The Message of Easter
The Message of Easter
Does the resurrection of Christ matter? Does it truly make a difference?
The resurrection is the single-most important event in all of history.
The apostle Paul sure thought so. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul was faced with the startling news that some in Corinth denied the future resurrection of the body. Such a view was adopted by many in the Greco-Roman world. Death was the end. Actually, not much has changed since the first century. Today, the same view is held by skeptics of the faith.
The message of Easter tells us: Jesus life did not end WITH A FUNERAL BUT WITH A CELEBRATION
Luke 24:1-10 KJV
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles
The message of Easter tells us: that we serve a risen Savior. The grave could not hold Christ; he defeated death. He paid the price for our sin with his own blood. And the consequences for us are huge.
The message of Easter isn’t about a far away God; it’s about dynamic, active, present, and nearby God.
The message of Easter tells us: its possible for us to have a relationship with God the Father.
The message of Easter tells us: You need not be afraid of anything—not life with all its insecurities, its conflicts, its uncertainties; not afraid of even death itself. You need have no fear—no fear!
(Romans 5:10).
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
(John 11:25-26)
Because Christ lives, we will live, too–both in this life and in the life to come. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die”
The message of Easter tells us: He came to die for the sins of mankind, be buried and rise again on the third day for our benefit.
The message of Easter is Eternal Life
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Cor 15:55-57]
The empty tomb is the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise to every one of us that we too will be raised to eternal life
The message of Easter is Victory over sin and self
The message of Easter is Jesus purposefully gave his life to empower, and transform mankind.
The message of Easter is that God has a greater purpose for our lives.
You see his life was changed and made new by the power of God.
Once stained by sin we are washed, cleansed, and transformed
The message of Easter is Healing
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.." Is 53:5
Healed from what? The eternal punishment for our sins....
The Message of Easter is that There Is Forgiveness
It means god’s grace is greater then our sin, it means 3 strikes and we are not out -- that is if we really want to still be in!
The message of Easter is of Transformation
A New Creation with a new Self.
Thes. 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Col. 3:10
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: The message of Easter is A New Kingdom.
2 Pet 3:13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Because it’s the perfect place of righteousness.
The message of Easter is about the power of God
The message of Easter gives us a new song to sing
King David says in Psalm 40:1-3, “I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 96:1 says, “O sing unto the Lord a Newsong; sing unto the Lord all the earth.”
Rev. 5:9
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
The glories that await the Christian defy our comprehension. What we can grasp about them, however, fills us with great anticipation. We look longingly to that day when we shall enjoy heaven in all its fullness.
The message of Easter is one of Hope and encouragement.
Without the Easter message we’d have no message at all. The message of Easter is the message of Hope.
The gospels may tell about the resurrection, but the resurrection explains the Gospels.
Easter is very simply the fulfillment of Gods promises.
Summery: What does Easter Mean? It means:
Jesus gave his best, that we might give him our best.
It's a celebration of Jesus' resurrection, His victory over death, His victory over sin, and His victory over Satan.
It's a better life, a life full with victory, a life with spiritual power, and a life filled with his presence.
It's also a symbolic example for us to follow, Die to self and live in Christ
God specializes in new beginnings.
What Does the Resurrection of Christ Mean for You?
You can live a forgiven life
You can have a meaningful life
You can a powerful life
You can Have a never ending Life
