Easter Changes Everything

This morning I want to convince you why you should give your whole life to Jesus. I want you to be totally convinced that

The Reality of the Resurrection

John 20:1–10 ESV

1 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. 2 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.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Many people in today’s world dont believe the Easter Story.

In fact, over 6 billion people alive today do not claim to be Christian at all. (That is important to remember…the truth is, while Christianity is the largest world religion, it does not mean that most people believe what you believe about who Jesus is. The truth is that if 2 Billion people claim to be Christian…that means that there are 6 billion people that dont. So there are 3x more people that think you are wrong about Easter than think you are right.)

As a matter of fact, Traditional Jews and Muslims have no problem believing that Jesus existed, they don’t even have a problem with the idea that he was a good teacher or a prophet…they just dont believe that he was God. And this is how most of the world feels about Jesus. Noone really has a problem with Jesus’ teachings—at least not at first glance--everybody can get behind this idea of loving their neighbor, caring for the poor, helping the needy, and giving freedom to the oppressed. (Mind you—i dont think people care much for the other teachings of Jesus—like where he said you have to hate your mother and father, or where you have to take up your cross in order to follow him…but nevermind that…) Most people dont have a problem at all when it comes to Jesus’ teachings. Most people have a problem with the idea that Jesus is God…because if Jesus is God…that means that I am accountable. It means that he is in charge…and if he is in charge…that means we are not…And that’s where the problem comes in...

And so…if I asked you this question…i want you to think about how you would answer it: How do you know that Jesus rose from the grave?

Because at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters right?

Like if Jesus rose from the grave, then that means everything else in the Bible is believable. If a fully dead man can come back to life, than it doesnt really matter what your views are on creation, it doesnt really matter what you think about morality, if Jesus rose from the grave…nothing else matters…it means he is irrefutably God. And everything else makes sense.

But if Jesus didnt rise from the grave. If Jesus really was crucified, and if he really did die, and if his body is still in some grave in the city of Jerusalem…than Christianity means absolutely nothing. It is all false, it is all a lie...

This is what Paul said

The Empty Tomb is a reality…the gospel writers made it clear that the tomb was empty...

The Result of the Resurrection

John 20:11–20 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 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.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 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.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them 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.

The result of the resurrection is that we have peace with God.

The Responsibility of the Resurrection

John 20:21–23 ESV

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

We have been given the task of proclaiming the good news that peace with God is possible.