Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
Welcome to our church! We are glad you have chosen to join us. Please read the important guidelines for the group first.
Easter is the greatest day in Christianity.
Christ's birth was indeed a glorious event but, if He was only born, lived, died and was buried, He would have been the same as others in history like Budda, Mohammed, Joseph Smith and others, who started a movement, a cult or "religion".
Budda is dead. Mohammed is dead. Joseph Smith is dead. Christ is alive!!!!!
His resurrection from the dead is the defining difference in all other beliefs, all other religions, movements, etc.
His resurrection is told in all 4 Gospels. Matt. 28: 1-8, Mark 16: 1-8 Luke 24: 1-9 and John 20: 1-20. The Apostle Paul spoke to Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 1-16.
I would like to share 3 things with you concerning Life.
I. We have assurance of Life:
A. It was an unexpected event!!!
1. You don't expect the announcement of life in a cemetery. I have done many funerals in my 36 years, in the ministry and, you seldom think of life in a cemetery. We usually think of sorrow, sadness, the void left behind of our loved one.
B. Jesus had told them about His death
1. Matt. 16 vs-21--He spoke of things he must suffer from Priests and scribes, be killed and be raised the 3rd
day.
2. Matt. 20 vs 19--He said He would be delivered up to the gentiles to be mocked, scourged and crucified and
the 3rd day He shall rise again.
3. Matt. 26 vs-32--He said, "after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee".
4. Mark Chpt. 9, Jesus told them after His transfiguration, not to tell what they had seen until He had risen
from the dead.
5. John Chpt 2 vs 19--Jesus said "Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in 3 days".
Now notice, when these women came to the tomb, their first reaction was fear. It is natural to fear things that we do not understand. In verse 5 of our text. the first words the angel spoke was "Fear Not".
Many men have lived, done wonderful things, accomplished wonderful things for mankind, however, no-one has ever been about to promise eternal Life. Jesus did.
II. We have the announcement of Life: vs-6
"He is not here for He is risen".
One of the greatest texts on Jesus' resurrection is found ion Luke 24 vs 5. "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee"?
Two other things here are noteworthy to mention as well.
A. "Come and See (Angelic Invitation)
B. "Go and Tell". (Angelic Commission
Easter is all about life, not death!!!!!
Today we have Easter Eggs, Easter Flowers and the Easter Bunny and it is shameful to say but, some kids today are never taught the real reason for Easter. These mentioned things I will comment on briefly.
a. Easter eggs--The pagans saw eggs as the the symbol of fertility and future life.
b. Easter flowers---flowers are a symbol of a renewal of new life in the Spring.
c. Easter Bunny--This is also a symbol of fertility to the Pagans because of how often the rabbit mates and
produces many offspring. All of these were incorporated into what society sees as Easter. This all started
way back in the 1500's and has progressed into what secular ideas of Easter is.
The most significant symbol of Easter is THE EMPTY TOMB!!!!!!!!!
III. We have the authorization of Life:
A. Notice the Angels commission---"Go and Tell
Here's an interesting observance:
a. Who told Mary that she would conceive and have a child? An Angel!!!!!!
b. Who told the shepherds on the hillside of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem? Angels!!!!!
c. Who told the women about His resurrection? Angels!!!!!!!
d. Who will announce His coming again? An Angel!!!!!!! I Thess. 4 vs 16 "voice of the Archangel"
Easter is the day of Victory for the Christian!!!!!! We should not go to church on Easter Sunday only!!!!!!
Some only go to church 2 times a year. At Christmas and, at Easter!!!!!! There are 53 Sundays in 2012 and some people will only attend church 1 time, twice at the most, as we mentioned.
Every Sunday should be like that early Easter morning when the ladies came to the tomb and we told "He is not here, for He is risen, Come and see and go and tell". Their sadness turned to Joy. Their tears turned to celebration and anticipation. Their aching hearts were turned to joyful reassurance that Jesus was alive.
Every Sunday, we go to church to worship, to praise and to thank God for His Son Jesus, who gave His life for us, that we may have the assurance of Eternal life. These women's lives would never be the same again.
Jesus did raise from the dead. He was seen by many prior to His Ascension and, He was seen of the Apostle Paul.
Jesus is God's final word to Mankind--Face to Face. His seated now, at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for all who believe in Him and on Him, as their personal Savior. Thank God for Easter.
Have a wonderful Easter Weekend and a great week.
Oldbiker
Christ's birth was indeed a glorious event but, if He was only born, lived, died and was buried, He would have been the same as others in history like Budda, Mohammed, Joseph Smith and others, who started a movement, a cult or "religion".
Budda is dead. Mohammed is dead. Joseph Smith is dead. Christ is alive!!!!!
His resurrection from the dead is the defining difference in all other beliefs, all other religions, movements, etc.
His resurrection is told in all 4 Gospels. Matt. 28: 1-8, Mark 16: 1-8 Luke 24: 1-9 and John 20: 1-20. The Apostle Paul spoke to Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 1-16.
I would like to share 3 things with you concerning Life.
I. We have assurance of Life:
A. It was an unexpected event!!!
1. You don't expect the announcement of life in a cemetery. I have done many funerals in my 36 years, in the ministry and, you seldom think of life in a cemetery. We usually think of sorrow, sadness, the void left behind of our loved one.
B. Jesus had told them about His death
1. Matt. 16 vs-21--He spoke of things he must suffer from Priests and scribes, be killed and be raised the 3rd
day.
2. Matt. 20 vs 19--He said He would be delivered up to the gentiles to be mocked, scourged and crucified and
the 3rd day He shall rise again.
3. Matt. 26 vs-32--He said, "after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee".
4. Mark Chpt. 9, Jesus told them after His transfiguration, not to tell what they had seen until He had risen
from the dead.
5. John Chpt 2 vs 19--Jesus said "Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in 3 days".
Now notice, when these women came to the tomb, their first reaction was fear. It is natural to fear things that we do not understand. In verse 5 of our text. the first words the angel spoke was "Fear Not".
Many men have lived, done wonderful things, accomplished wonderful things for mankind, however, no-one has ever been about to promise eternal Life. Jesus did.
II. We have the announcement of Life: vs-6
"He is not here for He is risen".
One of the greatest texts on Jesus' resurrection is found ion Luke 24 vs 5. "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee"?
Two other things here are noteworthy to mention as well.
A. "Come and See (Angelic Invitation)
B. "Go and Tell". (Angelic Commission
Easter is all about life, not death!!!!!
Today we have Easter Eggs, Easter Flowers and the Easter Bunny and it is shameful to say but, some kids today are never taught the real reason for Easter. These mentioned things I will comment on briefly.
a. Easter eggs--The pagans saw eggs as the the symbol of fertility and future life.
b. Easter flowers---flowers are a symbol of a renewal of new life in the Spring.
c. Easter Bunny--This is also a symbol of fertility to the Pagans because of how often the rabbit mates and
produces many offspring. All of these were incorporated into what society sees as Easter. This all started
way back in the 1500's and has progressed into what secular ideas of Easter is.
The most significant symbol of Easter is THE EMPTY TOMB!!!!!!!!!
III. We have the authorization of Life:
A. Notice the Angels commission---"Go and Tell
Here's an interesting observance:
a. Who told Mary that she would conceive and have a child? An Angel!!!!!!
b. Who told the shepherds on the hillside of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem? Angels!!!!!
c. Who told the women about His resurrection? Angels!!!!!!!
d. Who will announce His coming again? An Angel!!!!!!! I Thess. 4 vs 16 "voice of the Archangel"
Easter is the day of Victory for the Christian!!!!!! We should not go to church on Easter Sunday only!!!!!!
Some only go to church 2 times a year. At Christmas and, at Easter!!!!!! There are 53 Sundays in 2012 and some people will only attend church 1 time, twice at the most, as we mentioned.
Every Sunday should be like that early Easter morning when the ladies came to the tomb and we told "He is not here, for He is risen, Come and see and go and tell". Their sadness turned to Joy. Their tears turned to celebration and anticipation. Their aching hearts were turned to joyful reassurance that Jesus was alive.
Every Sunday, we go to church to worship, to praise and to thank God for His Son Jesus, who gave His life for us, that we may have the assurance of Eternal life. These women's lives would never be the same again.
Jesus did raise from the dead. He was seen by many prior to His Ascension and, He was seen of the Apostle Paul.
Jesus is God's final word to Mankind--Face to Face. His seated now, at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for all who believe in Him and on Him, as their personal Savior. Thank God for Easter.
Have a wonderful Easter Weekend and a great week.
Oldbiker
Sorry about the typo.
Oldbiker
THANK YOU BIG BROTHER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE.