This Easter Sermon, written by Bishop Leroy Baker, will bolster your spirit and strengthen your faith in Almighty God. A new appreciation for the Cross and the resurrection will capture your heart.
And now for the title, text and the message:
TITLE: ”Who will roll back the stone for us?”
TEXT: Mark 16:3, “They worried out loud to each other, ‘Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?’” (The Message, Eugene H. Peterson).
Genesis 29:8 "We can't," they said. "Not until all the shepherds get here. It takes all of us to roll the stone from the well. Not until then can we water the flocks" (The Message, Eugene H. Peterson).
The news reporter with strong and excited voice broke in, “NEWS BREAK-NEWS BREAK . . . AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK, I REPEAT, AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK!!!
“As I speak New York City is under attack by terrorists of some kind. We are not sure yet. We do know at this very moment the World Trade Center in New York City has been hit by two high-jacked airliners loaded with people and fuel. Right now they are burning, and thousands are feared dead. Another airliner has crashed into the Pentagon and it is in flames.
“Somewhere over Pennsylvania another high-jacked airliner with a load of passengers is believed to be headed for the nation’s Capitol or the White House. Passengers are communicating with family members by cell phones and say there are terrorists on board with weapons. ‘We must do something because we know we are going to die. We have no choice but to do something to save others, maybe even our president.’
“Some of the men on board were heard to say by cell phone, ‘We must do it now, so are you ready?’ ‘Yes,’ they responded, and one man was heard to say, ‘LET’S ROLL!’”
They did roll! They gave their lives to save others and preserve Liberty and Freedom. This happened about ten years ago. The enemies of freedom laid a plot to steal freedom and liberty. The attack by radical anti-Christian terrorists was an effort against the home of freedom, worship, and prayer. Even though lives were lost and buildings destroyed, Freedom lives because of those who took a stand for others and said “LET’S ROLL.”
About two thousand years ago now, when humanity needed a Savior, God gave His only Son as a sacrifice for sinners. Now all men have access to Almighty God through Jesus the Christ because Jesus was willing to lay down His life for His friends.
When the Angel was called to the garden tomb to help the women with the great stone, that sealed the grave of Jesus, He said with a powerful voice, “Let’s Roll.”
There is a wonderful old hymn of the church that says “It’s just like Jesus to roll the clouds away.”
One evening in old Jerusalem Jesus gathered with His disciples in a borrowed room for prayer, fellowship, and the Passover meal with words of revelation concerning coming days that would change the world.
Jesus spoke revealing words concerning His death, which His followers heard clearly, but were not able to receive because they did not want to believe. In the Paschal chamber, Jesus continues with His farewell address and intercessory prayer. The Lord of Glory speaks with prophetic power into the lives of these men whom He loved. Jesus exposes Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and shows His eternal love by washing the feet of all who were present. Then Jesus, our Passover Lamb, bathes His followers with a message of encouragement. "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. (2) There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? (3) And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live” (John 14:1-3, The Message, Eugene H. Peterson)..
From the Upper Room the road of Passion Week carried Jesus and His burdened followers to the garden of agony among the old olive trees, near the olive press that gives Gethsemane its name. Here, our Lord yielded to His Father’s will and drank the cup of the living sacrifice.
Rising beneath the falling shadows of the city walls, the Son of God beckons His followers to ready themselves for the arrival of the betrayer and the Temple soldiers coming to take Him to a mock trial that was allowed by heaven and bungled by Caiaphas, Pilate, and finally Herod.
At first dawn Barabbas is set free by the love of Christ who was willing to lay down His life so all guilty men could be set free.
From the judgment hall Jesus, bloody, alone and weak carries the “old rugged Cross” to the place somewhere outside the western wall of the city called Peace. There Jesus died between two criminals, just as Joshua, the General of Israel, after the conquering of Jericho and Ai where the moon and sun obeyed the Word of God until victory was sure, led Israel to Jacob’s well which rested between the mountains of Blessing and Cursing.
Years earlier, in the land of Haran, Jacob sat by a sealed well and waited for a sign that would open for him the doors of prophecy. The daughters of Laban came to the well at eventide to water their father Laban’s sheep. The stone that covered the well was too heavy for the girls to roll away so the sheep could drink. Jacob, the fountainhead of Israel, said, “Why do you not water the sheep?” The women said, “We cannot because the stone is too great for us.” “Then Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flocks of Laban his mother's brother” (Genesis 29:10, KJV). That day Jacob saw the doors of prophecy open for him. The plan of God revealed the nation of Israel for Jacob that day. Thousands of years later Jesus made reference to this revelation in John 4 when He visited the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. “You worship what you do not know, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22, NKJV).
Jesus hanging on His Cross heard one thief curse and mock but the other ask for mercy. “And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42, NIV). Jesus then blessed this sinner and opened the door of Salvation to him.
The lifeless body of Jesus was removed from the Cross and laid in a nearby garden tomb that belonged to someone else who was willing to loan the tomb to these followers who loved Jesus; perhaps just until other arrangements could be made. Only heaven knew that this new tomb, in this beautiful garden, would be needed for only a few days.
Meanwhile, anti-Christ forces claimed credit for this attack and death of Jesus. Heaven’s host knew that no power could take the life of Jesus. Only He had the power to lay His life down and He also had the power to take it up again. Jesus left His physical body in the grave and His spirit went to preach to the saints in prison. “He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment” (1 Peter 3:19, The Message, Eugene H. Peterson).
As Jesus was preaching in hell, our heavenly Father was giving orders in heaven for the angels to visit the garden tomb. When heaven's angels began to “ROLL” the earth began to shake with resurrection anticipation. Then the angel rolled the grave stone from the tomb’s door. “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” (Matthew 28:1-2, KJV).
The message from the open tomb is “Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive and now we must obey His command."
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20, KJV).
Now, is the time for all Christians to go in obedience to Christ’s command, and go into all the world and preach the Gospel of the living Jesus. It is time for empowered saints to say “LET’S ROLL!”
[Editor's note: This Easter Sermon, written by Bishop Leroy Baker, I am sure, has bolstered your spirit and strengthen your faith in Almighty God.
I
have read hundreds of sermons in my lifetime, but this one tops them
all. It was birthed in the heart and mind of one of the greatest
preachers ever produced by the Pentecostal Holiness Church. It is
saturated with key words and phrases that God may use to reveal the
answers to questions you have struggled with for many years. This
message will restore your confidence and faith in God's great plan of
salvation for the human race. The happenings of heaven and earth will
take on new meaning as we pray for God's will to be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
It is not enough for one to say
that Jesus died for the sins of the world. You and I must come to
realize that Jesus died for me and to take away my sins. I am confident that you have fallen
in love with Jesus all over again, as you read Bishop Baker's sermon
with an open and prayerful heart.
If you would like to contact Bishop Leroy Baker you may write him at the following mailing address:
The Rev. Dr. Leroy Baker
1839 Sunset Circle
Kingston, OK 73439
Brother Baker is the author of the song, "God's Got an Army." He is known throughout the IPHC as Mr. Camp Meeting Preacher. God led him to Texas to turn that conference around, to plant and build strong churches, to win the lost, and network with men and women of like precious faith who have joined with the Texas Conference, now known as the Grace Bible Ministries Conference.
Leroy and Evelyn's oldest son, Curtis is the Bishop of the Grace Bible Ministries Conference and is loved and respected by all who know him. He is a brilliant young man. I have been impressed with Bishop Curtis Baker for a number of years. The anointing and power of the Holy Spirit rests upon him and his ministry. And he is a rising star in our denomination for leadership.
Leroy and Evelyn have an older daughter, Karlene Baker Arthur. She is married to Mark Arthur, the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach of Southwestern Christian University. Those of us who know Karlene, call her Queen Karlene. That is the name of endearment that Leroy gave her.
Then, there is the younger son, Chris. He is a successful Christian businessman in Houston, TX in the Life Insurance and Investment business. He is a dynamic witness for Jesus Christ. He conducts Men's Seminars that challenges men to serve the Lord.
The members of the Baker family are all great singers. We certainly enjoyed them at the River Springs Camp Meeting for five years running in the Alabama Conference (now called Alpha Conference). The camp ground is near McKenzie, Alabama, and about 16 miles or so from Evergreen, AL.
Every year Bishop Baker preaches camp meetings all over this country of ours, e. g. North Carolina, Cornerstone Conference, South Carolina, Upper South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee Valley, Virginia both Appalachian and Redemption Ministries, the Mid-Atlantic Conference, and conferences west of the Mississippi and on to California, Oregon, and Washington State.
Leroy Baker is a trusted and treasured friend. I am honored to call him my friend. I would trust him with my life and treasure.
Posted on
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
by Hugh Morgan