SERMON | Matthew 28:1-10 | EASTER "A New Start" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana

SERMON | Matthew 28:1-10 | EASTER "A New Start" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IndianaWhile that’s the story of the church through every generation,do we take time to notice how incredible as it is?As wonderful and beautiful as Jesus’ miracles were during his ministry…we could say “Well, he is the Son of God…the divine Messiah…it makes sense that extraordinary things happened around and through him.”But normal everyday human beings…People who struggle and doubt just like us…Coming together in a way that was closer than they were with even family…Entrusting their lives to the new way of life revealed by Jesus and now through his followers…Entrusting possessions…energy…time…ambition…Giving away pride…ego…self-focus…Gathering together in true humility, love, gentleness, and peace to take care of one another…to forgive one another…to grow together…to try new things…to find their joy in their shared lives…This is truly a miracle that in ways is just as awesome as the resurrection.I mean, really…think about it:Of course God could raise Jesus—God is God!!But normal people giving up our self-focused lives to be a part of something that is all about service and giving ourselves away for others in love???Who does that?And yet, the church has done this for 2,000 years!!!We have not been perfect.Our history is full of horrific actions and painful arguments, violence, wars, and disappointment. Yes?But we didn’t let that stop us from rising up into another new start together.Through forgiveness, time, healing, prayer, love, and a whole lot of grace… we got things together with each other and continued to do extraordinary acts of healing, restoration, and reconciliation for our communities and world.And here we are today, friends.We are just as clumsy and ignorant as anyone has ever been.We’ve caused pain to many different groups of people—casting them out, writing them off, and truly harming them.We are not pretending we’ve got if all figured out—but rising up is what we do!We have continued to find new starts—to recognize where we have become oppressors and offenders to love and grace…to other humans and to God.We continue to learn…to grow…to have our eyes and hearts opened to see the world as God sees it……to see people as God sees them……to see ourselves as God sees us……to learn what it truly is to live a life of wholeness, joy, love, and freedom—NOT as the world defines these things, but as GOD defines them.No matter who any of us are today…No matter what we’ve ever said or thought…No matter what we’ve done that we shouldn’t have or not done that we should’ve…No matter the harm we’ve caused… (and the church has caused great harm)No matter the pain we’ve endured…No matter our age or status…No matter who we love…No matter the color of our hair, our eyes, or our skin…No matter what language we speak or where we were born…We can share in a new start together.Why?BECAUSE OF EASTER!!!Because of the empty tomb.Because no amount of denying, abandoning, crucifying, or cowering stopped Jesus from rising up & ushering love, grace, mercy, & fullness into this world for ANYONE would would choose to look for hope.So, my friends, what are you looking for this day?For what do you hope?A new start?A life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?Then I have good news for you!!The good news is God raises up new life and new start right here and right now in the body of Jesus Christ called “the church.”We experience the living Christ when we gather in his name to live as he has called us to live—with hope.This is why we celebrate the empty tomb today.Because LIFE wins over deathGRACE has the last word over sinThe POWER of LOVE wins over EVERY…SINGLE…OTHER …TYPE OF POWERWe celebrate because…CHRIST…IS…RISEN… and WE… are Easter people.