Three Gifts Of The Resurrection Series

Happy Resurrection Day! And Happy 5th Birthday to Cross Church this morning! In fact, let’s all say, “Happy Birthday, Cross Church” together on the count of three.

This one-day set aside to center in on the resurrection is an unusual happy day. We celebrate it with pastel colors and feature opportunities for children to play. Everything around this holiday is built to celebrate and communicate hope, joy, and happiness. But you have to really search for it because you have move beyond the barnacles that have grown around the day of eggs, bunnies, and chocolate to find the granite behind for lasting happiness.

Since the year 325, Easter has been observed on the first Sunday after the full moon following when the time when the sun crosses the equator. Many early Christians observed Easter on the 14th day of Nisan (April 19, 2019) regardless of what day of the week it fell on. Regardless of WHEN it is observed, Easter is and will always be a special day for believers for WHY it is observed. Jesus rose from the grave is designed to eternally secure your peace, your joy, and your relationship to God. Some of you even accepted Christ on Easter – making this day extra special!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a game-changer. But to experience the game-changing effects of Jesus’ resurrection, you must believe in a miracle.

I want everyone to have the “Communication Card” near you. You’ll find some in the pew in front of you or on your chair for Cross Church. I’ll share important instructions with you at the end of the message.

I invite you to find John 16 (page 1148 in your pew Bibles). This morning I want to speak you about “Three Gifts of the Resurrection.”

Today’s Scripture

19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

25 I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” … 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:19–29, 31-33).

When you think of your last minute instructions you give to those closest to you, what kind of things would you share? Whether it’s before a big trip or perhaps you’re going under the knife for surgery, what’s on your mind when tell those closest to you the important matters of life? If you knew you were dying tomorrow, you probably would say something really significant, right? We drop in to eavesdrop on the last minute instructions Jesus gives His Disciples only hours away from His crucifixion. Jesus speaks to the Twelve at length right around the event of the Last Supper. He’s concerned to give them these last minute instructions but He also wants to give them emotional security and stability. These words of Jesus still offer His followers emotional security and stability. God secured all of this through the cross and the empty tomb. God designed the resurrection of Jesus to secure your an enduring hope, eternal happiness and for you to share in God’s love rather than what we deserve.