Beyond The Cross: The Empty Tomb Matthew 28:1-10 (Easter Worship Celebration)
How many of you received an Easter Basket this morning? If not this morning, how many of you have ever received an Easter Basket? How many of you like getting or giving Easter Baskets or other “Easter gifts”? I can hear some of your thoughts now, “Is the preacher really talking about Easter Baskets in our Easter morning sermon?” The answer to that question is, “Yes I am.” I will admit though, that there is a great deal of disagreement between Christians as to the appropriateness of Easter gifts. Some see Easter gifts, Easter egg hunts, and the sort as simply harmless fun for the children. Others see the giving of Easter gifts and the emphasis on bunnies, chicks, and flowers as participating in the pagan rituals of fertility seeking to ensure that the pagan gods will give blessings upon spring plantings and new life. Some of those same arguments are made about Christmas and its celebration ...