Orchard Community Church
When Jesus rose from the dead the magnitude of that event shook the world spiritually, but also literally with a violent earthquake reminding us that He is the unshakable Rock and foundation on which we are to rely, even in the face of death!
Shaken
People derive security from a lot of different things in this life. Yet, from time to time things happen that shake us and reminds us of how unstable most of those things are. We know what it’s like to be shaken by a health scare, a financial struggle, a pandemic, or some other challenge. Sometimes our world is literally shaken by earthquakes and at times God even shakes us with what He’s doing or in order to get our attention. The truth is that can be shaken will be shaken at some point, and for that reason, scripture calls us to cling to what cannot be shaken, to Jesus our rock and foundation, and to God and things of God. So what can we do in this season of Lent to cling more tightly to Jesus and to build our foundation on Him?
Have you ever been shaken by life?
Matthew 28:1-10 NIV
Does Easter still shake us the way it should?
It’s not just life that can shake us, sometimes God shakes us to get our attention. Easter was one of those times. Yet I wonder if maybe we’re too comfortable with Easter.
On Good Friday, as Jesus died on the cross, there was an earthquake. God shook the earth to mark the magnitude of Jesus’ death. But what was also shaken to the core that day was the disciples, all their hopes and dreams were shattered.
And we know that awful feeling, don’t we? When your world gets turned upside down. This is a key part of the backdrop of that first Easter.
There are a lot of things that shake and scare us. When fear is in charge of our lives, faith is not, and of all the things we fear, we fear death most of all.
But as the women sped down the path that morning something happened, God’s greater truth began to unfold in this world.
“shook and became like dead men”
Saying it this way is Matthew’s idea of a joke. The joke is that body that is supposed to be dead, has come alive, while it’s being guarded by soldiers who are alive but have now become like dead men.[1]
[1] Long, Matthew, 322-3; Brunner, Matthew, 786.
But I think the angles’ words have a deeper meaning than just the fear they had at his appearance. The resurrection of Jesus meant a new reality was breaking into this world, one that would shake and change everything.
They were afraid as they tried to process what had just happened. But it also says they were “filled with joy.” And not just a little joy, the Greek here literally says they were filled with “mega joy.” The kind of joy that changes things, the kind of joy that overpowers fear, that shapes our vision of the world and how we live.
With v. 10, like the angle, Jesus tells them “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to go and to share this joy with the disciples. The women are the first ones to see the risen Jesus and they’re the first ones sent with the message that “He is risen!”
But again, like the angle, I think Jesus had more in mind than just the fear they had about sharing this amazing news. I think Jesus was speaking to all the fears, concerns, and hurts that shake us in this life.
We want to have Easter and still have our world unshaken, unrocked by the resurrection. Because we know that if it’s true, it means something powerful and we’d rather be the one in control.
One of the reasons God shook the world with an earthquake on Easter, was to remind us that we’re not in control. The resurrection shakes up because it breaks the rules, it defies our logic, you just can explain it! But a wise person once said “You can’t “explain” the resurrection, the resurrection explains us.”
Most of all, the resurrection means… it’s going to be okay…
The One who shakes the earth with the resurrection is the One who holds our future in his hands
Jesus doesn’t just sit there, when we invite Jesus in, he goes to work in us transforming our lives in radical ways.
"If an acorn, which has the power of biological life in it, can split a slab of that magnitude, what can the acorn of God's resurrection power do in a person's life?"
(Pastor Tim Keller story about the power of Christ's resurrection.)
Jesus is risen, that he is alive, which means that we have a God who is bigger than all the fears and challenges of this world.
So, let’s not keep it at arm’s length, and let’s not take it for granted, let’s open our hearts to it, to the resurrected Jesus and let Him shake us and move us in the very best way possible!
Today's Music
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190
Worship Options
We are excited to be able to worship under the Tent together. If you are not wanting to be under the Tent, feel free to sit in the front row of parking spots of the Orchard Parking Lot your car and tune your radio to 100.1 FM to listen to the service.
1. Masks must be worn while on the Orchard Campus (both inside and out)
2. Please maintain the Social Distance
3. Sunday Morning Children's program. Children are always welcome in the service and we do not mind the noises that come with children. Children are a healthy sign of a healthy congregation.
Orchard Kids Sunday School (For preschool through 5th grade)
We encourage families to bring your own blanket and beach chairs and distance on the lawn as much as you like. Children will worship with their families and be dismissed following the kids’ message, escorted by our Orchard Kids’ Leaders to our beautiful outdoor classroom space in the children’s play yard. We will have our Bible story, activities, crafts, and games in a specially designed format following current health and safety guidelines. Parents, please come to the children’s area immediately following the worship service and find all of your children in one place. Each family will receive a “My Church Bag” to be brought each week with basic supplies already included plus items from home: water bottle and mask for each child and a blanket for all siblings. Our team is so excited to see your family! See you Sunday!
Nursery care for children birth to 3 years old is available by RSVP only to Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
Interested in being a Volunteer? Middle school through adult, please contact Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
While we understand that some may not feel comfortable coming back in person or having to wear masks while on the Orchard campus, we encourage you to stay home and join us online with our Live Stream.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursdays from 10 am to noon.
Masks and social distancing are required.
If you are unable to make it in during our office hours, please send an email to info@orchardventura.org and or leave a message at (805) 647-3757.