WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 Colossians chapter 2, have you ever been highly anticipating something that you've been waiting on? 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:11.859 Maybe you ordered something, you're waiting for a package to come in the mail, and they told you it'd be on two days, 00:00:12.199 --> 00:00:16.679 and then sometimes it don't come in two days like it's supposed to, and sometimes it takes longer. 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:28.219 We had a, Abby ordered a science project for her students this week, and it had a life in it, so you had to be careful with it. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:31.059 And so I got warnings beforehand, because she shipped it to us. 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:34.980 I got warnings, and it's coming between 10-15 and 12-15. 00:00:34.979 --> 00:00:40.779 And so I was looking for it, and when it showed up, I met him at the road, and I got it, and it said open immediately. 00:00:40.959 --> 00:00:48.539 And I thought, if I kill the science project, the kids won't ever learn anything, and these poor little insects will die. 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:51.500 I mean, sometimes we just anticipate stuff that comes. 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:52.839 Of course, she wasn't home to get it. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:53.959 She just ordered it. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:55.399 That's the way that kind of works sometimes. 00:00:56.579 --> 00:00:58.399 It's March Madness, a lot going on. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:07.280 And if you watch basketball, I'm telling you, last weekend when Duke and Connecticut played each other, 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:10.640 it was one for the history books. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:15.000 Last-minute shot, won the thing, game changer. 00:01:15.259 --> 00:01:19.840 It was something you highly anticipate when you watch those things instead of the blowouts, 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:21.780 some of which I saw yesterday. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:24.319 We anticipate things. 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:25.680 Sometimes they're not fun to anticipate. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:27.400 Sometimes it's a test. 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:29.900 We're waiting on a test result. 00:01:30.520 --> 00:01:31.800 We're looking for an email. 00:01:32.260 --> 00:01:33.780 We're waiting for a phone call. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:35.980 We anticipate things. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:43.500 When moments, there are moments in our life when everything hinges on what happens next. 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:48.820 And when that's the case, it seems like nothing else matters. 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:54.599 My friend, that's why we celebrate Easter. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:02:01.099 The reason we celebrate Easter is this is what we've been waiting for. 00:02:02.139 --> 00:02:06.280 Colossians chapter 2, beginning in verse 13, says this, 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:14.800 And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:26.860 And what Paul is doing there is he's using a very drastic physical illustration to point out before you had been touched by God. 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:28.400 He says, 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:42.820 God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all of our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. 00:02:43.420 --> 00:02:47.420 And this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:56.579 George Gallup tells us that 84 of 100 folks that do not attend church believe that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:02:58.519 It is a factual matter. 00:02:58.679 --> 00:02:59.919 It was not done in secret. 00:03:00.359 --> 00:03:02.579 The whole city of Jerusalem knew it was taking place. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:04.799 The whole Roman Empire knew about it. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:07.219 It was news that happened. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:13.679 There are at least 15 historical references to Jesus meeting people, touching people, 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:18.240 talking with people after he had been crucified and rose from the grave. 00:03:18.420 --> 00:03:21.680 One time he cooked breakfast for some people. 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:26.040 One time he talked to about 500 people after he had risen from the dead. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:28.420 A lot of people saw him. 00:03:30.540 --> 00:03:34.840 So the question is, why does the resurrection matter? 00:03:36.420 --> 00:03:40.020 It really happened, but what difference does it make? 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.680 Well, it matters. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:46.159 It matters for three reasons. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:49.480 And my friend, this is what we've been waiting on. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:55.379 It matters because our past can be forgiven. 00:03:57.080 --> 00:04:00.939 Have you ever been halfway through a project and wished you could start over? 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:06.219 Years ago when my oldest daughter was in probably middle school, 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:16.620 we attempted to make a volcano out of a Coke bottle and some chicken wire and some foam insulation. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:23.120 And I've always been one to believe that you should never let your kids get in the way of them having a good project. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:28.959 And so it'll come about lunchtime for some of you. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:34.759 But anyway, so I got out foam insulation, which I had never messed with before. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:42.079 And I started spraying around that chicken wire, around that Coke bottle, and it started expanding. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:46.339 And I expected it to expand to a certain degree, but I didn't expect it to expand like that. 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:49.919 And before I got done, it looked more like an ice cream sundae than it did a mountain. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:55.279 But she made the grade. 00:04:55.859 --> 00:04:58.060 I wish I could have done it over, but the clock was ticking. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:04:59.599 Investments had been made. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.360 As they tell me, it is what it is. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:08.680 A lot of times people feel like that about life. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:13.180 We get to a point in our lives and we wish we could start over. 00:05:14.320 --> 00:05:16.560 I mean, we've done things we wish we hadn't done. 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.840 We've said things that we wish we hadn't said. 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:22.040 We've thought things we wish we hadn't thought. 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.879 We all have regrets. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:25.360 I want you to hear me this morning. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.439 We all have regrets. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:30.839 And the reality is we all have guilt. 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:40.300 And the good news is that the second part of what I just read says that he cancels the record of debt that stood against us 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:46.220 with all the legality that goes with it, and he set it aside and nailed it to the cross. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:55.300 In other words, God will pardon us of those wicked things that we've thought, that we've said, that we've done. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:06:02.759 And when we admit our need for him and turn our lives over to him, that sin is canceled. 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:08.379 As the scripture says, Jesus nailed it all to the cross. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:10.740 He paid for our debt. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:13.740 We don't have to pay for it. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:16.500 And it's a good thing because we can't. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:19.180 There's no way we could make up that debt. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:22.180 He was hung for our hang-ups. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:27.699 Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross so we can quit beating ourselves up. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:30.740 He forgives our past. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:34.420 He cancels every debt that we owe. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.280 You ever had a debt? 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:38.120 You ever had something that you owed? 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:39.959 You paid on it monthly? 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:45.600 Maybe a medical bill that you paid on monthly, and when that thing, you just continue to pay on it, 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.560 and finally when you got to the last one? 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:49.879 I'll tell you what I do when I get to the final one. 00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:52.100 I write across it, P-I-F. 00:06:52.840 --> 00:06:53.740 You know what that means? 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:55.399 Paid in full. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:56.699 It's gone. 00:06:57.399 --> 00:06:58.019 It's gone. 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.040 And I file it away, and you know what? 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:01.220 I forget it. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:03.060 I forget it. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:07.860 Why remember those things that belabored you in the past? 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:10.399 Let it go once it's gone. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.639 And I got news for you. 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:16.699 If you'll surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:21.120 and you'll say from this day forward, I want to live for you, O God. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:23.439 I want to give you my life. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:28.779 Once God's forgiven it, we can forget it. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:30.959 That's good news, my friend. 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:35.379 Listen, even if there wasn't a heaven and hell, and there is, 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:40.359 it would be worth becoming a Christian just to have a clear conscience, 00:07:41.299 --> 00:07:45.179 just to know that we're free from all those things that we've done wrong, 00:07:45.679 --> 00:07:51.339 because Jesus is who he said he is, and our past can be forgiven. 00:07:51.619 --> 00:07:53.979 There's no carrying a load of guilt around. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:56.019 It's unnecessary. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:58.740 Romans 8.1 says, 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:05.719 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:08.560 Do you remember this toy from years ago? 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:11.240 It's an Etch-a-Sketch. 00:08:11.719 --> 00:08:14.060 And I used to love this thing and play on it. 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:18.560 I actually got good at it, and I was messing with it a little while ago during worship. 00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:20.019 And I want you to see it. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:20.019 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:30.139 But what happens when it's not that good, and I mess it up? 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:45.240 What happens when it's not that good, and I mess it up? 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:49.299 You want to remember what you do? 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:52.419 You flip it over, and you shake it. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.460 You got to shake it pretty hard, too. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:55.799 I don't think they make them like they used to. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.240 And it's gone. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:00.700 It's clean. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:08.340 Folks, God has an Etch-a-Sketch verse in the Bible. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:10.820 Romans 8.1 says, 00:09:12.420 --> 00:09:19.900 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:21.700 Amen. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:22.379 Amen. 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:26.580 He wipes the slate clean. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:33.600 We can walk out of here today knowing that every single thing that we've ever done wrong is completely forgiven. 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:35.139 My friend, that's good news. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.720 That's news I can use no condemnation. 00:09:38.520 --> 00:09:40.080 Jesus didn't come to rub it in. 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:42.020 He came to rub it out. 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:45.000 He said in John chapter 3, verse 17, 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.840 He said, I didn't come to condemn the world, 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:51.100 but in order that the world might be safe. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.860 He wants to change us. 00:09:53.640 --> 00:09:55.240 He wants to help us. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:59.360 He wants to give us a new beginning to clear out our conscience. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:03.299 He died and rose again for that cause. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:06.419 But not only can your past be forgiven, 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.080 I'll tell you, it's what we've been waiting on. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:13.039 Our present can be empowered. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:18.720 We can't control everything in our lives, 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:21.139 but God can. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:29.639 What we need with the hard stuff is help from on high. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:34.939 We were never meant to live this life in our own power, 00:10:35.059 --> 00:10:39.899 and when we try to do that, life's experiences will slow us down. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.539 Charlie Shedd is an author, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:45.419 and I read where he wrote this. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.099 He said, before we had kids, 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:49.980 I used to travel across the country teaching a lecture called 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:52.980 The Ten Commandments for Raising Perfect Kids. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.039 He said, then we had our first child, 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:01.519 and I changed the title to Ten Hints for Parents. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:05.100 Then we had our second child. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.419 I relabeled the lecture, 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:11.460 A Few Tentative Suggestions for Fellow Strugglers. 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.860 He said, after the third child, 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:18.480 I stopped touring altogether and stopped speaking about it. 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:21.539 Listen, folks, we need help. 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:27.360 And in this crowded room, I want you to know something. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:30.459 We all need help. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:35.360 And Christ has come to give us help. 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:39.659 He's come for us to have a relationship with him. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:43.399 And as Paul prayed for the church to realize all that, 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:47.860 he prayed that we would understand everything that we have, 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:49.419 that somehow we could be enlightened 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:52.479 and see everything that we have when we have Christ. 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:53.219 He said this, 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:58.579 the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:02.879 according to the working of his great might, 00:12:03.219 --> 00:12:05.459 that he worked in Christ Jesus 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:09.399 when he raised him from the dead. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:14.279 The same power that enabled Jesus to rise from death 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:17.439 will help us to rise above our hangups. 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:20.900 It helps us to rise above our habits. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:26.560 It helps us to rise against our issues and our doubts 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:27.900 and our distractions. 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:31.340 Whatever we feel like is out of control. 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:33.840 Maybe out of our control, 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:36.360 but I think God today, it's not out of God's control. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:39.700 And he'll give us the power that we need. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:43.440 Philippians chapter 4 verse 13 is one of the most quoted, 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:49.040 and hear me today, misapplied verses of Scripture in all the Bible. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:53.759 It's not really about winning ball games or boxing matches. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.840 It's not really what Paul's talking about. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.820 What Paul says is, 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:02.200 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:05.200 It's not really about achieving goals. 00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:08.000 It's not really about accomplishing dreams. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.620 He is saying, I can endure. 00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:13.300 I've been given the strength. 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:15.700 And it's not in my self-sufficiency. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.840 It's in Christ's sufficiency. 00:13:18.140 --> 00:13:18.440 Why? 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:20.980 Because verse 19 of that same chapter says this, 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:24.440 and my God will supply every need of yours 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:27.800 according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:30.820 Why does the death and resurrection of Christ matter? 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:33.700 It matters because it's everything we've been waiting on. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:37.180 Our present, our past can be forgiven. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:40.480 Our present can be empowered. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:41.920 But it don't stop there. 00:13:42.400 --> 00:13:44.600 Our future can be secure. 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:48.300 Now, I don't want you to misunderstand me today. 00:13:49.400 --> 00:13:50.900 The numbers haven't changed. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.500 Death has a 100% success rate. 00:13:55.400 --> 00:13:58.000 And it often comes when we don't expect it. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.240 Folks, if the Lord does not return first, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.019 we're all going to die. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.120 It's going to happen. 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:09.539 And only a fool would go through life unprepared for something 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:12.379 that he or she knows is inevitable. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:16.059 It don't make any sense to do that. 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:21.139 But sometimes we get so busy with life in the here and now 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:23.759 that we don't stop to think about what is going to come. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:26.500 And people don't like talking about it. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:30.080 The countenance on your face has changed since I brought it up, 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:30.720 quite honestly. 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.379 People don't like talking about death. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:34.539 If you don't believe me, invite your friends over, 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.899 sit down with them, make them a cup of coffee, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.080 give them a piece of pie and say, 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.340 let's talk death. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.879 See how many friends you get next time. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.200 Nobody wants that. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:48.399 A group of children was asked about their beliefs about death. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.200 Gilda's age eight. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:53.580 And she said, when you die, they put you in a box and bury you in the ground 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.640 because you don't look so good. 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:58.960 Stephanie, age nine, said, doctors help you 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:01.540 so you won't die until you pay their bill. 00:15:03.900 --> 00:15:05.100 Marsha's age nine. 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:07.980 And she said, when you die, you don't have to do homework in heaven 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.680 unless your teacher's there too. 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:13.300 And Raymond was age 10 when he said, 00:15:13.540 --> 00:15:15.920 a good doctor can help you so you won't die. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.879 A bad doctor sends you to heaven. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:25.379 My friend, the fact is everybody wonders what's going to happen after I die. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:31.179 And it's obvious that we're going to spend more time on that side of eternity 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:34.500 than we do on this side of eternity. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:40.480 I got good news for you and I got bad news for you. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:45.940 Our future in eternity can be made secure. 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:50.960 The bad news is we can't do that ourselves. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.480 We can't do it ourselves. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:56.379 As I spoke of earlier, all of us have sinned. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:00.420 We have all said things that we wish we hadn't said. 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:03.200 We've all thought things that we didn't need to think. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.620 We've all done things that were wrong. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.740 And that sin separates us from God. 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:09.519 And we can't fix that. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:16.799 Scripture says that we are spiritually dead and unable to fix ourselves. 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:20.220 I want you to imagine, if you will, 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:25.039 in Cooperstown, New York, there's the Baseball Hall of Fame. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:31.839 It's filled with superior athletes that have done wonderful things in the game of baseball. 00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:34.139 It's an amazing place. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.939 What if they changed the rules to it? 00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:41.120 What if they said the only way you can make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:45.539 is if you bat 1,000, you get a hit every time you get up, 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:50.480 and you play error-free in the field your entire career. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:57.700 The best career batting average was the legendary Ty Cobb. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:17:06.980 He batted .366, which means he got a hit 36.6% of the time he got up to bat. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:13.319 That means he missed it almost two-thirds of the time. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:20.779 And no one since he's played, especially those in the modern era, have even come close. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:26.619 The best defensive third baseman in the game was Brooks Robinson. 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:34.720 Brooks Robinson misplayed the ball 263 times. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:42.039 But he won 16 gold gloves, which means he was the best third baseman in the field that year. 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:47.339 The most any infielder has ever won. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.960 My point is this. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.240 We're sinners. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:55.559 And we can't fix ourselves. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.259 I'm so glad you're here. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:09.200 No amount of church attendance can fix your problem. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:17.799 No amount of good efforts can fix your problem. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.879 We passed a plate a little while ago. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.420 Thank you if you gave. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:31.039 You can't pay back what Christ has done for you. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:35.639 There's not a remedy to it that we can come up with. 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:40.080 We don't have the resources to pay back the debt we owe. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.980 I want you to hear me. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:47.720 We are lost without Christ. 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.940 We are aimless. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.620 We are drifting. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.780 We are hopeless. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:19:11.119 However, Christ came and lived a sinless life and died in our place to take on our penalty, pay the cost for our sin. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:13.559 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21 says, 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:22.319 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.220 That's what happened on the cross. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:36.579 And today, we celebrate the resurrection, which is proof that he is who he says he is, and that he's done what he'll say he'll do, and he did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves. 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:45.700 And our future can be made secure by simply turning from our sin and trusting Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:50.019 We cannot achieve it or live up to it. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:55.120 We must submit ourselves and receive it. 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:58.700 Or as the Apostle Paul said, 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:12.080 And you who were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.059 That's the empty tomb. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:22.000 Having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of death that stood against us with its legal demands. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:28.240 And this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:35.639 If you've never surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:41.860 the greatest thing that can happen to you on an Easter Sunday is to give your life to Christ. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:50.620 Christ came and lived a sinless life and died a sinner's death and rose again so that you and I could have life. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:57.900 If you've never surrendered your life to Christ, I want you to know all you have to do is admit that you're a sinner. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.220 Admit you've done wrong. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:02.380 Scripture says all of us have. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.640 Confess that before the Lord. 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:08.519 Tell him in his power. 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.819 You want to turn from all those sins. 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:13.620 You want to live for him from this day forward. 00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:19.700 Will he allow his Holy Spirit to empower you and change your life? 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:23.080 Romans 10.13 says, 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:27.860 All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:32.819 It's a guarantee that if we'll surrender our life to Christ, 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:38.000 he'll meet us where we are and he'll change us for all eternity. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.180 Has that ever happened to you? 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.660 If it hadn't, I encourage you. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:44.359 We're going to stand in just a moment and we're going to sing. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:49.099 And as we do, I encourage you to come and say, 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:51.200 Pastor, I need to give my life to Christ. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:55.079 Maybe you're here this morning and you have done that, 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:57.140 but it's been a private thing for you. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.680 You've never let anybody know about it. 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:01.500 Jesus said that if you're ashamed of me before men, 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:03.000 I'll be ashamed of you before my Father, 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:05.759 which means it wasn't really real to start with. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:10.379 Faith in Christ is not a private faith. 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.599 It's a public faith. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.839 And Jesus, by his example and by his commission, 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.799 tells us to follow that up, 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:17.960 not only with a resounding testimony for him, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.379 but also through baptism. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.460 If you've never been baptized as a believer, 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:24.019 I encourage you to come and say, 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.460 Pastor, I know I've given my life to Christ, 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:30.740 but I've never publicly acknowledged it biblically through baptism. 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:33.379 You come and we'll guide you in it. 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.379 We're not doing it this morning. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:37.440 And we'll guide you in a day in the future for that. 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:40.660 Maybe God's drawing you to Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:43.020 God's doing a wonderful work here, and I'm thankful for that. 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:45.420 If he's leading you to come, you come, 00:22:45.540 --> 00:22:48.560 and I'll be happy to guide you in that process. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:54.060 But what if there's just, and this speaks to most of us, 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:59.659 what if there's just stuff in our lives, 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:03.799 things we think, things we say, things we do, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.319 that we just need to lay at the feet of Jesus and say, 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:11.559 Lord, I recommit my life today. 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:16.119 You rose from the grave to give me power 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:20.179 to rise above the hindrances the devil loves to throw in my life. 00:23:20.239 --> 00:23:23.179 And from this day forward, Lord, I want to live in your power. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.259 I want to live in your strength. 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.359 I want to live in your victory. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:28.619 I don't want any hindrance to come in my life. 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:32.299 Recommit your life today, Christian, 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:34.519 to walk out of here faithful. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.579 You can do that at this altar. 00:23:35.679 --> 00:23:37.000 You can do it with a pastor praying for you. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:39.139 You can do it where you'll stand in just a moment. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:46.600 I just will always ask you to always trust God 00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.759 and do what he tells you to do. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:52.280 Don't do anything more and don't do anything less. 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:57.740 Lord Jesus, I love you and I thank you for a beautiful day, 00:23:59.080 --> 00:24:02.860 for a beautiful message, dear God, from your word, Father, 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:06.200 that tells us that our past can be gone, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:09.920 our present can be changed and empowered, 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:13.700 and Lord, our future can be secure in Christ. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:16.799 Help us, help that to be the testimony 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:19.440 of every person in this room, oh God, I pray. 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:22.440 In Jesus' precious name, amen.