Rossville Christian Church
Sunday, April 4
  • Christ Is Risen
  • Victory In Jesus
  • All The Poor And Powerless
  • Raise A Hallelujah
  • Intro:
    Defeated, humbled, distraught, saddened, afraid, disenfranchised, terrified it was Friday night. The disciples huddled in a room in shock trying to run the course of grief, dodging the authorities and confused, it was Friday night. In a stage of panic, trying to formulate the next steps, distressed, doubtful full of despair they sat in an upper room, dreams shattered, It was Friday night
    John 20:19 The Message
    Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
    See, what they didn’t understand was that Sunday was on they way. So many times in our lives we get stuck on Friday night and forget that Sunday’s on the way.

    It Seems Like Friday

    Matthew 27:57–61 NIV
    As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
    A. Jesus is buried
    1. The stone was put in place
    a. Can’t imagine the feeling
    b. Seeing the finality of it
    Matthew 27:66 NIV
    So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
    2. They came to put spices on him
    Mark 16:1 NIV
    When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
    a. Had to wait until after Shabbat
    b. Still had the law in mind
    c. Wanted one final respect
    i. Loved Jesus
    ii. Wanted the best for Him
    B. The loss was total
    Mark 16:10–11 NIV
    She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
    1. The hero of the story is dead
    a. They have given up hope
    b. They were trying to figure where to go
    c. Fear and mourning had gripped them
    2. No longer hope
    a. Seemed like Friday night
    I remember struggling one time in my life with drinking. I wasn’t a good thing, life wasn’t good, times were tough, money was short and it seemed like numbing it all out was a good idea, it seemed like Friday night, but Sunday was on the way.

    But Sunday’s On the Way

    A. When they returned
    Matthew 28:1 NIV
    After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
    Luke 24:1–5 NIV
    On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
    1. Brought the Spices
    a. Knew He was dead
    1 John 4:16 NIV
    And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
    b. Hope was gone but love remained
    i. Jesus touches with love
    ii. That is His legacy
    2. Found waht they didn’t expect
    a. Stone was rolled away
    b. Angels nearby
    Luke 24:5 NIV
    In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
    B. Hope begins to spring
    Matthew 28:2–7 NIV
    There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
    1. Where are the Disciples
    a. They were afraid but not for long
    b. Faith had been stole
    Matthew 14:31 NIV
    Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
    i. Peter on the water and now at the Tomb
    2. Christ is Alive - Hope is here
    a. The hope of all days
    b. They missed it at the tomb
    i. but we have it now
    c. Still a chance
    i. With every breath - Hope
    ii. With every second - Hope
    d. Jesus meets us in a our lack of faith
    i. that is hope
    Luke 19:10 NIV
    For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
    That’s the awesome thing about Christ, is that Sundays on the way. Hope is on the way. Just like when I struggled with drinking and life, when I repented and turned to the Lord, I found Sunday morning. I found hope and peace and a since of comfort in the chaos. Jesus is Alive and redemption is here!

    Redemption!

    A. Jesus declares victory
    1. All authority
    a. over life and death
    b. No longer reason to doubt
    John 20:27 NIV
    Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
    i. Stop doubting and believe
    ii. What’s stopping you today
    iii. We all have a past, stop doubting and believe
    2. Who’s side will you be on
    a. Have to pick a side
    b. Stop doubting and believe
    3. Jesus is the Victory
    1 Corinthians 15:55–56 NIV
    “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
    a. He has won your battles
    b. He has defeated the enemy
    i. death has no power, sin has no power, depression has no power, Jesus is the authority
    ii. Stop doubting and believe
    B. All is Restored
    1. Even Peter
    a. Denied Christ 3X
    b. But even Peter is restored
    John 21:15–19 NIV
    When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
    2. If Peter can be restored so can you
    a. Stop doubting and believe
    b. Christ is Risen
    c. Sin is powerless
    Romans 6:6 NIV
    For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
    3. Jesus has made it all new
    a. Mind body and Spirit
    b. Restored our faith
    Luke 24:45–49 NIV
    Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
    4. The old is gone and the New remains
    a. Stop doubting and believe
    Isaiah 43:18–19 NIV
    “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
    Revelation 21:3–5 NIV
    And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
    Conclusion
    Stop Doubting and believe! Christ is Risen! Hope for tomorrow is found in the today. In all your struggles in life, in all your grief and sorrow, in all your shame and guilt, hope can be found in Jesus Christ. When worry and stress and fear try to beat you down, it sure seems like Friday night. When it seems hopeless and all seems lost, it seems like Friday night, but cling to the Truth, Sunday’s on the way! Sunday is Here and all things are made new. Death, sin, shame, guilt, depression, hopelessness have all been defeated, the grave has now power and death has no say because Jesus is Alive, HE is risen and Sunday is HERE!
    Pray

      • John 20:19NIV2011

      • Matthew 27:57–61NIV2011

      • Matthew 27:66NIV2011

      • Mark 16:1NIV2011

      • Mark 16:10–11NIV2011

      • Matthew 28:1NIV2011

      • Luke 24:1–5NIV2011

      • 1 John 4:16NIV2011

      • Luke 24:5NIV2011

      • Matthew 28:2–7NIV2011

      • Matthew 14:31NIV2011

      • Luke 19:10NIV2011

      • Matthew 28:18–20NIV2011

      • John 20:27NIV2011

      • 1 Corinthians 15:55–56NIV2011

      • John 21:15–19NIV2011

      • Romans 6:6NIV2011

      • Luke 24:45–49NIV2011

      • Isaiah 43:18–19NIV2011

      • Revelation 21:3–5NIV2011

  • How Great Thou Art
  • O Praise The Name (Anástasis)

      • Matthew 28:19–20NLT

Rossville Christian Church
785-584-6351
http://rccinhisgrip.com
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