April 12, 2020

EASTER SUNDAY: HE LIVES!
April 12, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What are some of the ways you’ve had to learn new facets of technology during this enforced time of quarantine from COVID 19?

Open:

The past two weeks we’ve taken an in-depth look at the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross. We have found comfort and hope that He gave in those final moments. Today, with Christians worldwide, we celebrated the victorious outcomes of those few days when Jesus was led away to be judged, tortured, then crucified, then buried. However, on Sunday morning, the tomb was EMPTY! This year, as churches globally are empty while a pandemic rages, we have gathered in living rooms, dens, or kitchens and watched by way of technology believers praising our Risen Lord. His purpose for coming to earth was complete!

Focal Passages: John 19:28-30, John 10:17-18; Hebrews 10:9-10.

His work was accomplished

  • Read John 19:28a. In our humanity, it is hard for us to not think that because He is God, He could endure the suffering. Not so! But how does this verse put into clarity the fact that His mission was first and foremost in His mind?
  • What were the “things” that were now accomplished?

The Scriptures were proven

  • Read verse 28b. What were some of the Scriptures you can think of that Jesus fulfilled in the three years of His ministry?
  • Read John 1:29. How did John the Baptist know that Jesus was “The Lamb of God”? Read Luke 1:15b. How could this have been part of the answer?

His love displayed

  • Read John 19:30b. There are so many areas that the phrase “It is finished” could have referred to; list as many as you can.
  • Read Romans 5:8. Whom do you know who would give their child to be beaten and killed by and for evil, wicked men? What were you like before salvation?

His power confirmed

  • Read John 19:30c and John 10:17-18a. Who was in total control of the death of Jesus? In verse 18a, who took His life away from Him? Did He at any time lose any of His control?
  • Read Colossians 2:9-10. What does this verse say about the power of Jesus Christ?

His promise fulfilled

  • Read John 10:18b. John continued Jesus’ statement of His death. Could anyone take the power away from Jesus that could keep Him rising from the grave?
  • Read 2 Corinthians 5:15. Because Jesus went through such agonizing suffering for us, what is our responsibility?
  • Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. If you had stopped reading at the word “buried,” would there have been any victory? Why does the victory come because of the resurrection?

Close:

What a marvelous Easter Sunday! Probably the majority of us who have been Christians for most of our lives have seldom missed many Easter services, so to not center our activities around our church on this day seemed unsettling. At the same time, in a way it freed our time up to plan for new ways to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, unlike in years past.

For believers in our local community, most of us were obligated to remain at home, selecting our worship service(s) based on the digital abilities of the church we usually attend, or those of friends or relatives. For some of us, we were even able to watch, by Facebook or social media, more than one. We were additionally blessed to be able to attend our normal Sunday school through Zoom, seeing, hearing, and interacting with those whom we’ve come to love and fellowship with on a regular basis. After lunch, again through the blessing of technology, we were able to watch the full-length production of “JESUS,” as performed by Sight and Sound Theatres of Lancaster, PA. The moving presentation, with animals, amazing props, and realistic actors brought the scenes from the life of Jesus into our homes and lives, and even gave us fresh images of activities that were common to Jesus. 

How much time did you spend today thanking Him for the suffering He endured for you? Or thanking Him for your salvation? Did anything that was said today impact your life for eternity? When this period of global isolation is over, will you return to business as usual, or will you remember the special moments when God seemed to reach down and pull you—like Jesus did Peter from the ocean waves, as he walked on water—out of the depths of the sea? Don’t forget lessons learned this Easter!