Holy Week Worship Schedule
Join us on a journey as we retrace Jesus's steps, beginning with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his trial and execution, and finally, the empty tomb and his Resurrection on Easter. Throughout the week, we offer special services designed to help us immerse ourselves in the story and gain a fresh perspective on these significant events.

Week 2 - Naming The Graveclothes - TGT

April 23, 2017 Speaker: Mike Curtis Series: I'm Alive!

Topic: Easter Scripture: John 11:44, Romans 7:21–24, Romans 8:1–2

Last week we heard the amazing news: Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus called Lazarus out of his own tomb. Jesus has set us free from our tombs as well!

But now we see Lazarus as he breaks free from darkness and death. He comes into the light… but with one problem. His graveclothes are still wrapped tightly around his body. His arms are bound to his sides. His face is covered. His legs are bound together. He can barely move. He is alive… but the grip of the grave remains.

As those who have been set free from sin and death by the call of Jesus, we can relate! The apostle Paul struggled with his new identity in Christ, and the sin that still remained to plague his life. We too must honestly face and name our graveclothes… the things that keep us from experiencing the freedom and joy that Jesus and Easter should bring into our lives! What are these graveclothes that can still hold us back? There are five that are the most common: self-rejection, fear, guilt, shame/blame, and disappointment. Any or all can trip us up as we live as resurrected, Easter people. The transformation that comes from resurrection is always messier than we expect it to be.

Even as Paul named his own graveclothes, he reminded himself that his true identity was no longer in the grave! “With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 MSG)