We celebrate Easter each year because it is our defining moment, it is the light in a dark world, it is the courage we need in a harsh world and it the promise of victory when confronted with pain and hurt. We, as Easter People, have a distinct advantage over the rest of world. It's not that we are superior, more righteous or even that we are , but that we know how sick we are and also what it take to get well. "The Christian has a great advantage over other men, not by being less fallen than they, nor less doomed to live in a fallen world, but by knowing that he is a fallen man in a fallen world." — C. S. Lewis  The Easter Advantages provides us with Revelation of how sick the world really is. You can't read the Easter story without going through Good Friday despair. Jesus came preaching love, mercy and grace, and the powers that be killed him for it. Despite all the rhetoric and cliches about tolerance and inclusion, we'll kill anyone who really upsets the status quo. We want to mark the trouble makers as Pharisees, religious zealots, patriots and revolutionaries, but really they're just like us. Frightened human beings afraid of the dark. The light Jesus brought to the world revealed how horribly things looked in the light of truth.  "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19 RESCUE from a world of despair. There isn't much good in recognizing an illness for which there isn't a cure. We see the horrible deeds of our world and realize it takes more than just a tweak, another self-help book or a new government program. It needs a complete overhaul, a new heart and a new birth. The payment for our debts was beyond measure and so too much the gift be beyond our imagination. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor. 5:21 REWARD for those who choose to accept it. Yesterday's despair and hopelessness is lost in today's promise of life. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:55,57 “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Rm 8:1

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me!

Worship Slides 04.20.14 Easter

Sermon Notes 04.20.14 The Easter Advantage

Easter Advantage 4.20.14 early

Easter Advantage Podcast