Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26, ESV
No one wants to die. It is our God who takes away the fear and permanence of death if we believe and trust in Him.
Our elder, Bill Swenson, delivered the Sunrise Sermon this year. Enjoy.
Easter Sunrise Sermon
Why do we celebrate Easter/Resurrection Sunday?
Because Jesus was raised from the dead? Jesus was not the only one to rise from the dead.
Old Testament:
Elijah raised a widows son. 1 Kings 17
Elisha raised a Shunamite’s son. 2 Kings 4
A man was thrown into Elisha’s bones. 2 Kings 13:21
New Testament:
Peter raised Tabitha aka Dorcas. Acts 9
Paul raised Eutychus. Acts 20
Jesus raised a widows son. Luke 7
Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter. Luke 8
Jesus raised Lazarus. John 11
God raised Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15
Saints raised with Jesus. Matt 21
What made Jesus special?
He prophesied it. Matt. 12:38-40
This is why guards were placed at the tomb. Matt 27:62-64
He was raised immortal. Romans 6:9
With a physical form though a spiritual body. 1 cor 15:44, John 20:27
Why does it matter? Or as Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:16-19
What is to be pitied about being a Christian?
Look at Paul’s life 2 Cor. 11:24-27
Trouble is promised to us. John 15:20, 16:33
Why do Christians endure this? Why sign up for it?
Past
Rom 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Colossians 2:14 “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
Present
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
1 Cor 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Phil 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Future
Rev 20:15. “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Rom 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Matt 6:19-21. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Persecution breeds reward. Matt 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Rev 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Because Jesus was raised, our sins are forgiven.
Because Jesus was raised, we are a new creation. Because Jesus was raised, we will dwell eternally with God!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26, ESV
Only in Christ do we have hope of eternal life, even if we die before His return, because He is Life and hope for resurrection.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3, ESV
Our God has given us hope for eternity through Jesus rising back to life.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, ESV
Because of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, all of our got and Shane is washed away. Each and every part of our sin is removed. We are free from eternal consequences of our sin.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!