https://www.bible.com/events/49429822

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Everyday Faith Part 2

Study every day.

Everyday Faith

Our goal over the next few weeks will be to understand and grow in the practices that help us live out our faith.

Just like we brush our teeth, comb our hair, we change our clothes, we take a shower. Our faith life has those same daily things we need to be doing to be healthy and growing to be like Jesus.

Things like reading the bible, serving, fellowship and community, and humility. Each week we are going to focus on one of those daily practices for our faith life.

Today we are going to look at the everyday faith practice of studying the bible everyday. The bible is God’s inspired word, through the hands of human authors.

It reveals to us who he his, his nature, his character, and his plan of redemption throughout history.

1 Timothy 3:16-17 Says “All Scripture is God-breathed (Gr. theh-o’-pneu-stos – some translations read “inspired by God” but the precise meaning is breathed out by God) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

As you flip through the New Testament looking at Jesus’ life, it wont take you long to see that he quotes scripture, a lot.

It’s estimated that over 300 times Jesus directly quotes or alludes to the Old Testament scriptures.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Now, for us that may sound familiar and we just read it as scripture. And it is. But what’s interesting here is that Jesus pulls these two separate commands from two different books of the bible. Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

Jesus passes this test, and in doing so reveals to us that He knew the scriptures by heart. They come out all over the place in his life.

Another interesting thing you will see looking at the life of Jesus is that He saw himself within the story of the bible.

Luke 4:18-21

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Not only does Jesus know the scriptures, he sees his very life as integrally connected and involved in the story they are telling.

The scriptures tell of God’s redemptive plan, his plan of salvation, and it’s this story that set’s the course for Jesus’ life. It defined his identity, it set his purpose. Jesus understood he was a part of the story that the Old Testament word of God had been telling.

So, Jesus knew the word, he saw himself in it, and it was his weapon in warfare.

Matthew 4:1-4

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

When the devil came around to wage war against Jesus, to temp him into giving up, to taking matters into his own hands, Jesus uses the word of God as his weapon and his defense.

Jesus himself used scripture to win the battles of his life, and he will use it to win battles in your life today.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

So, drawing from the life of Jesus, what are some practical steps we can take to bring God’s word into our everyday faith?

This first step will sound too simple, but it’s absolutely critical: We have to make time to read it.

In study after study, the number one reason why people didn’t read their bible, is that they didn’t have time. Friends, make the time to read the bible.

Start small, start by setting aside 5 minutes a day to read. If you already have a set time, extend it by 5 minutes.

Start with something that is realistic and doable for where you are right now, and do it.

You will never regret the time you invest in reading the bible.

Next, use the tools that are available to you.

In our digital age, there are tons of ways you can engage with the bible.

You can download the Bible App on your phone

Through this app, you can also listen to the bible.

Another great tool is a study bible like a “Life Application study bible”

Another great tool to help, is a friend.

Having someone to read with you is great for accountability and it’s someone you can process with.

Make time, use tools available, and start small.

If you aren’t sure where to start, pick a small book of the bible like the book of James and read that.

James is the half-brother of Jesus and his book is SUPER practical for living out our faith. Read the whole thing through, then study it chapter by chapter.

Remember, bible reading is not about how many pages or chapters you can get done- it’s about really connecting with what is written.

Read slow. Think about what it’s saying. Pray about it.

If you would rather start reading something that Jesus said, go and read Matthew 5-6-7, that’s a sermon that Jesus preached.

Finally, ask the Lord to help you.

It’s ok to ask the Lord to give you the desire to read the bible. “Lord, give me a hunger to read the bible”

Ask him to teach you what it means “Lord, you inspired these writers to record these words, will you inspire me to know what they mean”

Ask him to apply what you read to your life- “Lord, how do I need to live differently because of what I just read?”

 EVERYDAY FAITH

• COMING OUT OF EASTER-
• TOOL BOXES HAVE MANY USES
• WHAT ARE TOOLS THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED

ROMANS 12:12

  “REJOICE IN OUR CONFIDENT HOPE,, BE PATIENT IN TROUBLE, AND KEEP ON PRAYING.

QUOTE

  “MOST PEOPLE USE PRAYER AS THEIR SPARE TIRE INSTEAD OF THEIR STEERING WHEEL.” CORRIE TEN BOO

LUKE 11:1

1. ONCE JESUS WAS IN CERTAIN PLACE PRAYING. AS HE FINISHED, ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, “LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY, JUST AS JOHN TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES.”

LUKE 11:2

² JESUS said “THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY; “FATHER, MAY YOUR NAME BE KEPT HOLY. MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME SOON.

LUKE 11:3-4

   GIVE US EACH DAY THE FOOD WE NEED, AND FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US. AND DON’T LET US YIELD TO TEMPTATION.

LUKE 11:9

   “AND SO I TELL YOU, KEEP ON ASKING, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT YOU ASK FOR. KEEP ON SEEKING, AND YOU WILL FIND. KEEP ON KNOCKING, AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.

LUKE 11:10

  10. FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS, RECEIVES. EVERYONE WHO SEEKS, FIND. AND TO EVERYONE WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED.

LUKE 11:11-12

  “YOU FATHERS- IF YOUR CHILDREN AS FOR A FISH, DO YOU GIVE THEM A SNAKE INSTEAD? 12. OR IF THEY ASK FOR AN EGG, DO YOU GIVE THEM A SCORPION? OF COURSE NOW!

LUKE 11:13

  13. SOP IF YOU SINFUL PEOPLE KNOW HOW MUCH TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE YOU THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM.

• HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE I’M PRAYING BUT MY PRAYERS ARE JUST HITTING THE CEILING?

NATHANIEL

• I SEE YOU
• I HEAR YOU

BORN 1819- JOSEPH SCRIVEN

1842– ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED – FIANCE’ DROWNED

1855– MOM BECOMES TERRIBLY ILL

• WRITES HER A POEM

1860 FIANCE’ GETS PNEUMONIA DIES

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

ALL OUR SINS AND GRIEFS TO BEAR

WHAT A PRIVALEGE TO CARRY

EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER

O WHAT PEACE WE OFTEN FORFEIT

OH WHAT NEEDLESS PAIN WE BEAR

ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARRY

EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER.

HAVE WE TRIALS OR TEMPTATIONS

IS THERE TROUBLE ANYWHERE

WE SHOULD NEVER BE DISCOUIRAGED

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER

CAN WE FIND A FRIEND SO FAITHFUL

WHO WILL ALL OUR SORROWS SHARE

JESUS KNOWS OUR EVERY WEAKNESS

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.

https://www.bible.com/events/49426341

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Everyday Faith Part 1

Prayer

Everyday Faith

Over the next few weeks we are going to look into critical, every day tools or practices that go into building our faith and growing our relationship with the Lord

Our series begins with prayer. Our relational lifeline to the Lord.

As we seek to learn about everyday faith, it’s important to know right from the beginning that Jesus is our model for life and faith.

As you look at Jesus’ life in the New Testament, you will see that Jesus prays a lot.

Perhaps our first lesson in prayer would be that if Jesus, the son of God, prayed, so should we.

But moving beyond that, what do we see?

John 11:41-42

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Lazarus is 4-days dead at this point, but Jesus is about to raise him to life. But before he does, he stops and prays. And his prayer is to his Father.

If you think about this idea, father is a relational term. It’s a relationship of trust and dependance, of safety and joy.

I know today that not everyone’s relationship to their earthy father may be a positive one- but think about your best and closest friend.

You can be honest with them with how you are feeling. You can tell them what you are thinking or processing, without fear of judgement. It’s a safe space. It’s a comfortable place.

Friends, that’s how we see Jesus engage prayer, and that’s how we too are invited to approach talking to our heavenly father.

What we see is that prayer is an opportunity in relationship, not an obligation of religion.

Another thing that jumps out to me about how Jesus prayed is that he prayed about the practical things of his life.

When Jesus needed wisdom and guidance on who would be his 12 disciples, he prayed. Before Jesus broke the bread to feed the 5000 people- he prayed and gave thanks. In John 17, Jesus knows that his disciples are about to be shaken to the core by his crucifixion, so he prays for them.

You get the picture that prayer flowed from the everyday life of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Mark 1:32-35

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Jesus prayed. After the day he had, nobody would have blamed Jesus for hitting the snooze button a few times before rolling over to ask Peter what was for breakfast.

But Jesus doesn’t do that. He gets up early, gets dressed, slips out of the house, and goes to pray alone.

Jesus prioritized prayer.

Luke 11:1-4

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ”

In this text, Jesus has just been praying as he often did. As soon as he finishes praying, one of his disciples comes up to ask him about prayer “Lord, teach us to pray…”

This follower of Jesus has seen the power and impact of prayer in Jesus’ life and now, he wants to know how to do it. Friends, this is us today.

We have seen the prayer life of Jesus, we want to be more like him, to build prayer into our everyday routines.

When Jesus’ disciples asked him how to pray, he gave them what many people call “The Lord’s prayer”

To be sure, just like any relationship, there are times in prayer when we are listening and NOT speaking. But when Jesus disciples asked, he gave them words to speak.

This prayer embodies Jesus’ outlook on prayer. It is personal and relational, addressing God as “Our father”. It invites the Lord’s rule and power to come. “Thy kingdom come”. We surrender our desires and plans over to his “They will be done”

This prayer is super practical, both physically and spiritually.

Our goal over the next few weeks will be to understand and grow in the practices that help us live out our faith.

Just like we brush our teeth, comb our hair, we change our clothes, we take a shower. Our faith life has those same daily things we need to be doing to be healthy and growing to be like Jesus.

Things like reading the bible, serving, fellowship and community, and humility. Each week we are going to focus on one of those daily practices for our faith life.

This week we intentionally started with prayer because it’s really our lifeline connection to the Lord.

Will you take a step in your everyday faith to pray like Jesus today?

ENCOUNTER THE CROSS

JULY 15^TH 2005-RUTH/I  HOSPITAL WT NJ

SHE WAS IN LABOR- SHED BEEN ON BED REST FOR 2 MONTHS- THIS WAS EARLIER THAN EXPECTED-

ANXIOUS- WORSHIP MUSIC PLAYING

RUTHS DR CAME LOOKS GOOD-I HAVE A FAVOR- YOU MIND IF TEAM OF DRS COME (10-12) WHITE COATS

LABOR UNDERWAY-JASMINE ELIZABETH GRIFFIN BORN

LIFE FROM LIFE AND DR’S WEPT

THIS WEEK END OUR SERIES WITH DEATH TO LIFE

WEEK 1: THE SHADOW THE CROSS CASTS

WEEK 2: THE FORGIVENESS THE CROSS OFFERS

A REBEL

WEEK 3: THE ROAD TO THE CROSS

TODAY: THE POWER OF THE CROSS

IMAGES/LOGOS THAT HAVE STOOD OVER TIME

 STARBUCKS

• Designer Terry Heckler, who created the original logo, was drawn to the siren’s association with the sea and the captivating nature of coffee.

FEDEX LOGO

• COMPANY STARTED IN 1971 (WILD HOW/WHY)
• 1973 FIRST LOGO
• Fred Smith picked the word “Federal” in the name is to bag the Federal Reserve Bank as a customer.
• 1994 GOT A REFRESH BY LINDON LEADER
• WANTED TO REMOVE THE DEAD SPACE- POINT PEOPLE TO THEIR PURPOSEFUL MEANING

  AMAZON 

• THE NEW MOST FAMOUS
• DESIGNED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE 1995
• MAJOR DESIGN SEEN HERE 2000
• JUST UPDATED IN 2024 COLOR CHANGE
• DELIVERS A SMILE- WHEN THEY ARRIVE
• AND THE ARCH IS FROM A TO Z- EVERYTHING

CHRIST THE REDEEMER– LATE 1800’S

• WHAT ABOUT THIS SYMBOL
• WHERE HAVE YOU SEEN IT?
• IS THERE SOMETHING SUBLIMINAL IN IT?
• DOES CARRY A POTENT MESSAGE? 2300 FEET

TODAY- THE POWER OF THE CROSS

• What did Easter mean to you growing up? What are your memories of it?

EASTER BASKETS- HUNTS- DRESSING UP

SUNRISE SERVICE- COLD- FOOD WAS GREAT

   FIRST TIME IT HIT ME-

CALVARY COVERS IT ALL

MY PAST WITH ITS SIN AND STAIN

MY GUILT AND DESPAIR

JESUS TOOK ON HIM THERE

AND CALVARY COVERS IT ALL

HOW BLESSED THE THOUGHT

THAT MY SOUL BY HIM BOUGHT

SHALL BE HIS IN THE GLORY ON HIGH

WHERE WITH GLADNESS AND SONG

ILL BE ONE OF THE THRONG

AND CALVARY COVERS IT ALL

   THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST 2004-QUIET

LUKE 23

   ⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.   

OUTSIDE HOLY OF HOLIES

• 60 FEET TALL
• 30 FEET WIDE
• 4 INCHES THICK

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 23:46

  ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  ⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

LUKE 23:48

   ⁴⁸ When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.

• WHEN THE ARMY OFFICER SAW WHAT HAPPENED, HE PRAISED GOD AND SAID- CERTAINLY THIS MAN WAS INNOCENT. GW
•  ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Sonof God!” ESV
• ROMAN CENTURION- 1 OF HIGHEST RANKING
• HE’S BEEN TRAINED TO DO THIS JOB
• LED NOT JUST SEEN MANY CRUCIFIXIONS
• COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED BY THIS
• STANDS IN FACT IN OPPOSITION OF JESUS

This Roman centurion has the distinction of having the first words recorded in Scripture following Christ’s death. Immediately after Christ breathed His last, “he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’”

ROMES MOST IMPRESSIVE OFFICER- THE CENTURION

•  THE POWER OF THE CROSS IS THIS:
• A CENTURION CONFESSES JESUS AND BELIEVES

1. A REBEL
2. ROMAN CENTURION

__________________________________________________________

DO YOU BELIEVE? WHY OR WHY NOT?

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

VERY FEW BELIEVED INITIALLY- AND MANY RAN

SIGHTINGS OF JESUS AFTER THIS-POST RESURRECTION

1. MARY MAGDALENE (JOHN 20)

2. WOMEN COMING FROM TOMB (MATTEW 28)

3. PETER (LUKE 24)

4. ROAD TO EMMAUS- 2 PEOPLE (JOHN 20)

5. DISCIPLES MINUS THOMAS (JOHN 20)

6. DISCIPLES WEEK LATER W/THOMAS (JOHN 20)

7. SEA OF TIBERIAS SEVEN DISCIPLES (JOHN 21)

8. ELEVEN ON A MOUNTAIN GALILEE (MATT 28)

9. GALILEE MORE THAN 500 (I CORINTHIANS 5)

RINALDO

• CHRISTIANO RINALDO- ARGUABLY MOST FAMOUS
• SOCCER PLAYER- KNOWN WORLD WIDE
• I SAW HIM AT JMU GAME
• I SAW HIM ATLANTIC UNION BANK ARENA
• YEAH WELL I SAW HIM- HAD ON DUKES HATE

 SANDRA BULLOCK

• MOST FAMOUS PERSON FROM VIRGINIA SANDRA B
• SAW HER AT COSTCO- AISLE 4- FREE SAMPLE
• IF MULTIPLE PEOPLE STARTED TELLING ME-
• YEAH KEVIN WE SAW HER- YOU HEARD RIGHT?

• WHAT IF I HAD PUT UP PICTURES OF SUPERMAN

AVENGERS? WEREWOLF? LOCHNESS MONSTER

HERCULES?  MANY BELIEVE IN THOSE

BELIEVE

• DO YOU BELIEVE? WHY?
• HOW MANY OTHERS BELIEVE?

 JOHN 20:3-5

   3. “SO PETER AND THE OTHER DISCIPLE STARTED FOR THE TOMB. BOTH WERE RUNNING, BUT THE OTHER DISCIPLE OUTRAN PETER AND REACHED THE TOMB FIRST. HE BENT OVER AND LOOKED IN AT THE STRIPS OF LINEN LYING THERE BUT DID NOT GO IN.

JOHN 20: 6-7

   6. THEN SIMON PETER CAME ALONG BEHIND HIM AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE TOMB. HE SAW THE STRIPS OF LINEN LYING THERE, AS WELL AS THE CLOTH THAT HAD BEEN WRAPPED AROUND JESUS’ HEAD. THE CLOTH WAS STILL LYING IN ITS PLACE, SEPARATE FROM THE LINEN.

 JOHN 20:8

   8. FINALLY THE OTHER DISCIPLE, WHO HAD REACHED THE TOMB FIRST, ALSO WENT INSIDE.

                      HE SAW AND BELIEVED

• HOW ABOUT US? DO YOU BELIEVE?
• DEATH TO LIFE- JOHN SAW NOTHING
• JOHN BELIEVED

 JOHN 20:25

  25. “SO THE OTHER DISCIPLES TOLD HIM, “WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD!” BUT HE SAID TO THEM, “UNLESS I SEE THE NAIL MARKS IN HIS HANDS AND PUT MY FINGER WHERE THE NAILS WERE, AND PUT MY HAND INTO HIS SIDE, I WILL NOT BELIEVE.

JOHN 20:26

  26. A WEEK LATER HIS DISCIPLES WERE IN THE HOUSE AGAIN, AND THOMAS WAS WITH THEM. THOUGH THE DOORS WERE LOCKED, JESUS CAME AND STOOD AMONG THEM AND SAID, “PEACE BE WITH YOU!”

SLIDE 21: SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:27-28

  27. THEN HE SAID TO THOMAS, “PUT YOUR FINGER HERE; SEE MY HANDS. REACH OUT YOUR HAND AND PUT IT IN MY SIDE. STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE.” THOMAS SAID TO HIM, “MY LORD AND MY GOD”

JOHN 20:29

  29. THEN JESUS TOLD HIM, “BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE BELIEVED; BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED.”

100 TIMES JOHN USES THIS WORD IN HIS BOOK

• SYMBOL OR TORTURE AND DEATH
• CRUELTY AND PUNISHMENT- BRINGS LIFE
• BRINGS HEALING- BRINGS HOPE
• WAS ANOTHER MAN WHO ENOUNTERED THE CROSS
• HIS NAME WAS FRANK
• 911- HOPRRIFIC TRAGEDY- BRUTALITY-TERRORISM
• THE POWER OF THE CROSS

VIDEO 911

• OUR FAITH WAS CRUSHED
• FRANK FOUIND HOPE
• A REBEL
• ROMAN CENTURION
• REGULAR GUY

 2.5 BILLION

CHRIST SO MANY PEOPLE

BELIEVE

   THERE ARE MUTLIPLE PEOPLE SAVED AT THE CROSS

   1 CUSSED HIM OUT AND NEVER RELENTED/REPENTED

1 CUSSED HIM OUT- JESUS SPEAKS- AND HE SPEAKS TO JESUS INSTEAD OF YELLING INSULTS AT HIM

• MANY RUN AWAY. MANY MOCK AND YELL

MANY WATCH IN JUBILATION MANY WATCH IN HORROR

ONE MAN MAYBE THE MOST UNLIKELY OF ALL PEOPLE THERE- STANDS IN OPPOSITION TO JESUS

HAD NO DOUBT SEEN THIS AND LED THIS MANY MANY TIMES- ITS PART OF WHY HES HERE- LEAD THIS

It costs God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things: but to convert rebellious wills-  IT cost Him crucifixion.”
C. S. Lewis

https://www.bible.com/events/49423210

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Encounter The Cross Part 4

Easter Sunday

Over the last few weeks as a church we have been in a teaching series called “Encounter the Cross”

We have been looking to the bible and coming face to face with the story of the cross as well as some of the stories that surround it. We don’t just want to come face to face with the story- we want to encounter the power of Jesus Christ for our lives today and see how we might live differently in the light of His story.

Today we are going to look at 3 encounters of the cross. Stories of 3 different people and their face-to-face experience with the cross.

Matthew 27:33-38

They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus and two criminals are led out of the city to a hilltop where they are crucified. When you pass a set of three crosses along the road- this is the story they are pointing too.

Crucifixion was a violent and horrible form of execution. Hands and feet nailed into the wood, victims left there for hours or even days before they died.

Matthew 27:45-53

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

This is a crazy encounter, just imagine with me.

The noon day sun has been darkened- not like a thunderstorm, but like nightfall.

Jesus, out of breath, weak, he cries out from the cross, yielding up his own life and spirit to the Father in death.

Miles away in the temple, the place where the people of God had worshiped, a curtain that is 4” thick is torn from top to bottom.

For miles around the ground is shaking- the rocks are split and torn just like the curtain in the temple.

This event is so dramatic that it even wakes the dead, as the text records that bodies come out of the ground alive.

All of this at the death of Jesus.

Matthew 27:54

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

In one moment all the talk about Jesus being the son of God, the savior of the world, comes flooding back- and the Centurion realizes, they were right, this is the son of God.

As the Centurion stands there with Jesus’ blood on his hands, the earth trembling beneath his feet, he cant explain it all, he’s probably not entirely sure what it means, but he believes the God of the universe has stepped into our story in the person of Jesus- and now, he has died on a cross.

He had encounters with crosses practically his whole life- but this was different. This one changed his life, because of Jesus.

Our next cross encounter story is the story of Frank Silecchia.

Frank encounters the cross in the most unexpected of places and in the cross he sees a reminder of God’s love, even in the midst of tragedy.

Standing there in the midst of the rubble of the twin towers Frank was filled with questions and heartbroken. He was there searching for life. And he found it. Just not in the way he was expecting. Frank encountered the cross.

A reminder that God loves us, that he is with us.

Our last encounter story this morning is a bit different, it’s much closer to home.

Our last encounter story is your story. Yes, yours.

God in his great love for you has seen to it that you would come face to face with story of Jesus.

To hear the story of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, to hear that we can come into God’s presence and into relationship with him through Jesus Christ.

We have gotten to celebrate that Jesus is alive, he is a living hope today for every person because of the resurrection. This is the story of the Cross and the story of Resurrection Sunday.

And I cant help but wonder today, what’s your story going to be after this encounter?

How will you respond? Will your story be different?

Maybe today- right now, you will choose to believe.

The rest of the story is really up to you.