Easter Sunday “There is No Life Among Dead Things” – (4/12/20) Luke 24:1-35
Intro: Recap-walk through the previous days for them…
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?
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Easter Week – 4/5/20 Palm Sunday “Three Kinds of Belief”
John 12:37-50
Intro: If the quarantine for large gatherings lasted 6 months or longer, what would the level of regular engagement with online sermons/church be? Why?
Read John 12:37-50 (NOTE: right after triumphal entry)
I. There is Belief that’s Momentary
Consider John 2:23-25
A. v.37 – “Although He had done…”
B. v.40 – belief that is SHORT of the “TURN” – (the harder the truth, the lesser the interest-no repentance)
C. v.40 – the acceptance of an “UNHEALED” status
D. v.42-43 – the preference for man’s acceptance over God’s
II. There is Belief that is Growing
- Organic in its nature-seed-sprout-sapling-tree
- John Ch.3 & John 19:38-42 (read)
A. Fear can be a powerful obstacle to overcome (v.42)
B. Growth is a process – may involve time and multiple people (as Paul described)
C. Roots are essential – (like the parable of the seeds)
III. There is Belief that’s Acted On
A. v.44 – Belief in Jesus IS belief in God –
- To truly believe in God is to believe in Jesus (His Son and Messiah)
- Jesus did not come to judge, but His word will be (v.48)
B. v.45 – Seeing Jesus IS seeing God –
- Everything about Jesus is God (NT compliments OT)
- Everything about God is Jesus (He’s unchanging – OT compliments NT)
C. v.46 – Abiding in Light is NOT abiding in darkness
IV. Conclusion
Question – How does this influence your prayers? And your efforts?
