CERRO
GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
EASTER
SUNDAY, April 17, 2022
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE?
Luke 24:1-26
In Luke 24 we
read that the women went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. The 23rd
chapter tells of the final hours Jesus lived on this earth, ending with his
crucifixion and death. The women had seen where Jesus had been taken with plans
of coming back after the Sabbath to respectfully anoint his body, but something
strange had happened. The stone that blocked the tomb had been rolled away and
Jesus’ body was gone. Then suddenly they saw 2 men in the tomb and they asked
the woman why they sought the living among the dead? Out of fear they bowed
down before the men. The men immediately told the women, “He is not here, he is
risen.” All the things Jesus had promised had happened just as he said. They
then left the tomb looking for the apostles to tell them what they had found.
We read they did not believe the women but, in this account, Peter had to go
see for himself. He found things just as the women had said, but he still did
not know what to believe.
We then read
in the 13th verse that 2 of the men headed to Emmaus. As they went,
they were talking about everything that had happened the past several days.
They were joined on their walk by a third man. It was Jesus. Jesus asked, “What
are you discussing?” We see they were kept from recognizing Jesus, but let’s
face it, the last person they expected to see walking with them was Jesus. When
asked what they were talking about, they were in disbelief. “Are you the only
one who does not know what just happened in Jerusalem? To which Jesus asked,
“Why, what happened?” Then they went on to tell of Jesus of Nazareth and what
an incredible man of God he was. And that in spite of all that he was
crucified. They wanted to believe this Jesus would redeem Israel. They went on
to tell this man, who they still did not know was Jesus, what the women had
found at the tomb. They also briefly mentioned Jesus had promised to be raised
on the third day after his death, but obviously the men just could not believe
it. Then the stranger (Jesus) begins to speak and say things that should have
seemed really strange to the apostles. In the 25th verse Jesus says,
“How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have
spoken. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his
glory?” It seems the 2 apostles did not even say to him or themselves, “I
thought you did not know about Jesus or what had just happened in Jerusalem?”
No instead they just kept walking.
Which leads
me to ask myself this question. “What’s it going to take?” We all live in our
own little worlds. That is understandable, but do we miss God’s blessings, his
mercy, his grace, even his forgiveness because we just are not ready to see the
risen Savior? That is where these 2 men were.
We are
celebrating this morning because the eyes of the apostles were opened. The
truth of God keeping his promises spread. As the angels told the women, “He is
not here. He is risen.” That is the promise that continues to instill hope in
our fallen world still today. Glory to the Risen Savior. I am redeemed. This is
the truth for all who will receive and believe. What’s it going to take? I
believe we have to all answer that question. More accurately, what did it take
for your eyes and mine to be opened to the risen Savior? Christ Jesus is alive
and as the Gaither song says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” Let us
live in God’s victory. Death is defeated. He lives! That is the message of
Easter. We not only have hope for tomorrow, we also have God’s promise
fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday
April 23 9:00 Camp Emmanuel Work Day—info on bulletin board
April 30 10:00 Annual Conference briefing, Springfield CoB
April 30 & May 1 Springfield CoB centennial celebration
May 11 Board Meeting
May 18 12:00 Women’s Fellowship Luncheon, a salad potluck
May 18 7:00 p.m. via Zoom—Stepping Out of Covid, sponsored by the District
potluck committee—info on bulletin board
Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank
you for your continued giving!
Donation Box: Camp Emmanuel
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
To
keep up on Church of the Brethren news:
Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign
up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.
District:
iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook
Our
pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, &
calendar) and on facebook
Keep
in Your Prayers
Nancy Fansler &
Family; Baby Gemma’s Family; Oren Wright; Devon Wright; Leah Flory; Joe Waltz; Doug
Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson;
Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Sonna
Hall; Tina Wilhelm; Baby Tate; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz;
Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Carl and Wilma Cable; Marge
Starr; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline
Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Liza
Yore; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene
Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy
Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and
first responders; the families of those who have died from COVID-19; those who
are ill from the virus; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of
disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian
Brethren; Ukraine
Military and Other
Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer
Service workers; Disaster project workers
District Prayer
Calendar: Pray for the Milledgeville congregation
Church
of the Brethren vision statement:
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately
live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ
through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will
develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative,
adaptable, and fearless.
Our
Mission Statement:
Love
God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.
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