Sermon Notes: "Impossible to Retain"

“Impossible to Retain” 

by Rev. Ben Garris, 

Associate Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church

Psalm 16

John 19:38-20:9

Acts 2:22-41

1)     Acts2:24 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Why was it impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus?

2)     “Jewish culture in the first century practiced a second burial. Once flesh and muscle had decayed away, the bones were gathered and put into a limestone box called an ossuary.” (The Baker Illustrated Guide to Everyday Life in Biblical Times)

3)     “God’s set purpose and foreknowledge…and the help of wicked men, put him [Jesus] to death by nailing him to the cross.” Just as it was God’s purpose that Jesus die and atone for the sins of his followers so too was it God’s purpose that death not keep Jesus forever.

4)     V.24 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death.” Agony = birth pains.

5)     “What shall we do?” The answer is the same: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

6)     Monday Morning: Jesus experienced real death and now he has been raised to life in such a way that he will never again die. Do you believe this? Have you repented and been baptized into Jesus Christ?

The disciples did not realize that Jesus had to rise. Do you realize that Death will not be allowed to keep you who have been buried with Jesus either? For your own continued edification concerning the resurrection read 1 Corinthians 15.

Charge: Acts 2:38-39, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”