Sermon - Lanier Christian Church
April 3, 2016
David Simpson
From Locked Doors to Joyful Praise SLIDE #1
John 20:20 and Luke 24:52-53
SLIDE #2
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
- John 20:20
That first Resurrection Morning was filled with emotions that we would describe as "off the charts!" SLIDE #3 Powerful and mixed emotions of fear, doubt, questions, disbelief, amazement, tears and joy filled the air that day. It was hard to take in. The women at the tomb, the disciples, the eyewitnesses of his resurrection appearances... which Paul said was over 500 people...it must have been a roller coaster of emotions for all of them.
Each person in the Resurrection story has a reaction. No one left the scene of the empty tomb or an encounter with the risen Christ without expressing some emotion...a change in life even. And that's the point...Easter should change us! News of the resurrected Christ should cause some type of reaction in every person ever born.
Either there is doubt, or outright disbelief, or acceptance and belief and changed lives. There must be some reaction. Reporters use that phrase all the time when they come onto the scene of breaking news. They find a witness and they say: "What is your reaction to what you saw?"
My question for you today is: What is your reaction to the living Christ? SLIDE #4 The crowds of Easter are gone. The dramatic music from our children and adults has faded for now. The sunrise service will not take place for another year. But, the news of living hope remains. The news of new life in Christ still rings true. Heaven is still real. Death is still defeated. Christ is still alive!
So what is your reaction? I don't know about you, but I was thrilled by last Sunday. The truth of the Easter story is easy to preach and easy to get excited about. The songs of Easter are moving and thrilling to sing. The crowds of Easter fill you with encouragement, knowing that there are many who believe. Do all of these emotions need to fade away because Easter is over?
Of course not! The reality of Jesus coming back to life, changed the lives of his disciples for the rest of their lives. In fact, they lived boldly for Jesus for the rest of their lives proclaiming Him as the risen Lord every where they went! It wasn't just a day or two of saying: "This is amazing! ...and then back to normal...back to routine...back to "ho hum" living. No, the resurrection changed lives then and it should continue to change lives today.
Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Jesus said: I go to prepare a place for you.
Jesus said: I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.
Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
And these are lasting truths. The life changing words of Jesus were not meant for first century believers only. So I ask you again, "What is your reaction to the death conquering, risen Lord?"
At the crucifixion of Jesus, most of the apostles of Jesus gathered in a locked room to hide from the Jewish authorities who might have them arrested next. They started out hiding behind locked doors. This continued through the weekend until Jesus appeared before them. After proving to them he was indeed Jesus - by showing his nail scarred hands and pierced side - the apostles had a reaction alright. The Bible says: They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord! SLIDE #5
Now, that's a reaction! Joy. Overflowing joy. Joy that knew no bounds. Joy that would not only show on their faces, but reveal itself through their courage to move out from the locked doors into the world and boldly proclaim that Jesus, in fact, was alive!
Amazingly, Jesus walked on the earth for some 40 days after his resurrection. He was indeed alive again! Before his ascension back to heaven, Jesus challenged his disciples to spread the good news everywhere they went. That's what we remember the most. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." And they did just that.
Yet there are two reactions of the disciples after the resurrection and after the ascension that we dare not miss. Luke 24:52,53 records: Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. SLIDE #6
The were filled with great joy and they continued their worship, praising God.
Here we are just days after a wonderful Resurrection Sunday! What should our reaction be? Wait until next year to get all excited about the hope we have in Christ? Wait until next year to be humbled by his sacrifice and encouraged by his resurrection? Wait until next year to welcome crowds of people for worship?
Should we simply return back to our routines in life and in worship?
I want to move forward with great joy, because of the resurrected Jesus! Don't you? I want to praise God continually, just as the disciples did. Don't you?
I was playing my Christian music in the car a few days ago. Specifically I was playing Lauren Daigle's album. And, I was singing away. I stopped at the traffic light and looked to my left and someone was just staring at me. They had that look like: "So, 60 year old men can sing in the car too, I guess."
You know what I was doing? I was praising God continually. Easter gave me a boost to keep praising, not to wait until next year!
It should be true for all of us. The living Christ, should make a difference in our every day life, not just at Easter. Our joy should be evident and our praise obvious...every day! I saw a bumper sticker last week that brought it home for me: "Don't Postpone Joy." SLIDE #7 I agree!
Satan wants to fill us with gloom. He doesn't want us to experience the slightest bit of joy. The evil one would prefer us to drag around saying to others that we have nothing good to say, nothing to praise God about and nothing to live for.
Too many well intended Christian people have locked themselves behind the doors of fear and despair. Such people are allowing the devil to imprison them.
Remember the verse from Easter Sunday? Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV) SLIDE #8
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Jesus wants to set us free! What doors are you hiding behind today? What is stopping you from reacting to the freeing power of Jesus with joy and praise? Don't postpone it any longer. Live with the joy of the Lord filling your heart and life.
My sister, Karen and I were in a teen singing group when we were in the church youth group. One of the songs we sang was: I've Got a Reason to Sing.
I've got a reason to sing for Jesus took my sins away.
I've got a reason to sing. He gave me life when life was gray.
I've got a reason to sing. I'll sing His praises everyday.
I've got a reason to sing. I've got a reason to sing.
Jesus is alive - be joyful - every day! Death has lost its power - praise God - every day! The hope and joy of Easter continues. Find the joy in life because of Jesus. Don't postpone it. There is victory in Jesus because of his resurrection. Praise God. He is worthy of our worship and praise, everyday!
In fact, I think we should be like the Levites of the Old Testament. We read in 1 Chronicles 23:30 that they stood every morning to thank and praise the Lord. SLIDE #9
We have even more reason to praise than they did!
Is there life after Easter. Absolutely! Let Jesus set you free from your fears. May your reaction to his resurrection always be one of joy and praise today and every day.
- David Simpson
I've got a reason to sing for Jesus took my sins away.
I've got a reason to sing. He gave me life when life was gray.
I've got a reason to sing. I'll sing His praises everyday.
I've got a reason to sing. I've got a reason to sing.
Repeat
Heaven's gates will open wide. I've got a reason to sing.
Gonna have a wonderful time inside. I've got a reason to sing.
In His presence I'll abide. I've got a reason to sing.
Sing it in the morning, sing it at noon, all day long sing a happy tune.
I've got a reason to sing.
I've got a reason to sing for Jesus took my sins away.
I've got a reason to sing. He gave me life when life was gray.
I've got a reason to sing. I'll sing His praises everyday.
I'll sing it on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, everyday.
I've got a reason to sing.
Sing!
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by Otil Skillings
