EASTER SUNDAY – RESURRECTION POWER
THE APOSTLE’S CREED:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE RESURRECTION?
“But tell me this – since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless.” (1 Cor. 15:12-14).
• Easter Sunday – or resurrection day – is the most important day of the Christian year.
• There are many books written on the proofs for the resurrection that I recommend.
o Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ
o Josh McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict
o CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity
KEY TEXT:
“That I may know Him, in the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” (Phil. 3:10).
THE BIG IDEA:
What if... Jesus really did rise from the dead? And what if... we can know Him in the power of His resurrection? When we personally encounter His resurrection power, everything changes.
ENCOUNTERS WITH RESURRECTION POWER:
1. TO MARY AND MARY MAGDALENE – SUNDAY MORNING: JOY
“1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples (Mark adds “and Peter” Mark 16:7) that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matt. 28:1-10).
• Here the women came weeping, mourning, grieving and fearful.
• But after encountering His resurrection power, they were full of fear and great JOY!
• Right away, they went and told other people the Good News.
• The journey: Hurting, Healed, Helping Others.
2. TO PETER AND JOHN: HOPE AND FORGIVENESS
“1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” (John 20:1-8).
• Before Jesus died on the Cross, Peter had denied knowing Jesus. He wept bitterly.
• Now, there was joy and hope with the expectation of forgiveness of sins!
3. TO THE DISCIPLES – LATER SUNDAY MORNING: PEACE & POWER
“9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. 12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:9-14).
FROM JOHN’S ACCOUNT:
“19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:19-21).
• The disciples were hiding inside for fear because of the things going on in the world.
• Jesus came and spoke PEACE to them.
“15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature… 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:9-15).
• The disciples were mourning and weeping, and didn’t believe He was alive.
• It wasn’t until they saw and encountered His resurrection power that everything changed.
• They were EMPOWERED with a new boldness to share the Good News with others.
SUMMARY: After these different men and women encountered the resurrected Christ:
o They experienced joy, hope, forgiveness, peace and empowerment
o Their lives were changed forever!
SO WHAT? What’s the point?
• Because Jesus died and rose again, we can encounter His resurrection power today
• Our lives can be changed forever!
PREACH IT:
• Do YOU know Jesus today in the power of His resurrection?
• Too many people are stuck on Good Friday – in some churches, He’s still on the Cross!
• Jesus is alive! God wants to take our old and broken lives and make all things new!
• Are you a sinner? He died on the Cross to pay the price for your sins to be forgiven.
• Are you depressed? He wants to give you joy unspeakable and full of glory!
• Are you sick? He will heal your sicknesses and diseases!
• Come to Jesus all you weary and heavy burdened and find rest for your souls!
LYRICS: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me, Along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: August 14, 1989, I encountered the resurrected Christ.
• He changed my life, and will change yours, too!
CLOSING TEXT:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
• Do you believe this? Do you know Jesus in the power of His resurrection?
• Come to Jesus today and be saved!
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
