EASTER CHANGES EVERTYTHING!Matthew 28:1-7

I. THE EASTER BACKGROUND

1. What did Easter used to be called?2. Where does the word Easter come from and

what does it mean?3. When did ‘Easter’ become known as ‘Easter’?

“Now, after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake: for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

“But the angel answered the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed, He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:1-7

II. THE EASTER STORY

1. The very first Passover2. The first century Passovers3. The Passover of A.D. 304. The burial5. The resurrection!

III. EASTER FAITH

A.Do you believe the Easter Story and how much do you believe it or how much of it do you believe? THE FAITH SCALE 1-10

B. Did the followers of Jesus believe? How high would you rate their faith? THE FAITH SCALE 1-10

Mk. 16:11 --- “When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had een him, THEY DID NOT BELIEVE IT.”

Mk. 16:12 --- “Afterward, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest, BUT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM EITHER.”

Mk. 16: 14 --- “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them FOR THEIR LACK OF FAITH AND THEIR STUBBORN RREFUSAL TO BELIEVE those who had seen Him after He had risen.”

III. THE EASTER CHANGE!

A. THE POWER OF EYE WITNESSES

“What was from the beginning, what we have HEARD, what we have SEEN WITH OUR EYES, and our HANDS HAVE HANDLED, concerning the Word of life…” I John 1:1

B. The eye witnesses: “Now after He had risen early on the first day of the

week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, …..” (Mk. 16:9)

“And afterward, He appeared in a different form to two of them, while walking on their way….” (Mk. 16:12)

“And afterward, He appeared to the eleven, themselves, as they were eating…” (Mk. 16:14)

The eyewitnesses, (continued)

“…and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than 500 brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, and last of all… He appeared to me also (Paul)…” (I Cor. 15:5-8)

HOW DOES GOD BUILD FAITH IN OUR LIVES TODAY?

1. BY CHALLLENGING US WITH HIS WORD (He told them He would rise on the 3rd day)

2.BY ALLOWING DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES IN OUR LIVES THAT CHALLENGE US.

3.BY USING DISAPPOINTMENTS AND SOME- TIMES SORROW.

4. BY PROVIDING EVIDENCES AND ASSURANCES THAT ENCOURAGE US, CONVINCE US AND BUILD US IN OUR FAITH.

5. THROUGH THE WORDS AND ENCOURAGE- MENT OF ONE ANOTHER.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST CHANGED ANYTHING?

“God raised Jesus from the dead. We are witnesses of this fact. By faith in the name of Jesus, this (disabled) man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can see.” (Acts 3:15,16)

EASTER CHANGED EVERYTHINGEASTER CHANGED:

DOUBTERS INTO BELIEVERSSKEPTICS INTO MIRACLE WORKERSDESPAIR INTO HOPECOWARDICE INTO COURAGEGLOOM INTO GLADNESSSORROW INTO JOYDEFEAT INTO VICTORYDEATH INTO LIFE

WE CAN ALL BE CHANGED THIS EASTER – FROM DISBELIEF TO POSSIBLITY

FROM POSSIBLITY TO PROBABILITY

FROM PROBABILITY TO CERTAINTY

FROM CERTAINTY TO COMMITMENT

HOW CHANGE CAN TAKE PLACE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY

1. BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR OWN PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR

2. BLELIEVE HE DIED ON THAT CROSS FOR YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS

3. BELIEVE HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD ON THE 3RD DAY – JUST AS HE SAID HE WOULD

4. BELIEVE THAT HIS RESURRECTION POWER AND LIFE CAN CHANGE YOU TODAY.