Easter Sunday Sermon

April 20, 2025, Jeremiah Johnson

Sermon

Notes:

Acts 10:34-43 NRSVUE
[34] Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. [36] You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. [37] That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, [40] but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, [41] not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
https://bible.com/bible/3523/act.10.34-43.NRSVUE

The story that God is telling through Jesus.
Peter’s statement is the gospel, the good news.

1. We have peace with God through Jesus.
2. We have forgiveness of our sins through faith in Jesus.
3. We’re called to be witnesses for this peace and forgiveness.
4. To everyone.

Movies

Movies this week include films about the life-changing effects of grace (Les Misérables, 2012), the manifestation of God’s love (Babette’s Feast, 1987), the limitlessness of God’s mercy (A Christmas Carol, various adaptations, e.g., 1951, 1984, 2009), and the impact of one man’s witness to God’s love for all (Amazing Grace, 2006).

Television Episodes

The Gospel is even better news than a free Turkey.

Podcast Episodes

Music

Popular Music:

Here are a few songs that reflect the mood and the hope of Easter: “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles (Rock, 1969), “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke (Soul, 1964), and “Beautiful Day” – U2 (Rock, 2000).

Hymns:

https://hymnary.org/browse/lectionary/easter_day_c

Visual Art

Art From the Lectionary:

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-processquery.pl?code=ACT&SortOrder=Title&LectionaryLink=CRess