Easter – What It Means to Me
(Resurrection Day)
Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee 3/10/2018
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12
From the time of Adam and Eve, sin has been in the world. We cannot be 'good enough' to be in the presence of a holy and perfect God – the God of the universe - All seeing, all knowing, and all being. We cannot erase any sin by being “good” – our efforts are worthless.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:23
It is not about being good or being bad. Again, none of us, without a Savior, are good enough to go to Heaven to be with a Holy and Righteous God. God allows NO sin into heaven. But God sent us His only begotten Son (One and only Son) to serve as a blood sacrifice (perfect sacrifice) - (Heb 9:26-28) to cleanse us from our sins. The Son of God, Jesus Christ made intercession for us. He did that because of His great love for us. It was His plan.
For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
It is a FREE gift. The gift of Jesus.
This is what “grace” is all about - NOT of works or good deeds (Eph 2:8-9).
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by One Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Romans 5:15)
There is NO other way to heaven but by Jesus Christ. He came to earth and was born a man for 33 years to show us the Way. And most men rejected Him 2000 years ago (Isaiah 53:3) just as many do today. Many so called ‘good people' are trying to work their way into heaven.
Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus was despised of men (Isaiah 53:3) and rejected by most, and still is to this day. He willingly went to the cross to die for our sins (1 Cor 15:3). Then as the Bible predicted hundreds of years earlier (Ps 110:1) (for one), that He would rise again and be seated on the right hand of God. Jesus, who is God in the flesh (John 1:1-3) and Creator, reigns yesterday, today and forever. He is the LORD of lords, KING of kings, and has always been - never changing. He has risen - the tomb is empty. And we will meet Him very soon.
God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God wants us with Him in heaven. Did you know there are things that God hates? The answer is Yes. And therefore we should turn (repent) from our ways, our attitudes and actions that displease God (Pro 6:16-19). He put us on earth to glorify God (1 Cor 6:20).
Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41), but those who reject and do not “receive” the living Christ (John 1:12-13), are bound for hell. “Receiving” – sound too simple? This is in the Bible, God’s word. Not mine. Many people think they can do it their way and many will just refuse to believe or to trust what our Creator says. Those of you who do not trust the Lord are rejecting the Savior, Jesus Christ. Please do not do that.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18).
People will put their trust in automobiles – they will get us to their destination most of the time. Many will put their trust in airplanes and their pilots – it will get them to their destination, most of the time. Many place their trust in man: for emergency services, providing electricity, for food at the grocery store, for hospitals to provide life-saving operations, and much more. But most in this world will not place their faith and trust in the One who will forgive our sins (Matt 9:6) and give us everlasting life – That is to live joyously for ever in the presence of our Lord, in perfect health and contentment. Trust Jesus! (PS 20:7) We all know those who think that this is a fairy tale. Their pride will not allow them to humble themselves to the Lord Jesus. Pride is of this world and has plagued man since the beginning (1 John 2:16). It is one of the devil's tools.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Ps 118:8)
Trust Jesus, our Creator (John 1:3). Admit to God you are a sinner. Confess your sins (faults) to Him and believe it in your heart that He will rescue your life. That is one of many promises to us from the Bible. Believe that He was crucified, died on the cross (1 Cor 15:3), was buried, and He rose from the dead (1 Cor 15:4) and give no mind to scoffers who say differently. The Bible is the inerrant word of God – no discrepancies**.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:9)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom 10:10)
Jesus did it all for us. He paid the ultimate price for our souls if we receive Him and surrender our lives to Him. He will wash your sins away and you'll be “born again” to a new life (John 3:3). He will make you a “new creature” even though you'll look the same to others on this earth (2 Cor 5:17). You will be ‘saved, secure, and desiring to serve’ Him in all that you do.
SALVATION.
Now that’s what Easter means - to me! It can mean that to you too if you do not have a personal relationship with the Lord at this time.
So, "Call upon Him today while there is still time. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" (Isa 55:6)
Jesus is waiting.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with Me. (Rev 3:20)
Place your focus on Jesus this Resurrection Day.
And not bunnies and colored eggs.
** All scripture by KJV Bible
Thanks for "Taking 5" - Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle TN
iamnotashamed.com - God bless and bless GOD
