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Christ's Resurrection - Following Him
Contributed by William Akehurst on May 5, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Looking back to the Resurrection, sharing it from another perspective. Jesus said Follow Me. Follow My Example. Follow My Instructions. Follow Me to the Cross and Find Salvation. Follow Me to LIFE and Tell others.
2009.04.19.CHRIST’S RESURRECTION-Following Him
Another look at the message of Easter
William Akehurst, BA
HSWC
Looking back to the Resurrection, sharing it from another perspective. Jesus said Follow Me. Follow My Example. Follow My Instructions. Follow Me to the Cross and Find Salvation. Follow Me and Tell others.
Matthew 28:1-10
This morning, the Sunday after Easter Sunday, I want to look back at the Resurrection, and share it in another view.
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
FOLLOW ME. (Christ’s Steps)
It is reported that St. Wenceslaus, King of Bohmia, one winters night, going to his devotions in the snow barefooted, his servant, who endeavoured to imitate his master’s piety, began to faint, through the inclemency of the weather, till the king commanded him to follow him, and to set his feet in the same footsteps which his feet should mark for him. So does Jesus command us to mark His footsteps; for He has trodden down difficulties, and made the way easier and fit for our feet by the argument of His own example.
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
START HERE FIRST
SEEK GOD EARLY, SEEK HIM FIRST (seek first)
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 28.1-10
FIRST THING - EVERY MORNING
LET EVERY MORNING REMIND US OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND HIS 2ND COMING (began at dawn)
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
OUR HELP COMES FROM GOD
WHEN ALL HELP FROM THIS EARTH FAILS US, WE MUST REMEMBER TO TRUST GOD TO SEND OUR HELP FROM HEAVEN vs 2 (descended from heaven)
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
A PROCLAMATION TO EXCLAMATION
OUR INVITATION TO SALVATION INCLUDES A PROCLAMATION TO EXCLAIM IT TO OTHERS
‘COME’ AND GET SALVATION, THEN ‘GO’ AND PROCLAIM IT (come and go and tell)
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you
CHRIST WANTS US TO BE OBEDIENT, USEFUL AND ACTIVE IN OUR SERVING HIM. (depart quickly, did run to bring word)
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
JESUS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
TO HEARTS OF LOVE AND HANDS OF SERVICE, CHRIST IS FIRST REVEALED.
NO MAN CAN GO ON GOD’S ERRANDS WITHOUT HIS COMPANY (as they went, Jesus met them)
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
WE HAVE THE HIGHEST CALLING, we are called his brothers. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
THE WORLD MAY BOAST OF ITS TITLES, WE WHO ARE CALLED ‘HIS BRETHREN’ HAVE THE HIGHEST OF TITLES (my brethren, my brothers, my family members)
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
HE HAS THE POWER (all power is given)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
HE SENDS US TO GO OUT (go and teach)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
HE IS WITH US ALWAYS (I am with you always)
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
CONCLUSION
WE CAN BE BOLD IN KNOWING THAT THE KING HAS BESTOWED UPON US HIS AUTHORITY BY SENDING US FORTH TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS. AND HE DOES THIS WITH THE PROMISE, THAT HE IS "WITH US, ALWAYS"