1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,576 Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church Podcast, 2 00:00:03,688 --> 00:00:06,584 where we are proclaiming the truth to the world. 3 00:00:06,672 --> 00:00:09,672 My name is Pastor Josh, and I want to thank you for listening to 4 00:00:09,696 --> 00:00:10,760 this podcast. 5 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,616 I hope that this podcast can be a blessing to you and strengthen 6 00:00:14,648 --> 00:00:16,300 you in the word of God. 7 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,120 Now come along, let's look into the Bible and see what God has 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:21,700 for us here today. 9 00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:27,272 Every Sunday that we come to church is a day of celebration. 10 00:00:27,336 --> 00:00:31,198 But we are reminded once a year of that wonderful day in which 11 00:00:31,254 --> 00:00:34,574 the disciples of Jesus found the empty tomb. 12 00:00:34,622 --> 00:00:38,558 And the empty tomb means so much for us here as Christians. 13 00:00:38,654 --> 00:00:39,758 It means that we have hope. 14 00:00:39,814 --> 00:00:41,774 It means that we have confidence. 15 00:00:41,822 --> 00:00:43,166 It means that we have the victory. 16 00:00:43,198 --> 00:00:45,598 It means that we have everlasting life. 17 00:00:45,734 --> 00:00:50,430 So I'd like to start here with a scripture reading from Luke chapter 18 00:00:50,510 --> 00:00:55,726 24, and we're going to read the first 12 verses here in Luke 19 00:00:55,758 --> 00:00:56,970 chapter 24. 20 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:01,504 Obviously, the resurrection account is given in all the Gospels. 21 00:01:01,552 --> 00:01:07,232 We're going to be looking at Luke and his account here. 22 00:01:07,256 --> 00:01:09,728 And then what we're going to be doing later on is looking at Matthew's 23 00:01:09,744 --> 00:01:09,968 account. 24 00:01:10,024 --> 00:01:14,240 So In Luke chapter 24, it says, now upon the first day of the 25 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:18,912 week, that's today, very early in the morning. 26 00:01:19,096 --> 00:01:21,552 For many of us, this is very early in the morning. 27 00:01:21,656 --> 00:01:24,740 And there should be the sun cracking up right over the hill there. 28 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:26,572 There's a little bit of a cloud cover there. 29 00:01:26,596 --> 00:01:30,316 But we know that as the sun was coming up there in Jerusalem 30 00:01:30,508 --> 00:01:33,788 around 2000 years ago is the same sun that's coming up today. 31 00:01:33,924 --> 00:01:35,996 And my son had a question for me yesterday. 32 00:01:36,028 --> 00:01:38,812 He says, dad, how do we know we're facing the right direction? 33 00:01:38,956 --> 00:01:41,692 I said, well, the sun comes up right over that hill over there. 34 00:01:41,716 --> 00:01:43,084 And he goes, what if it doesn't? 35 00:01:43,132 --> 00:01:44,796 I said, if it's not coming up over the hill? 36 00:01:44,828 --> 00:01:47,180 I said, we've got other problems because it's been coming 37 00:01:47,220 --> 00:01:49,580 up the same way since the very beginning. 38 00:01:49,660 --> 00:01:53,576 And so we have an opportunity this morning to be in the same setting. 39 00:01:53,768 --> 00:01:56,632 It says they came unto the sepulcher bringing the spices which 40 00:01:56,656 --> 00:01:58,744 they had prepared and certain others with them. 41 00:01:58,832 --> 00:02:01,528 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 42 00:02:01,624 --> 00:02:04,456 And they entered in found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 43 00:02:04,568 --> 00:02:07,896 And it came to pass as they were much perplexed there about. 44 00:02:07,968 --> 00:02:10,712 Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 45 00:02:10,856 --> 00:02:13,608 And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, 46 00:02:13,624 --> 00:02:17,502 they said unto them, why seek ye the living among the dead? 47 00:02:17,696 --> 00:02:19,666 He is not here, but is risen. 48 00:02:19,778 --> 00:02:21,442 Remember how he spake unto you. 49 00:02:21,466 --> 00:02:24,786 When he was in yet in Galilee, saying, the Son of Man must be delivered 50 00:02:24,818 --> 00:02:28,370 into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day 51 00:02:28,410 --> 00:02:29,170 rise again. 52 00:02:29,290 --> 00:02:32,210 And they remembered his words and returned from the sepulcher and 53 00:02:32,250 --> 00:02:35,650 told all these things unto the eleven and to all the rest. 54 00:02:35,770 --> 00:02:38,914 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James 55 00:02:38,962 --> 00:02:41,826 and other women that were with them which told these things unto 56 00:02:41,858 --> 00:02:42,434 the apostles. 57 00:02:42,482 --> 00:02:45,478 And there were seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed 58 00:02:45,494 --> 00:02:46,006 them not. 59 00:02:46,078 --> 00:02:50,182 Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulcher, and stooping down, 60 00:02:50,206 --> 00:02:54,390 he beheld the linen cloths laid by themselves and departed, 61 00:02:54,470 --> 00:02:57,590 wondering in Himself at that which was come to pass. 62 00:02:57,630 --> 00:02:58,838 May God bless the reading of his word. 63 00:02:58,854 --> 00:03:00,438 Let's go ahead and open up with a word of prayer. 64 00:03:00,534 --> 00:03:02,550 And then after that we're going to have a time where we can 65 00:03:02,590 --> 00:03:05,734 sing our praises to our risen Savior here today. 66 00:03:05,902 --> 00:03:08,566 Lord, we do thank you for the empty tomb. 67 00:03:08,598 --> 00:03:13,370 We thank you for the fact that you came to this earth and, and, 68 00:03:13,410 --> 00:03:16,442 and we know that without you we would not have victory. 69 00:03:16,586 --> 00:03:18,426 But through Jesus we have the victory. 70 00:03:18,458 --> 00:03:20,298 We know that Jesus lived that perfect life. 71 00:03:20,354 --> 00:03:25,034 We know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but we know that 72 00:03:25,202 --> 00:03:26,554 he didn't stay on that cross. 73 00:03:26,602 --> 00:03:26,810 We. 74 00:03:26,850 --> 00:03:29,274 We know that shortly after that he was placed in a tomb. 75 00:03:29,322 --> 00:03:32,410 And we also know that he's not in that tomb. 76 00:03:32,490 --> 00:03:34,506 We know that he conquered death through the resurrection. 77 00:03:34,538 --> 00:03:37,466 And we thank youk for the hope that we can have in him, the victory 78 00:03:37,498 --> 00:03:40,090 that we can have in him, the celebration that we have in him. 79 00:03:40,210 --> 00:03:44,154 Lord, I thank you for the opportunity today for us to serve 80 00:03:44,202 --> 00:03:47,290 you, for us to be a part of this wonderful day in which we can 81 00:03:47,410 --> 00:03:48,410 point folks to you. 82 00:03:48,450 --> 00:03:51,802 So, Lord, I pray that through this service this morning and through 83 00:03:51,906 --> 00:03:54,794 the other elements of Resurrection Sunday, that we can 84 00:03:54,882 --> 00:03:57,930 grow closer to you and understand you more and realize your 85 00:03:57,970 --> 00:03:58,938 love in our lives. 86 00:03:58,994 --> 00:04:01,866 And so, Lord, we give you all the honor and glory. 87 00:04:02,058 --> 00:04:04,490 We honor you for who you are and what you have done. 88 00:04:04,530 --> 00:04:06,086 We thank you for this morning. 89 00:04:06,158 --> 00:04:07,930 Jesus name Amen. 90 00:04:16,590 --> 00:04:19,254 He is worthy and he is worthy of our worship. 91 00:04:19,302 --> 00:04:21,142 He is worthy of our praise. 92 00:04:21,286 --> 00:04:27,222 And we have an opportunity this morning to praise him for who 93 00:04:27,246 --> 00:04:30,290 he is and what he has done for us. 94 00:04:30,750 --> 00:04:35,100 I like to sometimes put myself in the shoes of the individuals that 95 00:04:35,140 --> 00:04:38,204 were worshiping Jesus 2,000 years ago. 96 00:04:38,372 --> 00:04:41,692 And, you know, there was a lot of hope leading up to the end of 97 00:04:41,716 --> 00:04:42,684 Jesus's life. 98 00:04:42,772 --> 00:04:45,964 There are a lot of expectations that Jesus would be 99 00:04:46,132 --> 00:04:49,836 the political Messiah, the one that would free them from the bondage 100 00:04:49,868 --> 00:04:50,364 of Rome. 101 00:04:50,412 --> 00:04:53,360 And then when Jesus did not fulfill what they were expecting, 102 00:04:53,700 --> 00:04:55,244 there was some hopelessness, right? 103 00:04:55,332 --> 00:04:56,492 The people had turned on him. 104 00:04:56,516 --> 00:05:01,166 And then even his closest inner circle, when Jesus was nailed 105 00:05:01,198 --> 00:05:06,814 to a cross and beaten and bruised and taken down and put in 106 00:05:06,822 --> 00:05:10,718 a tomb, there was in some ways even more people that had lost hope 107 00:05:10,774 --> 00:05:11,822 at that point. 108 00:05:12,006 --> 00:05:16,062 But that morning, when the followers of Jesus realized that 109 00:05:16,086 --> 00:05:19,550 that tomb was empty, that Jesus kept his word, that Jesus is 110 00:05:19,590 --> 00:05:24,638 who he said he is, I believe that that hope began to grow in their 111 00:05:24,694 --> 00:05:25,102 hearts. 112 00:05:25,166 --> 00:05:27,982 And that same hope that they had that morning is the same hope 113 00:05:28,006 --> 00:05:31,388 that we have here in Middletown, Delaware, so far across 114 00:05:31,444 --> 00:05:33,148 the world, many years later. 115 00:05:33,204 --> 00:05:36,668 But the same hope that lied within the hope of the empty tomb 116 00:05:36,764 --> 00:05:38,972 is the same hope that we have today. 117 00:05:39,156 --> 00:05:41,612 And I don't know what you're dealing with in your life, but the 118 00:05:41,636 --> 00:05:43,356 truth of the matter is this. 119 00:05:43,508 --> 00:05:47,116 The hope that is the hope that's going to give you satisfaction, 120 00:05:47,148 --> 00:05:49,324 the hope that's going to give you confidence, the hope that's going 121 00:05:49,332 --> 00:05:52,044 to give you peace, the hope that's going to give you ultimately 122 00:05:52,092 --> 00:05:54,530 everlasting life is the hope in Jesus Christ. 123 00:05:54,700 --> 00:05:57,302 I know that all of you woke up this morning to come here because 124 00:05:57,406 --> 00:05:58,502 this day matters to you. 125 00:05:58,526 --> 00:05:59,430 This day is different. 126 00:05:59,550 --> 00:06:00,774 This day is special. 127 00:06:00,942 --> 00:06:03,462 And the truth is, the only reason that this day is special is 128 00:06:03,486 --> 00:06:06,534 because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. 129 00:06:06,622 --> 00:06:08,838 This day isn't special because we get together with family. 130 00:06:08,894 --> 00:06:10,070 We could do that any day. 131 00:06:10,190 --> 00:06:14,102 This day isn't special because we get to get candy and we get to 132 00:06:14,126 --> 00:06:17,078 have different elements of worship that are a little bit different. 133 00:06:17,134 --> 00:06:19,622 The reason why this day is different is because Jesus made it 134 00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:20,172 different. 135 00:06:20,326 --> 00:06:22,944 And so we're going to look at that here this morning in Matthew, 136 00:06:22,992 --> 00:06:23,888 chapter 28. 137 00:06:23,944 --> 00:06:25,440 If you have your Bibles, you can turn there. 138 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,992 If not, on the back of your bulletin this morning, we have a 139 00:06:29,016 --> 00:06:29,680 few notes here. 140 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:31,648 And the truth is, is that the. 141 00:06:31,704 --> 00:06:35,152 The passage of scripture here that we're going to be reading, I 142 00:06:35,176 --> 00:06:37,888 believe, speaks to three elements of God, probably more. 143 00:06:38,024 --> 00:06:42,432 But these are the three that I was able to see here this week as 144 00:06:42,456 --> 00:06:45,008 I was studying this passage of scripture. 145 00:06:45,184 --> 00:06:48,772 And we know that it says here in verse one, in the end of the sabbath, 146 00:06:48,896 --> 00:06:52,300 as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week. 147 00:06:52,420 --> 00:06:54,924 Again, that's why we meet here on a sunrise service, because it 148 00:06:54,932 --> 00:06:57,804 was early in the morning on the first day of the week came Mary 149 00:06:57,852 --> 00:07:00,796 Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher and remember 150 00:07:00,828 --> 00:07:04,652 they're coming here to the tomb expecting Jesus to be in the 151 00:07:04,676 --> 00:07:05,260 tomb. 152 00:07:05,420 --> 00:07:06,300 Why do we know that? 153 00:07:06,340 --> 00:07:08,620 Because they were bringing the spices to prepare the body. 154 00:07:08,660 --> 00:07:11,212 They didn't even get a chance to prepare Jesus's body the way that 155 00:07:11,236 --> 00:07:13,004 they felt like they should prepare it. 156 00:07:13,092 --> 00:07:15,440 And so they were coming to finish the preparation. 157 00:07:16,090 --> 00:07:16,978 And, and what? 158 00:07:17,034 --> 00:07:17,202 I. 159 00:07:17,226 --> 00:07:19,010 I would not go into all of that here this morning. 160 00:07:19,050 --> 00:07:21,522 But one of the elements of that preparation would be preservation, 161 00:07:21,586 --> 00:07:25,202 trying to preserve the grave clothes so that there, there would 162 00:07:25,226 --> 00:07:26,530 be some respect there. 163 00:07:26,570 --> 00:07:28,418 That would be the tradition, the culture. 164 00:07:28,594 --> 00:07:32,002 So they were coming there with expectation of Jesus being in the 165 00:07:32,026 --> 00:07:32,514 tomb. 166 00:07:32,642 --> 00:07:34,466 Most likely, they were filled with hopelessness. 167 00:07:34,498 --> 00:07:35,666 And then we see verse two. 168 00:07:35,738 --> 00:07:38,690 And behold, there was a great earthquake. 169 00:07:38,850 --> 00:07:41,778 For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and 170 00:07:41,834 --> 00:07:45,754 rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. 171 00:07:45,922 --> 00:07:48,922 His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as 172 00:07:48,946 --> 00:07:49,514 snow. 173 00:07:49,642 --> 00:07:53,322 And for fear of him, the keepers did shake and became his 174 00:07:53,346 --> 00:07:54,106 dead men. 175 00:07:54,258 --> 00:07:57,930 We know that there were Roman soldiers there at the tomb. 176 00:07:58,090 --> 00:08:02,026 The Jewish leaders, the Jewish religious leaders set up individuals 177 00:08:02,058 --> 00:08:05,146 there so that Jesus's disciples could not steal the body. 178 00:08:05,218 --> 00:08:07,386 That's what they expected to happen because they knew that Jesus 179 00:08:07,418 --> 00:08:09,552 said he would resurrect from the dead. 180 00:08:09,666 --> 00:08:13,476 And so we see that these keepers of the tomb became as dead 181 00:08:13,508 --> 00:08:13,892 men. 182 00:08:13,996 --> 00:08:16,308 And it says in verse five, and the angel answered and said unto 183 00:08:16,324 --> 00:08:20,420 the women, fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was 184 00:08:20,460 --> 00:08:21,268 crucified. 185 00:08:21,444 --> 00:08:23,960 He is not here, for he is risen. 186 00:08:24,380 --> 00:08:28,040 As he said, come see the place where the Lord lay. 187 00:08:28,620 --> 00:08:31,140 I want to stop there and I want to notice the first element 188 00:08:31,220 --> 00:08:35,812 of this passage of scripture is the power of God, the power of 189 00:08:35,836 --> 00:08:36,564 the resurrection. 190 00:08:36,612 --> 00:08:39,236 The Bible says that the same power that rose Jesus from the dead 191 00:08:39,268 --> 00:08:41,191 is the same power that lives within us. 192 00:08:41,355 --> 00:08:43,775 And I think that there's some elements in our life that sometimes 193 00:08:43,807 --> 00:08:48,751 we think that are too great or are too burdensome or are too painful. 194 00:08:48,815 --> 00:08:51,791 The Bible says the power of God can conquer any issue in our 195 00:08:51,815 --> 00:08:52,143 life. 196 00:08:52,231 --> 00:08:54,383 The power of God can conquer any fear. 197 00:08:54,431 --> 00:08:57,119 The power of God can conquer any doubt. 198 00:08:57,199 --> 00:09:00,383 And what we can see here in this case is that the power of God 199 00:09:00,431 --> 00:09:03,295 had the power to send this great earthquake to resurrect Jesus 200 00:09:03,327 --> 00:09:04,015 from the dead. 201 00:09:04,127 --> 00:09:07,007 And we see the transformative power of God in our lives. 202 00:09:07,063 --> 00:09:10,000 The Bible says that we are new creations in Christ. 203 00:09:10,380 --> 00:09:13,028 And the truth is, is that the only reason that we're able to change, 204 00:09:13,084 --> 00:09:16,180 the only reason that we're able to be different, the only reason 205 00:09:16,220 --> 00:09:19,316 that we have everlasting life is because of the power of God. 206 00:09:19,508 --> 00:09:22,372 I want you to think about the great power of God here this morning. 207 00:09:22,556 --> 00:09:25,876 The power of God was enough to take Jesus out of the grave. 208 00:09:25,908 --> 00:09:29,044 The power of God was the same power that changed the disciples 209 00:09:29,092 --> 00:09:29,300 life. 210 00:09:29,340 --> 00:09:31,124 You think about the rest of the story. 211 00:09:31,292 --> 00:09:32,500 Think about the rest of the story. 212 00:09:32,540 --> 00:09:33,844 Think about these individuals. 213 00:09:33,892 --> 00:09:37,736 Peter, James, John, the rest of the apostles that had an opportunity 214 00:09:37,768 --> 00:09:39,112 to see the risen Christ. 215 00:09:39,216 --> 00:09:40,660 What did that mean for them? 216 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,856 That meant that they were dedicated to a cause that was bigger 217 00:09:44,888 --> 00:09:45,820 than themselves. 218 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:50,296 But, but they were willing to go to their deaths for the truth 219 00:09:50,328 --> 00:09:52,300 that they saw there that empty tomb. 220 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:53,656 This is not a lie. 221 00:09:53,688 --> 00:09:56,312 There's, there's a lot of different theories about the resurrection. 222 00:09:56,376 --> 00:09:59,900 Some people believe that, that Jesus's body was stolen. 223 00:10:00,250 --> 00:10:02,962 I don't believe that the apostles would go to their death. 224 00:10:03,066 --> 00:10:06,162 All of them would go to their death because they knew that they 225 00:10:06,266 --> 00:10:08,226 stole the body and they knew that it was a lie. 226 00:10:08,258 --> 00:10:09,314 They wouldn't do that. 227 00:10:09,482 --> 00:10:12,546 Some people believe that, that Jesus something called the swoon 228 00:10:12,578 --> 00:10:15,394 theory, that Jesus really didn't die, he just passed out on 229 00:10:15,402 --> 00:10:18,770 the cross and then eventually he woke back up and got out of there. 230 00:10:18,810 --> 00:10:22,706 But the Bible speaks of the way that they processed him before 231 00:10:22,858 --> 00:10:23,570 the tomb. 232 00:10:23,650 --> 00:10:26,098 And if you understand what would happen is the Roman soldiers 233 00:10:26,114 --> 00:10:29,584 would come by and make sure that the individuals were deceased 234 00:10:29,632 --> 00:10:30,144 on the cross. 235 00:10:30,192 --> 00:10:32,912 And what they did with Jesus is they put a spear into his side 236 00:10:33,016 --> 00:10:34,592 and the Roman soldiers would have known death. 237 00:10:34,616 --> 00:10:37,120 I mean they would have been the ones who were the executioners. 238 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,584 So the truth is, is that Jesus did die. 239 00:10:39,632 --> 00:10:42,144 Jesus did get placed in a tomb. 240 00:10:42,192 --> 00:10:45,216 But ultimately Jesus conquered death through the resurrection. 241 00:10:45,328 --> 00:10:46,432 And so the power of God. 242 00:10:46,496 --> 00:10:49,712 Rely on the power of God in your life for the big things, for 243 00:10:49,736 --> 00:10:53,472 the little things, for your family, for your struggles. 244 00:10:53,536 --> 00:10:56,566 Those Bible says the power of God is enough to overcome everything 245 00:10:56,638 --> 00:10:57,158 in our lives. 246 00:10:57,214 --> 00:10:58,758 God is all powerful. 247 00:10:58,934 --> 00:11:00,742 There's nothing in this world that's too big for him. 248 00:11:00,766 --> 00:11:03,462 There's nothing in this world that overcomes him, that surprises 249 00:11:03,526 --> 00:11:03,990 him. 250 00:11:04,110 --> 00:11:06,182 I'm going to tell you what a lot of times we think. 251 00:11:06,206 --> 00:11:08,246 You know what, My actions today are really going to surprise 252 00:11:08,278 --> 00:11:08,614 the Lord. 253 00:11:08,662 --> 00:11:10,890 Folks, your actions do not surprise the Lord. 254 00:11:11,550 --> 00:11:14,438 There are some things that you might do that, that surprise me. 255 00:11:14,574 --> 00:11:16,742 There might be some things that you do that might confuse me 256 00:11:16,766 --> 00:11:18,726 and say I don't know how to deal with that. 257 00:11:18,798 --> 00:11:21,272 But God is never baffled by our actions. 258 00:11:21,406 --> 00:11:22,436 God is all powerful. 259 00:11:22,468 --> 00:11:26,692 He knows every answer and he can conquer our struggles, he can 260 00:11:26,716 --> 00:11:27,524 conquer our sin. 261 00:11:27,572 --> 00:11:29,124 He can conquer our death. 262 00:11:29,292 --> 00:11:30,756 Then we go on to see this. 263 00:11:30,908 --> 00:11:33,396 The reaction of these individuals was fear. 264 00:11:33,508 --> 00:11:35,252 We see a lot of fear mentioned. 265 00:11:35,316 --> 00:11:36,916 In verse four, we see fear. 266 00:11:37,028 --> 00:11:40,004 Verse five, we see that these individuals that came to the tomb 267 00:11:40,052 --> 00:11:40,596 were fearful. 268 00:11:40,628 --> 00:11:43,300 And the angel said unto them, fear not ye. 269 00:11:43,380 --> 00:11:44,052 Why? 270 00:11:44,236 --> 00:11:45,924 What's the remedy to their fear? 271 00:11:45,972 --> 00:11:46,560 Here. 272 00:11:46,870 --> 00:11:48,222 Everything's going to be okay. 273 00:11:48,286 --> 00:11:49,610 You guys are good people. 274 00:11:50,710 --> 00:11:53,182 You know, the weather is nice outside, no? 275 00:11:53,206 --> 00:11:54,782 What does it say here in verse five? 276 00:11:54,886 --> 00:11:56,382 And it says, fear not ye. 277 00:11:56,446 --> 00:11:56,718 Why? 278 00:11:56,774 --> 00:11:59,662 For I know that ye see Jesus, which was crucified. 279 00:11:59,806 --> 00:12:01,530 He is not here. 280 00:12:02,150 --> 00:12:05,166 Jesus's resurrection conquers our fear. 281 00:12:05,358 --> 00:12:10,126 It demonstrates God's power, but it demonstrates more than that. 282 00:12:10,198 --> 00:12:12,982 It demonstrates the fact that we have no reason to fear. 283 00:12:13,086 --> 00:12:16,438 The Bible says in 2nd Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7, For God hath 284 00:12:16,454 --> 00:12:20,102 not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and 285 00:12:20,126 --> 00:12:21,302 of a sound mind. 286 00:12:21,486 --> 00:12:24,662 The truth is, is that there are a lot of reasons for us to fear 287 00:12:24,726 --> 00:12:28,998 this world, to fear even ourselves, to fear what's around 288 00:12:29,054 --> 00:12:29,270 us. 289 00:12:29,310 --> 00:12:32,982 But the Bible says the reason why we have the confidence to no 290 00:12:33,006 --> 00:12:35,334 longer fear is because Jesus is risen. 291 00:12:35,382 --> 00:12:36,570 He kept his word. 292 00:12:37,070 --> 00:12:40,262 If you study the Gospels, Jesus told his disciples what was 293 00:12:40,286 --> 00:12:40,710 going to happen. 294 00:12:40,750 --> 00:12:41,942 He says, hey, guys, this is. 295 00:12:41,966 --> 00:12:43,560 This is something that has to happen. 296 00:12:43,670 --> 00:12:45,092 I have to go to Jerusalem. 297 00:12:45,156 --> 00:12:45,380 I. 298 00:12:45,420 --> 00:12:46,740 I have to be persecuted. 299 00:12:46,820 --> 00:12:48,804 I have to be placed on a cross. 300 00:12:48,852 --> 00:12:49,956 I have to be put in the tomb. 301 00:12:49,988 --> 00:12:53,400 And then I will resurrect to prove the power of God. 302 00:12:53,740 --> 00:12:54,100 And. 303 00:12:54,140 --> 00:12:58,740 And the power of God brings, as we see here, the peace of God. 304 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:00,756 The power of God brings the peace of God. 305 00:13:00,788 --> 00:13:03,396 We know that there is no longer a reason to fear. 306 00:13:03,508 --> 00:13:06,772 The Bible says in Philippians, chapter four, it's the peace of God 307 00:13:06,916 --> 00:13:09,098 which passeth all understanding. 308 00:13:09,244 --> 00:13:11,486 That is what rules our minds and our hearts. 309 00:13:11,518 --> 00:13:15,550 And it says there in Philippians 4, in Christ Jesus, the 310 00:13:15,590 --> 00:13:18,958 reason why we can have peace is because of the Prince of Peace. 311 00:13:19,054 --> 00:13:24,046 The reason why we can know confidence, we can have that tranquility, 312 00:13:24,158 --> 00:13:27,182 so to speak, in our life is because of who Jesus is and what 313 00:13:27,206 --> 00:13:28,302 he has done for us. 314 00:13:28,406 --> 00:13:30,046 He is not here, for he is risen. 315 00:13:30,078 --> 00:13:31,134 As he said. 316 00:13:31,302 --> 00:13:34,548 God keeps his word in every way. 317 00:13:34,734 --> 00:13:36,600 But where do we find God's Word in our life? 318 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,248 We find God's word right here. 319 00:13:38,384 --> 00:13:38,920 Okay? 320 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,776 We find God's Word in the Scriptures. 321 00:13:40,888 --> 00:13:43,336 And everything that God says, He means. 322 00:13:43,408 --> 00:13:46,104 Everything that God says he will do, he will do. 323 00:13:46,272 --> 00:13:49,272 And everything that God promises in your life, he keeps his 324 00:13:49,296 --> 00:13:49,992 promise. 325 00:13:50,136 --> 00:13:53,064 There's going to be times in my life where I Want to keep a promise, 326 00:13:53,192 --> 00:13:56,744 but I'm not able to keep that promise because of my lack of power, 327 00:13:56,832 --> 00:14:00,318 my lack of knowledge, my inadequacies, my. 328 00:14:00,344 --> 00:14:03,938 But when God keeps all powerful, when God keeps His promise, 329 00:14:04,034 --> 00:14:04,946 he is all knowing. 330 00:14:04,978 --> 00:14:07,234 When God keeps His promise, he's all present. 331 00:14:07,322 --> 00:14:08,690 And therefore, what does that mean? 332 00:14:08,730 --> 00:14:13,730 That means when God keeps His word, he keeps it in the way that 333 00:14:13,770 --> 00:14:17,570 we as Christians can trust in and we can put our faith in. 334 00:14:17,610 --> 00:14:20,210 There's a lot of people that have faith in all of the wrong things 335 00:14:20,250 --> 00:14:21,150 in this world. 336 00:14:21,770 --> 00:14:27,246 Faith in finances, faith in their health, faith in government, 337 00:14:27,398 --> 00:14:32,174 faith in their house, faith in whatever it is. 338 00:14:32,342 --> 00:14:36,250 But all of those objects of faith will fail. 339 00:14:37,350 --> 00:14:38,846 My health will fail. 340 00:14:38,998 --> 00:14:40,730 My finances will fail. 341 00:14:41,030 --> 00:14:42,730 My government might fail. 342 00:14:43,110 --> 00:14:44,730 My car might fail. 343 00:14:45,110 --> 00:14:46,190 It will fail. 344 00:14:46,310 --> 00:14:47,838 And the reality is this. 345 00:14:47,974 --> 00:14:51,976 The only thing that will not fail you is Jesus Christ. 346 00:14:52,078 --> 00:14:56,596 The only element of our life that will not fail is a relationship 347 00:14:56,628 --> 00:14:57,444 with Jesus Christ. 348 00:14:57,532 --> 00:15:02,868 The Bible says that everything else, moth and rust, will corrupt. 349 00:15:03,044 --> 00:15:06,164 The only thing that someone cannot steal from you, the only thing 350 00:15:06,252 --> 00:15:08,868 that will not wear away is your relationship with Jesus Christ. 351 00:15:08,924 --> 00:15:12,596 And that brings us the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. 352 00:15:12,788 --> 00:15:16,516 And so the object of faith, the only valid object of faith is 353 00:15:16,588 --> 00:15:17,658 Jesus Christ. 354 00:15:17,844 --> 00:15:19,774 He is the reason why we can trust. 355 00:15:19,822 --> 00:15:22,910 He is the reason why we can rely on the power of God. 356 00:15:22,990 --> 00:15:24,750 And Brother Michael sang about it this morning. 357 00:15:24,790 --> 00:15:25,406 Is he worthy? 358 00:15:25,438 --> 00:15:26,718 The answer is yes. 359 00:15:26,894 --> 00:15:27,758 The answer is yes. 360 00:15:27,774 --> 00:15:28,894 He is worthy of everything. 361 00:15:28,982 --> 00:15:31,050 He is worthy of your Sunday morning. 362 00:15:31,350 --> 00:15:33,246 He's worthy of your bank account. 363 00:15:33,318 --> 00:15:34,638 He's worthy of your family. 364 00:15:34,694 --> 00:15:36,366 He's worthy of your service. 365 00:15:36,518 --> 00:15:38,222 He's worthy of your life. 366 00:15:38,406 --> 00:15:40,926 Everything that we do in our life should be for Him. 367 00:15:40,998 --> 00:15:42,654 And so that brings us the peace of God. 368 00:15:42,702 --> 00:15:44,298 So the power of God brings. 369 00:15:44,334 --> 00:15:45,990 Brings us the peace of God. 370 00:15:46,490 --> 00:15:50,098 But then we see that the power of God and the peace of God brings 371 00:15:50,114 --> 00:15:51,106 about the plan of God. 372 00:15:51,138 --> 00:15:52,994 God has a plan for you. 373 00:15:53,162 --> 00:15:55,250 God has a plan for his church. 374 00:15:55,410 --> 00:15:57,074 God has a plan for this world. 375 00:15:57,162 --> 00:15:59,042 Verse 7 says this, and go quickly. 376 00:15:59,106 --> 00:16:00,994 The challenge is this, okay? 377 00:16:01,122 --> 00:16:05,350 God has demonstrated his power to you in the resurrection. 378 00:16:05,770 --> 00:16:11,388 God has given you the peace that God only can give through his 379 00:16:11,444 --> 00:16:11,900 power. 380 00:16:12,020 --> 00:16:15,212 But the peace of God should drive then the plan of God in our 381 00:16:15,236 --> 00:16:15,612 lives. 382 00:16:15,716 --> 00:16:16,540 And so verse seven. 383 00:16:16,580 --> 00:16:20,492 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the 384 00:16:20,516 --> 00:16:20,860 dead. 385 00:16:20,940 --> 00:16:23,676 And behold, he goeth before you into Galilee. 386 00:16:23,708 --> 00:16:24,780 There shall ye see him. 387 00:16:24,820 --> 00:16:26,920 And lo, I have told you. 388 00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:31,420 And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great 389 00:16:31,460 --> 00:16:32,080 joy. 390 00:16:32,660 --> 00:16:34,840 The Bible says here that they had a job. 391 00:16:35,550 --> 00:16:37,542 What was God's plan for them? 392 00:16:37,726 --> 00:16:42,982 Well, God's plan for them was to tell other people about Jesus, 393 00:16:43,046 --> 00:16:45,958 to tell other people about the truth of God, to tell other people 394 00:16:46,014 --> 00:16:47,174 about the resurrection. 395 00:16:47,302 --> 00:16:49,862 Basically this, let's summarize it in a way that we could 396 00:16:49,886 --> 00:16:50,310 understand. 397 00:16:50,430 --> 00:16:52,278 To tell people the gospel. 398 00:16:52,454 --> 00:16:54,886 That was the plan for these followers. 399 00:16:55,078 --> 00:17:00,278 And it says, and they did, they did bring it to the disciples. 400 00:17:00,454 --> 00:17:04,216 They did run to bring his disciples word. 401 00:17:04,408 --> 00:17:08,328 So they leave in a way, they leave in a way with, as it says here, 402 00:17:08,384 --> 00:17:09,048 fear. 403 00:17:09,224 --> 00:17:12,376 And this would be that healthy fear of God that we all should have. 404 00:17:12,528 --> 00:17:14,904 So, so we should go with the gospel with fear. 405 00:17:14,952 --> 00:17:15,672 Now what does that mean? 406 00:17:15,696 --> 00:17:18,216 I thought, Pastor, I just thought you said we should not leave 407 00:17:18,248 --> 00:17:18,616 with fear. 408 00:17:18,648 --> 00:17:21,224 I thought you said that God has not given us the spirit of fear. 409 00:17:21,352 --> 00:17:22,856 Well, there's two different elements of fear. 410 00:17:22,888 --> 00:17:24,200 There's the one fear that grips us. 411 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:25,976 That's the human fleshly element of fear. 412 00:17:26,008 --> 00:17:28,502 I'm scared because I don't think God can handle this. 413 00:17:28,616 --> 00:17:31,354 That's an unhealthy fear that God calls us not to have. 414 00:17:31,442 --> 00:17:32,906 But there is a healthy fear of God. 415 00:17:32,938 --> 00:17:35,882 That's the fear of God in the respect of him and the awe of him. 416 00:17:35,906 --> 00:17:37,674 It's awe inspiring fear. 417 00:17:37,802 --> 00:17:40,602 So, so now that God has changed my life, I'm in fear of him 418 00:17:40,626 --> 00:17:43,162 because of what he can do and what he does in my life. 419 00:17:43,186 --> 00:17:44,634 And that's the respect and the honor. 420 00:17:44,682 --> 00:17:47,146 So they leave with the gospel with fear. 421 00:17:47,178 --> 00:17:51,706 And it says there with great joy, we have joy in the plan of God. 422 00:17:51,738 --> 00:17:53,130 The joy of the plan of God is this. 423 00:17:53,170 --> 00:17:55,090 I get to be a part of his work. 424 00:17:55,250 --> 00:17:56,802 And so we see that their excitement. 425 00:17:56,866 --> 00:17:57,682 What does it say here? 426 00:17:57,706 --> 00:18:00,866 It says, and they did run to bring his disciples word. 427 00:18:00,898 --> 00:18:04,258 There was an excitement to bringing the message of the resurrection. 428 00:18:04,434 --> 00:18:08,482 I can tell you what, there's not a lot that gets me excited in 429 00:18:08,506 --> 00:18:10,258 this world other than a few different things. 430 00:18:10,314 --> 00:18:11,298 I can tell you that I have. 431 00:18:11,354 --> 00:18:13,682 You know, watching sports is a really exciting thing. 432 00:18:13,706 --> 00:18:16,130 I can, sometimes I act like I'm not interested in it, but when, 433 00:18:16,170 --> 00:18:18,370 when the game starts going, I'm getting excited, right? 434 00:18:18,490 --> 00:18:20,850 There's some other elements of my life that I can get excited about. 435 00:18:20,890 --> 00:18:23,532 But the thing that gives me the most excitement is the fact that 436 00:18:23,556 --> 00:18:27,660 I get to be a beneficiary of God's grace, that I get to tell other 437 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:29,132 people about this good news. 438 00:18:29,236 --> 00:18:30,124 And so they're excited. 439 00:18:30,172 --> 00:18:33,020 They run to the disciples to give them word verse nine. 440 00:18:33,060 --> 00:18:36,220 And as they went to tell his Disciples, behold, Jesus met them. 441 00:18:36,340 --> 00:18:39,612 So in the process of them going to tell the message of the 442 00:18:39,636 --> 00:18:42,620 gospel, in the process of obedience, God meets them. 443 00:18:42,660 --> 00:18:43,724 Jesus meets them. 444 00:18:43,812 --> 00:18:46,476 And I'm going to tell you, every time we take a step in obedience 445 00:18:46,588 --> 00:18:47,932 for God, he will meet us. 446 00:18:47,956 --> 00:18:49,052 He will comfort us. 447 00:18:49,076 --> 00:18:52,344 He will confirm that that plan is the right way to go, that the 448 00:18:52,352 --> 00:18:53,592 will of God is the best way to go. 449 00:18:53,616 --> 00:18:56,216 And it says, and as they went to tell the disciples, behold, Jesus 450 00:18:56,248 --> 00:18:57,736 met them, saying, all hail. 451 00:18:57,928 --> 00:19:01,460 And they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him. 452 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:04,472 I believe that this is a microcosm of how the Christian life 453 00:19:04,496 --> 00:19:04,840 should look. 454 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:05,224 Right? 455 00:19:05,312 --> 00:19:07,784 We are revealed to the power of God through the resurrection, 456 00:19:07,832 --> 00:19:08,712 the gospel. 457 00:19:08,856 --> 00:19:11,208 Then that gospel brings us peace. 458 00:19:11,384 --> 00:19:13,672 And that that gospel brings us comfort. 459 00:19:13,816 --> 00:19:17,232 And therefore we are then beneficiaries of that grace. 460 00:19:17,296 --> 00:19:17,776 We are. 461 00:19:17,848 --> 00:19:21,056 We are the ones who can experience the goodness of salvation. 462 00:19:21,168 --> 00:19:24,640 But then we are called to share that gospel message. 463 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:28,000 And as we are called to share the gospel message, Jesus meets us 464 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:29,952 and we have that fellowship with him. 465 00:19:30,056 --> 00:19:31,376 And what's the natural reaction? 466 00:19:31,408 --> 00:19:32,848 What's the proper reaction? 467 00:19:32,944 --> 00:19:35,632 To fall at his feet and worship him. 468 00:19:35,816 --> 00:19:39,040 And so, in the process of our life, God's plan is for us to, number 469 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:40,832 one, come to the truth. 470 00:19:40,976 --> 00:19:43,952 The Bible says that he is not willing that any should perish, but 471 00:19:43,976 --> 00:19:45,728 that all should come to repentance. 472 00:19:45,824 --> 00:19:49,776 And so it is God's will that you come to him in salvation. 473 00:19:49,888 --> 00:19:52,848 But the next step would be that we go and tell others about 474 00:19:52,904 --> 00:19:53,760 him, right? 475 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:54,720 That would be the next step. 476 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:55,712 That's evangelism. 477 00:19:55,776 --> 00:19:57,104 That's sharing the gospel. 478 00:19:57,152 --> 00:19:58,384 That's being witnesses. 479 00:19:58,432 --> 00:20:00,304 That's being the salt and the light. 480 00:20:00,472 --> 00:20:03,152 But then in the process of that, the Bible tells us that we 481 00:20:03,176 --> 00:20:05,232 are to fall at his feet and worship him. 482 00:20:05,416 --> 00:20:07,216 And we have so many reasons to worship him. 483 00:20:07,288 --> 00:20:09,756 Again, Michael saying that this morning, is he worthy? 484 00:20:09,788 --> 00:20:10,892 He's worthy of all those things. 485 00:20:10,916 --> 00:20:12,892 Those are all the reasons why we worship him. 486 00:20:12,996 --> 00:20:14,780 We worship him because he conquered death. 487 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:16,508 We worship him because he loves us. 488 00:20:16,564 --> 00:20:19,484 We worship him because he equips us, because he allows us to 489 00:20:19,492 --> 00:20:20,700 be a part of his work. 490 00:20:20,820 --> 00:20:24,252 And so the power of God brings the peace of God, which brings the 491 00:20:24,276 --> 00:20:24,796 plan of God. 492 00:20:24,828 --> 00:20:25,740 The plan of God is this. 493 00:20:25,780 --> 00:20:30,012 That we trust in him, that we follow him, that we obey him, that 494 00:20:30,036 --> 00:20:30,908 we share him. 495 00:20:30,964 --> 00:20:32,636 And then that we worship him. 496 00:20:32,788 --> 00:20:33,420 Verse 10. 497 00:20:33,460 --> 00:20:35,914 Then said Jesus unto them, be not afraid. 498 00:20:35,962 --> 00:20:40,634 Again, another reminder of the peace of God, the confidence of God. 499 00:20:40,762 --> 00:20:45,386 Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall 500 00:20:45,418 --> 00:20:47,386 they see me again. 501 00:20:47,458 --> 00:20:51,550 Another challenge for them to go to share that is the plan of God. 502 00:20:52,050 --> 00:20:54,190 It's not to keep it to ourselves. 503 00:20:54,530 --> 00:20:56,090 That's the initial element of it. 504 00:20:56,130 --> 00:20:57,550 That's the baby stage. 505 00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:04,698 When, when Silas was born, he, he, when he was hungry, Silas didn't 506 00:21:04,714 --> 00:21:05,994 explain to us that he was hungry. 507 00:21:06,042 --> 00:21:08,058 Silas just started screaming, right? 508 00:21:08,194 --> 00:21:09,066 He started screaming. 509 00:21:09,098 --> 00:21:10,474 And we know that that's he's hungry. 510 00:21:10,522 --> 00:21:12,922 You know, it took me to my third child to realize that when 511 00:21:12,946 --> 00:21:15,066 a baby is crying, they need something. 512 00:21:15,138 --> 00:21:16,890 I used to think babies just cried to cry. 513 00:21:16,970 --> 00:21:18,554 And I started realizing that, hey, you know what? 514 00:21:18,562 --> 00:21:19,050 They need something. 515 00:21:19,090 --> 00:21:19,866 So Silas is hungry. 516 00:21:19,898 --> 00:21:20,778 He wants to eat. 517 00:21:20,874 --> 00:21:23,290 Silas isn't concerned as of now. 518 00:21:23,330 --> 00:21:24,250 He's getting better at this. 519 00:21:24,290 --> 00:21:27,418 But he wasn't as concerned about his brothers and sisters, right? 520 00:21:27,474 --> 00:21:28,330 It was all about him. 521 00:21:28,370 --> 00:21:32,058 It was all about getting the milk that he needed right then. 522 00:21:32,194 --> 00:21:34,618 He wasn't concerned about his brother's meal, he wasn't concerned 523 00:21:34,634 --> 00:21:35,786 about his parents meal. 524 00:21:35,898 --> 00:21:38,138 And sometimes that's how we are as baby Christians. 525 00:21:38,234 --> 00:21:38,922 It's all about us. 526 00:21:38,946 --> 00:21:40,410 It's all about how God can bless us. 527 00:21:40,450 --> 00:21:41,914 It's all about what God gives me. 528 00:21:42,002 --> 00:21:46,058 But at the time that Silas grows up, maybe he gets to Micah's 529 00:21:46,074 --> 00:21:47,274 age, he's 9, 10 years old. 530 00:21:47,362 --> 00:21:49,242 We're going to teach our children that, hey, you should have 531 00:21:49,266 --> 00:21:50,954 some concern for others around you. 532 00:21:51,042 --> 00:21:52,090 It's not all about you. 533 00:21:52,130 --> 00:21:54,892 It's about how you can bless others, how you can share with others. 534 00:21:54,996 --> 00:21:56,988 That's what it means for a Christian to mature. 535 00:21:57,084 --> 00:22:00,492 For a Christian to mature is to understand more that it's not 536 00:22:00,516 --> 00:22:01,772 just all about me. 537 00:22:01,876 --> 00:22:03,516 I get a great blessing. 538 00:22:03,708 --> 00:22:06,796 The Bible says even the animals cry out to God and worship 539 00:22:06,828 --> 00:22:06,972 him. 540 00:22:06,996 --> 00:22:09,036 And so the geese are worshiping the Lord this morning. 541 00:22:09,188 --> 00:22:12,220 But, but the truth is, is that we have an opportunity here today 542 00:22:12,340 --> 00:22:14,268 to understand that it's not all about us. 543 00:22:14,324 --> 00:22:17,516 It's now a time for us to turn around and show people what it means 544 00:22:17,588 --> 00:22:19,686 to love Jesus and to trust in him. 545 00:22:19,868 --> 00:22:21,026 So Jesus says, go. 546 00:22:21,098 --> 00:22:24,290 And then further on In Matthew chapter 28, some of you know this 547 00:22:24,330 --> 00:22:25,426 passage of scripture. 548 00:22:25,538 --> 00:22:28,386 It's becoming more and more my favorite passage of Scripture, verse 549 00:22:28,418 --> 00:22:28,658 18. 550 00:22:28,714 --> 00:22:30,354 And Jesus came and spake unto them. 551 00:22:30,442 --> 00:22:31,858 Some time has passed. 552 00:22:32,034 --> 00:22:33,426 We know that Jesus resurrected. 553 00:22:33,458 --> 00:22:36,002 He revealed himself to his disciples multiple times. 554 00:22:36,106 --> 00:22:39,026 The Bible even says in First Corinthians, chapter 15 that he revealed 555 00:22:39,058 --> 00:22:42,690 himself to more than 500 people at this point in time. 556 00:22:42,810 --> 00:22:47,212 But as that time frame was coming to an end, Jesus is about 557 00:22:47,236 --> 00:22:49,756 to give his disciples his last marching orders. 558 00:22:49,788 --> 00:22:51,164 As he was here on this earth. 559 00:22:51,292 --> 00:22:52,668 And it says in verse number 18. 560 00:22:52,724 --> 00:22:55,468 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given 561 00:22:55,524 --> 00:22:58,444 unto me in heaven and in earth, again, reminding us of the 562 00:22:58,452 --> 00:22:59,372 power of God. 563 00:22:59,516 --> 00:23:02,716 Jesus reminded his disciples of his power. 564 00:23:02,788 --> 00:23:05,372 And so today he's reminding us of his power. 565 00:23:05,556 --> 00:23:08,300 Then he says, go ye, therefore go. 566 00:23:08,420 --> 00:23:08,700 Right? 567 00:23:08,740 --> 00:23:10,854 He says, go, don't stay. 568 00:23:11,052 --> 00:23:12,834 Don't stay and keep it to yourself. 569 00:23:12,882 --> 00:23:17,522 But go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 570 00:23:17,546 --> 00:23:20,642 Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to 571 00:23:20,666 --> 00:23:22,306 observe all things whatsoever. 572 00:23:22,338 --> 00:23:23,042 I've commanded you. 573 00:23:23,066 --> 00:23:26,190 And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. 574 00:23:26,970 --> 00:23:28,590 Jesus tells them to go. 575 00:23:29,130 --> 00:23:33,138 It literally means in the Greek to make disciples, teaching 576 00:23:33,154 --> 00:23:36,002 them how to obey, teaching them how to serve, teaching them 577 00:23:36,026 --> 00:23:37,922 what it means to know him in a personal way. 578 00:23:38,026 --> 00:23:39,746 They understood the power of God. 579 00:23:39,778 --> 00:23:41,250 They understood the peace of God. 580 00:23:41,330 --> 00:23:43,186 They understood the plan of God. 581 00:23:43,378 --> 00:23:46,110 And the next step was for them to share that with other people. 582 00:23:47,130 --> 00:23:52,370 Jesus, at the very end here in verse number 20 reminds them of his 583 00:23:52,410 --> 00:23:53,190 presence. 584 00:23:53,850 --> 00:23:57,826 And so it's the presence of our Lord that brings us the understanding 585 00:23:57,858 --> 00:23:58,578 of God's power. 586 00:23:58,634 --> 00:24:01,714 It's the presence of our Lord that gives us the understanding of 587 00:24:01,722 --> 00:24:02,690 the peace of God. 588 00:24:02,770 --> 00:24:05,334 It's the presence of our Lord that gives us the understanding of 589 00:24:05,342 --> 00:24:07,142 the plan of God in our lives. 590 00:24:07,326 --> 00:24:09,462 And I want you to think about that this morning. 591 00:24:09,646 --> 00:24:11,650 Is Jesus present in your life? 592 00:24:12,750 --> 00:24:14,210 Do you think about him? 593 00:24:14,750 --> 00:24:16,054 Oh, I think about him. 594 00:24:16,142 --> 00:24:19,686 Once a year around Easter, we watch a movie and we're reminded. 595 00:24:19,718 --> 00:24:20,406 The power of God. 596 00:24:20,438 --> 00:24:20,934 No, no, no. 597 00:24:20,942 --> 00:24:23,730 I'm talking about does Jesus rule and reign in your life? 598 00:24:24,270 --> 00:24:24,838 It is. 599 00:24:24,894 --> 00:24:27,330 Is it his power that you're relying on? 600 00:24:28,190 --> 00:24:29,938 Think about that power to. 601 00:24:29,994 --> 00:24:31,042 To conquer death. 602 00:24:31,146 --> 00:24:32,130 Can any of us do that? 603 00:24:32,170 --> 00:24:32,370 No. 604 00:24:32,410 --> 00:24:35,090 None of us have the power to conquer death. 605 00:24:35,210 --> 00:24:37,058 Jesus has the power to conquer death. 606 00:24:37,194 --> 00:24:41,538 The Bible says that the power of God is the power that can change 607 00:24:41,594 --> 00:24:42,018 our lives. 608 00:24:42,074 --> 00:24:45,714 The power of God is the power that can conquer every fear in our 609 00:24:45,722 --> 00:24:45,890 life. 610 00:24:45,930 --> 00:24:48,754 And so the power of God, the peace of God. 611 00:24:48,802 --> 00:24:51,266 Are you allowing Jesus's presence to give you peace? 612 00:24:51,378 --> 00:24:53,750 Or are you looking for something you peace? 613 00:24:54,410 --> 00:24:57,350 Here on Resurrection Sunday, we're reminded. 614 00:24:59,170 --> 00:25:00,186 Monday morning. 615 00:25:00,338 --> 00:25:02,410 What about Wednesday morning? 616 00:25:02,450 --> 00:25:03,738 What about Friday morning? 617 00:25:03,874 --> 00:25:06,282 What about in six weeks from now, six months from now? 618 00:25:06,306 --> 00:25:08,794 Are we going to be willing to say it's Jesus who's ruling and reigning 619 00:25:08,842 --> 00:25:10,266 my life to give me my peace? 620 00:25:10,298 --> 00:25:11,866 Where are you seeking your peace? 621 00:25:12,058 --> 00:25:14,666 Well, I'm seeking my peace from just getting all my situations 622 00:25:14,698 --> 00:25:15,082 figured out. 623 00:25:15,106 --> 00:25:15,818 In my life. 624 00:25:15,954 --> 00:25:18,442 I've been trying to figure out all my situations in my life for 625 00:25:18,466 --> 00:25:19,098 a long time. 626 00:25:19,154 --> 00:25:21,322 And just when I get one situation figured out, the other 627 00:25:21,346 --> 00:25:22,512 situation comes up. 628 00:25:22,666 --> 00:25:25,124 So I'm going to tell you, the circumstances of life are not going 629 00:25:25,132 --> 00:25:26,120 to give you peace. 630 00:25:26,620 --> 00:25:26,980 Well. 631 00:25:27,020 --> 00:25:27,572 Well, you know what? 632 00:25:27,596 --> 00:25:29,600 I just need to get into my happy place. 633 00:25:30,140 --> 00:25:32,932 The truth is, the happy place is always going to fail you. 634 00:25:32,956 --> 00:25:35,876 I mean, I'm all for having a happy place and having that peace 635 00:25:35,908 --> 00:25:38,084 in this earth, but the truth is, is that we can run and we can 636 00:25:38,092 --> 00:25:38,964 try to find that. 637 00:25:39,052 --> 00:25:41,300 But at the end of the day, the only thing that's going to give you 638 00:25:41,340 --> 00:25:45,060 satisfaction and peace is the prince of peace, Jesus Christ. 639 00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:48,804 And so it is the presence of Jesus who brings us that peace. 640 00:25:48,852 --> 00:25:49,978 And then lastly, here. 641 00:25:50,084 --> 00:25:53,742 Are you allowing Jesus and the presence of Jesus in your life to 642 00:25:53,766 --> 00:25:56,958 give you your plan, to give you your purpose, to give you your 643 00:25:57,014 --> 00:25:57,890 direction? 644 00:25:58,470 --> 00:26:00,210 Or is it my plans? 645 00:26:00,790 --> 00:26:01,150 Is. 646 00:26:01,190 --> 00:26:02,430 Is it my agenda? 647 00:26:02,510 --> 00:26:04,286 Well, Jesus has a plan for you. 648 00:26:04,438 --> 00:26:07,358 And I can tell you very simply, I don't have to know every 649 00:26:07,414 --> 00:26:08,142 element of your life. 650 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:09,902 I don't have to know your spiritual gifts. 651 00:26:09,966 --> 00:26:11,310 I don't have to know your background. 652 00:26:11,390 --> 00:26:12,878 I don't have to know where you work. 653 00:26:12,934 --> 00:26:13,822 All I have to know is this. 654 00:26:13,846 --> 00:26:17,488 If you are a believer in Jesus Christ today, okay, I know God's 655 00:26:17,504 --> 00:26:17,952 will for you. 656 00:26:17,976 --> 00:26:19,248 You say, how can you do that? 657 00:26:19,304 --> 00:26:23,040 The word of God tells us, number one, it is his plan that we 658 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:24,576 love him and that we serve him. 659 00:26:24,648 --> 00:26:27,700 Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. 660 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:29,552 It is God's plan for you. 661 00:26:29,576 --> 00:26:32,192 And I can firmly say this according to scripture, that it is 662 00:26:32,216 --> 00:26:34,304 God's plan for you to love him and to serve Him. 663 00:26:34,392 --> 00:26:37,984 Number two, I do know that it is the plan of God for you to understand 664 00:26:38,072 --> 00:26:42,730 your purpose and his will to serve him, to share him, to be able 665 00:26:42,770 --> 00:26:45,018 to demonstrate the love of Christ. 666 00:26:45,074 --> 00:26:47,030 The Bible says, be salt and light. 667 00:26:48,610 --> 00:26:51,626 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works 668 00:26:51,658 --> 00:26:53,790 and glorify your Father which is in heaven? 669 00:26:54,370 --> 00:26:57,386 We have an opportunity to show other people the goodness of God. 670 00:26:57,498 --> 00:26:59,002 And so that is God's plan for you. 671 00:26:59,026 --> 00:27:02,170 Are you trusting in the presence of Jesus, the presence of 672 00:27:02,210 --> 00:27:04,570 your Lord, to give you the plan for your life? 673 00:27:04,610 --> 00:27:05,834 All of us should have a plan. 674 00:27:05,922 --> 00:27:06,810 What do they say? 675 00:27:06,930 --> 00:27:12,458 They say, you know, have a plan or I don't know how it goes, 676 00:27:12,474 --> 00:27:14,394 but basically, if you're not playing, it's failure. 677 00:27:14,442 --> 00:27:15,150 Okay? 678 00:27:15,810 --> 00:27:18,794 And the idea for me this morning is, hey, we all have to have 679 00:27:18,802 --> 00:27:19,226 a plan. 680 00:27:19,298 --> 00:27:21,418 We can't just be drifting through this world hoping that it's 681 00:27:21,434 --> 00:27:22,550 all going to come together. 682 00:27:23,170 --> 00:27:25,802 The fact of the matter is, is that we have to be intentional about 683 00:27:25,826 --> 00:27:27,434 our following of Christ. 684 00:27:27,522 --> 00:27:29,802 We have to be intentional about our worship of Christ just 685 00:27:29,826 --> 00:27:31,562 as those individuals, as they began to go. 686 00:27:31,586 --> 00:27:32,938 And sometimes that's how that goes. 687 00:27:33,034 --> 00:27:36,318 When we take that first step of obedience to the Lord, that's 688 00:27:36,334 --> 00:27:37,886 when he reveals Himself to us. 689 00:27:37,958 --> 00:27:40,910 And that's when we're able to worship him freely and worship him 690 00:27:40,950 --> 00:27:41,886 authentically. 691 00:27:42,078 --> 00:27:44,030 I don't know if some of you have ever been to a church service 692 00:27:44,070 --> 00:27:45,870 and you saw some people getting excited for the Lord. 693 00:27:45,910 --> 00:27:48,302 You saw some people praising the Lord and you say, what are they 694 00:27:48,326 --> 00:27:49,454 so excited about? 695 00:27:49,622 --> 00:27:52,126 Well, I can't speak for them, but I know that when I'm worshiping 696 00:27:52,158 --> 00:27:55,358 my Savior, when a song really gets me in the heart, it's not about 697 00:27:55,414 --> 00:27:59,422 the notes, it's not about how beautiful it sounds. 698 00:27:59,566 --> 00:28:02,446 The reason why I get excited in worship, the reason why I shed 699 00:28:02,478 --> 00:28:05,380 a tear is, is because of what Jesus Christ did for me. 700 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:08,824 When someone else talks about something in their life, I don't 701 00:28:08,832 --> 00:28:12,920 think, well, I wish I say, you know what? 702 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:15,416 I'm glad that I have what Jesus has given me. 703 00:28:15,488 --> 00:28:18,712 And I hope that you are glad about the salvation that God has 704 00:28:18,736 --> 00:28:19,768 extended to you. 705 00:28:19,904 --> 00:28:22,740 It's not about works of righteousness, which we have done, 706 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:25,896 but it's according to his mercy that he saved us by the washing 707 00:28:25,928 --> 00:28:27,580 of regeneration and the renewal. 708 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:28,710 Come on. 709 00:28:28,740 --> 00:28:31,362 Bible tells us that we have an opportunity to know him and to love 710 00:28:31,386 --> 00:28:32,722 him and to rest in his power. 711 00:28:32,826 --> 00:28:36,230 To rest in the peace of God and to rest in the plan of God. 712 00:28:37,130 --> 00:28:39,138 So we have a risen Savior. 713 00:28:39,234 --> 00:28:40,498 He's in the world today. 714 00:28:40,634 --> 00:28:42,130 I know that he is living. 715 00:28:42,290 --> 00:28:45,826 No matter what men may say, the Bible says, we know that he's 716 00:28:45,858 --> 00:28:49,202 living because he told us in His Word that He is alive. 717 00:28:49,346 --> 00:28:52,802 He demonstrates to us in this world that he is alive. 718 00:28:52,946 --> 00:28:53,938 And you know what? 719 00:28:53,994 --> 00:28:56,992 You know what the proof of the resurrection is today in this world? 720 00:28:57,016 --> 00:28:57,824 Will you say the Bible? 721 00:28:57,872 --> 00:28:58,288 Yes. 722 00:28:58,384 --> 00:29:01,680 But you know, the proof of the resurrection is the fact that you 723 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:05,600 are all here and that God has changed you and that God has given 724 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:06,320 you hope. 725 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:09,984 And that we as a church can come together on a Sunday morning 726 00:29:10,072 --> 00:29:12,176 at 6:30 and then we can worship that. 727 00:29:12,248 --> 00:29:14,224 That is proof that God is real. 728 00:29:14,312 --> 00:29:17,744 That is proof that God has changed us and that there's power 729 00:29:17,832 --> 00:29:20,944 in salvation, that there's transformation in salvation. 730 00:29:21,072 --> 00:29:24,266 And so I want to thank you for Being here today, we want to thank 731 00:29:24,298 --> 00:29:27,034 our Savior, most importantly for the opportunity to know him and 732 00:29:27,042 --> 00:29:28,970 to grow and to love and to. 733 00:29:29,010 --> 00:29:30,650 And to sacrifice and to serve him. 734 00:29:30,690 --> 00:29:33,322 And so are you willing to, number one, rest in the power of 735 00:29:33,346 --> 00:29:33,914 God today? 736 00:29:34,002 --> 00:29:37,114 Are you willing to rest in the peace of God today? 737 00:29:37,202 --> 00:29:40,186 And ultimately, are you willing to serve in the plan of God 738 00:29:40,218 --> 00:29:40,410 today? 739 00:29:40,450 --> 00:29:41,306 I hope that you are. 740 00:29:41,378 --> 00:29:45,178 And I hope that you see this as an opportunity to drive you forward 741 00:29:45,234 --> 00:29:47,050 to the cause of the gospel. 742 00:29:47,210 --> 00:29:50,068 Well, what we're going to do today is, is we're going to take 743 00:29:50,124 --> 00:29:52,960 of the elements here. 744 00:29:53,340 --> 00:29:56,708 One of the things that Jesus told us to do to remember him is 745 00:29:56,764 --> 00:30:01,204 to observe what we would call the Lord's table or the Lord's Supper, 746 00:30:01,252 --> 00:30:03,800 or some folks call it communion. 747 00:30:04,460 --> 00:30:07,028 And I think that this is an important thing to do because sometimes 748 00:30:07,044 --> 00:30:10,276 in our life we are tempted to forget the goodness of God. 749 00:30:10,308 --> 00:30:12,100 We're tempted to forget the power of God. 750 00:30:12,180 --> 00:30:14,960 We're tempted to forget what Jesus Christ did for us. 751 00:30:15,380 --> 00:30:18,012 And so what I would encourage you to do here this morning is as 752 00:30:18,036 --> 00:30:22,572 we take of these elements that you contemplate the sacrifice of 753 00:30:22,596 --> 00:30:23,280 Jesus. 754 00:30:24,180 --> 00:30:30,844 You contemplate his perfection, you contemplate his power 755 00:30:30,932 --> 00:30:33,120 over death and the resurrection. 756 00:30:33,540 --> 00:30:36,204 And so what we're going to do here this morning is we're going 757 00:30:36,212 --> 00:30:38,156 to go through and we're going to take of these elements. 758 00:30:38,268 --> 00:30:41,332 If you are a member of Middletown Baptist Church, you know 759 00:30:41,356 --> 00:30:42,180 what we're about to do. 760 00:30:42,220 --> 00:30:45,076 If you're maybe a member of another church or you've been associated 761 00:30:45,108 --> 00:30:47,812 with other churches, you might have a basic understanding of what 762 00:30:47,836 --> 00:30:48,660 we're going to do. 763 00:30:48,780 --> 00:30:51,028 Maybe you've never been to church, and this is something that's 764 00:30:51,044 --> 00:30:52,100 totally new for you. 765 00:30:52,220 --> 00:30:55,604 What we do here is that we take of the bread and we take of 766 00:30:55,612 --> 00:30:56,320 the cup. 767 00:30:56,620 --> 00:31:00,020 Understanding that there's nothing magical or supernatural about 768 00:31:00,060 --> 00:31:01,480 these elements themselves. 769 00:31:01,900 --> 00:31:05,972 All we do is we believe that this is a symbolic remembrance of 770 00:31:05,996 --> 00:31:07,688 what Jesus Christ did for us. 771 00:31:07,884 --> 00:31:10,624 His body, the bread, his blood, the cup. 772 00:31:10,712 --> 00:31:12,944 And what we understand here this morning is that if you are a 773 00:31:12,952 --> 00:31:15,792 born again believer, you are qualified to take of this. 774 00:31:15,896 --> 00:31:17,152 You would say, what do you mean qualified? 775 00:31:17,216 --> 00:31:18,352 It just means this. 776 00:31:18,536 --> 00:31:21,552 There is no reason for you to take of the elements if you are not 777 00:31:21,576 --> 00:31:23,100 a believer in Jesus Christ. 778 00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:26,672 The Bible says that we are to take of the bread, we are to take 779 00:31:26,696 --> 00:31:28,992 of the cup in identifying with him. 780 00:31:29,016 --> 00:31:29,616 That's the picture. 781 00:31:29,648 --> 00:31:31,740 The picture is identifying with him. 782 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:35,108 And so what I would encourage you to do is think about the identification 783 00:31:35,264 --> 00:31:39,388 of Jesus Christ in your Life, the question might be, who are you? 784 00:31:39,444 --> 00:31:42,780 And for some of the men, we might answer, what we do for a living, 785 00:31:42,860 --> 00:31:43,244 right? 786 00:31:43,332 --> 00:31:43,692 We'll see. 787 00:31:43,716 --> 00:31:44,732 If someone asks me, who are you? 788 00:31:44,756 --> 00:31:46,508 I say, well, I'm Josh Massaro. 789 00:31:46,524 --> 00:31:48,320 I'm pastor of Middletown Baptist Church. 790 00:31:48,900 --> 00:31:50,412 But that's not truly my identity. 791 00:31:50,476 --> 00:31:50,988 So some. 792 00:31:51,044 --> 00:31:52,700 Some of you ladies, they might ask you, who are you? 793 00:31:52,740 --> 00:31:55,740 You might say, well, I'm so and so mother of these people, right? 794 00:31:55,780 --> 00:31:58,412 Because a lot of times our identity is wrapped up in what we 795 00:31:58,436 --> 00:31:59,560 value the most. 796 00:32:00,020 --> 00:32:02,892 But at the end of the day, your identity is not in what you 797 00:32:02,916 --> 00:32:03,564 do for a living. 798 00:32:03,612 --> 00:32:06,012 Your identity is not in and who your family is. 799 00:32:06,036 --> 00:32:08,524 Your identity is who you place your faith and trust in. 800 00:32:08,612 --> 00:32:11,788 Is your identity in yourself, or is your identity in Jesus Christ? 801 00:32:11,924 --> 00:32:14,236 If your identity is in Jesus Christ this morning, if someone asks 802 00:32:14,268 --> 00:32:14,780 you, who are you? 803 00:32:14,820 --> 00:32:18,556 Say, I'm a child of the king, sinner, saved by grace. 804 00:32:18,748 --> 00:32:20,876 And so that's what we're going to be thinking about here this morning. 805 00:32:20,948 --> 00:32:22,360 Actually, I need. 806 00:32:23,140 --> 00:32:25,852 Does anyone have a spare elephant here? 807 00:32:25,956 --> 00:32:26,172 The. 808 00:32:26,196 --> 00:32:26,684 The cup. 809 00:32:26,772 --> 00:32:27,960 All right, very good. 810 00:32:28,260 --> 00:32:30,600 I was about to get started here, and I didn't have that. 811 00:32:31,390 --> 00:32:34,390 So what we're going to do, the Bible says that on the same night 812 00:32:34,430 --> 00:32:36,070 in which Jesus was betrayed. 813 00:32:36,230 --> 00:32:36,550 So. 814 00:32:36,590 --> 00:32:40,646 So go back a few days before the resurrection, Jesus is. 815 00:32:40,718 --> 00:32:44,262 Jesus is sitting around with his disciples, and he's having what 816 00:32:44,286 --> 00:32:46,566 we normally call the Last Supper. 817 00:32:46,758 --> 00:32:48,662 And really what he talks to them about is this. 818 00:32:48,686 --> 00:32:50,822 He says, you know, you've had a certain way of doing things for 819 00:32:50,846 --> 00:32:52,614 a long time, but there's going to be a difference. 820 00:32:52,662 --> 00:32:53,686 There's going to be a New Testament. 821 00:32:53,718 --> 00:32:55,770 He basically says, I am the New Testament. 822 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:56,480 And. 823 00:32:56,520 --> 00:33:00,016 And so he institutes this way of doing things, and he says, hey, 824 00:33:00,048 --> 00:33:01,376 to remember this New Testament. 825 00:33:01,408 --> 00:33:03,056 This is what you were supposed to do. 826 00:33:03,208 --> 00:33:07,040 And so before he took of the elements, before he explained this, 827 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:09,424 he says that he gives thanks. 828 00:33:09,472 --> 00:33:10,480 And so in the. 829 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:13,040 In the Bible here in First Corinthians, chapter 11, it says 830 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:15,600 that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took 831 00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:16,260 bread. 832 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:19,360 Before we take of the bread, I would like us to think about what 833 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:20,304 this symbolizes. 834 00:33:20,352 --> 00:33:20,560 The. 835 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:20,928 The b. 836 00:33:20,984 --> 00:33:23,812 The Bible says that Jesus's the bread of life. 837 00:33:23,996 --> 00:33:26,980 When we take of the bread of life, we no longer have a need for 838 00:33:27,020 --> 00:33:27,604 anything else. 839 00:33:27,652 --> 00:33:29,108 Nothing else satisfies. 840 00:33:29,284 --> 00:33:32,660 And the Bible also says that Jesus gave his life for us. 841 00:33:32,700 --> 00:33:36,436 And he says that this is his body which was broken for you. 842 00:33:36,588 --> 00:33:39,972 And so we're going to give thanks for the bread, and then we 843 00:33:39,996 --> 00:33:42,320 will Take of this element here this morning. 844 00:33:42,620 --> 00:33:46,564 Lord, we just give you thanks for your sacrifice for us. 845 00:33:46,732 --> 00:33:50,014 We know that your only begotten son came to this earth and 846 00:33:50,132 --> 00:33:52,202 live the perfect life and knew no sin. 847 00:33:52,346 --> 00:33:55,690 But we know that he loved us enough to sacrifice himself for us. 848 00:33:55,730 --> 00:33:57,850 And we know that he is the bread of life. 849 00:33:57,890 --> 00:34:01,866 And we believe that as we take of the bread of life that we no longer 850 00:34:01,898 --> 00:34:03,818 need anything else in this world to satisfy. 851 00:34:03,914 --> 00:34:05,402 Lord, you ultimately satisfy. 852 00:34:05,466 --> 00:34:09,114 You are our hope, you are our confidence, you are our everything, 853 00:34:09,202 --> 00:34:10,106 our salvation. 854 00:34:10,218 --> 00:34:13,882 And so Lord, we thank you and we love you for who you are and what 855 00:34:13,906 --> 00:34:14,970 you have done for us. 856 00:34:15,090 --> 00:34:19,041 And so as we do this this morning, as we observe these elements, 857 00:34:19,105 --> 00:34:22,609 Lord, I pray that we can focus on you and you alone, no distractions. 858 00:34:22,769 --> 00:34:28,001 Ultimately we can come to know you in a personal way, even in a 859 00:34:28,025 --> 00:34:30,417 more loving way through this service. 860 00:34:30,473 --> 00:34:33,137 And so we just thank you and we love you in Jesus name, Amen. 861 00:34:33,313 --> 00:34:36,289 So the Bible says after he gave thanks, he break the bread and 862 00:34:36,329 --> 00:34:37,073 said, take, eat. 863 00:34:37,121 --> 00:34:38,721 This is my body which is broken for you. 864 00:34:38,745 --> 00:34:42,292 This do in remembrance of me and remembrance of him, we take of 865 00:34:42,316 --> 00:34:43,000 the bread. 866 00:34:53,420 --> 00:34:56,052 It says in the next verse that in the same manner he also took the 867 00:34:56,076 --> 00:34:56,260 cup. 868 00:34:56,300 --> 00:34:58,260 So we're going to go ahead and give thanks for the cup. 869 00:34:58,300 --> 00:35:02,164 But as we are reminded, the significance of the cup is that Jesus's 870 00:35:02,212 --> 00:35:04,580 blood is the perfect sacrifice for us. 871 00:35:04,620 --> 00:35:07,444 And the Bible says without the shade of blood there is no remission 872 00:35:07,492 --> 00:35:08,516 or forgiveness of sins. 873 00:35:08,548 --> 00:35:11,924 And so therefore as Christians, it's not our sacrifice, 874 00:35:11,972 --> 00:35:13,796 it's not our bloodshed that matters. 875 00:35:13,908 --> 00:35:16,660 The only bloodshed that matters is the blood of Jesus Christ, 876 00:35:16,700 --> 00:35:19,508 the perfect lamb, the Passover lamb. 877 00:35:19,604 --> 00:35:22,628 John, his cousin John the Baptist said this. 878 00:35:22,684 --> 00:35:25,572 Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. 879 00:35:25,756 --> 00:35:30,308 Jesus is that once for all sacrifice that was needed for our 880 00:35:30,364 --> 00:35:31,160 salvation. 881 00:35:31,660 --> 00:35:33,220 So let's give thanks for the cup. 882 00:35:33,340 --> 00:35:36,180 Lord, we thank you for the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 883 00:35:36,220 --> 00:35:39,338 We thank you for the forgiveness that we can find in that. 884 00:35:39,394 --> 00:35:44,810 We thank you for the opportunity for us to realize that 885 00:35:44,850 --> 00:35:46,058 it's beyond us. 886 00:35:46,114 --> 00:35:49,834 Lord, we are not enough, but in you we are enough in the concept 887 00:35:49,882 --> 00:35:50,634 of our identity. 888 00:35:50,682 --> 00:35:54,378 And so I pray that our identity in Christ changes us, equips 889 00:35:54,394 --> 00:35:56,010 us, comforts us. 890 00:35:56,130 --> 00:36:00,074 And Lord, I pray that you give us understanding in that and motivation 891 00:36:00,122 --> 00:36:00,714 in that. 892 00:36:00,802 --> 00:36:02,906 So Lord, I thank you for all that you do. 893 00:36:03,058 --> 00:36:05,652 I thank you for your sacrifice for us. 894 00:36:05,676 --> 00:36:08,532 And we thank you for the empty tomb and the victory that we have 895 00:36:08,556 --> 00:36:09,012 in Jesus. 896 00:36:09,076 --> 00:36:11,028 And we ask all these things In Jesus name. 897 00:36:11,084 --> 00:36:11,800 Amen. 898 00:36:12,540 --> 00:36:15,076 So Jesus said, this cup is the new Testament in my blood. 899 00:36:15,108 --> 00:36:16,612 This do ye exact as you drink it. 900 00:36:16,636 --> 00:36:19,572 In remembrance of me, in remembrance of Jesus, we take of 901 00:36:19,596 --> 00:36:20,240 the cup. 902 00:36:27,580 --> 00:36:28,180 Amen. 903 00:36:28,260 --> 00:36:29,000 Amen. 904 00:36:32,710 --> 00:36:34,366 I always have to read the next verse. 905 00:36:34,398 --> 00:36:36,750 It says, wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this 906 00:36:36,790 --> 00:36:40,494 cup of the Lord, for as often as eat this bread and drink this 907 00:36:40,502 --> 00:36:42,382 cup, you to show the Lord's death till he come. 908 00:36:42,486 --> 00:36:45,742 And so it's an opportunity for us now, as we just mentioned. 909 00:36:45,886 --> 00:36:46,846 What's the plan of God? 910 00:36:46,878 --> 00:36:54,270 The plan of God is for us to know him, to grow in him, and to 911 00:36:54,310 --> 00:36:56,222 show him around the world. 912 00:36:56,406 --> 00:36:58,846 Here in Middletown, Delaware, and around the world. 913 00:36:58,998 --> 00:36:59,470 So you. 914 00:36:59,510 --> 00:37:02,686 You can't show him to the world unless you know him. 915 00:37:02,838 --> 00:37:03,150 You. 916 00:37:03,190 --> 00:37:05,790 You can't show him to the world unless you're growing in Him. 917 00:37:05,910 --> 00:37:06,190 But. 918 00:37:06,230 --> 00:37:10,014 But as you know him and as you grow in him, it's an opportunity 919 00:37:10,062 --> 00:37:12,670 to go and to show the world the truth of Jesus Christ. 920 00:37:12,710 --> 00:37:14,446 You have an opportunity to do that today. 921 00:37:14,598 --> 00:37:16,974 You have an opportunity to do that in your community. 922 00:37:17,062 --> 00:37:19,358 You have an opportunity to do that in your family. 923 00:37:19,414 --> 00:37:22,158 You have an opportunity to do that here in this world. 924 00:37:22,214 --> 00:37:24,980 And so let's do that now as we are called to do. 925 00:37:25,020 --> 00:37:28,724 So as that sun is peeking through, it's an awesome opportunity 926 00:37:28,772 --> 00:37:31,652 to remember that the same power. 927 00:37:31,756 --> 00:37:32,340 Think about this. 928 00:37:32,380 --> 00:37:35,652 The same power that rose Jesus from the dead 2000 years ago is the 929 00:37:35,676 --> 00:37:37,268 same power that lives within you. 930 00:37:37,404 --> 00:37:41,332 And, and, and so what we think about this this morning is, is a 931 00:37:41,356 --> 00:37:45,204 lot of times people think of Easter and the empty tomb as kind 932 00:37:45,212 --> 00:37:47,812 of like a myth, kind of just like this vague thing that happened 933 00:37:47,876 --> 00:37:49,284 that we somewhat celebrate. 934 00:37:49,332 --> 00:37:53,194 Folks, there is a real place in Jerusalem, right? 935 00:37:53,362 --> 00:37:57,514 There were real people that breathe real air, that flesh and 936 00:37:57,522 --> 00:37:59,914 blood that saw Jesus after he died. 937 00:37:59,962 --> 00:38:01,066 And that's a fact. 938 00:38:01,218 --> 00:38:03,322 And if you go to Israel today, there are. 939 00:38:03,346 --> 00:38:03,578 There. 940 00:38:03,634 --> 00:38:04,298 There are still. 941 00:38:04,354 --> 00:38:08,490 There's still the Palm Sunday road, there's still the empty tomb, 942 00:38:08,650 --> 00:38:11,354 there's still Golgotha, there's still the Mount of Olives. 943 00:38:11,402 --> 00:38:12,538 This is all real. 944 00:38:12,674 --> 00:38:15,530 And that same sun up there that you're looking at is the same 945 00:38:15,570 --> 00:38:18,368 sun that was up there again 2000 years ago. 946 00:38:18,424 --> 00:38:20,000 And so think about the reality of it. 947 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:20,832 Think about the. 948 00:38:20,936 --> 00:38:22,000 The impact of it. 949 00:38:22,040 --> 00:38:23,504 Think about how that changed the world. 950 00:38:23,592 --> 00:38:24,288 Think about. 951 00:38:24,424 --> 00:38:26,672 At one point in time, there was just a small. 952 00:38:26,776 --> 00:38:27,360 Less than. 953 00:38:27,400 --> 00:38:28,096 Right here. 954 00:38:28,248 --> 00:38:28,752 Less. 955 00:38:28,856 --> 00:38:31,232 Less than the people that are sitting in this parking lot that 956 00:38:31,256 --> 00:38:33,664 knew about Jesus and his resurrection, that knew the true 957 00:38:33,712 --> 00:38:37,232 Gospel, that short amount of time there, it was just Jesus in 958 00:38:37,256 --> 00:38:38,384 his inner circle. 959 00:38:38,512 --> 00:38:42,528 But think about how that has spread to not just thousands, but 960 00:38:42,584 --> 00:38:46,086 millions and millions of people over the years that have trusted 961 00:38:46,118 --> 00:38:46,758 in him. 962 00:38:46,894 --> 00:38:50,118 And think about how that multiplication happened in the early 963 00:38:50,174 --> 00:38:51,942 church and then in the. 964 00:38:51,966 --> 00:38:53,782 In the centuries that follow and the. 965 00:38:53,806 --> 00:38:56,182 And how people have grown and served. 966 00:38:56,246 --> 00:38:59,478 And think about how much multiplication that we can have that. 967 00:38:59,534 --> 00:39:00,358 That we as a church. 968 00:39:00,374 --> 00:39:01,382 I don't know how many people are here. 969 00:39:01,406 --> 00:39:04,118 This morning we had 60 chairs, but I think we had more. 970 00:39:04,254 --> 00:39:07,862 Think about how much we can see happen in the power of God and 971 00:39:07,886 --> 00:39:09,206 the peace of God and the plan of God. 972 00:39:09,238 --> 00:39:11,752 If we all took it upon ourselves to say, you know what, 973 00:39:11,856 --> 00:39:16,104 just as the resurrection was real to Peter, James, John, Mary 974 00:39:16,152 --> 00:39:20,184 Magdalene, just as it changed their life, so that same resurrection, 975 00:39:20,232 --> 00:39:23,032 that same empty tomb can challenge us to make it real for 976 00:39:23,056 --> 00:39:26,424 us, that we can multiply the followers of Jesus Christ. 977 00:39:26,512 --> 00:39:27,480 And it's not our power. 978 00:39:27,520 --> 00:39:28,296 It's the power God. 979 00:39:28,328 --> 00:39:30,856 Remember, Jesus said, it's the power in me that's going to send 980 00:39:30,888 --> 00:39:31,944 you to go. 981 00:39:32,032 --> 00:39:34,888 And so it's not about presenting a good version of you, 982 00:39:35,024 --> 00:39:36,264 a better version of you. 983 00:39:36,352 --> 00:39:37,864 It's just about presenting Jesus. 984 00:39:37,912 --> 00:39:40,154 Jesus changed me, and he can change you. 985 00:39:40,242 --> 00:39:42,602 And that's the beautiful message that we can take with us. 986 00:39:42,706 --> 00:39:44,522 So I'm going to go ahead and close with a word of prayer here, 987 00:39:44,546 --> 00:39:47,578 but before I do that, I do want to just invite you over. 988 00:39:47,634 --> 00:39:50,554 We have a few refreshments under the portico over there. 989 00:39:50,642 --> 00:39:52,314 I encourage you to fellowship, okay? 990 00:39:52,362 --> 00:39:55,786 Part of having faith in Jesus Christ is having the commonality 991 00:39:55,818 --> 00:39:56,570 with other people. 992 00:39:56,690 --> 00:40:00,042 And so grab some coffee, grab some juice, grab some water, and 993 00:40:00,066 --> 00:40:00,426 fellowship. 994 00:40:00,458 --> 00:40:03,802 I know that many of you have plans today, but if you have a few 995 00:40:03,826 --> 00:40:05,898 moments, just fellowship with your fellow brothers and sisters 996 00:40:05,914 --> 00:40:06,610 in Christ. 997 00:40:06,770 --> 00:40:10,290 And what I would say is this too, what would help us out greatly 998 00:40:10,370 --> 00:40:13,522 and I would greatly appreciate this, is that if you could take the 999 00:40:13,546 --> 00:40:15,602 chair that you are sitting in, okay. 1000 00:40:15,666 --> 00:40:17,922 And move that over, we're going to have some fellows bring 1001 00:40:17,946 --> 00:40:18,994 that chair rack over. 1002 00:40:19,082 --> 00:40:21,522 And if you could just set your chair on that chair rack, that would 1003 00:40:21,546 --> 00:40:22,450 be fantastic. 1004 00:40:22,530 --> 00:40:24,018 Many hands make light work. 1005 00:40:24,154 --> 00:40:27,362 And if everyone takes their chair that they're in the way that 1006 00:40:27,386 --> 00:40:29,714 I did the math, we pretty much should have all the chairs up. 1007 00:40:29,802 --> 00:40:31,682 And so I appreciate you doing that. 1008 00:40:31,706 --> 00:40:33,458 So let's go ahead and pray and then we'll be dismissed. 1009 00:40:33,474 --> 00:40:35,410 Lord, I thank you for this time that you've given us. 1010 00:40:35,530 --> 00:40:38,114 I thank you for this hour, this morning that we can come here 1011 00:40:38,202 --> 00:40:42,310 and celebrate the empty tomb and celebrate our risen Savior. 1012 00:40:43,370 --> 00:40:46,322 Lord, we know that we're calling it a sunrise service S u 1013 00:40:46,346 --> 00:40:50,258 n service, but really it's the sun S O n rise service. 1014 00:40:50,394 --> 00:40:52,738 Lord, we're thankful for our risen Savior. 1015 00:40:52,914 --> 00:40:55,170 Lord, help us to allow that to change our lives. 1016 00:40:55,210 --> 00:40:58,290 Help us to allow the power of God to rule and reign in our lives. 1017 00:40:58,330 --> 00:41:01,028 Help us to help have the peace of God rule and reign in our lives. 1018 00:41:01,084 --> 00:41:04,400 Lord, help us to have the plan of God rule and reign in our lives. 1019 00:41:04,700 --> 00:41:07,108 I pray that you encourage the hearts of the folks that are here 1020 00:41:07,164 --> 00:41:07,780 this morning. 1021 00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:11,156 I thank you for the opportunity to be here and worship 1022 00:41:11,188 --> 00:41:12,836 together with my church family. 1023 00:41:12,988 --> 00:41:16,084 Lord, I also pray for our service later on today at 10:30 as 1024 00:41:16,092 --> 00:41:20,036 we know that there will be more people, maybe folks that don't 1025 00:41:20,068 --> 00:41:23,124 understand the goodness of God, the power of God, the peace 1026 00:41:23,172 --> 00:41:24,036 of God, the plan of God. 1027 00:41:24,068 --> 00:41:27,342 And I pray that even today that even just one could come to 1028 00:41:27,366 --> 00:41:28,878 know you as personal Savior. 1029 00:41:28,974 --> 00:41:32,414 That we can see a life changed, pulled away from the path 1030 00:41:32,462 --> 00:41:37,502 to hell, but then set aside into the new plan, the new direction 1031 00:41:37,566 --> 00:41:38,670 towards everlasting life. 1032 00:41:38,710 --> 00:41:40,334 And so Lord, I thank you for this time. 1033 00:41:40,422 --> 00:41:43,422 I pray that you bless the food to our bodies and I pray that you 1034 00:41:43,446 --> 00:41:46,446 bless the fellowship and I pray that you be with us as we serve 1035 00:41:46,478 --> 00:41:46,958 you today. 1036 00:41:47,014 --> 00:41:48,430 We ask all these things in Jesus name. 1037 00:41:48,470 --> 00:41:49,006 Amen. 1038 00:41:49,118 --> 00:41:49,486 Amen. 1039 00:41:49,518 --> 00:41:52,742 He is risen and we are thankful for the wonderful gift of 1040 00:41:52,766 --> 00:41:53,318 salvation. 1041 00:41:53,414 --> 00:41:54,370 God bless you. 1042 00:41:54,750 --> 00:41:57,414 Thank you again for listening to the Middletown Baptist Church 1043 00:41:57,462 --> 00:41:58,214 Podcast. 1044 00:41:58,342 --> 00:42:00,930 I hope that this sermon has been a blessing for you. 1045 00:42:01,390 --> 00:42:03,606 You would like to find out more information about our church 1046 00:42:03,638 --> 00:42:07,254 or this sermon, you can find us at middletownbaptistchurch.org 1047 00:42:07,382 --> 00:42:10,170 or find us on Facebook or YouTube. 1048 00:42:10,590 --> 00:42:15,094 You can also email me directly at Josh Massaroiddletownbaptistchurch 1049 00:42:15,142 --> 00:42:19,568 dot com if you've enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and follow 1050 00:42:19,624 --> 00:42:22,580 along for future podcast and updates. 1051 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:24,128 Thank you so much. 1052 00:42:24,264 --> 00:42:25,104 God Bless. 1053 00:42:25,232 --> 00:42:26,280 Have a wonderful day.