← ArchiveSunday, April 20, 2014 — EasterDateApril 20, 2014Speaker—Text—Passages in this sermon1 John 10:24John 1:15:131 Corinthians 157:02John 217:54Job 19:2511:102 Timothy 1:1212:371 Peter 114:021 Thessalonians 434:17Isaiah 637:092 Corinthians 5:15–2137:111 Peter 1:1337:15Colossians 4:237:18Romans 15:2037:19Psalms 2537:21TranscriptClick any line to jump there.0:00Good morning again. If you have your Bibles with you, I want you to turn with me to the passages that we're going to be looking at this morning, beginning with 1 John chapter 1, and also there are0:24several other chapters that we'll read. They'll be up on the screen so you can follow along. But have you ever thought about certain things that attest to a person? And by that I mean, how can you tell a rich man from a poor man? By the way he dresses, by what he drives, by where he lives?0:50Would you agree? I mean, if I saw a guy come up in a flashy limo with a chauffeur getting out, I'm not thinking that he works for a minimum wage. If I see a guy dressed in a silk suit and expensive shoes with a silk tie, I'm thinking his wife1:10shops at the thrift store, or he's wealthy. There are a lot of things that attest to various things. I had a friend of mine, who was a member of my church up in Tennessee, he worked for Coca-Cola.1:34There was something that attested to that, and he found out real quick what that was. He had a son that got sick. They placed him in children's hospitals, having some kidney problems, and the doctors told him to get him some 7-Up. So he bought him some 7-Up, and they brought it into the room, and there were 7-Up cans in there when his boss came in. And his boss came in, and he said, what are you doing with 7-Up?2:02That's a Pepsi product. He said, well, the doctor said that he needed to have 7-Up. He said, I want to see the doctor. It attested to his loyalty to Coca-Cola. Today, I want to challenge you. I want to challenge you to the faith that you claim you have. I want to challenge you. Do you really believe what you say you believe?2:31You see, we've gone through Easter service after Easter service after Easter service. In this church alone, I've preached 20 different Easter messages, never the same. But yet, every one of them says the very same thing. And every one of them challenges us to the very same subject. The message of Easter is clear and plain, and that is that Christ is risen.2:56And that God, through his power, raised Jesus from the dead. And as we've been studying over the past several weeks, we see that that was God's plan through the ages. And it was attested to by Scripture, by the prophecies of the prophets, which when we read the New Testament, undoubtedly the apostles never grasp until after the resurrection.3:24We see Jesus attested to the resurrection as he speaks of himself concerning the prophets. When we read about his claim as a likened unto Jonah, who was buried in the belly of the great fish for three days. Jesus said he would be buried in the earth for three days, but yet risen again. And then John comes along.3:54And I want you to note that in 1 John chapter 1, this is not like the John that we have where in the Gospels of John, which much of it is written except for the last chapter or so before the resurrection of Jesus. And 1 John, all of it is written after the resurrection of Jesus. And sometimes we don't think of Scripture in that way and how they're going to speak to our hearts. It's really interesting that Jesus spent much of his ministry, not only healing the lame and giving4:23blind to the sight to the blind and healing and raising the dead. He also spent a lot of his time teaching his disciples that he must die. He spent a lot of his time encouraging them because he knew that that day would come and it wouldn't4:42be that far off, that he would die and he would suffer and that they would see it. And he knew that with all the teaching that he could give them, they wouldn't understand it. And I'll show you that as we go through these passages. But listen to what John says after the fact.5:09On the other side of the resurrection, in John chapter 1 verse 1, John writes, what was from the beginning that we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands concerning the word of life. And the life was manifested and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you eternal life, which was with the father and was manifested to us.5:38What we have seen and heard, we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us. And indeed, our fellowship is with the father and with his son, Jesus Christ. These things we write so that our joy may be made complete. Do you grasp in those first few verses the encouragement that John is giving concerning what he knows has happened?6:07happened? Now, all that to say that we live in a day of skepticism. And we live in a day where skeptics are rampant as far as the miracles of the scripture are concerned, as far as the miracles of life are concerned. This morning in our sunrise service, as Bill was teaching, one of the last things he said that attested to the resurrection of Jesus Christ couldn't be that we can go and we might be able to go and see where the empty tomb might be.6:37And I've been to one of those places that they said it was the empty tomb of Jesus. But there's just no real clear, sure, historical evidence that that's the particular tomb that Joseph of Arimathea owned. But at least there is an empty tomb that they can take you to. But there again, there can be some doubt in question. And then there has been the concern that, as in the days of the apostles, according to 1 Corinthians chapter 15, that at least there were a group of people that saw Jesus after7:02his death and after he'd been placed in the tomb. And there were not only the apostles, but some four to five hundred people that saw him after that. So there was that attestation. But what Bill said, the one true test of the resurrecting power of God and the reality of the physical and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is our heart and our lives. And you know, that's the truth.7:31If Jesus Christ is real today, it is because he's real through us. We, according to Paul, are his ambassadors. We, according to Paul, his representatives. We, according to Paul, are his body. Let's see how it's written in John, backing up to John chapter 21, beginning in verse 1.7:54And after these things, Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is after his resurrection. And he manifested himself in this way. Simon Peter and Thomas, called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Canaan in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and the two others of his disciples were together. Simon said to them, I'm going fishing.8:23And they said to him, We'll go. We'll also come with you. And they went out, and they got into a boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, Children, do you not have any fish, do you? And they answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side, the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll8:49find a catch. So they cast, and they were not able to haul it in because of the great multitude or number of fish. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved, which we think is John, said to Peter, Is it the Lord? Why would there be doubt? Why was the disciples some of the greatest skeptics of that particular point?9:14Why were they the ones who had to be more greatly convinced? And if we continue to read, we find the passage of doubting Thomas. And bless his heart, that's what we call him. But does Thomas doubt any more than we do? Because if you remember, it was Jesus who made himself present in Thomas' life. There he stood before him. And even at that, and the disciples declaring to him that it was the Messiah, Thomas didn't9:43want to stop there, did he? Thomas, like what we read over in 1 John, wanted to touch him, wanted to hear him, wanted to speak to him, wanted to know that this was him. And so Jesus allowed him to touch his scars and to thrust his hand into his side to convince him. Why is it that these guys are the greatest skeptics of that day? Is it because they had heard sermon after sermon and lesson after lesson concerning lies and false10:10teachings? No. They had heard truth. They had heard the truth of God's word. They had been with Jesus. They had walked with him. They had seen his miracles. They had felt his power and his presence. They had heard his promise. Yet when it came down to the crucifixion, their lives were raked over the coals of doubt and10:31distrust and fear and discouragement. Just like your lives and my lives are today. So where do we find hope? What truly sustains a believer during a time of crisis? You know, I ask that question because I think there are some biblical examples of it.10:59And we'll quickly go through them. First of all, there's the biblical example of Job. In Job chapter 19, verse 25, what gets Job? Job's probably one of the greatest representatives of a personal crisis of any human being in all of scripture. And here's what Job says. As for me, I can get through this. He doesn't say that, but it's very much implied. As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last he will take his stand on the earth.11:29There was a faith in the reality of God's promise in Job's life. What sustains Martha through a time of crisis when her brother Lazarus has been sick, ill, and even dies? Even though she knows Jesus. Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection. And that's because she was probably of the Pharisaic family, a Pharisee.11:58And I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who lives in me will live even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? And she said, yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God. Even he who comes into the world. It takes a confession of faith, of understanding the truth of God's word and the truth of what God's word and who God's word says Jesus Christ is.12:27For Paul, in 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12, in a time of crisis. For this reason I also suffer these things. But I'm not ashamed for I know whom I have believed. And I am convinced that he is able to do what I have entrusted to him unto that day. Do you see the theme of successful lives during the time of crisis?12:54In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul says, O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin. The power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Knowing that your toil in the Lord is not in vain.13:22You see how we can stand strong in a day of skepticism. We can stand strong in the day of doubting when our lives are focused on the truth that God has laid before us. Then there was Peter. What did Peter say? Well, it's interesting. I want you to note in Peter's life, I picked this up from Ravi Zachariah. Many of you have heard, read his books.13:52This past Wednesday night, we listened to one of his messages on the resurrection. I thought he brought out a pretty significant example in Peter's life. In 1 Peter chapter 1, after the resurrection, Peter says, For he was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.14:22Now, Peter also says, Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. How is it that Peter's saying these things? Listen to what he goes on and says, And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account14:50for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness of reverence, and keep a good conscience, so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile you, your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. When we see these enormous confessions of faith of Peter, let me remind you of a story found in the Gospels concerning the life of Peter.15:14Maybe you remember it. Jesus said to Peter, Get James and John. I want to take you up into the mountain with me. And so he gathers James and John, and they go up into the mountain. And it's up in the mountain where Peter, James, and John are with Jesus, and Jesus goes away from them, and the glory of God descends from heaven, and two other individuals appear in their presence,15:41Moses and Elijah. Peter's so taken back. What does he desire? Let's build tabernacles on this mountain, and let's stay here forever. Wow. You would think someone that would make such a confession of faith, someone with such an opportunity as Peter, would never come to the place in their life where there would ever be an ounce of doubt in anything.16:08But it would just be a very short time from this event that Peter would be faced with his own mortality. Faced with his own mortality. Faced with his opportunity to stand for his Savior, whom he had seen glorified like none other, just he, James and John, now stands out in the outer walls of this city where Jesus is being tried,16:34and someone comes to him and says, aren't you from Galilee? Weren't you with Jesus? Not once, not twice, but three times. He explodes into anger and rebukes the person as though he had never known Jesus before in his life.16:54How does that happen? How is it that we can come to such a great experience on the Mount of Transfiguration to bottom out in the pit of doubt in the courtyard where Jesus is being beaten?17:22How is it that we, so soon after walking the aisles of the church, and make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, follow the Lord in believers' baptism, find ourselves caught up in life, no longer concerned about spiritual matters, no longer considering a quiet time, no longer praying and spending time with the Lord,17:51no longer committed to the local church, no longer committed to Bible study, no longer committed to communion, but we're just being tossed to and fro by all the things in the world that are going on in our life. Well, there's hope, folks, just as there was hope for Peter. You see, Peter, I like to think of it,18:19you know, he was the one who walked on water. Y'all remember, right? But then began to sink when he looked at the storm and took his eyes off Jesus. Now, Peter's out fishing again. And Jesus is coming to the shore and they're not catching anything. Jesus gives them some fishing instructions. And he says, just cast your nets on the other side. And they do, and they bring in this great number of fish.18:47And Peter tries it again, doesn't he? He jumps out of the boat and he begins swimming to the shore. What's changed? This same Jesus who Peter saw crucified and knew was buried is alive.19:16is alive. My friend, Peter's life was changed. Just like Thomas' life was changed. It wasn't a progression of salvation. Don't think that for a minute. But it is a progression of understanding all that the Lord had shared with him and now seeing the reality of what God had been teaching them through Jesus Christ was true.19:46was true. You see, here were the facts. First of all, Jesus died. They proved that by thrusting a spear into his side. There was no doubt that Jesus on the cross was dead. Sooner than they had anticipated. But they had to get him off the cross because they knew a holy day was coming. And so they, the Romans thrust the spear into his side to make sure that he was dead. And from there20:16came the water and the blood signifying the bursting of his heart at his death. And then there was his burial. Joseph of Arimathea goes to the high, or goes to the Roman guard, or goes to the Roman centurion Pilate. And he says to Pilate, he pleads for the body of Jesus. Now, you don't plead for the body of a living man. And Romans are not easily tricked. They were the best20:45at what they did. When they crucified someone and pronounced them dead, they knew they were dead. They weren't going to be made fools of. Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate. He seeks the body of Christ. He's given the body of Christ. And he takes that body and he and Nicodemus prepare that body and they place that body in a tomb. Now, to make sure that no one21:14would steal the body away and to make sure that no trickery of sight or hand were done, they sent guards to guard the tomb. not only guards, but a stone was rolled in front of the tomb that the tomb might be sealed from the outside or from the inside, keeping anyone inside from getting out and keeping anyone from the outside getting in. So, we see the evidence21:43that he died, that he was buried, and that he was placed in an empty tomb. And then, yet, while in that empty tomb, the promise of God is at work in the life of Jesus. And we can only speculate what might have taken place after three days. Now, we do know from Peter some of the events that took place while Jesus was dead. But the most important event22:12for you and I that took place was not what he did while he was dead, it's what he did when he came back to life. Because he then becomes the first fruits of those will soon follow. In other words, he becomes our example. He becomes that shining figure for us that has conquered death. In other words, these disciples who once feared their own shadows could live recklessly on the edge22:41of life because they knew death had lost its power by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How can you and I overcome our doubts? How can you and I overcome our fears and our frustrations? Let me just continue on. There was that post-mortem appearance and that is of all people, who would you consider the lowliest23:10the lowliest of all people during the day of Jesus? Women. Now don't throw rocks at me, throw rocks at the Jews and the Romans. Did you realize that during the time of Jesus that a woman's witness could not even be upheld in a court of law to convict someone of a crime? Only men. A men-dominated society. Now in a men-dominated society if you're God23:40and you truly want to make sure that there's not going to be any doubts concerning the resurrection of your son because you're worried about whether or not people are going to believe in him, who are you going to let see him first? Well, I'm going to let Peter go. I'm going to let James go. I'm going to let doubting Thomas go. I'm going to let Matthew go. I'm going to let Bartimaeus go. I'm going to let somebody, but no. Who's there?24:11Who's there? Who's there? Martha and Mary. Women. Women that are attesting to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There was no concern in God that the word would get out. There was no concern for God that the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ would be denied and quieted24:41and quieted by men. There was no concern in the life or in the plan of God that people wouldn't believe. It seemed that he would use whatever means he would need to use to bring about the reality. In patriarchal society, the testimony of a woman was disregarded, yet it was a woman who stood by the tomb. There was a radical change in the belief system of the disciples after the resurrection. No longer were they25:11stringent Jews who kept to the law, but they were Jews who saw the law as being fulfilled and moved from a Sabbath Sabbath to a Sunday Sabbath because of what Christ had done in being risen on the first day of the week. we can see over and over again and I can share with you fact after fact. 1 Corinthians says, For I deliver to you as a first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he was raised25:41on the third day according to the Scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas, then to twelve, and after that he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom still remain. There was no doubt in the life of these early believers that God had made a radical move in his power by raising Jesus Christ from the dead. And so we celebrate Easter as the Resurrection Sunday, that day when God26:09in his infinite power brought about the life of Christ from the dead. You know, that's not a message that you hadn't heard. That's not a message that in the life, if you've gone to church at all, you hadn't heard other Sundays than on Easter Sunday. But what does that mean to us? Well, finally, there's the26:37there's the extraordinary change that takes place in the life of the disciples. So, what happened? they saw him. I want to share with you what happened to these disciples. Now, we don't use this as a point27:07of evangelism when we're out winning souls to Jesus Christ. It's always dangerous to sit on the front row even though you've got a bad leg. But, you know, I don't normally go tell people about Jesus by going and saying, hey, by the way, I want you to confess Christ as a Savior. That means you're going to die. That means you're going to give up everything you have. That means you're going to open your life to persecution. That means you're going to give your life to Christ, to suffrage and suffering for His name and His name's sake. And you no longer have a dream for yourself because God has a purpose and a dream for you. How many people27:37would we win to Jesus if we said that? Oh, no. What we say is if you want a better life come to know Christ. If you want to be rich come to know Christ. If you want wealth come to know Christ. If you want this come to know Christ. No, but the reality is that for every disciple that came to follow Jesus Christ would mean one thing. Death. It would mean death. Well, you know, it would be one thing if I'm going to die. It'd be another thing if I'm going to die alone. How is it that these men28:10could move from the point of fear and frustration to live a life of sacrifice? Let me share with you how these men died. Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome around 66 AD during the persecution under Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified upside down at his request. Andrew went to the land of the man-eaters. in what is now28:40the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece where he is said to have been crucified. Doubting Thomas was probably most active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him preaching as far east as India where the ancient Marthoma Christians revere him29:09revere him as their founder. They claim that he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers. Philip possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor where he converted the wife of a Roman procouncil. In retaliation, the procouncil had Peter, or excuse me, had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death. Matthew, the tax collector and writer of the gospel, ministered in Persia29:39in Persia and Ethiopia. Some of the oldest reports say he was not martyred while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia. Bartholomew had widespread missionary travels attributed to him by tradition to India with Thomas, back to Armenia and also to Ethiopia and southern Arabia there are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the gospel. James, the son of Alphaeus is one of the least three Jameses30:09referred to in the New Testament. There is some confusion as to which is which but the James is reckoned to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death. How can they do this? Simon the Zealot so the story goes ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.30:37Matthias was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning. John is the only one of the company generally thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was the leader of the church in Ephesus area and is said to have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus in his home. During Domitian's persecution in the middle 90s he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. There he is credited31:07and with writing the last book of the New Testament the Revelation and early Latin traditions has his escaping unheard after being cast into boiling oil at Rome. For Peter's sake the name of Jesus apostles have become the most common names for males in the western world. How many do you know named John Pete Tom Andy Jim Bart and Philip? At least31:38At least four of the apostle fishermen can this be part of the reason that one of the earliest and most prominent Christian symbols was the fish. the Greek word for fish ishikos formed an acrostic Jesus Christos theos unas sorta which means Jesus Christ son of God and savior. I don't know anybody in here today32:06today that has the mark of death upon them because you love Jesus. But I wonder how many of us here today would truly stand and be accounted for and be in love with Jesus by the way we live our lives and we act. I want to share one last story with you. This concerns modern day32:35modern day missionaries who sit just like you sit in the pew but were convinced that Jesus rose from the dead. Baghdad Iraq a four American missionary a fourth American missionary died overnight from wounds in a drive-by shooting in northern Iraq city of Mosul the U.S. military said Tuesday a fifth Baptist missionary was wounded in the attack33:04the missionaries were working on a water purification project church officials and friends said Larry T. Elliott 60 Gene Dover Elliott 58 of Cary North Carolina Karen Denise Watson 38 of Bakersfield California were killed in the attack Monday according to Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board David E. McDonnell 29 of Routlet Texas died Tuesday morning as he was being flown to a military support hospital in Baghdad according to33:34according to the U.S. Military and Southern Baptist Convention Board McDonnell's wife Carrie Taylor McDonnell 26 remains in critical condition according to the Baptist group gunmen fired AK-47 assault weapons on the civilian vehicle witnesses said Mission Board President Jerry Rankin and Southern Baptists shared in the sorrow and grief in times like this there are no words that will take away the pain of loved one's violent death Rankin said in a statement everyone in the IMB family and everyone who loves Southern Baptists34:04Baptists overseas workers are grieving with the family members and co-workers of these precious souls but my friend might I say we do not grieve like those who have no hope that Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 beginning in verse 13 as the Thessalonican church was grieving over the loss of those that were dying in their midst Paul writes to them to encourage them and says don't act like those that have no hope quit having your funerals34:33your funerals like those that have no hope and the pagans have their funerals don't mourn like the pagans because we know that our Lord is risen and if he is risen we too will rise with him one day with the shout of the trumpet with the voice of the archangel we shall all be called up in the air the dead in Christ rising first and we which remain secondly that's what gets us through let me continue on with one of the most precious testimonies of a modern day35:03modern day missionary this is left by one of the ladies that I read earlier to you her name was Karen Denise Watson listen to what she says in the event of her death she wrote this letter to her pastor your pastor Phil and pastor Roger you should35:33should only be opening this letter in the event of death when God calls there are no regrets I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible my heart for the nations I wasn't called to place I was called to a place I was called to him to obey was my obedience to suffer was expected his glory was my reward his glory is my reward one of the36:03the most important things to remember right now is to persevere the work I am writing this as if I am still working among the people groups I thank you all so much for your prayers and support surely your reward in heaven will be great thank you for investing in my life and spiritual well being keep sending missionaries out keep raising up fine young pastors in regards to any service keep it small and simple yes simple just36:33just preach the gospel if Jason bus is available or his dad have them sing a pretty song be be bold and preach the life saving life changing forever eternal gospel give glory and honor to our father the missionary heart care more than some think is wise risk more than some think is safe dream more than some think is practical expect more than some think is possible I was called not37:03not to comfort or success but to obedience some of my favorite scriptures are Isaiah chapter 6 you know the one 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 15 through 21 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 13 Colossians 4 2 through 6 Romans 15 20 Psalm 25 and 27 you can look through my skull field I ain't hear no amens you can look through my skull field and see where it's marked please37:33please use only what you want or feel his best there is no joy outside of knowing and serving him I love you too in my church family in care or in his care salam Karen when I think of what kind of world my grandchildren are going to grow up in I think of what kind of world am38:02am I going to leave them when I think of the potential struggles that our nation is facing I think of how powerful the church should be in a time of darkness when I think and I doubt I stop and I pray and I'm reminded that it was the resurrection of Jesus Christ38:32Christ that sent Peter James and John Matthew and all the others to their death because they knew and believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ so my brothers and sisters this morning if you've doubted fear not they doubted39:01doubted too if you doubt fear not you're going to doubt again but I challenge you if you're tired of living a life that is uncertain that is unclear then step out as Karen did and every other missionary that has ever gone to the mission field has and say to the Lord wherever39:30wherever you lead I'll go wherever you lead I'll go you see it's not until then that we've actually put our faith into practice words are easy messages come and go and there are a lot better messages on the resurrection online39:58online today than I'll ever preach but there are not any that will ever point you any straighter to the one who can take you from where you are to where he wants you to be but he asked you for one thing surrender a willingness to die where you are with what you have that you may40:28may live as never before let's pray father all the facts are there you died on the cross they buried you in an empty tomb they saw you three days later multitudes witness to that and yet God we stand in the midst of your church and there's40:58there's fear and trembling there's concern there's doubt and yet Lord you yourself spoke once Thomas had confessed my Lord and my God it is those that wouldn't see that should be blessed and father I want to pray for this church this41:28this body of believers these people that are seated right here right now that God they would move from doubt to action and that they would move from resistance to surrender they would move from fighting to obedience oh God today may this be the day of salvation may this be the day of41:57of surrender may this be the day of action concerning the reality and the truth of your resurrection for us in Jesus name we pray amen I'm going to ask you to stand for our hymn of invitation and as you stand I want to challenge you right where you are if there's concern in your life if there's doubt in your life there's uncertainty in your life why don't you simply step out and come and make sure42:27sure that uncertainty clear up that doubt walk circumspectly in the faith and the truth that is yours in Jesus Christ and let no one take away your courage for he is risen you you you42:46you
