The Arkansas Traveler

JESUS’ DEPARTING MESSAGE

Wait … Then Go!

Acts 1:1-11

INTRO: Jesus gave his mission to the church as He left to return to his throne with the Father. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel,” He said.

THE APOSTLES WERE NOT YET READY

   Peter (the leader) had denied Him.

   Ten had fled at the crucifixion.

   None expected the resurrection, though he had told them.

   Thomas doubted even the witness of the 10. (John 20).

   They were still expecting a revolution to set up the kingdom.

JESUS SAID, “WAIT IN JERUSALEM”

   Wait for the promise from the Father.

   Wait for the power from the Holy Spirit.

THEN GO

   Go in the power of the Holy Spirit.

   Go to witness to the world.

          Starting at home and reaching to the end of the world.

TODAY:

   We have the same commission. Go.

   We have the same power. And we do not have to wait!

   We may not understand all, but we are still witnesses.

TWO MISTAKES FOR US TO AVOID:

   --- Going in our own power w/o depending on the Holy Spirit

   --- Not going for fear of rejection and/or failure.

THE SIMPLE GOSPEL: God loves us. We have sinned and need His forgiveness. Jesus died that we might have that forgiveness. We must accept it. The Holy Spirit convicts us and convinces us. We must respond by believing.

THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY

Mark 16:1-7

  As they approached the tomb, the women debated about who would roll the stone away. When they got there, the stone was already rolled away. They went in and saw an angel who told them that Jesus was alive. He told them to go and tell the disciples.

   Like the women, we sometimes go through life debating and worrying about who is going to roll away the stone. Then we get to the situation we find the stone already rolled away. Because Jesus Christ lives, we don’t have to worry about the stones. They are already rolled away. Lets move ahead with such confidence.

  Let’s consider some stones we worry about and the treasures that open to us when we accept the rolling away:

THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY:

   1. TO REVEAL SALVATION

            There comes a time in most lives when we realize that something is missing. God helps us to see that He is the one who is missing in our lives ---- missing because of sin. We set out to try to roll the stone away by trying to be good enough to earn God’s acceptance.  THE STONE IS ALREADY ROLLED AWAY. Jesus died for our sins. We cannot earn God’s acceptance.

  2. TO REVEAL GOD’S PURPOSE

            What is my purpose in life? That is a question all of us face, rather in the beginning as we approach adulthood, or toward the end after we retire. What is the real purpose? Jesus showed us in John 13, where he took the place of the servant and then told us to do likewise. As we follow Jesus’ example of service, our purpose will become apparent. THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY.

   3. TO REVEAL GOD’S PROVISION

            One thing that takes much of our energy is concern for provision of our needs. Jesus said that God knows our needs and will provide them as we seek His rule in our life. (Mt 6:33) Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19 that God will supply our needs according to His riches in glory. Because Jesus lives, we can depend on God to provide our needs. THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY!

Indeed we do have something to celebrate. Jesus is alive in us!

---------------------------------------------------

Easter Message. 11:00 a.m. service, April 16, 2006

BECAUSE HE LIVES

Luke 24:1-35

INTRO:  For the followers of Jesus it had been a long and busy week. It had been a week of high points and times of routine. It had ended with tragedy on Friday with the crucifixion of Jesus, the one they had hoped would be the Messiah.

    The women had come to the tomb early on Sunday morning and found it empty. We focus on two of his disciples as they return home saddened and uncertain.

ON THE ROAD (vv. 13-29)

   They walk along in sorrow.

   Jesus joins them, but they do not recognize Him.

   He expresses concern for them…

            They are amazed that he does not know what happened.

   He taught them from their Scriptures about what must be.

REVEALED AT DINNER (vv. 30-32)

   They prepare dinner.

   He takes bread and blessed it.

       They recognize Him, but He disappears!

RETURN TO JERUSALEM (vv. 33-35)

   They rush back to Jerusalem to tell others.

   When they got there they were talking about his appearance.

   They told about their experience.

In this passage I see at least 5 differences in the lives of the disciples when they met the Living Christ. We can experience these same changes:

1.      Uplifted hearts (vs. 32)

2.      Freedom from fear. (vs. 33)

3.      Understanding of Scripture. (vs. 27 & 32)

4.      A message to share. (vs. 35, 47)

5.      A life to give. Our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1)

Have you experienced this kind of deliverance? You can through faith in Jesus whose life we celebrate today.

____________________________________

Easter Message, 8:30 a.m. April 16, 2006

FROM THE CROSS

John 19: 16-30

INTRO: As we read the events of the last week of the earthly life of Jesus, we must stop to ask ourselves what the message means to us. What does it mean to me? That’s what I want us to do with the words spoken from the cross. Again, arrangement is not certain because no gospel records all of them. Let’s consider the words and then the application to us in the 21^st century:

FROM THE CROSS:

    A prayer for forgiveness. Luke 23:34.

    A pronouncement of forgiveness. Luke 23:43.

    Care for his mother. John 19: 26-27.

    Personal anguish. Matt 27:26; Mark 15:34.

    Physical anguish. John 19:28.

    A cry of triumph. John 19:30

    Commitment to the Father. Luke 23:46.

HOW ABOUT TODAY?

   Jesus in different ways told us that we needed to follow His leadership. We are to look to him and copy him. In light of that, what are some actions that we can do in response to Jesus speaking from the cross?

   Forgive those who misuse us, even though they don’t ask.

   Forgive those who do ask.

   Be kind to all.

   It’s ok to acknowledge pain and sorrow.

   It’s ok to ask for needs.

   We must commit ourselves to the Father and trust Him.

            So how about it? Does this challenge you? Have you come to trust God through Jesus? Is Jesus your Savior? Do we follow him in ministry as well as life maintenance?

------------

Preached April 9, 2006.