Brian Turner's Easter Messages - #5

 

Brian Turner's Easter Messages

Easter Message #5 Jesus was very pointed speaking to his followers on Thursday the 5th day of the week. They were asking him questions about tradition and he was challenging them by asking them “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” In other words, he was telling them that they are blinded by the traditions of men. Matthew 15: 7 O ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 8 But in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and the commandments of men. Acting like followers but far from being actual followers. At times, we have fallen into the various traditions of the Restoration while transgressing the Commandment(s) of God. This may cause us to feel good but the question is does it further the work of the Gospel? Christ goes on to give a great explanation in a way that we can all understand. “10 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth the man.” My grandmother use to tell me think before you speak…and she was right. How many times have you thought “I wish I had not said that?” It is easy for us to be caught up in so many things that give the impression of the Holy Spirit but does not fulfill what the Holy Spirit can do within us. Hence the words of Christ in verse 7 about our mouths and hearts! Read Matthew 15 this week and reflect on the entire message that is given. If it resonates with you think about where you were, where you are and where do you want to be? This Easter Sunday, take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner

Easter Message #6 Today is Good Friday, at least that is the name that we have given it. So much was to happen this day. The betrayal, Christ before Pilate, Accusations and Condemnations directed to the Savior, Christ’s treatment by the soldiers and some of the people on his way to the crucifixion and then the death of the Savior. Yes, there is more that happened but as we look at each of these, we can see the ministry of Christ manifest itself. Let us focus on the final moments of the earthly life of Christ. Matthew 27 54 Jesus when he had cried again with a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost. 55 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 56 And the graves were opened; and the bodies of the saints which slept, arose, who were many. At that moment, we were at the verge of freedom. When the veil split top to bottom there was nothing that was hidden from us. We no longer needed an intermediary to speak for us when we approach the throne of God. Christ had fulfilled that for us – that is why I say we were freed. Have we experienced the true freedom that this event afforded us? A freedom from many of the thoughts and actions that keep us bound and away from all of the blessings that this sacrifice has afforded us? Remember what Christ prayed to the Father about and for us? John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The freedom to be one with Christ and the Father. What greater gift could be given to us in this day and time? This Easter Sunday, take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner