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Easter Sunday Morning 2006

Sunday, 16th April, 2006

 

 

 

The Greatest Love of all!

Easter is a celebration of the greatest love of all, a love demonstrated through the pain and suffering of one man – Jesus Christ.

The Roman Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on his head, mocking him and saying, ‘Hail King of the Jews!’. After this humiliation they nailed Him to a cross where he died an agonising death, demonstrating God’s love to a hurting, broken world – ans offering grace and forgiveness to everyone who trusts in Him.

 

Easter is a time to remember how God’s promise to care for us was fulfilled in the death and coming alive again of Jesus.

Such love looks for a response, so welcome, join in and discover the reality of God’s love for yourself. No pressure, no hassle – just enjoy the celebration.

 

 

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” The Bible 1 John 3:16

Theme

Love Hurts – The Cross

Love Triumphs – The resurrection

 

Read 1Corinthians 15:3-7

How should I feel today? Should I be sad because we remember how Christ died? No, Jesus himself looks back with joy that your salvation was won at such great cost.

Should I be glad that he is alive? Yes, indeed Jesus has died for our sins and has risen and ascended to the right hand of God. Love has triumphed over sin and death. Is there any place for grief? Why yes, because your selfishness put him there. And the selfishness that you so easily enjoy today adds to the pain and suffering Jesus bore on the cross.

 

This event still stands as the turning point of history. And it always will. Not because we use dates Anno Domini but because before this date selfishness was assuaged by sacrifice, now selfishness is removed by grace. Before release from guilt was hoped for, now it is real and tangible. Jesus has paid the price and removed the guilt of selfishness and sin.

 

But today needs a response. Love has come down and died on a cross. God’s love for you has hurt him deeply. Love has triumphed over sin on the cross and death in the coming alive of Jesus. But you have to receive it, Christian and non-Christian alike, today. Grace is God giving what you don’t deserve, mercy is God not treating you as you do deserve. But we need to receive Jesus into our lives by faith

John 1:12

Then you become part of Jesus death and join him in the coming alive after death. This is the immortality that is the substance of dreams and legends but it is no dream or legend this is a historic fact that happened about 2000 years ago and attested by millions of witnesses.

To receive Jesus involves you in asking him to enter into your life.

You can do it by inviting him to rule in your life.

Here is a prayer to guide you in what to say.

 

 

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things that I have done in my life that displease you and are wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.

I accept your gift of salvation and I accept your rule in my life.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever.

Thank you, Jesus

Amen

 

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