Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 1 Written by Christopher Trodden B.A (Bib.

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1 Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 1

2 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 1 Sermon Outline: Cheers, Fears and Tears Topic: Main Point: Intended Response: Salvation (Palm Sunday) There are three perspectives highlighted during the events of Palm Sunday for us to consider Group Discussion Key Verse: Luke 19:28-48 Introduction This week we are going to look at Palm Sunday from three different perspectives: the eyes of the crowd, the eyes of the Pharisees and through the eyes of Jesus, followed by group discussions. A. Cheers Jesus sends out two disciples find a colt The crowds cheer for Christ as He approaches the city There is so much excitement even the rocks could cry out Question One: How excited are you to have Jesus in your life? B. Fears Jesus teaching challenged the religious traditions of the day The Pharisees were fearful of the change Jesus was bringing Question Two: What difference does Jesus make in your life? C. Tears Jesus wept over Jerusalem Time plays a significant part in the Easter story Being aware of God s timing is crucial Question Three: God s timing can challenge our plans Questions Group discussion or personal reflection: How excited are you to have Jesus in your life? What difference does Jesus make in your life? God s timing can challenge our timing? Teaching Illustrations and props: This sermon can be enhanced with the use Power Point slides, Palm leaves, the cross. You may also want to lay jackets and palm leaves down on the floor to illustrate the scene of Palm Sunday. More resources for this sermon, including PowerPoint slides are available at Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 2

3 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 1 Sermon Outline: Cheers, Fears and Tears Introduction: Good morning everyone and welcome. Today is Palm Sunday and we have just started our series: The Easter Journey. This week we are going to take a look at Palm Sunday in the Gospel of Luke from three different perspectives: the eyes of the crowd, the eyes of the Pharisees (the religious leaders) and through the eyes of Jesus. Palm Sunday is when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and everyone sees this as His declaration He is the new King of Israel. As we read through Luke chapter 19 you ll see it is quite an emotional tapestry: there s highs, there s lows. There s excitement, there s fear. There s a scene at Jesus triumphal entrance when a huge crowd erupts in song and there s a scene where we see Jesus weeping over the city. The excitement of this chapter is captured in one sentence Jesus said, if they people keep quiet, the stones swill cry out (Lk 19:40). This time was electric with energy! This chapter is quite an emotional roller coaster so let s strap in and hold on tight as we have a look around. At the end of each of the three perspectives, I am going to pose a few questions so keep your ears open because at the end of the message we are going to break into groups a have a discussion. Read Luke 19:28-31 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? say, The Lord needs it. Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt? They replied, The Lord needs it. They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 1. Cheers Palm Sunday begins in the Gospel of Luke with Jesus sending two of his disciples on a mission: you will find a donkey untie it and bring it back to me (Lk 19:28-31). Now let s think about that for a moment. Donkeys were a mode of transport back then. Can you imagine being sent out to find car that doesn t belong to you and then driving off with it! Has anyone here every taken a car that doesn t belong to them don t answer. What would you do if you saw someone trying to break into your car? I like how the Bible describes the man who owns the donkey; he sees the disciples untying his property and seems to ask rather calmly, Why are you untying the colt? I m not sure if I would calmly ask, why are you breaking into my car!!! Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 3

4 But they simply replied, The Lord needs it and apparently this wasn t a problem for the owner! Now we know the Bible says God is the owner of all things and that God probably would have already prepared this man s heart, but I think when the man called out the disciples would have a huge adrenaline rush at that moment! So they bring the donkey back and give it to Jesus, who then rides into town on it. Now picture this, Jerusalem, a busy, bustling little town with people coming and going to the Temple for worship. Imagine if you were there going about your daily business, keeping to yourself, when you notice a huge crowd is beginning to form around you. A swarm of people suddenly start walking past you and you get caught up in the tide and start walking with them. You make your way to the front of the crowd to see what s going on and you see the most peculiar site: A man riding on a donkey?! In the times of Jesus, donkeys were used to transport women, children, the elderly, or the sick, but generally not healthy men. Why was this man riding on a donkey? Then you some in the crowd begin to whisper this is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! A king? On a donkey? A king on a donkey you would wonder! Why not a horse? Or a chariot, or camel at least why a donkey?! Then you hear the crowd beginning to roar and cheer, Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (Matt 21:9). The crowd are referring to Psalm 118:25-29: Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. What a cheer! What a celebration! For thousands of years Israel has been waiting for God to fulfil his promise to King David, and this was the time: God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you re buried with your ancestors, then I ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honour me, and I will guarantee his kingdom s rule forever your family and your kingdom are permanently secured your royal throne will always be there, rock solid (2 Sam 7:13-16 MSG). This was in the mind of the crowd. This was in the minds of the disciples. This was in the minds of the disciples who took the donkey the King had arrived! Cheers and celebrations all round! Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 4

5 Question 1: Transition How excited are you to have Jesus in your life: Have you ever needed to loan someone a valuable item for the work of God s kingdom? How did you feel about that? Would you be willing to give something of great value away so the work of Jesus can continue? How do you feel about sharing your faith with others? So here comes Jesus. The new king riding into Jerusalem. What an occasion! There were cheers, there were shouts, there should have been a brass band everyone was happy! Well, not everyone 2. Fears Some of Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples! (Lk 19:39). The Pharisees were a group of middle to upper class religious leaders with a lot of power and they were extremely fearful of what Jesus represented. If we were press pause and zoom in on them for a moment we would see their main concern was one of power and control. John records in his gospel: Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation (Jn 11:47-48 RSV). For them Jesus represented a change in tradition, a change in identity, a change in power, a change in the way they ran church! Notice the word our our temple (church), our nation our way! They wouldn t move with the times. They were stuck in their ways. They did not want anyone to challenge how they viewed God or how they should connect with Him. While others were saying king, they were thinking kill. A few days later, when Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He also quoted from Psalm 118. But it wasn t from the joyous cheerful verses the crowd quoted. Jesus used much a more pointed verse to the Pharisees: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD S doing (Psalm 118:22-3). The entrance of Jesus into our world presents us with opportunity to celebrate and cheer. He answers our prayers, He saves us from our sins, He renews our life, He provides for us but he also challenges us. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 5

6 We can all come to God as we are but we are to go from Christ changed: committing to becoming more like Him. Jesus disrupts the status quo of our lives. He brings change. Question 2: Transition What difference does Jesus make in your life: Is Jesus welcome or is He a disruption to your life? Has there been a time when you ve been following Christ but you feel let down when life doesn t go as planned or your prayers were not answered? Is there any part of following God that makes you nervous or anxious? So we ve had the thrill of getting a donkey, heard the loud cheers of the crowd, sensed the fear the Pharisees, and now now we have the tears of Jesus 3. Tears Luke 19:41-44, As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but [your temple will be destroyed and] they will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God s coming to you Time plays a significant part in the Easter story. When Jesus was on the cross, Scripture records three distinct times: 9am, 12noon and 3pm. 9am and 3pm two referring to the morning and evening sacrifice, noon refers to the time of prayer. Throughout the Gospel of John there are multiple times when people tried to capture Jesus, but they failed. Each time they fail the Bible gives the explanation for His time was not yet here (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:30, 8:20,12:23). In Galatians 4:4 we read And when the set time had come, God sent his son We get this sense that God is in control and nothing will happen to Christ until the right time. Again, there is a clear sense that there was an appointed time for Jesus to arrive as the Saviour. When Jesus arrived to the shouts of cheers and celebration, he paused and looked over the Temple. He began to weep over it for the inhabitants would not be able to understand God s timing. In what could have been a time of peace ended up being a time of war. The tears that ran down Jesus face were not caused by sin, not caused by disobedience, not caused by rebellion, poverty or sickness but by people not being able to perceive God s timing. Jesus rarely comes into our lives when it is convenient for us. Question 3: God s timing can challenge our timing: Have you experienced a time when God has interrupted your plans? Have you ever felt prompted in prayer to do something for God but it didn t fit into your plans? Do you ever feel God moves to quickly in your life or to slow? Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 6

7 Transition We are going to spend some time now in groups discussing some of the questions Palm Sunday raises for us to consider. Afterwards, I ll call us back in to close in prayer Group Discussion Questions Part One: Cheers Questions: How excited are you to have Jesus in your life: Have you ever needed to loan someone a valuable item for the work of God s kingdom? How did you feel about that? Would you be willing to give something of great value away so the work of Jesus can continue? How do you feel about sharing your faith with others? Part Two: Fear Questions: What difference does Jesus make in your life? Is Jesus welcome or is He a disruption to your life? Has there been a time when you ve been following Christ but you feel let down when life doesn t go as planned or your prayers were not answered? Is there any part of following God that makes you nervous or anxious? Part Three: Tears Questions: God s timing can challenge our timing: Have you experienced a time when God has interrupted your plans? Have you ever felt prompted in prayer to do something for God but it didn t fit into your plans? Do you ever feel God moves to quickly in your life or to slow? Closing Prayer Father, as we consider all the emotions of Easter recorded in Luke s gospel, we bring our own emotions and thoughts before you today. Some of us feel excited by your mission we ask that you would give us opportunity to share the love of Christ with others this week. Others of us might have some fear. We may be facing situations beyond our natural ability to handle. We ask that your peace would guide us at this time. We thank you for your perfect timing. We know you are in control God and have a plan and purpose in every stage our of lives. We lay aside our plans and open ourselves to where your voice would lead us. You set the course and direction for our lives Father, help us walk in step with you Lord. In Jesus name Amen. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 7

8 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 1 Sermon Outline: Cheers, Fears and Tears Lk 19:40 "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Lk 19:28-31 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? say, The Lord needs it. Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt? They replied, The Lord needs it. They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. Lk 19:38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Psal 118:25-29 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Sam 7:13-16 God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you re buried with your ancestors, then I ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honour me, and I will guarantee his kingdom s rule forever your family and your kingdom are permanently secured your royal throne will always be there, rock solid. Lk 19:39 There were a bunch of Pharisees in the crowd who said to Jesus, Teacher, rebuke your disciples! Jn 11:47-48 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation Psal 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD S doing; it is marvellous in our sights. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 8

9 Lk 19:41-44 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but [your temple will be destroyed and] they will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God s coming to you Jn 2:4 Jn 7:6 "Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come." Therefore Jesus told them, "My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. Jn 7:30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Jn 8:20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. Jn 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Gal 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 9

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11 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 2 Sermon Outline: The Cost of Easter Topic: Main Point: Intended Response: Ransom (Easter Friday) Jesus paid our sin debt Embrace the life giving freedom found in Jesus Key Verse: Mk 10:45, 1 Tim 2:5-6 Introduction We often hear about the gift of salvation, how it is wonderfully free by trusting in Jesus, but how often do we stop to consider the enormous price Jesus paid on the cross for our sins? A. Sold into slavery Understanding the word ransom The Bible uses the analogy that being in sin is like being sold into slavery There is a price for getting out of sin Point One: We could not afford the ransom price to free us from our sin debt B. Jesus came to free us from sin The Bible uses the analogy of how sin is like a debt we cannot pay back Like a credit card, sin has compounding interest Jesus sacrifice, called a ransom, cancels the debt of sin held against us Point Two: Jesus death on the cross pays off all our sin debt C. The cost of grace There was no other way for the sin debt to be paid The field of Great Price illustrates the cost of redemption God held nothing back to save us from sin Point Three: Grace is free but it cost God His very best His only Son Teaching Illustrations and props: This sermon can be enhanced with the use Power Point slides, expired credit cards, fake bags of gold, someone may want to dress up as a slave bound in chains. More resources for this sermon, including PowerPoint slides are available at Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 2

12 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 2 Sermon Outline: The Cost of Easter Introduction: Welcome everyone to our Easter Good Friday service. Easter is a time when we reflect on events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus and consider the enormous cost Jesus paid to repair our relationship with God. We ve all noticed how the cost of living in Australia is rising every year. Everything seems to be going up in price: food, clothing, entertainment... Personal Story: The other day my family and I decided to head out for a picnic. Picnics are fun. They re relaxing, no time pressure, you just sit outside and enjoy the sun. You can have them anywhere really in a park, next to a lake, under a tree. So you d think picnics are a pretty cheap way to unwind? But before I knew it, I had to go out and buy extra lunch food, buy drinks, buy rolls and ham, buy more sunscreen, fill up with petrol, before I knew it I had emptied my wallet and that was before we even got to the place where we were going. There is often a cost associated with the activities we do. When it comes to Easter, there was a cost a price associated with humankind being saved from our sins. Now sin is not a word we use every day. Sin is simply any action that doesn t uphold God s holy nature or pulls us away from Him. The reason God want to save us from sin is because it damages us and the relationships we have with other. It creates pain, poverty, jealousy, addiction sin traps us in a cycle and pattern of living that we can t get out of. Jesus came to free us from that. You may have heard that grace, God s gift of salvation, is free(i hope you have heard)? And it is but when writing about the free gift of salvation the Apostle Paul wrote we have been bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20, 7:23). Transition 1. Sold into slavery What did Paul mean by that to be bought with a price? Well, to understand that we need to look at another Bible verse found in the Gospel of Mark The Son of Man [came] to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45). In another part of the Bible, the Apostle Paul wrote: There is one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for many (1 Tim 2:5-6) On the cross the Bible says Jesus was giving His life as a ransom for us. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 3

13 The term ransom was used in the slave markets of the ancient world where a slave could be set free through a set payment called the ransom price. Because slaves cannot set themselves free, the ransom was always paid by another person. One day Jesus was teaching about forgiveness in a parable and He told the story of a servant who was in debt and owed his king ten thousand bags of gold (Matthew 18:21-35). In this story the servants debt is worth several hundred lifetimes of work totally impossible to repay. At the end of parable, Jesus compares that servant s debt to how much God forgave us of. Even if we had a thousand lifetimes, there is no way we can ever repay our sin debt to God never. Slaves cannot free themselves for if they could they would not be slaves in the first place. It s the same with our sin. The sin debt is too much. We cannot afford the ransom price to free us from our sin debt. We need someone else to pay the ransom debt and that someone is Jesus. So we begin to get this picture that: 1. We are all are slaves to sin, 2. Being in sin is like being sold into slavery 3. There is a price for getting out of sin 4. We cannot free ourselves. So Jesus life was the payment price for our freedom from sin debt. Point 1: Transition 2. Jesus came to cancel our sin debt And that s the point of Good Friday: We could not pay the price of ransom from our sins, we need someone else to do that we need Jesus. Another way to think about the cost of Easter is to think about sin like a huge credit card debt that you ve had growing for years With a credit card there are ongoing payments you have to make. The first payment is to repay the original amount you spent: the purchase price. But until the original debt off you have to pay interest payments. These are ongoing extra costs you have to pay on top of the initial cost until that original payment is fully cleared. Sin is like that interest it just keeps growing and growing. Now you might be wondering when did I first sin? I haven t done anything bad today, I live a good moral life, I don t steal or cheat so how can I be a sinner? What is sin anyway? Remember that verse we read before from Romans 3:23 all of have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? This is where Adam and Eve come in. When they disobeyed God that was the first sin, the first cost or as theologians call it: original sin. And their debt (with interest) was passed onto all of us: Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 4

14 one sin resulted in condemnation for all people (Rom 5:18) sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned (Rom 5:12) But Jesus sacrifice on the cross deals with the original sin problem caused by Adam and Eve. The nature of sin that spread from them to the whole human race can be cancelled out through the new life Jesus makes available for us by the Holy Spirit. Not only that, Jesus sacrifice pays off all the interest we carry too: past, present, and future. All ours sins can be forgiven if we ask for forgiveness in Jesus name: For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man [Jesus] the many will be made righteous (Rom 5:19). Jesus sacrifice at Easter, called a ransom, cancels the debt of sin held against us Point 2: Transition 3. The cost of Grace Jesus death on the cross pays off all our sin debt. What a cost Christ paid for us. When Jesus was in the garden, just before He was arrested and His trial before His crucifixion was about to begin He prayed, If there is any other way (Matt 26:39). Jesus knew the cost. He knew the huge price tag he needed to pay to ransom us from slavery. The whipping, the beating, the humiliation, the crucifixion these are all the ransom costs associated with Jesus paying to set free us from sin. Our salvation came at huge personal cost to God. Salvation is called the free gift of life but it cost God His very best. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 13:44-46: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matt 13:44-46). You get this sense from these parables that God holds nothing back to get His treasure, His pearls He will give everything. Jesus is sharing that insight so we know that although salvation is free for us, it cost God His very best His one and only Son. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 5

15 Point 3: Call to Action Grace is free to receive but it cost God His very best His one and only Son As we think through the events of Easter over the next few days, can I encourage you to think through this verse, knowing what it cost God: For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:15). Christ has paid the high outstanding debt for everyone here today. We no longer need to be held in a slave debt to sin. If anyone here today longs to have freedom in their life, come to Jesus today. If you feel weighted down by your sins, think of that incredible price Jesus paid for you knowing and believing it was enough to cancel all your sin debts. Freedom in Christ is just a prayer away; would you join me in prayer Closing Prayer Father God, your word declares: If we declare with our mouths, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved for anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame (Rom 10:9-11). That is our prayer today Father we put our trust in your Son Jesus Amen. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 6

16 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 2 Sermon Outline: The Cost of Easter 1 Cor 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Mk 10:45 The Son of Man [came] to give his life as a ransom for many. Rom 3:23 All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rom 7:14 Sold as a slave into the slavery of sin. 1 Tim 2:5-6 There is one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for many. Matt 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, Have patience with me and I will repay you everything. And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, Pay back what you owe. So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, Have patience with me and I will repay you. But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 7

17 Then summoning him, his lord said to him, You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 5:18 One sin resulted in condemnation for all people. Rom 5:12 Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned. Rom 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man [Jesus] the many will be made righteous. Matt 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Jn 3:15 For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Rom 10:9-11 Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved for anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 8

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19 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 3 Devotional: Silent Saturday A Journey to the Tomb The silence was almost deafening. After three and a half years of the most captivating sermons, the most engaging lessons, the most extraordinary miracles, the most incredible events, Jesus now lay silent in a tomb. His body would not move. His smile would not be seen. His voice would not be heard. Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment (Lk 23:50-56). As Christ lay in the tomb, His disciples waited in their homes heartbroken. After everything they had experienced, there hopes were now seemingly crushed. They knew He had died and so began preparing spices and perfumes to anoint his body for burial. But they could only do so much because the Sabbath day was about to begin. On that day, they would stop all other activities and take time to reflect on God s goodness, His provision, His presence, His salvation, and now His Son. Devotional Exercise In a quiet place, perhaps in your home or a place you can have some privacy, spend some time preparing your heart for Resurrection Sunday. Reflect: on the emotions that were displayed during the Passion Week. What would you have done? Would you have run away? Would you have denied Jesus? Would you have attended the crucifixion? Would you have fought? Would you have wept? Think: through the events of Good Friday, when Christ took your place on the cross. Imagine the sounds, the sights, the smells, the suffering. Request: spend some time in prayer, asking for forgiveness and asking God to reveal anything in your heart He would like to change or remove. Ask the Holy Spirit for His help to renew these parts of your life so you may reflect Jesus more. Thanks: take a moment to thank God for all that He has done in your life. You may want to write out a prayer, draw a picture, write down your thoughts, or look up your favourite Bible verse and pray through it giving thanks to God for each part. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 2

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21 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 4 Sermon Outline: A Plan for Healing Topic: Main Point: Intended Response: Healing (Resurrection Sunday) We are bruised by sin Come to Jesus for healing Key Verse: Luke 4:18 Introduction In Luke s Gospel, Jesus says: I have come to set at liberty those that are bruised (Luke 4:18 KJV). This message considers how we are all bruised in some way and how Jesus is our healer. A. A Plan for Healing The bruise of sin has left a permanent mark on our soul Some bruises cannot be seen Jesus came to heal us of these bruises Point One: Spiritually speaking, we are all bruised by the impact of sin B. Dealing with new Bruises We all experience the pain of living in a fallen world the Kingdom of God has already begun, but it is not yet fully realised The other challenge for us all is to avoid bruising others Point Two: Throughout life, we are still affected by results of sin, namely pain, suffering and death. C. Three types of Healing Immediate Progressive Ultimate Point Three: We can experience a range of healings in Jesus Teaching Illustrations and props: This sermon can be enhanced through visual props, such as palm trees or the cross. The Mercy Seat is also referred to in the response time. You could display a first Aid kit up the front to reinforce the idea of healing. More resources for this sermon, including PowerPoint slides are available at Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 2

22 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 4 Sermon Transcript: A Plan for Healing Introduction: Good morning and welcome to our Easter Sunday service. We are so glad you could be here today. There is something so powerful about what happened at Easter. Across the world, many people will attend church this weekend, perhaps for the first time, to hear about Jesus sacrifice and the hope He has made available for all. Most of us are familiar with the scenes of Easter. How Jesus was beaten, whipped and hung upon the cross but why did Jesus suffer in this way and what difference can this make to us today? In Luke s Gospel, Jesus says: I have come to set at liberty those that are bruised (Luke 4:18 KJV). Those who are bruised? Who are these that are bruised? What type of bruising is Jesus referring to? Are we bruised? If so, how and when did we get bruised? Illustration (insert your personal As a young boy growing up in Scotland, I remember one of our favourite spots to play after school was on a nature strip at the bottom of our street. It was about the size of a small football oval and, at one end, was home to a dense family of conifer trees. We would often play games in there -like tag, hide and seek, and pirates versus Peter Pan. I recall one afternoon sitting at the top of one of the smaller trees as all good boys playing Peter Pan do and casually leaning back. Last time I looked there was a branch there, but for some reason it had decided to move. I came crashing down with a mighty thump and landed on my arm. I didn t break anything but the next morning I woke up and could hardly move my left elbow. Swollen and bruised, I had to keep my arm restricted in a pressure bandage for weeks until I could move it safely again. I was proud of the deep purple bruise that eventually came to the surface and I gladly showed it to anyone who was interested. I got many bruises from climbing and bustling about in those trees. Transition Bruises appear in all shapes and sizes. Some bruises come up quickly; others can take several days to appear. They occur when one or more of the small veins break under the skin due to a hard knock or collision, and blood leaks out and is trapped underneath the skin. Bruises start off red but quickly turn blue or purple. As they begin to fade, they turn green and yellow before they disappear entirely. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 3

23 Point 1: A Plan for Healing However, some bruises cannot be seen. It could be the pain of a broken relationship with someone we care about. Like having a bruise on the heart, it causes pain when you hear their name or remember how they are no longer with you. It could be pain of anxiety and stress caused by a lack of finances, lack of food, or lack of employment. It may be more general pain, an illness or physical ailment that we carry and contend with. The truth is we are all carrying bruises of some sort. We all have areas of pain in our lives that we are trying to heal or are hoping, or praying, will go away. So what was this bruise Jesus was referring to when He said: I have come to set at liberty those that are bruised (Luke 4:18 KJV). The biggest bruise the human race received can be traced back to the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God their relationship with God was broken and something spiritual inside of them was broken and bruised. Sin damaged their relationship with God and made it became much harder for them to communicate with God. They were expelled from the Garden of Eden and could no longer walk, talk and see God s face. From that point onwards, their relationship and all of humankind s relationship with God was broken, and the bruise of death and separation left a permanent mark on our soul. The Bible teaches that this bruise marks all human beings, consequently, one trespass has resulted in condemnation for all people (Rom 5:18). Spiritually speaking, we are all bruised by the impact of sin on our lives. And this is where the Easter story can impact each of us today. Jesus came to heal us of this bruise, he came to free us, so we can once again enjoy a loving relationship with God. He did this by accepting the bruise that was meant for us, taking it upon his body at the cross on Easter Friday. The Bible says in Isaiah, But it was the Lord s good plan to bruise him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for in, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord s good plan will prosper in his hands (Isa 53:10). Jesus came to stand in front of the collision point of sin and take on the bruise that was meant for us. The very first promise of this plan can be found in Genesis: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen 3:15 KJV). This was God s good plan, that a saviour would come and take on the sins of the world, and through his sacrifice we all can receive everlasting life: Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 4

24 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isa 53:5 KJV). Jesus death on the cross was the healing plan of God to restore our broken relationship with him, giving us his Spirit so we can have forgiveness, restored friendship and eternal life. Point1: Transition 2. Dealing with New Bruises Spiritually speaking, we are all bruised by the impact of sin on our lives The question remains however, if Christ has come to suffer this bruise instead of us, why then do we still experience the pain of sin and a broken relationship with God? The Bible teaches that Jesus defeated the power of sin and death on the cross, and that now, through him, we too can live a life free from the power of sin (Rom 5:17). Yet, despite all of these wonderful truths we all experience the pain of living in a fallen world. One only needs to look at society to see that the whole world is bruised. In Australia alone, one in four adults experience the pain of bruised emotions and suffer from depression and anxiety, and the biggest killer among our young people is suicide. Jesus addressed the issue of our ongoing bruises in the Gospel of John. He taught us that the blessing of the Kingdom of God has already begun, but it is not yet fully realised: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12). The Bible also reveals that although we have redemption in Christ we are still waiting for its full expression: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph 4:30). While we wait for the full expression of God s kingdom, we have to face the challenge of receiving new bruises but we can do so with the help of Jesus: I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil 4:13). The other challenge for us all is to avoid bruising others. A life of holiness is to be Christlike. This of course is the work of the magnificent Holy Spirit: For you have been called to live in freedom use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this single sentence: Love your neighbour as yourself (Gal 5:13 14). Jesus nature was one of a healer not a hurter. As we extend love and grace to others, we can avoid bruising others. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 5

25 Point 2: Transition Point 3: Three types of Healings Throughout life, we are still affected by results of sin, namely pain, suffering and death. How then does healing in Christ occur? 1. Immediate Healing The Bible uses many images to describe the nature of God such as a gardener, a fire, a husband, a shepherd and many more. One of the most prevalent images found in the New Testament is that of a physician. Some bruises, like haematomas, are so traumatic the human body cannot heal them by itself. You need a doctor to carefully operate on the bruised area. It is the same with our souls we need Christ the physician s help to remove the damage of sin from our lives. On the cross, people mocked Jesus and said He can t even save himself. But that s the point; he wasn t there to save himself, he died to save us. The meaning of the word salvation includes welfare, prosperity, deliverance, safety; all are pictures of healing and cure for the pain of this world. When we accept Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of our lives, God forgives us, heals our broken relationship with Him, and gives us the Holy Spirit it s amazing! 2. Progressive Healing The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives also brings about healing in our lives. There are many stories in the history of The Salvation Army of people being miraculously healed in Salvationist meetings, of people being delivered from drunkenness, drug addictions, or receiving physical healing such as the immediate removal of incurable diseases and illnesses. One of the most frequent forms of healing takes place when people join a Christian community and God begins to repair the brokenness in their lives. We can testify to having seen the power of Christ s love restoring people back into their families, employment, and society, through the love, care and service of others. Some will experience miraculous instantaneous healing in this life by the moving of the Holy Spirit. For others, healing will occur progressively as they engage in healing communities such as a local corps or make lifestyle choices that promote healthy clean living. And for those who persevere through this life without receiving any signs of actual healing, one thing can be sure, if they have put their trust in Jesus, they will enter into that place where: there is no more death, nor mourning, crying or pain (Rev 21:4). 3. The Ultimate Healing The full expression of our healing will take place when we enter into heaven and we receive what the Bible calls a glorified body one that cannot be bruised. As the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian Church: Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 6

26 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Cor 15:42 44). The ultimate healing we will receive is when we get to be in God s presence forever: Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed (Isaiah 65: 20). Point 3: Call to Action We can experience a range of healing in Jesus As begin to close our service today, can I ask; What has God been saying to you during this message? Is it time for you to come back into relationship with God? Are you carrying a bruise and would like God to heal of that today? We can bring all our bruises to Christ. He alone has the ultimate power to carry our pain and heal us. Easter shows us that He wants to do that. He alone is the way back to God. As we pray and seek God s grace and mercy, His healing power will flow into our life. We may experience a fantastic healing in an area of our brokenness, or we may receive the strength to carry on through the pain, knowing that Christ is our healer and ultimately we will stand one day before him, whole in the fully expressed kingdom of heaven. Prayer 1. You may want to come up the front to the mercy seat and spend some time with God. I am struck by the simplicity and power of Exodus 25:22: There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat there I will speak to you (NASB) Do you need to come back to Him today? Do you need healing? Anyone of us can come up the front and meet God here today. 2. You may not want to come up the front but you would like to receive healing. For the next few moments we are going to create some space for you to speak to God. You may be carrying something that is pressing on your heart that when you think about it you feel pain or embarrassment, or You may have something you feel you need to confess to God and ask forgiveness for, You may be carrying a bruise that no one else knows about and you want God to take away the pain. Take a moment now to reach out to God, asking Him to heal you in the name of Jesus. Share with Him your pain and trust in Jesus today. Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 7

27 Easter 2017: The Easter Journey: Message 4 Sermon Scriptures: A Plan for Healing Luke 4:18 KJV I have come to set at liberty those that are bruised Rom 5:18 Consequently, one trespass has resulted in condemnation for all people Isa 53:10 But it was the Lord s good plan to bruise him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for in, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord s good plan will prosper in his hands Isa 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed Gen 3:15 KJV It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength Gal 5:13 14 For you have been called to live in freedom use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: Love your neighbour as yourself 1 Cor 15:42 44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body Isa 65:20 Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed Rev 21:4 There is no more death, nor mourning, crying or pain Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 8

28 Exodus 25:22 NASB There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you Copyright 2017 Territorial Mission Resources Department - Australia Southern Territory 9

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