A New You Psalm 1:1-6 Matthew 27:27-12 April 12, 2009
It had been three days since Jesus had been arrested in the dark of night, and taken away from his disciples. All of them had fled in fear. One of his closest disciples had told Jesus I have you back no matter what. Yet when it came time for a trial that was obviously a sham, this disciple by the name of Peter did not come forward when they asked the question are there any more witnesses.
As a matter of fact, when a girl asked him, shouldn’t you be up there with him, he said, “ no, I don’t even know the man.” He was challenged two other times and on the third time he starting cursing, swearing that he had never in his life been with the man.
At this point, a rooster crowed, and his mind flashed back to just a few days ago. He recalled that one day Jesus had told the group, all of you will desert me. He remembered telling Jesus with commitment in his voice, “Lord I can’t vouch for those guys, but I will never leave you. Jesus told him, before you hear the rooster crow twice you will deny knowing me.” That remembrance caused him to break down in tears and he ran out into the darkness. While he was somewhere hiding, the experience of Jesus being brutally beaten and murdered on the cross took place.
The sound of the rooster was still in his head three days later. If only he had another chance to make it right, he would. Have you ever been in that place of saying if only I could change things I’d go back and I’d do it. I would not have made that mistake, that choice, that decision. I would not have become the person I have become. I would be a new me.
Peter saw himself as a coward, a failure, a liar and a betrayer. On that Sunday morning, there he was in this room with the other disciples who were likewise feeling disappointed and discouraged. And then came the knock on the door. Had the authorities found them and were there to arrest them. What stood on the other side of that door. The pounding is louder and faster.
They hear”open the door let us in.” But it’s not the sound of a soldier or the sound of the voice of the police from the chief priest. As a matter of fact, it’s not the sound of a man’s voice at all. It’s a woman’ voice. It’s Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary who are out of breath. The first response of the disciples is probably that the women are being chased. They open the door to let them in too hide. But then Mary says, “The Lord we have seen the Lord.”
Peter says, ‘you’ve had a vision of Jesus” The other Mary says “no, not a vision. We actually have seen the Lord. When we got to tomb and looked inside, Jesus was not there. The clothes he were buried in, were right there where they should have been but he was not there.
One of the disciples say, “Oh no they stole his body. They’ll sure becoming for us next.”
Mary says no, “An angel told us that he had risen from the dead. The angel said for us to go and tell you. When we ran away from the tomb, Jesus met us on the way. We grabbed his feet, held on to him and worshipped Him. He told us to tell you to go to Galilee and he will meet you there.”
At this point, Peter realized the possibility of making things right in His life with Jesus. He did not care if the soldiers or the chief priests were looking for him. He jumped up and ran out the building, down the path breathing heavily thinking I’ve got to get to Jesus. When he arrived at the tomb he found it empty just as the women had said.
Later on that Sunday evening, when the disciples were gathered together, Jesus came right through the walls and appeared to them. They then forgot about Friday, and they rejoiced on Sunday. Peter knew then, there really was a chance for a new Peter to be developed. This scared, foul mouth cursing, traitor found that the power of God to raise Jesus Christ from the dead was available to change his life. He put his faith and his confidence in this resurrected Savior, and his life changed forever. He became one of the great leaders in the church. All of those disciples were changed because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That change took place on Sunday
Easter or better yet the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is proof that there can be a new you, whether you know nothing about God or whether you’ve been walking the Lord for a while. God wants to make a change in your life. Is there anybody here who could make a change for the better? This Easter don’t promise God anything great, just say “I’m going to make a change for the better.”
In the Easter story, there is a man name Judas, who was one of the disciples of Jesus. Judas had secretly turned Jesus over to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver. After seeing that Jesus was condemned to die, Judas gave up hope and went and committed suicide for what he had done. He saw Friday. He had no hope for the future. He didn’t know Sunday was coming. He never learned about the resurrection of Christ. If we are going to make a change for the better, we have to develop a positive outlook toward life. We know Sunday has come.
How do you feel about your life? Is it worthwhile? Or, let’s change the question. What would it take for you to feel that your life is worthwhile? What would have to happen to make you feel really positive about your life?
If you won the lottery, would that do it? If your marriage suddenly was all patched up, would that do it? If your kids began to make you proud, or if you got a promotion, would that do it? If you finally made the honor roll. What would it take for you to really feel positive about your life?
Now if that’s the way you’re thinking then you’ll probably never feel really positive about life because all the little pieces that must come together to make you positive about life will probably never all be there.
In our bible study, we have been in the book of Philippians. I want us to look at Philippians 3:12-14. But before I read it to you, you need to realize that Paul who is a leader and follower of Christ is in prison, chained to a Roman guard, under horrible conditions.
Yet despite that, he writes these wonderfully positive words, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Now stop for a moment & ask yourself, "What is Paul trying to grab hold of?" Paul tells us in vs. 10, "I want to know Christ & the power of His resurrection & the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, & so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
What is he reaching for? What is his goal? Paul’s goal is the resurrection from the dead. His goal is eternal life with Jesus. That is what he is reaching for & striving for every day. His goal is heaven. The fact that Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead is proof that all of us will one day rise from the dead. Our Sunday is going to come.
Now here is the point. If our goal is heaven; if our goal is eternal life with Jesus Christ; then all these little setbacks in life are only stepping stones getting us closer to the time when we will be with Jesus.
There will be disappointments in life, but every day that passes is one day closer to the time when we will be with Jesus. If that is our goal, then Romans 8:28 is true. "All things" do "work together for good to those who love God & are called according to his purpose."
The world says that the way to feel good about yourself is by climbing the ladder of success - by making a lot of money - by having influential friends - by receiving a lot of awards - by belonging to the right circles.—By wearing the clothes with the right labels. By having others think you’re all that. Those are the things that make you feel good about yourself.
But the Bible teaches us that we are to feel good about ourselves because God loves us. You are such a treasured person in God’s sight that He gave His only Son , Jesus Christ for you. That makes you valuable, & you can feel good about yourself whether you have all those things in the world or not. It doesn’t matter if you got a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife. The Bible tells us that we are wanted & loved & cared for by God Himself.
North Carolina won the NCAA championship this year. Back in the late 80’s they had a coach named Jim Valvono. Jim was head coach of the N.C. basketball team. He rose to fame when his team started winning championships. Everybody liked him. He was always cracking jokes & had a winning way of dealing with people.
But in 1991 Jim learned that he had inoperable bone cancer. During Christmas time, 1992, he said, "It’s difficult to be thankful this Christmas because I’m not sure I’ll be here next Christmas." And he wasn’t. He died in 1993. "But," he said, "this Christmas I’m getting down on my knees & thanking God for every day of the 46 years of my life."
He was positive about life because he realized that life is a very precious gift God has given us. It must sadden the Lord that often times we take this gift He has given, & don’t treasure it for the precious thing that it is.
We not only need a positive attitude about life, we also need a positive attitude about the church. You are here today because somebody from a church was concerned about your future. One thing that is right about the church is the church’s desire to lift up Jesus and to reach out to a lost & dying world with the message of salvation. Yet at times you will hear people criticizing the church.
For instance, someone says, "The church costs too much and is always talking about money." We are always worrying about how much something costs when it comes to doing the work of God. In John 12 there is an interesting account of something that happened as Jesus ate with His disciples. If you remember, a woman brought a jar filled with expensive perfume & broke it & anointed his feet with the perfume.
Immediately Judas Iscariot & some of the disciples criticized the waste, saying that the perfume should have been sold & the money given to the poor. But Jesus defended her, saying, "She has done what she could for my burial."
You see, we have a different value system than the world. The world would consider something waste that we consider valuable. The world thinks you’re wasting your time going to church. You wanted to hear about God & Jesus Christ, & the world thinks that’s a waste.
You’re not wasting time learning how to be a better father, a better mother, a better child, a better lawyer, a better teacher, a better student, a better husband or a better wife. You’re not wasting your time discovering God’s plan for your life. You’re not wasting your time learning the tricks and deceptions of the devil as he plants land mines in your life in order to destroy you. You’re not wasting your time discovering the power of God to keep you from entering some places, and to put you into other places. You’re not wasting your time when you’re set free from some addiction. When you invest in the life of the church, you’re investing in your own great future.
So many of the things the world calls wasteful today are probably the only things that will last for all eternity. The world goes crazy over somebody who scores a bunch of points through a little metal ring. What does it matter in twenty years who won the game? Lebron James will not impress anybody in heaven whether he beats out Kobe Bryant or Dwayne Wade for the MVP.
All three of them need the same Jesus that’s proclaimed in the church as we do. Remember, when the woman poured the perfume on His feet, Jesus said, "Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." Who was the greatest athlete or singer when the woman poured the perfume on Jesus. They have long since been forgotten, but we’re still talking about this woman. The church is in the business of things that last forever.
I’m honored to give my money for the cause of Christ through the church. Our vision here at Glenville New Life Community Church is to be a church where we all who want to know Jesus can come and be accepted and loved and encouraged and built up - a place where there are people to help us carry our burdens and making everyone feel welcomed. That’s a good investment opportunity that God has made available to us all.
In addition to a positive attitude about life and the church, we need to display a positive attitude toward others.
Robert Schuller wrote, "It would amaze us how many people we could influence for Christ if we would just treat people nicely." How many of you appreciate just being treated with kindness, from someone letting you cut into the traffic line, to somebody offering to help you with your homework.
Just your decision to be kind at work, would cause people to recognize there’s a new you growing on the inside. When they ask you what’s different about you all of a sudden. you can tell them I found the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and discovered there’s a new me inside of what I use to be.
Who do you need to display a more positive attitude toward in order for there to truly be a new you? You see the funny thing about this resurrection power of Jesus Christ, is that if you really take it in, you can’t just shut it off. God will make you uncomfortable if you don’t make a change that’s needed. You can let what that person did to you go. God can raise you up stronger and more determined than ever. Nothing has to bind you from your past.
The resurrection power of Jesus Christ is going to filter down into every segment of your life. This new you is going to be the best you, you’ve ever been. And as you live each day of it, you will get closer & closer to the goal, the heavenward prize, to be with Jesus.
We are a year closer to heaven than we were this time last Easter. Everything is still on course . We need to trust the Lord & love Him - to place our lives in His hands & allow Him to use us to His glory.
If you are here without Jesus Christ as your Lord & your Savior, then you have an opportunity to make a change for the better right away. On this Easter Resurrection Sunday of 2009, come proclaim the Mighty name of Jesus, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and be faithful to Him in your daily walk. He really will make you a new you. For the bible says if anyone comes to Christ, he or she is a new creation.
We invite you to come. We present His invitation & pray that you will respond to it as we stand & as we sing today.
Special Thanks To Melvin Newland on Sermon Central for some sections of this message.
Sermon Outline Pastor Rick
A New You
4/12/2009 Psalm 1:1-16 Matthew 27:27-28:12
A. Three Days Since The Crucifixion
1. A Man Named Peter
2. Denials, Roosters, Prophecy
3. If Only I Could Go Back
B. A Knock At The Door
1. Is Arrest On The Way
2. Mary Magdalene & Mary
3. We Went To The Tomb
4. Jesus Is Alive
5. Peter Goes In Search
C. Easter/Resurrection
1. Just The Proof We Need
2. A Change For The Better
3. Judas Without Hope
D. Develop A Positive Attitude/Life
1. What Do You Need
2. What If The Pieces Don’t Fit
3. No Need To Wait On Circumstances
4. Philippians 3:12-14
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
E. What Must I Grab A Hold Of
1. What’s Your Goal
2. Paul Shooting For Heaven
3. The World’s Way To Feeling Good
About Yourself—Do, Get, By
4. God’s Way Of Feeling Good About
Yourself—Know & Accept
5. Already Wanted & Already Loved
F. North Carolina Championship Coach
1. Great Guy Jim Valvano
2. Hard To Be Thankful At Christmas
3. Thank God For Each Day Of 46
Years
G. Positive Attitude About The Church
1. Money And What It Costs
2. Judas, The Disciples, The Woman
3. World—You’re Wasting Your Time
4. We’re Not Wasting
5. World Goes Crazy Over A Hoop
6. Lebron, Bryant Or Wade
7. The Same Jesus Is Needed
8. God’s Call For Glenville
H. A Positive Attitude Toward Others
1. Traffic To Home Work
2. Kindness Makes A Difference
3. Choosing To Let It God
4. The Trickle Down Effect
I. We’re All Closer Today
1. Putting Our Trust In Christ
2. A New Creation
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV) 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ’He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
