Forward to set up scripture reading:
(I will summarize in my own words): Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
NOW HEAR THE READING OF GODS WORD
Acts 10:34-43 NLT
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD
THANKS BE TO GOD
Sermon:
Our confidence comes from knowing Jesus -
Jesus summed it up in one verse, John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” All of human kind questions of life are answered in this one verse.
There is an Easter acclimation that the church has used to help us remember this hope and comfort that we have. It goes like this – Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. A phrase that perfectly summarizes where our focus and trust should be right now.
Christ has died for our sins. Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to forgive every sin that we have ever committed. All of Jesus’ perfect life and righteousness was given to us through his death and the blood that was shed when we believe upon our Savior Jesus Christ.
Christ is risen. Every Sunday is suppose to be a celebration of this Easter/this Resurrection Morning. Jesus Christ is not dead. He is alive. There were over 500 witnesses to this fact. He has now ascended to heaven.
Christ will come again. This is what we’re waiting for right now. Jesus to return. Jesus has promised that he will come back – He has promised to be with us always – until the end of the age.
Join me this morning with the cry from the wilderness
==a chant that echo’s throughout history and
==tells the complete story of our Savior Jesus the Christ:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Go now and spread this Gospel, this Good News, as we travel on our journey of life.
