04-24-11 AM - Easter The Resurrection of Hope

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MARK15:21; 16:1-20

So I want you to turn with me to Mark15:21 to the end of chapter 16.
1.    THE EVIDENCE OF CHRIST’S DEATH
EVIDENCE:
A.    The nature and extent of His injuries.
The Jews mercifully limited flogging to a maximum of forty stripes; the Romans had no such limitation. The following is a medical doctor’s description of the physical effects of flogging.
The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus shoulders, back, and legs. At first the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper in the subcutaneous tissues, producing first and oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue.
B. The nature of crucifixion assures death.
C. Those who heard His death cry at the cross.
Father into your hands I commit my spirit and he breathed His last.”
D. The Roman executioner pronounced him dead.
E. His side was pierced.
F. Pilate had His death confirmed.
G. He was wrapped in cloth and placed in a sealed tomb for three days.
H. Early Christian writers affirmed it.

Polycarp “Our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death.”
Josephus “Pilate at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned Him to the cross.”
The Jewish Talmud “On the eve of the Passover they hanged Yeshu.”

2. THE EVIDENCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
a. The sealed and guarded tomb was empty.
b. The same body that was laid in the tomb scars and all appeared to over 500 different people on 12 different occasions in a 40 day period.
c. Jesus appeared to many including Thomas who was challenged to touch His wounds.
d. There is record of four occasions when He ate physical food.
e. Mary and other women touched Him as well. He was seen with the eyes and heard with the natural ears.
f. He taught His disciples for 40 days and performed miracles in their presence.
g. Both Roman and Jewish sources testify to the empty tomb of this very prominent figure after the third day.
h. Matthew 28:12-13 says the chief priests devised a plan to cover the truth of the resurrection.
i. The authorities could have put an end to this teaching if they could have produced a body to say otherwise. Have you ever tried to hide a dead body?
j. How about the scattered and timid disciples prior to His death who are now right back in the face of those who killed Him proclaiming the Messiah that was now raised from the dead. Ten of these disciples would be martyred because they believed and preached the resurrected Christ. Why would they be willing to be martyred for a dead lie.
k. And then we have the throngs of people who believed and still do today in the message of the risen Christ because the Holy Spirit helps our spirit to bear witness to the truth.

3. THE EVEIDENCE IN OUR LIFE.
John 14:19 "After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
Luk 12:5 "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Rev 1:18 I am the Living One. I was dead. But look! I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Hell.
John 5:28-29 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Easter!!!!  It is a time to celebrate the resurrected Christ who died once for all and has been raised to life so that all who call upon His name may have the eternal life.
Eggs and bunnies are fine but if you don’t tell of the resurrected Christ it is just a fairy tale.
He lives and He is coming back just as sure as you and I are alive today.