Easter Reflections
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Intro:
Intro:
As we celebrate Easter today I find myself in a place of reflection. Easter is typically a time in our Christian calendars where we pause to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
I recently preached on the importance of the resurrection as a foundational truth to the Christian faith.
However, today instead of recounting the events of the resurrection of Jesus… I asking the question:
“What is Our Response to the Resurrection”
I think one of the most difficult things for us as Christians is turning abstract truth into concrete action. To understand fully what it means to follow Jesus.
The first step in following Jesus is simply to surrender to the truth that He is the Lord, that He is in control, that He has demands upon our lives.
This is what we have been speaking about the past several weeks. These great theological truths Paul speaks of in Ephesians - and how they impact our daily lives.
I think several things get in our way:
1 - The task getting to know Jesus
I want to read for you what I believe is the mission statement of the Apostle Paul’s life in the Amplified Version: Philippians 3:10
10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]
- Relationships take time and effort. Everyone is aware that in order to deepen your relationship with someone intentionality is required. But how do we deepen our relationship with Jesus?
Like Paul - how do you become thoroughly acquainted with God?
Do you have a favorite TV show or Movie? Don’t judge me, but I have a very limited handful of shows that I would put on the list of “favorite.”
What makes these shows my favorite?
1 - Great writing that is timeless. Somehow, the creator is able to communicate a story that just never grows old. In fact, instead of growing old these shows become part of the experience of life. It’s “quotable”
For example: Jenn and I really enjoy the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murry. We’ve seen it so many times over the last 20 years it’s become an inside joke in the family.
There’s a scene in the local diner where a waiter drops his tray and a customer calls out, “Just put that anywhere pal.”
I cannot tell you how many times in a week I use that quote with my family.
Another thing that qualifies a favorite show:
2 - The shared experience with those I love.
It’s one thing to have a favorite show or movie, but it’s a completely different experience when someone you love also shares your interest.
In fact, this is one of the ways I really enjoy connecting with my wife. I love to share with her a movie or song that I think is worth the investment.
If it’s just something that I like… then I’m in a place where I have to choose where I invest my time.
For example: Jennifer enjoys watching the game of basketball, but football is no where on the list. Jenn is awesome and will sit next to me if I want to watch a football game… but she will sit with me if we watch basketball.
These investments in shared experience deepen our intimacy as a couple and a family.
But, not only do I want to share these experiences with my loved ones.. I’ll find myself talking to complete strangers about it.
You know what I’m talking about! In the line at the store, sitting in a cafe, somewhere where you can hear other peoples conversations.
See, for guys, this can often fall into the arena of sports. Just have a guy walk in on a conversation about sports.
It almost doesn’t matter the circumstance, you have a couple of guys over there talking about their favorite team… you know that in some way your going to represent.
I mean, when I tell people I’m from Dallas the next question, “Are you a cowboys fan?”
Normally coming from someone wearing an eagles jersey...
We just have this natural desire to share things we are passionate about with other people.
3 - Impacts my world view
As strange as this might sound, there are some movies that just deeply impact you. Art can be such a powerful form of communication and can help you empathize with others in suffering and share in their successes.
Have you ever seen a movie or a show that just altered the way you see things? All the sudden your in an airport, shopping at the mall, having a normal day at work… and then out of no where something happening in real life is connected back too a specific scene or episode of a show?
It’s because of these experiences we have things like Comic-Con or Star Trek conventions. People who have immersed themselves into an art that moves them to even gather and celebrate it. In fact, people will dress as their favorite characters, spend thousands of dollars trying to imitate what they’ve seen on screen.
In the world we might call this being a “super fan” or if theres a specific genre you’re into… we might call you a trekkie.
You know what I could call this in the context of the Christian faith? Discipleship.
The way that we are impacted by art, God wants to connect with you in even a more intimate way.
Listen getting acquainted thoroughly with Jesus looks a lot like being a trekkie
1 - The Bible is an amazing book that contains timeless truths for us. It’s “quotable.” it truly is a story that never grows old!
How much time have you spend with the word of God? Do you find yourself getting into situations in life where you interject Scripture?
Becoming intimate with God will require implanting the words of God into our hearts and minds. To become so familiar with its message that it is always on our lips. That we can’t have a conversation with someone without finding ourselves wanting to quote God’s word.
God’s word is so relevant for life, that there truth available for any circumstance.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2 - God intended us to have shared experiences:
No one under the sound of my voice is a lone ranger.
One of the things we so often miss in our Christian lives is the importance of community. To become more thoroughly acquainted with Jesus is to know and love “his bride,” the Church.
I’m not speaking of buildings and denominations here. I’m referencing the “called out ones”
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus tells Peter that upon the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Sone of God… he is going to build his gathering of “called out” ones.
It’s one thing to read the Bible, the memorize it, to commune with Jesus at your dinner table.
It’s another thing to share that experience with other people.
What a joy it is to gather together with people and share about how God is working in each persons life.
SO many people will say, I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. They are absolutely correct.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
I don’t come to church be a Christian. I had a youth pastor that said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger.”
I come to church not to be a Christian, but to be a family.
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
Not having an opportunity to share your faith with others will rob you of experience the joy God intended for you.
God created us to be in relationship with him and with others. Why do you think when asked about the greatest commandment Jesus said:
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
As you become thoroughly acquainted with God you will also develop a heart like his. Loving God with everything you have will always lead to a love for other people.
Having a life thoroughly acquainted means that we love the way Jesus loved.
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
See, this thing we are doing here on Sunday’s should be something that you don’t want to keep to yourself or omit yourself from.
If you’re not active in a local bible believing church your going to miss out on the fullness of walking with Christ.
It’s been through the church that I’ve know:
Suffering and Surrender
Betrayal and Forgiveness
Loss and Redemption
Estrangement and Restoration
Perhaps that sounds odd to you?
Relationships are risky and when you connect with other people just a broken and selfish as you, it might be painful from time to time.
But, this is where the healing power of the Holy Spirit works best. Where the authority of Jesus Christ steps in, Where the Love of the Father can be on display.
In the brokenness is where our God can:
to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
And this is so sweet and so Good we can’t help but want others to know this same experience.
Lastly, To be thoroughly acquainted is to have your world view changed:
The truth of God is life changing. Spending time with God will ultimate change the way you think and see the world.
Having a Godly view on your life and circumstances changes everything!
When I see things from the perspective of Heaven and eternity, my priorities begin to shift.
1 - Seeing things from Heaven causes sin to be absurd.
There were things that used to bind my soul and drag me down. Sins that I just couldn’t let go or get loose from.
There were a couple of things that happened that changed this for me:
1 - A perspective altering encounter with Scripture.
You know, when I moved here I didn’t know where anything was.
I had to pull my phone out every time I got into the car.
Pulling up my map and typing in “Target” and then selecting the right store. You know, when you put that location into the phone it gives a few suggested routes and an ETA on each one.
Once you pick the route, you gotta hit GO so the phone can talk you step by step on how to get where you are going.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Some of us don’t know where we are going and the Lord is willing to connect with you and show you the way… But gotta pick up your Bible:
If you need wisdom, if you need advice, if you need to understand forgiveness, or Grace… or anything to life in Godliness… the Bible will show you several roads you can walk towards maturity in Christ.
Some of them take a little longer than others… But once God shows you the path to take...
You gotta PRESS GO and let the Holy Spirit walk you through the process… step by step.
You know what is great about GPS? IF you make a wrong turn… it will recalculate!
Listen, you may have made a wrong turn in life on your path to becoming thoroughly acquainted with Jesus… but it’s never to let to let the Holy Spirit do some recalculating in your life to get you back on the path to following Jesus.
You need to spend time with God in his word so He can use truth to Guide you.
2 - The other thing that happen to help change my world view, was seeing God at work in other peoples lives.
There’s something powerful about Life Change. Seeing someone who used to be miserable, lost, alone, broken, wounded, betrayed.... find freedom, forgiveness, and rest.
To find acceptance among others who have been down that same path.
It’s almost enough to make me want to gether together with other people and celebrate what God has done. To spend time and energy to work towards imitating our Savior and Redeemer.
You know when Jesus ascended and the first church started their journey they were known as followers of “The Way.”
It’s through our gathering that God wants to display his Glory.
The bible tells us we should gather.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We need each other not only so we can experience Christ fully, but so the world can see God’s Glory on display.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Let’s focus on getting throughly acquainted with Jesus.
