"EASTER IS ••• II

A Sermon By

Philip A. C. Clarke

Park Avenue United Methodist Church lo6 East 86th Street New York, New York 10028 April 12, 1998

/

"EASTER IS •• • n

INTRODUCTION In his book, Just As Long As I'm Riding Up Front, Ray Mciver tells of belonging to the Kiwanis Club back in the nineteen

fifties in the small Texas town of San Marcos. They were a pretty live~ bunch all except far one man whose name was Roger Shelton. Roger Shelton use to arrive at the Kiwanis meetings a little late ••• sat by himself ••• and rare~ ever said a ward. Their luncheon meet~s usual~ had a bit of entertaiment before they got down to club busiress. At one particular meeting, the enterta.in:llw:lnt consisted of a barbershop quartet of local college professors. They were a popular bunch in San Marcos, often singing for both weddings and fwterals.

Because they sang at more funerals than weddings, they came to be known as the "Funeral Quartet" and whenever a grieving family couldn't decide on the music for the funeral service, the fUneral director would suggest these singing college professors. And since the funeral home was just down the hill from the university, it all seemed to work out well ••• however,

For this particular service, the quartet had been asked to sing, "Fairest Lord Jesus", an old favorite that was sure to be a "crowd-pleaser". The onl.T trouble was that they started off on the wrong note and everything seemed to fall apart. And what was heard was one of the most discordant, out-of-key renditions of "Fairest Lord Jesus" that's ever been sung. People began to squirm in their seats and looked at each other. It really was bad ••• horrible. When it was over, the quartet sat down ••• somewhat embarrassed. No one could think of anything to sa.y, but the silence was eventually' broken by Roger Shelton, the quiet one, the man of few words. He drawled in his Texas accent,

"You know ••• that's what I dread about dyingl"

· .DEVELOPMENT Have you ever noticed that most peaple dread dying ••• that most people have a fear of death. Nobody wants to face the "Grim

Reaper" •••• unless, of course, you believe ••• real.l.y believe ••• the Easter story.

Simon Peter believed the Easter story. He certain~ did ••• after all, he was there. He went through this whole "nerve-wracking" eJCperience. His closest friend, Jesus. •• .his teacher, his master-- •• had been crucified and placed in a borrowed tomb. His friend, Jesus, wets dead, deceased, departed, passed away. It was all over, but th9n, on the first day o$ the week, while it was still dark, Mar7

~ Magdalence went to the tomb and what she found· there changed the world forever. She found that the stone had been rolled away, that His body was gone£ And so she came running to Simon Peter and the other Disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and breathlessly said,

"They have taken the Lord :. out of' the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him1"

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb and saw the burial clothes, but no body. Then they went back to their homes and waited ••• not really knowing just what to do next. Then something unbelievable happened. We read that on the evening of the first day of' the week, when the disciples were together ••• with the doors locked ••• Jesus came and stood 8l1'1ong them and said, "Peace be with youl" And Peter ~.,as there and Peter believed. He realljr believed.

- 2 -

It reminds me of a story that made the papers not too long ago. You may have seen it. It was about a man by the name of Robert J. Oliver. Robert J. Oliver, too, was pronounced dead. His friends and family members gathered at the hospital and cried over his body. Funeral clothes were picked out and all arrangements, including a wake, were planned. Oliver's daughter-in-law felt it best to wait 'til the next morning to break the news to her husband, who was fishing on Cape Cod. And when she finall;r called the family's cottage on the Cape, the man she had been mourning for twelve hours answered the phone. Says Robert J. Oliver,

"It took me 20 minutes to calm her down. She was saying and kept saying, 'You're dead•••"

Well, it seems that hospital officials had called the family of the wrong Robert Oliver. The man who died, Robert W. 011 ver, had a home in Quincy, Massachu­setts •••• just like Robert J. Oliver. The men were about the same age - 62 and 64 and they had similiar builds and brown eyes. Robert W. Oliver, bCMever, bad an unlisted phone number while Robert J. Oliver was in the book and so they called the wrong one. A rather bizarre mix-ap, but such things do happen ••• at least there was a logical axplanation. At least Robert J. Oliver's family could sa71 '~ell ••• it was all a mistake ••• a rather stupid mistake at thatt"

, But, friend, there was no mix-up that first Easter. Jesus was dead. For three days He was dead, but now He was alive. Simon Peter was there and saw the Risen Christ with the nail prints in His hands and feet, and later he witnessed to th-"'t event in one of the first Easter sermons ever preached. Oh, it wasn't on Easter Sunday. There was no "Christ, the Lord Is Risen Today" sung b7 those present. I doubt if there were a~ lilies or Easter baskets or hats or eggs. A formalized Easter celebration was not yet on the calendar, but still, Peter's sermon carried the Easter message. It's there in the loth chapter of Acts.

"You know what has happened •••• and how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Hol,y Spirit and power and how He went around doing good and healing •••• because God was with Him. We are witnesses of everything He did ••••• " (Peter contin­ued) "The7 killed Him by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen ••• by witnesses ••• who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the ead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testifY that He is the One whom God appointed as Judge of the living and the dead."

Peter was a witness ••• one of many who met the Risen Christ and it was this experience that changed his life dramatically ••• just as it has changed the lives of everyone who has ever experienced it since that day. His wards were amo~ the first Easter sermon ever preached and this brings us then to some things we need to see about Easter and to put into our Easter baskets and take home with us.

EASTER IS ••• A HISTORICAL EVENT First of all, "-·le need to see that Easter is an historical event ••• no fairy tale to make

us feel good •••• no myth. It is a historical fact. Bill Proctor, whose book, The Resurrection Report, some of you have been reading, cites some excellent reasons­why we can accept and should accept Easter as an historical event. Let me touch on them briefly here in these moments.

- 3 -

For one thing, Jesus was public~ executed before a pretty large crowd, and the centurion in charge of such executions had much experience in determining if death was complete. The regional Governor, Pilate, also ran a check to make sure that Jesus was dead before He was buried. Jesus was buried in a brand-nw tomb, so it would have been quite easy to locate. His friends and also his enemies were equally surprised that the tomb was empty. The enemies of Jesus would not have wanted to encourage the perception that He had risen. And if they had stolen the body, they sure~ would have produced it as soon as they heard rumors of His resurrection. It doesn't make sense that Jesus' friends stole His body. Why would they suffer persecution, torture and death for some­thing they knew was not true.

After the death of Jesus, manf witnesses reported having seen Him alive. There were people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the various sightings occured in a wide variety of:places ••• so it seems unlikely that they were mass hallucinations. And final~, there are just too many people whose lives have ChaJl!:ed radically after they became believers to doubt that Christ lives. Of course, there wtll always be those who doubt •••• eyou and I know this. It seems to be too good to be true, but the evidence is persuasive and compitH1:ng ••• so put this down as the first egg in your Easter basket. Easter is an ·historical event.

EASTER IS •••• AN UNPARALLELED VICTCRY It was May Day. The year: 1990. The place: Moscow's Red Square.

"Is it straight, Father?" one Orthodox priest asked an­other as he shifted a hea~, eight-foot crucifix on his shoulder. "Yes" said the other. "It is straight •••• "

And together the two priests, along with a gathering of parishioners holding ropes that steadied the beams of the huge cross, walked the parade route. It waa May Day in Moscow •••• the celebration of the communist takeover of the Soviet Union. In front of these priests passed the usual, May Day procession or tanks, missiles, troops and salutes to the Cormnunist party elite. Behind the tanks there surged a giant crowd or protestors, shouting up at Mikhail Garbachev, "Bread •••• Freedom •••• Truth"

As this throng passed directly in front or the Soviet leader standing in his place of honor, the priests hoisted their hea~ burden toward the sky, arr:l soon this giant cross emerged :f'rom the crowd. As it did, the figure of Jesus Christ obscured the giant poster faces of Marx, Engels and Lenin that provided the backdrop for Gorbachev's reviewing stam. Quite dramatic, but there was more.

"Mikhail Gorbachev1" one of the priests shouted ••• his deep voice cleavi~ the clamor of the protestors and piercing straight towarcLthe angry Soviet leader. "Mikhail Gorbachev •••• Ghrist is risen1" Those humble priests wanted Mr. Gorbachev to know that dictators come and go, that mighty m.tions come and go, that atheistic philosophies co~ and go, but that Jesus Christ is alive -t,oday, tomorrow and even forever.

Yes, Easter is, first, a historical event, but it is more than that. It is, secondly, an unparalleled victory over sin and death. The Son of Man, the Son·· of God, has a strange way of outlasting politicians and even revolutions. Put that one in your Easter basket, too.

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EASTER IS ••• ABOUT LIVING THE RESURRECTED LIFE But one more thing to lift up and reflect upon in these

moments. Easter is ••• about living the resurrected life - here and now. It is not about the future alone, although it is an event that changed the thinking of humankind about the future ••• about death. It is about today-, as well.

In Philip Yancey's book, I Was Just Wondering, he tries to imagine a society in which no one believed in an afterlife. He poses this question: what would the world look like if no one believed that there was a heaven or a hell? Yancey gave his fictitious land the name of Acirema and then offered a few of the characteristics that his imaginary Aciremans would have.

Aci.remans wo11ld put a great deal of emphasis on youth. The idea of growing old and eventually dying would be so traumatic that they could have no hope for the future. Therefore, preserving their youth would become an obsession. Old age and anything associated with aging would be shunned and devalued. In this way, the rest of society could continue the charade of den,ing the facts of aging. Every kind of cosmetic and chemical treatment that can possibly slow down the aging process would be necessar,y.

Appearances would be all that matter. Inner beauty, characterized by such things as integrity, compassion and decorum, would no longer matter. People who do not look attractive ••• young and healthy ••• would face discrimination. And the scientists would try to figure out how to eliminate death. People would use all kinds of euphemisms to say that someone has died.

Religion for the Aciremans would consist of philosophies to help them make the most of the here and now. Eternal rewards wouldn't exist in their belief' system, so Acireman religion would teach one to "grab all the gusto" they can possibly grab •••• to build up riches and satisfy their whims and desires as soon as they can. Does it sound familiar to ~ of you? The fact the word Acirema spelled backwards is America might give you a hint.

CLOSOO Does Easter have anything to say to our lives "here and now"? Obviously, it does. Because the spirit of Christ is alive, you

and I can face life courageously. Because the spirit of Christ is alive in our world, you and I can face death confident~. Because Christ lives, we can live commited and consecrated lives. Because His spirit is alive, we have a hope that never fails.

David Moss played basketball for the University of Tennessee and he played it well even starting as a freshman. But when the season was over, it was dis­covered that David had cancer and his leg had to be amputated. His short lived basketball career was over and when the press interviewed him after the operation, someone asked David Moss,

"David ••• if there is anything in life that you could do over, what 1frou ld it be ••••• ?"

He simply replied,

"Well ••• if I had known that was my last game, nobody would have been able to stop meJ"

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Easter had the opposite effect on Simon Peter and the other disciples and apostles. Think of it this w~. Because they knew that their lives would never be over, the,r devoted themselves to living in the "here and the now" in a heroic fashion •••• living some pretty courageous, confident, committed and consecrated lives. Ard so, too, can we. We may have our "Good FridaY" momenta and experiences in life when we feel it's over, but also remember, "Sunday's coming". And this is it. Always remember that. "Sunday's coming!"

So maqy have a fear of dytng •••• but please, put this into your Easter basket •••• that we have this hope that Easter long ago brought to light. Friends ••• this is God's Dayl Well may the trumpets sound. Well may our hearts rejoice ard be lifted and made glad. For God - not man - has had the final word. .Ameri and AMEHL

PRAYER Take our natural impulsN, n God ••• and stretch them. Confirm them and reassure them on thie DAY OF RESURRECTION. Give to each of the

gift of an Easter Faith ••••• vith the power and grace to go forth from here, into our warld •••• to always live as though Christ were alive in ns ••••• that our world may be lifted to new levels of life and of love. Thank you for opening to us the larger areas of life. In the spirit of the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, February 1, 1998

HOLY COMMUNION

A. It has long been the custom •••• to celebrate the Sacrament of Ho~ Cammunion ••••• and we like to announce for the benefit ••• that the Table of our Lord is open •••• open to all ••• that one does not have ••

B. HIS TABlE IS OPEN TO ALL •••• and we invite all of you to receive ••• and trust that this may be an occasion of spiritual renewal ••• re­affirmation •••• re-dedication of your life to the will of God as it has come to us in the LIFE and LOVE of Christ •••

c. PROCEDURE •••• elements will be served to you in the pews ••• upon re­ceiving them •••• please HOLD THEM •••

GREETING I VISIT<RS

A. We greet the visitors ••• delighted ••• hope that we shall have •••• be free in the sharing •••• COME, WORSHIP ••• CCME, WORK WITH US •••

B. Doing the "Lord's Work" at this busy corner of God's K~dom since 1837 •••• rive weeks from today we shall celebrate our 16lst Birthday. Hope you' 11 plan to come and share that special moment with us.

C. We minister here in the name or Christ and it is in His loving spirit ••••• wear name tags. Greet a child •••• Make some new friends. Greet them as well as your old friends •••• remember, no church business •••• remember how PAUL RUSSELL whose 99th birthday we celebrate today use to say that to me when we held the coffee hour •••

PARISH CONCERNS

A. Parish concerns are lifted up for you in the bulletin. Review them on your own noting (l) The Tuesday evening Bible study •••• prayer and sharing. (2) Adult Fellowship Games Night, with Ed and Kathryn Amstutz serving as hosts •••• (3) February 21st RUDD'IIa.ge Sale •

B. Pick up your copy of the February News Sheet ••• copies by the door in

OFFERING:

the narthex. Mention is made that Dianne Keller may be here ••••

"It is more blessed to give than it is to receival"

At ten Book

•

a on lovers

A discussion Df Fdi.CI.Q's J'ourn~ by .!' i II i a Y!' T r e.~ w i II Tell k e. pI ace June II

at I ?. M a in Janet Ernst's o.partment

Addres5 - 85 £. End Ave. toM

The book \.5 availabl~ at BOtrnes cf- N ob/e 1'n

paper back.

RSVP to 2$3-b93b as a l13ht supper will be served.

ANTHEM: "The Lord's Prayer"

The words of the Lord's Prayer provide us with the text for the first anthem.

ANTHEM: "Then Round About the Starry Throne"

"Then round about the starry throne of Him who ever rules alone. Your heavenly guided soul shall climb, of all this earthly grossness quit. With glory crown'd forever sit. And triumph over death and thee, 0 time".

ORGAN POSTLUDE

The organ postlude - a final offering of our praise to God - is played after the Benediction. Time permitting, we invite you to share in the beauty of it.

FOR THOSE WHO SING

New members are always welcome to audi­tion to sing in the Choir. Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the down­stairs Choir Room. Some members arrive early and enjoy a cup of coffee together.

PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP

Volunteers are needed for· the Saturday Feeding Program at the Park Avenue Christian Church, 1010 Park Avenue (85th Street) from 1:30 to 3:30 pro. Be in touch with Janet Ernst (288-6936) if you can lend a hand. If your name is on the list, you may be called to help once in every 4 to 6 weeks.

TEACHER RECOGNITION

We wish to thank the Sunday School teachers who generously give of their time and energy to the children of our Church. It is a very dedicated group. They come to Church every Sunday, even when it's a holi­day weekend. They thoughtfully prepare lesson plans for each Sunday, dream up new arts projects and pass along their enthusiasm for their faith commitment to our children. Please •.• when you see one of the following persons, take a moment to thank them on behalf of the entire Church.

Carl Condra Linnea Jacobson Julie Klein Gary Klein

Alexis Roosa Tracey Simmons Veronica Winder

Parents and children - all of us -deeply appreciate your faithful and steady efforts. God bless you. Thank you.

THURSDAY EVENING

Join us on Thursday evening at 6:30 pro in Fellowship Hall where "two or three" come together in Christ's name for Bible study, sharing and healing prayer.

AN ENVELOPE IN THE PEW

It's there for a late but special "love gift" to the Health Care Agencies appeal of our NY Annual Conference. Today's the last Sunday to respond with a gift.

PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y. 10028

427-5421

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Philip A. C. Clarke .... ....... ....... ........... .. .. .... .... ....... .. ...... Minister Lyndon Woodside .. ............................... Organist-Choir Director Judi Ferland .................. ............. ........................ ... ...... Secretary Judith Keisman .......... ..................... ......... . Day School Director Roberto Me riles ......................................................... Custodian

GENERAL OFFICERS

Lay Members, Annual Conference ... .. .............. Edward J. Brown Larry Morales

Lay Leader .............................................. .. ... ....... Larry Morales Associate Lay Leader ............... ........... ................ Eric de Freitas President, Board of Trustees ......................... Michael Schaffield Chairperson, Administrative Council .................. George Leopold Chairperson, Education Committee ......................... Carl Condra Chairperson, Finance Committee ............................. Dan Boone Co-Chairpersons, Membership Committee ...... Margaret Bratton

and Jean Laupus Chairperson, Outreach Committee ...... ........ ............ Janet Ernst Chairperson, Worship Committee ..... .... ...... ..... ... .. Ken Borgeson Chairperson, Publicity Committee ..... ..... ......... ....... Sam Wilson Chairperson, Day School Committee ...................... Anna Delson Chairperson, Ushers ................. ..... ... .............. .. ...... . Effie French Superintendent, Sunday School, ....................... Veronica Winder

PARK AVENUE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ORGAN CALL TO WORSHIP

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST May 31, 1998

ORDER OF WORSHIP 11 A. M.

"Chorale Prelude"

HYMN NO. 545 "The Church's One Foundation" PRAYER OF CONFESSION (seated)

Peeters

Help us, 0 Lord, who claim to be Christians. Teach us our responsibilities to You and to oth­ers in this world. Save us from loving religion instead of You. Take fire and burn away our hy­pocrisy. Take water and wash away the blood that we cause to be shed. Take sunlight and dry the tears of those we have hurt. Take love and plant it in our hearts, that peace and joy may be made real for all people everywhere. For we ask these things in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

SILENT MEDITATION - WORDS OF ASSURANCE - LORD'S PRAYER ***

TEACHER RECOGNITION MOMENT PSALTER Psalm 47 AFFIRMATION OF FAITH GLORIA PATRI

*** ANTHEM SCRIPTURE PASTORAL PRAYER PARISH CONCERNS

"The Lord's Prayer" Acts 11: 19 - 30

No. 781 No. 885

No. 71

Peeters Page 958

ANTHEM "Then Round About the Starry Throne" Handel PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 540 "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" SERMON "It All Began In Antioch" Mr. Clarke HYMN NO. 539 "0 Spirit of the Living God" BENEDICTION ORGAN "Allegro"

*** Interval for Ushering

Peeters

LAY READER

We welcome Nancy Zierman to the lectern this morning. Raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a graduate of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, Nancy is currently working at Bear Stearns Co .. Here in the Church she is a member of the Finance Committee and the Adult Fellowship Committee.

GREETERS AND USHERS

The greeters today are Lynn Clarke and Beverly Judge. The ushers are George Crawford, Christine Day, Fran Ellison, Effie French and Gary Klein.

AN INVITATION

Coffee and tea will be served in the Russell Room following the service. All are invited to share in these moments of warm fellowship made possible for us today by Jane Chaney, Elizabeth Callahan, Janet Jacobson, Natividad Miranda, Jean Laupus and John Oates.

CHURCH SCHOOL AND NURSERY CARE

Sessions of Church School for children are offered Sunday morning from ten-thirty to twelve. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available on the fourth floor in the Day School Room.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

The Adult Bible Class meets on Sunday morning at 9:30 in Fellowship Hall. Tracey Simmons is class leader.

DEADLINE

Tuesday, June 2nd, is the deadline for you to call the church office with any news you wish to share with us in the June issue of "A Word In Edgeways".

..

"EASTER IS ••• "

A Sermon By

Philip A. C. Clarke

Park Avenue United Methodist Church lo6 East 86th Street New York, Netor York 10028 April 12, 1998

"EASTER IS •• •"

INTRODUCTION In his book, Just As Long As I'm Riding Up Front, Ray Mciver tells of belonging to the Kiwanis Club back in the nineteen

fifties in the small Texas town of San Marcos. They were a pretty lively bunch all except far one man whose name was Roger Shelton. Roger Shelton use to arrive at the Kiwanis meetings a little late ••• sat by himself ••• and rarely ever said a ward. Their luncheon meetings usually had a bit of entertainment before they got down to club business. At one particular meeting, the entertainment consisted of a barbershop quartet of local college professors. They were a popular b\Ulch in San Marcos, often singing for both weddings and f\Ulerals.

Because they sang at more funerals than weddings, they came to be known as the "Funeral Quartet" and whenever a grieving family couldn't decide on the music for the funeral service, the fUneral director would suggest these singing college professors. And since the funeral home was just down the hill from the university, it all seemed to work out well ••• however,

For this particular service, the quartet had been asked to sing, "Fairest Lord Jesus", an old favorite that was sure to be a "crowd-pleaser". The onl.7 trouble was that they started off on the wrong note and everything seemed to fall apart. And what was heard was one of the most discordant, out-of-key renditions of "Fairest Lord Jesus" that's ever been sung. People began to squirm in their seats and looked at each other. It really was bad ••• horrible. When it was over, the quartet sat down ••• somewhat embarrassed. No one could think of anything to say, but the silence was eventually broken by Roger Shelton, the quiet one, the man of few words. He drawled in his Texas accent,

"You lmow ••• that's what I dread about dyingl"

DEVELOPMENT Have you ever noticed that most people dread dying ••• that most people have a fear of death. Nobody wants to face the "Grim

Reaper" •••• unless, of course, you believe ••• reall.T believe ••• the Easter story.

Simon Peter believed the Easter storY'• He certainly did ••• af'ter all, he was there. He went through this whole "nerve-wracking" experience. His closest friend, Jesus •••• hls teacher, his master ••• had been crucified and placed in a borrowed tomb. His friend, Jesus, was dead, deceased, departed, passed away. It was all over, but then, on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, MarY' Magdalenee went to the tomb and what she found there changed the world forever. She found that the stone had been rolled away, that His bod:r was gone1 And so she came running to Simon Peter and the other Disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and breathlessl:r said,

"They have taken the Lord :~aut of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Htm!"

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb and saw the burial clothes, but no body. Then they went back to their homes and waited ••• not really knowing just what to do l)ext. Then sOTI'I8thing unbelievable happened. We read that on the evening of' the f'ir8t day of the week, when the disciples were together ••• with the doors locked ••• Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with youl" And Peter ~.ms there and Peter believed. He really believed.

- 2 -

It reminds me of a story that made the papers not too long ago. You may have seen it. It was about a man by the name of Robert J. Oliver. Robert J. Oliver, too, was pronounced dead. His friends and family members gathered at the hospital and cried over his body. Funeral clothes were picked out and all arrangements, including a wake, were planned. Oliver's daughter-in-law felt it best to wait 'til the next morning to break the news to her husband, who was fishing on Cape Cod. And when she finall;r called the family's cottage on the Cape, the man she had been mourning for twelve hours answered the phone. Says Robert J. Oliver,

"It took me 20 minutes to calm her down. She was saying and kept saying, 'You're dead•••"

Well, it seems that hospital officials had called the family of the wrong Robert Oliver. The man who died, Robert w. Oliver, had a home in Quincy, Massachu­setts •••• just like Robert J. Oliver. The men were about the same age - 62 and 64 and they had similiar builds and brown eyes. Robert W. Oliver, however, had an unlisted phone number while Robert J. Oliver was ~n the book and so they called the wrong one. A rather bizarre mix-up, but such things do happen ••• at least there was a logicU axplanation. At least Robert J. Oliver's family' could say, '~ell ••• it was all a mistake ••• a rather stupid mistake at that1"

But, friend, there was no mix-up that first Easter. Jesus was dead. For three days He was dead, but now He was alive. Simon Peter was there and saw the Risen Christ with the nail prints in His hands and feet, and later he witnessed to th~t event in one of the first Easter sermons ever preached. Oh, it wasn't on Easter Sunday. There was no "Christ, the Lord Is Risen Today" sung by those present. I doubt if there were aqy lilies or Easter baskets or hats or eggs. A formalized Easter celebration was not yet on the calendar, but still, Peter's sermon carried the Easter message. It's there in the loth chapter of Acts.

"You know what has happened •••• and how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and how He went around doing good and healing •••• because God was with Him. We are witnesses of everything He did •••• •" (Peter contin­ued) "They killed Him by hanging Hilll on a tree, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen ••• by witnesses ••• who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the ead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify' that He is the One whom God appointed as Judge of the living and the dead."

Peter was a witness ••• one of many who met the Risen Christ and it was this experience that changed his life dramatically ••• just as it has changed the lives of everyone who has ever experienced it since that day. His wards were among the first Easter sermon ever preached and this brings us then to some things we need to see about Easter and to put into our Easter baskets and take home with us.

EASTER IS ••• A HISTORICAL EVENT First of all, r.re need to see that Easter is an his tori cal event ••• no fairy tale to make

us feel good •••• no myth. It 1~ a historical fact. Bill Proctor, whose book, The Resurrection Report, some of you have been reading, cites soMe excellent reasons­why we can accept and should accept Easter as an historical event. Let me touch on them briefly here in these moments.

- 3 -

For one thing, Jesus was publicly executed before a pretty large crowd, and the centurion in charge of such executions had much experience in determining if death was complete. The regional Governor, Pilate, also ran a check to make sure that Jesus was dead before He was buried. Jesus was buried in a brand-nw tomb, so it would have been quite easy to locate. His friends and also his enemies were equally surprised that the tomb was empty. The enemies of Jesus would not have wanted to encourage the perception that He had risen. And if they had stolen the body, they surely would have produced it as soon as they heard rumors of His resurrection. It doesn't make sense that Jesus' friends stole His body. Why would they suffer persecution, torture and death for some­thing they knew was not true.

After the death of Jesus, manr witnesses reported having seen Him alive. There were people .from a wide variety or backgrounds, and the various sighttngs occured in a wide variety of_places ••• so it seems unlikely that they were mass hallucinations. And final]¥, there are just too many people whose lives have changed radically after they became believers to doubt that Christ lives. or course, there will always be those who doubt •••• .you and I knCM this. It seems to be too good to be true, but the evidence is persuasive and compelling ••• so put this down as the first egg in your Easter basket. Easter is an ·historical event.

EASTER IS •••• AN UNPARALIELED VICTCRY It was May Day. The year: 1990. The place: Moscow's Red Square.

"Is tt straight, Father?" one Orthodox priest asked an­other as he shifted a heavy, eight-foot crucifix on his shoulder. "Yes" said the other. "It is straight •• ••"

And together the two priests, along with a gathering of parishioners holding ropes that steadied the beams of the huge cross, walked the parade route. It was May Day in Moscow •••• the celebration of the communist takeover of the Soviet Union. In front of these priests passed the usual, May Day process ion of tanks, missiles, troops and salutes to the Communist party elite. Behind the tanks there surged a giant crowd of protestors, shouting up at Mikhail Gorbachev, "Bread •••• Freedom •••• Truth"

As this throng passed directly in front of the Soviet leader standing in his place of honor, the priests hoisted their heavy burden toward the slcy', and soon this giant cross emerged :f'rom the crowd. As it did, the figure of Jesus Christ obscured the giant poster faces of Marx, Engels and Lenin that provided the backdrop for Gorbachev's reviewing stand. Quite dramatic, but there was more.

"Mikhail Gorbachev 1" one of the priests shouted ••• his deep voice cleavi~ the clamor of the protestors and piercing straight toward',the angry Soviet leader. "Mikhail Gorbachev •••• Christ is risenl" Those humble priests wanted Mr. Gorbachev to know that dictators come and go, that mighty m.tions come and go, that atheistic philosophies coMe and go, but that Jesus Christ is alive -today, tomorrow and even forever.

Yes, Easter is, first, a historical event, but it is more than that. It is, secondly, an unparalleled victory over sin and death. The Son of Man, the Son· of God, has a strange way of outlasting politicians and even revolutions. Put that one in your Easter basket, too.

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EASTER IS ••• ABOUT LIVING THE RESURRECTED LIFE But one more thing to lift up and reflect upon in these

moments. Easter is ••• about living the resurrected life - here am now. It is not about the future alone, although it is an event that changed the thinking of humankind about the future ••• about death. It is about today", as well.

In Philip Yancey's book, I Was Just Wondering, he tries to imagine a society in which no one believed in an afterlife. He poses this question: what would the world look like if no one believed that there was a heaven or a hell? Yancey gave his fictitious land the name of Acirema and then offered a few of the characteristics that his imaginary Aciremans would have.

Aciremans would put a great deal of emphasis on youth. The idea of growing old and eventually dying would be so traumatic that they could have no hope for the future. Therefore, preserving their youth would become an obsession. Old age and anything associated with agtng would be shunned and devalued. In this way, the rest of society could continue the charade of denying the facts of aging. Every kind of cosmetic and chemical treatment that can possibly slow down the aging process would be necessar,r.

Appearances would be all that matter. Inner beauty, characterized by such things as integrity, compassion and decorum, would no longer matter. People who do not look attractive ••• young and healthy ••• would face discrimination. And the scientists would try to figure out how to eliminate death. People would use all kinds of euphemisms to say that someone has died.

Religion for the Aciremans would consist of philosophies to help them make the most of the here and now. Eternal rewards wouldn't exist in their belief system, so Acirema.n religion would teach one to "grab all the gusto" they can possib~ grab •••• to build up riches and satisfy their whims and desires as soon as they can. Does it sound familiar to ~ of you? The fact the word Acirema spelled backwards is America might give you a hint.

CLOSOO Does Easter have anything to say to our lives "here and now"? Obviously, it does. Because the spirit of Christ is alive, you

and I can face life courageously. Because the spirit of Christ is alive in our world, you and I can face death confident~. Because Christ lives, we can live commited and consecrated lives. Because His s-pirit is alive, we have a hope that never fails.

David Moss played basketball for the University of Tennessee and he played it well even starting as a freshman. But when the season was over, it was dis­covered that David had cancer and his leg had to be amputated. His short lived basketball career was over and when the press interviewed him after the operation, someone asked David Moss,

"David ••• if there is anything in life that you could do over, what ,.,rould it be ••••• ?"

He simply replied,

"We 11. •• if I had known that was 'lilY' last game, nobody would have been able to st~ mel"

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Easter had the opposite effect on Simon Peter and the other disciples and apostles. Think of it this w~. Because they knew that their lives would never be over, they devoted themselves to living in the "here and the now" in a heroic fashion •••• livtng sone pretty courageous, confident, committed and consecrated lives. And so, too, can we. We may have our "Good Friday" moments and experiences in life when we feel it's over, but also remember, "Sunday's coming"• And this is it. Always remember that. "Sunday's coming&"

So many have a fear of dying •••• but please, put this into your Easter basket •••• that we have this hope that Easter long ago brought to light. Friends ••• this is God's Dayl Well may the trumpets sound. Well may our hearts rejoice and be lifted and made glad. Far God - not man - has had the final word. Amen and AMENL

PRAYER Take our natural impulsu, O· God ••• and stretch them. Confirm them and reassure them on this DAY OF RESURRECTION. Give to each of the

gift of an Easter Faith ••••• with the power and grace to go forth from here, into our world •••• to always live as though Christ were alive in us ••••• that our world may be lifted to new levels of life and of love. Thank you for opening to us the larger areas of life. In the spirit of the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.