“Jesus is Risen! No More Grave Clothes!”
“When He had said this Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” John 11:43-44.
* Being that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what grants us our future resurrection and eternal life, we ought to have great Easter celebrations, don’t you think? Unfortunately, there are people that have no idea what a profound impact the resurrection of Jesus Christ actually has on us.
* Even before Jesus rose from the dead, He already demonstrated His resurrection power as He called his friend Lazarus out of his tomb.
* In reality, this event set off the Pharisees to crucify Jesus. Lazarus had been dead four days. Due to Jewish tradition families usually buried their loved ones soon after death, but the Jews also believed the spirit hovered over the dead body for up to three days. This time too had passed. Lazarus was a fully dead man! It was truly a miracle to bring him back to life, and this was too much for the Pharisees. This Jesus has become a threat to their established religious organizations. What the Pharisees underestimated was that this power would continue to be exhibited in the life of Christians for thousands of years to come. If you are a child of God, you have been brought from death unto life. Well, what are we talking about? Well, let me explain…
* Jesus had raised Lazarus from the grave. We love the story because it shows the power of the Savior. We can know that if He can raise the dead to life, we are included in that. If Jesus resurrected, and He did, then we can celebrate because that resurrection is transferred to us.
* So, we can stop living as if life is meaningless & take off those “grave clothes” that we wear so often. Yeah, life here will never be we perfect, but we can trust Him to be present in our life. He is also there to carry our burdens from illness to help us make our house payment or whatever struggles our life may hold. We need to remember that every day. Since Jesus has power over death, you can be absolutely sure that He can handle anything you are struggling with, no matter how impossible it seems.
* Jesus came to give us life! Jesus told Lazarus to take off His grave clothes, to quit “living” like he was dead. We are told to do the same. Even if Christ does not fix all our problems in this life He is with us. One thing is certain though… He got everything done that needed to be done so we will have a wonderful life way ahead… in Heaven!
* Our future is assured through the grace of His shed blood on the cross and the stamp of approval was the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.
* Well, what are you waiting for? Take off your grave clothes. Quit “living” among the dead. Be alive! Jesus saved you by grace, through faith, not unto death, but unto life! Doesn’t that make a huge difference in your life today? SO LIVE! Don’t let this world steal your joy. Satan likes to rob you of your peace – Don’t let him do it to you. Stop worrying over tomorrow!
* Someone said, “It doesn’t do any good to explain if the other person has decided not to understand.” I have to say this: Stop resisting! Start living… with a purpose… do not be a troublemaker… be a caring, loving child of God who believes and lives the resurrection that is already implanted in you. Yeah, take off your grave clothes and LIVE!
Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag
“When He had said this Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” John 11:43-44.
* Being that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what grants us our future resurrection and eternal life, we ought to have great Easter celebrations, don’t you think? Unfortunately, there are people that have no idea what a profound impact the resurrection of Jesus Christ actually has on us.
* Even before Jesus rose from the dead, He already demonstrated His resurrection power as He called his friend Lazarus out of his tomb.
* In reality, this event set off the Pharisees to crucify Jesus. Lazarus had been dead four days. Due to Jewish tradition families usually buried their loved ones soon after death, but the Jews also believed the spirit hovered over the dead body for up to three days. This time too had passed. Lazarus was a fully dead man! It was truly a miracle to bring him back to life, and this was too much for the Pharisees. This Jesus has become a threat to their established religious organizations. What the Pharisees underestimated was that this power would continue to be exhibited in the life of Christians for thousands of years to come. If you are a child of God, you have been brought from death unto life. Well, what are we talking about? Well, let me explain…
* Jesus had raised Lazarus from the grave. We love the story because it shows the power of the Savior. We can know that if He can raise the dead to life, we are included in that. If Jesus resurrected, and He did, then we can celebrate because that resurrection is transferred to us.
* So, we can stop living as if life is meaningless & take off those “grave clothes” that we wear so often. Yeah, life here will never be we perfect, but we can trust Him to be present in our life. He is also there to carry our burdens from illness to help us make our house payment or whatever struggles our life may hold. We need to remember that every day. Since Jesus has power over death, you can be absolutely sure that He can handle anything you are struggling with, no matter how impossible it seems.
* Jesus came to give us life! Jesus told Lazarus to take off His grave clothes, to quit “living” like he was dead. We are told to do the same. Even if Christ does not fix all our problems in this life He is with us. One thing is certain though… He got everything done that needed to be done so we will have a wonderful life way ahead… in Heaven!
* Our future is assured through the grace of His shed blood on the cross and the stamp of approval was the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.
* Well, what are you waiting for? Take off your grave clothes. Quit “living” among the dead. Be alive! Jesus saved you by grace, through faith, not unto death, but unto life! Doesn’t that make a huge difference in your life today? SO LIVE! Don’t let this world steal your joy. Satan likes to rob you of your peace – Don’t let him do it to you. Stop worrying over tomorrow!
* Someone said, “It doesn’t do any good to explain if the other person has decided not to understand.” I have to say this: Stop resisting! Start living… with a purpose… do not be a troublemaker… be a caring, loving child of God who believes and lives the resurrection that is already implanted in you. Yeah, take off your grave clothes and LIVE!
Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag