Justice and the Resurrection
Resurrection Sunday • Sermon • Submitted
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Christ has RISEN from the dead!
Let’s pray!
I want to talk to you this morning about JUSTICE!
Isn’t this what everyone wants? Doesn’t everyone want “justice”?
What is Justice?
It is just behavior or treatment
the quality of being fair
the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this
Justice is ‘JUST’ behavior…so...
What does it mean to be JUST?
based on or behaving according to what is morally right and wrong
So justice at the end of it all comes down to knowing what is morally right and wrong. Again, Justice is just behavior or treatment, the quality of being fair.
“just” behavior…based on or behaving according to what is morally right or wrong.
Well who decides that?
our culture?
Does ANTIFA or Black Lives Matter tell us what is morally right or wrong?
should we go ahead and bow the knee to these two groups?
Should we accept the fact that if someone says we are racist then we should just acknowledge it as true and go to war with everyone who says they are not racist?
Is it true that we don’t like to hear about our “true racism” because of our WHITE FRAGILITY?
Should I bow the knew to BLM when they tell me that the only reason we adopted a bi-racial baby is to overcompensate our racism?
Does Critical Race Theory tell us how to handle justice?
Does Critical Race Theory solve racial problems?
Is it true that all our institutions in government, law, education systems are systemically racist and promote white supremacy?
is the answer to over through all of these institutions?
is the answer to take away individual rights and responsibilities?
should we be divided over race and be judged based on our race instead of our actions?
Does our government tell us what is morally right or wrong?
Should we go ahead and accept homosexuality and transgenderism as Christians?
Natural Law tells us that homosexuality is wrong. You do not even need the Bible to prove that homosexuality is wrong.
should we accept it as morally right and good for a man to walk into a woman's bathroom?
Should we go ahead and bow the knee to the government and accept that the murder of babies is just…should we accept that they tell us that it is the morally right for a woman to murder her baby if she wants to?
Just? Does it really pay off to be just in the world?
It doesn’t seem to does it? It seems that those who are unjust are the ones that get ahead a lot in this world isn’t it?
But is it that unjust people go around admitting that they are “unjust”?
an unjust person would never get ahead if they were obviously “unjust”
they go around acting like they are “just”...
they go around acting like they are so concerned for what is morally right or wrong
and then they get elected
or they get on the board of some Non-Profit organization (making a huge profit)
and then they push what they “believe” to be “just”…although it is really “unjust”.
You might be thinking to yourself,
“HOW do they get into these positions of power?”
“HOW did they get to regulate these things?”
“HOW did they get such a loud voice?”
They didn’t get to the top because they demanded it…people put them in these positions. We The People put them there.
You know why we are here as a nation?
Because the Church quit teaching Theology and started just being political.
Theology: the study of God, his attributes, and his relation to the world.
POLITICS IS THE SECULAR SUBSTITUTE FOR THEOLOGY! (ON THE SCREEN)
You know how we got here? Because someone told us not to talk about Politics and Religion anymore.
It offends people. And guess what we did…we quit talking about politics and religion didn’t we.
But someone kept talking!
What they really wanted was for us to just shut up about Religion (Theology). They didn’t want us talking about God, his attributes, and his relation to the world.
They didn’t want to hear about him…they wanted a world without Him.
And look where that got us?
We are experiencing the wrath of God and Im worried it is only going to get worse for our us all...
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Im worried it is only going to get worse unless the Church does what the church has been called to do.
<<<<equip the saints for the work of the ministry. >>>>>
But we have been so conditioned to be Politically Correct instead of Biblically Correct.
We are so scared of
offending people
what people will say about us
how they will treat us
what they will think about us
Your’e hear this morning…you came to hear the Word of God preached…you came to hear about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ…thats great.
But how much greater would it be if you took what you learned today and told your coworker…your neighbor, they guy at the grocery store. What if you told your BOSS?
It is time the church wakes up! And when I say “the Church”, I mean every single person in here AND OUT THERE that calls themself a Christian, a follower of Christ.
Jesus said that no student is greater than their teacher.
But guess what people will say about you if you stand on God’s Word?
Guess how you may be treated if you stand boldly on God’s Word?
people will hate you
you won’t get an invite to the big gatherings… you may not get that promotion
they will say you are NOT loving
they will say you are divisive and mean
But listen to me…WE HAVE TO START SPEAKING UP!
HE SAID THIS IN LUKE 6
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
This doesn’t make sense in this world does it?
Look at the verse again… (ON THE SCREEN)
When this world is all you are looking at…this doesn’t make sense.
And let me be CLEAR. You will NOT be hated, excluded, reviled…your name will not be thrown out as being labeled an evil person IF YOU REMAIN SILENT.
What makes sense in this world is
trying to get ahead
manipulating people and using them to advance in whatever our goals are
what makes sense in this world is to act like we are “just” when really and truly we are so “unjust” in our hearts.
to act like we really care about what is morally right and wrong when we really don’t...
to act like we care about what is truly fair when we really don’t .
How can we truly live like this? How can we rejoice when people hate us? How can we leap for joy when people accuse us of being an evil person?
Because we know God. Because we know Christ.
Because a Christian HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST! (GAL. 2:20)
And because we know the POWER of HIS RESURRECTION!
That HISTORICAL EVENT CHANGED EVERYTHING!
Before we read through this I want to think about a few things
IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN YOU ARE PART OF A NEW HUMANITY
TRUE JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED SO GO!
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST
HOW DOES THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST MOTIVATE ME TO WITHSTAND THE ATTACKS FROM THE CULTURE TO FIGHT THIS FIGHT AND ADVANCE HIS KINGDOM?
Christian…you are part of a NEW HUMANITY, you are a NEW CREATION
ADAM WAS MADE ALIVE IN THE GARDEN
CHRIST WAS MADE ALIVE IN THE GARDEN
DEATH comes through the First Adam in the GARDEN
LIFE COMES THROUGH CHRIST WHO WAS RAISED IN A GARDEN
Adam was the first human being. His sin was passed on to ALL OF US. WE, descendants of Adam were born in Sin.
BUT JESUS…born of a virgin broke the pattern of Natural Birth. Because Jesus was the Head of a New Humanity. The beginning of something NEW!
When ADAM WAS TEMPTED IN THE GARDEN, with all the food around him…He failed!
WHEN CHRIST WAS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS, HE prevailed!
ADAM WAS CREATED TO RULE OVER GODS CREATION…and he FAILED!
CHRIST WAS MADE ALIVE TO RULE OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH…HE NOW HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH!
The world of the first Adam, the world of injustice, the world of hate, has been infiltrated by the Second Adam, JESUS CHRIST, and its gates…THE GATES OF HELL CANNOT stop us!
I pray God pricks your hearts this morning so we can get in this fight and advance the Kingdom of God in our community
Lets Read about our Lord’s DEATH and Resurrection...
Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. 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.” 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.” 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. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter denies Christ 3 times
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs himself
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Pilate asked the crowd...
So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 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!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 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.
Hung a sign on top of the cross that said, “The King of the Jews”
The soldiers cast lots for his garment. (a fulfillment of the prophecy from Psalm 22:18)
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
They crucified Jesus.
He DIED on that Cross!
HE NEVER DEFENDED HIMSELF BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS WHEN He had every right to do so.
HOW COULD HE NOT SAY ANYTHING WHEN HE WAS ACCUSED OF LIES?
Because He KNOWS the FATHER
THE FATHER IS JUST
THE FATHER WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT
THE FATHER WILL BRING PERFECT JUSTICE
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Now watch this...
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. 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.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
RRUE JUSTICE IS SERVED!
In the Earthly court, JESUS WAS ACCUSED of being a Criminal and condemned to DIE.
They thought they brought JUSTICE
BUT THE HEAVENLY COURT FROM THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF GOD ALMIGHTY CAME DOWN TRUE JUSTICE...
NOT GUILTY
THE VERDICT WAS OVERTURNED
HE WAS INNOCENT!
HE WAS WHO HE SAID HE WAS!
HE IS THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS!
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 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.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
the GARDEN!
TILLING THE LAND...
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So what does this have to do with you?
Is it just a fact that we believe about Jesus?
Or is it something that can give us courage to do what he told us to do...
to go and make disciples
to fight for justice
to fight against oppression
to fight for the fatherless
and plead the widow’s cause
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.
But if we do those things people in our culture will say that we are mean and unloving. We will not be invited places, they will say that we are unreasonable.
But homosexuality, promoting it and flaunting this sin is EVIL.
Trying to convince your son that he is a girl and convince your girl that she is a boy is EVIL.
The murder of babies is EVIL.
Social Justice, Critical Race Theory, the BLM platforms are EVIL. It is oppressive.
We speak the Truth in Love to this culture around us.
And if you TRULY DO BELIEVE IN CHRIST...
IF you truly DO believe that Christ DIED AND ROSE AGAIN…then guess WHAT?
YOU WILL START SEEING HIS LIFE IN YOUR LIFE...
you will start to experience Christ’s LIFE ...
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.
He is shaping you and molding you more and more into His Image...
you will be falsely accused…but know that Justice is coming
you will be mistreated and lied about…but know Justice is coming
have you seen your life being transformed into his?
Can you look at your Christian life and see His life in your life?
If not yet, take some time to think about it and try to see it...
If not yet, then get into the fight…start making disciples, start evangelizing, start telling people about the LORD we claim to follow and see what happens…you’ll start seeing your life take on His.
Let me show you something here...
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
Did you see it in Peter? Did you see the gospel there?
Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
Did you see it in Paul? Did you see the gospel there?
Lets look closer at it again...
Now, look into your own life.
If you can’t see it clearly yet…let God continue to conform you into the image of His Son.
If HE is the LORD of your LIFE then he OWNS you…lets obey him.
If we want to see an end to these evil cultural movements…then LETS GET WOKE! Let’s WAKE UP the sleeping Giant called the Church and lets start pushing the gates of Hell down because the one WHO DEFEATED DEATH has told us that the Gates of HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HIS CHURCH.
This is an adventure. This is a GLOBAL TAKE OVER and CHRISTIAN..you get to play a part in it.
We may not see the end of it in our lifetime but maybe our kids will see the advancement of the gospel, maybe our grandkids will see it spread like a fire in a dry field. Maybe we see a revival like we have never dreamed of in 5 years
BUT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL WE KNOW WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST…
UNTIL WE KNOW THE MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE
AND TRUST HIM
ITS LIKE WW2.
The war was ended on Sept. 2, 1945 BUT DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT WAS WON?
JUNE 6, 1944 WHEN WE HIT THE BEACHES ON D-DAY.
This war has already been WON.
When Christ DIED, WAS BURRIED, AND ROSE AGAIN THE WAS WAS WON...
Its just not over yet...
I pray that we get into the fight…not just on Sundays…but I pray we fight for the Kingdom of God everyday. I pray we do not back down from the culture.