Dwelling Place

Guest (Male): People who have rejected Jesus and the free gift of salvation through his death and resurrection are a sad lot. And in many cases, they live in fear. Here's a thought from Pastor Al Pittman.

Al Pittman: If you don't know Jesus, if you do not know for certain your sins are forgiven, you need to be like that guard and fear God. Amen. Be afraid. You're like a dead person because there's no life in you because you're separated from God because of your sins. But the angel said to the women, don't you be afraid. You fear not. Why? Because you are seeking Jesus. Amen. And those who seek Jesus seek life, and those who reject Christ are seeking death. And the Bible tells us that perfect love This is why they shouldn't fear because perfect love cast out all fear.

Guest (Group): Dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place. You are my dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place.

Guest (Male): A very blessed Good Friday to you and your family from everyone at Calvary Worship Center in Colorado Springs. Today, we're going to bring you the final message from Pastor Al Pittman's Passion series. The resurrection of Jesus was without question the most significant event in human history. If Jesus had died on the cross and not risen from the dead, then you and I would still be condemned due to our sins. But the truth is he is risen indeed. Join us for one final look at the most wonderful act of love ever performed, the resurrection of Jesus.

Here's Pastor Al Pittman.

Al Pittman: He lives. He has risen from the grave. No ideology and no philosophy, no politics, or anything else will ever change that. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. Whatever words the word the world has spoken against Jesus, whatever you might say against Jesus, I don't care what you think about Jesus, what you say about him, guess what? It's appointed unto every man and woman wants to die and then the judgment. Now, go change that. And no one ever has and no one ever will.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but his word will never pass away. And he said, you put this body down, I'll raise it up in 3 days. And he lives. Amen. Praise his holy name. Give him praise. Give him glory. Amen. Come on. This is a celebration today. The very capstone of our faith. Amen. So, they secured the tomb by religious authority and political authority. What was the religious authority? It was the Jewish Sanhedrin. The Jewish Sanhedrin, the religious authority in Jerusalem. And the the political authority was the Roman government. The mighty, powerful Roman government.

It lasted existed for an estimated 1,500 years. The United States has been around for 242 years. Powerful Roman government. It's going to last forever. But it came to an end. By religious and political authority, they sealed the tomb. But religious and political authority of man religious and political authorities of men only bring more hopelessness. The religion of the Pharisees only brought people more hopelessness. They they wanted people to live sort of this legalistic existence before God and earn their right into the presence of God. All that led to was legalism and further bondage and hopelessness among the people.

And then what about the politics or the political power that of Rome? Well, we see even today how politics doesn't lead us to greater freedom but to more hopelessness. Amen. You don't believe me, just you look back at this last election. So many people run around feeling hopeless. Why? Because they put their hope in politics. Political power cannot produce hope. Religion cannot produce hope. Only a right relationship through faith in Jesus Christ brings us to everlasting hope. Amen. So, they sealed the tomb with three obstacles. Joseph of Arimathea rolled a stone in front of the tomb.

The Bible says in verse 60 in Matthew 27 that it was a large stone. And if people estimate and we've seen some of these stones in Israel. Some of the stones they may have used. These are huge stones. These stones get weigh as much as a a Volkswagen, a small car. And if you ever been to the garden tomb, you'll notice in front of the entrance into the tomb there is sort of a groove, a rut. And they will roll those stones down into that rut. And the only way to get it out of there is for several men, you know, to to to help push that that huge rock out of there.

And it was a huge stone so that it would seal the tomb completely so that no animals and critters can get in there and get to the body. And then we know in another account of the resurrection where the women came to the tomb and they wondered who will roll the stone away for us. This heavy, large stone. So, there was an obstacle, the stone. The second obstacle was the seal. The stone was sealed. What does that mean? That it it was a Roman seal was placed on the stone. Now, some I've read where have studied, you know, what this Roman seal might have been.

It may have been a large leather strap that went across the stone with a wax seal in the center of it with an impression a Roman seal impressed in it and in that wax. And what that simply meant is that the full power and authority of Rome had sealed this tomb. And if you were to move that stone, it would be under the penalty of death. Don't you dare defy the Roman government. Don't you dare break this seal. And then they had set a guard. They set a guard. There are some who say and of course they had a Praetorium guard.

They were the guards that were there by the temple. They were available to the Sanhedrin. Pilot said you have a guard. The guard probably consisted of 16 soldiers, a unit of 16 men. And these guys run the strict rules. You had to stand attention. You couldn't, you know, take a coffee break, you know, you you know, whatever. Go to the restroom on your on on your shift. You had to stand there. You couldn't lean on your spear or anything like that. You had to stand at attention. And if you were caught napping, if one person was caught napping or falling asleep, the whole unit would be put to death.

So, if I've got a spear and I see some guys slipping off a little bit, I'm going to give them a little poke. You better stay awake, brother. Amen. So, here we have this huge stone and we have the Roman seal and we have the guard. Three obstacles to our hope to the hope of the disciples. And you see why they were they were beyond any hope, all hope because who would dare move the stone? Who? Not the chicken-hearted disciples. Not the women who were there. Who would dare move the stone? I'll tell you who.

The one who created the stone. Amen. The one who created the stone. The Bible tells us in Psalm chapter two. It says, why do the heathens rage? Why do nations rage against the Lord's anointed? They plot vainly against the Lord's anointed. And the Bible says in Psalm two that the Lord God sits in heaven and laughs at the schemes of men. These puny, petty individuals who think through nuclear weapons and all they can defy the living God. Through their riches, they think they can defy the living God. And God sits in heaven and he laughs because our plans will come to nothing.

What are your 70, 80, 90 years to his eternal existence? He will always have the final word. And yet we find people defiantly in a drunken stupor many times shaking their fist at God. And even despite that, God still loved them. And God still sent his son to die in our place. Thank God for his love. But he wasn't afraid of the stone. He wasn't afraid of the Roman authority. He wasn't afraid of 16 guards standing around. He defied all the power, known power of the earth at that time. And the stone was rolled away.

Look at Matthew chapter 28 verse one. Now, after the Sabbath, that is Saturday, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. I love that. Amen. It's almost like he rolled the stone away, sat on it and said, what's up? What's happening, cat? You know? No rush, no worries at all. No fear. And the Bible says his countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow.

And the guards shook for fear of him be and became like dead men. Verse five, but the angel answered and said to the women, do not be afraid for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. Listen, there's a lesson there. If you don't know Jesus, if you do not know for certain your sins are forgiven, you need to be like that guard and you you're going to and fear God. Amen. Be afraid. You're like a dead person because there's no life in you because you're separated from God because of your sins. But the angel said to the women, don't you be afraid.

You fear not. Why? Because you are seeking Jesus. Amen. And those who seek Jesus seek life, and those who reject Christ are seeking death. And the Bible tells us that perfect love This is why they shouldn't fear because perfect love cast out all fear. Amen. Perfect love. Don't you be afraid for I know that you seek Jesus. If you're hopeless today, the Lord will say to you, don't be afraid if you're here to seek Jesus. If you're a believer and you've forgotten this very fact, listen, as long as you seek Jesus, you're not hopeless. Don't be afraid.

His perfect love has cast off cast out all fear. The angel said he is not here. He moved. He is not here for he is risen as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell those knucklehead disciples I know knucklehead is not in your Bible. I just added that. That he has risen from the dead and indeed he is going before you in Galilee. There you will see him. Behold, I have delivered the message. I've told you.

Guest (Male): We'll have the second half of Pastor Al's message in Matthew 27 in just a few moments right after this special announcement.

Guest (Female): This Easter can change everything for you.

Al Pittman: The only way to find true hope is to seek hope in the living God.

Guest (Female): Join Calvary Worship Center at the Pike's Peak Center Easter morning, April 21st at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and noon with Pastor Al Pittman along with people and songs. Easter morning at the Pike's Peak Center, April 21st 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. cwccs.org

Al Pittman: There's always hope in Jesus Christ.

Guest (Male): Again, for more information on our Easter Sunday services at the Pike's Peak Center, go to ccob.org. Now, with part two of today's message in Matthew 27 titled Hope is Alive, here's Pastor Al.

Al Pittman: Now, another place in the New Testament, John chapter 20 because we started out talking about Mary Magdalene. She's full of hopelessness. She's at the tomb. Total despair. In John chapter 20 the Peter and John race to the tomb. And you know, because they heard that Christ has risen they go and they race to the tomb and they go in and they see the the the linen cloths that they wrapped the body of Jesus, you know, laying there. And the interesting thing is and some of you have heard this before that the linen cloths were not like someone woke up and took off the linen cloths and piled them up in a pile.

It's it's as if he just came through the cloth. And they lay still wrapped. Amen. Flat. He didn't get them going get out of this stuff, you know. No. He just rose. And they came in and they saw the the the linen cloths and all and they looked in and they marvelled. They didn't know what in the world is going on. And the Bible says in verse 11 of John chapter 20 now we find Mary Magdalene here and Mary's hopelessness is going to be swallowed up in victory. In verse 11 it says, but Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping.

And as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, woman, why are you weeping? Because of hopelessness. Why are you weeping? And she said to them, because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him. Now, when she had said this, she turned around and she saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus. Some of you are here today and Jesus is standing here and you don't know he's here.

Hope is standing here and you're still holding on the hopelessness. Looking hope right in the face and we'll walk out of here in the hardness of your heart unchanged. Not realizing you are staring directly in the face of everlasting hope. She didn't know it was him. He was the gardener. I don't know if he could add some coveralls on or something. I don't know why she thought he was the gardener. And Jesus said to her, woman, verse 15, John chapter 20 why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? I think some people will leave in their hopelessness because they're not seeking Jesus.

The real question is whom are you seeking? Because only those who seek Jesus will have everlasting hope. Only those who seek Jesus can live without hopelessness. And Jesus said to her, you know, and she of course supposed him to be the gardener has said to him, sir, if you have carried him away, tell me tell me where you have laid him. And I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. Hallelujah. Amen. Can you I I I just imagine a flood of grace washed over her because nobody can say your name like Jesus. Nobody knows everything about you like Jesus.

And the Bible says she turned and said to him, which means teacher. Jesus said to her, do not cling to me for I have not yet ascended to my father. He was going to the father to present it his own blood before the father in the holy of holies that is in heaven as atonement for our sins. That's where he was headed. But go and tell my brethren, he said, and say to them, I am ascending to my father and your father and to my God and your God. And Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things to her.

Amen. If we're going to move from hopelessness to hope, to everlasting hope, there's three things we need to understand. Number one is this. Everlasting hope is not found among the dead. Everlasting hope is not found among the dead. The remedies offered by the world, riches and fame and pleasure and self-worship, all of these are among the dead. Why? Because they cannot produce everlasting life or everlasting hope. And Luke's account of the resurrection, Luke said that the angel said to the the women, he said, why do you seek the living among the dead? A great question for us today, for the world today.

He is not here but is risen. Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee saying, the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified in the third day rise again. He was reminding him of what Jesus had said, reminding them of the word of God. Why do you seek the living among the dead? Why do you continue to live out the definition of insanity? Trying the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over again expecting different results. Our society, America has rejected God.

I think the Lord would say to us, how's that working out for you? For a lot of us who have maybe rejected God one time in our life or even some of you right now who have may rejected Jesus Christ, how's that working out for you? And you keep going back to the same dead things to to to drunkenness and to to alcohol or or or to to to drugs or or to illicit relationships going from one man to another man to another man to another man trying to find that happiness and that and hope in in somebody else or or that job or that career or whatever it is, but it's all dead.

And it produces no life. And we keep going back to that trying to find hope in those things and there is no hope there. Why do you keep seeking the living among the dead? The only way to find true hope is to seek hope in the living the living God. Hope, everlasting hope cannot be found among dead things. And everlasting hope secondly knows your name. I love that. Jesus said it, Mary. When he said Mary, man, every time I think about that I just meditate on that. He was basically saying, I know your DNA. Mary, oh I know what you were doing with the demons.

I I know about the torment and and and I know about the infirmities in your life. I know about your weaknesses and your frailties, Mary. And despite the fact he knows my DNA, he still bids me to come. The love of God. The love of God is overwhelming. He knows who you are. Always had laugh and chuckle when I hear people saying, yeah, need to get my act together. You can't get your act together. You've been trying for 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 years. You can't get Only Jesus can get your act together. Only he can change your DNA.

Amen. He knows who you are. And still he bids you to come. Here's the third thing we need to remember. We're going to move from hopelessness to everlasting hope. This everlasting hope changes everything. The Bible says if any man is in Christ or any woman is in Christ, he or she is a new creation in God. Jesus said, I want you to go back and tell my disciples that I'm ascending to my father, but he's also your daddy. I'm ascending. I'm to my God, but he's also your God. God is my is the our father.

God is your daddy. And the same way that he loved his son Jesus, he loves you. The same inheritance he's given to his son. He's given to us a rich inheritance in Christ. We have been adopted into his family. If if we are in Christ, we're a brand new creation through faith in him. We've been given the right, the Bible says to be called children of God, sons and daughters of God. We are transported from a relationship of death to one of life as children of God. The Bible says in first Peter chapter one it says, blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to what?

A living hope. Amen. Can you say that? A living hope. Say living hope.

Guest (Group): Living hope.

Al Pittman: It's a living hope. It's not dead. It's alive. How? Through the resurrection. Amen. Of Jesus Christ from the dead. All this is a glorious day, a glorious day. Listen, by in conclusion if you haven't heard it, let me say it again. Hope is alive. You don't you don't have to live with hopelessness. Amen. Don't be the devil's fool any longer. Today, everything can change. You can move from hopelessness to everlasting hope through faith in Christ. A new life in Christ, a new path, a new direction for your life. Being transformed from the inside out, being a brand new creation, having everlasting life with all your sins past, present, and future forever forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ.

And being presented before God, blameless, the Bible says, faultless and with exceeding joy. That's the glorious hope we have that's been assured to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Amen. Praise his holy name. Put your faith in his sacrifice for you, for your sins. Put your faith in the fact that he lives, Jesus said. You will live also. Romans 10 verse nine says that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believe in our heart God has raised him from the dead, we will be saved. When you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believe in your heart God has raised him from the dead, that's where truth and hope begins and the lies finally end because Jesus is alive.

Guest (Male): Thanks for listening to the dwelling place with Pastor Al Pittman. If you'd like to hear today's message again, you can get a CD copy by calling us at 844 221 3363. That's 844 221 3363 or listen online at cwccs.org. You can also listen to more of Pastor Al's messages on iTunes. And please subscribe to our free podcast at cwccs.org. It's always encouraging when we hear how this radio program is impacting our listeners' lives. Share your story or prayer request by email to amen at cwccs.org. That amen at cwccs.org. The dwelling place is made possible through the generous support of our listeners.

And if you'd like to stand with us, we invite you to visit us online at cwccs.org. There's a place to make secure donations right there or text give to 719 354 2778. That give to 719 354 2778. You can also write us at 505 Castle Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904. Thank you for your prayers and thoughtful consideration as we continue to get out the word on this station and others like it. And would you take just a minute or two today and drop Pastor Al an email to let him know that you listen to this radio program.

It would mean a lot. Just go to cwccs.org and click the contact tab. The dwelling place with Pastor Al Pittman is brought to you by Calvary Worship Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. May the Lord richly bless you.

Guest (Group): Dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place. You are my dwelling place, dwelling place, dwelling place.