Special Delivery

1. It’s the big day because its of first importance 

• 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
• I actually like the ESV translation- 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
• This day of resurrection is the at the forefront of what we believe and practice as Christian people. There is no day more important in the history of the world
• There is no other day that is more significant because it is the central belief from which all other beliefs rest on. The whole point of the Bible story is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. 
• We, as Christian people believe that we are forgiven from our sins, so we can overcome sin in this life, and live eternally in Heaven with Jesus.  By Jesus we can be changed in this life!
• 1 Cor 15:17 – “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”
• If the resurrection didn’t happen, we are still in our sins and we are not saved from Hell
• This is why Paul said that this day is of the most importance. There’s nothing more important. There’s nothing more important that you need to focus on and remember and take in. 
• Christians can get so caught up in different theologies and beliefs that become their focus in their relationship with God and others. It can cloud the whole thing. You’ve missed Christ
• It causes divisions and can pull you away from what is most important. Go back to the Cross
• Do not lose sight of what is the MOST important. 
• Friend who went on hike. Park bikes at the end so they only go one way.
• This is a 20 mile trek with 6000 ft of elevation gain. Most people hike and camp and do it over 4 days. These guys ran it in 8 hours. Epic trip of all trips. Run it and ride bikes downhill back. 
•  Don’t forget keys. Pretty much the only thing you need to remember. Don’t forget the keys. 
• Do you know what the key is to your Christian life?
• 1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.- YOU MUST KNOW JESUS AND KNOWING HIM is the Death burial and ressurection
• Why do you allow yourself to get pulled in so many different directions?
• So many things of your life will make more sense and give you more spiritual stability if you keep the most important thing the most important thing. 
• It gives you more peace, makes you more forgiving, worry less, worship more. 
• When something tries to pull you in another direction- Stay at the cross. 
• 2 Corinthians 5:15 – “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
• You’ll find more meaning in your life by reflecting more on the resurrection of Jesus 
  

2. It’s the big Day because it shows we’re loved

• Being loved is a wonderful thing unless you’ve got issues in your head. Most people appreciate being loved. Some parents have messed this up for their kids. 
• We loved our kids growing up and I felt loved growing up. My salvation experience wasn’t that I realized how much God loved me that I wanted to love him back. 
• Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• It wasn’t a feeling of wanting to be loved, needing to be loved that drew me- 
• It was truth of the resurrection and the costliness of it that pricked my heart. 
• Love that isn’t costly isn’t love. It’s lip service. No one likes people that say they love and wont love you with their actions. It just becomes lip service. 
• Playing high school football- dad wouldn’t come and watch bc I didn’t play. 
• Graduating from basic training. No one came. Broke formation. Ps Jay 12.5 hrs 750 miles for less than a 24 hour visit. Costly. Demonstrated love. Dedication. Showed love. I should love. 
• 1 John 4:9-10 – “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
• Us loving God is so secondary. We should love him. Worship him. LOVE HIM
• But the love of God was manifested towards US that he sent Jesus to die for our sins. 
• This is why this is the big day! The day that Jesus came to die for our sins. Shows LOVE
• I have a problem with preaching that focuses so much on the value of the individual
• Its common among preachers- You were valuable enough that Jesus came to die for you
• I was at a youth camp years ago where they used a 100 bill as an example- the one who made it determines its value. God made you- so you have value. 
• Resonates in the heart of those who want to be validated and feel valued. 
• It’s also very American self centered self importance to make everything about you. 
• Be wary of any theology that satisfies a sinful desire
• this is where you go sideways- Thinking about YOU instead of HIM and the cross
• Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
• Romans 5:7  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
• The story isn’t that you were valuable enough to die for, its that you weren’t valuable enough to die for, but because HE is love and HE loves the unrighteous. Think of THAT power to change
• It’s way different when you realize how worthless you really are, and how bad you’ve really done and THEN you realize that God loves you at your WORST not your BEST
• In the midst of my worst mistakes, my deliberate disobedience, my largest regrets and self satisfying endeavors of the flesh he says- I’ll die for him! Because of MY LOVE
• Lean into it. Let him love you. You’ll probably feel more valuable, that’s ok, but it shouldn’t get you to think about how great you are, but how great HE is
• He died to not just redeem you, but to give you his power to overcome your sins.