WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.059 Well, good morning, church. Happy Easter, everyone. He is risen. Indeed, he is risen. It's great to be here with you on this Easter Sunday, this Resurrection Sunday. Such a wonderful time for us to gather to today here at church as we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:33.700 It is part, it is essential to the gospel story. When we think of the simple gospel, it is the death, the burial, and the resurrection. There wouldn't be a gospel if there wasn't the resurrection. Amen? 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:49.099 It's so important for us to recognize and to realize the significance that God has the final say. That God is sovereign, he is supreme, he is in control, and death does not have the final word. It is God that does. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:01:02.840 Can I get an amen on that one, right? It's important for us to realize that. And so today, I've titled today's sermon, Believe the Resurrection, and it's going to be based off of John chapter 20, verses 1 through 29. 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:10.939 And I'd like to go ahead and we will open with a word of prayer and we'll go ahead and get started on this wonderful Sunday. 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:19.480 Father God, we thank you for this time and this opportunity for us to gather today here on this Easter Sunday, this Resurrection Sunday. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:26.300 The resurrection, it shows us the significance of Jesus Christ, believing in him. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:40.739 And today, I just pray that everyone who is here in person, everyone who is tuning in online, wherever they are, I pray, Father, that every single person will recognize who you are. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:50.179 That you love the world so much that you sent your son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:01:50.539 --> 00:01:54.319 That whosoever believes shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:01:54.319 --> 00:02:04.579 What a wonderful time for us to gather today, for us to celebrate the day, and for us to remember the day, this significant Sunday. 00:02:05.199 --> 00:02:10.560 We just pray that this message will be heard and that it will be understood. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:18.680 We pray that lives will be transformed, whether that is making a decision for Christ or whether that means returning. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:28.760 Maybe there are people here today, Father, that feel distant or feel kind of this sense of maybe the Spirit is working in their life in such a capacity. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:31.540 We pray that your will will be done. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:34.040 That your message will be clear. 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:41.600 We pray that every single one of us will be moved to grow in the faith and be moved to live it out. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:44.159 To live and love like your son, Jesus Christ. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:49.000 It is in the name of Jesus that we pray, the cornerstone of our faith. 00:02:49.079 --> 00:02:50.740 And we all say together, Amen, church? 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:51.780 Amen. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:52.579 All right. 00:02:53.019 --> 00:03:02.900 So, the resurrection shows us the importance of believing in Christ, even when we do not fully understand. 00:03:03.579 --> 00:03:11.139 It is so important for us to recognize that God works in our lives in such amazing and incredible capacities. 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:20.459 Very often, more often than not, there are times where God is moving in our life and we don't recognize exactly what's going on. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:22.819 How many of us have had a moment like that before? 00:03:23.500 --> 00:03:25.159 And then the event happens. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:26.399 It might be a week. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:27.259 It might be a month. 00:03:27.339 --> 00:03:34.799 It might even be a few years where you recognize that the movement of God was working in such a capacity that you think for a moment, 00:03:35.459 --> 00:03:39.500 Oh, you were working through this person. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:42.620 You were working through this situation. 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.139 It happens more often than not. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:49.039 And like they say, that famous saying that hindsight is what? 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:50.780 2020, right? 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:56.159 And it's so important for us that when events happen in our lives, we may not understand. 00:03:56.860 --> 00:04:00.620 But there's still an importance of having faith and believing in Christ, 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:06.120 even when we don't understand the full picture, the full scope of what is going on. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:12.280 And so we're going to recognize today, we're going to go to this next slide here, 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:18.780 that in the Gospel of John, when we were going over Palm Sunday, 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:21.740 it's a Sunday where people are celebrating. 00:04:21.899 --> 00:04:23.319 People are waving their palms. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:26.720 If you were here last week, the kiddos all got their palms, 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:29.120 or maybe you as an adult got one too, right? 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:34.019 A great time of celebration, of victory, where people were saying Hosanna. 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:39.759 And it's interesting how in this verse, in John chapter 12, verse 16, 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:46.419 that the disciples did not recognize what was going on until after the fact. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:50.879 And I think that's so important for us when we consider the Easter story. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:55.240 When Jesus was glorified, then they remembered. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:57.919 Then they understood what was going on. 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:03.300 And that helps us to understand what is going on here in Easter Sunday, right? 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:05.379 We will see. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:10.180 If you want to be ahead, go ahead and turn to the Gospel of John chapter 20. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:14.939 But there's a section in there that these are written, right? 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:20.560 The account of the resurrection, so that you may believe in Jesus. 00:05:20.700 --> 00:05:20.920 Amen? 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:21.080 Amen? 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:27.160 It's the Gospel story for us to recognize, to have the change of mind, 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.860 the softening of the heart, and the renewal of the Spirit. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:32.560 This transformation that happens in our life. 00:05:32.900 --> 00:05:38.120 That God works in and through our lives every single day in such incredible capacities. 00:05:39.700 --> 00:05:45.759 These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:49.879 That is the whole reason why John wrote the Gospel in the first place, right? 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:56.899 So that we, people here today in 2026, thousands of years later, 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:01.480 may come to believe in the resurrected Son, Jesus Christ. 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:04.159 And so, let's turn our Bibles. 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:09.620 It's going to be on page 1077, 1078 in your ESVP Bible. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:14.079 Or you can use your mobile device or your Bible of choice here. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:21.539 And what we're going to do, we're going to read right now, Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 1 through 18. 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:24.959 And of course, there's other things that are going on towards the end here. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:31.959 But the most important part is for us to kind of see what's going on in the scene from these first verses, 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:33.539 these first 18 verses. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:40.700 And church, as you turn there, feel free to follow along, read it aloud together. 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:42.879 We're okay with that. Are we all there? 00:06:43.700 --> 00:06:46.900 So, Gospel of John, chapter 20, we're going to start in verse 1. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:52.239 Now, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:58.039 while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:04.359 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:05.419 Do you know who that is, by the way? 00:07:06.099 --> 00:07:06.919 John, right? 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:09.399 The one whom Jesus loved and said to them, 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:14.359 They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:19.280 So Peter went with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:24.600 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter, right? 00:07:24.900 --> 00:07:26.139 And reached the tomb first. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:29.540 You gotta admit, God's got a funny sense of humor, right? 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.020 When we're reading this in the text, right? 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:34.400 Yeah, Peter ran, but I outran him kind of thing in here. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:36.620 So, verse 5. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:41.800 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:46.139 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:52.819 He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.680 not lying with the linen cloths, but what? 00:07:56.020 --> 00:07:59.240 They were folded up in a place by itself. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:07:59.860 Verse 8. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:05.580 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw, and what? 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:07.080 He believed. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:11.759 For as yet, they did not understand the scripture, right? 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:16.279 They didn't understand it at the time, that he must rise from the dead. 00:08:16.359 --> 00:08:16.839 Verse 10. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:19.579 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.180 Verse 11. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:24.339 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:28.740 And as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:35.560 And she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:36.500 and one at the feet. 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:38.639 They said to her, what did they say? 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:41.159 Woman, why are you weeping? 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:47.279 She said to them, they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:50.899 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:52.899 But did she know? 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:56.100 No, she didn't know that it was Jesus, right? 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:56.759 Verse 15. 00:08:57.300 --> 00:09:00.899 Jesus said to her, woman, why are you weeping? 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:02.560 Whom are you seeking? 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:04.740 Supposing him to be what? 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:06.360 A gardener, right? 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.480 And so that's crazy. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:12.480 She said to him, sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.220 and I will take him away. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:17.340 Jesus said to her, Mary. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:23.100 She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni, which means teacher. 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:28.879 And Jesus said to her, do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:35.860 But go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.399 my God and to your God. 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:40.080 And Mary Magdalene, did she just go home? 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:41.379 No. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.259 What did she do? 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:45.220 She went and announced to the disciples what she say. 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:47.200 I have seen the Lord. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:50.820 And that he had said these things to her. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:53.040 So we're going to stop there for a second here, right? 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:58.300 So it's very important as we're looking at this, as we are observing the text. 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:03.820 So here at Ontario Community Church, we utilize what's called the OIA method, observation. 00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:05.260 We read the text, right? 00:10:05.280 --> 00:10:06.540 We got to read the Bible, right? 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:08.240 That's very important for us. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:09.900 We observe the text. 00:10:10.020 --> 00:10:11.000 We interpret it, right? 00:10:11.020 --> 00:10:14.180 What are the underlying lessons that we can learn from the text? 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.740 And then finally, the A, which is application. 00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:18.060 What do we do about this? 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:22.319 So as we are observing, right, the first thing is the empty tomb, right? 00:10:22.339 --> 00:10:24.879 We have this scene that is going on. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:29.119 And you noticed I didn't go into verses 19 through 29. 00:10:29.219 --> 00:10:29.819 That's intentional. 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:32.359 We'll get to there in a moment, right? 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:36.319 So first day of the week, Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb, right? 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:39.539 And notice how it says that while it is still dark, right? 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:44.459 You have this sense where there is darkness that's happening on Good Friday, right? 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:50.939 Where it appears that the darkness is ruling and reigning, but the light is penetrating through the dark, right? 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:53.620 While it's still dark, the light is about to come. 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:56.519 So that's something that's very significant for us to take to heart. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.919 She saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb, right? 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:04.179 Friday ended in darkness and it continued until Sunday, right? 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:08.239 While it was still dark, the light had not come, but it was about to. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:16.299 And so Peter and that other disciple, I always think it's very interesting how, you know, Peter and that other guy named John, right? 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:18.919 I always just thought God has a funny sense of humor. 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:21.259 John ran to the tomb and he outran Peter. 00:11:21.599 --> 00:11:23.919 And John looked in, but he did not enter. 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:24.919 Peter went in. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:28.959 And it's interesting also you see that there's these linen cloths. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:31.819 It's also important to note that they were folded, right? 00:11:31.859 --> 00:11:32.859 Isn't that kind of interesting? 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:36.580 You would think that the body had disappeared, right? 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.399 The cloths would just be lying there, you know, kind of in a mess, right? 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:44.620 But to be intentionally folded is something that was done with such intentionality, right? 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:47.740 So the cloths were not stolen, right? 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:49.080 They weren't scattered around. 00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:49.800 They were folded. 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:51.019 They were deliberately placed. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.340 That's a very important note to notice. 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:57.600 In verse 8, right, the other disciple went in and he saw and believed. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:03.620 And I would say it's so important for us to understand, as I was saying in the beginning, 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:12.000 when we go through life, a lot of things just happen that we may not fully understand at the time, right? 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:17.379 And after the fact, the Lord reveals why something happened. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:22.940 And we see this within the text where it's saying the disciples didn't know what was going on, right? 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.340 They didn't understand, right? 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:30.679 As it says in verse 9, yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:37.919 So it's kind of this interesting sense where you would think they would know better, but where are we? 00:12:37.979 --> 00:12:40.399 We're ahead of the event that had happened. 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:44.579 So we can look back at the event, but in the moment, they did not understand. 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.939 And it was eventually revealed to them, right? 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:57.620 And so in verse 10, also notice in that final verse, it doesn't say that they ran off and told everybody. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.359 You notice that. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:00.519 What did they do? 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:03.519 It says in verse 10, they just went to their homes, right? 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:09.560 It's kind of interesting that you have the difference between what the disciples were doing and what Mary was doing, right? 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.060 Very, very different outcome, right? 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.759 Same event, but different response. 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:16.060 That's something to note with that. 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:22.720 The second thing we can observe is Mary at the tomb, which is from verses 11 to 18. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:26.180 And so Mary stood weeping outside of the tomb. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.920 Everyone else had left, right? 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:31.959 You have the two angels that are talking with Mary. 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.019 Why are you weeping? 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:36.759 And then she's turning and seeing Jesus there. 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:45.159 And how interesting to be in this moment where you are seeing Jesus and you don't recognize him. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:47.120 Like, isn't that peculiar? 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:56.459 Isn't that very interesting that she didn't recognize it until essentially Jesus was saying it's the proper time. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:14:02.040 So in the same way that understanding a past event happens, right? 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.500 Hindsight being 20-20. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:10.860 It's also important to note in scenes like this that at the proper time we come to see who Jesus is. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:13.660 It's as though the eyes were being opened. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:17.340 It's as though there was this sense of understanding that happened. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:17.780 Okay? 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.379 So she didn't recognize Jesus. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:24.600 But at the proper time, it was the time for her to recognize Jesus. 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.200 And how interesting is that? 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:31.560 Where for many of us, how many of you remember before you were a Christian? 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:33.259 You don't have to raise your hand on that one, right? 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:36.519 But you might remember a time before you were a Christian. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.039 Or maybe you're not a Christian right now, right? 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:45.600 You might understand that there's this sense of hearing Jesus as a cool guy, right? 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:48.960 You might think, okay, Jesus is this guy with long hair. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:51.340 Does he go to like the beach and surf? 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.240 Is he a guru? 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.439 Is he just a great teacher, right? 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:56.340 And you hear the same story. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:15:00.360 But eventually there comes a time where you come to understand who Jesus is. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:03.220 Even when he's right in front of you, right? 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:06.659 So it's a very interesting thing to note when we're looking at that. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:10.779 And so Jesus is talking to her, woman, why are you weeping? 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:12.019 Whom are you seeking, right? 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.159 Thinking it's the gardener. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:17.279 And then when Jesus calls her name, Mary. 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:23.779 Do we recognize and realize how significant that is when Jesus calls Mary's name? 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:32.659 And in the same way, how Jesus calls us by name to respond to the gospel, right? 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:34.899 It's very important for us to recognize that. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:40.539 And so go to my brothers and say to them, right? 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:45.740 Verse 18, Mary Magdalene went out and announced to the disciples, right? 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.379 So did she just go home? 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:48.919 No. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.219 There's this sense of excitement, of realization, right? 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:54.160 I'm going to tell everybody. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:58.779 I have this sense of refreshingness, renewal. 00:15:59.300 --> 00:16:02.899 And I'm going to respond by telling everyone what's going on. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:10.159 Now, if you still have your Bibles open, I want you to look at verses 19 through 29, because 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:15.840 this is actually very interesting, where you have this scene where Jesus appears to the 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.100 disciples later that evening, right? 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:22.759 First day of the week, the door is being locked where the disciples were for the fear of the 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.340 Jews, right? 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:28.100 So they went home and they were afraid, right? 00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:30.460 They were scared in that moment. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:34.920 Jesus stood among them and said to them, peace be with you. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:38.840 When he had done this, he had showed them his hands. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.700 The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:45.820 Jesus said to them again, peace be with you as the father has sent me. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.960 So I am sending you. 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:51.920 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:56.179 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:58.120 If you withhold forgiveness, it is withheld. 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:03.519 It's also, you'll notice Jesus is appearing to his disciples when they're afraid. 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:09.720 But it's also important to know the story of Jesus and Thomas, right? 00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:14.299 Thomas, one of the 12, called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:17.559 So the other's disciples told him, we have seen the Lord. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:27.799 But he said to them, unless I see the hands, the mark in his nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:32.279 and place my hand in his side, I will never believe. 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.039 Now think about that. 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:45.059 Think about this follower of Christ, who is so close-minded, as it were. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:50.899 This sense of, I'm hearing what's going on, but I don't believe it at all. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:18:01.380 Many of us may identify before we became, before we saw the Lord, before we came to Christ, right? 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:06.080 This sense of resistance, very important, right? 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:13.060 When we find things like this in Scripture, even if we may think it's odd or strange, 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:15.140 it's still important for us to recognize. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.720 So it's going on. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:20.559 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again. 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.600 Thomas was with them. 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:25.100 Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.180 Peace be with you. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:31.059 And he said to Thomas, Put your finger here and see my hands. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:34.120 Put out your hand and place it on my side. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:36.779 Do not disbelieve, but believe. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:41.279 And Thomas answered him, saying, My Lord and my God. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:46.799 Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:51.059 Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:57.559 I think this is a very overlooked story within Easter. 00:18:58.420 --> 00:19:05.420 Because you have someone who is doubting, this person who is resistant, 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:07.759 and wants to see for himself. 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:13.779 And yet, in that, Jesus still meets him where he is at. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:19.920 And it's important for us to realize that even in times where we resist the Lord, 00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:27.660 the Lord is extending his hand in invitation for us to come and receive salvation, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.400 for us to respond to that invitation. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:32.420 And so, how interesting. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:37.620 You have these different stories, the two disciples, Mary Magdalene and even doubting Thomas. 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:42.900 They all respond differently, and yet Jesus meets them where they are at. 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:45.300 How interesting is that? 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.840 Three stories, right? 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:52.259 Three different occurrences, and yet Jesus goes to all of them. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.180 So Jesus appears and Thomas believes. 00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:56.580 We praise God for that. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.720 So that is in the observation. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:03.200 And these verses, they speak to us even today. 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.720 So what does it all mean then? 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:09.180 Belief comes before understanding. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.960 Now, this is a very interesting one. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.819 The two disciples, right? 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:18.779 They believed they didn't understand fully what was going on in Scripture. 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.700 It's important for us to realize that, 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:27.980 Do we have to know all of the ins and outs of the Bible in order to believe in the Lord? 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:29.319 The answer is no. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:35.039 All we got to do is understand that Jesus died, he was buried, and he rose again. 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:35.940 That is the beginning. 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:39.160 That is the gospel story that we have to respond to. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:46.740 And as time goes on, the Lord will reveal more of his word, more insight, and more wisdom. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:49.259 We've got to be open to that. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.120 Right? 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:53.380 So we have to respond to the gospel message first and foremost. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:21:00.120 You don't have to have all of the proper doctrine and all the understandings and intricacies of Scripture. 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:02.299 You just have to have faith. 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:05.079 And that is something that is so important for all of us. 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:09.079 No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:13.500 no matter what you are going through, what you have been through, what you will go through, 00:21:14.479 --> 00:21:15.919 it's belief in Christ. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:18.359 And we thank God for that. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.319 Right? 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:21.759 There's so many people who think, 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:26.159 I have to understand everything about the Trinity. 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:29.219 I got to understand everything about Revelation. 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:32.120 I got to understand everything about the Lord. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.839 You got to understand the gospel. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:40.259 Let that be the beginning of your new life in Christ. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.559 Let that be the foundation. 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:49.579 And as you receive salvation, may you be on a path of growing and knowing who the Lord is. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.700 And how amazing is it? 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:56.279 As you believe in the Lord, as you grow, there is more insight. 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.400 There is more wisdom. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.019 There is more discernment. 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:02.720 There is so much that comes from the benefits of knowing the Lord. 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:05.339 You got to make a decision first and foremost. 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.680 Right? 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:09.400 The second thing here is tears to testimony. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:09.880 Right? 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:17.860 When we go into that, Mary was weeping. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:23.180 And she didn't recognize Jesus being right in front of her. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:28.200 When he called her by name, she knew who he was. 00:22:29.260 --> 00:22:35.600 How beautiful is it that when the Lord calls our name, we recognize who he is? 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:40.539 How beautiful is it that the Lord calls each and every one of us by name? 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:43.399 We've just got to respond and recognize who Jesus is. 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.439 So ask yourself that question. 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:50.320 Have you listened to God calling your name? 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:53.059 Or do you have headphones on all day? 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:55.759 I know we all have that habit, right? 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.279 We got music. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.120 We got TV. 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.259 We got all the things. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:04.559 But what about taking time to take a moment to just listen? 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.700 Quiet yourself. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:10.660 Or like I tell my kids, calm your body, right? 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:17.980 Calm your body and really listen to God speaking to you. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:23.599 You'd be amazed at what God is saying when he is speaking. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.120 Let's be honest here. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:29.460 How often is it at an inconvenient time, right? 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.259 But that's when you need it. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.240 When we're inconvenienced. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:37.120 More often than not, when it's like, God, I've got so much to do. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.079 I've got people to see. 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.160 I've got places to go. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.980 What's going on? 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:48.940 Yet God wants us to calm ourselves and listen to him, to what he has to say for our lives. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:52.299 And that can be anything from just respond. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.620 Follow me, right? 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.880 Trust and obey the Lord. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:59.339 There's so many different capacities with that. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.079 And isn't it interesting? 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:05.259 You have in verse 13. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:08.880 If you still have your Bibles open, that's fine. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.880 If you don't, that's all right. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:15.720 All the way from verse 13 to verse 18, within five verses. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:20.900 What a drastic change that happens to Mary Magdalene, right? 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:27.700 She goes from, I put, she goes from tears to testimony, right? 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.640 Weeping about the Lord. 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:32.680 And now she's going to go and tell everybody about Jesus. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:35.700 What an incredible transformation. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:38.980 What an incredible working of the Lord. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:43.220 Essentially, that is what the resurrection does, though. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.240 It transforms us. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:47.039 It changes us. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:51.880 Believing in Christ and responding to his call for our lives. 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:54.820 That is transforming power. 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:56.660 And it changes our lives forever. 00:24:57.060 --> 00:25:02.080 And it's also important to know that Mary was the first witness to the resurrection. 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:06.079 It was a woman who was weeping. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:09.619 And yet God met her where she was at. 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:12.619 And she responded accordingly. 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.299 And she responded accordingly. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:18.839 It's important for us to know that God meets us where we are at. 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:25.279 And she said, do we all come from the same background? 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.039 The answer is no. 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.319 Right? 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:30.720 We all have different backstories, right? 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:34.079 And some of them are crazy. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.179 Some of them are all right. 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:38.480 You know, it doesn't matter what background you have. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:43.000 What matters is you come to respond to Jesus. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:49.440 And so in this, we have finally the third one is that blessed are those who have not seen. 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:54.380 We have Thomas that was saying, unless I see, I will never believe. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:54.680 Right? 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.059 Did Jesus rebuke him? 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.500 No. 00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:58.799 No. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.480 This is interesting, right? 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.879 Jesus did not rebuke him. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:05.259 In fact, he met him where he was at. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:08.079 And he showed him the wounds in his hands. 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:10.039 The wound in his side. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.159 And what happens? 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:16.079 Thomas confesses by saying, my Lord and my God. 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:20.200 And this is important that God meets us where we are at. 00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:22.419 That's so important for us. 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:28.820 If you know someone, maybe you are someone who is like the doubting Thomas. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.900 Waiting for a sign. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.279 Pray for them. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:36.440 I know many people who doubt the Lord. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.480 And I'm sure many of you do as well. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:46.200 Pray for openness, transformation, and the heart to be changed. 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:49.600 That God will meet them where they are at. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.100 And here's the beautiful thing. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:56.160 It wasn't saying, Thomas, you fool. 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:57.900 No. 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.980 It was, come here. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.060 You see this? 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.300 That's something that's very powerful. 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.380 So it wasn't rebuke. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:11.240 It was meeting him where he was at. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:17.380 And so, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed. 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:20.080 It's why we have the word of God. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:26.179 That is why we hear testimonies of people, of lives that are transformed. 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:33.599 For many of us, we may even identify with the doubting Thomas who hasn't seen the Lord. 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:35.759 And that's all right. 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:38.539 May you respond to the Lord. 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:40.960 Even if you haven't seen. 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:45.579 We are all called to respond to Christ. 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:53.359 And it's also interesting that when we have this blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe, 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:58.379 the implication is that believing without seeing does not make your faith invalid. 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:00.759 Isn't that interesting? 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:04.259 It is a blessed faith. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:10.059 And notice, at the end of Gospel of John, 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:14.279 chapter 20, verse 31, 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:16.679 that verse that I put up on the slide earlier, 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:21.500 these are written so that you may believe. 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:28.159 Essentially written to people who have not seen what's going on. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:32.480 But they may have the word of God speak to them. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.519 Right? 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:37.039 And think how powerful that is. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:42.180 Maybe you identify with that doubting Thomas, 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:43.940 but just keep in mind one thing. 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.920 We were not in the room, 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:48.879 but yet we're all called to believe in Christ. 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.799 And yet we believe, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:54.200 and Jesus calls us blessed for that. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.759 Can we get an amen for that? 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.000 Isn't that powerful? 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.180 And so in this, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:02.839 we now go to our application, right? 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.720 What do we do about this? 00:29:04.959 --> 00:29:07.839 How do we respond with our very lives, right? 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:11.399 The first one in here is to believe, 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:14.079 even when you don't fully understand. 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.659 That's powerful. 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:20.919 It's unlike a science textbook, right? 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:24.099 When you have to learn all of the elements 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:26.519 and all the periodic tables or mathematics, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.779 you have to memorize all this kind of stuff, 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:31.440 and you've got to have basically, 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.899 ideally, 100% accuracy, right? 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:38.339 Can you imagine not passing a chemistry 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.639 or a mathematics class 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:41.559 and not fully understanding it? 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:44.599 It's called not getting a good grade, right? 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.339 And I hope that's none of us here, right? 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:49.420 But we've had bad grades before. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.339 But essentially for this, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:53.960 it's I'm going to believe in Christ 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.519 even though I don't understand 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:57.340 all of the Old Testament. 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.680 What do we do with Leviticus? 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.500 Let's be honest here. 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.980 The law? 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.720 Whew, man. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.519 What do you mean Daniel 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:08.579 is tied in with revelation? 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:14.019 What is the significance of Ezekiel? 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:19.759 What do you mean the God wanted to work 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.839 on the heart of Jonah 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:23.759 despite the fact that Nineveh was saved? 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.900 What do you mean by that? 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.779 And we can go on and on 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.980 about all these different things. 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:30.139 It's like insight that happens, 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.660 things that we grow in. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:35.740 We don't have to understand all of it. 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.680 What we've got to understand, 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:42.599 Jesus, his death, his burial, 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.959 and his resurrection. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:46.539 That is the simple gospel. 00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:48.859 That is what we believe in. 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.240 That is the foundation. 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.719 It's so simple. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.639 Like, wait a minute. 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:55.619 What about proper doctrine? 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:58.139 What about proper theology? 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.740 What about the rapture? 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.240 What about this? 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:02.879 What about that? 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.799 It goes on and on. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.639 But really, when we think of the core of it, 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.119 it's believing in Christ. 00:31:07.439 --> 00:31:08.899 Can I get an amen on that? 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:11.099 I mean, we've got to really think 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.779 of what is the simple thing 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.980 that God calls us to do, 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:15.000 and that's to believe in him, 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.559 to respond in faith. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.839 And as we grow, 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:19.099 we will begin to understand 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.279 so many more things. 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.379 I mean, I'm sure 00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:24.639 some of us can 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:27.059 resoundedly raise our hands 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.439 and say, 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.879 yeah, I have understood 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.959 so much more 00:31:29.959 --> 00:31:31.579 in Scripture, 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:33.859 how God has worked in my life. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.899 You'd be amazed 00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:37.539 what God will reveal to you, right? 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:39.899 So believe 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:41.619 even when you don't understand. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.759 The tomb was empty. 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.059 The clothes were folded. 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.859 The disciples believed 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:47.500 even though they didn't understand. 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.039 Do you get it? 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:55.159 As we believe in the Lord, 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:57.519 we are all a work in progress. 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.799 We're all to be molded, 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.539 to grow in our understanding, 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:03.139 to become more like Christ. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:06.140 What a powerful thing. 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:09.140 To become more like Jesus 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.940 when you think, 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:12.640 I'm nothing like Jesus, 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:14.580 but yet you're going to mold me 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.500 to be more like you? 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.200 That's awesome. 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.940 That's someone I want to be more like, 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.600 and I hope that is the same for you. 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.780 So many people, 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.980 they look up to 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:26.960 celebrities and idols 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.140 and different personalities 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.340 and whatnot, 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:30.440 and it's kind of like, 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:32.840 you really want to be like that? 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:36.360 You can name a few scandals, right? 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:38.420 You can name a few people 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:38.740 that are like, 00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.880 I don't know why 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:42.300 children look up to so-and-so, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.920 and we can go on and on about that. 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.640 I don't want to be molded 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.460 like a celebrity. 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:49.560 I want to be molded like, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:52.400 into being more like Christ, 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.220 and I hope that's the same 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.880 for all of you. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:57.540 For the person who has never believed, 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.560 the tomb is empty 00:32:59.560 --> 00:33:01.360 and Jesus is risen. 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:01.679 Listen, 00:33:01.979 --> 00:33:03.819 you don't need to understand 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.740 everything. 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.579 You just need to understand 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.259 the basics. 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:10.779 If you need the simple gospel, 00:33:10.979 --> 00:33:12.519 it's 1 Corinthians 15, 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:14.519 verses 1 through 4. 00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:17.439 Believing in the death, 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.359 burial, and resurrection. 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.419 It's right in there. 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:22.039 For the believer who is struggling, 00:33:22.919 --> 00:33:24.939 may you come to believe. 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:27.659 May you come back to the Lord. 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:30.900 I always want people to know, 00:33:32.100 --> 00:33:36.200 man, people, 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.640 are we perfect? 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.580 Man will fail you. 00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:44.000 Man will screw up. 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:44.960 Right? 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.380 I've screwed up before. 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:47.980 We've all screwed up before. 00:33:48.060 --> 00:33:49.180 Everybody better raise your hand. 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:49.380 Right? 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.740 We've all screwed up before. 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:51.680 Right? 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.680 We all make mistakes. 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:53.940 Right? 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.360 We all sin. 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.180 We're all imperfect. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.519 But God will not fail you. 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:01.600 And we've got to understand 00:34:01.600 --> 00:34:02.299 the difference. 00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:04.680 That we place our trust 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.660 in the living God. 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:07.620 Everlasting to everlasting. 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:09.720 The one who remains constant. 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.320 Here's the thing. 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.840 People change. 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.180 Culture changes. 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.559 Technology changes. 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:17.139 But God remains the same. 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.860 And I don't know about you. 00:34:19.220 --> 00:34:20.500 When culture is changing 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.440 the way that it is. 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.880 When technology is advancing 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.140 at such a rapid pace. 00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.660 When there's so much confusion 00:34:25.660 --> 00:34:26.620 and uncertainty 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:28.140 and political unrest. 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.760 Where do you turn to? 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:30.960 Is it the radio? 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.320 Better not be. 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.660 Is it the television? 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.660 Is it your phone? 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.640 Is it a celebrity? 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.240 It better be no to all of those. 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:39.480 Right? 00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.860 We turn to Christ. 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.099 Right? 00:34:41.140 --> 00:34:42.440 Just like how it says in scripture. 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:44.099 Where does my help? 00:34:44.099 --> 00:34:45.059 I look to the hills. 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:46.720 Where does my help come from? 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:49.739 We better know the answer to that. 00:34:49.799 --> 00:34:51.399 My help comes from the Lord. 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.699 Right? 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:54.459 The maker of heaven and earth. 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.639 That's who we turn to. 00:34:58.579 --> 00:34:59.699 Just understand. 00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.759 We live in an imperfect world. 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:03.259 And us human beings, 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:04.019 we're not perfect. 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.739 But we believe in the God 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.639 who is perfect. 00:35:06.939 --> 00:35:08.959 Who is transcendent of all. 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.619 The second thing. 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:15.000 Grow in understanding from belief. 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:16.739 I've kind of already been going into this. 00:35:16.860 --> 00:35:17.000 Right? 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.559 The disciples, 00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:20.300 they went home after the tomb, 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.900 but the story did not end there. 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.880 Jesus appeared. 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.880 He spoke to them. 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.579 And again, 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:26.780 he met them where they were at. 00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.860 He showed his hands. 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.119 Right? 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.679 Their understanding grew. 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.940 If you think about it, 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:33.400 when we're going into here, 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.320 it's saying, 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.960 in verse 9, 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:38.219 they didn't understand the scripture 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.340 that he must rise from the dead. 00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:39.900 Well, 00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:41.500 if Jesus is going to appear 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.500 and show you the wounds, 00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:43.960 kind of, 00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:44.600 hello, 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:45.820 what's going on here? 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.039 Right? 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:46.960 They do. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.140 They come to understand. 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.280 Right? 00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:50.400 And so, 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.820 we are all called 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:53.780 to grow 00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:54.980 in our understanding. 00:35:55.120 --> 00:35:55.760 And we will. 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.519 We have to be open to it. 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.780 We have to allow 00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.840 for the word 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.980 to mold us. 00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:01.980 We have to allow 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.820 for the spirit 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.660 to work in us. 00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:05.000 We have to allow 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.240 for us to grow, 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.840 not just as individuals, 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:09.220 but us collectively 00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:10.280 as a church. 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.480 Encouraging one another. 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.940 Being present 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:14.680 for one another. 00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.120 Now, 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:16.420 certainly, 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.460 we're not perfect. 00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:18.840 We certainly 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.440 carry out 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.860 the mission of love. 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.200 The mission of truth. 00:36:24.720 --> 00:36:24.840 Right? 00:36:25.220 --> 00:36:27.360 Grace and truth. 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.260 Right? 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.680 It's this great balance 00:36:29.680 --> 00:36:30.980 between the two. 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.500 And so, 00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.559 growth in Christ, 00:36:35.700 --> 00:36:36.920 it is not accidental. 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:38.380 It comes through 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.119 the word of God. 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:40.079 It comes through community. 00:36:40.260 --> 00:36:40.760 It comes through 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:41.720 worshiping the Lord. 00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:43.079 How many of you 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:43.800 have connected 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:45.420 with the Lord 00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:47.260 by singing a song? 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.820 Could be a hymn. 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.420 Great is thy faithfulness, 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.139 amazing grace. 00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:51.619 It could be 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:53.079 a brand new song. 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:53.260 Right? 00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.500 There's all kinds of songs 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.240 that are out there. 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:57.240 There's so many ways 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:58.260 that we can connect 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:59.139 with the Lord 00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.800 and grow 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:00.840 in our understanding. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.480 Essentially, 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:04.460 may you be on a journey 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.220 with the Lord. 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:05.579 Right? 00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:07.039 Before we know 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:07.559 the Lord, 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.440 aren't we lost? 00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:11.239 It's kind of like 00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:12.940 just going to a new town 00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.719 or a new area 00:37:13.719 --> 00:37:14.480 and you have no idea 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:15.099 where you're going. 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:15.579 Right? 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:16.880 You might end up 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.380 in circles. 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:17.719 How many of you 00:37:17.719 --> 00:37:18.460 have seen those movies? 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:18.799 Right? 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:20.059 They're running around. 00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.400 They're hiking or something 00:37:21.400 --> 00:37:22.819 and they're going around 00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:23.239 for an hour 00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:23.559 and they're like, 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:23.739 wait, 00:37:23.799 --> 00:37:24.739 weren't we just here 00:37:24.739 --> 00:37:25.400 an hour ago? 00:37:26.679 --> 00:37:27.179 I mean, 00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:28.000 that's for the movies, 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.279 guys. 00:37:28.299 --> 00:37:28.940 I don't want you guys 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.000 to get lost in a mountain, 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.199 let alone get lost 00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:32.199 in life. 00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:32.500 Right? 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:34.519 But to know 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:35.679 that the Lord, 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.739 that Jesus is going 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:37.880 to journey with us. 00:37:38.780 --> 00:37:39.300 Right? 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:40.960 As we grow 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.559 in our faith 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.599 that Christ 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:43.820 is beside us 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:45.400 and we journey 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.099 through life 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.099 with him. 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:48.500 Very powerful. 00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:51.139 And so, 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.760 in this, 00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:54.039 even the road 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.739 to Emmaus, 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:54.980 right, 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.599 the disciples, 00:37:55.820 --> 00:37:57.000 their eyes were opened 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.239 when Jesus opened 00:37:58.239 --> 00:37:58.800 the scriptures 00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.320 to them. 00:37:59.320 --> 00:38:00.220 So, 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:01.140 it's this constant 00:38:01.140 --> 00:38:02.519 growing and revelation 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.640 and understanding. 00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:05.620 Your understanding 00:38:05.620 --> 00:38:06.680 will grow. 00:38:07.220 --> 00:38:08.320 May you remain rooted 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:09.740 in God and his word. 00:38:10.700 --> 00:38:12.820 It's very significant. 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.480 And finally, 00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:15.600 last but certainly 00:38:15.600 --> 00:38:16.100 not least, 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:17.059 can we read this last 00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.539 one together? 00:38:18.580 --> 00:38:20.580 Go and tell the world 00:38:20.580 --> 00:38:22.120 that Jesus lives. 00:38:22.220 --> 00:38:22.380 Right? 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:22.880 Believe, 00:38:23.200 --> 00:38:23.440 grow, 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.080 and go. 00:38:24.640 --> 00:38:26.180 We go and we tell 00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:28.000 the world about Jesus. 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.619 We tell, 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:30.340 we speak of our testimony. 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:31.760 We speak of how God 00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:32.739 has worked in our life. 00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:34.619 We share in the gospel 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:35.119 narrative, 00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:35.420 right? 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.360 Death, 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:37.760 burial, 00:38:37.900 --> 00:38:38.460 resurrection. 00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:40.900 How simple is that? 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.260 We can remember that. 00:38:42.340 --> 00:38:43.119 We can share 00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:44.119 the significance 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:44.980 of Christ. 00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:47.039 You got to think about it 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.880 that Mary went 00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:48.679 and proclaimed. 00:38:49.280 --> 00:38:50.800 And that is the response 00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.659 that we should have 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.440 to the resurrection. 00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.699 That is the kind 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.320 of response 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.139 that we should have 00:38:55.139 --> 00:38:56.239 to the Easter narrative, 00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:56.659 right? 00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:58.500 She did not just 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.799 keep it and go home. 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:00.980 No. 00:39:01.759 --> 00:39:02.539 She went out 00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.819 and she proclaimed. 00:39:04.879 --> 00:39:05.779 She announced, 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:07.239 I have seen the Lord. 00:39:08.259 --> 00:39:08.940 And the resurrection 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:10.219 Easter is not 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:11.659 information that we 00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:12.739 just keep to ourselves. 00:39:12.859 --> 00:39:13.579 It's not like it's 00:39:13.579 --> 00:39:14.639 just a news article 00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.339 that you read 00:39:15.339 --> 00:39:15.659 and you go, 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:16.279 okay, 00:39:16.339 --> 00:39:16.899 that's cool. 00:39:17.000 --> 00:39:17.899 And you put it off 00:39:17.899 --> 00:39:18.500 and you go on 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.039 with your life. 00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:20.039 Absolutely not. 00:39:20.379 --> 00:39:21.339 It is the kind 00:39:21.339 --> 00:39:21.799 of news, 00:39:21.799 --> 00:39:23.119 the good news 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:24.119 that we share 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:25.219 with other people. 00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:26.639 your testimony 00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.739 matters, 00:39:27.839 --> 00:39:28.799 what Christ has done 00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.879 in your life. 00:39:30.879 --> 00:39:31.980 You'd be amazed 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:33.279 at who needs 00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:34.539 to hear the gospel story 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:35.439 and who needs 00:39:35.439 --> 00:39:36.599 to hear your testimony. 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.439 Because I'm here 00:39:38.439 --> 00:39:39.000 to tell you 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:40.559 who you can relate to, 00:39:41.139 --> 00:39:42.039 you'd be amazed 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.959 at who you can talk to, 00:39:44.279 --> 00:39:45.379 at who you can share 00:39:45.379 --> 00:39:46.399 in the gospel story 00:39:46.399 --> 00:39:47.459 and who you can share. 00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:48.459 This is how God 00:39:48.459 --> 00:39:49.480 has worked in my life. 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:51.380 I know for me 00:39:51.380 --> 00:39:51.860 personally, 00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:53.420 when I tell people 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:54.820 about how the Lord 00:39:54.820 --> 00:39:55.699 provided children 00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:56.760 after four years 00:39:56.760 --> 00:39:57.240 of waiting, 00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:59.300 that speaks to a certain 00:39:59.300 --> 00:40:00.139 kind of person. 00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:01.659 But that may be 00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:03.360 different than your story 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:04.280 and that's okay. 00:40:04.780 --> 00:40:06.260 Who you can relate to. 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:08.619 Maybe it's poverty. 00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:10.659 Maybe it is drugs. 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:12.519 Maybe it's alcoholism. 00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:14.679 Maybe it's prostitution. 00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:16.400 Maybe it's all these things 00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:17.280 and how God 00:40:17.280 --> 00:40:18.139 pulled you up 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.980 from out of the pit. 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.320 And puts you 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:21.300 onto solid ground. 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:24.199 What your story is 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:25.440 matters to people. 00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:27.099 Can you 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:28.539 just think 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.960 who can you 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.740 speak to 00:40:30.740 --> 00:40:33.360 that you can share 00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:35.199 either your testimony 00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:36.920 or the gospel story? 00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.360 And if 00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:39.980 you can always share 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.960 in stories of 00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:42.539 the saints. 00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:44.320 Of people 00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:45.199 that you know. 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:46.780 I know I always 00:40:46.780 --> 00:40:47.500 give the example 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:49.360 of the atheist man. 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.340 who was married 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:51.340 to a Christian woman. 00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.360 And over the course 00:40:53.360 --> 00:40:54.740 of five years 00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:56.699 the man I met 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:58.400 in the first year 00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:59.000 was different than 00:40:59.000 --> 00:40:59.699 the man that I met 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:00.300 in the fifth year. 00:41:00.380 --> 00:41:01.300 There were two different people. 00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.619 Where did the first guy go? 00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:04.039 Where's the guy 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:05.320 that was so angry 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:06.420 towards Christians? 00:41:06.619 --> 00:41:07.500 Where did he go? 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:09.219 Now he's going 00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:10.079 to Bible study 00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:11.260 and he got baptized. 00:41:11.860 --> 00:41:12.199 What? 00:41:12.199 --> 00:41:13.919 That's amazing 00:41:13.919 --> 00:41:15.299 but it goes to show you 00:41:15.299 --> 00:41:16.919 things that go on. 00:41:17.439 --> 00:41:17.859 And so 00:41:17.859 --> 00:41:21.480 John wrote his gospel 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:22.259 so that people 00:41:22.259 --> 00:41:22.960 would believe. 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:25.439 Will you respond 00:41:25.439 --> 00:41:26.279 to the gospel? 00:41:26.779 --> 00:41:28.219 Will you grow in faith? 00:41:28.639 --> 00:41:29.799 And will you share in it? 00:41:30.379 --> 00:41:31.480 Let us be reminded 00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:33.199 of what Acts 4.20 says. 00:41:33.279 --> 00:41:34.379 We cannot but speak 00:41:34.379 --> 00:41:35.719 of what we have seen 00:41:35.719 --> 00:41:36.719 and heard. 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:38.019 Showing the excitement. 00:41:38.419 --> 00:41:39.679 Showing that I'm going to share 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.960 in the gospel story. 00:41:41.819 --> 00:41:42.619 And so 00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:43.619 in closing here 00:41:43.619 --> 00:41:45.659 the tomb 00:41:45.659 --> 00:41:47.539 is empty. 00:41:48.179 --> 00:41:48.980 The cloths 00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:49.699 are folded. 00:41:50.759 --> 00:41:52.219 Mary heard her name. 00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:54.559 Thomas saw the wounds. 00:41:55.379 --> 00:41:55.539 Right? 00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:56.199 There's a sense 00:41:56.199 --> 00:41:57.059 of transformation. 00:41:57.679 --> 00:41:58.919 All of these things 00:41:58.919 --> 00:41:59.599 happened 00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:01.039 so that we 00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:01.799 can believe 00:42:01.799 --> 00:42:02.739 in Jesus Christ. 00:42:02.839 --> 00:42:03.079 Amen? 00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:04.519 That's important 00:42:04.519 --> 00:42:05.319 for us, right? 00:42:05.659 --> 00:42:06.500 That belief 00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:07.259 in Christ 00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:08.819 is faith 00:42:08.820 --> 00:42:10.019 and it is 00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:10.480 blessed. 00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:12.180 That is something 00:42:12.180 --> 00:42:12.900 that we can 00:42:12.900 --> 00:42:14.320 take to heart 00:42:14.320 --> 00:42:15.660 when we think 00:42:15.660 --> 00:42:16.820 of the Easter story, 00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:17.440 when we think 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:19.200 of Resurrection Sunday. 00:42:19.720 --> 00:42:20.680 And we certainly 00:42:20.680 --> 00:42:21.580 can proclaim 00:42:21.580 --> 00:42:22.620 that He is risen. 00:42:22.740 --> 00:42:22.940 Amen? 00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:24.740 So He is risen? 00:42:25.400 --> 00:42:27.000 He is risen indeed. 00:42:27.320 --> 00:42:28.240 Let's pray together. 00:42:28.660 --> 00:42:28.920 Father, 00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.740 we thank You 00:42:29.740 --> 00:42:32.260 for this special Sunday. 00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:36.100 This Easter Sunday. 00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:37.980 as we've gone over 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:39.219 the Gospel of John, 00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:41.259 these three different accounts 00:42:41.259 --> 00:42:42.819 and how You met 00:42:42.819 --> 00:42:44.119 these people 00:42:44.119 --> 00:42:45.779 where they were at. 00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:47.199 And You meet us 00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:47.920 where we are 00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:48.880 calling us 00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:49.679 to salvation, 00:42:50.139 --> 00:42:50.719 calling us 00:42:50.719 --> 00:42:51.639 to be transformed, 00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.920 and calling us 00:42:52.920 --> 00:42:54.039 to share 00:42:54.039 --> 00:42:55.259 in the Gospel story. 00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:58.219 May we recognize 00:42:58.219 --> 00:42:59.819 that Jesus 00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:01.159 is risen. 00:43:02.759 --> 00:43:03.980 May we celebrate 00:43:03.980 --> 00:43:04.559 the day. 00:43:05.699 --> 00:43:06.139 May we 00:43:06.139 --> 00:43:07.400 be molded. 00:43:08.039 --> 00:43:09.380 May we be transformed. 00:43:11.900 --> 00:43:13.079 Your Son 00:43:13.079 --> 00:43:14.039 spoke the words, 00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:15.860 Blessed are those 00:43:15.860 --> 00:43:16.679 who have not seen 00:43:16.679 --> 00:43:17.500 and yet believe. 00:43:18.740 --> 00:43:19.260 Certainly, 00:43:19.400 --> 00:43:19.780 we were not 00:43:19.780 --> 00:43:20.300 in the garden. 00:43:20.659 --> 00:43:21.019 We were not 00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:21.840 in the upper room. 00:43:22.019 --> 00:43:22.679 But yet, 00:43:22.760 --> 00:43:23.320 we believe. 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:25.539 And how powerful 00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:27.059 is our faith, 00:43:27.199 --> 00:43:27.900 especially when 00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:28.740 You call it blessed. 00:43:28.739 --> 00:43:28.859 Christ. 00:43:29.759 --> 00:43:30.939 And this Easter, 00:43:32.259 --> 00:43:33.000 may we fully, 00:43:33.479 --> 00:43:34.319 may we believe 00:43:34.319 --> 00:43:35.559 if we haven't before. 00:43:35.939 --> 00:43:36.719 May we return 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:37.319 to the faith 00:43:37.319 --> 00:43:38.259 if we've been distant. 00:43:38.899 --> 00:43:39.859 And may we believe 00:43:39.859 --> 00:43:40.619 even when we 00:43:40.619 --> 00:43:42.139 may not fully understand. 00:43:42.339 --> 00:43:42.899 May we grow 00:43:42.899 --> 00:43:43.559 in our faith 00:43:43.559 --> 00:43:44.639 and share 00:43:44.639 --> 00:43:45.879 in the Gospel story. 00:43:46.279 --> 00:43:47.239 It is in the name 00:43:47.239 --> 00:43:48.819 of Jesus Christ 00:43:48.819 --> 00:43:49.539 that we pray 00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:51.139 and we all say together, 00:43:51.219 --> 00:43:51.919 Amen, church? 00:43:51.919 --> 00:43:52.659 Amen. 00:43:52.659 --> 00:43:53.079 Amen.