1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:07,680 As is tradition, let me just. Say he is. 2 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:12,960 Risen, Amen. That could be the. 3 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:16,600 Sermon right there, but I want to at least offer some thoughts 4 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:20,600 behind that declaration of the power of the risen Christ. 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:22,560 And we'll start just by looking at a. 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:27,120 Passage of Scripture that that. Very phrase comes from so if you 7 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:30,760 have a Bible, we are going to do a time in the word in Luke 8 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:32,920 chapter. 24 and. If you don't, we'd. 9 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:34,360 Love to get you a Bible, but we'll have the. 10 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,600 Word words on the screen it says this moment in. 11 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:40,400 History that we celebrate. Today accounted. 12 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:43,960 By the Gospel writer. Luke in chapter 24, now on the 13 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:46,680 first day of the week. Very. 14 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:50,360 Early in the morning, they and certain other women with them 15 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:55,920 came to the tomb, bringing the. Spices which they had prepared, 16 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,880 but they. Found the stone, rolled away 17 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:04,280 from the tomb, then they went in and did not find the body of the 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:10,160 Lord Jesus, and it happened. As they were greatly perplexed 19 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,160 about this. That behold, 2 men stood by them 20 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:17,960 in shining garments, then as they were afraid, and bowed. 21 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:20,600 Their faces to the earth. They said to them. 22 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:26,000 Why do you seek the? Living among the dead, He is not 23 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:32,040 here, He is risen. And those 3 words change the 24 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:36,160 course of human history and we are now celebrating with the 25 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:37,680 global. Church who has put their. 26 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:40,160 Faith in the. Power of the Savior of the 27 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:41,800 world. Conquering death. 28 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:44,600 He has risen and it's a beautiful message. 29 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,080 It's a message that is almost daunting to. 30 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,640 Share with you because. What can I add? 31 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,360 This is a global. Celebration around the world. 32 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:55,440 And as I was thinking about this morning, I thought of. 33 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,480 The. Very best Easter message I've 34 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:03,280 ever heard in my life. And it did not come from an 35 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,400 Easter morning sermon. It didn't even come from a 36 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,919 pastor preaching A sermon. It came as a question was. 37 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:11,840 Asked to a pastor that I find very. 38 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,240 Helpful. It's a question that I think. 39 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,640 All of you wrestle with. Whether you know it or not, and 40 00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:21,080 the question was simple. What would you say to people? 41 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,960 In such uncertain times to give them hope. 42 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,760 And the reason that question is so important is because I know 43 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,280 that right now I. Preach. 44 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,480 In the midst of an uncertain time in human. 45 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:36,800 History. There's just. 46 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:40,360 Uncertainty in in our air right now with wars and rumors of wars 47 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,600 and uncertain economy and all of the uncertainties that. 48 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:48,280 Don't just exist out there, but they exist right here. 49 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:51,360 That some of you brought uncertainty in this sanctuary. 50 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,400 You can't. Push pause for Easter, you have 51 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,520 to deal with the. Things in your life that burn in 52 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,840 your heart and plague your mind. And if that isn't you right now, 53 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:00,840 I promise you, you're going to leave this sanctuary. 54 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,360 You're going to walk into a world that. 55 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,760 Awaits you. With uncertainty, troubling 56 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,720 news, difficult circumstances, hard diagnosis to hear about, 57 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,800 and so the question of what? Do you tell people? 58 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,480 In the midst of uncertainty is the question that everybody 59 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:17,640 should be wrestling with, and that's what I love. 60 00:03:17,640 --> 00:03:19,520 What this pastor said, he said very. 61 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:24,760 Simply if the resurrection of Jesus conquering the. 62 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:29,480 Grave is true. Then everything is going to be 63 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,560 OK. And that's the reality. 64 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,040 We we come here for those of. You who believe that the. 65 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,840 Resurrection of Jesus conquering from the grave. 66 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,360 Is true. You come here with incredible. 67 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:44,880 Hope, praise the living. God who conquered the enemy of 68 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,880 death. And yet that message is never 69 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:51,680 delivered in such a way that people just hear it and they're 70 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,200 like, OK, well then I'll just take that and everything will be 71 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:56,280 OK. I know that there will. 72 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,040 Be people who hear the message of Jesus. 73 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,120 Conquering the grave this morning and and will still feel 74 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,720 uncertain and that is nothing new the passage of. 75 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,320 Scripture I just. Read Luke chapter. 24 is 76 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,360 actually the message of that. Great news. 77 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,520 He has risen, entering into a story of uncertainty and people 78 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,240 wrestling with their uncertainty. 79 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,680 It didn't. It didn't cure it in an instant. 80 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:22,200 As we read, the women were. Greatly perplexed. 81 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:24,840 They were bringing spices to anoint a dead. 82 00:04:24,840 --> 00:04:27,320 Body. They weren't sure of the shining 83 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,360 white men that they saw what was happening, and then they were. 84 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,600 Told to go tell. The others and look. 85 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,960 What the others? Say in verse 11, as the women 86 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:39,840 give the report, the tomb is empty and their words seem to 87 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:41,440 them like. Idle Tales the. 88 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,840 Disciples hear this and they were like this seems like 89 00:04:44,840 --> 00:04:49,400 nonsense and they did not believe them. 90 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,760 The story will continue to give another scene on the Easter 91 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,560 morning of some disciples that were just on their journey back 92 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:00,520 home Rd. to Emmaus and Christ. Will appear to them. 93 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,840 And he will meet them in. All sorts of hopeless loss. 94 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,400 In fact, as they. Give a report for why they're 95 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:07,520 so. Down and heavy. 96 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:09,640 Hearted, it says. They were hoping that it was. 97 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,200 He Jesus. Who is going to redeem Israel? 98 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:14,840 They were hoping. Hope's lost, it's gone. 99 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:18,320 And the message. Reaches this. 100 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:22,000 Morning in this sanctuary, in this moment of world history. 101 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:25,040 In the exact same way. Great news, uncertain times, and 102 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,560 wrestling with doubt. In fact, right now, if the 103 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:32,160 numbers hold true, there's only a certain number of you. 104 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,000 That actually believe this with all of your hearts. 105 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,480 Listen to a recent. Survey. 106 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,600 It says that 66. Percent of Americans believe the 107 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:45,080 biblical accounts of Jesus physically raising. 108 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,400 As accurate. So we got about two out of 109 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:50,200 three. People in our country that say 110 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:52,520 this is a moment in history. But here's why this. 111 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:56,240 Statistic is interesting. It goes on to say only about. 112 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,600 Half of that number. Strongly believe it. 113 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:01,600 So they believe it. As a moment of. 114 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:04,320 History, they just don't believe it with their life. 115 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:07,640 And welcome to Easter morning around the. 116 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:11,200 World, you believe it. Some of you as a moment of 117 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:16,280 history, a nice pat on the back once a year, as a moment of 118 00:06:16,280 --> 00:06:18,760 religion or tradition. You just don't believe. 119 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,840 It with your life. And so for. 120 00:06:22,840 --> 00:06:25,560 That that reality the. Wrestling. 121 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:29,880 That must happen. I find it worth our time this 122 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,760 morning to not. Just celebrate the reality of 123 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,600 the. Resurrection, but also consider 124 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,520 if the resurrection wasn't true. If the way you lived your life 125 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:41,240 is though. Easter is just another day on 126 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:43,880 the calendar to get, you know, dressed up and take family 127 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:47,280 photos and then go on as if you don't actually strongly believe 128 00:06:47,280 --> 00:06:48,720 it has any implications for your. 129 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:53,520 Life, what is that? Message if the message. 130 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:55,440 Of Easter is that? If Jesus. 131 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:58,320 Conquered the grave. Everything's OK then the message 132 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,880 that Jesus didn't conquer the grave is that nothing's going to 133 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,480 be OK. And I say that. 134 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,000 With confidence because as we look. 135 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,000 For. A biblical account of the 136 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,280 resurrection in the word we don't only find. 137 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:13,640 History of resurrection. We also find philosophy of 138 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:17,200 resurrection so Luke chapter 24 and the other gospel accounts 139 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:20,320 give us an amazing history eyewitness history of the 140 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,360 resurrection as a. Historical reality. 141 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:26,600 And we find other moments of Scripture that help people 142 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,480 wrestling with whether or not the resurrection is actually 143 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:33,760 necessary for your life. So there's a letter that we 144 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,280 call. First Corinthians, and it was 145 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,560 written to a church wrestling with how important the 146 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,480 resurrection actually was to the Christian faith. 147 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,360 Is it possible just to like the? Ideas and gather in this way and 148 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,400 not be so. Serious about this? 149 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,800 Moment in history and and. For that philosophical thought. 150 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:54,960 Experiment. We're going to find a couple 151 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:59,840 alternative endings to the story that hang over your head this 152 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,160 morning. Either the resurrection happened 153 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:04,840 or it didn't. If it happened, everything's OK. 154 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,240 If it didn't. Here's what the philosophical 155 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,240 alternative offers you. First, first. 156 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:16,880 Corinthians chapter 15 If Christ is not risen, then our preaching 157 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,480 is empty, and your faith also is empty. 158 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:22,000 And he goes. On to say yes. 159 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,720 And we are found false witnesses of God. 160 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,240 That's a heavy accusation. If I'm standing up here saying 161 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,080 he is risen and you reply saying he's risen indeed and he isn't. 162 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,520 We're all false witnesses. And the message? 163 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:37,159 That. Follows this message the. 164 00:08:37,159 --> 00:08:42,720 Therefore, how to live? Is also empty in other. 165 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:47,320 Words if the. Tomb is not empty. 166 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,720 The. Christian message is and 167 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:57,080 everything that we do, no matter how nice it may be, the 168 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,440 preaching and the singing and the nice gathering and the 169 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:00,920 photos that you take. They are. 170 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:05,120 All empty and meaningless. Here's how one theologian put it 171 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:11,040 The person and work of Christ are the rock upon which the 172 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,520 Christian religion is built. If he is not. 173 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:18,520 Who he said he was. And if Jesus did not do? 174 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:21,760 What he said he. Had come to do, namely to pay 175 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,280 for the sins of the world by dying on the cross and 176 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,920 conquering the conquering death by rising on the third day. 177 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:33,400 If this never happened, the foundation is undermined and 178 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,800 the. Whole superstructure will 179 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,880 collapse if the. Resurrection doesn't happen. 180 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:44,320 This is all one big House of. Cards that should topple. 181 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:48,240 Over and so I. Paused there because some of 182 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,840 you. No doubt, and I say that with 183 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:53,360 confidence because I'm here on most Sundays and you're not. 184 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,400 I have a pretty good read on what this place usually looks 185 00:09:58,400 --> 00:09:59,600 like. And I know. 186 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,320 We got some visitors. And in your. 187 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,680 Visitation you probably. Don't return because of 188 00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:07,480 critiques and skepticism. Which are probably valid. 189 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:10,720 There's all sorts of good critiques of the church. 190 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,080 And the modern church and the way. 191 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:15,200 All of this looks. But none of them matter unless 192 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,160 you have the foundational critique and skepticism. 193 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,360 So let me help you understand why you shouldn't. 194 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:26,000 Come back the critique. Should not be. 195 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:28,520 That you just, You like Jesus, you just. 196 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,880 Don't like Christians? I hear that because you know 197 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:36,360 Christ in, in, in in an operation that is a mystery to 198 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:38,680 me. Gives much of His glory for us 199 00:10:38,680 --> 00:10:40,840 to share with the world. And we don't do that perfectly. 200 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:43,680 And if you don't like Christians, welcome to the. 201 00:10:43,680 --> 00:10:45,920 Club. We often don't like each other 202 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:47,760 and that's why we get together once a. 203 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,360 Week to talk. Through our differences and 204 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,760 honor God as He works on us with grace. 205 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,600 But that cannot be the primary critique, because if Christ 206 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,840 didn't rise, it doesn't matter. All of this is empty. 207 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,120 You also cannot have the critique. 208 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,600 That you you like the idea. And the gathering in the 209 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,000 community, and maybe even the songs. 210 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,120 You just don't like the narrow moral. 211 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:14,560 Ethics that Jesus teaches his followers to walk down if 212 00:11:14,560 --> 00:11:17,760 Christ. Rose from the grave. 213 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,560 Is he? If he stands alone as the only 214 00:11:21,560 --> 00:11:25,560 human to ever conquer death and create a movement around his 215 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:29,160 resurrection, you might want to listen about how he. 216 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:34,960 Teaches us to live life. And your critique cannot be What 217 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:36,960 about all the other great religions of the world? 218 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:39,480 This is a good way. For some of you. 219 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:41,480 Who believe it, but there are lots of good ways. 220 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:45,760 And I I ask you to consider this this morning. 221 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:51,480 Christianity alone stands on the claim. 222 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:57,400 That our leader. Savior and Lord is resurrected 223 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:02,720 and alive and it in doing so it. Separates itself from every. 224 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:08,120 Other worldview or religion that you can find or consider if you 225 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:10,960 find. The ashes of Buddha. 226 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,560 You can continue in your pursuit of Nirvana through Buddhism. 227 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:19,080 The movement rolls on. If you. 228 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:23,080 Find the supposed grave. Site of the Prophet. 229 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:27,320 Muhammad, you can continue in your study of the Quran and 230 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:29,560 there is not an issue. With his dead body. 231 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,920 The movement rolls on. If you. 232 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,400 Found by the Revelation. Of God the burial. 233 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:37,360 Place of Moses you can continue to. 234 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,280 Practice the Levitical law. And ceremonies. 235 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:45,840 Judaism rolls on, as with every other religion that you will 236 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:50,880 find apart from Christ. But the believers in Jesus alone 237 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:54,520 have staked the claim that the tomb is empty. 238 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:59,080 And if it isn't, then Christianity is. 239 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:01,840 If. Christ is dead, then 240 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,680 Christianity is a dead end. And for those of you who are 241 00:13:05,680 --> 00:13:07,720 visiting, you, pick the perfect weekend actually. 242 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:10,880 Because it all. Rises and falls on the 243 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:16,480 resurrection, and if the resurrection doesn't happen, you 244 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,000 don't have to come back next Sunday. 245 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:22,840 Enjoy the rest of your Sundays. Buy a good self help book. 246 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,000 And move on with your. Life because. 247 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:30,440 All of this is meaningless if Christ did not rise. 248 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:34,960 The Christian message is empty and a waste of your time. 249 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:39,000 And he goes on to say, because there are other implications of 250 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:44,360 what we are celebrating. That require a resurrected 251 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:48,840 savior. Namely, something that hangs 252 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,000 over all of your heads and exists in all of your hearts and 253 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,480 minds as trouble in your life. And that is? 254 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,280 How do you deal with? Sin. 255 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,280 Yes, sin on a Sunday morning at church. 256 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,840 The. Apostle Paul goes on to write If 257 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,520 Christ is not risen, risen. Your faith is. 258 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,480 Futile and you are. Still. 259 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:16,240 In your sins, this is a fundamental. 260 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:19,560 Problem for your life. And there. 261 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:25,200 Is a pursuit that all of us are. On whether you know it or not to 262 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,880 try to cleanse ourselves from the weight of. 263 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:32,000 What the Bible calls. Our unrighteousness that you 264 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,560 were made. To live. 265 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,760 A certain way and honor God and love others and all of us have 266 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:42,240 broken that in the early 1900's, the times of London. 267 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:45,040 So London's. Newspaper of the day. 268 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,880 Sent out a question. To the the. 269 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,440 Thinkers the thought. Leaders of their city. 270 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:57,120 And it was very simple. What is wrong with the world? 271 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:01,160 It's probably a question all. Of us have wrestled with as well 272 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:03,120 what is. Wrong with this world that just 273 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,280 seems to be breaking all around us. 274 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,280 And being a newspaper, I'm sure they expected to get, you know, 275 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:10,800 long form. Essays or prose about. 276 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,680 You know, all of the things that we typically answer as the. 277 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:16,560 As the real. Problems of the World the. 278 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,000 The chaos of politics. The empty promises of 279 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:24,040 politicians, the uncertainty of the economy, the. 280 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,280 The coach. That has LED your team astray. 281 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:29,240 Social media and all the problems of our day. 282 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:36,640 And yet there was 1 clear answer that stood apart from the rest. 283 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,920 It's simply said by the famous Christian thinker GK Chesterton. 284 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:47,680 Dear Sirs. I am and in. 285 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,160 Those two words, the. Problem of the world is, I am. 286 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:54,840 It's me. He diagnosed the problem with 287 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:59,320 his city and his country and our city and our country and every 288 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:02,000 city and every country and every part of the world, including. 289 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,800 Your part of the. World, the problem is sin. 290 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:10,360 The problem is, as much as we wish it was just out there and 291 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:13,120 someday we could with human effort and ingenuity. 292 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:14,560 Solve the problems. Of the world. 293 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,520 The problem is, in every human heart there is a nature that 294 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:22,200 goes against the design. The problem is that we have all 295 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,880 sinned and fallen short. Of God's glory. 296 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:29,600 You have all been sinned against, which I don't have to 297 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:33,120 spend a lot of time explaining. You all believe that, and you 298 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:40,960 have all sinned against others and every religion and every 299 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:46,600 worldview and most of your daily comforts and pursuits are trying 300 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,080 to reconcile with how to make right with that. 301 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:54,880 And once again we find ourselves this morning celebrating a 302 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:59,760 unique amongst all religions answer to the problem of sin. 303 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,160 Most of us. Default to some sort. 304 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:06,760 Of. Self-righteous pursuit of. 305 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:09,040 Cleansing ourselves, Do a little bit more good than bad. 306 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,960 Promise we'll never do it again. Reckon with you know, we're 307 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:13,520 we're better than the next guy over. 308 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,720 Or give ourselves to to these religious. 309 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:17,520 Duties that make us. Feel like good people. 310 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:19,560 And all of. That is world religion. 311 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:26,160 And then there is one solution that stands unique to the 312 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:30,680 Christian faith, which is God himself will meet humanity in 313 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:35,160 their filth of sin and reconcile sin for them. 314 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,920 This is the gospel message that God sent his Son into the. 315 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,120 World that, whoever. Would believe in him, wouldn't 316 00:17:42,120 --> 00:17:45,800 perish from sin. And this is the Good Friday 317 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:47,680 message you do not get to. Easter. 318 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:52,240 Without passing through Good Friday where we remembered. 319 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:57,160 That the perfect sacrifice. The Lamb of God paid the penalty 320 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:01,440 for our sin by dying on the cross, and we call it. 321 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,320 Good because it gives. Us the solution to the 322 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,800 fundamental we need. We have to be cleansed. 323 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:13,720 But. If he did not rise, then he did 324 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,640 not save you. A dead savior. 325 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,600 Cannot help you, doesn't. Matter how loud you. 326 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:24,720 Sing or how nice. You look at the gathering or how 327 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:27,560 hard you believe if he paid the price. 328 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,760 For sin and stayed dead, then the penalty for sin will. 329 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:37,400 Kill you too. And so there is no hope in the 330 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,560 Christian message, and there is no. 331 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,320 Hope that there's a. Solution for sin. 332 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:45,680 And because of that, there is no hope for something else that 333 00:18:46,120 --> 00:18:48,440 looms over the sanctuary right now. 334 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,680 Every single one of you have to reconcile this, and every single 335 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:53,960 one of you. Have probably done your. 336 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:56,280 Best to not think about it today and that is the. 337 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,520 Reality that there. Is a coming day. 338 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,640 Where you have to. Face your own mortality. 339 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,680 We call it death. And the apostle Paul says in 340 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:10,200 verse 18 then? Also if. 341 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,520 Christ has not risen. Those who have. 342 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:15,480 Fallen asleep in Christ. Have perished. 343 00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:20,000 Now just that one statement is. Full of theology. 344 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,760 And Christian tradition, because he says if Christ hasn't risen, 345 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:28,160 if you've fallen asleep, putting your faith in him, you're 346 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:32,640 perished. Falling asleep is. 347 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:38,280 How he describes death. And that is a Christian 348 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:42,320 tradition that has become so powerful that it creeps into all 349 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:45,760 of our language every time you use the word cemetery. 350 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,720 Cemetery is just. A way to say. 351 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:54,840 Resting place, and to say resting place, is a profound 352 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:59,680 statement of faith that death is not the end. 353 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,800 And yet, if death has not been defeated, death is in fact the 354 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:06,960 end. The word says. 355 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:11,600 If Christ isn't risen, then when you die you're perished. 356 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:15,000 Parishes it means. Expired for good. 357 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:17,560 You guys have non perishable food. 358 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:19,200 You put it in the pantry and it doesn't expire. 359 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,280 You can eat it. You know when the big one hits. 360 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,600 But perishable. Has an expiration date and then 361 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,040 it's gone for good and that is your life. 362 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:34,240 Except, of course. That there's something inside 363 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:38,480 every one of our hearts that. Refuses to believe that the 364 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:42,520 Bible says that God has. Written eternity on our hearts 365 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:44,920 this. Is why death always. 366 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:49,960 Seems untimely and unfair, and it's also why maybe the best. 367 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:53,320 Delivery of the resurrection. Hope that I ever give is not on 368 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:57,360 Easter but it is at the funeral and I have done countless 369 00:20:57,360 --> 00:20:59,760 funerals as. The pastor of this church. 370 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,680 Days that look much like today. People looking nicer than they 371 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:07,760 usually do coming to memorialize someone they love. 372 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:09,360 With. Flowers on the stage and a 373 00:21:09,360 --> 00:21:13,960 message of hope and I can tell you this, the funeral always 374 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:17,760 brings in the mixed bag of people and they were always 375 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:22,120 indiscriminate in the message that they long for that there is 376 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:25,600 some sort of. Hope for the sorrow of the loved 377 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:30,600 loss, everybody. When you're looking at death in 378 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:36,040 the face, eternity written on your heart, everybody knows that 379 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:40,320 death is not supposed to win. That there is supposed. 380 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:42,920 To be something that we can do, to encourage. 381 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:46,240 Each other with tears of sorrow. That death is not the end. 382 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:54,360 And yet, if Christ didn't raise, where do you get such hope? 383 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,960 If the, if the. Message that God sent his son 384 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:00,560 into the. World to conquer death. 385 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:04,960 And he in fact did conquer it. If that's just a myth or a 386 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:08,520 legend or a nice idea, then death will defeat you. 387 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:10,960 And when you die? Your perish and. 388 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:18,840 That bleeds into now, the final way that this alternative ending 389 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:23,120 to the Easter morning has implications for your life, 390 00:22:23,120 --> 00:22:26,320 whether you believe it or not. If Christ didn't raise. 391 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:31,160 Not only do you have no hope for sin and no hope for death, you 392 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:36,080 also have no. Hope for life itself, the 393 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:38,400 Apostle. Paul goes on to say, If in this 394 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:44,480 life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the 395 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:51,160 most pitiable. If you come here and you like, 396 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,400 you know, the warm feeling that you get and the encouragement 397 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:58,920 that you know, there's some story beyond the grave, but it 398 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:03,120 isn't. True, the word says. 399 00:23:03,120 --> 00:23:04,920 This morning. That the world should feel 400 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:08,720 sorry. For you that your mind has been 401 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:12,200 convinced of something. That would give you hope, but is 402 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:15,680 actually hopeless. And I have to say, I've heard it 403 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,040 said, And maybe you've felt this way in your own life. 404 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:20,320 Maybe you think this now as you come to church with a. 405 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:23,560 Take it or leave it attitude. I've heard it said that you 406 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:28,320 know, even if Jesus is a a myth of history passed down through 407 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:31,800 well meaning religious people. Even if the the Easter message 408 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,800 is more legend, surely there are some great things about his 409 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:40,440 teachings that we can all enjoy. Surely when you when you hear 410 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:42,760 the profound. Truth of the. 411 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:45,760 Sermon on the Mount and how we should treat one another and 412 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:47,840 love one another and sacrifice for one another. 413 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:50,760 Surely we can just stake our lives on that and move on, 414 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:58,000 whether it's true or not. If you feel that way, the word 415 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,080 this morning says you are a. Fool that should get pity. 416 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,920 And it stands to reason for anyone who. 417 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:08,400 Actually takes the. Teachings of Jesus, the come and 418 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:12,880 follow me invitation of Jesus. Seriously, it does not work for 419 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:15,320 this life only. If. 420 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,200 You read the Sermon on the Mount and you hear. 421 00:24:18,360 --> 00:24:20,640 His call for his people to look all. 422 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:22,920 Together, different in the way. They have radical love. 423 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:27,040 Even for enemies that if an enemy were to slap you on one 424 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:29,600 cheek, you could turn the other if an enemy were to. 425 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:31,960 Ask for your shirt. You give them your coat. 426 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:35,480 Also, if an enemy required you to go one mile and carrying 427 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:39,840 their bags, you go too. And he makes it all make sense 428 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:41,720 by saying don't. Store up treasures. 429 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:43,760 On Earth, they're going to be destroyed. 430 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:45,320 They're going to rust. They're going to be. 431 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:49,240 Stolen. Live everything you have and 432 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:51,960 store up all your treasures and all your hope and all your. 433 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,360 Payoff for the. Eternal Kingdom if there is no 434 00:24:55,360 --> 00:24:58,000 eternal Kingdom. If this life. 435 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,440 Is all you have and it's gone in the blink of an eye. 436 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:03,440 Then you would be a fool. To live. 437 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:08,800 For a hope beyond now. And that is what the conclusion 438 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:11,200 that First Corinthians 15 brings us to. 439 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:17,200 He says if the dead do not rise, then and therefore let us eat 440 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,400 and drink for tomorrow. We die. 441 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:27,200 You may not like hearing this. But it's a reality. 442 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:30,320 Life is a blink of an eye, and if there is no hope beyond the 443 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:34,040 grave, it will come and go with nothing but meaningless 444 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:37,040 pursuits, he says. Eat and drink. 445 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:40,280 Tomorrow you're going to be dead anyway and that'll be that. 446 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,560 Heard one person say you live like a hog and you die like a 447 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:46,360 dog and you're going to die and that's that. 448 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:54,280 We could expound upon that. Some people build up their own 449 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:56,640 earthly Kingdom knowing they have a blink of an eye and 450 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,000 that's that and so. They live to lie and. 451 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,280 Cheat and be greedy for tomorrow they're going to die and that's 452 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:04,160 that. And who's to tell them they're 453 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:08,280 wrong? You can scroll and swipe and do 454 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:12,240 everything in your power to feel numb against all of the 455 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:14,400 uncertainty of the world. For tomorrow you die anyway, and 456 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:20,440 that's that. You can worry and despair and 457 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,520 feel hopeless, and tomorrow you're going to die. 458 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:29,680 And that's that. Because ultimately, if there is 459 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,280 no God, and if he has not revealed himself by entering 460 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:37,320 into the story of humanity, paying the penalty to bring 461 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:44,160 humanity back to him, and conquering death, then there's 462 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:48,680 no hope in life. There's no hope in the Christian 463 00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:50,560 message. There's no hope for your sin, 464 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:53,400 there is no hope for your death, and there is no hope in. 465 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:57,120 Life if Christ is. Not Risen. 466 00:26:57,360 --> 00:27:03,920 Nothing's OK, and yet, while I have your attention, let me just 467 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:10,040 say with confidence that preaching the hopelessness of 468 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:13,880 the resurrection. Is patently false. 469 00:27:15,120 --> 00:27:18,960 With what we know about the Risen. 470 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:26,720 Power of Jesus Christ. And that is why the thought 471 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:31,080 experiment does not end open-ended 1st Corinthians 15, 472 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:32,680 verse 20. Closes the. 473 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:38,360 Experiment by saying this. But now Christ is risen, He is 474 00:27:38,360 --> 00:27:40,320 rose from the dead and has become the. 475 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:42,840 First, fruits of those who have. Fallen asleep. 476 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:46,320 The message is either completely hopeless or it is the greatest. 477 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:50,200 News you will ever hear. That God himself exchanged his. 478 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:52,440 Life. For yours and now. 479 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,920 All who believe. His death becomes. 480 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,720 Your death, His resurrection. Becomes your resurrection, He. 481 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:00,240 Is the first fruits. The pattern of things to come 482 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,760 from. Hopeless to hope is the power of 483 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:08,840 the. Resurrection and I I encourage 484 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:13,800 you, some of you, no doubt this message was given to stir. 485 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:15,760 Your hearts for. What you're really living for, 486 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:22,400 and some of you now have a hunger to know God and I want 487 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:23,920 you to know. That the Bible. 488 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,000 Promises If you seek him, if you knock, the door will be open. 489 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,680 If you seek him, you will find him and some of you. 490 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,680 Will be. Blessed by continuing our study 491 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:37,640 this morning, First Corinthians chapter 15 is an amazing chapter 492 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:41,920 for the evidence. Of the historical resurrection 493 00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:46,000 Paul lays out. The witnesses 500 who saw him 494 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,880 rise again and they still would have been alive at time of 495 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:50,600 writing. They could have been questioned 496 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:52,640 of what they saw. Paul lays out his. 497 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:55,640 Own conversion story from Enemy of. 498 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:58,640 Those who put their. Faith in the resurrection to an 499 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:01,840 encounter with the living Christ, to one who championed 500 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:10,210 the cause. And yet I. 501 00:29:10,210 --> 00:29:14,130 Realize that we. Stand now 2000 years, nearly 502 00:29:14,130 --> 00:29:18,000 2000 years from the foundation of the resurrection. 503 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:20,600 And it is. I sympathize with the critics. 504 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:26,280 It is hard to prove or falsify a historical. 505 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:27,720 Event from 2000. Years ago. 506 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:31,320 So the encouragement I leave you with. 507 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:38,240 Is that? You can know in your life the 508 00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:43,360 power of the resurrection here and today. 509 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,600 That your history. With the resurrection can start 510 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:52,160 with your encounter with Christ, CS Lewis says. 511 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:54,680 I believe in Christianity. As I believe. 512 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:58,920 That the sun has risen not only because I can see it. 513 00:29:59,960 --> 00:30:03,040 But because by it I see. Everything else this morning we 514 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:05,160 we came together for those. Of you who? 515 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:09,120 Were able to join at the train depot to watch the sunrise and 516 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:14,600 as the sun rises you see everything else and the same 517 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:21,680 principle can be and has been applied for the resurrection for 518 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,040 anyone who believes it is not just. 519 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:27,400 That it happened. Yes, it happened. 520 00:30:28,880 --> 00:30:34,040 But because it happened, you get the answers for everything else 521 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:37,960 in all. Of the ways that we wrestle with 522 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:41,400 the. Human heart condition of sin and 523 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:45,920 life and death because of the resurrection you can experience 524 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:50,720 from hopeless to hope considerate because he is risen, 525 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:52,720 you can't experience the. Power. 526 00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:57,200 Of the message. The message is not empty. 527 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:00,640 The message has been received. And those who receive. 528 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:03,720 It are known. By the. 529 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:06,080 Power of the resurrection. Look what it says in Romans 530 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:08,920 chapter 8. But if the same spirit of him 531 00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:14,560 who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised 532 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:16,280 Christ from the. Dead will also give. 533 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:20,760 Life to your mortal. Bodies through his. 534 00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:23,400 Spirit, who dwells in you, this is not. 535 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:25,800 A. Study in history alone. 536 00:31:26,880 --> 00:31:29,720 This is an invitation to come alive. 537 00:31:29,720 --> 00:31:33,720 By the power of. God in the Holy Spirit invading 538 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:36,360 your heart, you can know the power of the message. 539 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,480 Because he is. Risen you can experience. 540 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:42,440 The hope? Of the forgiveness of sins, I 541 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:49,560 think one of the reasons that hearing a message of sin, I mean 542 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,600 I mean to preach a message of sin, can sometimes feel 543 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:55,520 condemning. Is because we. 544 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:58,720 All wrestle with it. We all keep a pretty good. 545 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:01,840 Track record of the things that make us feel ashamed and feel 546 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:03,040 guilty. We all have a. 547 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:05,560 Pretty good understanding of things we wish we didn't do, but 548 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:06,960 we do. We all have a pretty. 549 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:08,760 Good understanding. Of what Jesus says. 550 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:11,600 Anyone who sins is a slave to sin, and we come in our 551 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:12,800 shackles. We say, I don't want to hear 552 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:16,840 about it. And yet. 553 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:20,400 Because of the. Resurrection Because sin has 554 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:23,200 been dealt with, you can experience the freedom of 555 00:32:23,200 --> 00:32:26,800 forgiveness. Why some of you sing so loud? 556 00:32:27,760 --> 00:32:31,200 It's because you come as a new creation, washed clean by the 557 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,560 blood of Christ in your hearts and in your minds, Ephesians 558 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:36,640 says. In Him we have redemption 559 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:38,760 through. His blood, the forgiveness. 560 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:43,080 Of sins according to the riches. Of His grace for those you of 561 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:46,240 you who believe you have. Forgiveness because of his. 562 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:50,360 Grace, I've heard it said. The cross of Christ. 563 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:53,160 Is the payment for sin and the resurrection. 564 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:57,680 Is the receipt. And because he has risen, you 565 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:05,200 can experience hope that death is not the end, you guys. 566 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:08,960 All look very lively. Today, so you might not be 567 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:13,520 thinking about your funeral, but I assure you, everyone of you, 568 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:19,600 it's a blink of an eye and the power of the resurrection is a. 569 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:22,960 Power that the Bible calls. A living hope that no matter 570 00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:26,920 what. This world throws at you all of 571 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:31,080 the trial and all of the tribulation death. 572 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:35,280 Is not the end. Easter is a moment where we look 573 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:38,840 back on the history that Christ did in. 574 00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:40,240 Fact. Raise that people. 575 00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:44,080 Did in fact walk into an empty tomb and stake their life on the 576 00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:49,080 Risen. Lord, but Easter is also a day 577 00:33:49,080 --> 00:33:52,680 where we look ahead. And with confidence you can look 578 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,240 ahead with eagerness that death is not the own it, not the end, 579 00:33:56,240 --> 00:34:00,120 it says in First Thessalonians. For the Lord himself, the living 580 00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:02,600 Christ. Himself will descend from heaven 581 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:05,800 with a shout, with the voice of an. 582 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:09,840 Archangel, and with the Trumpet of God and the Dead in. 583 00:34:09,840 --> 00:34:15,960 Christ will rise first. When you come to the funeral, 584 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:19,880 when you weep, the. Tears of sorrow. 585 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:24,239 You are You are weeping because you will miss them, but you are 586 00:34:24,239 --> 00:34:26,360 not weeping because you'll never see them again. 587 00:34:27,159 --> 00:34:30,880 The dead in. Christ will raise. 588 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:36,520 And because of all of those things, we have hope in life, 589 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:40,120 that in life. You will have trial. 590 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:42,480 You will have trouble. You will have difficulty. 591 00:34:42,639 --> 00:34:45,000 The the. Economy and the Wars and the 592 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:49,040 earthquakes and the cancer and the diagnosis and everything 593 00:34:49,040 --> 00:34:52,639 that the world. Throws at you, but take heart, 594 00:34:52,639 --> 00:34:56,400 because Christ. Has overcome because the 595 00:34:56,400 --> 00:35:01,040 resurrection is true, everything will be OK. 596 00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:04,280 Amen. Now. 597 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:11,600 If you believe that, even with a little bit of belief. 598 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:15,000 I want you to take communion with us to remember the 599 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:18,200 historical reality we remember his death and to remember the 600 00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:20,680 promise of the future until he comes. 601 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:23,280 And I want to leave you with. This for those of you who had 602 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:26,240 our Good Friday service, we put. Onto the screen we considered. 603 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:30,200 The death of Christ this this heavy reality that he died. 604 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,560 Because of our sin. And it just weighed on our 605 00:35:32,560 --> 00:35:33,960 hearts. And the screen said exit 606 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:36,520 quietly. And we did. 607 00:35:36,520 --> 00:35:40,480 We shuffled out and the lights were dark, but now we come. 608 00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:42,640 Three days later. And I want to tell you this, I 609 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:44,800 don't have a message on the screen, but I want to tell you 610 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:47,080 this. I don't want to exit quietly. 611 00:35:47,240 --> 00:35:51,120 I want you to leave in celebration because the 612 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:53,960 resurrection is true and because of that. 613 00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:58,120 We have hope for life. And death and everything's going 614 00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:01,000 to be OK. Thanks for joining us today. 615 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:04,040 If you would like to watch the full service, check out the link 616 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:06,880 in the description. For next steps and to learn 617 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:09,120 more, visit calvaryboise com.