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Complete Sermon Notes
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE: The Shift Away From the Cross –
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“To tell about Jesus without the cross is to betray him with a kiss” – (Charles Spurgeon).
Tell me that Jesus loves me – but leave it at that!
Tell me that the tomb is empty but don’t challenge me to empty myself.
Tell me that I am forgiven but please don’t mention repentance.
Tell me about heaven, but don’t shock me with the realities of hell.
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SEAN MCDOWELL: “As my dad puts it, ‘The fact that Jesus was killed is as certain as any event recorded in ancient history. We have to reject any theory that tries to explain the resurrection by saying that Jesus somehow survived His ordeal, appeared to His disciples as a bleeding wreck, and convinced them to tell people He had risen’.” “What event transformed the disciples from defeated, cowering persons in hiding to bold evangelists? The resurrection! Why were they willing to spread the Good News despite being beaten, imprisoned, and threatened with martyrdom? The resurrection! What gives us peace and strength today to share the Good News? The resurrection!”
What if Jesus Had Never Been Born – The enormous value of Life (why the O.T. is so brutal), Compassion, Government, Education and Freedom.
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“In those days, abortion was rampant. It was common for unwanted babies to be taken out into the forest or mountainside, to be consumed by wild animals or to starve to death.”
WHAT A POWERFUL NAME – all of history looks to Him – HE DEFEATED hell, death, and the grave.
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All would be destined to Hell
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Death is no longer the great fear, but the great doorway: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
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The ‘hopeless’ Grave: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” WHAT A POWERFUL NAME –
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MATT. 28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
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Fake gospels would not have women as heroes.
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The soldiers would lose their own life.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
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Are you really seeking Jesus? You will find Him if you search for Him.
They experienced the empty tomb!
Those who have “experienced” God tell others: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).
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Most take refuge in anything but God – A RELATIONSHIP, A JOB, A RETIREMENT.
What a Powerful Name: When you predict and accomplish your own resurrection – you have a powerful name.
Hebrews 12:2, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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He Remained Faithful – He will never leave nor forsake you.
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1. Disease and Healing: “He healed all that came to Him”, or He will walk through the trial with them.
2. Demonic Oppression: Matthew 8:16 says that “they brought to Jesus many who were demon-possessed, and He cast out the spirits with a word….”
3. Depression and Hopelessness: John 4:14, “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
4. Anger and Rage (Jealousy and Envy): He changes the heart – a heart of stone.
5. Saved – are you set-free and redeemed!
CLOSING: Something is Missing – a tomb should have the taste of death, not life. It should have represented DEFEAT, not VICTORY!
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The soldiers trembled, the Pharisees were anxious (say His body was stolen), all of Jerusalem was paralysed – the sky darkened, the ground quaked…the dead rose.
The veil was torn: P I C T U R E
Is something missing in your life? You should have LIFE, not death. You can live in VICTORY, not defeat. Are you empty and hopeless?
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