074 The Risen Christ! We are all ( becoming) saints now

2018 04 15 SERMON 74 Easter 3 The Risen Christ - WE ARE ALL SAINTS NOW v10B TO PRINT

While the Disciples were gathered together..

I.THE RISEN CHRIST – stood amongst them and said “PEACE BE WITH YOU”..

– stood amongst them and said “PEACE BE WITH YOU”..

…..And what was the reaction of the Disciples?

…..They were –Terrified!

As we have just heard

Jesus asked them WHY ….they were frightened?..….why doubts arose in their hearts???

showing them His hands, His feet,

the wounds of His crucifixion…

Jesus said – “see.. my flesh and bones ..it is I -. Touch me and see”

what excitement / what joy,,,

- yet what a mystery, too much to believe..

- the first time in human history –-someone rising from the dead!!…??

- they …cannot believe it all …

>>>> to show He was real…. Jesus ate some fish <<<<

II. WHY WAS JESUS THERE?

· TO OPEN THEIR MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES

· And COMMISSION them for their Christian lives

- As witnesses to JESUS life, death & Resurrection

- For them to proclaim to all …repentance & forgiveness of sins IN HIS NAME

this took place Just before JESUS ASCENSION to unity with the Father

Later HE CAME TO THE APOSTLES ( in the book of Acts) by HIS HOLY SPIRIT

JESUS COMES TO US, NOW

· IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE BREAD AND THE WINE

· STANDS AMONGST US BY HIS SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS

· GUIDES AND TEACHES US THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES

· AND SAYS THROUGH EACH OF US TO ONE ANOTHER – “PEACE BE WITH YOU”

It is I,

· Touch the wounds, of my crucifixion

for your healing and life, HE says

· Drink my blood poured out

for the forgiveness of your sins, HE says

· take and eat MY ETERNAL LIFE, …

MY RIGHTEOUSNESS lasts forever.. HE says

III. SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE DISBELIEF, DOUBT, FEAR?

is it our fault? a common human trait?

Something we can do nothing about, or should we overcome it? or God?

What about…

· newcomers who stumble into a church communion service?

· People in the pub/coffee shop talking about the Resurrection

· a confirmation candidate newly committing to follow Christ

· for us any and every time we struggle whether God hears our prayers or to know if faith is real

IV. CHRIST is PRESENT( to the eyes of **faith**) A. BY THE SACRAMENT OF THE LIVING WORD OF GOD

A. BY THE SACRAMENT OF THE LIVING WORD OF GOD

As we >>**HEAR, REPENT & BELIEVE**<<< (1) WE BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED in **our faith**

(1) WE BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED in **our faith**

our( continual/often/evermore) personal choices to

our personal choice/s to BELIEVE (in HIS name…) - open us (all the more) to the power already at work in our hearts, HIS HOLY SPIRIT >> to transforms us<< in ever new life giving and exciting ways

- open us (all the more) to the power already at work in our hearts, HIS HOLY SPIRIT >> to transforms us<<

>> to transforms us<<

in ever new life giving and exciting ways

(2) REPENTANCE FREES those prepared to surrender to the RISK OF**FAITH**

from being

a. limited by what science can or cannot prove at the moment, or

b. bogged down by natural human proctrastinating comfort in doubt , or

c. alienated by fear of the unknown

1. THE GOSPEL MAKES THE CASE FOR CHRIST JESUS

2. THE RESURRECTION DEMONSTRATES IT

3. And by LIVING FOR CHRIST - painfully – joyfully - WE MAKE FAITH REAL

B.BY PUTTING CHRIST AT THE CENTRE

we sacrifice and surrender the human selfishnesses of fear and doubt

>>for enhanced openness to the authentic human existence

- that allows people growth beyond themselves<<

C.The RESURRECTION is THE HOPE of HEARTS who CHOOSE JESUS trusting in the God ..who has shown Himself worthy of trust...for those who make the LEAP INTO…. THE LIGHT of faith

trusting in the God ..who has shown Himself worthy of trust..

D.for those who make the LEAP INTO…. THE LIGHT of faith

CHRIST IS RISEN! - yes

HERE AMONGST US ! - yes

HERE AMONGST US ! - yes

***WE ARE ALL (becoming) SAINTS NOW***

***WE ARE ALL (becoming) SAINTS NOW***

some consider Mother Theresa a latter day Saint

I knew two retired priests who had visited her in the 1960s,

she would then often meet young single/celibate monks and priests

to encourage them

I know little about what she was like as a person

But any who met her were impressed by her dedication against all odds

to bring light hope and love to derelicts of India,…INSPIRED BY her

- confidence in God

-and faith in the presence of Christ

YOU / WE – ARE SAINTS…. IN THE MAKING!

LET US LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST …by {ALSO} making OUR LIVES…

***A LIVING SACRAMENT OF LOVE for THE RISEN LORD JESUS***