Sermon Sweet Music, Rock and Roll

Sermon – “Sweet Music, Rock and Roll!” Sunday, April 24, 2011 Faith Temple Church – Sioux Falls, S.D. Pastor Jeff Hayes

Title: “Sweet Music, Rock and Roll!”

Scriptures: Matthew 28:1-10 Plus Other Various Scriptures

Kevin Jergenson: A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately, the rabbit jumps right in front of the car. The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is Dead. The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. ---A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over. She steps out of the car and asks the man what’s wrong. “I feel terrible” he explains, I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM. The blonde says, “Don’t worry.” She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead Easter Bunny, bends down, and sprays the contents onto him. The Easter Bunny jumps up waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road. Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten fee, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves. He repeats this again and again and again until he hops out of sight. ---The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, What is in that can? What did you spray on the Easter Bunny?” The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label. It says... Hair Spray, restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave.

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Introduction: 1. Easter Can Be Defined As, “There Was A Rock And There Was A Roll!!!!”

2. Theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg said that …the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.

3. American Theologian And Chaplain Of The U.S. Senate...Lloyd Ogilvie says, “The most powerful historical proof of the resurrection is the ‘resurrected’ disciples. Dull, defeated people became fearless, adventuresome leaders. Cowards became courageous; the timid became bold."

Sweet Music: THERE WAS A ROCK AND THERE WAS A ROLL!!! ...... Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

1. The SUPERNATURAL Moving Grave Stone!

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-2 – “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Vs. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.”

A. IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING!

B. WHY DO CHRISTIANS MEET ON SUNDAY MORNING??

C. WE STILL CELEBRATE THAT SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THE “ANGEL OF THE LORD ROLLED BACK THE STONE AND SAT UPON IT!”

D. The resurrection is the fulcrum of faith. The resurrection is the axis, the center, the core, the pivot point of faith for a Christian. If there is no resurrection of Jesus, then Christianity is just another ancient religion with its own particular form of spirituality and morality. The truth of Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Page 3

E. A family was watching a movie of the life of Jesus on television. Their six-year-old daughter was deeply moved as the film realistically portrayed Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Tears ran down the little girl’s face as they took Him from the cross and laid Him in a borrowed tomb. She watched as a guard was set. Suddenly, a big smile broke on her face. She bounced up on the arm of the chair and said with great anticipation, "Now comes the good part."

F. Jesse Duplantis: man puts stones in our way, God rolls them away!

G. DON’T FORGET...THE SUPERNATURAL MOVING GRAVE STONE!

2. “STONED!!!”

Scripture: Matthew 28:3-4 “His (an angel of the Lord) appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. Vs. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”

A. Who saw Jesus on that resurrection morning? We talk about the women at the tomb, the disciples...but there is another group not always mentioned:

B. The Tough rugged Roman Guards, “were so afraid of him that they shook and became like DEAD MEN”

C. Like they were stoned! (Some of you know what I’m talking about)

D. Mayor’s prayer breakfast on Good Friday Morning: Michael Franzese:According to the Fed’s, Michael Franzese, son of N.Y.’s legendary Colombo Family Underboss John “Sonny” Franzese, was the biggest money earner for the Mafia since Al Capone. A 1986 Fortune Magazine cover story titled, “The 50 Wealthiest and Most Powerful Mafia Bosses,” ranked Franzese number 18. At 34, he was by far the youngest on the list. Referred to by the media as, “The Prince of the Mafia” and the “Yuppie Don,” he was reputed to be a “rising star” in the family, destined to become boss one day Page 4

At the height of his career, he was generating $6-8 million a week masterminding legal and illegal activities

E. GOD WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!

F. Prayer on Michael Franzese’s Wedsite... Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person you want me to be.

G. For The Christian... This Easter Sunday... “I Can’t Get Over Thinking About That STONE... There was a Rock and There Was A Roll!

H. History was changed! I’m changed because of the resurrection of Jesus ...... Christ!

I. The founder of our faith couldn’t be kept by his grave.. !!

EXAMPLE: During the time of the French Revolution, a man complained to the Foreign Minister under Napoleon, that a new religion of his, one he considered a great improvement over Christianity, had failed to catch on with the people. He asked the Prime Minister for some suggestions. The Prime Minister said, “To insure the success for your new religion. All you need to do is have yourself crucified and the rise from the death on the third day.” Page 5

3. He Is The Cornerstone!!!

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Vs. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

A. “The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid...

B. How Can We Not Be Afraid????

C. Scripture: The Angel...“For I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified...”

D. FEAR RAMPANT IN THIS WORLD...

E. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR???? JESUS!!!

F. Many try to find that special someone to be that person in their life that fulfills them. LOOK AND LOOK AND LOOK!!!

G. JESUS IS THE ONE!’ You Can argue but Jesus is the ONE

H. ANGEL SAID, “He is not here (THE CEMETARY); he has risen, just as he said.”

I. His Promise, God’s plan..... Jesus Was to Rise Again and He DID!

J. SCRIPTURE: John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

K. Put Your Life Together In Relationship With The Risen Christ, The Chief Cornerstone!

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:20 b – 22 “Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Vs. 21 IN HIM the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Vs. 22 And IN HIM you too are being built together to BECOME A DWELLING IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT.” Page 6

4. A Boulder Becomes A Pebble!!! Christ Arose!!!

Scripture: Matthew 28:7-8 “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him’ Now I have told you.”

A. A Great Difficulty A Boulder Becomes A Pebble!

B. The Cross, Torture, Pain, Death, All of that like a Boulder Is Reduced To A Little Pebble Because Christ Rose From The Dead!

C. The resurrection of Jesus Christ declarers that there are no situations or problems too great for God to handle.

D. Have you been offended??? Forgive!

E. Have you been wounded in the fight, maybe by other Christians?

F. Has that wound become your life?? All you talk and think about is that wound.

G. Satan has stolen your joy, your resurrection story

H. It may be big to you, a boulder, but it’s a pepple compared to the resurrection of Christ and what he has done in your life!

I. PRAY ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!! ASK OTHERS TO PRAY!!!! Receive a Healing! Page 7

5. He Is The Living Stone! Worship Him!!! Tell Others!!!

Scripture: Matthew 28:9-10 “Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. (Hi There!) They came to him, (Rushed Him!) clasped his feet (Fell at his feet) and worshiped him (sobbing... Jesus You Were Dead And Now You’re Alive!). Vs. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’”

A I Peter 2:4a “As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God ...

B. Jesus was rejected by men but chosen by God!!! C. That’s what matters! God has chosen you!!!!!!!!! D. God Doesn’t Choose The Qualified, He Qualifies The Chosen! E. Learn this today and can we remember it everyday of our lives?

Illustration: A little boy came home from his first day at school. His Mother asked him, "Well, what did you learn today?" He said, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow." F. Everyday, Not just Easter: G. The Resurrection Changes Our Lives, Were No Longer The Same! E. If we fall back into being the same! We have forgotten the resurrection of .....Christ!

Sweet Music: There Was A Rock And There Was A Roll! He Arose!