Yesterday I was invited to preach an Easter Sermon at Cypress Trails, which is the riding stables I once volunteered at and worked at for awhile. It is also the same place that I continue to ride at as often as I can, the trails are amazing. I was both honored and humbled to be able to deliver a message to all that attended and I witnessed two names added to the Book of Life during Alter Call. It truly was an amazing and inspiring and blessed day. Please enjoy the sermon I shared yesterday on Resurrection Day.
We each know what Easter celebrates, and most of us I am sure probably know that before this day there was a long week leading up to this day.
Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem where the people laid down their garments along with palm leaves before him. Matthew
Where he spent the next few days preaching and healing and declaring the word of his Father. Scattering the tables of merchants and traders, buyers and sellers and tax collectors within the sanctuary.
The Chief Priests and Elders are beside themselves and secretly plan to have Jesus arrested and killed. Judas, one of his disciples agrees to betray him for 30 pieces of silver.
The next evening Jesus washed the feet of each of his disciples before they sat and shared the "Last Supper." Where Jesus proclaims that one amongst them will betray him.
He takes the bread and blesses it and breaks it and gives it to his disciples saying, Take this and eat it, for this is my body. He then takes the cup and gives thanks; he then hands the cup to them saying; Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
After they were finished they went to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus fell to his knees and prayed, crying out to his Father:
" My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Matthew 26:39
Shortly after the soldiers arrive with none other than Judas leading the way and he kisses Jesus on the cheek, betraying him as it was stated.
In the following hours leading to Friday, Jesus was betrayed, forsaken by his disciples, denied by Peter three times. He was accused falsely and sentenced unfairly. He was beaten and mocked and impaled with a crown of thorns. He was nailed to the cross that he was forced to carry to Calvary Hill.
At the Noon hour, the skies turned dark and shortly there after at 3:00pm, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (Which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").
Matthew 27:46
Not but a few moments later, he was offered a drink of wine vinegar and with his last breath, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
Jesus was laid to rest in a tomb that was carved out for another, because a wealthy man who was also a disciple knew it must be done.
After the Sabbath was over, at dawn of the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. When they arrived they saw the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.
The angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and said to the women. Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here...
He Has Risen!!
"Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we celebrate Jesus crushing the enemy, defeating death, unlocking and taking the keys to the gates of hell and removing the bondage of sin and every stronghold of the enemy. Today we celebrate our salvation, we celebrate receiving the grace and mercy of our Father in Heaven. Today we celebrate freedom."
As I speak a blessing over each of you this morning, always remember, I am here for you if you ever need to talk or get something off your chest or if you need prayer for yourselves, your family or your friends. Please do not hesitate to send me a message.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Dear Father God, thank you for blessing us with this day and loving us as Your children. Watch over each and every one of us as we start each day, as we go through this week, keeping us in the palm of Your hand. Guide us in our daily lives, directing us on the path You have planned for us, bringing forth the dreams you have planted in each of our hearts. For we know who we are and whose we are, children of the most high God. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Keep your Faith strong, your Hope alive and your Prayers never ending."
God Bless
Pastor Mark
Post a Comment