Category: Easter Sunday – Jesus Lives

Let us proclaim these verses out loud:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV)
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 11:25a (NTFE)
25 “I am the resurrection and the life,” replied Jesus.

John 16:33 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

“We cannot privatise the message of the resurrection. If it is good news for us, it is good news for the world.” [N.T. Wright. The Crown and the Fire: Meditations on the Cross and the Life of the Spirit.]

The resurrection is the ultimate pattern breaker. Sin and death are no longer to be feared. In a world characterized by trouble, Jesus offers real hope and power. He has overcome the world, and the resurrection has proved it true. We can testify to the world that overwhelming victory is found in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Gentle and humble Jesus, we proclaim “yes and amen” to your word. You have overcome the world. You are the resurrection and the life. You have given us the victory over the power of sin and death through your life, death and resurrection. “Yes and amen” to sharing this good news to this world. “Yes and amen” to living for the Kingdom today and now. All for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Overcome” by Elevation Worship (click here).

-AS

John 21:15-17, 19b (NIV)
15 …Jesus said ”…do you love me more than these?” …Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “…do you love me?”…Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said…., “….do you love me?”…Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” 
19…“Follow me!”

“.. we become bonded to him, so that his new-creation life starts to become ours, not overnight most likely, but slowly and surely. If you want an example, look at the difference between Peter on the night he denied Jesus and Peter a few weeks later, standing before the rulers in Jerusalem and telling them, if you please, that he’d rather obey God than them. How had he got like that? By the new celebration of the new creation. The meals with Jesus and in commemoration of Jesus, the abiding presence of Jesus himself, had changed him and were changing him…God is calling Peters in every generation.” [N.T. Wright. The Crown and the Fire: Meditations on the Cross and the Life of the Spirit.]

We are called to this new celebration of the new creation life (salvation) in Jesus. As we abide in Jesus, God’s love is poured into us through the Spirit, not just for our own benefit, but also for the benefit of others. God’s love compels us and overflows from us.

Prayer: Gentle and humble Jesus, like Peter, we confess that we love you, and say yes to feeding and taking care of your sheep. Help us to follow wherever you lead. We trust you and thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Follow” by Passion, Melodie Malone (click here).

-AS

Let us proclaim these passages out loud:

Romans 8:11 (NIV)
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Galatians 2:20 (NTFE)
20 I am, however, alive—but it isn’t me any longer, it’s the Messiah who lives in me. And the life I do still live in the flesh, I live within the faithfulness of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“We are invited to open our eyes and see new life, open our minds and believe new life, open our hearts and love new life, open our hands and give new life. And we are invited to do this because Jesus is risen, and with him new creation has come into being.” [N.T. Wright. The Crown and the Fire: Meditations on the Cross and the Life of the Spirit.]

Prayer: Gentle and humble Jesus, thank you for loving me and giving yourself for me. “Yes and amen” to your word. My old self no longer lives. Now I live a new life by your Spirit in me. By the Spirit, you open my eyes to see, you open my mind to believe, you open my heart to love, and you open my hands to give. My life is an offering of worship to you. For your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Thank You Jesus For the Blood” by Charity Gayle (click here).

-AS

John 21:9,12a (NTFE)
9 When they came to land, they saw a charcoal fire laid there, with fish and bread on it.
 
12 “Come and have breakfast,” said Jesus to them.

In Luke 15, Jesus describes a gentle and humble Father who joyfully embraces his wayward son as he returns home. In the same chapter, Jesus describes a gentle and humble Shepherd who tenderly carries his lost sheep back home on his shoulders. In John 21, Jesus demonstrates the same gentle and humble heart of the Father and the Shepherd. Peter denied and publicly rejected Jesus, not once but three times! The resurrected Jesus now welcomes and embraces Peter with a meal… hot fish and warm bread on a charcoal fire. What amazing grace! Even when we horribly fail Jesus, he waits for us with a “hot breakfast” when we return to him. Peter is not only forgiven and restored in his relationship with Jesus, but he is commissioned to feed the sheep of Jesus. The humble and gentle Jesus gives us a new identity and purpose for our lives. He gives us a calling to participate with him in his shepherding work.

Prayer: Gentle and humble Jesus, your grace amazes us. Pour out your Spirit on our churches. Let us receive fresh power to be your shepherds to this generation, leading many sons and daughters to return back to the Father. For your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Your Grace Amazes Me” by Passion ft. Christy Nockels (click here).

-AS

John 21:4-6 (NTFE)
4 As dawn was breaking, Jesus stood beside the seashore, but the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.
5 “Children,” said Jesus to them, “haven’t you got anything to eat?”
“No!” they replied.
6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he said, “and you’ll find something.”
So they cast the net; and now they couldn’t draw it in because of the weight of the fish.

When was the last time you saw a beautiful sun rise? Imagine a dark horizon overcome by radiant hues of purple, orange, and yellow while Jesus stands at the shore, looking out at a boat on the waters. In John 21, Jesus called out to grizzled, world-weary fishermen who have fished thousands of times before. This morning, however, was totally different. The resurrected Jesus was speaking. He was giving instructions that will lead to new beginnings and new outcomes. His presence started a new day full of possibilities, a day full of things never seen before. The resurrection breaks old patterns and makes all things possible. At his word, the mundane is invaded with the new. Let us listen to his voice today. We need his voice. The “sheep” we care for needs his voice. What a joy it is to hear and follow the voice of the resurrected Jesus!

Prayer: Gentle and humble Jesus, you are with us. Fill us with the Spirit to hear your voice clearly. Empower us to obey your instructions so we can live well and feed your sheep. For your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Ancient Gates” by Brooke Ligertwood (click here).

-AS