For the One Series: Easter is the Story of One

For the One Series
Easter is the Story of One
April 1, 2018
I want to welcome you once again this morning as we celebrate the resurrection. Today I’m beginning a new series of messages we are calling “For the One.”
When you think about it Easter is the story of the One.

• The one and only God-Man!
• It is a story of that ones’ death, that ones’ sacrifice and suffering as well as the ones’ resurrection.
• Jesus did everything for the one (us) and has called us to do everything for him which means we do everything for one. 

Following along as I read the text today.
2 Cor 5:14-20
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. NIV
Play Joe Estrada Testimony V 2
Our text reveals to us that the story of Easter is all about the One because,

1. One Died for All (2Cor. 5:14) because we are convinced that one died for all

Often when someone dies, especially a good man or woman we ask the question, “Why?”

1. To pay the penalty of sin for (one) us

• God’s word tells us that

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8

• Most people think of sin as simply an act. But the truth of the matter is that sin is a condition that we are born with. You see through one (there it is again, the story of one) sin affect our spiritual DNA. Every person has this condition.
• This condition is revealed in the history of our world, the history of our families, the history of the brokenness all around us.
• This condition has brought about the penalty of death – BUT the good news is that ONE Died for all.
• Now that alone would be good news, but it gets even better because he did this …

1. To provide eternal life for (one) us (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, f that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV

• Don’t miss that this eternal life that the One and Only Son offers us not just about quantity/longevity is also about the quality of life to come.
• It is a quality far beyond what we have ever seen or experienced

But the text also reveals to us that the story of Easter is all about the One because,

1. One Died to change the Way We live (2 Cor. 5:15) And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

The Story of One is a story of Transformation! One died to change us!
Our text states that when Christ is received there is a transformation that beings to take place in our hearts and minds. Its power is so transformative that…

1. We no longer see others from just a human point of view (vs. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.)

• Seeing others from just a human point of view means I only think in temporal terms. Temporal only focus on this present existence and life
• When we no longer see the ones around us only from just a human point we become passionate about everyone’s eternal destiny.
• One died to transform us so that…

1. We no longer live for ourselves (vs. 15)

• This is what we are about here at Abundant Life. Yes, we have ministries to disciple and strengthen the believer, BUT our primary objective is the is to reach the One! The one that hasn’t heard the story of the one who died for them. To reach the one who has to wander away and stray from the Lord. We desire to be all about reaching the ones who need Jesus. (Repeat)
• The incredible thing about this is that went we quit living for ourselves we really begin to live.

Many years ago, a lovely little girl named Liz was suffering from a rare life-threatening disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother; he had somehow survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. He was seen to hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Jesus words are recorded Mark 8:35 remind us, if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
Finally, God’s Word teaches us that the story of Easter is all about the One because,
III.           One Died to make us Ambassadors for the One (2 Cor. 5:20) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. NIV
An Ambassador is a representative, a messenger for another. Would you look at your and tell me. “God has made you an ambassador For the One!”

1. He has given us a message of reconciliation – it means to resolve to make things right in a relationship.

 Rabbi David A. Nelson likes to tell the story of two brothers who went to their rabbi to settle a longstanding feud. The rabbi got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other in honor of the Jewish New Year. The first brother turned to the other and said, "I wish you what you wish me." At that, the second brother threw up his hands and said, "See, Rabbi, he’s starting up again!" David A. Nelson

• This message of reconciliation is a message that Christ death and resurrection has the power to make things right in our earthly relationships
• Most importantly, this message of reconciliation is a message that Christ death and resurrection has the power to make things right in our relationships with God
• Notice the text says…

1. He makes His appeal through us. (vs.20)

• Watch this video with me to see how this has been playing out right here at Abundant Life…

Play Video: Sam E TestimonyV.3
Conclusion:
Two-Part Altar Call:

• First, I’m speaking to several today you know the Story of Easter the One who died and rose, but you’ve walked away, you’ve never made a commitment to Christ.  No Accident you’re here today!
• Second, to everyone else, listen to me today. Our lives now are to be all about the One!
• Remember - Jesus did everything for the one (us) and has called us to do everything for him which means we do everything for one. 

Your call to action today is to recognize your call For the One. The first step is to fill out “For the One Cards” – and hand them to someone who will be standing on both sides and attach them to the cross as you leave today.