Welcome to our Resurrection Sunday message! Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and lived out His last week on this earth. Some notable moments in that week… late Thursday, things start to move from triumphant entry towards the cross. We see the last supper, then the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest by the religious Jewish leaders and the mock trial that found him guilty.

Friday we see the crucifixion and then His death; and silence on Saturday. That leads us to Sunday morning, a week after his entry into Jerusalem. That morning the women went to anoint the body to put more myrrh and spices on what they thought was the decaying body of Jesus, our sermon verse reveals what they found.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they (the women) had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. —Luke 24:1-3

They found nothing….the body was gone because Jesus had risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is what the Christian faith hinges on. He defeated death, lives today, and He sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. This morning let’s consider 4 ways the resurrection of Jesus meets the needs of people who are dealing with tough times in their lives today.

First, Easter is for the person who has been devastated by death. Jesus’ disciples had watched him be murdered before their very eyes and they were devastated. We especially see the sadness and despair in Mary Magdalene.

Mary is the one who runs back and tells the disciples and they all come back to the tomb. The disciples came and we see Mary outside

Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. —John 20:10-11

How many of you have had the deep grief that we see in Mary Magdalene? The Bible teaches that those who have died in the faith will have glorified bodies one day.

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. —1 Cor 15:42-43

Hear the GOOD NEWS! Physical Death has no final victory over you and me. We know Jesus overcame death in His resurrection and if we will say YES to His offer of grace and mercy, we too can defeat physical death.

Second, Easter is for people who have failed spiritually. How many times have we messed up? How many times have we fallen victim to the flesh? For me, Peter is the example. You remember after the third denial, what happened

Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. —Matthew 26:74-75

One aspect of God’s nature is that He restores His people. He desires to be in a relationship with us. And when His people sin, He wants us to repent and turn back to Him. David said it this way

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. —Psalm 51:11-13

Do you think your personal failures come as a surprise to the Lord? Absolutely not. If you need a second chance from God, then confess your sin to him and He will remove it as far as the east is from the west.

God is quick to deal with sin when those who have a changed heart confess to Him and seek restoration. We see in Nehemiah

They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. —Nehemiah 9:17

Now there might be someone here today that say to themselves “Well Bill that’s fine and good, but I have sinned too much, or have sinned a great sin. God cannot forgive me”

Part of the good news for you and me is that God gives second chances, so if you have failed, turn to Him and ask for forgiveness and be restored.

Third, The Resurrection is for people who feel as though God has let them down. Do you think God failed you somehow? Remember Mary and Martha’s disappointment with Jesus?

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.**
**V32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” —John 11:21

Jesus met them in their need. For Mary and Martha, Jesus did a supernatural healing, the resurrection of their brother Lazarus.

Today, even if you think Jesus is the reason to blame for your circumstance, He is there waiting for you to reach out to Him.

Fourth, Easter is for doubters and skeptics. Doubting is not a bad thing; it is an indication that a person is thinking. We remember Thomas was skeptical, and the Lord showed him the evidence he needed to believe.

So the other disciples told (Thomas), “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight 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.” Then 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” —John 20:25-28

I love that last part, when Thomas saw it was indeed Jesus, he responded to the living God.

There is a difference between a skeptic and a nonbeliever. A skeptic is open to answers and will listen to what is said; when presented with evidence they will change. A nonbeliever is set in their ways. They are firm in their resolve to NOT believe. They don’t want to hear the answers.

I don’t know if any of these four situations describe you today…But I want you to hear clearly from scripture

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2Cor 6:2

Today is the day for salvation. Are you backslidden or have you somehow failed the Lord? Jesus would say to you today, “I am giving you another chance.”

Do you feel as though God has failed you or let you down? Jesus can restore your hope and make your heart burn within you through His Word.

Are you a skeptic—unsure and full of questions? Jesus has the answers. But do you really want them?