A. How much do you know about some of the events surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
1. At Christ's crucifixion what did the soldiers place on his head? Crown of Thorns
2. For what of Christ's did the soldiers cast lots? Clothes
3. For how many pieces of silver did Judas betray Christ? 30
4. When Jesus died, for how long was there darkness over the land? 3 hours
5. For how long did Jesus remain after his resurrection before he ascended into heaven? 40 days
B. Almost everyone knows Tiger Woods has been the top media story of 2010 – unfortunately not for his golf, but extra-marital affairs. FOX reporter Britt Hume shared on national TV if Tiger Woods truly wanted to start over again, He needed to turn to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and redemption.
1. Forgiveness, redemption, genuine hope – that is what the empty tomb and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is all about!
2. With all the hope that is available in a personal relationship with the Risen Savior, sadly most believers and unbelievers do not know how to live a life of genuine hope.
C. For example, I let go of hope when…
1. I doubt my difficult situation will turn around for the better
2. My fear of tomorrow robs me of today’s strength
3. I believe God is out to get me rather than help me
4. My life seems to have no motivating purpose
5. I feel more burned, bummed out than rested, recharged up!
D. There are four choices I must make today to live a life of genuine hope. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ I can…
1. H - AVE MY FEARS REPLACED WITH THE ASSURANCE OF JESUS’ LOVE FOR ME
A. We are living in some pretty fearful times in America now – loss of jobs, struggling economy, terrorist threats, health, personal finances, etc.
1. Fear could easily win in our hearts and lives if we leave God of the equation.
2. If you are ever tempted to doubt God’s love, think of Calvary and the empty tomb!
3. Perhaps Jesus could love others who have their act together– but me? Sinful. Struggling. Selfish.
B. Jesus died willingly, sacrificially, lovingly, and triumphantly – through His death, you may live (John 11:15-26).
1. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…”
2. No one (on their own) is worthy of God’s unconditional love and acceptance, but Jesus wants a relationship with you not based on your goodness, but His grace!
2. O - VERCOME MY FAILURES THROUGH GOD’S COMPLETE FORGIVENESS.
A. All of the disciples forsook Jesus (Matthew 26:56)
1. They let pride, prayerlessness, people pleasing, etc. get in the way of true commitment to Jesus
2. Can you imagine the shame, disgrace they felt?
B. It’s easy to look back and see the failures of the disciples – how about your failures?
1. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ your life does not need to be defined by failures, rather through His complete forgiveness.
2. Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
3. It is very freeing to know that God is not looking down at your with a sin calculator today, but is longing to give you a fresh start.
4. A very famous sermon is called, “It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming.”
On Friday, the forces of evil won over the forces of good, every friend and every disciple fled quaking in fear, the Son of God died on a cross. Yes it's Friday, but Sunday's comin'. The disciples who lived through both days, Friday and Sunday, never doubted God again. They had learned that even when God seems absent, he might be closer than ever; when God looks powerless, he might be more powerful than ever; when God looks dead, he might be coming back to life.
They learned that even when it's Friday, Sunday's comin!”
5. What seems hopeless and impossible in your life? Remember Sunday’s comin!’
3. P – LUG INTO GOD’S POWER FOR DAILY LIVING
A. The stone that had been placed over the door of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away.
B. Why was the stone rolled away?
1. Not to let Jesus out of the tomb.
2. The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out but to let others in!
a. The women, and later Peter and John, went inside the tomb to verify that it was empty.
b. The empty tomb is powerful proof of Jesus’ resurrection.
3. The stone was rolled away as proof that Jesus conquered death.
Acts 2:24, “…whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”
A. Many believers live discouraged, dry, defeated lives because they fail to let go of their futile attempts to live victorious lives in their own strength and let the risen living Lord take over and live the victorious life through them by His resurrection power.
B. Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
C. It is the resurrected Christ living in us that gives us the strength to live victoriously.
D. Martin Luther once was so depressed over a prolonged period that one day his wife came downstairs wearing all black. Martin Luther said, "Who died?" She said, "God has." He said, "God hasn’t died." To which she replied, "Well, live like it and act like it."
4. E-NVISION MY FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD
A. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no hope for everlasting life.
B. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to the Lord, we will be released from all pain, suffering, sadness, sorrow.
C. What is Easter about? It’s about the hope we have in Christ!
D. Have fears replaced with His love, Overcome failures through His forgiveness, Plug into God’s Power for daily living, Envision your future with confidence in the Lord!
