Easter - Emptiness And Fullness! Series

Easter - Emptiness And Fullness!

Let me say right up front - Easter is about Jesus Christ!

Easter is about Jesus - born of a virgin - living a sinless life. Easter is about Jesus - dying for sin - taking the punishment of sin with Him to the grave. Easter is about Jesus - rising from the dead - so that we can have life - a life full of hope and purpose.

Today is Easter Sunday 2008. It is the most important day of celebration on the church calendar. It is a day that we as Christians can come together and celebrate - emptiness and fullness. Yes - emptiness and fullness! Let me explain this.

Jesus is no longer on the cross. The cross is empty. We have a reason to celebrate.

Jesus is no longer wrapped in grave clothes. The grave clothes are empty. We have a reason to celebrate.

Jesus is no longer in the tomb. The tomb is empty. We have a reason to celebrate.

We have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is risen - just as He said He would. He is not dead - He is alive and living! Death has been defeated. The penalty of sin has been paid for. Through Christ I can have hope! Through Christ I can celebrate! Through Christ - my sins have been forgiven - I have a purpose for living.

Where there was death there now is life. Where there was emptiness there is now fullness. Where there was fear there is now peace. Where there was confusion there is now purpose. In fact the New Testament teaches that God created you for five purposes. Five purposes that can fill your life with meaning and significance. Look at what Jesus tells us John chapter ten:

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)

Jesus is telling us that we can have life - and not just an ordinary life - but an abundant life. Let me ask you - if you had a choice between an abundant life or a boring life - which would you choose? If you had the choice between a full life or an empty life - which would you pick? I dont know about you but I want the full life. I want the life that is filled to brim – a life that is overflowing. Thats what Jesus has promised. Thats what Jesus can give you. You see the cross is empty. The grave clothes have been abandoned. The tomb is vacant - so that our lives can become full. Jesus said, I have come that YOU may have life, and that YOU may have it more abundantly.

The Bible teaches us that there are five facts that can give your life meaning. There are five facts that can give your life purpose. There are five facts that can bring - abundantly living to your life. Today we are going to look at those five facts that can bring fullness to your life.

Fact one:

1. You were planned for Gods PLEASURE.

You are not an accident. You are not a mishap of nature. Your parents may not have planned you – but God did. God knew you were coming – even before anyone else knew. He planned you for His pleasure. The Bible says:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (KJV)

The Psalms tell us:

“The Lord has pleasure in his people.” Psalms 149:4 (BBE)

God created you to be an object of His love. God made you to love you. Here is an interesting fact. God does not need you – but He wants you. You see God is complete – He is perfect – He is self sustaining – He is self sufficient. He does not need you – but He wants you. He wants you to love Him – He wants you to worship Him. He wants you to bring Him pleasure.

Did you know that anytime you bring pleasure to God – you are worshipping Him? In fact – here is a fact:

Bringing pleasure to God is WORSHIPING Him.

Think about it! Anytime you bring please to God you are worshiping Him. Any action you take that makes God smile – is an act of worship. Any song you sing that brings pleasure to His ears is a song of worship. Any words you speak that make Him smile are words of worship.

You see worship is more than a ceremony. Worship is more than a prayer. Worship is more than a ritual. Worship is bringing pleasure to God. You were planned for God pleasure. You were planned to bring God joy. You were planned to make God smile.