Because He Lives!

Christian hear me today, this power is not just found in the Old Testament heroes, although as they served God, His powerful hand was upon them! Not just found in the New Testament disciples, although the closer to Christ they got the more power they were exposed to! Not just power to the “Super Christians”, although there have been a few folks through the church age that have been submitted to our Lord to find a power not of this world. Not just power to create, although what a power He exhibited when with just a gesture of a finger He brought it all into existence! But a power that is available and afforded to every child of God…TO YOU!

A power that overcomes us in death and a power that overwhelms us in life! All BECAUSE HE LIVES! Unafraid of Disease, Doom and even DEATH!

I once read of a lady that was standing on the deck of a ship during a terrible storm. The Captain sent a deckhand to usher her into the safety of the ship. The deckhand said “Ma’am you must get inside or you will be swept overboard” to which she replied “I have a daughter in New York and one in heaven and it does not matter to me which one I see next” This was the same attitude held by the Apostle Paul when he proclaimed “I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, nevertheless to remain here is more needful for you.” –Phil. 1:23

We can all claim this attitude and approach to life and death. Why? All BECAUSE HE LIVES!

With Delight:

As I preached last year, it may be Friday, but Sunday is coming! There is coming a day that I will “cross the river; I’ll fight life’s final war with pain; And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.” For those that are experiencing times of trial. For those like Carol Gibson that has spent the past few weeks in terrible physical pain. For those like Adrian Cronk missing a wife of 65 years and experiencing emotional pain. For those like Carole Johnson having lost her job and experiencing financial pain. YOU CAN FACE TOMROROW WITH DELIGHT. Knowing that through the resurrection, Jesus Christ has defeated sin, the grave and even death. We do not near to fear what tomorrow holds for we know who holds our tomorrow. Did you hear me? Jesus Christ even defeated DEATH!

Winston Churchill had planned his funeral. He included many of the great hymns of the church and used the eloquent Anglican liturgy. At his direction, a bugler, positioned high in the dome of Saint Paul’s, intoned, after the benediction, the sound of “Taps,” the universal signal that says the day is over. But then came a dramatic turn: as Churchill instructed, after “Taps” was finished, another bugler, placed on the other side of the great dome, played the notes of “Reveille” –“It’s time to get up!” That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be “Taps”; it will be “Reveille.” The worst things are never the last things.

[The entire sermon I have a full size coffin on the stage, standing head to toe. Every time I talk of the power of the resurrection and mention death I point to the casket and open the door to state He has defeated even death. Then to close this sermon and transition to the invitation, I open the door of the coffin and step in, explaining that we will all die, yet even in death we have nothing to fear. I then close the door and walk out the back “sneak door” and walk around to the congregation explaining that now that Christ defeated death the grave is simply door that ushers us into an eternity with Him!

Prayer/Invitation/Baptism