The Day That Changes Everything

Intro

What did you expect to find @ worship here this morning?

Amazing music that moves you

flamboyant/unorthodox pastor

entertainment

hoping to find something significant

something deeper

answers to Q’s

answers to prayer

something to stop the pain

something to hold on to — that gives you hope?

If we are honest, the song by U2 usually rings true:

“We still haven’t found what we’re looking for.”

In Luke’s account of the resurrection the women are headed to the tomb

read Luke 24:1

They brought spices

the spices were for masking the smell of a decaying body

They were looking for a dead guy

They weren’t expecting the impossible to happen (that would be crazy)

When they arrived they saw the stone rolled away

No body

They didn’t find what they were looking for!

They actually found something Greater!

Read Luke 24:2-6a

They were looking for a dead man

They actually found that death is no longer the final say!

You see they were looking for the wrong thing

they were looking for the wrong thing — they were looking for human not divine

What they did find changed everything!!!

For all the disciples and followers — everything changed

So much so, that this moment changed the way they lived the rest of their lives!

Transition: Because of Christ risen & living, they [read acts 2:42-47]

Transformed Living Then

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

They devoted themselves to fellowship

met together everyday!

had all things in common — The resurrection gave to them unity

they worshiped together — learned and grew deeper in the risen Lord!

They devoted themselves to prayer

Christ risen opens the door to communication with the Father

They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread

more than just having meals together

they broke bread as Jesus taught — had Holy Communion w/one another

Everyday they met together — had joy — praised God for doing the impossible

IT CHANGED THEIR LIVES FOREVER!

PAUSE

Transformed Living NOW

Have you found what you’re looking for?

Are you looking for the right thing?

CHRIST IS RISEN!

This changes everything!

The impossible has been done for you!

Each one of us is no longer bound by sin to death & decay

Without the resurrection of Christ —

the life we have has no hope

no future

everything then becomes meaningless

But He did rise

This means that life is meaningful

We are given new life

A new life radically transformed into a new way of living each day!

We celebrate today the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

We celebrate and experience a transformational change of living from this moment!

PAUSE

Are we living each day transformed like the first disciples?

Are we living as though Christ is risen and alive or do we live as though he stayed dead.

Do we live devoted to fellowship?

I’m not talking about 1hr Sunday morning or a few times a year

Are we really devoting to fellowship with everyone around us

Walk in to church discussing God’s work in your life

meeting someone in the street and proclaiming Christ

meeting together everyday to enjoy the fellowship of what has happened

Are we devoted to prayer?

not the “I’ll pray for you” or “prayers” comments we give people

really praying (all types of prayer)

pouring ourselves to God in prayer

This communication has been opened by the resurrection!

What about breaking of bread?

We will be joining together to partake in the Lord’s Supper in just a bit

Do we hold the bread and ponder that which Christ has done?

Do we hold the cup and contemplate the shed blood that Christ poured?

Do we become overwhelmed by the fact that God loved us so much to do the impossible?

Think about the supper for a minute?

Christ loved me (you) so much that he sacrificed himself for us

He commands us/calls us to love as he loved us

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 15:12–13 NIV

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

As I hold the bread in my hand — I am commanded to love like Jesus

To sacrifice like him

To the point of dying for (give out names)

Am I willing to do that?

100% honest right now:

I do not fear death

I really don’t — because Christ is risen and alive — I don’t fear death

I know because He is Risen — so will I be — raised into eternity with Him

PAUSE

So when you partake in communion today —

think about what we are called to — what Christ has done for you

soak in the love that has been displayed through Christ

Transition: Family — Christ is alive — He is right here right now!

Conclusion

Christ wants you to live in the resurrection

To have new life in him

Christ is relational not transactional

He wants to walk with you through all situations

Not just be a goods & services God that you go to just when you need something

PAUSE

He is Risen for YOU!

It changes everything!

Whatever the reason you’re here this morning — you have found something greater!

Someone who changes everything! — His name is Jesus!

I have this hotel card… (do this illustration)

Do not disturb

Transform me (service please)

Maybe you want to:

Turn the card on your heart from do not to please service

Maybe you are in that process already

Maybe you need to be reignited

If this is you please raise your hand

Don’t look around (focus right here) raise your hand — its a joyous moment — a celebration

If you have raise your hand this morning, I invite you to meet with me, P. Danny, Colleen, Clara, or any of the elders

we will be over here after the service —

we want to pray with you and support you — and praise God for you!

We can go in hallway or other room

Don’t live without the radical transformational change of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN!

IT CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Amen