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1996. John Creamer. All rights reserved.
I. Opening Time
Questions: Do any jokes, old sayings or truisms come to mind when you hear the word
‘opinion’? How many opinions about all subjects do you think the average person
has? How knowledgeable about a subject or issue does a person have to be to
have an opinion on that issue? How would you define opinion? Webster’s: 1a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind
about a particular matter How does a person’s perspective on a subject or issue change or
affect their opinion on that issue? How would you define perspective? Webster’s: 2a: the aspect in which a subject or its parts are mentally
viewed This is a time of year when people consider a matter often pushed to
the bottom of their priority list. The topic is ‘religion’ and
the issue that causes the matter of religion to surface is Easter.
Because such a great concern persists in our country today that no one
be offended by the mention of God, or even worse…Jesus Christ…religion
is replaced as the reason for Easter being a holiday and shopping event
by another non-religious personality; The Easter Bunny. After years and years of children growing up looking forward to Jelly
Beans and chocolate bunnies in a basket, the perspective on Easter broadens
to include more than religion…or God…or Jesus Christ. Then,
with the broadened perspective, comes a more obscure opinion about Easter…and
God…and especially, Jesus Christ. The person who is not sure how
all this began may turn on television between Good Friday and Easter Sunday
to add to his/ her data base. One channel may have a ‘christian’
presentation of the crucifixion, followed by a plea for funds to keep
the ‘christian’ channel on the air. Disgusted by the fund appeals,
the person changes the channel to the Public channel where the head of
the philosophy and religion department at a large state university speaks
of Jesus Christ as a mythological figure…much like the Easter Bunny.
Finally, the person remembers why he/she never did find out too much about
where, how, why and when Easter began. The person probably assumes that
there are thousands of mis-guided people each year who follow some mystical
religious tradition that beckons them once a year to come back to their
church. Finally one day their theory is proven when he/ she spots a bumper-sticker
on the car in front of them at the mall which says: “Avoid the Easter
rush…go to church this summer!” Whereas anyone listening to this is probably attending a Bible study
and is hopefully more informed about the real meaning of Easter, we need
to remember that many people in the world, perhaps even your next-door
neighbors, may not have a clue as to whether it is based on true, historical
fact (or what those facts are) or myth. Our purpose today is not to prove anything for the skeptic, but to present
data from the Scriptures about the person of Easter...Jesus Christ. The Claims of Jesus… (John 10:24-38 NIV) The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How
long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
{25} Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you
do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, {26}
but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. {27} My sheep listen
to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
{29} My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one
can snatch them out of my Father's hand. {30} I and the Father are one."
{31} Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, {32} but Jesus said
to them, "I have shown you many great miracles
from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" {33}
"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews,
"but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
{34} Jesus answered them, "Is it not written
in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? {35} If he called them 'gods,'
to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot be broken-- {36}
what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent
into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said,
'I am God's Son'? {37} Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.
{38} But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles,
that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the
Father." What did Jesus claim about himself in verse 28? …30? …38? What did He say (v. 38) validated his claims to be God? (John 14:6-11 NIV) Jesus answered, "I am
the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. {7} If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him." {8} Philip
said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
{9} Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip,
even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen
me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? {10} Don't
you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The
words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living
in me, who is doing his work. {11} Believe me when I say that I am in
the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence
of the miracles themselves. What did Jesus claim about himself in verse 6?…verse 9? …verse
10? What did He say (v. 11) validated his claims to be God? (John 8:51-58 NIV) I tell you the truth, if
anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." {52} At this
the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham
died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word,
he will never taste death. {53} Are you greater than our father Abraham?
He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" {54}
Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory
means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies
me. {55} Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not,
I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. {56}
Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it
and was glad." {57} "You are not yet fifty years old,"
the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" {58} "I
tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born,
I am!" What did Jesus claim about himself in verse 51? …58? (I AM is God’s
name.) (John 17:5 NIV) And now, Father, glorify me
in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. How long did Jesus say He existed? (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age." What did He claim in verse 18? What doctrinal claim does Jesus establish in verse 19? (The Trinity:
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.) The previous Scriptures said He existed before the world began; how long
does verse 20 say He will exist? Claims about Jesus Christ from evil spirits… (Mark 3:11 NIV) Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down
before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." (Matthew 8:28-29 NIV) When he arrived at the other side in the region
of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him.
They were so violent that no one could pass that way. {29} "What
do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come
here to torture us before the appointed time?" (Mark 1:24 NIV) "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:41 NIV) Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting,
"You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not
allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ. What claims did the demons make about Jesus? Claims about Jesus Christ from His disciples… (Matthew 16:15-18 NIV) "But what about
you?" he asked. "Who do you say
I am?" {16} Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God." {17} Jesus replied, "Blessed
are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man,
but by my Father in heaven. {18} And I tell you that you are Peter, and
on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome
it. Who did Peter say Jesus was? Claims about Jesus Christ from God… (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV) As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out
of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit
of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. {17} And a voice from
heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 17:1-5 NIV) After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James
and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
{2} There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun,
and his clothes became as white as the light. {3} Just then there appeared
before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. {4} Peter said to Jesus,
"Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three
shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." {5} While
he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from
the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased. Listen to him!" What claims did God make about Jesus Christ? Claims about Jesus Christ from
the miracles… (John 11:32-45 NIV) When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and
saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died." {33} When Jesus saw her weeping,
and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved
in spirit and troubled. {34} "Where have you
laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they
replied. {35} Jesus wept. {36} Then the Jews said, "See how he loved
him!" {37} But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the
eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" {38} Jesus,
once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid
across the entrance. {39} "Take away the stone,"
he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man,
"by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
{40} Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that
if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" {41} So
they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father,
I thank you that you have heard me. {42} I knew that you always hear me,
but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they
may believe that you sent me." {43} When he had said this,
Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come
out!" {44} The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped
with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them,
"Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
{45} Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen
what Jesus did, put their faith in him. What did Jesus say in verses 41and 42 that those who witnessed Him raising
Lazarus from the dead would learn about God’s relationship with Jesus? If you watched a person who claimed to be God bring someone who was dead several days back to life, would you believe God sent them? Predictions about Jesus Christ… (Isaiah 7:14 NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call
him Immanuel. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. {7} Of the
increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign
on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal
of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Luke 1:30-35 NIV) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, you have found favor with God. {31} You will be with child and give
birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. {32} He will be
great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give
him the throne of his father David, {33} and he will reign over the house
of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." {34} "How will
this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
{35} The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be
born will be called the Son of God. The first two prophecies were 700 years before Jesus’ birth. What
do each predict? Were they fulfilled? The third is the prophecy of an angel speaking to Jesus’ mother.
Did this prophecy come to pass? It is one thing for someone to make boasts about themselves; it is yet
another thing when the claims were made before the person was ever conceived…then
came true!!! …Death (Mark 8:31 NIV) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must
suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers
of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Luke 9:22 NIV) And he said, "The Son of
Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests
and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be
raised to life." (John 7:33 NIV) Jesus said, "I am with
you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. (John 13:1-2 NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew
that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full
extent of his love. {2} The evening meal was being served, and the devil
had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. What did Jesus say was going to happen? Did the things He predicted come
to pass? …Future (Luke 22:67-70 NIV) "If you are the Christ, " they said,
"tell us." Jesus answered, "If I
tell you, you will not believe me, {68} and if I asked you, you would
not answer. {69} But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the
right hand of the mighty God." {70} They all asked, "Are
you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You
are right in saying I am." What did Jesus predict about the future? The Crucifixion… (John 19:16-20 NIV) Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. {17} Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). {18} Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle. {19} Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. {20} Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The purpose of His Crucifixion… (Philippians 2:8 NIV) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through
the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last
days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom he made the universe. {3} The Son is the radiance of
God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all
things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. What does Hebrews 1:3 state as the reason for Jesus’ death on the
cross? His Resurrection… (John 20:10-31 NIV) Then the disciples went back to their homes, {11} but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb {12} and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. {13} They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." {14} At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. {15} "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." {16} Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). {17} Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" {18} Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. {19} On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {20} After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. {21} Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." {22} And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. {23} If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." {24} Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. {25} So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." {26} A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {27} Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." {28} Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." {30} Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NIV) For what I received I passed on to you
as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, {5} and that he appeared to Peter, and then
to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of
the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some
have fallen asleep. Why did Jesus die (v. 3)? How did His resurrection coincide with Scripture (v. 4)? How many people saw Jesus after His resurrection? Don’t you find it difficult to believe that people will follow some
‘prophet’ who has some ‘experience’ with God witnessed
by no one else? Isn’t it comforting to know that the proof of Jesus’ resurrection
is confirmed by over 500 when 2 witnesses is all our court system needs
to convict someone of a crime? His Ascension… (Luke 24:36-52 NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself
stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." {37}
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. {38} He
said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your
minds? {39} Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and
see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." {40}
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. {41} And while
they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them,
"Do you have anything here to eat?" {42} They gave him a piece
of broiled fish, {43} and he took it and ate it in their presence. {44}
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with
you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law
of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." {45} Then he opened their
minds so they could understand the Scriptures. {46} He told them, "This
is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the
third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached
in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} You are witnesses
of these things. {49} I am going to send you what my Father has promised;
but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
{50} When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up
his hands and blessed them. {51} While he was blessing them, he left them
and was taken up into heaven. {52} Then they worshiped him and returned
to Jerusalem with great joy. The Result of Jesus’ Crucifixion,
His Ascension… (Romans 8:1-4 NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, {2} because through Christ Jesus the law of the
Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what
the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,
God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin
offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, {4} in order that the
righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not
live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. What impact does Jesus’ death and resurrection have on those who
are ‘in Him’…those who trust in His death to pay the penalty
for their sin? (Romans 14:9 NIV) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to
life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. (1 Timothy 3:16 NIV) Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness
is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen
by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory. What Should Be Our Response? (Acts 2:29-39 NIV) "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that
the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this
day. {30} But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath
that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. {31} Seeing
what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was
not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised
this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. {33} Exalted
to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised
Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {36} "Therefore
let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ." {37} When the people heard this, they were
cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers,
what shall we do?" {38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} The promise
is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom
the Lord our God will call." How did the people respond when they heard the “Easter Message”…the
facts about Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension? Should we respond any differently? Bottom Line: (Galatians 2:20-21 NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. {21}
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained
through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Ephesians 1:18-23 NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may
be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called
you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, {19} and his
incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working
of his mighty strength, {20} which he exerted in Christ when he raised
him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
{21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title
that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to
come. {22} And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him
to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions
and sins, {2} in which you used to live when you followed the ways of
this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who
is now at work in those who are disobedient. {3} All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects
of wrath. {4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in
mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it
is by grace you have been saved. {6} And God raised us up with Christ
and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in
order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of
his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. {8} For it
is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast. {10}
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do. Close With Prayer. |