Easter Sunday
Quote: – Tim Keller.
“If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. It is mentioned over one hundred times in the New Testament. It was the main point for each sermon in the Book of Acts. Without it there is no Christian faith.
Here are five reasons why we should take the resurrection seriously.
1. Jesus was the first of the resurrection
The Jews believed in the resurrection but believed it would happen at the end of the world. It would be a resurrection of all God’s people. What happened to Jesus was not just a return to life. It was not a resuscitation such as what happened to Lazarus. The resurrection of Jesus was the first event in the general resurrection and was the sign that the end had begun.
2. The resurrection supports Jesus’ claims
Anyone can claim to be a messiah. Anyone can claim to be a son of God. The fact that Jesus claimed such things was not all that amazing. But the resurrection shines a whole new light on those claims. If Jesus was lying about the Son of God, why would God raise him from the dead?
3. The resurrection clarifies the cross
What happened on the cross? Jesus’ death was the atonement so that we do not have to pay for our sins. But how do we know that? Thousands of people were executed on crosses and there was no reason to believe that anything other than a painful death was going on. The resurrection helps us to understand that the cross a much bigger event. If it was not for the resurrection, we would not know about the atonement.
4. The resurrection is our hope
As mentioned before, the resurrection was not just for Jesus but for all of God’s people. If the cross is victory over sin, the empty tomb is victory over death. What will happen to us after death? When Jesus returns, we will be resurrected. How do we know this is true? Jesus has already been raised. What kind of body will we have? One just like Jesus.
5. The resurrection explains suffering
We do not have to look far to see suffering. It is in our world, in our community, in our life. Why does God allow this? Where is God when there is pain? It is at these times that we need to look at what happened to Jesus. All the questions we ask about pain could have been asked of Jesus on the cross. Jesus felt God-forsaken but he endured because the resurrection was just over the horizon. How do we endure? Same reason. We long for the resurrection, but like Jesus, we only get there through the cross. The cross and resurrection is the lens through which we must look at all suffering.
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
(The Bible: Luke 24:6-7)
Jesus and the Resurrection
Jesus and the Resurrection: Luke chapter 23 verse 55 to chapter 24 verse 12. – sermon by Gordon Curley.
(PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
Good Friday
Good Friday – God’s Friday!
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
(written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707)
Trials & Crucifixion of Jesus
Trials & Crucifixion of Jesus- Luke chapter 22 vs 63 – chapter 23 vs 43 – sermon by Gordon Curley
(PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
Note: My apologies for the poor sound quality on this recording.
The Darkest of All Nights: The Garden
The Darkest of All Nights: The Garden – Luke chapter 22 verses 39-53 – sermon by Gordon Curley
(PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
Note: My apologies for the poor sound quality on this recording.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The next few weeks and months are going to be interesting and certainly different! Lots of planned activities and public meetings are already cancelled or are expected to be cancelled soon. This will provide time for other projects that due to the business of life often get pushed to the back of the que!
We thank you for your support and prayers over recent weeks and although this webpage maybe seem quieter after all the business of the last few months, please keep praying for Penny and myself as we carry on sharing the gospel in new and less public ways.
For those who don’t know, we are a faith-based mission, we do not charge for any speaking engagements and are unsalaried. We look to God to provide.
For further information regarding finance.For further information regarding finance.
Key to Life @ Liphook
Two fantastic days at Liphook Church Of England Controlled Junior School. 6 classes of 30 pupils a day = 360 pupils enjoying a 40minute interactive lesson and hearing the good news of Jesus!
Sadly but understandably, we have had to cancel our final school which was to take place on Thursday & Friday, but we are grateful for the schools we have been able to visit.
Key to Life has been a great success, educating, entertaining and ensuring that hundreds of children have had the opportunity to learn why Christians think Jesus is special!
A big thank you to my co-presenter and friend Neil Maddock for his hard work and input and also to those who helped set up and dismantle the unit (Alan Pickard, Nick Jones & Rob the site manager of Liphook School).
Key to Life Promo Video: Key to Life Promo Video: Key to Life Promo Video:
Key to Life tells the story of Jesus through a unique, interactive and immersive session. Using huge floor to ceiling computer touch screens, participants can watch films; interact with games and quizzes; and take part in small group discussions – helping them explore what Christians believe, and understand how the story of Jesus is key to Christianity.
Designed for pupils at Key Stage 2, though adaptable for younger children, teenagers and adults, Key to Life? introduces people to the life of Jesus through a one-of-a-kind experience using sight, sound and touch.
In the Upper Room.
In the Upper Room – Preparation & Revelation – Luke chapter 22 verses 14-23 – sermon by Gordon Curley
(PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)
Whiteley Primary School Fareham
A very good couple of days (Thurs & Fri) at Whiteley Primary School Fareham working with Neil Maddock on Key to Life. we lost one lesson due to tekke issues but 11 lessons out of 12 isn’t bad!
We knew the children would enjoy it and some really good comments from the teachers who accompanied them!
Thanks again to Alan Pickard for all his help in set up and dismantle!
Promo Video: https://vimeo.com/169831820
Key to Life tells the story of Jesus through a unique, interactive and immersive session. Using huge floor to ceiling computer touch screens, participants can watch films; interact with games and quizzes; and take part in small group discussions – helping them explore what Christians believe, and understand how the story of Jesus is key to Christianity.
Designed for pupils at Key Stage 2, though adaptable for younger children, teenagers and adults, Key to Life? introduces people to the life of Jesus through a one-of-a-kind experience using sight, sound, scent and touch.
Whiteley Primary School
Key to Life almost set up, we managed to move builders vans out of our designated pitch, rearranged out set up time from morning to afternoon to please the school and discovered a problem with the technology!
Dave Thomas, the Key to Life coordinator is travelling up tonight to get it working in the morning before the first lesson which is due at 9am. Pray he succeeds.