Pastor Slaughter
Easter-2
4-11-2021
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:19-20
Theme: Certain Hope for Uncertain Times
Uncertainty is the worst. It causes a lot of stress. There is the inability to make plans. Then the potential of constantly changing those plans. There is the mental burden, the mind spinning, the trying to find the solution that will bring clarity, so that you know what to do or say.
Uncertainty is the worst. And these are certainly uncertain times. Over the past year, things kept changing. The things I thought were certain weren’t. Things I was told were true weren’t. Nothing seemed certain. It still doesn’t.
In such uncertain times, people need hope. They need to believe there are answers—solutions to what they are experiencing. What are some things people are hoping for as we sit here today? “I hope this virus goes away so life can get back to normal.” “I hope I get a job soon.” “I hope our country can heal.” “I hope that difficult conversation goes well.” “I hope I made the right decision.”
It is important to have hope. The problem is that most of the time the hope people have is really no hope at all. It is nothing more than a wish, a dream, a “Wouldn’t it be great if…?” There is nothing certain about such hope. And so, this kind of hope isn’t much help.
That is why it is so good we are here this morning. That is why the Easter season of the church year is so important. That is why we spend so much time celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And we are going to discover that what happened outside of Jerusalem that first Easter Sunday nearly two thousand years ago gives us a different kind of hope—a sure and certain hope. Easter gives us hope for uncertainty in this life and hope for a certain life to come.
The Bible is filled with promises—promises of what Jesus is doing and will do in the lives of his people. Mt 28:20 “And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” That Jesus is always with us. No matter where we are, we are never alone. Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So stop being afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” That Jesus knows our every fear and worry. That Jesus has the power to protect us. That Jesus has the power to provide for us. That Jesus hears our prayers. 1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” That Jesus loves us.
If Jesus’ bones are buried in a cave somewhere outside of Jerusalem, NONE of these promises can be true. And God’s promises cannot be trusted. Can you imagine if Jesus was just an amazing teacher, who taught us important lessons and gave inspiring messages who taught us to love the poor, to turn the other check, to even love our enemies, But Jesus bones are still buried in a cave.
Can you imagine facing cancer if Jesus was still dead. Can you imagine struggling with patience with your kids or struggling self control with alcohol and being content and satisfied in life if Jesus is still in the grave? It’s a terrifying thought, isn’t it? That all of the promises that Jesus made amount to nothing. That would be terrible… We would be the most “pitiful people of all” (v.19b.)
That is why Paul’s Word here have this joyous sounds. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…” (v.20). Paul says that would have been terrible. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. His bones aren’t burin din some cave somewhere outside of Jerusalem. His bones, along with the rest of his body, were raised back to life. And he is alive and well this very day.
So Jesus is able to fulfill very promise the Bible makes about him. Jesus IS always with you. No matter where you are, you are never alone. Jesus knows your every fear and worry—whether it is about a virus or a job or the future of your country. Jesus has the power to protect you and provide for you. You need never worry. Jesus hears your prayers. Every, single, one. Jesus loves you—loves YOU. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. He loves you enough to win forgiveness for your every sin.
You don’t need to hope he is with you, can protect you, loves you, and forgives you. These are God’s promises. This is the sure and certain hope because Jesus is alive and is perfectly capable of carrying out his promises.
But there will come a day when even that won’t be enough. There will come a day, for every one us, when promises about this life won’t matter because this life will end. What then?
In our lesson for today Paul puts it this way, “If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all.” (V19). Yes, we have hope in this life because Jesus is alive. But, if that were the only hope we had, it wouldn’t matter when we leave this life.
Paul writes, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20).
Well, there it is—the greatest promise you could possible hear this morning. If you sat down this morning and were promised that Covid would disappear by the end of the week, that would be great. If you were promised that you would wake up tomorrow and be given your dream job that would be great. IF you were promised a winning letter ticket that gave you guaranteed income for the rest of your life, the would be great. But none of these promises can compare to what the apostle Paul just said.
Listen again, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In the words, Jesus did rise from the dead. And he is just the first one who will do so. Because he won forgiveness of sins and conquered death, everyone who follows him will also be raised from the dead one day.
Talk about hope! It essentially means that this life cannot really hurt you. It can cause you pain and disappointment and frustration, sure. Yet knowing that this life is only temporary but the next life will be eternal puts things in perspective. Doesn’t it? And knowing that this life may have pain but that the next life will be painless is priceless. And knowing that this life may be filled with tears but that the next life will be tear-free dries those tears a bit. Doesn’t it?
“Sounds too good to be true, pastor.” I agree. It does. Eternal life? In a perfect paradise? And given to me as a free gift earned by Jesus? Is this really too good to be true?
No. No, it is not. Unlike the kind of hope this world offers, Easter offers sure and certain hope. Because Jesus did rise from the dead. Because he IS alive and is able to keep all of his promises. Because he promises eternal life to all his people.
Uncertainty is the worst. Whether it is uncertainty about your health or your wealth, or a virus or a vaccine, or your job or your relationships, uncertainty stinks. I n this remarkably uncertain time, aren’t you glad you don’t need to rely on wishes and dreams? You can rely on the sure and certain promises of God. You can rely on a Savior who is alive and well. I can die because Jesus is alive. I go to heaven because Jesus is alive. I am forgiven because is alive. There is no guilt or same because Jesus is alive. I am spiritual power because Jesus is alive. I don’t have fear for the uncertainty of this life, because my savor is alive. Your savior is alive. He is your hope here…and hereafter. He has risen! He has risen indeed! Amen