04/24/2011 Sermon: "He is Risen!"

"Father, I pray in the Mighty name of Jesus that you continue to bless this Ministry and everyone that participates. I pray that you bless the upcoming Holy Communion Lord and that you all people lost all over the world to read this message and come to you to be Saved in your Holy name. Thank you Lord for giving me true salvation and eternity in your Mighty name! Amen!



Before we begin today’s message, I would like us to participate in the taking of Holy Communion. The greatest thing about having a virtual ministry is the fact that Holy Communion may be taken anywhere. If you would like to participate you will need a piece of bread or cracker and a cup of grape juice. Open your bible to I Corinthians 11:27-33, “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.” Please prepare the bread as you read this verse. Luke 22:19, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” The bread we are about to eat represents the Body of Christ, please eat the bread. Please prepare the cup of grape juice as you read this verse. Luke 22:20, “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” The juice we are about to drink represents the Blood of Christ, please drink the juice. “Father, thank you for allowing us this opportunity to take Communion in your Holy name. Glory to God! Amen!


J. Michael Shannon, whom is the professor of Preaching at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, in Cincinnati, Ohio explains the truth behind the following epitaph. There is much to be learned from reading epitaphs. There is a wonderful epitaph on the grave of a Patience Holmes. It is so popular that it has been used on many other gravestones in New England. Patience died in 1845, age 24, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The epitaph says:
"Shed not for her the bitter tear
"Nor give the heart to vain regret
"‘Tis but the casket that lies here
"The gem that filled it sparkles yet."
The resurrection of Jesus is encouragement to us to believe that even at the end of mortal life, we still will shine.


Easter is a time of reflection, fellowship with friends and family, and to honor our Lord and Savior. How wonderful it is to know and love Jesus Christ as well as acknowledge what He did for us on the cross! We know from John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” He sent His Son to save us! Glory to God! The following message outlines the following points of those final days: #1 The Crucifixion, #2 The Death of Jesus, #3 The Resurrection of Jesus. Open your Bible to Matthew 27:32 as we begin todays Sermon.


1. The Crucifixion of Jesus


A few years ago when the movie, “The Passion of the Christ” came out, I was amazed and completely touched by what I viewed. The movie truly brings out the reality of what we have read over and over in our Bibles about Jesus’ last days on earth. So many people have given their lives to Christ because of that movie and I encourage everyone that hasn’t watched it that they do. Even though we are Christians, we are not invisible to enduring suffering and the crucifixion account is filled with an abundance of it. The bible teaches us that after Pilate surrendered Jesus over to the soldiers, they took complete control of him. Matthew 27:32, “… they forced Him to carry the cross.” They made Jesus carry His own Cross which wasn’t light my any means. How many times have we felt the weight of the Cross on our backs just as Jesus did on that day? I know from my own personal experience that it has been many and I am sure the same follows for everyone else. There are problems and situations in our lives that feel like there is no other way than giving up, but there is a way out and it’s with Jesus! We must embrace this mentality when problems arise into our lives and remember what Jesus endured on the cross. Matthew 27:35, “When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots.” Those soldiers made a complete mockery out of Jesus as they mounted Him onto the Cross. How devastating this was to His family as well as His followers that were witnessing such a horrific event. The account of John adds this in John 19:25, “Near the Cross of Jesus stood His Mother, His Mother’s Sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Just imagine how His Mother Mary felt watching the events unfold with her one and only Son and knowing there was absolutely nothing she could do. Many times in life we can feel just as hopeless as Mary did, but having our complete salvation we know that Jesus is always there for us to call upon! Hallelujah!


2. The Death of Jesus.


Our Lord and Savior hung on the cross for nearly six hours in the blazing heat. There are no words to describe the events He and the other two robbers were experiencing. Jesus cried out to God in Matthew 27:45, “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” Sometimes in our lives we can feel as alone and hopeless as Jesus did on that Cross, but we must remember this scripture when we feel alone and hopeless; Romains 13:5, “…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Our Lord is going to be with us always even though we may feel alone but He is there and is carrying us through. The account of John explains that near 3:00 pm Jesus states in John 19:28, “…I am thirsty.” Imagine being on a long hike in a massive heat wave and not having any water to drink. This had nothing to drink for this entire time and by this time complete dehydration and exhaustion would set in and set in fast. The soldiers took a wine vinegar soaked sponge and placed the sponge on a hyssop plant, and held it up for Jesus to taste it on His lips. Imagine being completed parched and tasting this in the midst of the heat. The soldiers were definitely adding more agony to Him. John 19:30, “When He had received the drink, Jesus sad, ‘It is Finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.” After nearly six hours of being hung on the cross in complete agony, Jesus died. Matthew 27:51-52, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” In the evening when Jesus was buried, Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloth and placed it in a newly created tomb. Matthew 27:60, “…He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” Mary Magdalene and Mary, never once left Jesus’ side during this whole horrific ordeal. They were with Him until the very end. Matthew 27:61, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.” To me, that scripture says so much. It makes us understand that love is so important and is completely everlasting.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus.


We must understand that through any trial or tribulation we face as a believer, we can get it though it just as Jesus got through His crucifixion with resurrection. We must turn to God’s Word for ongoing encouragement and pray for direction. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him during those last days. There are numerous accounts of Jesus predicting His own death and resurrection. One of those accounts is in Matthew 20:19, “And will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!” Jesus knew this was going to happen before it happened and He made preparations with His disciples leading up to and after this event. The day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb. The bible says in Matthew 28:2-4, “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and His clothes were white as snow.” Matthew 28:5-6, “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’ He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Just imagine being Mary Magdalene and Mary when they went to the tomb and Jesus was gone, especially after they witnessed the tomb was completely empty. The Bible tells us that they were afraid, but filled with joy! As the disciples arrived to witness this extraordinary event, the Bible tells us that one of the disciples in John 20:8, “…He saw and believed.” John 20:10-16, “Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’, she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put Him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ‘Woman, “ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking He was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ If we place ourselves in Mary Magdalene’s spot for a moment, she is sitting there weeping over her Lord and when she sees this man standing there, she doesn’t even realize its Jesus and of all people she thinks it is the gardener and the person who stole the body. But just imagine hearing Jesus say, “Mary”. Because as soon as He said her name, she knew exactly who it was! Jesus instructed in Matthew 28:10, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” Jesus was referring to His disciples in this passage. When Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples, He gave them this instruction, Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all national, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Hallelujah!!!


Friends, as I close this message that outlines the events before and after the resurrection, I ask for you to personally reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. He not only died for us but He enabled us to receive complete salvation through Him so we can live with Him eternally in Heaven. Jesus has stated very clearly in John 14:6, “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in John 3:7, “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” Friends, time is running out. Jesus truly loves us unconditionally that He gave His life for each and every one of us. John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down his life for His friends. You are my friend’s if you do what I command.” There is no reason to wait any longer to become a born again Christian and a true friend of His. Jesus’ return is going to be very soon and if you are not saved, the time is now. Amen!


If you are reading this message today and haven't started a relationship with Jesus Christ, I want to give you an opportunity to make him your Lord and savior. I promise, it will be the best thing you have ever done. If you do not know Jesus and you want him to come into your heart and change you for the rest of your life, please pray this prayer:


"God, please forgive me. I have sinned and deserve to die. I place my trust in your Son Jesus and accept Him as the sacrifice for my sins. Christ Jesus, I invite you to live within me as my personal savior and Lord forever. Amen!
If you prayed that simple prayer, you are now a born-again Christian and I want to personally welcome you to the family. Congratulations on starting your new Journey in Christ, and I would like to personally hear from you. Please send me a message at: pastormichael@comcast.net Our ministry will be here for you every step of the way!

God Bless, Pastor Michael