The Lord is Risen, He is Risen Indeed

I. The Lord is Risen

A. ** Title slide – The Lord is Risen

II. Announcements (David)

1) Be prepared to take Lord’s supper 2) Tell them different ways. Ask them to be prepared later in the service.

III. Introduction to the service (Danny)

1. The flow of the service will be different this morning. We want you to focus on Him. We will intersperse singing and scripture reading throughout this service. Be sure to have your Bible handy. And in the midst of it, we will remember our Lord with the Lord’s Supper.

2. I ask that you put aside all distractions and focus on Him. Make this a special Easter service

3. The Lord is risen – He is risen indeed.

IV. Reflecting on the Cross

A. **PPT – Reflect on the Cross

1. First “Let us reflect on the cross”

1) Songs reflecting on the cross (Praise Team)

a) Wonderful Cross

b) At the Cross

c) Jesus Paid It All

d) Pray (Chad)

V. Reflecting on the cross from scripture (Danny)

A. **PPT – Reflect on the Cross

1. The cross was the plan – the only plan

a. The gospels are all about the cross. Jesus showing He was worthy to go to the cross to die for our sin.

b. But the cross itself was required. He knew what was coming --- it was the final part of the plan to redeem us from our sins.

(ESV) Matthew 20 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “… the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

2. The cross was a serious event. May we never view the event of the cross lightly – Jesus did not. Listen as He prayed during the final preparation for the cross.

(ESV) Matthew 26 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

(ESV) Luke 22 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

a. The cross was not something to taken lightly. Not only the physical pain. But the horror of the God/man becoming sin / and facing the wrath of the Father for that sin. Jesus fully knew of the impact by the upcoming sacrifice for sin. Jesus’ prayed in agony. His exertion was so great He sweat profusely, blood infused drops of sweat. All the while asking if there was some other way. But there was not. Perhaps his answer is shown by the disciples’ inability to pray with him at this time. And thus Jesus altered his prayer. Since it can’t be – I yield to your will.

3. And He was taken captive and ridiculed and shamed by the religious. Given no justice, but condemned in a kangaroo court.

(ESV) Matthew 26 57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. … 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none … 63 … And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, …

4. And then He was beaten and mocked by the world. And though Pilate understood Jesus was innocent, he cowardly gave way to the will of the crowd. Torturing and ridiculing Jesus and taking Him to be crucified.

(ESV) Matthew 27 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. … 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. …

a. Emotional pain of ridicule / rejection / humiliation

b. Physical pain of the beatings / whippings / scourging with cat of nine tales

c. And the horror of the physical pain of the cross. Hanging nailed to the wood. Struggling to breathe.

5. And there on the cross Jesus took on the wrath of the Father for our sin.

(ESV) Matthew 27 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

a. The punishment rightly deserved by every person who ever lived. Murders / rapists / thieves / liars / gossips / religious hypocrites. The sin fell upon Him. And the Father’s infinite wrath fell upon the eternal Son.

6. He finished redemption the penalty for sin had been meted out. The price was paid.

(ESV) John 19 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

a. Finally, it was done. Sin had been paid for. Jesus gave up His life. He died for sin. Redemption was secured.

VI. Transition to reflecting on the elements of the Lord’s supper

A. **PPT – Celebrate by Remembering – The Lord’s Supper

1. And so let us reflect and remember what He has done for us / prepare our heart to honor Him / to praise Him / to worship Him by taking of the Lord’s memorial Supper - in a moment.

a. Before the cross, Jesus told His disciples to remember what was about to come. He gave them bread and juice as symbols of His broken body and shed blood. And he asked them to take it. They likely didn’t really understand. But we do. We understand.

(ESV) Matthew 26 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

b. May we remember. May we reflect. May we prepare our hearts.

VII. Lord’s Supper

1. Kathy will sing. While she is singing, David will distribute the bread and juice to the praise team. And let us all turn our hearts to Christ.

1) Special song – time of personal reflection during the song (Kathy) / 2) David distribute the bread/juice to praise team (David)

2. David, would you pray, giving thanks for the bread – the symbol of Christ’s body broken for us.

3. Wayne, would you pray giving thanks for the juice – the symbol of Christ’s blood which was shed for us.

4. Let us eat and drink together

VIII. Transition to resurrection

A. **PPT – Rejoicing in the Resurrection

1. It would have been significant if Jesus has just died for sin. But it didn’t end there. Jesus not only died, but He rose from the grave. And He is active today.

2. The suffering Savior has become the Living Lord

1) Songs reflecting on the resurrection (Praise Team)

a) Glorious Day

b) Up from the Grave

c) Pray (Chad)

IX. Rejoicing in the resurrection (Danny)

A. **PPT – Rejoicing in the Resurrection

1. When the women gathered at the tomb, the unexpected had occurred. The grave was empty. Jesus had risen. The price for sin had been paid. And the One who paid it, had risen from the grave.

(ESV) Matthew 28 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

2. You see, the cross and even redemption is not the end of the story – only the beginning. The One who was the sacrifice for sin, continues to live – ever making intercession for His people.

(ESV) Hebrews 7 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he (Jesus) holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues (lives) forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

3. And the power that raised Jesus from the dead, that resurrection power is now at work within us as well.

(ESV) Ephesians 1 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, … 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know … 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, …

4. So if He lives and intercedes for us. What have we to fear?

(ESV) Romans 8 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 (what) shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … 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.

5. Christ lives and reigns. And desires to work within our lives.

a. Do you know this Savior? – Trust Him as Savior

b. Are you living experiencing His power in your life? - Yield your life to Him. Ask Him to transform your life.

1) Closing song (Praise Team) Easter Song

**PPT Title slide – The Lord is Risen

Announcements

Comments (David)

Introduction to the service

Brief Comments (Danny)

Reflecting on the Cross

**PPT – Reflect on the Cross

Brief Comments / scripture (Danny)

Songs reflecting on the cross (Praise Team)

· Wonderful Cross

· At the Cross

· Jesus Paid It All

Pray (Chad)

**PPT – Reflect on the Cross

Longer Scripture / comments (Danny)

Celebrate by Remembering – The Lord’s Supper

**PPT – Celebrate by Remembering – The Lord’s Supper

Brief Comments (Danny)

Special song – (Kathy)

Distribute the bread/juice to praise team (David)

Prayer (David/bread , Wayne/juice)

Take the elements of Lord Supper together

Rejoicing in the Resurrection

**PPT – Rejoicing in the Resurrection

Brief comments (Danny)

Songs reflecting on the resurrection (Praise Team)

· Glorious Day

· Up from the Grave

Pray (Chad)

**PPT – Rejoicing in the Resurrection

Longer Scripture / comments (Danny)

Closing song (Praise Team)

- Easter Song