Easter 2018

Social media game week

Super bowl of Christianity

Not wondering who will win though.

Easter Sermon

“The Devoted Witness”

Why is the resurrection so important?

1 Corinthians 15:16–20 ESV

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 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 in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Cor 15:16

There were many witnesses

1 Corinthians 15:3–6 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 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.

1 Cor 15:3-6

Everything in the Christian Faith hinges on the resurrection

Resurrection

Eternal life , Heaven, Rebirth, New bodies, Freedom from sin, Riches in Heaven, Perfect Relationships,

Healing, Miracles, Deliverance from demons, Spiritual gifts, Fruit of the Spirit, Individual calling, Purpose,

All are made possible through the resurrection.

We should desire to witness all these things.

How do we witness all this?

Lets learn from the First Witness

John 20:1–18 ESV

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘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 that he had said these things to her.

Mary not considered a trustworthy witness at the time in court.

Yet Jesus considers her a trustworthy witness. Maybe even the most trustworthy witness. Why?

I believe there is something that allows some to witness and experience more than others. Faith and Relationship.

Faith in and Relationship with Jesus Christ

John 11:25 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 11:

Faith

Jesus often tells people “your faith has made you well”

Matthew 9:22 ESV

Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

Lack of faith limited a peoples witness

Matthew 13:57–58 ESV

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Matt 13:

Relationship

Matthew 17:1–3 ESV

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

Relationship plus faith equals Devotion

Devotion

Mary the Magdalane was the first to see Jesus risen from the dead

Mary the Magdalane was the first to see Jesus risen from the dead

Why was she considered a trustworthy witness?

Well Jesus has always looked for faith in individuals

She had faith but more than that

She was close in relationship

Lets take a brief overview of her Faith in and Relationship to Jesus.

Or you could say Devotion to Jesus.

First we are told that she was freed from seven demons.

Stayed and learned from Jesus unlike her sister Martha

Saw her brother Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus.

She supported Jesus ministry financially

She anointed Jesus feet with perfume ,

She witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross (, ;

Accompanied His body to the tomb (,

First to go to the tomb Sunday morning and found it empty. (, )

On Sunday morning she was the first to get to Jesus’ tomb, and, seeing that it was empty, went and informed the disciples that someone had taken away Jesus’ body

First to see the risen Jesus.

Commissioned by Jesus to tell others

but Mary stayed behind and was the first to see the risen Lord (verse 15). He commissioned her to tell the disciples He had been resurrected (verse 17). In obedience, she and the other women went to the disciples and announced that the Lord had risen (; ; ).

Your Faith in Jesus and Relationship to Jesus determine what you get to witness and experience.

Do you have Faith in Jesus?

Are you close in Relationship to Jesus?

Are you Devoted to Jesus?

Baptism verse

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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,