WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.100 1989 was the release of the last chapter of the original Indiana Jones trilogy. 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:10.820 ! Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Crest for the Holy Grail. 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:23.800 ! Legend has said that drinking from the Holy Grail, which is a cup that Jesus used in the Last Supper, will provide instant healing, and sustaining use will grant immortality. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:44.700 Anyway, legends and movie plots aside, Google was reported to be investing a huge sum of money since 2013 to support scientists to discover anti-aging drugs by genetic engineering, which could extend human's life far beyond its natural causes. 00:00:45.460 --> 00:00:52.240 Researchers think that it could be possible for humans to live until they are 1,000 years old. 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:58.079 The project has many philosophers and ethicists deeply concerned. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:01.719 There's the prosper of boredom. 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:07.159 There's prosper of having too many memories to remember any of them. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:19.780 And adding to that, if you have not worked out your purpose of your life at 70, most likely you still cannot figure it out at 700 years old. 00:01:19.780 --> 00:01:28.040 There's also an appealing prosper of someone like Trump or Kim Jong-un. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:31.519 But what if we could have life? 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:34.000 Real, enduring life. 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:40.000 Life without pain, fear, bondage, failure, and disappointment. 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:41.620 That would be different. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:50.500 Since the beginning of 2026, over the last four weeks, we are wrestling with three of the outrageous claims of Jesus. 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:57.800 In John 14, 6, which we read just then, Jesus came to be the way, the truth, and the life. 00:01:58.240 --> 00:01:59.600 Jesus came to be the life. 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:06.320 And in John 10, 10, he says that he came that we might have life and have it to the fullest. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:11.219 Four things I want to say about Jesus came to be the life. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:15.379 Firstly, why Jesus came to be the life. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:18.560 And secondly, his life challenges our minds. 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:21.180 And then, his life gives us hope. 00:02:21.579 --> 00:02:24.139 And finally, his life gives us purpose. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:28.219 The Bible declares that God is eternal. 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:32.019 God's life has no beginning and has no end. 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:38.460 So, Psalms 90, verse 2, written by Moses, help us to see God is always living. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:46.900 Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:51.700 God never needs to be made because he always is. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:03:00.260 In a brief hundred years, this planet will have population of more than 10 billion brand new people. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:06.679 And all 8.2 billion of us living today will have vanished off the earth. 00:03:07.679 --> 00:03:08.379 But not God. 00:03:09.179 --> 00:03:13.899 He will never have a beginning and therefore depends on nothing for his existence. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:20.719 God does not need air to breathe or food to eat or water to drink. 00:03:21.019 --> 00:03:24.000 He does not need help with the work he decides to do. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:32.139 God always has, within his own life, everything he needs for being who he is as God. 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:35.240 And for doing all that he chooses to do. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:40.539 Everything in the world needs God, but he does not need anything in the world. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:47.900 God does not have it in him to go out of existence, just as we do not have in us to live forever. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:52.800 We all age and die because it is our present nature. 00:03:53.580 --> 00:03:59.620 God, however, continues forever unchanged because it is his eternal nature. 00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:02.540 So God is self-existent. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:04.759 He has life in himself. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:06.980 And God is also self-sufficient. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:10.599 He has everything he needs for his life in himself. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:16.800 This is why Jesus claims to be the life in John 14. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:21.560 It is the natural extension of his claim to be this God. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:29.100 God, Jesus claims to be the life because he is the God who is self-existent and self-sufficient. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:33.360 Last week, we took a glimpse at John 1. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:39.459 There, John asserted that Jesus is the Son of God, is equal with God, 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.339 and God's agent in creating all there is. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:48.039 It also says this about Jesus in verse 4 of chapter 1 of John. 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:52.299 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 00:04:53.099 --> 00:04:59.959 And a few chapters later, in chapter 5, verse 26, that claim is expanded and clarified. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:06.759 As the Father has life in himself, so he has granted his Son also to have life in himself. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:13.560 Jesus is the life because he shares in the self-existing life of God. 00:05:14.159 --> 00:05:17.039 That is the first reason he came to be the life. 00:05:17.599 --> 00:05:26.839 And secondly, John's main concern is that this self-existing life of Jesus is light for humanity. 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:34.000 John is interested in Jesus being life and light for the salvation of humanity. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:37.139 Jesus is the source of eternal life. 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:48.860 In John chapter 3, Jesus explains his death on the cross in the term of it being salvation and eternal life to all who believe in him. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:56.899 Jesus is the life because he is, firstly, the God who always existed and from whom all life flows. 00:05:56.899 --> 00:06:05.259 And secondly, because he is the source of eternal life for those who believe in him. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:10.099 John 11, verse 25, he says, 00:06:10.599 --> 00:06:12.779 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:16.899 The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. 00:06:17.479 --> 00:06:21.620 And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:27.240 All these claims hang on the resurrection of Jesus. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:32.160 If Jesus did not raise, then he cannot claim to be life. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:34.860 The Apostle Paul said the same thing. 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:39.459 If the resurrection did not happen, then Christianity is useless. 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:51.759 So let's jump back to Mark 16 and follow and allow these resurrected life challenges give us hope and change the course of our lives. 00:06:53.219 --> 00:06:59.759 The word of challenge for our mind is there in Mark 16, verse 6. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:03.279 Don't be alarmed, he said. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:07.039 You are looking for Jesus the last year who was crucified. 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:08.639 He has risen. 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:10.060 He is not here. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.480 See the place where they laid him. 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:16.279 That is the challenge to our minds. 00:07:17.039 --> 00:07:19.740 Jesus came back to life after his execution. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:25.639 The Bible says that after Jesus was killed, he came back to life and appeared to his followers. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:30.759 The Bible says that it's why Jesus' followers did not go home. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:38.939 That's why Christianity exploded to become dominant in the Roman Empire within 200 years 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:44.839 and the largest, most widespread of all religious faith on the planet today. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:49.279 But this is Cheswood in 2026. 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:53.240 And most people around us just do not believe it. 00:07:53.719 --> 00:07:54.339 I got it. 00:07:54.339 --> 00:08:00.439 So, in challenging our minds, it is important not to be intellectually lazy. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:09.620 Before we reject the resurrection, some thoughts need to be given to alternative, historically possible explanations. 00:08:11.299 --> 00:08:16.059 A general trend is that rather than looking into that evidence, 00:08:16.559 --> 00:08:23.479 what follows is a accusation that the tests like Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John are not reliable. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:30.299 To justify ignorance, there is a temptation to call the historical document legends. 00:08:31.179 --> 00:08:33.279 And Mark challenges that too here. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:43.439 Three times in eight verses in Mark 1540 and 1547 and 161, 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:47.879 Mark recorded the name of the eyewitnesses who saw it all. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:52.179 Mary Madeline, Mary the mother of James, and Sonomi. 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:53.179 Why three times? 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:55.179 Why three times? 00:08:56.059 --> 00:09:02.739 Because these are the marks of ancient historians to emphasize their findings about the fact, 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:03.839 not legends. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:09.179 These women are clearly described as eyewitnesses. 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:15.620 Notice in chapter 1540, some women were watching. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:24.219 And again, in 1547, Mary Madeline and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:33.360 Then in 164, when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:39.680 Then in verse 5, as they entered the tomb, they saw, then at the end of verse 6, 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:41.800 see the place where they laid him. 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:51.200 This is pretty obvious that Mark sees this woman as clear eyewitnesses to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:56.940 This is a slam-dump proof that the resurrection is history and not legend. 00:09:58.020 --> 00:10:04.900 One of the strongest early arguments against the truth of Christianity is that the account of the resurrection 00:10:04.900 --> 00:10:08.940 is based on the eyewitnesses' testimony of women. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:18.500 A second-century Greek philosopher named Caesar was one of the early opponents of Christianity. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:24.320 He wrote that the resurrection was a lie because women were the eyewitnesses, 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:29.039 and women were regarded as hysterical and unreliable. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.120 And people went, good point, sisters. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.659 That is a real problem. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.980 It was an incredibly convincing argument, 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:42.440 because in ancient cultures, women were marginalized, 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:44.879 and it was hard to believe in their testimony. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:49.620 But this is the very culture that Mark was writing in. 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:54.139 And if Mark was to make this all up, 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:59.899 then he would never have put women in as the only eyewitness to Jesus' empty tomb. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:06.580 The only way to account for the women being recorded as the first eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:08.340 is that they were. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.759 This cannot be legend. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:15.539 Mark challenging our minds and worldview here. 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:20.679 He has written this as a historical documentation of actual events, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.179 events that challenge the way we see the world. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:28.059 At this point, it will be easy to say, 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:30.759 okay, this stuff is written as history, 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.340 but we got the facts a little muddled up. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:36.100 Ancient people were a little gullible 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:40.600 about miracles that do not have our modern, developed mind. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:44.820 We have learned a thing or two in the past 2,000 years. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:51.159 It is easy to assume that they were open to the idea of resurrection where we are not. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:56.600 So let us not be too quick to assume they were ignorant and gullible. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:03.700 One thing you will notice as you read Mark is that Jesus tells his disciples quite clearly 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:07.700 that he will die and rise again on the third day. 00:12:08.420 --> 00:12:12.920 It's there in chapter 8, twice in chapter 9, and again in chapter 10. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:17.720 The weird thing is the third day after his death arrives, 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.840 no one was expecting a resurrection. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:26.440 The blokes are not around, and the woman have brought spies to an unthorn a dead body. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:31.280 As they wheeled around the trolley past the spies at Woolies, 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:35.300 they did not go, oh, spies are on sale. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:39.759 Unfortunately, we will not be needing those this time around. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:42.379 Jesus just borrowed the term for a few days. 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:46.440 The disciples were not sitting around breakfast pointing, 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:50.700 ah, it's the third day, maybe we ought to go and take a look. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:51.960 What could it hurt? 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:56.240 What's more, those who did go to the tomb, 00:12:57.020 --> 00:13:03.180 these three women were wondering who was going to open the tomb for them when they got there. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:06.580 The resurrection took everyone by surprise. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:11.940 The resurrection was as impossible for them to believe as it is for us today. 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:16.960 Their thirst for us, as seeing the empty tomb, 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:19.140 was not that Jesus had come back to life, 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:21.140 but that someone had stolen the body. 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.660 A fair assumption back then, 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:26.780 because grave robbing was a widespread practice. 00:13:28.380 --> 00:13:30.260 If you have doubt about the resurrection, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.520 so did they. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.760 But they let the evidence charge their worldview. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:39.200 It's normal to question the validity of the resurrection, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.960 but if you do, for integrity's sake, 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:45.720 then we have to come up with alternative, 00:13:46.140 --> 00:13:47.860 historically possible reason. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:53.860 Why this little ragtag group explored to all corners of the globe 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:58.080 and penetrated vastly different cultures 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:02.240 and changed the world over 20 centuries. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.300 If we reject the resurrection, 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:06.460 we have to produce an alternative, 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:08.820 historically possible explanation, 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:11.360 what happened with the body of Christ. 00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:13.520 The Christians, 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.420 the Romans, 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.180 and the Jews 00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:16.520 all agreed the tomb 00:14:16.520 --> 00:14:19.180 they laid Jesus' dead 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:21.120 was empty after three days. 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.700 So what happened with the body? 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:25.180 If we reject the resurrection, 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:27.140 then we have to produce an alternative, 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:29.340 historically possible reason. 00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:31.220 Why hundreds of people 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:33.140 claim to have seen him resurrected? 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:35.560 And why the opponents 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.720 of Christianity 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.140 could not produce a body? 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.759 Why these early Christians, 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:42.820 most of whom were cowered 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.280 at his crucifixion, 00:14:44.780 --> 00:14:46.379 joyfully gave their life 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.600 to see this message 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.800 of the resurrection of Jesus 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:50.259 spread through the world? 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:55.180 His life challenges our minds, 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.860 but if we allow his life 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.879 to challenge our minds, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.580 then his life gives us hope. 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:03.180 His life is mercy and grace 00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:04.220 to our hearts. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:06.740 Look at this wonderful word 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.860 in Mark 16, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.220 verse 7. 00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:11.060 Go, 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.639 tell his disciples, 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.540 and Peter, 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:16.040 he is going ahead of you 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:17.040 into Galilee. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.240 There you will see him 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.399 just as he told you. 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.040 To understand what 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:24.080 incredible word of grace 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.980 and hope this is, 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.040 let's consider what 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:27.240 was not said. 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.899 He did not say to the woman, 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.720 to the woman, 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.139 you tell those 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.100 faithless, 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.779 backstepping coward 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.220 that deserted me 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.159 and denied me 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.620 that I might see them 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.360 if they grovel 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.019 and they have better grovel. 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.059 That, of course, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.779 would have been warranted 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.319 given what they did to him. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.000 Instead, 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.939 Jesus is forgiving them 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.100 and calling back 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.799 to himself 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.559 even before they have repented. 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:57.399 This is a word 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.639 of mercy and grace, 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.039 forgiveness and hope. 00:16:00.719 --> 00:16:01.139 The greatest, 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.679 the biggest word 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.619 of grace and hope 00:16:03.619 --> 00:16:04.159 is simply 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.139 in the name Peter. 00:16:06.099 --> 00:16:07.639 Why is it so special? 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:08.619 It's because 00:16:08.619 --> 00:16:10.179 at the end of chapter 14, 00:16:10.619 --> 00:16:11.859 Peter does what 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:12.559 he promised 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.419 he would not. 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.859 He disowned Jesus. 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:17.000 He abandoned Jesus. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.259 It's a terrible 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.519 betrayal by Peter. 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:20.919 He turned his back 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.619 on God 00:16:21.619 --> 00:16:22.699 and ran 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.979 to save his own skin. 00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:25.199 So, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.140 if the word 00:16:26.140 --> 00:16:26.840 to the woman 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.580 is simply 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.280 go and tell the disciples, 00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:31.040 Peter may have 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:31.860 concluded that 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.340 it did not apply to him, 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.620 not after what he has done. 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.759 Jesus specifically 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:39.580 said to the women 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.259 through the angel, 00:16:41.900 --> 00:16:42.400 I have planned 00:16:42.400 --> 00:16:43.540 for my disciples, 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.759 even Peter. 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.160 Peter was the biggest 00:16:48.160 --> 00:16:48.680 screw-up 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.860 and he became 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.460 the biggest 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.540 of the leaders 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:52.580 in the early days 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.180 of the church. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.660 He screwed up 00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:55.140 the biggest 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.100 in repentance 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.799 the deepest 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.220 and his grabs 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.819 of grace 00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:59.559 the greatest. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.120 The good news 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.720 of Christianity 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:03.319 is that salvation 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:04.480 is by grace, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.160 not by our work, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:06.960 effort, 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:07.720 or strength. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.960 Salvation 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.799 comes to us 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.700 by the weakness 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.539 of Jesus Christ 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.299 dying for us 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.839 on the cross. 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.519 Salvation, 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.720 eternal life, 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.160 comes to us 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.980 by Jesus 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.099 when we admit 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.059 our inability 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.059 and weakness 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.059 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.919 and failure 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:23.339 when we admit 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.000 we need 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.899 a savior. 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.700 Jesus is the savior 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.319 we need. 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.639 Forgiveness 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.319 and life 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.859 are offered 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.460 to Peter 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.899 and to us 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.740 with the resurrection 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.399 of Jesus. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.740 When a criminal 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.339 completes 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.440 his jail sentence, 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.039 they fully, 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:41.899 completely, 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.019 totally 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.659 satisfy 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.519 the sentence. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.799 When they walk 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.480 out of prison, 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.099 the law 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:47.859 has no more 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.660 claim on them. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.559 They are free. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.259 Jesus Christ 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.379 came to pay 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.019 the penalty 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.960 of our crime 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.700 against God. 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.119 It was a huge 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.619 penalty. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.940 It was a huge 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.519 sentence 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.720 as the sentence 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.440 was death. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.200 He who is 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.740 the source 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.279 of life, 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.940 the self-sufficiency 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:08.240 in his life, 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.080 surrendered 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:09.759 that life 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.600 so that we, 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:12.120 deserving of death, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.180 may have life 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:13.600 forever. 00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.140 He must have 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.080 satisfied it 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:17.380 fully 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.160 because he 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.559 walked out 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.480 alive and free. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.220 Death could not 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.240 hold him down 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.259 in Jesus. 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.440 God stamped 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.580 the pay in full 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:26.840 right across history 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:28.100 so that no one 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:29.360 can miss it. 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.820 It's because 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:31.279 Jesus 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.539 has raised 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.120 from death 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.600 God come 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:36.019 can come to us 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.259 with a word of grace 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.059 and offer us 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.919 life forever, 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.119 like his 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.179 forever life. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:44.980 If we allow 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.799 this life 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.959 to change our minds, 00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.359 then this life 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.179 will give us hope. 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.139 And then, 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.639 lastly, 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:51.719 this life 00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:52.279 will give us 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.699 purpose 00:18:52.699 --> 00:18:53.980 to our life 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.259 and we shape 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.359 the way we live now. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.299 The purpose 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.000 I'm speaking 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.559 of is captured 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.859 in the little word 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.419 go. 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.579 Go and tell 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.439 people about 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.579 the resurrected 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.119 Jesus. 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.699 Go and communicate 00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:09.939 in every way 00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:11.039 about the resurrected 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.460 Jesus. 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:12.939 This is why 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:13.759 verse 8 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.119 is such a shocking 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:15.960 way of Mark 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.639 to end his 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.539 gospel account. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.960 Trembling 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.879 and bewildered, 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:22.379 the women went out 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.079 and fled 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.019 from the tomb. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.359 They say nothing 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.319 to anyone 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.659 because they were 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.419 afraid. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.859 The resurrection 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:33.079 is such a great news. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.980 how could you 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.919 not shout it out? 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.079 The resurrection 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.199 is the answer 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.319 to our deepest longing 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.319 to live life 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.179 well forever. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.699 That's why 00:19:41.699 --> 00:19:42.980 the beauty industry 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.539 is booming. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.579 That's why 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.419 baby boomers 00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:46.079 wear jeans 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.259 and we want 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.000 to be young, 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.659 fragrant, 00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:49.879 healthy 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.679 because those 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.339 were the days 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.319 before emotional 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.839 pain, 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.579 responsibility, 00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:54.439 and clarity. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.679 We want to live 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:57.559 and live well 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.879 and one of the 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.700 reasons it's 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.579 so hard to suffer 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.700 is that we think 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.940 that this physical 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.899 world is it 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:05.220 and when you 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.740 lose it, 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.740 you lose the best 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.619 and most precious 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.179 things. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.779 Resurrection 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.759 means that 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.819 this is not it. 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:13.859 There's more 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.379 to come. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.179 The resurrection 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.139 means that God 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:16.839 is going to 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.599 perfectly 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.899 remake this world 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:20.759 and the resurrection 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:22.839 changed everything. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.899 This is hope 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.960 for the wheelchair 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.900 barns and the 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.700 people with 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.640 crippled emotional 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.100 pain. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.900 No religion 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.680 in the world 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.680 except biblical 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.420 faith promises 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.620 new and perfect 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.820 mind, heart, 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.460 and body 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:37.960 forever. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.820 Only in the 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:40.720 gospel of Jesus 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.960 Christ do people 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.920 find so much 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.980 hope for life. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.780 The resurrection 00:20:45.780 --> 00:20:46.340 of Jesus 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:48.000 changes everything. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.200 If you know 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.160 that this is not 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.140 the only tangible 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.460 concrete life, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.280 who cares what 00:20:54.280 --> 00:20:54.800 people do 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.259 to you, 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.599 the resurrection 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.819 makes you free 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.220 from this life 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.399 enough to be 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:00.940 brave, 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.019 courageous, 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.500 sacrificial, 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.460 generous, 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.220 patient, 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:05.879 and joyful. 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:06.940 The resurrection 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.619 means you can 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.460 face the worst 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:10.180 things in life 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.839 with joy and 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.200 hope. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.839 According to 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.339 1 Corinthians 15, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.440 the resurrection 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.619 means you can 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.440 give yourself 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.539 to serving God 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.279 in this world 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.319 with purpose 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:21.039 and meaning. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.059 Not in 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.539 vanity, 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:25.279 that's what we 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.019 all want to 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.420 say about 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.019 our life, 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.059 to finish it 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.839 and say that 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:30.319 has all 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.079 had purpose 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.619 and meaning. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.980 The resurrection 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:36.099 also means 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.359 life forever 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.000 with joy. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.599 Not just a 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.539 thousand years, 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.579 Jesus 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.059 promises 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.299 eternal joy. 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.819 The end of the 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.859 Bible has a goal 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.659 of all things, 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.000 God 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.099 dwelling with 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.519 people. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.719 No more 00:21:50.719 --> 00:21:51.219 tears, 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.259 no more 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.639 death, 00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:53.500 or mourning, 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.459 or crying, 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:54.980 or pain. 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:57.299 To the thirsty 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.419 he promised water 00:21:58.419 --> 00:21:59.319 with her cause 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.439 from the spring 00:22:00.439 --> 00:22:01.000 of the water 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.539 of life. 00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.139 Jesus came 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.699 that we might 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:04.399 have life 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.019 and have it 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.699 to the fullest. 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.459 Jesus purchased 00:22:07.459 --> 00:22:08.819 it and offered 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.799 never adding life 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.299 to us. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:12.000 Jesus is 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.659 the only way, 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.519 the only truth, 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.819 and the only 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.339 life. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.619 Have you 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.259 received what 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.160 Jesus offers 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.480 you? 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.440 What is the 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.220 hope and purpose 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.420 for your life? 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.379 I invite you 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.059 to take a 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.779 moment to 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.599 consider Jesus' 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.379 challenge to 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.039 your life 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.460 and to accept 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.180 his offer for 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.099 you to have 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.039 eternal life. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.700 I will lead us 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.220 in a prayer 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.879 after a brief 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:40.259 moment. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.359 Please repeat 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:42.920 the prayer in 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.619 your heart and 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.420 speak with me 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:44.879 afterward. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.019 If you have 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.660 prayed with 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:46.920 me. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.259 Lord Jesus 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.759 Christ, 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.980 I come to 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.500 you now. 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.819 I confess 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.400 to you my 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.319 sin in 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.740 thoughts, 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.339 words, 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:06.299 and actions. 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.779 I am truly 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.660 sorry and 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.059 turned from 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.700 living without 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:11.019 you to ask 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.680 for your 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.220 forgiveness. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.139 Thank you 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.559 that you 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.160 came from 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.019 heaven to 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.620 save me 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.580 by dying 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:17.900 on the 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.560 cross for 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.620 me and 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.380 raising again 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.480 for eternity. 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.700 I know that 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.300 I cannot do 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:24.019 anything to 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.400 earn your 00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:24.860 forgiveness. 00:23:25.540 --> 00:23:25.820 You have 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.440 done it all 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:26.840 at the 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.220 cross. 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.000 As best as 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.720 I understand, 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.000 I gratefully 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.540 give my 00:23:31.540 --> 00:23:32.279 life back to 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.259 you, asking 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.779 for your 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.660 forgiveness and 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.100 acceptance. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.700 Please come 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.380 fully into 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.279 my life as 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.880 I trust you 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.440 alone to 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.000 save me. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.480 come in as 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.660 my Savior to 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.140 wash away 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.700 my sin. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.839 Come in as 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.559 my Lord and 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.279 be in charge 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.099 of my life. 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.299 Come in as 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.200 my friend to 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.059 be with me 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.720 always. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.160 Please send 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.779 your Holy Spirit 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.660 to live within 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.460 me and make 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.279 me a child in 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.859 your family. 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.259 Thank you for 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.140 hearing and 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.779 answering my 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.079 prayer. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.880 In faith, I 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.460 place my 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.839 hope and 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.799 trust in you, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.960 my Savior and 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.200 Lord. 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.079 Amen. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.179 Amen.