249 00:26:16.985 --> 00:26:20.075 Well, good morning, hope family and happy Easter. 250 00:26:20.575 --> 00:26:24.995 So excited to be we can celebrate the tomb is empty. 251 00:26:25.255 --> 00:26:27.715 So excited to be spending time here with you in this room 252 00:26:28.295 --> 00:26:29.715 across all of our campuses. 253 00:26:29.775 --> 00:26:32.035 To all of you who are joining in with us online, 254 00:26:32.435 --> 00:26:34.035 a special welcome to our guests. 255 00:26:34.535 --> 00:26:35.675 Uh, whether you were here 256 00:26:35.675 --> 00:26:38.955 because someone from the Hope Family actually invited you, 257 00:26:39.455 --> 00:26:41.875 uh, I know we can be a little pesky with our invites, 258 00:26:42.015 --> 00:26:44.165 or you just made a decision to come check us out. 259 00:26:44.765 --> 00:26:46.485 I want you to know this you have been prayed for 260 00:26:46.825 --> 00:26:48.805 and, uh, we'd love for you to come back next week. 261 00:26:48.805 --> 00:26:50.845 That's our hope. We're kicking off a brand new series. 262 00:26:51.315 --> 00:26:53.405 Just to let you know a little bit about us as a church, 263 00:26:53.425 --> 00:26:55.245 we say around here at Hope, we are a family. 264 00:26:55.295 --> 00:26:57.885 We're like a family of families who love God, 265 00:26:58.225 --> 00:26:59.765 follow Jesus and share hope. 266 00:26:59.765 --> 00:27:01.285 And that doesn't mean like we're a family. 267 00:27:01.345 --> 00:27:02.525 And so you're not a part of the family. 268 00:27:02.525 --> 00:27:04.045 That means like we're a welcoming family. 269 00:27:04.345 --> 00:27:06.005 And so what you'll find here is a place 270 00:27:06.005 --> 00:27:07.805 of belonging, a place of purpose. 271 00:27:08.545 --> 00:27:10.005 And we're just believing that if you hang 272 00:27:10.005 --> 00:27:11.685 around long enough, you're gonna 273 00:27:11.685 --> 00:27:12.845 want to be a part of the family here. 274 00:27:12.845 --> 00:27:13.845 So welcome into that. 275 00:27:14.065 --> 00:27:15.765 Uh, we are gonna hear some good news today, 276 00:27:16.345 --> 00:27:18.005 and I don't know if you know this or not, 277 00:27:18.265 --> 00:27:21.245 but Easter is like the Super Bowl Sunday of our faith. 278 00:27:21.245 --> 00:27:22.405 And so whether you know it 279 00:27:22.405 --> 00:27:24.485 or not, like Easter is built around everything 280 00:27:24.485 --> 00:27:27.205 that we believe that we celebrate, uh, everything, 281 00:27:27.265 --> 00:27:29.485 all the hope that we have as a result of the events 282 00:27:29.485 --> 00:27:31.045 that we celebrate on Easter. 283 00:27:31.065 --> 00:27:33.045 So what is that? This weekend is the weekend 284 00:27:33.045 --> 00:27:35.325 that we celebrate that the tomb is empty, 285 00:27:35.325 --> 00:27:37.325 that Jesus is alive, that sin, death, 286 00:27:37.385 --> 00:27:38.725 and hell have been defeated. 287 00:27:38.985 --> 00:27:40.765 And through the power and the love and the grace 288 00:27:40.765 --> 00:27:43.125 and mercy of our God, we can experience the new life 289 00:27:43.355 --> 00:27:45.085 that Jesus has come to make available to us. 290 00:27:45.085 --> 00:27:47.205 Can somebody, just anybody say amen to that? Amen. 291 00:27:47.405 --> 00:27:48.765 I mean, that is what we are about. 292 00:27:49.105 --> 00:27:51.045 And I wanna share this like right outta the gate 293 00:27:51.045 --> 00:27:52.645 because I know a lot of this can get lost, 294 00:27:52.755 --> 00:27:55.085 like in the tradition of Easter 295 00:27:55.505 --> 00:27:58.525 and all the dressing up, which most of you look really good, 296 00:27:58.585 --> 00:28:01.725 by the way, this weekend, uh, I almost wore pants that, um, 297 00:28:01.725 --> 00:28:03.085 covered my ankles, but not quite. 298 00:28:03.105 --> 00:28:04.325 So I didn't do that. Uh, 299 00:28:04.325 --> 00:28:05.805 but it can get lost in the tradition. 300 00:28:05.805 --> 00:28:07.045 It can get lost in the dressing up. 301 00:28:07.045 --> 00:28:11.365 It can get lost in the bunny suits. I think there's, yep. 302 00:28:11.905 --> 00:28:13.965 So that is, that is me 303 00:28:13.995 --> 00:28:16.245 that when I fell victim to a bunny suit. 304 00:28:16.385 --> 00:28:19.725 So, uh, backstory there, my small group decided 305 00:28:19.745 --> 00:28:21.645 to host a spring fling in my neighborhood. 306 00:28:21.905 --> 00:28:24.045 We put together an Easter egg hunt a few years ago, 307 00:28:24.345 --> 00:28:27.005 and someone told me it would be a really great idea if you 308 00:28:27.005 --> 00:28:28.925 dressed up like the Easter bunny and came out 309 00:28:29.385 --> 00:28:30.965 and, uh, I think two people called the 310 00:28:30.965 --> 00:28:32.005 police on me that weekend. 311 00:28:32.665 --> 00:28:35.445 Uh, so just so you know, the spring fling continues. 312 00:28:35.465 --> 00:28:36.805 Uh, the Easter egg continues, 313 00:28:36.805 --> 00:28:38.805 the bunny suit has been retired. 314 00:28:39.065 --> 00:28:41.285 Uh, but it's been, it's so easy to lose sight of 315 00:28:41.285 --> 00:28:43.165 what the Bible tells us this weekend is all about. 316 00:28:43.325 --> 00:28:45.245 'cause the Bible says, Hey, Easter's not just a normal 317 00:28:45.345 --> 00:28:46.685 day like it is a day. 318 00:28:46.875 --> 00:28:47.885 It's like a linchpin. 319 00:28:47.885 --> 00:28:49.005 It's a hinge in the course 320 00:28:49.005 --> 00:28:50.725 of human history that changes everything. 321 00:28:52.385 --> 00:28:54.165 The backstory is the Bible tells us 322 00:28:54.165 --> 00:28:57.245 that God's original intent for creation was for us 323 00:28:57.245 --> 00:28:59.525 to experience a life of beauty, uh, a life 324 00:28:59.525 --> 00:29:01.005 of peace, a life of blessing. 325 00:29:01.585 --> 00:29:04.325 But our enemy, Satan shows up on the scene 326 00:29:04.385 --> 00:29:06.445 and deceives man to believe that we know better 327 00:29:06.505 --> 00:29:09.365 for ourselves than he actually knows for us. 328 00:29:09.985 --> 00:29:12.845 And then through that deception, sin entered the world. 329 00:29:12.985 --> 00:29:14.925 And then all the brokenness that we know that 330 00:29:14.925 --> 00:29:17.005 around us in our lives entered the world. 331 00:29:17.625 --> 00:29:21.405 So separation from God, death, disease, 332 00:29:22.175 --> 00:29:24.965 depression, hurt, all that enters the world. 333 00:29:25.105 --> 00:29:27.925 But God being rich in mercy and 334 00:29:27.925 --> 00:29:30.285 because of his love for us, he made a promise 335 00:29:30.355 --> 00:29:32.645 that a savior would show up on the scene one day 336 00:29:32.905 --> 00:29:34.405 and put all this back together again. 337 00:29:34.405 --> 00:29:35.725 And that was made possible through 338 00:29:35.725 --> 00:29:37.685 what we celebrate on Easter, is 339 00:29:37.685 --> 00:29:39.125 what the apostle Paul was writing about. 340 00:29:39.125 --> 00:29:40.525 In Ephesians chapter two, he says, 341 00:29:40.545 --> 00:29:42.805 but God, who is so rich in mercy, 342 00:29:43.225 --> 00:29:47.845 and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead 343 00:29:47.845 --> 00:29:50.045 because of our sins and hear that dead 344 00:29:50.045 --> 00:29:51.165 because of our sins, 345 00:29:51.475 --> 00:29:54.285 dead things can't bring himself back to life. 346 00:29:54.305 --> 00:29:56.485 Though we were dead because of our sins. 347 00:29:56.545 --> 00:30:01.445 He gave us life when he raised Christ Jesus from the dead. 348 00:30:02.095 --> 00:30:05.765 Jesus came to earth for the greatest cosmic rescue mission 349 00:30:05.765 --> 00:30:09.165 of all time, to teach all who would listen about how 350 00:30:09.165 --> 00:30:10.245 to live out God's kingdom. 351 00:30:10.425 --> 00:30:13.365 He went to a cross to pay the necessary price 352 00:30:13.465 --> 00:30:15.085 for my sins, for your sins. 353 00:30:15.085 --> 00:30:17.685 He went into a tomb and he stayed there for three days. 354 00:30:17.685 --> 00:30:19.925 And just at that moment where it seemed like all hope was 355 00:30:19.925 --> 00:30:21.285 lost, and I want you to go there like, 356 00:30:21.435 --> 00:30:23.405 because that's where we're going this weekend, that moment 357 00:30:23.405 --> 00:30:26.805 where it seemed like there was no way all hope was lost, 358 00:30:27.065 --> 00:30:29.405 he showed us that even death could not stop the 359 00:30:29.405 --> 00:30:30.725 power and the love of God. 360 00:30:30.725 --> 00:30:33.045 And he rolled the stone away and he said, nice tri Satan. 361 00:30:33.145 --> 00:30:36.645 And he walked out. The tomb is empty. 362 00:30:37.225 --> 00:30:38.885 And that's what we celebrate on Easter. 363 00:30:40.425 --> 00:30:42.805 Now, can we be honest for a minute? 364 00:30:44.995 --> 00:30:46.445 Life doesn't always feel like we just 365 00:30:46.445 --> 00:30:47.485 won the Super Bowl, does it? 366 00:30:49.105 --> 00:30:52.445 Um, personally, I lost my dad this year. 367 00:30:53.625 --> 00:30:55.285 And uh, for those of you who know me, 368 00:30:55.285 --> 00:30:57.325 like it's, it was a journey. 369 00:30:57.755 --> 00:30:58.925 Like it's been a tough year. 370 00:30:59.225 --> 00:31:00.685 Uh, I know many of you have had 371 00:31:00.685 --> 00:31:02.205 to say goodbye to loved ones recently. 372 00:31:02.825 --> 00:31:04.125 Uh, many of you have lost jobs. 373 00:31:04.625 --> 00:31:06.965 We have aging parents that are battling diseases, 374 00:31:06.965 --> 00:31:08.125 fear around the economy. 375 00:31:08.465 --> 00:31:10.885 Uh, I didn't even know this. Apparently I'm the only one in 376 00:31:10.885 --> 00:31:13.845 my Facebook friend, my friend group on Facebook 377 00:31:14.105 --> 00:31:16.005 that's not like an expert on tariffs. 378 00:31:16.125 --> 00:31:18.845 I mean, I had no idea. And apparently like that's something 379 00:31:18.845 --> 00:31:20.205 that I've gotta learn a bit more about. 380 00:31:20.865 --> 00:31:24.205 Uh, some of us continuing 381 00:31:24.205 --> 00:31:25.845 to be trapped in the same addictions 382 00:31:26.185 --> 00:31:29.085 and sins we're carrying around the same guilt 383 00:31:29.105 --> 00:31:31.125 and shame that we've carried around for years. 384 00:31:31.155 --> 00:31:32.645 Like this stuff is heavy. 385 00:31:36.225 --> 00:31:38.445 And right about now you're thinking, man, 386 00:31:38.445 --> 00:31:39.605 this changed directions quickly. 387 00:31:39.635 --> 00:31:41.645 Like I thought we were celebrating like what happened 388 00:31:41.645 --> 00:31:42.685 to all the music and the party 389 00:31:42.745 --> 00:31:43.885 and everything we're talking about. 390 00:31:44.225 --> 00:31:46.845 But one thing I know about God, he doesn't expect us to go 391 00:31:46.845 --> 00:31:48.085 through life for pretend and there's not pain. 392 00:31:48.945 --> 00:31:52.525 Uh, Psalm 34 18, it says, the Lord is near 393 00:31:52.625 --> 00:31:57.005 to the brokenhearted and he saves the crushed in spirit. 394 00:31:58.385 --> 00:31:59.645 And for Easter to really matter. 395 00:31:59.645 --> 00:32:02.445 Listen, we, we've gotta acknowledge that darkness is a part 396 00:32:02.445 --> 00:32:05.245 of this world and we're gonna see it was no different 397 00:32:05.265 --> 00:32:06.405 on that first Easter morning. 398 00:32:06.665 --> 00:32:08.325 And so, uh, before we go there though, 399 00:32:08.485 --> 00:32:10.565 I just wanna recognize something like, I believe 400 00:32:10.565 --> 00:32:13.005 that every one of us have that place in our lives. 401 00:32:13.065 --> 00:32:14.885 We have that area in our lives recently. 402 00:32:14.885 --> 00:32:18.005 We're like, man, I just don't know if there's hope. 403 00:32:19.115 --> 00:32:21.725 Like I don't know what's going to happen in the midst 404 00:32:21.725 --> 00:32:23.885 of this brokenness that I'm experiencing right now. 405 00:32:23.885 --> 00:32:25.405 And so I just wanna ask you this question, 406 00:32:26.875 --> 00:32:29.485 what would God have to do for you to have hope? 407 00:32:31.025 --> 00:32:32.445 That's our question for the weekend. 408 00:32:33.705 --> 00:32:36.125 And uh, what we're gonna do is we're gonna look 409 00:32:36.125 --> 00:32:37.165 at that first Easter morning. 410 00:32:37.185 --> 00:32:39.485 And so one of the historical records of 411 00:32:39.485 --> 00:32:40.925 that first Easter morning, it takes place 412 00:32:40.925 --> 00:32:41.965 in Luke chapter 24. 413 00:32:41.965 --> 00:32:43.765 And so if you have your Bible, as I wanna encourage you, 414 00:32:44.305 --> 00:32:45.325 go ahead and turn there. 415 00:32:45.505 --> 00:32:47.045 Uh, we have been in a series 416 00:32:47.045 --> 00:32:48.485 that we're calling the Way it's kind 417 00:32:48.485 --> 00:32:49.565 of wrapping up this weekend 418 00:32:49.625 --> 00:32:51.445 and then driving us into our, uh, 419 00:32:51.475 --> 00:32:52.805 next series that we're calling now. 420 00:32:52.805 --> 00:32:56.325 What? But we've really been following the way of Jesus, uh, 421 00:32:56.385 --> 00:32:59.845 in the last week of his life before he ends up on the cross 422 00:32:59.865 --> 00:33:02.045 and where we're gonna pick up in Luke chapter 24. 423 00:33:02.515 --> 00:33:05.485 It's the third day after Jesus was crucified. 424 00:33:05.485 --> 00:33:08.125 And it tells the events of what happened that morning. 425 00:33:08.225 --> 00:33:10.765 So jumping right in Luke 24 verse one, it says, 426 00:33:10.765 --> 00:33:11.965 been on the first day of the week. 427 00:33:12.285 --> 00:33:14.605 I wanna, Sunday at early dawn, first thing in the morning, 428 00:33:14.755 --> 00:33:17.285 they went to the tomb taking the 429 00:33:17.425 --> 00:33:18.685 spices that they had prepared. 430 00:33:19.745 --> 00:33:22.925 So who's the they? Uh, the they In this picture here, 431 00:33:22.995 --> 00:33:25.485 it's three women, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, 432 00:33:25.485 --> 00:33:26.845 and Mary, the mother of James. 433 00:33:27.535 --> 00:33:29.725 These were women that were incredibly close to Jesus. 434 00:33:29.915 --> 00:33:31.165 They walked alongside of them. 435 00:33:31.165 --> 00:33:32.445 They followed him through his ministry. 436 00:33:32.445 --> 00:33:34.725 They even helped support his ministry financially. 437 00:33:35.985 --> 00:33:40.445 Why were they carrying spices? An ancient Jewish tradition. 438 00:33:40.465 --> 00:33:43.245 It was customary to anoint a body with spices 439 00:33:43.245 --> 00:33:46.565 and perfumes as an act of honor for the deceased. 440 00:33:47.985 --> 00:33:50.165 It also helped cover the odor of decay as it, 441 00:33:50.165 --> 00:33:52.405 it wasn't a part of their custom to embalm the bodies. 442 00:33:52.665 --> 00:33:55.125 And so what's the real reason? They were carrying spices. 443 00:33:56.645 --> 00:33:57.935 They believed Jesus was dead. 444 00:33:59.175 --> 00:34:01.175 I mean, they believed he was gonna stay dead. 445 00:34:01.175 --> 00:34:02.735 They, they, these women were not going 446 00:34:02.795 --> 00:34:03.895 to see a risen savior. 447 00:34:04.005 --> 00:34:06.255 They were going to mourn in their pain 448 00:34:06.475 --> 00:34:07.775 and to finish the burial process. 449 00:34:07.915 --> 00:34:10.815 See, Jesus, Jesus died late on Friday night 450 00:34:10.875 --> 00:34:12.935 and in, uh, their religion, there was no one 451 00:34:12.935 --> 00:34:14.575 to work on the Sabbath on Saturday. 452 00:34:15.115 --> 00:34:16.735 And so the burial had been rushed. 453 00:34:16.735 --> 00:34:18.775 And so they show up early Sunday morning really just 454 00:34:18.775 --> 00:34:19.815 to finish the work that they 455 00:34:19.815 --> 00:34:20.975 didn't have time to do on Friday. 456 00:34:23.515 --> 00:34:25.575 And I wanna give you a little more context just 457 00:34:25.575 --> 00:34:28.375 to help you understand these women's, this women's grief, 458 00:34:29.235 --> 00:34:32.215 uh, on that morning, these, these women, they were Jewish. 459 00:34:33.075 --> 00:34:34.855 And so they would've known and understood 460 00:34:34.855 --> 00:34:36.855 and believed what we know is the Old Testament. 461 00:34:37.075 --> 00:34:39.175 And so they would've believed that at the beginning of time 462 00:34:39.195 --> 00:34:42.015 as we know it, that God created Adam and Eve created man 463 00:34:42.015 --> 00:34:43.975 and woman, put them in the Garden of Eden, 464 00:34:44.195 --> 00:34:45.895 and God had beautiful plans for the world. 465 00:34:45.895 --> 00:34:48.775 He said it was very good. They also would've believed 466 00:34:48.895 --> 00:34:51.135 that a serpent shows up on the scene the devil, 467 00:34:51.595 --> 00:34:53.895 and tempted Eve to disobey God. 468 00:34:54.195 --> 00:34:56.335 And she did. And then Adam followed suit. 469 00:34:56.355 --> 00:34:58.335 And through Adam and Eve, sin 470 00:34:58.335 --> 00:34:59.855 and brokenness entered the world. 471 00:35:00.605 --> 00:35:02.975 They call this brokenness, the lack of peace, the things 472 00:35:02.975 --> 00:35:05.015 that we are thinking about just a moment ago, 473 00:35:05.015 --> 00:35:06.175 they became a reality. 474 00:35:07.515 --> 00:35:09.695 So they believe in that moment that God said, Hey, BEC, 475 00:35:09.695 --> 00:35:10.975 as a result of this, like a 476 00:35:10.975 --> 00:35:12.175 curse is gonna fall on the earth. 477 00:35:12.355 --> 00:35:13.975 But they also believe that God said, 478 00:35:14.035 --> 00:35:16.375 but hey, I I, I'm also gonna make a way 479 00:35:16.395 --> 00:35:17.415 for this to become right. 480 00:35:17.415 --> 00:35:21.135 Genesis three 15 says, I God will put an enmity between you, 481 00:35:21.655 --> 00:35:25.895 serpent and this woman between your offspring, serpent 482 00:35:25.975 --> 00:35:27.055 and her offspring. 483 00:35:27.555 --> 00:35:31.375 He shall crush your head and you shall bruise his heel. 484 00:35:31.955 --> 00:35:34.135 Uh, many theologians refer to this as, 485 00:35:34.155 --> 00:35:37.255 as the first messianic prophecy, the first prophecy 486 00:35:37.285 --> 00:35:39.765 or foretelling of a savior who is actually gonna come. 487 00:35:39.765 --> 00:35:42.245 So God says, Hey, you have messed this whole thing up, 488 00:35:42.415 --> 00:35:45.085 devil, but there is going to be a savior that's gonna come 489 00:35:45.085 --> 00:35:46.765 through her offering that's gonna put 490 00:35:46.765 --> 00:35:47.805 this all back together again. 491 00:35:47.825 --> 00:35:49.685 And then throughout the Old Testament, 492 00:35:49.685 --> 00:35:52.725 there's over 300 prophecies made of a messiah, of a savior. 493 00:35:52.725 --> 00:35:53.725 That's one day gonna come 494 00:35:54.065 --> 00:35:55.725 and put all this brokenness back together. 495 00:35:55.745 --> 00:35:56.765 And like spoiler alert, 496 00:35:56.765 --> 00:35:58.205 if you put the New Testament together, 497 00:35:58.535 --> 00:36:00.045 those prophecies come true. 498 00:36:01.505 --> 00:36:02.765 And so that's what they would've known 499 00:36:02.905 --> 00:36:05.445 and believed God was sending a 500 00:36:05.445 --> 00:36:08.325 savior from that moment. 501 00:36:08.465 --> 00:36:09.965 You fast forward thousands of years, 502 00:36:10.425 --> 00:36:12.005 and we get to Luke chapter two. 503 00:36:12.425 --> 00:36:15.085 So 20 some chapters ahead in the same book 504 00:36:15.085 --> 00:36:16.445 that we're in right now, verse 11. 505 00:36:16.785 --> 00:36:19.525 And we read this verse every year at Christmas, if you're 506 00:36:19.525 --> 00:36:20.725 around a church at all. 507 00:36:20.725 --> 00:36:22.965 And it a and this is an, an angel talking 508 00:36:22.985 --> 00:36:24.245 to shepherds out in the field. 509 00:36:24.385 --> 00:36:26.405 It says for unto you this day 510 00:36:26.745 --> 00:36:27.925 and the city of David, 511 00:36:28.925 --> 00:36:31.565 a savior is born who is Christ the Lord. 512 00:36:33.585 --> 00:36:35.245 And then that baby grows up 513 00:36:35.265 --> 00:36:37.725 and around the age of 30, he begins his public ministry, 514 00:36:37.755 --> 00:36:39.165 he's preaching the good news of the kingdom 515 00:36:39.185 --> 00:36:40.365 of God, he's healing the sick. 516 00:36:40.555 --> 00:36:42.205 He's calling people into following them. 517 00:36:42.425 --> 00:36:44.285 And these women begin to follow him. 518 00:36:44.545 --> 00:36:46.605 And at some point, belief begins to spark. 519 00:36:48.075 --> 00:36:50.985 Maybe this is the one that we've been waiting for, 520 00:36:51.895 --> 00:36:53.345 like maybe this is the Messiah 521 00:36:53.345 --> 00:36:55.465 that's gonna put all this brokenness back together again. 522 00:36:55.525 --> 00:36:57.505 And so they give their life to following them. 523 00:36:58.645 --> 00:37:01.385 But just a week before they're at his tomb, 524 00:37:01.985 --> 00:37:04.345 mourning his death, Jesus had risen. 525 00:37:04.345 --> 00:37:05.945 And we heard about this last week from Aaron. 526 00:37:06.115 --> 00:37:08.705 Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, 527 00:37:08.705 --> 00:37:10.985 and the people were shouting to him, Hosanna, 528 00:37:10.985 --> 00:37:12.425 which means God save us. 529 00:37:12.425 --> 00:37:15.025 The referring to him is the son of David and the king. 530 00:37:15.025 --> 00:37:16.985 They are believing that Jesus is the one 531 00:37:16.985 --> 00:37:18.025 that was a week prior. 532 00:37:18.325 --> 00:37:20.465 And then just a few days later, again, we heard last week, 533 00:37:20.715 --> 00:37:21.825 Jesus is arrested. 534 00:37:22.055 --> 00:37:24.145 He's given an unfair trial, he's beaten 535 00:37:24.725 --> 00:37:26.185 and he's hung on a cross to die. 536 00:37:27.885 --> 00:37:31.665 And so these women in one week have gone from believing 537 00:37:31.665 --> 00:37:34.105 that Jesus was the promised savior of the world 538 00:37:35.485 --> 00:37:36.585 to now grieving 539 00:37:36.615 --> 00:37:39.865 that their friend died a public and painful death. 540 00:37:41.695 --> 00:37:45.935 Like can you imagine that first Easter morning? 541 00:37:45.935 --> 00:37:47.375 It, it started with grief. 542 00:37:49.115 --> 00:37:52.495 And I know there's many of us in here, um, 543 00:37:52.555 --> 00:37:55.055 in this room right now who have lost loved ones recently. 544 00:37:55.515 --> 00:37:58.335 And, and we know the gut wrenching emptiness 545 00:38:00.375 --> 00:38:02.025 That you feel when you wake up in the morning 546 00:38:02.085 --> 00:38:03.465 and maybe it's on the morning of a funeral 547 00:38:04.565 --> 00:38:06.425 and you realize they're no longer here. 548 00:38:08.525 --> 00:38:10.985 And some of us we're in that place today. 549 00:38:12.445 --> 00:38:13.745 And I asked you this question earlier, 550 00:38:15.295 --> 00:38:16.945 what would God have to do to give you hope? 551 00:38:20.925 --> 00:38:23.345 So we're gonna pick back up verse two. 552 00:38:23.685 --> 00:38:25.425 So these women, they're on the way to the tomb. 553 00:38:25.425 --> 00:38:26.505 They're carrying their spices. 554 00:38:26.505 --> 00:38:28.625 They're expecting to see Jesus there deceased. 555 00:38:29.015 --> 00:38:30.105 What did they find at the tomb? 556 00:38:30.105 --> 00:38:32.305 Verse two, it says, and then they found the stone 557 00:38:32.365 --> 00:38:33.785 rolled away from the tomb. 558 00:38:33.965 --> 00:38:36.325 But when they went in, they did not find the 559 00:38:36.325 --> 00:38:37.565 body of their Lord Jesus. 560 00:38:37.785 --> 00:38:38.885 So the stones rolled away. 561 00:38:39.255 --> 00:38:41.685 Jesus isn't in there and they have no idea what to think. 562 00:38:41.685 --> 00:38:43.005 Like, did somebody steal the body? 563 00:38:43.005 --> 00:38:44.325 That was something they were concerned about. 564 00:38:44.545 --> 00:38:47.125 And maybe they wanted to believe that Jesus is alive. 565 00:38:47.265 --> 00:38:49.365 But you know, as well as I do in the midst of pain, 566 00:38:49.545 --> 00:38:51.525 how difficult it is to assume a miracle. 567 00:38:52.235 --> 00:38:57.045 Like it's so tough in the midst of a feeling of hopelessness 568 00:38:57.105 --> 00:39:00.245 to really believe that a miracle can happen. 569 00:39:01.905 --> 00:39:02.965 And then you get to verse four, 570 00:39:03.745 --> 00:39:06.325 and it says, while they were perplex perplexed about this, 571 00:39:06.505 --> 00:39:09.205 behold two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 572 00:39:09.305 --> 00:39:11.125 So now all of a sudden there's two men 573 00:39:11.125 --> 00:39:13.245 that are standing on the scene that weren't there before. 574 00:39:13.545 --> 00:39:15.965 Uh, they're not wearing bunny suits, okay? 575 00:39:15.965 --> 00:39:17.325 It's not your normal Easter morning. 576 00:39:17.465 --> 00:39:19.565 It says they're wearing dazzling apparel. 577 00:39:19.705 --> 00:39:22.325 And that word dazzling in the Greek, uh, it's related 578 00:39:22.385 --> 00:39:23.445 to the word lightning. 579 00:39:23.635 --> 00:39:25.805 Like not just like a calm white light, 580 00:39:25.805 --> 00:39:28.445 but a supernatural brightness like blinding. 581 00:39:28.665 --> 00:39:29.885 So these men are angels. 582 00:39:30.665 --> 00:39:34.165 And in verse five, these angels ask these women a question 583 00:39:34.165 --> 00:39:36.925 that I think we need to let set in just a little bit. 584 00:39:38.265 --> 00:39:39.645 And says, as they were frightened, 585 00:39:39.645 --> 00:39:41.245 they bowed their faces to the ground. 586 00:39:41.265 --> 00:39:42.365 And the men said to them, 587 00:39:42.745 --> 00:39:46.045 why do you seek the living among the dead? 588 00:39:48.715 --> 00:39:51.045 Says these angels, like they know that they're there looking 589 00:39:51.045 --> 00:39:52.965 for Jesus, and they ask, why are you looking 590 00:39:53.065 --> 00:39:56.405 for a man who's alive in a place where dead people are? 591 00:39:57.665 --> 00:39:59.845 And you know, if I were to say it differently, I would say, 592 00:39:59.905 --> 00:40:02.445 why have you come to a place of death to look for life? 593 00:40:02.985 --> 00:40:05.085 And as I was sitting in this passage this week, 594 00:40:05.105 --> 00:40:08.805 it dawned on me that we need to ask ourselves this question. 595 00:40:10.495 --> 00:40:12.845 Where in our lives are we looking 596 00:40:12.945 --> 00:40:14.925 for the living amongst the dead? 597 00:40:17.105 --> 00:40:18.245 And you might hear that and think, 598 00:40:18.245 --> 00:40:19.605 well Jason, I don't know that I do that. 599 00:40:19.705 --> 00:40:21.165 Uh, I don't know what you're talking about. 600 00:40:21.905 --> 00:40:23.885 But I would ask this, is it possible that the reason 601 00:40:23.885 --> 00:40:26.805 that we find ourselves in places of emptiness is 602 00:40:27.005 --> 00:40:28.245 because we're looking for life 603 00:40:28.265 --> 00:40:30.405 or we're looking for hope in the wrong things? 604 00:40:30.675 --> 00:40:32.245 Like how often do we go through life 605 00:40:32.245 --> 00:40:35.085 and think, you know what, if I just had a little bit more 606 00:40:35.085 --> 00:40:36.445 money, things would be better. 607 00:40:36.635 --> 00:40:38.005 Like I, I mean, I think 608 00:40:38.005 --> 00:40:40.085 that regularly if I just had a little more money. 609 00:40:40.225 --> 00:40:41.325 But what if, what if money 610 00:40:41.325 --> 00:40:42.685 wasn't actually meant to bring life? 611 00:40:45.145 --> 00:40:46.925 How often do our actions show 612 00:40:48.055 --> 00:40:50.445 maybe just one more drink will ease the pain. 613 00:40:52.515 --> 00:40:55.805 Well, what if that drink is never going to address the pain 614 00:40:55.805 --> 00:40:57.165 that you're using it to cope with? 615 00:40:59.025 --> 00:41:03.825 How often do we think if I could just have my one back, 616 00:41:05.445 --> 00:41:07.305 or if God would heal this disease? 617 00:41:08.205 --> 00:41:09.985 And look, I've been there by bedsides. 618 00:41:10.065 --> 00:41:11.185 I I've prayed for healing. 619 00:41:11.255 --> 00:41:12.905 I've gotten together with elders from this church 620 00:41:12.965 --> 00:41:14.265 and I've seen God heal. 621 00:41:14.445 --> 00:41:16.185 Our staff gets together and pray for things. 622 00:41:16.325 --> 00:41:18.745 And we have seen God move miraculously, 623 00:41:18.885 --> 00:41:19.905 but it doesn't always happen. 624 00:41:20.165 --> 00:41:22.985 But what if physical death on this side of eternity? 625 00:41:22.985 --> 00:41:24.065 What if it wasn't the end? 626 00:41:25.055 --> 00:41:27.185 What if we could have so hope in something bigger? 627 00:41:29.605 --> 00:41:31.665 How often do we continually go through lives 628 00:41:31.805 --> 00:41:35.165 and give ourselves to things that we know the word of God 629 00:41:36.315 --> 00:41:38.005 says will not bring us life? 630 00:41:38.105 --> 00:41:40.845 But what if true life was really found in living life the 631 00:41:40.845 --> 00:41:42.805 way that God designed Proverbs fort, 632 00:41:42.885 --> 00:41:44.245 I believe it's Proverbs 1412. 633 00:41:44.625 --> 00:41:46.245 It says to us in this, this is a verse, 634 00:41:46.245 --> 00:41:48.125 and I've said it a few times throughout the last series. 635 00:41:48.245 --> 00:41:50.405 I know Aaron Nelson said it a couple weeks back, 636 00:41:50.705 --> 00:41:53.525 but I think this is a verse like especially in today's 637 00:41:53.525 --> 00:41:56.165 culture that says, you do, you, you find your own truth. 638 00:41:56.185 --> 00:41:57.925 You seek after what it is that brings you joy. 639 00:41:58.165 --> 00:42:01.525 Proverbs 14 says, there is a way that seems right to man, 640 00:42:01.705 --> 00:42:04.325 but in its end, it's the way to death. 641 00:42:06.545 --> 00:42:08.845 Are we going through life looking 642 00:42:09.465 --> 00:42:11.925 for the living among the dead? 643 00:42:13.005 --> 00:42:16.325 'cause I would argue in those moments, it's, we find it's 644 00:42:16.325 --> 00:42:18.005 where we find ourselves the most hopeless. 645 00:42:19.425 --> 00:42:23.155 But here's what I know. We will never find 646 00:42:23.185 --> 00:42:24.435 life looking in dead places. 647 00:42:27.265 --> 00:42:29.125 And before you start feeling guilty, 648 00:42:29.945 --> 00:42:32.805 so let me encourage you, uh, these women walked 649 00:42:32.805 --> 00:42:34.725 with Jesus in the flesh, okay? 650 00:42:34.905 --> 00:42:39.085 So it's so easy to lose sight of remembering the truth of 651 00:42:39.085 --> 00:42:41.605 what is true and real to us in our lives. 652 00:42:41.825 --> 00:42:44.405 And so we gotta ask the question, where does hope come from? 653 00:42:44.545 --> 00:42:45.605 And you get to verse six, 654 00:42:45.745 --> 00:42:49.165 and these angels say to the women, he is not here, 655 00:42:49.505 --> 00:42:51.125 but he is risen. 656 00:42:52.705 --> 00:42:54.925 And to everyone who can hear my voice, I want you 657 00:42:54.925 --> 00:42:57.085 to hear me say this hope comes from knowing 658 00:42:57.355 --> 00:42:59.045 that the tomb is empty. 659 00:43:00.745 --> 00:43:02.925 And if the tomb is empty and Jesus is risen 660 00:43:02.985 --> 00:43:04.965 and Jesus has risen from the grave, then what 661 00:43:04.965 --> 00:43:07.285 that means is Jesus is who he said he was 662 00:43:07.345 --> 00:43:09.045 and he did what he said he would do. 663 00:43:09.185 --> 00:43:10.685 And so therefore, God is going 664 00:43:10.685 --> 00:43:13.205 to restore his creation back to its original intent. 665 00:43:14.385 --> 00:43:15.525 If the tomb is empty 666 00:43:15.745 --> 00:43:17.605 and Jesus is alive, then he has shown 667 00:43:17.605 --> 00:43:18.925 that he has the willingness 668 00:43:19.025 --> 00:43:22.005 and the power to make a mockery out of even death. 669 00:43:22.005 --> 00:43:24.805 And if that's the case, then how much more certain can we be 670 00:43:24.805 --> 00:43:26.085 that he can? 671 00:43:26.105 --> 00:43:27.605 Can we know that he has what it takes 672 00:43:27.665 --> 00:43:28.725 to see us through our trials? 673 00:43:28.945 --> 00:43:31.685 If the tomb is empty, and if Jesus is alive, then that means 674 00:43:31.685 --> 00:43:34.765 that our sin is paid for, there's no caring around guilt 675 00:43:34.825 --> 00:43:36.285 or shame or condemnation. 676 00:43:36.505 --> 00:43:38.565 And if the tomb is empty, then Jesus is alive. 677 00:43:38.565 --> 00:43:40.205 And that means we still have a God 678 00:43:40.205 --> 00:43:42.485 who is fighting on our behalf, who loves us, 679 00:43:42.665 --> 00:43:44.965 and who we can turn to when we need peace. 680 00:43:45.065 --> 00:43:48.085 And when we need comfort, the tomb is empty. 681 00:43:48.225 --> 00:43:50.565 But we have to remember this truth and we have to trust 682 00:43:50.565 --> 00:43:52.565 and we have to remember that we can only look 683 00:43:52.565 --> 00:43:54.725 for life in the place that it's promised, 684 00:43:54.905 --> 00:43:58.045 and that's in the resurrection of our king Jesus. 685 00:44:01.445 --> 00:44:03.045 I want you to look at what the angels say 686 00:44:04.595 --> 00:44:07.565 Because really this comes down to like, do we believe 687 00:44:07.565 --> 00:44:09.565 and do we remember what God's word says? 688 00:44:10.065 --> 00:44:12.085 And it's like the angel knows these women have trouble 689 00:44:12.085 --> 00:44:13.925 believing they have trouble remembering in the 690 00:44:13.925 --> 00:44:14.965 midst of their situation. 691 00:44:14.965 --> 00:44:17.285 So he says, remember how he told you? 692 00:44:18.285 --> 00:44:21.405 Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee, 693 00:44:21.605 --> 00:44:23.765 that the son of man must be delivered into the hands 694 00:44:23.765 --> 00:44:27.805 of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise? 695 00:44:28.625 --> 00:44:31.645 And you can say, I don't know how they forgot that. 696 00:44:32.635 --> 00:44:34.085 That sounds like a big deal, 697 00:44:35.345 --> 00:44:36.845 but we probably shouldn't judge, right? 698 00:44:37.085 --> 00:44:38.925 'cause the reality is we don't live like 699 00:44:38.925 --> 00:44:40.085 we believe it all the time either. 700 00:44:40.345 --> 00:44:41.765 But I do wanna ask you this question, 701 00:44:43.275 --> 00:44:45.445 what promises do you need to remember today? 702 00:44:47.515 --> 00:44:49.525 What promises do you need to believe today? 703 00:44:49.545 --> 00:44:52.365 Do you need to remember that God is near to the bro, 704 00:44:52.385 --> 00:44:54.525 to the broken hearted and 705 00:44:54.525 --> 00:44:56.285 that he saves those who are crushed in spirit? 706 00:44:57.905 --> 00:45:00.725 Do you need to remember that God uses trials in our lives 707 00:45:00.785 --> 00:45:03.765 to actually develop, uh, to to to grow our faith? 708 00:45:05.185 --> 00:45:06.765 Do you need to remember that, that that, 709 00:45:06.765 --> 00:45:09.685 that we can read in the New Testament where it says 710 00:45:09.685 --> 00:45:12.005 that we don't mourn through the power of the gospel. 711 00:45:12.225 --> 00:45:14.245 We do not mourn as those who have no hope. 712 00:45:17.305 --> 00:45:19.885 And this, by the way, this is why it's so important for us 713 00:45:19.885 --> 00:45:21.765 to continually be filled by the word of God. 714 00:45:21.765 --> 00:45:23.085 This is why it's so important for us 715 00:45:23.085 --> 00:45:25.165 to regularly get together on the weekends 716 00:45:25.165 --> 00:45:27.765 with our church family and be reminded of these truths 717 00:45:27.765 --> 00:45:29.005 because it's so easy to forget. 718 00:45:29.625 --> 00:45:33.485 We get to verse eight, and they remembered his words 719 00:45:34.505 --> 00:45:35.725 and returning from the tomb, 720 00:45:35.725 --> 00:45:37.405 they told all these things to the 11. 721 00:45:37.465 --> 00:45:39.925 So they told the other disciples and told all the rest. 722 00:45:40.425 --> 00:45:42.205 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna 723 00:45:42.205 --> 00:45:43.205 and Mary, the mother of James 724 00:45:43.205 --> 00:45:44.845 and the other women with them 725 00:45:45.145 --> 00:45:47.085 who told these things to the apostles. 726 00:45:47.265 --> 00:45:49.645 But these words seemed to be an idle tale 727 00:45:49.905 --> 00:45:51.165 and they did not believe them. 728 00:45:52.825 --> 00:45:56.365 Is there anyone that has trouble believing sometimes these, 729 00:45:56.365 --> 00:45:58.765 these were the disciples, these were the followers of Jesus 730 00:45:58.795 --> 00:46:00.205 that had walked with him for three years. 731 00:46:00.235 --> 00:46:02.005 They had heard that this was gonna happen, 732 00:46:02.225 --> 00:46:04.965 but then Peter, I love Peter Peter's like a fireball. 733 00:46:04.965 --> 00:46:06.085 He's like, no, I'm not sitting here. 734 00:46:06.105 --> 00:46:07.125 I'm not taking your word for it. 735 00:46:07.135 --> 00:46:10.165 Peter Rose and he ran to the tomb stooping to look in. 736 00:46:10.265 --> 00:46:12.925 He looked and he saw the linen claws by themselves. 737 00:46:13.355 --> 00:46:15.925 Alright, so put an asterisk beside that in your Bible. 738 00:46:16.025 --> 00:46:17.445 He saw the linein claws by themselves 739 00:46:17.585 --> 00:46:20.045 and he went home marveling at what had happened. 740 00:46:22.905 --> 00:46:26.485 Um, see, Peter saw the linen clause there. 741 00:46:26.485 --> 00:46:28.085 If someone had actually come in 742 00:46:28.105 --> 00:46:31.205 and stolen the body, uh, they wouldn't have taken the time 743 00:46:31.265 --> 00:46:34.125 to unwrap the burial clause just to leave them right. 744 00:46:34.745 --> 00:46:37.685 Uh, there's a, um, I believe it's in the gospel of John. 745 00:46:37.685 --> 00:46:39.125 It gives a little bit more detail 746 00:46:39.465 --> 00:46:43.125 and it says that, um, uh, the burial cloths were there, 747 00:46:43.185 --> 00:46:45.045 but then also the head covering was there 748 00:46:45.045 --> 00:46:47.125 that was folded up and it was separate. 749 00:46:47.385 --> 00:46:48.605 Uh, there's some theologians 750 00:46:48.605 --> 00:46:50.725 that would tell you in Jewish tradition when you were having 751 00:46:50.805 --> 00:46:53.485 a meal, when you were finished with your meal, uh, 752 00:46:53.545 --> 00:46:54.525 you would just ball up your 753 00:46:54.525 --> 00:46:55.605 napkin and throw it up on the table. 754 00:46:55.625 --> 00:46:57.485 But if you were just getting up maybe to go to the bathroom 755 00:46:57.485 --> 00:46:59.925 and have a conversation, but you weren't done yet, 756 00:46:59.985 --> 00:47:02.365 you were coming back, you would fold up the napkin nice 757 00:47:02.365 --> 00:47:03.685 and neat and leave it on the table. 758 00:47:03.755 --> 00:47:05.565 They would say, this is Jesus saying yes 759 00:47:05.585 --> 00:47:07.565 to tell us died the work when the cross is finished. 760 00:47:07.745 --> 00:47:09.965 But I'm actually not finished and I am coming back. 761 00:47:10.145 --> 00:47:12.605 And for those of us that have read this kind of cover 762 00:47:12.605 --> 00:47:14.525 to cover, if you haven't, the Bible tells us 763 00:47:14.525 --> 00:47:16.925 that one day Jesus is going to return 764 00:47:17.265 --> 00:47:19.565 and he is going to put all this back together again. 765 00:47:19.565 --> 00:47:22.085 And he is going to wipe every tear from every eye. 766 00:47:23.025 --> 00:47:26.325 And I believe in this moment when he saw the burial cloth 767 00:47:26.325 --> 00:47:29.085 there, it said he went home marveling. 768 00:47:29.325 --> 00:47:31.125 I believe in this moment, Peter started to believe 769 00:47:33.055 --> 00:47:34.445 maybe our savior is alive. 770 00:47:35.885 --> 00:47:37.105 And he went home marveling. 771 00:47:37.965 --> 00:47:38.945 And I'll ask you, do you, 772 00:47:39.805 --> 00:47:41.025 do you think he was filled with hope? 773 00:47:43.845 --> 00:47:46.905 So what happened next? Uh, when you put, uh, 774 00:47:46.965 --> 00:47:49.145 the recorded accounts from the gospels 775 00:47:49.145 --> 00:47:50.665 and all the New Testament together, you see that 776 00:47:50.665 --> 00:47:52.225 what happened next, over the next 40 days, 777 00:47:52.395 --> 00:47:55.345 Jesus physically revealed himself, uh, to these women, 778 00:47:55.805 --> 00:47:57.305 to the 11 remaining disciples 779 00:47:57.305 --> 00:47:59.665 and even as many as 500 people all at one time. 780 00:47:59.685 --> 00:48:01.905 And you can read about that in one Corinthians chapter 15. 781 00:48:02.325 --> 00:48:04.905 Uh, Paul's basically reminding the church at Corinth 782 00:48:05.085 --> 00:48:06.905 of the gospel and he says, listen, 783 00:48:07.335 --> 00:48:08.465 he's risen from the grave. 784 00:48:08.465 --> 00:48:10.785 And if you don't believe me, there's like 500 eyewitnesses 785 00:48:10.785 --> 00:48:12.185 you can go and ask him for yourself. 786 00:48:12.405 --> 00:48:13.625 And then, uh, but, 787 00:48:13.625 --> 00:48:15.585 but when you, when you really get down to it, 788 00:48:15.585 --> 00:48:18.185 like you've gotta realize Jesus rose from the grave. 789 00:48:18.205 --> 00:48:20.585 He was here for 40 days. He revealed himself to people. 790 00:48:20.585 --> 00:48:22.185 And now what happened after that? He got 791 00:48:22.345 --> 00:48:23.385 together with the disciples. 792 00:48:23.385 --> 00:48:24.865 He sent them on a charge, uh, 793 00:48:24.865 --> 00:48:26.625 to go out into the world to share the gospel. 794 00:48:26.685 --> 00:48:27.905 And then he ascended to heaven. 795 00:48:28.245 --> 00:48:29.985 But it's plain to see that 796 00:48:29.985 --> 00:48:32.425 after these men saw the resurrected Jesus, 797 00:48:33.075 --> 00:48:34.345 everything changed for them 798 00:48:34.895 --> 00:48:36.825 because these men started a revolution 799 00:48:36.885 --> 00:48:39.985 or started a revolution that turned the world upside down, 800 00:48:40.295 --> 00:48:43.985 proclaiming a new way of life, following a risen king. 801 00:48:45.725 --> 00:48:49.305 Um, in fact, I, I don't know if you know this, but all 802 00:48:49.305 --> 00:48:51.825 but one of Jesus's disciples were martyred 803 00:48:53.565 --> 00:48:56.305 for declaring the resurrection, for sharing the gospel. 804 00:48:56.795 --> 00:48:59.945 These are not men that died for what they believed in. 805 00:48:59.945 --> 00:49:01.385 These were men that died for 806 00:49:01.385 --> 00:49:02.985 what they saw with their own eyes. 807 00:49:05.045 --> 00:49:06.425 And so the tomb was empty. 808 00:49:07.115 --> 00:49:09.705 Jesus was alive, they were filled with hope, 809 00:49:09.705 --> 00:49:11.025 and it changed everything for them. 810 00:49:12.525 --> 00:49:14.545 So what would God have to do to give you hope? 811 00:49:15.245 --> 00:49:17.825 Um, how about overcoming sin and death 812 00:49:18.325 --> 00:49:20.945 and the promise of making all things new 813 00:49:20.945 --> 00:49:22.265 through the resurrection of Jesus? 814 00:49:22.845 --> 00:49:24.505 Uh, you know, one thing that I've learned 815 00:49:24.675 --> 00:49:29.385 after, gosh, close to 40 years of following Jesus, is 816 00:49:30.215 --> 00:49:32.425 sometimes we just need 817 00:49:32.425 --> 00:49:34.505 to speak the resurrection over our lives. 818 00:49:35.845 --> 00:49:39.465 Um, the, the the we need to grow in our understanding of how 819 00:49:39.465 --> 00:49:41.665 to speak the gospel into every circumstance 820 00:49:41.725 --> 00:49:43.585 and situation that we find ourselves in. 821 00:49:43.745 --> 00:49:45.825 'cause here's really the bottom line of the message. 822 00:49:45.825 --> 00:49:48.585 This Easter hope is found in the reality 823 00:49:48.765 --> 00:49:49.785 of the resurrection. 824 00:49:50.485 --> 00:49:52.145 And so what if we were a church 825 00:49:52.175 --> 00:49:53.905 that just regularly reminded ourselves 826 00:49:54.085 --> 00:49:57.625 and regularly reminded each other, Hey, the tomb is empty. 827 00:49:58.285 --> 00:50:00.985 And so what does that look like when this situation in this 828 00:50:00.985 --> 00:50:04.025 circumstance comes face to face with the reality 829 00:50:04.325 --> 00:50:06.025 of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? 830 00:50:06.245 --> 00:50:07.865 Um, I have a friend, uh, 831 00:50:07.895 --> 00:50:09.625 here on staff and many of you know him. 832 00:50:09.645 --> 00:50:12.705 Uh, his name was Clay Burgess. He's in this room right now. 833 00:50:13.365 --> 00:50:14.985 And, uh, I didn't tell him 834 00:50:14.985 --> 00:50:16.345 that I was gonna share this story. 835 00:50:16.645 --> 00:50:17.745 Um, sorry, clay. 836 00:50:18.405 --> 00:50:21.945 Uh, Clay's mom, uh, passed away this year. 837 00:50:22.765 --> 00:50:26.305 And, um, my dad passed away this year. 838 00:50:27.625 --> 00:50:32.245 And, um, When I talk to Clay about the passing of his mom, 839 00:50:32.245 --> 00:50:33.845 there, there, there's a few things that I can do. 840 00:50:34.625 --> 00:50:39.225 And one, I can listen to him. Um, I can cry with him. 841 00:50:39.875 --> 00:50:43.625 We've done that. Um, I can pray for him. We've done that. 842 00:50:45.035 --> 00:50:48.605 And I can also say, Hey, I know this hurts, 843 00:50:50.395 --> 00:50:54.095 but scripture tells us that in light of the resurrection, 844 00:50:55.195 --> 00:50:56.975 we don't mourn as those who have no hope. 845 00:50:57.275 --> 00:50:59.455 We will see our parents again one day, 846 00:50:59.965 --> 00:51:00.965 Amen. 847 00:51:01.995 --> 00:51:06.985 But man, it comes down to like, do we recognize 848 00:51:07.045 --> 00:51:08.545 and will we remember the hope 849 00:51:08.545 --> 00:51:09.945 that we have through the resurrection? 850 00:51:11.805 --> 00:51:13.945 Uh, I wanna speak briefly just to four groups 851 00:51:13.945 --> 00:51:16.105 of people I know on Easter Sunday, like thousands of people, 852 00:51:16.105 --> 00:51:17.825 they hear this message and it's gonna be hard 853 00:51:17.825 --> 00:51:18.945 to get everybody in one box. 854 00:51:18.945 --> 00:51:19.825 And so I'm gonna do my best. 855 00:51:19.865 --> 00:51:20.865 I wanna speak to four groups of people. 856 00:51:21.405 --> 00:51:24.465 One, I wanna speak to the one who is hoped filled in Christ. 857 00:51:24.935 --> 00:51:28.105 Okay? Like, you got up this morning, you went to church, 858 00:51:28.105 --> 00:51:29.185 you're like, my life ain't perfect. 859 00:51:29.245 --> 00:51:31.545 But you know what? I know, I know that Jesus went to a cross 860 00:51:31.605 --> 00:51:33.865 for my sins and he rose from the grave three days later. 861 00:51:34.045 --> 00:51:35.465 And I know he is gonna be faithful 862 00:51:35.465 --> 00:51:36.945 to complete whatever it is that he started. 863 00:51:37.125 --> 00:51:38.305 And if that is you in your life, 864 00:51:38.305 --> 00:51:40.865 what I wanna say right now is praise God for what it is 865 00:51:41.055 --> 00:51:42.105 that he has done in your life. 866 00:51:42.285 --> 00:51:43.305 The tomb is empty 867 00:51:43.445 --> 00:51:45.665 and there is a world that is desperate for hope. 868 00:51:45.665 --> 00:51:48.985 And so today, may you be encouraged that Jesus is alive 869 00:51:49.205 --> 00:51:50.265 and working in this world 870 00:51:50.265 --> 00:51:52.625 and he wants to use you to share the hope 871 00:51:52.625 --> 00:51:55.745 that you have in Jesus with other men and women and students 872 00:51:55.925 --> 00:51:59.065 and children and call him into the life that Jesus came 873 00:51:59.065 --> 00:52:00.185 to make available to them. 874 00:52:01.325 --> 00:52:04.905 The resurrection over your life means that you don't have 875 00:52:04.905 --> 00:52:06.505 to grow weary in doing good. 876 00:52:08.095 --> 00:52:09.265 It's not always gonna be easy. 877 00:52:10.165 --> 00:52:12.225 In fact, Jesus tells us in this life we 878 00:52:12.225 --> 00:52:13.265 are going to face trials. 879 00:52:14.605 --> 00:52:17.545 Um, but we can know Jesus is faithful 880 00:52:17.545 --> 00:52:18.865 and he will be faithful to finish 881 00:52:18.865 --> 00:52:20.425 what it is that he started. 882 00:52:22.365 --> 00:52:26.545 Um, Secondly, I wanna speak to the one who's suffering. 883 00:52:28.605 --> 00:52:30.785 And if I had to pick like, which one 884 00:52:30.785 --> 00:52:33.185 of these four boxes do I fit in this Easter 885 00:52:33.185 --> 00:52:34.225 weekend, like this is me. 886 00:52:34.405 --> 00:52:36.425 And so I'm preaching this to myself just 887 00:52:36.425 --> 00:52:37.705 as much as I am to anyone else. 888 00:52:37.975 --> 00:52:41.305 This is what I would say. Jesus sees you. 889 00:52:43.365 --> 00:52:48.105 He knows your pain. He, he's walked in human flesh. 890 00:52:49.285 --> 00:52:52.705 The Bible tells us that he is wept just like you and I have. 891 00:52:52.705 --> 00:52:55.025 We wept and he's suffered just like you and I have suffered. 892 00:52:55.365 --> 00:52:57.505 But he's also shown that through the gospel 893 00:52:57.935 --> 00:52:59.665 that even death is not the end. 894 00:53:00.125 --> 00:53:02.705 And just like the angels reminded those women 895 00:53:03.045 --> 00:53:05.225 and like Paul reminded the church at Corinth, 896 00:53:05.265 --> 00:53:07.425 I wanna remind you where Paul says, oh, 897 00:53:07.475 --> 00:53:08.865 death, where is your victory? 898 00:53:09.325 --> 00:53:10.945 Oh, death. Where is your sting? 899 00:53:13.045 --> 00:53:14.905 And this Easter, may we find hope knowing 900 00:53:14.905 --> 00:53:19.225 that Jesus has gone to great lengths to ensure that one day. 901 00:53:19.225 --> 00:53:21.665 And we see this in the book of Revelation, that one day 902 00:53:22.275 --> 00:53:24.705 every tear will be wiped away from every eye. 903 00:53:26.745 --> 00:53:31.285 The resurrection over your life means that your pain means 904 00:53:31.285 --> 00:53:32.725 that our pain will be healed. 905 00:53:33.545 --> 00:53:34.805 And this life for the next 906 00:53:36.385 --> 00:53:38.045 We can find peace in the here and now. 907 00:53:40.025 --> 00:53:43.085 The true healing will come. This is temporary. 908 00:53:46.155 --> 00:53:47.365 Next, I wanna talk to the ones 909 00:53:47.365 --> 00:53:48.405 who think they're too far gone. 910 00:53:48.465 --> 00:53:50.165 And I kind of get fired up about this one. 911 00:53:50.365 --> 00:53:51.845 'cause this is one that I was in, okay? 912 00:53:51.925 --> 00:53:54.205 I grew up in church and then I spent some time in my life 913 00:53:54.205 --> 00:53:56.765 doing some things really, really well that were not 914 00:53:56.765 --> 00:53:57.845 what this thing calls you to. 915 00:53:58.185 --> 00:54:00.565 And uh, uh, and so to the one who hears all this 916 00:54:00.565 --> 00:54:02.445 and thinks, yeah, somebody brought me this weekend 917 00:54:02.445 --> 00:54:04.325 to Easter, or yeah, this makes a lot 918 00:54:04.325 --> 00:54:05.565 of sense for some people. 919 00:54:05.635 --> 00:54:07.605 Like I understand what you believe, what Jesus did, 920 00:54:07.605 --> 00:54:10.605 but if you knew me in my life, like I am too far gone. 921 00:54:10.605 --> 00:54:11.925 And what I want you to hear me say is 922 00:54:12.035 --> 00:54:13.885 that is a lie from the devil. 923 00:54:15.545 --> 00:54:17.605 Yes. The Bible says that all of sin 924 00:54:17.605 --> 00:54:19.005 and fallen short of the glory of God. 925 00:54:19.145 --> 00:54:22.245 Yes, the Bible says that the wages of sin is death. Yes. 926 00:54:22.265 --> 00:54:25.045 The Bible says that for the forgiveness of sins, there has 927 00:54:25.045 --> 00:54:26.445 to be shedding of blood. 928 00:54:26.445 --> 00:54:28.045 And that's like a picture of like something has 929 00:54:28.045 --> 00:54:29.285 to die in light of sin. 930 00:54:29.285 --> 00:54:32.085 But what the Bible tells us is that blood was shed once 931 00:54:32.085 --> 00:54:33.885 and for all on a cross by Jesus. 932 00:54:34.145 --> 00:54:36.245 And the Bible says that happened while we 933 00:54:36.275 --> 00:54:37.485 were still sinners. 934 00:54:40.665 --> 00:54:43.565 And man, like you might think, that doesn't seem fair. 935 00:54:43.865 --> 00:54:46.565 And again, Aaron incredible message last week on the gospel. 936 00:54:46.625 --> 00:54:47.885 You should go back and listen to it. 937 00:54:48.025 --> 00:54:49.445 He, you know what he said? You're right. 938 00:54:49.635 --> 00:54:52.885 It's not, the gospel is not fair, but the gospel is true. 939 00:54:53.225 --> 00:54:55.005 And God loves you more than you can ever imagine. 940 00:54:55.035 --> 00:54:57.445 It's why John three 16 says that for God's 941 00:54:57.445 --> 00:55:00.445 so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, not 942 00:55:00.445 --> 00:55:03.605 that whosoever was really not as bad as some other people, 943 00:55:04.945 --> 00:55:07.965 but whosoever believed in him would not perish, 944 00:55:08.145 --> 00:55:10.525 but would have everlasting life. 945 00:55:11.505 --> 00:55:13.445 The resurrection over your life means 946 00:55:13.445 --> 00:55:15.725 that you've never gone too far to escape the love 947 00:55:15.725 --> 00:55:16.885 and the grace of our God. 948 00:55:18.785 --> 00:55:22.045 The tomb is empty and you can be forgiven today 949 00:55:23.185 --> 00:55:25.245 and you can be restored back to God simply 950 00:55:25.385 --> 00:55:27.365 by calling on the name of Jesus. 951 00:55:30.125 --> 00:55:31.825 Lastly, I wanna speak, uh, to the skeptic. 952 00:55:31.845 --> 00:55:33.425 And I'm not gonna talk a long time here. 953 00:55:33.565 --> 00:55:35.145 I'm well aware you can't really argue 954 00:55:35.705 --> 00:55:36.785 somebody into the kingdom of God. 955 00:55:36.885 --> 00:55:38.465 We see how those arguments play out 956 00:55:38.465 --> 00:55:39.665 on Facebook all the time. 957 00:55:40.045 --> 00:55:44.105 Um, but look, I get it. You can't see it. It takes faith. 958 00:55:44.125 --> 00:55:45.265 And there's been plenty of men 959 00:55:45.265 --> 00:55:47.345 and plenty of women who have given the church a bad name. 960 00:55:47.345 --> 00:55:49.585 What I can tell you is the hope and the resurrection 961 00:55:49.585 --> 00:55:51.465 and the power of the gospel has changed my life. 962 00:55:53.095 --> 00:55:55.595 The resurrection changed these disciples lives 963 00:55:55.615 --> 00:55:57.835 and it's changed the course of human history. 964 00:55:57.855 --> 00:56:00.995 So the resurrection over your life means that God loved you 965 00:56:00.995 --> 00:56:04.035 before you knew him and he's not gonna stop. 966 00:56:06.095 --> 00:56:08.115 And so my hope and prayer is that you'll keep seeking. 967 00:56:09.135 --> 00:56:11.355 Um, I want you to know we are here for you as a church, 968 00:56:11.375 --> 00:56:12.875 but more importantly, I want you to know 969 00:56:12.875 --> 00:56:14.915 that Jesus is gonna continue to pursue after you. 970 00:56:17.025 --> 00:56:18.715 What would God have to do to give us hope? 971 00:56:19.335 --> 00:56:21.195 How, how about this? How about sending a son 972 00:56:21.195 --> 00:56:24.485 to put on human skin, uh, to walk in our shoes, to teach us 973 00:56:24.505 --> 00:56:27.085 how to live, to experience pain, to pay the price 974 00:56:27.085 --> 00:56:29.725 that we deserve to pay, to set sinners free. 975 00:56:29.905 --> 00:56:32.325 Not to make, not to make bad people good, 976 00:56:32.345 --> 00:56:34.205 but to raise dead people to life 977 00:56:34.385 --> 00:56:36.445 and to make a mockery out of death. 978 00:56:36.555 --> 00:56:39.125 Also, that we could experience the life that we were created 979 00:56:39.145 --> 00:56:42.245 for and have hope in the darkest of days. 980 00:56:42.825 --> 00:56:45.645 Can you imagine if we live life as a group of people 981 00:56:45.645 --> 00:56:47.285 that regularly reminded ourselves 982 00:56:47.665 --> 00:56:49.925 and each other, what is true in light of the gospel? 983 00:56:51.865 --> 00:56:54.365 The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen. 984 00:56:54.625 --> 00:56:57.125 May we not look for the living among the dead, 985 00:56:57.125 --> 00:56:59.365 but may we look for it in the only place 986 00:56:59.365 --> 00:57:00.405 that we will find it. 987 00:57:00.465 --> 00:57:01.485 By putting our trust 988 00:57:01.625 --> 00:57:03.565 and our belief in the resurrection 989 00:57:03.625 --> 00:57:05.445 of Jesus Christ hope is found 990 00:57:06.145 --> 00:57:08.165 in the reality of the resurrection. 991 00:57:08.465 --> 00:57:11.125 My prayer is that you would be filled with the hope 992 00:57:11.125 --> 00:57:12.645 that Jesus has made available to us. 993 00:57:13.335 --> 00:57:16.045 Would you pray with me? God, I want 994 00:57:16.045 --> 00:57:17.845 to thank you for this morning. 995 00:57:18.925 --> 00:57:20.765 I wanna thank you for what it represents. 996 00:57:20.805 --> 00:57:22.445 I want to, and it's not just what it represents. 997 00:57:22.565 --> 00:57:25.005 I wanna thank you for the reality that is true 998 00:57:25.065 --> 00:57:26.245 and is available to us 999 00:57:26.315 --> 00:57:28.365 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1000 00:57:29.225 --> 00:57:31.925 And Father, I wanna pray, um, right now for each one 1001 00:57:31.925 --> 00:57:33.965 of those folks that I just gonna talk through those boxes. 1002 00:57:34.025 --> 00:57:36.085 And there's probably somebody that doesn't even fit in any 1003 00:57:36.085 --> 00:57:38.525 one of those boxes and there's no way that I know how 1004 00:57:38.525 --> 00:57:40.365 to speak directly to them, but I know the spirit 1005 00:57:40.625 --> 00:57:41.965 of the living God does. 1006 00:57:42.905 --> 00:57:45.725 And so Holy Spirit, I pray that you would speak to each 1007 00:57:45.725 --> 00:57:47.445 and every man and woman and student 1008 00:57:47.465 --> 00:57:48.845 and child that can hear my voice. 1009 00:57:50.995 --> 00:57:53.365 Lord, you would help them to recognize how the power 1010 00:57:54.625 --> 00:57:57.325 of the gospel, the truth of the resurrection, 1011 00:57:57.945 --> 00:57:59.805 can bring us hope in our lives. 1012 00:58:02.355 --> 00:58:06.205 Lord, may we remember in our darkest moments who you are 1013 00:58:06.465 --> 00:58:07.845 and what you did for us so 1014 00:58:07.845 --> 00:58:10.405 that we could experience hope and new life in you. 1015 00:58:10.405 --> 00:58:13.085 We love you and we pray these things in Jesus' name 1016 00:58:13.385 --> 00:58:14.685 and everyone said together. 1017 00:58:15.275 --> 00:58:16.885 Amen. Happy Easter God 1018 00:58:25.515 --> 00:58:26.645 Come church and 1019 00:58:34.665 --> 00:58:35.285 of God 1020 00:58:40.475 --> 00:58:41.565 walking in. 1021 00:58:50.555 --> 00:58:50.845 He's 1022 00:59:24.665 --> 00:59:24.885 the 1023 01:00:48.955 --> 01:00:53.365 your cross, my your strives 1024 01:00:54.305 --> 01:00:56.845 my praise. 1025 01:00:57.915 --> 01:01:02.205 King Jesus, glory, heaven 1026 01:01:05.605 --> 01:01:05.765 speaking 1027 01:01:12.335 --> 01:01:12.685 Jesus. 1028 01:01:14.095 --> 01:01:14.445 Glory, 1029 01:01:21.555 --> 01:01:22.045 Jesuses 1030 01:01:42.655 --> 01:01:43.005 glory, 1031 01:01:55.305 --> 01:01:57.215 Glory, glory, 1032 01:02:07.505 --> 01:02:07.855 glory, 1033 01:03:23.605 --> 01:03:26.155 glory, glory 1034 01:03:48.855 --> 01:03:52.535 A God. 1035 01:04:01.425 --> 01:04:02.425 Hallelujah. 1036 01:04:15.125 --> 01:04:18.495 Lift your voice. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. 1037 01:04:19.425 --> 01:04:19.775 Jesus. 1038 01:04:29.355 --> 01:04:31.815 Surely he bore our grief and carried our sorrow. 1039 01:04:31.815 --> 01:04:34.615 Yet we have seemed him stricken, smitten 1040 01:04:34.615 --> 01:04:35.695 by God and afflicted. 1041 01:04:35.995 --> 01:04:38.855 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed. 1042 01:04:38.855 --> 01:04:41.295 For our iniquities upon him was the Chas prize 1043 01:04:41.405 --> 01:04:44.255 that brought us peace by his wounds. 1044 01:04:44.255 --> 01:04:45.255 We are healed 1045 01:04:46.955 --> 01:04:47.955 By His stripes. Come on, 1046 01:04:47.955 --> 01:04:50.655 come on cross, come on with me, your 1047 01:04:50.785 --> 01:04:51.785 Cross. 1048 01:05:23.115 --> 01:05:23.535 Praise, 1049 01:05:30.105 --> 01:05:30.455 glory, 1050 01:05:56.085 --> 01:05:57.465 praise King Jesus. 1051 01:05:58.845 --> 01:06:01.465 You're the Lord, Lord. 1052 01:06:02.735 --> 01:06:04.705 Well come on. Let's continue to praise God. 1053 01:06:09.205 --> 01:06:12.025 You know, I am so thankful for our time of worship today. 1054 01:06:12.705 --> 01:06:15.225 I Easter reminds us that the resurrection 1055 01:06:15.225 --> 01:06:18.145 of Jesus changed everything forever. 1056 01:06:19.085 --> 01:06:21.145 But what does that really mean for our everyday lives? 1057 01:06:21.605 --> 01:06:24.385 Um, well listen, you might be asking the question. 1058 01:06:25.125 --> 01:06:27.585 Uh, I made a decision to follow Jesus today, 1059 01:06:27.585 --> 01:06:29.665 or I've decided to follow him in a closer way. 1060 01:06:30.485 --> 01:06:31.945 But now what? 1061 01:06:33.135 --> 01:06:34.425 Well, I'm glad you're here 1062 01:06:34.565 --> 01:06:36.305 and I want you to know that you're amongst family. 1063 01:06:36.405 --> 01:06:39.265 And next week we are want to, we're gonna walk through 1064 01:06:39.265 --> 01:06:40.585 that journey with you together 1065 01:06:40.585 --> 01:06:42.425 because we're starting a brand new series 1066 01:06:42.425 --> 01:06:45.225 that we're actually calling now What? 1067 01:06:45.805 --> 01:06:47.185 And over these four weeks, we hope 1068 01:06:47.185 --> 01:06:50.225 to explore the questions you might have, uh, fears, 1069 01:06:50.465 --> 01:06:53.265 concerns, uh, things maybe you learned as a child 1070 01:06:53.415 --> 01:06:56.145 that you're trying to understand whether this whole 1071 01:06:56.145 --> 01:06:58.145 Christianity thing is real or not. 1072 01:06:58.775 --> 01:07:00.025 Well, let me tell you it's real. 1073 01:07:00.365 --> 01:07:03.025 And also let me tell you that this journey is a journey 1074 01:07:03.025 --> 01:07:04.385 that you don't have to do alone. 1075 01:07:04.615 --> 01:07:07.145 Because as a church, we wanna walk alongside you. 1076 01:07:07.445 --> 01:07:10.985 We want to be a part of the family of God with you. 1077 01:07:11.245 --> 01:07:13.505 And we want you to know that hope Community Church is a 1078 01:07:13.505 --> 01:07:17.945 family who loves God, follows Jesus and shares hope. 1079 01:07:18.445 --> 01:07:22.495 Listen, the tomb is empty, the work has been done 1080 01:07:23.115 --> 01:07:24.895 and there is hope in Jesus Christ. 1081 01:07:25.515 --> 01:07:28.295 And as we, uh, close our time today, we want you to know 1082 01:07:28.535 --> 01:07:29.655 that that hope is real 1083 01:07:29.755 --> 01:07:33.295 and can be experienced every single day. 1084 01:07:34.595 --> 01:07:37.575 Now what Now? We begin to follow Jesus together. 1085 01:07:38.155 --> 01:07:40.695 Church, we love you. It's been a wonderful time of worship 1086 01:07:40.915 --> 01:07:43.535 and we do hope to see you back here next week. 1087 01:07:44.035 --> 01:07:44.575 God bless you.