Risen Savior, Conquering King

Risen Savior, Conquering King

Resurrection Sunday Musical

By Rick Welborne

Matthew 28:1-10 (NKJV) ¹  Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
⁵  But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
⁶  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
⁷  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
⁸  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
⁹  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
¹⁰  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." 

1. Jesus Came to Conquer Our Fear.

--The angel told Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, “Do not be afraid.” We know you are looking for Jesus.

--They ran from the tomb to go and tell the disciples Jesus was alive and guess who they ran into, Jesus. And Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." 

--Theologians agree it is about 365 times the Bible says Don’t be afraid. One for each day of the year. Obviously, Jesus came and He rose from the dead to conquer our fear.

--Pastor, how do we know Jesus was really raised from the dead? Well, the two Marys saw Him, the disciples saw Him, and listen to the Apostle Paul telling us of the witnesses:

 1 Corinthians 15:4-6 (NLT2)
⁴  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
⁵  He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.
⁶  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

--Any case in any court in America would be convinced of the facts with 500 witnesses. Do not fear…Jesus is alive.

2. Jesus Came to Conquer My Sin.

Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
⁶  All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 

--We have all gone astray, away from God, but Jesus allowed all of our sins to be nailed to the cross. I’m not good enough to be saved. True but God loved you so much.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
¹⁷  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

--The Risen Savior and the Conquering King has conquered my sin so that I can have eternal life. I am forgiven and I am free from the penalty of sin and death.

3. Jesus Came to Show Us that the Lord Almighty Reigns.

Revelation 19:5-7 (NLT2)
⁵  And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear Him, from the least to the greatest.”
⁶  Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
⁷  Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. 

--We celebrate Resurrection Sunday so that we can declare the Risen Savior, the Conquering King is worthy of all of our worship and praise. 

--The Word of God tells us what to say and what to do because we are so thankful for what Jesus has done. We just read in Revelation:

--“Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. 

--“Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. 

--If you don’t know Him, please understand, He is the Risen Savior and the Conquering King. He came so today you can receive this Savior and have this King take away all your sin.

Partnership - 2

                Partnership - 2

Subject – God Uses People

By Rick Welborne

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT2) ¹  Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
²  They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
³  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
⁴  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
⁵  They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 

--The more I meditate on this beautiful partnership between God and man, the more I see it in the Word of God and in our community of believers.

--When someone comes to the Lord in their home, on the street, in a restaurant, or in church it is God Who saves them and makes them a new creation. A beautiful transformation.

--But the transformation is not complete…the person needs more. They need discipleship. God continues to work in their lives but He uses the church (people) to help them grow. 

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
¹⁸  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

--What a great example in scripture to help us see what I am trying to say about this beautiful partnership. Obviously, all authority belongs to Jesus and He gets all the glory.

--But who does the going? Who does the making of disciples? Who does the baptizing? And, who does the teaching? God uses the church. He uses people to do this.

--How insulting is it to God for us to receive the gift of salvation and then, to either stay home from church, or to come and not partner with God in blessing the church and making disciples.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT2)
²³  Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
²⁴  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
²⁵  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

--Again, God can be trusted and God should always get all the glory but this partnership helps me understand my responsibility to love Him and to love people.

--This partnership should make me think of ways to motivate my brothers and sisters toward loving each other and to doing something of value for God. My faith in God motivates me.

1. Partnership Requires Faith and Action.

James 2:14-18 (NIV) ¹⁴  What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
¹⁵  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
¹⁶  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
¹⁷  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
¹⁸  But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 

--This portion of Scripture is the reason many wanted the book of James to be left out of the Canon when the Bible was being put together. They did not like man’s part…works or partnership.

--That camp is still around today…everything is grace. I have even been accused of preaching heresy or untruth because I have dared to challenge people with their lifestyle and sin.

--Don’t misunderstand me, we are only saved by grace (unmerited favor) from God and we truly cannot produce that on our own. But listen to the key verses:

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT2)
⁸  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
⁹  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
¹⁰  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

--Paul reminds us that God has saved us by His grace when we believed. But just like James, he tells us our faith in God leads us to do the good things He had planned. Faith and works. Partnership.

--I partner with God by receiving His beautiful gift of salvation. And then, I continue to partner with Him by doing the good things He had planned for me a long time ago.

2. Partnership Requires Obedience to God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV)                                                                                                                            ¹⁹  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
²⁰  that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; 

John 14:15, 21, 23 (NKJV) ¹⁵  "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
²¹  He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
²³  Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 

--Salvation is not only repeating a prayer after a pastor leads you in what to say. It is not only walking forward in a church and shaking the pastor’s hand. 

--It is not just having your name on a church roster. It is not just being baptized, sprinkled, or dedicated as a baby in a special service. Or infant baptism. 

--What flows out of salvation is this beautiful partnership that says to God, I surrender my life and my will to you forever. I will be obedient to do whatever you call me or tell me to do.

--Whenever I interview someone to work with me here at Life Church as a pastor, I always ask them to tell me when God called them and what that experience was like.

--If they cannot tell me or if they tell me it was just something they wanted to do, the interview is over. Some even say that others told them they should be a pastor.

--This partnership is so important to God, so He will do His own calling and recruiting. Our part is to be obedient to whatever He says. It’s a serious partnership.

Romans 11:29 (NKJV) ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable…without repentance.

The Old Hymn – Trust and Obey                                                                                                                      When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way; while we do His good will,
He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.                                                                            Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

3. Partnership Requires Generosity.

1 John 3:16-19 (NLT2) ¹⁶  We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
¹⁷  If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
¹⁸  Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
¹⁹  Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 

--We know what real love is in this partnership, it’s generosity. God was so generous He gave us Jesus and Jesus was so generous He gave up His life. 

--I looked up the definition of “stingy” and almost shared it with you in this sermon. Then, I decided to give you examples of generosity in our own church. 

--I know widows in our church who are poor by this world’s standard…maybe get $1200 Social Security a month, some less, and they are so generous.

--They tithe, they make a Faith Promise, they serve in the kitchen when needed. So many times I see them with a gift in their hands to bless someone in the church.

--I’m tempted to tell them, “You don’t have to do so much.” Then, I am checked by Holy Spirit and I realize they have partnered with God. They are laying up treasure.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
²⁰  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
²¹  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

--One more example in our church that shows this partnership and generosity. In 2024 at our Annual Business Meeting we shared how we were being tested financially. 2025 we rejoiced over the increase.

--What made the difference? A couple of families who have been blessed partnered with God and were extremely generous with the church, therefor our numbers were up. PTL!

--One more, this year God touched hearts so many partnered with God in FPs. Up $50,000 from last year. Partnership and generosity will result in many souls for the Kingdom.

Please, Lord, Direct My Path - 1

Please, Lord, Direct My Path - 1

Subject: Finding God’s Divine Direction in Our Lives

By Rick Welborne

Proverbs 3:1-10 (NKJV) ¹  My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
²  For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
³  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴  And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
⁷  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
⁸  It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
⁹  Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰  So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 

--We all should want God to direct our path! We should all want to know God’s plans and direction for our lives. How do we arrive at the destination God has for us?

--The truth is…say that…the truth is…You are one decision away from changing your life forever. What’s interesting is that you probably do not know what that one decision will be. 

--It is natural to think that such a big, life changing decision would be obvious. Sometimes it is, like taking a job in another state and relocating your family. Or maybe returning to school to finish your degree. 

--Maybe it is the decision of whether to marry the person you have been dating for the last several months. Decisions like this definitely can have consequences that last a long time. Good or bad.

--Clearly decisions like these cause countless consequences rippling through our lives and for years to come.

1. Small Choices or Decisions. 

--Our lives are constantly spilling over into the lives of others, and theirs into ours. We all like standing dominos up side by side. Like these our small decisions flow into consequences we didn’t see coming.

--I love giving life examples…I had been the youth pastor in Covington, La. for almost three years when I felt God wanted me to finish my college degree…Where should I go to school?

--My lead pastor thought I should go to Springfield, Missouri to the A/G Bible College there…his reasoning was…that is where the A/G Headquarters was…Make connections…promote me.

--I thought, it is cold in Springfield and I do not do cold weather…I had taken kids there for college days in January and thought I would freeze. I made it a matter of prayer. God promotes us!

--Our men’s ministry was going on a 26-mile canoe trip which turned out to be a 26-mile race but lots of fun!

--I was put with a man I did not know (he was new to our church) and was told to make him feel welcome. I find out quickly he was an avid canoer and we obviously won the race. 

--Guess what? All he wanted to talk about was what a great Bible College SE University in Lakeland, Florida was. He and his wife both had graduated from there…who knew?

--In the process of a canoe trip, I got God’s direction for where to go back to school. It was warm weather and it was exactly where God wanted me to be. Every decision we make has major consequences. 

--Every little choice you make now determines the story that you will be telling later in your life. How many would change the small choices they made years ago that set them on a wrong path.

Proverbs 1:29-30 (NLT2) ²⁹ For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
³⁰  They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.

--The decision not to fear the Lord…the choice not to listen to the wisdom of parents, pastors, or teachers. They choose to reject advice and to pay no attention when people try to bring discipline.

--There was a young man in my youth group in Covington, La. who would not listen to anyone. I would spend tons of time with him (at the request of family) trying to reason with him.

--Pastor Rick, I am sick of you, my parents, my teachers, and everyone else telling me what to do and when I have to do it. I am just going to leave home and go join the army! Say what!

Proverbs 1:31-33 (NLT2)
³¹  Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.
³²  For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
³³  But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” 

--After basic training, this simpleton came to my office at the church and as soon as he walked through my door he broke down and started crying…I am such an idiot! No argument here.

--Proverbs says you must eat the bitter fruit of living your own way…he signed up for…four years. You can come home in four years. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. Their choices!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NKJV) ¹⁵  "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 

¹⁶  in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.
¹⁷  But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,
¹⁸  I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
¹⁹  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
²⁰  that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

2. Our Choices Accumulate to Tell Our Life Story.

Craig Groeshel – What is always true is that the decisions we make today determine the stories we tell about our lives tomorrow. Every day, all day, we make one small choice after another. And those choses keep accumulating, each one woven into the rest, forming the tapestry that is your life story. 

--The purpose of this series is to help you make good godly decisions which enables you to find God’s direction. If you want peace and joy you must make deliberate choices to get there.

--Many people do not like to hear this but here we go…You have to be willing to take responsibility for every decision you make. Stop playing the victim card and stop blaming others.

--When you choose to follow biblical principles set forth in the Word of God and you are dedicated to staying on this path for a lifetime, you will have a beautiful destination. 

--One way or another, each decision you make is the decision of a lifetime, whether or not you can see where it ultimately leads. You are one choice away from making your best decision ever.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (NKJV) ¹  My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
²  For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
³  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴  And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 

--Look at verse 2…this is what obeying God’s Word will do… For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Daily choices lead to long life kissed with peace. 

--Do we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts when it comes to, not just big decisions, but every decision. Pastor, you make it sound like every decision is so important…In all your ways acknowledge Him. 

--Can it really matter where we eat lunch or dinner (which Mexican Restaurant)? If we acknowledge Him (if we ask Him) He may send you to a specific place to minister to a specific person. 

--I remember determining I was going to a specific place to eat and as I thought about that, I felt overwhelmed to go to another one. I simply made the decision to go where God wanted me to go. 

--No sooner had I sat down and this waitress came and sat at the table with me…thru her tears she said I prayed you would come here today…she confessed her sins, received direction!

Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

3. Our Decisions Lead to Predictable Consequences. 

--The truth is many (probably most) of our choices lead to fairly predictable consequences. And as we learn to choose well, we can connect the dots of where we are and where we want to be. 

--When we choose in a moment of temptation or peer pressure to take that first drink, that first smoke, or that drug…we have just opened the door to much pain and suffering for yourself and others.

Hosea 10:12-13 (NKJV) ¹²  Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
¹³  You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. 

--The best decision you can make is always the next one. Each decision should move you closer to becoming all that God made you to be, to turn your life in the direction of a story you’ll be happy to share.