EASTER: The Promise of Forgiveness - the Easter story 4-2-23

EASTER: The Promise of Forgiveness - the Easter story 4-2-23

 

Easter: the promise of forgiveness

The history of sin

The heritage of hope

The old promise and the law

The new promise

The Easter story

 

SUPER STUPID EASTER JOKES

Boy 1: "How did you get that bruise on your arm?"

Boy 2: "I ate some Easter candy."

Boy 1: "Eating Easter candy won’t give you a bruise." 7

Boy 2: "It will if it’s your big brother’s candy!"

Q: What would you get if you crossed the Easter Bunny with an overstressed person?

A: An Easter basket case!

Q: Why are you stuffing all that Easter candy into your mouth?"

A: "Because it doesn’t taste as good if I stuff it in my ears."

Q: What do you need if your chocolate eggs mysteriously disappear?

A: You need an eggsplanation!

Q: How did the soggy Easter Bunny dry himself?

A: With a hare dryer!

Q: What happened when the Easter Bunny caught his head in the fan?

A: It took ears off his life!

Q: How should you send a letter to the Easter Bunny?

A: By hare mail!

 

A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl spoke up saying: "Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and sing about the pilgrims and all that." "No, that’s not it," said the teacher.

 

"I know what Easter is," a second student responded. "Easter is when you get a tree and decorate it and give gifts to everybody and sing lots of songs." "Nope, that’s not it either," replied the teacher.

Finally a third student spoke up, "Easter is when Jesus was killed, and put in a tomb and left for three days." "Ah, thank goodness somebody knows" the teacher thought to herself.

 

But then the student went on: "Then everybody gathers at the tomb and waits to see if Jesus comes out, and if he sees his shadow he has to go back inside and we have six more weeks of winter."

 

Some of us have some weird ideas about Easter. What does the Bible have to say about it? What’s Easter to you? What really happened? Why is it important for Christians, and what implications does Easter have for the world?

 

Jesus was betrayed, arrested, disowned, mocked, judged by his people, dragged before elders and kings and governors, found not guilty of a crime, condemned by a mob, and chosen to die over a murderer and insurrectionist.

 

“As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 

 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 

 

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

 

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

 

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

               Luke 23:26-56 NIV

 

I.  JESUS HAS RISEN

 

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. 

 

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”

               Luke 24:1-12 NIV

 

               A.  The resurrection changes everything.

 

    B.  Information without belief is useless.

 

               C.  Don’t give up when others don’t believe you.

 

“’Twas the Sunday before Easter”

 

‘Twas The Sunday Before Easter, And all through Israel’s House

There was planning and scheming by Herod the louse,

While palm leaves were waving o’er Christ’s lovely head

Just five days later, he’d be rejected and dead.

The children were running and leaping for joy

This moment of jubilance, the priests would destroy

Matthew & Mark & Peter & John

Would soon run away, not willing to go on.

It’s late in the evening as we drink from the cup

‘remember me always, as oft as you sup.’

Listen to the sounds as you stand out of sight

‘I love you’

‘I loathe you’

‘You’ll betray me tonight’

The events came so quickly toward the end of the week.

A prayer in the Garden, a kiss on the cheek

From court to court, the verdict’s the same,

“He’s guilty, He’s guilty, let us put him to shame,

In spite of the lashes, He claims to be God.

Rip him with the whip, beat him with the rod.”

Now, up Calvary’s hill, He becomes one with a cross,

We’ll spit, mock, and torture,

And show Him who’s boss.

He gasped as He spurted words that were so queer,

‘Father forgive them’, and ‘Why aren’t you near?’

“Mother behold me’, ‘you have a new son”

‘A thief follows closely’, ‘my work here is done”

The sun stopped shining – the world became dim

Our Savior stopped breathing, no life left in Him.

A soldier cried out, “what have we done?”

Not a person on earth tried to rescue the Son.

In Hell there was shouting, ‘Satan has won!’

But the keys were reclaimed, and Satan is God’s pawn.

It’s Resurrection morning – His power to save.

Christ Jesus proves victorious o’er death, Hell, and the grave.

The centuries have past, His truth has not changed

He stands with open arms for all who are estranged.

‘Tis still the week before Easter, have you figured it out?

You can deny and betray Him, or go up with a shout!

Frank Carl - March 8, 2008

 

II.  JESUS ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

 

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. 

 

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 

 

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 

 

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”

               Luke 24:13-35 NIV

 

               A.  The testimony of eyewitnesses 

 

               B.  The witness of Scripture

 

             C.  Sharing the story

 

I heard a story about a family that tragically lost three of their four children within just two weeks to a deadly, virulent disease. One child was left--a four year old boy. The family had buried the third child just two weeks before Easter.

 

On Easter morning the parents and the remaining child went to church. The mother taught her Sunday School class about the resurrection of Jesus and the father read the Easter story as he led the opening Sunday School devotion. People who knew about their great loss wondered how they could do it. One family of the church were in the car on their way home after church when their 16-year-old asked his father, "Dad, that couple must believe everything about the Easter Story, don’t they?"

 

"Of course they believe it," said the father, "all Christians do!"

The young man then said, "But not like they do!"

(From a sermon by Michael McCartney, Experience the Spirit in the Resurrection, 5/11/2011)

 

III.  JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES

 

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 

 

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

               Luke 24:36-53 NIV

 

Some years back, before skin-grafts were a common medical procedure, a certain girl throughout all her life openly showed her shame for the deep scars that covered both of her mother’s hands. The girl was so ashamed of her mother’s hands that she constantly insisted that her mother wear gloves whenever they were out in public so that she would not be embarrassed. This attitude on the daughter’s part continued into her adult years bringing daily heartbreak to her mother.

 

After a short illness in that day when medical science had no cure for pneumonia, the mother died. While the body laid in state in the funeral parlor, the girl’s aunt called her aside and told her the reason why her mother’s hand were so terribly scarred. It happened when the girl was a mere babe and, while playing one evening near the fireplace, lost her balance and fell into the burning flame. Her mother immediately plunged her hands into the fire and grabbed her baby and not waiting to locate a cloth or blanket, put out the fire with her hands. Miraculously the baby was spared severe burns but the mother’s hands were grievously burned. After weeks in bandages, her hands were finally unwrapped, exposing the deep and hideous scars that told the story of a mother’s love for her child.

 

As her aunt finished the story, the girl broke out in uncontrollable weeping, and ran toward the coffin which held her mother’s body. She swiftly removed the white gloves that covered her mother’s hands and began kissing them again and again. The guilt that she felt for the years she had ridiculed the scarred and unsightly appearance of her mother’s hands now collapsed upon the girl with a vengeance. While kissing her mother’s hands, the girl kept repeating, “These scars were for me.”

 

One day we shall stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and behold our Savior. We will grasp the nail-scarred hands of our Lord Jesus and cry out “These scars were for me!”

 

               A.  The fulfillment of the Law and the prophets

 

Easter is the truth that turns a church from a museum into a ministry.

 

               B.  This is what is written

 

“He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

               Luke 24:46-47 NIV

 

               C.  The promise of the Father

                              1.  The Holy Spirit

                         2.  “Clothed with power from on high”

 

The message of Easter cannot be written in the past tense. It is a message for today and the days to come. It is Gods message which must re-echo through your lives.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Jesus has risen, Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and Jesus appears to his disciples.

 

INVITATION

 

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.