April 4, 2021
Morning Service

Watch the Lamb

The disciples were scattered at the arrest of Jesus, but had found their way back together after His death but were basically in hiding, fearing that they may be next on the list.  Their minds had to be spinning with the roller coaster of emotions that they had been through.  They had spent the last three years following the One they believed to be the long awaited Messiah and now He was gone.  They had to be devastated and full of questions; where do we go from here?  Are we the next ones to be arrested?  I wonder if the fact that Jesus had told them this would happen ever entered their mind?  Was there this glimmer of hope that they all shared but were afraid to say anything about it?  Jesus’ body was in the grave, could it be true that He could rise again?  In all the confusion and fear it must have been hard to have a solid faith that this was God’s plan all along.  Their questions were about to be answered as in the tomb something began to happen.  As Phil Wickham put it in the song: Then came the morning when His “buried body began to breathe.  Out of the silence the Roaring Lion declared the grave has no claim on Me!”  The enormous price for sin had been paid in full upon the cross and now Jesus arose confirming that He was who He claimed to be!  All things have been made new!  Hosanna to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for He has arose from the grave conquering sin and death forever!

Hosanna

He Arose

Mat 28:1-10Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.  (2)  And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.  (3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  (4)  And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.  (5)  But the angel answered and 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 is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  (7)  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."  (8)  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  (9)  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.  (10)  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

Luke 24:36-47 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."  (37)  But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.  (38)  And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?  (39)  Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."  (40)  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.  (41)  But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?"  (42)  So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.  (43)  And He took it and ate in their presence.  (44)  Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."  (45)  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.  (46)  Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

            That is where our story begins; “repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations.”  That is us.  This whole love story of the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus has been preached to each of us and it is about us.  His work is complete as sin and death have been conquered.  It is our part that remains unfinished if you have not accepted Him as your Lord and Savior.  We must come to the understanding that Jesus suffered and died for MY SINS.  This realization that God loves me that much is life changing.  Last week we focused on these four scriptures and I want to review them again today.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Joh 15:13  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Roman 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:31-32  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 delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

If you have not honestly and humbly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are on the outside of this story looking in.  No choice is a choice.  The gift of salvation is put into effect only when you accept it and receive it.  Jesus stands with open arms asking you to come to Him believing and confessing your sins and you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9-10) Ask and you shall receive, He promises and His word is true.  Do you believe and will you receive it?  The choice to become a follower of Jesus is the single most important decision you can make in this lifetime because the impact begins immediately and last for eternity.  You will never regret accepting it, but you will regret rejecting it.  Let today be the day of salvation.

If you have accepted His invitation and are not following as close as you know you should be, decide today to change that as well.  Quit just going through the motions and give Him your whole heart.  God blesses obedience.  We show our Lord we love Him by following His commands (Jn. 14:15).  Draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you.  Your life will be the better for it.  Those around you will benefit as well once you begin to reflect the light of Jesus with those you rub shoulders with.  A better life is waiting for you to choose a closer walk.  Look at the world around us today, we need Jesus like never before and this world needs Him as well.  There is no time to beat around the bush, I am calling it exactly how it is.  I am calling each of you today to examine your own hearts and allow the Spirit within you to reveal to you where you are standing.  This comes as we celebrate an empty grave this morning.  Look over the past week of just how much Jesus gave for your sake.  He willingly gave His life for us and did that while we were still in our sins.  This is a true story to show you how much God loves you and desires to know you.  Jesus is offering to you today a path to redemption and forgiveness; a chance to start over.  He has paved the way for us through the cross and empty grave.  He paid a debt we could never pay; He paid it all.  Jon Carl closes us today with a song that reminds us of that fact.  I ask you search your heart and receive what God is offering you today.