Opening Prayer - Heavenly Father, we thank you for blessing us with another Easter. There simply would be no hope for any of us if Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead on Easter morning. We thank you for the oppertunity to worship your Son and His death, burial, and resurrection this morning. We thank you that we serve a risen Savior. We pray that as many people as possible will become a Christian this morning. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Worship music - Please click the links and sing along if you know the words (You can also click skip ad to go straight to the songs) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGjfF31zB24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gGa1w_bnvM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDkAFf0huSo&index=3&list=PL07mmHpCGExZO9eJ9yDXkx4UR3yS14a0l
No hope without Easter
The events that occured this season over 2,000 years ago were by far the greatest ever. If Jesus hadn't died on the cross for our sins and arose from the dead, we would have no way of going to heaven.
So, what happened while Jesus was nailed to the cross?
While Jesus was on the cross, God took everybody’s sins (past, present, and future) and placed them on Jesus, who became guilty for every sin. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).
Then, God punished Him for every sin. Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities.”
After Jesus was punished, and he bled and died, God’s wrath towards sin was satisfied (Isaiah 53:10 says, “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him.”), and every sin was erased with Jesus’ shed blood – “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” (Revelation 1:5). 1 Peter 1:18,19 also says, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
The Good News for us is that if we are ready to start living a brand new life and believe that our sins were erased after Jesus was punished for our sins, shed His blood, and died, we will go to Heaven - “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood … ” (Romans 3:25). Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
We all deserve to pay the penalty for our sins against God (who is so holy, that He can’t even look at sins), but Jesus took the punishment that we deserved and freely gave us His righteousness (as if we had never sinned) in exchange. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Then, three days later Jesus rose from the dead to prove that our sins are paid for, so we can go to Heaven when we leave this world - “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
These are the facts that you need to believe in order to become a Christian. However, if you aren’t willing to repent of your sins “from this moment on”, aren’t willing to follow (imitate and obey) Jesus “from this moment on”, and aren’t willing for Jesus to become the Lord of your life “from this moment on”, your heart isn’t prepared to receive Jesus, even though you believe that He died on the cross to erase your sins. A perfect example of repentance in the Bible was when the Apostle Paul was witnessing to King Agrippa - Acts 26:19,20 “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” This means that if someone truly repented (changed, with God’s help, and began to think and live the way God wants them to think and live), they will know it because they began to do good works. Notice in those verses, Paul not only witnessed this way to King Agrippa, but to people in Damascus, Jerusalem, throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles. When someone repents of their sins, they are obviously willing to quit committing sinful actions (for example - lusting and having sex before they are married, getting drunk, practicing homosexuality (Romans 1:26-28), thinking and talking bad about other people, lying, and stealing), but they also must be willing to change the way they spend their time each day and their thoughts.
These topics are discussed in more detail at this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/nocontridiction
Although you may not have the opportunity for all of the following things, the following paragraphs explain what it means to be willing to repent of your sins "from this moment on", be willing to follow (imitate and obey) Jesus “from this moment on”, and be willing for Jesus to become the Lord of your life “from this moment on”. A simple summary of how you need to be willing to live "from this moment on and for the rest of your life" is - when you aren't witnessing to and/or helping others, you try to spend the rest of your time thinking about the things of God. You will see this pattern beginning with the next paragraph. You are telling God the following things:
“I will from this moment on, because I’m thankful for Jesus dying on the cross to erase my sins, and I love Him more than anything or anyone (Psalm 139:23,24), try very hard to do things such as -
spend more of my money on things like evangelistic associations, charities, and things for God’s purposes instead of entertainment and material type things (Matthew 6:19-21), if I have money left over from providing myself with food, clothing, and shelter, I’m willing to give to those who have needs and/or ask the church that I attend and support financially to help meet their needs (Luke 12:16-21);
teach people the Bible (Matthew 28:19), counsel with people who are having problems (Galatians 6:2), encourage others (Hebrews 10:25), correct other believers when they sin (Galatians 6:1), and tell people how to become Christians (2 Timothy 4:5) by mouth, through email or social media, and/or by handing out or dropping off Christian tracts in places like stores or restaurants where people can pick them up;
feed, clothe, and provide shelter and financial help for the less fortunate, and visit people in hospitals and jails (Mark 12:30-31);
do acts of kindness for people that will make You look good in front of others (for example - cook, clean, do people’s yard work, help people shop, wash people’s cars, fix people’s appliances) (Matthew 5:16);
and when I’m not doing those things, I will try to do things such as -
read through the Bible and do what it says to do and don’t do what it says not to do (James 1:22);
think about what I’ve read (Psalm 119:15);
think about things such as a miracle that I witnessed or heard of, someone who got saved, some act of kindness that I saw or heard of, or imagine what will be going on in Heaven when I get there (Philippians 4:8);
pray how Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13 by (admiring You, asking You to forgive me when I sin and try not to do it again (especially every harsh or idle word I say which reveals the state of my heart (Matthew 12:33-36), and I can do wonderful things for You, but if I’m repeatedly, without remorse, and purposefully not patient (not giving up living the Christian life when people and things are difficult, not getting back at people who did wrong to me, and not getting upset or flustered when I’m waiting on someone because I’m ready to leave to go somewhere, for example), kind (helping those who have physical, mental, emotional, financial, or spiritual needs I come across), if I envy, brag, or I’m proud of my mind, body, accomplishments and/or my possessions; think that I’m better and more important than others, rude, insist on my own way, irritable and/or resentful, rejoice at wrongdoing, keep count of other people’s sins, have improper or dishonorable behavior, blame people for having evil desires or intentions behind what they do, don’t think the best of people, don’t try to cover people’s faults and instead expose the wrong that they did to make them look bad in front of others, and don’t continue to forgive people who sin against me and expect that You will work everything out right, the good things about me don’t count (1 Corinthians 13:1–7). I will also try to rejoice about the good things of someone and won’t believe that they did wrong, but I will try to only believe that they did wrong if there is impossible to deny evidence. (1 Corinthians 13:7)); thank You for blessings and difficult circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and ask You to help me and others);
talk about You and the Bible with people who will listen (Deuteronomy 6:7);
attend church services that I am able to attend in order to worship, fellowship, and learn (Hebrews 10:25);
try to do whatever the Holy Spirit gives me thoughts to do each day no matter how challenging they may be or who or what tries to stop me (Ephesians 4:30);
try not to commit sinful actions and thoughts (Luke 13:3);
I’m willing to let Jesus become the Lord of my life (2 Corinthians 4:3-5, Romans 10:9, Acts 2:36) by taking over every “area” of my life from this moment on - (the way I handle my money, the way I spend my time each day, thoughts, conversations with people who will listen (Deuteronomy 6:7), what I watch and listen to (explained in this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/tvandmusic) where I go, try not to avoid witnessing to and/or helping others because I’m afraid of getting killed or robbed (Matthew 10:28), plans of each day, and future goals).
I’m willing to let Jesus become the Lord of my life (2 Corinthians 4:3-5; Romans 10:9, Acts 2:36) by taking over every “moment” of my life from this moment on - Whatever I do during each day (eat, drink, get ready for work or school, drive, shop, watch a sporting event, or mow the lawn etc.), I want to try to do it to please You and try to think about things such as what I’ve read in the Bible (Psalm 119:15); pray (Matthew 6:9-13); think about things such as a miracle that I witnessed or heard of, someone who got saved, some act of kindness that I saw or heard of, or imagine what will be going on in Heaven when I get there (Philippians 4:8) while I eat, drink, get ready for work or school, drive, shop, watch a sporting event, or mow the lawn etc. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
I want to think, say, watch, listen to, go where, and do what Jesus wants me to do each day (Mark 8:34).
I "will" try to do these things no matter who or what circumstances try to stop me (Luke 13:24, Luke 9:62).
I want to try to obey Colossians 3:17 by before I say or do something to help someone, I want to tell You that I am doing it for the Lord Jesus, and I thank You for the opportunity.”
If you’re willing to live the way the previous paragraphs just described “from this moment on and for the rest of your life”, your heart is prepared to receive Jesus, and you’re ready to get saved. Your heart is prepared to receive Jesus, you know what you’re getting yourself into (Luke 14:25–35), and you know that you aren't going to change your mind and go back to living your old lifestyle (Luke 9:61–62).
Now, you’re ready to tell God that you trust Jesus' death on the cross and His shed blood to erase your sins and let you into Heaven and believe that He rose from the dead. Please pray this prayer or a prayer like it, or make a decision like it to become saved –
Heavenly Father I am a sinner. Please forgive me for sinning. I am willing to quit displaying bad actions, having bad thoughts, and doing what I used to do that You do not like. I believe the following things: I believe Jesus was nailed to the cross, You took all of my sins (past, present, and future) and placed them on Jesus, Jesus became guilty for every sin, You punished Him for every sin, after He was punished, shed His blood, and died - I believe my sins were erased! I trust Jesus’ death on the cross and His shed blood to erase my sins and let me into Heaven. I believe He rose from the dead. I confess Jesus as the Lord of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
After you have given your life to Christ, you need to tell someone about it (Matthew 12:8,9). Besides, they might want to become a Christian too. Tell a good Christian church about your commitment, and tell them that you want to be baptized and publically say that you identify with Christ.
Weeks, months, and years after you have trusted Jesus’ shed blood to erase your sins, you should "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (not really saved)?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). If you try to and are increasingly able to live the way the previous paragraphs just said, you will have examined yourself, and you will have passed the test! Many very important Bible verses will apply to you if you are living that way. Knowing that you are going to Heaven is the most comforting thought someone can ever have. Many people believe that they are Christians but really aren’t. Their lifestyles don’t match up with verses in the Bible that prove someone is a Christian. When the Bible says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;” and “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” it isn’t asking us if we have said a prayer to believe in Jesus. These verses mean that we receive evidence we are saved because we have major changes in the way we think and live. Yes, there are people who basically claim that if you say a prayer one time to get saved, you shouldn't doubt that you’re saved, even if there is little or no change in the way you live throughout your life. How could they tell others that and ignore 2 Corinthians 13:5? Here is a list of important Bible verses that you will have accomplished, so get a Bible and look these verses up:
John 14:15; James 1:26; 2 Corinthians 5:14–18; Revelations 3:15–16; John 15:1–11; Matthew 7:17–21; Luke 13:3; Acts 10:36; Romans 10:9,10; Luke 14:25–35; Luke 9:23–26; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 5:15-17; Galatians 2:20; Romans 14:7–9; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Philippians 2:5–13; James 2:14–26; Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Matthew 10:28; 1 John 2:6; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 24:13; Luke 16:13; Romans 8:1; Luke 17:26–33; 1 Peter:1:15–16; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 7:24–27; Revelation 21:7; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 6:6–10; Luke 6:46–49; Titus 1:16; Romans 2:6–10; Matthew 3:8; James 1:12; Titus 2:11–14; John 15:18–21.
Since you’re beginning a new life, please study this free printable (through copy and paste) website – www.areyousureyouaresaved.com to help you understand the Christian life, how to live it, and give you more information to help you know if you are really saved.
If you have prayed or made a decision to trust Jesus' death on the cross and His shed blood to erase your sins and let you into Heaven, but you haven't been living the way this sermon has described, please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/makingsure
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you are not sure that you are really a Christian (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:18-22, 1 John 5:14, and Hebrews 11:1), you need to be sure - please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven