This Easter sermon discusses how the current pandemic has disrupted traditional Easter celebrations and gatherings. However, it encourages believers to still find things to celebrate amidst the chaos, focusing on the most important thing - that "Jesus is alive". It references Bible passages recounting Jesus' resurrection and appearances to his disciples. It challenges Christians to actively live out their faith by helping others in the community, as the church is more than buildings. It closes by reminding listeners that Jesus offers salvation and peace to all who believe and commit their lives to him.

1. Easter 4-12- 2020
Celebrating in the chaos.
This year is not like any Easter we have known. Or will it be one we forget.
As it is obvious during this sermon we are meeting together on this virtual
platform and not meeting on this holy day. Many churches have done the
same. Instead of a large dinner, gatherings with friends and family, easter
egg hunts, and showing up in our new sunday best. We now have an
Easter Sunday with leftovers from dinner last night, isolation, empty houses
with people missing their loved ones,and some people are probably in their
pajamas worshiping this morning with their church.
But among all this chaos of limited groceries/supplies,social distancing,
lack of work, funds to pay all of the bills, or the potential of contracting a
deadly virus. We need to celebrate in the chaos.
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You might be thinking, “What do we have to celebrate?” Well3 words
“Jesus Is Alive”.
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“And he has Risen”!
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Mathew 28:1-7A.
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came
down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone
and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes

2. were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they
shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that
you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he
has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the
dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’
Now I have told you.”
Lets also read:
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John 20:19-20
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the
disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the
Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
“Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his
hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the
Lord.
The apostles had just Losttheir teacher, their Rabbi, they were lost
without their leader. They did not know what to do. They were hiding in the
upper room of a house in fear that the torture and tourment that they seen
Jusus sufferand feared would soon be their fate. The same Jewish leaders
that demanded Pilot to put Jesus to death, were looking and hunting for the
followers of Christ.

3. During the Apostles chaotic time they had a stay at home order(among
themselves),they had limited supplies,they were out of work, and they
were fearing for their life! (sound a little like today?) But all fear was Gone
when Jesus Appeared.
Even though we don't have Jesus appearing before us during this time of
trouble we are still blessedbecause we believe as we see:
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In John 20, Thomas is told by Jesus in verse 29:
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
If we believe without seeing as Jesus says we will be blessed,Jesus is
talking about faith, we have faith through our current storm, that God will
bring healing among the earth and bring us out of this tribulation.
But for those of us that believe we have been charged with a task, a duty,
as christians. We need to spread the Love that God has for his people.
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Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus
had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some
doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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A saying that has become really popular these last few weeks is the
building may be closed but the church is still open,you are the church!
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Are we Doing our part? Can we as christians honestly sit here and say we
are doing our part? Are we pulling the weight?
Are we helping in every way we can, even in this pandemic? Are we
meeting the needs of our community?We as christian must get out to show
the world the church is still open. We are willing to help.Or are we cowering
in fear not placing our trust and faith in the lord, and hiding like the disciples
did, behind a locked door?
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As christians we need to look at:
Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version (NIV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and
good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
That day is approaching soonerand sooner. Folks Jesus suffered and died
on the cross for the remissionof your sins, but it goes further than just that.
Lets read
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Revelation 5 New International Version (NIV)
The Scroll and the Lamb

5. 5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with
writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty
angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and
open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could
open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was
found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the
elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven
seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of
the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb
had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent
out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of
him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living
creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one
had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
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“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

6. and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands
upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the
throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were
saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and
worshiped.
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I know that during this chaotic time, this pandemic its hard to see the good
in anything. But rememberthese things.When the disciples feared death,
they found peace when jesus was near. Christians should feelpeace all the
time as we are a new creature with him.
Christ holds the future!
Christ rose from the dead!
He died on the cross foryou to be saved.
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John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

7. Acts 2:38 New International Version (NIV)
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ hands are open wide to accept you, make that comentment. To
experience life with peace among this pandemic. Give your life to christ and
the peace that will aboud and fill your life will be more than you can bear!
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It is your decisionto follow and believe that jesus died on the cross forthe
remissionof your sins.
Are you ready,
Closing song:
“The Lion and the Lamb” Big Daddy Weave.