What the Resurrection Means For Us What does Easter Sunday Mean to You? Rabbits & Eggs? One of the special days to go to church? A long weekend holiday? The celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ?

1Peter 1:3-4 NASB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you… What the Resurrection Brings to Us 1Peter 1:3-4 NASB* Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…

4 Things: It brings mercy It brings life It brings hope It assures heaven *emphasis mine 1. The Resurrection Brings Mercy Romans 6:23 – the wages of sin is death 56,000,000 per year (107/minute) Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 NASB "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (3) What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? (4) A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. Life is merciless – the resurrection shows mercy! There is a God who wants to break the cycle of death Resurrection interrupts the cycle 1 Corinthians 15:21 Abundant mercy! Peter knew this personally – Denial – Matt.; Mark; Luke; John record Empty tomb – John 20: 6-7 Commission – John 21:15-17 Peter experienced abundant mercy – so can you! 2. The Resurrection Brings Life "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for" (1 Peter 1:3, MSG) Because Jesus rose, we can have eternal life Death without resurrection = no eternal life John 14:19 NASB “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. Life – 3 Greek words: Bios – physical life, external life – we tend to be more preoccupied by this – how’s my hair? Luke 8:14 NASB “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Psuché [psoo-khay'] – inward life – conscience, personality Matthew 10:39 NASB "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.; also - 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33 Zóé [dzo-ay']– most common in the Greek New Testament, - age-abiding life, eternal life John 10:10 NASB "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 3. The Resurrection Brings Hope Easter a celebration of hope Spring a reminder – new life… Life without Christ is a hopeless life: Ephesians 2:12 NASB remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. "I'm confused . . . I always believed science would be the cure-all for my problems, but I don't know if I can keep living without eternal life. I guess I'll have to just find a way myself to make it through this meaningless existence. I just wish I knew of someone who could show me the path to eternal life. If science can't provide answers, then who or what can? Doesn't it seem like there is a higher power that gives our life purpose? Well, science says there isn't, so there isn't," Peter – knew firsthand – Left everything to follow Jesus Christ Crucifixion dashed hope Emmaus Road disciples – "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel Resurrection – Peter’s hopelessness went to living hope! Resurrection – every promise of Jesus Christ was guaranteed!!