Sermon April 20, 2025 by Pastor Nathan Johnson
As we approach the Easter season, it’s natural to reflect on the profound significance of the resurrection story. But have you ever paused to consider the deeper question: What was God doing throughout this pivotal moment in history?
The resurrection narrative is far more than a historical account; it’s a testament to God’s active presence in our lives and His unwavering commitment to reconciliation with humanity. Let’s explore the profound implications of God’s actions during this transformative event.
God Was Manifesting Himself
In the person of Jesus Christ, God put Himself on display. This wasn’t a distant deity observing from afar, but a God who chose to wrap Himself in human flesh and move into the “hood” of human existence. Born to a peasant girl and laid in a cattle trough, Jesus exemplified God’s willingness to meet us where we are.
Through Christ’s ministry – turning water into wine, healing the sick, feeding thousands, and raising the dead – God manifested His love, mercy, and grace. Even in the face of our wrongdoings, God’s love remained on full display. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how far we stray, God’s love for us is undying and unashamed.
God Was Fixing What We Had Broken
When God created humanity, His intention was for us to have an unsoiled, uncontaminated relationship with Him. Imagine walking and talking with God in perfect harmony, free from shame or fear. This was the reality for Adam and Eve before sin entered the world.
But we, like our first parents, chose to listen to other voices and break that fellowship. We declared our independence from God, thinking we could manage on our own. Yet God, in His infinite love, refused to let us go. Through Christ, He set about repairing the relationship we had shattered.
God Was Disregarding Our Record
Here’s a liberating truth: we all have a spiritual rap sheet, a record of sins and failures. But in Christ, God is no longer counting our sins against us. He’s not occupying Himself with our faults or evaluating us based on our past mistakes.
This doesn’t mean God simply forgot about our debt. No, He paid it in full through Christ’s sacrifice. God provided the perfect substitute, allowing His sinless Son to become a sin offering for us. Jesus, who knew no sin, took on our wrong so that we might take on His righteousness.
God Was Changing Us
Through the work of Christ, God transformed us from adversaries to ambassadors, from renegades to representatives. He’s given us a new identity and a new message to share with the world. This message isn’t “get right,” but rather “come back to God.”
We’ve been changed from enemies to envoys, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Our role now is to invite others to experience the same transformative love and grace we’ve received.
God Was Providing a Perfect Sacrifice
At the heart of the resurrection story is the ultimate act of love – God providing a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, willingly laid down His life to pay a debt we could never repay.
This wasn’t just about wiping the slate clean or forgetting our transgressions. God paid our debt in full because we were spiritually and morally bankrupt, with nothing to offer Him. In Christ, the One who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflecting on What This Means for Us
The resurrection story isn’t just a historical event to be remembered; it’s a personal invitation to be embraced. Knowing the facts won’t save us – we must, by faith, make it personal. God has made it possible for us to be right with Him, but we have to accept it for ourselves.
This truth should prompt us to stop putting God on our to-do list and instead make Him the center of our lives. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we can know that everything is right between us and God if we’ve accepted His offer of reconciliation through Christ.
The message of the resurrection echoes through time: “Come back to God.” His arms are open wide, ready to receive us regardless of our past. In Christ, He’s disregarding our record and offering us a fresh start.
As we ponder these truths, let the words of the old hymn resonate in our hearts:
“Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His Name!”
The resurrection story reveals a God who is actively working to restore, redeem, and reconcile. He manifested Himself in Christ, fixed what we had broken, disregarded our sinful record, changed our status, and provided the perfect sacrifice.
In light of these incredible truths, how will you respond? Will you come to the fountain of His grace, casting your soul at the Savior’s feet? Will you allow the reality of the resurrection to transform not just your understanding of history, but your very life?
Remember, God’s invitation stands: Come back to Him. Let the power of the resurrection work in your life, changing you from the inside out. Embrace the new life He offers, and join in the chorus of those who can say with confidence, “Glory to His Name!”
