One of the great symbols of Easter is the cross. The symbol of the cross tells us that Jesus died for our sins in order to bring us to God. This is the Easter message. Jesus Christ has reconciled us to God through His death, burial, and resurrection. The reason we have the Easter break is to celebrate this wonderful truth.
Free Easter Sermon Outlines looks at the message of Easter, especially the message of reconciliation. For God has reconciled us to himself through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Free Easter Sermon Outlines
Free Easter Sermon Outlines includes an Easter sermon outline from Colossians 1:20-23 which looks at the Easter message of reconciliation.
Introduction: One of the defining point of the Easter message is reconciliation. We know that Easter is about Jesus’ death and resurrection, but why did Jesus died? Why did Jesus rise from the grave?
The apostle Peter summed it by saying, “Christ died once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He [that is, Jesus] might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
The Easter message is about reconciliation – humanity being reconciled with God.
Look at verse 20, “And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on Earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of the cross” (Colossians 1:20).
There are four question I would like to ask and answer concerning reconciliation.
1. Why Do We Need To Be Reconciled With God?
There are two reasons why we need to be reconciled to God!
A. We are separated from God (1:21)
Look at the beginning of verse 21, “And you (referring to the Colossians), who once were alienated from God.”
At one stage in their lives, the Colossians were separated from the life of God. They were literally cut off from God and His love.
We all have been in that position. Before I heard the message about Jesus, I was separated from God. I was dead in my trespasses and sins. I was totally lost. I was separated from God and His love. I was in that dreadful position until someone shared the message of Jesus with me.
The Easter message is a message of reconciliation. The sad thing about it is that many people have never really heard the Christian message of Easter. In fact, statistics tell us that around 50% of people do not know what Easter is all about. They have never stopped and looked or even examined the message of Easter.
B. We frustrate God (1:21)
Look at verse 21 again, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works.”
Separation leads to sin and sin makes us an enemy of God.
In other words, when we are separated from God, the very things we do are offensive to God. When we are separated from God, the very things we do are hostile toward God.
As the apostle Paul said, “Because the carnal mind (unsaved mind) is enmity (hostility) against God” (Romans 8:7).
In our unsaved state, our attitudes and actions only frustrate God.
2. How Can We Be Reconciled To God?
Look verses 21 & 22! These verses tell us that it is through Jesus Christ. It says, “And you…He has reconciled in the body of His fresh through death.”
Why did Jesus need to die to bring us to God? There are two reasons:
A. Sin requires death for its payment (Romans 6:23)
The Bible says, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Before Adam sinned, there was no death. Man lived in harmony with God. After Adam sinned, “death spread to all men” (Romans 5:12). Jesus was the only one who could pay the payment for sin. The Bible says, “Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross” (1 Peter 2:24). Why did Jesus die? So that we could be reconciled to God! It was by his wounds that you have been healed.
B. Sin requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)
The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin” (Hebrews 9:22) If there is no forgiveness, then there is no reconciliation.
The Easter message tells us the way of reconciliation. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose on the third day to bring us new life . . . to bring us to God.
3. What is the Ultimate Purpose of Reconciliation?
We know that God has delivered us from the penalty of sin—past reality. We know that God has delivered us from the power of sin—present reality. But one day God will deliver us from the presence of sin. That’s the ultimate purpose of reconciliation.
Look at the end of verse 22, “and you . . . he has reconciled…in order to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight.”
What a day that will be!
4. What are the Results of Reconciliation?
There are threes results in this passage of Scripture.
A. An abiding faith! (1:23)
Look at the beginning of verse 23, “if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast.”
An abiding faith is the hallmark of true reconciliation.
B. An unmovable faith! (1:23)
Look at verse 23 again, “And are not move away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.”
When we are reconciled to God, we have an unmovable hope. We know that we are saved…we know that we belong to God…we know that we will be with God in heaven when our time on earth is up.
C. A message for all! (1:23)
Look at the end of verse 23, “which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul became a minister.”
We have a message of reconciliation. The defining point of the Easter message is reconciliation. It’s about mankind being reconciled to God.
Conclusion: Are you reconciled to God? You can be . . . all you need to do is turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and life.
The Bible tells us that “God so loved the world (you and me) that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
This bible verse tells the way of reconciliation. Let’s believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and let’s enjoy our salvation in Jesus Christ this Easter!
This Easter message was compiled by Rev. D. Blackburn BA GDM.