The World’s Greatest Day

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Introduction

  1. The world has seen many great days. The creation, the death-burial-resurrection of Jesus, and the day of Pentecost. 
  2. The Greatest Day is yet to come... Lord’s Return

1. Day of Identification

  1. Jesus will be identified as Lord and Savior. Every tongue will confess him
  2. Jesus will identify those who are His. Every Christian will be identified.

2. Day of Transformation

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. 
  2. We will have a body like that of Jesus
  3. What does the Bible teach about Future Recognition? 

3. Day of Commendation

  • 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
  • The Crown of Righteousness (2 TIm 4:8)  

4. Day of Reunification

  • ”Caught up together” (1 Thess 4:17) 
  • The living and the dead will be reunited.  

5. Day of Separation

  • 2 Peter 3:10
  • What will happen to those who are not ready to meet the Lord?  

Conclusion

  1. Are you a Christian? Are you identified with Christ? 
  2. Are you ready for the world’s greatest day? 

The Ascension of Jesus

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Introduction

  1. Astronauts were not the first people “in space.”
    • Jesus Christ ascended into heaven without a space rocket.
  2. Picture the homecoming in heaven when esus arrived.
    • Every Christian will ascend to heaven with a homecoming (1 Thess 4:16–17)
  3. Philippians 2:5-11 “every tongue shall coness Jesus Christ is Lord”
    • Acts 1:1–3 “seen of them 40 days” why 40 days?
  4. Six lessons to be learned from the ASCENSION OF JESUS

1. The Ascenion & FINISHED WORK OF REDEMPTION

  1. Mark 16:19 “sat on the right hand of God”
  2. This implies that Jesus “finished” the work God sent him to do.

2. The Ascension & INTERCESSION FOR US

  1. Hebrews 4:14–16; Jesus is our high priest.
    1. Exodus 28:34 “Golden bell and pomogranate around them” Why?
    2. Hebrews 7:25 πHe liveth to make intercession for us”
  2. Difference between sympathy and empathy.

3. The Ascension & THE GREAT COMMISSION

  1. Mark 16:19–21
    • “Jesus was received up into heaven... and THEY went forth and preached everywhere.” Is that what we are doing?

4. The Ascension & CHRISTIAN SERVICE

  1. Ephesians 4:8–12
    1. Matthew 25:14-30. Five, two and one talent
      • One talent man was afraid and hid his talent.
    2. Colossians 1:24 “Suffered in the flesh for Christ and His body which is the church.”

The Ascension & SECOND COMING

  1. Acts 1:10–11
    • Jesus ascended bodily and suddenly. This is how He will return.
  2. He is coming to raise the dead, translate the living, unite them back again, and take His children to heaven.

The Ascension & A NEW RELATIONSIP

  1. John 20:17–18 - “touch me not... MY Father... YOUR Father.”
    • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 a new creature
    • John 14:1-4 Jesus speaks of a new relationship in heaven.

Conclusion

  1. If you know nothing about this NEW RELATIONSHIP as one of His children... please prepare now. FAITH, REPENT, CONFESS, BAPTISM.
  2. Jesus ascended. One day he will descend not to save but to judge. Will it be HEAVEN for you? Will it be HELL? Which?

The Day Death Died

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Introduction

  1. 1 Corinthians15:1-4.....13-21
    • The darkest day - death of Jesus. The brightest day - resurrection.
  2. Universal Radio - 33 A. D. in Jerusalem.
    • Job asked the age old question - “If a man die, shall he live again?”

1. Death Is the Common Lot of All Mankind:

  1. The planet earth is a vast graveyard.
    • Illust.: Harry Houdini - “If there is a way out of grave, I’ll find it.”
  2. Scriptures: Psalms 103:15-16; Isaiah 64:6; Psalms 23:4; 31:5; 116:15; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 7.
  3. Hope - Proverbs 14:32. No hope - Proverbs 11:7

2. The Hope of the Resurrection

  1. Nature teaches a resurrection.
  2. Paul instructed Agrippa about resurrection - Acts 26:8
  3. Paul, Peter and early Christians believed in the resurrection.
    • Christ is the first fruit of the resurrection - I Corinthians 15:20
  4. What would life be without hope of the resurrection?
    1. Preaching in vain - V. 14
    2. Faith is foolish - V. 14
    3. Disciples would be false witnesses - V. 15
    4. Still in our sins - V. 17
  5. Romans 4:25
    1. No resurrection....no Savior...no forgiveness....no justification...no cleaning from sin...the penalty of sin is still upon us.
    2. Death would have dominion over us - V. 18
  6. Paul ended this Resurrection Chapter with hope - V. 51-57
  7. Where does Christ dwell? At right hand of God in heaven.
    • How does He dwell in us? “By faith”. - Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:17

Conclusion:

  1. During the past three weeks, we have looked into the TRIAL OF JESUS (spiritual and civil), His CRUCIFIXION and His RESURRECTION.
    1. Do you believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again from the grave -
      • This is the GOSPEL STORY - II Corinthians 15:1-4
  2. Christ does not RESIDE in the heart where He does not PRESIDE over it.
    1. Will you crown Him “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS?”

Behold the Man

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Introduction

  1. John 19:1-42 is the Greatest Love Story ever told. It tells of God’s Love for us and Christ’s willingness to die for our sins.
  2. Behold the Man. We see four things.

Behold the Man

  1. The Crown (John 19:1-5)
  2. The Cry (19:6)
  3. The Crisis (19:7; 8-22)
  4. The Cross

Crucifixion of Jesus

  1. The picture of Calvary is one of death and suffering.
  2. The crucifixion means different things to different people.
    1. To the Jews and Romans = execution.
    2. To the unbeliever = foolishness (1 Cor 1:18)
    3. To the believer (1 Cor 2:1-4)
  3. What do you see when you “Survey the Cross”?

When I Survey the Cross, I see...

1. The Value God Places Upon the Soul is Man

  1. Look at the Lord in Gethsemane.
  2. Look at the Lord as he stood before Pilate.
  3. Look at the Lord carrying the heavy cross to Calvary.

2. The Darkness and the Inhumanity of Man Toward His Fellowman

  1. 1 Peter 2:22; John 15:25
    1. The absolute need for Hell
    2. The penalty of sin

3. Love of God and Love of Christ

  1. Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9; John 3:16
  2. No one took His life... He gave it!
    1. 12 legions of angels

4. The Value God Places on the Church

  1. Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25
  2. What are we doing when we say hurtful things to a Christian?

5. The Great Challenges in My Life

  1. Forgive... love others... prepare to die.

6. Hope Offered for the First Time

  1. Hebrews 10:1-12; Ephesians 2:12; 12-13; Colossians 1:27-28; Galatians 3:27

7. A Cross for Me

  1. Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Galatians 2:20

Conclusion

Behold the Man

Must Jesus bear the cross alone... no, there is a cross for me.

The Greatest of All Nights

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Introduction

  • There are many great nights mentioned in the Bible
  • Some are laden with Tradegy and others with Hope

1. The Greatest of All Nights

  1. Joseph and Mary held a great secret. 
  2. This SECRET was revealed when they traveled to Bethlehem. 
  3. -> The NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS had arrived. 
  4. -> Jesus was to be born (Gal 4:4) 

2. The Savior of the World was Born

  1. The PLAN OF SALVATION became needed when man sinned in the GARDEN of EDEN. 
  2. God uses many great people to bring this fulfillment: Abraham, David, Isaiah, others. 

3. God Used Many People in This Plan

  1. JEWS - a covenant people
  2. GREEKS - a common language
  3. ROMANS - a time of peace for the Prince of Peace

4. The Two Groups that Participated in the Greatest Night

  1. Angels
  2. Shepherds

poor shepherds visited Jesus. His association with the poor shows how approachable he was to every person.

 Conclusion: Mary and Joseph were Dedicated to God

  • Truly Jesus was born a FLESHLY BIRTH that you and I can be born a ROYAL BIRTH. 
  • Do you need to be born again? (John 3:3-5)