College Avenue Baptist Church - San Diego

Jack Ellis Memorial

Jack Ellis Memorial

Jack Ellis Memorial

Easter Sunday, 2014 - 

The history of the world is told in the tales of kings and kingdoms, people grasping for or holding onto power.  The Jews didn’t see in Jesus the kind of king they wanted.  So they decided He should be put aside.  If they couldn’t get Pilate to crucify Jesus by claiming He made Himself God, perhaps they will convince Pilate by claiming Jesus made Himself a King – a king who is rival to Caesar.  But Jesus did not make Himself a king.  He was a king before He can.  He is a king as He stands before Pilate, and He is the King of Kings today!  That is why it is no surprise that Pilate says more than he realizes when he says:  “Here is Your King.” A sign is placed over Jesus that reads “King of the Jews” in three languages.  The statement over Jesus’ head is true.  He is the King of the Jews, and He is presented for the whole world to see.  Jesus rules by conquering sin, death, and the grave and freeing people from sin.  We need a king - Someone to put things right and lead us.  Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday was a triumphal entry because by it He began to fulfill His mission on earth, to suffer and die as the sacrifice for sin. In His death is the triumph over sin; in His resurrection is the victory over the grave. No mere mortal ever accomplished such a thing; no human ever had such a victorious beginning to his reign--which is why all human kings died and returned to dust. But Jesus Christ our Lord is alive forever more, because His triumph conquered death.  Come meet and worship your King!

Palm Sunday, 2014.

Christ remained at peace in the midst of His suffering, and He offers us His peace to help us endure our storms.

 

When you are at the brink of death, make the most of the opportunity to express your hope for the future.

Sometimes God has to wound you in order to help you.  Like a drowning man, Jacob impatiently schemes and thrashes around in life, refusing the Lifeguard’s help.  The Lifeguard says,” Jacob, I can help you.”  I can teach you how to swim so that you won’t have to struggle.  Just relax and let me slip my arm around you.  Quit fighting Me!”  Jacob still kicks and claws at the water, not realizing that all of his strenuous effort is self-defeating.  The Lifeguard sees that Jacob is about to go under and, left with no other option, the Lifeguard strikes Jacob - - wounding him.  Weakened and dazed, Jacob can now only cling to his Rescuer and in his clinging, Jacob is rescued.  If you find it difficult to wait on the Lord and rest in Him, you will be transformed by the story of Jacob.

It is never too late to come home to God when we have drifted away from Him through compromise.

Sometimes God has to wound you in order to help you.  Like a drowning man, Jacob impatiently schemes and thrashes around in life, refusing the Lifeguard’s help.  The Lifeguard says,” Jacob, I can help you.”  I can teach you how to swim so that you won’t have to struggle.  Just relax and let me slip my arm around you.  Quit fighting Me!”  Jacob still kicks and claws at the water, not realizing that all of his strenuous effort is self-defeating.  The Lifeguard sees that Jacob is about to go under and, left with no other option, the Lifeguard strikes Jacob - - wounding him.  Weakened and dazed, Jacob can now only cling to his Rescuer and in his clinging, Jacob is rescued.  If you find it difficult to wait on the Lord and rest in Him, you will be transformed by the story of Jacob.

It is possible for you and me to be reconciled in any broken relationship. 

Sometimes God has to wound you in order to help you.  Like a drowning man, Jacob impatiently schemes and thrashes around in life, refusing the Lifeguard’s help.  The Lifeguard says,” Jacob, I can help you.”  I can teach you how to swim so that you won’t have to struggle.  Just relax and let me slip my arm around you.  Quit fighting Me!”  Jacob still kicks and claws at the water, not realizing that all of his strenuous effort is self-defeating.  The Lifeguard sees that Jacob is about to go under and, left with no other option, the Lifeguard strikes Jacob - - wounding him.  Weakened and dazed, Jacob can now only cling to his Rescuer and in his clinging, Jacob is rescued.  If you find it difficult to wait on the Lord and rest in Him, you will be transformed by the story of Jacob.

Determination is no substitute for dependence. 

Sometimes God has to wound you in order to help you.  Like a drowning man, Jacob impatiently schemes and thrashes around in life, refusing the Lifeguard’s help.  The Lifeguard says,” Jacob, I can help you.”  I can teach you how to swim so that you won’t have to struggle.  Just relax and let me slip my arm around you.  Quit fighting Me!”  Jacob still kicks and claws at the water, not realizing that all of his strenuous effort is self-defeating.  The Lifeguard sees that Jacob is about to go under and, left with no other option, the Lifeguard strikes Jacob - - wounding him.  Weakened and dazed, Jacob can now only cling to his Rescuer and in his clinging, Jacob is rescued.  If you find it difficult to wait on the Lord and rest in Him, you will be transformed by the story of Jacob.