20 Mar 2005 Service

Of First ImportanceThe Burial of Christ: 

Of First Importance The Burial of Christ Luke 23:50-56

Which Sense Would You Give Up?: 

Which Sense Would You Give Up? Touch Sight Hearing Taste Smell

Smells Can Create Contrasting Emotions: 

Smells Can Create Contrasting Emotions Rose Wedding Funeral Hospital Birth of a Child Death of a Loved One Myrrh Gift for Jesus’ Birth Anointing of Dead Bodies

1 Corinthians 15:3-4: 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because…: 

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because… It Validates the Death of Christ If Jesus did not die on the cross, then we’re still in our sins.

Romans 6:23: 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because…: 

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because… It Validates the Death of Christ If Jesus did not die on the cross, then we’re still in our sins. Many people believe that even if Jesus was crucified, it doesn’t necessarily mean that He died.

Luke 23:50-52: 

Luke 23:50-52 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.

Luke 23:53-56: 

Luke 23:53-56 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because…: 

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because… It Validates the Death of Christ It Proves to Us God’s Faithfulness In His earthly time, Jesus fulfilled 332 distinct Old Testament prophecies.

Prophecies Fulfilled: 

Prophecies Fulfilled Psalm 41:9 – Betrayal of a Friend Psalm 31:11 – Forsaking of the Disciples Psalm 35:11 – False Accusations Isaiah 53:7 – Silence Before the Judges Psalm 22 – Crucifixion Psalm 109:25 – Mockery of Spectators Psalm 34:20 – His Bones Not Broken

Isaiah 53:9: 

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Psalm 16:10: 

Psalm 16:10 …because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Consider God’s Promises: 

Consider God’s Promises Worried? 1Pe 5:7 – Cast away your anxiety Lonely? Jn 14:18 – Never leave us as orphans Depressed? Ps 147 – Heals the brokenhearted Dissatisfied? Ps 107 – Satisfies the thirsty Uncertain? Ro 8:37 – More than conquerors Guilty? 1Jn – 1:9 – Confess and be forgiven

Consider God’s Promises: 

Consider God’s Promises Tired? Mt 11 – Come to Him; He gives rest. Tempted? 1Co 10:13 – No temptation unable to bear or provides a way out. Wisdom? Jas 1:5 – God grants wisdom generously. Afraid? Ps 46 – God is our refuge. Helpless? 2Co 12:9 – God’s grace is sufficient. Grieving? Mt 5:4 – When we mourn, we shall be comforted.

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because…: 

Burial of Christ is of First Importance Because… It Validates the Death of Christ It Proves to Us God’s Faithfulness It Tests Our Discipleship Joseph – A story of fear and failure, but also of courage and comeback.

John 19:38: 

John 19:38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.

Greek for Ask - ἐπιτρέπω : 

Greek for Ask - ἐπιτρέπω Joseph begged for the body of Jesus. Joseph exhibited great courage in going before Pilate to make this request.

Discipleship Questions: 

Discipleship Questions Are we willing to commit decisively? Luke 7 – Story about a woman who knows that Jesus is at a Pharisee’s house, but she doesn’t care.

Discipleship Questions: 

Discipleship Questions Are we willing to commit decisively? Am I willing to wait patiently? Phillip Yancey – “It’s been Saturday for 2000 years on planet earth. Will Sunday ever come? When Jesus ascended into heaven He said ‘I will return,’ so in a sense it has been Saturday ever since.”

Luke 23:56: 

Luke 23:56 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Palm Sunday Challenge: 

Palm Sunday Challenge Lay down so much more at the feet of Jesus than palm branches and clothing. Lay down your very lives at His feet.

Invitation: 

Invitation