INTRODUCTION:Today we are celebrating foundation of our faith. THE RISEN CHRIST. If Christ have not risen our faith is in vain. This is not Historical fiction but a Facts and Reality. We shall be looking at various ways in which we can Encounter the Risen Christ.
John 20:1 (KJV)
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark…
Ps 63:1 They must make it a priority, first thing on the list of to do in planning, punctuality and pursuit.
2. THE PERSON MUST BE PASSIONATELY ZEALOUS ABOUT IT:
One should not be careless or carefree about it: “if the Lord needs me, He will look for me and pursue me.” Encountering Christ must be a matter of zealous commitment and not a matter of sheer convenience. John 20:2
3. THE PERSON MUST HAVE A SUSTAINED HUNGER FOR THE LORD:
(unlike the disciples who went back...) John 20:10-11
The disciple went back to the comfort of their bed, pleasure, food, back to the usual and the familiar, back to the tales and stories that they were told, etc. The disciples were a good example of the instant tea generation that we are now in matters of spiritual things. The moment the preaching is beyond 20 minutes and service beyond 1: 30 minutes then it becomes too long. The moment we pray for it today and it does not happen, then God is too slow, sluggish and late for our sense of timing but we can spend hours watching the football club we like, watching the movie we love, hours surfing the net, seamless time in a party we relish. What a generation?
4. THE PERSON MUST POSSESS DOGGED DETERMINATION: John 20:11 (KJV)
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher… Mary sought him with determination and tears. What has your Christian experience cost you? Do you have a story to tell of the tears and scars of seeking him in loneliness, abandonment and cold and in the face of jeering of friends and foes that you would not find him and that you would come back empty - handed or that there is nothing to seek further than the napkin and the linen? The last we determined to stay put with him, was it not to have a testimony and evidence of diverse kinds of breakthrough? It was not that we wanted Him. What we wanted was the gifts He could give. The Lord is looking for those who are seeking Him not what he has to offer.
5. THE PERSON MUST BE HUMBLE AND BENDABLE, MUST BE READY TO BOW WHERE OTHERS STOOD STRAIGHT: John 20:11
We must learn to forget about ourselves, our status, pedigree, degrees, etc and bend low, be broken to see Him that is declared the risen Lord.
6. THE PERSON MUST BE HUNGRY BEYOND RELIGION & THE SUPERFICIAL MATERIALISM OF TODAY'S CHRISTIANITY. John 20:12-13 (KJV)
7. THE PERSON MUST BE EXPECTANT: John 20:14-17 (KJV)
Conclusion:
Why are you weeping/ today? What kind of prayer brings tears to your eyes. When last did you seek the Lord with tears and weeping, knowing that without his presence you are nothing.