Lesson from the Empty Easter Egg
I recently came across this story, it was told by “Dear Abby”.
A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. It was the custom in that wealthy neighborhood for the parents to give the graduate a car. "Bill’ and his father had spent months looking at cars, and the week before graduation, they found the perfect car. On the eve of his graduation, his father handed him a gift wrapped Bible and told him that he could not think of a more valuable gift to give his son. Bill was so angry that he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house.
He and his father never saw each other again. Years later, it was the news of his father’s death that brought Bill home again. As he sat one night going through his father’s possessions that he was to inherit, he come across the Bible his father had given him.
He brushed away the dust and opened it to find a cashier’s check, dated the day of his graduation - in the exact amount of the car they had chosen together.
As I read and thought about this story, I couldn’t help but wonder how many people in this world have done the same thing to God. They are too many people who literally toss aside a wonderful promise and gift of God, because they don’t understand it, or they don’t believe that it’s possible.
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE EMPTY EASTER EGG.
THE WORLD GIVES US MANY EMPTY PROMISES DOESN’T IT?
In our world, we are taught that; “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably __________.” That’s right” if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” So many of us have been taken in by “empty promises,” that we are hesitant of anything or anyone that tells us we can have something for nothing.
But, you know what? God never made a promise that was too good to be true and He never makes empty promises.
We watch TV and go on the internet, and the advertisements tell us that we can be happy, sexy, rich, or famous, if we only buy a certain product. I remember buying the Ab Isolater that was going to give me washboard abs. Power 90 is going to make me lose weight and be in shape in 90 days. God is different. Instead of empty promises, on Easter, Jesus gave a promise that we can take to the bank.
God’s word tells us again – “God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US!”
It was on that cross that Jesus Christ offered his perfect, sinless life on behalf of each one of us. No one else – not Moses or Abraham, not David, not Muhammad or Buddha, not Hannah Montanna, not Taylor Swift, not Jayden Smith – no one else has ever lived perfectly and then offered his perfect life for our salvation. That is why the Bible tells us that “there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved.”
DID HE REALLY HAVE TO DIE FOR ME?
Some of us might say, “I’m a good person. Isn’t that enough? I don’t think I need God to cover my sin. After all, I never killed anybody. I’m not as bad as some really bad people out there.”
The truth is that if you are a sinner, you need God.
Have any of you ever not put God first in your life at some time or another? Raise a hand.
Scripture tells us “You shall have no other God’s before Me.”
Let’s be honest this morning. How many of you have ever lied? Raise a hand.
Scripture tells us not to “Bear false witness.” (or lie)
What about stealing anything. Ever stole anything? Raise a hand. Come on, I already know you lied.
Scripture tells us not to steal.
What that says, is that we are Blasphemous, lying, thieves, who are in need a Savior.
Do you deserve heaven or hell?
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Won’t God just let me go because I’m sincere? Not if He is a just and righteous God.
If I am caught for speeding on the road by the police and go before a judge, would it make sense to say, “Judge, I trust that you are a good judge and you will let me off because I’m a sincere person. I’d like you to let me go because I am a good person.”
The judge would say, “Because I am a good and just judge, I have to pronounce you guilty. I cannot just look the other way.”
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Now watch this, because this is where Jesus comes in. Just as the judge pronounces you guilty and comes down with the sentence, he says, “Because I am a just judge, I must sentence you to pay the fine of $1,000,000, but because I know you cannot pay that fine, he takes out his checkbook and says I will pay it for you; if you ALLOW me too.”
That is what this verse means…
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
GOD HIMSELF, PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR SIN, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
The story is told of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying daily.
A hospital was not too terribly far away—across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed it was inhabited by evil spirits. To enter the water would mean certain death. The missionary explained how he had crossed the river and was unharmed. They were not impressed. He then took them to the bank and placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn’t go in. He walked into the water up to his waist and splashed water on his face. It didn’t matter. They were still afraid to enter the river. Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He punched a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water and escaped. It was then that the Indians broke out into a cheer and followed him across.
That’s exactly what Jesus did! He told the people of His day that they need not fear the river of death, but they wouldn’t believe.
He touched a dead boy and called him back to life. They still didn’t believe. He whispered life into the body of a dead girl and got the same result. He let a dead man spend 4 days in a tomb and then called him out and the people still didn’t believe Him. Finally, He entered the river of death and came out on the other side.
This Easter, will you let God reconcile your destiny? Will you let Him take a hold of your life? Will you let Him restore your soul?
In a few moments, you are going to be given a chance to invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. You will get the chance to say a prayer that God Himself will hear and honor. Don’t let anyone distract you from this…
It is like if you go surfing one day and get caught in the current and get sucked out into the deep ocean. You are getting really tired. You are so far off shore that you cannot even see land. You surely don’t have the strength to make it back to shore. Just before you give up and drown, you notice a helicopter flying above. It is the Coast Guard! They see you and toss down a ladder to save your life.
“Grab the rope…” the Coast Guard yells at you, “and we will bring you up. We will save you.” Guys tell me, what are you going to do? “GRAB THE ROPE!”
How dumb would it be if you were there on your board saying, “I wonder what my friends will think of this rope?” JUST GRAB THE ROPE. IT MEANS LIFE! “But the color of the rope doesn’t match my board.” JUST GRAB THE ROPE. IT MEANS LIFE! “But I don’t know if my family will agree with this.” JUST GRAB THE ROPE. IT MEANS LIFE!
JESUS IS THE ROPE! It doesn’t matter what other people think. Grab onto Him. Jesus is the rope! He is life! It doesn’t matter if others think it’s cool or not. Grab onto Him. Jesus didn’t just die for you. He rose again for you!
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Let me tell you about Philip as we finish up this lesson;
Philip never felt like he belonged. He was pleasant enough but he looked a bit different and sometimes seemed unusual to his eight-year-old classmates.
In his Sunday school class several weeks before Easter, Phillip’s teacher introduced a special project. He gave every member a plastic "egg"--the kind pantyhose used to come in. He explained that each child was to go outside, find a symbol for new life and put it into the egg. Enthusiastically, the class responded.
Back in the classroom the eggs were opened one at a time with each child explaining the meaning of his symbol.
In the first egg was a pretty flower; in the next a beautiful butterfly, while green grass was in a third. The children "oohed" and "aahed". In another was a rock, which prompted loud laughter. Finally the last egg was opened - there was nothing.
"That’s stupid," said one child. Another grumbled, “Someone didn’t do it right! They didn’t do their homework.”
The teacher felt a tug on his shirt. It was Phillip, who said, “That’s mine, and I did do right! It’s empty, ’cause the tomb was empty."
There was an unusual, thoughtful silence. And strangely, from that time on, Phillip was accepted as part of the group.
Phillip continued to struggle with many physical problems. That summer he picked up an infection which most children would easily have shaken off. But Philip’s weak body couldn’t and a few weeks later, he died.
At his funeral nine eight year-olds with their teacher brought their symbol of remembrance and placed it near his coffin. Their unusual gift of love to Phillip wasn’t flowers. It was an empty egg - now a symbol to them of new life and hope.
It was Phillip, the "different" child, who had helped his friends see the wonderful hope in the message of Easter. (Preaching Today)
EVERY TIME YOU SEE AN EMPTY EASTER EGG, I WANT YOU TO BE REMINDED THAT THE TOMB IS EMPTY! I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE JESUS CAN FORGIVE YOU AND COME INTO YOUR LIFE BECAUSE HE WENT TO THE CROSS FOR YOU AND ROSE AGAIN!
My question to you this morning is this; will you take him at his word? If so, listen to this final promise – it is found in Romans 10:13 – “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
This morning, if you have never accepted God’s promises for your life, He is waiting and probably wondering, "What is taking you so long?"
Don’t wait another day, do it today, and know the joy of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
I trust the Lord will truly bless each on of you this Easter
Do you know Jesus?
It's the same with salvation. You may believe everything the Bible says about Christ—that He died for your sins and rose from the dead. But if you refuse to "take Him"—that is, to trust Him and His work on the cross in your behalf—you will be just as lost as if you had openly and blatantly denied Jesus.
HERE IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS. INVITE JESUS TO BE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR. IF YOU HAVE NEVER RESPONDED, OR IF YOU AREN’T SURE, TODAY IS YOUR DAY. THIS IS THE DAY OF YOUR SALVATION. SAY THIS PRAYER. ITS NOT A MAGIC PRAYER, BUT SAY IT AFTER ME. SAY IT OUT LOUD. MORE IMPORTANTLY, SAY IT FROM YOUR HEART.
HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JESUS. LORD JESUS, THANK YOU THAT YOU CAME, TO PAY THE PRICE FOR MY SIN. I TURN FROM MY SIN TODAY. COME INTO MY HEART. LEAD ME AND GUIDE ME. BE MY LORD AND MY SAVIOR. IN JESUS’ NAME…
TELL SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR DECISION, AND I’D LIKE TO REMIND YOU OF THIS.
“IT IS BY FAITH ALONE THAT WE ARE SAVED, BUT A SAVING FAITH NEVER COMES ALONE.” LEARN TODAY, TO WALK WITH GOD.
