The Time Has Come

Reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdZbsvV9GRk&ab_channel=CalvaryLawrence

Pastor Shannon Watterson delivers our Easter Message.

As Christians we are in the Lord’s army. We are in a spiritual battle that involves souls. The enemy is sneaky and tries really hard to get people to believe they don’t need to come to church, that they said a prayer once, invited Jesus into their heart, and that’s enough. They believe they don’t need to hear a preacher talk each week to be a part of the family of God.

Now, that is true. You don’t need to hear me speak each week, but you do need to grow spiritually. You will need to be encouraged by others in the battle for your soul. You do need to be equipped to fight victoriously.

There is healing here. There is hope here. There is family here.

And I am glad that you are all here today. The first battle on Easter Sunday has been won. That was the battle of PJs, Coffee, Comfy bed, and sleep. You overcame that battle and you’re in the right place this morning.

Today I want to talk to you about gifts that were given on Easter. That’s right, just like Christmas, there are gifts on Easter too!

They are spiritual gifts that have to be recieved. They are available to you today!

Imagine your best friends birthday was coming up and you knew not only what they wanted but exactly what they needed - it was going to change their life! You when out, worked hard to earn money, went shopping, and found these wonderful gift. You wrapped it up, went to the party, placed it prominently on the table. Then you waited. You waited and waited and waited. You couldn’t wait any longer so you go to your friend and say “HEY, you need to open your gift, you’re going to love it and it’s going to change your life!” But they didn’t listen, they just kept floating around the party never knowing how important the gift was.

Now imagine, they never opened the gift. How would you feel? Disappointed, YES! Sad, YES! Me - I’d be angry and take it home for myself.

Jesus is better than your best friend. He worked hard to give you a gift. He gave His life to give you a gift that would change your life. He’s asking if you’ll open that gift today. It’s up to you. He’s not going to make you open it, but if you choose to - I can promise you that you’ll be glad you did.

You’re here today for a reason. Don’t let this moment of receiving pass you by. There may be other people here today, but God had you on mind for these moments. As you hear the Bible being read - it’s for you. He’s speaking to you.

Let’s read the scripture together:

Ephesians 1: 4-14

Gift #1

Verse 4 tells us that even before the world was created that He had you in mind.

God has Chosen You

Grace is a word that get’s thrown around a lot in the church, but what does it mean?

Well, let me tell you what it means in my life:

24 years ago I met the perfect girl. Oh, she was a cutie. Red hair, freckles, blue eyes, smart, artistic, and she loved Jesus. I pursued this girl. She wasn’t interested in me at all. Honestly, I wasn’t what she was looking for, but for some reason she said yes to a date.

That’s GRACE. I didn’t deserve it, I couldn’t earn it, it was a gift given to me.

And here’s the kicker, I asked her to marry me and she said YES! That’s GRACE on another level. And for the last 23 years she’s given me grace each and every day.

Grace is undeserved love.

God gives us His love even though we don’t deserve it - look how we are described in another part of the Bible:

1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

You might feel like there’s no way God could love you. I’ll tell you, it doesn’t make sense, but gifts don’t always make sense.

We have to accept the gift of Grace that God has chosen you.

Gift # 2

God has Forgiven You

We’ve already heard today that Jesus died on a cross.

Ephesians 1: 7

Let me ask you a question: Are you a good person? Most people would say, I try to be. Or some might say, I think so.

Well, let’s ask some follow up questions:

Have you even told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything, even something small? Have you ever looked at another person in lust?

If you answered yes to all three then you are a liar, thief, and an adulterer!

No, none of us are perfect people.

Romans 3: 23

Is God perfect? Yes. Can He sin? No. Will He allow sin into a perfect place called Heaven? No.

If we are imperfect sinners, how can we receive such a wonder gift called eternal life in paradise? A price must be paid.

If I steal a car today and get caught, what would happen? I’d have to face a judge and receive a punishment. I’d have to pay the price.

Here’s the problem with sin. The price is eternal judgement.

But remember God has chosen us.

John 3: 16-17

We can be forgiven if we believe Jesus is the Son of God and the price He paid on the cross was enough to REDEEM us.

Redeem means to make us right with God. It means we can be forgiven for all the bad things we’ve done.

We must open this gift. To many people are trying to earn good status. They think if they are good enough then God will accept them. That’s a lie. You’ll never be good enough. You must open the gift.

Ephesians 2: 8-9

How are you saved? You say, Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you gave me the gift of righteousness by shedding your perfect blood on a cruel cross. I believe that you overcame the grave and are ALIVE right now. I believe that one day I will stand in a Holy place where you say, “this one is with me, I have paid the price for his sin” You say, Jesus I turn from my old ways, and choose to live for you.

After you make that confession - you make it your life’s mission to tell others about how they can be saved too.

How can you live a new life in Christ?

That’s gift #3

God will change you!

Ephesians 1: 13

The gift you can receive through Salvation is the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus has been raised to life and is in Heaven, but He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a NEW life. It’s not a wimpy life. It’s a life of power! It’s a life of freedom.

You will be changed when you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and guide you into this thing called Salvation. The gospel of Jesus has spread because people have been led by the Holy Spirit.

How powerful is the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 1: 19-23

This power has authority over spiritual enemies, authority over sickness, authority over death, authority over sin, and that power now can reside in you if you receive the gift of Jesus today.

You’re here today for a reason. Don’t let this moment of receiving pass you by.

God wants you to know you’ve been given gifts, but you have to open them.

I’ve never liked being the center of attention. I know that seems strange since I am here on a stage today, but it’s true. You know when everyone sings happy birthday and wants to watch you open your presents…it’s always a bit uncomfortable for me. I want to gifts, but I’d rather just open them up on my own after the party. But that’s not how it works.

It’s the same with Jesus. Part of receiving the gifts He has for you is an public commitment of surrender.

Listen to what Jesus says

Matthew 10: 32