Easter Sunday 2024 - Death Was Not The End
March 31, 2024
- The stone was moved away not to let Jesus out, but to let you look
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. —Luke 24:44-45
- The message of Easter is that death was not the
Because I live, you will live
. —John 14:19 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
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. —Mark 16:1-9
Peter - Restored Faith
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and
you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” —Luke 22:31-34
When you return to Me, strengthen your brethren. Not
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly. —Luke 22:60-62Peter wept bitterly, with poignant grief.
- It seemed like Peter’s failure and denial of Jesus now
1. The greatest miracles can take
to sink in.
- Defeat, grief, and disappointment have a
2. Our eyes and hearts
to open in God’s Presence.
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” —1 Corinthians 15:54-55
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. —Revelation 1:18
- Spending time in the Presence of God, is to spend time in resurrection power.
3. The victory of Jesus and His Resurrection
the emotions associated with grief, disappointment, and defeat.
- Death was not the end. It was only the beginning.
- Failure is not the end. Failure is not
April Sermon Series
- Today is your day to jump in to the water. Jesus has already called your name.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23