“THE ASSURANCE OF EASTER ”

April 8, 2012

New Life Bible Church

Allen McLauchlin, Pastor

Jesus said to the twelve, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.  He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.  On the third day he will rise again."  "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not understand what he meant.  From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life Luke 18:31-33 Mark 9:31-32; Matthew 16:21,22

“WHAT EASTER (The Resurrection) MEANS ”

1. It means the assurance of Hope.

HOPE: Knowing beyond a shadow of doubt.

But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Luke 24:21

When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.  "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”  2 Samuel 7:12,14

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us and opened the Scriptures to us.” Luke 24:32

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish.  1 Peter 1:3,4

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.   1 Corinthians 15:19,20,22

I know that my Redeemer lives,  and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet and after I awake,  I will see God;  I myself will see him  with my own eyes--I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!  Job 19:25-29

While we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Titus 2:13

(Because the law made nothing complete), and in its place there is a better hope, (GRACE), through which we come near to God. 

Hebrews 7:19

2. It means the  assurance of forgiveness.

He (Peter) began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man (Jesus) you're talking about.” Mark 14:71

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the words the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."  And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  Mark 16:7

I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for [those of] the whole world. 1 John 2:1,2

 When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.  Hebrews 1:2

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,  And I will not remember your sins.  Isaiah 43:25