We Rest In His Peace

We Rest in His Peace

Isaiah 53:5-7 | John 20:19-21

(5) But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

(19) Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. (20) And when he had so said, he shewed unto them [his] hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (21) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

I. Easter is a day of celebrations that has different meanings to different people. For the church we look at Easter differently than the world does.

A. The world looks at this day as a day of family gatherings that include spiral hams, deviled eggs, and other dishes. There will be easter baskets, easter egg hunts, and chocolate and candy.

1. Everything today for those in the world will only appeal to the flesh. It will be about taking ease, eat, drink, and be merry. There will be excess and indulgent of the flesh today. Some may even decide to put on their Easter Drip and will film themselves showing up in church today for the first time in years to soothe their conscience or make momma happy and will make sure they post the moment on Instagram or Tik Tok.

a. Their social media posts will not be about anything but themselves. They will pose and smile with a caption that might say something like my Easter Drip, or Today I am a little extra Boujee. They will put the max number of hashtags to make sure they will be noticed and will get their likes and shares. They only see today as a day for them.

2. The world doesn’t grasp the meaning of today because to them it is another holiday draped in religious décor and symbolism. The cross just like the nativity at Christmas is just part of the decorations like pastel colors and rabbits. They are blinded to the truth of what makes today so meaningful.

B. I did a little research because I wanted to know just how many are sitting at home today without having the thought of what makes today so important.

1. I came across some statistics that honestly are depressing and will probably cause you to question me about when this message will start to sound like an encouraging Easter Sermon. Just bear with me for a few moments. Our society is made up of 5 Generations: The Silent Generation (1925-1946), The Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generations X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996), and Generation Z (1997-Present). Within the Silent Generation it was reported that 50% identified as Christians, Boomers have 41%, Gen X have 32%, Millennials have 24%, and Gen Z has 22%. With the rise of each generation, we are seeing more and more consumed by secularly, worldly living and thought.

a. We are seeing the fulfilling of 2Th 2:3 except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Romans 8 tells us For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; For to be carnally minded [is] death; Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

b. It is grieving to see these numbers. It is evident from what we see and hear on social media and the news that more and more are being consumed by the things of this world. We are living in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah. These generations need the people of God being about the Fathers business. Paul said in 2 Tim. 2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Are we making full proof of our ministries Pr 11:30 The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.