Sunday, March 23, 2008
BECAUSE HE LIVES!
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
They rush back to
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 (
Have you experienced this kind of deliverance? You can through faith in Jesus whose life we celebrate today.
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Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Pastor Fred D. Kerr
March 23, 2008
dialog welcome
Sunday, March 16, 2008
MESSAGES FROM THE CROSS
FROM THE CROSS
John 19: 17 30
INTRO: This morning we want to hear what Jesus said from the cross.
FIRST, we need to remember that Jesus was in control.
In John 10:18, Jesus said that He lays down His life of His own initiative. In John 12:27, He said it was for this purpose that He came. And in Acts 2:23, Peter reminds us that this was according to God's plan.
NOW, we can listen to Him as He speaks from the cross.
I. FIRST WORD OF FORGIVENESS
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
Forgive whom? Soldiers? Priest? Crowd? Us?
II. CONCERN FOR MOTHER
"Woman, behold your son:
Behold your mother! (John19: 26-27)
Jesus felt responsibility for His mother even to the cross.
III. SECOND WORD OF FORGIVENESS
One of the thieves asked to be remembered
Jesus said: "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Forgiveness even at point of death!
IV. PERSONAL ANGUISH
After the 3 hours of darkness Jesus cried out:
'Eloi, Eloi Lama Sabachthani?'
"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
(Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46)
Reminds us of Psalm 22:1.
V. PHYSICAL ANGUISH
"I am thirsty." John 19:28
When everything necessary for salvation was done --- He considered His own physical needs.
VI. CRY OF VICTORY
"It is finished!" John 19:30
Everything required for salvation of mankind was finished!
VII. CRY OF SUBMISSION
"Father, into thy hands, I commit my spirit."
Luke 23:46
Then He died.
He was fully submitted to God's will and purpose.
As we celebrate the cross and the empty tomb, let us take time to remember that Jesus did this for us. He died for me! But also as we see Him die, we see some illustrations and examples that we might well follow. Not that we can die for anyone, but we learn much about life from this short experience with death.
Have you trusted Jesus, like the thief? Have you learned to forgive? Have you learned to be concerned for others?
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March 16, 2008
Greenville (CA) Southern Baptist Church
Saturday, March 15, 2008
PREPARING FOR EASTER
CONSECRATION FOR EASTER
Joshua 3:1-13; I Timothy 4:11-13
INTRO: Some groups observe "Lent". That is 40 days leading up to Easter used as a time of renewing commitment to God. Though we may not have the rituals, the idea is a good one.
CONSECRATE YOURSELVES (Joshua 3:5)
Joshua called the people to prepare for crossing the
Repentance,
Forgiveness,
Dedication
A GODLY LIFESTYLE (I Timothy 4:12)
Paul gives a list of the essentials of the Godly life as one follows the Lord: Be a godly example:
In speech,
In conduct,
In love
In faith - vs. worry
In purity
RENEWED FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Prayer
Bible Study (Listen to God)
Ministry
All of this is possible trough Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus can we draw close to God. Only God is able to forgive us as we repent and turn toward Him with our hearts and our lives.
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Pastor Fred D. Kerr, Greenville Southern Baptist Church
March 9, 2008
Dialog welcome.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
LIVING YOUR PURPOSE
LIVING YOUR PURPOSE
John 12: 17-36
INTRO: As Jesus moved closer to the cross, He became more aware of the mixed reactions He was receiving. He let nothing deter Him from His purpose. We must follow His example!
MIXED RESPONSE TO THE MASTER
Many came to Him because of Lazarus (18)
Pharisees complained (19)
Some Greeks came to see Him (20)
HE ANNOUNCED HIS HOUR
The hour had come to be glorified.
A grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies.
By this it brings forth many seed.
Jesus used this analogy to refer to His coming death and life.
HE SHARED HIS GRIEF
"My heart is troubled." (27)
He is to die for those who are rejecting Him!
Should He flee?
"No" he said. For this purpose He came.
HIS PURPOSE
"Father, glorify Your Name!"
The Son of Man must be lifted up.
Through this He will bring forth many to life.
OUR PURPOSE GLORIFY GOD
Obey Him.
This sometimes will bring rejection.
Not to worry!
Be faithful to Him and He will bring results from our labor.
Jesus went steadfast to the Cross. We too need to go steadfast into the life He leads. It may be a life of sacrificial service. The goal is to His glory.
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Fred D. Kerr, Pastor
Greenville Southern Baptist Church
Preached March 2, 2008
