According to the Bible, when Mary went to the tomb on the first Easter, the angel asked, Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "According to the Bible, when Mary went to the tomb on the first Easter, the angel asked, Why do you look for the living among the dead?"

Transcription

1 Easter 3, April 14, 2013 Page 1 of 5 V is for Victory: Victory over Grief Biblical Text: John 20:10-18 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, Kansas According to the Bible, when Mary went to the tomb on the first Easter, the angel asked, Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5) Long before I came to be your pastor, knew much about the Bible, went to seminary, or was even interested in doing so, I understood that question. We all do. It really is not so much a religious question as it is a human one. And it applies to so many areas of our lives. We post on Facebook, long after our team loses, complaining that the refs got it wrong that it really was a foul instead of a held ball. Just sayin. We file our taxes and think of all the things we could have done with that money instead of sending it Uncle Sam. Or maybe that s just me. We try to shake off getting passed over for promotion, a business deal that went wrong, or a career that didn t happen - but we can t quite move on. We long for love from someone who didn t or can t or won t return it - and we wonder what we did wrong or we ask Why? The hurts and regrets of a divorce, or the death of a parent or spouse or fiancé or child linger for years in the secret places of our hearts. We look for life in all the wrong places places which don t lead us to life and God says, Why do you seek the living among the dead. God is able to lead us to victory over our grieving, our regrets, but it is not easy. It never comes without facing our grief and passing through what St. John of the Cross and Søren Kierkegaard called, the dark night of the soul. At least it has been so for me. My father died when I was just eighteen. And my world fell apart. Within a year, I left the small town of Troy, Kansas, quit college, enlisted in the Army, got married and moved far, far away. But there was one thing I didn t do.

2 Easter 3, April 14, 2013 Page 2 of 5 I never went back to my father s grave. I avoided cemeteries and funerals at all costs. We each deal with grief in our own way. I ran away from mine. It took me years to see that I was carrying my grief with me. Nearly a decade later, God began to do a work of healing in my heart. After a long season of running away from God, and my grief, and my call to ministry, I was appointed to a little Church on the outskirts of Kansas City. And right across the street was a cemetery. So much for my plan to avoid cemeteries and funerals for the rest of my life! My first Sunday there, as I was greeting people on the Church porch after the service, I watched a lovely little lady walk across the street and linger a long time at one of the graves. One of the members said, That s Retha. Her husband, George, died about a year ago, and I think she needs you. She needed me? Lord have mercy! Here I was, a new pastor, who had never conducted a funeral, and who had been avoiding cemeteries for a decade, who had unresolved grief in my own life, and she needed me? I wanted to run away. But I didn t. She asked to see me, and of course I agreed. I held her hand as she cried, and as she shared her grief. And I felt the tears on my cheeks as I prayed with her. And God began to heal her broken heart and mine as well. In many ways that s why I m here today. Grief is real. So are fear, and doubt, and despair, and broken relationships, and all the other reasons we seek for a word of life together. Easter Sunday was glorious! But in these two weeks, the world and our lives have not magically been transformed into the Kingdom of God! And here we are like we are every Sunday - looking for Jesus - like the disciples, like Mary in our text today. In his sermon, The Seeing Heart, Frederick Buechner says: I don t know of any story in the Bible that is easier to imagine ourselves into than this one. 1 And it s true 1 The Seeing Heart, Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons, by Frederic Buechner. Copyright 2006, HarperOne.

3 Easter 3, April 14, 2013 Page 3 of 5 There s not one of us here today who hasn t gone through at least one period in our life when we ve whispered in the secret places of your soul: Is it really true? Is there hope? Is there something more? Are you there? Well there is Good News. There is. As I began the series, V is for Victory on Easter, I drew our attention to the verse in Romans 8:37, where Paul writes, In all these things we are more than conquerors. Despite death, or doubt, or despair, or grief, or fear - we are more than victorious. Ephesians 3:20 says: God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that works in us. 2 I love the way Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message. God is able to do more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! 3 The problem is even if we know those things that kind of faith does not come easy. No message of springtime will do, although we are glad it s here. No don t worry, be happy message will reach deep enough to help. Will Willimon says, In so much of mainline Christianity we splash in a shallow pool. We offer admonition, advice, and encouragement, but many times it s not much different than people could hear anywhere else. 4 That s what I came to say today. Let s get out of the shallow end of the pool! Let s deal with something real. Unless we do why are we here? On every Sunday of our lives including today, we carry our grief, brokenness, doubt and despair and fear with us. And we come seeking a word from God. We come seeking Jesus, whether we know it or not - just as certainly as those who came to the tomb on the first Easter. And here s the Good News - He comes looking for us. He always comes. Look at the Text in John 20: Verse ten tells us that the disciples went back to their homes, just like we do every Sunday. But not everyone did. 2 Ephesians 3:20. Paraphrased by the author from the King James Version. 3 Ephesians 3:20, The Message, Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson 4 William Willimon, One Day God Will Finally Get What God Wants, 30 Good Minutes #5213, January 4, 2009.

4 Easter 3, April 14, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Look at verse eleven through thirteen, Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. And they asked her, Woman, why are you crying? (John 20:11-13) 5 In verse fifteen, she hears a voice speak but at first does not recognize it as Jesus. He also says Woman, why are you crying? For a long time, I thought Jesus was scolding Mary, Why are you crying? Sort of like Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own when he said Are you crying? There s no crying in baseball! There s no crying in baseball! My dad always put it this way. Men don t cry. But he was wrong. We all cry. Sometimes in public, sometimes in private, but we all cry. I ve always been grateful he didn t put it the way some others have heard it. You quit that crying or I ll give you something to cry about. But there is none of that here in the text. Do you see? Jesus didn t reject Mary s grief. He met her right in the midst of it. Look at verse sixteen. Jesus simply spoke her name. With tenderness and compassion, he came to her. And he called to her gently, saying, Mary. And as she heard it, the text tells us, She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 6 She wanted to crumple in his arms and just hold on to him forever. But he said, in effect, Don t hold on to me. There are others who are still suffering, still crying, still hurting. Go and tell them. 7 And she did. The text says Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things. 8 She told them. That s what we are to do. We are to tell His story. And ours. 5 John 20: New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica 6 Ibid, John 20:16 7 John 20: 17, paraphrased by the author. 8 Op. Cit. John 20:18, New International Version.

5 Easter 3, April 14, 2013 Page 5 of 5 Along the way of faith, we can pass though the dark night of the soul with the help of God and others. We can face our grief rather than run away from it. We can turn from our regrets over the past toward the future. We can stop dwelling on what happened or didn t and learn to let it go. We can stop looking for life in places that lead us the other direction. We can stop looking for the living among the dead. And here s the deal. There a mile south of Troy, Kansas where my father and mother are buried is just a marker on the journey of life for them. They are not there, but live in the presence of God. And there in the churchyard of the first Church I ever served, where from Civil War days the bodies of the dead have been laid to rest, there are just gravestones the lives they lived to the glory of God are their true memorials. And there in those places, and by an empty tomb in Jerusalem, and here where we gather today, and wherever you go when you leave from here - Jesus is. That s the Good News. He shows up. Not just when you re on top of the world, when everything is all happy and clappy. But where you are however you are even when you are paralyzed by grief or fear. And the Good News is he loves you and me. Tears, failures, doubts, grief and sins and all. And if we listen with our heart, He calls us each by name. As surely as he said, Mary, long ago, He is calling your name today. Let us pray.

I love Easter. Easter is glorious! The music is good. Even mediocre preachers find something uplifting to say! (Bible) The material is good!

I love Easter. Easter is glorious! The music is good. Even mediocre preachers find something uplifting to say! (Bible) The material is good! Easter, March 31, 2013 Page 1 of 5 V is for Victory: Victory over Death Biblical Text: John 20:1-8 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, Kansas For two thousand

More information

The Sacred Journey: Abundant Life Biblical Text: John 10: 7-10

The Sacred Journey: Abundant Life Biblical Text: John 10: 7-10 July 18, 2012 Page 1 of 6 The Sacred Journey: Abundant Life Biblical Text: John 10: 7-10 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, KS. I suppose I was about nine

More information

Introduction: I don t know if you noticed, but we had a presidential election last week.

Introduction: I don t know if you noticed, but we had a presidential election last week. November 11, 2012 Page 1 of 5 Above and Beyond: Moving from Anxiety to Faith Biblical Text: Philippians 4:4-13 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, Kansas

More information

Easter New Life, New Hope, New Beginnings John Douglas Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church For 1500 years, Easter Sunday for western

Easter New Life, New Hope, New Beginnings John Douglas Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church For 1500 years, Easter Sunday for western 1 3.27.16 Easter New Life, New Hope, New Beginnings John 20.1-18 Douglas Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church For 1500 years, Easter Sunday for western Christians has been the first Sunday after the first

More information

Introduction: November 4, 2012 Page 1 of 5

Introduction: November 4, 2012 Page 1 of 5 November 4, 2012 Page 1 of 5 Introduction: Above and Beyond: Living Beyond our Imagination Biblical Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway,

More information

THE RESURRECITON OF OUR LORD Easter Sunrise Service: March 31, 2013

THE RESURRECITON OF OUR LORD Easter Sunrise Service: March 31, 2013 THE RESURRECITON OF OUR LORD Easter Sunrise Service: March 31, 2013 The congregation may prepare themselves in silence before the service Narration: This morning we go back in spirit to the first Easter

More information

What is this sermon about? This sermon is about Easter Sunday at Jesus tomb and what this means for our life today.

What is this sermon about? This sermon is about Easter Sunday at Jesus tomb and what this means for our life today. Graphics and Audio Notes There will be a sermon starter video. There will be notes and / or scripture to show on screen during the sermon. Text highlighted in this way will have a slide prepared to be

More information

ZIONSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Scott Shelton, April 15, 2012 Basking in the Resurrection Light Mary Encounters the Risen Lord John 20:10-18

ZIONSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Scott Shelton, April 15, 2012 Basking in the Resurrection Light Mary Encounters the Risen Lord John 20:10-18 ZIONSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Scott Shelton, April 15, 2012 Basking in the Resurrection Light Mary Encounters the Risen Lord John 20:10-18 Just one month ago, I was departing on a bus for the east

More information

LIGHT GREATER THAN OUR DARKNESS Text: John 20: 1-18 April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday) Faith J. Conklin

LIGHT GREATER THAN OUR DARKNESS Text: John 20: 1-18 April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday) Faith J. Conklin LIGHT GREATER THAN OUR DARKNESS Text: John 20: 1-18 April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday) Faith J. Conklin It was a Christmas Eve some years ago. (Yes, Christmas.) I stepped forward to offer the welcome. I reminded

More information

The Story: Alive! The Story, Chapter 27

The Story: Alive! The Story, Chapter 27 1 Story, Week 27 04/08/12 Avondale Meute The Story: Alive! The Story, Chapter 27 Pearl: The risen, reigning Lord and God of all comes to each of us personally to make us ALIVE! (He presented Himself to

More information

Meet the Resurrection

Meet the Resurrection 1 Beaverton Foursquare Easter 4-4/5-15 Open part 4 Pastor Randy Remington Meet the Resurrection The Easter story begins with tears, with a woman crying, weeping, despair darkness and processing loss. Jesus

More information

Called By Name John 20:1-18 Easter (2011)

Called By Name John 20:1-18 Easter (2011) Called By Name John 20:1-18 Easter (2011) Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran

More information

Matthew 26:14-27:66 April 9, 2017 (Palm/Passion Sunday) WHERE IS GOD?

Matthew 26:14-27:66 April 9, 2017 (Palm/Passion Sunday) WHERE IS GOD? Matthew 26:14-27:66 April 9, 2017 (Palm/Passion Sunday) WHERE IS GOD? The words never fail to take my breath away. Not just because of the words themselves, as powerful as they are, but because of who

More information

Jesus Promises. The scripture reading this morning is a story of suffering deep, heart-wrenching suffering. It s about a

Jesus Promises. The scripture reading this morning is a story of suffering deep, heart-wrenching suffering. It s about a Jesus Promises The scripture reading this morning is a story of suffering deep, heart-wrenching suffering. It s about a tightly-knit family with deep love for each other two sisters & a brother Martha

More information

Whom are You Seeking? John 20:1-18

Whom are You Seeking? John 20:1-18 Whom are You Seeking? John 20:1-18 A couple of weeks ago I had a very bad day in the shop. As some of you know I make chairs in my spare time; I make Windsor chairs. It s something of a serious hobby.

More information

1. The Stolen Body 2. The Swoon Theory 3. The Wrong Tomb 4. The Hallucination 5. The Myth. The Empty Tomb

1. The Stolen Body 2. The Swoon Theory 3. The Wrong Tomb 4. The Hallucination 5. The Myth. The Empty Tomb 1. It VALIDATES Jesus as God's Son 2. It VALIDATES Jesus' work of the Cross 3. It ASSURES our own Victory over the Tomb 4. It GRANTS us Hope for our Own resurrection. Humanity's Unconquered Enemy HAS BEEN

More information

Jesus Raised Lazarus. Leader BIBLE STUDY. Aug 27, people from sickness, sin, and death.

Jesus Raised Lazarus. Leader BIBLE STUDY. Aug 27, people from sickness, sin, and death. UNIT 24 Session 4 Use Week of: Aug 27, 2017 Jesus Raised Lazarus BIBLE PASSAGE: John 11:1-7,17-44 MAIN POINT: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 103:2-3 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What did

More information

Text: John April 15/16, The First Witness

Text: John April 15/16, The First Witness PAGE 1 Text: John 20.1-18 April 15/16, 2017 St Stephen s Easter Weekend The First Witness A very blessed Easter to you all! I have a special story for you today, the story of the first witness to Christ

More information

Easter Sunrise Service Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Easter Sunrise Service Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Easter Sunrise Service Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Evensville, TN April 11, 2004 Order of Service -- Celebration of Jesus' Resurrection WELCOME: INVOCATION: P Grace and Peace to you from God the Father

More information

Jesus: The Resurrected Redeemer The Vine Series John 15:5

Jesus: The Resurrected Redeemer The Vine Series John 15:5 Jesus: The Resurrected Redeemer The Vine Series John 15:5 SCRIPTURE John 20:1-18 (NIV) Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone

More information

(John 20:11) But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;

(John 20:11) But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; Commentary on John 20:11-18 International Bible Lessons Sunday, April 8, 2012 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Series) for Sunday, April 8, 2012, is from John 20:1-10,

More information

In all walks of life, all regions of the country, in all cultures of the world, there is something called the universal law of reciprocity.

In all walks of life, all regions of the country, in all cultures of the world, there is something called the universal law of reciprocity. November 18, 2012 Page 1 of 5 Introduction: Above and Beyond: The Source of Overflowing Blessing Biblical Text: Malachi 3:6-12 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church,

More information

Video 1- Resurrection Worship intro -Before Praise and Worship

Video 1- Resurrection Worship intro -Before Praise and Worship Video 1- Resurrection Worship intro -Before Praise and Worship Video 2- Sunday s Coming -Before Message This Resurrection Power John 20:1-18 1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark,

More information

I. TO BELIEVE IN JESUS IS TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS THE

I. TO BELIEVE IN JESUS IS TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS THE John 11:17-45 TAKE OFF THE GRAVE CLOTHES 3/27/16 Introduction: A. If Jesus disciples had understood what was actually happening they might well have thought him cruel. They were about 60 miles north of

More information

Rev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind.

Rev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind. Rev. Daniel Mackey The Resurrection of Our Lord April 20, 2014 Mark 16:1-8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, Ind. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who

More information

Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? Scripture Text: Luke 24:1-12

Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? Scripture Text: Luke 24:1-12 Delivered Date: Sunday, March 27, 2016 1 Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? Scripture Text: Luke 24:1-12 Introduction Happy Resurrection Sunday! Jesus is not dead. He is not in the grave. He is alive,

More information

John 11: 1 to 16 / 38 to 44 Raising Lazarus (T/B- m: 15 May 16)

John 11: 1 to 16 / 38 to 44 Raising Lazarus (T/B- m: 15 May 16) John 11: 1 to 16 / 38 to 44 Raising Lazarus (T/B- m: 15 May 16) Good News! I have good news for you: God has a resurrection plan just for you! God wants to bring us out into the light again. He wants to

More information

Raised in Glory: A Liturgy for Morning Prayer

Raised in Glory: A Liturgy for Morning Prayer Raised in Glory: A Liturgy for Morning Prayer Lighting of the Candle The center candle is lit, the Officiant first saying We light this candle for the sick and suffering addicts inside and outside of these

More information

John 20:1-18 The Resurrection and Mary

John 20:1-18 The Resurrection and Mary Parkdale Grace Fellowship Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 (Originally preached on Easter 2004 & 2008) John 20:1-18 The Resurrection and Mary Yesterday as I was in the Foothills Hospital visiting some patients

More information

Welcome to Willowdale Christian Reformed Church

Welcome to Willowdale Christian Reformed Church Welcome to Willowdale Christian Reformed Church April 21, 2019 10:00 a.m. Easter Resurrection Sunday In worship, God speaks to us through his Word, and we respond with praise and prayer. About the service:

More information

Easter Eyes. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him, Rabbouni! which means teacher.

Easter Eyes. Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him, Rabbouni! which means teacher. Easter Eyes John 20:1-18: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon

More information

WALKING TO EMMAUS ALONG WITH JESUS. The two men who were on their way to the town of Emmaus should

WALKING TO EMMAUS ALONG WITH JESUS. The two men who were on their way to the town of Emmaus should Luke 24:13-35 April 30, 2017 WALKING TO EMMAUS ALONG WITH JESUS The two men who were on their way to the town of Emmaus should have known it was Jesus walking beside them. After all, they were disciples

More information

First Corporal Work of Mercy

First Corporal Work of Mercy 1 First Corporal Work of Mercy FEED THE HUNGRY The generous will be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9) How can your family share your food with the poor? Write down your

More information

[John ] Yes, celebrate is the word. For Easter spells victory.

[John ] Yes, celebrate is the word. For Easter spells victory. JOHN 20.11-18: WHY ARE YOU CRYING? [Sunday morning 7 April 2013] Easter has not come and gone. Easter is still with us. Christmas may have its 12 days, but Easter has its 50 days. Today is the second Sunday

More information

Cling To God s Safe Care Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church All Saint s Sunday November 6, 2016

Cling To God s Safe Care Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church All Saint s Sunday November 6, 2016 Cling To God s Safe Care Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church All Saint s Sunday November 6, 2016 Today s message comes from John s gospel, chapter 11, verses 32 through 44. When Mary

More information

Sermon Easter Sunday April 5, 2015

Sermon Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 Sermon Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 Isaiah 25:6-9 6 On this mountain, the LORD of heavenly forces will prepare for all peoples a rich feast, a feast of choice wines, of select foods rich in flavor, of choice

More information

The Quest For Rest Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church Easter Sunday April 20, 2014

The Quest For Rest Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church Easter Sunday April 20, 2014 The Quest For Rest Message by DD Adams Providence United Methodist Church Easter Sunday April 20, 2014 The gospel lesson for today is taken from the book of John, chapter 20, verses 1 through 18. I ll

More information

SERMON All Saints Sunday November 1, 2009

SERMON All Saints Sunday November 1, 2009 SERMON All Saints Sunday November 1, 2009 Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord and Savior

More information

Discovering your calling is more than just deciding what you are going to do with your life, it s about who you are going to become.

Discovering your calling is more than just deciding what you are going to do with your life, it s about who you are going to become. PARTICIPANTS GUIDE Discovering your calling is more than just deciding what you are going to do with your life, it s about who you are going to become. Many people spend their entire lives searching

More information

thesource Worship Service

thesource Worship Service thesource Worship Service On Our Way to Easter by Sally Hiller Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! What wonderful words these are to us who believe that Christ did indeed rise from the dead!

More information

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Mustard Seed Children s Lesson for Sunday, 8 April 2007 (Easter) Released on April 4, 2007 Jesus Lives! Revelation 1:12a, 17, 18 12a And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.............. 17 And

More information

John 20 in ASL Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away

John 20 in ASL Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away 429 20. Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other

More information

PBC AM2. How to have a Living Faith John 11:26-27

PBC AM2. How to have a Living Faith John 11:26-27 John 11:26-27 March 27, 2016 Easter Service, 11:00 AM Dr. Jack Graham [Dr. Graham, message, ] Today on this Easter Sunday morning we are beginning a message series called DARE TO BELIEVE. And the challenge

More information

The Faith of Jesus John 11:36-44

The Faith of Jesus John 11:36-44 The following is a rough transcript, not in its final form and may be updated. The Faith of Jesus John 11:36-44 Intro: Today we are finally going to deal with the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This

More information

Portrait of Christ Sketches in the Gospel of John

Portrait of Christ Sketches in the Gospel of John Portrait of Christ Sketches in the Gospel of John Inductive Discovery Lesson 21 John 20:1-31 Jesus: Risen Lord! She came at first light with spices to anoint the Lord s body. Mary Magdalene, along with

More information

Good Friday. First Church in Cambridge Congregational, UCC 11 Garden Street, Cambridge. Church of the Covenant UCC/PC(USA) 67 Newbury Street, Boston

Good Friday. First Church in Cambridge Congregational, UCC 11 Garden Street, Cambridge. Church of the Covenant UCC/PC(USA) 67 Newbury Street, Boston Good Friday First Church in Cambridge Congregational, UCC 11 Garden Street, Cambridge Church of the Covenant UCC/PC(USA) 67 Newbury Street, Boston SILENCE WELCOME *HYMN 200 FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE, CONGREGATIONAL,

More information

Dare To Believe The Path to Restored Faith & Belief

Dare To Believe The Path to Restored Faith & Belief I. Introductory Remarks. Dare To Believe The Path to Restored Faith & Belief Luke 24:1-6 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the

More information

th SuninLentRaisingLazarus

th SuninLentRaisingLazarus 0309085 th SuninLentRaisingLazarus Peace be with you. Many years ago, I volunteered at a hospital in Daly City, on the outskirts of San Francisco. My work was in the evenings at times when much of the

More information

Lessons for the Leader. Jesus Is Alive! Session at a Glance. Week of April 8, aApplication Activities Format: Follow the

Lessons for the Leader. Jesus Is Alive! Session at a Glance. Week of April 8, aApplication Activities Format: Follow the Week of April 8, 2012 Lessons for the Leader Have you ever had a plan, but something happened to make you have to change the plan? Read on to learn what changed Mary Magdalene's plan for the day. Read

More information

79. I am the Resurrection and the Life

79. I am the Resurrection and the Life 79. I am the Resurrection and the Life June 4, 2017 When a person or an animal dies, the first of the five different stages of decomposition starts immediately because there are bacteria within the physical

More information

Jesus has power over death.

Jesus has power over death. Praise Jesus! Jesus Raises Lazarus Lesson 9 Bible Point Jesus has power over death. Bible Verse Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying

More information

JUST COME HOME Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church April 5, Easter Sunday John 20:1-18

JUST COME HOME Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church April 5, Easter Sunday John 20:1-18 JUST COME HOME Karen F. Bunnell Elkton United Methodist Church April 5, 2015 Easter Sunday John 20:1-18 In just a little while, as soon as I say the final amen at the last service today, I m taking off

More information

INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL-GROUP STUDY GUIDE

INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL-GROUP STUDY GUIDE INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL-GROUP STUDY GUIDE The following questions are designed to further your journey of healing through the study of God s Word. The guide follows the structure of the book, taking you deeper

More information

Suffering and Singing. John Hindley. Suffering Singing pages CC.indd 1 24/09/ :57

Suffering and Singing. John Hindley. Suffering Singing pages CC.indd 1 24/09/ :57 Suffering and Singing John Hindley 1 Suffering Singing pages CC.indd 1 24/09/2015 14:57 [p. 2: blank] Suffering Singing pages CC.indd 2 24/09/2015 14:57 Suffering and Singing Knowing God s Love in the

More information

The Believable Nonsense of Easter Sermon on Luke 24:1-12 (4/4 & 4/5/15; Easter 1) Jennifer M. Hallenbeck

The Believable Nonsense of Easter Sermon on Luke 24:1-12 (4/4 & 4/5/15; Easter 1) Jennifer M. Hallenbeck The Believable Nonsense of Easter Sermon on Luke 24:1-12 (4/4 & 4/5/15; Easter 1) Jennifer M. Hallenbeck Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and some other women were the ones who had gone

More information

Easter: the Verb Sunday March 27, 2016

Easter: the Verb Sunday March 27, 2016 Easter: the Verb Sunday March 27, 2016 On a visit to the United States, the Pope was spending a weekend on the Maine coast, at the Universalist Camp Ferry Beach. He d never spent any time with Unitarian

More information

12.4 Large Group Lesson

12.4 Large Group Lesson July 22 nd, 2018 Emoji Madness Jesus Weeps BIG IDEA: Jesus feels compassion for us when we re sad, so we can cry out to Him. BIBLE BASIS: John 11:1-44 KEY VERSE: My tears have been my food day and night

More information

We Pray for Those Who Have Died

We Pray for Those Who Have Died We Pray for Those Who Have Died I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, will never die. (John 11:25-26) My Headstone

More information

GUIDELINES TO A CATHOLIC FUNERAL

GUIDELINES TO A CATHOLIC FUNERAL GUIDELINES TO A CATHOLIC FUNERAL THE MEANING OF DEATH Death is a passage from this life to the next life that Jesus promised. When we think about death, we should remember the promise. This passage is

More information

And Peter Mark 16:1-8

And Peter Mark 16:1-8 And Peter Mark 16:1-8 Easter Sunrise Service United States Naval Academy 05 April 2015 Welcome & Introduction I think it was Oscar Thompson, great evangelist who said relationship, is the most important

More information

When You Lose Someone You Love Genesis 23: 1-6 ; 17-20

When You Lose Someone You Love Genesis 23: 1-6 ; 17-20 Message for THE LORD S DAY EVENING, June 12, 2011 Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister When You Lose Someone You Love Genesis 23: 1-6 ; 17-20 My message

More information

Life of Christ Curriculum A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS: MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN. And Make Disciples. The Cross and Beyond. Lesson 17: Jesus is Alive!

Life of Christ Curriculum A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS: MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN. And Make Disciples. The Cross and Beyond. Lesson 17: Jesus is Alive! 2011 Go Life of Christ Curriculum A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS: MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN And Make Disciples The Cross and Beyond Lesson 17: Jesus is Alive! Mission Arlington Mission Metroplex Curriculum Created

More information

When Life Tumbles In, What Then? Jeremiah 12: 1, 5

When Life Tumbles In, What Then? Jeremiah 12: 1, 5 When Life Tumbles In, What Then? Jeremiah 12: 1, 5 Rev. Michael D. Halley August 27, 2017 Suffolk Christian Church Suf folk, Virginia Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

He is alive! that's the Christian's conquering cry. & we know Jesus lives because we experience His resurrection present & power each day.

He is alive! that's the Christian's conquering cry. & we know Jesus lives because we experience His resurrection present & power each day. Sunday, April 23, 2017 PM John 20:10-18 (tx: Mark 16:9-11) MARY MAGDALENE I. Her personal nature II. Her resurrection encounter INTRODUCTION He is alive! that's the Christian's conquering cry. & we know

More information

ORDER OF WORSHIP April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday

ORDER OF WORSHIP April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday ORDER OF WORSHIP April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday Please sign and pass the Friendship Book ( pew pad ) where you can also record any prayer requests. Our prayer is that you will experience the presence of the

More information

Sermon (4/24/11, Matthew 28: 1-10): Our last reflection on the Passion Narrative ended with an earthquake. Just as Jesus breathed his last breath,

Sermon (4/24/11, Matthew 28: 1-10): Our last reflection on the Passion Narrative ended with an earthquake. Just as Jesus breathed his last breath, 1 Sermon (4/24/11, Matthew 28: 1-10): Our last reflection on the Passion Narrative ended with an earthquake. Just as Jesus breathed his last breath, Matthew tells us there was a sudden and powerful earthquake

More information

Peter Series: The Disciples Journey to Easter John 20:1-10; Luke 24:34 April 21, 2019

Peter Series: The Disciples Journey to Easter John 20:1-10; Luke 24:34 April 21, 2019 Peter Series: The Disciples Journey to Easter John 20:1-10; Luke 24:34 April 21, 2019 There was this 9-year-old boy who was not exactly happy about going to church on Easter Sunday morning. His new shoes

More information

Sending Song: TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Contemporary Easter Service March 31, :45 A.M.

Sending Song: TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Contemporary Easter Service March 31, :45 A.M. Sending Song: Your Love Is Everlasting (Chorus) Since time began, through centuries, God s love is everlasting. To distant unknown galaxies, God s love is everlasting. For the Splendor springs forth cross

More information

A Real Promise: I Am the Resurrection and the Life

A Real Promise: I Am the Resurrection and the Life Pastor Russell Lackey Reformation L.C. John 11:17-27 March 9, 2008 Lent 5 A Real Promise: I Am the Resurrection and the Life On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four

More information

Death is big news. It always is. There s a lot of death in the news every night, as

Death is big news. It always is. There s a lot of death in the news every night, as 1 Death is big news. It always is. There s a lot of death in the news every night, as we hear about the latest tragedy, the latest murder, or the latest disease. Major catastrophes such as hurricanes and

More information

Jesus Gift To A Weeping Mother

Jesus Gift To A Weeping Mother Walking With Jesus #20 (5/11/14) Bible Bap2st Church, Port Orchard, WA Dr. Al Hughes Jesus Gift To A Weeping Mother Luke 7:11-17 (text v. 15) All parents have high hopes for their children: A mother, who

More information

Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb John 20:1-18 Sermon by Joanne Gallardo April 1, 2018

Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb John 20:1-18 Sermon by Joanne Gallardo April 1, 2018 Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb John 20:1-18 Sermon by Joanne Gallardo April 1, 2018 20Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the

More information

Will you BELIEVE? Chapters 1 5. Will you FOLLOW? Chapters Will you LOVE? Chapters Will you TESTIFY? Chapters 16-21

Will you BELIEVE? Chapters 1 5. Will you FOLLOW? Chapters Will you LOVE? Chapters Will you TESTIFY? Chapters 16-21 Testify (Part 1) You Also Must Testify Jesus Unfiltered, Vol. 4 John 16 Introduction: Who is Jesus and why did He come? The Authorized Biography John s eyewitness account Will you BELIEVE? Chapters 1 5

More information

Rev. Terry Breum St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois Easter Sunday April 05, "He Is Alive!"

Rev. Terry Breum St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois Easter Sunday April 05, He Is Alive! Rev. Terry Breum St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, Illinois Easter Sunday April 05, 2015 "He Is Alive!" John 20:1-18 (ESV) [1] Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early,

More information

Death Has Invaded Life...But!

Death Has Invaded Life...But! Job 3:20-26 MSG November 6, 2016 All Saints Day Death Has Invaded Life...But! We all enjoy celebrating the date of life...one's birthday! However, how many of us celebrate or remember the day death invaded

More information

CARE GROUP LESSON LESSON 10 REST IS GOOD

CARE GROUP LESSON LESSON 10 REST IS GOOD 1 CARE GROUP LESSON LESSON 10 REST IS GOOD We have been learning that God is good. In our final lesson, we will look at the strong connection between good and rest and look at how prayer leads to our resting

More information

Cemetery Service Sermon Sept. 4, I Thess. 4: / Matt. 28: 1-10

Cemetery Service Sermon Sept. 4, I Thess. 4: / Matt. 28: 1-10 1 Cemetery Service Sermon Sept. 4, 2016 I Thess. 4: 13-18 / Matt. 28: 1-10 We have all seen it on television and in the movies..we have all read about it in novels..we have read about it in the Bible..and

More information

Copyrighted material Letter to a Grieving Heart.indd 1 1/30/18 9:46 AM

Copyrighted material Letter to a Grieving Heart.indd 1 1/30/18 9:46 AM Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of

More information

In the Habit session for use with devozine meditations for December 15 21, 2014.

In the Habit session for use with devozine meditations for December 15 21, 2014. GRIEF & LOSS Sally Chambers In the Habit session for use with devozine meditations for December 15 21, 2014. MAKING THE CONNECTION I like to say that the world stopped spinning on the day my mum died.

More information

As we move from Easter Sunday, we began the next fifty days taking a. deeper look into how we, as followers of Christ, came to be. We will look at the

As we move from Easter Sunday, we began the next fifty days taking a. deeper look into how we, as followers of Christ, came to be. We will look at the Emerging from Places of Fear: Becoming Bold Christians April 23, 2017 John 20:19-31 As we move from Easter Sunday, we began the next fifty days taking a deeper look into how we, as followers of Christ,

More information

LAZARUS SATURDAY 2010

LAZARUS SATURDAY 2010 "Lazarus, Come Forth." Holy Week begins on the Saturday of Lazarus, It begins with a resurrection (Lazarus) and it ends with a resurrection (Christ). Thus, Holy Week is placed between two brilliant shafts

More information

Text: John 11:17-36 Title: When Life Stinks Jesus Cares

Text: John 11:17-36 Title: When Life Stinks Jesus Cares Text: John 11:17-36 Title: When Life Stinks Jesus Cares ILLUSTRATION Some of the strangest or funniest things that have happened in my ministry happened at funerals or cemeteries. In my first church we

More information

Startled By Christ s Love

Startled By Christ s Love God has poured out His love Romans 5:5 I. Reclaiming Easter Startled by Christ s Love Startled By Christ s Love God has poured out His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5) Colossians 3:16 Preparation Let

More information

OUR. Why Story? STORIES. July3, 2011 ELEMENT. christian church

OUR. Why Story? STORIES. July3, 2011 ELEMENT. christian church Why Story? At Element we believe it is important for people around us to understand the changes that are taking place in our own lives based on the work of Christ in us. To help others understand what

More information

I Have Seen My Lord!

I Have Seen My Lord! I Have Seen My Lord! Why We Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead (by Kurt E. DeHaan): If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resu17rrection of Christ

More information

RAINBOWS GALWAY DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTRE CONSOLE

RAINBOWS GALWAY DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTRE CONSOLE RAINBOWS A 12 week peer support programme to assist children, adolescents and adults who are grieving a death, separation or other painful transition in their family. The service is offered for free. Contact

More information

Back to School: Being Somebody Biblical Text: I Peter 2:4-10 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, KS.

Back to School: Being Somebody Biblical Text: I Peter 2:4-10 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, KS. August 26, 2012 Page 1 of 5 Back to School: Being Somebody Biblical Text: I Peter 2:4-10 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, KS. The 139 th Psalm says this:

More information

The second thing Paul makes a big deal about is that according to the Scriptures He was crucified, raised and appeared to over five hundred people

The second thing Paul makes a big deal about is that according to the Scriptures He was crucified, raised and appeared to over five hundred people Holy Week in Biblical Perspective Resurrection Sabbath The Resurrection Appearances: Who? When? Why? John 20:1 18 Dr. Harry Reeder March 31, 2013 Morning Sermon John 20:1 18 says [1] Now on the first day

More information

The Resurrection of Our Lord Easter Dawn

The Resurrection of Our Lord Easter Dawn The Resurrection of Our Lord Easter Dawn March 27, 2016 The Resurrection of Our Lord Easter Dawn The Church begins its celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord early on Easter morning, for the Scriptures

More information

The Day Jesus Cried LESSON FOUR. 40 LESSON FOUR References John 11; The Desire of Ages, pp

The Day Jesus Cried LESSON FOUR. 40 LESSON FOUR   References John 11; The Desire of Ages, pp LESSON FOUR The Day Jesus Cried References John 11; The Desire of Ages, pp. 524 536 Memory Verse Carry each other s burdens (Galatians 6:2, NIV). Objectives The children will: Know that we share one another

More information

September 23, 2012 Page 1 of 5

September 23, 2012 Page 1 of 5 September 23, 2012 Page 1 of 5 The Power of Dreams: Being an Innovative Community Biblical Text: Acts 2:42-47 Dr. Michael F. Gardner, Senior Pastor Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, Kansas

More information

May 29, Blessed Are Who Mourn. From the Pulpit of the Japanese Baptist Church of North Texas. Matthew 5:1-4

May 29, Blessed Are Who Mourn. From the Pulpit of the Japanese Baptist Church of North Texas. Matthew 5:1-4 From the Pulpit of the Japanese Baptist Church of North Texas May 29, 2016 Blessed Are Who Mourn Matthew 5:1-4 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came

More information

EASTER DAY. the resurrection of our lord jesus christ. the first day of april in the year of our lord two thousand eighteen

EASTER DAY. the resurrection of our lord jesus christ. the first day of april in the year of our lord two thousand eighteen EASTER DAY the resurrection of our lord jesus christ the first day of april in the year of our lord two thousand eighteen Easter Day Service of Festival Worship Eight fifteen, Nine forty-five & Eleven

More information

Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper Easter Sunday, April 1, Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper. (A Sermon for Easter Sunday)

Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper Easter Sunday, April 1, Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper. (A Sermon for Easter Sunday) Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper - 1 - Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 Not with a Shout, but with a Whimper (A Sermon for Easter Sunday) Text: John 20:1-18 Lectionary Texts: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24;

More information

Jesus Christ is Risen. Sunday, April 20, 2014

Jesus Christ is Risen. Sunday, April 20, 2014 Good News: Jesus Christ is Risen Sunday, April 20, 2014 The Resurrection: The Greatest Good News In All Of Eternity It Has Forever Shaped The Lives Of All Of Humanity It Was A Turning Point In History

More information

Quotable. WISE COUNSEL FOR TROUBLED TIMES Overcoming Failure

Quotable. WISE COUNSEL FOR TROUBLED TIMES Overcoming Failure LET S BEGIN HERE Few troubles are as hard to endure as the heartache that accompanies failure. The failure may have been a mistake in judgment that led to financial ruin, a violation of trust that collapsed

More information

On the Road with Jesus III: Setting Out

On the Road with Jesus III: Setting Out September 24, 2017 National Presbyterian Church On the Road with Jesus III: Setting Out Joshua 1:1-9, Romans 8:28-39, Jeremiah 29:11 David Renwick In our sermons this Fall we re thinking together about

More information

Worship Service Theme: Easter

Worship Service Theme: Easter Worship Service Theme: Easter Helpful Elements: White table covering Strip of white lace or linen to drape on cross Easter lily Special songbook for Easter Choral recording of Handel s Hallelujah Chorus

More information

This is what Christians all over the world are celebrating today: in rising from the dead, Jesus defeated the power of death.

This is what Christians all over the world are celebrating today: in rising from the dead, Jesus defeated the power of death. SERMON TITLE: Why Are You Weeping? TEXT: John 20:1-18 PREACHED AT: Lethbridge Mennonite Church BY: Ryan Dueck DATE: April 8, 2012/Easter Sunday We have heard the story of that first Easter morning. It

More information

San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ Sermon from Rev. Annette J. Cook Preached on Sunday, June 17, 2018

San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ Sermon from Rev. Annette J. Cook Preached on Sunday, June 17, 2018 SCRIPTURE READING Luke 15:11-32 11 Jesus said, A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, Father, give me my share of the inheritance. Then the father divided his estate between

More information