First Baptist Church-Hartshorne

04/04/2026

What Was Jesus Doing While His Body Lay in the Tomb?

From the outside, it appeared that nothing was happening.

But Scripture gives us glimpses that something profound was taking place.

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Jesus Was Not Inactive

1 Peter 3:18–19 (KJV)
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God… being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;”

Peter tells us that after His death:
• Jesus was alive in the Spirit
• He went somewhere intentionally
• He preached to “spirits in prison”

The word preached means “to proclaim” or “to announce.”

This was not a message of salvation, but a declaration.

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What Did Jesus Proclaim?

Scripture points clearly to a proclamation of victory.

Colossians 2:15 (KJV)
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Jesus was not suffering in hell.
He was declaring that:
• Sin had been paid for
• Death had been defeated
• Satan had been overcome

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Where Did Jesus Go?

The Bible uses the word “hell” in different ways.

In this context, it refers to:
• The realm of the dead (Hades or Sheol)
• Not the final place of judgment

Acts 2:27 (KJV)
“Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Peter explains that Jesus entered the realm of the dead but was not left there.

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Did Jesus Take Authority There?

Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore… and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Keys represent authority and control.

Jesus is declaring that death no longer holds power over humanity—He does.

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How Did Peter Know This?

Peter was not speculating. His understanding came from three sources:

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1. Jesus Taught Him After the Resurrection

Luke 24:27 (KJV)
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

After rising from the dead, Jesus explained the Scriptures to His disciples.

He helped them understand what had happened and why.

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2. Peter Witnessed the Risen Christ

Peter saw Jesus alive after the crucifixion.

This transformed his understanding of everything that had taken place.

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3. The Holy Spirit Gave Him Understanding

John 14:26 (KJV)
“But the Comforter… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance…”

After Pentecost, Peter spoke with clarity and authority because the Holy Spirit revealed truth to him.

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What Was Happing on That “Silent Saturday”?

While the world saw silence, Jesus was at work.

He was:
• Moving in the unseen realm
• Declaring victory over spiritual powers
• Conquering death itself

The tomb was not a place of defeat.
It was the moment between payment and resurrection.

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Devotional Thought

What looks like silence may actually be God working in ways we cannot see.

The disciples believed it was over.

But heaven was declaring that it was finished.

04/04/2026

🌑 The Longest Day: A Devotional for the Day Before the Resurrection

📖 The Setting: What Just Happened

Jesus has died.

Luke 23:46 (KJV)
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

The sky had gone dark. The veil had torn. The earth had shaken.

And then… silence.

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⏳ Why They Had to Hurry

The Jews were under strict Sabbath law.
• The Sabbath began at sunset Friday
• No work could be done (Exodus 20:10)
• Touching a dead body caused ceremonial uncleanness (Numbers 19:11)

So they had very little time to prepare Jesus’ body before Sabbath began.

John 19:31 (KJV)
“…that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day…”

What Joseph and Nicodemus Did:
• Took Jesus down quickly
• Wrapped Him in linen with spices (about 75 pounds worth)
• Placed Him in a nearby tomb

John 19:42 (KJV)
“There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.”

This was not a complete burial—it was rushed.

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🌸 What Mary and the Women Were Doing

The women were watching… carefully.

Luke 23:55–56 (KJV)
“And the women also… followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.”

They:
• Saw where He was laid
• Prepared spices for a proper burial
• Then… had to stop

Not because they didn’t love Him—
but because the Law said: Wait.

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🕯️ What the Disciples Were Experiencing

Imagine their hearts:
• Peter → crushed by denial
• John → grieving deeply
• The others → hiding in fear

John 20:19 (KJV)
“…the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews…”

Their reality:
• The Messiah… dead
• Their hope… buried
• Their future… uncertain

They were not expecting a resurrection.
They thought it was over.

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😔 Why the Day Felt So Long

They were living in the tension of:
• Promise given
• Hope shattered
• Silence from heaven

No miracles.
No voice from God.
No movement.

Just… waiting.

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🌑 The Spiritual Weight of That Day

This was a day of:
• Confusion
• Grief
• Obedience without understanding

The women had spices ready… but couldn’t go.
The disciples had questions… but no answers.

Everything in them likely cried out:

“Do something!”

But heaven was quiet.

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💡 What God Was Actually Doing

While they waited… God was working.

The cross had paid the price.
The tomb was not the end—it was the pause before victory.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

They just didn’t know it yet.

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🙏 Devotional Thought

Sometimes there is a “Saturday” in life:
• The promise feels buried
• The prayers feel unanswered
• Heaven feels silent

But silence does not mean absence.

The same God who was working in the tomb
is working in the waiting.

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❤️ Application
• Obey even when you don’t understand
• Wait even when it hurts
• Trust even when it’s silent

Because Sunday is coming.

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🙏 Prayer

Father,
Help me trust You in the silence.
When I don’t see movement, remind me You are still working.
Give me faith to wait even when I don’t understand.
And help me remember—the story is not over.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

04/03/2026

We are ready for an Easter Egg Hunt! Bring your little ones this Easter Sunday Morning to have a great time! 10 AM!

04/03/2026

GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL: “IT IS FINISHED”

Scripture Reading (KJV):
John 19:30 – “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

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# # ✝️ The Significance of This Day

Good Friday is the day Jesus Christ was crucified. It is the darkest moment in human history—and yet, it is called good because of what was accomplished on that cross.

On this day, Jesus:
- Bore the full weight of our sin
- Took upon Himself the judgment we deserved
- Opened the way for sinners to be reconciled to God

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV):
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The cross was not an accident—it was the plan of God from the beginning.

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# # 📜 Prophecies Fulfilled at the Cross

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Scripture foretold His suffering in vivid detail:

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV):
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Psalm 22:16,18 (KJV):
“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

Zechariah 12:10 (KJV):
“…they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”

Every detail—from the piercing of His hands and feet to the casting of lots for His clothing—was fulfilled at the cross. This was no coincidence. This was divine purpose.

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# # 🕊️ The Sayings of Jesus from the Cross

Even in His suffering, Jesus spoke words that reveal the heart of God:

1. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
→ Jesus offers forgiveness even to those who crucified Him. This shows the depth of God’s mercy.

2. “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
→ Spoken to the repentant thief, this shows that salvation is by grace through faith, even at life’s final moment.

3. “Woman, behold thy son… Behold thy mother.” (John 19:26–27)
→ Even in agony, Jesus cares for others. His love is personal and compassionate.

4. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
→ Jesus experiences the weight of sin and separation so we would never have to.

5. “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
→ A reminder of His humanity and the physical suffering He endured for us.

6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
→ The work of redemption is complete. The debt of sin is fully paid.

7. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
→ Jesus entrusts Himself fully to the Father. Even in death, there is trust.

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# # 🌅 The Hope of the Cross

The cross is not the end of the story—it is the doorway to hope.

Because of the cross:
- Sin can be forgiven
- Guilt can be removed
- Broken lives can be restored
- Death is no longer the final word

Romans 5:8 (KJV):
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The cross declares that you are loved—deeply, personally, and eternally.

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# # 📣 A Call to the Gospel

The message of Good Friday calls for a response.

Romans 10:9 (KJV):
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Jesus did not die merely to be remembered—He died to be received.

Today, you can:
- Turn from your sin
- Trust in Jesus Christ alone
- Receive forgiveness and new life

This is not about religion—it is about redemption.

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# # 🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the cross. Thank You for bearing my sin, my shame, and my judgment. I believe that You died for me and that Your work is finished. Help me to trust You fully, follow You faithfully, and live in the hope You have given. Amen.

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“It is finished.”
Not partially done. Not almost complete.
Fully accomplished. Eternally sufficient.

And because of that… there is hope

04/03/2026

Today is Good Friday. What’s good about it? At the time of this post Jesus has been nailed to the cross and lifted up before God and man. What was the purpose? The purpose was to pay for our sin. To satisfy the wrath of God towards sin. That’s what the cross accomplished for us. If the cross didn’t accomplish this, then it’s bad Friday! We are still lost. We are not forgiven. There is zero hope. But Sunday is coming…..

04/02/2026

We want to invite you to Sunrise Service in our fellowship hall at 7 AM on Easter morning!

04/01/2026

We will have an Easter Egg hunt for the kiddos at 10:15 AM on Easter Morning! Bring your little ones!

03/29/2026

03/28/2026

Come have lunch with with us tomorrow! We are observing the Lords Supper and having lunch after the morning service! 11:00 AM! See you there!

01/28/2026

No service tonight at the church! No live! Have safe evening!

01/24/2026

Hey church family! The first wave of the storm arrived and we have some more to go. Therefore, we will not have services at the church tomorrow! Join me live on our church page at 10 AM! Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the Marshmallow World just listen to Dean Martin if you don't know what that is!

08/30/2025

Hey church family! We have 5th Sunday Singing tomorrow! Lunch after church so bring a Crock Pot or covered dish, salad, sides, and desserts. Singing and preaching afterwards! Invite and friend two!