Jesus is Alive
Jesus is Alive!
Closure. People often search for closure in failed situations or relationships. They find it or contrive it, but either way, if something ends, we desire closure. Death tends to be relatively final. It is absolute closure - when someone is dead, that's it. We don't expect them to come back. Neither did the ancient world. I mean, if there's anything we can absolutely count on in this world, it's that resurrections do not happen. Then Jesus came. Thank God we didn't get closure. The case for the resurrection of Jesus, historically speaking, is surprisingly strong. Not only is the evidence for it strong, but so are the results. The Kingdom of God has come and we are invited to be apart of it! No closure - just life!
In the Bible.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mark 16:6-7 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[a] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 15:37-39 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Questions.
1.) "Because I live, you also will live." What does this mean for us? 2.) Would the people around you consider you a person of hope? If someone was to ask you for a reason for the hope in you - what would your response be? 3.) What are tangible ways we can spread the good news of Jesus/Easter/the Gospel to people in our lives? Whenever you read the Bible, ask yourself these three questions: 1. What does this tell you about God? 2. What does this tell you about yourself and the world? 3. How is this going to change who you are and how you live?
Closure. People often search for closure in failed situations or relationships. They find it or contrive it, but either way, if something ends, we desire closure. Death tends to be relatively final. It is absolute closure - when someone is dead, that's it. We don't expect them to come back. Neither did the ancient world. I mean, if there's anything we can absolutely count on in this world, it's that resurrections do not happen. Then Jesus came. Thank God we didn't get closure. The case for the resurrection of Jesus, historically speaking, is surprisingly strong. Not only is the evidence for it strong, but so are the results. The Kingdom of God has come and we are invited to be apart of it! No closure - just life!
In the Bible.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Mark 16:6-7 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[a] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” Mark 15:37-39 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Questions.
1.) "Because I live, you also will live." What does this mean for us? 2.) Would the people around you consider you a person of hope? If someone was to ask you for a reason for the hope in you - what would your response be? 3.) What are tangible ways we can spread the good news of Jesus/Easter/the Gospel to people in our lives? Whenever you read the Bible, ask yourself these three questions: 1. What does this tell you about God? 2. What does this tell you about yourself and the world? 3. How is this going to change who you are and how you live?
