May 1, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

May this weekly letter find you in good spirits and good health. Tomorrow is the fifth Sunday of Easter season. Our continuing theme is: the Difference Easter makes in our lives. The title of this week’s message is: “The Plots Against Easter.” The Gospel of Matthew tells how the powerful people who put Jesus to death also plotted to keep Jesus’ body in the tomb to prevent the events of Easter morning from happening. They failed to keep the tomb sealed. But the plots they hatched long ago against the Easter message are still with us. I will talk about that challenge to our faith in the resurrection, and suggest that our best response to enquirers is to show the world in our lives the difference Easter makes.

SERMON TITLE:  “THE PLOTS AGAINST THE RESURRECTION”

SCRIPTURE LESSON:  MATTHEW 27:62 - 28:15

On Saturday morning the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and said, “Sir, that impostor said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore allow us to secure his tomb until the third day; otherwise his disciples may steal his body, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said, “Take a few soldiers to guard the tomb, seal the stone and make it as secure as you can.”

As the first day of the week dawned, there was a powerful earthquake that rolled the stone away from the tomb. Then an angel appeared like a flash of lightning. The guards, overcome with terror, fell to the ground and became like dead men.

A while later the two Mary’s arrived at the tomb and saw the angel sitting on the stone.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus’ body, but it is not here. Jesus is risen! Go tell his disciples that they will see him in Galilee.” So the women left the tomb filled with fear and great joy.

Meanwhile the guards told the chief priests what had happened. So they offered the soldiers a bribe, telling them to say that his disciples stole his body. They took the money, and this story is told to this day.

“IF A MAN DIE—“

I will repudiate the lie that men tell of life,

How it will pass as fragile flower or butterfly,

Whose dust shall nourish April grass.

Since One, for love, died on a tree

And in the stony tomb was laid,

Behold I show a mystery:

All sepulchers are sealed in vain!

by John Richard Moreland

AN EASTER PRAYER: We thank you, O God, for our resurrection faith and hope which is a firm anchor to our souls, that keeps us steadfast and secure in all the storms of life. Amen.

Blessings to all,

Pastor Norm

May 2, 2021 service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HFwp91g8vCM