Christ is alive! 00:01:27.32\00:01:29.98 Let Christians sing 00:01:30.02\00:01:33.42 His cross stands empty to the sky 00:01:33.46\00:01:40.20 Let streets and homes with praises ring 00:01:40.23\00:01:47.00 His love in death 00:01:47.04\00:01:49.87 Shall never die 00:01:49.90\00:01:55.64 Christ is alive! 00:01:55.68\00:01:58.58 No longer bound 00:01:58.61\00:02:02.02 To distant years in Palestine 00:02:02.05\00:02:08.76 He comes to claim the here and now 00:02:08.79\00:02:15.76 And conquer 00:02:15.80\00:02:17.90 Every place and time 00:02:17.93\00:02:24.47 In every insult, rift and war 00:02:24.51\00:02:30.48 Where color, scorn or wealth divide 00:02:30.51\00:02:37.29 He suffers still, yet loves the more 00:02:37.32\00:02:44.33 And lives, though ever crucified 00:02:44.36\00:02:51.83 Christ is alive! 00:03:08.45\00:03:11.49 Ascended Lord 00:03:11.52\00:03:15.26 He rules the world His Father made 00:03:15.29\00:03:22.80 Till, in the end, His love adored 00:03:22.83\00:03:30.54 Shall be to all on earth 00:03:30.57\00:03:36.21 Displayed. 00:03:36.24\00:03:42.02 Please be seated. 00:03:42.05\00:03:44.09 It is true, isn't it? 00:03:44.12\00:03:46.79 That Christ stands today, alive and well, amen. 00:03:46.82\00:03:53.96 And not only does He rule world that His father made. 00:03:54.00\00:03:58.03 But we come today, 00:03:58.07\00:03:59.43 because we have invited Him to rule us, 00:03:59.47\00:04:02.40 to be Lord of our hearts. 00:04:02.44\00:04:05.31 Sing with us today, Lord Reign in me. 00:04:05.34\00:04:08.21 Over all the earth 00:04:16.69\00:04:19.02 You reign on high 00:04:19.05\00:04:21.42 Every mountain stream 00:04:21.46\00:04:23.79 Every sunset sky 00:04:23.83\00:04:26.13 But my one request 00:04:26.16\00:04:28.46 Lord, my only aim 00:04:28.50\00:04:31.73 Is that You'd reign in me again 00:04:31.77\00:04:35.60 Lord, reign in me 00:04:35.64\00:04:37.84 Reign in your pow'r 00:04:37.87\00:04:40.21 Over all my dreams 00:04:40.24\00:04:42.61 In my darkest hour 00:04:42.64\00:04:44.85 You are the Lord 00:04:44.88\00:04:47.22 Of all I am 00:04:47.25\00:04:50.55 So won't you reign in me again 00:04:50.59\00:04:56.32 Over every thought 00:05:03.77\00:05:06.17 Over every word 00:05:06.20\00:05:08.50 May my life reflect 00:05:08.54\00:05:10.61 The beauty of my Lord 00:05:10.64\00:05:12.94 'Cause you mean more to me 00:05:12.97\00:05:15.34 Than any earthly thing 00:05:15.38\00:05:18.88 So won't you reign in me again 00:05:18.91\00:05:22.78 Lord, reign in me 00:05:22.82\00:05:25.05 Reign in your pow'r 00:05:25.09\00:05:27.36 Over all my dreams 00:05:27.39\00:05:29.79 In my darkest hour 00:05:29.82\00:05:32.03 You are the Lord 00:05:32.06\00:05:34.40 Of all I am 00:05:34.43\00:05:37.57 So won't you reign in me again 00:05:37.60\00:05:41.37 Lord, reign in me 00:05:41.40\00:05:43.71 Reign in your pow'r 00:05:43.74\00:05:46.01 Over all my dreams 00:05:46.04\00:05:48.48 In my darkest hour 00:05:48.51\00:05:50.75 You are the Lord 00:05:50.78\00:05:53.11 Of all I am 00:05:53.15\00:05:56.32 So won't you reign in me again. 00:05:56.35\00:06:01.12 The Book of Hebrews Chapter 6, says that we have a hope 00:06:29.85\00:06:35.99 and this hope is in an anchor for our souls, amen. 00:06:36.02\00:06:41.03 This hope is only to be found in one place, 00:06:41.06\00:06:44.70 in the risen Lord, in Christ alone. 00:06:44.73\00:06:47.67 In Christ alone my hope is found 00:07:22.04\00:07:28.94 He is my light, my strength, my song 00:07:28.98\00:07:34.98 This Cornerstone, this solid ground 00:07:35.02\00:07:42.02 Firm through the fiercest drought and storm 00:07:42.06\00:07:48.03 What heights of love 00:07:48.06\00:07:51.53 What depths of peace 00:07:51.57\00:07:54.74 When fears are stilled 00:07:54.77\00:07:58.07 When strivings cease 00:07:58.11\00:08:01.51 My Comforter, my all in all 00:08:01.54\00:08:08.68 Here in the love of Christ 00:08:08.72\00:08:12.72 I stand 00:08:12.75\00:08:18.26 In Christ alone 00:08:18.29\00:08:21.26 Who took on flesh 00:08:21.30\00:08:25.03 Fullness of God in helpless Babe 00:08:25.07\00:08:30.91 This gift of love and righteousness 00:08:30.94\00:08:37.65 Scorned by the ones He came to save 00:08:37.68\00:08:43.62 Till on that cross as Jesus died 00:08:43.65\00:08:49.92 The wrath of God was satisfied 00:08:49.96\00:08:56.50 For ev'ry sin on Him was laid 00:08:56.53\00:09:03.41 Here in the death of Christ 00:09:03.44\00:09:07.31 I live 00:09:07.34\00:09:12.55 There in the ground 00:09:12.58\00:09:15.72 His body lay 00:09:15.75\00:09:19.45 Light of the world by darkness slain 00:09:19.49\00:09:25.36 Then bursting forth in glorious day 00:09:25.39\00:09:32.40 Up from the grave He rose again 00:09:32.43\00:09:38.17 And as He stands in victory 00:09:38.21\00:09:44.25 Sin's curse has lost its grip on me 00:09:44.28\00:09:50.49 For I am His and He is mine 00:09:50.52\00:09:57.19 Bought with the precious blood of Christ 00:09:57.23\00:10:03.20 No guilt in life, no fear in death 00:10:27.79\00:10:34.43 This is the pow'r of Christ in me 00:10:34.46\00:10:40.04 From life's first cry to final breath 00:10:40.07\00:10:46.88 Jesus commands my destiny 00:10:46.91\00:10:52.71 No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man 00:10:52.75\00:10:58.99 Can ever pluck me from His hand 00:10:59.02\00:11:05.26 Till He returns and calls me home, 00:11:05.29\00:11:11.97 Here in the power of Christ 00:11:12.00\00:11:15.90 I'll stand. 00:11:15.94\00:11:20.01 This is my desire 00:11:36.59\00:11:42.50 To honor You 00:11:42.53\00:11:49.30 Lord, with all my heart 00:11:49.34\00:11:53.91 I worship You 00:11:53.94\00:11:58.91 All that is within me 00:12:02.45\00:12:08.36 I give You praise 00:12:08.39\00:12:15.20 All that I adore 00:12:15.23\00:12:19.90 Is in You 00:12:19.93\00:12:24.71 Lord, I give you my heart 00:12:28.74\00:12:32.75 I give you my soul 00:12:32.78\00:12:37.32 I live for You alone 00:12:37.35\00:12:41.79 Every breath that I take 00:12:41.82\00:12:45.39 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 00:12:45.43\00:12:50.27 Lord, have Your way in me 00:12:50.30\00:12:57.07 This is my desire 00:13:00.38\00:13:06.28 To honor You 00:13:06.31\00:13:13.02 Lord, with all my heart 00:13:13.05\00:13:17.46 I worship You 00:13:17.49\00:13:21.16 All I have within me 00:13:25.70\00:13:31.67 I give You praise 00:13:31.71\00:13:38.48 All that I adore 00:13:38.51\00:13:43.35 Is in You 00:13:43.39\00:13:47.32 Lord, I give You my heart 00:13:51.86\00:13:55.73 I give You my soul 00:13:55.76\00:14:00.34 I live for You alone 00:14:00.37\00:14:04.67 Ev'ry breath that I take 00:14:04.71\00:14:08.28 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 00:14:08.31\00:14:13.01 Lord, have Your way in me 00:14:13.05\00:14:17.52 Lord, I give You my heart 00:14:17.55\00:14:21.36 I give You my soul 00:14:21.39\00:14:25.93 I live for You alone 00:14:25.96\00:14:30.30 Ev'ry breath that I take 00:14:30.33\00:14:33.94 Ev'ry moment I'm awake 00:14:33.97\00:14:38.64 Lord, have Your way in me. 00:14:38.67\00:14:43.58 Let us kneel together as we pray. 00:15:14.94\00:15:16.91 Dear God, we come into Your presence 00:15:32.36\00:15:34.20 this morning. 00:15:34.23\00:15:35.56 It's so mindful on this weekend of Your passion, 00:15:35.60\00:15:39.33 how much You love us. 00:15:39.37\00:15:41.60 You have heard our hearts respond, 00:15:41.64\00:15:43.51 and that we want to give You every part of our lives. 00:15:43.54\00:15:47.18 And, God, we realize this week 00:15:47.21\00:15:48.74 that, even though we sing those words, 00:15:48.78\00:15:50.98 and they're fresh on our lips and we've just heard them sung 00:15:51.01\00:15:54.55 that we haven't always lived our lives that way. 00:15:54.58\00:15:57.62 And this passion weekend reminds us 00:15:57.65\00:15:59.95 that in the very movement that we acknowledge our sin, 00:15:59.99\00:16:03.59 there stands the Cross of Calvary 00:16:03.63\00:16:06.46 that demonstrates Your mercy to us, 00:16:06.49\00:16:08.93 and that You made it possible for everything 00:16:08.96\00:16:11.13 to be brand new in our lives. 00:16:11.17\00:16:13.57 Oh, God, this morning we say that we need that saving grace. 00:16:13.60\00:16:17.44 We need that mercy that will set us free. 00:16:17.47\00:16:21.54 We don't pray to a God who is dead. 00:16:21.58\00:16:23.45 We pray to God who is alive 00:16:23.48\00:16:25.78 and that makes all the difference 00:16:25.81\00:16:27.78 in the way that we choose to live our lives. 00:16:27.82\00:16:29.92 Every movement, every breath that we take, 00:16:29.95\00:16:32.72 it is because we serve a Risen Savior, 00:16:32.75\00:16:35.89 so we ask that Your aliveness be a reality 00:16:35.92\00:16:40.16 in each one of our lives. 00:16:40.20\00:16:42.03 And this morning, 00:16:42.06\00:16:43.40 there are those who have asked us 00:16:43.43\00:16:44.77 to remember them in prayer. 00:16:44.80\00:16:46.13 With them, we ask, 00:16:46.17\00:16:47.77 just as You did in that garden 00:16:47.80\00:16:49.80 not our will, but yours be done. 00:16:49.84\00:16:52.71 And, God, there may an area in our lives this morning 00:16:52.74\00:16:54.84 that we need to bring to You 00:16:54.88\00:16:56.95 and utter those same words that You did in Gethsemane. 00:16:56.98\00:17:00.28 So we pause right now to bring before You 00:17:00.32\00:17:03.39 the very thing that wrenches our hearts, 00:17:03.42\00:17:05.75 even the very thing that right now brings us joy 00:17:05.79\00:17:08.29 and we long for more. 00:17:08.32\00:17:09.99 God, we ask for Your will to be done. 00:17:10.03\00:17:11.96 Dear God, through our continued worship, 00:17:25.04\00:17:27.34 whether be through silence or through speaking, 00:17:27.38\00:17:30.15 through a act of hope in You and Your resurrection. 00:17:30.18\00:17:35.02 We ask that You will transform each one of us 00:17:35.05\00:17:37.49 in whatever way we need to be changed, 00:17:37.52\00:17:39.99 and it is because of the Cross of Calvary 00:17:40.02\00:17:42.46 and that resurrection that we know 00:17:42.49\00:17:45.39 that death no longer has the victory, 00:17:45.43\00:17:47.56 whether it be death to our physical bodies 00:17:47.60\00:17:50.70 or death to sin. 00:17:50.73\00:17:52.70 Please come and reign in our lives, 00:17:52.73\00:17:55.10 speak to us through Pastor Dwight's words 00:17:55.14\00:17:57.24 this morning, and may we indeed gain the victory 00:17:57.27\00:18:00.88 because we come to put our hope and our trust in Jesus 00:18:00.91\00:18:04.28 in whose name we pray this morning, amen. 00:18:04.31\00:18:06.58 Hallelujah and amen. 00:20:27.56\00:20:28.89 And so today, 00:20:28.92\00:20:30.26 in our 9th Annual Easter Procession of Hope, 00:20:30.29\00:20:33.90 we gather to not only testify to that hope 00:20:33.93\00:20:37.77 that we have in Christ resurrection. 00:20:37.80\00:20:40.70 But in a poignant way to remember these who... 00:20:40.74\00:20:44.24 are enshrined in the depths of our hearts. 00:20:47.34\00:20:50.68 So these ever the last 12 months at Andrew's 00:20:50.71\00:20:54.08 and in the Pioneer Memorial Church 00:20:54.12\00:20:56.02 have fallen to the sleep of death. 00:20:56.05\00:21:00.46 And as we have done in the past, 00:21:00.49\00:21:02.72 if there is somebody that you remember today 00:21:02.76\00:21:04.69 and you're saying, "Oh, I didn't bring a flower." 00:21:04.73\00:21:06.83 You don't need to worry about that, 00:21:06.86\00:21:08.20 we have the flowers here. 00:21:08.23\00:21:09.56 If there is somebody that you wished to remember today, 00:21:09.60\00:21:12.40 and testify in the process 00:21:12.43\00:21:14.60 to your hope in the living Christ 00:21:14.64\00:21:16.44 by placing that flower at the foot of the cross. 00:21:16.47\00:21:19.14 I wish you come forward 00:21:19.17\00:21:20.51 as my wife Karen and I read these names to you, 00:21:20.54\00:21:24.88 they are in the shrine of our hearts 00:21:24.91\00:21:28.92 as we look for the soon return of Christ. 00:21:28.95\00:21:34.22 We had two deaths, right after Easter, 00:21:34.26\00:21:37.39 this last year. 00:21:37.43\00:21:39.06 I shall read both their names to you, 00:21:39.09\00:21:41.86 Sammy Joseph a student here in Andrew University, 00:21:41.90\00:21:47.37 and on May 6th 2006, Alfred W. Bower. 00:21:47.40\00:21:55.34 May 12, 2006, M. Wesley Schultz. 00:21:55.38\00:22:02.98 May 18, 2006, 00:22:03.02\00:22:06.89 John A. Kealer. 00:22:06.92\00:22:11.09 May 23, 2006, Wilburn H. Shaw. 00:22:11.13\00:22:18.47 June 17, 2006, John R. Duckworth. 00:22:18.50\00:22:25.57 July 15, 2006, Robert S. Bishop. 00:22:25.61\00:22:32.78 July 21, 2006 Exhilda Mwinga. 00:22:32.81\00:22:39.42 July 27, 2006, John V. Langue. 00:22:39.45\00:22:47.43 September 22, 2006, Binnoni B. Oliver. 00:22:47.46\00:22:55.40 September 26, 2006, 00:22:55.44\00:22:59.37 Herbert W. Helm. 00:22:59.41\00:23:03.55 October 5, 2006, Lola N. Smith. 00:23:03.58\00:23:11.39 October 12, 2006, Bethel E. Habernet. 00:23:11.42\00:23:18.89 October 13, 2006, Paul M. Matacio. 00:23:18.93\00:23:26.30 October 16, 2006, 00:23:26.33\00:23:29.87 Maxin S. Matacio. 00:23:29.90\00:23:35.14 October 22, 2006, 00:23:35.18\00:23:38.91 Merlin C. Poole. 00:23:38.95\00:23:44.02 October 31, 2006, 00:23:44.05\00:23:47.59 Helen H. Haze. 00:23:47.62\00:23:52.69 November 6, 2006, 00:23:52.73\00:23:57.07 Ernamay Cook. 00:23:57.10\00:24:00.84 November 17, 2006, 00:24:00.87\00:24:04.77 Ben Nutt. 00:24:04.81\00:24:08.64 November 18, 2006, 00:24:08.68\00:24:11.85 Kirsten M. Holman. 00:24:11.88\00:24:17.19 November 21, 2006, 00:24:17.22\00:24:20.96 Vinita M. Alexander 00:24:20.99\00:24:26.03 January 16, 2007, 00:24:26.06\00:24:29.50 James L. Morris. 00:24:29.53\00:24:34.34 January 23, 2007, 00:24:34.37\00:24:38.61 Cathleen J. Fiwash 00:24:38.64\00:24:43.65 February 20, 2007, 00:24:43.68\00:24:47.25 Herlod L. Olers 00:24:47.28\00:24:52.22 March 21, 2007, 00:24:52.25\00:24:56.09 Peal Lloyd Pelton. 00:24:56.12\00:24:58.69 Christ the Lord is risen today 00:26:44.20\00:26:49.20 Alleluia! 00:26:49.24\00:26:53.98 Sons of men and angels say 00:26:54.01\00:26:58.68 Alleluia! 00:26:58.71\00:27:03.75 Raise your joys and triumphs high 00:27:03.79\00:27:08.19 Alleluia! 00:27:08.22\00:27:13.03 Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply 00:27:13.06\00:27:17.77 Alleluia! 00:27:17.80\00:27:24.14 Lives again our glorious King 00:27:24.17\00:27:29.01 Alleluia! 00:27:29.04\00:27:34.02 Where, O death, is now thy sting 00:27:34.05\00:27:38.75 Alleluia! 00:27:38.79\00:27:43.89 Once He died our souls to save 00:27:43.93\00:27:49.13 Alleluia! 00:27:49.16\00:27:54.14 Where's thy victory boasting grave? 00:27:54.17\00:27:59.27 Alleluia! 00:27:59.31\00:28:05.88 Love's redeeming work is done 00:28:05.91\00:28:10.75 Alleluia! 00:28:10.79\00:28:15.92 Fought the fight, the battle won 00:28:15.96\00:28:21.00 Alleluia! 00:28:21.03\00:28:26.43 Death in vain forbids Him rise 00:28:26.47\00:28:31.81 Alleluia! 00:28:31.84\00:28:37.35 Christ hath opened Paradise 00:28:37.38\00:28:42.95 Alleluia! 00:28:42.98\00:28:48.32 Soar we then where Christ has led 00:29:16.89\00:29:21.69 Alleluia! 00:29:21.72\00:29:26.70 Following our exalted Head 00:29:26.73\00:29:31.67 Alleluia! 00:29:31.70\00:29:36.64 Made like Him, like Him we rise 00:29:36.67\00:29:41.58 Alleluia! 00:29:41.61\00:29:46.72 Ours the cross, the grave, the skies 00:29:46.75\00:29:52.02 Alleluia! 00:29:52.05\00:29:58.96 Holy Christ, it is in that hope that we claim the Cross, 00:30:04.23\00:30:06.94 the grave and the skies. 00:30:06.97\00:30:11.17 It doesn't take death away, we are still here, 00:30:11.21\00:30:17.68 bring us a word about death we pray 00:30:17.71\00:30:21.62 and may it be a word of hope in Your name, amen. 00:30:21.65\00:30:27.29 Be seated please. 00:30:27.32\00:30:28.66 Have you ever wondered? 00:30:36.26\00:30:39.07 Ever wondered what death taste like? 00:30:39.10\00:30:45.87 How does death taste? 00:30:45.91\00:30:48.48 Was it, Ernest Hemingway, 00:30:48.51\00:30:51.21 who described the, the feeling of death 00:30:51.25\00:30:53.88 as an inner cord snapping inside your chest 00:30:53.92\00:30:58.19 and a sudden taste of metallic upon your tongue. 00:30:58.22\00:31:03.96 What does death taste like? 00:31:03.99\00:31:08.16 Miriam Stone she's a young coed at Colombia University, 00:31:08.20\00:31:13.84 student like many of you. 00:31:13.87\00:31:17.27 She has written a nationally acclaimed book, 00:31:17.31\00:31:22.08 tale of her book, At the End of Words: 00:31:22.11\00:31:26.08 A Daughter's Memoir. 00:31:26.11\00:31:28.42 It's a collection of her journal entries 00:31:28.45\00:31:30.72 and poems that she composed during the year 00:31:30.75\00:31:35.92 in which her mother died of breast cancer. 00:31:35.96\00:31:38.99 And so in the book, there is a tumbling of emotion, 00:31:39.03\00:31:42.46 the sorrow, and the anger, 00:31:42.50\00:31:44.10 and the guilt, and teenage grief. 00:31:44.13\00:31:48.94 I want to share with you, 00:31:48.97\00:31:50.31 just a line from one of those journal entries 00:31:50.34\00:31:52.37 and then a stanza from her poem she composed. 00:31:52.41\00:31:55.61 First the journal, Miriam, 00:31:55.64\00:31:57.81 this is when she's visiting her prospective university 00:31:57.85\00:32:00.05 turns out as Colombia. 00:32:00.08\00:32:01.82 This weekend, some of you are here visiting our campus 00:32:01.85\00:32:05.02 on a campus tour. 00:32:05.05\00:32:06.49 "This weekend we take a campus tour. 00:32:06.52\00:32:09.19 Just Mom, Dad, a tour guide, a wheelchair, and me. 00:32:09.22\00:32:16.16 I clumsily push her along the brick walkways 00:32:16.20\00:32:18.70 and uneven sidewalks in the freezing gray air. 00:32:18.73\00:32:21.67 She is wearing her huge fur coat, 00:32:21.70\00:32:23.77 her tiny head protruding like a turtle's, 00:32:23.81\00:32:26.21 her hands placed pleasantly on her lap 00:32:26.24\00:32:28.58 as she nods approvingly at the size of the dorm rooms, 00:32:28.61\00:32:31.35 the dark wood dining hall, the cavernous library. 00:32:31.38\00:32:34.82 "And the flight home is so short." 00:32:34.85\00:32:36.48 She smiles. 00:32:36.52\00:32:37.85 "You'll be able to come back for weekends, if you want." 00:32:37.89\00:32:41.36 As Dad struggles to put the wheelchair 00:32:41.39\00:32:43.12 in the trunk of a cab, 00:32:43.16\00:32:45.03 I stand on the sidewalk to take one last look, 00:32:45.06\00:32:47.83 of what will become her university. 00:32:47.86\00:32:51.90 I feel her gaze on me through the window. 00:32:51.93\00:32:54.84 She never should have traveled with us. 00:32:54.87\00:32:56.40 She is way too weak. 00:32:56.44\00:32:57.77 But she had insisted on coming in her quiet, 00:32:57.81\00:33:00.38 unquestionable way. 00:33:00.41\00:33:02.31 I turn back toward the street and catch her eye. 00:33:02.34\00:33:06.72 I haven't been accepted to school yet. 00:33:06.75\00:33:09.02 She hasn't announced her death yet. 00:33:09.05\00:33:12.05 But in that glance is our first goodbye. 00:33:12.09\00:33:16.32 Miriam Stone wrote a poem entitled Blueprint. 00:33:20.20\00:33:23.83 She treats her mother's life like a piece of architecture. 00:33:23.87\00:33:27.44 Let me share a line or two. 00:33:27.47\00:33:29.04 "Stories like loose nails jut out from your structures." 00:33:29.07\00:33:31.94 She's talking about her mom, stories of Mom's past. 00:33:31.97\00:33:34.34 French rock stars, hippie boyfriends, 00:33:34.38\00:33:36.14 the Beatles in Paris. 00:33:36.18\00:33:37.51 St. John's in the '60s: Homer and Aristotle, 00:33:37.55\00:33:40.18 an anorexic roommate, the Maryland air. 00:33:40.22\00:33:43.39 Now I hoard your stories, 00:33:43.42\00:33:45.85 scavenge for your words like water. 00:33:45.89\00:33:47.66 I want the glue that holds you together. 00:33:47.69\00:33:49.86 I need the architecture, the angles of your inside. 00:33:49.89\00:33:53.19 I want to ask: what does love smell like, 00:33:53.23\00:33:56.30 what color sky makes your skin melt, 00:33:56.33\00:33:59.37 what does death taste like, and are you afraid?" 00:33:59.40\00:34:05.24 What does death taste like? And are you afraid? 00:34:05.27\00:34:09.44 But we see Jesus, 00:34:17.19\00:34:20.76 who has made a little lower than the angels. 00:34:20.79\00:34:23.86 "For the suffering of death crown, 00:34:23.89\00:34:25.39 will glory and honor that He by the grace of God, 00:34:25.43\00:34:28.76 might taste death for everyone." 00:34:28.80\00:34:35.90 What does death taste like? 00:34:35.94\00:34:40.24 I have here in the pulpit with me. 00:34:40.28\00:34:43.71 A latest issue of Newsweek Magazine... 00:34:43.75\00:34:45.65 cover story, "Voices of the fallen: 00:34:49.25\00:34:51.75 the Iraq War in the words of America's dead." 00:34:51.79\00:34:56.09 It's enough to make a parent dissolve in tears, 00:34:56.12\00:34:59.46 if you have a child in Iraq. 00:34:59.49\00:35:01.03 We learned about some of this, 00:35:04.63\00:35:05.97 when our son-in-law Andrew deployed to Iraq, 00:35:06.00\00:35:08.27 at the beginning of February as a medic 00:35:08.30\00:35:09.80 with the US Army Rangers. 00:35:09.84\00:35:11.91 Christy told us about 00:35:11.94\00:35:13.38 what the soldiers are required to do. 00:35:13.41\00:35:14.74 They're required to sit down with the spouse, 00:35:14.78\00:35:16.34 they're required to sit down with their family 00:35:16.38\00:35:18.21 and have to plan it all out. 00:35:18.25\00:35:20.02 Plan your funeral, were do you want to be buried. 00:35:20.05\00:35:25.62 Who do you want there to notify your surviving spouse 00:35:25.65\00:35:29.82 in the event of your death? 00:35:29.86\00:35:31.89 Christy and Andrew sat on that tiny little living room sofa, 00:35:31.93\00:35:36.23 and had to fill out the answers. 00:35:36.26\00:35:40.40 What I didn't know, I picked up from reading this, 00:35:40.44\00:35:46.41 read it at the bottom of the stairs 00:35:46.44\00:35:47.78 as soon as I picked it up one night late, 00:35:47.81\00:35:49.98 after coming home. 00:35:50.01\00:35:51.91 And I just tell you the tears just well up. 00:35:51.95\00:35:54.98 What I didn't know apparently is that the soldiers 00:35:55.02\00:35:58.15 before they deploy 00:35:58.19\00:35:59.52 or once they moved into their combat zone are, 00:35:59.55\00:36:03.56 it is suggested to them 00:36:03.59\00:36:04.93 that they write a letter to the family 00:36:04.96\00:36:07.96 that will be given to the family 00:36:08.00\00:36:09.63 only in the eventuality of death. 00:36:09.66\00:36:13.77 Newsweek has taken, borrowed from some families 00:36:13.80\00:36:16.64 these precious last words of men, 00:36:16.67\00:36:19.47 young men who are now dead. 00:36:19.51\00:36:21.98 And they've reproduced the letters 00:36:22.01\00:36:23.45 so that you have it in the paper, 00:36:23.48\00:36:24.88 and you have it in the handwriting 00:36:24.91\00:36:26.31 and what does death tastes like before you even die? 00:36:26.35\00:36:32.75 Listen to this. 00:36:32.79\00:36:34.12 This from Lance Corporal, Lance Graham 00:36:34.16\00:36:35.56 from San Antonio, Texas, 26 years old, 00:36:35.59\00:36:37.96 at six feet five and 240 pounds. 00:36:37.99\00:36:40.20 His father said, "He made other people feel safe, 00:36:40.23\00:36:42.23 just by looking at him." 00:36:42.26\00:36:45.53 He died on May 7th 2005, as a marine near Haditha Dam 00:36:45.57\00:36:49.20 when a pair of suicide bombers hit his convoy. 00:36:49.24\00:36:52.17 And then his parents got this letter. 00:36:52.21\00:36:55.61 "Well, if you're reading this, I guess, 00:36:55.64\00:36:59.78 I guess this deployment was a one way trip. 00:36:59.81\00:37:06.12 "I just have a few things to ask. 00:37:06.15\00:37:07.72 Please don't be mad at the Marine Corps. 00:37:07.76\00:37:09.26 It was my choice to join and come here. 00:37:09.29\00:37:11.49 I honestly believe this is what I was meant to do. 00:37:11.53\00:37:14.86 And another thing. 00:37:14.90\00:37:17.27 Another thing, I ask is that at my funeral 00:37:17.30\00:37:19.47 the Marine Corps hymn and amazing facts 00:37:19.50\00:37:22.44 be played with the bagpipes. 00:37:22.47\00:37:25.67 Nothing sounds better than them, 00:37:25.71\00:37:27.44 than bagpipes the playing Amazing Grace. 00:37:27.48\00:37:30.68 I know that I haven't been the best son, brother, 00:37:30.71\00:37:32.91 friend, or boyfriend and I'm sorry 00:37:32.95\00:37:34.62 and if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, 00:37:34.65\00:37:37.35 this is really hard writing this, 00:37:37.39\00:37:39.52 there's so much I want to say, and I'm at a loss of words. 00:37:39.55\00:37:43.76 Hi, Mom, Dad, Brittney, Jeremy and Bailey, 00:37:48.26\00:37:51.53 if you're getting this letter, 00:37:51.57\00:37:53.37 then I'm sure you've already heard. 00:37:53.40\00:37:56.14 I'm so sorry." 00:37:56.17\00:37:58.71 Nineteen year old kid, apologizing for his death, 00:37:58.74\00:38:04.91 and what it will do to his family. 00:38:04.95\00:38:07.62 Lance Corporal, Anthony Butterfield, 00:38:07.65\00:38:09.08 Clovis, California, 00:38:09.12\00:38:10.45 "Enlisted straight out of high school. 00:38:10.49\00:38:11.82 One of four Marines killed 00:38:11.85\00:38:13.19 when a suicide bomber set off a propane truck 00:38:13.22\00:38:14.76 in Rawah on July 29, 2006." 00:38:14.79\00:38:18.86 Let's read one more, just, 00:38:18.89\00:38:20.73 this is a three page letter all spread out in Newsweek. 00:38:20.76\00:38:24.87 This is written by Corporal Steven Gill, 00:38:24.90\00:38:26.63 Round Rock, Texas, 24. 00:38:26.67\00:38:28.20 "He once aspired to be a minister, 00:38:28.24\00:38:31.94 but after September 11 00:38:31.97\00:38:33.31 he wanted only to join the Marines. 00:38:33.34\00:38:34.68 He arrived in Iraq on his first tour of duty in March 00:38:34.71\00:38:37.68 and on July 21 00:38:37.71\00:38:39.31 he was killed by an IED near the village of Zaidan, 00:38:39.35\00:38:41.98 southeast of Fallujah." 00:38:42.02\00:38:45.12 "Dear, Mom, Dad and James. 00:38:45.15\00:38:48.79 If you're reading this, you will know 00:38:48.82\00:38:52.63 that I'm no longer here with you all. 00:38:52.66\00:38:59.00 I've been brought up in a loving Christian family, 00:38:59.03\00:39:00.80 that I thank God for everyday. 00:39:00.84\00:39:02.17 I was taught to fear and love God, 00:39:02.20\00:39:03.94 and to rejoice in the knowledge that his son, 00:39:03.97\00:39:05.84 pay from all of my horrible sins 00:39:05.87\00:39:08.24 that I have committed in my 24 years 00:39:08.28\00:39:10.08 on this great planet up until this time, 00:39:10.11\00:39:12.58 I've lead an adventurous life 00:39:12.61\00:39:13.95 that's hasn't been perfect for the anger and tears 00:39:13.98\00:39:16.92 that have been caused and shed on my behalf. 00:39:16.95\00:39:18.99 I ask for all of you forgiveness. 00:39:19.02\00:39:22.19 Know that, I wish I could have done better, 00:39:22.22\00:39:24.73 but I have cherished all my time with you all." 00:39:24.76\00:39:28.83 And then one by one, he speaks to his family. 00:39:28.86\00:39:33.37 What does death tastes like before you even die? 00:39:33.40\00:39:38.67 There's only one verse in all of Holy Scriptures 00:39:38.71\00:39:40.94 that speaks of the taste of death. 00:39:40.98\00:39:43.28 And I want to turn there with you, 00:39:43.31\00:39:44.68 on this Easter weekend. 00:39:44.71\00:39:46.05 Open your Bible please 00:39:46.08\00:39:47.42 to the Book of Hebrews Chapter 2, 00:39:47.45\00:39:51.09 just one verse in all the Bible. 00:39:51.12\00:39:54.19 If you didn't bring a Bible, 00:39:54.22\00:39:55.56 you got to see this for yourself, 00:39:55.59\00:39:56.93 grab that pew Bible that's right in front of you. 00:39:56.96\00:39:58.59 It's a same translation, 00:39:58.63\00:39:59.96 I'm using the New King James Version. 00:40:00.00\00:40:02.86 It's page 804, in your pew Bible, 00:40:02.90\00:40:05.70 Hebrews 2:9, 00:40:05.73\00:40:11.94 Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, 00:40:11.97\00:40:18.31 who was made a little lower than the angels, 00:40:18.35\00:40:21.78 for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, 00:40:21.82\00:40:24.65 that He, by the grace of God, 00:40:24.69\00:40:26.52 might taste death for everyone." 00:40:26.55\00:40:30.69 Did you hear that ladies and gentlemen? 00:40:30.73\00:40:32.06 He came to this planet, one reason, 00:40:32.09\00:40:33.90 to taste death for the entire human race. 00:40:33.93\00:40:38.63 And what did death taste like to Him? 00:40:38.67\00:40:40.27 After all does say, "He tasted, He tasted death." 00:40:40.30\00:40:45.01 What did it taste like? 00:40:45.04\00:40:46.37 Was it is Hemingway's described the snapping of a cord 00:40:46.41\00:40:49.58 inside his chest and then the sudden metallic... 00:40:49.61\00:40:52.58 on the edge of his tongue. 00:40:55.98\00:40:59.99 You know, when you and I go to the passion as we will, 00:41:00.02\00:41:01.59 this weekend or week, 00:41:01.62\00:41:02.96 we're watching movie on the crucifixion, 00:41:02.99\00:41:04.33 now we see some great art work 00:41:04.36\00:41:06.13 depicting that moment of Christ death. 00:41:06.16\00:41:09.40 It is only natural for us to, 00:41:09.43\00:41:13.07 the taste, taste of death, 00:41:13.10\00:41:14.44 I mean that's pretty obvious, isn't it? 00:41:14.47\00:41:15.80 What do you think death tasted like to Jesus? 00:41:15.84\00:41:18.14 And what do we conclude? 00:41:18.17\00:41:19.51 Immediately we conclude, 00:41:19.54\00:41:20.88 well, you know, surely it tasted like, 00:41:20.91\00:41:22.24 this dry cotton rubbing on a swollen tongue 00:41:22.28\00:41:25.01 inside a parched mouth, after all he's pleading, 00:41:25.05\00:41:27.65 "I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty." 00:41:27.68\00:41:32.22 Coagulated blood, and crusty bruised, 00:41:32.25\00:41:35.12 and swollen lips. 00:41:35.16\00:41:36.73 You ever taste blood? Of course you have. 00:41:36.76\00:41:38.83 You've tasted your own blood. What does blood taste like? 00:41:38.86\00:41:43.20 The taste of sweat salt, like sand in his puffy eyes, 00:41:43.23\00:41:46.70 trickling down his cheeks to his torn lips, 00:41:46.74\00:41:49.60 stinging the swollen tongue 00:41:49.64\00:41:50.97 that tries to lick the salt away 00:41:51.01\00:41:52.41 from the open cuts and bruises around his mouth. 00:41:52.44\00:41:54.74 Whatever death tasted like, 00:41:54.78\00:41:56.11 it must have been wretched to Christ. 00:41:56.14\00:41:57.75 That's how we conclude, stand before the cross. 00:42:01.32\00:42:05.85 But that's just if, there are too many of us. 00:42:05.89\00:42:07.79 For too long, we have defined Christ taste of death 00:42:07.82\00:42:10.73 as what happened at Calvary. 00:42:10.76\00:42:13.03 And you know what? We're 12 hours too late. 00:42:13.06\00:42:15.56 Twelve hours late. 00:42:15.60\00:42:19.13 Because the taste of death, 00:42:19.17\00:42:21.27 for the human race did not come at the cross, 00:42:21.30\00:42:23.87 it came in a garden. 00:42:23.91\00:42:26.27 The Passion of the Christ had it absolutely right. 00:42:26.31\00:42:29.28 The struggle between the son and the serpent 00:42:29.31\00:42:32.08 is most intense in that blue shadowed movement 00:42:32.11\00:42:37.72 in Gethsemane Garden. 00:42:37.75\00:42:39.42 Desire of Ages by the way concurs, 00:42:39.45\00:42:41.02 I'll put the words on the screen for you, 00:42:41.06\00:42:42.39 look at this. 00:42:42.42\00:42:43.76 "All heaven and the unfallen worlds 00:42:43.79\00:42:45.86 had been witnesses to the controversy. 00:42:45.89\00:42:48.06 With what interest, intense interest 00:42:48.10\00:42:50.07 did they follow the closing scenes of the conflict. 00:42:50.10\00:42:52.17 They beheld the Saviour enter the garden of Gethsemane, 00:42:52.20\00:42:54.84 His soul bowed down 00:42:54.87\00:42:56.20 with the horror of a great darkness. 00:42:56.24\00:42:57.57 They heard His bitter cry, 'Father, if it be possible, 00:42:57.61\00:43:00.04 let this cup pass from Me. 00:43:00.08\00:43:01.78 As the Father's presence was withdrawn, 00:43:01.81\00:43:03.85 they see Him sorrowful." 00:43:03.88\00:43:05.21 Now notice this, catch this. 00:43:05.25\00:43:06.85 "They see him sorrowful with a bitterness 00:43:06.88\00:43:09.85 of sorrow exceeding." 00:43:09.88\00:43:11.45 Do you see that word? 00:43:11.49\00:43:12.82 "Exceeding that of the last great struggle 00:43:12.85\00:43:15.16 with death on the cross." 00:43:15.19\00:43:16.52 Calvary was exceeded, was exceeded 00:43:16.56\00:43:21.66 by the sorrow that wrecked his heart 00:43:21.70\00:43:24.27 in that shadowed midnight garden. 00:43:24.30\00:43:27.00 They see it. 00:43:27.04\00:43:28.57 Now read on, "The bloody sweat was forced 00:43:28.60\00:43:30.57 from His pores, fell in drops to the ground. 00:43:30.61\00:43:32.61 Thrice the prayer for deliverance 00:43:32.64\00:43:33.98 was wrung from His lips. 00:43:34.01\00:43:35.34 Finally heaven could no longer endure the sight, 00:43:35.38\00:43:37.38 and a messenger of comfort was sent to the Son of God." 00:43:37.41\00:43:41.98 Only Dr. Luke, thank God for all four gospels. 00:43:42.02\00:43:46.76 Only Dr. Luke notes two details 00:43:46.79\00:43:50.26 that are essential for conclusion, 00:43:50.29\00:43:52.16 we must make about Gethsemane. 00:43:52.19\00:43:53.60 Detail number one, He sweat great drops of blood, 00:43:53.63\00:43:56.23 He sweat blood. 00:43:56.26\00:43:57.60 Physicians will tell us 00:43:57.63\00:43:58.97 there is documented the human agony 00:43:59.00\00:44:01.84 that expresses itself from blood. 00:44:01.87\00:44:04.81 And detail number two, only Luke tells us, 00:44:04.84\00:44:07.28 that an angel, had to be the angel Gabriel, 00:44:07.31\00:44:11.21 don't you suppose? 00:44:11.25\00:44:12.58 An angel shook materializes at that movement. 00:44:12.61\00:44:15.65 You know why? 00:44:15.68\00:44:17.02 Here's Luke's point, unsubtle point, 00:44:17.05\00:44:18.99 Jesus is dying, He is dying in Gethsemane. 00:44:19.02\00:44:24.49 In fact, if that angel had not come, 00:44:24.53\00:44:26.33 He would have died in that darkness. 00:44:26.36\00:44:29.86 Desire of Ages concurs with Luke's implied conclusion. 00:44:29.90\00:44:33.30 Look at Desire of Ages. 00:44:33.34\00:44:34.67 There's a moment of supreme anguish. 00:44:34.70\00:44:36.17 Look how it's described, put it on the screen for you. 00:44:36.20\00:44:38.61 "He will save man and woman at any cost to Himself. 00:44:38.64\00:44:42.14 He accepts His baptism of blood, 00:44:42.18\00:44:44.08 that through him perishing millions 00:44:44.11\00:44:45.78 may gain everlasting life. 00:44:45.81\00:44:47.35 Having made the decision... 00:44:47.38\00:44:48.92 Note this, "He fell dying to the ground." 00:44:48.95\00:44:51.25 He was dying. 00:44:51.29\00:44:54.72 He would have expired in that garden, 00:44:54.76\00:44:57.86 had not that angel appeared and said, "No, no, no, no. 00:44:57.89\00:45:02.20 Not yet." 00:45:02.23\00:45:06.20 "He fell dying to the ground 00:45:06.23\00:45:07.57 from which he had partially risen." 00:45:07.60\00:45:08.94 Now notice this, "He had borne 00:45:08.97\00:45:10.51 that which no human being could ever bear, for He had..." 00:45:10.54\00:45:14.61 We just read the words, 00:45:14.64\00:45:16.14 "For He had tasted the suffering of death 00:45:16.18\00:45:19.01 for every man and woman." 00:45:19.05\00:45:20.38 Where did He taste it? In Gethsemane, in Gethsemane. 00:45:20.42\00:45:25.35 What does death taste like? 00:45:25.39\00:45:26.72 It tastes like Gethsemane, that's what it tastes like. 00:45:26.76\00:45:30.53 Read it again, Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, 00:45:30.56\00:45:35.50 was made a little lower than the angels, 00:45:35.53\00:45:37.13 for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, 00:45:37.17\00:45:40.00 that He, by the grace of God 00:45:40.04\00:45:41.80 might taste death for everyone." 00:45:41.84\00:45:44.47 As a message renders this, "In that death, by God's grace, 00:45:44.51\00:45:48.68 he fully experience death in every person's place." 00:45:48.71\00:45:54.85 Why? We look at the next verse. 00:45:54.88\00:45:57.39 Look at verse 14, I like the NIV on the screen there, 00:45:57.42\00:45:59.79 "So that by his death..." Why did He die? 00:45:59.82\00:46:02.52 "So that by his death he might destroy him 00:46:02.56\00:46:04.49 who holds the power of death, 00:46:04.53\00:46:05.86 that is, the devil and free those who all their lives 00:46:05.89\00:46:08.90 were held in slavery by their fear of death." 00:46:08.93\00:46:12.90 Remember that little Miriam Stone, 00:46:12.93\00:46:14.97 coed at Columbia University, how did she put it? 00:46:15.00\00:46:17.51 "What does death taste like, and are you afraid?" 00:46:17.54\00:46:22.74 Are you? Are you? 00:46:22.78\00:46:24.78 I got to tell you, I am not a real love story man. 00:46:28.95\00:46:33.62 When I was a kid in college, 00:46:37.39\00:46:38.73 Erich Segal came out with his book, 00:46:38.76\00:46:40.20 "Love Story", and I did read that, 00:46:40.23\00:46:41.70 it's a bit sappy but it got me to cry. 00:46:41.73\00:46:45.13 I don't read love stories. 00:46:45.17\00:46:47.60 And then years later halfway through ministry, 00:46:47.64\00:46:50.24 a friend of mine told me about Sheldon Van Auken's book, 00:46:50.27\00:46:53.17 "A Severe Mercy." 00:46:53.21\00:46:55.61 We were taking a summer doctoral class together, 00:46:55.64\00:46:57.55 and so I immediately went out and bought the book 00:46:57.58\00:46:59.95 and read it in just a few days and oh my. 00:46:59.98\00:47:02.98 It is a true story. It is a classic, love story. 00:47:03.02\00:47:07.36 Two kids born with silver spoons in their mouths, 00:47:07.39\00:47:10.03 both of them going to an Ivy League College, 00:47:10.06\00:47:12.09 they fall in love, madly in love, 00:47:12.13\00:47:13.60 really two pagans in love with love, 00:47:13.63\00:47:17.23 they are in love with love, and in love with life. 00:47:17.27\00:47:20.84 They marry, and went for graduate school 00:47:20.87\00:47:23.84 they decide to cross the ocean eastward to England, 00:47:23.87\00:47:27.58 and they enrolled at Oxford University, 00:47:27.61\00:47:29.64 and as fate would have it, 00:47:29.68\00:47:31.61 they meet a professor named Lewis, C. S. Lewis, 00:47:31.65\00:47:37.19 who befriend this two American pagans. 00:47:37.22\00:47:39.62 And through his long friendship, 00:47:39.65\00:47:41.52 eventually leads them 00:47:41.56\00:47:42.89 to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior. 00:47:42.92\00:47:45.86 Sheldon and Davy, because that was her name. 00:47:51.03\00:47:55.74 They return to the States for a career 00:47:55.77\00:47:57.34 as an English professor. 00:47:57.37\00:47:59.34 He teaches in a private college in Virginia. 00:47:59.37\00:48:03.71 Whereupon though, yep, 00:48:03.75\00:48:06.72 though deeply in love with Christ and with each other 00:48:06.75\00:48:09.42 Davy contracted a mysterious disease. 00:48:09.45\00:48:14.32 And the rest of the story, I tell you the truth 00:48:14.36\00:48:17.49 is the gut wrenching love story, 00:48:17.53\00:48:20.73 of a love cling to in the face of death. 00:48:20.76\00:48:26.40 Until you come to that final moment, 00:48:26.43\00:48:28.57 I'm sorry to break it to you, she dies. 00:48:28.60\00:48:32.57 They come to that final moment, in that silent hospital room. 00:48:32.61\00:48:36.68 And I tell you what? 00:48:36.71\00:48:38.05 The reader has been so drawn into the circle of their love 00:48:38.08\00:48:41.08 that the pain is almost palpable. 00:48:41.12\00:48:45.55 Van Auken writes his friend Lewis back in England, 00:48:45.59\00:48:50.59 with the heartbreaking news of Davy's death 00:48:50.63\00:48:52.29 and his subsequent struggle with God 00:48:52.33\00:48:54.06 and suffering and thoughts of suicide. 00:48:54.10\00:48:56.26 Lewis, the first letter back from Lewis contains the phrase 00:48:56.30\00:49:01.70 that became the title of this award winning book. 00:49:01.74\00:49:05.91 C.S. Lewis writes, of a Severe Mercy. 00:49:05.94\00:49:10.65 And I'm not going to quote Lewis, 00:49:10.68\00:49:12.01 I want to quote Sheldon Van Auken 00:49:12.05\00:49:14.08 and put it on the screen for you. 00:49:14.12\00:49:16.52 "It was death, Davy's death that was the severe mercy. 00:49:16.55\00:49:20.52 There is no doubt at all that Lewis is saying precisely that. 00:49:20.56\00:49:23.66 That death, so full of suffering for us both, 00:49:23.69\00:49:26.29 suffering that still overwhelmed my life, 00:49:26.33\00:49:28.50 was yet a severe mercy. 00:49:28.53\00:49:32.07 A mercy as severe as death, 00:49:32.10\00:49:34.54 a severity as merciful as love." 00:49:34.57\00:49:38.81 Did you catch that? 00:49:38.84\00:49:40.18 "A mercy as severe as death, 00:49:40.21\00:49:42.41 a severity as merciful as love." 00:49:42.44\00:49:46.95 Because ladies and gentlemen, 00:49:46.98\00:49:48.32 that is the truth about death, is it not in Christ. 00:49:48.35\00:49:52.85 Death will always come to us, always as a severe mercy. 00:49:52.89\00:49:58.73 Won't it? 00:49:58.76\00:50:01.83 I've sat by the bed of a suffering child of God, 00:50:01.86\00:50:06.70 and so have you. 00:50:06.74\00:50:08.07 I know you have. 00:50:08.10\00:50:10.11 And there was no question in my mind, 00:50:10.14\00:50:11.67 I have watched death up close for a few years in my life now. 00:50:11.71\00:50:16.38 There was no question in my mind, and I am certain 00:50:16.41\00:50:18.55 there was no question in your mind either, 00:50:18.58\00:50:21.12 that for that child of God death finally came 00:50:21.15\00:50:24.09 as a bestowal mercy. 00:50:24.12\00:50:27.69 Didn't it? 00:50:27.72\00:50:29.69 Yeah, 00:50:29.72\00:50:33.16 not death itself, she is still our enemy death is. 00:50:33.19\00:50:37.90 But the sleep of death... 00:50:37.93\00:50:42.44 A sweet release, 00:50:42.47\00:50:45.24 a quiet repose, a gift of mercy. 00:50:45.27\00:50:51.75 A mercy as severe as death, a severity as merciful as love. 00:50:51.78\00:50:55.08 Death and mercy for some I understand this, 00:50:55.12\00:50:57.39 for some perhaps death and mercy, 00:50:57.42\00:51:00.49 but let's be honest, for most of us, 00:51:00.52\00:51:02.12 most of the time death and mercy, 00:51:02.16\00:51:05.39 it seems sacrilegious to speak of them in the same breath. 00:51:05.43\00:51:11.07 For most of us, most deaths are severe. 00:51:11.10\00:51:15.57 No warning, no goodbye, 00:51:15.60\00:51:22.54 no tender kisses. 00:51:22.58\00:51:24.98 No nothing, just gone. 00:51:25.01\00:51:27.45 How dare we speak of death and mercy 00:51:30.99\00:51:33.86 in the same breath for those deaths? 00:51:33.89\00:51:37.63 The answer is, we can only do so in Christ. 00:51:37.66\00:51:45.47 A severe mercy, 00:51:45.50\00:51:48.00 for what death could be more severe than Calvary's. 00:51:48.04\00:51:53.44 And what resurrection could be more mercy than His. 00:51:53.48\00:51:58.25 A Severe Mercy, Severe because it means goodbye. 00:51:58.28\00:52:05.09 And mercy, because it doesn't mean for ever. 00:52:05.12\00:52:10.19 A severe mercy, 00:52:10.23\00:52:13.63 with Christ, is the reason this Easter, 00:52:13.66\00:52:19.13 we still have hope. 00:52:19.17\00:52:26.57 Let us pray. 00:52:26.61\00:52:29.31 Oh God... 00:52:29.34\00:52:30.68 and when I come to die, oh, when I come to die. 00:52:35.88\00:52:42.82 And when I come to die please, please, please... 00:52:42.86\00:52:48.16 Give me Jesus. 00:52:51.53\00:52:52.87 In the morning, when I rise 00:53:36.78\00:53:42.25 In the morning, when I rise 00:53:42.28\00:53:47.49 In the morning, when I rise 00:53:47.52\00:53:52.59 Give me Jesus 00:53:52.63\00:53:58.00 Give me Jesus 00:53:58.03\00:54:03.10 Give me Jesus 00:54:03.14\00:54:08.64 You may have all this world 00:54:08.68\00:54:14.18 Give me Jesus 00:54:14.22\00:54:20.89 Dark midnight was my cry 00:54:20.92\00:54:26.19 Dark midnight was my cry 00:54:26.23\00:54:31.43 Dark midnight was my cry 00:54:31.47\00:54:36.91 Give me Jesus 00:54:36.94\00:54:42.71 Give me Jesus 00:54:42.74\00:54:47.88 Give me Jesus 00:54:47.92\00:54:53.49 You may have all this world 00:54:53.52\00:54:59.49 Give me Jesus 00:54:59.53\00:55:07.14 Just about the break of day 00:55:07.17\00:55:12.67 Just about the break of day 00:55:12.71\00:55:18.41 Just about the break of day 00:55:18.45\00:55:24.22 Give me Jesus 00:55:24.25\00:55:30.06 Give me Jesus 00:55:30.09\00:55:35.80 Give me Jesus 00:55:35.83\00:55:41.60 You may have all this world 00:55:41.64\00:55:47.78 Give me Jesus 00:55:47.81\00:55:55.68 Oh, when I come to die 00:55:55.72\00:56:01.59 Oh, when I come to die 00:56:01.62\00:56:07.73 Oh, when I come to die 00:56:07.76\00:56:13.80 Give me Jesus 00:56:13.84\00:56:19.94 Give me Jesus 00:56:19.97\00:56:26.15 Give me Jesus 00:56:26.18\00:56:32.39 You may have all this world 00:56:32.42\00:56:39.49 Give me Jesus. 00:56:39.53\00:56:45.30 And now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy 00:56:51.37\00:56:54.24 and peace and believing, that you may abound in hope 00:56:54.28\00:56:58.85 by the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:56:58.88\00:57:02.02 through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen. 00:57:02.05\00:57:06.32 Let me take one more moment of your time, 00:57:07.99\00:57:09.62 to let you know that one of the blessings I receive 00:57:09.66\00:57:11.69 from this telecast is being in touch with viewers like you 00:57:11.73\00:57:14.60 all across Michiana, and our nation, 00:57:14.63\00:57:16.63 and literally the world. 00:57:16.67\00:57:18.33 I'm humbled and honored 00:57:18.37\00:57:19.70 with your sharing the journey with us. 00:57:19.73\00:57:21.07 Sometimes it's a Bible question. 00:57:21.10\00:57:22.50 Other times it's an observation or suggestion 00:57:22.54\00:57:24.87 and sometimes just a note to share a prayer 00:57:24.91\00:57:26.81 or a prayer request. 00:57:26.84\00:57:28.34 I'd love to hear from you, 00:57:28.38\00:57:29.71 and it's so easy to be in touch, 00:57:29.74\00:57:31.08 just go to our Pioneer Memorial Church website. 00:57:31.11\00:57:33.55 www.pmchurch.tv and click on contact. 00:57:33.58\00:57:38.19 And then the word pastor, 00:57:38.22\00:57:39.82 and then jot down the message you wish to send. 00:57:39.85\00:57:42.29 If you have a prayer request, 00:57:42.32\00:57:43.66 click on those words or call our toll-free number: 00:57:43.69\00:57:46.93 1-877-HIS-WILL and I promise you, 00:57:46.96\00:57:50.57 that our prayer partners will lift your personal need to God, 00:57:50.60\00:57:53.30 because nobody should have to journey alone. 00:57:53.34\00:57:55.67 Not only do we have Jesus, but we also have each other. 00:57:55.70\00:57:58.71 So, write me, won't you, at www.pmchurch.tv. 00:57:58.74\00:58:03.28 In the mean time we have God who is mercy 00:58:03.31\00:58:05.15 continually runs after us, 00:58:05.18\00:58:07.22 be with you 24/7 every step of the way. 00:58:07.25\00:58:11.32 I'll see you again right here, next time. 00:58:11.35\00:58:14.16