The Linen Cloths
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 5 viewsChristians Need to Truly understand What Jesus Accomplished in His Resurrection so they can truly live
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Theme of our cantata this Easter Sunday is “Forever Free”!
Free from what?
In the western world that we live in, freedom is the highest virtue.
Freedom to exercise your rights and privileges.
America’s declaration of independence talks about the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
To many people, that is what freedom means, to be free to pursue the very thing that makes me happy.
Freedom is what a teenager waits for, that they can leave their parents’ house at a certain age.
Freedom is what parents want, that may be free from responsibilities that keep them from retirement. To many American parents, freedom is seeing your kids reach a certain level of independence that they will take care of themselves, and that they will have the freedom to retire.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
John 20:
Introduction:
Theme of our cantata this Easter Sunday is “Forever Free”!
Free from what?
I want you to look at the image of the scene of the resurrection..
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Image here of Peter and John staring at the linen cloths..
John 20:
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Peter and John staring at the linen cloths but not understanding.. the gardener..
Christians are known to understand why Jesus was crucified on the cross. But many are unable to articulate what His resurrection accomplished.
On the cross Jesus paid the penalty of our sins. We owe a huge debt that we cannot pay, Jesus paid it all our sins past, present and future.
Through His resurrection, Jesus set us free from our final enemy - death. Because Jesus rose again..
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM..
Christians are known to articulate why Jesus was crucified on the cross. But many are unable to articulate what His resurrection accomplished.
Question: Having heard about the cross of Jesus, the salvation it brings too many times from the pulpit like this one.. have you ever asked the questions:
Question: Having heard about the cross of Jesus, the salvation it brings too many times from the pulpit like this one.. have you ever asked the questions:
“What now”?
“What for?”
“Where do I go from here”?
In many ways we know Jesus has accomplished much, a miracle happened much to set you free, but you still feel trapped..
In the western world that we live in, freedom is the highest virtue.
Freedom to exercise your rights and privileges.
America’s declaration of independence talks about the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We are like Peter and John, staring at those linen clothes and failing to understand what it means in our lives...
To many people, that is what freedom means, to be free to pursue the very thing that makes me happy.
Freedom is what a teenager waits for, that they can leave their parents’ house at a certain age.
On the other hand..
If the child won’t leave their parents’ house even at the age of 30, that becomes a different story.. the parents are the ones who want to be free in that case.
Freedom is what parents want, that may be free from responsibilities that keep them from retirement. To many American parents, freedom is seeing your kids reach a certain level of independence that they will take care of themselves, and that they will have the freedom to retire.
I. The continuing quest for Freedom.
a. On a personal level.
b. In a micro scale
Most people want to be free from something
Most people want to be free from something
Why do I keep making bad choices? Why do I keep going back to the same sin.. I know I have been forgiven but...
This is not the life that I envision, I feel stressed most days of the week. I’m telling you the more than 40 hours a week I spend in my stressful job isn’t a joke.
This is why people crave for freedom from 9-5 work schedule. (In the internet you see a rise of those who offer to teach you how to make money working from home. I even saw an ad saying you can retire in a beautiful Island paradise or you will make money on your investment while you sleep. And this is appealing because who does not want to be free from having to work for 40 hours a week?
Some people feel trapped in a certain situation. This man or woman, this relationship is keeping me from my personal growth.
Freedom from debt.
I need freedom from my business dealings that make me do unscrupulous things..
You see the greatest obstacle standing between you’re being forgiven and living a life of victory is --- UNBELIEF.
To believe, you have to understand today what the resurrection has accomplished.
There is another character in the resurrection story. Whose response is different from that of Peter and John.
There is a character in the Bible that was trapped and enslaved for so many years. Her name was Mary, from a little town called Magdala.
Her name was Mary, from a little town called Magdala.
We know her more commonly as Mary Magdalene.
What was her life like?
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Imagine life already being difficult living in those times, much more being possessed by seven demons!
Jesus freed her, and from that moment she knew that she started a brand new life..
An encounter with Jesus Christ is never a one time event. He is with you to stay.
Mary knew that she was transformed, the moment that Jesus delivered her from the slavery that she was in. She decided that she would follow Him for the rest of her life.
Mary knew that she was transformed, the moment that Jesus delivered her from the slavery that she was in. She decided that she would follow Him for the rest of her life.
Until the unexpected happened. Jesus was arrested by His enemies, brought into trial and sentenced to die on the cross.
Mary remained faithful, the Bible says that among the other woman she stayed with Jesus when He carried His cross to the place of His crucifixion. She was there all the way and witnessed Him die!
She was caught in deep sadness!
She asked that same question...
WHAT NOW?
Confusion set in.
Mary did something special, while the disciples cowered in fear. While everyone of Jesus’ followers were filled with confusion on what just happened.
Mary did her best part, she did what she knew to do, out of her love and devotion to Jesus.
She went to the tomb that early Sunday morning.
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
John 20:
Narrative of
9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
II. The Freedom that Jesus brings.
9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
A lot of people are like Mary sometimes, they’ve heard about the resurrection, but they still do not understand. They are living confused,
A lot of people are like Mary sometimes, they’ve heard about the resurrection, but they still do not understand. They are living confused, asking what now?
They see the linen clothes… but do not understand..
Many people nowadays are still staring at the linen clothes.
We seek to have an encounter with the Lord.. go to church. We know we love Jesus.
We enjoy the music, we love the teaching, we love the people but if we are not living the abundant life in a vibrant relationship with Jesus we are just staring at those linen cloths!
We enjoy the music, we love the teaching, we love the people but if we are not living the abundant life in a vibrant relationship with the one Who escaped the linen cloths you are not totally free!
Without Jesus, life is like that tomb on Easter Sunday. It is empty!
Are you staring at the linen cloths? You know there is more to this Christian life that God has started. You love the Lord and want to dedicate your life to Him.
This scripture is to remind you of this one very thing:
This scripture is to remind you of this one very thing:
JESUS IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!
Just like Mary, let us keep hoping in spite of our situation. Keep believing! God will honor your faith!
III. Jesus is not done with you yet.
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
John 20:14-
At that very moment Jesus called Mary by name!
At that very moment Jesus called Mary by name!
Jesus appeared to her first!
Jesus appeared to her first!
Jesus calls you by name today! he wants you to experience Him and His resurrection in a full and real way.
Sin is like a sickness, that won’t go away..
Jesus appeared to her first!
Until the unexpected happened.
Mary did something special, while the disciples cowered in fear. While everyone of Jesus’ followers were filled with confusion on what just happened.
Mary did her best part, she did what she knew to do, out of her love and devotion to Jesus.
She went to the tomb.
Jesus appeared to her first!
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
John 20:
III. Application of the Resurrection!
8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
The resurrection is the answer to the our “What now?” questions.
Verse “
Since Jesus is alive forevermore:
1. He intercedes for you.
2. You have a forever relationship with the Father.
3. The Holy Spirit is here to help.
- He sits at the right hand of the Father fighting your case for you. He is negotiating from a position of power. The government does not need to appoint a special counsel to fight your case, the Devil’s lies and accusations have no power over you —
He sits at the right hand of the Father fighting your case for you.
You have a relationship with the King of the Universe, notice what Jesus said here.. I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God..
How cool is that? Jesus is saying what I have is also yours.. I share my relationship with My Father with you..
Bible says that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
You have free access to all these perks, because through the resurrection, Christ has unlocked it for you!
You have everything when you have Christ.
Third Benefit of the Resurrection and Jesus’ ascension:
You have a Helper that will forever be with you. The Holy Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Jesus’ death and resurrection provided freedom from man’s greatest enslavement. Enslavement to sin and death.
On the cross Jesus paid the penalty of our sins. We owe a huge debt that we cannot pay, Jesus paid it all our sins past, present and future.
Through His resurrection, Jesus set us free from our final enemy - death. Because Jesus rose again..
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM!
Here is the final benefit of the resurrection.
4. Jesus is coming back for you!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’.
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because….. ….
The folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’
Read more at Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth? http://www.turnbacktogod.com/why-did-jesus-fold-the-linen-burial-cloth/#ixzz5lejRJfDh
Jesus is not done with you yet!
You have everything if you have Christ!
This is the true meaning of the resurrection.
Someday we will be forever free!
Stop staring at the linen cloths. Know who you are in Christ and live in the power of His resurrection.
Jesus, thank you that You rose again!
I am forever free.
I will walk by faith in You and what You have accomplished.
And by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I will live a life of victory!
Until You return and take me home.
In Your Name I pray, Amen!
Folks getting baptized.
We have to understand Jesus once for all:
a. In a grand scale
Defeated Satan
Snatched the keys
Ascended and seated on the right hand of the Father
Colossians
III. Application
All our bondage, the discontent, the misery, sickness are just a symptom of a greater malady and bondage that all of mankind is enslaved to.
Sin is like a sickness, that won’t go away..
Living life in freedom.