A God Who Exceeds All Expectations (Sermon: 1 Cor. 15:3-23)

On the first Easter morning, some women went to the tomb expecting to find the body of Jesus. Instead, they found an empty tomb from which Jesus had risen from the dead. But isn't that just like God? The moment we think we know what is ahead, He surpasses all of our expectations.

As the Jews looked for a Messiah, they hoped for someone to free them from the military oppression of the Roman government; yet, God gave them His own son, who would free them from the oppression of sin and its consequences. The woman at the well was looking for water, but she met a man who offered her living water. The crippled man at the temple gate was looking for pocket change, but instead he received the power to walk again. The paralytic man was looking to regain the use of his body, but he received forgiveness for all of his sins. Oh yeah...after being forgiven he got up and carried his mat home.


I believe that many times lost people hear the gospel and they respond because they are looking for an escape from the wrath of God. Yet, what God is offering is so much more than an escape from the consequences of sin, what He is offering is a new life. The Bible says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11). Jesus Himself promised: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).


The death of Jesus demonstrates the love that God has for us. He wants to have a relationship with us. He desires to bless us, if only we will trust Him. I don't know what you expected from this Easter season, but I hope that you received rich blessings--for we serve a God who is in the habit of exceeding our expectations!