Love That Conquers Death

This Is Love, Week 2: Love That Conquers Death Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor, Crossroads Community Church April 28, 2019 – Resurrection Sunday I’d like to welcome our Facebook friends watching today. My name is Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., founding pastor of Crossroads Community Church at 303 East Oak Street in Red Oak, Iowa. Our website is www.crossroadsredoak.com, our phone number is 712-357-1060, and email address is info@crossradsredoak.com We are a church that is Godly focused, Jesus Christ-centered, Holy Spirit led, and Mission Minded. We would love for you to come worship with us in person on Sunday’s at 9:23 a.m. This Wednesday we will have a special showing of the movie Like Arrows (expound). Join us for supper at 6:00 p.m. and the movie at 7:00 p.m. Then one week from Wednesday (May 1st we will kick-off an 8-week series on the Art of Parenting (expound) 6:00 p.m. for supper and 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for the study. We have a link on our Facebook page that says donate now… 1. Will you pray for our church, we preach the Bible and stand on God’s word in the midst of a culture that is politically correct, we desire to be Biblically correct. 2. If these messages are a blessing to you, will you tell your friends and family to like us on Facebook and they can be blessed by God’s word also? 3. Pray for our country. Thank you in advance. Remember God cares about you, loves you, and so do we! Introduction Good morning! Today we are continuing the series we began last week on Resurrection Sunday. We’re talking about how the resurrection changed everything. Look at your neighbor and say, “the resurrection changed everything!” Because of the resurrection, we know what the cross was all about. Because of Easter, we understand the meaning of Good Friday. At the cross, Jesus died in our place for our sins; Jesus entered into our pain and our shame; Jesus came and took the weight of Evil itself—so that its power could be broken. And because Jesus didn’t stay in the grave, we see that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is God in His love freeing us from sin . . . God in His love overcoming death . . . God in His love announcing that one day a new creation will come. You see, it’s because of the death and resurrection of Jesus that we see the love of God. When we look at Jesus, we can say, “This is love.” I want to minster and teach you today about how the resurrection of Jesus is about God conquering death. Death is the great tragedy of the human experience. In my line of ministry, death is something I witness a lot of. From the person on their death bed, to the family trying to deal with the inevitable, and for me to somehow through the strength of God and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to be there, to pray with and for the family and friends, AND hopefully in my own little way comfort them in the last stages of life. I can deal with death (most of the time) until it is someone I have become particularly close to OR it is a family member. I have had to cope the realization of death in my own family far too many times, a maternal grandmother, paternal grandparents, my mother July 31, 2004 and my father August 18, 2018 (one day after my mother’s birthday.) I was in Sioux Falls, SD earlier this week eating at Cody’s Smokehouse when I noticed a family that came in after I had started eating. It was three if not four generations. My mind began to go back to a time when I, my family (my dad, mom, and my paternal grandparents) would go out to eat on each other’s birthdays. Back then it seemed like they would be around forever. I was a little sad to think that I will never have that again. When I told Melanie about it, she reminded a truth that I needed and you need to hear. You need to be appreciative of the family you have! That was not to discount my feelings, but a loving reminder to be thankful, because we never know how much time we have with those we love! Life goes on with or without the ones you love. So love the ones you’re with while you can! Whether or not you are a “catastrophizer”—someone who imagines catastrophes around the corner!—we all live under the shroud of death. As the saying goes, “No one gets out of here alive.” Even the avoidance of aging is a burgeoning industry. We do everything we can to feel, in Bob Dylan’s or Rod Stewart’s words, “forever young.” And all kidding aside, the fear of all fears for a lot of people is death. Sociologists have observed that just about every society has its own version of “immortality symbols”—things that give the assurance of living forever. In ancient times, it was about being properly enshrined or buried among the gods. Think of the pharaohs in Egypt or the Taj Mahal in India. For Americans, it’s about big houses and cars, big trust funds and retirement accounts—things that we think will live on long after us. We want to make a name for ourselves, leave our mark, and therefore carry our legacy forward. Some of these things are not bad; they may even be decent motivations. We may be thinking about leaving the world a better place for future generations. But as far as being immortality symbols—something that makes us live on after death—they come woefully short. Death is the great ending, the great finality, the inescapable curtain call. So when Jesus went to the cross on a Friday, it was anything but “good.” His followers were devastated. The dream was over. Their heads hung low, their bodies felt lifeless, their hearts felt hollow, and their eyes were swollen from weeping. How could this be? If you’ve hoped that something you experienced was just a bad dream, that was probably captures best the kind of heart-broken despair that the disciples must have felt that Friday. It’s good not to rush past that moment. You see, the darkness and the tragedy of Good Friday capture how we often feel in life: overwhelmed by brokenness in the world, filled with discouragement or despair, aware of the darkness and fear in our own hearts. Death is the end of all possibilities. And if there is no answer for death, then all other answers do not matter. So what can lift our heavy heads? “Love is as strong as death,” the poet sang in the Song of Solomon. But God the Father had had different opinion, “No,” said on that first resurrection morning. “Love is stronger.” On that first resurrection morning, God the Father showed the world that there is a love that is stronger than death! The preaching of the New Testament—particularly in the book of Acts and in Paul’s writings—makes a point to say that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. This matters because we are not meant to see Jesus as some sort of Superman figure, brought to the brink of death by some evil villain, who somehow musters up the last bits of life to burst free. The Gospel writers and the first preachers of Jesus want us to know that Jesus did really and truly die. He was buried. Fully dead. But God the Father did not abandon His Beloved Son in the grave, just like He never has or never will abandon you either! He vindicates His faithful obedience and sacrificial death by raising Him up to new life! Here are a few ways the New Testament says it: Peter said in Acts 5:30-31 KJV 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. • Vs. 30 ◦ This would not have been welcomed or a wanted reminder by the Sadducees. They would have taken this as a slap in the face. They knew the story and did not want to recall what happened. ◦ The reminder for us today over 2000 years later should be just as exciting to us today as it was when it occurred. ◦ We do not serve a defeated, dead, or discouraged Savior, we serve our righteous, risen, resurrected redeemer! 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (expound) • Vs. 31 ◦ While every choice, decision, and opinion we have may not always make sense, everything God does has meaning and has a reason and purpose for it, even if we do not understand it! ◦ This same Jesus that is talked about in scripture from the beginning, prophesized about, presented and proclaimed is the same Jesus that we have access to today. ◦ Not only that but He is alive at the right hand of God the Father. Why is that worth mentioning? ▪ The right hand is, of course, the place of honor, power, and authority.1 Watch this… Hebrews 10:12 KJV 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Hebrews 12:2 KJV 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1 Peter 3:22 KJV 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. • It was a one and done. He has nothing more to prove or to do except wait until God gives Him the green light and come back to get us, if we do not die first. • What do you like to do after a long hard day at work? Maybe sit in your favorite chair. This is what Jesus did. Can you imagine after Good Friday and then the resurrection, Jesus hanging out and telling His story, showing the physical evidence of the nail prints, being witnessed by over 500 people over a 40-day period, and giving final instructions, as He is ascending into heaven before the disciples very eyes? • Jesus has taken His rightful place at the right hand of God, (the place of prominence, prestige, and power,) just chillin’, maxin’ and relaxin’. That’s amazing to me! Let me make it personal. Look at your neighbor and say uh oh he’s about to start talking about you. Look back at your neighbor and say oh yeah, well he’s about to start talking about you too! What’s on your mind today, what situation, circumstance, and/or storms of life have you faced this week, are maybe encountering right now, or are getting ready to embrace? Here’s the 411 (the low down or scoop) • Jesus isn’t worrying about it, so why are you stressing? • Jesus doesn’t lose sleep over it, so why have you? • Jesus knows it’s all going to work out, so why are you overanalyzing, rationalizing categorizing, compartmentalizing, and strategizing how you think you are going to get through this? • Jesus is victorious, so why are you acting defeated? Jesus didn’t go to the cross so you could cry in your crisis and feel sorry for yourself • Jesus didn’t set the tone so you would take a time out from Him • Jesus did not endure the humiliation, pain, agony, suffering, ridicule, humiliation, devastation, and accusations so you could be average, mediocre, and mundane. No, the resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything, including you. The question is have you changed, are you willing to change, and if not why haven’t you changed? Oh I get it, you like living paycheck to paycheck, barely scrapping by, going through the motions, doing the same old same old? No? Then step up, step out, and step into the power that God has given you through a risen Savior and the Holy Spirit. You are a son or daughter of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Messiah. You have access to the power of the creator of the universe, do you believe that! Do you know how powerful your potential is in Jesus? Do you know how big of an impact God wants you to make for Him? Do you realize the gravity of just being average, when Jesus calls you to abundant living? The resurrection was a game changer, but you have to get in the game! Paul expanded on this in Acts 13:32-39 KJV 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Paul would develop this even further in his letters to the churches he started or was trying to encourage. He understood that the resurrection of Jesus is not just good news for Jesus; it’s good news for the world! But some Christians in Corinth weren’t sure. They wondered if all of this was really necessary to believe. Couldn’t they just say that Jesus was a good teacher and was still here spiritually? Why did it matter if He had actually been raised from the dead? These questions brought out some of Paul’s clearest teaching on the resurrection. I want us to take a closer look at what he said. I’ll make three big observations from it. 1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. •  [firstfruits] Greek: aparche ) AWE-PAR-RAY, firstfruits; the beginning of a thing (note, Rom_8:23). • Thayer Definition: ◦ 1) to offer firstlings or firstfruits ◦ 2) to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time. ◦ 3) persons superior in excellence to others of the same class • Here it simply means that Christ is the first to be resurrected from the dead to enter into immortality of body (1Co_15:51-54). • This is something we have to look forward too one day… Romans 8:23 KJV 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 1 Corinthians 15:21-28 KJV 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Paul is saying at least three things to us. The first is this: 1. Resurrection is the defeat of death. Paul calls death an enemy. Let us be clear about this: physical death is not a friend; death is not a doorway into eternity; death is a beast. It is an enemy. But it is an enemy that will be destroyed because of Jesus’ victory over death on the resurrection day. Can you imagine being free from the fear of death? How much fear is related to the fear of death and its finality? But what if we can look the monster in the face—imagine the worst scenario of all—and say that even that, even death, will not be the end? When power is abused, the weapon that is wielded is the fear of death. Tyrants and thieves, dictators and despots, all resort to one ultimate threat: the threat of death. But when death no longer holds a sting, tyrants no longer have any power. This is what happened in the early centuries when Caesar after Caesar would threaten to kill Christians if they did not renounce Christ and worship them. Yet these Christians were free of the fear of death. They knew that they belonged to the One who had conquered death, the One who have been raised up. This is why it’s so important that we understand what really happened to Jesus. He did not have a near-death experience and then get resuscitated. He did not pass out on the cross, only to be refreshed by the cool air of the tomb. He died. The piercing of His side, which caused blood and water to flow out, is a medical note on the finality of His death. The disciples were not hallucinating when they saw Jesus. That is why the Gospel writers recount stories of the disciples not recognizing Jesus at times. There was something familiar, but also something very different about Him. His body seemed to have new—perhaps spiritual—properties that allowed Him to appear in a room with locked doors, and yet His body seemed to have the same or similar physical properties that made Him hungry and able to eat. Thomas could touch His scars and see the wounds. The disciples weren’t using the word “resurrection” to describe Jesus going to heaven after dying. They had other ways of talking about something like that. When they said He was alive, they did not mean, “in their hearts,” the way we sometimes speak at funerals of a person living on. The ancient world had categories for spiritual journeys in the afterlife or hallucinations or visions of a ghost. But what happened to Jesus shattered all their categories. They had no words to describe this. That’s why the four Gospels give somewhat differing accounts of the resurrection. So many stories. So much breathless recounting of something they had no words for. So by the time Paul is writing to the Corinthians, he can say to them that he is simply last in a long line of witnesses to the resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 KJV 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. This is the second thing we can note from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians about the meaning and significance of the resurrection: 2. Resurrection is God’s new beginning when all possibilities have ended. Resurrection is not resuscitation—like what Lazarus may have experienced. Resurrection is not hallucination. Resurrection is not a spiritualization of the afterlife. Resurrection is what only God can bring about when all other possibilities are gone. Practical Application Do you need resurrection in your own life? What things are dead, what possibilities have ended, where has the story gone off the rails? Maybe you don’t want to think about those places or areas in your life because, really, what’s the point? How could you possibly change the story anyway? It’s over, right? Well, that leads me to the last thing about resurrection that we learn from Paul: 3. Resurrection is a gift! Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 KJV (from earlier) 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. You see, just as death entered the world through one man, so has resurrection life come through the resurrection of one Man. Remember: The resurrection of Jesus is not just good news for Jesus; it’s good news for the world! What did we do to deserve this? Nothing. What can we do to earn it? Nothing. Resurrection does not emerge from potential. Resurrection is not an achievement. No one can raise themselves up from the dead. But in Christ shall all be made alive! Hallelujah! Are you catching why this is such good news? One day, all who are in Christ will be raised up with glorious new bodies. We will have bodies like Jesus. We don’t know much more about what those bodies will be like, but we know that it will seem similar and yet radically different. Using the same materials, it will have new properties. All of that is wonderful. And it has led to Christians saying for 1700 years now—in the words of the Nicene Creed—that “we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Moments of Decision But you know what? Resurrection life can begin in you today. Right now. Paul, after writing to the Corinthians about the significance and meaning of the resurrection, wrote this to the Christians in Rome: Romans 8:11 KJV 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Holy Spirit, who with the Father raised Jesus from the dead, is bringing new life to you. The same love that did not abandon Jesus to the grave will not let you go. He loves you with a love that is stronger than death. Paul finishes out the chapter—Romans 8—with this powerful assurance: Romans 8:37-39 KJV 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Because Jesus took on death and let it exhaust its power on Him . . . Because the Father in His love raised Jesus up from the grave, vindicating His faithfulness and demonstrating His belovedness . . . Now for all who are in Jesus, nothing—nothing, not even death—can separate you from the love of God. This is love. Do you have that kind of love; do you desire that kind of love? You can have that kind of love today! (explain) PRAY