Easter Service 2019 - Upside down Kingdom

Order

Empty and Full Video

Worship 1. Here I am to Worship – ZION - E

Hosannah and hurting -

Reading 1 –

The meal - Sustenance and suffering - Breaking bread

Reading 2 –

Communion

Empty and Full Video

Worship 2 Our Father – APP – TRACK OFF – C

Jesus Arrested - kisses and Condemnation - Judas Kiss

Reading 3 –

Worship 1.

Jesus Crucified - Guilty and innocent – Image Station 1

Reading 4 - :-31

Reading 5 –

Hosannah and hurting

The Death of Jesus - King and criminal – image Station 2

Reading 6 – - Station 5

Reading 7 – ) – Station 11 at the end move to statin 12

Reading 1

Empty tomb - Full Life.

Reading 8 – – Station 14

Death to life Video - Leave last frame of video on screen

The meal - Sustenance and suffering

The Feet are Real - Miracle and metaphor

Reading 2

Communion

Worship block. This is Amazing gracce – APP – D

Worship 2

Break Every Chain – APP –– C (Am)

Jesus Arrested - kisses and Condemnation

Forever – APP - G#

The grace

Reading 3

Forever – Chorus 2 - APP - G#

Jesus Crucified - Guilty and innocent

Reading 4

Reading 5

The Death of Jesus - King and criminal

Reading 6

Reading 7

Empty tomb - Full Life.

Death to life Video

Reading 8

The Feet are Real - Miracle and metaphor

Worship block.

The grace

Empty and full

Empty and full

We talk about the Easter Story. A

Empty Tomb video

He is not here for he has Risen . We stand on Easter Sunday at the culmination of of Holy Week. The video shows how topsey turvy the Kingdom of God is. For most things Empty equates to sad or bad or misery. In the context of the kingdom where Weak becomes strong, poor becomes rich, the last become first - Empty becomes

HOPE

SECURITY

VICTORY

HEALTH.

Shape of the service

Through a series of Readings we are going to look at this week and how the kingdom of God turns things around

We are here to worship....

SONG1

Hosannah and hurting

Reading 1

Luke 19:28–34 NIV

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

Matthew 21:1–11 NIV

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

28-34

This time last week was Palm Sunday - where many churches give out A Palm Cross OR as many a small boy and I dare say, based on my experience a good number of Adults consider it a Palm, sword. A child of someone I know turned to them and asked, “Why do they hand out swords at church on Palm Sunday?” Their parent replied, insightfully, “It is to remind us of how we hurt Jesus and those around us despite how we promise to love them”

Without the kingdom of God we are destined to hurt those around us and be hurt by them, in this imperfeact world. We may not use a sword but we can be hurt and hurt without one. We have spoken about Peter and how he was so quick to rush for the sword, in the temple garden - cutting off the ear of Malthus the High Priests forcing Jesus to stop a sword swinging disciple before he could heal hurting humanity. It is good to see where we start from but now lets turn the Palm Sword the right way around to be a Palm Cross as we continue this journey.

The world blames wars and conflict on religion. Today we see hundreds kill in Sri Lanka but the upside down Kingdom is one of peace not of war it pushes away this broken world.

Isaiah 2:4 NIV

4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Pray for Sri Lankes and the oppressed.

From Palm Sunday to Passover.

The meal - Sustenance and suffering

Where we see the meal. A meal is one of sustenance but this one is also one of sadness.

Reading 2

Reading 1

Luke 22:7–23 NIV

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Luke 22:7-23

We are commanded to share this meal in Remembrance of him. What started as a time of sadness as Jesus revels his fate - the Kingdom turns to Joy.

What is associated with an act of betrayal becomes the heart of unity and communion both with God and with each other -

In the Topsy-turvey kingdom - A meal that was to remember the saving of a few thousand Israelites became the meal that we remember the amazing sacrifece of all mankind.

he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

SONG

Jesus Arrested - kisses and Condemnation

Our next reading sees a symbol of affection of friendship become one of condemnation

Reading 3

Mark 14:43-46

Mark 14:43–46 NIV

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

Mark 14:50 NIV

50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

Jesus Crucified - Guilty and innocent

Reading four

Jesus Crucified - Mocked and Murdered

Reading 4

Matthew 27:27–31 NIV

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Sarcasm of the Soldiers - King of the Jews, declared the truth of the Kingdom that the Jews missed.

Mark 27:27-31

Reading 5

Luke 23:33–43 NIV

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luk3 23:33-43

Jesus the innocent - condemned as a criminal, the criminal pardoned and made innocent by the son of God.

The Death of Jesus - King and criminal

Reading 6

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Luke 23:44–49 NIV

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Reading 7

Matthew 27:59–61 NIV

59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Empty tomb - Full Life.

Death to life video

Reading 8

Matthew 28:1–10 NIV

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

VIDEO

The Feet are Real - Miracle and metaphor

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This is today the tomb is empty - He is risen

In a recent newspaper article, a writer said, “The resurrection can become a metaphor for new life that indeed can be experienced in every generation when one encounters the life and teachings of Jesus. [He quotes another author who says,] “The miracle is the birth of faith … ’Jesus is risen’ simply means, today the crucified Jesus is calling us to believe.”[End quote.]

The writer is correct that the Empty Tomb today, the Risen Saviour is the focus of our faith, it is a metaphor for the rebirth we experience. The resurrected christ is analogous with the transformation we experience when we become followers. But is so wrong.

The kingdom takes the writers metaphor and fulfils it as a miracle.

A dead saviour who remains dead is no savior at all.

If resurrection is only a picture of coming to faith, Mary Magdalene would still have reason to cry, and so would I.

What he’s really saying is, “If you don’t think Jesus really rose from the dead, that’s okay. Just have faith.” Faith in what? Don’t those thoughts rob Easter of all its meaning? St. Paul said so. “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. … If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (). A dead savior who remains dead is no savior at all. If resurrection is only a picture of coming to faith, Mary Magdalene would still have reason to cry, and so would we. But Paul continues and says, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (). The Lord is risen… [C: He is risen indeed!] …and that means we are not alone. It means that we are not powerless against the world and against the devil. It means we even have the power of Christ at work within us to overcome the old sinful nature that drags us down. In baptism we have put on the living Christ and are connected to him, to his living Word, to his power to live.  He is risen. He is ascended. He sits at his Father’s right hand over all things. Because he lives, we will live also! This is the Word and promise of the living Christ–and because the promise comes from him, there can be no question!

if the tomb was not empty then death would still hold command over the fears of the criminal on the cross and over each of us.

If the body had been stolen, if this had been a lie the story would have fizzled out long ago and the eternal hope we have would have had an end date - not very eternal

But Paulin Corinthians declares the when he says says, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (). The Lord is risen… [C: He is risen indeed!] …and that means we are not alone. It means that we are not powerless against the world and against the devil. It means we even have the power of Christ at work within us to overcome the old sinful nature that drags us down.

It means that despite the struggles we may face, the dissapointments of life, the upside down kingdom the makes

the Poor, rich

The captives, free

The sad, joyous

Poor, rich

The Last, First

The oppressed blessed amongst the nations

This Kingdom is here and the King of the Kingdom is not dead -  He is risen.

He sits at his Father’s right hand over all things. Because he lives, we will live also! This is the Word and promise of the living Christ–and because the promise comes from him, there can be no question.

Just as the feet of the risen Lord we solid, were real, were making foot prints in the dust when the women at the tomb first encountered the Risen Lord, the feet of Jesus make foot prints in the dust today. Sometime supernaturally and sometimes through us - the dead do not make foot prints. He is alive

 He is risen. He is ascended. He sits at his Father’s right hand over all things. Because he lives, we will live also! This is the Word and promise of the living Christ–and because the promise comes from him, there can be no question!

Curtains

Hebrews 9:11–12 NIV

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.