Grace Point, Sunday Sermon, Easter Sunday 4/8

Finding New Direction Through and Empty Tomb
Philippians 3:2-14

Easter is not a holiday you celebrate; it is a life you live. 

The Romans were expert at killing people by crucifixion - Jesus was fully dead. Josephus said: back in the day, they didn't have enough crosses for all of the people they were killing. 

There are hundreds of eye-witnesses to the resurrected Christ - 
Jesus was fully alive. Over 500 people sighted him in a 40 day period after his resurrection. 

Sir Norman Anderson - the empty tomb, forms a veritable rock on which all rationalistic theories of the resurrection dash themselves in vain. 

HCSB: my goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection...I will somehow reach the resurrection of the dead. v10.

The resurrection was the center point on which Paul was building his life. What is our center point?

You can't control the length of your life but you can control the depth. 
1) the resurrected life gives you a SUBSTANTIVE FOCUS for living. 

Book that 35+ yrs old should read: Half Time, Bob Buford. Transition from success to significance. Does your success have substance to it?

V3-8 Paul was the "who's who, of the Hebrews," he was blameless under the law. Yet, puts no confidence in the flesh.

Quote from Leonard Sweet, Carpe Mañana - "The greater the material fullness, the greater the spiritual emptiness." 

2) The resurrected life gives you a FUTURE TO HOLD ON TO. 
v12-14 - pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

In my faith, how much am I pushing through my walls? 

Mike said someone shared this quip with him in the gym: PAIN is WEAKNESS leaving your body.

A challenge in pressing forward: to be free from the PAST v13
Quotes:
LP: your past should be your TEACHER, not your MASTER. 
Dutch Sheets - Roll Away Your Stone
Don't settle for SECOND PLACE in the FAITH. 
Henry Blackaby - You cannot go with God and stay where you are. 

Israelites approach the red sea - The Lord said to them (Ex 14:15 - The Lord said to Moses, "tell the people to go forward."). 

Set faith building goals:
Tithe
Serve in a global capacity, sign up today!
It seems those we love the most, we fight with the most. Where are you in communication?
If you have been far from God, turn to him now.  
Surrender your tongue to him.
Maybe you just need to say...YES to God!