This morning a dear friend from the Oklahoma Panhandle needed help. He has been asked to officiate over his first funeral ever. This got me thinking about the first Christian funeral ever.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had left their homes early Sunday morning, to anoint Christ’s Body. In their minds was a troubling question: “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3, ESV)This Sunday many pilgrims will gather with the pious. What they will find is unknown. Yet, they will make their pious pilgrimage regardless.

At the first Christian funeral ever, our obedient ladies were astounded by what they discovered. The Body of Christ was not in the tomb and the stone had been rolled away. In its place they were given an Angelic message of comfort: Mark 16:6–7 (ESV) And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.

Friend, it is my sincere hope that you will return from your pious pilgrimage being able to say: “It has been great to be here; I am glad I came”!

 

…He arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever with his saints to reign.

This is from a song in our hymnals that we often sing before the Lord’s Supper.  It is one of my favorites to sing as it starts out slow and mournful, then when it tells of Jesus coming out of the grave it gets faster and joyful.

Jesus’ death was prophesied in the Old Testament. In Psalms it was said that His hands and feet will be pierced. Psalms 34 said not one of His bones will be broken.   The book of Isaiah described what would happen to Jesus. He was brought as a lamb before the slaughter.  His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man, his form marred beyond human likeness as he was spit upon and people hit him with their fists.

Jesus was flogged.  Flogging is done with a leather whip with sharp bones or metal objects on the end, used to rip or tear the skin from the body.  Often times this form of punishment caused death.  Isaiah 53 said he would be oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth.

We don’t like to think of the pain or suffering that our Lord and Savior went through, but remember that He died on the cross for our sins, and by his wounds we are healed.

1 Cor 1:18   For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.

Brothers and sisters, this morning when you take the Lord’s Supper remember what Jesus did for us. Realize that the pain and suffering He went through was for you.  Jesus took up our infirmities; Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; Jesus was crushed for our iniquities.

…He Arose!  He Arose!

Hallelujah!

Christ Arose!

When last did you need help, but you could not find it? We may not always find the assistance we need, but we always can be a beacon of help for those seeking it.

Christ’s 1st helping LAW OF SHARING AND CARING (Gal.6:1-5) says we should be spiritual, gentle, and humble. [1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill THE LAW OF CHRIST. Gal.6:1-2]. This morning I have received several requests for help. Some were just routine, but others were from souls who were suffering.

Christ’s 2nd helping LAW OF RECEIVING AND GIVING (Gal.6:6) is that we should keep sharing all good things with those we receive help from. This is what helps perpetuate Christ’s helping laws.

Christ’s 3rd helping LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING (Gal.6:7-10) is that we will reap what we sow. We are to help everyone, especially those of the household of faith.

How good it is to ascend our Summit “to sing praises to our God” because “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:1-3). This week I heard someone say, “I really need my church family. I feel so good when I am there”. That same person came forward for prayers last night. Friend, God needs you to be spiritual, gentle, and humble for those crying out for help today.

 

Listening to K-Love radio the other day a new song called Church (Take Me Back) by Cochren & Company was playing. After the song one of the radio hosts said “church is not a country club for the righteous, but a shelter for the sinners”. Below are some of the lyrics from the song:

Tried to walk on my own
But I wound up lost
Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross
It’s not a trophy for the winners, it’s a shelter for the sinners
And it’s right where I belong

Oh, more than an obligation
It’s our foundation
The family of God
I know it’s hard, but we need each other
We’re sisters and brothers
Oh, take me back

To the place that feels like home
to the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones
Take me back to a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh I want to go to church 

Church is typically defined as an “assembly of called out ones” or “the body of believers gathered to worship Jesus”. And while the church is definitely those things, as a member of the church I know the church also represents a starting point of hope, it demonstrates Christ’s love for everyone, and is a place where we all belong.

 

Ephesians 3:20 – Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (NIV)

When our children are young, we read them books like The Little Engine That Could and we learn to say, “I think I can, I think I can.”  We tell them “you can be anything that you want to be.” We read them, “Oh, The Places You Will Go” and they know they can conquer the world.  But too often, along the way, something happens.  They don’t get selected for the sports team, club, play, etc. and they start to lose their courage. We become adults and we don’t get the job we wanted.  We don’t have the time and energy, we have too many other responsibilities including jobs and kids.  We start to think I’m not talented, capable, qualified, experienced enough and they will never consider me.

Remember, the Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.  We serve an almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, loving God who has created us in his own image.  Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and told him he prayed that they would know “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe,” in Ephesians 1:19.  Then, he reminded them in Ephesians 3:20 that God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”  We are strong and we are powerful because God has created us to be.  You are infinitely more capable than you can imaging when you seek God’s direction in your life and let Him work in you and through you.

We become what we project … because whatever is in our heart will boomerang back to us – good or bad. Jesus took this teaching to a deeper level – costing Him many disciples (John 6:66).

John 6 (ESV) — 48 I am the bread of life. …52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. … 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

So, practically speaking, how does this work? First, we eat His Body by daily reading His word (the bread of life). Second, through continuous confession, we drink His blood (allowing Him to drink the cup of our judgment). Third, we monitor everything we eat after that (by taking every thought captive, 2 Cor.10:5).

Friend, would you consider replacing toxic lies with God’s truth? For instance: If the toxic lie is “I cannot give up this sin” – replace it with: “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18 ESV).

 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.^[a]
Wonderful are your works;  my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14

 

There is a habit that my family loves to tease me about.  When it comes to furniture, quality is at the top of my list.  The way I gauge the quality of a piece of furniture is by opening a drawer and pushing on the bottom.  If it is flimsy, I know the overall quality is lacking.  If it is firm, I have confidence that the quality is good.  Furniture with solid drawer bottoms lasts a long time.

When it comes to making people, God is the master craftsman.  He not only uses the best materials with the finest workmanship, but he custom designs each one of us for unique purposes; and, he gives both an eternal guarantee and a lifetime service plan.  We were made to be thoroughly used in God’s eternal plan to redeem all of mankind.  We are not museum pieces, but useful masterpieces of everyday life.

Only two things can go wrong with us.  1) We doubt how unique and wonderful we are because of societies hang ups about what is beautiful and precious. So, we don’t live out our purpose.  2) We discard the purpose God designed us for in order to follow a path of ease and self-fulfillment.

You are God’s wonderful creation, made to reflect his love into a dark world.  Embrace your gifts and purpose, and your life will be more than you can imagine or plan!