Easter Service!
Mark 16:1-8
Prayer of Illumination
Watch
clip: “Son of God” resurrection clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaS-9AP96gE
I. The resurrection is the life of Christianity!
A. If
we could be taken to a tomb where the founder of Christianity lay
and Jesus were still there, our preaching and singing would be for nothing!
B. Our
religion would be just like any other world religion.
C. But we can't. The scripture
today states that Jesus is not there!
People have never come up with a body that is believed to be that of
Christ.
D. Even for those who do not believe, this must be a mystery because
the historical Jesus, who there is not much doubt lived, cannot be found! He is not there!
E. Upon
this fact is the Life of Christianity.
II. The resurrection is the hope of Christianity!
A. We
have the hope that our God has the power to bring us through whatever
we face in life.
1. Trials, temptations, crises, loss of a loved one,
and whatever we face in
life, Jesus can bring us
through them.
2. Because he lived life as a human and understands,
but yet is God.
B. We
have the hope that we as a Church and the people of
God can make a positive difference in
the world.
1. Our church has a good location; it is one of the first churches
you see when you come into town. It has
great curb appeal; we have a nice facility.
We are in a county seat town. A
lot of people come by our church in a day.
The possibilities are great!
2. Our church is seen by the bishop and cabinet as a living church
that is and can make a difference in this community. I hope you get that! That is why they chose us for the Cohort!
3. Some of you also have that vision and hope, which I can see as we
talk and meet together!
4. If
you don't have the vision; let's catch the
hope and vision that is
possible because of the resurrection! We can make a difference!
C. We have the hope that our God is able to raise us also!
1. We have the hope that this life is not all there is.
2. Some would have a pretty miserable existence if this life were all
there is, but thanks be to God, it is not!
3. So the resurrection is the hope of
Christianity!
III. The resurrection is the proclamation of
Christianity!
A. The
God who raised Jesus can forgive our sins!
B. The
God who raised Jesus can raise us up also!
C. The
God who raised Jesus is a God of Power!
D. The God who raised Jesus is what our world needs, so the
resurrection is the proclamation of Christianity; so let's proclaim it!
Conclusion:
A. In
our video, Peter says, he’s not gone he’s back!
B. Later,
he says, “we have work to do!”
C. So as we
encounter Christ at the table today, it is
quite
fitting that our observance of the Lord's Supper
be
celebrated from this context.
1. Our
observance of the Lord's Supper is a victory
celebration!
2. We
do not serve a God who was slaughtered on the
cross
and sealed in a tomb forever!
3. We
serve a God who was and is victorious over
sin,
hell, and the grave.
4. So
as you encounter Christ at the table today,
let
the living Christ empower you to get to work,
to
let Christ use you as a vessel of God’s love,
and
to let Christ use you to be invitational to
others!
D. So I say, Brothers and sisters, we too have work to do! As we go forth today, proclaim the life and
hope of Christianity! He is not here; he
has risen!!
Prayer of Confession
Celebration of Communion
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