This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “The Good News of Easter.” Pastor Ben walked us through Matthew 28:1–10: “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified… He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” He also shared from G.B. Hardy, “When I look at religion, I have two questions. One: has anybody ever conquered death? Two: if they did, did they make a way for me to conquer death?” concluding, “I came to the tomb of Jesus, and it was empty… ‘Because I live ye shall live also, Jesus is Lord.” Referencing 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,” he pointed to the moment, “Suddenly Jesus met them… they came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.”
✍️ Notes Title: The Good News of Easter – Ben Johnson
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus me them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)
Jesus really died “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.”
Jesus is alive “He is not here; he has risen.”
“When I look at religion, I have two questions. One: has anybody ever conquered death? Two: if they did, did they make a way for me to conquer death?’ I checked the tomb of Buddha, and it was occupied.
I checked the tomb of Confucius, and it was occupied; I checked the tomb of Mohammed, and it was occupied; and I came to the tomb of Jesus, and it was empty; and I said, 'There is One who conquered death.’
And I asked the second question, ‘Did He make a way for me to do it?’ I opened the Bible and discovered that He said, 'Because I live ye shall live also.” Jesus Is Lord.” –G.B. Hardy (Canadian scientist)
Jesus can be trusted “…just as he said.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…” Jesus can be experienced Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.
