Easter Day 2018

We read in the Epistle this morning
“If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on this above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
These words inform us of what we should do.
The Gospel speaks of what happened when Mary Magdalene went to the sepulcher and the tomb was open.
In the simplest form; one could say that the Gospel is of Christs act,
but the Epistle (what we are to do) – is our act.
On this day there is nothing more proper, than for a Christian to rise with Him,
who did rise for us,
and to be with Him on this glorious morning.
Christ is risen, and if He, – – then we should be also.
And if we do so, … then we must seek, and this seeking we cannot do – unless we direct our focus to things of Christ;
for let us this day plant our heart where Christ is,
as He is sitting on the right hand of God and He is at Peace.

For He is Risen today, so this day, let there be two;
for if he is risen alone, then that is not enough,
what a shame if he be risen without us,
as we just lie still,
and do nothing on our part.
He did not do all this for nothing. His birth, life, passion, death, and now His resurrection – was it for naught?
Did He have nothing else to do?
Remember His words when He said that “I go to prepare a place for you”
and that He “will come again, and receive you unto himself.”
Who can forget His proclamation of:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
So, this day let it be a dual-resurrection of you and your God.
Yes, He is risen from the tomb, so let him hear our cry, “Lord, have mercy upon us – and draw us nigh to Thee.”
It is only through the giving of oneself that one may obtain eternity with God – and this gift is within your reach.
So let us begin or continue this path of Christian Faith, by being “risen with Christ, seeking those things that please Him –
by setting our affection of things above.
And we will only begin to understand, that our sanctification has begun, and continues, as we start to honestly and truly seek those things which are above.
The mind, unguided, will mislead you and steer you to things earthly,
but when the spirit be risen and lifted up to God, then see Christ leading you and guiding you to the things that please Him.
The world will give you a million reasons why not to be in church.
And it will entice you to things outside of His Body, outside of His Church.
So we all must strengthen our faith; and it does not matter if you are young or old.
Each of us must be strengthened in order to battle the temptations of life and the devil.
When Satan presents all the reasons for you not to be in church it is up to you to tell him
“Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
It is up to you to take control of your life!
It is we, who must make the time to seek those things above.

As risen, we are motivated to move and seek, and not only seek,
but wisely seek our Lord by adhering to His Will and His words.
We must avoid becoming those with itchy ears, as scripture describes them, seeking to hear what we want to hear.
We must always remember that (2Ti 3:16) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
“But knowing this first (says Peter) 2Pe 1:20 that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”

Seeking virtues of above:
Col 3:12 Things above / are things like mercy,
kindness,
humbleness,
meekness,
and longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, …
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, (the will to love one another,) which is the bond of perfectness. (Oh yes, be ye perfect)
Col 3:15 The peace of God must rule your hearts…
Col 3:16 And then, … the word of Christ (will) dwell in you richly in all wisdom; … (and you will) sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Do you not want this Peace of Love of your Lord?

By doing these things, by setting your priority within His Will, the truth, which is in Christ, will become clear to you.
This Easter Day is especially a day of seeking –
Mat 28:5-6 Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here,” saith the Angel;
and “why seek you the living among the dead? Lk 24:5 saith another.”
Remembering that our God is a living God, we must seek Him – by becoming alive once again.
Dead unto sin, but alive unto him,
allowing our heart, soul, and mind to have its very being within Him.
So yes, seek wisely, be wise and set your minds upon things above.

The church, by her office, must do her part as well.
Her doors are to be open…
The things that we are willed by God, encouraged to seek,
she must set before us,
and the mysteries of faith, she must honor and defend.
These functions of the Church are critical, for it is through them that Christ is made manifest;
within these walls of His Church and within your heart, the heart of His people.
Let us hear His words Jhn 6:33:
“For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”
And it was his disciples who then said unto him: Jhn 6
“Lord, evermore give us this bread.”
Jesus replied: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I am that bread of life.
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
And finally and the bread that I will give is my flesh,
which I will give for the life of the world.

My brothers and sisters, One is never so near Him, and He us, as when we receive the bread from heaven.
Acknowledge in the breaking, and in the taste, of the receiving of his gift to us, and just how gracious He was and is;
was in suffering for us, and in rising again for us too,
and in regenerating us also to have a lively and faithful hope.
His graciousness abounds in offering to us,
His mysteries and grace, as they raise us
and set our minds where true rest and glory dwells.
For you: He did give that you might receive.
These words HE DID THIS FOR YOU have been flashing on our new outside sign all week.
Just five words, but words that should cause one to stop and reflect.
If they are true, which they are, of great importance they are to each one of you.

As spring begins anew nature each year, may His rising this day create or renew His love and Spirit within each of you –
being a co-partner of His resurrection.
As we travel upon the road of life for the next 40 days,
feed the infant faith within or renewed your mature faith,
by refocusing your life towards His Will.
Allow His Church to feed and comfort you by partaking in its daily life.
Each of you is designed to thirst and hunger for His Love, and on this morning His Love is revealed to you via the empty tomb.
Empty the dead space within your hearts, your own personal tomb, and arise with Him and walk in His light and His ways.
Look to Him and He will look upon you.
Seek above, and feel His presence within as you smile, rejoice, and even celebrate His presence within your life.
So let us join the Apostle, John, and say the words t you know bring comfort to His Heart – “Come, Lord Jesus.”