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 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!
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!
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!
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.”
“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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Easter means you can believe in new life!
Amen.
