Resurrection: The Linchpin of Salvation

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Songs Prayer: Pastor Bruce

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Baby Dedication (Mina Ryder): Pastor Shawn

Transition Message: Pastor Shawn

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Message: Pastor Shawn

Altar Instructions: Please come up during the last sub-point “The Legend Theory” when I begin to talk about the WOMEN at the tomb

Series | The Main Attraction

Pre-Message Welcome

Well... we’re so glad to see everyone of you that are here today in person and online.

· My name is Shawn... my wife and I are the Co-Pastors here at The Grace Place.

· Our mission here is simple... it’s to be Caring People... Caring for people.

· We hope that today… you feel cared for... by God and by His people.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A mis amigos hispanos, me-da-gusto.. que vino... a adorar... con nosotros hoy!

We’re so glad you came to worship... with us today!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos, esperamos que usted y su familia se sientan bien atendidos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Baby Dedication

What is Baby dedication?

It’s a public declaration of parents & family that say’ “With the help of God... we will live out the Gospel before their child”

What does this mean?

It means our child will see us... be devoted to...

Biblical teaching by faithfully attending Church. 

Devoted to…

Living in fellowship with the believers in my community. 

We will be devoted to…

Prayer… because we depend on God and recognize him as our source for everything.

Chad… will you introduce us to your family who is with you today

Well today as we dedicate Mina… Ryder…

Scripture says God puts the Lowlies in families…

Mina was a lowly… she was living in an orphan age in India.. and God showed up at her doorstep… in India… through the Ryder Family… and came to her reduce…

The likely hood of her becoming some other religious was HIGH… I say that her chances of knowing Jesus have just been raised to 100% becuase of Adoption..

Mom – Dad and family...

Pay attention to the gifts in her life...  in her personality, character and interests....

Let Mina… see you Jesus lived-out in your daily life...

Let her experience the Church... in your home and daily life

... don’t let the only time your kids see you pray... and open scripture be in Church.. let them see you do this at home. Teach them about Jesus... and let the voice of his Sunday School  teacher’s Echo what she is learning in your home. (I know this is all true about this family)

Leland… Desmond…

You too are an important part of Gods plan for your sisters life..

She will learn from you… and you will learn from her.

Family & TGP family...  let’s an example for our children... let’s Constantly point these babies to Jesus... he is their ultimate example-don’t let your example be a substitute for Jesus-it is simply not enough... We will fail them... they will NEED more than us... they will need a SAVIOR.

LET’S PRAY

Pastor Shawn Transition to Message: Pastor Shawn

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Transition: It’s hard to believe we are in our final week of our series called…

Sermon Title | The Main Attraction

I can’t believe it… this has been a 39 week series!

We’re stretching new endurance muscles…

Well... if you have missed the opener to our series you can catch up

o By listing on most Podcast sites

As well as

o Watch on our Youtube

Today we are going to be looking at Mark 16:v1-14. ESV

There is a lot in this chapter it simply breaks down with

The Resurection narrative

Then the mysterious ending Mark.

Here we go… for the final time in this series.. lets look at Mark Ch 16 beginning in v1… we will read through v.14

Mark 16:1-14 (ESV)

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

***The earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20… while some of the later manuscripts do include this…

Nearly all credible commentators agree with this. Maybe we can dig into this during a one off Mid week class at some point… The bottom line here is that what is read in the final verses of Mark is found elsewhere in the Gospels…

Continuing in v. 9…

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them(Disciples-on the Road to Emus as seen in Lukes Gospel ), as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Do you notice here… that everyone who had an eye witness encounter believed… those that did not… struggled and did not believe.

Here is what you can know…

if you are in the room today and you are struggling to believe in the Resurection..

You are in god company right along with his closes disciples who had a hard time beleiving too.

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Resurrection: The Linchpin of Salvation

Introduction

What is a LINCHPIN?

A linch pin is a pin that holds a wheel in place.

Its an expression that is used to simply say this… with out this Pin holding everything in place…. everything falls apart.

Why is the Resurection so Important?

Because it is the linchpin to salvation.

So today… as we look at the last chapter of Mark… I want to focus on the Resurection of Jesus.

For the Christians in the room who grew up with the resurection story and never doubted… this might not seem like a very big deal to you. Or you might not realize whats at steak… if it did not happen.

Today I want to do more of an Apologetic style of message as we talk about the Resurection.

Apologetics is just a fancy way of saying… Defending your faith.

***Today we are exercising a different muscle as we look at our text… My goal today is NOT just to inspire you… but to help you think critically…

How would you defend the Resurrection?

The first thing I want to do today is answer the big question…

Why we need the RESURRECTION. v. 1-14,

Rev. 1:18, Cor. 15:17, 1 Pet. 1:3-5

In v. 1-14 Inspired by the Holy Spirit…

Mark takes a very careful approach in how he crafts his words around the resurrection. In detailing very important eye witness accounts.

Why… did mark write this way… IN YOUR NOTES Becuase

The RESURRECTION is the linchpin of SALVATION… without it everything falls apart.

We have to remember WHY we need salvation.

We talk about this is great detail in (D-track 101) as we discuss the fall of Man which we learn about in the Garden story of Adam and Eve.

We have to also remember the Character of God.

He is both loving and Just… and it would not be very loving of him to let people go around hurting one another. This is why humans have a justice system.

This is why we cry out and protest when injustice rules… and a criminal goes free.

We want people to pay for their crimes. Where do we get this need for Justice… NOT ourselves… we get it because… it’s part of the God nature in us.

In the same way… the justice of God requires payment for sin.

God cry’s out for justice to served… for the SINS we commit.

Anyone remember what Rom. 6:23 says…

Rom 6:23 for the wages of sin is death…

This is too high of a price for us to pay… we would suffer and die for an eternity… completely separated from God.

Here is the TRUTH… He loves us too much for that.

So… he sent Jesus to paid that for us on the cross. His blood was spilled.

But he also died and experienced hell or Hades as we would have experienced it…

Lets look at a few scriptures about what happened when Jesus went to went to face Satan in hell:

First lets look at Col 2:15… its on the screen

Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Friends when Jesus went into hell/Hades after paying the punishment for our sin… he disarmed spiritual rulers and rose victorious over death after three days, proving the Cross was not His end.

Next lets look at Rev. 1:18… LETS LOOK AT IT on the screen… Jesus says…

Revelation 1:18 NLT

I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

We see from these two verses Jesus did something very important while he was in the TOMB for those three days…

In his death… he went to hell

Disarmed the enemy and his army & took the Keys of DEATH that we’re intended to LOCK YOU UP FOR ETERNITY…

Then… Rose in Power! He holds ALL THE POWER… HE HAS THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.

How do we know the Resurrection really happened?

Becuase of these eye witness account in mark and the other Gospels… they saw with their own eyes... the empty tomb and the risen Jesus.

Later in this Chapter of Mark says in Mark 16:19

Mark 16:19 (ESV)

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them(The Disciples), was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Friend …

The right hand of God - is… the place of authority…

This is where Jesus rules over sin…

This is where Jesus Judges you and declares you FREE from the consequences of your sin.

Here’s what Paul said about the resurrection and its connection to salvation when addressing the Corinthian Church… by the way the resurrection is the central theme of nearly all his letter… He says this… in Cor. 15:17… lets look at it on the screen

1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT)

And if Christ has not been raised,

Speaking of his resurection… then what Paul?

then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

What is paul saying here?

If Christ would have NOT overcome the grave… you would still have to pay for your sins becuase you are guilty… there is no one coming to help you… becuase death was too strong for Jesus… to overcome.

Friends… We NEED the RESURECTION…

Let me remind you of the assurances all believers have becuase of the resurrection. IN YOUR NOTES

Because of the Resurrection…

You have been MADE RIGHT with God. (Rom. 5:1)

Friends… You have been JUSTIFIED… (THIS IS HUGE… LISTEN)

This means Justice has been served for the sins you have committed.

There is no more penalty for you to pay… you are NOW FREE AND CLEAR no longer guilty!

It’s like the Judge dropping the gavel saying.. all charges are drop.. you are free and clear to go.

Because of the Resurrection…

You have PEACE with God. (Col. 1:20-22)

You are right with him and he is good with you.

This does not mean that he likes everything you do especially when you follow the old dead nature.. your flesh… and you sin.

It simply means… in your spirit… you have peace with God…

You are a work in progress… it takes more than a life time on earth… to untangle just 1 day of sin… and many of you lived in sin for much longer than that.

Because of the Resurrection…

Your rightness is GIVEN not EARNED. (Eph. 2:8-9)

You did NOT and can NOT… work for your salvation… and therefore you can not earn your salvation

Yes… you are RESPONSIBLE to WORK-OUT your salvation… but make no mistake… you do not work FOR it or earn it by your good deeds…

This is the ONLY reason you can be SURE about your salvation.

Its becuase of the RESURRECTION…

You are right with GOd

You have Peace with GOd

and Your righteous has be GIVEN not earned…

FRIENDS… the RESURRECTION… is the LINCHPIN of SALVATION!

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: Which assurances of the resurection do you need today?

If Jesus did not raise in victory over death…

He would not not have resurection life to offer us…

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Resurrection: The Linchpin of Salvation So far we have discussed

Why we need the RESURRECTION

The last thing I want to address regarding the Resurection is… The

REASSURANCE in the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15:4-6, Isa 53:10-11

How can you as a believer be SURE it happened?

What would you say to someone with a strong argument against the resurrection?

Most of your friends interested in Christianity will do a simple google search by asking - Did the resurrection of Christ happen? Is it true? Popular secular media will tell them NO… it did not happen.

Many Christians might struggle to respond… if faced with compelling claims that it didn’t happen. As believers, we need to defend our faith with more than “because the Bible says so” and offer a solid, thoughtful response

We need to be able to defend our position on the Resurrection.

So… How do we know the resurrection really happened?

As Christians especial those who grew up in Church and grew up with the resurrection… perhaps you have never doubted it….

But I think its important to think critically…

So you can understand why others might not believe it.

So you can have s clear thoughtful defense to the arguments against the resurection.

When dealing with biblical critique and forming your opinion based on scripture…

It’s important to do these three things (You might want to write them down)

CONSIDER the source.

Does this person have credentials, credibility, character?

Who are you listening to? Are they credible?

FACT-CHECK the evidence

Where do they get their information from? Do they cite their source? Is it hearsay or documented facts?

This includes what you hear your preacher say. Go look for yourself… do your own homework.

CONSTRUCT your own opinion

What do think about the information that has been presented? Am I for or against it and why.

Most people will use this same criteria to judge your opinions.

They will consider the source, YOU

They will fact check your evidence (Give it too them)

The will Construct their own opinions.

Quick recap about the biblical evidence for the resurection

Remember Mark detailed description approach in how he crafts his words around the resurrection.

First we notice..

Several Women witness the empty tomb.

They are told it’s empty because Jesus rose

They spread this news

First we notice..

Jesus appears in his Resurrected form to Mary Magdalene

She tell many others “Those who had been with him” we are not sure exactly… how many

He appears to the disciples

He appears to two additional believers

Who also tell many other disciples.

Most commentators agree that there are over 500 EYE witnesses of the Risen Christ.

There are to many scripture to mention here…

Lets look at it on the screen… we can notice the words of Apostle Paul… as he said to the Corinthians…

1 Corinthians 15:4–6 (ESV)

that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

Paul… had an encounter with the Resurrected Jesus and shared this news When it say’s Scriptures… Paul is referring to OT prophacy like Isa 53:10,11

Scripture continues and say…

and that 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.

This is why we can accurately say that according to scripture… and the over 25,000 manuscripts used to … confirm the consistency of the New Testament… what does all this mean… we are standing on firm ground.. when talking about the Resurection.

This is corroborated by the majority of Christian and… secular historians.

Here are a few of the top arguments against the resurection… it should probably be its own point here that…

Ok.. the 1st argument is the…

The SWOONED theory

This Argument against the resurrection says Jesus didn’t die on the cross but merely fainted- hince the word… “swooned” and later revived in the tomb.

They say he would have fainted or lost consciousness due to the torture of the cross.

What is the defense or rebuttal for this claim?

• Historians both secular and christian… site… Roman executioners as professional soldiers who ensured their crucifixion victims were dead.

This is documented by secular historians like Josephus’s writings on The Jewish War

On of the most popular Atheist turned Christian… Lee Strobel author of “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.. in Ch. 11: talks about “The Medical Evidence” for the crucifixion…. as well as The biblical evidence for this In John 19:34, saying that …. the spear thrust into Jesus’ side resulted in flow of both blood and water— which is a a medical and clear indication of death.

• According to historical record of Christian anointing for burial… Still other say that if Jesus was wrapped in burial linens with over 75 pounds of spices for 3 days…. (John 19:39-40). Such conditions would suffocate a merely unconscious person.

This too is mentioned in The Jewish War book 4 of Josephus.. the secular historian.

• Still others say… there is no way… A half-dead Jesus could not roll away an estimated 1-2 ton stone, escape Roman guards, and convince followers He had conquered death.

Ok.. the 2nd argument is the…

The STOLEN-BODY theory

Argument: Jesus’ disciples stole the body and fabricated the resurrection story.

What was their motive? To preserving Jesus’ message, and claim that He had risen.

They could inspire belief and momentum for their movement of Christianity.

What is the defense or rebuttal for this claim?

• The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66), making it improbable for the disciples to bypass them.

• The disciples were initially fearful and in hiding (Mark 14:50), not in a emotional condition to carry out such a plan. They we’re not trained in combat like the Roman Soldiers.

• Friends… I believe that It’s unlikely they would endure such suffering for something they knew to be false.

I say… The disciples boldly proclaimed the resurrection… suffered persecution and most even died… becuase they saw the Risen Jesus and we’re committed to him.

Here is the reality MOST People don’t die for something they know is a lie.

Source:

• “The Resurrection of the Son of God” by N.T. Wright.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: Paul’s account of post-resurrection witnesses.

Ok.. the 3rd argument is the…

The HALLUCINATION Theory

Argument: This argument says that… The disciples and other witnesses only thought they saw Jesus alive—these were only hallucinations.

Have people hallucinated? Yes,

Especially under mass illness, mass distress. Does this fit the situation of the disciples.. for sure.

What is the defense or rebuttal for this claim?

• Hallucinations are subjective and usually personal.

The risen Jesus appeared to multiple people at different times, including over 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).

Whats important to note here is this…

Shared hallucinations are psychologically HIGHY implausible.

There are no other records of communal or mass group hallucination that I am aware of…

• There are many accounts where The disciples touched and ate with Jesus (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:24-29) these experiences go way beyond the typical hallucination.

• In my opinion… Hallucinations do not explain the empty tomb.

Source to research

• “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus” by Gary Habermas and Michael Licona.

• William Lane-Craig’s works on the historical reliability of the resurrection.

Ok.. the LAST argument is…

The LEGEND Theory

Argument: The resurrection account was a myth or legend that developed over time.

This theory came about around the 2nd century and popularized by a man named Celsus who was a fierce critic of Christianity.

His point here was that the disciples were ether deceivers…. this theory says they made up a myth about Jesus’s resurection… this also includes they stole his body… or if they did not steal his body … their sitings of him we’re not real becuase they we’re deluded.

As you can see this Legend theory includes some of these others….

What is the defense or rebuttal for this claim?

First Defense:

A true Legend is only a legend if…

There are no credible eyewitness account that can be tracked within 50-100 years of the event.

With the credibility of scripture by both secular and christian historians we know that….

• All 4 Gospels were written within the first century, with eyewitness accounts still available to verify or refute the claims (Luke 1:1-4; John 21:24).

• The early church grew rapidly in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus was crucified and buried. If the resurrection were a myth, opponents could have easily disproven it by presenting the body.

Here is what we know….

There were a few skeptics during this time as there always is…

At the same time… There is NO record of Jesus being discovered in a post crucified form… meaning he would have been- 1/2 dead…. bathed in blood… unable to walk becuase of his broken legs

There is no way under roman watch this would have happened.

2nd Defense for the Legend Theory & we could also say the STOLEN Body theory

So according the legend… These men… made up story includes the fact that they know the tomb was empty because a woman told them. Remember Mary was assigned the task from Jesus to go tell the Disciples he is ALIVE.

What is the defense or rebuttal for this claim?

Women we’re looked down upon in 1st Century Jewish culture.

If you wanted people to believe a story such as the resurection… there is NO way you would go on record saying that a woman discovered the empty tomb and saw Jesus.

Why would you not use the testimony of a WOMEN as the evidence for this?

Becuase in the 1 century… There was no women empowerment programs.

Women we’re not even allowed to be educated - that included reading and writing.

We know this about the culture from the Mishnah-which is a Jewish text that compiles oral traditions and teachings. Here is what it says

In the Mishnah… Rosh Hashana 1:8 talks about…

Credible witnesses - believable sources.

For them this was their BIBLE…. So when you go to their bible to learn about who qualifies as a credible witness here is what is say… I paraphrase…

Unfit witnesses… amoung the Jews…are….

Gamblers

Those that lend with interest

Pigeon racers - you have to waist your time with your own study on that one…

Those who trade produce during sabbatical years…

Finally… slaves.

Then it says… closes out this list of unfit witness’s by saying…

Amoung these unfit people…… is also women.

Do you see the cultural attitude here towards women? They we’re deemed as unfit witnesses in court.. untrustworthy… un reliable…. their testimonies had no credibility. They we’re laughed upon.

Friends all 4 Gospels say…

WOMEN discovered the empty tomb.

Deductive reasoning suggests….

If the Gospel writers we’re inventing an empty tomb story… and they wanted it to be trustworthy so that it could go VIRAL… Who is the least likely person they would use to testify about the empty tomb? RIGHT… A WOMAN.

This is part of the reason why the resurection story lost credibility in the 1st century… becuase many would not believe the testimony of a woman.

I would simply suggest here that the disciples wrote this story this way becuase they actually heard about empty tomb from a woman.

Even the anti-Christian journalist…. Josephus… used women in his historical account of the empty tomb… why, becuase he believed the eye witness accounts.

Friend's I would suggest.. that the disciples wrote the resurrection account this was becuase it happened this way.

HELPFUL SOURCES:

• “The Historical Reliability of the Gospels” by Craig Blomberg.

• “Jesus and the Eyewitnesses” by Richard Bauckham.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: How would I defend one of these theories?

If someone that I was sharing Christ argued against the linch pin of salvation… how would I defend it?

PAUSE -CLIP BEGINING

PAUSE -CLIP ENDING

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Maybe you have been hung up on one of these theories of the Resurrection… and by faith today the Holy Spirit has changed your mind and convinced you that he really did rise…

Which assurances of the resurection do you need today?

Maybe your still on the fense…

I believe the more advanced our society gets… the more information that becomes available… Christians are going to need to have a strong defense for their faith outside of “The Bible Says so”… can I be honest with you…

If this is all you have… you have a very lazy approach… to sharing your faith.

I believe you need the bible says so… it SHOULD be our foundation… but we need to be able to speak in ways the people understand… Jesus did it… Paul did it… he addressed the legends of the day… used their stories… he was well versed in the arguments… and so should we.

How many of you with Gods help are wiling to stretch yourself and learn?

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-14

What sticks out to you in these verses? v. 1-3

Which of assurances of the resurection do you need today?

How would I defend one of these theories?

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).