WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:15.780 So great to get to worship together with you all. 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:19.039 What a joy today in particular. 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:22.199 If you'd turn with me to Luke chapter 24. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:29.679 Luke 24 is on page 884 of the Bible in the pew in front of you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.840 In our study of Luke's gospel, we have finally made it to the last chapter. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:40.600 And it's such a great chapter. 00:00:41.060 --> 00:00:42.659 I wish we could cover it all this morning. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:43.780 We can't do that. 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:46.299 We've got Easter celebrations to go on. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:48.480 But we will finish it up in the next few weeks. 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:52.179 There's so much great stuff in Luke 24. 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:58.039 If you haven't been here with us for the last 18 years, I mean, a little while. 00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:04.239 Now, Luke is writing this story in these previous 23 chapters. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:08.099 He's writing it about 30 years after the events take place. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:11.620 Telling us about the life of Jesus. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:12.539 Who He is. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:14.200 What He's done. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:20.480 He writes this orderly, researched, eyewitness-based account so that we'll know who Jesus really is. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:24.640 He tells us awesome stuff like He's been healing sick people. 00:01:24.840 --> 00:01:29.680 He's been teaching about a new society where outsiders are insiders. 00:01:30.380 --> 00:01:34.340 He's telling people about eternal hope that's beyond this life. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:42.359 But all the time, through 23 chapters, Jesus has been telling us that the most important thing is yet to come. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:48.240 That He's going and He's going to suffer and die and rise again. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:50.079 And that's the most important part. 00:01:50.800 --> 00:01:54.280 But that was confusing to nearly everyone. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:02:05.400 Sure enough, in just the last chapter of this story, Jesus has died Friday afternoon on a cross. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:13.020 Been buried in a tomb while many look on, including women preparing spices to embalm His body. 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:19.400 And then He's left dead in a guarded tomb through the Sabbath on Saturday. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:24.939 And as we turn to chapter 24, it's early Sunday morning now. 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:31.280 As I read, I'd encourage you to see yourself in one of the characters in this story. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:36.520 First, you'll see the women who are headed to the tomb for a funeral. 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:44.200 They're followers of Jesus, but they're discouraged at life and the circumstances when they look around. 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:46.319 Maybe you feel like that. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:52.340 Then there's apostles, disciples who are skeptical when they hear about a resurrection. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:52.979 What? 00:02:54.639 --> 00:03:00.479 And then at the end, there's the one who's probably the most shameful person in the room. 00:03:00.579 --> 00:03:02.459 The biggest failure, Peter. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:05.120 And he gets involved in the story at the end. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:09.979 I've seen myself in all three of these characters. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:17.039 So listen as I read, and then we'll talk about the impact of the resurrection on people like them, like us. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:19.719 Luke chapter 24, verse 1. 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:21.639 This is God's Word. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:29.159 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:32.319 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 00:03:32.899 --> 00:03:36.199 But when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:41.819 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 00:03:42.219 --> 00:03:46.280 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said, 00:03:46.739 --> 00:03:48.879 Why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:51.319 He is not here, but has risen. 00:03:52.519 --> 00:03:58.839 Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men 00:03:58.839 --> 00:04:02.539 and be crucified and on the third day rise? 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:05.579 And they remembered his words. 00:04:06.459 --> 00:04:10.379 And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:18.079 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.959 But these words seemed to them an idle tale. 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:23.839 They did not believe them. 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:29.279 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb, stooping and looking in. 00:04:29.359 --> 00:04:31.279 He saw the linen cloths by themselves. 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:35.560 And he went home marveling at what had happened. 00:04:36.159 --> 00:04:37.159 This is God's word. 00:04:37.239 --> 00:04:37.939 Let's pray together. 00:04:41.179 --> 00:04:45.439 Father, we've read this glorious story a few times now. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:49.199 Many of us have heard it hundreds of times. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:54.879 And Father, I confess in my own heart, sometimes I'm numb to it. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.420 To the glory of it all. 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:06.659 Father, for many of us, it's a story that changes our clothes on a particular Sunday each year, 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:09.680 but doesn't really change our lives. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:12.620 Oh, Father, help us. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.699 Help me this morning. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:17.360 We didn't come to hear me speak. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.540 We came to hear from you. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:24.199 Jesus, would you, if you're alive and we believe you are, speak. 00:05:24.900 --> 00:05:30.660 Speak through your word this morning and help all of us to see our risen Savior. 00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:32.800 Would you do that? 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.120 We ask in your name. 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:35.500 Amen. 00:05:39.400 --> 00:05:43.199 Kids, maybe you're a little bit like my three daughters. 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:46.240 They're very hopeful kids. 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:49.040 They say things like this. 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:51.680 I hope we go to Disney World this summer. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:54.060 Keep hoping. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:58.960 I hope I get a unicorn for my birthday. 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:02.560 Very unlikely. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:06.520 I hope we will have a baby sister. 00:06:08.900 --> 00:06:11.500 There are three of you already. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:19.939 Often for us, hope is detached from reality, isn't it? 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:24.439 It's wishes and dreams and unicorns. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:27.899 That's not the hope the Bible talks about. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:32.680 The hope the Bible talks about as Easter is meant to be very different from that. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:43.180 Rather, it's a confidence based in the reality of a gracious, almighty God and a risen, living Savior. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:47.460 When the Bible talks about hope, it describes it as an anchor. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:51.680 A firm foundation that you can stand on. 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:57.420 As a living hope that breaks into the realities and struggles of this life. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:03.120 As an eternal hope that will never disappoint you and never let you down. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:09.640 In fact, a hope that is described as a person. 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:14.620 More than once, hope is Jesus Christ himself. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.460 Our hope. 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:18.180 Hope as a person. 00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:19.639 We all need that, don't we? 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:27.759 This hope, this Easter hope is impossible for us fully to grasp. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:32.079 Artists struggle because the resurrection is such a grand event. 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:34.659 How do you capture the grandeur of that? 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:42.159 Preachers will struggle for about 25 more minutes to paint the picture for you of the glory of the resurrection. 00:07:44.159 --> 00:07:47.240 Might even have some help from the microphone. 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:48.699 There's a chance. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:54.519 We all struggle to grasp the impact of the resurrection. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:56.919 But it's actually simple. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:00.000 Your kids can tell you. 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:00.800 They just heard. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:01.919 Jesus is alive. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:03.939 And so there's hope. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.439 It's not more complicated than that. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:08.399 We all need hope. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:18.279 And every character in this Easter story that we just read needs hope to fearful people, skeptics, failures. 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:25.259 All of us need the hope of Jesus, the living Savior. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:29.319 Well, let's start with the women at the tomb. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:32.700 Now imagine this morning that you're Joanna. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.039 One of the women we're told is there. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:39.980 You've followed Jesus for the last couple of years all the way from Galilee. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.519 You've heard him teach. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:43.159 You've seen how he lives. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:49.219 How he treats you with respect and includes you in a way that no one else ever has. 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:52.959 You've hoped that he was the Messiah. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:55.899 The deliverer for God's people. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:09:05.039 And then just 36 hours ago, you watched his pierced, crushed body laid in a tomb. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:08.340 And your hopes are crushed too. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:13.059 He was such a good guy, but now he's dead. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:17.579 I mean, you've come back this Sunday morning out of respect. 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:20.520 And now the stone is gone. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:22.020 His body's gone. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:24.740 That's what you came for, to get it ready for burial. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:29.840 And you're confused, perplexed, verse 4 says. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:32.060 We think of joy on Easter morning. 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.580 They're just perplexed. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:35.240 What's going on? 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:38.740 And all of a sudden, two shining angels show up. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:40.580 Now you're frightened. 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.440 You're just scared. 00:09:43.060 --> 00:09:43.920 What's happening? 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:46.639 And they ask this piercing question. 00:09:47.599 --> 00:09:51.599 Why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:55.579 You're looking around at your life. 00:09:55.740 --> 00:10:01.919 You're discouraged, disheartened, unsure of what's next. 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:03.699 Things aren't going as planned. 00:10:04.719 --> 00:10:08.620 You're going to be the first of many followers of Jesus to feel this way. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:14.519 This world is glorious, but it's painful and hard, isn't it? 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:19.120 I've talked to just some of our members this week. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:23.320 Some of whom who are going through a really painful loss of loved ones. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:24.639 It hurts. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:31.399 Some of whom have received really discouraging cancer diagnoses this week. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:33.080 And it hurts. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:38.820 Others are wrestling with the reality of loneliness. 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:45.500 The unexpected loss of a hoped-for future in a marriage or family. 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:50.060 And I know there are a lot of griefs like that in this room. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:51.980 More than I'm aware of. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.480 Those pains are real. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.980 I've felt many of them myself. 00:10:57.420 --> 00:10:59.879 That's the world in which we live. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:04.220 And the question comes to us, I think especially in those moments, 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:09.480 do we have a dead Savior or a living one? 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:12.200 That's going to make all the difference, isn't it? 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:19.200 Because, see, if He's a dead leader, then He's left behind maybe a few helpful bits of advice 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.820 to get through the hard times. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:22.700 Maybe He said some nice things. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:30.120 But mostly, you just need to respect His body, His memory, carry on with life. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.240 He's got nothing else for you. 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:41.340 If He's dead, y'all, shape your life around money, your kids, your image, something. 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:44.940 Sprinkle in some religion when it makes you feel good. 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.920 There's no real news to tell anyone. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:55.319 Does anyone sound as much like your life many days as it does mine? 00:11:57.419 --> 00:12:02.120 Is it possible that we live looking for a dead Savior? 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.959 Well, there's good news. 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:10.419 There's good news for those who may be looking for a living Savior among the dead. 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:14.959 Verse 6, He is not here, but has risen. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:21.360 Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:27.340 into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day, rise? 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:32.360 And the women hear these words and they remembered Jesus' words. 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:35.540 It doesn't just mean they thought of Him for the first time. 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:40.000 It means they remembered and it drove them to hopeful action. 00:12:40.420 --> 00:12:44.800 Returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:47.700 The angels point the women back where? 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:50.360 To the words of Jesus. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:54.340 He's alive and do you remember He told you this was going to happen? 00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:57.000 They'd heard. 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.680 We've read them more than once in Luke. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.800 But they've never understood. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:06.080 For the first time, they understand what Jesus was saying. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.400 And they hear the words with hope. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:11.799 It begins to sink in. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:15.699 Joanna, this changes everything. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:19.139 It starts to hit them as they're standing there. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.720 Now we have a purpose in life again. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.899 Now there's a mission to accomplish. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.679 There's good news to tell everyone we better get going. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.959 See, a living Savior means hope. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:30.759 Right? 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:40.000 Do you see through the eyes of these women how it's not possible for Jesus to be alive but irrelevant? 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:42.159 That can't be true. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:48.580 A living Savior cannot be a footnote or a sidebar to your life. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:14:02.340 You can't pick a few Sundays to say He's risen indeed and dress up and act happy about it and then live the rest of your days as though He's actually dead like everyone else who's ever lived. 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:13.519 Listen, Joanna, Southwood, Huntsville, if your Savior is alive, you're not alone in anything. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:22.480 If your Savior is alive, your best days are still ahead of you regardless of your age, regardless of your health. 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:29.000 If He's alive, then every word that He's said can be trusted. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.279 Everyone. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.320 Everyone. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:34.320 And every one of them is worth shaping your life around. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.580 You must shape your life around every one of His words. 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:44.259 If our Savior walked out of the grave, that transforms our lives. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:50.620 In fact, it makes us willing to die for Him as His followers will do. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:55.320 Beginning with these women who will encounter the risen Jesus shortly. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:15:04.920 Person after person through the centuries around the world has experienced that reality that changes life and gives hope in death. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:18.440 If you're a Christian in Sri Lanka this morning, hundreds of them are meeting the risen Jesus series of bombings in churches in that country this morning that have killed and injured hundreds. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:22.200 And the dead Savior doesn't help. 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:25.020 He has to be alive. 00:15:25.760 --> 00:15:30.200 There's a living hope both for those who died and for those who grieved their loss. 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:41.900 And if that happened in Huntsville, God forbid, the only hope would be a living Savior who can actually do something still today about that. 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.620 It's our only hope. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:50.440 Listen, if you're a discouraged Christian as you look around you at your life. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:58.519 If you're a distracted Christian that's been claiming to follow Jesus but not living like He's really alive. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:02.600 Then remember the hope. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:06.159 Why do you look for the living among the dead? 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.080 He's not here. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.279 He has risen. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.539 Remember His words to you. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:15.139 Anchor your life in His promises because you can count on all of them. 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:19.099 Shape who you are around everything He said. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:21.279 Ask Him to meet you in your confusion. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:26.480 Pray for His Spirit to breathe life into your dry spirit that feels distant. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:35.199 There's hope in your darkest place because He has conquered sin and death and the grave. 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:39.799 And He promises to bring all who trust Him into His victory parade. 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.199 Amen. 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.139 That's hope. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:52.120 It's hope for confused, discouraged, fearful, perplexed followers. 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:58.279 It's actually hope for skeptics too. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.759 They're in this story. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.399 The women come and tell the apostles the good news. 00:17:02.479 --> 00:17:03.859 They must be so excited, right? 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.880 Verse 11. 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:10.920 But these words seemed to them an idle tale. 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.819 And they did not believe them. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:17.500 Is that how you feel about the Easter story? 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:20.079 I just don't believe it. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.180 Guess who else didn't? 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:26.980 Jesus' disciples, the first time they heard it, thought, that's crazy. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.900 You don't know what you're talking about. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:35.940 Now, if that's you today and you came because you just preferred to come than to start a family argument. 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:42.519 You came because a friend you really like asked you and you didn't have the heart to say no. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:47.000 You came because you really like jelly beans like me and Miss Angela. 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:50.840 And you hope maybe after the service the adults get some like the kids got earlier. 00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:52.300 I get that. 00:17:52.299 --> 00:18:00.519 Whatever reason you're here this morning, you may be thinking, well, I don't need that hope. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.639 Then ask for hope. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.759 I'm just fine. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.399 I hear that. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:08.359 But I want to tell you I need it. 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:11.599 And I think you need it too. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:16.680 See, best I can tell, we all feel personally significant. 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:20.279 And we all long to be loved. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:25.240 Both of those things, my experience tells me that's all of us. 00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:30.359 Those are great things about being human, being valuable, feeling loved. 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:39.399 And what Jesus offers starting today and lasting forever is permanent value and love. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.660 That's the offer, the hope of Jesus. 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:49.400 See, if this is all there is, this life, you may be valuable and feel loved for a little while. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:52.840 But it will end soon, right? 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.400 Because we all die. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:19:11.360 If the hope after death is reincarnation or disembodied existence, then there may be value and love, but it won't actually be you there to experience the value and love that you really have. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:15.019 You won't actually be significant and loved there. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:23.879 But listen, if Jesus walked out of that tomb, then there's an eternal, personal, meaningful hope. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:31.559 A God you can know and have relationship with and partner with in renewing and restoring this whole world. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:36.079 With endless opportunity for significance and love forever. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:41.119 I want you to know that kind of hope. 00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:44.179 It's so much fuller, so much deeper. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:51.559 If that possibility exists that there's hope like that, isn't it worth investigating at least? 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:56.859 Like the apostles who ran to look into silly reports that they'd heard. 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:59.179 Certainly aren't true. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:07.720 Who with their own eyes and ears in the coming days would meet Jesus and then stake their lives on that truth. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:12.600 Maybe you say, well, that does sound great. 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:14.640 Well, it's just not true. 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:17.160 That's kind of the crux of it, isn't it? 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:23.440 I can't walk through every angle right now, but just look in this passage at a few things. 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:29.220 If they were making it up, what happens with Jesus walking out of the tomb? 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:31.779 Why have women be the first witnesses? 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:37.259 Their testimony wasn't legally valid in Roman or Jewish courts. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:41.360 Now listen, that's wrong and that's sad. 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.720 And we need to say that. 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:46.580 But it's the culture in which they were living. 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.880 Why them as witnesses then? 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.820 Unless it's true. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:57.639 Why list their names as Luke has done throughout his eyewitness-laden report? 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:06.500 Jesus doesn't appear in this passage himself, but he does appear after his death and resurrection to over 500 people. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:15.200 When people read these names, when Luke is written, they still know the people whose names are in this book. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.079 They know their kids. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:20.279 It's like small-town Alabama today. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.899 I know her. 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:24.720 I know Joanna's daughter. 00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.619 I know what happened. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.740 I talked to her. 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:33.460 If these were farcical tales, they would have been debunked quickly in first-century Palestine, 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.619 where not only would the Jews have been happy to, 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:39.299 but the Romans who were in power would have quashed them and been happy to help. 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:43.980 Why list their names unless they were actually the ones there? 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:54.519 Why have the embarrassing, shameful, exposing of the disciples as unbelieving unless it's true? 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.919 They're the leaders in the church. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:00.200 Maybe they should save face, you know, edit the text a little bit. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.640 But, no. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:08.200 Y'all, if you think that resurrection doesn't make sense to naturalistic, 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:12.039 this earth is all there is, 21st century Americans, 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:20.080 it's really inconvenient for ancient Near Eastern Jews who believe there's only one God, 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:23.440 who don't know anything about a resurrection until the end of time. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.840 They don't have a category for this, 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:29.779 and trying to spread this fact is going to be really, really hard. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:33.100 A leader cursed on a cross? 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.920 Doesn't matter what happens after that. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.440 Coming back to life? 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:42.660 That's not the way to win popularity as a potential Messiah, a promised deliverer. 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:44.799 They would never have made it up that way. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:48.319 Unless they didn't make it up. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.279 Unless it was true. 00:22:51.279 --> 00:23:02.240 Some of my skeptical friends say they don't like the Bible's teaching on money or sexuality or something like that. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:04.660 So they write off even looking into the resurrection. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.319 Listen, y'all. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.539 Start with the resurrection. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:12.099 Start here with Jesus himself. 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:14.659 And don't let the other things distract you from that. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:17.339 Is he alive or is he dead? 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:19.139 Because if you look into that, 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:22.639 and if while you are he meets you there and you realize he's alive, 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:26.000 then I think he'll walk with you through the moral or ethical struggles. 00:23:26.939 --> 00:23:28.019 He'll help you with that. 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:33.379 Others of my friends actually kind of say the opposite. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:37.099 Will, I'm really cool with the ethical teaching of scriptures. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.259 Love the golden rule. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.940 Give me some Ten Commandments. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.960 I love being called a Christian. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.900 I'll go to church. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:47.560 Church, just don't ask me to buy any of the supernatural stuff. 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:53.920 I mean, the idea of fresh starts, new life is great. 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.519 I like that. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:24:01.840 Just don't ask me to pretend that Jesus actually rose from the dead. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.220 Leave that in the children's moment. 00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:06.060 Come on now, Will. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:16.639 Listen, y'all, a theoretical resurrection doesn't offer eternal hope or meaningful relationship. 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:20.899 The things that we need and long for, that's a dead Savior. 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:28.679 You can have theoretical positive thinking and change your outlook and your Savior be dead. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:32.639 But you have to be alive if you answer my simple prayer requests. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:37.140 If you work in my life like Jesus does, you have to be alive now to do that. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:39.220 Jesus taught a lot. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.580 A lot of things. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:44.020 But one thing he taught was that he wasn't primarily here to be a teacher. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:51.320 He said the most important thing he came to be about was to die and rise from the dead. 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:55.740 So if you think he's a good teacher, if you follow some of his words, follow all of them. 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:59.060 And start where he says is most important. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:02.179 Ask him this morning to show himself to you. 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:05.179 To open your heart to see and know him. 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:07.319 Because wouldn't it be great if it were true? 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.960 Wouldn't it be worth finding out? 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:16.579 There's one guy it would be especially great for in this story. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:20.799 One of all the skeptical apostles gets singled out. 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.980 Verse 12. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:30.960 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb. 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:38.339 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves and he went home marveling at what had happened. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:46.160 In Luke's story about Jesus, Peter has a really prominent role, especially in the last 72 hours. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:55.400 He has promised his allegiance to Jesus and then at the moment of Jesus' greatest need, he's denied him three times. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:26:02.620 He's let his Savior down and he has gone out and wept bitterly about it. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:08.980 It's as though the team has lost the game and he's the one who blew it. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:14.819 It's like the kicker who's just missed the short field goal at the end of the game. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.539 And you know what they start doing? 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.799 They start following him along the sidelines. 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.680 It's terrible. 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.640 It's morbid kind of. 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.480 I wish they didn't do this. 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:24.720 But they start following him with the camera as you're watching the game. 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.579 He's sitting there with his head in his hands. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.720 He's all alone, right? 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.940 On the end of the bench. 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:41.559 And then as the clock is getting ready to expire, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, they flash back to the field and somebody has blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown as time expires to win the game. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.759 And who runs out onto the field the fastest? 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:47.720 The guy who was the goat just a second ago. 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:51.860 And all of a sudden, he's off the hook. 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:54.019 He failed. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:27:00.479 But there's a hero who stepped in for him and won the game and he's so thankful. 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:04.339 That's how I picture Peter here. 00:27:04.939 --> 00:27:11.899 He hears this seeming unbelievable story and he races to see, could it possibly be true? 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:15.699 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb. 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:17.000 You better believe he ran. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:22.799 And it's like the way I run to Jesus after a week where I haven't loved my wife well. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.680 Or I've spoken harshly to my girls. 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:31.019 It's like the way you ran to church at the end of a rough weekend in college. 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:42.720 It's like the way we run to God after a tough season of life where we run as far away from God as we possibly can and then get desperate and say, I've got to run back. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:51.940 And we hear the hope of Jesus, a living Savior, and realize, could it possibly be true? 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.539 We're off the hook now? 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:55.819 The ones who've really blown it? 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:58.299 Y'all, there's hope for the biggest failures. 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.360 For Peter. 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.779 For you. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.600 For me. 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:07.059 If Jesus is alive, it means he paid the price for our sin. 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.940 Death. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:12.220 And he came back to offer us life instead. 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:18.460 Peter's still not sure what to think when he starts to see it. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.620 He just marvels. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:22.180 I think at the possibility. 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.600 What could it mean? 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:29.320 I may not have to live the rest of my life ashamed. 00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:33.640 I won't have to carry the weight of my guilt every day. 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:36.320 I'll have renewed purpose and hope. 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:36.879 Maybe. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.359 Maybe that could be real. 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:44.759 And see, Easter, a living Savior, is proof that Jesus paid for our sins. 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:48.059 That his payment is accepted and he is vindicated. 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.419 That's what Easter is. 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:55.599 My daughters and I went shopping at Costco a few Saturdays ago. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:57.839 And we love to do that together. 00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:59.500 We got some things in our cart. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.500 We checked out. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:03.779 And then we went to the deli for lunch, as usual. 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:06.480 And so we finished up eating. 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.079 Got in the cart. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.420 Walked towards the door. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:12.119 And it was then that I realized what I'd done. 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:16.299 I threw away the receipt with the pizza plates. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:18.879 It's a terrible mistake at Costco. 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:23.099 If you've never been to Costco, it's one of those stores where to get out the door, 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:27.960 you have to have a receipt that shows that the items in your cart have been paid for. 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.640 And I had nothing. 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:32.160 I wasn't about to dig through the trash for it. 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:38.360 I was stuck until I was able to get a copy of that receipt. 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:44.120 Y'all, Jesus' resurrection is your receipt. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:48.160 It is proof that your sin has been paid for. 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:51.319 Jesus on the cross says he's paid it all. 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:54.619 He pleads his blood as forgiveness for your sins. 00:29:55.039 --> 00:30:01.059 And then his resurrection is proof that his death in your place covers all your sins. 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:04.399 That there's life instead of death for you. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:08.500 That's the hope of a living Savior for failures. 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:16.119 He's not just one more in a line of failed leaders with big promises offering to help. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:28.500 No, he's the one true Messiah, King, vindicated by the resurrection, alive forevermore, adopting failures into his family. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:30.359 There's hope for you. 00:30:34.459 --> 00:30:37.219 Doom, Spiro, Sparrow. 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:42.019 A neat Latin motto dating back to Cicero. 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:45.819 It means, while I breathe, I hope. 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:49.239 It's a nice sentiment, right? 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:57.659 It encourages you not to give up while there's still a chance remaining, even in the fourth quarter. 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:07.639 But friends, Easter, a living Savior, gives much greater hope than that. 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:13.439 Because sometimes people breathe no more. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:16.360 It's a reality, isn't it? 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:19.120 That happens to each of us. 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:25.059 But Jesus is alive and will never die. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.200 Ever. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:30.940 And so while he breathes, I hope. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:38.320 I connect myself to him and to his life so much that I never have to stop hoping while he lives. 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.680 And he lives how long? 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.400 Forever. 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.940 Never to die. 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:47.420 So whether I still breathe or not. 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:51.120 Whether I get my life together or not. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:55.640 Whether the darkness is closing in on me or not. 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.640 I hope. 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.560 I hope. 00:31:59.560 --> 00:32:01.100 I have confidence. 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:03.220 Jesus says, fear not. 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:08.340 I am the first and the last and the living one. 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:14.360 And behold, I died and am alive forevermore. 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:17.940 And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:25.019 Y'all, a living Savior in charge of everyone and everything that's against you. 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.840 There's hope. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:33.059 A living hope for confused or skeptical or ashamed people. 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.600 For every one of us. 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:38.180 He always lives and that changes everything. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.960 And gives you hope today. 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.759 And forever. 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.220 A living hope. 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:45.180 An unfading eternity. 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:48.319 Through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:52.000 Why do you seek the living among the dead? 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.360 He is not here. 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.819 He has risen. 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.620 Let's pray. 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:04.079 Jesus, you are our hope. 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:09.559 We bring nothing that we could offer. 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:14.339 We can't live well enough. 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:19.679 We cannot die well enough. 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:23.519 To pay for our sins. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:32.000 To find our way back to a God who created us and loves us and rejoices in us. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:35.400 And so, Jesus, would you show yourself to us this morning? 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:42.140 Would we see a risen, living King who loves His people? 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:46.779 Who welcomes all of us back home to His Father? 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.339 Give us hope. 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:52.039 Not in us, but in Him. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.440 We ask in His name. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.019 Amen. 00:33:55.019 --> 00:34:02.759 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.