Easter Sunday: An Empty Promise that Delivers

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

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Welcome to our Easter Celebration. Today is a special day as you probably know. I want to start today by reading part of the historical account of Easter.

Luke 24:1–12 NIV84

We can see right here how the first resurrection made a huge difference to the women who saw it, but it took a bit longer for Peter and the others to process the significance. I think we can find ourselves in this today.

The resurrection made a huge difference to the women who saw it, but it took a bit longer for Peter and the others to process the significance. That applies to us here today as well.

IF you were to ask people, that’s what surveys do, they find that a large portion of people believe that Jesus rose from the dead. It’s an historical fact....in fact. The issue is that most people don’t understand the effect it has on their lives.

Today I hope that you leave here knowing why it matters, so the next time someone questions the point of it all, you will be able to tell them the significance of the Empty Tomb.

I hope you come back over the next several weeks as we work through a series of messages labeled RUNNING ON EMPTY. Many people these days are tapped out but life goes on…How do we keep going on? Each week we are going to look at a particular facet of our lives and look to discover what caused us to run empty and how Jesus and the Bible teaches us that we can be refilled.

But first

Video

So what?

1 The pastor makes the following statement to the CONGREGATION:

What difference does the resurrection make in my life, in your life.

L: Brothers and sisters in Christ:

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of empty promises. I’m tired of politicians who don’t deliver on promises. I’m tired of products that never look as good at home as they do on TV. I’m tired of batterys that aren’t as EVER ready as they claim. But it’s not just others. I’m tired of failing people. I’m tired of not delivering with the same passion that I promised. Empty promises are real and frustrating. For many people, they consider the promise of Jesus and the church an empty promise.

What difference does it make in my life?

L: Through the Sacrament of Baptism

How can it make a difference in my life?

L: We are initiated into Christ's holy church.

Today I hope that you leave here knowing why it matters, so the next time someone questions the point of it all, you will be able to tell them.

What difference does the resurrection make to your life. I’d say, it depends.

L: We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation

L: And given new birth through water and the Spirit.

What difference does the resurrection make to your life. I’d say, it depends.

L: All this is God's gift, offered to us without price.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of empty promises. I’m tired of politicians who don’t deliver on promises. I’m tired of products that never look as good at home as they do on TV. I’m tired of batters that aren’t as EVER ready as they claim. I’m tired of failing people. I’m tired of not delivering with the same passion that I promised. Empty promises are real and frustrating. For many people, they consider the promise of Jesus and the church an empty promise.

I’d say, it depends.

It depends on how you would answer 3 questions. Don’t you hate it when people answer questions with questions? I do too. But in this case it is necessary. I’ll try to walk us through all three.

L: Through confirmation,

First, What do you need?

L: And through the reaffirmation of our faith,

Second, Who do you say Jesus is?

L: We renew the covenant declared at our baptism,

Finally, Have you trusted in his grace?

L: Acknowledge what God is doing for us,

What do you need?

So what difference does the resurrection make? Well what difference do you need in your life?

The resurrection doesn’t solve all of life’s problems. Believers will get sick. Believers will make mistakes. Believers will get hurt and hurt others.

This first question though gets to the root of who we believe we are.

Think about your life. IF you were to give your life a score on a scale of 0-100 for how perfect it has been, what would your score be? How perfect is your life? By perfect, I mean free from flaws, mistakes, pain, error. I doubt any of us would rank ourselves much higher than a 70 or 80 and most of us much lower.

But assuming you think you are a nearly perfect person. You are awesome you scored yourself 80% perfect.. Then even you, as great as you are, still admit you need at least 20% of improvement. I would say that my score was much lower. When I think back at all the times in my life that I have gotten away with things that I shouldn’t have, it’s sort of sad. I would say that I’d struggle to get to a 50. I’ve taken things that didn’t belong to me, I’ve lied about things that didn’t really matter, I’ve cheated, I’ve committed adultery with my eyes. I”m a thieving, lying, cheating adulterer…and I have no excuse.

But we aren’t much different.

Romans 3:23 HCSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

What about you? What is your need? Do you need help being made right before God or are you able to do it on your own. If you can live a perfect life or convince God of your innocence when you make mistakes, then you don’t need Jesus. But if you can’t, the difference the resurrection makes in your life is this forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV84

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What difference does the resurrection make in your life? Ask yourself, what do I need? Then ask yourself,

Second, Who do you say Jesus is?

Who do you say Jesus is?

This is a big question. Somehow many people are able to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, but not understand who Jesus was? Was he just he son of a carpenter and his teenage girlfriend? Was he just the kid from Nazareth who grew up to be a wise rabbi who’s teachings are still relevant to day? Was he a great healer who lived such a great life everyone decided to split the calendar between BC and AD because of him?

Or was he the son of God, the sinless Son of God, the innocent Lamb of God, who gave His life in our place, for us, for our sins, and on the third day, God rolled away the stone, and the world found that the tomb was empty and that He was risen from the grave just as he promised? Who do you say He is?

Jesus asked one of his closest disciples this very question in

us, for our sins, and on the third day, God rolled away t

Matthew 16:15 NIV84

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

he stone, and the world found

Not your spouse, or your parents, but who do you say he is?

Peter answered:

Matthew 16:16 NIV84

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus went on to call him blessed because he knew who Jesus was. Everyone must answer this question for themselves. Not your spouse, or your parents, but who do you say he is?

that the tomb was empty and that He was risen from the grave. Who do you say He is

How you answer this question determines what difference the resurrection makes in our lives.

But if we think he is just a man his resurrection won’t matter much. Because, frankly, I’m not going to live my life for another man. I mean even if my dad lived his life for me, It wouldn’t make much sense to live for him, no matter how good he was.

If we believe He is the Messiah, the son of God, then it makes a huge difference. He has the power to affect our lives in profound ways. That’s what the criminal on the cross understood. He saw Jesus die with power and grace, realizing that he was the source of forgiveness and eternal life.

Who do you say Jesus is? That’s the second thing you have to answer to know what difference the resurrection makes in your life. The first was - What do you need?

Finally, for the resurrection to have any real effect on your life, you need to ask,

Have you trusted in his grace?

Finally, Have you trusted in his grace?I don’t mean to do you believe Jesus died. I don’t mean do you believe Jesus died and was resurrected. what I mean is, have you trusted in his work to forgive you of your sin? Have you trusted in his power to help you live this life?

You may be well aware of your need for a messiah. You may even believe that Jesus was the son of God who died for the sins of the world. But have you placed your trust in his grace? Many people today believe they are in need of a saviour and believe Jesus is that savior, AND that they have to earn his love…and when they get to a point where they can be good enough, church and Jesus might be for them, but not until.

If that’s you, if you find yourself struggling to do enough, to be good enough. I want you to stop.

Pause

You can’t earn it. You’ll never be good enough.

This applies to everyone of us here, even those of us who have been following Jesus for a while.

Stop. This is about to make all the difference.

It’s grace. God loved us when we were still sinners. We didn’t have to earn it then and we don’t have to earn it now.

So what difference does the resurrection make?

It changes everything if we believe and trust in it. I don’t mean - do you believe Jesus died. I don’t mean do you believe Jesus died and was resurrected. what I mean is, have you trusted in his work to forgive you of your sin? Have you trusted in his power to help you live this life?

A better way of thinking of this may be have you staked your life on it?

No more living our life timidly and frightened, that death is the end, the victory of God, made known in Jesus' glorious Resurrection, is liberation !

It frees us from all that ensnares us and keeps from an abundant life. It empowers us to live obedient, disciplined, sacrificial, and joyful lives in the knowledge that Jesus leads us through even the darkness of death and brings us to everlasting glory!

Whats holding you back from trusting in his grace?

L: And affirm our commitment to Christ's holy church.

If you have, then you know that just like the promised resurrection, Jesus delivers. He promises to give every believer God’s Holy Spirit so that we have the power to live holy lives. Just like he delivered on his promise to rise from the dead, he promises that every believer will likewise see eternal life with him.

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

3 A representative of the congregation presents the candidates with the appropriate statements:

L: I present Name (s) for confirmation. OR

RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH

6 The pastor addresses CANDIDATES who can answer for themselves:

L: According to the grace given to you,

L: Will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy church

L: And serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

ALL: I will.

8 The pastor addresses the CONGREGATION:

L: Do you, as Christ's body, the church,

L: Reaffirm both your rejection of sin

L: And your commitment to Christ?

ALL: We do.

L: Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life

L: And include these persons now before you in your care?

ALL: With God's help we will proclaim the good news

ALL: And live according to the example of Christ.

ALL: We will surround these persons

ALL: With a community of love and forgiveness,

ALL: That they may grow in their trust of God,

ALL: And be found faithful in their service to others.

ALL: We will pray for them,

ALL: That they may be true disciples

ALL: Who walk in the way that leads to life.

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER

10 If there are baptisms, or if water is to be used for reaffirmation, the water may be poured into the font at this time, and the following prayer offered:

L: Eternal Father:

L: When nothing existed but chaos,

L: You swept across the dark waters

L: And brought forth light.

L: In the days of Noah

L: You saved those on the ark through water.

L: After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow.

L: When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt,

L: You led them to freedom through the sea.

L: Their children you brought through the Jordan

L: To the land which you promised.

L: In the fullness of time you sent Jesus,

L: Nurtured in the water of a womb.

L: He was baptized by John and anointed by your spirit.

L: He called his disciples

L: To share in the baptism of his death and resurrection

L: And to make disciples of all nations.

L: Pour out your Holy Spirit,

L: To bless this gift of water and those who receive it,

L: To wash away their sin

L: And clothe them in righteousness

L: And throughout their lives,

L: That, dying and being raised with Christ,

L: They may share in his final victory.

ALL: [**]All praise to you, Eternal Father,

ALL: Through your Son Jesus Christ,

ALL: Who with you and the Holy Spirit

ALL: Lives and reigns for ever.

ALL: Amen.

11 As each CANDIDATE is baptized, the pastor says:

L: Name, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

L: And of the Son,

L: And of the Holy Spirit.

The people respond:

ALL: Amen.

Immediately after the administration of the water, the pastor, and others if desired, place hands on the head of each candidate, as the pastor says to each:

L: The Holy Spirit work within you,

L: That being born through water and the Spirit,

L: You may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

The people respond:

ALL: Amen.

When all candidates have been baptized, the pastor invites the CONGREGATION to welcome them:

L: Now it is our joy to welcome our new (sisters and brothers) in Christ.

ALL: Through baptism

ALL: You are incorporated by the Holy Spirit

ALL: Into God's new creation

ALL: And made to share in Christ's royal priesthood.

ALL: We are all one in Christ Jesus.

ALL: With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you

ALL: As members of the family of Christ.

CONFIRMATION OR REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH

12 Here water may be used symbolically in ways that cannot be interpreted as baptism, as the pastor says:

L: Remember your baptism and be thankful.

ALL: Amen.

As the pastor, and others if desired, place hands on the head of each person being confirmed or reaffirming faith, the pastor says to each:

L: Name, the Holy Spirit work within you,

L: That having been born through water and the Spirit,

L: You may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

All respond:

ALL: Amen.

RECEPTION INTO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

L: As members of Christ's universal church,

L: Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church,

L: And do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

ALL: I will.

RECEPTION INTO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION

L: As members of this congregation,

L: Will you faithfully participate in its ministries

L: By your prayers, your presence,

L: Your gifts, and your service?

ALL: I will.

COMMENDATION AND WELCOME

16 The pastor addresses the CONGREGATION:

L: Members of the household of God,

L: I commend these persons to your love and care.

L: Do all in your power to increase their faith,

L: Confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

The congregation responds:

ALL: We give thanks for all that God has already given you

ALL: And we welcome you in Christian love.

ALL: As members together with you

ALL: In the body of Christ

ALL: And in this congregation

ALL: Of The United Methodist Church,

ALL: We renew our covenant

ALL: Faithfully to participate

ALL: In the ministries of the church

ALL: By our prayers, our presence,

ALL: Our gifts, and our service,

ALL: That in everything God may be glorified

ALL: Through Jesus Christ.

The pastor addresses those baptized, CONFIRMED, or received:

L: The God of all grace,

L: Who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,

L: Establish you and strengthen you

L: By the power of the Holy Spirit,

L: That you may live in grace and peace.

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