But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. —John 20:11-14

Introduction:

“Easter is not over at sundown Easter Sunday. It stretches into the rest of our lives.” —N.T. Professor Alan Culpepper

On Palm Sunday, the city swelled with more than 200,000 visitors.

In less than 24 hours, Jesus was arrested, tortured, tried, and crucified.

The religious leaders had conspired with Rome to kill the best person they had ever known.

The

overseer Pilate and Jewish religious leaders were hoping to avoid a bloody uprising.

When Jesus died, there were no Christians, no churches, and no

.

What’s Next?

Easter morning, Jesus’

followers did not understand at first. (John 20:15)

Since Easter was without

, Easter was also a time of doubt, confusion, and disbelief.

Jesus meets us where we are, calls us by name, and gives us a purpose and a

. (John 20:16-18)

“The resurrection isn’t just a surprise happy ending for one person; it is instead the turning point for everything else.” —N.T. Wright

Resurrection is your destiny. The resurrection of Jesus is your guarantee.

Even with Jesus with you, your mission may not go as you had

. (John 20:19-20)

February 27, AD 380, Roman Emperor Theodosius 1, made Christianity the official church of the

Empire.

What Happened Between Easter morning and February 27, AD 380?

Jesus

new life and power into his people whenever and wherever they needed it. John 20:21-22

Jesus said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (Genesis 2:7)

“God’s breathing into the soul, and the soul’s breathing back what it first receives from God; a continual action of God upon the soul, the re-action of the soul upon God.” —John Wesley

In the 40 days after Easter, Jesus

to his mother, brothers, friends, and hundreds of others. (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

The same

that gave life to Adam, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to you.

“I’ve never seen the wind. I’ve seen the effects of the wind, but I’ve never seen the wind.” —Rev. Billy Graham

Jesus

that the Holy Spirit would come and be with us. (John 14:15-16)

Application: Who Is the Holy Spirit? (John 14:17)

The Holy Spirit brings Christ’s life into our lives

us with God. (John 14:18-20)

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of

which is the same spirit of Jesus living in us. (John 14:25-26)

The Holy Spirit is the breath that sustains our new life of

in Christ. (John 14:27)

The Holy Spirit is God’s gracious Presence in our lives.

“If fallen humanity were left to respond to God’s Initiative from our own resources, we would never overcome our spiritual infirmity…God has graciously provided not only pardon but also a renewed empowering Presence in our lives…the Holy Spirit.” —Rev. Dr. Randy Maddox, Duke University Professor

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the

: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (John 16:13-15)

The Holy Spirit’s

is to empower the wholeness and holiness of life that God has always intended for us.

“The gift of the Holy Spirit and the church’s mission are intimately and inseparably tied to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. When the church celebrates Easter, it also celebrates the beginnings of its mission.” —Biblical Scholar Gail O Day

Action Step:

Pray, “Come Holy Spirit. Help me want what you want.”

“My additional notes:

”.