But there is something that I really wanted to preach on for some time
Which is found in Matthew 27 look at verse number 52
It says and the graves were open the title for the sermon today is the graves were opened the graves were open
We have this very cryptic story here in the Bible
We've got literally two verses of a miracle that takes place and we don't get a lot of explanation as to what's happening
Let's backtrack a little bit
This is of course we're talking about when when Matthew 27 was being read you can see that it's primarily about the the death
Of our Lord Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross, but if you look at Matthew 27 verse number 50
It says Jesus when he had cried with a loud voice yielded up the ghost so he passed away
Okay
his ghost or his spirit left his body and that it says in verse number 51 and behold the veil of the temple was
Rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the rocks rent
So as soon as Jesus Christ dies
The temple in Jerusalem it had a veil to the holiest of holies
This was a place where the high priest would go once a year with a sacrifice and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat
This was a once a year sacrifice that would be done
But the only one that would be allowed in through that veil was the high priest
Well as soon as Jesus Christ dies the Bible says here that there's this earthquake the earth did quake and even the rocks
Rent so even though even rocks just split in half and not only during the other rock splitting
But also that veil in the temple split open
Okay
And and all of a sudden the access which was once a year by the high priest only is made available to all
And of course, this is symbolic the veil in the temple is symbolic of Jesus Christ
If you can keep your finger there in Matthew 27 and come with me to Hebrews chapter 10
Come with me to Hebrews chapter 10 and verse number 19
Hebrews chapter 10
Hebrews chapter 10 and verse number 19
Hebrews chapter 10 verse number 19 reads
Have been therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus
Okay, so in the past only one man can enter into the holiest the high priest
Well, we've been told here brethren multiple people we can have the boldness to enter into the holiness
We've what blood the blood of animals know the blood of Jesus
It says by a new and living way which he have consecrated for us
Through the veil that veil is the veil in the temple. It says that is to say his flesh
So now we understand when he came to the temple in that veil that only the high priest could enter in that veil
represented the flesh or the body of Jesus Christ
And so as soon as the body of Jesus Christ had suffered for our sins and was was broken for us
So too was a veil open to us. So we have immediate access to the holiest
Now, of course this holiest is not speaking about the temple
The temple has been destroyed in 70 AD the holiest of course is a picture of
The of the heavenly realms of where God's throne is and so by the blood of Jesus by his broken body
We can enter into the holiest and the shed blood of Jesus Christ speaks for all eternity that we can enter
You know through Christ to be with our Lord God forever
Now it continues in verse number 21 and having in high priest over the house of God
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith
Notice that we do have a high priest but the high priest is Jesus Christ and we can enter with full assurance of what of
Faith, okay
So how is it that we get access to heaven through the blood the body of Jesus through faith not by our works
Not by our merits not by our attempt to live righteous lives
All of those things are good things to do
But none of that saves you only the body and the blood of Christ and your faith on that which is Christ
Allows us into heaven. It's as having our hearts sprinkled with from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure
Water again, these are all symbolism of Jesus Christ's body
You know when he was pierced in the side out came the blood and the water, you know mixed together
Just like in the Old Testament when the Old Testament was put into effect by Moses
Moses will take the blood of animals
Mix it with water and with herbs and be sprinkled upon the people and that would be symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ put
Upon us for the redemption of our sins, but come back to me with that with me to Matthew 27 Matthew 27
I just want to show you the symbolism there of the veil being torn apart and
You know that this earthquake opened the doors of heaven to us all but not only this earthquake
Rip apart that veil not only that it caused the rocks to rent it says in verse number 52 and the graves
Were open the title for the sermon today and the graves were of what such a massive earthquake
Shifts the sand the soil all of a sudden even graves of dead bodies have been opened and
This is one of the most sort of you know
These this miracle and you know, all we have to go by is what we see here in the screen these next two verses
Okay, so what happens but when these graves were open it says here and many bodies of the saints which slept
arose
Now some people say this is where all the Old Testament saints received the new resurrected bodies
But this can't be because immediately says that and many bodies. It's not all of the saints of old that have been risen again
It's just many bodies of the saints which slept arose now
When did they rise exactly it tells us in verse 153 and came out of the graves
after his
Resurrection notice that so at his death the graves were opened
But the bodies did not come out and then when Christ was resurrected on Sunday morning now the bodies come out of the grave
What you got the dead walking
well, it says here and went into the holy city and
Appeared unto many and that's all we have about this story go. What are these people right?
Well, we know who they are. It says they're the bodies of the Saints
So these are people that are saved
These are people that have put their faith and trust on the Lord Jesus Christ and many of them
Actually at the resurrection like the resurrection of Christ was so powerful
So powerful, not only did Christ rise from the dead but the bodies of those
Rose from the dead. Okay, and they walked into the holy city being Jerusalem and appeared unto many
Okay now
Well, let's keep going over some 54 and when the centurion and they that were with him watching
Jesus saw the earthquake and those things that were done
They feared greatly saying truly
This was the Son of God and so I went to notice that all this earthquake and all these things that happened
You know, the Romans in tune was able to say, you know what? Yeah
This is the Son of God this this whole time like this is the one that you know
The Jews have been waiting for this is the Messiah the Son of God, you know
It was such a testimony for him to see how Christ would die
But not only a testimony for him but at the resurrection of Jesus, you know
And you say which Saints rose from the dead, you know, I'll give you my thoughts obviously the Bible
This is all we have. Okay, I'm gonna give you my thoughts
The fact that they had a mission when they rose from the dead they walk into the city
They walk in Jerusalem and they appear unto many
All right. This tells me that their appearance was significant
So for example, you might have a knock on the door if you live in Jerusalem in those days
And you know, I don't know someone opens the door and mom's like who's at the door. Oh, well, it's it's uncle
It's uncle Robert who passed away last year like he's at the door
It's like what what's going on? Right? And what do you think gonna testify if he's one of the Saints what he's gonna say
No, I've come back to life, you know, and obviously they're gonna be points and people to Jesus's resurrection
Wouldn't that be common sense? Oh, you know, I don't think I'm adding anything that wouldn't be common sense here
Okay, you know, I don't necessarily believe that it was you know Samson or give me some names
King David or Abraham that rose from the dead because in that day
They wouldn't know who these people were like, you know
If someone turned up and it's like I'm Samson like I don't know we talking about it
Like what Samson something from the Bible like you're crazy
It's probably somebody people that they know
Maybe people that have passed away during the ministry of Jesus Christ
During those three years people that have trusted Christ over the years that have passed away
Obviously, it's got to be significant where they come into people's life and they appear to many so wait a minute
We just buried you six months ago. Wait a minute. We just buried you five years ago three years ago, whatever it was
okay, so it's got to be something significant to those people that they're appearing to and I believe these are people that passed away in
Recent times but I just want to show you the the power of the resurrection of Christ
To even rise people from the dead
now
Obviously these people did not have the new resurrected bodies that we're all going to receive
Okay, that's going to take place at the Rapture
You can spend your own time reading through 1st Corinthians 15
The Bible says that Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection then those at his coming
Okay, so the the resurrection will take place at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
but these read this resurrection will be similar to say
What is Lazarus that's right Lazarus right now similar to Lazarus
where Lazarus was dead for for a while and then Christ comes and rises in from the dead and
That testimony spoke to so many people so many people believed on Jesus when they knew that Lazarus was dead and now is alive
How is he alive?
We've seen him buried. We've seen his dead body and now he's alive and the testimony of Lazarus was so great
I don't know if you know it's in the Bible, but the Jews sought to kill him again
It's like we can't have him walking around alive. Let's find a way to kill Lazarus
Well, if that if they had a problem Lazarus, can you imagine all these other people now just rising on the dead
What where'd you come from
right, obviously these people would have been risen in then in their natural bodies that they had before and
Then they would obviously have to pass away at some other time in the future. Okay?
But you know even though you know, this is all we have. This is all we have on that story
It's such a great story that I want to know more about it
My god, you know when I get to heaven I'll be like, okay God
Can you give us the rest of the story like of these people that rose from the dead?
And even though you know, I don't know all the details all the ins and outs and we you know
We're relying on speculation a little bit. I do understand what it represents though. Okay, I fully understand what this represents
now
Obviously as they appeared unto many what could they do? They could testify of Christ
Just their own life the fact that they're alive
Would testify hold on there's life in Jesus Christ
Okay, there's life in Jesus Christ
But I want to also notice in verse number 52 and the graves were opened and many of the bodies of the Saints
So as these dead bodies are in the graves, I'm asking you a question. Are they Saints?
Are they saved?
They're saved but they're dead bodies aren't they? They're dead bodies
But then the miracle happens and they rise from the dead are they Saints when they rise from the dead?
They're Saints. They're still Saints, right? It's everlasting life the moment you trust on Christ
It's everlasting life. They're still Saints
But obviously when they're dead in the grave, can they testify of Christ?
But when they pee unto many, can they testify of Christ? Of course
Okay, and their own life testimony can be something where people can look at go
Wow, you're a believer in Christ and you've been given this miracle to rise from the dead
Think of the impact that would have on the city of Jerusalem
Now come with me to John chapter 19, please. John chapter 19 verse number 31
John chapter 19
John chapter 19 verse number 31
So we know that Christ was crucified on the cross
and
You know doing doing some reading on this and historically when when the Romans would crucify somebody they could be on that cross
They could be crucified for several days
You know, just just languishing in pain
But because the Passover was the next day they wanted the Jews wanted the bodies removed off the cross
It says in John 1931 the Jews therefore because it was the preparation
They were preparing for the Passover that day that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day
For the Sabbath day was a high day or like we would say a holiday
Be sought Pilate that their legs might be broken that they might be taken away
So Pilate says okay the Jews once their bodies removed
They want to be able to celebrate the Passover about these dead bodies
Just you know being a this public testimony and so they decide to break everyone's legs
And of course by breaking their legs then they can't lift themselves up and breathe and they'll die quickly from suffocation
All right
And then verse number 32 then came the soldiers and break the legs of the first and of the other
Which was crucified with him, but when they came to Jesus they saw that he was dead already they break not his legs
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and
Water so you can see that Christ's legs were not broken in this situation come with me to Deuteronomy 21
I just give you some thoughts about a dead body hanging upon a tree there in Deuteronomy 21 verse number 22
Deuteronomy 21 22
The Lord God gives instructions that if someone is hung upon a tree
What they have to do with that body in Deuteronomy 21 22 Deuteronomy 21 22
The Bible says and if a man have committed a sin
Worthy of death and he be to be put to death and our hang him on a tree
His body look at this his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise
Sorry, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day
For he that is hanged is a cursed of God
That they land sorry that thy land be not defiled which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance
I just read that to you just so you can see when a body is
Cursored it's hung upon a tree. It can't stay there all night
This is an instruction that God says you've got to take that body down
Okay, and bury it that same day, which is what they do with Jesus Christ
Can you come in and we've been out to numbers numbers chapter 9 numbers chapter 9
Numbers chapter 9 you might be familiar with the laws in the Old Testament that if someone were to touch a dead body
They were to be unclean for seven days they were not allowed to be in the congregation
Okay, they were to whips. We are you know stand away for seven days of course
It's one way that God would ensure that diseases would not be transmitted one to another
But we have the the body of Christ and of course people are going to remove that body and they're going to bury that
Body, you know does that mean they've got to remain unclean for seven days when they want to celebrate the Passover
I mean those are some thoughts that you might have
This is all kind of just just some information
For your sake but numbers chapter 9, please numbers chapter 9 in verse number 6
Numbers chapter 9 verse number 6
Here we have the events of the Passover in the past and it says in verse number 6
And there were certain men who were defiled
By the dead body of a man that they could not keep the Passover on that day
And they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day
So you got certain Jews coming they want to be but they want to partake of the Passover
But they've had to deal with a dead body, you know
Maybe uncle Frank passed away and they had to take his body and bury it but they're like man
We really want to celebrate the Passover because that's such an important event on the calendar of God and this is in verse
Number seven and those men said unto him we are defiled by the dead body of a man
Wherefore are we kept back that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed season among the children of Israel and
Moses said unto them stand still and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you and
The Lord spake unto Moses saying I love that about Moses by the way, you know that they've got a bit
He's got a bit of a challenging question
You know, we're commanded to celebrate the Passover but at the same time you touch a dead body
You're meant to remain unclean for seven days
What do I do? I'll just come up with my thoughts and I goes let me ask God
Okay, and sometimes if someone asked me a question from the Bible you like pastor what I do
I might not have an answer straight away. I'll be like well, hold on. Hold on
Let me just ask God let me open my Bible and see what God has to say before I come to you
But that's the wise thing to do. You know, some people just like
Like just and I always have the answer now. Sometimes you gotta stop and let me check the Bible
let me make sure what God says about this situation and
And verse number nine says and the Lord spake unto Moses saying
speak unto the children of Israel saying if any man of you or of your
posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body or be in a journey afar off
Yet he shall keep the Passover unto the Lord
So God says all right. No, no, okay, even if you touch the dead body, even if you're far away
Okay, and you can't make it to Jerusalem or something like that, right?
Well, I still want you to keep the Passover of the Lord
The 14th day of the second month at even they shall keep it and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs
They shall leave none of it until the morning. Look and I love this nor break any
bone of it
According to all the ordinances of the Passover. They shall keep it
Isn't that interesting that the Passover lamb was to have no broken bones. And of course Jesus Christ who died
He had passed away even when they intended to break his laser like what's the point there's no point doing this
He's already passed away
It just shows us how Jesus Christ was fulfilling scripture even to the most minor detail seemingly minor details
They read about you like you might read, you know numbers there and would you know go what's the point of breaking the bones?
You know, you might be like, you know when I eat chicken or whatever
We don't care if we break the bone and like what's the significance of that?
And yet it shows us that the Bible over and over and over again is pointing us to Jesus Christ
Come with me now to Ephesians chapter 2, come with me to Ephesians chapter 2
All of this so far is a bit of an introduction. Okay, we're just talking about the significance of the death of Christ
You know that his body was taken and even those that took his body and buried his body
They were still celebrating the Passover. And of course Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of that Passover lamb
And
While you're turning to Ephesians chapter 2, I'm going to read to you again from Matthew 27 52
and the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose and
came out of the graves after his resurrection and went into the holy city and
Appeared unto many I believe I know what this story represents
Okay, that which is dead, of course is now made alive and it's made alive in Jesus Christ
But whether the body is dead or alive, I want to make it very clear that they are saints of God
They are already saved. Nothing's ever going to change that situation
So when we take the application, I want to think about that and not
Misunderstand what I'm preaching this morning in Ephesians chapter 2 verse number 1
It says and you you brethren that's you hath he quickened
The word quickened means to make alive
You know what? You've been made alive
You go. What does that mean pastor? I've been born. I've never died. I'm still alive. I mean, what do you mean?
Of course, you know the fact that I see you face to face
I know you're not you you weren't dead and now you're made alive, but spiritually we were dead
You know, we've sinned against the Lord and our sin is held in accounts and judgment against us the fact that you know
We deserve eternal judgment. We deserve eternal hellfire for our offense and sins against the Lord God
Spiritually, we've died
But when the Bible says and you have he quickened he's given you life
We're talking about the moment you trusted Christ as your Savior
You've not trusted in your church. You've not trusted in pastor Kevin. You've not trusted in your parents
You've not trusted in your your what else people trust in, you know your idols
No, you decide I'm gonna put my faith and trust on Jesus's death
resurrection
Alone his payment his blood the Bible says you've been made alive who said then it says this who were dead in
trespasses and
Sins we were dead in
trespasses and sins
Look at verse number two. We're in in time past you walked
according to the course of this world
according to the prince of the power of the air, that's the devil the spirit that now worketh in the children of
Disobedience the Bible says that before we were quickened before we were made alive that we walked we had no choice
We walked in the ways of the world we walked according to the devil's ways
We walked according to the lust and sins of our flesh
This one free among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others
You know, we ought to thank God not only for salvation, but that we're no longer
Spiritually dead that we're no longer needing to walk in the same ways that the world walks
Looking for some fool, but God
but God
It's always but God only
You know, we're dead in our sins before we were saved
but God
Okay, who is rich in?
Mercy God his mercy for his great love
Where we've he loved us
Reverend this is just that verse alone to tell you everything about salvation
God only
Mercy love I can be saved because of him. All right
verse number five even when we were dead in sins
It doesn't say okay. They're trying to do good
They're trying to be good people
They're trying to keep the Ten Commandments
Therefore I'm going to offer them salvation
Even when we were dead in sins have quickened us together with Christ
By grace ye are saved
Look at verse number six and have raised us up together and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through
Christ Jesus
Do you notice that we have the story of those saints that have risen from the dead physically you go. Well, that's amazing
Yeah, yeah, but you've also been raised from the dead. Do you say that?
Verse number six and have raised us up together and made us sit together
Now this blows my mind
Made us past tense sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, you know as far as God is concerned
We're already seated in heaven in Christ Jesus Christ
Jesus who's sitting at the right hand of the Father because we're in Christ Jesus as far as God is concerned
We're all sitting up in heaven already. Like it's a done deal. It's like what if I mess up you're already in heaven according to God
It's it's settled. Okay, because if you're in Christ Jesus, nothing will ever change
But the first point that I have for you brethren which we're talking about being raised from the dead
We see here in this verse Ephesians 2
That we've been raised together and we've been given the power to overcome the past
Sins and the past lusts that we've had in the flesh
See before you were saved you have no power to overcome sins in your life
You can try to reform yourself and you know go to
Alcoholics Anonymous or something like that and try to get off certain things
But at the end of the day, you know, your body will continue to find new lusts to find new sins
You know, we'll give in to the world. We'll give in to the ways of the devil, you know before you're saved
You don't know any better. You're just you're just you you know, your standard of goodness is not God
Your standard of goodness is well, I'm not a murderer
I'm good. I'm not a rapist or something like that. But truly when you understand the word, you know
God the center of goodness is perfection. It's Jesus Christ. It's our Lord God Almighty
But we've been given the power now that we've been resurrected we've been given the power to overcome past lusts and sins
Does that mean we'll never sin against part? No, you're gonna sin to the day you die
Because even though this body
Spiritually is dead. We still function. It's still got weaknesses. It's still got problems
It's still got issues that we deal with, you know
but what I'm trying to say is this even though we accept that we have a new
Resurrection within us being born again, even though we accept that we also must accept that right now in this time frame
We are still functioning with weak bodies. Okay, but that's not an excuse to sin
Like when you go in sinning you give in to the lusts of your flesh. Oh, I'm just weak
God I'm just weak, you know, I'm still you know, that's fine. I'm you're fine
No, no, no, no, because God's giving you all of the power to rise from the dead
Spiritually speaking you've got the new man living within you
Okay
This is why the Bible tells us not to walk according to the flesh but to walk in the spirits
And when you're walking in the new man when you're walking in the spirit, you're going to have power to tell your flesh
No, you're not going to give in to that temptation. No, you're not going to disobey God
We're gonna do things God's way. Even if it's the hard way we're gonna do exactly what God wants you have that power
You have that ability to fix up your life to be holy to be clean
Point number one the power to overcome pasts lusts and sins is
Representative of those Saints that were dead and made alive
Come with me to
Colossians, no, I'm sorry first John first John to the free first John to the free verse number 14
first John to the free verse number 14
You see when those dead Saints rose from the dead
They made a conscious decision. We're going to appear unto many
We're going to tell people about the wonderful resurrection of Jesus Christ
Or they could make the decision. Well, I got another chance of life. Let's go and commit as many sins as we want
I mean, I don't think that'd be reasonable knowing the full world that they came from heaven
They've been in the glory of the Father and now they're going back to the earth to just commit all kinds of wickedness
No, they chose we're gonna pee on too many
We're gonna testify of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
First John to the free verse number 14. What else does the resurrection give us a spiritual resurrection that we've all received
It says in first John to the free verse on 14
We know that we have passed from death unto life
Because we love the Brethren here that loveth not his brother abideth in death
The next point that I have for you Brethren is the fact that we've been revived in the Spirit gives us the ability to love and
to serve the Brethren
Well, I can say with an honest heart that I love you, you know, every man woman child in this church
I love you, you know, if you're in Christ Jesus, you've been saved the same way that I have
I'm no better than you. I was a sinner destined to hell just like the rest of us
Okay, but because of the blood of Jesus, you know, what makes family
our blood
Okay, and what makes us a family is the blood of Jesus a spiritual family that we have here at New Life Baptist Church
You see we have the ability to love our brethren, you know going back. I don't know
Two years ago some of you guys I've never heard of before. I don't know who you are
Go back five years ago even less
Going back ten years ago. No idea who some of you guys even would never would be like you're just complete strangers
But today in 2024, I can say I love you. I want to serve you as your pastor
I want to preach a good sermon that will feed you that will nourish you that will point to Jesus Christ. Why?
Because I've been passed from death unto life. I
Have the ability to love total strangers if you're in Christ Jesus
Because you're my brother and sister in the Lord where family is what we are
How wonderful wisdom 15 whosoever hate of his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer have eternal life abiding in him
He by perceive we the love of God
Because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren
Again, I'm not saying that we ought to die literally die. We can't die for each other
Jesus died for us because he could die for us. He could pay for our sins
But of course the laying down our life is saying you know what I'm gonna go without
So I can serve my brother system Lord, you know, my brother has a need. You know what? I wanted to spend my day
Watching soccer. What do I do? Yeah, I want to spend my day watching soccer
But my brother's in need I'm gonna come alongside them and help them
That's laying down your life instead of pursuing what you always will you say what is it that my brother needs?
Verse 17
But whoso have the world's good and see if his brother have need there it is and shut off up his bowels of compassion from him
How dwell of the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word neither in tongue, but indeed and in truth
Look, it's okay to love in word. But if I just say I love you love you love you, but never show it
All right. I never try to serve you. I never try to help you
You know, I never pray for you then I'm not really showing love we'll show love indeed and in truth
To the resurrection that we've received, you know
The spiritual resurrection that received gives us the ability to love and to serve people that were complete strangers not even that long ago
Come with me to Colossians chapter 2 Colossians chapter 2 and verse number 12
Colossians chapter 2 and verse number 12
Colossians chapter 2 verse number 12
The Bible says buried with him in baptism
Right Christ was buried and when we got baptized we will symbolize him that we're buried with Christ Jesus
It says here wherein also ye are
risen with him
Through the faith of the operation of God who have raised him from the dead
So those saints that amazing miracle been raised from the dead with Christ Jesus. Yeah, but so were you and I
Okay, they're just an earthly physical representation of the resurrection that we've received with Christ Jesus
verse number 13
Not only brethren that we get heaven and that's wonderful
But how wonderful is it knowing that you've been forgiven of all trespasses all sins
Have you ever had a conflict with somebody that just
There just seems to be no resolution
Maybe you've even tried to make peace and that would have nothing
Or maybe they've tried to make peace and you just go to full bitterness and you feel like it can never happen
Think about the the you know the the regrets maybe
The burden the guilt the bitterness sometimes that you carry
You know because of some conflict some issues someone's done you wrong and you feel like you know, it's not been justified
You're not getting your way. Maybe you even feel like God's not stepping in and answering the issue in the time that you thought was adequate
But what about all of our sin because every time we sin not only that we have we sinned against one another
Or against the world but every time we sin we've committed an offense against God
The Bible says that sin is the transgression of the law the laws of God
You know whatever God has laid out in his word I know I've sinned I know I've sinned plenty in my life
And knowing that I've offended God over and over and over and over and over and over
And even when I try to live a good life even when I try to do what is right like the Apostle Paul
Sometimes we find ourselves doing what is evil doing what is wrong and we've we've let down the Lord God again
And that burden though doesn't need to be upon us because we received forgiveness
He has forgiven you all trespasses all trespasses
Those are the trespasses or the sins of committing the past
The trespasses that we may very well commit today
The trespasses that are still going to be committed in the future because we're not perfect
We still mess up we still make mistakes
Knowing that in Christ Jesus we received forgiveness for all of our sins
Isn't that like this burden that was on you just gone
Taken care of not only does God forgive he says he forgets
Not like you and I we can forgive but it's hard for us to forget what people have done for us
We ought to forget once we forgive someone we ought to forget but God promises us in his word
A God who cannot lie that not only does he forgive he forgets
He puts it behind him he never brings up your sins ever again
Look at verse 114
All those ordinances or laws of God in a way they're against us
Cause you know if we tell a lie then we've committed thou shalt not bear false witness right
If we covet it from something thou shalt not covet
You know every time the law of God is just condemning us as sinners
Well God says that he's taken that and he's nailed that to the cross
Verse 115
And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a show of them openly triumphant over them in it
Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a holy day or of the new moon or the Sabbath days
All of these things that were done in the Old Testament says in verse 117
Which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ
You know we're not under all of these Old Testament laws as far as the holidays, the food restrictions
Because all of that was a representation of the body of Christ
Just like we saw the veil of the temple
That veil represented we can't access the holiest only the high priest can
But when Christ became the high priest after the order of Melchizedek
He opened that veil that veil represented his flesh
His broken body, his blood being the blood on the mercy seat of Christ
And that gives us access to heaven
All of that procedure has been done away with
We don't need to go to some man, we don't need to go to some priest
To give us access to forgiveness or anything like that
We have Jesus Christ the mediator between God and man
The third point that I have for you Brevin about our resurrection
Is that we have forgiveness of all trespasses
And I feel good about that
It gives me a lot of joy
Because I know even when I mess up today or tomorrow
That I can always go before my God and say Lord I'm sorry
Lord forgive me
And again he's forgiven me positionally it's all done
It's all been taken care of
But you know the other part of our life is our walk, our spiritual walk
How well are we walking?
Think about those dead bodies in the grave
When the graves were opened
Could they walk in their bodies?
No they're dead
But positionally the Bible says they were saints
Then they were made alive
Now they could walk
And go to Jerusalem
And appear unto many
You know what the moment you got saved
Positionally nothing will ever change
You're a saint of God
But then what does God want us to do?
He wants us to live with the resurrection that we received spiritually
He wants us to go for a walk
He wants us to go to the Jerusalem
Whatever the Jerusalem is the sunny coast for us
And he wants us to appear unto many
And tell them and testify of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
That's if you want to live according to the resurrection that Christ has given you
Or you can remain dead
You're still a saint
Salvation's not your walk
Salvation's not your effort
You're the work of Jesus Christ
You know sometimes some Christians are going to be like that
Most Christians I think are like that
I'll just stay dead
But I'm saved
Praise God that you're saved
But you know what God wants from us?
He's given us the ability to have victory over our sins
He's given us the ability to walk after his ways
He's given us the ability to go and testify of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Are you going to do it?
It's resurrection Sunday
You say what pastor?
I've never testified of Jesus
I've never told anybody
All right resurrection Sunday
Let's press the reset button today
Boom resurrection
You know from this day forward I'm going to testify of Jesus Christ
Why not?
You know let's stop sleeping in the grave
And get busy working for God
Not to be saved because the dead bodies were already saints
But to go and glorify God
To speak of the wonderful salvation that you have received
We should go tell others
We can tell others
We've got forgiveness of sins
We can tell others
You know how Christ has done a work in us
He's given us new life
In fact come with me to Romans 6
Let's talk about new life
The name for our church
New life Baptist Church
I don't want to call ourselves dead and buried Baptist Church
Who wants that name for church?
Life sounds good
Wow I've been given new life by Jesus Christ
In Romans 6 verse 4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death
That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father
Even so we also should walk in newness of life
Look we should do this
Say pastor I just want to say dead and buried
Okay you're going to heaven
You've trusted Christ
But you've been created for so much more
You've been given life for so much more
Than to just stay in your old ways
I know you battle with the flesh so do I
It's a constant battle
Every day every day the flesh wakes up
And goes I'm still alive
I'm like stay dead and buried can you?
But the flesh comes up and wants to cause havoc in my life
You too
Verse number 5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death
We shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection
Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him
That the body of sin might be destroyed
And henceforth we should not
This is something we should not do
We should not serve sin
For he that is dead is free from sin
Now if we be dead with Christ
Look at this
We believe that we shall also live with him
That's important
Not only has God given you new life
But that new life we're living with Jesus
Jesus
Wherever we go in life we're taking Jesus along with us
He says he'll never leave us nor forsake us
He says he'll come with us unto the uttermost part of the earth
Wherever we go as believers Christ is coming along with us
Now think about where you do go
Are you really comfortable taking Jesus Christ there with you?
Every single place that you go?
We're meant to be living with Jesus
Jesus needs to be at New Life Baptist Church tonight
This morning
Jesus needs to be, when I go home with my family
Jesus needs to be there
When you go to work
It doesn't matter whose house you're working at or what company you're working for
Jesus needs to be there with you
Jesus will never leave your side
And he wants to help you
Okay?
It's not like he left us alone
There's your new life, there you go, do your best
Jesus says I'm coming along with you
Anytime we fail we can turn to Jesus
Jesus help me
Guide me, direct me, lead me, give me your wisdom
Look at verse number 9
Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more
Death hath no more dominion over him
For in that he died, he died unto sin once
But in that he liveth, he liveth unto God
So Jesus is living essentially for God
Verse number 11
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin
But alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord
Look the resurrection that we've been given spiritually
Number 4
Is to live for God
It's to live with Jesus
And to live for God
Can you say that about yourself today?
Pastor I've been living for God
I don't ask
You guys know
I know too
I can't say I've always been living for God
Like I said we have this battle within us
The dead body, the resurrected spirit, the new life that God has given us
And you've got to make a decision
Do I live for self or do I live for God?
And look I'm thankful this morning
It's a long weekend
You said you know what
Sunday morning I'm going to church
You could have said Sunday morning I'm going
Well it's not it's raining isn't it?
Pretend we had a nice sunny day
You could have said Sunday morning we're going to the beach
I can live for self or I can live for God
You know I'm glad that this morning you decided I'm going to live for God
I'm going to go to the place that Jesus Christ wants me to be at
You know in his house amongst God's people
Think about these people that rose from the dead in the graves
You know and then when you understand this sermon
Then you'll understand like James chapter 2 a lot more
For example James chapter 2 verse number 26 says
For as the body without the spirit is dead
Will that make sense?
A body without the spirit it's dead
Like those bodies in the grave they're dead
But then it says so faith without works is dead also
Faith without works is dead also
Now again those dead bodies in the grave
They weren't doing any work were they?
Those bodies were just there in the grave
They weren't doing the works
But did they have the faith?
They're saints
They're saved
They're saints
To rise from the dead
And to do some work
And if all they do
We don't know exactly exactly what they did right in the Bible
But they appeared unto many
Their appearance alone testified of the resurrection of Jesus
Are you able to do that?
Are you able to go to people
And tell them about the wonderful salvation
Offered to us in Christ Jesus
His death, his burial, his resurrection
You can stay dead
Okay?
But faith without works
God wants us to add some works
To our faith
If you don't add works
You still have faith
You're still saved
You're just going to be a dead body
Profitable for not much
Except of course the service that's going to come in eternity
But God doesn't want us to remain dead
He's given us the new life
He's given us the spirit
He says you know what I've given you the ability to work
I've given you the ability to love
I've given you the ability to serve
I've given you the ability to testify
Of what Christ has done
That's what new life represents
That's what the resurrection represents
That's what these Old Testament saints were able to do
When they rose from their graves
So brethren the title of the sermon was
The Graves Were Opened
Are you still in your grave today?
Are you in the old man right now
Which is meant to be crucified with Christ Jesus
Are you still in your grave today?
Are you in the old man right now
Which is meant to be crucified with Christ Jesus
You know let me encourage you to walk in newness of life
This is new life Baptist Church
Okay I don't want to deal with your old man
I deal with my old man all the time
Let's crucify that old man
Hey old man you're done for
You're finished
I don't want to walk according to your ways and your lust and your selfishness
I want to walk in the new life that God has given me
In conclusion those four points
The power to overcome past lust and sins
Number two the ability to love
To serve the brethren
Number three the wonderful
The forgiveness of all our trespasses
That wonderful feeling
That we wouldn't have to feel guilty before God
Knowing that it's all been paid for in Jesus Christ
And number four the last one
Was to live for God
Let's live for God today
Let's live for God this week
Let's live for God for the rest of our lives
Let's pray