Easter Sunday at Open Door
Church – I took notes and
present an edited sermon.
Pastor Allan mentioned the
verse in Revelations 4:8 b Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!” as we had just been
singing that chorus.
Those who needed
healing were called forward and men and women joined Pastor to pray for those
needing a miracle. Pastor spoke of
Jeremiah the prophet who talked about the water, first shallow but increasing in depth
until you could swim in the water.
Pastor said, stay out there and flow with the Holy Spirit.
Pastor smiled as
he said, “If this is your first time here, just know we are a bunch who love
Jesus. If you felt something different
that is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
If you see people
lying down; they are being ministered to by the Holy Spirit. Changes will come in people’s lives that are
good. God is stretching us to be
used. The stretch may hurt or be
uncomfortable, but it is necessary.
History tells us
there have been good leaders and some that were not so good. Some religious people have watered down the
gospel, and say Jesus was merely a great teacher.
The difference
is, “Jesus is still alive and He continues to minister through his believers.
On Golgotha’s
hill, three were crucified on that day; one thief went to Paradise
with Jesus.
Taking the full
judgment for sin was the great work of Jesus Christ at the cross. Our sins were placed on His body on the tree.
It is interesting
to notice the words Jesus spoke while on the cross.
1.
Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
2.
Today
you will be with me in Paradise . (The thief)
3.
Behold
your son, behold your mother. (To John and Mary Jesus’ mother.)
4.
My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
(The hour of darkness)
5.
I
thirst (but he refused the vinegar.
6.
It is
finished. (The work Jesus was sent to
do, was done.)
7.
Father,
into your hands, I commit my spirit
The disciples saw
their reality coming to an end. For
three years they had traveled with Jesus; watched Him heal the sick, cast out
devils, feed thousands with only a small lunch, calm the raging sea. Now their heart was broken, and all seemed to
be lost.
They went back to
their homes and were depressed, sad and miserable.
Joseph a rich man
begged the body of Jesus and wrapped His body in grave clothes. Then he placed Him in his personal tomb, positioning
a huge stone in the opening.
A few days
earlier, Mary Madeline had anointed Jesus feet as a token looking forward to
his death.
On the third day,
the women brought spices to anoint His body, but the stone was rolled away and
two men sat on the stone wearing shinny garments. They proclaimed, “He is not here for he is
risen as he said.”
The women ran to
tell the disciples, but they were not believed and it seemed they were telling
idle tales. Soon they were to face Jesus
and understand he was risen indeed.
Jesus died know
the struggles some of you are having.
Others are experiencing days of being sober or smoke free. The enemy wants you to remain bound, and he
tries to get your friends to influence you.
Realize the grave
is empty, and Jesus is alive. He desires
to live His life in and through you.
Some are still
waiting for their Messiah, I pray that
their eyes will be opened.
You may have said
the sinner’s prayer, but as we take communion today, we are to judge ourselves
and make needed adjustments. God demands
we have a Holy Relationship with Him.
We are in the
soul winning business. Turn and look now
in the back of the church where a gentleman is surrounded by our men praying
him into the kingdom.
It is alright to
have fun at church, and we have had an exciting day. Your job is to take the enthusiasm you have
here – out to the world where you live.
3 comments:
Praise the Lord, He is risen indeed! I am praying for you and your husband and do trust the dear Lord that all is well. God bless you in a special way today!
Sounds very much like the sermon we heard. From fear and hopelessness to joy and celebration to sharing the Good News with the world. A beautiful thing.
amen, amen.
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