Easter Festival

Easter 2019

Luke 24:1-11

“Stat Crux Dum Volvitur Orbis” –“The cross of Christ stands while the world spins.” Even when steeples are falling.  

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Its construction began in the 12th century. Was completed in the 13th century. A treasure of French Gothic architecture. One of the most famous symbols of Paris. Attracting 12 million visitors yearly. 850 years of history. Was reduced to a smoldering shell. In just a few short hours this past Monday. 

And on this day. Easter Sunday 2019. Especially within the context of events. Which shape our time. We must remember. Once again. The word, which we use for “church”. Is a translation of the Greek word ecclesia. (Εκκλησία) Meaning “a calling out.” It never refers to a building. Or a meeting place. But always to a people. The ones “called out” of this world by God. Calling them into His service.

The message of Easter. Is a third person confession of faith. “Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!” As well as a first person testimony. “I have seen the Lord” And this is the message those “called out” are to proclaim. It is all you need to hear. 

The story of Easter starts with the obvious. Jesus is dead. And His followers assume that he remained dead. The women come to the tomb. Because that is where they saw the body of Jesus was placed after his crucifixion (23:55-56). 

They bring the spices along to anoint the body of Jesus. To show proper respect for the dead. The discovery of the empty tomb does not lead to an easy change of perspective. It brings confusion. Not clarity. Bodies that are dead presumably remain dead. The best one can do is to treat them with respect.

They arrived at the tomb to hallow his memory. With praise for his legacy. Much as the women imagined themselves. Called to honor his dead body. With spices and ointments. 

The women receive a word that runs counter to what they know to be true. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." (24:5). 

The women encounter the resurrection through this message. They are told that Jesus has risen. But they do not see the risen Jesus himself. 

What they have is a word. A message. And this is precisely where our situation is like that of the women on the first Easter. We are all given a message of resurrection. This flies in the face of what we know to be true.

The only logical response to such a message is unbelief. Experience teaches that death wins. The Easter message says that Jesus lives. The women bring the message of resurrection to the others. And they respond as thinking people regularly respond. They thought that the message was "an idle tale, and they did not believe them" (24:11).

Unbelief does not mean that people believe nothing. Rather. It means that they believe something else. People say, "I don't believe it!" Because there is something else. That they believe more strongly. 

Yet here is where the Easter message begins its work. By challenging our convictions. Experience teaches that death wins. And that even the strongest succumb to it. Experience teaches that life is what you make it. So get what you can while you can. Because it will be over soon enough. And the Easter message asks, "Really? How can you be so sure?" Yes! Death is real. But it is not final.  Because of Easter. Life gets the last word.

What changed their minds? Those who once regarded the Resurrection as an idle tale. Would eventually have a powerful experience of the Risen Christ. 

Somehow, Peter – perhaps because of his experience on the mount of Transfiguration. Or his sleepy time in the Garden. Did not dismiss the report of the women. Instead of snickering. He went running. And he found what he probably already knew to be true. The tomb was empty. 

You who gather for worship on Easter Sunday. Follow in the footsteps of Peter.  You have heard the rumor that Jesus is alive. And you have come to hear again for yourselves: “Christ is risen” and “We have seen the Lord!”  What if it is true? What if death is real. But not final? What if Jesus is not merely past. But present?  

In the midst of change. We cling to that which is permanent. Dead is real. But it is not final. In Jesus, life gets the last word. The message is clear. We have seen the Lord. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah.

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Source:
Image: CNN 
Text-week: Commentary on Luke 24:1-12 by Craig R. Koester Working Preacher © March 2013

Easter Festival

Easter
1 April 2018
John 20:1-9
Christ is Risen!

O God, for our redemption You gave Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross and by His glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of the enemy. Grant that all our sin may be drowned by daily repentance and that day by day we may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever. 

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The resurrection Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. St. Paul would remind us, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied .But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep”.-1 Corinthians 15:17-20

1. Faith looks at the evidence.

A. Mary had the evidence but drew the wrong conclusion. Thinking someone had taken His body away. 

B. Peter and John had the evidence but were blinded by overwhelming emotion. “For as yet they did not understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.” –v.9

C. You have conclusive evidence.

1 The Old Testament prophecies. “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”   “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” 

2 The predictions of Christ Himself. “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” “ 

3 The testimony of the angel at the open grave. “Why seek the living amongst the dead? He is not here. He is risen! Remember how He told you while He was in Galilee? The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.” 

4 The testimony of Jesus’ enemies. “But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” 

5 The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. In our Gospel lesson, Peter and John ran to the tomb. He appeared to the twelve when the doors were shut.  On the road to Emmaus Christ appeared to them.  St. Paul will remind us, “He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 

The evidence of Christ’s resurrection is overwhelming. Faith rejoices in this.

2. Faith rejoices in the consequences.

A. Jesus indeed is the Son of God. “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 

B. Jesus is with us as our living Lord. “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

C. The Father has accepted the sacrifice of Christ. “Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” 

D. Christ’s resurrection is the pledge of our resurrection. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” -1Corithians 15:20

What treasures there are for us in the empty tomb! “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Biblical Source:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 16:10

  Isaiah 53:10-11

 John 2:19;
 Matthew 20:18-19
  Luke 24:6-7
  Acts 5:39
 John 20:11-18
  John 20:19-31
  Luke 24:13-35
  1 Corinthians 15:4-8
 John 2:19
 Matthew 28:20
 Romans 4:25
 1 Corinthians 15:57

Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS

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Easter Festival

Easter Festival
April 17 2017
Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection”
John 11:1-44

The background from which our text is taken is the occasion of the death of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. The Savior was quite close to this family. In Bethany where this family lived we remember that Mary was the one who poured the perfume on the Savior’s feet and wiped them with her hair. (v.2) Sister Martha is remembered as the one who was troubled with serving, and it was her brother Lazarus who had taken ill. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (V.5)

When Jesus received the news that Lazarus was sick He stayed where He was for two more days. (v.6) By the time Jesus arrived at the house in Bethany Lazarus had been buried four days before although the city was less then two miles from Jerusalem. (Vv. 17-18) No wonder Martha said to Jesus as she met Him, “If you had been here Lord, my brother would not had died!” (v.21) What an incredible week it had been! Yet, in the events which unfold we see quite clearly that Jesus alone has the power over life and death. Jesus alone is the resurrection and the life.

I. Whoever believes in Him will live even though he dies.

A. “It is appointed for man once to die and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 ESV

B. “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.”  (Psalm 90:10 NASB 

C. While we cannot avoid death there is the promise of life beyond the grave. “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

D. Jesus words are quite simple so that all can know and understand. “I am the resurrection and the life whoever believes in Me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” (Vv. 25-26)

II. Here we have an eternal truth. Whoever lives and believes in Him will never die.

A. Jesus’ promise is not for the future – when we die. It is for now. “I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

B. Jesus has given us this life now so we can be witnesses of His mercy and grace. That we might be salt and light in this world.

C. How do we know of this truth and message? In the Scriptures alone. “Many other miraculous signs Jesus performed in the presence of His disciples but these have been written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and believing you might have life in His name.” (John 20)

Jesus’ statement to Martha is quite a famous passage of Scripture. At the end of the verse Jesus asks her one simple question. “Do you believe this?” That question is asked of you this day. How you answer it determines where you will spend eternity. 

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Easter Festival

Easter Festival

April 5, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:19-28

“The Reality of the Resurrection”

Is the Resurrection as real as a fact? Some deny the historical reality of the Resurrection. It is held that the Resurrection was a matter of faith. On the part of the disciples. Who passed on the myth to later generations.  Because something is believed to exist does not prove it exists. Faith is not enough. Faith must be based on facts. Paul is certain that the Resurrection is a fact.

What are the facts of the resurrection?

The fact of the empty tomb. Paul considers the Resurrection to be a fact.  Not a theory. A wish. Not even a faith. Thinking.  Wishing. Or believing. Does not make anything a reality. Especially the Resurrection. The Resurrection is a hard, cold fact. - And the fact that Paul places before us is an empty tomb. The tomb is empty. That is what Paul presents to us.

Jesus is not there. - His tomb is empty. We cannot return to pay homage at His tomb. He is not there. He died a physical death. But He was raised back to life. Paul reminds us that if we do away with this fact - the reality of the Resurrection - Christianity is no more! If there is no Resurrection. - There isn't  any Christianity. Without this fact of the Resurrection, the Christian faith has no foundation. If the church has no Resurrection to proclaim, it has no message of hope. And there is no salvation to offer the world.

Then there is the fact of a resurrected Jesus. Jesus appeared physically to His disciples. Some teach that the Resurrection is merely the collective thoughts of the first Christians. Jesus became alive in the minds of believers.  Paul will have nothing of that. To him it is all or nothing. Jesus appeared physically alive before His disciples for a period of 40 days to prove for the last time that He was truly alive. The empty tomb is one fact. Jesus' appearance alive physically is the second fact. For 40 days. Jesus walked and talked, and ate with His disciples. So they could know that He truly was alive from the dead.

Each of the disciples of Jesus.  With the exclusion of John. All died for one thing. - Their testimony. That they saw Jesus alive from the dead. If Jesus had died. And not risen from the dead. Each of those early disciples died for what they knew was a lie. True, many have died. For a good cause. But would die for what they knew was a lie?  Their testimony is consistent, "We are witnesses of His Resurrection!"

The fact of a living Lord in the lives of His followers. Jesus changed their lives. Take Thomas for example. Before Jesus' appearance, Thomas was a skeptic.  He wouldn't believe. Unless he saw Jesus with His own eyes.  But once he saw Jesus. His life was changed forever.  Each of the followers of Christ had their lives turned literally upside down because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And His appearance to them.

Because of the Resurrection. Christ is in the business of changing our lives too. Because Jesus is alive. You are made alive too.  The resurrection is not limited to life after death.  The resurrection takes place before death.  In baptism, you died and were buried with Christ. You rose in newness of life. Your baptism is a resurrection. Before the resurrection. Easter has a present day application for each of you. You can experience a resurrection with Christ. In Christ, you are a new creature.

The Easter message brings life!  Jesus Christ is raised from the dead.  He has appeared to His disciples. The one who has written to us this day is an eyewitness of Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to Paul physically so that he too could say, "I am an eye witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!"  Rejoice! And be glad! Christ is alive. Because He lives.  You will live also.  Blessed Easter! 

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Easter

O God, for our redemption You have given Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by His glorious resurrection You have delivered us from the power of our enemy. Therefore, grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day a new person may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever.

Isaiah 25:6-9
Easter Joy
The one thing most people want is happiness. Our expressions at Easter indicate that Easter is supposed to a happy time, “Easter Joy” and “Happy Easter” are just a few expressions, which come to mind. It is a time of rejoicing not because of our happy circumstances but because, and only because of what God has done for us in the Resurrection. True Christians are happy regardless of the hardships they may face. If circumstances indicate that you may be experiencing hardships, handicaps and misfortunes God has a message for you this day – Easter joy is based not on outward circumstances rather on God’s victory, which He invites you to share this day.

Easter is a happy time because…

I. It is a feast – Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

A. This passage from Isaiah looks forward to the day when God would destroy death forever. Isaiah looks to the day when God would offer a fest for all the nations. A banquet in the Old Testament stood as a symbol of the consummation of God’s saving purpose in history.

B. This feast is a celebration of God’s victory over death. God will swallow death up forever and thus death will no longer plague mankind. This is the work of God, and people have reason to celebrate His salvation with joy.

II. It is a victory – Isaiah 25:7-8 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

A. A question could be asked, “How can we find an Easter message in an Old Testament passage? It is found in the form of a promise of the future. The future was fulfilled on Easter.

B. Today, we’ve been given a perspective of God’s plan of salvation, which was in His mind from the time of creation. When Isaiah wrote these words is was God Himself giving us His Word. On Easter God gave us His deed!

III. It is salvation – Isaiah 25:9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD; we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

A. Your happiness does not depend on your well- being in this world. Christians to this hour are oppressed, persecuted, and defeated yet they still rejoice. How so?

B. The reason is the source of Christian’s joy – God. A person can rejoice because God Himself has defeated our worst enemy – death. God has provided a banquet feast for us.

On Easter, we celebrate the reality that life overcomes death by the power of the resurrection. This was the promise Isaiah hoped for – for us today we celebrate its reality. Now death is dead forever! This is what God has done for us! This is reason for rejoicing and celebration.


- http://spiritlessons.com/Documents/Jesus_Pictures/Jesus_Christ_Pictures.htm;
- Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld ©WELS;

Easter Festival

So, who are you really? With whom do you identify? What makes your present reality?

1. The resurrection is your present reality. We are EASTER people.

A. Why seek ye the living among the dead?
1. This world is fallen – See Psalm 42
2. We are fallen.
3. All systems in this world are fallen and broken.

B. He is not here.
1. You can’t find Jesus in death.
2. You can’t find Jesus in what is broken.

C. He is risen.
1. See the place
a. An empty tomb.
b. A rolled away stone.
c. A guard who had abandoned their post.(Vs.2)

Transition: We are EASTER people because of the evidence. But there is more - we have seen Him.

2. An eye-witness encounter with Jesus Christ is what has changed this world.

A. Consider Mary.
1. Distraught over the events of the past few days.
a. She was a witness of Jesus’ arrest, trial, passion, death, burial. Who could forget such events?
b. Now an empty tomb – even more drama! The grief blinded her to the present reality. She could not see Jesus stand right before her.
2. But with one word all grief and pain was gone.
a. He spoke her name.
b. He speaks your name –
1. In baptism
2. In His Word
3. In His Supper

B. He goes before you also.
1. To order your days and direct your path.
2. To prepare a place for you.
3. To give you His new life.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed Hallelujah! Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Easter Festival

O God, for our redemption You have given Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by His glorious resurrection You have delivered us from the power of our enemy. Therefore grant that all our sins may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day a new person may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

But these words seemed to them as idle tale, and they did not believe them – Luke 24:11

In our world there is an ever increasing lack of conviction that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an historical event. This is critical to the heart of the Christian message for it stands or falls on the message of Easter. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearance to others is more then a mere matter of faith. It is what the faith is founded upon.

Best sellers today are listed under the headings, “fiction” or “non-fiction.” According to our text, the disciples considered the women’s story to be an idle tale – pure fiction. Many today would join the disciples and follow those in holding that the Easter story has no historical base.[1] To them, the resurrection is held to be the product of the disciples’ faith that Jesus was alive. Those who do not believe in a life after death reveal their failure to accept the resurrection as fact.

Whether the resurrection is fiction or non-fiction is one of the most important issues for the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, we are in a most miserable and hopeless condition. Without the resurrection there is no forgiveness of sins, no hope of eternal life, and no confidence that Jesus is the Son of God.

There are four reasons for putting the resurrection under the heading “non-fiction”

1. The Fact of Jesus’ death. According to the gospel accounts, Jesus went through six different trials before He was condemned to die on a cross. Three of the trials were before Gentiles and three were before the Jews. He was repeatedly put before people to be tried and the whole time He was under heavy guard. They knew who Jesus was. So, this excludes the possibility of mistaken identity.
It is highly unlikely that the Romans would have crucified a man by mistake. Remember, Jesus had been performing many miracles and was quite well known in the area. Since the Roman soldiers had him in their possession during the trials, during the beatings, and finally on the way to the cross, the most logical conclusion is that they did not make a mistake and crucified someone else instead of Jesus. Therefore, we can logically conclude that Jesus really did die on a cross.
The details of Jesus' trial and Pilate's decision to execute him, there is a strong consensus that Jesus did, in fact, die on a cross. Of course, for Christians the story doesn't end at Jesus' death. Christ's death on the Cross is only the beginning. Being under Roman rule, the Jews were only able to get rid of Jesus by having the Romans kill him. They did not actually perform the execution. They did, however, bring false charges against him which set him up for the Roman authorities to have Him crucified. The task of crucifixion was entrusted to professional Roman soldiers for whom crucifixion was a routine task, and failure to carry out such an order was punishable by death.[2] Pilate also wanted to be quite sure Jesus was dead. Mark records that he would not agree to the removal of the body, until after he had summoned the centurion and obtained confirmation that Jesus had been dead for quite some time. [3]

2. The fact of an empty tomb. Another obvious fact after the resurrection is the empty tomb. The Disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the fabrication would be evident. The empty tomb was "too notorious to be denied." One commentator put it this way that the resurrection "could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned."[4]

THE GRAVECLOTHES SPEAK VOLUMES! In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty--because of an amazing incident. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty--like a caterpillar's cocoon; with the head piece neatly folded and laying to the side. That's enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it. The first thing that stuck in the minds of the disciples was not the empty tomb, but rather the empty grave clothes--undisturbed in form and position.

3. The fact of Christ’s appearance after the resurrection. Christ appeared alive on several occasions after the cataclysmic events of that first Easter. When studying an event in history, it is important to know whether enough people who were participants or eyewitnesses to the event were alive when the facts about the event were published. To know this is obviously helpful in ascertaining the accuracy of the published report. If the number of eyewitnesses is substantial, the event can be regarded as fairly well established. For instance, if we all witness a robbery and a later police report turns out to be a fabrication of lies, we as eyewitnesses can refute it.
Several very important factors are often overlooked when considering Christ's post-resurrection appearances to individuals. The first is the large number of witnesses of Christ after that resurrection morning. One of the earliest records of Christ's appearing after the resurrection is by the Apostle Paul. The apostle appealed to his audience's knowledge of the fact that Christ had been seen by more than 500 people at one time. Paul reminded them that the majority of those people were still alive and could be questioned. Dr. Edwin M. Yamauchi, associate professor of history at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, emphasizes: "What gives a special authority to the list (of witnesses) as historical evidence is the reference to most of the five hundred brethren being still alive. St. Paul says in effect, 'If you do not believe me, you can ask them.' Such a statement in an admittedly genuine letter written within thirty years of the event is almost as strong evidence as one could hope to get for something that happened nearly two thousand years ago."
Take the more than 500 witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His death and burial, and place them in a courtroom. Do you realize that if each of those 500 people were to testify for only six minutes, you would have an amazing 50 hours of firsthand testimony? Add to this the testimony of many other eyewitnesses and you would well have the largest and most lopsided trial in history.
4. The fact of the changed lives of those who met Him. But the most telling testimony of all must be the lives of those early Christians. We must ask ourselves: What caused them to go everywhere telling the message of the risen Christ?
Had there been any visible benefits accrued to them from their efforts--prestige, wealth, increased social status or material benefits--we might logically attempt to account for their actions, for their whole-hearted and total allegiance to this "risen Christ."
As a reward for their efforts, however, those early Christians were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified. Every conceivable method was used to stop them from talking.
Yet, they laid down their lives as the ultimate proof of their complete confidence in the truth of their message.
The Facts of the resurrection speak volumes to us today. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah!


[1] (Bultmann)
[2] (Matthew 27:27-36, Mark 15:16, Luke 23:47, John 19:23)
[3] (Mark 15:42-6).
[4] Paul Althaus



Image found at the following site - http://gottesblog.blogspot.com/

Easter Festival

The resurrection of Jesus Christ happened 2,000 years ago. How can we, who are so far removed from that 1st Easter, be sure it happened? So much depends on whether it is true. Without the resurrection there is no hope for life beyond the grave. Without the resurrection there is no assurance that God is in control. Without the resurrection there is no guarantee that love is greater then hatred. How do we know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is real?

1. First, there is circumstantial evidence – an empty tomb. Listen to verse 6 of our text for today “the angel said: “here is the place where they laid Him.” On the way to the tomb, the three women were asking themselves “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” The question indicates that they did not expect a resurrection even though they must have heard Jesus say several times, “and on the third day I will rise again”

If the resurrection were a fabrication and a hoax the question would not be asked. Well, who did roll away the stone? Mark does not tell us. We learn from St. Paul that God Himself raised up Jesus. (Romans 4:24; 8:11) He moved the stone! Man could not do it – not the stone of death. All the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men would not be able to conquer death. This was the Father’s act of grace and victory!

The young man (whom we would presume to be an angel) identifies the risen one as the man Jesus from Nazareth who was crucified. This gives reality to the Easter story. The risen Christ is not a spirit. The resurrected person was Jesus from the town of Nazareth. He was killed on a cross. He was truly dead and buried.

There is no room here for a “spiritual” or a “symbolic” resurrection! We must not spiritualize the account. It was not a resurrection of the spirit or the soul of Jesus. The body, the whole person of Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter.

2. Then there is the witness of God’s messenger, an angel, as well as the testimony of the Word of God. Listen to verse 15: “And entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting at the right wearing a white robe and they were amazed. And he said, “why seek the living among the dead. He is not here, He is risen from the dead,”

There is no such thing as a dead Christ. Why seek the living among the dead? He will not be found in the tombs of the dead. He is alive! Why seek Him there? The grave could not hold Him in. He rose from the dead on the third day. The disciples’ testimony is true. “We are witnesses of these events; We have seen Him with our own eyes.” This Jesus who was crucified is now alive forevermore. The grave could not hold Him. See the place where they laid Him. He is not here. He is risen from the dead!

3. Then there is the experience of the living Christ – He will be seen in Galilee. Listen to verse 7: “there you will see Him just as He said.” The angel instructs the women to tell the disciples, and Peter, to meet Jesus in Galilee as Jesus had told them. In this account of the resurrection the risen Christ does not appear. He will meet them in Galilee. Thus we are reminded by the message of the angel to heed the word of the Savior. Time and again He predicted His bodily resurrection. The women found the tomb empty. Where would they find Him?

They find Him at the very place where Jesus had directed them – in Galilee. Likewise, in your life and my life, we find the risen Savior at the place where He has directed us – in the waters of Baptism, in the elements of Bread and Wine, in His very words and promises of Holy Scripture. The women hurried off to Galilee and there they found Him as the angel predicted. Will you too find Him where He has directed you? Search the Scriptures. There you will find Him alive. He can not deny Himself. He is risen just as He said!

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Easter Festival

Easter Festival
March 23, 2008
John 20:1-9
The Sign of the Tomb

Introduction: The tomb is no proof of the resurrection. The body of Jesus could have been removed and destroyed. The empty tomb only says, “He is not here.” The tomb is a sign of the resurrection. At Christmas a sign was given of the incarnation — “And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Faith in the resurrection is not based on the empty tomb but in the living presence of Jesus. Yet an empty tomb speaks volumes for you and me today.

What the tomb signifies.

I)    Empty tomb — signifies the resurrection. This Gospel deals with the empty tomb. There is no explanation by an angel. There is no appearance of the risen Christ. Two men and a woman find emptiness and the abandoned grave clothes. The empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection, for anything may have happened to the corpse to cause its disappearance. The empty tomb is a sign of the resurrection. It is a negative witness to the resurrection. It has significance only in the experience of the living Christ, the positive aspect of the Easter account. While our faith in the resurrection is not based on the vacant tomb, it does indicate that our faith is based on concrete, historical reality. It also says that Jesus did not rise only spiritually, but physically. The crucified body became the glorified body.

II)    Grave clothes — signifies that Jesus is alive. Two Disciples, Peter and John

A)    Observing the grave clothes – Three Greek words describe the scene.

1)   They saw the grave clothes – blepo- They were seen with “general sight.” The grave clothes were there as plain as day.

2)   They beheld the grave clothes  - theoreo – They were able “to scrutinize” what they saw.

3)   They saw – horao – Upon seeing they were able “to perceive with understanding”

B)  What is it that convinced Peter and John that Jesus had been raised from the dead? Answer: “grave clothes.”  If we had been there with Peter and John would we have seen what they saw? Would we have seen the aftermath of Jesus struggling to get up because of the linen wrappings? Ans. Not at all!

1)   Undisturbed grave clothes – Greek. keimena “to store in place”

2)   Raised a spiritual body – I Corinthians. 15:42-44 ‘So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: t is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.’

3)   Napkin — signifies that the resurrection was peaceful and planned. We are given in this Gospel only circumstantial evidence — empty tomb, grave clothes, and napkin. These constitute concrete evidence of a risen Christ. Do you need more evidence?  There are also countless eye witnesses, individuals who time and again encountered Jesus alive from the dead. For a period of 40 days Jesus walked, talked and ate with His disciples so they could truly know that He was alive from the dead.

4)   WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS TO US

(a) The Resurrection of the body of Christ is one of the most central and fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith – I Corinthians 15:14,17. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

(b) The Resurrection demonstrates how Jesus’ own predictions were fulfilled – John 2:19-22  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

(c) The Resurrection was the main subject included in the gospel message throughout the book of Acts. [1]

(d) The Resurrection guarantees our justification – Romans 4:5; But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness;  Romans 3:26; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(e) The Resurrection points to a new mode for all believers – I Corinthians15:20, 23; But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Conclusion: The resurrection is not a myth, a faith, nor a figment of the imagination. It is not a story manufactured by disappointment and disillusioned disciples. The faith is grounded in facts. It happened in time and space. It is the core of what we believe for we truly are Easter people.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

[1] (Acts 1:22; 2:24, 31,32 ; 3:15,26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33,34, 37; 17:3,18,32; 23:6,8; 24:15,21; 26:23) Turn and Read: Acts 1:22; 2:24,31,32

Easter Festival

Easter Festival

April 16, 2006

Isaiah 25:6-9

Easter Joy

INTRODUCTION: The one thing most people want is happiness. Our expressions at Easter indicate that Easter is supposed to a happy time, “Easter Joy” and “Happy Easter” are just a few expressions which come to mind. It is a time of rejoicing not because of our happy circumstances but because, and only because of what God has done for us in the Resurrection. True Christians are happy regardless of the hardships they may face. If circumstances indicate that you may be experiencing hardships, handicaps and misfortunes God has a message for you this day – Easter joy is based not on outward circumstances rather on God’s victory which He invites you to share this day.

Easter is a happy time because…

I.        It is a feast – Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

A.     This passage from Isaiah looks forward to the day when God would destroy death forever. Isaiah looks to the day when God would offer a fest for all the nations. A banquet in the Old Testament stood as a symbol of the consummation of God’s saving purpose in history.

B.     This feast is a celebration of God’s victory over death. God will swallow death up forever and thus death will no longer plague mankind. This is the work of God, and people have reason to celebrate His salvation with joy.

II.     It is a victory – Isaiah 25:7-8 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

A.     A question could be asked “how can we find an Easter message in an Old Testament passage?  It is found in the form of a promise of the future. The future was fulfilled on Easter.

B.     Today we’ve been given a perspective of God’s plan of salvation which was in His mind from the time of creation. When Isaiah wrote these words is was God Himself giving us His Word. On Easter God gave us His deed!

III.   It is salvation – Isaiah 25:9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD; we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

A.     Your happiness does not depend on your well being in this world. Christians to this hour are oppressed, persecuted, and defeated yet they still rejoice. How so?

B.     The reason is the source of Christian’s joy – God. A person can rejoice because God Himself has defeated our worst enemy – death. God has provided a banquet feast for us.

CONCLUSION: On Easter we celebrate the reality that life overcomes death by the power of the resurrection. This was the promise Isaiah hoped for – for us today we celebrate its reality. Now death is dead forever! This is what God has done for us! This is reason for rejoicing and celebration.

Easter Festival

Easter Festival Service

April 11, 2004

Luke 24:1-11

Life Now Has Meaning

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever felt that life has no meaning? We approach this Easter celebration with the words: “He is risen, He is risen indeed – Hallelujah!” Yet, for some the Hallelujahs ring hollow. Some, possibly a few within this very room today, have come to the conclusion that life has little meaning.

They may feel unimportant and small, frequently overlooked; others have slighted them. Rarely recognized they feel passed over. In this big world in which we life they are commonly referred to as “the little people” and that’s how they feel!

Then there are those, whose companion through this pilgrimage on this earth is calamity and misfortune. If there were a hole to fall into they would encounter it. Suffering and calamity accompany them. For them, life is a constant struggle. For them life too has lost its mean, purpose and joy.

On this Easter, let us consider one of the most pressing issues of our time. Does life have meaning? If life is to have meaning where do we find it? The message of Easter is simply this: Life has meaning only when it is centered in Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

I.        To be sure the meaninglessness of life is a problem of human nature.

A.     In this fallen world of ours many have no purpose that reaches beyond this life; hence either one of tow reactions are found in man. Man becomes either cynical or hopelessness settles in.

1.        Man can easily become the cynic. He doubts God because all he sees are apparent contradictions in life. There is no good deed, which goes unpunished. The righteous suffer while the wicked walk away unscathed, and so he questions whether life has any meaning or purpose.

2.        Then there are those who live within a spirit of hopelessness. Solomon of old reminds us in Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Hopeless people have no vision and so they travel through life aimlessly. How could man fall to such depths?

B.     The Fall robbed human beings of their life, hope and future.  Man is now separated from God and at enmity with Him. The fall created a wedge to form between God and man – a wedge that prevents man from having any semblance of hope or joy.

C.     Because of our sin, our only future is death and damnation. “It is appointed for man once to die, and after that come judgment” the Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 Will this be the fate of every man?

Transition: Something radical has taken place to change the destiny of man. We celebrate that today – The resurrection of Jesus Christ – physically and bodily risen from the dead.

II.     Christ gives meaning to our life.

A.     His work gives meaning

1.      He suffered and died (v.7a) “the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,”  (NAS)

2.      He rose again V.6 of our text reminds us: "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,” (NAS)

3.      This work was necessary (v.7) for people to have forgiveness “the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men.” Later on that night Jesus, speaking to the Emmaus disciples will remind them in Luke 24:26-27: "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (NAS)

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 (e.g. today’s Old Testament Reading Ex. 15:1-11)

b.      The Old Testament predictions foretold it.

Ø      Isaiah 52:13: “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted.” (NAS)

c.       Christ Himself predicted it

Ø      Luke 9:22, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day." (NAS)

Ø      Luke 9:44;  "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." (NAS)

Ø      Luke 17:24-25; "For just as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. "But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (NAS)

Ø      Luke 18:31-33: “And He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again." (NAS)

2.      Due to His work, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 –today’s Epistle)

C.     This gives meaning to each of us.

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

2.      With sin forgiven, we have life through the Living One

Ø      Luke 24:5-7: “and as {the women} were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, {the men} said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (NAS)

Ø      1 Corinthians 15:20-21: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man {came} death, by a man also {came} the resurrection of the dead. “(NAS)

3.      We now have a future and a hope – eternal life with God.  Life does have meaning. It is not limited merely to this earthly existence. We have an eternal hope with Christ in heaven.

4.      We now have a purpose in life – to proclaim repentance and forgiveness. We walk out of this house today a renewed people to be salt and light in this world sharing the living Lord Jesus with all we meet.

CONCLUSION: Life is no longer meaningless, because “He is not here, He was raised!”

Easter

EASTER SUNDAY

April 20, 2003

Luke 16:19-31

"If only…"

INTRODUCTION: In recent years there has been much interest in finding evidence that would back up the claims of the Scriptures. Many theologians and scientists have studied the Shroud of Turin, which claims, to be the actual burial cloth of Christ, and yet, the verdict is still out. Some people say: "if only we could find something that would prove this or that" in the Bible "then we could believe!"  There is a tendency to try to find something that would confirm what is in the Bible. The idea is, then people would believe!  Unfortunately, such is not the case.  Let us this morning examine the conversation between the rich man and the Father. For in this conversation the Father gives us what we only need to believe in the reality of the resurrection.

I.        Like the rich man, some say "if only someone could return from the dead! Then people would believe"

A.     The rich man wanted someone sent back from the dead to warn his brothers of their potential doom.

B.     We might be tempted to think - if only there were something to confirm the truths of the Scriptures.

II.     The reality is that if someone could return from the dead, it would not be enough!

Jesus confirms this in verse 31.

There is plenty of evidence that Jesus is right

a.       God spoke at Sinai and it made little difference.

b.      The prophets of old performed mighty miracles but only a few believed.

c.       Jesus came into this world as the Son of God and He was crucified.

d.      Lazarus arose from the dead and this only hardened the opposition to Jesus (John 12:10)

e.       Jesus Himself rose from the dead, and the soldiers who were eyewitnesses to this event lied about it to save their own necks.

III.   The return of someone from the dead would serve no good purpose for good reasons.

God has made other provisions

a.       "Moses and the prophets" refers to the Bible

b.      God has already told us everything we need to know in His Word

B.     It is only His provisions which will work

a.       People do not fail to believe because of a lack of truth. They fail to believe because of the attitude of their heart. (Romans 10:8-10)

b.       Miracles may make people question and seek for the truth, but they will not make people believe.

CONCLUSION:  Even a voice of one who came back from the dead would not help because you need nothing else. The testimony of those eyewitnesses is sufficient evidence.  This evidence is the power of God to make you wise unto salvation. Today the Father calls you to believe this simple yet life-changing message. He is risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia!  A blessed Easter!

Easter

Easter

March 31, 2002 

The Conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer

Introduction:  The kingdom remains forever with Jesus!  We come now to the conclusion of this much loved prayer: “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever Amen”

Yes! The kingdom remains forever with Jesus! It is a powerful kingdom.  It is a glorious kingdom. It is an eternal kingdom.  Why do we pray? Jesus has given us plenty of reasons why we should pray. In the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer we find three good reasons for asking all these things from Jesus.

Jesus alone is King, from whom we seek help. On this Easter let us remember that there is no such thing as a dead Christ. The German philosopher Nietzsche declared that God is dead. Unfortunately for Nietzsche he died and met a living Christ! Because of Easter you and I can come to Christ with our faults and our fears, with our cares and our concerns with our triumphs and our trials, with our disasters and our dreams and know that He will hear every single one of them.

This not so with the false gods of this present age. They are only the cheap imitation of man’s own imagination. They are utterly worthless. David reminds us in Psalm 115: “Why do the nations say, where is their God? But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.” (vv.2-9) Man left to his own devices is powerless and ineffectual.

But because of Easter God is alive and hears every prayer. That’s why we can say with David in Psalm 110: “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may be terrified no more” (vv.17-18).

Because of Easter Jesus alone has the power to grant us our petitions.

Jeremiah the prophet of old reminds us “Like a scarecrow in a melon patch their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good” (v.15)

Dumb idols remain silent. They can not help. They can not hurt. A prayer offered to a false god is like speaking to the wind. Not so with Jesus.  He has the power to grant our petitions because He is alive. As the child once put it “He can’t be dead…I spoke to Him this morning!” Every petition, every request is answered by Him because he is alive forevermore.  

Because of Easter Jesus alone shall have all glory and praise for all that he has done for us. 

He is the eternal God deserving of our prayers and our praise. The writer to the Hebrews put it this way: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will. And may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever Amen (13:20-21)

Conclusion:  So what else is there to say other then the Amen! What is meant by the word Amen? ‘That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, yea, yea it shall be so. A blessed Easter! Amen.

Easter

Easter Festival 

April 15, 2001 

Luke 16:19-31   

Is there life after death?  

Introduction: - Is there really life after death?  That is the question this world has been asking for centuries and, as we celebrate the first Easter of a new century, it is a question that is even more pertinent then at any other time. We are living in a declining society and many have observed that when a society begins to decay and decline it begins to lose hope. This can be reflected in our culture through art, television, and movies and in our past times.

Our declining and decaying society is rapidly becoming totally preoccupied with the subject of death. Consider please:

I. The findings

A.     Across the nations we have people quoted 

1.      Those who have experienced clinical death, where vital organs have ceased to function. 

2.      These people will be quick to tell you that they have had a "life after life" experience. What are we to make of this?

B.     Of these experiences there are a few observations for us to note. 

1.      Basically, they are all uniform. Each has a similar experience. 

2.      Included in these experiences are a sense of euphoria; open freedom; a review of life's events.

C.     What then are the results of such findings?  There are basically two.

1.      None were anxious to return. 

2.      None now fears death at all.

II. This must be fiction!

A.     To this discussion, and especially on this Easter, an exact definition of death is crucial to our discussion.

1. There are medical definitions, which describe to us that a person has died such as the loss of vital signs, brain waves, a heartbeat, etc. 

2. There is an actual definition of death that you and I as Christians use every day which is the separation of the soul from the body.

B.     What does this mean? 

1. It means that all these cases of "life after life" experiences were examples of clinical death. They were not cases of actual death. 

2. None of these people have actually returned from the dead. They were all near death experiences.

C.     So what are the results for this world? 

1. Confusion reigns supreme. 

2. People today are lacking in essential evidence of life after death.

III. What is needed today then, more then ever, are the essential facts.

A.     The fact remains that only one person has come back from actual death and has told us about it. 

1.      That one is Jesus Christ 

2.      The New Testament contains the record that He has given to us that we might know the truth of what awaits each and every one of us after we experience the reality of death.

B.     In our text for this morning there is much for us to consider by Jesus in His teaching. 

1.      There is something after death, which awaits all of us. There is life after death. 

2.      Life after death is in one of two locations; either heaven or hell. 

3.      He is real and awful. 

4.      There is no second chance after death. There are no "do overs" 

5.      There is no exchange of plans after death. Recall verse 26: "Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you can not; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." 

6.      Stations here and in the hereafter are not related. Wealth in this life does not guarantee wealth in the life that is to come. 

7.      Positions there are determined by decisions made now. Reject not, the Lord Jesus Christ!

IV. Our Future

A.     We must face the inevitability of death. 

1.      There is a difference between facing death and being preoccupied with death. We must learn to know the difference. 

2.      Physical death then is totally inescapable. The Bible reminds us that it is appointed for a man to die, once and then comes judgment.

B.     Thus we must be prepared for what waits us at death's door. 

1.      The Bible says it is necessary to be "born again" if we are to see heaven. 

2.      To be "born again" simply means to be "born from above". In other words, to be "born again" means to be born spiritually, to be born from God.  When were you "born again"?  You were born again when you were baptized into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. St. Paul tells us that all of us who have been baptized into Christ have been clothed by Christ.  In your baptism you were buried with Him in His death and raised to new life by the power of your baptism.

Conclusion:  Don't get taken in by something untrue regarding life after death. Take the Word and the record of the only One who has ever come back and told of it. His Name is Jesus Christ and on this day we celebrate life; the life that He has given to us and that life that can not end! A Blessed Easter. Amen. 

Easter Festival

Easter Festival 

1 Corinthians 15:19-28 

April 23, 2000

The Reality of the Resurrection

Introduction:  Is the Resurrection as real as a fact? Some deny the historical reality of the Resurrection. It is held that the Resurrection was a matter of faith on the part of the disciples who passed on the myth to later generations.  Because something is believed to exist does not prove it exists. Faith is not enough. Faith must be based on facts. Paul is certain that the Resurrection is a fact.

What are the facts of the resurrection?

1.                  The fact of the tempt tomb. Paul considers the Resurrection to be a fact .  It is not a theory, a wish, and not even a faith. Thinking, wishing, or believing does not make anything a reality especially the Resurrection. The Resurrection is a hard, cold fact - and the fact that Paul places before us is an empty tomb. The tomb is empty. That is what Paul presents to us.

Jesus is not there - His tomb is empty. We can not return to pay homage at His tomb. He is not there. He died a physical death but He was raised back to life. In fact, Paul will go on to remind us that if we do away with this fact - the reality of the Resurrection - Christianity is no more! If there is no Resurrection - there isn't  any Christianity. Without this fact of the Resurrection the Christian faith has no foundation. If the church has no Resurrection to proclaim, it has no message of hope and there is no salvation to offer the world.

2.                   Then there is the fact of a resurrected Jesus. He appeared physically to His disciples. Some believe that the Resurrection is merely the thought of the first Christians that Jesus became alive in the minds of believers.  Paul will have nothing of that. To him it is all or nothing. Jesus appeared physically alive before His disciples for a period of 40 days to prove once and for all that He was truly alive. The empty tomb is one fact. Jesus' appearance alive physically is the second fact. For 40 days Jesus walked and talked, and ate with His disciples so that they could know that He truly was alive from the dead.

Each of the disciples of Jesus Christ, with the exclusion of John all died for one thing - their testimony that they saw Jesus alive from the dead. If Jesus had died and not risen from the dead then each of them died for what they knew was a lie. True, there have been many that have died for a good cause. But can you show me one place in human history were so many would have died for what they knew was a lie.  They said "We are witnesses of His Resurrection!"

3.                  The fact of a living Lord in the lives of His followers. Jesus changed their lives. Take Thomas for example. Before Jesus' appearance Thomas was a skeptic.  He wouldn't believe unless he saw Jesus with His own eyes.  But once he saw Jesus his life was changed forever.  Each of the followers of Christ had their lives turned upside down because of one thing the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearance to them.

            Because of the Resurrection Christ is in the business of changing our lives too. Because Jesus is alive you are made alive too.  The resurrection is not limited to life after death.  The resurrection can take place before death.  In baptism we die and are buried with Christ and we rise in newness of life. Here is a resurrection before the resurrection. Easter has a present day application for each of us. You can experience a resurrection with Christ here and now because in Christ you are a new creature.

Conclusion:  The Easter message is one, which brings life to each of us!  Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  He has appeared again and again to His disciples, in fact, the one who has written to us this day is an eyewitness of Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to Paul physically so that he too could say "I am an eye witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!"  Rejoice then this day for Christ is alive. And because He lives we will live also.  A blessed Easter! Amen.