JESUS is Alive - 03-27-16

Series – JESUS is ______________ Part 6: JESUS is Alive!

Pastor Chuck Bernal – Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016

 QUESTION 1: WHAT IF EASTER IS A LIE AND JESUS IS STILL DEAD?

 If Christ has not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe. More than that, we are shown to be lying about God, because we said that he raised Christ from death . . . And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins. It would also mean that the believers in Christ who have died are lost. If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world. (1 Corinthians 15:14-19 – GNB)

 QUESTION 2: WHAT IF EASTER IS TRUE AND YOU CAN REALLY BELIEVE IT?

 But the fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead and has become the first of millions who will come back to life again someday. (1 Corinthians 15:20 – LB)

 I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures;  that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles.  Last of all he appeared also to me.  (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – GNB)

 QUESTION 3: WHAT IF EASTER WORKS & YOU CAN EXPERIENCE IT IN YOUR LIFE?

 Let me remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I preached to you when we first met. It’s the essential message that you have taken to heart, the central story you now base your life on; and through this gospel, you are set free. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2 – The Voice)

 WHEN I EXPERIENCE THE RESURRECTION,  IT SETS ME FREE FROM THE PAST!

Because Jesus is alive, my ________________ don’t have to be ___________

 God had so much loving-kindness. He loved us with such a great love.  Even when we were dead because of our sins, He made us alive by what Christ did for us. You have been saved from the punishment of sin and forgiven by His grace. God raised us up from death when He raised up Christ Jesus . . .  He did all of this to show us the greatness of His grace. He has shown us kindness through Christ Jesus.  For by His grace alone you have been saved from the punishment of sin through faith. It’s not by anything you’ve done. It is not given to you because you worked for it. It is a gift of God.  (Ephesians 2: 4-9 – NLV)

 WHEN I EXPERIENCE THE RESURRECTION,  IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE PRESENT!

 Because Jesus is alive, my _________ doesn’t have to be ________________

 For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection and that I may be continually transformed into His likeness . . . (Philippians 3:10 – Amp)

 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants . . . I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe in him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. (Philippians 2:13/Ephesians 1:19-20 – LB)

 I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11 – Msg)

 WHEN I EXPERIENCE THE RESURRECTION, IT GIVES ME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!

 Because Jesus is alive, my _____________ doesn’t have to be ____________

 We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life. And, when we are all redressed with bodies that do not, cannot decay, then it will be as Scripture says: Life everlasting has victoriously swallowed death. Hey, Death! What happened to your big win? Hey, Death! What happened to your sting? Sin came into this world, and death’s sting followed. Then sin took aim at the law and gained power over those who follow the law. Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus Christ brought us victory over the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:53-57 – The Voice)