An Easter Sermon

March 27, 2005 Posted by Roger OvertoncloseAuthor: Roger Overton Name: Roger Overton
Email: rogeroverton@hotmail.com
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About: Roger Overton is currently pursuing a Masters degree at Talbot School of Theology. He has addressed various churches, schools and youth camps throughout the United States. Roger was co-editor of The New Media Frontier (Crossway, 2008) and God and Governing (Wipf & Stock, 2009). Roger can be emailed at rogeroverton@hotmail.com.See Authors Posts (570)

The following is a sermon penned by Melito of Sardis, a bishop who died around 180 A.D. So, this was written within 150 years of Christ's resurrection. Its words are simple yet its thoughts deep.

 ”And so he was lifted up upon a tree and an inscription was attached indicating who was being killed. Who was it? It is a grievous thing to tell, but a most fearful thing to refrain from telling. But listen, as you tremble before him on who account the earth trembled!

    He who hung the earth in place is hanged.

    He who fixed the heavens in place is fixed in place.

    He who made all things fast is made fast on a tree.

    The Sovereign is insulted.

    God is murdered.

    The King of Israel is destroyed by an Israelite hand.

 

    This is the One who made the heavens and the earth, and formed mankind in the beginning,

    The One proclaimed by the Law and the Prophets,

    The One enfleshed in a virgin,

    The One hanged on a tree,

    The One buried in the earth,

    The One raised from the dead and who went up into the heights of heaven,

    The One sitting at the right hand of the Father,

    The One having all authority to judge and save,

    Through Whom the Father made the things which exist from the beginning of time.

    This One is “the Alpha and the Omega,”

    This One is “the beginning and the end,”

    …the beginning indescribable and the end incomprehensible.

    This One is the Christ.

    This One is the King.

    This One is Jesus.

    This One is the Leader.

    This One is the Lord.

    This One is the One who rose from the dead.

    This One is the One sitting on the right hand of the Father.

    He bears the Father and is borne by the Father.

    “To him be the glory and power forever. Amen.”

Related posts:

1. Do You Know the Mighty King?
2. Prayers for Easter Sunday
3. O Holy Night (8) – Behold Your King!
4. It's Officially Easter Season Again
5. Death by Hanging
6. Be Thou My Vision

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