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Message from  the Pastor
JESUS COULD NOT BE FOUND
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  to Pastor Lawrence Bradford above
Rev. Lawrence Bradford
Archived from:  June 2001
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I. Jesus could not be found

  A. Luke 24:1-7
      1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
       they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they                had prepared, and certain others with them.
       2  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
       3  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
       4  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed there
       about, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
       5  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the
       earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the                dead?
       6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you          when he was yet in Galilee,
       7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of
       sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
      
          1. When God looks into your spirit can he find Jesus.
 
          2. When God looks into your soul what will he find.

          3. When God looks into your body does He see black or white.

          4. Does He see clean or unclean.

          5. For some here today when God looks into your life Jesus                      cannot be found.

  B. Luke 2:7                                                                                                      And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in                  swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was          no room for them in the inn.

        1. No room for Jesus

  C. Romans 8:9(b)                                                                                           Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

II. How do I know Jesus is in my life.

  A. Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism                  into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by                the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in                            newness of life.

   B. II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a               new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things                 are become new.

       1.  There is a newness of life.

       2. So if Jesus can be found in your life there is a change a                         newness of life, desires, and newness of plans

       3. If Jesus is to be found in my life the first thing to go is self

  C. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me,          let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

      1. Self must decrease Jesus must increase

  D. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

  E. Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in              trespasses and sins;

  F. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of          God;

  G. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is        eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

III. The gift of God

  A. Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new          spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,            and will give them an heart of flesh:

      1. There is a stone in front of your heart let Jesus roll it away

      2.  In verse two of our text Luke 24:2  And they found the stone                  rolled away from the sepulchre.

      3. Jesus cannot be found if the stone has not been rolled away

  B. Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit              will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of                your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

      1. Verse two  they found the stone rolled away

      2. Allow the Holy Spirit to remove everything from your heart that              is stone cold

      3. Jesus is alive today listen to what he is doing

   C. Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any               man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and         will sup with him, and he with me.

      1. Let Jesus in that when God comes and looks into our most                   inward parts He finds Jesus

       2. How terrible it would be if God looks into our life and Jesus                  could not be found