WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:47.060 Well, good morning. 00:00:48.020 --> 00:00:50.660 Glad that all of you are here with us today. 00:00:50.660 --> 00:00:54.780 If you've got your Bibles, open them up to Luke chapter 24. 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:58.840 As you turn there, I want to go ahead and say, I know Berger said something at the very 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:03.220 beginning of the service, but we will be taking the Lord's Supper today. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:05.840 And so right now is a wonderful opportunity. 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:11.200 If you didn't grab one of the cups of elements as you came in, please go and do that right 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:11.440 now. 00:01:11.520 --> 00:01:12.560 There is no judgment. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:16.940 I'm delaying so that you can go and that you can get some, and we want to be able to partake 00:01:16.940 --> 00:01:18.600 in this together. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:25.420 Also, this week, I want to encourage you to be in prayer for our high school missions 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:30.420 team that is going to be leaving next Saturday to go to Salt Lake City, where they're going 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:35.300 to work alongside the Stockmans to help share the gospel and talk about Hope Valley Church 00:01:35.300 --> 00:01:39.220 to so many different of the individuals at the parks that they're going to have the opportunity 00:01:39.220 --> 00:01:43.820 to interact with, but then also in the neighborhoods that they're going to have the opportunity to 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:44.300 pray for. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:47.840 You know, one of the things we've been able to share with these students and adults that 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:53.300 are going on this trip is very rarely, I think, in our lives, we have the opportunity to be 00:01:53.300 --> 00:01:55.200 a part of something historical. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:58.560 And you're thinking, like, there's mission trips happening all over the place. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.540 Like, what makes this one special? 00:02:00.940 --> 00:02:05.800 Well, with talking with Pastor Dustin about the different families and the individuals that 00:02:05.800 --> 00:02:07.100 they'll interact with, right? 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:11.300 Salt Lake City, Utah is not like Lexington, South Carolina, all right? 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:17.220 And here in our context, right, like you guys know this, like we can, you are in walking 00:02:17.220 --> 00:02:22.980 distance in a brief period of time away from a lot of wonderful Bible-believing churches 00:02:22.980 --> 00:02:25.420 that are right here in our community. 00:02:25.620 --> 00:02:31.180 And that's just not the case in Salt Lake City and specifically in the area of West Jordan 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:32.060 where they're going to be. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:37.960 So more than likely as our students and as our adults interact with the groups of people 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:42.100 that they're going to have the opportunity to interact with, to share with, and to invite, 00:02:42.440 --> 00:02:48.400 there could be numerous times where the offer to invite someone to come to church or maybe 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:53.880 even a gospel conversation is the first time that that has ever happened in the life of 00:02:53.880 --> 00:02:54.520 that individual. 00:02:54.940 --> 00:02:56.300 And I think that's historical. 00:02:56.600 --> 00:02:58.460 And I think that's something that we should celebrate. 00:02:58.720 --> 00:03:00.440 And I think that's something we should pray for. 00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:06.800 And so as these students and parents and leaders are preparing to go onto this trip next week, 00:03:06.920 --> 00:03:11.920 I want us to be bathing them and the individuals that they're going to interact with in prayer 00:03:11.920 --> 00:03:18.120 for the conversations and the work that God is creating for them to do during that week. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:23.740 And then next week, we're just going to continue on in praying for them each and every day 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:30.780 as God opens doors to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to invite people to come to church 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:35.560 where they can hear about how much Jesus loves them and what Jesus has done for them. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:38.800 So I want to encourage you to be in prayer for them. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:43.080 Also, before we get into our passage of scripture this morning, 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:47.100 and before we read in Luke 24 and really wrap up this series, 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:53.260 I wanted to just kind of share with you guys and update you on some tragic information 00:03:53.260 --> 00:03:54.820 that we got this past week. 00:03:54.980 --> 00:04:02.420 And I hope that most of you were able to see the email that came out from me that Pastor Dave sent out 00:04:02.420 --> 00:04:06.540 concerning the passing of a 10-year-old Chloe Doby, 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:12.180 who called Willow Ridge Church home and Willow Ridge Church people her church family. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:16.980 This past Tuesday, Chloe passed in a house fire. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:24.540 And this has definitely rocked her family and so many of us who know this little girl 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:27.220 and who loved her and had the opportunity to serve her. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Chloe loved being at our church on both Sunday mornings and on Sunday nights 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:36.380 and had the opportunity to hear and even to respond to the gospel. 00:04:37.140 --> 00:04:38.560 And so we'll talk about that. 00:04:38.820 --> 00:04:42.880 As we go in our passage of scripture, though, this morning, before we get there, 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:46.800 I want to kind of point out some ways that right now that you can really step into 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:51.120 as the family of Willow Ridge Church to minister to this family. 00:04:51.660 --> 00:04:55.980 The service will be held here at Willow Ridge Church on Tuesday at 3 o'clock. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:02.540 And I know for a lot of us, if you didn't work in or volunteer in children's ministry, 00:05:02.540 --> 00:05:07.640 you may not have the opportunity to interact with or even to know who Chloe was. 00:05:08.140 --> 00:05:12.820 But I do want to say by family, church family, being able to come and surround them, 00:05:12.900 --> 00:05:16.420 that it would be a great testimony and would minister to their hearts. 00:05:16.580 --> 00:05:21.060 And so this Tuesday, if you can make a way, if you've got margin in your schedule, 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:25.440 I want to encourage you to be here as we celebrate her life, 00:05:25.440 --> 00:05:29.460 but more importantly, Jesus who saved her. 00:05:29.900 --> 00:05:32.300 And we have an account of that as well. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:35.200 Also this week and in the coming weeks, 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:40.160 there's an opportunity for you as a family or as an individual to serve them with a meal. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:46.860 Pastor Dave also sent out an email this week for the meal train for individuals 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:49.020 to be able to sign up to bring a meal to that family. 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:52.440 If you didn't get that email, if you could let us know, 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:55.200 we'll make sure that we get that information to you, 00:05:55.200 --> 00:06:00.640 but it would be another opportunity to you to serve them and minister to them during this time. 00:06:01.640 --> 00:06:07.420 And then lastly, just a reminder and an encouragement to you is to pray for this family. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.360 You know, they desperately, desperately need it. 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:15.600 You know, most of us have experienced loss. 00:06:17.140 --> 00:06:19.040 We've lost someone close to us. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:20.500 We've lost someone that we love. 00:06:21.900 --> 00:06:29.480 But very few of us have walked down the path that this family has walked down over the last several days. 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:34.320 And so as I sat at their house yesterday evening and just talked with them, 00:06:34.380 --> 00:06:37.100 one of the things that I just promised them was, 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:39.160 I don't understand the pain. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:42.800 I've never experienced the grief that you're experiencing right now. 00:06:43.540 --> 00:06:47.580 But I can just cry out for you as you cry out. 00:06:47.580 --> 00:06:49.720 And so I committed to doing that. 00:06:49.820 --> 00:06:53.960 And I just want to encourage all of you to pray for Chloe's family 00:06:53.960 --> 00:07:00.060 as they walk through these days, weeks, months, and honestly, years ahead. 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:08.260 And as we go into our message this morning, let's just go ahead and go to the Lord and pray for them. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:14.780 God, I thank you so much for this opportunity that we have to be here 00:07:14.780 --> 00:07:19.080 and to worship you on this 4th of July. 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:30.380 Lord, this day is marked by so many and rightfully so as a time and opportunity to celebrate our independence and our freedom. 00:07:31.520 --> 00:07:37.980 Lord, I pray that for those of us who are Christians, as we celebrate a day at the lake, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:43.180 as we celebrate having a cookout, hanging out by a pool, eating hot dogs and hamburgers, 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:46.920 and we celebrate the freedom that we have as we live in this country, 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:53.220 Lord, that we would also be reminded of the freedom that we have that is found in Christ and Christ alone. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:58.820 Lord, that as we think about our independence that we have as a nation, 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:04.360 Lord, that we could think about our dependence that we have on you as our Savior 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:10.280 who works in us and through us to complete the work that you began. 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:14.120 And Lord, we thank you so much for who you are. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.320 Lord, I lift up Chloe's family to you. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:22.160 Lord, as they desperately seek to process and to understand, 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:26.000 Lord, as they grieve and as they mourn, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:31.280 Lord, I pray that they would feel the arms of their Heavenly Father wrapped around them. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.940 Lord, I pray that while happiness may be hard to find right now, 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:40.980 Lord, joy that comes from you and you alone would be abundant to them 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:44.720 and they would understand in spite of their circumstances, Lord, 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:47.520 that they are deeply loved by you. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:50.140 Lord, I thank you for Chloe. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:56.280 Lord, while we would have chosen for her to have more time here on this earth, 00:08:57.280 --> 00:09:00.300 Lord, we celebrate the time that she had 00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:04.380 and the many people that she had the opportunity to interact with. 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:09.880 Lord, we thank you that she was able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:09:09.880 --> 00:09:16.060 and was able to respond and surrender her life to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. 00:09:17.420 --> 00:09:24.540 And so for us today, Lord, in the middle of our grieving and our mourning and our ministering to this family, 00:09:25.540 --> 00:09:32.100 Lord, we are reminded of hope, but hope that is found in Christ and Christ alone. 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:38.640 So Jesus, we thank you for who you are and for what you've done. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:41.300 In this your name we pray. Amen. 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:48.080 So if you'll join me this morning, we're going to read in Luke 24, starting in verse 1. 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:51.080 Scripture says, 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:54.820 But on the first day of the week at early dawn, they went to the tomb, 00:09:55.780 --> 00:10:01.260 taking the spices they had prepared, and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 00:10:02.140 --> 00:10:06.080 But when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:13.360 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:19.960 And as they were frightened, they bowed their faces to the ground, and the men said to them, 00:10:20.160 --> 00:10:23.160 Why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:10:24.140 --> 00:10:26.980 He is not here, but He is risen. 00:10:28.280 --> 00:10:35.620 Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:38.900 and be crucified and on the third day rise. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.920 And they remembered His words. 00:10:42.920 --> 00:10:49.420 In returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:56.760 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the other women with them 00:10:56.760 --> 00:10:59.600 who told these things to the apostles. 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:05.860 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 00:11:06.380 --> 00:11:11.880 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb, stooping and looking in. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:18.880 He saw the linen cloths by themselves, and he went home marveling at what had happened. 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:24.080 And as we read this passage of Scripture that we're going to focus in this morning, 00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:32.260 it's commonly a passage of Scripture that we think about and maybe oftentimes reserve for Easter morning. 00:11:32.260 --> 00:11:38.360 The point in time where we celebrate the culmination of the season that we're leading to. 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:43.640 But the truth is that the power of the resurrection, the truth of the resurrection, 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:47.220 the life change that comes from the resurrection, 00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:52.380 is not something that is just to be isolated and celebrated on Easter, 00:11:52.380 --> 00:11:56.940 but on a July 4th and on every other day of our life. 00:11:56.940 --> 00:12:01.080 Of the culminating principle of what we see, of what is coming, 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:05.480 the fact that Jesus is not dead, but Jesus is alive. 00:12:06.780 --> 00:12:10.140 And there are so many truths that we can draw from this. 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:17.760 But this morning, what I want us to do is to look at three things that I believe that God has for us 00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:25.820 that we can draw from the resurrection that should help us as we learn and as we strive to live every day 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:29.540 for His name, for His glory, and for His renown. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:33.720 And the first one that I want us to begin with this morning is this. 00:12:34.400 --> 00:12:39.380 Because of the resurrection, we can trust God's Word as true. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:46.680 Because of the resurrection, you and I can take every word from the beginning of Genesis 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:50.340 to the end of Revelation and hold it as true. 00:12:50.760 --> 00:12:54.280 Because of the power and because the tomb is empty, 00:12:54.600 --> 00:13:00.500 because of the resurrection, you and I can know that every word of God 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:06.240 is authoritative, is true, and is useful in our lives. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:12.720 That you and I can take and rest on this to know who God is 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:17.820 and the power that He has and what He is calling us to in our life. 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:24.300 Because of the resurrection, you and I, we can trust God's Word is true. 00:13:25.380 --> 00:13:29.800 The Apostle Paul wanted this to be confirmed at the Church of Corinth 00:13:29.800 --> 00:13:32.520 when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, he says, 00:13:32.520 --> 00:13:38.540 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:44.440 But verse 14, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:47.300 and your faith is in vain. 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:52.600 You can't doubt the resurrection and claim Jesus is Lord. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:14:02.200 And with this, with everything and with every fiber of hope of our faith, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:06.000 of every word that we proclaim, 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:15.600 because of the resurrection, we can trust God's Word as true. 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:19.660 If you watch a movie or read a book, 00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:23.880 you know, when you begin, you may have heard stories about what is going to happen 00:14:23.880 --> 00:14:25.420 and what is going to take place. 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:29.360 But at the end of the book, at the end of the movie, 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:33.660 you know that one scene, you know that one interaction, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:39.300 you know the one point in the plot that the entire movie is dependent on. 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:46.400 And if you remove that scene, if you remove those few lines from the whole narrative of the movie 00:14:46.400 --> 00:14:50.500 or the whole narrative of the book, then it ceases to make sense. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:56.940 And for us as Christians, when it comes to the power and to the story of the resurrection 00:14:56.940 --> 00:15:02.900 that Jesus died and raised, was raised from the dead, 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:11.000 if we remove that, then everything else ceases to be true. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:17.480 That you and I, we have to know that the resurrection is true. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:21.940 And I want to be honest with you, for some people this is very hard. 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:25.640 To be able to trust something that they weren't there for, 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:29.780 something that they're not sure if they can trust the account that they've seen. 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:35.360 And so what I want to do this morning, as authoritative as I know God's word is, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:38.200 I want to press in to two areas this morning, 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.820 which should help us begin to understand, 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:43.140 and more so if you're struggling with doubt, 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:48.100 believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.820 And so if you're walking in those lines, there are multiple ones, 00:15:52.880 --> 00:15:55.040 but for time's sake, I want to focus on two. 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.720 Number one, it is this. 00:15:56.720 --> 00:16:01.580 The resurrection of Christ is not only supported by scripture, 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:06.820 but it is supported by historians and historical accounts of the day. 00:16:07.760 --> 00:16:08.820 And here's why. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:14.500 Because the resurrected Jesus was seen by a whole lot of people. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:23.620 And so just as you and I can read the historical accounts that George Washington lived and walked and did these things, 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:31.000 you and I can read equal, if not more, historical accounts written from people outside of the faith 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:38.340 that testify to the truth that after the crucifixion, they saw Jesus. 00:16:40.020 --> 00:16:43.740 And the historical account of Christ. 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:50.960 The second thing that can help us understand and remove the doubt of the resurrection is this. 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:54.740 Everything that then happened after it. 00:16:55.380 --> 00:16:56.140 Here's what I mean. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.420 There are a lot of people who would call themselves intellectuals. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:09.080 Who would say that everything that happened after the crucifixion was a cover-up and a lie that was formed by the apostles, 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:12.220 the disciples, those closest to Jesus. 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:16.340 And what I would argue is that makes absolutely no sense. 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:23.460 When you understand the historical accounts of those men especially, 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:27.500 who were there with Jesus, 00:17:28.520 --> 00:17:36.980 who saw him as resurrected and then carried on to imply that they would create a cover-up makes no sense. 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:38.220 And here's the reason why. 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:46.760 From the moment they continued to walk in the faith of who Jesus was after he ascended into heaven, 00:17:46.760 --> 00:17:50.720 what awaited them was not fame. 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:55.540 What awaited them was not wealth. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:18:00.400 What awaited them was not earthly prosperity. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:12.480 But what awaited them on every step in every journey of their life was persecution and then for most death because of the gospel. 00:18:13.540 --> 00:18:17.380 When from the very beginning, at the crucifixion of Christ, 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:22.120 what they could have done is released it and walked away. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.740 But they didn't. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:24.480 Why? 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:28.200 Because Jesus lived. 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:32.020 He died and he was resurrected. 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:37.660 So the resurrection, not only does scripture point to it, 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:40.860 but history points to it. 00:18:41.520 --> 00:18:45.600 And even the understanding of human behavior points to it. 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:55.860 And so what you and I can begin to see is this beautiful way in which God works when the logic of history and science begins to point to that this is correct. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:57.820 And faith collides with us. 00:18:58.080 --> 00:19:00.220 We know the resurrection to be true. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:03.700 And then within that, we can believe that God's word is true. 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:06.700 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17. 00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:18.620 It says that all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 00:19:19.060 --> 00:19:24.240 That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:29.440 So because of the resurrection is true, then we can know that the Bible is true. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:40.600 The event and the narrative of what God is continually pointing to, the life that will be found in Christ and in Christ alone. 00:19:41.260 --> 00:19:50.880 Now for us, when we agree that the resurrection is true, for us, when we then believe that the Bible is true, 00:19:50.880 --> 00:20:01.460 there are certain trajectories that that takes us on in our life that is going to come oftentimes into conflict within us sinfully on our behalf. 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:12.280 So because the Bible is true, then what you and I can do is we can hold on to the promises of God and have something called faith. 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:23.320 Faith, you see, you and you and I, the hard part that we want to battle with in this life is the things that we experience and the things that we are told from God, 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:27.700 we want to process through and say that I want the ability to understand them. 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:35.280 But what we have in Christ, what we have in Christianity, oftentimes is understanding, oftentimes is not. 00:20:35.280 --> 00:20:45.360 And when we don't understand, when we are confused, what God says is, this is when we step into faith and grow and see what the power of God is going to do in our lives. 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:45.760 Why? 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:50.000 Because we trust, because we believe, and so we can show faith. 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.900 And so I can understand. 00:20:54.280 --> 00:20:55.680 I can't come to a reason. 00:20:57.400 --> 00:21:00.460 But I can believe and I can trust. 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.460 Why? 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.420 Because God said. 00:21:04.760 --> 00:21:14.760 But then also, because the Bible is true, I can obey the commandments of God. 00:21:15.560 --> 00:21:26.520 If I believe God's word to be true, then I have to move beyond what I believe a practical Christianity is for so many of us, 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:34.660 where we view the standard that God sets before us as simply suggestions and not the commands. 00:21:34.760 --> 00:21:37.760 But it's what God's called us to. 00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:45.260 You see, this book within here, it tells us about marriage and God's plan and God's purpose for it. 00:21:45.820 --> 00:21:50.080 It tells us about raising kids and God's plan and God's purpose for it. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:54.100 It tells us about our jobs and God's plan and God's purpose for it. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:57.940 It tells us about our bodies and God's plan and God's purpose for it. 00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:02.120 It tells us about our finances and God's purposes for it. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:08.280 I'd be willing to bet that there's not a single thing within our lives that this book doesn't deal with and said in truth. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:17.440 What you and I have to battle with, what you and I oftentimes fail at, is not understanding what the commandments are, but then applying them to our life. 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:24.060 But because of the resurrection, we can know that God's word is true. 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:26.060 But what are we going to do with it? 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:30.500 The second thing, because of the resurrection, I want to say this morning, is this. 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:34.200 Because of the resurrection, we can overcome death. 00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:36.200 We can overcome death. 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:40.540 It's a very important aspect of understanding the resurrection. 00:22:40.540 --> 00:22:52.380 And so I want to say this and make sure that we're all on the same page, because still within those, some of those who call themselves believers, there can oftentimes be doubt about this. 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.660 And so I want to say this. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.960 Jesus died. 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:56.640 All right? 00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:57.800 Jesus died. 00:22:58.800 --> 00:23:02.920 On the cross of Calvary, he died. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:07.600 And in fact, Jesus died by suffocation. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:18.700 So I want to explain to you what crucifixion on the cross was going to lead to, not to Jesus, but to every individual who was ever put on a cross, 00:23:18.760 --> 00:23:22.460 so that we can understand the medical process of what happened. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:27.340 Because there are some who believe, who call themselves believers, who would say, no, no, no, no, no. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.700 He didn't die. 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.160 He passed out. 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.540 No, no, he didn't die. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.060 He just went into a coma. 00:23:35.280 --> 00:23:37.740 And so we want to deal with that this morning. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:47.440 Because in our faith, what we need to know, in order for Jesus to be resurrected, Jesus must die, which is what Scripture says that he would do. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:52.520 So here's the process of what would happen to a body who was nailed to a cross. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:24:03.560 Due to the stress of the body of being put onto the cross, a person who was being crucified would begin to experience almost immediately shallowness of breath. 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:07.400 It would become harder and harder for them to breathe. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:20.200 I mean, if you think about it, you're attached to a piece of wood through about three seven-inch, seven-to-nine-inch nails that are ran through spots on your wrist 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:29.460 And somewhere located beneath your knees, between your feet and your knees, onto a piece of wood and left there to hang. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:44.600 And so the battle that you would constantly have is pulling yourself up to breathe, and in doing that, putting pressure on all of the entry points of the nails or releasing yourself and then not being able to breathe. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:51.320 And the pain in both of those is different pains, but both of them excruciating. 00:24:52.180 --> 00:25:03.740 And as a result, a person, as their body wears down, would begin to form small areas in their lungs that would get infected and begin to collapse 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:07.160 because of the shallowness of their breathing. 00:25:08.020 --> 00:25:16.980 As more and more areas of their lungs would begin to collapse, there would be a decreased level of oxygen found in the body 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:29.940 and an increased level of carbon dioxide, which would cause, over time, acid to be found in and produced by the body, 00:25:30.260 --> 00:25:34.300 particularly found in the tissue of your lungs. 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:41.300 And this is what happened to every individual who was nailed to a cross. 00:25:42.760 --> 00:25:51.840 Now, as the fluid would build up more and more in your lungs, you would begin to suffocate. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:55.200 They are hanging on the cross. 00:25:56.620 --> 00:26:06.340 And as the stress would be put on your body, as suffocation begins to take over, then your heart would fail. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.460 Here's what I'll tell you this. 00:26:10.520 --> 00:26:14.560 There's biblical critics who would say that Jesus just passed out. 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:19.900 There are biblical critics who would say that Jesus just slipped into a coma. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:24.460 But nothing in science would point to that. 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:30.640 The history narrative of Rome, every civilization is known for a lot of different things. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:35.260 I love being a history major and studying the Roman civilization. 00:26:35.260 --> 00:26:39.260 The Roman civilization, we're great at architecture. 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:43.160 You can go and see things that are standing today. 00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:50.100 And I want to be honest with you, I could build something last week, and it doesn't survive a rainstorm in South Carolina, right? 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:55.600 But the Romans, they built stuff, and thousands of years later, it is still standing, right? 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:58.320 That's the level of ingenuity that they had. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:04.380 Scientifically, they were laying out things that today we are still using in our times. 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:11.700 There are things to look at within the Roman civilization and to be marveled by the ingenuity that they had. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:22.340 But there was also one thing that the Romans, above every other civilization, were better than anybody else in the past and anybody else in the present. 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.260 And it is this. 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:25.700 Romans were really good at killing people. 00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:28.900 They prided themselves on that. 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:36.940 It was how, relatively speaking, a small country could conquer most of the known world. 00:27:37.020 --> 00:27:40.160 Because you stepped out of line, and it was death. 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:45.020 And they were really, really good at it. 00:27:46.020 --> 00:27:55.700 And as we read through the gospel narrative, you know, they would not have taken Jesus' body off without insuring. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:28:00.960 So the Roman soldier picks up the spear and sticks it in. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:06.920 Jesus did not come off of the cross in a coma. 00:28:08.020 --> 00:28:11.320 Jesus came off of the cross dead. 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:20.500 And because of the resurrection, you and I, we can overcome death. 00:28:21.780 --> 00:28:24.760 1 Thessalonians 4.14 says this. 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:35.460 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:48.320 The verse that we first learned at a VBS, the verse that we first learned when we saw a guy in the 1980s holding up a sign in the middle of a baseball game right out in the outfield. 00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:55.880 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 00:28:55.880 --> 00:29:10.340 Because of the resurrection of Christ, because Christ died and was dead and was in the tomb but was raised to life, you and I can overcome death but only through Christ and Christ alone. 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:16.120 And in the power of the resurrection of what we can obtain through him and through him alone. 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:26.720 And it's why you and I in this world filled with brokenness, suffering, death, what we can cling to is the hope because we are found in Christ. 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:34.660 And this is what can bring joy even in the midst of the greatest sorrow. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:42.180 This past week was a week unlike of any other week that I've ever experienced. 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:51.660 To be able to talk with and walk through the journey of, walk with the family and the passing of Chloe. 00:29:54.340 --> 00:30:04.580 I was talking to one of our children's ministry, our children ministry workers this week and sharing with them what had happened with Chloe and talking with them. 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.340 They said, Bill, can I tell you, can I tell you something? 00:30:07.520 --> 00:30:08.320 And I said, yeah, sure. 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:15.340 And they said, you know, I want you to know, you know, Chloe came to Sunday morning and came on Sunday night. 00:30:15.520 --> 00:30:21.900 And I had a conversation with Chloe on a Sunday night that I think is important for you to be able to hear and for you to be able to know. 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.500 I said, okay. 00:30:24.760 --> 00:30:28.900 It says one night we were, they were either in the room or out in the hallway, kind of in one of the transitions. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.880 And Chloe began to talk to this worker. 00:30:32.560 --> 00:30:38.420 And they began to have a dialogue back and forth about who Jesus was, who Jesus is. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:45.440 And the individual said, Bo, I shared with Chloe the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:51.580 And she responded and asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. 00:30:53.200 --> 00:31:02.380 You know, I don't understand, I don't try to understand what happens in that moment from a child to an adult. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.720 But I trust in what God says. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:15.720 And so for in those moments, it is the reminder that when we gather in here on Tuesday 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:27.340 to celebrate a life, but a life that is past, we can have joy because Chloe has overcome death. 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:34.860 Not in her own ability, not in who she is, but in Christ and in Christ alone. 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:41.140 Lastly, because of the resurrection, we can have life now. 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.400 We can have life now. 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:51.320 Now, when we look at all the gospel accounts of the resurrection, here's what they all point to. 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:55.420 They all point to the fact that there was a group of ladies who came to the tomb. 00:31:56.260 --> 00:32:01.200 Now, I want to be honest with you before, if there's any skeptics in the room or watching with us on the line, 00:32:01.260 --> 00:32:07.660 if there's any skeptics, if you read the different gospel narratives of this interaction at the tomb, 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:11.840 you will see different women mentioned by different names. 00:32:12.520 --> 00:32:16.220 Here in Luke 24, it gives three names and then says there were other women. 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:18.940 But if you look at other accounts, it gives other women's names. 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:23.520 And certain people want to jump at that and say, see, there's an error in Scripture. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:27.020 And I would say, no, there's not an error in Scripture at all. 00:32:27.060 --> 00:32:29.660 And I would say this to a person who says that this is an error. 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.480 I'd say, all right, I want you to do me a favor. 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:33.760 Tell me who was at your 13th birthday party. 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:39.260 And now if I went and talked to your mom and said, hey, do you remember who was at their 13th birthday party? 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:46.540 There's chances are that you may remember some names and they may remember different names. 00:32:47.040 --> 00:32:52.420 It doesn't mean that either one of you told an incorrect fact about what happened. 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:58.260 But what it means was you both told different accounts of the same event, both being true. 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.720 And this is what we see. 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:09.720 I do think it's important, and I think it's important for us to know that while all the men who were followers of Jesus are out there hiding, 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:13.800 we see the boldness of faith of godly women going out before them. 00:33:13.800 --> 00:33:21.920 When men like Peter denied Christ, there was women in the faith who went to the tomb, 00:33:22.040 --> 00:33:25.000 but who had also gone to the crucifixion within this. 00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:27.400 I think it's important that we see. 00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:33.180 But I think as we understand because of the resurrection, we can have life and we can have it now, 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:36.560 that it's important for us to know some of these women who were here. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.560 So I want to share some of these with you. 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:44.100 One of the ladies that is here in this moment at the resurrection is a woman named Joanna. 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:49.340 Now you can read about her in Luke chapter 8, and she's very important. 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:52.260 Even though you don't see her name often in Scripture, 00:33:52.560 --> 00:33:55.620 it's not someone that you think about and are pointed to in Scripture. 00:33:56.020 --> 00:34:00.120 She's a woman who was very invested in Jesus' ministry. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:03.620 She was a financial provider for Jesus. 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:08.740 So she was a woman of influence, a woman of means, a woman of wealth, 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:15.760 who very early on in Jesus' ministry, heard his gospel, heard what he was sharing, 00:34:16.080 --> 00:34:23.340 responded to him, and put enough value and importance in what he was doing to financially provide for it. 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:29.280 I think it's safe to say that Joanna was invested in the ministry of Jesus. 00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:34.420 Another lady who was there was Mary Magdalene. 00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:38.960 You can read about her as well in Luke 8, but also in Mark 16. 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:47.380 And Mary Magdalene had experienced Christ in a way that might have been different than those who were with her in that day. 00:34:48.160 --> 00:34:54.080 Scripture tells us that Jesus healed her from seven demons in her. 00:34:55.540 --> 00:34:56.100 Phenomenal. 00:34:57.260 --> 00:35:03.300 She had experienced Christ like many others had not, and some had. 00:35:03.680 --> 00:35:07.620 She knew what the power of Jesus was capable of. 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:14.300 She had felt his touch in physical and in spiritual ways and seen what Christ could do 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:18.720 and was one of the ladies who went there that morning. 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:23.020 Another lady, there's multiple Marys who were listed, 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:28.000 but in another gospel we find out that Mary, Jesus' mom, is there. 00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:40.560 The Mary, who was a young teenage virgin when she found out that she would bear Christ, the Messiah. 00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:49.240 A depth of intimacy of relationship that you and I could not possibly imagine. 00:35:50.040 --> 00:35:55.060 Who was chosen because of her faithfulness in God and continued on. 00:35:56.380 --> 00:36:02.180 And this is this group of faithful women who journey to the tomb that first Easter morning. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.500 And look at their encounter. 00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:08.340 Verse 5 of Luke 24. 00:36:10.200 --> 00:36:16.300 As they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men, and by the way, these are angels, 00:36:17.060 --> 00:36:20.520 said to them, very important question. 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:26.820 Why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:36:28.060 --> 00:36:31.020 He is not here, but he is risen. 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:33.640 And then the angels say this. 00:36:33.700 --> 00:36:35.860 They say, remember how he told you? 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:39.680 How he told you while he was still in Galilee? 00:36:40.560 --> 00:36:46.940 That the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise? 00:36:47.100 --> 00:36:49.380 And then Scripture continues on to say that they remembered. 00:36:50.640 --> 00:36:54.160 And so these ladies who were financially invested, 00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:59.340 these ladies who have experienced the saving nature of Christ, 00:36:59.680 --> 00:37:04.500 these ladies who have experienced the divine nature of Christ 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:07.760 and know who he is and have been journeying with him 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:10.440 and have known since his days in Galilee 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:12.920 that he will be turned over and crucified 00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:18.920 and on the third day still show up to the dead places looking for Jesus 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:22.520 and are blown away when the stone is rolled away 00:37:22.520 --> 00:37:25.880 and found out that he is no longer there. 00:37:26.100 --> 00:37:29.780 These were three ladies who could not be more invested 00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:32.220 into the relationship with Christ 00:37:32.220 --> 00:37:34.280 and they still miss it. 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:36.960 Angels look at him and say, 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:42.220 why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:37:42.780 --> 00:37:48.180 And I feel like, church, this is for so many of us where we fall into. 00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:53.140 So many of us in our journey in life of where we are, 00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:57.920 of wanting to live in the power of Christ now, 00:37:58.620 --> 00:38:02.220 live in the power of the resurrection now, 00:38:02.700 --> 00:38:04.100 but we miss it. 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:07.140 We miss it because every single day, 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.800 in spite of what we know, 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:11.800 we wake up and we return to dead places. 00:38:12.580 --> 00:38:14.500 We return to dead places. 00:38:15.100 --> 00:38:16.520 But I've experienced this, 00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:18.320 but we return to dead places. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:20.040 And so I want to ask you this, 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:25.040 are you returning to dead places and looking for life? 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:31.560 Are you returning to dead places and wondering why it's not there of what you're looking for? 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:35.300 The truth of the gospel is this. 00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:42.600 The gospel should impact your today just as much as it impacts your eternity. 00:38:44.140 --> 00:38:46.300 Jesus tells a story in John 10. 00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:47.460 It says, 00:38:47.640 --> 00:38:49.520 So Jesus again said to them, 00:38:50.580 --> 00:38:52.300 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:55.460 I am the door of the sheep. 00:38:56.140 --> 00:38:58.360 Now Jesus has just said he's the shepherd. 00:38:58.540 --> 00:39:00.940 He's going to come back and say he's the shepherd again. 00:39:01.240 --> 00:39:02.260 But now in this moment, 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.040 he says to them, 00:39:03.300 --> 00:39:04.780 I am the door of the sheep. 00:39:05.540 --> 00:39:09.040 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:11.920 but the sheep did not listen to them. 00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:13.340 Again, Jesus says, 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:14.000 verse nine, 00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:15.720 I am the door. 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:18.840 If anyone enters by me, 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:20.540 he will be saved 00:39:20.540 --> 00:39:23.420 and will go in and out 00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:25.240 and find pasture. 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.640 Let's pause here for a second. 00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:29.880 So Jesus says that when you're saved, 00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:31.460 he is the good shepherd 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:33.740 who saves and who leads 00:39:33.740 --> 00:39:36.380 and is what becomes a part of the flock, 00:39:36.560 --> 00:39:40.200 but that he is also the door of the sheep. 00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:44.160 And when you go in and out of the door, 00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:45.820 when this is who he is, 00:39:46.080 --> 00:39:48.260 what do you find that you find 00:39:48.260 --> 00:39:50.960 in the present tense of what he provides? 00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:51.940 Pasture. 00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.560 And so then he says, 00:39:54.640 --> 00:39:56.260 the verse that most of us are common with, 00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:58.580 the verse that all of this is pointing to, 00:39:58.840 --> 00:40:01.080 the thief comes only to still kill and destroy, 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:04.960 but I came that they may have life 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:07.180 and have it abundantly. 00:40:08.720 --> 00:40:11.000 I read a pastor this week 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.120 who preached on this. 00:40:13.120 --> 00:40:13.960 And here's what he said. 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:16.480 He said, 00:40:16.560 --> 00:40:17.100 Jesus is clear. 00:40:17.100 --> 00:40:17.580 Jesus is clear 00:40:17.580 --> 00:40:20.000 that you and I, 00:40:20.100 --> 00:40:21.500 when we are found in him, 00:40:21.580 --> 00:40:22.560 are saved 00:40:22.560 --> 00:40:24.160 and we are safe. 00:40:25.200 --> 00:40:27.860 But none of us want merely to be safe. 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:29.320 In fact, 00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:31.740 we were not created to be safe. 00:40:32.520 --> 00:40:34.240 While we want to be safe 00:40:34.240 --> 00:40:36.700 from all that seeks to destroy us, 00:40:36.820 --> 00:40:38.800 the human heart wants more than that 00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:41.240 and was created to want more than that. 00:40:41.640 --> 00:40:42.900 We want life. 00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:44.700 We want abundant life. 00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:46.760 We want overflowing life. 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:48.240 We want deep life. 00:40:48.580 --> 00:40:50.380 Joy-filled life. 00:40:50.700 --> 00:40:51.920 And Jesus says, 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:53.000 with me, 00:40:53.220 --> 00:40:55.260 you get this. 00:40:57.160 --> 00:40:58.360 And that's why he says, 00:40:59.380 --> 00:41:00.360 I am the door. 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:04.140 And when we pass back and forth 00:41:04.140 --> 00:41:05.740 and we enter in, 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.500 we get this life, 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:10.180 this abundant life now. 00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:11.940 Now. 00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:15.720 When could those women begin to live 00:41:15.720 --> 00:41:17.860 in the joy and the hope 00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:19.500 of the resurrected Christ? 00:41:20.200 --> 00:41:21.780 When could that have imparted 00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:23.860 in every piece of who they were? 00:41:25.040 --> 00:41:26.220 When Jesus told them. 00:41:27.160 --> 00:41:28.400 When Jesus told them. 00:41:29.160 --> 00:41:29.900 But instead, 00:41:31.180 --> 00:41:32.040 they got up. 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:33.980 Joanna, 00:41:35.140 --> 00:41:37.100 deeply financially invested 00:41:37.100 --> 00:41:38.140 in his ministry. 00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:40.300 Mary Magdalene, 00:41:40.540 --> 00:41:41.360 being transformed 00:41:41.360 --> 00:41:44.320 by the power of Christ, 00:41:44.620 --> 00:41:45.780 been set free 00:41:45.780 --> 00:41:48.240 from all that had enslaved her. 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.960 And Mary, 00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:50.980 the mother of Christ, 00:41:51.100 --> 00:41:52.520 who understood the divinity 00:41:52.520 --> 00:41:55.420 of Jesus like no one else, 00:41:56.540 --> 00:41:58.720 and they still woke up that morning 00:41:58.720 --> 00:42:01.260 returning to dead places. 00:42:02.360 --> 00:42:03.360 And in that, 00:42:03.460 --> 00:42:04.840 not living in the life 00:42:04.840 --> 00:42:06.600 that God has for them. 00:42:07.520 --> 00:42:09.220 If you've trusted Christ, 00:42:10.220 --> 00:42:11.940 if you've experienced 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:14.040 the power of his salvation, 00:42:14.680 --> 00:42:16.600 but yet you see 00:42:16.600 --> 00:42:17.860 there are still areas 00:42:17.860 --> 00:42:19.600 where you're not living 00:42:19.600 --> 00:42:20.540 in the abundant life 00:42:21.100 --> 00:42:22.260 that he promises, 00:42:22.600 --> 00:42:23.640 that he gives 00:42:23.640 --> 00:42:24.700 in the power 00:42:24.700 --> 00:42:25.600 of his resurrection, 00:42:26.100 --> 00:42:27.580 but still returning to death 00:42:27.580 --> 00:42:30.460 over and over again. 00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:31.880 Why? 00:42:33.200 --> 00:42:33.720 Why? 00:42:34.840 --> 00:42:36.340 Why are there still areas 00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:37.100 of defeat? 00:42:38.100 --> 00:42:39.720 Why are there still areas 00:42:39.720 --> 00:42:40.700 of sinful struggle? 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:43.100 Why are there still areas 00:42:43.100 --> 00:42:43.740 where you say, 00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:44.060 well, 00:42:44.100 --> 00:42:44.880 I don't know. 00:42:44.980 --> 00:42:46.360 I've got this all figured out, 00:42:46.420 --> 00:42:47.720 but yet this is still 00:42:47.720 --> 00:42:49.340 the battle that we face. 00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:50.340 It's because of this. 00:42:50.600 --> 00:42:51.720 In those areas, 00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:53.020 as you've wanted Jesus 00:42:53.020 --> 00:42:54.780 to live through you, 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:55.840 as you've wanted Jesus 00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:57.880 to guarantee your eternity, 00:42:58.140 --> 00:42:59.420 you still want to live 00:42:59.420 --> 00:43:00.140 your now 00:43:00.140 --> 00:43:01.380 in your means 00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:02.660 and in your power 00:43:02.660 --> 00:43:04.160 and in your understanding. 00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:04.880 And Jesus says, 00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:05.340 no, no, no, no. 00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:06.660 It don't work that way. 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.620 I'm the door. 00:43:07.820 --> 00:43:09.000 You pass through me. 00:43:09.120 --> 00:43:10.180 It's who I am. 00:43:10.300 --> 00:43:10.940 You don't walk 00:43:10.940 --> 00:43:11.780 through your own door. 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:12.420 You don't walk 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:13.300 through your own way. 00:43:13.580 --> 00:43:13.840 Yes, 00:43:13.900 --> 00:43:14.940 I'm the good shepherd, 00:43:15.120 --> 00:43:15.980 but I'm the door 00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:16.980 of the sheep as well. 00:43:17.140 --> 00:43:18.040 And when you walk 00:43:18.040 --> 00:43:18.560 through me 00:43:18.560 --> 00:43:20.200 and when you experience me 00:43:20.200 --> 00:43:20.940 and when you take 00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:22.380 all of what God says 00:43:22.380 --> 00:43:23.420 and you apply this 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:24.140 to who you are 00:43:24.140 --> 00:43:25.120 and you live in 00:43:25.120 --> 00:43:25.500 and trust, 00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:27.140 then and in then 00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:28.520 you experience 00:43:28.520 --> 00:43:29.920 the abundant life now. 00:43:30.080 --> 00:43:30.860 So your marriage 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.580 is a wreck. 00:43:32.080 --> 00:43:32.320 Well, 00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:33.580 stop doing it your way 00:43:33.580 --> 00:43:34.320 and do it mine. 00:43:35.820 --> 00:43:36.940 So your finances 00:43:36.940 --> 00:43:37.720 are a wreck, 00:43:37.820 --> 00:43:38.180 Jesus says. 00:43:38.360 --> 00:43:38.460 Well, 00:43:38.480 --> 00:43:39.200 then stop doing it 00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:39.700 your way 00:43:39.700 --> 00:43:40.520 and do it mine. 00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:42.180 Right? 00:43:43.040 --> 00:43:43.820 And so you and I 00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:44.560 make the choice. 00:43:45.560 --> 00:43:46.700 Do we do it our way 00:43:46.700 --> 00:43:49.640 or do we do it God's way? 00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:51.540 And in that, 00:43:51.620 --> 00:43:53.100 we begin to experience 00:43:53.100 --> 00:43:55.880 the abundant life 00:43:55.880 --> 00:43:56.880 that's there. 00:43:57.680 --> 00:43:59.280 The hope that we have 00:43:59.280 --> 00:44:00.720 in Christ 00:44:00.720 --> 00:44:02.640 and in Christ alone. 00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:04.740 Maybe you say 00:44:04.740 --> 00:44:06.860 my eternity is set. 00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:09.540 My eternity is secure. 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:11.380 I praise God for that. 00:44:12.600 --> 00:44:13.560 But could we begin 00:44:13.560 --> 00:44:14.660 to live today 00:44:14.660 --> 00:44:16.060 in the hope 00:44:16.060 --> 00:44:16.800 that we have 00:44:16.800 --> 00:44:17.880 for eternity 00:44:17.880 --> 00:44:19.940 and that the gospel 00:44:19.940 --> 00:44:22.280 impacts them all. 00:44:23.320 --> 00:44:23.840 So today, 00:44:23.940 --> 00:44:25.960 as we get ready 00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:26.420 to partake 00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:27.580 in the Lord's Supper, 00:44:28.380 --> 00:44:29.960 I want to ask you this. 00:44:31.240 --> 00:44:33.680 Maybe Jesus has saved you. 00:44:34.460 --> 00:44:35.460 You've experienced 00:44:35.460 --> 00:44:36.280 the saving grace 00:44:36.280 --> 00:44:37.060 that comes through 00:44:37.060 --> 00:44:38.580 Christ and Christ alone. 00:44:39.300 --> 00:44:40.320 but you've noticed 00:44:40.320 --> 00:44:41.720 all of these other things 00:44:41.720 --> 00:44:42.440 that you're still 00:44:42.440 --> 00:44:43.640 holding on to 00:44:43.640 --> 00:44:44.880 your way, 00:44:45.140 --> 00:44:45.840 your power, 00:44:46.120 --> 00:44:46.760 your means, 00:44:47.200 --> 00:44:48.120 your understanding. 00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:49.760 And you wonder 00:44:49.760 --> 00:44:50.660 why they're all failing. 00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:52.720 You wonder 00:44:52.720 --> 00:44:53.400 why they're surrounded 00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:54.100 by death 00:44:54.100 --> 00:44:55.380 and destruction 00:44:55.380 --> 00:44:56.580 and hope 00:44:56.580 --> 00:44:57.940 and lack of hope 00:44:57.940 --> 00:44:59.120 and not Christ. 00:45:00.080 --> 00:45:00.820 Maybe today 00:45:00.820 --> 00:45:01.460 you'd surrender 00:45:01.460 --> 00:45:02.660 those to Him. 00:45:03.420 --> 00:45:04.500 Maybe you'd understand 00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:05.620 as we partake 00:45:05.620 --> 00:45:06.280 in the body 00:45:06.280 --> 00:45:07.360 and the cup 00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:08.940 that for eternity 00:45:08.940 --> 00:45:09.920 but for now. 00:45:10.860 --> 00:45:12.300 But maybe also today 00:45:12.300 --> 00:45:14.200 that you could experience 00:45:14.200 --> 00:45:15.020 maybe some of us 00:45:15.020 --> 00:45:15.440 in here 00:45:15.440 --> 00:45:16.660 who we've been 00:45:16.660 --> 00:45:17.800 praying for this week 00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:19.080 to experience 00:45:19.080 --> 00:45:19.940 the grace of Jesus 00:45:19.940 --> 00:45:20.900 for the very first time. 00:45:21.780 --> 00:45:23.000 that through Christ 00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:24.300 and through Christ alone 00:45:24.300 --> 00:45:25.840 of His work 00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:27.200 of what He's came to do 00:45:27.200 --> 00:45:28.660 can we receive 00:45:28.660 --> 00:45:30.520 and live 00:45:30.520 --> 00:45:31.220 for the hope 00:45:31.220 --> 00:45:32.000 of eternity 00:45:32.000 --> 00:45:33.500 found in Him 00:45:33.500 --> 00:45:34.600 and Him alone. 00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:36.140 Would you pray with me? 00:45:39.080 --> 00:45:39.600 Lord, 00:45:39.620 --> 00:45:41.080 as we go into this time 00:45:41.080 --> 00:45:42.840 of the Lord's Supper 00:45:42.840 --> 00:45:44.740 Lord, 00:45:44.780 --> 00:45:45.720 I pray that You would 00:45:45.720 --> 00:45:46.880 speak to our hearts 00:45:46.880 --> 00:45:48.800 or that You would 00:45:48.800 --> 00:45:50.220 draw us to You. 00:45:51.160 --> 00:45:51.640 Lord, 00:45:51.700 --> 00:45:52.620 and if there is anyone 00:45:52.620 --> 00:45:54.000 who is not saved 00:45:54.000 --> 00:45:55.540 that today 00:45:55.540 --> 00:45:56.440 would be the day 00:45:56.440 --> 00:45:58.040 that they would know You 00:45:58.040 --> 00:45:59.640 and the power 00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:00.920 of Your resurrection. 00:46:02.140 --> 00:46:03.220 And it's in Jesus' name 00:46:03.220 --> 00:46:03.580 we pray. 00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:04.720 Amen. 00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:07.560 If you take the bread 00:46:07.560 --> 00:46:08.240 from your cup 00:46:08.240 --> 00:46:11.020 and the bread 00:46:11.020 --> 00:46:12.020 is a representation. 00:46:13.140 --> 00:46:14.160 It's a representation 00:46:14.160 --> 00:46:15.840 of the sacrifice 00:46:15.840 --> 00:46:16.620 of Christ 00:46:16.620 --> 00:46:17.360 for His body. 00:46:18.680 --> 00:46:18.940 You know, 00:46:18.960 --> 00:46:19.480 His body 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:20.380 didn't deserve 00:46:20.380 --> 00:46:21.280 to be on the cross. 00:46:21.360 --> 00:46:22.040 Your body did 00:46:22.040 --> 00:46:22.920 and my body did 00:46:22.920 --> 00:46:24.260 but Jesus made 00:46:24.260 --> 00:46:24.940 the choice 00:46:24.940 --> 00:46:26.880 and He bore 00:46:26.880 --> 00:46:27.680 the punishment 00:46:27.680 --> 00:46:29.240 that we deserved. 00:46:30.560 --> 00:46:31.900 And so as we partake 00:46:31.900 --> 00:46:33.620 in this today, 00:46:34.620 --> 00:46:36.300 may we thank God 00:46:36.300 --> 00:46:38.000 for the sacrifice 00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:39.060 of Christ 00:46:39.060 --> 00:46:40.440 as He took 00:46:40.440 --> 00:46:41.240 our punishment. 00:46:42.340 --> 00:46:43.020 Would you pray with me? 00:46:44.700 --> 00:46:45.080 God, 00:46:45.080 --> 00:46:46.040 we thank You so much 00:46:46.040 --> 00:46:46.820 for the sacrifice 00:46:46.820 --> 00:46:48.300 of Christ. 00:46:49.300 --> 00:46:49.660 Lord, 00:46:49.700 --> 00:46:50.980 He bore the punishment 00:46:50.980 --> 00:46:52.560 in His perfection 00:46:52.560 --> 00:46:55.280 that we deserved 00:46:55.280 --> 00:46:56.920 in our sinfulness. 00:46:58.040 --> 00:46:58.420 Lord, 00:46:58.480 --> 00:46:59.140 may we live 00:46:59.140 --> 00:47:00.000 our lives 00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:01.060 in gratitude 00:47:01.060 --> 00:47:02.820 and in praise 00:47:02.820 --> 00:47:05.480 of all that You've done 00:47:05.480 --> 00:47:07.220 in spite of, 00:47:07.380 --> 00:47:07.500 Lord, 00:47:07.720 --> 00:47:08.900 all that we've done. 00:47:09.860 --> 00:47:10.740 It's in Jesus' name 00:47:10.740 --> 00:47:11.160 we pray. 00:47:11.880 --> 00:47:12.200 Amen. 00:47:13.400 --> 00:47:14.220 Scripture says 00:47:14.220 --> 00:47:15.040 He took the bread 00:47:15.040 --> 00:47:17.100 and when He had given thanks 00:47:17.100 --> 00:47:17.820 He broke it 00:47:17.820 --> 00:47:19.240 and gave it to them 00:47:19.240 --> 00:47:19.640 saying, 00:47:20.340 --> 00:47:21.100 this is my body 00:47:21.100 --> 00:47:22.000 which is for you. 00:47:22.900 --> 00:47:23.620 Do this 00:47:23.620 --> 00:47:25.060 in remembrance of me. 00:47:36.900 --> 00:47:37.360 Next, 00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:38.240 Jesus took the cup 00:47:38.240 --> 00:47:40.720 and the cup 00:47:40.720 --> 00:47:41.300 would represent 00:47:41.300 --> 00:47:41.960 the blood 00:47:41.960 --> 00:47:43.760 that would be spilled 00:47:43.760 --> 00:47:45.880 so that you 00:47:45.880 --> 00:47:46.580 and I 00:47:46.580 --> 00:47:47.680 would be made clean 00:47:47.680 --> 00:47:49.120 washing away 00:47:49.120 --> 00:47:49.820 our sins. 00:47:50.580 --> 00:47:51.300 The blood 00:47:51.300 --> 00:47:52.380 that would be spilled 00:47:52.380 --> 00:47:53.160 making us 00:47:53.160 --> 00:47:53.900 white 00:47:53.900 --> 00:47:54.760 to be able 00:47:54.760 --> 00:47:56.200 to be in a relationship 00:47:56.200 --> 00:47:57.200 with God 00:47:57.200 --> 00:47:59.460 so that our eternity 00:47:59.460 --> 00:48:01.300 and our today 00:48:01.300 --> 00:48:02.720 would be set 00:48:02.720 --> 00:48:03.760 in Him. 00:48:04.740 --> 00:48:05.700 Would you join me 00:48:05.700 --> 00:48:06.140 in prayer 00:48:06.140 --> 00:48:06.960 as we thank God? 00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:08.540 Lord, 00:48:08.580 --> 00:48:09.020 we thank You 00:48:09.020 --> 00:48:09.600 so much 00:48:09.600 --> 00:48:12.060 for what's done 00:48:12.060 --> 00:48:12.880 through the power 00:48:12.880 --> 00:48:13.840 of the blood. 00:48:15.260 --> 00:48:15.700 Lord, 00:48:15.780 --> 00:48:17.020 in Your righteousness 00:48:17.020 --> 00:48:18.540 and in Your justice 00:48:18.540 --> 00:48:19.800 You call 00:48:19.800 --> 00:48:20.420 for there to be 00:48:20.420 --> 00:48:21.540 a payment for sin 00:48:21.540 --> 00:48:24.500 and in those sacrifices, 00:48:24.980 --> 00:48:25.200 Lord, 00:48:26.060 --> 00:48:26.760 men and women 00:48:26.760 --> 00:48:27.540 are made clean. 00:48:28.960 --> 00:48:29.220 And Lord, 00:48:29.280 --> 00:48:30.020 with the sacrifice 00:48:30.020 --> 00:48:31.380 of Christ, 00:48:32.440 --> 00:48:33.140 the sacrifice 00:48:33.140 --> 00:48:34.260 was completed 00:48:34.260 --> 00:48:36.260 and was done 00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:36.260 and was done 00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:37.080 for all 00:48:37.080 --> 00:48:38.640 who would be 00:48:38.640 --> 00:48:39.500 found in Him. 00:48:40.500 --> 00:48:40.840 Lord, 00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:41.380 we thank You 00:48:41.380 --> 00:48:41.900 that the blood 00:48:41.900 --> 00:48:42.600 of Christ 00:48:42.600 --> 00:48:44.220 covers everything 00:48:44.220 --> 00:48:44.820 past, 00:48:45.880 --> 00:48:46.680 everything present, 00:48:47.420 --> 00:48:48.460 and everything future. 00:48:49.420 --> 00:48:50.380 We thank You 00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:51.220 for the new covenant 00:48:51.220 --> 00:48:52.740 in Your blood. 00:48:53.580 --> 00:48:54.540 And it's in Jesus' name 00:48:54.540 --> 00:48:54.960 we pray. 00:48:55.680 --> 00:48:56.000 Amen. 00:48:57.320 --> 00:48:58.240 And Scripture says, 00:48:58.340 --> 00:48:58.760 and likewise, 00:48:58.960 --> 00:48:59.740 after they had eaten, 00:49:00.660 --> 00:49:01.600 Jesus took the cup 00:49:01.600 --> 00:49:02.000 and said, 00:49:02.180 --> 00:49:03.020 this cup that is poured 00:49:03.020 --> 00:49:03.660 out for You 00:49:03.660 --> 00:49:05.080 is the new covenant 00:49:05.080 --> 00:49:05.680 in My blood. 00:49:06.360 --> 00:49:07.400 do this in remembrance 00:49:07.400 --> 00:49:07.800 of Me. 00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:12.400 Let's pray. 00:49:14.520 --> 00:49:14.960 Lord, 00:49:14.980 --> 00:49:15.840 we thank You so much 00:49:15.840 --> 00:49:16.960 for the opportunity 00:49:16.960 --> 00:49:17.780 that we have 00:49:17.780 --> 00:49:20.260 to pause for a moment 00:49:20.260 --> 00:49:21.460 on this 4th of July 00:49:21.460 --> 00:49:25.280 where everything, 00:49:25.600 --> 00:49:25.660 Lord, 00:49:25.720 --> 00:49:26.440 is going to point us 00:49:26.440 --> 00:49:26.740 to, 00:49:26.940 --> 00:49:28.060 the freedom 00:49:28.060 --> 00:49:28.700 and favor 00:49:28.700 --> 00:49:29.620 that we have 00:49:29.620 --> 00:49:30.540 because of the country 00:49:30.540 --> 00:49:31.400 that we live in, 00:49:32.360 --> 00:49:33.140 where everything 00:49:33.140 --> 00:49:33.960 that we're going 00:49:33.960 --> 00:49:34.680 to see today 00:49:34.680 --> 00:49:35.500 is going to point us 00:49:35.500 --> 00:49:36.220 and remind us 00:49:36.220 --> 00:49:36.840 of the freedom 00:49:36.840 --> 00:49:38.080 that we have 00:49:38.080 --> 00:49:39.820 because men 00:49:39.820 --> 00:49:40.480 and women 00:49:40.480 --> 00:49:43.220 made a sacrifice. 00:49:44.660 --> 00:49:45.220 Lord, 00:49:45.300 --> 00:49:46.340 some sacrificed 00:49:46.340 --> 00:49:47.500 of their lives, 00:49:47.640 --> 00:49:48.840 others' time away 00:49:48.840 --> 00:49:49.760 from their families 00:49:49.760 --> 00:49:51.280 and in different ways 00:49:51.280 --> 00:49:51.920 and means 00:49:51.920 --> 00:49:53.460 so that we could experience 00:49:53.460 --> 00:49:54.440 an earthly freedom. 00:49:55.860 --> 00:49:56.120 And Lord, 00:49:56.140 --> 00:49:56.640 I thank You 00:49:56.640 --> 00:49:57.220 that we have 00:49:57.220 --> 00:49:57.980 this opportunity 00:49:57.980 --> 00:49:59.080 on July 4th 00:49:59.080 --> 00:50:00.000 to pause 00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:01.180 for a few moments here 00:50:01.180 --> 00:50:03.520 and to celebrate 00:50:03.520 --> 00:50:04.480 a freedom 00:50:04.480 --> 00:50:06.260 not just 00:50:06.260 --> 00:50:07.020 for a country 00:50:07.020 --> 00:50:09.180 but a freedom 00:50:09.180 --> 00:50:10.160 found for every 00:50:10.160 --> 00:50:10.880 man, 00:50:11.020 --> 00:50:11.200 woman, 00:50:11.280 --> 00:50:11.820 and child 00:50:11.820 --> 00:50:12.920 who's found 00:50:12.920 --> 00:50:13.560 in Christ. 00:50:14.780 --> 00:50:15.600 A freedom 00:50:15.600 --> 00:50:16.440 from our sin, 00:50:18.820 --> 00:50:20.120 a freedom 00:50:20.120 --> 00:50:22.140 from our punishment, 00:50:22.820 --> 00:50:24.840 a freedom 00:50:24.840 --> 00:50:25.920 for what we deserve. 00:50:27.920 --> 00:50:29.200 and this sacrifice 00:50:29.200 --> 00:50:30.120 was found 00:50:30.120 --> 00:50:32.840 in the perfect sacrifice, 00:50:34.100 --> 00:50:36.040 the Lamb of God 00:50:36.040 --> 00:50:39.080 who gave His life 00:50:39.080 --> 00:50:42.460 so that we may have life. 00:50:44.140 --> 00:50:45.180 today, Lord, 00:50:45.600 --> 00:50:47.480 may we live 00:50:47.480 --> 00:50:49.080 in the power 00:50:49.080 --> 00:50:50.920 and in the authority 00:50:50.920 --> 00:50:52.540 of the resurrection. 00:50:53.760 --> 00:50:54.440 Lord, 00:50:54.500 --> 00:50:55.660 knowing that Your Word 00:50:55.660 --> 00:50:56.360 is true, 00:50:57.600 --> 00:50:59.300 to knowing that death 00:50:59.300 --> 00:51:00.500 because of Christ 00:51:00.500 --> 00:51:02.700 has lost its sting, 00:51:03.700 --> 00:51:05.080 that Satan 00:51:05.080 --> 00:51:06.640 has been defeated 00:51:06.640 --> 00:51:08.900 and to know, 00:51:09.220 --> 00:51:09.260 Lord, 00:51:09.320 --> 00:51:10.560 that we can experience 00:51:10.560 --> 00:51:11.580 the power 00:51:11.580 --> 00:51:12.520 of the resurrection 00:51:12.520 --> 00:51:15.280 not just then, 00:51:16.040 --> 00:51:17.700 not just later, 00:51:18.080 --> 00:51:19.300 but now. 00:51:20.680 --> 00:51:21.160 Lord, 00:51:21.220 --> 00:51:22.740 I pray for the power 00:51:22.740 --> 00:51:23.540 of the resurrection 00:51:23.540 --> 00:51:25.960 to impact our families, 00:51:26.620 --> 00:51:28.420 our marriages, 00:51:29.140 --> 00:51:31.480 our children, 00:51:32.040 --> 00:51:34.120 our relationships, 00:51:34.840 --> 00:51:36.560 our jobs, 00:51:37.580 --> 00:51:38.560 our finances, 00:51:38.820 --> 00:51:39.760 our hobbies, 00:51:40.400 --> 00:51:42.780 every aspect of life 00:51:42.780 --> 00:51:43.560 that we have, 00:51:44.300 --> 00:51:45.200 our conversations, 00:51:46.180 --> 00:51:46.840 our homes, 00:51:47.020 --> 00:51:48.060 our neighborhoods, 00:51:50.720 --> 00:51:53.800 because Jesus is alive. 00:51:56.620 --> 00:51:57.180 Lord, 00:51:57.260 --> 00:51:58.400 thank You for who You are. 00:51:59.200 --> 00:52:00.540 Thank You for what You've done. 00:52:01.440 --> 00:52:02.660 We celebrate You today. 00:52:03.620 --> 00:52:04.420 Let's hear me pray. 00:52:05.020 --> 00:52:05.300 Amen. 00:52:06.180 --> 00:52:07.340 Would You join me 00:52:07.340 --> 00:52:08.020 as we stand 00:52:08.020 --> 00:52:09.420 to celebrate 00:52:09.420 --> 00:52:10.540 the resurrected Christ? 00:52:24.600 --> 00:52:25.940 Thanks again for listening 00:52:25.940 --> 00:52:27.060 to the Willow Ridge Church 00:52:27.060 --> 00:52:27.860 weekly podcast. 00:52:28.480 --> 00:52:29.380 We hope that you enjoyed 00:52:29.380 --> 00:52:30.680 listening to this week's message. 00:52:31.280 --> 00:52:32.240 If you'd like to learn more 00:52:32.240 --> 00:52:33.060 about who we are 00:52:33.060 --> 00:52:34.700 or explore additional resources, 00:52:35.280 --> 00:52:36.180 visit us online 00:52:36.180 --> 00:52:39.740 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:52:39.740 --> 00:52:40.940 or by searching 00:52:40.940 --> 00:52:41.960 for Willow Ridge Church 00:52:41.960 --> 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