Podcasts about if easter

In this video, we dive into EVERYTHING we changed our minds on—and why YOU should consider it too. As Christians, growing in faith means challenging our assumptions and seeking truth with humility. Over the last 5 years we have had almost 300 episodes, have had a ton of new experiences, as well as have learned a ton. With all that comes changes. Specifically in this podcast we talk about Israel's relationship to the Church (Replacement theology), If Easter and Christmas are pagan, the prosperity Gospel, and other topics we have changed or expanded our views on! Whether you're questioning theology, exploring apologetics, or navigating faith for the first time, this honest conversation will inspire you to dig deeper. Subscribe if you want more Christian content that tackles the gray areas, hard questions, and the doubts you don't hear addressed in church. Enjoy!Got any questions or topics you'd like to hear about? You can email us at ⁠tydhcpod@gmail.comLike our content? Consider helping us grow through Patreon, a follow, or subscribe!Leave a rating on whatever platform you listen on and write some nice commentsYOUTUBE ⁠here⁠PATREON  ⁠here⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠www.instagram.com/thingsyoudonthearinchurchpod⁠

If Easter is real, then you have been sent.         If so, where have you been sent? Who are your people?         Are you missional in the places you have been sent.Listen 7 minutes to a challenge from the empty-tomb-Guy.https://youtu.be/RBjbO0CoUFs

The third of the high holy celebrations of the liturgical year, Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the church. It is certainly a day of empowerment and celebration, as the Worship Team at Discipleship Ministries presents in the two-part series “All Access.” If Easter “rends the veil” and opens God's heart to the world, then Pentecost is where we are equipped and transformed to be able to fulfill the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Trinity Sunday, then, continues the conversation as we explore our experience of the God who calls and equips and sends. Join us for this lively conversation about Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and our “All Access” pass into a future with hope.

April 29, 2023Today's Reading:  Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7a; antiphon: John 10:14, 15bDaily Lectionary: Exodus 40:17-38, Luke 8:40-56“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14–15b ESV)In the Name + of Jesus.  Amen. In our time and our place, we have become so used to the language of Jesus as the Good Shepherd that we don't even really think about when we hear it. We have tamed the language and made it into something as inoffensive as a Hallmark greeting card.  There is nothing safe or tame in Jesus stating that he is the good shepherd.  In fact, in saying this Jesus is making the claim “I AM the Good shepherd” Jesus is stating that he is subject of Psalm 95, that he is the Lord, in other words that he is God. He is the one whom before we worship, bow down, and kneel. Even more significantly,  He is the one that defines His own goodness by laying down His life for the sheep. He lays down his life for you.  What does it mean to be one of Jesus' little lambs? I ask this question because I think that the church has gotten a little too sentimental about all of this sheep and shepherd imagery and that we have made it too nice and neat.  When we think about shepherds and sheep, we tend to think of it as a nice peaceful guy leading his flock through pristine fields of the greenest grass towards the clean cold waters of a stream.  There are no rocky trails, no barren wilderness to cover and most certainly no wolves to be afraid of.  I am here to tell you that being a shepherd was not easy work and being a sheep was no fun either.  There were dangers to the left and dangers to the right. The only thing that kept a sheep safe was following the one voice that they recognized, the voice of their shepherd.In saying that we are the sheep of his hand, we are confessing that we are helpless and unable to save ourselves. We are confessing that our lives as sheep are only found in the Death and Resurrection of the Shepherd. If Easter truly is to be a season of reflecting on the Resurrection, then there is no better way of doing that than remembering that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep only to take it up again. His voice calls to you from Word and Sacrament ministry of the church which tells you that you have been brought into the flock and are under the care of the Good Shepherd. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“O ever be our guide, Our shepherd, and our pride, Our staff and song. Jesus, O Christ of God, By Your enduring Word Lead us where You have trod; Make our faith strong.”Shepherd of Tender Youth LSB 864, st 4.-Pastor Grant A Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

·      Big Question to answer: Do we trust God for eternal life or with everything in life? ·       Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  ·       If Easter does not touch your wallet, are you really trusting God? ·       Four things you can do with money – Save, Borrow, Spend, and Give.  ·      Why are we doing this series about this? ·      Are you going to ask for money?  ·      What does this have to do with Jesus? Everything!  ·      Wisdom asks not, “What do I deserve?” but “What kind of life is best for me?” ·      Proverbs 21:20 - Desirable treasure and fat is in the field of the wise one; but the stupid man gulps it down. - WCS ·      Proverbs 21:20 – The wise one has margin and stores away money and energy for the future; but the stupid one gorges himself because he deserves it. – paraphrase ·      1.  Live financially with margins.  ·      2. Support lifestyle with assets, not cash flow.   ·      3.  Examination – What does your financial life say about you?  ·       Slide 4 - Jeremiah 29:11 -  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ·       Big Idea:  To save is to trust.  ·       Pray – Heavenly Father, What is your plan? ·       Have hard conversations. ·       Don't be paralyzed by shame.  ·       Save toward God's plan. ·       You save because you value God's plan; Jesus saves you because he values you.  LIFE Group Discussion Starter:  Who is the most financially successful person you know. What have you learned from them? Questions: 1.   Read Matthew 6:21.  2.   In your opinion, why does Jesus give this teaching? 3.   Read Proverbs 21:20 4.   How would you explain to someone why the Bible teaches it is wise to save? 5.   Have you ever known someone who is like the foolish person described in the second part of verse 20?  Describe their spending/money management habits. 6.   Read Jeremiah 29:11. 7.    What do you think it means when God says “My plan is to prosper you, not harm you?”

He is risen! Watch as Pastor Clint teaches on Luke 24, and the transformative ways that the Easter story shakes us out of our comfort and into a new sort of life. Sermon Resources: 1. “He is the hinge of history. He is the hope for the oppressed. He is the inspiration of the dying. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is the greatest teacher who ever lived, the greatest mind that ever thought. He sparked the greatest movement ever spread. He offered the greatest gift ever given. He alone mastered life. He alone conquered death. He alone overcame sin. He alone becomes more present in each passing year. He is the son of God, the Savior of the world, the victorious risen King.” -John Ortberg 2. Study on hopelessness in young Americans: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/10/51percent-of-young-americans-say-they-feel-down-depressed-or-hopeless.html 3. “If your Christian faith is not shot through with all sorts of reasoning and thinking, it'll never last through the ups and downs of life in this world. Christian faith is certainly more than reasoning and thinking, but it's not less.” -Tim Keller 4. “If Easter means that Jesus Christ is only raised in a spiritual sense, then Easter is only about me and finding a new dimension in my personal spiritual life. But if Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, Christianity becomes good news for the whole world, not just for me, news which warms our hearts precisely because it isn't just about warming hearts. Easter means that in a world where injustice, violence, and degradation are endemic that God is not prepared to tolerate any such thing. And that we will work and plan with all the energy of God to implement the victory of Jesus over them all. Take away Easter and Marx was right to accuse Christianity of ignoring the problems of the material world. Take away Easter and Freud was right to say Christianity is wish fulfillment, and Nietzsche was right to say it is for wimps.” -N.T. Wright 5. “To repent doesn't mean to feel sorry about, to regret. It means to turn, to turn around 180 degrees. It means to undergo a complete change of mind, heart, direction. Turn away from madness, cruelty, shallowness, blindness. Turn toward the tolerance, compassion, sanity, hope, justice that we all have in us at our best.” -Frederick Buechner Join us below: Facebook: www.facebook.com/midtownpreschurch Instagram: www.instagram.com/midtown.pres Website: www.midtownpres.org Community Groups: www.midtownpres.org/community-groups Sunday Services: www.midtownpres.org

Notice: On Easter, Jesus' response to the sins of his followers isn't to berate them or judge them or even damn them. He doesn't give them a list of things to do, or programs to start, or even prayers to pray. Instead, he just comes back to them, to us, with love. How odd of God. Easter invites us to do nothing more than trust that the Good News really is that good - that God in Christ refuses to abandon us regardless of how good or bad we may be. If Easter becomes anything less bizarre than that, then we can't call it the Gospel.

If Easter's so special, what can we do to celebrate? Other than turning up to church, how can we make space to be drawn in, to grab ahold of the story and interact with its realities? Xylecia and Ebenezer join us to talk about some of their traditions from Tennessee and Ghana - to fuel our creativity as we think about ways we can celebrate in our season and city.   Thanks for listening to this episode of the House of Learning podcast. This podcast is produced by A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon.   If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share with someone. And if you have a question you'd like us to chat about, please let us know!

If Easter really happened—if Jesus is risen indeed—where's the proof? The scriptures tell us that before his ascension, Jesus spent forty days demonstrating to his followers that he was alive. But he did more than quell their skepticism. Before he...

It's been 7 days since we celebrated Easter - "Jesus Christ is Risen Today." In this week's message, Rev. Tom asks all the simple questions - "How has it changed you?" If Easter is the ultimate win of God over death, evil, destruction, and darkness - how are you living differently because of that news? Are you looking for God in your life daily, and are you sharing the good news of Jesus with others?

If Easter rituals bore you to distraction, you're not alone. Pope Francis is holding ceremonies to mark Holy Week in a practically empty St. Peter's Square for the second consecutive year. You might think this merely reflects travel and other Covid-19 restrictions. But it's also a metaphor for growing disillusionment with organized religion worldwide. Contact: ipinionsj@gmail.com Length:   9 min 49 sec

If Easter is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ, how did the Easter Bunny become part of it? This episode begins by explaining where rabbits fit into Easter and where the Easter basket came from. Source: The History of Easter https://www.phancypages.com/newsletter/ZNewsletter2599.htm How the human body works is a marvel. Joining me to explain and take us on a tour of parts of the human body is Dr. Jonathan Resiman, a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics and he is author of the book The Unseen Body: A Doctor's Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy (https://amzn.to/37vUz8u). Listen as he explains about body parts and bodily fluids - and why urine is his favorite bodily fluid. Typically, doctors stick to science when it comes to dealing with their patients. Sometimes though, they encounter things that science can't explain - such as medical miracles or things that happen that are just too weird to be coincidences. Dr. Scott Kolbaba is one of those doctors who has had some strange experiences, so he decided to talk with other doctors to see if they did as well. And they sure did! Scott is author of a book called Physicians Untold Stories: Miraculous Experiences Doctors are Hesitant to Share with their Patients or Anyone (https://amzn.to/3v7Ci9O). He joins me to share some of these remarkable stories with you.  It is natural to worry - just not all the time. Especially since so much of what we worry about never actually happens. Listen as I reveal how one expert puts worry in the proper perspective. Source: Dr. Martin Rossman author of The Worry Solution (https://amzn.to/3xmjZAs) PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search for it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!  Go to https://Shopify.com/sysk, ALL LOWERCASE, for a FREE fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features! Truebill is the smartest way to manage your finances. The average person saves $720 per year with Truebill. Get started today at https://Truebill.com/SYSK! With Avast One, https://avast.com you can confidently take control of your online world without worrying about viruses, phishing attacks, ransomware, hacking attempts, & other cybercrimes! Put down your phone when you drive! . Remember U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Brought to you by NHTSA.   Use SheetzGo on the Sheetz app! Just open the app, scan your snacks, tap your payment method and go!  https://www.geico.com Bundle your policies and save! It's Geico easy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Easter so important? The entire Christian faith hinges upon the physical resurrection of Jesus. If Easter did not take place, then Christians have nothing to celebrate. We are still in our sins, separated from God, and completely lost. But if Jesus did rise then He is the first to conquer death and give us hope that we will resurrect also. In this message pastor Chris teaches that Jesus may not have been the first to die, but He is the first to get back up again.

Easter is all about tragedy turned triumph through Jesus. If Easter is about connecting us to God, why do we often feel more disconnected than ever? Discover how to have an Easter Experience!

This week we do an exploration of The Liturgical Year. Did you know our readings are in three-year and two-year cycles? Did you know you hear almost all of the Bible in those three years? Fr. Howard also answers the age old question: If Easter is the most important, why don't we start our Liturgical Year with Lent? Take a listen!Music from https://filmmusic.io"Cheery Monday" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Sermon entitled: "If Easter is True" In Luke 24, Jesus appears to two travelers on the road to Emmaus where they learn that, if Easter is true, then anything is possible! Music used: Big Bear - by Jonny Easton Link: https://youtu.be/gWqIWvG5Uog Check out his channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/jonnyeaston

Sermon entitled: "If Easter is True" In Luke 24, Jesus appears to two travelers on the road to Emmaus where they learn that, if Easter is true, then anything is possible! Music used: Big Bear - by Jonny Easton Link: https://youtu.be/gWqIWvG5Uog Check out his channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/jonnyeaston

Speaker: Vince MedranoThree stories of the resurrection in the Bible show us the same thing: the disciples are at a loss and Jesus shows up. He shows up, he teaches and he sustains.Today’s Scriptures: John 20, Luke 24, John 21Referenced article: If Easter is Only a Symbol…

Happy Easter weekend to everyone! If Easter ain’t your deal, I hope you’re enjoying this pandemic we’re in! So we’ve made it to episode 100. I guess that’s kind of a milestone. I’ve had a bunch of fun talking to you fine folks every week. Thank you for inviting me into your ears! That sounds weird. Anyways, today I just ramble about some movies I’ve watched this week and some strange thoughts I’ve had. I also put some clips from past episodes on the end of the show today in celebration of my one hundredth episode. Congratulations to me. Haha I hope everyone has a good week. Thanks for stopping by! Stay safe! Peace Contact info: EMAIL: glenthinksstuff@yahoo.com TWITTER: @GlenThinksStuff --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This Easter, we consider the symbol of a seed and Jesus' promise that, "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 www.thevineaustin.org Discussion Questions: What is a favorite Easter memory? What was a take-away or a question from the sermon? Respond to the notion that Mark shared. “Sometimes in life, things seem buried when in fact through God's redemption they are just being planted.” What's the difference? Read John 20:1-18. What image sticks with you from this passage? How does Mary begin to see clearly, and why might that be important? If Easter teaches us that death is followed by a new life, what is an area of your life that you need to see through a lens of faith-filled imagination?

Audio from Easter Sunday – April 1, 2018. Bulletin here or below.Green Pastures with Jesus is the podcast from Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church of Fairmont, MN. Here you’ll find a variety of segments to lead you to the green pastures of the Word of God, where our Good Shepherd feeds our faith.  Find us online: www.shepherdofthelakes.net or http://facebook.com/shepherdofthelakes Worship is Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:40 AM.323 E. 1st St – Fairmont, MNpastorhagen@icloud.com or (507) 236-9572iTunes & iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/green-pastures-jesus-shepherd/id1183522558?mt=2 Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=127180&refid=stprOr simply search for “Green Pastures with Jesus” in your podcast app.Intro & Outro courtesy of Koine - The Church Band. Check them out at www.koinemusic.com, or find them on iTunes & Amazon: Search for Koine.Bible text from Biblegateway.com - EHV.Welcome to Shepherd of the Lakes! We’re here to shepherd Christ’s flock and seek the lost sheep by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all. Come, let us worship!For your convenience, in the back corner of the sanctuary there is a room for any parents with children in need of a quiet place. The restrooms are located on the lower level. Please ask if you have any further questions or concerns. Lord Jesus, you conquered sin, death, and Satan through your victorious resurrection. Grant that I always treasure my baptism, in which I have been buried and raised with you. Lead me to find comfort in your resurrection for me; AMEN.Resurrection & Forgiveness:In the forgiveness of sins, the terrors of sin and of eternal death must be overcome in the heart. Paul testifies about this in 1 Corinthians 15:56–57, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, sin terrifies consciences. This happens through the Law, which shows God’s wrath against sin. But we gain the victory through Christ. How? Through faith, when we comfort ourselves by confidence in the mercy promised for Christ’s sake. Therefore, we prove that God’s wrath cannot be appeased if we set our own works against it. For Christ has been set forth as an Atoning Sacrifice so, that for His sake, the Father may be reconciled to us. But Christ is not received as a Mediator except through faith. Therefore, by faith alone we receive forgiveness of sins when we comfort our hearts with confidence in the mercy promised for Christ’s sake.Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article 4 (Concordia p. 92)Because He Knew: He Rose from the DeadJesus rose from the dead - alleluia!How does the resurrection affect our lives today & forever?OPENING HYMN: 149 – Christ the Lord is Risen Today The children are invited forward during verses 5 & 6 to hang their “Alleluia!” banners on the hooks. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: Why “Alleluia”?EASTER DIALOGUE: Please stand.M: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen!Lord, we confess to you our sinful condition and our sinful behavior. Have mercy on us, Father in heaven. Bless us and keep us.Lord, we realize that we have earned your temporal and eternal punishment.Have mercy on us, Lord Jesus. Make your face shine on us and be gracious to us. Lord, we are not able to make up for our sins, nor can we set ourselves free from the guilt of our sin. You alone must work all good within us. Have mercy on us, Holy Spirit. Turn your face toward us and give us peace. Jesus was delivered over to death for the sake of our sins. In raising him from the dead, God declared you righteous Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! CW 143 v. 1He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;He opened death’s prison, the incarnate Word.Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song;And earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong!This is the day which the Lord has made;Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Alleluia!If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!Brothers and sisters, since we have been raised with Christ, let us set our hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Col. 3:1)For God, who created light to shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Christ is risen!He is risen indeed! Alleluia!CW 143 v. 2 & 3The foe was triumphant when on Calvary;The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer;For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear!But short was their triumph; the Savior arose,And death, hell, and Satan he vanquished, his foes.The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high;He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die!I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed – yet in my flesh, I will see God; I myself will see him, with my own eyes; I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (John 19:25-27)In righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. (Psalm 17:15) Death has been swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)CW 143 v. 4Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door!For all our transgressions his blood does atone;Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own!Fellow Christians, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:2-3)When Christ appears, then we also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:4) Fellow Christians, may the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, in our homes, and in our lives. (Col 3:15)Let us pray: Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through baptism, may walk in the newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be eternal power, dominion, and praise now and forever;To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, and glory and power, forever and ever! Amen!CW 143 v. 5Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;Who now sits in glory, and ever shall reign!The WordFIRST READING: Isaiah 25:6-9The shroud of death destroyed forever:6On this mountain the LORD of Armies will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of aged wines, with the best cuts of meat, and the finest wines. 7On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that covers all peoples, the burial cloth stretched over all nations. 8He has swallowed up death forever! The LORD God will wipe away the tears from every face. He will take away the shame of his people throughout the earth. For the LORD has spoken. 9On that day it will be said, “Look, here is our God! We waited for him, and he saved us! This is the LORD! We waited for him. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”This is the Word of the Lord. Alleluia! Christ is risen!CHORAL ANTHEM: Christ the Lord is Risen Today! Alleluia!(Hymn #150 – The congregation is invited to join vv. 2 & 4)SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26Jesus Christ, the firstfruits from death:19If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all. 20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. 22For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ as the firstfruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. 24Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. 25For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” 26Death is the last enemy to be done away with. THEME VERSE: Psalm 118:24Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia!GOSPEL READING: Mark 16:1-8The Resurrection:When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus. 2Very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3They were saying to each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb for us?” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8They went out and hurried away from the tomb, trembling and perplexed. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Praise be to you, O Christ!HYMN OF THE DAY: 152 - I Know that My Redeemer LivesVerse 1-2 - Everyone Verse 3 - MenVerse 4 - EveryoneVerse 5 - WomenVerse 6 - MenVv. 7-8 - EveryoneSERMON based on 1 Corinthians 15: A Broken Tombstone for a Broken WorldSUNG CONFESSION OF FAITH: Sung to the tune “Ode to Joy”1. I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth!And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth!Virgin-born, the Lord’s incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,Suffered under Pontius Pilate – Our salvation to achieve!2. Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;From the dead he rose the third day; Up to heav’n triumphantly.There at God’s right hand he’s ruling, By his will the world is led.He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead!3. I believe in God the Spirit, In his church, his chosen band.They are joined in close communion, Holy in his sight they stand!I believe in sin forgiven; That the dead will rise again;I believe in life eternal. Amen! And again, Amen!OFFERINGPRAYER OF THE CHURCHPlease rise for prayer.O God of peace, who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, we thank and praise you for the mercy you have shown us through his glorious resurrection. Grant that on this day believers throughout the world may see the fullness of your grace and peace. Give us a living hope to believe that the grave has no power over us and that we have been made partakers of eternal life.Almighty God, as your Son on this day rose from the dead for us, victorious over sin and the grave, grant that sin may no longer live in our hearts. By the power of his resurrection set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.Encourage our Christian lives of thankfulness, that we may live in our baptismal grace every day of our lives. Rule over the nations of the earth, O Lord, that they may join the hosts of heaven in songs of Christ's victorious triumph. Comfort us through your Sacrament, that our eyes may be fixed more on the life to come than on this world; that our hearts may rest in your promise of preservation, rather than worry. Above all, give us persistence in reading, studying, applying, and sharing your Word of truth.Your Word alone can build your church, and your Word alone proclaims forgiveness, life, and salvation through Jesus Christ. In every adversity and trial preserve us, O Lord. Heal the sick, giving them the hope of a glorious body in the resurrection of the dead. With your Easter victory, remove the fear of death from the hearts of the dying, and the sadness of death from hearts that feel the loss of family and friends. Defend the weak and vulnerable, especially the unborn, the aged, those coping with chronic illness, those who bear extra pain for their faithful confession of your truth, and all who are hungry, homeless, or unemployed.Lead us to daily sorrow and repentance, and nourish our faith through your chosen Means of Grace.We give thanks for all those who have died and now live with Christ in the triumph of Easter, especially our own faithful departed loved ones.Unite us with them in the hope of the resurrection of the dead.Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.Silent prayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hall0wed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SacramentFor our Holy Communion practice, please see the purple sheet in the pew racks.COMMUNION LITURGY: p. 21DISTRIBUTION HYMN: 265 – This is the Feast of VictorySONG OF SIMEON: CW p. 24CLOSING HYMN: 250 – From All that Dwell Below the SkiesTHIS WEEKToday 1 Kings 6 7:30-9 Easter Breakfast 9:30 - Easter Festival Worship 11:10 - Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 15Monday 1 Kings 7 7 PM - Pre-call Council meetingTuesday 1 Kings 8 No CAP class.Wednesday 1 Kings 9 No catechism class.Thursday 1 Kings 10 6 PM - Lutheran Women Project Hour 7 PM - Devotion & LW Business MeetingFriday 1 Kings 11 3:45-7:30 PM - Family Fun Fair. (Speak with Doris if you can help!)Saturday 1 Kings 12 8 AM - Men’s Bible Breakfast @The Ranch 9:30 AM - Bible Basics Sunday 1 Kings 13 9:30 - Easter 2 Worship 10:45 - Bible Class & Sunday School Pres. Degner will be on hand to lead our Bible study. A voters’ meeting will convene at the conclusion of Bible study.Q: Why does Easter Sunday move around? Some years it’s near the end of March, other years it’s later in April.A: Jesus was crucified during the Jewish Passover. For this reason, the Christian church has always observed Easter at the same time as the Jewish Passover. Passover moves around slightly, as the Jews follow a lunar calendar. Passover always falls on the 14th day of the first Hebrew calendar month, the month of Nisan. The month begins with the first sighting of a lunar crescent, just after a new moon. 14 days after the first sliver of a waxing moon, the moon is a full moon; this is Passover. Passover begins at sundown & continues through sundown the next day. The Passover lamb was slaughtered at dusk on the day of Passover and consumed before sunrise; the leftovers were burned. (See Exodus 12:10.) In Holy Week, Passover began at sundown on Thursday & extended through sundown on Friday. The meal needed to be consumed & leftovers burned before sunrise on Friday. For an interesting sidenote, see John 18:28 and 19:14. The chief priests & Pharisees had delayed in eating the Passover and wanted to convict & crucify Jesus quickly; thus, they waited outside of Pilate’s palace so that they would remain ceremonially clean for eating the Passover meal. Waiting outside delayed the final verdict, with the result that they did not partake in the Passover before sunrise. According to Jewish law, they ought to have been excommunicated from the nation – see Numbers 9:13.The Council of Nicea (AD 325) standardized the celebration of Christ’s resurrection as the first Sunday after the full moon in Vernal Equinox. (The vernal equinox is the astronomical first day of spring, halfway between the winter & summer solstices.) This full moon is also known as the “Paschal full moon” – Paschal, meaning Passover. Thus, by our calendar, Easter is the Sunday following the first full moon after March 20 (March 20, the standardized date for the vernal equinox.) The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22 (last observed in 1818, next observed in 2285.) The latest possible date for Easter is April 25 (last observed in 1943, next observed in 2038.) In recent years, Easter has fallen on March 23, 2008 and April 24, 2011. If Easter is late, the church year includes more Sundays in the season of Epiphany (January-February.) If Easter is early, the church year includes more Sundays in the season of Pentecost (June-October.) Q: When was Jesus crucified?A: Passover is helpful in pinpointing the year & date of Christ’s crucifixion. Historically, Pontius Pilate was governor of Palestine from AD 26-36. Thus, Jesus must have been crucified sometime between 26 & 36. Scripture tells us that Christ ate the Passover with his disciples Thursday evening, and Saturday would be a “great” or “important” Sabbath – as it would be the Sabbath of Passover.Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus hasten to bury Jesus before the “Great Sabbath” of the Passover / Unleavened Bread celebration. They need to bury Christ so that they would be able to “keep” the Sabbath by not working. The Sabbath (Saturday) began at sundown. (We count days somewhat differently, with two different & commonly-observed conventions: A new day technically begins at midnight, but we recognize that sunrise also marks a new day.) Since the Sabbath began at sundown, the women observers went home Friday evening but refrained from preparing spices until after sundown on Saturday “in obedience to the Sabbath commandment” (Luke 23:56). The governorship of Pontius Pilate tells us the possible years, AD 26-36.The time of Passover tells us the dates on the Jewish lunar calendar: the 14th day of the lunar month of Nisan. This day, roughly halfway through the lunar cycle, would be a full moon. (Coincidentally, a solar eclipse is impossible during a full moon. The sun actually stopped shining on Good Friday afternoon.)The reference to Sabbath tells us Christ was crucified on Friday of theeight-day Passover/Unleavened Bread celebration. Between the years of AD 26-36, only the years 30 and 33 have a Friday full moon - April 7, AD 30 and April 3, AD 33. These are the two historical options for when the Son of God gave his life for our salvation.  

It turns out that most doubts don't come from a lack of evidence, but a lack of understanding. The death of Jesus was just such an event for His early followers. They were so shaken by their misdirected hope in what Jesus wanted to accomplish that they could not recognize His resurrection even up close and personal! If Easter would tell us anything, it's that despite our misdirected hopes and the doubt that follows, a Risen Jesus comes to where we live to assure us that we can hope again!

A rundown of why Easter should be a paradigm for the American Church. Something needs to die so it can be reborn. We are stuck within such an institution of crazy and power grabbing that we've fallen miles away from our original mission. We need demolition and death before we can be thrust the church into resurrection. So let's exit the crazy, hypocritical, greedy, hateful, narcissistic Christianity that has become the norm of the American Church. If Easter tells us anything, we need death to move towards life. So let's leave behind the crazy of the American church and look towards something new.  Join us as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

Easter is perhaps the greatest day in the history of the world. Those who accept its message recognize it as good news, the Gospel. But not everyone receives the Gospel. Some refuse to believe it, while others try to ignore it. Though Easter brings joy to those who believe, it can also bring fear. If Easter is true, if it really happened as Scripture says it did, there are implications we can't ignore. To say Easter is real is to confess these four statements and live in light of them. Thankfully, we don't have to be afraid. If we face them, if we see them as God wants us to see them, we find ourselves pointed to hope and life.

If Easter is an idea and salvation is a concept, you can remain indifferent. Ideas come and go. But if Easter is an event, the tomb is empty, and there’s a dead man walking, can you really just sit there? We’ll look at what Easter cost God and how we...

If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning. If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Easter is not true, then Christmas is only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning.

If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning. If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Easter is not true, then Christmas is only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning.