The Greatest Redemption Story Ever

Jesus Defeated Hell, Death And The Grave

To give us Eternal Life and make a place for us in Heaven.

For us to receive forgiveness of sin

To give us Power over sin.

For our lives to be redeemed from physical and spiritual death.

So we would experience the greatest miracle of all, A CHANGED LIFE.

When Jesus rose from the grave, who did He appear to first…

It wasn’t to Peter His right hand man.

It wasn’t to the Beloved Apostle John who wrote four books of the Bible.

It wasn’t to James the Apostle.

It wasn’t to James, Jesus’ half brother.

Mary Was Given This Honor

Because of her love and devotion

Mark 16:9-11

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.

Mary HAD a past but she was a changed woman because of Jesus.

she had been healed of 7 evil spirits and infirmities.

all have fallen short

Mary Was Last To Leave The Cross

Matthew 27:54–56 (KJV 1900)

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Mark 15:40–41 (NKJV)

40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Luke 23:49 (NKJV)

49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

John 19:25 (NKJV)

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Mary was last to leave the cross,

Last to leave the tomb,

First To return and Anoint Jesus’ Body

Mark 16:9-11 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.

God Is Bigger Than YOUR Past, He's Bigger Than THEIR Past

He’s the God of endless chances,

His mercy is new every morning.

He doesn’t just accept people with pasts, He has places of honor for them.

His love never gives up, fails or falls short. Nothing can ever separate us from His love.

Jesus Defeated Hell, Death And The Grave

To give us Eternal Life and make places for us in Heaven.

For us to receive forgiveness of sin

To give us Power over sin.

For our lives to be redeemed from physical and spiritual death.

So we would experience the greatest miracle of all, A CHANGED LIFE.

Commitments -

The decisions to make this morning

Accept His Gift and receive eternal life

Determine to be His devoted followers