Here is the Sunrise Service from the home of one of the members of Paulden Christian Fellowship.
Pastor Paul Trout and his wife Kitty led the music. I (Daniel Klem) gave the message.
There are no notes, and the video is of the sunrise. The rest is audio.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3, ESV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5, ESV
Our Pastor Scott Mitchell delivered our Sunrise message this year.
Remember that these are rough notes and not necessarily everything said!
Sunrise Sermon
One thing we have in common with Jesus: early riser… mountain…up – fight against it or work with it… the mountain is real…and will not be ignored… our only choice is how we respond to it… the tomb was empty our only choice is how we respond to it… did the enemies in the Bible ever deny that the tomb was empty? 28:11 – behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. they never denied it…because they could not. no they only attempted to offer another explanation because they opposed him back to the beginning… Guard
27:62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[j] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. they opposed Christ – they created a situation where the only way he was getting out of that tomb was a miracle – thus solidifying the evidence that there was a miracle that day – the miracle of our Lord’s resurrection… God will receive glory through our lives – Pharoah – in abject defeat Moses – working with Him today we’re going to look at 2 different responses… that of the enemy – and that of the women who loved Jesus… at the cross.watching when he was buried…there sunday morn… the enemy 28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like
lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. fear – abject paralyzing – cause an accident fear -fear that made them faint… why – because they had set themselves in opposition to this mighty one and his angelic messengers… the followers 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[k] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” why fear –
you hear the Lord you love and came to anoint his body but now he’s gone…its overwhelming… fear – yes – you see a majestic angel and you freak out – thats the Biblical thing to do… why great joy – why do not be afraid … because the victorious one who has risen is the one you love and He is on your side… the choice is still real today – the tomb is empty – our only choice is how we respond… we see this in acts 17:30 Acts 17: 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 3 responses: 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. which group are you in this morning – mocking – choosing the things of this world over the risen Lord? fear – terrible gut wrenching fear is in order…. this world is going down – and if you’re clinging to it instead of trusting Christ – you’ll go down with it… 1 john 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires… wanting to hear more about this? maybe you have questions…that’s ok… Lee strobel – the case for Christ Who Moved the Stone? Frank Morison, whose real name was Albert Henry Ross, was a skeptical British journalist when he began his research, but it convinced him of the historicity of the resurrection… but whoever does the will of God abides forever. what is the will of God? what does he want us to do?
John 6:28-29 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” for those who believe… fear – yes – because this is an awesome God! but also joy – and victory – 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? this world is going down – but if you believe in the risen Lord – you will rise with Him…its as though you have on a spiritual jetpack….when the ground gives way – you will remain afloat… what’s your response to the empty tomb? I pray you believe and find hope in the death and resurrection of our Lord… 1 Peter 1:3 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
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!
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39, ESV
This is still happening online because of the current mandate for isolation for the C-19 pandemic.
After the lesson for Palm Sunday that my lovely other-half, Caitlin – who is our Children’s Director at the Church Next Door – made, we had her record another lesson!
So, gather up the kiddos (or enjoy this at any age), and enjoy another mashup from a weekly sermon and children’s curriculum:
Questions to consider:
Was there a time in your life that you thought everything was going wrong? How did you feel?
Have you had a fight with someone and you could not ask for forgiveness or were you ever not able to see someone for any reason, to say goodbye?
Resurrection Sunday – John 20:19-29
Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.
Remember last week’s big idea? That Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.
He was nailed to a cross to save us from our sin, but His own disciples did not understand it.
Jesus died. Their leader was gone. His friends felt abandoned by Him. They thought they would never have the chance to see or talk with him again.
But then … He is alive?! Now what?
John 20:19-29
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus’ resurrection shows us that:
We can be afraid in our circumstances, but Jesus can comfort us;
We can push God away with our sin, but by His sacrifice He draws us back to Himself;
We can misunderstand God’s plan, but Jesus draws us close with the Holy Spirit to give us forgiveness;
We can doubt, but Jesus comes to us and overcomes our doubts. Because He was dead, but He is alive!
Now, we tell the world that Jesus is alive!
Today is Resurrection Sunday! The one holiday we celebrate 52 times a year!
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Memory verses: Ephesians 5:2:
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Luke 24:6-7, ESV
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!
a simple man of God 