Matthew 28:1-15 shows us the tomb was empty and that the women saw Jesus. While everyone agrees that the tomb was empty on the first day of the week, the disagreement is over the reason it was empty. The sermon confronts you with the authority of the risen and reigning Lord Jesus. Sinners will interpret these things through sin-stained glasses, believers will respond to the statement "He is Risen" with "Risen indeed." May God give you grace to interpret these things as He does.


Click here to listen to the one from 8am.

Click here or the title to listen to the 11am sermon.

Labels: apologetics, christ, resurrection, tomb, word of God

Ezekiel 37:1-14, the famous passage about the dry bones, describes Israel as a deserted desert full of bones that are weak and dry. This is a picture of the cross without the resurrection. But with the resurrection picture of return from exile we can begin to see the hope that we have in Christ. Thus we remember that hope, see that we need to live with that hope as people who are alive, and promote that message of hope. Here we look at pessimism and optimism in light of the death and resurrection of Christ and His giving of the Spirit and see that pessimistic thought and attitudes are inconsistent with our identity as Christians. And here the text should encourage empathy for the unbeliever without hope and encourage evangelism as the answer to their exile from God.

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Labels: death, evangelism, exile, ezekiel, optimism, pessimism, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 37:1-14, the famous passage about the dry bones, describes Israel as a deserted desert full of bones that are weak and dry. This is a picture of the cross without the resurrection. But with the resurrection picture of return from exile we can begin to see the hope that we have in Christ. Thus we remember that hope, see that we need to live with that hope as people who are alive, and promote that message of hope. Here we look at pessimism and optimism in light of the death and resurrection of Christ and His giving of the Spirit and see that pessimistic thought and attitudes are inconsistent with our identity as Christians. And here the text should encourage empathy for the unbeliever without hope and encourage evangelism as the answer to their exile from God.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: death, evangelism, exile, ezekiel, optimism, pessimism, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 36:16-38 shows that God will act for the people of Israel not because of the people but because of His concern for His own name and reputation. After looking at the catechisms on the ninth commandment and mentioning current events (Jon & Kate Plus Eight), we looked at three ways this text comforts the people without causing us to think too highly of ourselves. The first way was by looking at the contrast between your character and God's character -- knowing yourself apart from the grace of God, knowing yourself in Christ, and knowing God. Secondly, in how the text points us to the death and resurrection of Christ. And third primarily looking at the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. All three points provide comfort without being puffed up with conceit.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: character, christ, comfort, death, ezekiel, name, pentecost, reputation, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 36:16-38 shows that God will act for the people of Israel not because of the people but because of His concern for His own name and reputation. After looking at the catechisms on the ninth commandment and mentioning current events (Jon & Kate Plus Eight), we looked at three ways this text comforts the people without causing us to think too highly of ourselves. The first way was by looking at the contrast between your character and God's character -- knowing yourself apart from the grace of God, knowing yourself in Christ, and knowing God. Secondly, in how the text points us to the death and resurrection of Christ. And third primarily looking at the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. All three points provide comfort without being puffed up with conceit.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: character, christ, comfort, death, ezekiel, name, ninth commandment, pentecost, reputation, resurrection, spirit

Matthew 28:1-15 shows us that everyone agrees that the tomb was empty on the first day of the week. Where they disagree is on the question: Why is the tomb empty? In this sermon several of the most persuasive evidences and arguments for the resurrection are mentioned, but the sermon means to confront people with the authority of the risen and reigning Lord. And the sermon takes seriously that unbelievers will interpret these things through sin-stained glasses but believers have been changed by the work of the Spirit so that they will interpret these things wanting to believe the truth as we find it in the Scriptures.

Click here or the title to listen.

The Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 says this, "What benefit do we receive from the resurrection of Christ? First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection."

Labels: apologetics, christ, evidences, heidelberg catechism, Matthew, resurrection

Matthew 28:1-15 shows us that everyone agrees that the tomb was empty on the first day of the week. Where they disagree is on the question: Why was the tomb empty? In this sermon several of the most persuasive evidences and arguments for the resurrection are mentioned, but the sermon means to confront people with the authority of the risen and reigning Lord. And the sermon takes seriously that unbelievers will interpret these things through sin-stained glasses but believers have been changed by the work of the Spirit so that they will interpret these things wanting to believe the truth as we find it in the Scriptures.

Click here or the title to listen.

The Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 says this, "What benefit do we receive from the resurrection of Christ? First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection."

Labels: apologetics, christ, evidences, heidelberg catechism, Matthew, resurrection

The Joshua 24:29-33 burial notices for Joshua, Joseph's bones, and Eleazar, mark the fulfillment of the reign of Ephraim and means the transition can begin to the reign of Judah. The prophet greater than Moses, Jesus Christ, of the tribe of Judah, was buried and is resurrected and has poured out His Spirit on His people as a down-payment on the inheritance of the whole earth. We saw the difference it makes if our final destination is heaven or the new creation for how we live today. We saw that our innermost being is already a part of the new creation and can bear visible "new creation" fruit. And we saw that everything we do to serve the Lord Christ (at home, school, work, in our hobbies, etc.) can demonstrate that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is making all things new. May all of the glory go to God.

Click here or the title to listen to this sermon.

Labels: burial, christ, death, eleazar, ephraim, heaven, inheritance, joseph, joshua, judah, new creation, resurrection, serve, spirit

The Joshua 24:29-33 burial notices for Joshua, Joseph's bones, and Eleazar, mark the fulfillment of the reign of Ephraim and means the transition can begin to the reign of Judah. The prophet greater than Moses, Jesus Christ, of the tribe of Judah, was buried and is resurrected and has poured out His Spirit on His people as a down-payment on the inheritance of the whole earth. We saw the difference it makes if our final destination is heaven or the new creation for how we live today. We saw that our innermost being is already a part of the new creation and can bear visible "new creation" fruit. And we saw that everything we do to serve the Lord Christ (at home, school, work, in our hobbies, etc.) can demonstrate that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is making all things new. May all of the glory go to God.

Click here or the title to listen to this sermon.

Labels: burial, christ, death, eleazar, ephraim, heaven, inheritance, joseph, joshua, judah, new creation, resurrection, serve, spirit