Sermon-on-a-Stick: "Easter -- Will It Really Matter?"

Here are my notes from the part of the sermon I was able to stay awake for Sunday. (That's a joke! I didn't fall asleep ... until the offering...) These are from Dr. Chris on Easter, if you trust my note taking.

"It's Easter: Will It Really Matter?"
Matthew 28

* Is the resurrection valid
Mark 16:1-3: Jesus' disciples didn't expect His resurrection; they expected to have to roll away the stone.
Luke 24: 37-38: His disciples are startled to see Jesus after the cross
1 Cor. 15:3: Paul's historical account of the resurrection..

* IF Christ is alive, then...
He is Lord -- if you come out of your tomb, you are who you say you are.
He is contemporary -- He is alive today.
He is inescapable -- We have to deal with Him one way or the other, and on his terms.

1. For a lot of people, Easter will not make a difference
Mt 28:11-17: The Pharisees covered up the resurrection, or hoped to and tried to, and even the believers doubted.

2. Will Easter matter for you?
Life continues -- even the 'bad' parts of life, like suicide and assaults and tragedies -- on Easter. Oftentimes, these things are self-inflicted or caused by someone who doesn't care about Easter. It's just another day to them.

3. It CAN matter for you
Mt. 28: 8-9: Jesus met them and they worshipped Him
v. 17 -- They worshipped/surrendered to Him
John 20:20: They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:3-8: Easter definitely made a difference for James, the leader of the first church in Jerusalem, and for Paul, Christianity's greatest missionary

-30-