The Entry Door to Hope

John Stott suggests, “Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection. It was the resurrection which transformed Peter’s fear into courage and James’ doubt into faith. It was the resurrection which changed the Sabbath into Sunday and the Jewish remnant into the Christian Church. It was the resurrection which changed Saul the Pharisee into Paul the apostle and turned his persecuting into preaching.”

The fact is that God is in the business of resurrection-and resurrection involves transformation. The resurrection does not simply give hope for the future; it transforms the way in which we live in the present.

"I cannot give in to the devil’s principal, deceitful tactic which makes so many Christians satisfied with an “Easter celebration” instead of experiencing the power of Christ’s resurrection. It is the devil’s business to keep Christians mourning and weeping with pity beside the cross instead of demonstrating that Jesus Christ is risen, indeed.

When will the Christian church rise up, depending on His promise and power, and get on the offensive for the risen and ascended Savior?” A.W. Tozer

(NKJV)

1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

think on this

4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

The Impending Dangers and Judgments

JUDGMENT ON THE WHOLE EARTH(, ; , ,; , , , )

JUDGMENT ON THE WHOLE EARTH

Behold, the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.

21 On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. 22 They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished.

22 They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished.

DEATH IS SWALLOW UP

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

is the Signs of the End of the Age, and is The Abomination of desolation, and is The Coming of The Son of Man.

: Prologue

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

REVELATIONS 16: The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")

REVELATIONS 21: The New Heaven and The New Earth

6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

REVELATIONS 22: The River of Life

12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Easter is a time of new beginnings; It is a message about new beginnings - it is about forgiveness, hope, renewal.()

This is illustrative in the message from the angels to the women at the tomb. The women were told by the angel to take the message of the resurrection to the disciples and Peter (). "Go and tell his disciples - and don't forget Peter." Peter is singled out, because he was the disciple who had most failed Jesus.

Because of Easter

• Because of Good Friday you can look back and not be afraid.

• Because of Easter you can look ahead and not be afraid.

• Because of Ascension Day you can look up and not be afraid.

• Because of Pentecost you can look inward and not be afraid.

The section is about Martha’s growth in faith () obtaining understanding that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life:

The scene was Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem about 2 miles away (v.17-20)

Martha’s complaining, limited faith (v.21-22)

Point: Martha did believe Jesus, but did not believe to the point of resting in faith. In other words, she was not entrusting the matter completely into the Lord’s hands.(note:Matt. 16:8-9)

Martha’s fundamental faith (v.23-24)

Point: it is not a living faith, not a faith that is alive and vibrant, dynamic and moving, conscious and acting, communicating and fellowshipping.( ; Tim. 3:5)

Martha’s declared faith(v.25-27)

Think on This: Knowing that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life means three things:

that Jesus is alive, living right before us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is living and alive and in constant communion and fellowship with Him.

that our loved one is present with Jesus, no longer imperfect in mind and body, but perfect: more conscious, more aware, more alive that he was on earth. ()

that Jesus is alive, so the resurrection of our glorified bodies is assured ()

The Believer's Hope For the Future

that Jesus is alive, living right before us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is living and alive and in constant communion and fellowship with Him.

Paul’s “resurrection theology” is perhaps the broadest in the NT:

that our loved one is present with Jesus, no longer imperfect in mind and body, but perfect: more conscious, more aware, more alive that he was on earth. ()

1. The resurrection “proves” who Jesus really is, God’s Son () and head of the church (). 2. The resurrection “completes” the crucifixion and makes salvation possible (; ).

that Jesus is alive, so the resurrection of our glorified bodies is assured ()

2. The resurrection “completes” the crucifixion and makes salvation possible (; ).

3. The resurrection provides motivation and power for Christian living (, ). 4. Christ’s resurrection gives Christians hope for their own future resurrection because they “belong to Christ” (; , ).

4. Christ’s resurrection gives Christians hope for their own future resurrection because they “belong to Christ” (; , ).

The Entry Door to Hope

Scriptural Text:

(NKJV)

JUDGMENT ON THE WHOLE EARTH(, ; , ,; , , , )

Easter is a time of new beginnings; It is a message about new beginnings - it is about forgiveness, hope, renewal.()

Martha’s complaining, limited faith (v.21-22)

Point: Martha did believe Jesus, but did not believe to the point of resting in faith. In other words, she was not entrusting the matter completely into the Lord’s hands.(note:Matt. 16:8-9)

Martha’s fundamental faith (v.23-24)

Point: it is not a living faith, not a faith that is alive and vibrant, dynamic and moving, conscious and acting, communicating and fellowshipping.( ; Tim. 3:5)

Martha’s declared faith(v.25-27)

that Jesus is alive, living right before us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is living and alive and in constant communion and fellowship with Him.

that our loved one is present with Jesus, no longer imperfect in mind and body, but perfect: more conscious, more aware, more alive that he was on earth. ()

that Jesus is alive, so the resurrection of our glorified bodies is assured ()

1. The resurrection “proves” who Jesus really is, God’s Son () and head of the church (). 2. The resurrection “completes” the crucifixion and makes salvation possible (; ).

3. The resurrection provides motivation and power for Christian living (, ). 4. Christ’s resurrection gives Christians hope for their own future resurrection because they “belong to Christ” (; , ).

4. The resurrection makes an ongoing relationship with Jesus possible (; ).