03-23-08 #Disciple Bible Study titled: "Easter" Special Speaker - Pastor Rock

[Disciple]

As I was thinking about what to share with you tonight, I kept coming back to the teachings we receive the rest of the year.
Tonight, I want to share some of my thoughts about what happens in our churches and our lives when it is not Easter or Christmas.
I have been told that when I present a study or preach, it is like I am sitting across from people at their kitchen table sharing a cup of coffee and cookies.
I invite all of you to pull up a chair and visit for a while.
Easter. . .
The Easter *****, dyed eggs, new clothes, sunshine and chocolate. . .
An empty tomb, angels, burial clothes. . .
Special church services at sunrise. . .
That word, “Easter”, evokes in us many mental images and memories.
Easter Sunday, for most, is a joyous time whether we are Christian or Pagan.
On that Sunday we celebrate a new beginning. For those who do not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, it is a time of renewal. A time for reflection on the past year. A time for new growth.
For those of us who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, it is a time for thankfulness, a time for reflection about Jesus and what his death and resurrection means for us.
Whether we call this particular Sunday “Easter Sunday” or “Resurrection Day”, we should be thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
As I contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus, I am reminded of a chorus from a song I have sung many times on Easter Sunday.
He came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Hmm.... . . .
Does the story end there?
Sadly, for many Christians, it does.
Jesus was born, lived for 33 years, was crucified, stayed in a dark cave covered in burial clothes for three days, came back to life, ate some fish and then floated up to heaven so He could build houses for us so that when we die, we can live in a mansion.
After we contemplate these things, we go about our way for a few months and then we begin to think about the birth of this man whose death and resurrection we thought about one spring day.
There has got to be more about this man we call Jesus.
Isn’t there?
In the Bible we have an account of the life of Jesus. This historical overview can be found in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
In most of the churches I have attended, we spend a good amount of our time and effort concentrating on Easter and Christmas.
During the other 50 weeks of the year we listen to our pastors teach about things such as righteous living, morals and values.
We hear stories about a road leading to Emmaus, about a man named John who wrote a book of prophecy on an island, talking donkeys, a guy named Adam and his wife, Eve and stories about people and their faith.
For the other 50 weeks of the year we greet the visitors in our church with a warm hello, a welcome packet and a follow up visit sometime during the next week.
Think about it. How often do we really hear about what Jesus came to earth to accomplish outside of Easter or Christmas?
Please don’t read things into my comments that are not intended. Most churches do a wonderful job of equipping the saints to spread the Good News.
They offer Wednesday and Sunday night studies, Sunday School, small group meetings and such during the week.
However. . .
For those of you who know me, you saw that “However. . .” coming, didn’t you?
However, we have to attend these extra-curricular events.
I am not saying this tonight to guilt you into going to church other times beside Sunday Mornings. I simply want to encourage you to increase your knowledge concerning Jesus during times other than Christmas and Easter.
If Jesus simply came to earth to die, then 33 years of his life was lived in vain.
God could have sacrificed that baby born 2000 years ago while still an infant.
The end result would have been the same.
Instead, God orchestrated many things in the life of Jesus in order to corroborate prophecies penned by many which can be found throughout the Bible.
If we just concentrate on the birth and death of Jesus, it is like reading the first and last chapter of a novel.
Sure, we know how it begins and how it ends, but we have no idea what happened in the middle.
It would be like reading a birth announcement in the paper and then 33 years later reading an obituary about that same person.
Wouldn’t you be curious about what that person was like during their short life?
What did they accomplish during that time?
Did they have friends and family other than survivors listed at the end of the obituary?
Did they have a career?
Did they make a difference in anyone’s life?
Will they be missed by anyone?
I am thankful we have the middle part of Jesus’ life available to us in print.
In the Bible we can read about the people with whom he associated. We can learn about His family.
We are even allowed to read about His personal struggles and get a glimpse into His thought process.
There is more to Jesus than his birth and death.
The Gospel of Matthew ends with these words:
Matthew 28:18-20 (CEV)
“Jesus came to them and said: ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.’”
Take a look again at part of those verses.
“. . . and teach them to do everything I have told you. . .”
“And teach them everything. . .”
“Everything. . .”
Hmm.... . . .
As Christians -- Disciples of Christ -- we are instructed to teach others what Jesus taught during His lifetime.
If we only know the beginning and end, how are we to teach everything?
I challenge each of you to discover for yourselves the “rest of the story.”
Delve into the Bible and find out who Jesus really is.
In doing so, you will be better equipped to share the Gospel.
A benefit of this is that You will be drawn closer to God himself.
The Holy Spirit will be made real to you as teachings and revelations are revealed as you study.
This Jesus we hear about at Easter and Christmas will be made known to you as you never knew Him before.