mySundaySermons

Key: God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

* But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. [Act 2:22-32]

Freed and Flipped

The particular news of Easter is not only that he is risen, but that he was freed from the power of death

• He was freed from the limitation that death marks.
• He not only is risen himself, but grants, and gives us the benefits of his resurrection. 

Peter: Tell of King David, beloved like, Terry Flemming, retelling that even he, as beloved as he was did not have the power to raise from the dead, nor to offer that to others.

• David did have faith that God was with, 
• We live with the knowledge and affirmation of Jesus, David only lived in hope that Jesus would come and deliver us.

David’s response of knowing God would provide as way was three fold:

1. I will glad instead of afraid
2. I will tell the world about God’s faithfulness
3. I will live in hope that my soul out lives my body through the coming messiah.

David become a terrific example as one who has faith, but has not seen. (as Jesus instructed his disciples after the resurrection) 

We live in the fruitfulness of knowing both the promises fulfilled and the witness of the Resurrection. 

As we look around at the powerful work of winds, rain and storms and see the destruction and loss of life. This is not our end. There is more to life than propter, and even more than our flesh and bones.

As we look around the world and hear of great numbers of people suffering and dying, we know that our bodies suffer and our earthly tents will perish, but we have a greater hope and faith.

You and I, and all those who call on Jesus as Christ and Lord, know the faithfulness of that we are more than material wealth, more than Good works and deeds. We, even though we are sinful, doubting, selfish, and sometimes down right mean, God loves us enough to make what IS impossible for everyone else, possible for us, through Jesus death and resurrection. 

This is why Easter is not one Sunday, but the message of every Sunday. 

So what do we do with the Gift of a Resurrected Live, An Eternal life?

Peter wants us to learn from David:

1. Don’t live being afraid. Fear can be a powerful driving force, but there is a greater force: Love. God loves us so much that he gives HIMSELF for us, NO greater gift or power is there but the someone lays down their life for one who is stranger, enemy, rebellious, distrusting, or doubting… God does this so that we will believe, trust and also love.

Don’t live in fear or by fear. Living trusting God in all things.I will tell the world about God’s faithfulness

2. I will live in hope that my soul out lives my body through the coming messiah.

The second thing after trust God is to live in HOPE. We don’t live having already been raised from the dead. We will all be confronted with death, but live knowing that is not our end. There is not our final destination, rather a necesary stop along the way that God has for demarking our journey.

Instead of being fearful, be dedicated to living in hope. Confirm that things are not right, or ripe yet, BUT hope keeps our eye on the fruit that will be coming in God’s season.

3. Tell the World about God’s faithfulness.

The greatest criticisms of the church today can be found in this one instruction.

1. Either the world says we are hypocritical and don’t practice what we preach or
2. They say we don’t trust what we believe and see no reason, based on our lack of hope and faithfulness we give witness.

Don’t be afraid, Live by Hope and TELL of God’s faithfulness.

It has never been about our faithfulness that God is praised. It is God’s faithfulness, revealed in the Easter Resurrection that proves God’s love for us and this is the GREAT NEWS that we are call to share.

When you hear words of fear come out of your mouth of the mouth of others:

Ask what is God’s promise regaurding such?

When we speak words of doubt, selfiishness, greed, anger, or division..

Ask What does Easter tell us about God’s love for us and our enemies?

Every conversation and every thought become an opportunity to flipped words of fear and hurt into a reminder of God’s love and grace

Every effort to praise and share the Good News is a witness of God’s victory in our lives together in God’s glory.

Get’s to telling the world what Easter means… not about the bunny or a single Sunday, but about the whole story for our whole purpose.. Jesus is Risen so that we

• Have nothing to fear
• Have assurance of God’s love and power
• HAve Good News to share of God’s work in a broken, hurting and selfish world.

He lives indeed, He lives for you and me, and for all who will trust, receive and tell.