5th Sunday of Easter!
Series: Power to Live!
Introduction: watch
clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bBND17RAvw
A. Ponce
de Leon searched for the Fountain of Youth; although,
historians don=t all agree on this highly
romanticized part of his story.
B. People still search for ways to extend life or to take away the
signs of age!
C. Humanity has always had this desire to live
forever.
Trans.
In our scripture for today, we
will see where Jesus gives us the APower
to Live Forever!@
Prayer
Luke
23:44-47; 24:1-9 & 36-49 and John 14:19
I. Let=s look at the scripture:
A. In the earlier part of chapter 23, Jesus goes through a mockery of
a trial.
B. In verses 44-47, darkness comes over the earth as Jesus dies. The curtain of the temple is torn in two
(some translations say from top to bottom which is significant). God did it!
C. In 24:1-9, women come to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus= body for burial, but the
tomb is empty and two men in dazzling clothes announce that he is not here, but
he is risen!
D. Toward the last of chapter 24, Jesus appears to his followers and
declares that this was all a part of the plan, and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations . . .
1. This was the plan!
2. Because
of the resurrection, we can repent and have forgiveness of sins, because of the
resurrection, we can live forever!
I. What
is the plan, and how can this be?
A. We stand before God
lost! Whatever you believe about the
origins of humankind, the creation stories in the Bible tell us God created
humankind with a choice to sin or not to sin: we were created with a free will. God did not want us to be puppets on a
string! The first people sinned (we've
sinned), and that sin separates us from God.
Romans
3:23
"since
all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans
6:23
"For
the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord."
B. Spiritual death - separation from God and all goodness. Death forever!
Hebrews 9:27
"And just as it is appointed
for mortals to die once but after that the judgement,"
C. Physical death - then the judgement.
D. At this point, the picture is pretty bleak for us. We are separated from God for all eternity;
we are out of relationship with God.
Nothing we can do can restore that relationship!
God didn't want to leave us in
this condition!
Romans 5:8
"But God proves his love for
us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God -
not the result of works, so that no one
may boast."
E. Saved by grace through faith!
Can't do enough good works to earn it!
John 1:12
"But to all who received him,
who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,"
F. Receive him - relationship restored! Abundant life! A life of purpose!
G. A life eternally with God forever!
This is the AGood
News!@ Jesus gives us the Power to Live Forever!
Conclusion:
AIn a little while the world will
no longer see me, but you will see me;
because I live, you also will live.[i]A John
14:19
A. Because Jesus lives, we can live!
Do you want to have a life of Purpose today?
1. This isn=t
to say all your problems will be taken away.
2. But you will have someone to walk with
through them.
3. You will wake up each day with a purpose!
4. You can be a part of the Kingdom of God
today!
B. Do you want to have eternal life with God where all things are
good? Jesus gives us the power for this today also!
C. As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, do you need to receive
what God has done for you in Christ?
1. As you come, just ask God to forgive your sins based on what
Christ has done and believe in what God has done for you in Christ.
2. If you do this, the scriptures tell us you will be saved. God has
made a way!
3. If you make a commitment to God, let me know so I can help you
with your new-found walk with Christ.
4. For all of us, as we encounter Christ at the table, let us be
reminded that because of the resurrection, we have the power to live for God
now and forever in eternity, thanks be to God!
a) We can rejoice that we can live for God today
and
be
a part of what God is doing in the world and can
make
a positive difference!
b) We can also rejoice that this life is not all
there
is!
When life is not good, we can rejoice that there
is
better to come because of the resurrection!
Prayer
of Confession
Service
of Communion
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