deu10-12

8 April 2007

“THE RESSURECTION REQUIREMENT: HE AROSE, NOW WHAT?”

EASTER SUNDAY

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Every cliche you can think of is operative in this morning’s sermon.  I know I am standing on shaky ground. I know that I am working hard against myself today.  I have painted myself into a corner.  I am between a rock and a hard place.  There are two inherent problems with this sermon for Easter.

It is a text from the Old Testament.  On Easter?  Pastor you’ve got to be kidding! 

Today, I claim my whole heritage and see all scripture through the lens of this resurrection.  His rising gives me access.  This is the true power of the the resurrection.

But friends, let me submit to you that we have not abandoned the New Testament idea at all but rater we are expanding it.  You see, it is precisely the death and resurrection of Jesus that gives me access to the writing and thoughts of the Hebrew Scriptures.   I cannot gain access.  Paul says we are graphed onto the tree.

The word, “REQUIREMENT” Certainly not a word for the 21st century vocabulary.  We resist anything that’s smells of obligation.  Culturally, we have to be in charge of our own decisions.  (Façade)

After all “Nobody tells me what to do.  I make up my own mind.   I wish I had time to get to that today.  But that statement may be the very problem.   We need to be informed by others.  Our decision-making needs boundaries and parameters.  You cannot do whatever you are grown even to do.   

Doesn’t the Creator who made you and me have a right to make demands on us?

Being a Christian has some obligations.  You cannot be a follower of Jesus and be your own master.

This past week, I was privileged to preach a Monday worship at another church.  It was a noted church and I wanted to show them that I knew how ot handled it as a preacher.  I went in with a sermon to show what a fine preacher I was, as I stood to preach, another sermon came to my spirit.  I had a choice, I could either show them what a fine preacher I was, or I could be obedient to Christ.   I chose obedience.

You have Jesus in your life

You’ve pot to change

Some requirements help you out.

As the text says, “These are for your benefits”

SO let me then take a stab at this knowing that I am working against myself, swimming against the tide.  But I trust God for the results. Here.

SO, what does God want from you, now that Christ is Risen from the Grave?

V12-14

FEAR GOD -   Honor respect, be in awe of God’s glory

WALK IN HIS WAYS – follow in God’s footstep and lead others

LOVE HIM – to befriend God

SERVE HIM - worship

KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS – tend to, watch over, guard

Not just ceremony and pageantry

V18 don’t be selfish

The resurrection is a gif tot all creation, particularly the people who tend to forget

                Justice

                Fatherless

                Stranger

We are called to share.

Poured into your life

                Started with 70