4/20/25 The Stories of Easter

Happy Easter everyone!

Ever wonder why we take a day out of the year

To celebrate Easter?

I mean people have done it for centuries

But tradition doesn’t make it right nor correct

I mean people believe that Christians have been brainwashed for centuries

I want to tell you a story this morning

of why this day so important

And I want to bring proof that it really happened

Here’s the whole story

and I want to bring proof that it really happened

Here’s the whole story

The World is Broken

I’m sure many people understand that the world is broken

The question in everyone’s mind is how did it get there and how to fix it

Power, politics, success, happy marriages, religion

none of these are going to stop the hurricanes

The diseases, the addictions, the narcissists, the liars, the cheats

And all the rest of our relatives from being broken

So let’s all just give up, amen?

Let’s go home and feel terrible about ourselves

And sit around the table today

And wonder why we are still living

So before we can fix anything

Let’s figure out what happened

Creation

The world is broken, but it wasn’t always that way

It was created as a paradise

I believe that when the world was originally created

Created a beautiful world

It was created as a paradise

That God, Yahweh, the one and only creator

Let me borrow from a friend of mine about this story

Created a beautiful garden

With plants, animals, and even humans

I’m going to borrow from a friend of mine about this story

Genesis 1:11 CSB

Then God said, “Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.” And it was s

and so the earth produced all the trees and plants

What happens if you take a plant and remove it from the earth?

It dies, it cannot survive without the earth

Genesis 1:20 CSB

Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures

The water produced all the fish in the sea

What happens if you take a fish out of water?

it dies, it cannot survive without water

Genesis 1:26 CSB

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”

God produced man using Himself, God

What happens if you remove God from man?

he dies, spiritually, emotionally

because man cannot survive without the original source from which he was created

This is what happened to the original man and woman, Adam and Eve

Corruption

The original humans decided to disobey God

and by doing that created a corruption inside of us called sin

The corruption caused exile from the paradise garden of Eden

and forfeited the place and the life God had given to them

From that day forward, their days would be hard

and their lives are now subject to disease, sorrow, and death

now once outside the safety of the garden

Adam and Eve, and all humanity with them

because all humanity descended from them

would be left exposed to a fallen planet

The original humans decided to disobey God

And by doing that created corruption inside all of us called sin

The corruption caused exile from the paradise of the garden of Eden

And forfeited the place and the life God had given to them

From that day forward, their days would be hard

and their lives would be subject to disease, sorrow, and death

Now once outside the safety of the garden

Adam and Eve, and all humanity with them

Because all humanity descended from them

Would be left exposed to a fallen planet

But God promised He would provide a means to return to that paradise

There needed to be a payment to be released from the corruption

And it needed to be someone who was not corrupted

There’s a problem though

The Bible says in Romans

Romans 3:10–12 CSB

as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.

Romans 3:23 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

There was a system put into place

There were laws and rules

where people sacrificed animals to pay for their sin

There were rules and laws

Where people sacrificed animals to pay for their sin

Hundreds of thousands of animals were sacrificed

their blood was shed to pay for the sins

Anyone have a credit card?

You know when you pay for something on a credit card that you now have debt

eventually that debt has to be paid

Charles Stanley said it best

The Old Testament sacrificial system is like

putting all your sin on a credit card

All it did was put our sin on credit

and eventually that debt had to be paid in full

That puts us in a bind

We cannot make the payment because of the corruption in us

The God of humanity would become humanity

For God to fulfill His promise

God had to make payment somehow for the corruption

And the payment had to be perfect, complete, made in full

God would send Jesus

The God who created humanity would actually become humanity

He has perfect incorruptible and perfect blood

He had perfect incorruptible and perfect blood

No sin, no corruption

and would fulfill the promise to bring humanity back to a relationship with Him

And He could fulfill the promise to bring humanity back to a relationship with HIm

Sin mars God’s creation, but cannot overcome it

Sin mars God’s creation, but cannot overcome it

The way the payment was made

was through another sacrifice

Christ paid for our sins on the cross

The payment was made through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

Christ and the Cross

Romans 5:8 CSB

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died as a payment for us

so that we can have three things

Forgiveness - paid for on the cross

Eternal life in heaven - given after Jesus rose from the dead

And one I think we often forget about

Abundant life here on earth - for us to tell the good news of all this to everyone on earth

as we share the good news of all this to everyone we meet

And we can live happily ever after right?

Well, we as followers of Jesus still live in a corrupted world

And still have corruption in our bodies

Because that’s not going away until we get rid of these bodies

Because it’s not a physical problem it’s a spiritual problem

Sin in our body still gets in the way at times

The sin in our body still gets in the way at times

But through Jesus, we now have a way to fight the sin in our body

And that’s because Jesus returned to heaven

He left us a Spirit that lives within us

He left us His Spirit that lives within us

His own Spirit, so that we have at least a right way to think

And give us the power to fight the sin that lives there as well

and that’s the gospel

And that’s the gospel

And if you’ve never placed your faith in Jesus this morning

I’m going to give you an opportunity at the end to do that

Well, that’s a great story, but is it true?

Sounds like a big fairy tale

I mean, if it were true, that would be great

But how do we know it’s true?

How do we know that Jesus really rose from the dead?

How do we know that all this is true?

Witnesses

I’m going to bring in 12 different testimonial accounts this morning

As an argument to prove that Jesus actually rose from the dead

The testimonies are from people who saw Him after he was killed

After He was publicly executed, that’s not been denied

all written and recorded

From there, you get to decide if my argument holds water

That Jesus actually rose from the dead

This is my thesis and it comes from the Bible

1 Corinthians 15:17–19 CSB

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

In other words, if Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead

then what are we really doing this morning

except to have an emotional experience

and celebrating a myth.

This is the verse that we begin with for my argument this morning

This is coming from Paul, a follower of Jesus

and he is making the same argument to a church in Corinth

So my argument is not just me saying these things

But have been preserved for millennia

There were some 12 different occasions on which Jesus appeared.

1. Mary Magdalene (John 20:10–18).

John 20:10–18 CSB

Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.

If you find this testimony a little hard to believe, you’re not alone

Luke 24:9–11 CSB

Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

So there were other women listed here. Let’s see their testimony from a different source the Book of Matthew

2. The other women (Matt. 28:1–10).

Matthew 28:1–10 CSB

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men. The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Pretty much the same testimony, except that this included a few more ladies present

so what’s to say that they didn’t just get together and come up with this story?

Let’s hear from two others

3. Two Disciples on Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).

Luke 24:13–35 CSB

Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him. Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked them. So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

So now we have a the women that saw him

and now two other people traveling on the road to Emmaus

that was 7 miles from Jerusalem

so what happened after the ladies brought the news to the apostles

and they dismissed it?

4. Peter and John (John 20:3–9).

John 20:3–9 CSB

At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.

So we have a total of at least 6 named sources

and the story doesn’t end there

because after Peter, John, and the women returned to the the rest of the people

It is stated that Jesus appeared to Ten more of the apostles

5. Ten More Apostles (Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23).

Luke 24:36–49 CSB

As they were saying these things, he (Jesus) himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

I mentioned ten more apostles because of the original twelve

One of the apostles, Judas, had already committed suicide

because he was the one instrumental in getting Jesus killed

and Thomas, one of the twelve, wasn’t there

So Jesus appeared again, a week later

6.Thomas (John 20:24–31).

John 20:24–31 CSB

But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

7. Seven Apostles (John 21).

After appearing to everyone

Jesus made a special appearance to seven apostles on the beach at the Sea of Tiberius

I won’t read the whole story for sake of time

but this special appearance was to Thomas, Nathaneal, James and John, and two others, and Simon Peter

and this appearance was for two specific people

The first was John, which we don’t have his conversation recorded

but the other was for Peter

this was to forgive him and reinstate him

But Jesus wasn’t done yet

8. All The Apostles at the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18).

Matthew 28:16–20 CSB

The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

9. Five hundred brethren (1 Cor. 15:6).

1 Corinthians 15:6 CSB

Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

10. James (1 Cor. 15:7).

1 Corinthians 15:7 CSB

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

11. All the Disciples at the Ascension (Acts 1:4–8).

Acts 1:4–8 CSB

While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

12. Appearance to Paul (1 Cor. 15:8; Acts 9:1–9).

Acts 9:1–9 CSB

Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

This wasn’t a bodily appearance

But to have Jesus talk audibly to you

still proves that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead in some way

Here are the written accounts of twelve different appearances of Jesus after he had been publically crucified

testimonies of over 500 different people

written and preserved

So now we can celebrate Easter and the resurrection as followers of Christ without fear

We can know this was a true account

The question is this

are you still stuck at the corruption phase?

have you never asked Jesus to be the payment for your debts?

Have you never reconnected back with the source of life in God?

have you never been saved from the sin that still inhabits your body?

How would you like to make someone’s Easter experience that much better?

Romans 10:9–10 CSB

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

This is how you reconnect your spirit back to the source

This is how we accept the free gift of God

You admit that you are a sinner

then you ask Jesus to save you

If that’s you this morning,

We want to help