2007 May « Rev Bill’s Sermons

May 22, 2007

Sermon: 1 Corinthians 15:11-20, John 11:1-45

Filed under: 1 Corinthians, John — revbill @ 9:57 pm

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

John 11:1-45

Easter Means You Can Believe In New Life

May 20, 2007

Part 5 of 2007 series “Easter Means …”

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

For part of the Easter Season the sign in front of the Church read:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

That’s the message of Easter.

New life.

The amazing message of Easter is a message that life can be filled with hope – you can be forgiven – you can have a life of joy — especially when it is least expected.

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there can never again be any joy to your life — and a new life is only a dream.

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

That’s the message of Easter.

But – you know — sometimes it’s hard to believe that the message of Easter – the new life – the hope – the joy – the forgiveness – that Easter promises us – can be true.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe in the hope – the forgiveness – the joy – the new life Easter offers us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is changing us — and our world — by the resurrection of Christ.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — our lives can be changed and made new.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the message of Easter – the message of hope – the message of forgiveness – the message of joy — especially when these things are least expected.

There may be times in your life when it’s hard for you to believe that Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no chance for joy — and a new life is only a dream.

Life can have a way of hitting you hard sometimes.

Circumstances beyond your control can seemingly take away any hope for a new life of joy – hope – and forgiveness.

But – here’s the truth –

In the midst of your pain – in the midst of your feeling that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in the midst of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

Or – I think that it would be better to say:

In spite of your pain –

in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you –

in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – and a new life is only a dream.

Yea – the sign out front was right – even in your most painful and joyless times — because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – we can say to each other – we can say to the world – and I can say to you:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

I’m glad that Easter is a Season – not just a day!

We have needed to take some time to look at the wonderful news that Christ has risen – and the implications of joy – forgiveness – and new life the resurrection can have for our lives.

We’ve spent most of the last few weeks looking at the way the resurrection changed the lives of the first believers in Christ – and how it can change our lives, also. We’re going to conclude that today.

The amazing — life changing — fact of Easter is that:

God can make your life new.

God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in your life.

The Apostle Paul knew what the resurrection meant – and the hope – joy – forgiveness – and new life he had because Christ had risen from the dead – and Paul spent the rest of his life declaring the amazing truth that Christ had risen and hope – joy – and forgiveness was possible — because Christ has risen.

2 women – Mary and Martha – along with their bother Lazarus – also knew about the new life they had because of what Christ had done in their lives – especially when it seemed that there was no hope for new life and meaning for their lives.

Listen to God’s word – first in 1 Corinthians 15:11-20 – then in John 11:1-45.

Read Scripture

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

You know — the raising of Lazarus shows that Jesus does miraculous things to bring new possibilities and new life into situations where it might seem that new possibilities and new life are downright impossible.

The raising of Lazarus shows that God is doing something new – even when seems impossible.

That’s the message of the raising of Lazarus – as well as the message of Easter.

New life.

Life can be filled with hope – you can be forgiven – you can have a life of joy — especially when it is least expected.

You can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there can never again be any joy to your life — and a new life is only a dream.

The message of Easter – the message of the raising of Lazarus – is that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives – especially when it seems that there is no chance for anything new or marvelous to ever again occur.

Have you ever felt that new life – new possibilities – were impossible for you?

How do you think Mary and Martha must have felt!

Hope is stifled when something terrible occurs in their family.

They probably don’t see how their lives will ever be any different – or that there will ever again be any hope of change in their lives.

They probably don’t see that there will ever be anything else to hope for.

They probably don’t see that anything new can ever occur that will change their situation.

They probably find it very difficult to believe in new life.

Their brother Lazarus had died, leaving behind Martha and Mary.

The loss is not only a personal grief — an emotional burden — but it also pushes the sisters out to the margins of society as women without men.

Their village doesn’t know what to do with them.

They are on their way to becoming surplus people.

So the problem for Mary and Martha is not only the death of Lazarus — it feels also like death for Martha and Mary.

They see no future worth considering.

They probably find it hard to consider that fact that God can do something new and marvelous in their lives. They probably find it hard to believe that there can ever again be anything new and marvelous in their lives.

Yea – they probably felt that new life – new possibilities – were impossible for them.

Now — they may believe in a final resurrection — but eternity and “some day” may seem beyond any horizon visible to them.

What they see as their future is nothing more than a series of weary days through which they had to plod.

No chance for new life.

No chance for anything to hope for.

They probably feet that even God – even Jesus – could not do anything new or marvelous in their lives any more.

They might have felt that all hope was lost.

And when you to all this the disappointment that their friend Jesus, the one they thought could save Lazarus, doesn’t get there until Lazarus has been dead for four long days and buried in a tomb with a big stone blocking the entrance – well, that pretty much sealed any hope for new life or for God doing anything marvelous and new in their lives ever again.

They probably feel that all their hopes and dreams for their lives are sealed up in that tomb with their brother Lazarus.

How do you think it sounds when Jesus arrives, and Martha greets him with these words:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

It sounds like she and her sister Mary don’t see how their lives will ever be any different – or changed.

It sounds like they don’t see that there will ever be anything else again to hope for.

It sounds like they don’t see that anything new can ever occur that will change their situation.

It sounds like they find it very difficult to believe that Jesus can give them a new life.

It sounds like all hope has been taken away.

Jewish tradition held that the spirit would linger for 3 days – but after 4 – there was not hope left!

Give it up!

Stop hoping!

Noting new will happen!

Even when Jesus comes – Martha has little hope.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

As Lazarus lay sick before he died she may have thought that Jesus would show up and save the day. She may have thought that He would come and make everything better. She may have thought that Jesus would come and heal her brother.

But that isn’t what happened.

Jesus didn’t make it to Bethany in time.

Life was not going in the way Martha had hoped.

Her brother wasn’t supposed to die.

After all he was Jesus’ good friend.

How could Jesus allow something like this happen to a friend?

Not only was her life shattered by the death of her brother, but her expectations of Jesus were shattered because Jesus did not do what Martha thought he would do.

Can you understand – at least somewhat – what Mary and Martha must have been feeling?

Have you ever felt that new life – new possibilities – were impossible for you?

I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life when I have wondered:

“God, why have you allowed this to happen to me.

I thought you were my friend and that you cared about me. “

Sometimes it certainly feels as though God has let us down.

But – the message of Easter is — in the midst of your pain – in the midst of your feeling that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in the midst of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

Or – I think that it would be better to say:

In spite of your pain –

in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you –

in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Easter means that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives – especially when it seems that there is no chance for anything new or marvelous to ever again occur.

When Martha says to Jesus:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Jesus responds:

“Your brother will rise again.”

You see — Jesus did not see Lazarus’ death as God’s plan for life derailed — rather Jesus knew God had a better plan all along. Jesus knew that there was hope.

Unfortunately Martha misunderstood what Jesus was saying. She thought Jesus was saying one of those comforting words you say to people at a funeral like, “we can rejoice because they are with the Lord now.” What Jesus meant was, “you brother will rise today.” We know Martha misunderstood Jesus because she replied:

“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Martha believed Lazarus would rise again at the day of resurrection but she had no clue that Jesus meant she would see the glory of God that very day.

You see – the message of Easter is this: in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Easter means that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives – especially when it seems that there is no chance for anything new or marvelous to ever again occur.

The raising of Lazarus means that this new life Jesus spoke about is possible – not just in heaven – not just some day. It was possible that day! Martha and Mary saw it happen! They rejoiced when Lazarus came out of the grave – and they finally understood that – in spite of their pain and their feeling they will never again experience anything new in their lives – new life was possible through Jesus.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

That certainly means that there is life eternal in heaven for us when we die – but friends – it also means that – because of the resurrection of Christ – we have new life here and now.

We don’t have to wait until “some day” to experience the new life God can give us.

We don’t have to wait for heaven to experience this new life.

The day for new life is now!

The place for new life is here!

Now is the time that God is offering you new life — new hope –and new meaning for your life.

This is the place where God is offering you new life — new hope – and new meaning for your life.

The message of Easter is: in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Easter means that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in your life– especially when it seems that there is no chance for anything new or marvelous to ever again occur.

The message of Easter is:

It doesn’t matter how hopeless things in your life may appear

It doesn’t matter if you feel God has let you down

It doesn’t matter if there is something in your life that makes you cry out – like Martha –

Lord – if you had done something, I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in now

It doesn’t matter what your past has been like –

What matters is that God is up to doing something new and different and marvelous in your life –

What matters is that new life – new hope – new possibilities for your life — . are possible – not just in the future – not “someday” – not just when you die and go to heaven — but here – and now!

Easter means you can believe in new life!

Yea – if Mary and Martha and Lazarus were standing in front of the Church today they would probably be inviting people to:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

It’s interesting that when Lazarus walked out of the grave, Jesus said:

“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Other translations say –

“Unbind him, and let him go.”

This got me to thinking –

What binds us?

What do we need to be unbound from so you can truly believe in – and live — the new life Jesus offers?

Let me ask you –

What binds you – what do you need to be unbound from so you can truly believe in – and live — the new life Jesus offers?

What do you need to be unbound from for you to be able to believe in – and live – a new life?

Do you need to be unbound from sin?

Is sin binding you – and keeping you from experiencing the new life Jesus is offering you?

We all have sins that we commit every day – but they do not have to bind us or keep us from experiencing the new life Jesus gives us.

Sin does not have to keep you from believing in – and living – the new life God gives you.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

How about some habit or addiction you have you can’t seem to break away from?

Do you have some habit or addiction that is binding you – and keeping you from experiencing the new life Jesus is offering you?

You can come to God with your habits and addictions – receive His forgiveness and strength – and start experiencing the new life God gives you.

Habits and addictions do not have to keep you from believing in – and living – the new life God gives you. God is stronger than any habit or addiction you may have. God can give you new life.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

Do you need to be unbound from despair?

Has something happened in your life that makes you feel that God has abandoned you?

Feelings of despair do not have to keep you from believing in – and living – the new life God gives you. You can come to God with your feelings and despair – and God will show you that He is with you. Even in your despair – God can give you new life.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

Do you need to be unbound from anger?

Is there something you are angry at God about – or angry at someone else about – or angry at yourself about?

Anger does not have to keep you from believing in – and living – the new life God gives you. You can come to God with your anger – receive His peace – and find ways to patch relationships. Even in your anger – God can give you new life.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

Here’s the good news — nothing has to bind you and keep us from experiencing the new life God offers you – here and now.

Sin does not have the power to bind you and keep you from the new life God gives you –

Habits and addictions don’t have to bind you and keep you from the new life God gives you –

Feelings of despair or anger don’t have to bind you and keep you from the new life God gives you –

Nothing has to bind you and keep you from experiencing the new life God offers you – here and now.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

I once heard a story about a man who bought a blue blazer from a department store. The more he wore it the more he knew he didn’t like it. It wasn’t the right color and it attracted lint like it was a magnet. After wearing it for six months he put it in the closet and didn’t wear it any more.

About a year later he got to thinking about the store’s famous unconditional-return policy. He thought there was no way they would ever take the blazer back after 18 months, especially after he had worn it. But, he decided he had nothing to lose.

He pulled the blazer out, threw a lot of lint on it to make it look bad, and took it to the store. He walked in, and walked up to the first salesman he saw and gave his little prepared speech. He said,

“I am about to put your famous unconditional-return policy to its ultimate test. I bought this blazer here. I’ve worn it lots. I’ve had it for a year and a half. I don’t like it. It’s the wrong color, and it attracts lint like it’s going out of style. So I want to return this blazer trading it for a blazer that I like.”

The salesman just looked at him and shook his head. He said, “For heavens sake, what took you so long? Let’s go find you a blazer.”

Ten minutes later he walked out with another blazer that was marked seventy-five dollars more than what he paid for the one that he brought in. It was perfect. It didn’t cost him a penny.

In a small way, the department store is a lot like God. They are willing to back up their promises and Easter is about God keeping His promises.

God will take your old life – even as sinful, as desperate, as angry, as hopeless – as you may be – and give you a new one.

Easter means God is up to doing something new and marvelous in your life – especially when you feel there is no way anything new or different can ever be done for you again.

Easter means you can believe in new life

Right here.

Right now.

God is up to doing something new and different in your life.

God is giving you new life.

You can believe it.

You can live it.

Right here.

Right now.

Easter means you can believe in new life!

Amen.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Filed under: Proverbs — revbill @ 9:48 pm

Proverbs 31:10-31

A Mother’s Day Card From God

May 13, 2007

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today is Mother’s Day – the day we think about, honor, and give praise to God for our mothers. It’s good to have a day to stop and think about our mothers – because a mother is one thing we all share in common.

Whether our mother’s are alive or whether they are not –

whether we live with them or we don’t –

whether we can easily share our lives with them or – for whatever reason – it is difficult to do so –

whether they have been examples of love and patience to us or have not showed us a lot of love in our lives –

we all have – or have had – mothers.

A good, Christian mother is indeed something to give praise to God for.

I believe that all mothers attempt to be good mothers and start out wanting good things for their children – but at times circumstances or things or choices get in the way and the relationship between a mother and her child can be strained. But – deep down – I think all mothers love their children – and want the best for them.

So – regardless of things that may have happened –

Regardless of our relationship with our mothers – good or bad – it’s god to have a day when we can think about, honor, and give praise to God for our mothers.

Being a mother is not an easy job.

In some ways it is harder now that it ever has been.

A woman of keen mind and understanding heart gazed at Whistler’s portrait of his mother. “It is a remarkable painting of a very lovely lady,” murmured the viewer, “but she is too peaceful and calm to be mother.”

Being a mother – especially in today’s world – is not easy.

Sure – there are more appliances and conveniences placed within the home with the goal of making the household chores easier – but in spite of all the modern day conveniences in then home, women today are probably busier than at any other point in history.

Expectations for women have changed. Today, a mother is expected to not only cook the bacon, she has to help bring it home as well. Even though she may work 40 hours plus, she is still expected to be the main housekeeper. She is often expected to keep the house, cook the meals, wash the clothes, and take care of the children. Their day is often from before sun-up to past sun-down.
Another change we have seen in recent years is the “super mom”. This is the woman that attempts to have it all, a good education, a great career, and be a great mother as well. Many women are finding that this is not that easy. Regardless of time schedules and calendar organizers, there is still only 24 hours to work with in a day. I know, there are occasions that I wish for 36 hours in a day so I could get everything done as well, but there is no such thing. It takes a great deal of organizing – and making choices – to get around to just what needs to be done.

You can forget about getting it all done.

All these expectations can lay a big guilt trip on the modern day women – whether she be a mother or not.

Not many households can be like the Cleavers on the old TV show “Leave It To Beaver” – or like the Nelson’s on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”. Maybe your family is more like the “Ozzie Osbourne Family” than it is the “Ozzie Nelson Family”!

So – what can I say today to help you with your struggle to raise a family in the best way you can?

I believe the Bible has a lot of encouragement for mothers. Certainly it has encouragement for us all – but I want to focus on mothers today.

First – listen to God’s word as the book of Proverbs describes a Godly wife and mother. Listen to Proverbs 33:10-31.

Read Scripture

You may have noticed the sign in front of the Church as you arrived for worship or Sunday School today. It reads reads:

A mother needs:

Feet that are fast

Arms that are strong

And hands that are folded in prayer.

Fast feet.

Strong arms.

Praying hands.

Such are the things a mother needs to fill all the roles she has to fill these days – or to be the woman – the wife – the mother Proverbs describes in the passage I just read.

Fast feet

Strong arms

And particularly praying hands

are the only things that can help mothers – or any woman – or any man for that matter – be the people God has called us to be.

The passage from Proverbs we have before us this morning is not an easy one to live up to. It can be taken as just a few more unrealistic expectations to add to the list of unrealistic expectations laid upon mothers these days. But – before you just mark this passage off as an impossible list to live up to – I ask you to consider one point – God gives you strength to do these things – if not perfectly – then better than you can do these things on your own.

The fast feet –

The strong arms –

Are all made faster and stronger by the praying hands. It’s the praying hands that make all the things God expects of Christian mothers – all the things Proverbs 31 tells us about – all the real expectations that are placed upon Christian mothers these days – do-able.

God is with you as you pray for the strength to do all you need to do.

God is with you as you pray for fast feet – strong arms – and all the other things you need.

Many of us might have spent some time looking for Mother’s Day cards this week – looking for the one that says just the right thing in the right way. The “perfect mother’s day card” is just about as rare as the “perfect mother”! Usually you look around – then settle for one that is not quite perfect but covers what you want to say well enough.

Well – you know what?

God has selected a Mother’s Day card for all you Moms here today.

A copy is here in the pulpit.

There are copies in the pews.

Some of you brought your own copy with you from home.

I would dare say all of you have at least one copy in your house.

God’s Mother’s Day card for all you Moms here today is the Bible.

Mothers have a very difficult job – actually more of a ministry than a job. But God doesn’t bless you with Motherhood, then leave you to hang out to dry. He’s given you His Word to encourage you – to help you — to bless you – to comfort you – and to give you direction. The Bible is God’s Mother’s Day Card to you. You can pick out the verse or verses that apply to you as a Mother – and that can be God’s message to you as you strive to be the best Mom you can be.

For example –

When you feel discouraged.

Moms – have you ever felt discouraged?

What Mom hasn’t?
Motherhood isn’t for the weak or faint-hearted, is it?
Mothers need a lot of encouragement … and need it on a daily basis.
Listen to what God writes on the inside of His Mother’s Day Card to you in Isaiah 40:28-31:

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

When you feel like giving up – don’t!
Why? Because Isaiah tells us that God “understands”.

Can you identify with being tired and weary? Isaiah reminds you that God strengthens the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Mothers — when you get discouraged, open up God’s Mother’s Day Card, read His message to you, and then –like the Paul in Philippians 4:13 – you can say:

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength

How about:

2.- When you feel angry
How about it – Moms?

Have you ever gotten angry with your kids?
If you haven’t, you need to be nominated for sainthood!
Listen to what God has written on the inside of His Mother’s Day card to you:
In Ephesians 4:26:

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

God doesn’t say it’s wrong to be angry, but He does say that you need to control your anger. God’s message to you is to not stay angry.

There’s a purpose for anger — you’re supposed to get angry over disobedience, lack of respect, insolence, and other things. If you didn’t get angry over these things, but permitted and encouraged them, you wouldn’t be much of a Mother. But – you have to control it instead of letting it control you. You need to turn it into a useful tool, not a destructive weapon.
Moms — when you feel angry, open up God’s Mother’s Day Card and read His message to you. Don’t let your anger control you … let God control your anger.

How about –

3.- When you need help.
Moms — do you ever feel like you’re in this motherhood business alone? You might get a lot of help from all sorts of people – including your husband – but — do you ever feel like you need more help?
Open up God’s Mother’s Day Card to you, and see what He’s written in it to you in Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

God is always there to help you. He’s got some other helpful words of encouragement:

Ps. 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

Mom’s — you’re not alone. Paul writes in Phil. 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”

God’s not going to abandon you — He’s always there to help you.

When you feel discouraged –

When you feel angry –

When you feel that you need help –

God is with you giving you what you need.

Well – how about:

4.- When you feel alone?

Moms — You can have a houseful of children — all wanting your attention at the same time … and still feel alone – can’t you?

You can be in the middle of Wal-mart with kids hanging off the shopping cart and still feel alone.

Open up God’s Mother’s Day card – and you’ll see it has some words for you in those times too.

Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.”

Moms – – you’re not alone in raising your children. God hasn’t abandoned you.
Whenever you feel lonely, just open up God’s Mother’s Day card to you … and be assured that He is just a prayer away.

Well – how about:

5. When you feel tired.

Sometimes a “stay-at-home Mom” will be asked this question: “Do you work?” Your first impulse is probably to punch the person asking the question in the nose — your second impulse might be laugh hysterically until you cry.

Author and preacher Tony Campolo said that when his wife, Peggy, was at home fulltime with their children and someone would ask, “And what is it that you do, my dear?” she would respond,

“I am socializing two Homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo- Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation.”

Then she would ask: “And what do you do?”

Moms — open up God’s Mother’s Day card, and see what He wrote to you:

Mt. 11:28 – ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

You won’t find “rest” by hiding in the closet or by locking yourself in the bathroom. You’ll find “rest” in Jesus.

Moms — when you get to the end of your rope — don’t hang yourself – but instead come to Jesus for some much deserved rest.

Well – what about:

6.- When you are worried

Show me a Mother who never worries!

You can’t – can you?
Worry is a part of being a Mother.
Open up God’s Mother’s Day card, and see what He has for you:

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Mothers have very broad shoulders – but they don’t compare to the broad shoulders of God, your Heavenly Father. When you are worried, you’ve got Somebody to go to who is eagerly waiting for you to unload on Him.

So – God has sent you a Mother’s Day Card – the Bible — to encourage you

When you feel discouraged

When you feel angry

When you feel you need help

When you are alone

When you feel tired

When you feel worried

and – of course – in many other times of your life.

Read your Mother’s Day card – the Bible – every day – and pray for God’s strength and guidance. Being a mother is a tremendous task – but God is with you through it.

Yea – the Church sign might just have it right –

A mother needs:

Feet that are fast

Arms that are strong

And hands that are folded in prayer

But – the fast feet –

The strong arms –

Are all made faster and stronger by the hands that pray – and keep God’s Mother’s Day card – the Bible – close – and of course the eyes that read it. That is, when they’re not looking to see what the kids are up to!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Amen

1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 24:12-25

Filed under: 1 Corinthians, Luke — revbill @ 9:21 pm

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke 24:13-35

Easter Means You Can Focus On Christ

May 6, 2007

Part 4 of 2007 series “Easter Means …”

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

The sign in front of the Church reads:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

That’s the message of Easter.

New life.

The amazing message of Easter is a message that life can be filled with hope – you can be forgiven – you can have a life of joy — especially when it is least expected.

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

That’s the message of Easter.

But – you know — sometimes it’s hard to believe that the message of Easter – the new life – the hope – the joy – the forgiveness – that Easter promises us – can be true.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the in the hope – the forgiveness – the joy – the new life Easter offers us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is changing us — and our world — by the resurrection of Christ.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — our lives can be changed and made new.

Life can have a way of hitting you hard sometimes.

Circumstances beyond your control can seemingly take away any hope for a new life of joy – hope – and forgiveness.

But – here’s the truth –

Or – I think that it would be better to say:

In spite of your pain –

in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you –

in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Yea – the sign out front is right – even in your most painful and joyless times — because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – we can say to each other – we can say to the world – and I can say to you:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

I’m glad that Easter is a Season – not just a day!

We need to take some time to look at the wonderful news that Christ has risen – and the implications of joy – forgiveness – and new life the resurrection can have for our lives.

We’ve been spending the last few weeks looking at the way the resurrection changed the lives of the first believers in Christ – and how it can change our lives, also. We’re going to continue that today.

The amazing — life changing — fact of Easter is that:

God can make your new.

God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in your life.

So did a man by the name of Cleopas who – along with an unnamed friend – experienced the hope – joy – forgiveness – and new life they had because Christ had risen from the dead – and that experience set their hearts on fire for Christ.

Listen to God’s word – first in 1 Corinthians 15:11-20 – then in Luke 24:13-35: Read Scripture

The sign in front of the Church for the Easter season proclaims:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no more joy in your life — and a new life is only a dream.

Easter means that – in spite of the painful times in your life — in spite of the times you may feel that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in spite of the times you may feel that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is – Christ is risen – and God is doing something new in your life – even when you least expect it!

Easter means that you can have a new focus for your life.

Easter means that you don’t have to focus on the things in your life that hurt you – the things of life that can hit you hard and that seem to take all the joy and excitement and reason for living out of you – the things in your life that seem to take away all hope for anything new ever happening in your life again. You don’t have to focus on these things – but – in spite of these things – and I the midst of these things — you can focus on Christ.

Easter means you can focus on Christ.

Don’t you think that Cleopas and his friend must have felt that the crucifixion of Christ had taken away all hope for joy and excitement from them – and even taken away all reason for living – as they walked to the town of Emmaus? They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah – the Son of God – the one who would redeem Israel and lead them to salvation. They had pinned all hope and meaning for their lives on Him.

They had seen Him heal the sick – they had heard Him teach God’s ways – they had at least heard that He had raised Lazarus from the dead — even if they had not seen it.

But all that had changed.

Jesus had been crucified.

Jesus had died.

And their hope and joy and reason for living had died with Him.

As they walked along that evening to the town of Emmaus and talked about the terrible events that had occurred in Jerusalem that week – their despair and sadness must have been apparent.

Even as the resurrected Christ came to them – talked to them – and shared the truths about what scripture said with them – they did not realize that it was Jesus. All they could focus on was that their faith in Christ now seemed futile. It had no meaning for them any more. The events that had taken place in Jerusalem that week were so painful for them that they could not even entertain the thought that anything good or new or different could occur.

But then something happened.

They experienced the risen Christ.

Christ broke the bread at the table – and they realized that He was with them.

They realized that Christ had risen!

They realized that Christ had been with them as they had walked along and talked about the tragic events that had shaken their lives.

They realized that – in spite of the tragic events that had hit them so hard that week in Jerusalem – Jesus had risen!

They realized that they didn’t have to focus on the tragic events of their lives – but they could focus on Jesus – they could focus on the fact that – in spite of the painful times in their lives — in spite of the times they felt that joy –hope – and forgiveness would never again be realities for them – in spite of the times they may have felt that they would never again experience anything new in their lives –

the truth was – Christ had risen – and God was doing something new in their lives – even when they least expected it!

They realized that they no longer had to focus on the painful times of their lives – the times that seemed to take away all hope for joy and new life from them – but they could now focus on Christ – and the new life – new hope – new joy – and new opportunities for living Christ offered them – in spite of everything else that might happen in their lives.

They realized that Easter meant that they could focus on Christ.

They realized that the message of Easter was they could be forgiven – they could have hope – they could have joy — and they could have new life – especially when it seemed that forgiveness was impossible – life is hopeless – and a new life only a dream.

I’m sure that – if Cleopas and his friend were standing out on the road today in front of the Church – they would be proclaiming – along with the sign out front –

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

Cleopas and his friend learned that Easter meant that – instead of focusing on the hard and painful times of their lives – they could focus on Christ.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

But — there are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the in the hope – the forgiveness – the joy – the new life Easter offers us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ – and the hope – joy – and new life He gives us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ – and the fact that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ and believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is changing us — and our world — by the resurrection of Christ.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — our lives can be changed and made new.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ and believe the message of Easter – the message of hope – the message of forgiveness – the message of joy — especially when these things are least expected.

There may be times in your life when it’s hard for you to focus on Christ and believe that Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no chance for joy — and a new life is only a dream.

There are so many times that life can have a way of hitting you hard.

Like Cleopas and his friend, you may have circumstances in your life that are beyond your control and that can seemingly take away any hope for a new life of joy – hope – and forgiveness from you.

But – here’s the truth –

In spite of your pain – in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life the truth is that Jesus has risen – God is doing something new in your life – and you can focus on Christ instead of the pain and sorrow that seems to take your attention away from Christ.

The truth is that

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Several weeks ago the world was shocked as over 33 students were killed at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA.

How could such a senseless tragedy have occurred? people asked.

The lives of many people were shattered by the pain and confusion of the murders – and the more they focused on the pain and confusion they more they felt hopeless and confused.

At the Memorial Service that was held several days after the murders, the poet Nikki Giovanni led those assembled in a chant of hope and determination that seemed to change the focus of the event for the campus – and for the world. They would not let themselves focus on hopelessness – but – as the chant went:

“We will prevail, we will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.”

Great words of hope and inspiration.

But – even greater – is the fact that this chant seemed to change the focus for the students, and faculty at Virginia Tech – what has been called “the Virginia Tech family”. They were not going to focus on the fact that the tragedy occurred – but they were going to focus on rebuilding and hope.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

As long as Cleopas and his friend focused on the things that had happened in Jerusalem – the death of Christ and the feeling of hopelessness it gave them – they could not see that Christ was with them as they walked along. But – when they began to focus on Christ – things changed – and they realized the hope and the joy that Christ gave them – in spite of the events in Jerusalem or any other event in their lives.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

You know – if you live your life focusing on the things that happen to you and that hurt you – you will never find the joy and new life God wants you to have. But – if you focus on Christ – you will discover that – in spite of the things that hurt you and the hard, painful times of your life – God is with you.

You need have the right focus in your life if you want to really discover the life God wants you to live – with all it’s joy, all it’s hope, and all it’s newness.

Without the right focus, you can be like the story I once heard about the best horse jockey in the world. He had been hired to ride one owner’s horse to victory over the horse of his greatest rival. One race day, the horses of both owners were heading toward the finish line neck in neck, when suddenly, a third horse went down in front of them causing all of the horses to fall. Well, the best jockey in the world quickly regained his composure, remounted, and rode on to victory. Returning to the paddock, the best jockey in the world thought he had done a good job – but he found the owner who had hired him full of anger.

“What’s the matter?” the jockey asked, “I won, didn’t I?”
“Yes you won, but you still don’t know, do you?” the owner fumed.

“Know what?” the jockey asked.
“That you won the race riding on my rival’s horse – not mine!”

In all the confusion of the fall, the jockey had lost his focus – mounted the rival’s horse – and won the race.

If you don’t have the right focus in your life, it can be like riding the wrong horse to victory.

You might “win” – but you’ll still “lose”!

If you let yourself focus on the events of your life – especially the ones that are painful and that hurt you – the ones that can make you doubt God’s presence in your life or God’s love for you – the ones that can make you feel that there is no hope for any semblance of joy or any semblance for new life – you will never be able to experience the new life God offers you.

But – if you will let yourself focus on Christ, you’ll discover that – in spite of the painful, tragic, and hurtful times of your life, God is with you – offering a new sense of joy, a new sense of excitement, and a new sense of hope.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on Christ?

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on the joy – the love – the new life – that the risen Christ offers you?

Maybe you have had a serious tragedy in your life – and you just can’t seem to get past it.

Maybe there is something going on in your life right now – an illness or a setback or something going on at work or in your family.

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on the joy – the love – the new life – that the risen Christ offers you?

If you will let God, God will help you change your focus. God will help you take your focus off of the painful things and put your focus on to Christ.

The Holy Spirit can help you turn your focus away from the painful events of your life on to God’s promises for new life and new hope. Ask the Lord to help you be filled with the power of the risen Christ so you can consistently refocus your thoughts away from the negatives and on to God’s positive work in your life.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

The inspiring words Nikki Giovanni lead those assembled after the Virigina Tech tragedy :

“We will prevail, we will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.”

took their focus off of the pain and put it on hope.

The message of Easter – that in spite of the painful times in your life — in spite of the times you may feel that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in spite of the times you may feel that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth that Christ is risen – and God is doing something new in your life – even when you least expect it –

can take your focus off of the pain and hopelessness you may feel and put it on Christ.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

To paraphrase Nikki Giovanni,

We will prevail

Christ has risen!

We are Christians!

Yea – that’s the secret to new life!

We will prevail

Christ has risen!

We are Christians!

Easter indeed means you can focus on Christ.

Easter means you can focus on Christ.

Amen.