SERMON - EASTER SUNDAY CHRISTIANITY BORN

Easter Sunday

Christianity Born

 

 

A Reading from Luke:

 

Luke 24:1-7 But early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone covering the tomb had been rolled aside. So they went in, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were puzzled, trying to think what had happened to it. Suddenly two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again the third day?

 

Here you have it! Herein is the basis of the Christian faith and clearly stated. The women were seeking our Lord in order to embalm Him in ancient ways after His death by crucifixion. Our Lord had lived, walked amongst men, had performed miracles, was betrayed, suffered a horrible death and was NOW RISEN.  Our Heavenly Father had sent His Son to us as had been prophesied many times in the Old Testament and Scripture had been fulfilled by His death by crucifixion and He HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD just as had been foretold so many years earlier!

 

People, never before has there been a religion based on such a miraculous act as this. Look to the premises of Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and none have had any hint of God having lived amongst them and suffering death and returning to life. No later formed religion, Islam, B’hai, or any have this as the basis of their beliefs. While Jesus was of Jewish in His earthly origin, even Judaism does not recognize His return to life after crucifixion.

 

It is only WE, the Christian believers that truly believe that Jesus was and is a Person of God. Only we accept His lessons of love, compassion and truth as the basics of our core beliefs. We accept His death as a sacrifice for the sins of man and we are always prepared to testify to what we believe. We do our Christian duty to bring others to share with us the joy we feel to believe as we do.

 

We, as Christians hear age old arguments that seek to disprove what we accept on faith and we are saddened by such arguments.

 

Matthew 28: 13-14 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and stole His body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you and everything will be all right.” So their guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.         

 

 We hear complete denials based on nothing more than a lack of belief and hard-headedness.

 

Regardless of the statements of others, we know the truth. We know that God loves us so much as to make this sacrifice for our sinfulness and for this we celebrate His resurrection every Easter of our lives. ‘Why,’ others ask?  Because it is by the Blood of Jesus that we are saved, we say with joyous voices!

 

Now, just for your own understanding I ask that you read Luke 24: 1-7 again. (Beginning of this sermon)

 

After you have read it, sit back, close your eyes and really imagine what it must have been like to have experienced what those women who came to the tomb of our Lord must have felt. Think about it…

 

After imagining the feelings of almost confusion and almost disbelief these women must have experienced on that morning, imagine their utter JOY as they first realized that EVERTING Jesus had told them was to happen, really did!

 

The joy that those women felt that day, combined with the joy felt by Jesus’ Apostles and disciples is the very same joy you are entitled, as Christians, to feel this very day and every day for all of your lives! 

 

From this day forward if anyone asks you why you are always happy in being a Christian, simply tell them of a single statement that Jesus told His believers after His resurrection:

 

Luke 24: 47 “With My authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations. Beginning in Jerusalem: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to Me.’”     

 

Repentance is TURNING TO or AWAY. Jesus was clear; Forgiveness is in store for any and all who TURN TO HIM!

 

Hallelujah…HE IS RISEN!  He WILL REIGN FOREVERMORE!

 

(Closing prayer)

 

Almighty God, Creator of all there is, we praise You and we worship You. You are our God and there is no other.

 

Lord, we celebrate Your resurrection as we praise You for the gift of salvation You will bestow on those who believe in You and accept Your gift of eternal life with You. It is by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we are saved,

 

The joy we feel as we come to You in prayer is only dampened by the knowledge that we cannot get everyone we deal with on a daily basis to believe as we. Father, grant us the strength to be the Christians that further Your Kingdom. Please, fill us each with Your Holy Spirit and place the words upon our lips that will make all we testify to see that we are indeed Your children and harbingers of a life with You in Paradise .

 

Father, we ask that You protect our military, our elected officials, judges, and police forces. We also ask that You protect those who work to see to our security. Send Your angels to be with our many brothers and sisters abroad that may be in harm’s way. See to their safety and calm their fears Bless them O Lord.

 

These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Divine Son who is One with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.