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Risen
Come Alive this Easter
WELCOME
LIGHT & HUMOROUS OPENING
Lets read the scriptures together this morning. Open your Bibles to Matthew 28.
Now, this is Matthew’s account of what happened just over 2,000 years ago on
Easter morning. Remember, three days before this, Jesus had been crucified
and buried. The people of Jerusalem watched Him die. His followers watched
Him die. I can only imagine the sorrow and disillusionment and sense of
emptiness they must have felt. The Bible says that after Jesus was crucified, He
was buried in a rich man’s tomb, a stone was placed over the entrance and
soldiers were assigned to guard the stone. Their hopes were dashed. Their
futures were foggy. It seemed that all was over. Or was it?
Let’s read it together…(we need some good Hans Zimmer music for this. It gets
really good in a minute.)
Matthew 28
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Has Risen
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down
from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on
it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as
snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became
like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you
are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen,
just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go
quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going
ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told
you.”
5
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy,
and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met
them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and
worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and
tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
8
Wow! Just think of that. Imagine the scene. Here, these women were preparing
to go and anoint Jesus’ body with oil. They had no idea how they’d manage to
even get to the body but they definitely expected to find it there, in the grave.
They had no idea they were about to encounter an event that would forever
change them and alter the rest of human history. Just picture this scene. Two
very sad, very tired women, walking slowly to the tomb. They get there what do
they see? The Bible says they got to the tomb and they saw the stone was rolled
away, the guards were out cold on the ground…and there was an angel sitting on
top of the stone! And then, to top it off, Jesus Himself appears to them!
Suddenly, everything changed. Despair was replaced with hope. Fear was
destroyed by faith. Death was crushed by Christ’s victory.
I’ve got news everyone – that really happened. He is risen! (audience might
respond with “He is risen indeed!”)
This morning, my hope for all of us is that somehow this message won’t be just
another nice Easter sermon. My prayer is that the Word of God and the reality of
the Resurrection affect us in a way that we leave this room somehow changed.
Changed because we’ve been with Jesus. Changed because we’ve seen Him in
a new way. Changed because we have a deeper understanding and appreciation
for the sacrifice of the cross and the power of the resurrection.
For the next few moments, I want to explore two questions so many people are
asking this Easter weekend…
What does the resurrection mean and why does it matter to me?
Today, all over the world, more than 2 billion people will celebrate Easter. And
not just with painted eggs and chocolate bunnies. People will gather in grand
cathedrals in Europe and in underground churches in China. Some will celebrate
with the Eucharist and other will celebrate with song and dance. These followers
of Jesus will recall in hundreds of different languages an Earth shattering event
that happened 2,000 years ago.
An event, that by all accounts, was the more most significant in the history of the
world - an event so significant that even our calendar system has been created
around it. Have you ever considered that every time you write out the date on a
check or letter, you’re marking the life of Jesus? AD stands for Anno Domini or
“in the year of our Lord” and BC is an abbreviation for “before Christ.”
So, how is it that something that happened so long ago, is still making such a big
impact today?
Reality is that it’s not just the 2 billion Christians that believe Easter has deep
meaning. Did you know even 84% of the people in the US that don't go to church
believe that Jesus rose from the dead? I know that seems incredible but the truth
is, there’s actually plenty of evidence to back it up.
Historians and theologians tell us that there are at least 15 historical references
to Jesus meeting people, touching people, and talking to people. By most
accounts, over 500 people saw a living, breathing Jesus after He rose from the
dead. If it had happened today, it would have been all over FaceBook and
Twitter. Imagine the travelers to Emmaus. They’d probably be sending a tweet of
the disappearing Jesus with a hash tag - #jesusisalive! or maybe
#justhadamealwithJesus. (you can have some fun with this…)
Acts 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many
convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a
period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
3
People believe a lot of different things about Jesus. Some people think he is just
a figment of our imagination and that He never lived at all. Even secular
historians like Josephus tell us that He certainly was a real flesh and blood
person.
Most people that Jesus was a good guy, prophet or maybe even a special
messenger sent by God. And at least 2 billion people believe that Jesus was the
Savior to the world.
But who did Jesus say that He was?
Jesus said in John 11:25, ”I am the resurrection and the life.” He also said "I'm
God," "I'm perfect," I'm the savior of the world."
So that means that He was either who He said he was or he was a liar.
Just a few days before He died, after He’d been welcomed into Jerusalem as a
King, He told that money changers "I'm God." They said, "prove it." He said, "I
will." Then, He told them “destroy this temple (meaning His body, but they didn’t
know that), and I will rebuild it in three days.”
The money changers and Pharisees just shook their heads. You see, it was one
thing for Jesus to teach the scriptures and talk about God. But it was another
thing entirely for Him to claim to be God. And He was willing to put the
punctuation mark on it but proving it with His resurrection. Something that, by the
way, has never been done by any other religious leader in all of history.
(ILLUSTRATION IDEA: ONLY ONE RESURRECTION
All but four of the major world religions are based on mere philosophical
propositions. Of the four that are based on personalities rather than philosophies,
only Christianity claims an empty tomb for its founder.



In 1900 B.C. Judaism’s Father Abraham died.
In 483 B.C. Buddhist writings say Buddha died “with that utter passing
away in which nothing whatever remains behind.”
June 6, 632 A.D. Mohammed died. .
In 33 A.D. Jesus died but came back to life appearing to 500 people over
a period of 40 days.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
(I Corinthians, 15:14).
Citation: McDowell, Josh. Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Page 180. San
Bernadino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1979.)
Jesus also said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can get to God the
Father except through Me." You see, Jesus was really clear that He wasn’t just a
way to God...He was THE way to God.
Jesus also said "All power on earth and in heaven is given to me." In John 10:18
He says, "No man takes my life from me. I have the power to lay it down and I
have the power to take it up again."
And so it went. The powers that be tried to hold Him down. They arrested Him,
flogged Him, crucified and killed Him. Then, they sealed up the tomb and posted
guards. But it didn't matter. He conquered death!
They should have known it was coming. In Mark 10:34 Jesus had told them
"They will mock and flog and kill me but after three days I will come back to life."
Listen, the cross was no surprise to Jesus. The grave was no surprise to Jesus.
He willingly gave His life. Willingly suffered on the cross. And triumphantly rose
from the dead!
So, what does that mean for you and me? I mean today, 2,000 years later, what
does the death and resurrection of Jesus mean to me? The death and
resurrection of Jesus means three things, at the very least.
Because what Jesus claimed was true...
1. Our PAST can be FORGIVEN
Remember the old good news/bad news jokes? (maybe tell a joke here) Well,
today I’ve got some bad news and some good news. First, the bad news. The
Bible tells us all of our mistakes and failures and mess-ups have earned us
death.
Romans 6:23
New International Version (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
23
You see, in God’s perfect Kingdom, no one can approach or come near to God
with even a smidge of sin in their life. Guess what? That pretty much disqualifies
all of us. And there’s really nothing we can do about it. That’s pretty bad news.
Now, for the good news. The good news is that God knew that we couldn’t earn
our way into His presence so He sent Jesus to pay the price for all of our sin and
shame. You’ve all seen pictures of Jesus hanging on a cross. Well, He did that
as a way to say, “I’ll take all the mistakes of the world.” He did it in order to take
all of our shame on Himself. He swapped His perfection for our imperfection. It’s
what theologians call justification.
Romans 4:25
New International Version (NIV)
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for
our justification.
25
Your past can be forgiven. Think of that. Regardless of how stubborn or mistaken
or sinful you’ve been, Jesus says that our past can be forgiven, wiped clean, and
made right. Jesus died and rose from the dead to give you victory over your sin,
your past and your failures.
We get a do-over, the ultimate mulligan. A clean slate.
If I asked how many of you in this room wish you could get a do-over on a day
this week or a month this year or even a year of your life, most of us could point
to the exact times we’d like to blank out. The words you wish you could take
back. A night you’ve tried to block from your memory. A secret addiction that’s
wrapped itself around you like a weight. Anger, betrayal, disobedience,
selfishness, sin and shame.
We all have some guilt for things we’ve done or regrets for things we failed to do.
And the thing is, those regrets tend to build up. And we often stuff them down
and keep on going as if they don’t affect us. But somehow, month after month,
year after year, those regrets are too much for us to bear and we find ourselves
collapsing under the weight of all our guilt and shame.
I don’t know how you walked into this room today. Maybe you’re life has been
pretty easy and pretty free from problems. But chances are, if you’re anything like
most of us, things haven’t always gone your way. Maybe you’re here today and
you feel disqualified, penalized, or out of options because of something that
happened in your life. Maybe you feel like you can't get on with life because
you're stuck in the past. I’ve got good news today. That’s why Jesus chose to die
on the cross. Part of what the death and resurrection means to us is that our past
can be forgiven.
Colossians 3:14 says "He has forgiven ALL of our sins and canceled every
record of the debt we owed. Christ has done away with it by nailing it to the
cross."
A few days ago was Good Friday. It was on that day, 2,000 years ago, that Jesus
paid the ultimate price for each of us. I know that often we see pictures of the
crucifixion that are a bit tame but I want you to know that what Jesus went
through on that day was not a small thing. What He endured was absolutely
excruciating and humiliating. He bore all of our junk, all of our shame and guilt
and rejection. And He did it to pay the price for us. I know that some of us don’t
really think we are worth a whole lot. I want you to know that Jesus thinks you
are worth a lot. He thinks you are worth so much that He was willing to give His
very life for you.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what Jesus did for us…
(ILLUSTRATION IDEA: VIDEO ILLUSTRATION
At this point, you can play the included video illustration that recounts what Jesus
endured for us during the week of the Passion.)
You know, I think it’s good for us to take time and remember. That’s one of the
reasons Jesus told us to share in the Eucharist, in Communion – to remember
what He did for us. We break the bread to remember His broken body on the
cross. We drink the cup to remember His precious blood shed for us. And what
does that all mean for us today? It means our past can be forgiven and things
can be made right and we can start over again.
I’m going to guess that maybe a few of you have some credit card debt you wish
you didn’t have, or maybe a house note or a car payment. Picture that debt, that
obligation. Now, imagine someone canceling all of your debts. That’s what Jesus
did on the cross. By that amazing act of love, God forgives...and forgets. In fact,
the Bible says that God removed our sin as far as the East is from the West.
That’s an impossibility. They can never reach each other. That’s how much God
loves you.
Psalm 103:12
New International Version (NIV)
12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
The Bible also says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
(ILLUSTRATION IDEA: UPON FURTHER REVIEW
In his new book, pastor Stephen Furtick uses the illustration of the instant replay
rules in football as a metaphor for God’s forgiveness of our sins. When a play on
the field is questioned, the officials send it up to the replay booth, where a final
judgment is made. Often, the replay reverses the decision on the field and the
official announces, “upon further review, the ruling on the field has been
overturned. In the same way, when it seems we’ve failed, messed up or
disobeyed God past the point of forgiveness, the finished work of Jesus on the
Cross makes it so God can say to us “upon further review…”)
The power of the resurrection doesn’t just end with God’s forgiveness for our
past. The power of his resurrection works right into our everyday lives. Not only
can your past be forgiven, but your future can be secure. And that’s the second
thing the resurrection does for us.
2. Our FUTURE can be SECURE
Everybody dies. What’s the old saying? The two things we can’t avoid are death
and taxes. OK, no comments on that first one. The truth is, one day we will all
die. Sometimes we don't stop to think about what's ahead because we're so busy
living life now. I know that’s probably the last thing you want to think about on this
Easter Sunday morning, but it’s a fact of life. Unless somehow Christ returns in
the foreseeable future, we’ll all wind up on the other side of the dirt.
(ILLUSTRATION IDEA: THE ROPE
A cool possible illustration here is one that Francis Chan once used. He took a
long rope and snaked it through the auditorium. At the end of the rope in his
hands, he put a piece of red tape. He described eternity as the rope and this life
as the red tip on the rope. A cool perspective of this life and eternity after it.)
So, it definitely begs the question – what happens after we die? Where do we
end up? Great questions. Truth is you’re not the only one who’s asking these
questions. Over the past year, a surprising number of books on the NYT
bestseller list have been about Heaven and the life after this one. Three that
stood out to me were Proof of Heaven, Heaven is for Real and I Died and Went
to Heaven. My wife says that last one was actually about chocolate.
I love what these children said when asked about what happens when we die.
Gilda, age 8, said, "When you die they put you in a box and bury you in the
ground because you don't look too good." Stephanie, aged 9, said, "Doctors help
you so you won't die until you pay their bill." Marsha, aged 9, said, "When you
die, you don't have to do homework in heaven unless your teacher is there, too."
So, what can we count on? The Bible says…
2 Corinthians 4:14
New International Version (NIV)
because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the
dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
14
According to the Bible, one day we'll all stand before God. One day, the Bible
says, we’ll all have to give an account for our lives. On that day, what happens in
eternity will be very important to all of us. According to the scriptures, there are
two ways to get to heaven. Number one, we earn it. That’s a tough one. Exactly
how good is good enough to make it? We can pretty much be assured that no
one, except Jesus, has ever lived a life right enough to spend eternity with God.
But we sure do try, don’t we? Some people just hope that since they’ve been a
sincere person, they’ll somehow earn God’s favor. Well, we’ve all known lots of
sincere people that were sincerely wrong. Or maybe it’s service. If we can just do
enough good deeds, you know – help old ladies, serve in the soup kitchen, give
to the poor – then maybe God will give us a hall pass. Or perhaps you’re hoping
to make it to Heaven based on what you haven’t done. Abstaining from harmful
things is wise, but it’s not going to guarantee you an eternity with God. Or maybe
you’re hoping that you can skate in based on your great grandma or praying
mother. Sorry, but it just doesn’t work that way.
There has to be another way. And there is – trusting Jesus. We can either hope
to have eternal life based on all the good things we DO or we can fall into the
grace of Jesus and have eternal life because of what He has already DONE.
John 17:3 says "This is the way to have eternal life. By knowing the only true
God and Jesus Christ the one He sent to earth."
Now, I’m not talking about religion. I’m talking about a relationship. Imagine if you
could have an actual relationship with the Creator of the universe. You can.
Imagine if you could have every sin, everything you've ever done wrong
completely forgiven? Imagine what it would be like to have a clear conscience?
You can!
What if you could have absolute assurance that there was life after this one? And
that you could spend eternity with God? You can! But God’s plan for you is not
just for your past or your future – it’s for TODAY. Imagine what it would be like to
somehow have access to God’s resurrection power to help you manage the
problems in your present – right now, today.
3. Our PRESENT can be MADE NEW
The resurrection isn’t simply an erasure for our past. The resurrection is God’s
way of making all things new right now. The power of the resurrection is that
God’s kingdom is no longer a thing that we can merely hope for one day in the
hereafter. It comes to us today, to invade and transform our everyday. I love what
the Bible says in 1 Peter 1:3…
1 Peter 1:3
The Message (MSG)
A New Life
3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this
Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead,
we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for,
including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is
keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when
you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
A living hope. That means that I don't have it all figured out. I can't control
everything in my life, but God can. His resurrection power can invade my life
today to make all things new. A living hope for your marriage, your kids, your
work, your physical health, your finances. Everything.
The truth is that most people feel like life is spinning a bit out of control. So many
of us are stressed, worried and broken. We feel powerless to get out of debt,
powerless to save a broken relationship, powerless to break a bad habit. That’s
exactly when the resurrection of Jesus comes to invade our lives. His
resurrection power comes to invade our broken world.
I love the way Eugene Peterson says it in the Message Bible:
Romans 8:11
The Message (MSG)
But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can
hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course,
who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit
of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who
welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all
the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It
stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who
raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same
thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When
God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in
Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in
you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!
9-11
Think of that! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead 2,000 years ago
can be used in your life RIGHT NOW. Even though life seems out of our control,
it's not out of God's control.
So, this morning if you’ve come here feeling worn out, over worked or worked
over, don't give up! You’re life can be so much more than maybe it is today. And
it’s not by your own might. It’s not by some positive thinking mantra. It’s by the
strength that God gives you through the power of an incredible event that
happened 2,000 years ago and is somehow still happening RIGHT NOW.
I can’t help but think of the story of Lazarus. Here’s a guy whose life has literally
come to a dead end. His sisters are desperate for a glimmer of hope and even as
they shut the door on their brother’s tomb, they looked to Jesus to comfort them.
Any one here feel like you’ve hit a dead end? Maybe in your marriage or your
career or your spiritual life?
Watch this with me…
(ILLUSTRATION IDEA: LIVE MONOLOGUE
At this point, lights would fade and refocus on a live monologue. The monologue
is included in the Risen Church Kit.)
I don’t know how you came into this room today, but I want you to know that
Jesus is here, standing in front of you saying, “come forth!” He’s saying, “run to
me.” No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, no matter how
far gone you think you are. Jesus is here this morning with His arms open wide to
you.
Maybe you’re here this morning and you’ve never embraced God’s love for you.
You can run to Him today.
Maybe you’re here this morning and you’ve drifted away from God. The Bible
says in Isaiah 54:7 that “with deep love, I will bring you back.”
You can run to Him today.
Will you pray with me today?
PRAYER
POSSIBLE COMMUNIION WITH CHRIST IS RISEN MUSIC VIDEO
CLOSING PRAYER