Against All Odds: Jesus - Peace Be With You
Pastor Johnathan delivers an Easter sermon celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its significance for Christianity. He begins by emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus' resurrection, stating, "There's lots of people that have died for a cause, but I love that Jesus is the one who rose for a cause." The pastor highlights the historical evidence for the resurrection, mentioning both secular and Biblical sources.
The sermon's central theme is peace, with Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Pastor Johnathan uses Luke 24:36 as the key scripture, where Jesus appears to His disciples saying, "Peace be with you." He explains that this peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of Jesus Himself. The pastor quotes Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Pastor Johnathan shares several lessons on walking with the Prince of Peace, using the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) as a framework. These lessons include:
1. God is always on the move: Jesus actively seeks out His followers, unlike other religions where people must seek enlightenment.
2. Peace can adjust our perspective: Jesus allowed the disciples to not recognize Him initially, desiring an honest reaction to His appearance.
3. Our peace can become fragile: The disciples' faith wavered, but Jesus still cared about their conversations and concerns.
4. There's peace in our faith: Jesus encourages believers to trust in God's Word, even when faith is tested.
5. There's peace in His presence: The disciples' hearts burned within them as Jesus explained the Scriptures.
6. We must walk in the assurance of peace: Peace comes from taking in Jesus, not from the absence of conflict.
Throughout the sermon, Pastor Johnathan maintains a conversational tone, sharing personal anecdotes and using relatable examples. He emphasizes the importance of being honest with Jesus about our struggles and doubts, stating, "Be real with where you are with him and let him pull you to the next level in the relationship with him."
The pastor concludes with a powerful illustration from a mission trip to Nicaragua, where he learned a lesson about God's willingness to reach into the muck and mire of our lives to pull out our hearts. He encourages listeners to surrender their hearts to Jesus, even when they feel unworthy or dirty, saying, "His blood, the blood of Jesus, covers it all."
The sermon ends with an altar call, inviting people to come forward and lay down their burdens, seeking the peace that only Jesus can provide. Pastor Johnathan's message emphasizes the transformative power of the resurrection and the importance of walking closely with the Prince of Peace in our daily lives.