1 00:00:02,580 --> 00:00:08,080 - Good morning, Springhouse. 2 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,200 It's a good day to be in the house of the Lord. 3 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:13,000 Welcome, my name is Kevin. 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,980 I have the privilege of serving as lead pastor 5 00:00:14,980 --> 00:00:15,820 here at Springhouse. 6 00:00:15,820 --> 00:00:17,900 If you are new with us today, welcome. 7 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:19,480 Thank you for joining us today. 8 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,020 And if you join us on live stream, 9 00:00:21,020 --> 00:00:22,720 thank you for joining us as well. 10 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,440 It is a peculiar day here, but like Barbie said, 11 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:29,320 every time we get together, it's a little different. 12 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:31,720 It's a little strange, but you know what? 13 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:34,420 Here's the thing that we can count on every single time. 14 00:00:34,420 --> 00:00:36,340 God is incredible. 15 00:00:36,340 --> 00:00:37,180 He is perfect. 16 00:00:37,180 --> 00:00:39,480 He's real and He is alive, amen. 17 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:40,800 He is risen. 18 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:42,260 He is risen indeed. 19 00:00:42,260 --> 00:00:44,400 Would you guys stand with me this Easter morning 20 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,320 and we're going to read a couple of the scriptures 21 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,960 and I'd like you to read it as if you believe 22 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:51,800 that your God is alive today, okay? 23 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:53,920 So here we go, let's read it together. 24 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:58,400 Hallelujah for the Lord God almighty reigns. 25 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:03,080 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory. 26 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,800 For the wedding of the Lamb has come 27 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,080 and His bride has made herself ready. 28 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:14,080 Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear. 29 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,620 Blessed are those who are invited 30 00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:19,200 to the wedding supper of the Lamb. 31 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,760 These are the true words of God. 32 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:22,860 Let's say that again. 33 00:01:22,860 --> 00:01:25,880 These are the true words of God. 34 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:30,880 And one more, everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord 35 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:31,800 will be saved. 36 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:33,400 Father, I thank you for your word 37 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,560 and that it is true and active and alive 38 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:37,820 and I thank you, Lord, that you are moving 39 00:01:37,820 --> 00:01:38,660 in our midst today. 40 00:01:38,660 --> 00:01:40,840 God, I pray, Lord, that we will receive everything 41 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,520 you have for us in Jesus' name. 42 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,600 And before you are seated, I would like you to hug 43 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:49,900 the neck of someone you don't like. 44 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:53,240 (congregation laughing) 45 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,740 (congregation chattering) 46 00:01:56,740 --> 00:02:08,200 - Fired. 47 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:18,840 All right, you may be seated. 48 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,680 I'm expecting some repenting and conversations 49 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,760 in the foyer after service is over today. 50 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,720 God is good. 51 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:31,120 Today is Resurrection Sunday. 52 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,200 We celebrate our resurrected King. 53 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,880 And this is the time when, this is the thing we celebrate 54 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,440 where everything changed, everything changed. 55 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:44,280 We look at love defeating death, grace that covers shame 56 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:49,000 and an invitation that changes eternity. 57 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:51,920 It's good news, anytime someone is brought 58 00:02:51,920 --> 00:02:54,400 from death to life, that's good news. 59 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,940 Anytime bondage is broken and liberation is gained, 60 00:02:57,940 --> 00:02:59,140 that's good news. 61 00:02:59,140 --> 00:03:02,360 And the gospel of Jesus Christ, it's good news. 62 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,040 It really is good news. 63 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,440 Guys, can I just tell you, I am actually 64 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,500 in the next few weeks going to be the father of a teenager. 65 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:15,000 It is hard to believe time is just fleeting, 66 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,480 it is moving forward. 67 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:18,580 I'm gonna be a father of a teenager, 68 00:03:18,580 --> 00:03:20,700 but would you know that it wasn't my preteen 69 00:03:20,700 --> 00:03:22,320 who rolled her eyes at me this week, 70 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,600 it was my nine year old Ruby. 71 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:29,600 And I had an out of body of experience with that, 72 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,720 because if you know, I've worked with children 73 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,040 for over two decades and I'm not used to children 74 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:36,720 rolling their eyes or saying no to me, 75 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:38,320 especially when they're my own. 76 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,400 Because I'm responsible for that one. 77 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:46,500 But that did happen this week and it helped me realize 78 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:50,520 that guys, our choices matter, our choices matter. 79 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,780 And I believe that the greatest decision 80 00:03:52,780 --> 00:03:54,880 that you'll ever make is the one to follow 81 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:56,400 the Lord Jesus Christ. 82 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,040 The greatest decision that you'll ever make in your life 83 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,560 is to proclaim him as your king. 84 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,100 And so why would, if that's the greatest decision, 85 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:06,400 of course, who am I to say it, 86 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:07,800 but I believe that's the greatest decision 87 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,780 'cause it's been my greatest decision that I've made. 88 00:04:11,780 --> 00:04:13,920 But if it's true that it's the greatest decision 89 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,380 ever to be made, how come so many people 90 00:04:16,380 --> 00:04:17,880 have not made this choice yet? 91 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:23,180 How come so many have not made the choice to follow Jesus? 92 00:04:23,180 --> 00:04:26,000 The choices we make are important. 93 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:29,820 February 14th, 1990, I gave my heart to Jesus, 94 00:04:29,820 --> 00:04:32,080 but I didn't give it to him in the way 95 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:33,840 that you might suspect, you know, 96 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:36,720 this relational loving God that we talk about 97 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,680 that I believe is the God of the Bible. 98 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,620 No, I was in a service where they told me about hell 99 00:04:41,620 --> 00:04:43,020 and I didn't wanna go there. 100 00:04:43,020 --> 00:04:46,720 And so much so, they went as far as putting my little hand, 101 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,520 my little third grade hand over a flame and saying, 102 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:51,740 "I want you to hold this here as long as you can." 103 00:04:51,740 --> 00:04:54,760 And I couldn't hold it there very long until I said, "Ouch." 104 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:56,580 And then they said, "Now, do you want your soul 105 00:04:56,580 --> 00:04:58,280 "to be like that forever?" 106 00:04:58,280 --> 00:05:00,460 And I said, "Oh no, give me Jesus, 107 00:05:00,460 --> 00:05:02,160 "give me a fire extinguisher, give me water, 108 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,660 "whatever you gotta give me, I'll do whatever it is. 109 00:05:04,660 --> 00:05:06,280 "I wanna be saved," you know? 110 00:05:06,280 --> 00:05:09,120 But here's the truth of the matter. 111 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,620 I love that later on in life, 112 00:05:11,620 --> 00:05:14,560 I was actually introduced to the God of the universe 113 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,900 who knows my name. 114 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:19,560 The God of the universe who wants to have a relationship 115 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:21,820 with me, you see, there are people who believe 116 00:05:21,820 --> 00:05:24,200 that God is on his throne with a magnifying glass 117 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,920 looking to catch you for your next left wrong turn 118 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:28,520 and to smite you for it. 119 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,440 But I don't believe that's the God we serve. 120 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:32,900 In fact, I believe because of Jesus' blood, 121 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:35,300 all of those wrongdoings that we've done, guess what? 122 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:36,300 Those have been covered. 123 00:05:36,300 --> 00:05:37,540 Why were they covered? 124 00:05:37,540 --> 00:05:39,340 Because the God who breathes stars 125 00:05:39,340 --> 00:05:43,140 wants to be in communion and in relationship with you. 126 00:05:43,140 --> 00:05:45,980 He is not far off, he can be found 127 00:05:45,980 --> 00:05:48,060 and he can be found even today. 128 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:52,540 If you let yourself be found, he can be found today. 129 00:05:52,540 --> 00:05:54,740 Our God, while he is sovereign, 130 00:05:54,740 --> 00:05:57,700 he is full of kindness and compassion 131 00:05:57,700 --> 00:06:00,820 and desires to be in relationship with you. 132 00:06:00,820 --> 00:06:03,060 He's not up there looking for you to mess up. 133 00:06:03,060 --> 00:06:07,340 He's there longing to be involved with your life. 134 00:06:07,340 --> 00:06:09,780 He wants to be a part of your life. 135 00:06:09,780 --> 00:06:12,580 We've been taking a journey this year at Springhouse 136 00:06:12,580 --> 00:06:14,580 and I want to remind those of you who have been here 137 00:06:14,580 --> 00:06:16,900 and I want to inform those of you who are new today 138 00:06:16,900 --> 00:06:20,140 that you are part of the greatest story ever told. 139 00:06:20,140 --> 00:06:23,860 You are a part of the greatest story ever told. 140 00:06:23,860 --> 00:06:25,860 And as I mentioned last week, 141 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:29,200 if this truly is the greatest story ever told, 142 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:32,280 then what we are celebrating today here right now 143 00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:35,540 is the climactic event that makes this story worth reading, 144 00:06:35,540 --> 00:06:37,700 worth knowing and worth being a part of. 145 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:42,560 Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the power of the resurrection 146 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,540 the only religion on the planet whose God is alive 147 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:48,140 and wants the king that rules heaven, 148 00:06:48,140 --> 00:06:50,140 wants those that he rules over 149 00:06:50,140 --> 00:06:52,380 to be in communion and relationship with him. 150 00:06:52,380 --> 00:06:57,380 Hallelujah, hallelujah, God is good, God is good. 151 00:06:57,380 --> 00:07:00,220 This table that's set here this morning 152 00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:03,620 represents the marriage supper of the lamb. 153 00:07:03,620 --> 00:07:05,880 Do you know that if you are a believer here, 154 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,720 there's coming a day where we're gonna sit at a table 155 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:12,140 with our king and we're gonna feast with the king of kings 156 00:07:12,140 --> 00:07:13,420 and the Lord of Lords. 157 00:07:13,420 --> 00:07:16,260 And I've got some food up here and it's looking delicious. 158 00:07:16,260 --> 00:07:17,900 Some of you were trying to put your grubby hands on it 159 00:07:17,900 --> 00:07:21,140 before service started, but listen, it's some great food, 160 00:07:21,140 --> 00:07:24,100 but I can tell you right now, it pales greatly, 161 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:27,180 vastly in comparison to what I think awaits us. 162 00:07:27,180 --> 00:07:29,260 But the most important thing about that feast 163 00:07:29,260 --> 00:07:32,020 is not the food at the table, not even really you and me, 164 00:07:32,020 --> 00:07:34,320 is that Jesus Christ is gonna be sitting right there 165 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,900 and he's gonna receive all the glory and the honor 166 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:39,340 and we're going to get to be with him. 167 00:07:39,340 --> 00:07:43,300 Here's the thing guys, it starts with an invitation. 168 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:46,420 It starts with an invitation 169 00:07:46,420 --> 00:07:50,040 and the invitation is simply, will you come? 170 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:52,120 Will you come? 171 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,620 See, I bought into the notion early on 172 00:07:54,620 --> 00:07:56,680 that I had to get myself cleaned up. 173 00:07:56,680 --> 00:07:57,880 I had to come a certain way. 174 00:07:57,880 --> 00:07:59,300 I had to achieve near perfection 175 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:01,220 before I could get close to the Lord. 176 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:02,220 But here, do you know what? 177 00:08:02,220 --> 00:08:04,940 Can I just maybe highlight something to you? 178 00:08:04,940 --> 00:08:07,340 Maybe this is an epiphany to some of you. 179 00:08:07,340 --> 00:08:09,340 You're never going to achieve that goal. 180 00:08:09,340 --> 00:08:14,300 It is impossible for us to become perfect enough 181 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:16,440 to be in the presence of a holy God. 182 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:20,340 Yet this holy God wanted to be in your presence 183 00:08:20,340 --> 00:08:21,940 and wanted to be with you. 184 00:08:21,940 --> 00:08:24,180 And so he made a way, he made a way 185 00:08:24,180 --> 00:08:25,860 and it starts with an invitation. 186 00:08:25,860 --> 00:08:28,820 If you are one of the few chosen ones with an invitation, 187 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:31,960 would you come and just cluster right in this corner for me? 188 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,220 And would you guys make your way down here quickly? 189 00:08:35,220 --> 00:08:37,660 Just cluster right over here. 190 00:08:37,660 --> 00:08:39,020 The people coming down here 191 00:08:39,020 --> 00:08:40,500 before they got here this morning 192 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:42,200 or before they got in the ministry center, 193 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:43,660 they were handed a piece of paper 194 00:08:43,660 --> 00:08:46,780 and that piece of paper said, you are invited. 195 00:08:46,780 --> 00:08:48,260 You are invited. 196 00:08:48,260 --> 00:08:50,740 And so these are the people who have been invited 197 00:08:50,740 --> 00:08:53,420 to take part in this table. 198 00:08:53,420 --> 00:08:56,140 Now, what I want you all to do is y'all, 199 00:08:56,140 --> 00:08:57,120 do y'all think they're good looking? 200 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:58,620 If they're good looking, let's applause. 201 00:08:58,620 --> 00:09:00,860 (congregation applauding) 202 00:09:00,860 --> 00:09:02,060 I agree. 203 00:09:02,060 --> 00:09:04,780 I think you're the best looking group of sinners 204 00:09:04,780 --> 00:09:05,620 I've ever seen. 205 00:09:05,620 --> 00:09:07,660 If you guys can, I've got sin to pass out. 206 00:09:07,660 --> 00:09:09,660 I've got enough to go around for everybody. 207 00:09:09,660 --> 00:09:11,900 So please take one and put it on. 208 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:15,120 Sin for you and sin for you and sin for you. 209 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,340 Lots of sin for you to get involved with here. 210 00:09:18,340 --> 00:09:19,420 Let's see here. 211 00:09:19,420 --> 00:09:20,640 Who wants to be prideful? 212 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:21,480 Here we go. 213 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:22,300 Stealing. 214 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:23,460 Oh, gossip's a good one. 215 00:09:23,460 --> 00:09:26,020 Who wants a good gossip? 216 00:09:26,020 --> 00:09:26,860 Coveting. 217 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:28,640 Here we go. 218 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:29,880 Idolatry. 219 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:30,720 Lust. 220 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:31,540 Who wants the lust? 221 00:09:31,540 --> 00:09:32,380 You want a lust back there? 222 00:09:32,380 --> 00:09:33,220 Here we go. 223 00:09:33,220 --> 00:09:34,660 Slander. 224 00:09:34,660 --> 00:09:35,860 Doubt. 225 00:09:35,860 --> 00:09:37,180 Doubt. 226 00:09:37,180 --> 00:09:38,060 Greed. 227 00:09:38,060 --> 00:09:38,880 Okay. 228 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:40,020 Everybody got one? 229 00:09:40,020 --> 00:09:41,820 All right, put that around your neck. 230 00:09:41,820 --> 00:09:47,860 These guys look a lot like you do. 231 00:09:47,860 --> 00:09:51,320 They're just carrying signs with the things written on it 232 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:52,220 so you can see. 233 00:09:52,220 --> 00:09:57,280 And many of us contend with a lot of these 234 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:59,720 different things, though we don't wear signs. 235 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:01,580 And here's the thing. 236 00:10:01,580 --> 00:10:04,260 The problem that's here is that you guys 237 00:10:04,260 --> 00:10:07,100 have been invited to this table. 238 00:10:07,100 --> 00:10:10,300 You've been invited to participate in a feast with the king, 239 00:10:10,300 --> 00:10:13,220 but the problem is is that you have sin. 240 00:10:13,220 --> 00:10:15,360 You are bound to sin in your life. 241 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:16,580 You're bound to these things. 242 00:10:16,580 --> 00:10:19,500 And the only criteria that there is 243 00:10:19,500 --> 00:10:22,200 is that you come to the table relinquishing your sin. 244 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:23,340 But here's the problem. 245 00:10:23,340 --> 00:10:26,340 You guys don't have the power to relinquish that sin. 246 00:10:26,340 --> 00:10:28,860 Now you can hide it, which we do. 247 00:10:28,860 --> 00:10:31,260 Put it behind our back, act like it's not there. 248 00:10:31,260 --> 00:10:33,380 But we really don't have the power 249 00:10:33,380 --> 00:10:35,100 to get rid of any of this stuff. 250 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:38,540 And so Jesus extends an invitation 251 00:10:38,540 --> 00:10:40,400 and he wants you to be at the table 252 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:41,700 and all you have to do is come, 253 00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:43,580 but here you go, when you come, 254 00:10:43,580 --> 00:10:46,760 he offers you an opportunity to make a choice. 255 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:50,140 And the choice is, will you allow me, says Jesus, 256 00:10:50,140 --> 00:10:53,780 to take your sin and allow me to redeem your life? 257 00:10:53,780 --> 00:10:55,740 Will you allow me to have your sin 258 00:10:55,740 --> 00:10:59,220 and will you allow me to redeem your life? 259 00:10:59,220 --> 00:11:01,420 And once you stand redeemed, 260 00:11:01,420 --> 00:11:05,300 then the table of the Lord is yours. 261 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:07,500 And so he says, give me that blasphemy. 262 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:09,660 You are redeemed. 263 00:11:09,660 --> 00:11:12,860 He says, give me that wrath. 264 00:11:12,860 --> 00:11:15,660 You are redeemed, my child. 265 00:11:15,660 --> 00:11:18,760 Witchcraft, not anymore, redeemed. 266 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,860 Fornication, not anymore. 267 00:11:22,860 --> 00:11:25,220 My child, you're redeemed. 268 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:30,080 Drunkenness, no more. 269 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:31,620 Set free, redeemed. 270 00:11:31,620 --> 00:11:35,860 Coveting, redeemed. 271 00:11:35,860 --> 00:11:38,460 Pride, redeemed. 272 00:11:38,460 --> 00:11:42,200 Doubt, redeemed. 273 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:44,420 Stealing, redeemed. 274 00:11:44,420 --> 00:11:45,820 Gossip, redeemed. 275 00:11:45,820 --> 00:11:49,960 Come on up here, guys. 276 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:51,180 Envy, redeemed. 277 00:11:51,180 --> 00:11:52,700 Gluttony, redeemed. 278 00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:55,460 (mouse clicking) 279 00:11:55,460 --> 00:11:59,580 What is this one? 280 00:11:59,580 --> 00:12:00,520 You were hiding it. 281 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,420 Idolatry, redeemed. 282 00:12:02,420 --> 00:12:05,280 Slander, adultery, lust and greed. 283 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:07,480 All redeemed. 284 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:12,920 See how easy that was? 285 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:19,840 They made a choice to render their sin 286 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,500 and accept the gift of salvation. 287 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:23,700 Here's the deal. 288 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:25,380 The Bible tells us this. 289 00:12:25,380 --> 00:12:27,060 Our sin separates us from God. 290 00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:30,720 Our sin separates us from God. 291 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,040 Your iniquities, iniquities means sin, 292 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,940 have made a separation between you and God. 293 00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:38,840 The wages of sin is death. 294 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,060 You see, sin doesn't just come in 295 00:12:42,060 --> 00:12:43,720 and it just doesn't make us bad. 296 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:47,080 Sin makes us dead, but that's why Jesus came. 297 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:50,020 He didn't come to hand out rules. 298 00:12:50,020 --> 00:12:51,660 He came to remove sin. 299 00:12:51,660 --> 00:12:56,180 He didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it. 300 00:12:56,180 --> 00:13:00,700 And he did so by laying down his life, 301 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:05,700 dying on a cross so that you and I could live. 302 00:13:05,700 --> 00:13:07,180 So that you and I could live. 303 00:13:07,180 --> 00:13:11,020 See, the rest of this verse, there's more to it. 304 00:13:11,020 --> 00:13:13,360 The wages of sin is death, 305 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,060 but the gift of God is eternal life 306 00:13:16,060 --> 00:13:17,900 through Christ Jesus our Lord. 307 00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:19,060 It is a gift. 308 00:13:19,060 --> 00:13:20,780 Guys, eat. 309 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:21,660 Please eat. 310 00:13:21,660 --> 00:13:24,900 Enjoy the cheesecake, enjoy the cheese, 311 00:13:24,900 --> 00:13:25,860 all of those things, 312 00:13:25,860 --> 00:13:28,760 because you've been invited to the feast. 313 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,700 You've been invited to sit at the table 314 00:13:31,700 --> 00:13:34,080 and to enjoy these things. 315 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:39,080 And guys, he has invited you to be a part of his table. 316 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,980 And so, how is it? 317 00:13:41,980 --> 00:13:42,820 Is it good? 318 00:13:42,820 --> 00:13:44,660 Is it good? 319 00:13:44,660 --> 00:13:45,780 You enjoying yourself? 320 00:13:45,780 --> 00:13:49,140 Here's the thing. 321 00:13:49,140 --> 00:13:54,020 When we're at the table, we will feast, 322 00:13:54,020 --> 00:13:59,020 and we will celebrate, and we will share our stories. 323 00:13:59,020 --> 00:14:01,060 We'll share our stories with one another, 324 00:14:01,060 --> 00:14:02,420 and we'll share them joyfully 325 00:14:02,420 --> 00:14:06,380 because Jesus is at the center of the stories. 326 00:14:06,380 --> 00:14:09,300 Guys, some of my best moments, 327 00:14:09,300 --> 00:14:11,580 my best memories and best stories 328 00:14:11,580 --> 00:14:14,220 have been shared around a table with people I love. 329 00:14:14,220 --> 00:14:19,020 And this is going to be an opportunity for us to share 330 00:14:19,020 --> 00:14:21,300 in the greatest story ever told. 331 00:14:21,300 --> 00:14:25,260 Guys, can I tell you that my dad walked out of my life, 332 00:14:25,260 --> 00:14:28,260 but praise the Lord, Jesus met me right there. 333 00:14:28,260 --> 00:14:31,220 Can I tell you that when I was a little kid, 334 00:14:31,220 --> 00:14:34,180 I got in a pool, I fell in, and I almost drowned, 335 00:14:34,180 --> 00:14:36,120 but Jesus saved me. 336 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:37,780 Can I tell you that there was a time 337 00:14:37,780 --> 00:14:39,900 when I wanted to take my life, 338 00:14:39,900 --> 00:14:42,320 I wanted to run my car into a wall and take my life 339 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:43,560 because I didn't think I was worth it, 340 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:45,400 and God Almighty in an audible voice said, 341 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,420 "Kevin, I'm not finished with you yet." 342 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:51,180 Can I tell you that he took a little ragtag 16-year-old 343 00:14:51,180 --> 00:14:54,980 and allowed me to manage a restaurant at such a young age 344 00:14:54,980 --> 00:14:56,740 and be a part of a ministry? 345 00:14:56,740 --> 00:14:58,820 Can I tell you that he looked at me 346 00:14:58,820 --> 00:15:02,860 and he saw it fit to give me a beautiful wife in Sherry 347 00:15:02,860 --> 00:15:04,100 who loves the Lord, 348 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:06,180 someone I never thought I was gonna find. 349 00:15:06,180 --> 00:15:09,940 Can I tell you that my two-year-old at the time, Ruby, 350 00:15:09,940 --> 00:15:13,080 almost lost her life in the hospital, 351 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:15,580 but Jesus touched her and she is alive 352 00:15:15,580 --> 00:15:18,500 to stay here and roll eyes at me all day long. 353 00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:19,620 (congregation murmurs) 354 00:15:19,620 --> 00:15:21,300 Can I tell you that I've longed 355 00:15:21,300 --> 00:15:23,440 for a David-Jonathan friendship 356 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:25,700 and the Lord has supplied somebody in my life. 357 00:15:25,700 --> 00:15:27,740 Can I tell you that just a couple of years ago, 358 00:15:27,740 --> 00:15:30,180 I was in an accident that I should have lost my life, 359 00:15:30,180 --> 00:15:33,260 but the Lord supplied an angel to pull me out of the car 360 00:15:33,260 --> 00:15:34,900 and I'm alive today. 361 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:39,060 Guys, Jesus has been such a massive part of my life. 362 00:15:39,060 --> 00:15:40,740 He has done so much for me, 363 00:15:40,740 --> 00:15:43,140 let alone given me the gift of salvation. 364 00:15:43,140 --> 00:15:44,580 What is your story? 365 00:15:44,580 --> 00:15:45,900 And I look around the table. 366 00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:46,760 John, you have a story. 367 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:47,900 Ashley, you have a story. 368 00:15:47,900 --> 00:15:49,080 You all have a story. 369 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:50,340 Don, you have a story. 370 00:15:50,340 --> 00:15:52,000 And we're gonna sit around this table 371 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,400 and it's not just gonna be Landon 372 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:54,540 and it's not just gonna be Taylor, 373 00:15:54,540 --> 00:15:55,740 but guess who else is gonna be there? 374 00:15:55,740 --> 00:15:56,680 Moses. 375 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:58,620 Moses, can you tell us what it was like 376 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:00,060 when you split the sea? 377 00:16:00,060 --> 00:16:02,100 David, can you tell us what it was like 378 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:06,740 when you took those stones and you killed Goliath? 379 00:16:06,740 --> 00:16:08,540 Esther, can you tell us what it was 380 00:16:08,540 --> 00:16:11,580 to approach the throne of the king? 381 00:16:13,220 --> 00:16:14,980 Guys, we're gonna hear these stories. 382 00:16:14,980 --> 00:16:16,460 We're gonna hear these stories 383 00:16:16,460 --> 00:16:17,940 and we're going to be around a table 384 00:16:17,940 --> 00:16:21,500 and we're gonna celebrate a risen savior. 385 00:16:21,500 --> 00:16:23,860 They're all gonna point to Jesus. 386 00:16:23,860 --> 00:16:24,940 And there's gonna be laughter. 387 00:16:24,940 --> 00:16:27,640 Revelation tells us that there's gonna be no more pain, 388 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:29,680 no more tears, no more death. 389 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:31,500 Guys, are you excited about that day 390 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:34,220 when we don't have to contend with all of those things? 391 00:16:34,220 --> 00:16:38,940 Mary Magdalene, what was it like to be the very first one 392 00:16:38,940 --> 00:16:42,220 to hear he's not here, he's alive? 393 00:16:42,220 --> 00:16:43,580 Guys, I mean, come on, 394 00:16:43,580 --> 00:16:46,660 there's gonna be stories around this table. 395 00:16:46,660 --> 00:16:48,760 There's gonna be great and glorious stories, 396 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:50,100 but here's the thing. 397 00:16:50,100 --> 00:16:52,300 There is a seat that is available. 398 00:16:52,300 --> 00:16:53,660 There's a seat that's empty 399 00:16:53,660 --> 00:16:54,980 and you have a seat at the table 400 00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:56,300 and I'm wondering which one of you 401 00:16:56,300 --> 00:16:58,700 is supposed to be sitting right here today. 402 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:02,220 Which one of you has not taken the invitation seriously 403 00:17:02,220 --> 00:17:04,460 to say, Jesus, I wanna be at that table. 404 00:17:04,460 --> 00:17:05,500 I wanna be with you. 405 00:17:05,500 --> 00:17:07,420 I wanna be a part of the story. 406 00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:09,840 Someone here has bought into the lie 407 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:11,440 that I can't accept the invitation 408 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:12,740 because I'm not good enough. 409 00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:14,900 I'm dirty, you don't understand what I've done this week. 410 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:16,620 You don't understand what my life is like. 411 00:17:16,620 --> 00:17:19,040 Some of you may have been introduced to the name of Jesus 412 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,220 or maybe you're just here because it's Easter Sunday 413 00:17:21,220 --> 00:17:22,960 and that's what you do on Easter Sunday. 414 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:25,460 But can I tell you that there's this great, 415 00:17:25,460 --> 00:17:28,340 glorious, God breathing, a star breathing God 416 00:17:28,340 --> 00:17:31,760 who loves you, who wants to see you saved 417 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:33,300 and pulled out of the muck and mire. 418 00:17:33,300 --> 00:17:34,820 He wants to meet you where you are 419 00:17:34,820 --> 00:17:36,860 and he's got a glorious plan for your life. 420 00:17:36,860 --> 00:17:40,680 Can I tell you that he's available in this room right now? 421 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:44,340 Guys, I believe that there's supposed to be a moment in time 422 00:17:44,340 --> 00:17:45,780 for every single person. 423 00:17:45,780 --> 00:17:48,340 Mine was February 14th, 1990. 424 00:17:48,340 --> 00:17:51,100 There should be a moment in time for every single person 425 00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:53,780 where you acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ 426 00:17:53,780 --> 00:17:57,460 and you say, hey, God, I can't do this by myself. 427 00:17:57,460 --> 00:17:59,140 I need your blood to cover my sin. 428 00:17:59,140 --> 00:18:00,100 Would you forgive me? 429 00:18:00,100 --> 00:18:02,420 And would you begin to allow me to walk with you? 430 00:18:02,420 --> 00:18:04,060 Every person should be able to point back 431 00:18:04,060 --> 00:18:07,360 to a specific moment in time when that was said, 432 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:09,260 when that conversation was had. 433 00:18:09,260 --> 00:18:10,360 And maybe you're sitting here, 434 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:12,340 maybe you've been coming to church for a very long time 435 00:18:12,340 --> 00:18:14,320 but you say, I don't know that I've ever had 436 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,700 that actual moment. 437 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:19,460 Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 438 00:18:19,460 --> 00:18:25,100 Whoever puts their faith in Jesus Christ will be saved. 439 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:30,100 He is a great glorious God and you have a seat at the table. 440 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:31,600 You have a seat at the table. 441 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,600 Is the seat empty? 442 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:35,840 Is your seat empty? 443 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:40,100 He sees you, he knows you, 444 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:40,940 he loves you. 445 00:18:40,940 --> 00:18:43,720 He's got a plan for your life. 446 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:47,320 Would you accept the invitation this morning? 447 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,440 If you are a pastor here at Springhouse, 448 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:54,420 would you come to the sides of the stage for me quickly? 449 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:57,360 And this is what we're going to do this morning. 450 00:18:57,360 --> 00:19:04,260 We're going to partake in the Holy Communion. 451 00:19:04,260 --> 00:19:06,340 You see, on this side of eternity, 452 00:19:06,340 --> 00:19:09,280 we've also been given a table to participate in. 453 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:10,720 And that's the table of grace. 454 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:14,280 And Jesus says that when we come to the table of grace, 455 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,320 he wants us to remember him. 456 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:18,760 And so today we're going to do that. 457 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:20,040 We're going to come to the table 458 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:21,740 and we're going to remember him. 459 00:19:21,740 --> 00:19:24,400 But I'd be remiss to not give the opportunity 460 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:26,620 for those who say, you know what? 461 00:19:26,620 --> 00:19:32,640 I've never really settled the matter with the Lord. 462 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:35,520 I've really never settled the matter with the Lord. 463 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:38,600 And today is the day of salvation. 464 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,520 Today would be a day that these pastors 465 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,160 who are lined up here would love to introduce you 466 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:44,860 or to tell you about Jesus 467 00:19:44,860 --> 00:19:47,040 and to make that matter settled in your heart. 468 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,140 Now you guys, this is a part of worship. 469 00:19:49,140 --> 00:19:50,040 You're going to stay right here 470 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,000 and you're going to feast while we do communion. 471 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,200 You're not moving one place. 472 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,000 Continue to eat, continue to enjoy 473 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,440 because this is a part of your worship this morning. 474 00:19:57,440 --> 00:19:58,400 And for the rest of us, 475 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:01,520 we're going to join them in this act of worship 476 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:03,740 by receiving the elements, 477 00:20:03,740 --> 00:20:07,400 which are the bread and the body of Christ. 478 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,440 And so we do this by the means of intension, 479 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:10,960 which means to dip. 480 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,920 And so we will invite you to go to the back or to the front. 481 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:16,320 Somebody will give you a cracker and they will say to you, 482 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,480 this is the body that was broken for you. 483 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,460 You'll dip it into the cup and they will say, 484 00:20:20,460 --> 00:20:23,500 this is the blood that was spilled for you. 485 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,580 Guys, you have a seat at the table. 486 00:20:26,580 --> 00:20:33,120 And when you take the seat, you'll get to say, 487 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:35,840 let me tell you what Jesus did for me. 488 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:39,200 Let me tell you what Jesus did for me. 489 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:41,360 Father, I thank you for who you are. 490 00:20:41,360 --> 00:20:43,180 I thank you for the great gifts you've given us. 491 00:20:43,180 --> 00:20:46,560 The very best gift you ever gave was your son, Jesus. 492 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,920 And God, I ask Lord that you had blessed this time 493 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:50,600 where we remember you. 494 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:53,040 I thank you, Lord, that you broke this bread. 495 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:56,400 Your blood was spilled, God, for the remission of our sins. 496 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,200 And we remember you in this moment, 497 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,720 not just your death or burial, 498 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:05,040 but today, God, we remember that you are alive. 499 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:06,440 In Jesus' name, amen. 500 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:09,240 Stand with us, you are released to partake in communion. 501 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:11,820 (gentle music) 502 00:21:11,820 --> 00:21:14,400 (gentle music) 503 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,980 (gentle music) 504 00:21:16,980 --> 00:21:19,560 (gentle music) 505 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,140 (gentle music) 506 00:21:22,140 --> 00:21:24,720 (gentle music)