Second Sunday of Easter
March 30, 2008

Color: White

Acts 2:14, 22-32 (during the Easter season, readings from Acts are substituted for the Old Testament Reading); Psalm 16; I Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

Today we continue the celebration of the resurrection.  In reality, each time we gather on Sunday is a mini-resurrection celebration.  Our focus at Preston Wesleyan will be on the difference the resurrection makes in the life of a believer.  Today we lean heavily on Peter — his speech on Pentecost and his letter.  Peter makes it very clear that Jesus was born, crucified, and raised all for the purpose of saving humankind.  It was all part of the plan — there was no plan b.  The Psalmist David writes:

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Peter reminds us in Acts that the Holy One is not David but Jesus.  Jesus is alive.  The fact that Jesus is alive, gives us glorious hope — that hope is that because Jesus is raised, we have the power over sin and sin no longer controls us. We also have the hope that because Jesus is risen, that those who have received him — those who are His children, will be raise with Him someday — that we have a priceless inheritance — an inheritance that will not rust or decay, or be ruined by the stock market, or the housing market or anything else.  Our hope is in heaven.  That is the difference that the resurrection makes.