Easter 2024
Part 5: Best News Ever!
By Louie Marsh, 3-31-2024
1) RESPONSES to Christ's resurrection.
"18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection." (Acts 17:18, ESV)
"31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." 32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."" (Acts 17:31–32, ESV)
· Mocked – rejected it out of hand as impossible. THIS IS BAD – TODAY!
· Hear more – I'm not convinced but I'm open to more information. – THIS IS GOOD.
2) What if Christ is still DEAD?
· If you have faith, it's a LIE
"17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile…(1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV)
· There's NO FORGIVENESS for your sins.
and you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV)
· There's no hope of an AFTERLIFE.
who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in Christ we have hope in this life only (1 Corinthians 15:19, ESV)
· Christians are pitiful JERKS & LOSERS!
we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:19, ESV)
· Judgement awaits us for LYING about God!
15We are even found to be misrepresenting God (1 Corinthians 15:15, ESV)
3) What REALLY happened.
· The stone was MOVED.
"1When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him…3And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" 4And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. (Mark 16:1–4, ESV)
Stone was 4-6 feet wide and at least a foot thick, probably weighed between one and two tons. Wealthy people had circular stones hewed for them, poor people did not. Moving a round stone while difficult was much easier than one was wasn't round.
· The body was GONE but the burial cloths remained.
"6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself." (John 20:6–7, ESV)
Shroud of Turin – a fake because it contradicts Scripture. Story of bright light and body passing through linen isn't actually taught in Scripture, but made up by men.
· Jesus was PHYSICALLY resurrected from the dead.
"26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" (John 20:26–29, ESV)
4) What if Christ is really ALIVE?
Go over what you just did and reverse it – the opposite of all those things are now true!
"11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11, ESV)
