WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.839 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daly preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:20.199 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:24.160 All right. Well, good morning everyone, 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:27.160 and happy Easter to all of you. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:31.679 As we head to our seats, 00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:34.679 today is a great time for 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:38.560 the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:41.719 Amen? He is risen. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:45.039 Let's say it again. He is risen. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:49.039 One more time. He is risen. 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:52.600 All right. Well, it's great to be here with you guys. 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:54.200 My name is Patrick Daly, 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.640 and I am the pastor here at Ontario Community Church. 00:00:57.640 --> 00:00:59.160 I'd like to welcome all of you. 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:01.400 I hope that you've been warmly greeted. 00:01:01.400 --> 00:01:05.400 Man, the worship team was sounding absolutely amazing. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.799 Let's give them a round of applause for that. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.520 Oh, man. Oh, man. 00:01:10.520 --> 00:01:13.240 Well, we're going to go ahead and get started. 00:01:13.240 --> 00:01:16.960 We've been going on this sermon series titled, 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:20.200 Sacred Journey from Death to Life. 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:23.359 This has been a sermon series where we've gone 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:26.239 over the story of Jesus Christ 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.760 in the moments that lead up to Holy Week, 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:31.400 from the temptation of Christ, right? 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:33.680 Just like how we're going to be tempted 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:36.039 to carrying our cross and knowing that 00:01:36.039 --> 00:01:38.519 we are not going to be alone in this life 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:40.280 when we believe in the Lord. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:42.840 And this leads us to this Sunday, 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:45.039 the resurrection Sunday. 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:48.439 And not only has this been a time for us to focus 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:51.760 on the sacred journey that Jesus Christ took 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:55.000 to change the course of history for all of us, 00:01:55.000 --> 00:02:00.000 but also I pray that you will be on a spiritual journey 00:02:00.800 --> 00:02:04.240 to know the Lord and follow in the footsteps 00:02:04.240 --> 00:02:06.320 of Jesus Christ. 00:02:06.320 --> 00:02:09.680 It is in believing in Christ where you are saved 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:13.520 and you are placed on this sacred journey with Christ. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:15.640 And that leads us to today, 00:02:15.640 --> 00:02:17.520 where we are celebrating Easter Sunday, 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:21.680 the time of celebration for the victory of the resurrection. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:24.719 It is Christ who conquered death 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:27.120 and paid for our sins on the cross 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:31.319 as the atoning sacrifice, the lamb that was slain, 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:34.360 and the one who takes away the sins of the world. 00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:35.640 Can I get an amen? 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:36.480 Amen. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:40.280 And so the title of our sermon today is Easter Sunday, 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:44.480 celebrating the victory of resurrection. 00:02:44.480 --> 00:02:46.840 What a wonderful time for us to be together 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:50.480 as the body of Christ to celebrate in this time, 00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:51.400 in this moment. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:53.719 And just like we did on Palm Sunday, 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:58.120 we're focusing on the gospel account according to Luke. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:00.800 That'll be our verse that we'll be going over. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:04.200 It'll be Luke 24, but before we do any of that, 00:03:04.200 --> 00:03:06.920 what I'd like for us to do, let's turn to the Lord, 00:03:06.920 --> 00:03:09.520 let's open in a word of prayer, 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.439 and let's ask God to be with us 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:14.319 and to guide us as we go along and celebrate. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.800 Will you pray with me? 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:16.920 Let's pray together. 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:21.919 And Heavenly Father, as we gather on this resurrection Sunday, 00:03:24.119 --> 00:03:26.439 we gather in awe and in wonder 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:29.199 and in appreciation of who you are. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:32.839 For you God, you fulfill your promises. 00:03:32.839 --> 00:03:35.919 We thank you God for sending your son, 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:39.479 yes, sending your son to this earth, 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:42.159 who lived, performed miracles, 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:44.719 changed the course of history by his death, 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.719 his burial and his resurrection. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:51.120 We live in this world that needs resurrection hope, 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.079 and we ask that the light of your love and truth 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:57.039 will shine in and through this community, 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:01.840 that this love and truth will shine to our families 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.319 and to the world. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:05.719 We ask, Father, that you open our hearts 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:08.840 to live and to love like you. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:11.599 We ask, Father, that you open our minds 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:14.159 to be changed about who you are, 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:17.319 that we may repent, that we may believe in you, 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:21.199 that we may become more like you. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.839 May we experience this love that comes from you, 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:29.360 and may we fully grasp the meaning of this glorious Sunday. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:34.079 May we be filled with joy, with peace, with awe 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:37.920 and with wonder as we celebrate this day together. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:41.720 May we be inspired to make decisions for you. 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:44.640 We pray that lives will be transformed. 00:04:44.640 --> 00:04:47.720 We pray that there will be revival in this community, 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:50.960 and that there will be transformation in our lives. 00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:53.040 And with those around us, our friends, 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:55.200 our families and our neighbors, 00:04:55.200 --> 00:04:59.440 may we embrace this call to live, to love, 00:04:59.440 --> 00:05:02.200 and to witness to others about who you are. 00:05:02.200 --> 00:05:06.600 For yours, God, is the victory, now and forever. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:09.040 And we all say together, amen? 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:11.840 Let us turn to our first reading in Scripture. 00:05:11.840 --> 00:05:13.000 I'm gonna put that on the screen. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:16.439 It's in the Gospel of Luke chapter 24. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:21.439 It's gonna be on page 1051 in our ESVP Bible. 00:05:22.200 --> 00:05:24.520 It's these little blue Bibles right here. 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:29.519 So, 1,051, Luke chapter 24 verses one through 12. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.439 Will you read with me? 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:46.519 Let's read together. 00:05:47.479 --> 00:05:50.759 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:52.399 they went to the tomb, 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:54.679 taking the spices they had prepared. 00:05:54.679 --> 00:05:58.159 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 00:05:58.159 --> 00:05:59.719 But when they went in, 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:03.000 they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:05.239 Well, they were perplexed about this. 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:09.919 Behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 00:06:09.919 --> 00:06:11.319 And as they were frightened 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:13.279 and bowed their faces to the ground, 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:14.839 the men said to them, 00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:17.519 why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:20.560 He is not here, but he has risen. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:24.079 Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee? 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:26.519 That the Son of Man must be delivered 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:29.839 into the hands of sinful men and be what? 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:33.079 Crucified and on the third day, what? 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:34.160 Rise. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:35.879 And they remembered his words. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.920 And returning from the tomb, 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:42.720 they told all these things to the 11 and to all the rest. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:45.600 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:49.000 and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.680 who told these things to the apostles. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:55.000 But these words seemed to them an idle tale 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:57.199 and they did not believe them. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.800 But Peter, what did he do? 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:00.120 He sit down? 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.079 He rose and he what? 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.279 He ran to the tomb, 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:04.920 stooping and looking in 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:08.040 and he saw the linen cloths by themselves 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:13.040 and he went home marveling at what had happened. 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:16.199 What a powerful story from the Gospel of Luke. 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.120 And in your notes here, 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.079 you'll see there's kind of the outline, 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:23.360 the breakdown of these 12 verses, right? 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:25.399 Visiting the tomb with the spices. 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:27.160 The stone is rolled away, right? 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:28.560 The empty tomb. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.720 Then you have the two men, the angels, right? 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.360 Which is fulfillment of prophecy. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.800 And then next slide, the women. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:39.040 They remembered his words and they returned to the 11. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:40.600 And then finally at the end here, 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:45.000 you have Peter who ran to the tomb and marveled. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.120 So you have a basic breakdown on your notes 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.800 of what exactly is going on here. 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:52.839 So we'll start with the verse one, 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:55.720 the visiting the tomb with spices, right? 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.560 We start off in verse one where these people 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:02.040 are visiting the tomb with spices that they had prepared. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:04.879 This had all occurred on the first day of the week 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:08.720 as foretold by Christ in Luke 18. 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:13.360 Preparing spices was part of the Jewish burial customs. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.520 And in your notes, you'll see that in the Gospel of John, 00:08:17.520 --> 00:08:20.120 something similar happened with Nicodemus 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:23.319 who is bringing cloths and spices. 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:27.280 This was something that was done not only in Luke, 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:30.040 but also in the Gospel of John. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:32.639 So then we have verses two through three, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:36.759 which is the stone is rolled away, the empty tomb. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:40.720 Now when you think of a stone being rolled away, 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:44.759 can you imagine the size of that stone? 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:49.759 The amount of people it would take to roll a stone into place, 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:52.800 the amount of strength that would take. 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:57.080 I mean, how many here have picked up a very heavy stone, right? 00:08:57.080 --> 00:08:59.759 I'm sure we all have at one point before, right? 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:03.560 But if you can imagine a huge stone being rolled, 00:09:03.560 --> 00:09:06.800 can one person do that? 00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:09.519 I mean, you gotta be really, really strong. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:11.319 I don't think you can do it if it's one person, 00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:13.199 but many people to do that. 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:16.639 So it's speaking of how the stone is rolled away, 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.279 there's the empty tomb. 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:21.079 And the Gospel of Matthew actually expands on this 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:23.360 by saying that the stone was moved away 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:27.480 by the power of an angel in Matthew 28, verse two. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:29.399 When you think of a large stone, right? 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:31.879 Again, the amount of people it would take 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:34.799 to move a stone into place and out of place 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:37.960 would just be a very difficult. 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:39.400 As sealing the tomb, right? 00:09:39.400 --> 00:09:43.480 It's just, it's crazy, absolutely crazy, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.320 the amount of strength for that. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:48.240 So then you go into verses four through seven, right? 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.960 Where you have the two men. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:52.879 This is typically viewed upon as angels, 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:54.440 which is a fulfillment of prophecy, 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:57.600 like what you see in Acts chapter one, verse 10. 00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:59.879 So it's talking verses four through seven. 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:03.360 These two men commonly has been seen as angels. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:04.759 They appear on the scene. 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:07.320 And I love the language that's using to support this. 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:09.680 They're wearing a dazzling apparel, right? 00:10:09.680 --> 00:10:11.879 It's not like they're wearing glitter and sparkles, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.840 necessarily. 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:15.240 No, they're wearing something that is bright, right? 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:17.640 Something that is shining, so to speak. 00:10:17.640 --> 00:10:22.480 And you see that very similar in Acts chapter one, verse 10. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.760 The language that is being used is something 00:10:24.760 --> 00:10:29.480 that is shining or something that is flashing like lightning. 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:32.240 And so the angels ask the question, 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:36.440 why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:38.720 A very interesting question that's being asked here. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:43.920 These angels are reminding them, those that came to the tomb, 00:10:43.920 --> 00:10:45.760 what had been done. 00:10:45.760 --> 00:10:49.240 It is a reminder to these people, these women as well, 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:52.040 that, and it's a reminder for us that Jesus Christ 00:10:52.040 --> 00:10:55.400 is the fulfillment of prophecy, and that he was delivered 00:10:55.400 --> 00:10:59.240 into the hands of sinful men, was crucified, died, 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:02.680 and on the third day he rose again. 00:11:02.680 --> 00:11:05.000 Well, sometimes we need to be reminded 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:07.120 of why Jesus came to earth. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:11.919 Sometimes we need to be reminded of why we're here. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:15.440 When we celebrate Easter, we're celebrating Christ's victory 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:19.480 over death, the power over sin. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:21.399 That is why we celebrate. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:25.840 Because you see, as we should know in the Gospel of John, 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.320 Jesus is the resurrection. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:32.360 Because Christ is being born as a man and dwelling among us. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.360 Some of you know that verse. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:37.680 The word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:42.120 And it goes to show you that God has the power and the authority. 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.320 Jesus foretold, as you will see in your notes, 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:49.879 Christ keeps his promises, much like how God sees to it 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:56.320 that prophecy is fulfilled and that God is not a liar. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.879 God tells the truth, just like how Christ says, 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:05.240 I am the way, the truth, and the what, the life. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:08.279 So this leads us to verses 8 through 11. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:13.519 The women remembered his words and returned to the 11. 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:15.720 They returned to the 11 apostles. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:17.679 And it says here in the Gospel of Luke, 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:20.679 what we've been reading, you have Mary Magdalene, 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:24.320 you have Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:26.799 Mary Magdalene is also referred to in your notes. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:31.679 You'll see in the Gospel of John, John chapter 20, verse 1. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:37.359 So they returned to the disciples and did the disciples believe them? 00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:39.120 Not really, right? 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:42.799 They're kind of like, what are you talking about? 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:46.319 So you have this scene, and it's very similar, much like the story 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:48.639 of doubting Thomas, right? 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:51.399 Where there's initial doubt. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:54.839 You have Jesus that's foretelling of his death, burial, and resurrection. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:13:01.000 And even in those moments, there's still doubt among those that followed Jesus. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.639 Can you imagine that? 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:06.920 If you really think about seeing Christ perform miracles and doing all of this 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:12.920 miraculous teaching and healing and yet still having doubt. 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:16.800 And it kind of reminds me of us at times where sometimes we have doubt. 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:19.680 But yet we should still believe. 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:22.480 It's much like an echo or something that we should keep in mind, 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:25.519 that the disciples who had followed Christ, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.920 there were still some that they did not believe at first. 00:13:29.920 --> 00:13:32.519 It's just like again for many of us. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:38.920 How many of us heard the Gospel message many times before we began to believe? 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:40.279 Was it the first time? 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:43.840 You don't have to raise your hand here, but I would be willing to bet 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.680 that not for a lot of us it wasn't the first time. 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:49.399 Maybe it was the 10th time or the 100th time, right? 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:54.360 Hearing the Gospel story, hearing what Jesus has, that Christ loves us. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:58.759 And that he died for us and that he rose again on the third day. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:02.840 You can, I hope you don't think of how many times you were told this, 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:07.559 but I'm sure you can think it wasn't, it was many times. 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:12.360 Well, we hear it many times until we finally understand and get it. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:15.360 And this leads us to verse 12. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.919 Peter looks a little happy right here, right? 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:21.839 Peter ran to the tomb and marveled, right? 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:24.399 Leads us to, he runs to the tomb and marveled. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:27.279 This is Echoed, which you find in the Gospel of John, 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:31.559 where there's the scene of Peter and the other disciple. 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:35.679 And I've always found this very interesting that you have Peter that 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:38.319 denied Christ three times, right? 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:40.759 And yet he is the one that's running. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:43.439 He's the one that's running over to the tomb and saying like, 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:45.360 oh man, I messed up before, right? 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:49.360 You guys remember that story where Jesus says before the cock crows, 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:53.360 you will have denied me three times or before the rooster crows the third time. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.360 You'll deny me three times. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:59.360 The amount of guilt that Peter must have felt, but not at this time. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:03.360 No, he's going to run on over and see what's going on here. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:08.360 He's going into the scene and this is what's very interesting, 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:14.360 that the Gospel of Luke, it's all telling us about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:16.360 The fulfillment of prophecy. 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:20.360 Is that not cause for us to celebrate in the risen Christ? 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.360 It should be. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:26.360 And we thank God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.360 that He loves all of us and He sent His Son for us. 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:35.360 Because I want to remind all of you, you are all made in the image of God 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:37.360 and that God loves you. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.360 You were made with divine purpose and intentionality 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:45.360 and God desires for you to have a relationship with Him, 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:49.360 to believe in Him and to be saved. 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:54.360 The power of the resurrection goes to show the power that God has. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:57.360 Because this is the Gospel message. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:16:03.360 That there is new life and there is salvation that exists in faith in Jesus Christ. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:05.360 Can I get an amen? 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:09.360 And I'd like to go ahead and share with you another verse of what's going on. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:11.360 It's going to be on the screen here. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.360 Or it's not going to be on the screen here. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.360 Let's turn there. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.360 That's all right. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:18.360 It's going to be on page 1044. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.360 It's 1 Corinthians 15. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.360 15. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.360 Am I in the wrong book? 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.360 I am. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:42.360 Oh, you guys. 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:44.360 I'm real sorry about that. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:46.360 Keeping you on your toes, aren't I? 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:48.360 All right. 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:53.360 I think there should be 1,142. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.360 That's really what I meant, you guys. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.360 Okay. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:01.360 So 1,143. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:03.360 Okay. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:10.360 So it's verses 55 through 57. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:12.360 Okay. 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:13.360 All right. 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.360 Are we there? 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:16.360 I know there's a little confusion right there. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:18.359 All right. 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.359 So what does it say here? 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:24.359 Oh death, where is your victory? 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:29.359 Oh death, where is your sting? 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:31.359 The sting of death is sin. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:35.359 And the power of sin is the law. 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:42.359 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:47.359 That's some powerful words that kind of go with this Easter message. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:55.359 The message of the resurrection is abundantly clear that it is Jesus Christ rose from the dead, 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:59.359 has conquered sin and death. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:03.359 What a wonderful thing about the gospel message is that it is simple. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:09.359 It is available for everyone who believes salvation is not just for some elitist group. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:12.359 It is not for people who have short hair. 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:14.359 Not just for people who have short hair. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.359 Excuse me. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.359 It's for everyone. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.359 Right? 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:19.359 Not just for the rich, not just for the poor. 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:22.359 It's available for everyone. 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:28.359 It is available for all those who place their trust and faith in Jesus Christ. 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:34.359 To understand what this means to believe in the Lord, I have one more verse for you. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:37.359 It's going to be for 1 Corinthians. 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:39.359 Hopefully the page number is right. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:58.359 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1 through 4, 1,142. 00:18:58.359 --> 00:19:04.359 So this is again 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1 through 4. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:10.359 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received in which you stand 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.359 and by which you are being saved. 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:17.359 If you hold fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:22.359 For I delivered to you as of first importance, so this is the message, 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:27.359 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:34.359 that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:38.359 That is speaking of the fulfillment of prophecy. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:42.359 This is the foundation of the Christian faith. 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:47.359 It is understanding that Jesus Christ was sent here to earth to atone for our sins, 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:50.359 that He died on the cross, that He was buried, 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:55.359 and on the third day He rose again to fulfill the Scriptures. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:58.359 This is the beginning of Old Testament prophecy, 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:04.359 looking at the fact that the Old Testament is pointing to Christ. 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:07.359 That's something to think about. 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:10.359 There is life that is after death. 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:13.359 And I have to tell you that in times like this, 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:19.359 there is hope that is for every single one of us here in this church. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:22.359 There is hope for your friends and for your family members. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:25.359 There is hope for your neighbor. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:30.359 I can tell you that in this world there is so much darkness, there is so much sin, 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:33.359 there is so much crazy thing that is going on, 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:36.359 but yet our hope is in the risen Christ. 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:39.359 It is having confidence in Him. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:45.359 There is consistency that is found within the Word of God that points to Jesus Christ. 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:50.359 The resurrection of Christ goes to show the love that God has for us, 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:53.359 that God loves every single one of us, 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:58.359 from the foundation of the earth that He knit us, that He made us. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:01.359 He desires for you, and here's the thing, 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:04.359 all of you have a choice to make. 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:07.359 God's not going to force you to love Him, 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:11.359 but He's going to give you the opportunity to choose Him. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:16.359 So you need to make an active decision to believe in Him, 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:19.359 His death, His burial, His resurrection, 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:22.359 knowing that He came to earth, right? 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:25.359 Who is Jesus to you? 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:29.359 It goes to show the power that God has over death itself. 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:32.359 The same God that created the heavens and the earth 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:35.359 sent Jesus Christ to make a way for us. 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:39.359 And the same God that created all of this 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:45.359 sent His Son to atone for our sins, and He loves you. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.359 The grace that God has for us, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:52.359 grace is abundant and it is overflowing. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:55.359 Many of you know that our church is called 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:57.359 Ontario Community Church. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:01.359 The word Ontario in Japanese, 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:05.359 it means grace overflowing. 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:08.359 And one of the things that encourages me as a pastor 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:11.359 is the fact that when I hear the word Ontario, 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.359 I think of the idea that grace is overflowing. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:19.359 It's an encouragement because we think of how God's grace 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:22.359 should be, it is overflowing. 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:25.359 That it is available for all of us. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:30.359 And it is my prayer and my hope that lives will be transformed. 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:32.359 Lives will be changed. 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:35.359 That people will come to know this amazing grace 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:38.359 that God has for us. 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:40.359 Grace overflowing. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:42.359 It's a fun fact that I learned 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:44.359 that we have an old little history book 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:47.359 that speaks of the church's history 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:50.359 and what Ontario means. 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:52.359 Grace overflowing. 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:56.359 Be encouraged in knowing that today 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:59.359 we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:03.359 Can you think of any other historical figure 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:06.359 that has been resurrected from the dead? 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.359 I know there's Lazarus, right? 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:11.359 But I'm talking other historical figures. 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:13.359 Abraham Lincoln. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:15.359 Was he raised from the dead? 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:17.359 You think of Caesar Augustus. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:21.359 You think of your favorite athlete. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:23.359 Was he raised from the dead? 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:26.359 You think of any politician that was raised from the dead. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:29.359 Maybe we shouldn't be talking about this, but... 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:34.359 Can you think of anyone that was raised from the dead? 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:38.359 I mean, that's the thing that is unique about Christianity 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:41.359 is the fact that we believe in the risen Christ 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:45.359 as opposed to if you don't know the Lord, 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:47.359 you go to the grave. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:50.359 But in knowing the Lord, in knowing that you're saved, 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:52.359 where do you go? 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:54.359 You go into heaven. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.359 You only have to die once. 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:58.359 And in not knowing the Lord, 00:23:58.359 --> 00:24:02.359 you unfortunately, there's two deaths, so to speak. 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.359 Guys, think about that. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:08.359 I can't think of anyone who's been raised from the dead. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:10.359 I can't think of a politician. 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:14.359 I can't think of a religious figure, except Christ. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:17.359 So when we look at Jesus up here, 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:19.359 being raised from the dead 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:23.359 and his arms being open for us to come to him. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:26.359 And this is the significance of Christianity. 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:30.359 It's about what Christ has done for you. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:33.359 It's not about what we can do. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:35.359 This constant checklist, right? 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.359 How many of us have a job? 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:39.359 Hope we all do, right? 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:41.359 Or you're going to school, right? 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:43.359 There's the syllabus. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:47.359 It says what you have to do in order to get an A, right? 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:49.359 There's your job description. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:51.359 It tells you what you have to do. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:54.359 If you don't do it, well, it's not good. 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:56.359 It's not that way with Christianity 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:59.359 and it's not that way with salvation. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.359 It's basically, it's as though you received a paper 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:08.359 and it says done, paid in full, completely, taken care of. 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:10.359 How many of you had a debt before? 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:12.359 You couldn't pay it. 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:14.359 I hate that feeling. 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:17.359 Think all the credit card, right? 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:20.359 I don't know, what's this interest thing, right? 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:23.359 But knowing that it's paid in full, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:27.359 knowing that Jesus Christ did that for us is just wonderful. 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:30.359 Because of what Christ has done for you, 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:33.359 is this not time for us to celebrate? 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:39.359 Is this not time for us to tell the world that Jesus is risen? 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.359 That there is hope in Christ. 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:45.359 Believe in the Lord and be saved. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:48.359 Then grow in faith in coming to understand 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:50.359 what it means to be a Christian. 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:55.359 Open your Bible and let the Word of God work in and through you. 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:58.359 Let your mind and your heart be changed. 00:25:58.359 --> 00:26:02.359 And of course, in all of this, 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:09.359 if you had a bill or your grade was just automatically marked as an A, right? 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.359 We all love having an A, right? 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:13.359 I mean, I hope all of us do. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:16.359 Or we like having a bill that's paid. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:22.359 If someone just wrote a check for your car or your student loan 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:24.359 and it's completely paid for, 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:27.359 wouldn't you want to tell people about it? 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:29.359 Or would you just keep quiet and say, 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:34.359 cool man, my car is paid off, I'm going home. 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.359 No! 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.359 I mean, come on, let's think about that. 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:40.359 If you had a debt that was paid that you couldn't pay off, 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:42.359 you would want to tell people about it. 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:45.359 And so in knowing that Christ died for you 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:48.359 and that he loves you and he wants you to believe in him and it's paid, 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:51.359 your sins are paid for on the cross, 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:55.359 and that Christ has power and victory over sin and over death itself, 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:59.359 this should be encouragement for you to want to share with your friends, 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:05.359 with your neighbor, with your family about the hope that exists in Jesus Christ. 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:09.359 Many of you have heard me mention the idea of the empty chair before. 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:12.359 And I want you to see the empty pew next to you. 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:16.359 And I want you to think of someone who could be sitting next to you, 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:19.359 someone who needs to hear the message of hope, 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:22.359 someone who needs to hear the gospel message. 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:31.359 Because lives can be saved through the power of the gospel, amen? 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.359 I'm telling you, 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:37.359 being a Christian, knowing the Lord, 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:40.359 knowing that you're safe and you're secure, 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:44.359 no one can snatch you from the hand of God. 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:48.359 That gives me confidence to live this life. 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:52.359 And knowing the Lord, your life will never be the same. 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:58.359 The Bible is full of people who are transformed by hearing the story of the resurrection. 00:27:58.359 --> 00:28:04.359 People like Peter, how he ran to the tomb and he marveled. 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:08.359 James, doubting Thomas, the apostle Paul. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:10.359 Right? Think about it. 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:12.359 And that's just in Scripture, 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:17.359 because there are other stories of everyday people. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.359 Because here's the thing, 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:25.359 God uses everyday people for extraordinary things. 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:29.359 Many lives have been transformed by the message of the gospel. 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:35.359 Jesus is risen and transformation will happen to you when you believe in him. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:40.359 The resurrection is a call for believing in the Lord and allowing God to transform your life. 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:44.359 I'm here to tell you, my friends, I am not the man that I was 10 years ago. 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:47.359 I'm not the man that I was 5 years ago. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:50.359 I'm not even the same man that I was a year ago. 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:54.359 Because that goes to show you how God transforms your life, 00:28:54.359 --> 00:29:00.359 your mind, what you think of, your hearts, your ability to love, and your ability to act. 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:04.359 There was a time when I didn't care about who was on the street. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:09.359 There was a time when I honestly would just pass someone by. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:11.359 But God's worked on my heart. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:17.359 It's not just me, but other people. God will work in your life. 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:21.359 Let this be a call to believe in the Lord. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:26.359 Let this be an invitation for you to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:31.359 When you believe in the Lord, there's also a call for you. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:34.359 In believing in the Lord, you're saved. 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:37.359 But let this also be a call to be baptized. 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:41.359 Maybe you've believed in the Lord. It's a very internal and personal decision. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:48.359 But baptism, that's making a public proclamation for an internal decision. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:50.359 Does that make sense? 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:53.359 It's a very personal thing to believe in the Lord. 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:56.359 But when you want to share it with your friends and your family, 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:59.359 that is when you get baptized. 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:01.359 You invite your friends and your families and say, 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:04.359 look, I believe in the risen Christ. 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:07.359 Maybe this is a call for you to be baptized. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:09.359 Maybe this is a call for you to believe in the Lord. 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:13.359 Maybe this is a call for you to open the Word of God. 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:15.359 Maybe it's been a while. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:17.359 Sometimes we have dry seasons. 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:19.359 Sometimes we do. 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:25.359 But let this be a call for you to be transformed from the Lord. 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:29.359 There is power in the resurrection. 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:32.359 Yes, there is power in the resurrection. Amen. 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:36.359 Knowing that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:40.359 goes to show the power of God. 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:42.359 You are loved and you are welcomed here. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:50.359 And in your notes, the resurrection is the love, power, and grace of God manifested to us. 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:55.359 And there's many verses if you want to check that out sometime. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:57.359 Jesus is risen. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:31:00.359 We say that together. Jesus is risen. 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:02.359 Let's say that one more time. 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:04.359 Jesus is risen. 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:07.359 Alright, let's pray together. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:16.359 And Heavenly Father, we thank you for the mighty work that you have done in sending your son, Jesus the Christ. 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:20.359 As we close this sermon together and we go into our final song, 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:27.359 we ask that we can hold the truth of the resurrection in our minds and in our hearts. 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:33.359 May our minds be changed to believe in you and upon belief. 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:37.359 May we be encouraged to be baptized if we haven't before. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:42.359 May we grow in faith through your Word and may we be in Christian community. 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:48.359 And of course, may we be moved to do good in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:56.359 We are grateful God for you keeping your promises for victory over sin and for that empty tomb. 00:31:56.359 --> 00:32:02.359 Showing us that Jesus Christ is risen today. Hallelujah. 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:10.359 We thank you for rolling away the stone, much like how you forgive us of our sins. 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:18.359 Let us remember from today that the empty tomb is a fulfillment of your promises, your power, and your purpose. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:23.359 And Lord, we ask that we may sing this last song. 00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:28.359 For today is a happy day. It is a glorious day. 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:31.359 May we lift up that shout of praise. 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:33.359 May we sing to the Lord. 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:39.359 You God are powerful because you made the heavens and the earth and you made us. 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:44.359 You have victory over Ted. 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:48.359 And may we be encouraged to share in the good news of the gospel, 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:53.359 to be the hands and the feet in serving others. 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:59.359 May we not be afraid of the gospel and may we invite others to believe in the Lord to be saved 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:02.359 and to grow in faith in the risen Christ. 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:06.359 It is in Jesus' mighty name that we pray. Amen. 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.359 Amen. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:11.359 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:15.359 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:19.359 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:48.359 May God's blessings be with you.