Theme is "YOU ALSO WILL LIVE !" and is based on: JOHN 14:19.
Guest preacher: Rev. Dr. James Zwernemann
German Easter Service 2021
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SERMON TITLE TEXT AND SERMON)
Sermon Title: ""YOU ALSO WILL LIVE !" Text: JOHN 14:19 (Jesus said) "In a little while, the world will not see me any more., but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
Dear Friends: Before His bitter suffering and death the Savior said to His disciples: " In a little you will see me no more, then after a little while you will see me, for I am going to the Father." (John 16:17) These poor disciples had lost sight of these words as Golgatha's darkest night grew into the brightest day, as their Lord and Savior bowed His head in death. They wept and thought that now every thing was over. They sat behind closed doors out of fear for the Jewish leaders and out of the fear for those who might now come and get them. Meanwhile, however, the bright Easter sun going out over the Valley of the Shadows of Death had gotten them ready, preparing them to hear the delightfully good news: " He is risen ... He is risen indeed !"
Also in our churches, homes, and hearts, the grave death knolls of this Holy Week of Passion especially reach their high point on Good Friday. Never-the-less, even at this hour on this day, a holy joy fills our chests, since we already know that the grave into which our Savior has been let down , in which He spent Saturday (His Sabbath) following a battle, a struggle, and a triumph will be empty, for the Prince of Life cannot be stopped.
At the same time that our Savior spoke the words of our text He also told His disciples: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) With these words He not only indicated that he was the way to the Father, which was important, but also that should He lose His life, he would also be raised from the dead. Now the words from the mouth of our Savior rings in our ears. Listen once more to the the "Easter Joy" of the resurrection. "I LIVE !" ... and to to His disciples looking for "Easter Comfort ," they heard these words: "YOU ALSO WILL LIVE !"
"I LIVE!" It means just that .... I am not dead anymore ... the grave could not stop me ! The sins, which had burdened me, which I brought to the grave are not with me anymore. They have been taken away, atoned for, and paid for, " I LIVE !" I am not condemned any more for I am absolved and because the righteousness of God can no longer find any fault. God, the righteous Judge, who made me righteous and has paid the wages of my sin has called me "ALIVE." Me ... who seemingly weighed down in battle, yet, now, I am a victor over my enemies and sin, death, the Devil, and hell are lying at my feet. I, who formerly was a slave of slaves am now like a lord of lords.
" ... YOU WILL SEE ME BECAUSE I LIVE!. .. " Understand "I" literally! Jesus himself rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, as it is written: "He has strongly proven that He is the Son of God in Spirit, who was made holy at the time He arose from the dead . He is , namely, Jesus Christ Our LORD !" Now his disciples , who up until this time were worried and intimidated, were now allowed to touch Him ... now allowed to see the nail marks, so they assuredly and positively knew that "HE LIVES l" He had indeed risen from the dead ! "
Our Savior, who bled and died for our sins, now joyfully announces to us: "SEE, I LIVE !" The sacrifice was not for nothing. See, I have been allowed to carry out and fulfill the great work of the salvation of the world!"
Rejoice, you lands, sing forth the choirs of heav'n. Hallelujah ! JESUS LIVES ! The good news reached the doubtful " elev'n" He is risen from the grave! The deed is done the world to save. JESUS LIVES! JESUS LIVES!
Yes, that is the comfort and consolation of Easter: ... to bring to his disciples and to us the "resurrection." Jesus says: "I LIVE!"and "YOU ALSO WILL LIVE ! You poor sinners! The sins that I died for were not my sins, but yours. But now I have destroyed this death. It is not just my resurrection, but also your life. Your sins were forgiven and my heavenly Father allowed me to pay the wages of your sins and your sins were forgiven too. Now He has awakened me out of the chamber of the grave and pronounced me free from guilt and sin which I was carrying for you. That was not my sin, but your sins ... actually the sins of all mankind. But just as the forgiveness is for you, so is the justification also for you. Now you should live, here and now, once more in sight of my throne in heaven.
At the same time He informed the disciples: "you are not only freed from the fear of being behind closed doors, but you now need not have fear of being destroyed by persecution or even death because you have come to know in your hearts the living word of "resurrection." And that message you have fortunately and happily received and accepted. Now you must carry that happy Easter message to the whole world. You have come to this happy life of faith and belief and now must lead others to it.
And now , please , my Dear Friends, pay close attention! We are also by the grace of God "disciples " of God., We are carriers of the Easter message to the whole world. Not only to those who live in Lebanon Willimantic or Windham .... Norwich, North Franklin, or North Windham ... Colchester or Columbia Mystic or Mansfield Center ... Baltic or Bozrah ... Amston or Storrs ... Rockville or Hampton .. .. . or all of Connecticutt ... or even Texas.! I say once again we are by God's grace disciples of the Lord and carriers (missionaries) of the Easter message to the whole world. Every Sunday is a little Easter ( a commemoration of that first happy Easter Day.) And each prayer that rolls off our lips to our resurrected Lord who now sits at the right hand of the Father is proof of our confidence and faith that JESUS LIVES and that we will not die, but in Him we ALSO LIVE ... and that we will no longer wander in death's dark shadow with the world, but will walk in the light of the Easter's Son.
"YOU ALSO WILL LIVE!" Our Savior will now add. a promise to these words. "I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die!" (John 11:25) Therefore we see that Jesus died, that we may live eternally. We also see that Jesus was "the first-born of those who fell asleep" who rose from the dead. Now we can live and die in peace, trusting with confidence His promise. "I live and you also will live! (John 14:19) ... I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also!" (John 14:2)
Through His resurrection, our resurrection is guaranteed . "Death is swallowed up in victory ! Death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory? But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ!" (I Corinthians 15:54)
Jesus Lives! The Victory's won ! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus Lives ! Death's reign is done! From the grave will Christ recall me. Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. ( Lutheran Service Book# 490)
AMEN