Life of Christ | Good Friday | Easter 2021
January-April 2021
04-04-21 The Empty Tomb Speaks
April 4, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
When Mary came to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning, she knew immediately that something was wrong. Someone had moved the stone that blocked the entrance to Jesus’ tomb. The strips of linen that were wrapped around Jesus’ body were lying where Jesus’ body laid. The burial cloth that covered Jesus’ face was there too, lying to one side. But Jesus’ body was gone. The tomb was empty.
04-02-21 Tenebrae (Good Friday) Service
April 2, 2021 • Christ Community Church
Good Friday is an opportunity to remember that through our tragedies, suffering and loss, great redemptions is at work behind the scenes. This is a unique moment in history where the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection resounds powerfully on the global stage. Though it may seem like the darkest day in history, Good Friday is the day of victory and hope, and it is empowering our brightest future.
03-28-21 The Final Week
March 28, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
For the last 3 months we’ve been walking with Jesus through many of the significant events of his life and ministry. Jesus now has 5 days to live, yet there is an incredible number of events that take place within those 5 days. Because we don’t have the time to focus on each one of them individually, let’s look at 4 events of Jesus’ last week on earth that seem to capture his mission, his heart, and his love for His Father and for us.
03-21-21 The Raising of Lazarus
March 21, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
The story of the resurrection of Lazarus makes for an amazing big picture narrative, but if we take some time to look deeper into the dynamics of the story, there emerges a fascinating study of clashing perspectives within the hearts of those involved. As we go through the story, you’ll notice that things don’t happen like the people in the story think they should, and Jesus challenges them to set aside their own perspective and interpret what’s happening from his perspective.
03-14-21 Lost & Found
March 14, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
Our text for today is one of the best known and best loved chapters in the entire Bible. We’ll be looking at Luke 15, which is commonly known as “The Lost and Found” chapter of the Bible. In this chapter, Jesus tells three parables, one after the other, illustrating God’s thoughts and feelings toward someone who is lost.
02-21-21 The Transfiguration
February 21, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
This story is usually read from the perspective of the disciples, as if this entire event occurred for their benefit. The Transfiguration had a purpose for Jesus, too. Let’s look at this story from two perspectives- first from the perspective of the disciples, and then from the perspective of Jesus.
02-14-21 Sermon on the Mount Part 2
February 14, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
This is the second part of our study of the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most famous and important teaching of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount is a compiled collection of teachings of Jesus, illustrating the principles of the Kingdom of God. Under the Law, Judaism had slowly devolved into an impersonal, wooden set of rules and observances. And while the Law was useful in revealing what was important to God, it was powerless to mend our sin nature so that our hearts could be changed. Jesus was bringing a new and different kingdom to earth- the Kingdom of God, and the Sermon on the Mount was the foundation for the new kingdom.
02-07-21 Sermon on the Mount
February 7, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount loosely divides into three sections: the Beatitudes, references to the Old Testament Law, and how to apply Jesus’ teaching to contemporary life. Today, we’ll be in chapter 5, and next week we’ll cover chapters 6-7.
01-31-21 The Woman At The Well
January 31, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
This week’s story reveals a side of Jesus that is rarely seen. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is almost always in a group of people when he ministers or teaches or heals. However, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well reveals how Jesus interacts privately with a regular person like us. This story reveals Jesus as someone who is not afraid to relate to anyone, someone who loves us in spite of our failures, and someone who confronts us with His identity as the Messiah, challenging us to trust Him with the broken parts of our lives. If you believe that Jesus is God’s Son, then you can believe that He can handle whatever seems unsolvable in your life.
01-24-21 Jesus and Nicodemus
January 24, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
This week’s message contains perhaps the best loved verse in the entire Bible. During a conversation at night, Jesus explains to Nicodemus the one and only way to enter the Kingdom of God. When it comes to entering God’s Kingdom, Jesus introduced a new paradigm. Salvation is not achieved by good works, by giving, or even by attending church. Unless we are spiritually born again through faith in Jesus, we cannot enter the Kingdom. If you have never been spiritually reborn, today would be a great day!
01-17-21 Temptation of Jesus
January 17, 2021 • Pastor George Gasperson
The temptation of Jesus is a familiar story to most people, and chances are you’ve read this story many times. But there’s a little more to this story than meets the eye, because in addition to documenting the encounter between Jesus and Satan in the wilderness, it reveals the methods Jesus used to resist temptation, which can help us as we face the temptations in our own lives.