Sermon Tone Analysis

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most amazing and powerful event in the history of mankind…

Part of the amazement is that it is simple enough for a child to understand yet deep enough to leave scholars in awe!

As we begin today, and before we dismiss the children for children’s church, I would like you to watch this quick video...

Start video here… Dismiss children after video

“I love you Jesus and Thank you” what an great summary of what this day is about!

Before Stig Kernell died, he told the local funeral home that he didn’t want a traditional obituary.

Instead, the Swedish man instructed them to publish only three words noting his passing: “I am dead.”

When Mr. Kernell died at age 92, that’s exactly what appeared.

The audacity and simplicity of his unusual death notice captured the attention of newspapers around the world.

In a strange twist, the international curiosity about the man with the three-word obituary caused more attention to his death than he intended.[i]

[i] By David McCasland http://odb.org/2016/03/25/three-word-obituary/

Jesus on Friday could have had the same obituary… “I am dead” Jesus died on that cross that day, and had that been the end it would have been accurate

BUT His obituary had yet to be written because Sunday morning 3 OTHER WORDS were declared clearly “HE IS RISEN” and today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be looked at, talked about, or considered without realizing the POWER that accompanies the Resurrection!

The Power over Death

The Power to Refute Doubts

The Power to Change Lives

Power Over Death

Jesus Christ had risen from the dead!

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

He has claimed the victory, He has taken away the sting!

Death is no longer a thing to be feared as a one who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ finished work!

Acts 2:24

Because of His power over death God granted Him all power.

Look at Ephesians 1:19-21

Death holds no power over the follower of Christ!

Because Christ has conquered DEATH!

Power to Refute Doubt

When you look at the resurrection in any generation there is always those who will doubt… including from the very beginning Mark 16:1-14

Some claim the resurrection never occurred…Consider Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-22

Let’s consider some of the doubts and lies concerning the resurrection…

The authorities could have easily exhumed his body and said, “Look, here’s your dead Messiah and leader!”

All four Gospels also report that the first people to discover the tomb to be empty were female followers of Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, a formerly demon-possessed.

This is another detail that no Christian, making up a fictitious story about the resurrection of Jesus, would have invented—especially not in a culture that was reluctant to accept the testimonies of women because it did not consider them to be reliable witnesses.[ii]

[ii] Mittelberg, M., & Strobel, L. (2010).

The questions christians hope no one will ask: (with answers).

Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.

Many people saw, (500) talked with, touched Jesus who were still living when this was written!

Jesus statements He made John 2:19-22 “Rebuild Temple” and Matthew 12:39-40 “Jonah”

Even his own disciples had trouble believing at first… NOTHING like this had ever occured nor has it since!

I appreciate that scripture includes one of Jesus’ disciples… Thomas: John 20:24-29

What if the disciples hid the body to create the story of the resurrection???…

I believe the lives of the disciples is the biggest testimony to the resurrection!

Power to Change Lives

These were men who were terrified, ran for their lives, abandoned the Messiah

One scared to confess Him before a servant girl

Hiding away in rooms staying away from people

BUT something… someone changed all this…!!!

Each one of these men were emboldened!

Each one except John would die a martyr’s death

These were men who had probably never gone much further than Galilee now taking the Gospel to the world

Simple men, no organization headquarters, no mass funding, declaring what some considered crazy, going BOLDLY into the world sharing Christ!

By all human standards this movement should have failed… but it didn’t and It will continue until He returns

Have you allowed the FINISHED work Jesus did by His death, burial, and resurrection to change your life?

Closing…

He Is Risen!

We do not declare a three word obituary of defeat... “He is dead”

Rather… Because of this Power of the Resurrection We declare and proclaim a VICTORY!!! “He Is Risen!”