Pastor East R. Sunrize had begun planning his sermon for the 11 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday.
The 40-year-veteran of pastoral ministry decided to concentrate on Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection during the sermon.
“When I talk about the Crucifixion, I’m going to focus on the fact that Christ’s death on the Cross was necessary to save mankind from sin,” Pastor Sunrize told his wife, Sunny. “And when I talk about the Resurrection, I plan to emphasize that Jesus’ coming out of the grave proves that He is more powerful than death.”
“Your messages are always so timely and inspiring,” said Sunny.
“That’s because I must depend on the power of the Holy Spirit,” said the pastor. “If I depend on myself and my own ability to preach God’s Holy Word, I know I’ll fall flat on my face.”
Pastor Sonrize decided to ask his associate pastor, Solar Sunraze, to preach the message at the church’s sunrise service.
Associate Pastor Sunraze had only been in the ministry for about three years, and he accepted most opportunities to preach. “It’s a blessing to stand behind the pulpit to preach God’s Holy Word,” he said.
He enjoyed preaching revivals, kids crusades, and Vacation Bible Schools, hosted the church’s radio and TV ministries, and wrote a newspaper column.
About two weeks before Easter, Pastor Sunrize called his associate pastor. “I’ve been thinking about offering a new ministry opportunity to you,” said the pastor. “I know how passionate you are about preaching the gospel.”
“Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood so that I could live forever with Him!,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “It’s a great honor to be called into ministry. So what is this new ministry opportunity you mentioned?”
“You know that Easter is coming up in a couple of weeks, right?,” asked the pastor.
“Yes, and I can hardly wait to hear you preach about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “It was through the Crucifixion that Jesus shed His blood, and it was the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.”
“I would like for you to preach an Easter message for the sunrise service at the church,” said Pastor Sunrize. “It starts at 6:30 a.m.”
“I am so excited that you’re offering this opportunity to me,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “But I’m afraid I must turn down your request.”
“But why?,” asked the pastor.
“I feel I must always be fully awake when I preach,” said the associate pastor. “You see, I’m not a morning person.
“If I start preaching a sermon when I’m not wide awake, I might fall asleep while I’m preaching. And it would be the first time I’ve ever fallen asleep during one of my own sermons!”
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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.
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