WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.679 Well, I suppose I should say that I get emotional when I listen to you sing. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:22.160 ! How's that? I do. I enjoy the fact that you enjoy the Lord Jesus and that you are an evidence. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:33.299 I'm hot. I was going to wear my jacket. That is the truth. I really was conditioning myself 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:41.740 for that, so bear with me. It is there. It was on stage. Okay. But I listened to you sing 00:00:41.740 --> 00:00:48.900 this morning, and I think of two things. I think of the fact that God's people sing, 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:57.140 first of all, because they are informed by the Scriptures. Isn't that true? I don't know about 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:03.200 you, but as I sit here and I listen to our singing, and I'm singing as well most of the time, I am 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:08.719 tracking in my mind, and I understand I'm one of those guys that's a multitasker almost to the point 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:14.840 of abstraction, but I'm cross-referencing the music and the things that we're singing to various 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:22.120 passages. And I have to tell you that it kind of amplifies my delight. And I would pray that you 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:28.260 are doing the same thing, that as you are singing, that your mind is kind of searching the Scriptures 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:35.939 to see whether these things be so. It's the way it should be. But the second thing that is such a 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:40.840 blessing is that what it says in the Scriptures is that people that are Spirit-filled, guess what they do? 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:49.120 They sing. And so, if you're sitting here and you don't know Jesus, I don't expect you to sing. Just 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:56.120 listen. We're having a great time. And if you're here and you do know Jesus, but you're kind of into 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:01.080 grumpies, you know what I'm saying? I mean, you can do, A, ask the Spirit of God to kind of help you 00:02:01.080 --> 00:02:06.520 with that, or, you know, there are things you can do, and I would trust that when we come towards the 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:14.500 close and we sing again, that you are ready to sing. Let me tell you in advance. When a pastor 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:25.659 comes to the pulpit, he comes to discharge a very sober duty. He comes to speak in a tone and with a 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:34.740 voice that says, thus saith the Lord. And it is my prayer, and I know that there are many in our 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:41.460 fellowship that are praying along with me, that as the Word of God is proclaimed, that those of you 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:45.640 who know Christ would have your hearts lifted up through the power of the Spirit, and you would 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:52.740 rejoice in the Lord Jesus. And those who are here that do not know Christ would not leave this place 00:02:52.740 --> 00:03:00.360 without coming to know Christ as their personal Savior. That being my preface, I want you to turn in 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:11.380 your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to 00:03:11.380 --> 00:03:19.160 you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the 00:03:19.160 --> 00:03:25.920 word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:34.419 also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance to the Scriptures. And he was buried, that he was 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:46.239 raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Father, we are thankful that as we gather this 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:55.799 morning, we gather not to hear what a man thinks, but to hear your Word spoken truly to us. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:03.879 Through an earthen vessel, and we pray in such a fashion that the glory is of God and not of man. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:13.759 We who know Christ will pray that the Spirit would empower both the man who preaches and the people 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:18.219 who love the Lord Jesus, and that their hearts would revel in the finished work of Christ. 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:26.980 And we will also pray that those who are here today who do not know the Lord Jesus, that today would be 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:34.820 the hour of salvation, and that in eternity to come, as they look back across the life that they've lived 00:04:34.820 --> 00:04:42.440 and the road that they've traveled, they would mark this Sunday as the day when they came to see Christ 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:52.160 as their only hope, and they cried out upon Him in whom is salvation alone. And we ask this in Your precious name. Amen. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:52.300 Amen. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:59.700 Now, I think you know me and Pastor Saul well enough to say that we are not conference junkies. 00:05:00.660 --> 00:05:05.240 I mean, it's not like we are scampering hither and yon, trying to attend every conceivable conference, 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:13.260 and always coming back kind of with that conference suntan. We go occasionally, and there are probably two sets 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:20.480 of conferences that Pastor Saul and I have gone to on a regular basis. One would be to the…it's called ACBC now. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:27.219 Why did they change the name and mess me up? It used to be NANC, and now it's…anyway, it's conferences 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:32.939 on counseling, and Pastor Saul and I have enjoyed that and been blessed by it. But there's another conference 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:39.959 that we go to, and it is a conference called The Basics. It is up in Solon, Ohio, with Alistair Begg. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:44.859 And I know Pastor Saul and I are going again this year, Lord willing, and He should tarry. 00:05:45.239 --> 00:05:50.819 We look forward to the opportunity we will have of being there. I remember several years ago hearing 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:57.419 John Lennox preach, and he preached actually on the book of Revelation. And I can still remember 00:05:57.419 --> 00:06:03.379 his sermon, and you know me, I'm listening to that sermon, and it kind of builds in crescendo, 00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:09.679 and I found myself there just…you know how it is. I was at one of those leaky moments as I was just 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:15.900 enjoying the magnificence and the glory of Christ and thinking about the day that I am going to see 00:06:15.900 --> 00:06:24.240 Him face to face. One of the things that I remember John Lennox shared then was that he had been engaged 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:33.199 actually in 2007 and 2008 in a debate with a man called John Dawkins. How many of you know 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:38.379 Mr. Dawkins personally? No, no, you don't. Okay. Richard Dawkins, actually. It's Richard Dawkins. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:42.459 I have a couple of you shaking your head and saying, Pastor, you got that one wrong. Check the notes. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:49.579 It is Richard Dawkins. Two times, seven and eight, John Lennox debated him on issues of theology. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:55.659 And, you know, it depends on probably which side of the aisle you're sitting on and whether you think 00:06:55.659 --> 00:07:02.920 Richard won or John won. But at the end of the day, as Richard Dawkins was kind of winding up his 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:09.800 dismissive little statements about his adversary, he made this very interesting statement. He said, 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:15.300 listen, you really can't be taken seriously because you believe in someone that you believe came back 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:23.360 from the dead. And John said, you know, you're entirely right. You're entirely right. All of my life 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:34.360 rests upon the reality of the empty tomb. And Richard Dawkins correctly brought the issue of our faith 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:43.420 down to that centrality of the empty tomb. And I want us to think this morning of just how core the issue is, 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:50.300 how central the empty tomb is in the life of the believer. And I want you to, as we kind of step into this, 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:56.699 to understand that the empty tomb really ends up being a dividing point. You either believe in it or you don't. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:08:03.020 You accept the fact that Christ rose from the dead and he has significance in your life personally, 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:07.939 or you're just kind of going through the motions and you're waiting for the day of your death. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:13.360 And so I want to break this out in very simple terms. We're not going to be looking primarily at the 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.620 exegetical aspect of this passage, but we're going to look at the practical aspect of it. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:22.579 And we're going to recognize that the empty tomb puts us on a spot of doing one of two things with 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:28.740 the truth of the resurrection. For one, the empty tomb brings some to deny and to doubt. 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:34.700 It's a sobering thing to recognize what the empty tomb has done throughout history. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:42.799 Jesus was crucified and rose again almost 2,000 years ago, and yet that empty tomb stands as a focal 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:48.139 point in the thinking and in the conscience of every reasoning person. They either come out on 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:53.959 one side or the other as they think about the resurrection. So the empty tomb leads the unbeliever 00:08:53.959 --> 00:09:00.799 to doubt what Jesus said. It's amazing how often Jesus made it clear that he was going to rise again, 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:06.539 and there was no bones about it. As he spoke with other people, he undeniably let them know 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:13.159 that he was going to die and he was going to rise again. No question. Let me have you look at a 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:17.839 couple different places where this stands out clearly in your text. If you turn back for a moment 00:09:17.839 --> 00:09:26.120 to John chapter 2. In John chapter 2, Jesus is caring for cleansing the temple. Now, what a way to 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:34.899 start a public ministry. Can you imagine that? Stomping into the center of Jewish faith and purging it 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:41.620 of all the hypocrisy and the wickedness that was taking place in the sale in the temple. And the 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:47.579 Pharisees came and asked him, so what are you doing? And what sign do you give? And that was kind of one 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:52.459 of the biggies. You know, what authority, what power, what right do you have to pull this off? 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:58.159 You know, I'll give you another illustration in relationship to that. Remember when the paralytic 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:06.779 man was let through the roof and he lowers down in front of Jesus, and instead of healing him, what does 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:14.600 Jesus say first? He says, your sins are forgiven. And everybody is just kind of having this kind of 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:21.039 thought pass through their mind, oh yeah, yeah, like who can forgive sins? The answer is what? Who can forgive 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:30.740 sins? God. And Jesus says, well, how about this? Take up your bed and walk. Who can heal? Only God. 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:36.819 And here is Jesus having cleansed the temple. He has a question asked to him, so all right, what authority, 00:10:36.939 --> 00:10:41.480 what right do you have to pull this off? And listen to what he says there in verse 19. 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:47.740 Destroy this temple, talking about his body, and in three days I will raise it up. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:54.860 The Jews then said, it has taken 46 years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days? 00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:02.560 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. He was making it clear that he would lie in the tomb 00:11:02.560 --> 00:11:10.259 and rise again on the third day. We find the very similar statement actually made in Matthew chapter 20, 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:12.919 and I want you to go back there for a moment and look at the text. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:18.079 Matthew chapter 20, verse 17 through 19. 00:11:21.839 --> 00:11:27.259 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:33.459 See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:35.360 and they will condemn him to death, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:39.659 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:43.279 and he will rise the third day. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:52.019 Now, I want you to understand that for Jesus to not rise again would nullify his message. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:58.680 I was thinking about this in relationship to weathermen. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:05.259 And there's no dispersion being cast on weathermen, but you know, weathermen have the privilege of being incorrect. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.099 How much? 00:12:07.219 --> 00:12:11.319 Well, I mean, they say that a good weatherman at least has a 50% error rate. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.679 You know, it's like, other than it is going to have weather. 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.620 You know, you're going to have weather tomorrow. 00:12:16.719 --> 00:12:19.099 You're kind of stuck in the fog, and I'm not real sure. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:23.139 I have a son who lives about three and a half hours to the west of us, 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:27.879 and when I really want to know what's going to happen in Columbus with about a three-hour lead time, 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:30.559 I called Joe, and I said, what's happening in Kokomo? 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:34.379 And he tells me, and I think I know what the weather's going to be. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:39.179 You see, weathermen get 50% wrong, but can I tell you something? 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:44.960 God, the Son, could not make that kind of prognostication and get away with it. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:50.860 He was either 100% accurate, and what he said was a fact, or he is a pathological liar. 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:56.460 And so here is Jesus making the statement that I'm going to rise again on the third day, 00:12:56.560 --> 00:13:01.240 and I want you to know that while his disciples didn't believe him, guess who did? 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.840 Who was really concerned? 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:07.940 Christ's enemies greatly feared what the prospect of his resurrection would be, 00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:10.919 and if you're there in Matthew, we just stay there for a second, 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:15.519 and look at what we find in Matthew chapter 27 in relationship to this. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:20.960 Matthew chapter 27, verse 62 through 66. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:28.460 The next day, that is, after the day of preparation, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:31.319 the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:36.220 Sir, we remember how the imposter said while he was still alive, 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:38.939 after three days I will rise. 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:42.720 It wasn't his disciples that had this interest. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.740 It was the enemies of Christ. 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:48.760 Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:52.000 lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:56.420 He has risen from the dead, and the last fraud will be worse than the first. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:03.080 I want you to understand that unbelievers deny the empty tomb. 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:08.840 They do not believe in the significance of Christ being able to rise from the dead, 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:10.460 and they have nothing to do with it. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.960 Now, I want you to understand something, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:16.320 that for a person to say, which is a very common statement today, 00:14:16.660 --> 00:14:20.940 well, Jesus is a good person, and He was a good example. 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.759 Now, listen to me. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:25.900 He can't be a liar and a good person as well. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.720 Do you follow that? 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:32.019 Jesus made the statement, I am going to rise again, and He did. 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:35.180 And for a person to say, well, He's just a good old guy, 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.379 well worth following and a nice guy, that's not the case. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:43.240 The unbeliever sits there and says, I don't believe in the empty tomb. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.360 I believe He is telling a lie. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.300 I want you to understand, secondly, 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:53.320 that the empty tomb leads the unbeliever to dismiss Christ's offer of salvation. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:56.760 The unbeliever looks at the empty tomb, 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:59.760 and he dismisses Christ's offer of salvation. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:03.300 All other religions, and I want you to listen to this very carefully, 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:08.379 offer a hope for salvation based on human performance. 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:13.400 It's very interesting to ask people, so how are you going to get into heaven? 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:17.960 And I am always kind of stunned when I hear people tell me, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.640 well, I've been a pretty good person. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:26.179 Now, I would agree that they've probably been better than, you know, 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.879 someone like who? 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.659 Hitler? 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.659 How would that be? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.620 Like Pol Pot? 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.620 Some of you are wondering who that is. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.860 You know, like Mao Zedong? 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:46.039 I was reading, who was the despot in Libya? 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.860 Help me here. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.539 Gaddafi. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.720 Gaddafi. 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:53.080 Now it comes out that he was an absolute skunk. 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.580 Surprise. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.259 I'm stunned. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:00.259 Well, you may be sitting here patting yourself on the back saying, 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.620 I'm not as bad as that. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.259 And you know what? 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:06.600 Every one of us sitting here knows somebody worse off than us and worse than we are, right? 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.879 But that's not the issue. 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.800 That's not the issue. 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:16.899 If you're sitting here and thinking that God is going to let you into heaven because you're not as bad as somebody else, 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.500 you're in for a rude awakening. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:24.019 Because what Scripture tells us that is this, is there is none righteous, no, not one. 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:28.840 There is not one who will be able to stand before God and say, hey, listen, I got it coming. 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:30.399 I've earned my way in here. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.820 I've been better than most. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.700 Or here's another one. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.720 I love this one. 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:35.860 I hope my good outweighs the bad. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.720 Have you ever heard that one? 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:40.680 I hope my good outweighs the bad. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:47.240 How many of you heard that in Portland there was some young man that relieved him? 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:50.639 Now, you know, this is preaching on Easter Day, but bear with me. 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:56.800 There was a guy who caused the entire holding tank of the city to be drained. 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:59.160 Does anybody know why that happened? 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:01.480 Don't say it out loud. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:05.380 But he was doing what little boys sometimes do. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:14.480 And their concern was for the fact that just a little bit was infecting this entire, like 57 million gallons of water, 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.480 and so they drained the whole thing, right? 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:22.140 How much does it take to pollute the drinking water that you're going to drink? 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.680 I don't want any in it. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:28.720 And so here you are saying, well, my good outweighs the bad. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.579 I am sorry. 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.660 That doesn't cut it. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:40.380 And you have to recognize this morning that the world has this idea that you're going to get into heaven because you've been pretty good or you're not as bad as others, 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:42.140 and maybe your good outweigh the bad. 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.120 I want to tell you something. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:47.160 Jesus came and died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins, 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:53.120 and he did so because we cannot get to heaven on the basis of our own effort or our own merit. 00:17:53.120 --> 00:18:00.860 Only the Lord Jesus can blot out the debt of your sins completely. 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:06.919 Only the Lord Jesus can completely forgive you and give you a new life. 00:18:06.979 --> 00:18:18.199 And I want to tell you, if you're sitting here today and secretly inside of you, the Spirit of God is working right now to convict you of the shame and the guilt and things that nobody else knows that you are burdened for, 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:25.000 I want you to understand the only remedy, the only place of forgiveness is with the Lord Jesus Christ and on the cross. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:38.299 And it is because of the empty tomb and because of the resurrection of Christ that we can take his offer of complete forgiveness seriously and believe that what he says is true. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:41.720 I want you to understand one other thing. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:47.779 The empty tomb leads the unbeliever to doom for not taking judgment seriously. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:57.559 The unbeliever faces judgment and doom because they've not taken the empty tomb seriously. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:19:02.159 I want you to turn over in your Bible just for a moment to Acts chapter 17 verse 30. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:11.620 If you were here on Friday night and you listened to Dr. Tom White preach, he made reference to Mayor Bloomberg. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:21.900 And I know that he made news this last week because he had an interview in which he said that he was absolutely certain he was going to heaven. 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:36.759 And he went ahead and let people know that the reason he was going to heaven is because of all the things he has done in New York City on things like banning smoking in public and banning large sugary drinks. 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:39.420 I mean, these are deadly issues. 00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:43.640 And I want you to understand, he has done a great work for public service, right? 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:47.380 And also his battle against the NRA and some other things like that. 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:51.240 And here's the guy saying, hey, listen, I get a pass. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:56.880 I get a pass because of all these things that I've done that are responsible. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:04.760 I want you to understand that the idea that we get a pass just because of things we've done is dead wrong. 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:08.000 Listen to what we read in Acts chapter 17. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:14.120 And incidentally, Paul, the apostle, was called to bear witness to the resurrection. 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:15.900 That was the thing they were curious about. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:21.980 Over there in the Agora in Athens, they said, hey, we've been hearing about this deal of the resurrection. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:26.019 And the attitude of the Greeks was that, you know, once you die, you're done. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.340 It's over. 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.160 Curtains. 00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:30.900 Eat, drink, what? 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:33.920 Be merry because tomorrow we die. 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.500 It's gone. 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.040 It's over. 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:42.820 And listen to how the apostle Paul brings his sermon to a conclusion. 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.500 Pretty powerful. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:46.799 Acts chapter 17, verse 30 and 31. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:53.559 The times of ignorance got overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.500 What does it mean to repent? 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:01.819 Fundamentally, to repent means, first of all, to come to grips with the sin in your life 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:08.059 and your rebellious spirit against God and then, by his power, change your mind about your sin 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:16.179 and trust in Jesus Christ alone, who is the complete remedy for the hard, arrogant spirit that you have. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:21.159 And here it says, God has commended people everywhere to repent. 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:22.779 Now, follow in verse 31. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:35.519 Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:43.340 And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:46.899 Who's going to judge you for your sins? 00:21:48.199 --> 00:21:50.919 It is going to be the one who died for them. 00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:55.980 The one who was willing to pay the penalty for all of your sins. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:22:02.720 It was the one who was willing to suffer the wrath and the indignation of his father for your sake. 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.919 That is going to be the one who judges you. 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:08.560 And he is the one who is going to pass judgment on you and say, 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:13.039 Listen, why did you not believe in what I did for you? 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:17.060 Now, let me explain something about this issue of judgment. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:28.000 It's fairly easy sitting where you are to think for a moment that a future judgment is not all that significant. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:35.160 But, if someone were back into your car out here in the lobby or in the parking lot, 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.900 I hope it doesn't happen in the lobby, help us. 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:42.960 If someone were back into your car out there in the parking lot, 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.000 what are you going to do? 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.519 You're just going to say, Hey, not a problem. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.500 There's no judgment coming. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.339 Don't worry about the payment. 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.099 I'll take care of that. 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.799 No, you're going to say, Hey, how about we trade information? 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.579 And what are you hoping the outcome of that information is? 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:07.519 You want something done as a result of the harm that your poor little car has received. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.319 Am I right or wrong? 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:18.420 See, we kind of like to believe that the person who is impatient and honks at us 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:22.039 when we're driving just seven miles over the speed limit, you know, 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.039 they're really in a hurry. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:27.200 What are we hoping is going to happen when they blow our doors off going past us? 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:31.519 We're hoping that about a thousand yards down the road, 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:34.980 there is a police officer that was waiting impatiently for them, not us. 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:43.740 And we want them dinged for their arrogant, rude, disrespectful, inconsiderate, uncivic spirit. 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.299 Am I right? 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:47.940 We're hoping there's a payday someday for them. 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:53.299 I want you to understand that there will be judgment for every one of us. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:24:00.519 Christ satisfied the judgment of God against sinners. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:06.700 And he has granted complete forgiveness to those who have come to him and said, 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:13.940 I deserve the penalty of death for my own sin, and yet I believe Jesus died in my place. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:19.440 Over in Hebrews 2, verse 3, in relationship to this issue of salvation, 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.440 here's what the scriptures record. 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:27.420 How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:33.340 How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:36.420 And I want to tell you, there are some of you sitting here this morning 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:39.840 who have sat under the preaching and the teaching of the Word of God, 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:44.820 and you have heard it said again and again that sin brings death, 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:47.860 and Jesus died in your place, and yet you're saying, 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:49.079 I don't want that. 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:54.279 I want you to understand that the day is coming when you will face His judgment. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:25:04.119 On the other hand, the empty tomb leads those of us who have faith to believe the risen Savior. 00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:06.859 And I want you to ponder with me, for one, 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:11.059 the empty tomb does a number of different things that are a benefit to us. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:16.319 For one, the resurrection verifies Christ's sacrifice for us. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:20.579 How do I know that Jesus' death actually paid my debt? 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:25.539 Last week, I was working with a friend in India, 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:29.679 and we're taking care of some details and actually doing banking transactions. 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.960 It's amazing, you know? 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:35.559 You can do it electronically in India, and it shows up in your account in America. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:39.859 Or you can do it electronically in America, and it shows up in his account in India. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:43.059 But guess what I was watching over and over again on my iPhone, 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.819 just to be sure it had taken place. 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.399 What was I doing? 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:50.539 I want some confirmation that what he had said was going to happen, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:55.039 in other words, a thousand dollars show up in my account for a little matter that… 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.539 Anyway, let's go on with that. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:06.919 He gets instruments from Cleveland, and I care for shipping, okay? 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:12.140 So anyway, he sends money, shipping's cared for, and I kept on checking my phone. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.759 I want to see it. 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.660 I want to see it. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.300 I want to see it. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.240 I want to know it's there. 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.240 Come on. 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.160 Time after time. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:20.000 That's a nice thing about, you know, phones. 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.580 You follow that? 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.560 I can check banking. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.200 It's amazing. 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:26.600 And so here I am paying attention to that detail. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:32.259 And when the electronic fund was transferred and I had record of it, you know what? 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:33.139 It was verified. 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.480 I knew it for a fact. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.639 It was certain. 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:44.719 And the risen Savior, the empty tomb, makes the fact of his sacrifice for us certain. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:48.880 How do I know that his sacrifice has satisfied my debt? 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.559 It's because the tomb is empty. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:54.680 Secondly, the tomb guarantees my new life. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:27:03.000 Over in Romans chapter 6, verse 4 and 5, I want you to look at that just for a moment. 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:05.799 Romans chapter 6, verse 4 and 5. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:14.500 We were buried together with him in baptism into death. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:21.559 In order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:31.360 For if we have been united with him in death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:37.380 We know that the empty tomb guarantees our new life as well. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:42.620 Now, I want you to understand the empty tomb also gives us encouragement that we can change. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:52.219 One of the things that I know all of us in our innermost being would like to see is that we would change from being who we are to who we should be. 00:27:52.979 --> 00:27:56.019 And the empty tomb makes it certain that we can change. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:59.339 You are not doomed to stay the skunk you are. 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.259 Isn't that good news? 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:05.879 How do I know that you are not going to stay the way you are if you are in Christ Jesus? 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.619 Turn in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:10.759 Ephesians chapter 1, verse 18 through 21. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:17.000 The apostle addresses the fact that it is the empty tomb that assures us that we are not doomed to be the skunk. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.460 We are. 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.599 We used to be. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:24.179 Ephesians chapter 1, verse 18 through 21. 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.000 It says this. 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:30.079 Paul is praying that you would understand, verse 19, 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:35.359 what is the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe according to the working of his great power, 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:42.259 that he has worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:45.319 How do I know that I can change? 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:49.960 I know that I can change because I see what Jesus did raising from the dead. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.679 I see what God did, the Father raising him up. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:59.619 Now, I want you to understand also that the empty tomb assures us of our own resurrection. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:05.579 I remember years ago as a very young pastor talking with an older man in ministry 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:09.279 and asking him one of those kind of curiosity questions. 00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:11.299 I was very early in ministry, and I said, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:14.559 so what's the hardest part of doing a funeral? 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:18.119 Without hesitation, he said, 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:24.339 the hardest part is when you stand at the graveside and the family is ready to leave. 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:31.039 He said at that point, the finality of death is undeniably clear. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:37.500 And I have to tell you that as I think about the prospect of death, 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:43.839 and I realize that that is an inevitable fact for all of us apart from the second coming of Christ, 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:47.879 I want you to know that as I've stood over graves over and over again, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:50.980 and I think about the prospect of my own father's home going, 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:57.579 I take great confidence in the fact that those who die in the Lord Jesus do not die in vain, 00:29:57.779 --> 00:30:00.900 and they die with the prospect of the resurrection. 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:07.339 The other night as I sat by my father's bedside watching with him through the night, 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:13.240 I remember at one point deciding that I would read 1 Corinthians chapter 15 to him out loud. 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:16.339 And as I was reading through that passage, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:24.940 I came to that part where it talks about the fact that this flesh cannot get there apart from going through death. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:30.880 And I am thankful for the fact that when I think about the prospect of my own death, 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:34.240 and I think about the prospect of the death of those that I dearly love, 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:38.360 here is what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:41.640 that Christ Jesus died in my place, 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:46.080 and He died in the place of all who know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.559 And here's the fact. 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:54.660 Those who die in Christ look forward to a resurrection and to a glorified body. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:59.180 And they look forward to eternity in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:04.080 So the practical question this morning is this. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.500 Where are you? 00:31:08.380 --> 00:31:09.980 I want you to think about that carefully. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:15.640 There are some of you that I sit here and I've watched you for months and years. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:18.360 I have preached to you and I have pled with you, 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:23.120 and I have no confidence in the certainty of your eternal destiny, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:29.479 and I would be remiss in the light of the cross not to plead with you to be reconciled to Christ. 00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:31.519 Here's the fact. 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:35.039 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:43.639 And faith means coming to the place where you recognize the absolute moral bankruptcy of your heart, 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.579 and you cry out to Christ and say, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:49.099 I stand justly condemned. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.039 I have no argument for the arrogant stubbornness of my spirit, 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:56.299 and I know that the day of judgment is coming. 00:31:56.299 --> 00:32:04.700 And I humble myself and I ask Christ Jesus to forgive me for my sins and to save me from my wretched state. 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:15.359 And I would far rather have the one who died and rose again be my Savior than be my judge. 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:20.259 And I would plead with you if you are here today and you do not know Christ, 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:24.740 now is the accepted hour of salvation. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.799 Let's bow our heads and pray. 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:36.519 Father God, as we rejoice this morning in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:39.339 and as we proclaim the power of the cross, 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:45.939 I cannot help but think that there are some here today that need Jesus as their Savior, 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:49.199 and I would plead with you that you would bring them to repentance, 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:52.759 and that they would cry out on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:56.659 And I speak to you who sit here this morning, 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.619 if you do not know Christ as your Savior, 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:01.899 now is the hour, and I would plead with you that where you sit, 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:03.339 you humble yourself, 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:07.459 lay aside the arrogance and the stubbornness 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:10.100 and the belligerence of your spirit and cry out and say, 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:13.360 I need Christ as my Savior, not as my judge. 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:16.279 And if that is the prayer of your heart, 00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:18.380 I encourage you where you are to slip your hand up, 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.299 humble yourself. 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:21.200 I need Christ as my Savior. 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:23.340 I am not going to delay. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.660 I am going to believe in Him. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.900 Father, 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.319 draw us 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:32.600 to rejoice in Christ 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:35.039 or to fear Christ 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:37.140 and to be drawn to Christ. 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:39.519 I ask this in your precious name. 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.279 Amen. 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.019 John is going to lead us 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:45.140 in our closing song, 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:48.400 and as we are singing it, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.779 if God is prompting your heart, 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:52.079 a matter that you need to care for publicly, 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.700 let's stand together if you would, please. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:58.220 We are going to go directly from our singing 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.059 and closing 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:01.019 into our business meeting, 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:03.100 and if you're part of our fellowship 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:04.779 or you're interested in seeing 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.279 how our fellowship does business, 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:08.239 we encourage you to stay 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:09.980 and enjoy this time together 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.639 as we attend to a matter of business 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.920 in calling a pastor. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.480 As we sing, 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:16.360 if God puts an issue on your heart 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.800 that you need to care for publicly, 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.079 you come forward 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.519 as we sing this song in closing. 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.099 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:51.079 Thank you.