Easter Sunrise

Easter Dawn

27 March 2016

Luke 224:1-11

Life Now Makes Sense

Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever.

The disciples’ early unbelief gave way to faith. When they saw the risen lord. Christ now overcomes people’ unbelief through His Word and promise. (Vv.25-27, 32, 45) These promises center in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Life now has meaning for us.

Have you ever felt that life has no meaning? No purpose? No sense to it all?

1.       The meaninglessness of life is a problem of human nature.

A.      Many have no purpose that reaches beyond this life; hence, despair and hopelessness arise.

B.      The fall robbed human beings of their life, hope and future.

C.      Because of sin, our only future is death and damnation.

2.       Christ gives meaning to our life.

A.      His work gives meaning.

1.       He suffered and died (v.7a)

2.       He rose again (6 indications in our text!)

3.       This work was necessary (v.7) for people to have forgiveness (24:26-47)

B.      This gives meaning to all history.

1.       The previous ages looked forward to it.

a.       God’s saving acts in the Old Testament prefigured it. (see Ex.15:1-11)

b.      The Old Testament predictions foretold it. (see Is. 52:13-53:12)

c.       Christ Himself predicted it (see Luke 9:22, 44; 17:24-25; 18:31-33)

2.       Due to His work, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all.

C.      This gives meaning to each of us.

1.       Through the proclamation of Christ God offers the forgiveness of sin.

2.       With sin forgiven, we have life through the Living One (Luke 24:5)

3.       We now have a future and a home – eternal life.

4.       We now have a purpose in life – to proclaim repentance and forgiveness. In His name, we proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations.

Life is no longer meaningless. Because He lives, we shall live also! Because “He is not here; He is risen indeed!” Christ’s resurrection gives purpose to our life in this world.

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Words – 304

Passive Sentences –3%

Readability – 75%

Reading Level – 4.6