Resurrection Of The Lord
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING ANNUAL 2001--2002
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
The tomb could not hold its prey. Up, up, He came that day, to live always. Praise Him this day.
OFFERING THOUGHT
Leader: Come, people, let us rise with Christ who gives us life.
People: Seek those things that are from above and share with those here below.
Leader: Know that Jesus is our triumphant friend
People: Who shows the way before us to give us victory.
BENEDICTION
The sky looked black one Friday - the day He died. He broke the darkness of that day and turned the sky to a brilliant hue. It was for me and you. He is alive!
SERMON BRIEFSWhen Christ Is Your Life
Colossians 3:1--4
Introduction
As Paul moves into this most practical section for how Christians are to live, we should notice his language of dying and being raised. The picture that Paul wants to put into their minds is of their Christian baptism when they were buried in the water, washed clean and raised to new life. Their old, dirty garments of sin were taken off and thrown away. They were raised up to put on new, fresh, clean garments indicative of the change in their lives.
New values, new morals, new habits are to be developed which characterize this new life in Christ. We are being renewed in the image of Christ. Christ becomes our life.
Many of us have heard or used the expression: "His work is his life." What we mean is that person's life revolved around his job. He is wrapped up in his profession. Paul is describing the person who is wrapped up in Christ.
I. When Christ is your life, you will set your heart on things above.
A. When a person has his heart set on something, it means that it has captured his affections. It has become the pursuit of his life.
B. What is your heart set on these days? There are certainly many things vying for our attention and affections. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
C. In Proverbs 4:23 we read, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." We are to guard our hearts by protecting them from invasions of the enemy.
D. Psalm 101:2--4 instructs us that in our homes we need make this commitment: "I will set before my eyes no vile thing ... I will have nothing to do with evil."
E. The Christian is to have his heart set on things above. His affections and will are to be wrapped up in those things that honor his Holy God.
II. When Christ is your life, you will set your minds on things above.
A. Commentator Ralph Martin tells us that the word "mind" means more than just the intellect or mental exercise. It includes our motivations as well.
B. What do we dwell on in our minds that motivates us? What do we think about that moves us to action?
C. In Romans 12:2 Paul writes, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
D. A serious concern in our day is that we have become desensitized to the evils of our day. We are no longer shocked or dismayed by the things that break the heart of God. We need the mind of Christ.
E. Frank Moore writes, "Culture is killing us softly. By that, I mean it is entirely possible for us to be so lulled to sleep by culture and desensitized to its powerful influence that we begin thinking and acting ways that betray our religious beliefs without realizing what is happening to us."1
F. The most influential factors in today's culture include media, friends, family and school. Views on such issues as the lottery, social drinking, divorce, premarital or extramarital sex, homosexuality, disrespect for authority, and the life of the unborn have changed dramatically in our culture. But, God's will and view on these items certainly has not changed. Paul instructs the Colossian Christians to adjust their lives to the will of God, not to conform God's views to their opinions.
G. In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes, "And now, my friends, all that is true, all that is noble, all that is just and pure, all that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable - fill all your thoughts with these things" (NEB).
III. When Christ is your life, you can look forward to Christ's coming.
A. Paul reminds the church that when Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory. What a wonderful promise. What a great thing to look forward to.
B. F.F. Bruce writes, "The day of glory may be future, but its arrival is as sure as if it had already come."2
C. The person who has Christ at the very center of life has nothing to fear concerning the Lord's coming. The Holy Spirit is the down payment that guarantees our future with Him.
D. When Christ is our life, we always have hope. Dr. Al Truesdale and Bonnie Perry put it this way in A Dangerous Hope, "Hope sanctifies all of life by centering it in the kingdom of God."3 Later in their book we read, "Sanctification means putting all of life in the stream of God's transforming grace."4 I think that is what takes place when we truly let Christ become our life. It is a whole new perspective for living. It changes our heart--set and our mind--set.
Gary Reiss
____________
1. Frank Moore, Dismantling the Myths (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1997), p. 24.
2. F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, "The Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians" (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1980), p. 263.
3. Al Truesdale and Bonnie Perry, A Dangerous Hope (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1997), p. 164.
4. Ibid., p. 167.
Seeing Things Clearly!
John 20:1--18
Introduction
Several years ago my wife and I went grocery shopping and came home and just laid non--perishables on the counter or left them in bags so we could get to church. We came home from church and walked into the kitchen and found that someone had been in the house while we were gone. Groceries were not where we had left them and chairs were turned over.
I began my trek through the house and as I passed the stairway I thought the light was on. When I went back by the stairs the light was off. I immediately loaded my wife and kids in the car and took them to a friend's house. My friend and I then went back to search the house.
When we got to the house we went to one of the areas I had not investigated, the upstairs. What a shock we received as we moved into the master bedroom and saw someone sitting on a vanity chair in the bathroom. Upon further investigation we noticed it was a "dummy." Someone had taken a wig from the closet and a bathrobe and fashioned a body out of it. Things were not as they has seemed.
Often we draw the wrong conclusions because our perception is skewed or information is lacking.
Dr. Van Voorhies, from Michigan State University, illustrated this beautifully in a story he told about himself as a young boy. It seems that he had a bad habit of biting his nails. His parents continually tried to warn him of the danger of it by telling him he would get an infection. All the warning did not break the habit. One day news came that his aunt had died. He asked his mother why she had died and his mother said, "She had an infection."
Dr. Van Voorhies equated nail--biting with infection and now infection with death.
We often don't see things as they really are. The Scripture gives us some instruction on how to see things clearly and jump to conclusions. There's a wonderful example of that in Scripture. It's found in John Chapter 20 demonstrating our need of seeing things clearly.
I. Don't jump to conclusions. (vv. 1--2)
Mary came to the tomb expecting to see it closed up and sealed. When she found it open, she came to a wrong conclusion - Jesus' body was stolen. Isn't it interesting that she never considered that He was risen even though she had heard Him state He would rise after death. Her first thought was that something evil had been done rather than something miraculous had happened.
She is like so many of us. We look at a situation and draw the conclusion that all is lost and Satan wins again rather than anticipating that God will miraculously bring glory to His name.
Mary, like many of us, ran off spreading inaccurate information and an attitude of despair.
But God is so good. He gave this passage to see human nature but offers us a better way. We see it in verses 3--9.
II. Get all the facts. (vv. 3--9)
When John and Peter heard the news they ran to the tomb. John peeked inside but did not look long enough to draw an accurate conclusion. Peter went in and checked things out. He took time to assess the situation and gather information. After a while, John entered and examined the facts and the Scripture says he believed.
If we want to see things clearly we need to not jump to conclusions and then get all the facts. But there is a final piece to seeing things clearly. It is found in verses 10--18.
III. Listen to Jesus. (vv. 10--18)
Jesus always speaks to us. Sometimes it is through His Word, His Spirit, His children, circumstances, His angels and sometimes, rare though it may be, someone is privileged enough to hear the audible voice of God.
Regardless how, the fact remains that He does. When we hear it we respond as Mary did, with great joy! His voice confirms in us exactly the same things it confirmed in Mary - that He is alive and that we now have a new relationship with God. One of love and relationship, not fear. He is now our Father.
Jesus speaks "Good News." We need to hear it today just as much as Mary did 2,000 years ago.
Conclusion
Aren't you glad He still lovingly speaks to us? He is so good! If you want to see things clearly remember: Don't jump to conclusions. Take time to get the facts. Listen to His voice.
Brian B. Delbridge
CALL TO WORSHIP
The tomb could not hold its prey. Up, up, He came that day, to live always. Praise Him this day.
OFFERING THOUGHT
Leader: Come, people, let us rise with Christ who gives us life.
People: Seek those things that are from above and share with those here below.
Leader: Know that Jesus is our triumphant friend
People: Who shows the way before us to give us victory.
BENEDICTION
The sky looked black one Friday - the day He died. He broke the darkness of that day and turned the sky to a brilliant hue. It was for me and you. He is alive!
SERMON BRIEFSWhen Christ Is Your Life
Colossians 3:1--4
Introduction
As Paul moves into this most practical section for how Christians are to live, we should notice his language of dying and being raised. The picture that Paul wants to put into their minds is of their Christian baptism when they were buried in the water, washed clean and raised to new life. Their old, dirty garments of sin were taken off and thrown away. They were raised up to put on new, fresh, clean garments indicative of the change in their lives.
New values, new morals, new habits are to be developed which characterize this new life in Christ. We are being renewed in the image of Christ. Christ becomes our life.
Many of us have heard or used the expression: "His work is his life." What we mean is that person's life revolved around his job. He is wrapped up in his profession. Paul is describing the person who is wrapped up in Christ.
I. When Christ is your life, you will set your heart on things above.
A. When a person has his heart set on something, it means that it has captured his affections. It has become the pursuit of his life.
B. What is your heart set on these days? There are certainly many things vying for our attention and affections. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
C. In Proverbs 4:23 we read, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." We are to guard our hearts by protecting them from invasions of the enemy.
D. Psalm 101:2--4 instructs us that in our homes we need make this commitment: "I will set before my eyes no vile thing ... I will have nothing to do with evil."
E. The Christian is to have his heart set on things above. His affections and will are to be wrapped up in those things that honor his Holy God.
II. When Christ is your life, you will set your minds on things above.
A. Commentator Ralph Martin tells us that the word "mind" means more than just the intellect or mental exercise. It includes our motivations as well.
B. What do we dwell on in our minds that motivates us? What do we think about that moves us to action?
C. In Romans 12:2 Paul writes, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
D. A serious concern in our day is that we have become desensitized to the evils of our day. We are no longer shocked or dismayed by the things that break the heart of God. We need the mind of Christ.
E. Frank Moore writes, "Culture is killing us softly. By that, I mean it is entirely possible for us to be so lulled to sleep by culture and desensitized to its powerful influence that we begin thinking and acting ways that betray our religious beliefs without realizing what is happening to us."1
F. The most influential factors in today's culture include media, friends, family and school. Views on such issues as the lottery, social drinking, divorce, premarital or extramarital sex, homosexuality, disrespect for authority, and the life of the unborn have changed dramatically in our culture. But, God's will and view on these items certainly has not changed. Paul instructs the Colossian Christians to adjust their lives to the will of God, not to conform God's views to their opinions.
G. In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes, "And now, my friends, all that is true, all that is noble, all that is just and pure, all that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable - fill all your thoughts with these things" (NEB).
III. When Christ is your life, you can look forward to Christ's coming.
A. Paul reminds the church that when Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory. What a wonderful promise. What a great thing to look forward to.
B. F.F. Bruce writes, "The day of glory may be future, but its arrival is as sure as if it had already come."2
C. The person who has Christ at the very center of life has nothing to fear concerning the Lord's coming. The Holy Spirit is the down payment that guarantees our future with Him.
D. When Christ is our life, we always have hope. Dr. Al Truesdale and Bonnie Perry put it this way in A Dangerous Hope, "Hope sanctifies all of life by centering it in the kingdom of God."3 Later in their book we read, "Sanctification means putting all of life in the stream of God's transforming grace."4 I think that is what takes place when we truly let Christ become our life. It is a whole new perspective for living. It changes our heart--set and our mind--set.
Gary Reiss
____________
1. Frank Moore, Dismantling the Myths (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1997), p. 24.
2. F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, "The Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians" (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1980), p. 263.
3. Al Truesdale and Bonnie Perry, A Dangerous Hope (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1997), p. 164.
4. Ibid., p. 167.
Seeing Things Clearly!
John 20:1--18
Introduction
Several years ago my wife and I went grocery shopping and came home and just laid non--perishables on the counter or left them in bags so we could get to church. We came home from church and walked into the kitchen and found that someone had been in the house while we were gone. Groceries were not where we had left them and chairs were turned over.
I began my trek through the house and as I passed the stairway I thought the light was on. When I went back by the stairs the light was off. I immediately loaded my wife and kids in the car and took them to a friend's house. My friend and I then went back to search the house.
When we got to the house we went to one of the areas I had not investigated, the upstairs. What a shock we received as we moved into the master bedroom and saw someone sitting on a vanity chair in the bathroom. Upon further investigation we noticed it was a "dummy." Someone had taken a wig from the closet and a bathrobe and fashioned a body out of it. Things were not as they has seemed.
Often we draw the wrong conclusions because our perception is skewed or information is lacking.
Dr. Van Voorhies, from Michigan State University, illustrated this beautifully in a story he told about himself as a young boy. It seems that he had a bad habit of biting his nails. His parents continually tried to warn him of the danger of it by telling him he would get an infection. All the warning did not break the habit. One day news came that his aunt had died. He asked his mother why she had died and his mother said, "She had an infection."
Dr. Van Voorhies equated nail--biting with infection and now infection with death.
We often don't see things as they really are. The Scripture gives us some instruction on how to see things clearly and jump to conclusions. There's a wonderful example of that in Scripture. It's found in John Chapter 20 demonstrating our need of seeing things clearly.
I. Don't jump to conclusions. (vv. 1--2)
Mary came to the tomb expecting to see it closed up and sealed. When she found it open, she came to a wrong conclusion - Jesus' body was stolen. Isn't it interesting that she never considered that He was risen even though she had heard Him state He would rise after death. Her first thought was that something evil had been done rather than something miraculous had happened.
She is like so many of us. We look at a situation and draw the conclusion that all is lost and Satan wins again rather than anticipating that God will miraculously bring glory to His name.
Mary, like many of us, ran off spreading inaccurate information and an attitude of despair.
But God is so good. He gave this passage to see human nature but offers us a better way. We see it in verses 3--9.
II. Get all the facts. (vv. 3--9)
When John and Peter heard the news they ran to the tomb. John peeked inside but did not look long enough to draw an accurate conclusion. Peter went in and checked things out. He took time to assess the situation and gather information. After a while, John entered and examined the facts and the Scripture says he believed.
If we want to see things clearly we need to not jump to conclusions and then get all the facts. But there is a final piece to seeing things clearly. It is found in verses 10--18.
III. Listen to Jesus. (vv. 10--18)
Jesus always speaks to us. Sometimes it is through His Word, His Spirit, His children, circumstances, His angels and sometimes, rare though it may be, someone is privileged enough to hear the audible voice of God.
Regardless how, the fact remains that He does. When we hear it we respond as Mary did, with great joy! His voice confirms in us exactly the same things it confirmed in Mary - that He is alive and that we now have a new relationship with God. One of love and relationship, not fear. He is now our Father.
Jesus speaks "Good News." We need to hear it today just as much as Mary did 2,000 years ago.
Conclusion
Aren't you glad He still lovingly speaks to us? He is so good! If you want to see things clearly remember: Don't jump to conclusions. Take time to get the facts. Listen to His voice.
Brian B. Delbridge
