Ephesians 1:17-23 – April 12, 2009 – Easter is not just a Bunny.

Intro:  I just read the origin of the Easter Bunny traditions.  Unfortunately, Easter has become just that a celebration of a Bunny and the eggs he brings.  We know that Easter is so much more.  It is the event that changed the course of human history, destiny and eternity.

1.  Easter is the event that settled the battle of the ages.  Sin, hell, the grave and the devil

     Were defeated at Easter.  The question of man’s separation from God was settled at

     Easter.  The broken body, the shed blood, the death, burial and resurrection settled

     Once and for all God’s demands and man’s inability to meet those demands.  God

     Himself dealt with this. 

2.  Easter is the time where we focus on who Jesus is, what He did and why He came.

     It is a time where the Church worldwide focuses on our mission, destiny and future.

     It is a time to help challenge our apathy, partial surrender, inabilities and excuses.

     It is a time to refocus and retool for the next season of God’s will.

3.  So with that in mind this morning there are three questions we need to ask ourselves

     Today.

Did Jesus rise from the dead?

a.  We must be vitally concerned about this question. 

1.  Christian theology is based on this question. 

2.  Our faith rests on this question.  In 1 Cor 15:14, Paul says, “If Christ is not raised from

     The dead, our preaching is useless and so is our faith.”

3.  Jesus veracity and claims rests on this question.  John 2:19-22.  Jesus talk about how

     His body would be raised up in three days.

b.  There is evidence that He did rise from the dead.

1.  The precautions taken by His enemies.  Matt 27:62-65, 28:11-15

2.  The testimony of the women.  Mark 16:1-7

3.  The biblical lists of eyewitnesses.  Matt 28:16-18, Mark 16:9, John 20:19, 26, 21:1 &

     1 Cor 15:6-8

4. The change in the disciple’s attitude from fear to boldness.

5.  The content of New Testament preaching.  Acts 2:32

Is there life after death?

a.  What evidence is there to consider?

1.  Science can only bring as far as the grave.

2.  Philosophy can offer only speculation.

3.  There are many testimonies of those who have had death experiences.  T

    

b.  What Jesus said about life after death. 

1.  To the thief on the cross.  Luke 23:43

2.  To the Jews of His day.  He told them in John 5:25-29, that the dead will hear His

     Voice and will come out of the grave.  Many did when He died.

3.  He told them many would sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of

     Heaven.   Matt 8:11

What does one do to prepare for life after death.

a.  Many attempt to answer this question.

1.  Some advise living an honest upright life.

2.  Some advise joining their religious group.

b.  What did Jesus say?

1. Believe in Him.  John 3:14-18

2.  Come to God through Him.  John 14:6

3.  Confess and believe.  Rom 10:9-10