What follows is my sermon for Easter Sunrise Service delivered at St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Luthersburg, PA.
The Best News Ever
The story of the Jesus as told in the new testament is called the Gospel which means Good News. Jesus himself said that he had come to bring the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand. The term Good News can be found 16 times in the four books called the Gospel, and an additional 13 more times in the rest of the books of the New Testament.
Now I have what may seem like a strange question. Why are you here this morning? I mean, did you get up extra early this morning, get cleaned up and drive to this spot for some good news?
I am going to make an assumption. I think it is a pretty safe assumption, but an assumption none the less. I assume that you are here this morning because you are a Christian.
You claim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has made a mark on your life and you are here to celebrate the news of the empty tomb. And that is the point. You are not here because of good news! Now don’t get me wrong, good news is good. It might cause us to smile, perhaps it might cause us to join in a toast or to lift up a cheer. But the empty tomb is not just good news, it is the best news ever.
Good news just doesn’t completely describe the empty tomb.
And perhaps, Easter is not only a time to celebrate, but also a time to remind us just what we are celebrating.
Resurrection Sunday. Empty Tomb Sunday. Easter Sunday is the best news ever.
Here is the best news ever.
Because of the empty tomb we are forever free from being defined by our failures. No the empty tomb means we are God’s beloved children. Loved in spite of our shortcomings and failures. That is the best news ever
Because of the empty tomb we can face the storms of life without fear. The risen Christ walks with us through the difficulties of this life. The bad news of storms is met with the empty tomb.
Lust breaks up families, causes divorce, separates children from parents, but Christ remains. The bad news of the family breakups met with the empty tomb.
Debt threatens our ability to provide for ourselves and our families but Christ stays with us. The bad news of debt and bankruptcy is met with the empty tomb
Pride divides siblings, destroys friendships, brings betrayal, but Christ remains with the hurt and the broken. The bad news of lost friendships is met with the empty tomb.
War separates loved ones, destroys and devastates, but Christ remains in the absence and in the midst of the battle. The bad news of War is met with the empty tomb
Death is the ultimate bad news. Death is something everyone faces. Death of a loved one, a parent, a sibling, a child are the ultimate bad news. Eventually everyone must face the reality of their own death. This is the final bad news. But even the bad news of death is met with the empty tomb.
Because of the empty tomb is empty the storms of this life have no power over us; Lust has not power over us; debt has no power over us; pride as no power over us; war as no power over us; death has no power over us.
The empty tomb is the best news ever.
The empty tomb moves us from the agony and sorrow of Good Friday to the joy, surprise, and wonderment of Resurrection Sunday.
So we are here to celebrate the best news ever. Smile, laugh, shout, sing, dance, jump for joy!
The best news ever is better than your favorite team winning the biggest game of the year.
The best news ever is better than winning the biggest lottery prize ever.
We can smile like we got away with something because with the empty tomb before us and the risen Christ living in us, we have gotten away with something.
So Christian, be happy!
Smile!
Laugh!
Shout!
Sing!
Dance!
The empty tomb is the best news ever because the work is already done. There is nothing we can do to earn this gift of the empty tomb. The empty tomb means the fight is already won. The work has already been done.
This is not good news. This is the best news ever.
The Best News Ever
The story of the Jesus as told in the new testament is called the Gospel which means Good News. Jesus himself said that he had come to bring the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand. The term Good News can be found 16 times in the four books called the Gospel, and an additional 13 more times in the rest of the books of the New Testament.
Now I have what may seem like a strange question. Why are you here this morning? I mean, did you get up extra early this morning, get cleaned up and drive to this spot for some good news?
I am going to make an assumption. I think it is a pretty safe assumption, but an assumption none the less. I assume that you are here this morning because you are a Christian.
You claim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has made a mark on your life and you are here to celebrate the news of the empty tomb. And that is the point. You are not here because of good news! Now don’t get me wrong, good news is good. It might cause us to smile, perhaps it might cause us to join in a toast or to lift up a cheer. But the empty tomb is not just good news, it is the best news ever.
Good news just doesn’t completely describe the empty tomb.
And perhaps, Easter is not only a time to celebrate, but also a time to remind us just what we are celebrating.
Resurrection Sunday. Empty Tomb Sunday. Easter Sunday is the best news ever.
Here is the best news ever.
Because of the empty tomb we are forever free from being defined by our failures. No the empty tomb means we are God’s beloved children. Loved in spite of our shortcomings and failures. That is the best news ever
Because of the empty tomb we can face the storms of life without fear. The risen Christ walks with us through the difficulties of this life. The bad news of storms is met with the empty tomb.
Lust breaks up families, causes divorce, separates children from parents, but Christ remains. The bad news of the family breakups met with the empty tomb.
Debt threatens our ability to provide for ourselves and our families but Christ stays with us. The bad news of debt and bankruptcy is met with the empty tomb
Pride divides siblings, destroys friendships, brings betrayal, but Christ remains with the hurt and the broken. The bad news of lost friendships is met with the empty tomb.
War separates loved ones, destroys and devastates, but Christ remains in the absence and in the midst of the battle. The bad news of War is met with the empty tomb
Death is the ultimate bad news. Death is something everyone faces. Death of a loved one, a parent, a sibling, a child are the ultimate bad news. Eventually everyone must face the reality of their own death. This is the final bad news. But even the bad news of death is met with the empty tomb.
Because of the empty tomb is empty the storms of this life have no power over us; Lust has not power over us; debt has no power over us; pride as no power over us; war as no power over us; death has no power over us.
The empty tomb is the best news ever.
The empty tomb moves us from the agony and sorrow of Good Friday to the joy, surprise, and wonderment of Resurrection Sunday.
So we are here to celebrate the best news ever. Smile, laugh, shout, sing, dance, jump for joy!
The best news ever is better than your favorite team winning the biggest game of the year.
The best news ever is better than winning the biggest lottery prize ever.
We can smile like we got away with something because with the empty tomb before us and the risen Christ living in us, we have gotten away with something.
So Christian, be happy!
Smile!
Laugh!
Shout!
Sing!
Dance!
The empty tomb is the best news ever because the work is already done. There is nothing we can do to earn this gift of the empty tomb. The empty tomb means the fight is already won. The work has already been done.
This is not good news. This is the best news ever.
This message was inspired by the music group MercyMe lastest release, Lifer.
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