the living God.
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
So when Peter went running to the tomb, we can only guess what was on his mind. He was probably an emotional rollercoaster. You know when panic sets in, and emotions are high, and you are running. I'll be he couldn't even breathe. Where was Jesus? Was He regretting His denial? If he just had one more chance?
So when Peter went running to the tomb, we can only guess what was on his mind. He was probably an emotional rollercoaster. You know that point when panic sets in, and emotions are on overload. He ran to the tomb. Where was Jesus? Was Peter regretting the denial?
I don't know, but maybe Peter was running to Jesus, and away from his failure. Maybe, Peter was running to get rid of his guilt. Maybe the Holy Spirit was convicting him of his sin, and He was running to Jesus for forgiveness.
I don't know, but maybe Peter was running to Jesus, and away from his failure. Maybe, Peter was running to get rid of his guilt. Maybe the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin, and mybe he was running in fear, because if someone stole the body, somehow the denial would be even worse.
.
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Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
So, true to his nature, Peter does not hesitate, he goes straight into the tomb.
So, true to his old nature, Peter does not hesitate, he goes straight into the tomb.
Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.
So, true to his old nature, Peter does not hesitate, he goes straight into the tomb.
Peter saw the burial cloths lying there, and the cloth that was wrapped around the head, possibly to tie the jaw shut was folded up separate from the linen. And Jesus was gone
Peter saw the burial cloths lying there. He saw the head cloth lying separate and folded up. In ancient burial custom, there was a cloth used to tie the jaw shut. And this cloth was folded up and separate from the other burial clothes, and Jesus was gone.
Character number 3, John
character 3, John
John, referred to here as the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. He was also one of the three closest to Jesus. He was leaning back on Jesus at the Last Supper. He was at the foot of the cross. He watched Jesus die. He watched Jesus struggle to speak during the suffocation of the crucifixion. And with Jesus's precious few last breaths, he gave his own mother into John's care. John was a little faster than Peter, and he arrived at the tomb first.
John, the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. He was also one of the three closest to Jesus. He was leaning back on Jesus at the Last Supper. He was at the foot of the cross. He watched Jesus die. He watched Jesus struggle to speak during the suffocation of the crucifixion. And with Jesus's precious few last breaths, he gave his own mother into John's care. John arrived at the tomb first.
Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
.
.
He arrived first, but didn't go in. John waited at the door. John was maybe a little more of a thinker, rather than a doer. I don't know, but he didn't go right in. He saw the strips of cloth lying there but didn't enter until after Peter.
He arrived first, but didn't go in. John was maybe a little more of a thinker, rather than a doer. I don't know, but he didn'y go in. He saw the strips of cloth lying there but didn't go in, not until after Peter went in.
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
He went inside, and although he had the same information as Peter, He saw and believed. Perhaps, John had that extra moment to process things, at the entrance. Perhaps he a had that extra second to evaluate the evidence and prepare himself. He didn't take a leap of faith. He saw the evidence and believed. He saw the burial cloths lying there, and he thought about it. He probably realized that grave robbers, take the clothes and leave the body. John had the time to process that if someone stole the body they would not leave the clothes. No one would want to move a naked dead body. And even if they did, they certainly would not take the time to neatly fold the head cloth. It would appear haphazard and scattered. That evidence was enough for John, So John had his defining moment. He saw and believed; He believed that Jesus Christ was alive.
He went inside, and although he had the same information as Peter, the text tells us He saw and believed. Perhaps, John had that extra moment to process things, at the entrance. Perhaps he a had that extra second to evaluate the evidence and prepare himself for his defining moment. He didn't take a leap of faith. He saw the evidence and believed. He saw the burial cloths lying there, and he knew that grave robbers, take the clothes and leave the body. John had the time to process that a grave robber would not take the time to fold the head cloth, neatly remove the clothes, and then move a naked dead body. No one would want to do that. So John had his defining moment. He saw and believed, that Jesus Christ was alive.
The last character number 4, The Lord Jesus Christ.
Character 4, The Lord Jesus Christ.
The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, the Messiah, the Son of God. He is not here. Jesus is no longer in the grave; the tomb is empty. The grave clothes are there, but not Jesus. Jesus no longer had any need of the grave clothes. He was no in His resurrection body, the perishable was no clothed with the imperishable. Jesus had conquered the grave. He was now clothed in victory. Jesus had achieved victory over sin and death. Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said.
The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. He is not there. Jesus is no longer in the grave; the tomb is empty. The grave clothes are there, but not Jesus. Jesus no longer had any need of the grave clothes. Jesus had conquered the grave, and he was now clothed in victory. Jesus had achieved victory over sin and death. Jesus had risen from the dead just as he said.
When Jesus Christ physically got up from the dead, he is not in the grave. You will not find his body there. We do not just carry a memory of Jesus with us in our hearts. This is different, Jesus Christ is alive.
When Jesus Christ physically got up from the dead, he is not in the grave. You will not find his body there. We do not just carry a memory of Jesus with us in our hearts, Jesus Christ is alive.
That was the defining moment. In that one singular event everything that Jesus had said, everything that Jesus had done, the entire scriptures were instantly validated, and the entire planet would not be the same again. Jesus had conquered the prince and power of this world.
Jesus, by rising from the dead, proved he was without sin, Jesus proved that He was the God-Man, and Jesus proved that God the Father accepted His sacrifice for our sins at the cross.
That was the defining moment. In that one singular event everything that Jesus had said, everything that Jesus had done, the entire scriptures were instantly validated, and the entire planet would not be the same again. The entire planet, which was once held captive by Satan, the whole planet enslaved by sin now had the option of getting set free.
What we are commanded to do is believe the evidence.
Jesus, by rising from the dead, proved he was without sin, Jesus proved that He was the God-Man, and Jesus proved that God the Father accepted His sacrifice for our sins at the cross. And what we have to do is believe the evidence.
Although collectively, and throughout history, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has been a defining moment, sometimes it isn't a defining moment for us individually.
Earlier I told you how as a young boy I saw converts to the Catholic faith, as strange. But as I grew to know Jesus I found out that they weren't strange at all. I realized that in actuality we are all converts. We are not born into Christianity, Every one of us at some point must convert to Christianity. We must come to our own defining moment. We must look at the evidence and decide to believe, or not believe; We must make the decision for ourselves.
Earlier I told you how as a young boy I saw converts to the Catholic faith, as strange. But as I grew to know Jesus I found out that weren't strange at all. I realized that in actuality we are all converts. Evry one of us at some point must convert to Christianity, we are not born into the faith. We must come to our own defining moment. We must look at the evidence and decide to believe, or not believe; We must make the decision for ourselves. When we do, we must place our entire lives into the hands of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We must be defined by the resurrection.
But it doesn't just end with that intellectual acceptance. When we do believe we must be defined by it. We must place our entire lives into the hands of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We must be defined by the resurrection. We must look at everything else that happens in our lives from that point on through the lens of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I started by talking about a Lady named Joni Earkison Tada. Although to you and I, it appears that she was defined by the tragedy that left her a Quadraplegic, but Jesus had other plans. Years before her tragic accident, when she was 14 years old, she gave her life to Jesus at summer camp. And although, she maybe didn't see it as defining moment at first, Jesus changed all that.
He took her broken body, and transformed her. He transformed from the inside out, and she was no longer defined by being confined to a wheelchair.
I started this sermon by mentioning about a woman Joni Earkison Tada. To you and I, it appears that she was defined by the diving accident that left her a Quadraplegic, but Jesus had other plans. Years before her tragic accident, when she was 14 years old, she gave her life to Jesus at summer camp. And although, she maybe didn't see it as defining moment at first, and although she didn't consistantly let it define her, Jesus changed that.
She is now defined by Jesus Christ. She heads up an international ministry, she has written over 48 books, has a feature length motion picture and a nationally sindicated daily radio talk show.
After her accident, Jesus took her broken body, and transformed her. He transformed from the inside out. She was no longer defined by a wheelchair. She is now defined by Jesus Christ.
We have to believe the evidence and come to our own defining moment. We have to believe the evidence and come to Jesus Christ and allow him to define us. We have to give him our sins, we have to give him our shortcomings, we have to give over those other things that now define us, and we need to be defined, by Him. We must be defined by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Joni heads up an international ministry, she has written over 48 books, has a feature length motion picture and a nationally syndicated daily radio talk show.
When we are definied by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we do not need to be defined by our sin, we do not need to be defined by our guilt or our shame, but instead when we are defined Jesus, we are made new, we are his children, we are a chosen people a royal priesthood, the sheep of his pasture. Sin and death have no power over us.
We have to believe the evidence and come to our defining moment. We have to believe the evidence and come to Jesus Christ and be defined by Him. We have to give him our sins, we have to give him our shortcomings, we have to give over those other things that now define us, and we need to be defined, by Him. We must be defined by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must now look at life as differently, becasue He is alive.
When we are defined by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are not defined by our sin. We are not defined by our guilt, or our shame. Instead when we are defined Jesus, we are made new, we are children of God, we are a chosen people, we are royal priesthood, and the sheep of his pasture. Sin and death have no longer have any power over us.
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Cor 15.
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” l
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he is not in the grave. It is not just becasue we carry a memory of him in our hearts. He is the only person
Even though we may have heard the story of Easter, it is still possible to go through the event, to have the knowledge of the event, and still well, not really get it. For me, although I sat in a pew, I still didn't fully grasp what it meant to believe in the resurrection. I mean I said I did, I even thought I did, but I still didn't "get it." I think in some ways our current society has something to do with it. We speak so metaphorically about death all the time, and it gets ingrained in our thinking. We talk about a loved one who has died, and our memory of them that lives in our heart. There is a folksy saying that says, Someone is not really dead if we carry the memory of them in our heart.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he is not in the grave. It is not just becasue we carry a memory of him in our hearts. He is the only person