The Joy of New Life

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>The Joy of New Life</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id510.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Greatness of God"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id507.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Difference Faith Makes"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> "<B>The Joy of New Life” </B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, March 26-27, 2005 (Resurrection Sunday)</B></div> <bR> <div>      Ben Patterson wrote in an article entitled “Resurrection and Pandemonium,” “Imagine the mystery and delight of not just hearing, but seeing the story of Jesus for the first time, almost as an eyewitness. That's what happened to a primitive tribe in the jungles of East Asia, when missionaries showed them the <I>Jesus</I> film. Not only had these people never heard of Jesus, they had never seen a motion picture. Then, all at once, on one unforgettable evening, they saw it all—the gospel in their own language, visible and real. Imagine again how it felt to see this good man Jesus, who healed the sick and was adored by children, held without trial and beaten by jeering soldiers. As they watched this, the people came unglued. They stood up and began to shout at the cruel men on the screen, demanding that this outrage stop. When nothing happened, they attacked the missionary running the projector. Perhaps he was responsible for this injustice! He was forced to stop the film and explain that the story wasn't over yet, that there was more. So they settled back onto the ground, holding their emotions in tenuous check. Then came the crucifixion. Again, the people could not hold back. They began to weep and wail with such loud grief that once again the film had to be stopped. The missionary again tried to calm them, explaining that the story still wasn't over, that there was more. So they composed themselves and sat down to see what happened next. Then came the resurrection. Pandemonium broke out this time, but for a different reason. The gathering had spontaneously erupted into a party. The noise now was of jubilation, and it was deafening. The people were dancing and slapping each other on the back. Christ is risen, indeed! Again the missionary had to shut off the projector. But this time he didn't tell them to calm down and wait for what was next. All that was supposed to happen—in the story and in their lives—was happening.”</div> <div>      We have to admit, it's pretty easy to lose that sense of joy and wonder at the resurrection of Jesus. It's a story we have heard over and over again. But of all events in human history, this event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the most pivotal, most defining, most life-changing event.</div> <div>      We gather this Easter to remember and reflect and be renewed in our appreciation that Jesus is alive. And we must ask, because the resurrection of Jesus happened, what is different about those who believe in him?</div> <div>      We will review the story of Jesus meeting with the whole group of his disciples following his resurrection, and we will discover three characteristics of people whose lives have been changed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.</div> <div>      Please turn to <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Luke+24:35-53" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>Luke 24:35-53</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. The story of </B><I><B>the</B></I><B> life-changing moment for the disciples.</B></div> <div> A. Luke 24:35-43 – Jesus reassured them of his life, and he gave evidence of his <I>physical</I> resurrection. He showed them his hands and feet, and he ate a meal with them. </div> <div> B. Luke 24:44-48 – He explained the Scriptures, that it was predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures that he would suffer, rise from the dead, and that the message of forgiveness would go worldwide. The disciples would be witnesses of his life, death, and resurrection. This was the next stage of their followership. The story and work of Christ would continue, and they were to be a major part of it.</div> <div> C. Luke 24:50-53 – The disciples worshiped Jesus and carried on with joy and anticipation (even in the midst of great change!).</div> <div>      This was the moment that changed their lives. If Jesus was still dead, all he said and did, all he promised, died with him. But he was alive, and they could not contain the joy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. Three characteristics of people whose lives have been changed by the resurrection of Jesus.</B></div> <div> A. We live in the continual joy of forgiveness and new life.</div> <div>      Rediscover the joy, if you have lost it. All the promises, hopes and plans are shattered, if Jesus is still in the grave, but if he is alive, and he is, all that God has promised will come true. The forgiveness he offers is real; your resurrection and the eternal life that he promised will happen. So it is only natural for us to be filled with joy and wonder and worship! If you have ever experienced the weight of your own sin, and then experienced the peace that comes from forgiveness, you have cause for joy.</div> <div>      If you have not yet turned to Jesus Christ, and accepted the free gift of life and forgiveness he offers, trust him today and experience this joy with us.</div> <div> B. We become witnesses of Jesus' life and work.</div> <div>      “After Easter [one] year, a woman approached a pastor ... and asked, "So what happened with Jesus after the Resurrection?" "Well, he ascended into heaven and he's still alive," the pastor said. "I know he was resurrected, but he's alive?" she said. "Yes, he's alive." "Alive? ALIVE?! Why didn't you tell me!!" For the next two weeks, she telephoned everyone she knew and exclaimed, "Jesus is ALIVE! Did you know he's ALIVE?!"” (Leadership Journal email, 4-13-04).</div> <div>      It's hard to hide joy! We usually tell others when we celebrate something (like the Red Sox as World Champions). Don't hide the fact that you are celebrating Jesus Christ. </div> <div> C. We live our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.</div> <div>      The disciple Peter was transformed from a coward (in Luke) to a man of courage (in Acts). That's the power of the Holy Spirit. How is it that we can be filled with joy more consistently? How is it that we can have the courage to tell others about Jesus and what he has done for us, and for them? It's the power of the Holy Spirit. He is with us, and he works everyday miracles in our lives, as we allow him, enabling us to do what God wants us to do and become what God wants us to become.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2005, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>