He is Risen
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 04/21/2019
Foundation Scriptures:
Now after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to take a look at the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled the boulder back and sat upon it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his garments as white as snow. 4 And those keeping guard were so frightened at the sight of him that they were agitated and they trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, as He said [He would do]. Come, see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you. 8 So they left the tomb hastily with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples. Matthew 28:1-8 AMPC
1. God Reached Down to Man.
a. For millennia, people have worshipped idols of wood and stone—gods that have eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, and a mouth that cannot speak.
b. Today, we worship the One and Only True and Living God—Creator of heaven and earth.
c. Religion has always been about man’s vain attempts to reach God.
d. Christianity is about God reaching out to man—by and through the Person of Jesus Christ!
e. John 3:16-17 AMPC — For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
f. People say that there are many ways to get to God.
g. They say that even though there are many religions, they are all worshipping the same God.
h. This is NOT the truth.
i. 1 John 4:14 KJV — And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
j. 1 John 2:22-23 KJV — Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
2. A Sacrifice of Love.
a. The One we worship is alive and we are allowed to have a personal relationship with Him 24/7.
b. It’s a love relationship.
c. He loved us before we knew Him and while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
d. 1 John 4:9-10 AMPC — In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.
e. Romans 5:8 AMPC — But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
f. Jesus’ Blood and His Body were given as an offering for sin and a purchase of our freedom.
g. He rose from the dead for our justification.
3. Don’t Miss Your Day of Visitation.
a. A week before He was crucified, Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but even as they worshipped Him, He wept over Jerusalem.
b. Luke 19:41-42 NKJV — Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
c. They missed their Day of Visitation—much like many people today.
d. Too many people are so busy; running; looking for that which does not satisfy; chasing things that are temporal.
e. Put your attention on what’s eternal.
4. Celebrate the Resurrection.
a. Today—and every day—we can celebrate the Resurrection.
b. He’s alive—He lives—He reigns!
c. He loved us and He loves us now—He gave His body and His blood—as a ransom for many.
d. He paid the ultimate price for us—He gave His all—He gave His life.
e. Worship involves a sacrifice.
f. We love Him—we give our hearts; our minds; our bodies; our finances—and we worship Him.
g. We are now able to have a relationship with Him.
h. Not only that, but we can fellowship with Him.
i. We are able to interact with Him.
j. He speaks—we listen. We speak—He hears.
k. He loves on us. We love on Him.
l. We tell about Him. He tells about us.
5. Will You Choose to Worship Him Today?
a. Will you worship Him today—spirit, soul and body?
b. Will you give Him your best—your all?
c. Surrender.
d. Spirit, Soul and Body.
e. If you want God’s best, give Him your best!