31

Jump Start # 1571

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1571

Acts 16:30 “and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 

Our verse today are the words of a frightened Roman jailer. Things happened that night that he had never seen before. He’d seen tough guys before. He’d seen prisoners cursing him. He’d seen prisoners offering him the world as a bribe to release them. But on this night, he had never seen what took place.

 

Paul and Silas had been beaten and arrested and brought to the prison for preaching Christ. They were put in the inner prison and their feet shackled. I expect they were bloody. They had been beaten with rods. It would have been the grace of God had they not had a few broken bones. That traumatic experience would be hard to recover from. At midnight, in prison, chained, these two begin singing praises to God and were praying. They weren’t whispering, because the text tells us that the other prisoners were listening. What a night it had been.

 

Then suddenly a great earthquake shook the area. It was so severe that the chains became unfastened. The doors of the prison were shaken open. Dust, debris and possibly falling rocks cluttered the walkways in the prison. This was a prisoner’s dream come true. It’s dark. The chains are unfastened and the prison doors are opened. Run! But they don’t. No one runs. They all remain. This was a most unusual night.

 

The guard, fearing the worst, pulls out his sword and is ready to take his own life. He isn’t trying to capture run-a-ways. He isn’t trying to keep some in their cells. It’s over for him. The officials will see his dead body and assume the escaped prisoners killed him. He’ll die defending his post, at least it will look that way. But Paul shouted to the guard to not hurt himself. He reports that everyone is still present. No one has escaped. No one has run-a-way. There was no need to kill himself.

 

It is here, that the fearful guard, falling at the feet of Paul and Silas, asks, “What must I do to be saved?” One of the greatest questions in all the Bible. A question that we ought to ask ourselves. It is here that we see three things.

 

1. First, it is impressive that the guard even asked that question. There is no indication that Paul had preached to him. There is no indication that there had been a series of Bible lessons before this. Of all things to ask, why this? He must have heard the singing and praying, like the other prisoners heard. Singing and praying coming from beaten and sore preachers. They weren’t mad. They weren’t blaming. They weren’t cussing. They weren’t threatening. They were praising the God that they believed in. Then the earthquake. Then the report that everyone is still in their place. A pagan Roman must have thought that the gods were protecting Paul and Silas. He must have thought that the gods were on their side. But he heard enough through songs and prayers to ask for forgiveness.

 

What does this tell you about the power of singing and praying? Those are not “fillers” to get to the more important things. Preaching is not the only way to open hearts and get people thinking. This tells us that we need to step up our singing. Some don’t sing. Some mumble. Some use the time to do other things. Paul and Silas sang and their audience, those in that prison, were moved to a respectful obedience.

 

2. The jailer understood that there was something that he had to do. What must I do, was his question. He didn’t ask, what must God do? He didn’t ask, what must you do? What must I do? He knew that he had a responsibility to God. To say, “there is nothing to do,” beats all logic, even from this pagan. He knew more than many religious folks today. Some, with a Bible in their hands, would answer this jailer, “You don’t do anything. God does it all.” That wasn’t the answer that the apostle gave. We have a responsibility to God. Three times in Acts the expression of “doing something” for salvation is used. Paul first heard it himself when he was blind on the Damascus road. He was told to go into the city and it would be told what you must do. There it is. There was something he had to do.

 

3. Paul answered the jailer. He didn’t set up a time to get together and have a month of Bible classes. There is a place for that, but there is also a place for giving an honest answer to an honest question, here and now. Paul told the jailer to believe in Jesus. Paul then told him about Jesus. That very hour, now past midnight, early in the morning, the jailer was baptized. He didn’t wait for a special Sunday to do this. He wasn’t told that baptism isn’t necessary. Believe and be baptized—that’s what Jesus said. That’s what Peter said. That’s the consistent message all through the book of Acts.

 

What about someone who says, “I don’t want to be baptized?” Then he’s not ready nor really serious about being saved. This pagan jailer was so scared that he would have done anything that the Lord told him. Had Paul said, “Climb a wall.” He would have climbed a wall. Had Paul said, it will cost you some money. He would have gotten the money somehow. He wanted to be saved and he was ready to do anything the Lord said. When it came to hearing the story of Jesus and forgiveness through faith and baptism, he was ready to do it. This is the point that Lydia came to in the same chapter. This is the place that Cornelius came to in the tenth chapter. This is where the Corinthians came to in the eighteenth chapter. This is the where the Pentecost audience came to in the second chapter. Over and over and over in Acts, it’s the same message. In prisons. Down by river banks. In large crowds. In small settings. The message of Jesus is taught, and faith in that Jesus begins. They were told to be baptized for forgiveness and they did. They always did. They did it then. They did in that setting.

 

Three simple things. A question was asked. A person understood his responsibility. The question was answered. And there we stand right in this story. We may be standing with the jailer and need to ask that question for ourselves. What must I do to be saved? We may never have thought about our responsibilities toward God. We may be standing in the shadows of Paul and Silas. We need to be able to answer questions like these. They didn’t run and find their preacher. They answered the jailer. They didn’t switch the subject. They didn’t say, “I really don’t know.” They knew. They didn’t care what others thought. An honest question was asked and it was answered honestly and Biblically.

 

Too many dance around this subject. It makes too many uncomfortable. They want to think that a person is earning their salvation? Did the jailer earn his? Did God owe him anything? Did God have to forgive him? No. Some like to come up with terms like “water salvation” to dismiss what happened in those early morning hours. His salvation was in Jesus Christ. His faith led him to do what Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Without faith, he would have never listened. Without faith he would have never continued the conversation. His faith wasn’t a feeling. It was based upon what Paul had told him about Jesus.

 

God’s people today need to be able to do what Paul did. Often there isn’t time to run and get a CD of a sermon. Often there isn’t time to get a class booklet, a tract, a pamphlet or even a Bible. Tell me now. Tell me what must I do to be saved? Can you do that? Can you do that with confidence?

 

 

What an unusual night long ago in Philippi. It might have ended with a dead guard and escaped prisoners. Instead, it ended with a new Christian and group of listeners that were touched and impressed. Paul could have focused upon his wounds and cried “woe is me.” He didn’t. Your next trip to the hospital may be the occasion where others around you are listening, watching and even having their hearts opened by what you say and do. This wasn’t a planned event. This just happened. Often, it’s those “happening occasions,” that do more good than a month of sermons.

 

The jailer’s life was saved. The jailer’s soul was saved.

 

Roger

 

30

Jump Start # 1570

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1570

Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

  Encouragement has been referred to as “oxygen for the soul.” Everyone needs it. We remember Barnabas, called that by the apostles because he was an encourager. We remember Titus coming to Paul and refreshing his spirit. This is a role that all of us can play. The encourager is vital to a congregation. Life can be hard and for some the way we journey can seem long, without encouragement, as our verse reveals, a person can become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

 

The hardened soul is one that has turned bitter and sour. They see little good. The hardened soul is more likely to complain and dwell in misery. In this passage, it looks like someone believed the lies that come with sin. They have become hardened by that deception. It looks like Satan got him. It looks like he’s a goner.

 

Sin deceives. It promises great joys and freedoms but hides the pain and the consequences. Sin lies by telling you that you’ll never get caught. Sin lies by convincing you that it’s not that bad. Sin tells you that you can quit anytime. The more we are deceived by sin the deeper we sink. Before long we are so deep in sin and so trapped and so addicted, it’s hard to get out. The writer is trying to prevent this. He is trying to keep this from happening. He doesn’t want to see them sinking in sin. One way to over come this is encouragement. Daily encouragement. Encourage one another day after day.

 

I conducted a funeral yesterday. In the audience sat at least three different people who had buried loved ones within the past few months. I was amazed at that. It wasn’t too long ago, and it was their turn to sit on that dreaded front roll as the funeral is conducted. It was their family member that was in the casket. The wounds are still fresh. The tears have not stopped flowing and yet, there they sat in the audience to support another family who faced their turn with death. It’s hard to go to a funeral so soon after you have buried a loved one. Why did they do that? Encouragement. They know what it is like to have support of a church family. They understand that the presence of others helps with the burden one feels. They have been there and they know. They are encouragers.

 

Young people need encouragement. Teenagers are a lot like airplanes. It seems like the only ones we hear about are the ones that crash. We hear the sad statistics about how many are falling from the Lord. We hear about how many are sexting each other. Stats on drugs, alcohol and crime makes the older generation shudder. Those are the crashes. They make the news. They are the basis of sermons. But all throughout this land are incredible young people who are walking with the Lord. Their young voices are inviting friends to services. They are asking great questions as they develop their own faith. They are standing up against the things that are wrong. Their sweet voices fill our worship with praises of God. They need to be encouraged. They are doing great. Love them. Hug them. High five them. Pray for them. Compliment them. Use them. Engage them. Help them. But, please don’t stand in their way. And, don’t lump them in the same category of others their age who are not doing well. Encouragement.

 

Young families need encouragement. It’s hard getting everyone ready and out the door for worship. The more kids the more someone forgot something, needs something or is having a bad day. Moms walk into the church building looking like they have completed a tour in the Army. The day is just beginning and they have just about had it already. But there they are, carrying book bags, holding little hands and trying to get coats off and keep them corralled before they take off. Encourage them. Give them a hand, literally. Help hang up those little coats. Tell mom and dad that they are doing a great job. Hand them a gift card so they can go out to eat. Pray for them. They are trying to do what is right. Encouragement.

 

Senior citizens need encouragement. They are facing health issues and often it’s hard for them to get going in the morning. They start the day with a handful of pills, putting in their hearing aides and finding their walker. It would be so much easier for them to just stay home, but their faith won’t let them do that. So, here they come, moving slowly. They are the bedrock of the congregation. They know the history. They know the Bible. They are solid. They need encouragement. Where I worship, we have a whole team of guys who will park the cars for our seniors. They drive up to the front canopy, and are escorted in as someone else parks their cars. When services are over, the cars are lined up for them. It’s great. I’ve tried to get them to do that for me. They just laugh. It’s a simple way of encouraging. Many seniors are living alone. They have buried a mate. Include them. Invite them out with you. Encourage them.

 

A church needs solid teaching. It can’t survive without that. But it also needs strong encouragement. It needs love. People need to feel accepted. They need to feel wanted. They need to feel like they belong to a church family. Some of the best folks in the congregation may never stand behind the pulpit, but they are the huggers. They are the ones who are bringing food to a hurting family. They are out visiting folks in the hospital. They are helping others grow. They bring smiles and joy. And when one stumbles, they are there to help a person up. They are not pointing fingers and making a person feel worse.

 

I tend to think some people are afraid of the folks in church. They are afraid of the stares that they might get. They are afraid of the whispers. They are afraid of being avoided and treated as if they do not belong. I’ve seen that before. That’s not how Jesus acted. The woman caught in adultery wasn’t treated that way. Zacchaeus wasn’t treated that way. The lack of encouragement may be the very reason some can’t leave sin. They fear the church. That feeling comes from what they have witnessed in the past. They have seen how others were mistreated. Some know that they need to come back to the Lord, but that fear of the church keeps them away. They are convinced that they could never live as good as the people in the church. They have failed and feel that they are treated as a failure. All of this is caused by a lack of encouragement.

 

How does one turn the direction back to an encouraging, loving place? We are talking about the atmosphere of a congregation. Some places it’s stale. Some places it’s tense. You feel it. A visiting preacher tells a humorous story and no one laughs. Boy, I’ve been there. The impression is “we are in church,” and “we don’t smile, laugh, nor have a good time.” It’s all stern, serious and straight faces. Tears are acceptable, but certainly not smiles. Can you imagine? A week with people like that and all of us would want to put a bucket on our heads. Jesus loves you, this I know. That ought to put a smile in your heart and on your face.  Try some encouragement. Try some jelly on your toast, it sure makes it taste better.

 

So, you begin to turn the place around by what you do. Don’t wait for others. They may not know how nor think it’s right. You be the encourager. Be the Barnabas of your place. Hug. Smile. Compliment. Talk to the little kids. Invite folks out with you. Stick around. Bring some sunshine into the place. Encouragers have a way of attracting others. People like to be around encouragers. It’s not big things, just simple things. Wear some happy socks, they tend to make people smile.

 

We get enough bad news every day. Co-workers thrive on telling gloom and doom stories. The nightly news is just more bad news. It’s all around us. Dark movies. I haven’t seen it yet, my kids have, but why is Batman fighting Superman? That’s bad news. I want Batman and Superman smacking Isis. I want them on the same team.

 

Encouragement. You need it. You need to give it. Do your part in bringing some sunshine to a soul today.

 

Roger

 

29

Jump Start # 1569

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1569

John 12:48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

 

Some of the prevailing winds that blow across the landscape of faith are those that claim certain things in the Bible doesn’t matter. Boldly, some are happy to announce that some things are not salvation issues. That declaration means that we can quit fussing with each other about specifics because in the end, God doesn’t care. These things are not matters of salvation. Some are even happy to proclaim that some of the things that they are doing are not “technically” found in the Bible, but it’s ok, because they are not salvation issues.

 

Salvation issues, as it is claimed, are only those things that affect our salvation. Other matters do not. The manner of worship, the day of worship, the details about the Lord’s Supper, how a church raises money, what it does with the money—are all things that really do not matter, we are told. A person can’t say that there is a right way nor a wrong way about these things, since they are not matters of salvation.

 

All of this sounds too good to be true. I’ve had two recent discussions with folks that tried to tell me that where they worshipped and where I worship are the same. We believe the same things. We are doing the same things. Really, I thought? How strange. One worshipped where they had Gospel rock concerts. We don’t have that where I worship. We sing, as the N.T. shows us. One had the Lord’s Supper on Saturday. We don’t have Saturday night Lord’s Supper where I worship. We have it on Sunday, because that’s the day Jesus came out of the grave and that’s what we find in the Bible. One occasional used female preachers. We don’t where I worship. Paul said that women were not to teach over a man. The more he talked the less I found we had in common. I began to wonder if we even believed in the same Jesus. When he finished I wasn’t sure if there was anything we had in common. But he kept insisting that we were the same. When I mentioned these differences, he immediately told me that these things are not salvation issues. We can disagree with each other and still be right with God. These things, he told me, do not matter. I wondered, “Matter to who? You or God?”

 

I asked the guy what’s on the salvation list and what’s not on the salvation list. I told him that I never saw the list. All I had was the Bible. So, I pressed, “some things written in the Bible do not have to be followed?”  I told him that Jesus said, “If you love me, keep My commandments.” Which commandments did He have in mind, was my next question. All of this seem very cloudy to my thinking. I read in the N.T. of God wanting His people to be of one mind, one spirit, one voice. I’ve never found where God said it doesn’t really matter or, you can do what you want to do. The guy mentioned Romans 14—the great chapter where there was a difference about eating meats. The problem with his thinking is that God states in that chapter that they are both approved. God tells us it can be either way. God never said that about these other things he mentioned to me.

 

Salvation issues seems to be something that Satan came up with to tease hearts that are not content with doing things God’s way. God’s way is clear. It is defined and easily seen in the Bible. Making these made up rules about salvation and not salvation is something that will just clutter the mind and take folks away from God. One person’s list of salvation issues may not be what the next guy’s list is. And so, we are back to where we started, not agreeing with one another.

 

Our verse today, reminds us that we cannot separate Jesus from His word. I cannot accept Christ and be at odds with His word. To know Christ is to know His word. To be in favor with Christ is to be in favor with His word. I can not be right with Christ and wrong with His word. To reject His word is to reject Him.

 

Jesus then tells us that it is that word, His word, that will judge us on the last day. You’ll notice the singular nature of word. “The word I spoke…” Which word? Jesus spoke lots of words. It is all summed up, all tied together, all complete in “the word.” The word is similar to Jude saying contend earnestly for THE FAITH. It’s similar to the ONE FAITH of Ephesians four. The N.T. is a unit, a law, a covenant. It stands together. A person can’t say, “I’ll take the love passages, but I don’t want the verses about Hell.” They go together. To have one is to have the other. To drop one, is to drop all of them. Paul declared the whole council of God’s word. He didn’t just preach “nice” sermons. He told Felix about the coming judgment and about self control. It’s all in or none at all.

 

Go back to Cain and Abel. Two brothers, worshipping God differently. One offered a sacrifice of a lamb. The other offered vegetables. God accepted Abel’s and rejected Cain’s. The issue wasn’t attitude. We are not told their attitude. The issue was one was by faith and the other was not. Where does faith come from? Romans tells us that it comes from the word of God. How did they even know to offer God anything? God spoke. Cain reminds us that God doesn’t accept everything in worship. If it is not according to His word, He will not accept it. God never says “Be original.” Nor does He ever say, “Surprise Me.” Never. All those O.T. laws dictated what animal, what age, what sex, what condition, what month, what day of that month that the offerings were to be made. God is always clear and specific. He was then and He is today.

 

It doesn’t matter? Really? Ask Cain. Those that claim all that matters is that we worship God, the specifics and details do not matter, go find Cain. Salvation issues, better give Cain a call. The heart is all that matters? Really? Sounds like you have been listening to Cain.

 

It seems that if faith comes from the word of God, then everything in the word of God is a basis or a matter of faith. By definition, everything in the word of God is a salvation issue.

 

Seven times in 1 John the expression “keep  His commandments” or “keep His word” is used. Seven times. The Hebrews were told that Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who OBEY Him. Paul said, the things you have learned, received, heard and seen in me, practice these things (Phil 4:9). Follow the leader—that’s the  Bible way. If Paul did it, then we ought to be doing it. And if Paul didn’t do it, then why are we?

 

Salvation issues is just slick talk that comes from the serpent. Some folks recognize snake talk more than they do the word of God. Quit listening to others. Open up your Bible. Read what it says. Then, do it.

 

Does it matter? Yes. It matters because God said it. All of it matters!

 

Roger

 

28

Jump Start # 1568

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1568

Revelation 3:4 “But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

 

Last evening, my wife and our dear friends Bob and Mary went to see the movie Risen. It was well done. If you haven’t seen it, hurry, it’s on the way out of theatres. There is a scene in which the Roman officer is trying to find the missing body of Jesus. He believes if he can find the disciples then he’ll be able to locate the body and stop the rumors of the resurrection and quiet Pilate down. Bartholomew is found and brought before the Roman. He is threatened with crucifixion if he does not reveal where the followers of Jesus are. Smiling, he whispers in the officer’s ear, “They’re everywhere!”

 

They’re everywhere! How true that is. Our verse today comes from the sad church at Sardis. That church had problems. They had not completed what they should have. They were told to waken up. They were declared dead by the Lord. However, in such an awful spiritual mess, comes our verse. There were some who were doing what was right. I’ve often thought about those “faithful few” at Sardis. It must have been very discouraging for them. Can you imagine worshipping with folks whose faith is dead. Not only are you trying to keep things alive, but you are trying to do what is right and grow your part of the kingdom. You would have little help. You would be fighting an uphill battle. How easy it would be to just quit. But they didn’t. How easy it would be to think no one cares. But that’s not the case. Part of the Revelation story was that this letter was to be circulated among all seven churches of Asia. Each church would read about the others. The faithful at Sardis would learn about the faithful at Philadelphia. The few at Sardis were not alone. There were others, all over the place that were trying to do what the Lord said. As in the movie, the believers are “everywhere!”

 

That is an important lesson for us. Some of our readers are in discouraging places. The numbers are small. The leadership is lacking. They are holding on, but they continue to walk with the Lord. All over this great big world are believers. It’s not as Disney says, “It’s a small world,” but rather, ‘it’s a big family.’ When one realizes this, it encourages them and motivates them to keep walking with the Lord. Knowing that there were others, even in cities not that far away from Sardis, would have given the faithful hope that they needed.

 

Let me share just a few on my list. This could easily be my largest Jump Start of all time, if I went through all the names. But here’s some highlights for you.

 

  • Sweet Dorothy in Paoli who has encouragement built in her DNA
  • David from Alabama. He’s a new reader and a new friend. He knows how to throw logs in the fireplace of my heart.
  • There is Jay who is always reading and quoting what I write. He is a fan of what I do, but I am a fan of him.
  • My preaching friends: Don, Rickie, Kenny, Dee, L.A. My new Texas friend, Leon. I am amazed to be numbered with them. Talent. Faithful. Powerful. Hard working. And friends to the core.
  • My kids—all four of them walking with the Lord. All four of their mates are doing the same. On any given Sunday, you’ll might find all three of my sons in the pulpits in three different states. Two of them would be leading singing and one of them preaching. Their mates are all teachers of the Bible and they are busy raising those little families to know the Lord.
  • My beloved wife who has an amazing Bible knowledge. She asks questions that I have a hard time answering. She’s amazing.
  • My sweet dad, who is rounding third base and heading home. He’s in his nineties and has walked a long, long time with Jesus. He still hears me preach when he can and he always says, “I’m proud of you.” That  brings a tear to my eyes.
  • There is Windy from my congregation. A great mom who courageously kicked cancer in the teeth. She is one of my heroes.
  • There is Jim, who always wants to see what crazy socks I’m wearing. Solid, dependable and always in my corner.
  • There is Dallas, who is always digging and digging in the Bible. He is one who truly lowers the nets.
  • I think of my firefighting friend, Josh. Young, strong, faithful. A believer.
  • I could just list our church directory. It’s made up of so many incredible people. Near the top would be our six shepherds whose bright eyes light up when they get talking about God’s people and how they want to help them.

 

When we sing the song, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one,” these are the kinds of blessings that come to my mind. Encouragers. Believers. Those who love the Lord and put a smile on your heart. These are the ones who will show up at hospitals. They bring food to a mourning family. They are in the audience with hearts that want to praise the Lord. They do what they can, where they can.

 

Satan wants us to be discouraged. He wants us to think we are drying up and withering away. He wants us to believe that there are so few of us that we will never make a difference in the world. Sardis had word about Philadelphia, the church which God never told to repent. A church that was doing what was right. Ephesus would have learned about Philadelphia. Laodicea would have learned about Philadelphia.

 

Have you thought about those in your life who are believers. They are “everywhere!” Have you given thought to folks all over this world who are doing right. Moms and dads who are raising up a righteous family. Young teenagers who fill the front roll of church. Those who go out of their way to make the Bible alive. Those who have families in their homes. Those who are busy inviting their friends to services. Those young passionate preachers who are pouring their hearts out week after week. Those godly men who shepherd the sheep among them. All over the place, everywhere are godly men and women who walk with the Lord.

 

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t think “no one cares.” Don’t fall into the trap of believing that there are so few that are doing right. Open your eyes. Look around. Believers are “everywhere!” It’s amazing to be a part of them. Do what you can where you are. Turn on the lights spiritually. So no one does hospitality, you can and will. So no one goes out of their way, you will and can. You, by the very things you do, may be on the list of someone like me, who sees what you are doing and because of that, it sends hope and encouragement to our hearts. Above all, God notices. Even a cup of cold water that is given to another is noticed by Heaven.

 

Lift your head up. Don’t let Satan get the best of you. Don’t quit. You are part of a big family. Believers are everywhere! You be one of them!

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 1567

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1567

Matthew 28:6-7 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

 

Sunday is the Easter holiday. It’s the one day that the world tips it’s hat to Jesus. Time Magazine runs it’s religious cover story each year at this time. TV shows and movies will be about Jesus this weekend. The rest of the year, these media outlets ignore Jesus and especially what He said, but here at Easter, they find religion. Remembering the resurrection wasn’t a once a year event for the first Christians. Every Sunday marked that event. Every Sunday was a time when they remembered the death and the resurrection. Every Sunday at communion, the greatest event was remembered. The resurrection was always before those early disciples. The resurrection of Jesus filled the sermons of those early preachers. The resurrection was God’s proof that Jesus was the Son of God.

 

Our verse today, taken from that early Sunday morning, when the women gathered to the tomb of Jesus. They brought spices to anoint the body. They fully expected to find the body. They even wondered how they would move the stone away. They were unaware of Pilate’s seal on the grave and the Roman guards watching over it. The morning began with an earthquake, which is not unusual in that area. They came in the dark and found the stone rolled out of the way. There they met an angel. He had a message for them. Our verse is the words of that angel.

 

Notice several things from these two verses:

 

1. The angel declares what has happen. He’s not here. He is risen. No one stole the body. The Romans do not have him. The Jews do not have him. The apostles do not have him. Twice the angel says, “He has risen.”

 

2. The angel offers the women a chance to see for themselves. He says, “Come, see the place where He was lying.” That would be a bit scary. It’s still dark. The inside of the tomb would be even darker. It’s a place where there has been a dead body. Now it’s gone. An angel is speaking to you. None of this is what the women were expecting.

 

3. You will be given proof. The empty tomb didn’t necessarily mean that Jesus rose. Someone could have taken Him. But when the angel states, “You will see Him,” that’s it. That’s the proof. This will not be rumors that are spread. This is not ideas that some have come up with. You will see. You’ll see that He has risen. This will remove all doubt. He will be where you can see Him. You can talk to Him. You can touch Him. It won’t be a photograph. It won’t be someone’s shady story. You’ll see. You’ll know.

 

4. Faith ought to make you know this. The angel said, “just as He said.” He had said over and over that He was going to be killed and raised on the third day. He knew exactly when, “three days.” He had told them that often. He knew. They heard. Faith in His words would have made them understand this.

 

5. This was Heaven’s declaration, “Behold, I have told you.” This wasn’t the words of some person but from an angel. Just as angels had made a declaration at His birth, they are making a declaration at His death. Make no mistake, this is a message sent from Heaven. God wanted them to know what had happened. The first people to see the empty tomb were women, not the witnesses we’d expect, if man was writing this story. The word of women didn’t mean much back then. These women go and tell the disciples. They were not believed. Later, two men who had walked with Jesus to Emmaus, came and told the disciples. They were not believed either. Finally, Jesus appears. Now, all fear is gone. Hope rises. Up from the grave He arose!

 

This story has been repeated and told over and over for two thousand years. This story has been told from cities to villages. It has been told in households and preached from pulpits. Jesus lives. Jesus has risen from the dead. Jesus defeated Satan. Christ wins!

 

The risen Savior means the Bible is true. It means we can be forgiven. It means we can live on after we die. It means that there is no “The End” to our story. It means we too shall be raised someday. It means Heaven is possible.

 

We bow our knees, not because it’s Easter Sunday, but because it’s any Sunday, to remember a Savior that  came out on a Sunday morning. Sunday is the best day of the week. Sunday is the day that we gather to praise our God. Sunday is the day that we remember the cross. We remember that it was our sins that led Him to the cross. Sunday is the day we remember that the grave opened up and Christ arose. Sunday is the day that we remember Jesus reigns today from Heaven.

 

Things are just different on Sundays. Don’t lose the specialness of Sunday to sports and shopping. Remember it as the day we honor, thank and praise our God. Our hearts ought to burst with joy as we think about our Lord.

 

Don’t you wish every day was Sunday!

 

Roger