WEBVTT

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 I appreciate your being here for the whole service

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 and the way we're going to end this service

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 because it is designed to be from beginning to end

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 a time of celebrating

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 what God has done for us in Christ,

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 not just His death on the cross for our sins,

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 but His victorious resurrection,

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 His demonstration that Jesus has conquered

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 sin, death,

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 even defeated the devil

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 through His triumphant resurrection.

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 But I want to ask you as an individual,

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 is this truly a time of celebration for you?

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 Everybody knows Easter is supposed to be

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 a celebration service like what we've had,

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 but for you as an individual,

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 is there this sense of, feelings of, thoughts of,

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 real joy, celebration,

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 thanking God, praising God

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 for what He has done for you

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 in the death and resurrection of Jesus?

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 I want you to look with me, if you would,

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 at the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 15,

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 where the Apostle Paul explains the resurrection

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 in the most detail that you'll find anywhere

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 in the New Testament.

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 The Apostle Paul helps us understand

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 various reasons why we should truly be excited,

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 happy, celebrating the resurrection this morning.

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 There's all kinds of things from chapter 1

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 through the end of the chapter

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 that explains the significance of,

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 the historical reality of,

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 what it means that Christ arose.

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 If you've never read 1 Corinthians 15,

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 if you're not familiar with it,

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 I'd encourage you to read it this day,

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 this Easter Sunday.

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 But right now,

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 I want us to read together verses 12 through 20.

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 And what you're going to see,

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 Paul explains the significance of the resurrection

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 from the perspective of

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 what we would not have

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 if Christ had not risen.

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 So understand,

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 that's how he's explaining the resurrection

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 in these verses.

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 Let's read it together.

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 Verse 12, 1 Corinthians 15.

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 Now, if Christ is proclaimed

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 as raised from the dead,

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 how can some of you say

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 that there is no resurrection of the dead?

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 Some in that church

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 were saying,

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 there's no such thing as a resurrection.

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 People don't come back to lie.

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 The body certainly would not be.

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 They were under the influence

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 of Greek philosophy maybe.

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 Some of them were just under the influence

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 of unbelief.

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 They just struggled with it.

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 Verse 13,

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 But if there is no resurrection of the dead,

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 then not even Christ has been raised.

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 And if Christ has not been raised,

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 then our preaching is in vain

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 and your faith is in vain.

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 We are even found to be misrepresenting God

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 because we testified about God

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 that He raised Christ

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 whom He did not raise

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 if it's true that the dead are not raised.

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 For if the dead are not raised,

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 not even Christ has been raised.

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 And if Christ has not been raised,

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 your faith is futile

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 and you are still in your sins.

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 Then those also

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 who have fallen asleep in Christ

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 have perished.

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 He's telling them,

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 your family members and friends

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 who died as Christians,

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 they're doomed.

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 They've perished.

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 There's no hope.

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 Verse 19,

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 If in Christ

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 we have hope in this life only,

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 we are of all people

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 most to be pitied.

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 But in fact,

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 Christ has been raised from the dead,

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 the first fruits

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 of those who have fallen asleep.

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 I want us to look at a couple of reasons

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 why we must celebrate the resurrection.

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 We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus

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 because it assures us of God's forgiveness.

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 Paul states this truth,

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 what you would consider in a negative way

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 in verse 17.

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 Look at it again.

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 And if Christ has not been raised,

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 your faith is futile.

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 Some translations say

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 worthless,

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 useless.

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 You are still in your sins.

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 If Jesus Christ did not rise from the grave,

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 what Paul is saying is,

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 you are still guilty of sin

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 and under the condemnation of sin.

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 You are separated from God by your sin.

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 You have no hope,

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 if Christ has not been raised,

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 of forgiveness,

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 of ever being made right with God.

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 You will pay the penalty for your own sins,

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 is what he's saying here.

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 If Christ has not been raised,

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 your faith is absolutely worthless,

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 of no value.

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 You are still in your sins,

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 condemned,

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 doomed,

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 the separation from God for all eternity,

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 in hell.

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 But the good news,

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 what Paul is trying to stress

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 from every conceivable angle,

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 is that Christ did rise from the grave.

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 And so,

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 we could just restate this

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 from a more positive perspective like this.

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 Since Christ has been raised,

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 your faith is priceless.

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 You are forgiven,

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 set free from the guilt

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 and power of your sins.

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 We are here today

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 because Jesus Christ is alive.

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 You know,

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 there are people who are involved

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 in world religions,

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 and their key figure,

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 their prophet,

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 is dead.

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 And they know he's dead.

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 And many people travel

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 to see the grave,

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 the tomb,

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 that holds their founder's bones.

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 But as Christians,

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 if we choose to go to the place,

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 the tomb where Jesus

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 was buried,

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 it's open.

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 There's nothing there

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 because he arose

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 three days after he died.

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 He is alive today.

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 He is coming back

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 literally into this world

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 for his people

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 one day.

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 The resurrection

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 is a historical reality.

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 I want you to understand that.

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 what Christians believe

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 is not just wishful thinking.

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 It's not just some type

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 of mystical religion.

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 It's not some philosophy

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 somebody invented.

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 The Christian faith

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 is based on things

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 that really happened

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 in time

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 2,000 years ago.

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 Jesus

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 appeared.

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 He died.

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 He was buried.

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 He arose.

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 And he appeared

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 to many different people

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 in many locations

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 over a period of time.

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 I want you to look back up

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 in 1 Corinthians 15.

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 Note in verse 5

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 that it said

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 he appeared

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 to all these people.

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 He appeared to Cephas.

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 That's Peter.

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 Another name for Peter.

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 Then to the 12.

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 Then he appeared

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 to more than 500 brothers

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 at one time.

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 Most of whom

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 are still alive.

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 Though some

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 have fallen asleep.

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 Then he appeared

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 to James.

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 And then to all

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 the apostles

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 last of all

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 as to one

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 untimely born

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 he appeared

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 also

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 to me.

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 Now these

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 appearances

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 to all these

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 different people

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 different places

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 different geographical

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 locations

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 they took place

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 over

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 a 40 day period.

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 Look in Acts

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 chapter 1.

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 It says

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 after his suffering

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 he presented himself

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 to them

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 and gave many

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 convincing proofs

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 that he was alive.

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 He appeared to them

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 over a period

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 of 40 days

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 and spoke about

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 the kingdom of God.

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 What happened

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 was not just

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 some people

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 had some kind

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 of dream

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 got caught up

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 in some excitement

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 the emotion

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 of the day

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 of a couple

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 of day period.

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 Jesus

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 appeared to

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 all

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 different

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 kinds

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 groups

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 sizes

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 of people

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 not talking

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 about fat

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 and skinny

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 and tall

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 and short

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 I'm talking

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 about one

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 or two

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 a big crowd

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 a little crowd

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 over a period

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 of 40 days.

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 You see

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 the point

00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.100
 that the Bible

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 writers are

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 trying to say

00:10:04.420 --> 00:10:06.399
 trying to make

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 when they talk

00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:07.240
 about the

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 resurrection

00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:07.980
 of Jesus

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 like this

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 it really

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 happened

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 there were

00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.220
 eyewitnesses

00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:14.040
 who verified

00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:14.460
 it

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 you can

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 bank on

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 the fact

00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.519
 that the

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 resurrection

00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.960
 is a historical

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 reality

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 but also

00:10:22.040 --> 00:10:23.060
 the resurrection

00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:24.080
 changed the

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 lives of his

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 followers.

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 Most of you

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 in this room

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 know that

00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:28.160
 when Jesus

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 was arrested

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 his disciples

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 scattered

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 they were

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 afraid

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 they ran

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 after Jesus

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 was crucified

00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.759
 and put in

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 that tomb

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 before

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 they saw

00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:42.639
 him

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 before he

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 arose from

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 the grave

00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.460
 they were

00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.139
 still hiding

00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:46.580
 out.

00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:47.199
 In fact

00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:47.580
 some of the

00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.120
 times when

00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.379
 Jesus appeared

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:49.699
 to his

00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:50.120
 disciples

00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.519
 they were

00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.139
 hiding out.

00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:52.879
 They were

00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.240
 behind locked

00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.939
 doors

00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:55.919
 when he

00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.379
 appeared to

00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:56.620
 them.

00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:57.860
 But after

00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.699
 the crucifixion

00:10:58.699 --> 00:11:01.120
 after they

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 saw the

00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.399
 resurrected

00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:02.840
 Jesus

00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.240
 and after

00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.299
 they were

00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.080
 filled with

00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:07.659
 the spirit

00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.439
 of God

00:11:08.439 --> 00:11:09.539
 on the day

00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.299
 of Pentecost

00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:10.759
 that you can

00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:11.159
 read about

00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:11.620
 in Acts

00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.340
 chapter 2

00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.320
 they came

00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:14.860
 out of

00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.340
 hiding

00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:17.100
 and they

00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:17.740
 preached

00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.580
 the gospel

00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:18.980
 the good

00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.500
 news about

00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:19.920
 the death

00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:20.379
 and resurrection

00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:20.960
 of Jesus

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.080
 they preached

00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:22.440
 it to

00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:23.000
 everyone

00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.160
 that they

00:11:24.160 --> 00:11:24.740
 could find.

00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:26.440
 They stood

00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:26.820
 before the

00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.200
 people they

00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:27.660
 had been

00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:28.600
 hiding from.

00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.420
 They stood

00:11:30.420 --> 00:11:30.840
 before the

00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:31.300
 people who

00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:32.060
 were responsible

00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.540
 for killing

00:11:33.540 --> 00:11:34.019
 Jesus.

00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.160
 They stood

00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:37.080
 time and time

00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:37.800
 again after they

00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:38.240
 were warned

00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.060
 don't do this

00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:39.379
 anymore.

00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:40.280
 Stop talking

00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:41.000
 about him.

00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:41.899
 Don't say

00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:42.579
 this junk

00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:43.240
 that Jesus

00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.879
 is alive.

00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:44.439
 They still

00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:45.079
 said it

00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:46.439
 after they

00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:46.939
 were beaten

00:11:46.939 --> 00:11:47.679
 after they

00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.360
 were imprisoned

00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.839
 after some

00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:50.720
 one of the

00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:51.299
 apostles the

00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:51.899
 first martyr

00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:52.740
 James

00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.740
 was killed.

00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:59.060
 the disciples

00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:00.100
 they saw

00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:00.620
 Jesus

00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:02.639
 that changed

00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.240
 their life

00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.000
 especially after

00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.279
 they were

00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:04.940
 filled with

00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.799
 the Holy

00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.240
 Spirit.

00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.039
 This helps

00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:09.560
 us see the

00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.399
 Christian message

00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.740
 it's not

00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.919
 just a

00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:14.100
 message about

00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:14.779
 the cross.

00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:16.779
 It's not just

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.259
 a message about

00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:17.759
 the death of

00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.240
 Jesus as

00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.779
 important as

00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.320
 that is.

00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:20.920
 it is equally

00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:21.540
 about an

00:12:21.540 --> 00:12:22.620
 empty tomb.

00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:24.320
 The gospel

00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:24.760
 that we

00:12:24.760 --> 00:12:26.620
 believe if we

00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.120
 believe it

00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.980
 the one that

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:29.440
 we're called

00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.180
 to share with

00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:30.820
 other people

00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.300
 is that Jesus

00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:32.860
 died on the

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.520
 cross as our

00:12:33.520 --> 00:12:34.100
 substitute

00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:36.320
 to experience

00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.160
 the death

00:12:37.160 --> 00:12:38.020
 that we deserve

00:12:38.020 --> 00:12:39.300
 because we're

00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:39.780
 the ones who

00:12:39.780 --> 00:12:40.379
 are guilty of

00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:40.680
 sin.

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.879
 His death

00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:43.460
 was real.

00:12:44.900 --> 00:12:45.400
 He was buried

00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:46.180
 in a sealed

00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:46.960
 tomb.

00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:49.379
 But that's

00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.000
 not the end

00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:50.519
 of the story.

00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.960
 Jesus arose

00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:54.080
 came forth

00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:54.460
 from that

00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:54.800
 tomb.

00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:55.900
 He came

00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:56.440
 back to

00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:56.879
 life.

00:12:57.780 --> 00:12:58.019
 And in

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.560
 coming back

00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.100
 to life

00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.480
 being seen

00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:00.940
 like he

00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.340
 did

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:04.100
 he demonstrated

00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.860
 he proved

00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.320
 that the

00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:06.820
 penalty for

00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.280
 sin had been

00:13:07.280 --> 00:13:08.040
 paid and

00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:08.540
 God had

00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:09.680
 accepted it.

00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:10.820
 Chuck Swindoll

00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:12.000
 describes this

00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.680
 in a very good

00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:13.900
 way.

00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.300
 Look at his

00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.660
 statement.

00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:15.940
 He says we

00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.300
 know that

00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:16.720
 Christ

00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.240
 death completed

00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.860
 the work of

00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.360
 atonement

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.240
 because God

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.100
 raised him

00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:21.500
 from the

00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:21.860
 dead.

00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:22.800
 If God

00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:23.399
 had not been

00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.320
 satisfied in

00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:24.779
 the death

00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.139
 of his

00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.000
 son the

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.500
 son would

00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.200
 have remained

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.279
 a lifeless

00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.519
 corpse in

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:29.940
 the tomb.

00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.200
 When the

00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.000
 father raised

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.240
 the son it

00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.420
 represented his

00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:35.960
 stamp of

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.360
 approval.

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.340
 The

00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.019
 resurrection of

00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:39.660
 Jesus means

00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:40.080
 that everyone

00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.580
 who truly

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:43.180
 puts their

00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.180
 faith and

00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.060
 trust in

00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:45.379
 him

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:47.059
 can have

00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.960
 confidence

00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.740
 my sins

00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.299
 are forgiven.

00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:52.620
 I want you

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:52.939
 to understand

00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.559
 if you are a

00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:55.080
 true believer

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.679
 follower of

00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.100
 Jesus

00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:58.519
 if you are

00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:58.820
 really and

00:13:58.820 --> 00:13:59.279
 truly united

00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.700
 him by

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.019
 faith

00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:02.200
 the penalty

00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.720
 for your

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.080
 sins has

00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:04.700
 been paid

00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.799
 you need to

00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.580
 be confident

00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.960
 of your

00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:09.440
 forgiveness.

00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.080
 You don't

00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:11.840
 need to be

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:13.059
 dragging around

00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:13.719
 the weight

00:14:13.719 --> 00:14:14.399
 of guilt

00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.179
 any longer

00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:17.839
 because Jesus

00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:20.039
 suffered what

00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.579
 you should have

00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:20.919
 suffered.

00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.639
 He paid

00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.419
 the price

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:26.979
 your actions

00:14:26.979 --> 00:14:27.739
 deserve.

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.639
 Don't be a

00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.500
 prisoner of

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.339
 your past

00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:34.319
 sin and

00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:36.859
 guilt if you

00:14:36.859 --> 00:14:37.519
 are truly

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.399
 trusting in

00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:39.679
 Jesus.

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.819
 Leave your

00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:43.259
 past behind.

00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:45.179
 Forget it.

00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.799
 The penalty

00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.120
 has been

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.559
 paid.

00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.620
 Move forward

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:52.600
 with confidence

00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.959
 that you are a

00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:54.759
 child of God

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.500
 forgiven,

00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.019
 cleansed.

00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:57.620
 The penalty

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.319
 for your sin

00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.120
 has been paid.

00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.059
 The power of

00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:00.699
 sin has been

00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:01.139
 broken.

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:04.779
 Trust him.

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.939
 Now if you're

00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.600
 not a Christian

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:10.399
 I want you to

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:10.779
 understand that

00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.259
 what I've just

00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:11.839
 said to

00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:12.860
 Christians this

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.539
 can become

00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.639
 true about

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.039
 you.

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.639
 But what

00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.059
 you've got to

00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.059
 do is you've

00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.419
 got to come

00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:18.980
 clean with

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.459
 God and

00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:20.079
 admit your

00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.079
 sin, your

00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.039
 rebellion against

00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.740
 him, your

00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.339
 breaking of

00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:23.959
 his law.

00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:26.100
 You're choosing

00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.740
 to live your

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.539
 way instead of

00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.299
 his way.

00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.299
 And if that

00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:31.679
 really and

00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.199
 truly bothers

00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.000
 you it'll

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.759
 grieve you.

00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.819
 You'll be

00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.199
 able to

00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.139
 sincerely express

00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.759
 sorrow to

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.199
 God for the

00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:38.579
 way that you

00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.159
 have sinned

00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.699
 against him

00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.600
 and truly

00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.199
 turn from

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.559
 that mindset

00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.220
 way of

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.579
 life.

00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.379
 I encourage

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.759
 you to

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.299
 don't just

00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:48.759
 turn from

00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.339
 your sin but

00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.039
 turn to God

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.439
 in faith.

00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:52.220
 Trust that

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.699
 when Jesus

00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.220
 died on the

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.240
 cross he

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.759
 died in your

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.259
 place taking

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.139
 your punishment.

00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.360
 Trust him.

00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.399
 Put your

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.299
 confidence in

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:02.519
 him.

00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.659
 Depend upon

00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.279
 him for your

00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:04.759
 salvation.

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.459
 call upon

00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:06.919
 him right

00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.980
 now to

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.279
 come into

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.799
 your life

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.579
 and save

00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:09.879
 you.

00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.379
 Surrender

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.139
 it to him

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.539
 now.

00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.100
 Let him

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.620
 know that

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.059
 from this

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.679
 day forward

00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:18.339
 you're going

00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:18.699
 to follow

00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:19.079
 him.

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.319
 No one

00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.419
 else, not

00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.139
 even yourself,

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.459
 but he is

00:16:23.459 --> 00:16:24.059
 going to be

00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.699
 your Lord.

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.319
 Now I

00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:27.639
 want to

00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:30.079
 remind everyone

00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:30.819
 in this room,

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.339
 every single

00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.039
 person, regardless

00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.639
 of what your

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.620
 relationship

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.080
 with God

00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.439
 is.

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.519
 Saving

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.299
 faith is

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:39.939
 continuing

00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:40.639
 faith.

00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.340
 Look where

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.919
 we are in

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.360
 1 Corinthians

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.019
 15.

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.299
 Look at the

00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:45.740
 first two

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.120
 verses.

00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.500
 Paul writes

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:48.819
 to these

00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.179
 people,

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:49.979
 Now I

00:16:49.979 --> 00:16:50.519
 would remind

00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.099
 you, brothers,

00:16:51.739 --> 00:16:52.099
 of the

00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:52.759
 gospel I

00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.259
 preached to

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.479
 you, which

00:16:54.479 --> 00:16:55.679
 you received,

00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.259
 in which you

00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.500
 stand, and by

00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.379
 which you are

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.500
 being saved, if

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.759
 you hold fast to

00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.839
 the word I

00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.039
 preached to

00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.859
 you, unless

00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.919
 you believed in

00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:11.339
 vain.

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:15.399
 hear me.

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.359
 There are

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.139
 many people

00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:22.720
 who could say

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.859
 on any

00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.419
 Easter Sunday

00:17:24.419 --> 00:17:26.179
 morning, I

00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:27.819
 believe Jesus

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.879
 is real, that

00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.419
 he lived in

00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.179
 this world, that

00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:32.059
 he died on a

00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.720
 cross, he was

00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.480
 buried in a

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.259
 tomb, and I

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.259
 believe he arose

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.939
 from the grave.

00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.119
 But you only

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:40.480
 believe that as

00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.660
 historical facts,

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:44.680
 the truth is,

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.700
 you don't

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.400
 trust him.

00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.839
 You're not

00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.519
 trusting him as

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.460
 your Savior.

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.460
 You're not

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.259
 committed to him

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.519
 as the Lord of

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.240
 your life.

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.680
 You've never

00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.440
 really and

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.299
 truly repented

00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.960
 of your sins,

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.680
 changed your

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.180
 mind, turned

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.039
 from sin, and

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.579
 put your faith

00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:07.200
 in Jesus, surrendered

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.779
 all to him, and

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.779
 continued to

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.200
 trust him.

00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.940
 I became a

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.000
 Christian a long

00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.779
 time ago, many

00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.700
 years ago now.

00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.559
 But you know

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:23.059
 why I know that

00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.980
 he is my Lord

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.559
 this morning?

00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:25.759
 Not because of

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.339
 some kind of

00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.940
 decision I made

00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.720
 many years ago,

00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.700
 but because I'm

00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.799
 trusting him right

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.079
 now, this moment,

00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.059
 as my Savior.

00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.440
 I'm surrendered

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.539
 to him right now

00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.659
 as my Lord.

00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.159
 Truth is,

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.980
 I failed him on

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.059
 many occasions.

00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.859
 Truth is,

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.500
 sometimes I am

00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:50.220
 selfish, and I

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.920
 just choose to do

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.519
 what I want to do

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.000
 instead of what he

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.639
 wants me to do.

00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.720
 Every Christian in

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.359
 here, that's your

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.359
 testimony, isn't it?

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.059
 But the way that we

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.720
 know we really are

00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.339
 the Lord's is

00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.480
 because as

00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.119
 Christians, the

00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.700
 Spirit of God

00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.659
 lives within us.

00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:06.440
 And when we

00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.740
 rebel, when we

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.640
 ignore God, when we

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.440
 live our way instead

00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.640
 of his way, sooner

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.400
 or later, the Spirit

00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.840
 of God convicts us,

00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:15.400
 inflicts guilt upon

00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:15.740
 us.

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.680
 God disciplines us

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.340
 if we're really his

00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:18.800
 children.

00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:20.420
 And he does that to

00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.480
 wake us up, to get

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.600
 our attention, and to

00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:24.120
 call us back to

00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.740
 himself.

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:29.000
 If you don't have

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.140
 that experience, if

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.620
 you don't understand

00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.180
 what I'm talking

00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:33.259
 about, according to

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.940
 Scripture, I just

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.480
 don't see how you

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.360
 could call yourself a

00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:37.680
 Christian.

00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.240
 Because saving

00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.220
 faith is continuing

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.700
 faith.

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.820
 John 3, 16, that

00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.779
 most everybody in

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.580
 this room has at

00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.420
 least heard of, for

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.060
 God so loved the

00:19:50.060 --> 00:19:50.620
 world that he gave

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.299
 his only begotten

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.259
 Son, that whoever

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.740
 believes in him will

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.440
 not perish but have

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.180
 everlasting life.

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:55.960
 It talks about whoever

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.660
 believes in him.

00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.440
 It's not talking about

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.519
 believes in him one

00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.660
 day in the past.

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.680
 It's talking about

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.480
 whoever believes in

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.880
 him continuously.

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.120
 Whoever trusts him,

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.539
 whoever has a

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.740
 relationship with him,

00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.840
 is the one who will

00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:11.700
 not perish but have

00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.660
 everlasting life.

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.820
 So I want to ask you

00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:18.759
 on this Resurrection

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:20.580
 Sunday, the Sunday

00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:21.600
 that we should be

00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:24.420
 celebrating, can you

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:27.200
 celebrate your

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.140
 relationship with the

00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:30.120
 risen Lord Jesus?

00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.779
 thank him for your

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.279
 forgiveness.

00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:35.600
 Thank him for the

00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.960
 eternal life that is

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.920
 yours now and forever.

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.299
 If you can, do it.

00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:43.980
 Celebrate.

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.519
 Praise and worship him.

00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:49.940
 But if you can't, then

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.320
 right now, this moment,

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.340
 humble yourself before

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.720
 him, the risen Lord.

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.700
 You may be a church

00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.900
 member, you may be a

00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.700
 church leader.

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:01.279
 You may be a church

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.700
 leader.

00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.620
 Here are some other

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.120
 church.

00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:03.799
 But if you don't have

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.819
 this real relationship,

00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.819
 if there's not real

00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:10.759
 life-altering faith,

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:13.740
 trust, confidence in your

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.140
 heart for this Lord,

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.000
 I encourage you right now,

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.860
 admit it to God,

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.759
 repent of your sins,

00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.559
 put your trust in Jesus,

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:25.919
 call upon him to save you

00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.779
 now.

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.220
 I want us to bow

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.720
 together.

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.859
 I want us to spend this

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.079
 time right now responding

00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.879
 to the Lord as he speaks

00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.359
 to you.

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.379
 That's all you need to do.

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.919
 Listen to him.

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:41.000
 He is fully capable of

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.079
 making it clear what you

00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.659
 need to do.

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.740
 You just obey him.

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:47.120
 And then,

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:53.160
 ask him to help you to

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.420
 take it one day at a

00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:54.740
 time,

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:58.319
 one hour at a time,

00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.059
 as you move forward from

00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:00.279
 here.

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.039
 After I pray,

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.720
 I'm going to be here at

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.160
 the front.

00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.940
 If you'd like for me to

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.759
 pray with you,

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.940
 talk with you about your

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.500
 relationship with the

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.779
 Lord, I'll be happy to do

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.000
 that.

00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.640
 If you know someone that

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.519
 you'd rather talk to,

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.460
 about your relationship

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:15.880
 with the Lord,

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.579
 and they're in this room,

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.599
 go and talk to them now.

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.299
 Go and talk to them

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.380
 before the sun goes down

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.880
 today.

00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.339
 This Easter Sunday,

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.720
 2017,

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:30.120
 can be a day for everyone

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.059
 to celebrate

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:34.620
 because everyone can

00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.559
 come to Christ

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:37.279
 if you want to

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:39.140
 and if you will

00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:41.620
 the way that he says.

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.400
 So let's pray.

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.059
 Dear God,

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.500
 show us how we should

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.539
 respond to you.

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.299
 Dear God,

00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.460
 work in people's hearts

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.720
 who are not Christians

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:53.319
 to call them to trust

00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:53.679
 Jesus.

00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.720
 Show them that when

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.659
 Jesus died on the cross,

00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:59.200
 it was for their sins.

00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.639
 Help them to know it's

00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.619
 because you love them

00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.879
 that you sent Jesus to do

00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.119
 that.

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.859
 Help them to understand,

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.299
 dear God,

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:09.359
 that this Jesus is not

00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.779
 dead,

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.220
 but is alive.

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.259
 And so,

00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.899
 help them right now

00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.839
 to call upon him

00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.839
 to come into their life

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.759
 and be their savior

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.440
 and surrender their life

00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.700
 to him as their living

00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.500
 Lord,

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.240
 master,

00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.440
 boss right now.

00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.399
 And in this attitude

00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.779
 of prayer,

00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:27.119
 let's just be still

00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.720
 and quiet

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.119
 as musicians play.

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.420
 Again,

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.639
 I'd be happy to speak

00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.539
 with you here at the front,

00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.220
 pray with you

00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.200
 you come forward

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.799
 during this time.