This is part of the worship series
"Picture Jesus"
Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5
Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter
Easter
The Resurrection and Life
Scripture
Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Text:
John 11:25–26; 20:1–9
Sermon Notes
Easter is the best story in all of preaching, but the challenge to remain fresh becomes a bigger one each year.
Instead of focusing on the actual resurrection story of Easter, this time we took a close look at the story of the resurrection of Lazarus as a prophetic portrayal of Jesus’ own resurrection power.
We began by affirming the historicity of Jesus’ physical resurrection. Then we backed up (chronologically) to the story of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. We explored a variety of dimensions of the narrative and then concentrated on Jesus’ bold statement to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25–26).
By examining the reality of death today and the wide variety of reactions to death, we noted humanity’s basic resistance to and fear of death. Our awareness of such resistance and fear in our own hearts made us “ripe” to hear about the great Easter professions that Jesus is teaching us to make in these verses: A world that assumes death is the last word discovers that tombs are temporary! For those who believe in Jesus there is eternal life.
We spent a little while exploring the depth of Jesus’ statement “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:26). We have no better way to describe it. Human language is so limited. Even what we call death in the final analysis is not death for the Christian. We possess eternal life!
Such certainty, joy, and hope provided the basis for the remainder of our Easter morning celebration.
Congregational Songs
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley et al.
“The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done” Pott et al.
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Medley
“Come and See” Ylvisaker
“A Shout Rings Out, a Joyful Voice” Gerdes and Malan
“This Joyful Eastertide” Woodward et al.
“Hallelujah Chorus” Handel
Choral Suggestions
“On Earth Has Dawned This Day of Days,” Hal Hopson (Choristers Guild CGA 709, two-part—any combination of voices—with keyboard and optional handbells)
“Hallelujah, Christ Is Risen,” Stan Pethel (Coronet Press 392-41629, SATB anthem)
“The Easter News,” Russel Nagy (Highstreet JH550, unison/ two-part anthem)
“Since By Man Came Death,” G. F. Handel
Instrumental Suggestions
“Fanfare,” William Mathias (The Oxford Book of Wedding Music, Oxford University Press)
“This Joyful Eastertide,” Andrew Clarke (Easter Trilogy set 2; vruchten; Morningstar MSM-10-405)
“The Strife Is O’er,” Lisa Shoemaker-Lohmeyer (Morningstar MSM-10-418)
“Toccata for Organ,” John Weaver (Boosey and Hawkes)
Liturgy Notes
- The Scripture passage for the morning was read by members of the congregation as a Scripture drama (adapted from The Dramatized New Testament)
- We crafted a litany for pastor, choir, and congregation based on 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.
- We traditionally close Easter morning worship with the congregation and choir singing the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Revised Common Lectionary
Years A, B, C: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord
