Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church

Dear worshipers of the Resurrected and living Jesus,
This weekend I was utterly frustrated. I had no voice to preach on Good Friday. On Friday and Saturday I wondered would I have a voice to preach the awesome resurrection story. At that time I was reminded of the story of minister who had been active in a spiritual renewal in the British Isles after World War II. On the Easter just before he died, D. William Sangster painfully printed a short note to his daughter. His ministry, except for prayer, was ended by a disease which progressively paralyzed his body, even his vocal chords. But the last Resurrection Sunday he spent on earth, still able to move his fingers, he wrote: "How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, 'He is risen!' Far worse, to have a voice and not want to shout." --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 167.
We are celebrating the greatest victory of all time. Jesus got the victory over sin, death and the devil. He got the victory during his life, which changes our lives today and brings a tremendous future for all of us who are celebrating the real meaning of the resurrection. Jesus lives!
I. The Fact – He Lives
Is there a real basis for our celebration today? Are there historical facts to base our celebration? Or have we just been deluded? Is this only wishful thinking that Jesus rose from the dead? Should we all wake up some day and realize we have been duped? Was it just a dream those women had? Was it a lie that the disciples proclaimed? Are we following cleverly devised tales? What a contrast we find in the disciples. Immediately after the crucifixion they are terrified. But after they see the resurrected Jesus they are willing to go forward and die for him. We see the change in the enemy of the Christian faith by the man Saul, who would become the missionary, the Apostle Paul. This is the man who would write the words of our text.
Look at what he knows about Jesus. He was raised; he is seated at the right hand of God. He even knows Jesus is coming back. In fact you have a form of the creed right here. In these verses along with the words he wrote to the Corinthians: (1 Cor 15:3-8 NIV) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, {5} and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also.
Look back at the story of Jesus death and resurrection, how the detail is there to prove he actually died, he was actually buried and that he rose. Contrary to customs of the day where the men should have gotten all the recognition, Jesus would first appear to the women. They would be the ones to hear the angel message. He is not here he is risen.
Today there are those who would mock the believers in the resurrection. But this is not the first time. There is the story: About 1930, the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 167.
But the truth of the resurrection would have to have an impact on the hearts of the people. That is what the Apostle Paul takes the story of the resurrection the next step.
II. The Faith – In the one who lives
Paul writes: For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. And he also writes: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ. Notice that what happened to Jesus is also happening to his believers. You know the words of the Apostles’ creed concerning Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died and buried…rose again…. Imagine rewriting the Apostle creed, I believe in Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the Virgin Mary, I suffered under Pontius Pilate, I was crucified, died and was buried and I rose again… does it sound almost idolatrous. But say it with me. I suffered under Pontius Pilate, I was crucified, died and was buried and I rose again. Jesus was our substitute. What he did was for us. He suffered for my sins. He was crucified for me. He died my death and he rose that I too should rise. In other words all the Christ did was for me.
What does this have to do with today? What kind of impact does this make on my own life, my thoughts, my dreams, my goals, my choices? Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. {2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. {3} For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Notice Paul says Jesus should change our hearts, our minds, and our life. Our desires, our thoughts and our life should be different.
When Paul wrote set your hearts on things above he didn’t just want us to day dream about heaven. Rather (Phil 4:8 NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Reflect on where you are in your spiritual journey. Do you desire the things that Jesus wants for you? Do you have a desire to be more Christ like? Do you desire to change, so that you are not so much like the world you live in? Do you let Christ control your desires or things below?
When Paul writes, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, I read of one person’s comment about Americans. The first thing they would do when they meet God almighty is ask for a car. (Maybe we should change it to a house, an ipod, a computer, or something.) You can fill in the blank. Can we be so earthly minded that we are of no good for heaven?
What have you asked for from the Lord spiritually? Have you asked to be more forgiving? Have you asked for a more spiritual life? Have you asked for great spiritual insight? Have you asked for a greater faith? Have you asked for a more faithful life? Have you asked the Lord to change part of your life? Have you used the tools of word and sacrament to let God work by grace in your life?
III. The Future – Because he lives
Paul has us look back at Christ’s resurrection, he brings us up to the present and the effect of that today and then he has us look ahead: When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. My voice is still not the strongest. At this point whether I have a voice or not, the words to describe what Jesus has promised, I cannot find. I do not know what it is like to wake up and find my self before the throne of God. I don’t know what it is like to breathe heavenly air. I do not know what it is like to wake up and have God holding my hand. I do not know what it is like to be freed from all the troubles, heart aches and temptations of this world and stand in the glory of the Lord. But that is what the resurrection proclaims. Jesus says, because I live you also will live, we will appear with him in glory. Amen.