It's great to be here this morning.
On Easter Sundays, we celebrate life and new life.
And that's the segue into announcing that Sam and Sal are expecting a second child.
So, what a great day.
But wait, there's more.
Adam and Brenda are expecting their first child.
Fantastic you guys.
Good morning.
My name is Steve Jeffrey.
I'm one of the ministry team here.
I grew up one of three boys.
My cousins, all the ones we had anything to do with, were all boys.
I grew up on a farm, motorbike riding, shooting guns,
explosives licensed by the age of 18.
So, my life was surrounded like that, flanny shirts, boots.
And I'm the dad of three girls.
And so, I've been introduced to a world that I've never had any interest in
or was unaware of, a Barbie world.
And so, 7,000 kilometres in a car last August and September
with Barbie playing in the TV screen behind my headrest
causes one to be familiar with Barbie world.
What I discovered with all the Barbie movies
was that there was a good versus evil plot.
And there's always a tense moment in the middle of the movie
with a protagonist who looks like Barbie,
but is more evil than Barbie.
And it appears in that tense moment that evil will win the day.
But with a quick change of clothes and a reapplication of make-up
and a little dose of self-confidence,
Barbie's character always comes through at the end to win the day.
What I find interesting, though,
is in that moment, the concern which is expressed
on the face of my daughter is that evil will triumph.
The youngest, or the middle one, would say,
Turn it off, Izzy! Turn it off!
Yell in the back seat.
And she could not cope with the fact that evil was going to win the day.
Oh, there was an attempt to fast-forward that bit of the movie.
What is surprising to me is that they've seen it a dozen times.
They know how it's going to end up.
And they've seen a dozen of these movies
and they always know that Barbie will win in the end.
It's a world of pink and purple
and good always triumphs with flowers
and colour and delightful stuff.
And it surprises me
because a number of times I would say,
But you know how it's going to end.
And yet it's something delightful as well.
The storyline has not lost its thrill.
Although I must say,
several months down the track,
it has lost its thrill.
I don't hear the crying out,
Turn it off, Izzy!
Turn it off!
Which, of course, is my concern with Easter.
It was bad news for Jesus on Good Friday,
but we all know how it works out.
You know the end of the story.
So in preparing for today,
it makes me feel like I'm talking about something,
talking about a book,
and you've all read the end of the book.
And so where's the surprise in it?
Where's the thrill in it?
Of course, the temptation is to have a mere historical
or academic engagement with Easter
and to miss its impact for us today.
And so I'd like us to recapture some of the awe.
I'd like to see that for myself,
to marvel at the resurrection,
even though we know how it works out.
To walk out of here with hearts filled with joy
and hope and purpose and expectation and love.
Let's be astonished at the resurrection.
And to do that, you must begin with understanding.
You need to know the story and how it ends.
If you make less of the truth and the facts and the reality,
then your wonder of it all will just be shallow.
Take, for instance, the article
that was printed at the Sydney Morning Herald
on Good Friday in 2005.
It was written by Hugh Mackay,
social commentator,
and he made this comment about Easter
and the resurrection of Jesus.
He says,
Christians celebrate new life at Easter,
but in a religious sense.
The focus of their festival is the belief
that tragedy and grief,
symbolised by the crucifixion,
can give way to new life,
symbolised by the resurrection,
and that pain and loss are essential steps
on the journey towards enlightenment.
And so he says that
Easter is a festival of hope,
a celebration of faith in the future,
and a reminder
that despite our failures and frailties and flaws,
personal resurrection is always a possibility for us.
It's positive.
And yet,
Mackay's point is that the resurrection is symbolic.
Whether it happened or not
is not the issue for him.
He suggests that
what it's all about
is symbolism,
and that symbolism is positive
and powerful in your life.
It's an example and a metaphor for our life.
New life and growth through suffering.
To grow, we're going to need to suffer a little,
just like pruning a rose.
That's the point of the resurrection.
And I think Mackay's representation of Easter
is probably the view of a number of people
when it comes to the resurrection.
And while many would see his view as intelligent
and conciliatory and positive and rational,
it fails to grasp
is that the resurrection is not merely symbolic.
It is not a myth
that is okay to believe
if it works for you.
And so as I look at the Bible,
as we're going to do that together
in Philippians 2 and 3,
and so grab your Bibles in preparation for that
and turn to Philippians 2 and 3,
the passage we just read out for us.
As I look at the Bible,
as we do this together
and speak about the resurrection of Jesus,
I'm not merely putting another alternative
in front of you this morning.
The resurrection of Jesus
is not a satisfying myth
that helps some people,
us in this room maybe,
to interpret life
so that it becomes livable
and even possibly more enjoyable for us.
Easter is about real persons
and historical events
and divine intentions
that really happened.
The resurrection is more real
and more exciting
and more terrifying
and more life-changing
than any myth
or any other truth claim.
Now friends, this is Easter.
It is the celebration
of the historical resurrection
of Jesus from the dead.
He is alive.
He is not mere memory,
a mere historical figure
like a Julius Caesar
or a Shakespeare
or an Abraham Lincoln.
He is back from the dead
with a new glorious body.
He is alive.
He is reigning
as the king of the universe
as Philippians 2 says
and he is making this offer
of real life
and hope to us today.
Now I know that I'm taking
a lot for granted
when I say that.
So let me put it
into some sort of context.
We Christians believe
that what the 27 books
of the New Testament
record about Jesus
are true.
These books uniformly teach
or assume that Jesus
lived in history,
that he died
as a substitute for sinners
and he rose on the third day
and that he ascended to heaven
and rules the world
as the God
of all the universe.
These 27 books
are riddled
with references
to the physical resurrection
of Jesus from the dead
as we declared together
a little bit earlier
in our service
reading out
from 1 Corinthians 15.
These accounts
of what happened
in the life of Jesus
are totally different
than myth
like Greek
or Roman mythology
which is shrouded
in a distant past
that does not connect
with real history.
The New Testament books
are talking
about real history.
Pilate,
Roman governor,
Herod,
the king from Galilee,
Caiaphas,
the high priest.
They are not
mythical figures.
These people are known
from history
outside of the New Testament.
The accounts
of the New Testament
were all written
while eyewitnesses
were still alive.
We said that
a little bit early
in our service.
Paul's letters
were written
15 to 30 years
after the death
of Jesus.
As we just read,
he mentions the fact
that 500 people
had seen the risen Jesus
at one time
and that most of them
were still alive
as he pens the history.
Most of the books,
maybe all of them
were written
before 70 AD,
40 years
after the death
of Jesus.
This is not mythology.
This is history.
It is remembered history.
It is eyewitness history.
And add to this
that the enemies
of Christianity
would have loved
nothing better
than to wheel
a dead body
in a wheelbarrow
into Jerusalem
to prove
that it was
all a hoax.
And they couldn't.
The Romans
themselves
stationed their own
soldiers
at the entrance
of the tomb
and it was empty.
There was no dead body.
And the thought
that the scared
disciples
who abandoned
Jesus
at his crucifixion
for fear of their lives,
that they would
suddenly come together
and agree amongst
themselves
to create a hoax,
that they would
steal the body
and then that they
would die for that
hoax
is ludicrous.
These disciples
of Jesus
were not wacko.
They were witnesses.
And what we have
in the New Testament
is not mythology.
But Jesus
as eyewitnesses
remembered him.
And the point
of all this
is simply to say
that when we
Christians say
Jesus is risen
from the dead,
we're not speaking
mythically.
We're not speaking
blindly.
We're not speaking
symbolically.
We're not speaking
spiritually
or just emotionally.
We're speaking
historically.
Now, of course,
the aim of all
this history
is that we might
be astounded
at the majesty
of Jesus Christ
this Easter.
The point is
that we might
marvel
and stand
in awe
and be amazed
and get
the impact
of Easter
Sunday
in 2013.
Some of this
majesty
and impact
was there
for us
in Philippians
3
verses 20
to 21.
So if you
want to go
there,
Philippians 3,
Adam read out
to us.
Have you got
a page
there on
your Bible,
Adam?
Sorry?
1140.
Page 1140
in the pew
Bibles
if it's there
in front of you.
Philippians 3
verses 20
to 21.
But our
citizenship
is in heaven
and we
eagerly
await a
saviour
from there,
the Lord
Jesus Christ
who by the
power that
enables him
to bring
everything
under his
control
will transform
our lowly
bodies
so that
they will
be like
his
glorious
body.
What an
astounding
couple of
verses.
Now something
is assumed
there in
verse 20
and 21.
What is
assumed is
that Jesus
was raised
from the dead
and that he
is now
alive
and is
now very
powerful
to put it
mindly.
The reason
Paul assumes
it here
in chapter
3
is because
it's what
he said
in chapter
2.
It's what
was read
out to us
as well.
And so let
me go back
to chapter
2 and make
it explicit
and clear
for us.
And let me
say by way
of introduction
you will
never read
anything
anywhere
in any
literature
more sweeping
and important
and true
than these
verses
in chapter
2 of
Philippians.
Let's
start at
verse 6
referring to
Jesus
who
being in
very nature
God
did not
consider
equality
with God
something to
be grasped
but made
himself
nothing.
Taking the
very nature
of servant
being made
in human
likeness
and being
found in
appearance as a
man he
humbled himself
and became
obedient to
death
even death
on a cross.
And therefore
God exalted
him to the
highest place
and gave him
the name
that is above
every day
that at the
name of
Jesus
every knee
should bow
in heaven
and on
earth
and under
the earth
and every
tongue confess
that Jesus
Christ is
Lord to
the glory
of God
the Father.
There is
Easter impact.
Christ was
and is
equal with
God
he is
God
he became
human being
he obediently
suffered and
died
and that
means that
it was a
planned death
it was not
an accident
of history
it was a
planned death
and the point
of the plan
was that the
Lord Jesus
Christ be a
substitute for
all sinners
who would
trust in him
that was
God's loving
plan for the
salvation of
sinners like
us
and then it
says
therefore God
exalted him
to the highest
place
in other words
because of his
obedient and
successful life
and death
God raised him
from the dead
and gave him
great glory
as the Lord
of the universe
that is the
astounding
assumption behind
Philippians 3
20 to 21
but our
citizenship is in
heaven
and we
eagerly await a
saviour from
there the
Lord Jesus
Christ
who by the
power that
enables him to
bring everything
under his
control will
transform our
lowly bodies
so that they
will be like
his glorious
body
when you put
Philippians 2
and Philippians 3
together
we see that
because of the
death and
resurrection of
the Lord Jesus
he has
astonishing
power to
subject all
things to
himself
this
is
resurrection
impact
that is
relevant for
us right now
that is
he rose
victorious from
the grave
never to die
again
and he
rules
over all
time and
space
you see it
there again
in verse 21
by the power
that enables him
to bring
everything
under his
control
in one sense
Jesus has the
right to rule
the universe
because he is
God
not just because
he died and
rose again
he did not
have to die
and rise
in order to
be who he
is
and what he
is from all
eternity
is God
and this gives
him the right
to exercise
authority over
all things
but in another
sense God
decreed that
the one
who would
rule in
power
would be a
saviour who
suffered with
us and for
us in this
world
the Lord and
judge and
saviour over
all the universe
was tested
and found
perfect through
human suffering
and now he
is doubly
suited for his
role as
Lord of the
universe
he is God
by God
with all the
natural rights
to go with
that and he
is saviour
with purchased
rights
and so he
can put his
foot on
Satan's neck
and not just
because of the
raw divine
power he has
but also because
he exposed
himself to
Satan's
temptations
and to
Satan's
biggest weapon
death
and he broke
it on Easter
Sunday
he is doubly
suited to rule
the universe
he has
creator rights
and saviour
rights
and the
impact of
Easter Sunday
morning is
that there
is no higher
authority
there is no
place or
sphere or
realm or
dimension of
existence anywhere
in the universe
that is not
under the
absolute
authority
of Jesus
Christ
and when the
world in which
we live
doesn't look
like it's under
the authority
of Jesus
it would be
wiser for us
to marvel at
the mystery
of his ways
than to
question the
scope of
his power
Christ's power
pervades the
universe from
the largest to
the smallest
elements of
reality
no galaxy
no atom
no demon
would stay
in being
without the
authority of
the Lord
Jesus
so be
astonished at
his power
to subject
all things
to himself
Easter Sunday
is no mere
symbolism of
how to endure
hard things
in life
it means that
Jesus rules
the universe
as the name
that is above
every name
and he does
it
out of love
for us
notice that
there are two
astounding
implications for
us in this
power of the
resurrected Lord
Jesus
they are
staggering
and they are
filled with
hope and joy
and life
for us
verse 20
our citizenship
is in
heaven
citizenship
means you
belong
citizenship
means you
are protected
we take it
for granted
but become a
refugee
and be a
person of
no fixed
abode
with no one
in the United
Nations
speak it
on your
behalf
and see
how secure
you feel
and our
citizenship
is in
heaven
the power
of the
Lord Jesus
guarantees
our citizenship
of heaven
and if you're a
believer in the
Lord Jesus
you don't have to
wait for the
second coming
of the Lord
Jesus to know
where your
home is
when you trust
in Christ
your name is
sealed on the
citizen roles
of heaven
because your
king is
there
where he
is
there you
have the
privilege to
be
and so
you will be
with him
forever
and your
amazement
and your
wonder
and your
awe
will never
cease
it will only
increase
with him
forever
and ever
which leads
to the second
implication
Jesus
will use
his power
to transform
your body
into a
resurrected
body like
his
Philippians
3 21
the Lord
Jesus Christ
who by the
power that
enables him
to bring
everything
under his
control
will transform
your lowly
bodies
so that they
will be like
his glorious
body
all that
power that
Jesus has
will be used
to take
our dead
bodies
and raise
them from
the dead
no longer
to be sick
and disabled
or frail
or mentally
ill or addicted
or weary
or tempting
or tempted
but
rather
it will
be like
his
glorious
body
this is
not
a mere
symbolic
hope
if you
belong to
Jesus
Christ
by trusting
in him
he will
give you
a new
body
fit for
eternal
life
with him
not a
ghost
not a
spirit
you'll
be
recognized
by your
mates
and you
will
eat
and drink
with
Jesus
in the
kingdom
of God
just like
he did
with his
mates
when he
was here
after he
rose
be
astounded
therefore
that Jesus
will use
his
infinite
authority
and power
to raise
you for
the dead
to give
you a
body like
his
that will
never wear
out
and to
live
forever
the aim
of all
this
is that
we might
be
astounded
at the
majesty
of Jesus
Christ
this
Easter
rather than
a mere
intellectual
awareness
of history
I want us
to marvel
at the
truth
and the
hope
and the
joy
of
Easter
I don't
want
it to be
a mere
take it
or leave
it
symbolism
where you
respond
after this
service
thanks for
a stimulating
service
now off
to the
Easter
egg
hunt
this is
life
transforming
this is
not just
a mere
gathering
of historical
facts
this is
a marvelling
at those
facts
and the
difference
is this
suppose
you hear
that last
year in
Chatswood
10
children
were hit
by
cars
while
playing
it's
there
on the
news
you read
in the
paper
and you
wince
and you
think
what a
tragedy
that must
have been
really hard
for those
parents
and then
you read
the next
article
you look
at the
next bit
of news
and then
suddenly
the front
door bursts
open and
your 10
year old
daughter comes
screaming into
the house
with the
news that
it was
your 9
year old
son
has just
been hit
by a car
playing in
the front
yard
and now
the news
is different
news
the first
piece of
news was
true
you didn't
doubt it
good evidence
for it
but now
there was
a piece
of news
that goes
to the
core
of your
being
it shakes
you
everything
in you
comes alive
to this
reality
that it's
your son
it touches
your existence
it will
change
everything
in your
life
it will
break
your heart
it will
shatter
things
in you
more deeply
than you
have ever
touched
before
and so
here again
the news
of Easter
Jesus died
in your
place
for your
sin
against
God
Jesus
is risen
from the
dead
Jesus
will never
die
again
Jesus
has been
appointed
as ruler
of the
universe
and all
who trust
in him
will be
raised
like him
and live
forever
with him
my friends
I long
for you
here today
not just
to hear
that truth
as merely
provable
reports
of some
religious
claim
but as
the cry
of your
child
bursting
through
the door
it has
to do
with you
this is
your death
and your
life
and your
hope
the
resurrection
changes
everything
it did
for the
bigoted
hate
filled
proud
Paul
who
approved
of the
murder
and the
imprisonment
of
Christians
and then
he met
the
all
powerful
risen
Jesus
and
everything
changed
for him
this is
how he
puts it
in
Philippians
3
from
verse
10
but for
whatever
was to
my
profit
I
now
consider
loss
for the
sake
of
Christ
what
is
more
I
consider
everything
a
loss
compared
to the
surpassing
greatness
of knowing
Jesus
Christ
my
Lord
for whose
sake
I
have
lost
all
things
I
consider
them
rubbish
that I
might gain
Christ
and be found
in him
that is
through faith
in Christ
the righteousness
that comes
from God
and is
by faith
this is how
he sums up
his life
I want to
know
Christ
and the
power
of his
resurrection
and the
fellowship
of sharing
in his
sufferings
becoming
like
him
in his
death
and so
somehow
to attain
to the
resurrection
of the
dead
everything
changes
because
of the
resurrection
it is the
core of
his being
in which
he views
his life
what about
you
is your
citizenship
in heaven
have
have you
laid down
the arms
of unbelief
and rebellion
against
Christ
have you
received
the
blood
bought
amnesty
that we
celebrate
at Easter
have you
bowed the
knee of
submission
and loyalty
to the
king of
the universe
my friends
do it
today
let your
response
be a
life of
faith
and love
and joy
and worship
and join
today the
citizens of
heaven
who eagerly
await a
saviour from
there the
Lord Jesus
Christ
who by the
power that
enables him
to bring
everything
under his
control
will transform
our lowly
bodies
so that
we'll be
like his
glorious
body
Amen