"Easter"

I want to tell you a story that happened earlier this week. Kevin Unger, a young dad in our church was out driving with his two pre-school aged kids. They were strapped into the back seat, having a unique conversation. “You tell him…” “ no, you tell him…” “I’m not going to tell him, you tell him.” “ No way! I’m not going to, it’s too bad to tell him.” And so on. So finally Kevin stops the car because he has to find out what they’re talking about. He says, “ What is it that’s so bad that you can’t tell me? You can tell me anything.” “Daddy… God is dead.” The kids had heard the message of the cross, of Good Friday, but had never understood the second part of the story. Today we want to tell the second part, because God is not dead. He is very much alive!

Mark 16 : “The next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary, the mother of James, went out and purchased burial spices to put on Jesus’ body. On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone – a very large one – had already been rolled aside. So they entered the tomb, and there on the right say a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, but the angel said, ‘Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body. Now go and give this message to His disciples. Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died!’ The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone because they were too frightened to talk”

And that’s why we celebrate Easter weekend. Jesus is alive and death would not have the last victory. Evil has not won.

But we don’t just celebrate an event in history today. We celebrate the difference that the alive Jesus makes in our lives today and everyday. We celebrate that our souls are made alive by Jesus Christ. We celebrate the power of the resurrection and how that power can transform our lives.

This week I have been uniquely challenged by God and by the truth of the resurrection and its power and that truth has begun to change me inside. My prayer all week has been the same – that each of you, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, would feel the power of Jesus in a new way today. So please hear this message clearly. There is great hope for all of us today.

The first thing the resurrection does is give us:

• Power to walk with God

Now I don’t know where you are today. People come to church at Easter for different reasons. Some of you are excited. Life is great! Some of you have massive challenges you’re working through. I do know some of you are searching for God, searching to fill an empty spot in your life, and some of you wonder if God will ever get close to you, and you feel very much alone in your life.

Listen to the truth. You are not alone in this world. I don’t know how many of you have ever felt loneliness (I have, in my life at certain times), but loneliness is a lot different than simply being alone. Loneliness is empty and helpless and hopeless and so very, very frustrating. Its dark. You may know that feeling, wanting to talk but having no one to listen. Or wanting to listen and there’s no one talking, wanting a hug and having no one to hold you, wanting a hand to hold and only grasping at air.

People, here this: Jesus’ greatest desire is to fill up that empty void, that hole, that things like loneliness create in our souls. His greatest desire is to be your closest friend. Listen to his words in John 15:13-15:

“Greater love has no one that this, that He lay down His live for His friends. You are my friends if you follow me with all your hearts. I no longer call you servants . . . instead, I have called you friends . . .”

Just recently, I was talking to someone about my experience of loneliness when I was younger. So alone, I didn’t have a friend in the world (or at least I felt like it). I was searching anywhere and everywhere to find fulfillment and then something amazing happened. Jesus found me and began to walk beside me and we began a friendship that has changed me entire life. Folks, Jesus is my best friend in the whole world. I meet with Him everyday to talk and we share life on a very meaningful basis. I know He’ll never leave me and I know He’ll always love me. Amazing! Hold onto that thought…

Now let me connect the cross and the resurrection together.

Listen to Romans 5:6-9a (NLT), “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. And so we have been make right in God’s sight by Christ’s death . . .” So because of the cross, we can begin our relationship with God. It goes on to say. . . “Now, just think of how our (spiritual) lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life! So now we rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God” (Romans 5:10,11, The Message)

The first profound message of the resurrection is that if follows up – spiritually – on what Jesus did for us on the cross. See, the message of the cross is fairly basic. Romans 5:6 said it, “When we were utterly helpless to save ourselves, Christ died for us . . .”.

Now that’s a huge spiritual truth ® that every one of us needs to understand . . . and it’s something we need to get out in the open right away. There is no possible way of attaining eternal life on our own – there is not way to come into relationship with God or to have our sins cleared up or to have our souls grow closer to God on our own. That’s impossible. Any change that is made in our spiritual lives is a direct result of God’s work in our hearts . . .we can’t save ourselves, spiritually.

And that’s the message of the cross – to simply accept that we are helpless to change our own souls and that we must accept the forgiveness and grace poured out by Jesus when he died for us. The message of the cross begins our relationship with God and cancels our past sin-debt.

BUT, and this is big news, the power of the resurrection is about Jesus walking with us into the future to expand our spiritual lives.

Realize this, the reason Jesus hung on that cross and died, the reason He was raised to life was so that we could be in relationship with Him ever day, so we would never have to feel alone again. When you walk in a friendship with Jesus, it will change your loneliness into the knowledge

that the God of the universe…

• longs to spend time with you
• longs to walk beside you and expand your soul
• longs to hear the pain of your heart, and its passions . . .

People – hear this truth again – Jesus is alive and very real. That’s what we’re celebrating this weekend. When you understand that Jesus has the ability to awaken your soul – as you walk with Him – it will change your life. And today, I’d like to give you a chance to step more fully into relationship with Jesus Christ to talk in step with God in a new and powerful way. But understand this first truth of the resurrection: that because Jesus is alive, we can walk daily in relationship with God, we are not alone.

Here’s the second truth the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings into our lives:

2. Power to live free

Jesus said this in John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . .”. Freedom is a word we are so often confused about. We think we are very free, compared to the rest of the world. I mean, we have right and choices, and we make our own decisions, we can vote, and we can be educated and really the world is at our disposal. We can live as we please and chase our dreams at will.

And to be honest – all of these things are true – it’s a wonderful privilege to live where we do . . .but I believe there’s an element of freedom we don’t understand – or perhaps, it’s bondage we don’t understand.

See, I think we create our own prisons, and our own chains – in our false search for freedom. Somehow we have gotten the idea that freedom is about doing whatever we want to do when we want it, (no matter what the cost to us or those near us.) There are many examples of this search for freedom that lots of us have tried.

Some of us feel freedom will be found in attaining wealth and power – and you know the pattern, “if I could just have that house in that area of town”, or “if I could just get that job or this position in the company”, or “if I could just drive that car or afford to wear that dress or be invited to that function, then I will have achieved and attained”. Somehow we are fooled into thinking, that more stuff, or a larger position equals freedom, and folks, that’s really crazy because we spend half our lives (or sometimes all our lives) chasing stuff and things or a position, and guess what? That’s not freedom. Spending years of your life focused on that, is called bondage because what happens is this; the chase for more becomes your life and it’s like a rope around your neck. Just a few more hours work, just one more position up the ladder, just one more pay raise; just one more, then I’ll be free. And Folks, that’s a prison that will leave you alone, and empty, and joyless, and peace less and frustrated – because enough never is enough. That’s not freedom.

Others of us have been duped into thinking that freedom is about choosing whatever we want to do with our lives morally, or we believe that freedom comes by chasing hard after the pleasures of life available to us. But do you have any idea the pain that something like free sex has caused our society? All free sex has caused is this:

• millions of cases of sexually transmitted diseases
• AIDS
• soaring abortion rates
• sexual violence and abuse running rampant

I don’t know about you, but I don’t see those as very freeing in our

society or in your life. They’re prisons.

Or do you have any idea the freedom that has been stolen by the misuse of booze and drugs in our society?

You should see the stats on how alcohol abuse increases the chance for violence within the home

• or the downside, or the low points after the highs of years of doing drugs
• or try this: have you ever sat down and talked with someone who’s an alcoholic, and asked them about the carnage it’s left in their lives?
• 12 step people have a very clear view of freedom and where God fits in their lives

People, these things have nothing to do with freedom, and those are

only a few examples of things we try to fill up that hole in our souls with. Hear this, freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want when we want it, and doing it as much as we want. That simply leads to a prison of emptiness and worthless chasing. Instead, freedom is doing that which you were created to do and becoming that which you were created to become – (to know your creator and walk hand in hand with Him every day.) (REPEAT) That’s the truth that will set you free.

Following the alive Jesus is an amazing picture of freedom and that’s the power of the resurrection, to wake up every morning and be able to choose Jesus . Go fill up your soul (and not anything else). Still with me?

Here’s another twist to this freedom thing. What about all those other things in our character that hold us back that we can’t seem to change.? Things that we’re not free from but we’d sure like to be. Things like:

• that anger that lashes out at loved ones
• or that hurtful mouth of ours
• or that sin that keeps coming up time and time again
• or that dark part of our lives that we know is holding us back form walking closer with God

What do we do with all of those and will we ever be truly free of

these things?

The answer is yes. Romans 8 says this, “Now there is no condemnation for those who follow Jesus Christ, for the power of God has freed you from sin . . and you are no longer controlled by sin. Since Christ lives within you . . . you are now alive to God.”

This is one of the critical points of the resurrection, that because Jesus is alive and by faith He lives in our lives we then have the power available to us to be free, free from the chains of sin, free from those things that hold us back from living as we should.

• free from addictions
• free from our mouths getting us into trouble
• free from our angry outbursts or hurtful words
• free from the continual hold money or sex or power has on us

We can be free, not because we can do this on our own. When you and I engage the living Christ to deal with these dark parts of our lives. That’s when there’s power enough to break those sinful patterns.

The way I describe it is like this: Jesus Christ has the power to change your character . . . to release you from that part of you that leads to damage and destruction and then He brings you to light and life . . . Amazing – the power of God to Change us . . . why wouldn’t you want that in your life?

Here’s the third truth about how the resurrection can affect our lives:

3. Power to be transformed.

Romans 8:11, “The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you . . . and will give you life.”

Romans 6:4, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God . . . now we also may live new lives.”

Let me tell you a story. It’s about a woman named Fay who was born into an alcoholic home in 1941. As a child she constantly saw life turn ugly all around her. Fist fights and verbal abuse were regular occurrences right in the kitchen. As the children god older fear was a very common feeling as sexual abuse became standard place. The family moved 13 times in her first 12 years of life. And then the family just kind of came apart. The kids were left to figure out how to be adults on their own. Incredible dysfunction.

When Fay turned 16 she found the church, and the church helped her find Jesus and the moment she found Jesus she started living a new life. A different life than she had ever known. She found out that all the darkness around her didn’t have to over take her and she found out that Jesus called her to a whole other way to live.

Fay is my mom and when she was 19 she married my dad. They decided together that they were going to raise their family different. They were going to let Jesus lead them and that he would be the center of our home.

To me this is a miracle. See, because of Jesus Christ, my mom was able to break the chains of darkness that had gripped her family for generations. My brothers and I were given a completely different look at home and family life. One decision to follow Christ will transform a family for generations. Awesome!

Romans 6:4 “ Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God, not we also may live new lives…”

Folks, the same life changing power of God is available to us when we commit our lives to follow Jesus. God actually lives in us and the Holy Spirit’s power is available to us and begins to transform us.

Folks, I have to tell you this news about the power of the resurrection has really affected me. It’s put my whole world into 5 th gear and it’s put my thoughts about my spiritual life to a whole new level – a different plane.

See, if it’s true – think of the implications. If it’s true that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us every day by

Faith. And if it’s true that God wants us to live a new and transformed life. If that is true:

• Then sin will no longer have any hold on us
• Then any fear we have about the future will disappear because we will walk boldly by faith
• Then those false things we try to fill our lives up with will be shown to us as fake – because we’ll really see Jesus
• And those relentless addictions or habits don’t have to ruin our

lives . . .

See people, if all the power of God is available to us, our whole lives will be transformed to be like Jesus.

• And we will be able to become the person we were created to become
• We will be able to love like Jesus does
• We will be able to respond like Jesus does
• And have self-control like Jesus does
• We will be able to have the wisdom that Jesus does
• We will be able to see ourselves the way Jesus does
• As beautiful children of the king
• As amazing creations
• As gifts from God

Do you see it now? Take it another step. If all these changes are

possible, then what do you think will happen to:

• Our friendships and the way we respond to them
• The way we parent and how patient we are with our kids
• The way we love our spouses
• Our marriages
• Our families and the way we get along with them

People, it’s amazing to think about! I mean, if you think your life is good

now, think again. Add this truth to the mix, let your heart get stirred with the emotion of it.

God wants to pour His Spirit into your life – His power into your soul – God want s to transform your life! Amazing!

That’s what we celebrate this Easter morning. But I need to tell you, your faith is not just about knowledge. It’s also about action. Receiving the power of God into your life is a very personal thing, it’s an individual choice.

Jesus made it very clear that we must personally respond to his offer of life. I don’t want to let this morning go by without letting you respond.

Here’s how it works. Let me show you an illustration that might help: This is a chair. Looks like a strong, well made chair. It has 4 strong legs. It looks kind of comfortable. Looks like it would hold me up. I actually have faith that this chair would hold me up. But I wont’ ever know until I sit in it, until I take a step of faith. Put my weight on those legs… (sit down)

Folks, many of you have been watching Jesus and hearing about his power. You know the story but you haven’t sat in the chair, haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus, haven’t responded. Or you haven’t stepped across the line and said, “Jesus I really want to be free from that thing that holds me back:

• heal me
• forgive me
• change me

You haven’t said, “Today Jesus, I accept your power to change me”.

I think there are probably 3 responses you could have today. Everybody get a communication card out from the pew in front of you.

• Say thanks - I’ve got the power in my life and Jesus you’re helping me to change into the person I want to be.
• Step of faith - I want the power I want to engage my life with Jesus and receive his offer. I want to personally respond. Today is my day to step into faith.
• Put action into your faith – I want to apply the power Perhaps to an area of sin or to an area that needs healing. Even if you’ve been following Jesus for a long time, apply the power specifically.

Maybe you’re still seeking, and that’s okay, keep seeking. If you seek, you will find.

Which are you? Write your response on the card. I’m going to phoenix tomorrow morning and I’m taking this cards with me. I’m going to pray for you all over the next week. By name, if you’re name is included. So write our which number and what God is telling you to respond and I’ll pray for you.

If you are a #2, here’s how to step into faith with Jesus Christ – please

listen carefully:

• Simply open your heart to God and ask Him to come into your life – ask Him to forgive your past (to forgive anything that has stood between you and Him), then ask Him to begin to lead your life from now on .

I’ll lead you in a prayer like this in just a minute . . .

If you’re a #1 today, then spend these next moments saying thanks and

claiming the victory of Christ in your life.

If you’re a #3, use these moments to build your faith – to believe that Christ is alive in your life and has the power to break any sin – any habit that is destructive or any past hurt done to you. I’ll pray for you in a moment as well .