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 --> 00:00:31.260 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:49.080 --> 00:00:51.700 Hey, well, good morning, Willow Ridge Church, and happy Easter. 00:00:52.180 --> 00:00:59.460 You know, again, we wish that we could be with you face to face, but instead we're continuing to meet together virtually in our homes. 00:00:59.660 --> 00:01:05.700 So thank you so much for being with us and worshiping the fact that the tomb is empty and that Jesus lives. 00:01:06.100 --> 00:01:10.860 If you've got your Bibles with you, go ahead and open up to John chapter 20 is where we're going to be this morning. 00:01:11.300 --> 00:01:15.100 As you turn there, I want to remind you about our Red Cross Blood Drive. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:16.720 We'd love for you to be a part of that. 00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:24.940 There are still some spots for you to register online, and so you can go to the Red Cross' webpage, search Willow Ridge, and sign up to be a part of that day. 00:01:25.220 --> 00:01:27.480 We need both donors and volunteers. 00:01:27.720 --> 00:01:32.140 If you want to volunteer, email Pastor Dave so we can get you set up for that. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:37.720 Also, as a quick reminder, at the end of the message, we're going to be partaking in the Lord's Supper together. 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:41.560 And so we hope that you've had time to plan for that and to get those items. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:47.740 If you don't have them with you as we get started in the message, it would be a great time to make a break for your kitchen and to get those items. 00:01:48.220 --> 00:01:52.280 So with that said, let's start reading in John chapter 20, starting in verse 19. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:02:00.000 It says that on that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews. 00:02:00.720 --> 00:02:04.880 Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, peace be with you. 00:02:05.300 --> 00:02:13.060 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side, and then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:16.800 Jesus said to them again, peace be with you. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:20.680 As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. 00:02:20.880 --> 00:02:27.160 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:30.740 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:34.780 If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. 00:02:35.140 --> 00:02:38.200 So this is after the crucifixion of Christ. 00:02:38.440 --> 00:02:41.140 Obviously, this is after the resurrection. 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:49.260 This is the first day, but later on in the evening, on the day, on that first Easter Sunday, when Jesus has been resurrected. 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:51.500 And here we find the disciples. 00:02:51.820 --> 00:02:53.580 We find his core team. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:57.320 We find these individuals closest to Christ. 00:02:57.540 --> 00:02:58.980 And how do we find them? 00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:00.980 We find them afraid. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:04.100 They were there with the doors locked. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:06.720 It said that they were in fear of the Jews. 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:08.980 So what exactly were they afraid of? 00:03:09.320 --> 00:03:10.140 Well, let's be honest. 00:03:10.200 --> 00:03:14.520 They were afraid of what happened to Jesus might also happen to them. 00:03:16.160 --> 00:03:19.880 And as we look at that, we begin to think, well, maybe that's pretty logical. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:22.520 You know, they had seen his arrest. 00:03:22.600 --> 00:03:25.500 They had been a part of that when that had taken place. 00:03:25.720 --> 00:03:28.240 They would have known of the trial. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:30.700 They would have known of the crucifixion. 00:03:30.760 --> 00:03:32.260 They would have known of the beating. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:36.980 They would have known of all of the horror of what Jesus had gone through. 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:40.960 They would have known that he was dead. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:46.680 And now that they were afraid that the very same thing would happen to them. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:51.880 And so on the surface, as I process through this in my logic, that makes sense. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:54.540 Someone they love had been arrested. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:57.840 Someone that they love had been falsely accused. 00:03:58.380 --> 00:04:00.380 Someone they love would have been beaten. 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:02.040 Someone they love would have been tortured. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:04.420 Someone they love would have been crucified and killed. 00:04:04.420 --> 00:04:11.460 And now, the last thing that they want to have happen to them is what had just happened to Jesus. 00:04:11.880 --> 00:04:13.600 And that's what logic tells me. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:15.440 And that's what logic told them. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.820 But this morning, as we celebrate Easter, logic doesn't need to be our focus. 00:04:21.460 --> 00:04:24.660 You see, when it comes to Christ and our relationship with him, 00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:28.140 logic isn't the goal being faithful is. 00:04:28.140 --> 00:04:31.560 And our faith is the goal of what we're working toward. 00:04:31.960 --> 00:04:36.880 You know, oftentimes when we think of that, being logical is what keeps us from being faithful. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:40.360 From trusting God when he wants to stretch us. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:45.440 From believing in God when he says more than our minds could ever possibly imagine. 00:04:45.880 --> 00:04:53.260 Being logical keeps us from growing in our faith and pursuing after him with all that we have. 00:04:53.260 --> 00:04:56.400 And it was a battle for the followers of Jesus then. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:04:58.640 It's why we find them hiding in the room. 00:04:59.380 --> 00:05:03.180 And it's the battle for so many of us today. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:06.000 We know what we believe. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:09.360 We know what we claim to be true. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:15.100 But living in that in faith is something completely different. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:18.980 You see, they should have known that he would die. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:24.480 They should have known, though, that he wouldn't stay dead. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:27.500 You see, this hasn't been the big secret of Scripture. 00:05:27.960 --> 00:05:34.120 And I want to show you where these disciples should have known and been able to put their faith in the fact that, 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:35.540 yes, he would die. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:38.680 But yes, he would come back to life. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:40.740 Yes, he would be crucified. 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:44.380 But yes, he would be resurrected as well. 00:05:44.820 --> 00:05:49.120 I want to read a passage for you in Isaiah chapter 53, starting in verse 9. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:58.280 So the prophet Isaiah writes this about the life of Jesus, but he also writes about the death and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:05:58.540 --> 00:05:59.900 So let's listen to these words. 00:06:00.820 --> 00:06:01.460 He says this, 00:06:01.460 --> 00:06:14.060 He's describing the perfect life of Christ. 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:17.660 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:20.680 He has to put him to grief. 00:06:21.020 --> 00:06:26.360 When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring. 00:06:26.880 --> 00:06:28.800 He shall prolong his days. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:33.900 So Isaiah says right here in Isaiah 53 that this Messiah that I'm describing, 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:39.200 he will suffer death, but yet his days will be prolonged. 00:06:39.440 --> 00:06:41.520 How does this happen without the resurrection? 00:06:41.960 --> 00:06:45.440 Isaiah is pointing them toward this in the prophet Scripture. 00:06:45.860 --> 00:06:46.700 It continues on. 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:46.920 It says, 00:06:46.920 --> 00:07:09.920 Talking about the spiritual work of what Christ does on the cross of paying for my sin and for yours. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.920 Verse 12, 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:18.000 Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:23.580 because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:28.940 Yet he bore the sins of many, the work that Jesus has done on the cross, 00:07:29.640 --> 00:07:34.680 and makes intercession for the transgressors after his resurrection. 00:07:35.280 --> 00:07:36.520 Do you see what Isaiah points to? 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:42.100 What Christ had done and what Christ would do through the cross. 00:07:42.400 --> 00:07:44.060 You see, it's there in Scripture. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:45.460 It's plain as day. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.440 But let's cut the disciples some slack. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:51.020 Like, maybe they've missed this in the Old Testament prophets. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.680 Maybe they hadn't heard about it. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:57.740 Maybe they're like us sometimes, so they don't understand exactly what's being said. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:59.000 But here's the problem. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:04.800 Here's the hard part for them to not really dig in at their faith in the battle that they're going with. 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:07.760 Jesus had told them that this would happen. 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:12.080 In Mark chapter 8, verse 31, Scripture tells us, 00:08:12.080 --> 00:08:32.240 You see, Jesus doesn't hold anything back. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:37.920 There's no secrets that he's keeping away from this group that he finds hiding. 00:08:37.920 --> 00:08:40.520 He tells them, look, here's what's going to happen. 00:08:40.920 --> 00:08:42.700 I have to suffer. 00:08:43.260 --> 00:08:47.400 And so as they saw the arrest happen, as the beating took place, 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:50.640 they should have known this is what must take place. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:53.500 He tells them, I have to be rejected. 00:08:53.800 --> 00:08:57.060 And I have to be rejected by the religious authorities. 00:08:57.300 --> 00:09:04.200 And they see it happen time and time again of who brings the charges before on Christ. 00:09:04.420 --> 00:09:07.440 He says to them that he has to be killed. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:11.320 And there's no way to change the meaning of this word. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:12.640 It's not symbolic. 00:09:12.900 --> 00:09:15.040 Jesus says, I must die. 00:09:15.140 --> 00:09:15.940 And he does. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:21.240 And if Jesus ended there in Mark 8, then maybe there's some slack for him. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:22.580 But he doesn't. 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:25.760 Jesus says, but I'm going to rise. 00:09:26.520 --> 00:09:27.620 I'm going to rise. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.700 He tells him, I will die. 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:36.840 But then Jesus says specifically, church, three days later, I will rise again. 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:39.720 And so this is where we define the disciples. 00:09:40.300 --> 00:09:42.820 We find them with all this information. 00:09:43.380 --> 00:09:44.520 We find them hiding. 00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:46.140 We find them afraid. 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:48.580 We find them lost in their faith. 00:09:48.760 --> 00:09:56.180 Not because Jesus had failed them, but because their faith was weak and they had failed. 00:09:56.180 --> 00:10:01.020 And we see this is the moment where we're brought into this story. 00:10:01.900 --> 00:10:07.880 And unfortunately for so many of us, as we struggle with our faith, this Easter morning, 00:10:08.400 --> 00:10:15.220 in spite of what we know has taken place, in fact, of what we know that Christ died on the cross 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:20.460 and the fact that we know that the tomb is empty, we find ourselves, spiritually speaking, 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:25.340 in the exact same spot where the disciples find themselves. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:27.600 We believe all that Jesus said. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.180 We know all that took place. 00:10:30.780 --> 00:10:34.140 We understand it in our mind and in our heart. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.120 We know that he suffered. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:38.680 We know that he was rejected. 00:10:39.260 --> 00:10:44.080 We believe that he was killed and we believe that he lives again. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:48.220 But yet our faith isn't reflective of that. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:54.380 Our faith as if Christ is still today in the tomb. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.360 And here's what I mean. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:11:02.240 That we believe, what we believe, it hasn't changed anything about us. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:05.760 What we believe hasn't changed the way we live. 00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:09.340 What we know hasn't changed the way we think. 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:14.220 What we understand about Christ hasn't changed who we are. 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:23.220 And when our beliefs, what we know, what we understand, are all manifest in us and grow through us, 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:32.220 what we see coming from us is a people who live in, who walk in, and who grow in their faith in Christ. 00:11:32.380 --> 00:11:34.740 But that's not where we find the disciples. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:38.000 But Jesus steps into the moment. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:41.720 Jesus enters in the midst of their fear. 00:11:42.140 --> 00:11:48.100 And he points them through what he's going to give them so that they can live in this life of faith. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:57.060 So we want to look at this morning the four things that Jesus gives them as he steps into that room on that Easter evening. 00:11:57.420 --> 00:12:00.880 The first thing that Jesus gives them is he gives them grace. 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:02.800 I want us to notice this. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:05.780 Jesus comes to them. 00:12:06.520 --> 00:12:10.720 The Bible tells us that Jesus came and he stood among them. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:12.480 Now here's why this is significant. 00:12:12.780 --> 00:12:15.700 The word is getting out about the resurrection. 00:12:16.140 --> 00:12:21.540 This isn't the first appearing of Christ in the resurrection that we even see in Scripture. 00:12:22.020 --> 00:12:26.020 John's account alone tells us that Mary Magdalene already knows. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:31.020 She was the first to get to the tomb and see the stone rolled away. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:34.420 And she runs off and she tells Peter and John, 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.880 hey, somebody has taken Jesus. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:39.180 And then she goes back to the tomb. 00:12:39.180 --> 00:12:43.060 And who does she find there when she returns to the tomb? 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.360 She finds Jesus. 00:12:44.900 --> 00:12:46.760 And Jesus, he speaks to her. 00:12:47.040 --> 00:12:48.420 He comforts her. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:50.420 And he calls her by name. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:56.680 And Scripture tells us that she goes away and tells the other disciples, 00:12:56.940 --> 00:13:04.720 the ones who we find hiding, what she saw, what she experienced, who she talked to. 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.320 You see, they should have known. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.380 Peter and John knew. 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:11.240 Mary had told them that the tomb was empty. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:14.720 And so they took off and they saw the tomb and they saw the emptiness. 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:17.700 And they knew as well what was going on there. 00:13:17.900 --> 00:13:20.240 So the disciples that were gathered in the room, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:23.920 they had heard Jesus tell them what would take place. 00:13:24.140 --> 00:13:27.960 They had heard from others whom they trust that this is what they had seen. 00:13:28.260 --> 00:13:29.480 This is who they would talk to. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:32.120 And so you would think that they would go look for him. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:34.460 You would think they would go and seek him out. 00:13:34.880 --> 00:13:41.580 Their loved rabbi, their loved Messiah, their loved Jesus is now alive. 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:44.820 And that they would go looking for him. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.160 But they don't. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.960 They don't. 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:53.740 And so Jesus, in his grace, just as the humble king that rode in on the donkey, 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:57.320 goes and seeks after them. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:01.540 And church, this is the picture of grace that we need to see this Easter morning. 00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:06.140 It's the Jesus who seeks after those of weak faith. 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:10.160 It's Jesus who seeks after those who don't understand. 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:14.540 It's Jesus who seeks after those who are afraid. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.040 What do they deserve? 00:14:16.880 --> 00:14:18.580 They deserve to be left alone. 00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:21.560 They deserve to be left there in their fear. 00:14:21.880 --> 00:14:22.980 Because they didn't listen. 00:14:23.640 --> 00:14:26.280 But that's not what they get. 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:29.600 What they get is Jesus coming to them. 00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:32.940 What they get is Jesus that died on the cross. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:37.340 What they get is Jesus that's resurrected from the grave. 00:14:38.020 --> 00:14:38.820 And that's grace. 00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:40.660 And that's what we get. 00:14:41.260 --> 00:14:43.980 And that's where we find ourselves this morning. 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:48.180 That when our faith is beginning to weaken, 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:50.380 when we begin to doubt, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.580 when we begin to struggle, 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:53.060 when we begin to live in fear, 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:57.360 what we find is Jesus extending his grace. 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.900 You see, we didn't deserve the work of the cross. 00:15:00.380 --> 00:15:03.380 We didn't deserve the work of the empty tomb. 00:15:03.880 --> 00:15:06.240 But Jesus died on our behalf. 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:08.380 He extended us grace. 00:15:08.760 --> 00:15:10.960 And so in our coming to Jesus, 00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:14.940 church, let's understand that he first came to us. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:19.920 The second thing that we see that Jesus gives them is he gives them peace. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:23.180 Jesus is going to speak directly to their fear. 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:27.220 And the grace of Jesus is given as he comes to the disciples. 00:15:27.640 --> 00:15:34.480 The grace of Jesus is going to be shown to them as he continues now with the words that he says to them. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:37.680 Now put yourselves in the disciples' shoes for a moment. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.400 The door is closed. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:40.940 The door is locked. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.080 You're afraid. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.000 You're hiding. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:45.060 You know who's in the room. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.680 And then all of a sudden, 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:49.520 someone who wasn't there is now there. 00:15:49.900 --> 00:15:51.280 Jesus has appeared. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.080 He's appeared in the flesh. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.400 He shows them his hands. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.660 He shows them his side. 00:15:55.880 --> 00:15:56.980 This isn't a ghost. 00:15:57.240 --> 00:16:00.580 This is the physical manifestation of Christ there. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.680 You can touch him. 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.880 You can smell him. 00:16:03.140 --> 00:16:03.960 You can see him. 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.120 He is there. 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:07.720 But in the way that only God can do, 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:10.560 he simply appears in that moment. 00:16:10.880 --> 00:16:12.840 And I can imagine they're a little thrown off. 00:16:13.380 --> 00:16:14.600 And Jesus comes to them. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:17.480 And he looks at them with all the words he could have said. 00:16:18.280 --> 00:16:19.980 And he looks at their afraid eyes, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.480 at their hearts that are filled with fear. 00:16:23.020 --> 00:16:23.720 And he says, 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.660 Peace be with you. 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.680 You see, 00:16:25.760 --> 00:16:26.880 because what Jesus knows 00:16:26.880 --> 00:16:28.960 is if they stay in their fear, 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:31.900 they cannot do what Jesus is calling them to do. 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.800 If they stay in their fear, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:37.920 they cannot be what Jesus calls them to be. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.300 I was reading a book this week. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.060 And I read this quote. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.680 And it talks about fear and faith. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.800 And here's what the author said. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.200 He says this. 00:16:48.300 --> 00:16:48.460 He says, 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:57.640 And that's exactly what Jesus does in the moment. 00:16:58.400 --> 00:17:00.500 He knows that fear will wreck them, 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:05.020 but peace will guide them through the storm. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.380 And so Jesus brings them something. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.280 What they again cannot do for themselves, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:13.180 what they again cannot provide for themselves, 00:17:13.540 --> 00:17:16.100 he provides for them and says, 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:18.540 Peace be with you. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.260 Church, 00:17:19.300 --> 00:17:21.660 if you're going to move out of your position of fear 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:24.240 and move into a position of faith, 00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:27.900 it has to be grounded and rooted in the peace of God. 00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:30.560 Twice Jesus says that to him. 00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:33.240 And here's what we know about peace. 00:17:33.780 --> 00:17:37.080 Peace is not a result of what you and I do, 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:42.980 but peace is instead a gift initiated by God in you. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:46.360 And this is what we see through the work of the cross. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.680 Look out in our world today. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.360 Peace is not common. 00:17:50.040 --> 00:17:51.440 We live in a world of tension. 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:53.360 We live in a world of suffering. 00:17:53.760 --> 00:17:55.400 We live in a world of grief. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.540 We are not in a world of peace. 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:59.000 We're in a world of sickness. 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:04.040 We're in a world of politics that fight and tear and divide. 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.720 We're in a world of war. 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:10.200 We're in a world of being torn apart by drugs 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:13.640 and broken families and broken relationships and abortion. 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:16.640 And so we have to find peace. 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:19.740 And the peace that this world could never give 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:22.500 can only come from Christ. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.880 Paul talks about this in Ephesians 2. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.100 And he says this, 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:28.760 for he being Jesus himself, 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.460 he says, 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.820 is our peace. 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.840 So our peace is Jesus. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.220 And that through him, 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:38.580 we've been reconciled to the Father. 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:42.220 The ultimate peace that has taken place. 00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:43.920 And so now what we get, 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:45.680 now what Jesus is speaking to 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.180 in the life of the disciples, 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.660 and what Jesus is speaking to us this morning 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.220 in our living rooms on this Easter, 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.080 is this, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.380 that he brings peace, 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:56.560 peace between us and him. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:59.200 That he steps into the room as a friend. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:01.540 He steps into the room as a helper. 00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:04.480 He steps into the room as a compassionate, 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:07.520 loving Messiah for us. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.920 Jesus brings peace between us and God. 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:13.660 He solves the battle that is there. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:16.840 He fills the void that we can no longer fill. 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:19.140 And he takes the wrath of God 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:21.180 that would be aimed at us. 00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:22.940 And he absorbed all of it. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.280 It's what Isaiah wrote about. 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:27.400 He absorbed all of it on the cross. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:31.280 Becoming our substitution on Calvary. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.280 And so now for us, 00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:34.420 God is not a God of wrath. 00:19:35.040 --> 00:19:36.520 But he's the loving Father 00:19:36.520 --> 00:19:38.520 who sent his Son to save us. 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:42.600 Jesus sends us peace between us 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.640 and others who are in Christ. 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.180 So just as we talked about 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.720 a few weeks ago in Galatians, right? 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.880 There's now between us, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.580 neither Jew nor Greek, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.680 slave nor free, 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:53.900 male or female, 00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:55.720 we are one and unified 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.140 in the body of Christ. 00:19:57.940 --> 00:20:00.120 And Jesus brings peace between us 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.940 and our own souls. 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:04.720 So we now no longer have to live 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.540 with the wrestle of guilt. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.900 We now no longer have to live 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:11.160 with the shame of what we've done 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:13.120 because he's given us peace 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:14.640 and he set us free. 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:17.400 These last two of what Jesus brings 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.180 are going to be connected together. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.540 And the first of the connection 00:20:21.540 --> 00:20:22.860 is that Jesus gives power. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.140 So Jesus steps into the room. 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.640 He says, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.680 peace be with you. 00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:29.400 And then scripture tells us 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.340 that he breathed on them 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:32.120 and said, 00:20:32.520 --> 00:20:34.560 receive the Holy Spirit. 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.820 So let's talk a little bit 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:37.140 about what's happening here. 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.900 Now the coming of the Holy Spirit 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.920 is not happening now. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.760 This will happen in the early part of Acts 00:20:42.760 --> 00:20:43.640 that Jesus tells them 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:45.560 that'll happen in Acts chapter one. 00:20:45.780 --> 00:20:46.460 But instead, 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.700 Jesus is pointing toward 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.060 what will happen, 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.500 but more importantly, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.820 where the power will come from. 00:20:53.020 --> 00:20:54.860 The power that Jesus gives them 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.240 is the power of the God 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.180 through the Holy Spirit. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.220 And this is being passed on 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.660 from Christ to them. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.720 That's why it says, 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:04.340 he breathed onto them, 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.920 coming from his person 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.980 of who he is, 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:09.820 breathing the Holy Spirit 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:11.540 of God onto them. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.060 So what does that mean? 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.300 What does that mean 00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.120 that the disciples 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.500 and that you and I, 00:21:16.580 --> 00:21:17.960 that the gift that he gives us 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.100 is the power of God? 00:21:19.280 --> 00:21:20.140 What does that mean 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:22.880 that we have the power of God in us, right? 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.460 We can't part the sea. 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:26.900 We can't call the dead to rise. 00:21:27.280 --> 00:21:28.940 We can't calm the storm. 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:31.580 We can't cause the blind to see. 00:21:32.040 --> 00:21:33.980 So what can we do? 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.780 What is this power 00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:37.380 that is within us? 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:38.660 And what we'll see, 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.880 it's the power 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:42.060 that Jesus has in him 00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:44.540 to fulfill the purpose of God. 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:46.040 And so what Jesus does 00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:47.200 is he gives the power. 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.440 The last thing is that 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:50.740 Jesus gives them purpose. 00:21:51.280 --> 00:21:52.160 Jesus says to them, 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.920 as he breathes on them, 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:55.920 as the Father has sent me, 00:21:56.260 --> 00:21:59.880 even so I am sending you. 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.740 Jesus didn't say, 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:05.340 that he's just sending us. 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.260 He says, 00:22:06.260 --> 00:22:08.740 just as the Father has sent him. 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:11.280 And Jesus gives us power within that. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.300 He gives us purpose within that 00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.520 and the understanding 00:22:14.520 --> 00:22:16.220 that just as he is 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.840 the ambassador of God, 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:20.160 fulfilling what God has called him 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.340 to do on this earth, 00:22:21.540 --> 00:22:24.400 that Jesus is giving you and I 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:26.260 the same power and ability 00:22:26.260 --> 00:22:28.080 through the power of the Holy Spirit 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.880 to fulfill the purpose of God 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.480 that he has for your life 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.820 and for my life. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:35.240 That's the power of God in us. 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:37.660 That's what Christ did here on this earth. 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:39.280 Everything that he did 00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:40.440 was for the will of the Father. 00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.600 And that's why when we think back 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.440 to right before, 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.840 Jesus was going to be arrested. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.280 And Jesus is in the garden. 00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:50.440 Jesus fully God 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.580 and fully man, 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.440 but he understands 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.140 what will happen. 00:22:55.280 --> 00:22:56.260 Jesus says, 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.000 Father, 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.020 if you are willing, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.020 remove this cup from me. 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.120 He's saying, 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.280 God, 00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:01.820 if there's any, 00:23:02.020 --> 00:23:02.200 Father, 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.960 if there's any way else, 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.220 remove it. 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:07.400 but not my will, 00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:10.880 but yours be done. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:11.780 You see, 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:13.640 above what Jesus even wanted 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.620 in that moment 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.780 was to, 00:23:16.020 --> 00:23:17.940 he wanted to fulfill 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:20.280 the will of his Father 00:23:20.280 --> 00:23:21.300 who sent him. 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.700 And how did he do that? 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.540 Through the power of God. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.360 The same power 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:29.820 that he breathes on us. 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:30.940 Church, 00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:31.760 I want to ask you, 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:34.020 as we gather this Easter morning, 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:36.340 have you experienced 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:37.840 the grace of God? 00:23:38.520 --> 00:23:41.160 The undeserved forgiveness 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:43.540 that God gives you. 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:46.400 That you can be forgiven 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.480 for your sins 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.460 that separates you from God. 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:50.980 We want you to know 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:54.140 that Jesus gives that to you. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.620 It's found in him, 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.980 in him alone. 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.940 Have you experienced 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.300 the peace of God? 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:03.440 The peace between you and him, 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:04.580 the peace between you 00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.700 and the family of God, 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:07.200 the peace between you 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.260 and your soul 00:24:08.260 --> 00:24:09.940 of what's been made right, 00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:11.040 of what the world 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.120 can't provide, 00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:13.860 but what is found 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.040 in Christ 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.820 and in Christ alone. 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.340 And if you have, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:18.760 church, 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:21.180 then can you join me together 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:23.400 as we commit to live 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.120 in the fullness 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.640 of the power 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.220 and the purpose of God? 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.760 Not for me to try 00:24:28.760 --> 00:24:29.260 to be you 00:24:29.260 --> 00:24:29.960 or for you to try 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.460 to be me, 00:24:31.040 --> 00:24:32.440 but for all of us 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.180 to say, 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.500 this is who God's made me. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.840 This is what he's gifted me with. 00:24:37.260 --> 00:24:39.320 This is what he's entrusted me with. 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:41.220 And so I go from here 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.580 in the power 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.600 of the resurrection 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:45.220 to be obedient 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.420 to the Father 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:48.620 in all that he calls me to do. 00:24:49.040 --> 00:24:50.800 In every moment of it. 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.400 Because he, 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.560 above all things, 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.340 is my heart's desire. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.080 Would you pray with me? 00:24:59.520 --> 00:25:00.560 God, this morning, 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:03.340 we thank you 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.040 for the work 00:25:04.040 --> 00:25:05.580 that Christ did on the cross. 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:08.400 Lord, we thank you 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:10.740 for his beautiful sacrifice, 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:13.560 the horrific sacrifice, 00:25:14.260 --> 00:25:16.160 the painful sacrifice, 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.880 but the sacrifice 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.960 that brings joy 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.980 and it brings peace 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.840 and it brings hope. 00:25:22.040 --> 00:25:22.620 Lord, I pray 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.840 for those of us today 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.760 that are here. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.300 Lord, I pray for us 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:27.860 as we gather 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.840 in our living rooms, 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:31.600 as we watch on our TVs 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.700 or on our phones 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.660 or on our computers. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.800 Lord, that the realness, 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.980 Lord, that you would step 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.960 into the room 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.720 where we are. 00:25:40.020 --> 00:25:40.820 Lord, as we battle 00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.920 our fears, 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.740 as we battle 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.780 our struggles, 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.740 Lord, as we battle 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:46.060 our anxieties 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:46.800 of what's there, 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.800 of whatever is coming at us. 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.920 Lord, you step in. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.820 Lord, and when you 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:53.940 step in and find us, 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.920 you don't yell at us. 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.020 You don't scold us. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.040 You give us grace. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.060 You give us power. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.900 You give us purpose. 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:08.660 Jesus, may we live in that. 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.540 May we honor you 00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:11.940 and celebrate you 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:14.020 by fulfilling the purpose 00:26:14.020 --> 00:26:15.820 that your Father 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:18.100 has given to us. 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.100 And it's in Jesus' name 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:20.500 we pray. 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:21.920 Amen. 00:26:22.760 --> 00:26:23.900 If you'd like to talk 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.580 to one of us 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.360 about a relationship 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.000 with Christ, 00:26:26.280 --> 00:26:27.440 we would love for you 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.540 to email us. 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.700 And so please feel free 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:31.000 to email me, 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:32.300 bow.bradbury 00:26:32.300 --> 00:26:34.040 at willowridgechurch.org. 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.360 We would love to connect 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.060 with you this week 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.900 of talking more 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:38.080 about a relationship 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.660 with Jesus 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.780 and what that looks like. 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:56.460 Thanks again for listening 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.600 to the Willow Ridge Church 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.380 weekly podcast. 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.900 We hope that you enjoyed 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.200 listening to this week's message. 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.760 If you'd like to learn more 00:27:02.760 --> 00:27:03.600 about who we are 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:05.220 or explore additional resources, 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.700 visit us online 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:10.260 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:27:10.260 --> 00:27:11.480 or by searching 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.480 for Willow Ridge Church 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.820 on Facebook and Instagram.