Easter Sunday
April 1, 2018
Today, we’re celebrating the single, most important event in human history. The resurrection of Jesus has done more to change the world than any invention, any election, any empire or any political victory. The miracle of Jesus’ resurrection has changed the world. Women have been liberated because of the resurrection. Orphans have been rescued, slaves set free, hospitals built, and entire oppressive systems of governments have been overturned because of one single event inside a borrowed tomb. Jesus was dead, but God raised him to life!
On the day Jesus died, it hardly seemed like a revolution was happening. The world was dark and stormy and the hundreds of people who had followed Jesus into Jerusalem had scattered, just as Jesus had predicted.
John 16:32-33 NIV
"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The world scatters us
People are becoming anchored to their homes because they can get everything done using technology. You can deposit checks with a snap of a picture, buy anything you need online, and even have your groceries delivered directly to your doorstep. Comfort and convenience are replacing quality time devoted to building relationships.
Christ died for all of us.
• All the sins of every person were paid for by Jesus.
• Now all of us have one easy way to find God.
Christ sent his Holy Spirit to all of us.
Romans 8:11 NIV
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
Give Life – to revitalize, to cause something to come alive!
Christ gave us his church, so we can all belong.
Psalms 68:5-6 NIV
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families.”
Conclusion:
Jesus has gone to most extravagant lengths to find us, to pursue us and to make all things new.
It’s not about what we can do, but what Jesus has already done!
Mark 13:26-27
"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
The world scatters us, but Jesus gathers us.
Does your life feel scattered? Do you feel close to God?
The tomb is empty, so our lives can be full!
