Easter Day (A) Believe and be Saved



Easter Day (A) Believe and be Saved


April 11, 1993




When I think about the fact that after 40 years in the ministry this could be among the last Easter sermons I am privileged to preach, it makes me want to bear down a little harder. I ask myself, what really needs to be communicated. 


The news that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the bedrock truth of Christian doctrine, and the center thrust of apostolic preaching.


Paul, writing to the Corinthians (1 Cor: 15:3-4), says it like this: “What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, that He was buried and according to the Scriptures, He was raised on the third day.”


(1 Cor: 15:14 & 15:17) “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless – your faith is useless and we are still in our sins.”

 

In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 31-32), Peter proclaimed the resurrection of Christ like this, “Jesus was not abandoned to the grave, nor did His body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”


So, what is important? What is really vital? Paul again: “If we confess with our mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” And believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.” We will be free, without shame or fear to approach the throne of God, and in the name of Christ be privileged to enjoy all the benefits and blessings of God’s love. 


Jesus entered humanity with a mission. He came to demonstrate God’s love and to free us from the penalty we deserved for our sins. Just before He died on the cross, he announced that His mission was accomplished with these words: “It is finished.” Our Lord’s resurrection from the dead was God’s way of saying, YES, AMEN, SO BE IT, to Christ’s extravagant, sacrificial gift of love on the cross. The gift of His shed blood that put us in covenant with God.


If we, if you and I, really believe with our minds, wills and spirits, that Christ died to reconcile us to God, we have opened ourselves to be recipients of the innumerable benefits of His passion and grace. 


We are Easter people. The Easter good news is that God suffers from a compulsion to lavish His love upon us. That is what the cheering of Alleluia is all about on Easter Day. New, even at the grave we make our song, Alleluia! In Christ’s resurrection death has lost its power…Alleluia!

Not long ago our Presiding Bishop, Edmond Browning, commissioned the Gallup Organization to conduct a survey on the spiritual health of the Episcopal church. One of the questions that pertains to the Easter theme was this: 


  • Question: To what extent do you believe that through Jesus Christ we find forgiveness of our sins? Do you believe this completely, somewhat, or do you not believe this?


78% Believe completely

17% Believer somewhat

 3% Do not believe

 2% Don’t know


If this substantially orthodox position is typical of what Episcopalians believe, let’s give ourselves three cheers! We are standing on the bedrock or the Christian faith.


Now, having said this I want to share something with you that is both honest and practical. 


Since I started singing in an episcopal church choir 56 years ago, a lot of doubts and questions about the resurrection have passed through my mind. It is one thing for the congregation to proclaim “He is risen” and it is something profoundly different to be able to know personally that what God promised is really true. 


Example) It is one thing for the ships look-out to shout LAND, but until you have set your feet on the land, “land” is merely another word in the English language. 


It’s quite possible that there are some worshipers here this morning that hear the words, “Jesus Lives” but have had no personal experience of what it means to really trust that expression. I think the honest truth is that we all may be in slightly different stages on our faith journey. 


While I was a member of the Christ Church choir, I was given the opportunity to preach a sermon. I chose as my subject, “Doubting Thomas.” I could believe Doubting Thomas. After completing confirmation instruction, I told the Priest, Ashly Gherhard, that I wasn’t ready.  That was honest. I think it’s okay to be honest. I believe God loves honest men and women. So, all I am saying is, let’s be honest about our beliefs….and our doubts. Our doubts often turn out to be faith’s best friend. 


Now, for the practical idea. Doubting Thomas was struggling with the words of the Disciples, “We have seen the risen Lord.” To me the most significant fact about Thomas was that he stuck around. And in making the opportunity he experienced his own personal encounter with the risen Lord.


If you find it difficult to believe that Christ died for your sin, and that God honored our Lord’s sacrificial gift by raising Him from the dead…then wait! Wait upon the Lord.


  1. At least open yourself to the possibility of having your sins forgiven. God will not disappoint you.

  2. Imagine the inner strength that God’s love for you inspires. He has a compulsion to love extravagantly – abundantly – lavishly – for those who wait.

  3. Savor the hope inspired by the Lord’s resurrection…. we no longer need to fear eternity…. or next week.


Stick around Jesus Christ and His body the church, and by God’s Sprit in us you will see, touch and be touched by the love or our risen Lord. 


Example) A Missionary returning from 30 years in China heard some say, “You must have converted thousands!” He replied, “I don’t know about that, but I am sure of one.”


After 40 years as a priest in the Episcopal Church, I don’t know how many conversions…. or changed lives I might claim…. but I am sure of one.


He is Risen!

The Lord is Risen indeed!

Alleluia!

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