Easter 2023
“The Joy of the Lord”
Intro: In Matthew 25, Jesus told a story about faithful servants being welcomed into what He described as “The Joy of the Lord”. The interesting part is that joy is intrinsically part of being in the Lord and something the enemy attacks regularly. Today on Easter Sunday, there is much to celebrate, and joy has been part of the story from the beginning. Let’s start with the announcement:
READ: Luke 2:10
I. There is Joy is His Coming
A. There was excitement for the work getting started
(Abraham seeing Jesus’ day- John 8:56)
B. There was excitement for redemption beyond Israel
(for all people – v.10)
Read: Hebrews 12:1-2
II. There is Joy in the Payment
A. His joy was in the redeeming transaction
B. Our joy is anchored in “looking unto Him”
READ: John 16:16-24
III. There is Joy in the Resurrection
A. Jesus powerfully turned their sorrows to joy
(but it took time)
B. Jesus powerfully turns our sorrows to joy
(but it often takes time)
READ: Psalm 16:11
IV. There is Joy in His Presence
A. The “fullness of joy” provides rest
B. The “fullness of joy” provides hope
READ: John 17:13-17
V. There is Joy in the Word
A. It is His joy in us, not something generated by us
B. The Word sets us apart with joy
(Two disciples – Luke 24:32)
VI. Conclusion
Celebration of joy with the Lord’s Supper
___________________________
Easter 2022
Luke 24:1-49
“Hope that Lasts”
Intro: As a Braves and Dawgs fan, last year was quite unusual. For years…decades even, our hopes were stirred time and again but unrealized. Each year, disappointment and frustration were the end results…but then…finally…victory, and hope was realized!
Sports can be fun to watch, and for some, being a fan defines their life. However, there is little eternal value in it. Today, we’re celebrating the greatest victory ever achieved. One that included great challenges leading up to the final contest and different moments of hope for those following along.
It’s the resurrection that we celebrate today and the Lord’s victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. It’s a hope that lasts!
Today, we’re considering moments of hope the followers of Christ experienced and how their story can help us.
READ: Luke 24:1-27
I. Hope that was Misplaced (v.21)
(Review v.21)
A. Personal aspirations were projected onto Jesus
(Sitting on the right and left)
B. National aspirations were projected onto Jesus
(Justice, validation, deliverance)
II. Hope that was Crushed (v.1, 11)
A. (v.1) The broken-hearted
(ex. Women grieving, but still believing in Him)
B. (v.11) The disillusioned
(ex. The men in disbelief-their plans not coming true)
III. Hope that was Renewed (v.12,32)
READ: Luke 24:28-35 (review v.12, 32)
A. A spark that lit well-prepared kindling
(The important work is the preparation for the spark)
B. A new perspective on existing truth
(The Law, prophets, Psalms)
IV. Hope that was Eternal (v.44-49)
READ: Luke 24:44-49
A. It’s hope that connects back through time (v.44)
(every detail, connecting dots of today to then)
B. It’s hope based on a forgiven status (v.47)
(No condemnation for those in Christ)
C. It’s hope that is empowered (v.49)
(To do Kingdom things)
V. Conclusion
Question: What about us?
In Colossians 1:27, Paul said “Christ in us is the hope of glory”.
_____________________
Easter 2021 (Regular Series, no Easter Specific Sermon)
____________________
Easter 2020
Read Luke 24:1-12
I. The Living God is not Among Dead Things
A. v.5 “Why do you seek…?” – they followed the natural pattern of things
- Burial procedure
- Jesus’ prophecy had not yet altered their routine
B. He was no longer just their Teacher/Rabbi (John 20:16)-He is the risen Lord!
C. The graveyard represents the efforts of man-which dies with each one (Muhammed, Buddha, Lenin, etc.)
D. Even the Law itself could not give life
II. The Truth of God is not Among Dead Things
Read-John 24:13-35
A. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
Christianity is more than set of fixed events in history, it’s a daily, real-time connection
B. Everything about Jesus is alive
- His Kingdom is forever
- His promises are on-going
- His word will always enduring-(Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the divisions of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart”)
C. His word should ignite our hearts like it did theirs (v.32)
III. The Power of God is not Among Dead Things
I Corinthians 15:54-58
A. The sting of death is sin-the hopelessness of the fallen condition
Earthly solutions and ideas fall short (like the political savior they had hoped for)
B. The presence of sin renders the verdict of death-the eternal kind
C. There is no power just in knowledge of Christ and the scripture
D. Faith in Christ is a triumphant life to those who believe (2 Corinthians 2:12-17)
The power of God is among the living!
IV. Conclusion
Question – What are seeking? Dead things or living things?
__________________
Easter 2019
“The Itinerary of the Cross”
John 21:1-19
Intro: “The Do-over”
Have you ever needed a “do-over”? A time when you need a moment for a re-set? Whether it’s when we first come to Christ in faith or in our daily walk of faith, there are times when we need God’s forgiveness and restoration. After the resurrection, Jesus chose a moment to restore Peter (after his denial of knowing Jesus). Today, I want to look at the process of “starting over”.
Read John 21: 1-14
First, we see the results of…
I. Our Way
(Example of Peter’s claim in John 13)
A. Our way is about our preferences (type of kingdom desired)
B. Our way is about our pride
- Personal recognition
- Over dependence on our ability
Read John 21:15-19
II. God’s Way
A. God’s way is about His direction
- “Follow Me”
- Throw-back to Matt. 4:19-20
- Same words but different context
B. God’s way is about His Person – “Do you love Me?”
C. God’s way is about His priorities – “Feed My lambs.”
III. Our Brokenness
A. Sin grieves the heart of God
Luke 19:41 (weeping over Jerusalem’s resistance)
John 11:35 (weeping over the reality of sorrow and loss)
B. Sin grieves the heart of the repentant
- Peter – Luke 22:62 and John 21:17
- Realization of sin reveals our need for forgiveness
IV. God’s Response
A. Gracious forgiveness (kindness)
B. Warm acceptance (welcome to the fire)
C. Call to follow (“Follow Me” v.19)
V. Conclusion
Do you need a re-set?
Are you really following?
_____________________
Easter 2018
Intro: “Lasting Effects”
(Personal Story of a cruise, a completed journey, and the lasting effects)
I. Three Lasting Effects of the Cross Then
A. There was joy (Matt. 28:1-8)
- The stone was thrown to the side
- Despair was changed to “great joy” (v.8) – Which brought…
- Confidence in place of doubt (John 20:24-25)
- Boldness in place of fear (Peter preaching in Acts 2)
B. There was clarity (Luke 24:13-32)
- Truth in place of tradition (v.27)
- Fire in place of ashes (v.32)
C. There was Purpose (Matt. 28:18-20)
- A new vision (no longer an entitled Jewish mindset)
- A new empowerment (by Holy Spirit)
For the believers then, there were many lasting effects of the cross and Jesus’ resurrection. For us today, there are also lasting effects of coming to Christ and embracing His death and resurrection:
II. Three Lasting Effects of the Cross Now
A. There is joy (John 17:13)
- Joy brings confidence
- Joy also brings boldness
B. There is clarity (John 16:13)
- Truth that connects-the-dots in our mind (like Jesus describing the scripture)
- Fire that burns in our hearts from knowing the truth (Him and His word)
C. There is purpose (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Freedom from condemnation
- A vision for life
- Empowerment to thrive
III. Conclusion
What are the lasting effects of the cross for you?
cchrisholland 