Easter Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

April 20, 2025

 

He Has Risen

 

Matthew 27: 62-66, 28:1-7

 

Today as we all know, is Easter Sunday. As I mentioned last week this comes at the conclusion of the most important week in the Christian world and clearly I believe the most important week in the history of the world.

 

I guess the only week that one could say would be as important is the one talked about in Genesis 1: 1-31,2: 1+2. That of course is the week of creation when God created this world. What we celebrate at Easter is God bringing

true salvation to all creation something that didn’t  happen when creation occurred.

 

Each of the gospels has a little bit different way of telling what happened that Sunday morning after Jesus was crucified and then laid in the tomb. The account that I have shared is the only one that tells of the concern the chief priests had that Jesus followers might steal Jesus body to make it look like he had risen from the grave. Obviously, they refused to believe Jesus was God in the flesh, in part because they would have to admit they were wrong. Most, however really just could not believe that Jesus was really the promised Messiah.

So, we read just how far the chief priests would go to secure Jesus body. Pilate allowed them to use Roman guards at the tomb and also to put a seal on the tomb so if someone could roll the stone away and then close the grave again to make it appear Jesus had supernaturally gotten out of the tomb it would be clear men had stolen the body since the seal would have been broken.

 

In the account we read the women went to the tomb early Sunday morning just to see the place Jesus lay. In Mark and Lukes account it says the women took spices with them in hopes of being able to embalm Jesus body while Matthew and John simply say they went to the tomb. Matthew and John also adds one important detail about Jesus’ resurrection the other two don’t mention an angel was there to tell them the story of what had happened. We don’t know why there are differences in the 4 gospels other than the fact that in many situations several people can see the same thing happen but have different memories of what happened.

 

As Matthew retells the story, he says not only was an angel there to greet the women he even had them come inside the tomb and walked them through exactly what had happened. The women had to be shocked and excited both at the same time when the angel said do not be afraid, I know why you are here you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here he has risen, just as he said.

 

That announcement made to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary still shocks, amazes and is transforming the world and peoples lives today. Jesus is alive and because of that truth our sins are forgiven and eternity awaits everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus. That is what Easter is all about. The perfect lamb was sacrificed in our place and we have been redeemed. God the Father raised Jesus from the grave showing all who believes the grave has been conquered. Jesus proved that death is not the end but only the beginning. This victory wasn’t for Jesus alone it is for you and me as well. This is the story of Easter that we celebrate.

 

Our closing song this morning is one performed by the group NewSong called Arise My Love. It tells this story as well as anyone can.

 

What God did for Jesus he will do for us as someday God will say to each of us arise my love.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

May 1 Board Meeting—6:00 Commissions; 6:30 Board

May 4 Walt Wiltschek will be with us for worship; we will have a potluck dinner afterwards for all.

May 14 Women’s Fellowship lunch 12:00

 

--May newsletter submissions due April 30

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

 

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

Family of Evelyn Eads; Vallen (Tracy’s granddaughter); Pat Creviston; Stacie Warren; Doris Morganthaler; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Shirley & Carroll Clarkson; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Milledgeville (Dutchtown) congregation and for Heifer International, SERRV, and other organizations the CoB has birthed.