WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:05.120 Well, as I said on Friday evening, if you were here with us, the occasion that prompted 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:14.880 this sermon from Peter in Acts 2 was a unique pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the disciples 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:17.179 of Jesus who remained in Jerusalem. 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:21.780 This was some 50 days following the crucifixion of Jesus. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:28.160 It was the day of Pentecost, which was a festival, a feast for the Jews that would take place 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:34.619 in Jerusalem, and it came exactly 50 days after Passover in Jerusalem, which was the day 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:36.759 that Jesus was crucified. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:45.480 And just as the Lord had promised before his death, God's power was on display, and it was 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:49.000 working through the believers who followed Jesus. 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:56.799 And in response to this phenomena, this display in Jerusalem of the Holy Spirit's power on 00:00:56.799 --> 00:01:03.159 their life, the crowds who were witnessing this were trying to figure out exactly what 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:04.120 this was all about. 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:07.120 In fact, you can see it right there in verse 12. 00:01:07.259 --> 00:01:09.759 Keep your Bibles open through the duration of our time today. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:15.099 Verse 12, all were amazed, and they were perplexed by what they saw, and they were saying to one 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:17.359 another, what does this mean? 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:23.780 So there's one set of the crowd that's just trying to determine, okay, this is weird. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.760 Third, this is unusual. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:28.099 What is this all about? 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:34.219 And then, you know, there's the group in every crowd of people that they don't have to ask 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:39.760 the question of what is this all about because they know what the answer to all the questions 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:40.620 always are, right? 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:42.340 And that's who we get in verse 13. 00:01:42.460 --> 00:01:43.140 That's what they say. 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:46.719 They say, others were mocking, and they said, these people are filled with new wine. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:48.000 They're just drunk. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:54.480 This is just a drunken display from some depressed disciples of a teacher who is now dead. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:56.960 That was the perspective of some. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:00.700 But the crowds were wondering, well, what is this all about? 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:06.260 And so that prompts Peter's sermon, which begins around verse 14. 00:02:07.039 --> 00:02:14.039 And it becomes the very first Christian sermon ever preached about the crucifixion and resurrection 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:15.599 of Jesus. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:22.099 And beginning in these next verses, we find that Peter takes the prophet Joel from the 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:27.519 Old Testament as his text for the day, and he declares to the people that have gathered 00:02:27.519 --> 00:02:35.159 to hear this explanation that what they witnessed was evidence that the Messiah had truly come 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:43.599 and that the Messiah in coming had inaugurated what Joel says in verse 17 are the last days. 00:02:43.699 --> 00:02:44.639 Will you look at that with me? 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:49.279 Peter says in verse 16, but this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:56.799 And in the last days, that's a specific time frame foretold about in the Old Testament. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:03.659 In the last days, it shall be, God declares, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. 00:03:04.579 --> 00:03:08.259 So Peter stands before the people and he says, no, we're not drunk. 00:03:08.579 --> 00:03:09.879 We haven't been drinking. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:13.039 This is what Joel said would happen. 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:20.359 The last days, this messianic age has been inaugurated and you are witnessing before your 00:03:20.359 --> 00:03:27.019 very eyes the pouring out of God's spirit just as Joel said it would happen. 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:36.840 In these last days, it refers to this age when the Messiah of God, the Christ, the Savior, the Messiah of God, 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:45.780 would rule over the people of God, giving them the blessings of the spirit of God. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:50.500 That's how we might summarize that term, last days. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:59.580 God sends the Messiah and he rules over his people and he pours out the blessings of his spirit. 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:05.200 So think, you're a Jew in the first century in Jerusalem. 00:04:06.480 --> 00:04:13.439 You have been taught your whole life, the prophets of old, who said that this spirit would be poured out. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:21.540 It would be a magnificent display and it meant that Messiah had come and he was bringing with him the kingdom of God. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.620 You have awaited this as a people for hundreds of years. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:32.600 Your whole life and theology is wrapped up in this kingdom. 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:39.420 And now you see this display and a man stands before you and he says, 00:04:39.840 --> 00:04:42.280 this is it, folks, this is it. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:45.240 The last days are here. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:50.079 This was no small claim of Peter. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:05:01.319 And if he was right, then the people were experiencing a life-changing, history-shaping moment. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:12.439 It would mean that the death and resurrection of Jesus are the most important events in all of human history. 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:18.060 This is what Christians have proclaimed now for two millennia. 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:26.459 That the cross of Christ is the pinnacle moment of all human existence. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.480 Everything in history revolves around that one day. 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:35.540 And according to the Bible, there is only one other day left to match it. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:40.060 And it is when this king, this Messiah, this Jesus returns. 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:40.660 He returns. 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:45.000 And in his return, he sets all things right. 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:50.500 He ushers in the new heaven and the new earth. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:57.079 When there will be no more sin and no more sorrow and no more death. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:01.439 And we will ever be with the Lord, those who know him. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:07.920 So if you're among the crowd in Jerusalem on that day, you're taken aback by Peter's words. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:11.439 Could this really be true? 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:14.879 Because if it's true, it's everything. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:16.339 It's everything. 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:24.120 And Peter's aim in his sermon that day was to prove that the promised Messiah was Jesus. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:30.180 And that what they were witnessing was indeed the inauguration of these last days. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:34.220 And I want you to notice, before we really get going into the part about the resurrection, 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:39.579 I want you to notice the way that Peter closes his quotation of the prophet Joel. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:41.379 Look at verse 19. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:45.660 This is the end of what the prophet Joel had foretold would happen. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.300 It's still a part of Peter's quotation. 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:48.819 He says, 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:53.719 This is from God's perspective speaking through Joel. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:55.860 I will show wonders in the heavens. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:07:00.219 I will show signs on the earth below. 00:07:01.159 --> 00:07:04.519 Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:10.319 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:12.839 Before the day of the Lord comes. 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:15.759 That great and magnificent day. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:18.379 And it shall come to pass. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:23.300 That everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:30.699 Now Joel's point was not to say that all of these things were going to happen at once. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:36.439 That as soon as the Spirit is poured out on His people and on all flesh, 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:41.379 that in that same moment, then these wonders would be shown in the heavens 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.800 and the signs would be shown on the earth. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:49.520 And then these miracles with nature then come to fruition. 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:51.280 That's not what Joel is saying. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:59.379 He's saying that the culmination of the last days that are inaugurated by the Spirit are moving somewhere. 00:07:59.840 --> 00:08:05.860 They are progressing towards something that he says is the great and magnificent day of the Lord. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:09.620 Well, what is the great and magnificent day of the Lord? 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:13.199 It is the day of judgment. 00:08:14.080 --> 00:08:15.600 It's the day of judgment. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:22.100 Now whether we're to take these descriptions here in these verses as literal or symbolic is unclear. 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:25.220 But this great day of judgment is certain. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:26.740 It is coming. 00:08:28.340 --> 00:08:36.300 And Peter and Joel affirm that only those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved in that day. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:38.959 And I thought about that judgment this morning. 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:40.740 Actually, I was looking over my notes for the day. 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:45.639 And for some reason, my mind immediately went to my senior year in high school. 00:08:47.459 --> 00:08:49.939 We were setting up for a spring banquet at our school. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.599 I went to a private school. 00:08:51.719 --> 00:08:52.599 We didn't call it prom. 00:08:52.699 --> 00:08:54.319 We called it spring banquet or something like that. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:55.159 I can't remember what it was called. 00:08:55.199 --> 00:08:57.139 But we were preparing for that and we were helping with it. 00:08:57.359 --> 00:09:00.539 And me and one of my friends had gone to go pick up some items for this. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.719 In near Bristol, Tennessee is where we were. 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:06.139 We had picked it up in my dad's truck and we were driving back. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.220 And Jared had a bit of a lead foot in those days. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:14.800 And a highway patrolman didn't appreciate the fact that I had a lead foot in those days. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.940 And I got pulled over. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:24.620 And as soon as he pulled me over, of course, he gave me the speech and the things that I wasn't supposed to be doing. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.399 Everything that I did wrong. 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:26.139 And he wrote me a ticket. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:30.259 But on the ticket, he gave me a date that I had to appear in court. 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:32.560 I was still a minor technically. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:33.159 At the time. 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:35.339 Which meant there was coming a day. 00:09:35.839 --> 00:09:37.159 It was set on the calendar. 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:39.899 I was going to have to tell my dad. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:42.139 I got pulled over in your truck. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.839 Doing 26 miles an hour over the speed limit. 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:48.659 This highway patrolman appreciated it so much, dad. 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:51.919 That you now have to take me to court so I can appear before a judge. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:55.479 And receive the sentencing that he feels I deserve in that moment. 00:09:55.859 --> 00:09:58.159 And this morning, my mind immediately went to that day. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.579 And the fear of that day. 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:01.559 Not even of the judge. 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:02.740 But of my dad. 00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:04.899 I got to tell dad about this. 00:10:04.939 --> 00:10:06.339 And now dad's going to have to take me. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.399 And it's going to be this whole thing. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:11.299 What had happened on that day is I had violated the law. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:16.059 And the one who had stopped me wrote a ticket. 00:10:16.579 --> 00:10:19.479 And a date for my judgment was put on the calendar. 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:22.159 I had to appear before the judge. 00:10:22.599 --> 00:10:23.679 Not that day. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.699 But that day was set. 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:27.179 And it was coming. 00:10:28.079 --> 00:10:31.379 This great day of the Lord that Joel speaks of. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:33.919 That Peter refers to in this quotation. 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:36.299 This is a court date. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.199 It is a day of judgment. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.000 It may not be today. 00:10:43.959 --> 00:10:45.279 But it's on the calendar. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:47.219 It's coming. 00:10:48.599 --> 00:10:56.059 Everything in history from this moment moving forward is all moving towards the culmination of this day. 00:10:56.059 --> 00:11:01.939 When all of creation will stand before its creator, the righteous judge. 00:11:02.119 --> 00:11:05.819 And we will give an account for our lives on that day. 00:11:06.079 --> 00:11:07.319 Now here's the problem. 00:11:08.239 --> 00:11:10.479 Dad took me to Bristol to the courthouse. 00:11:10.619 --> 00:11:12.779 I sat before a magistrate on that day. 00:11:12.959 --> 00:11:14.599 They asked what I had done. 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:16.919 And they verified that I was guilty. 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:19.159 And they issued a sentence. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:23.459 Now God has created each of us for a purpose. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:26.700 That purpose is to glorify him. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:32.340 And he's given us a law that he has demanded as his creation that we follow. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:40.139 And even before he wrote that law on paper through the work of Moses and he handed it to his people, 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:43.400 the Bible says that he had written that law on our hearts. 00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:47.980 Which means that when God created us, he put something in us. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:57.279 Something in us that recognizes this moral law that says there is a difference between what is right and a difference between what is wrong. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:03.879 And when we violate that moral code that God has written on our hearts, we know it. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.899 We can feel it. 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:08.199 We feel the guilt of that. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.419 We feel the shame of that. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:13.519 And we may not face judgment immediately in that moment. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:18.779 But what the scripture says is that one day we will stand before the righteous judge. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:24.980 And on that great and magnificent day of judgment, the Lord himself will look at our lives. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:28.620 And he will judge us on the basis of his law. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:34.299 His perfect righteous law that every one of us have fallen short of. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:38.759 And the problem is we will all stand guilty. 00:12:40.719 --> 00:12:43.339 We may try to come up with a great defense. 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:47.859 Magistrate, I was just in a big hurry. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:50.500 I just needed to get to the banquet. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:54.899 You know, maybe something was wrong with my speedometer. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.099 Can you get that checked out? 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:57.359 Maybe there was an issue there. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:01.099 We may stand before the judge one day and we may say, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:05.040 Well, goodness grief, God, I went to church. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:11.960 I went and I listened to this guy ramble for an hour on Easter Sunday that one time. 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:13.820 I mean, surely that counts for something. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.600 You know, Lord, I did some good stuff. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:24.080 You know, if I look at that guy down the road, I'm not nearly as bad as him. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:26.820 Surely, God, you can cut me some slack. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:32.879 Except that judgment is not on the basis of what everyone else has done. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:37.920 And that judgment is not on the basis of whether or not your good outweighs your bad. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:45.979 The judgment is on the basis of did you obey and love the God who created you? 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:48.799 And the answer for every one of us is no. 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:51.379 We have not done that. 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:54.559 We have not served him. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.599 We have not loved him. 00:13:57.099 --> 00:13:58.819 We have each violated his law. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:04.040 And the Bible says that all of those who stand and offer these excuses before the Lord, 00:14:04.400 --> 00:14:06.900 Jesus says, I will look at them and I will say, 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:11.120 Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, into eternal darkness. 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:13.800 I never knew you. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.840 So Peter quotes Joel. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:22.120 He says, Folks, what you're seeing today is the initiation of these last days. 00:14:22.400 --> 00:14:24.340 And by the way, remember what Joel said. 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:26.340 The last days will come to an end. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:29.120 There will be a last day. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:32.240 And it is the day of judgment. 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:40.800 And only those, only those who have called on the name of the Lord Jesus 00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:45.560 will be saved in that day of judgment, Peter says. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:51.280 And so his message then was that Jesus of Nazareth is the Lord 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:56.679 on which we must all call for this eternal salvation. 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:59.860 That's the point of Peter's sermon here. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:04.459 When we considered the crucifixion dynamic on Friday, 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.779 today we're going to look at the resurrection. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:12.319 Because the resurrection proves that Jesus is the true Savior. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:16.200 And we can trust him for the forgiveness of sins. 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:18.660 We can trust him for eternal life. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:22.460 And together the crucifixion and the resurrection 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:25.680 compose what we call the gospel of Jesus. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.480 And it is this truth 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:32.680 that is responsible for the very existence of Christianity. 00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:35.160 What is the reason of Christianity? 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:37.340 Why does it exist and why do we care? 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:40.040 The resurrection is why. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:44.019 And my prayer this morning is that by faith 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:46.199 you will receive this gospel. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:48.500 Look with me at verse 24. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.279 God raised him up, 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.480 loosing the pangs of death 00:15:55.480 --> 00:16:00.799 because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:04.939 So in a statement of affirmation about Jesus' resurrection, 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:09.980 Peter said that the Christ not only didn't stay dead, 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:12.939 he couldn't stay dead. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.699 Did you notice that in verse 24? 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:19.219 It was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.259 And we considered this on Friday 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:25.019 in regards to the sinless perfection of Jesus. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:29.059 He is the perfect Lamb of God 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:31.419 without spot, without blemish. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:35.659 Death is the payment for sin is what the Bible tells us. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:39.419 But Jesus had no sin of his own for which to pay. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:42.959 And for that reason, death could not hold him. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.899 It had no claim on him. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:47.899 And God raised him up, Peter says. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.219 But then he goes on in these next few verses 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:53.839 to provide another reason for Jesus' resurrection. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:59.899 The resurrection was not only because of the perfection of Jesus, 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:03.580 it was in fulfillment of the Old Testament. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:09.840 It was always God's plan for the Christ to die for sin. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.960 It was always God's plan for the Christ 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:16.539 to then be raised in power over death. 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:19.339 And like a lawyer arguing his case, 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.240 in this short sermon, 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:24.500 Peter calls two witnesses to the stand. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.720 Two witnesses. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:29.180 And before you make your judgment on the resurrection, 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:32.000 I want you to hear their testimony. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.720 Witness number one, 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.720 the witness of the scriptures. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:38.559 The witness of the scriptures. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:42.500 The resurrection of Jesus is deeply rooted 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:44.680 in the Old Testament scriptures. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:47.720 And this was exactly the point Jesus made 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:49.720 when he appeared to his disciples 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.539 after rising from the dead. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.840 We read it a moment ago. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.700 Let's read it again. 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:56.180 Luke 24, I think it's on the screen for you. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.880 Luke 24, verse 44. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.500 Jesus said to them, 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:02.940 these are my words that I spoke while I was still with you, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:06.460 that everything written about me in the law of Moses 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:09.640 and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:13.620 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.459 and he said to them, 00:18:15.979 --> 00:18:16.899 thus it is written, 00:18:17.439 --> 00:18:18.759 the Christ should suffer 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.979 and on the third day rise from the dead 00:18:20.979 --> 00:18:24.259 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:26.199 should be proclaimed in his name 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:29.759 to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. 00:18:30.719 --> 00:18:31.839 Now can you imagine 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:34.959 how amazing it would be 00:18:34.959 --> 00:18:37.059 to have been in that room that night? 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:42.980 Not only to experience in person the resurrected Christ, 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:45.279 but to have that resurrected Christ 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.659 take his Bible 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:49.899 and begin to systematically walk through scripture 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.879 by scripture 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:53.119 and say, remember what I told you. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:55.279 This is what was supposed to happen. 00:18:55.679 --> 00:18:58.639 This is what the Bible has always said would happen. 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.960 I had to suffer. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.299 I had to die. 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.839 And on the third day, 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.859 I would rise from the dead 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.440 to provide salvation. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:09.359 So now you can take what I have done 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.279 and proclaim it to the world 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.279 so that they can be saved too. 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:15.839 Can you imagine how amazing it would have been? 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.759 We can only guess 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.139 as to what passages 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:20.680 Jesus might have gone through 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:23.079 with those disciples on the road to Emmaus 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:25.519 or with those disciples in the room 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.879 on that wonderful night. 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:30.360 Peter was in the room that night 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:33.000 and there were many texts 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.240 he could have referred to here, 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:37.640 but the one he chose was Psalm 16. 00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:41.280 Psalm 16 verses eight through 11. 00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:43.080 And I want you to read it with me. 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.920 Verse 25. 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.380 Peter says, 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:48.060 for David says concerning him, 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:49.440 this is the witness of the scriptures. 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:52.100 I saw the Lord always before me 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:54.340 for he's at my right hand 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.980 that I may not be shaken. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:58.579 Therefore, my heart was glad 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.900 and my tongue rejoiced. 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.420 My flesh also will dwell in hope 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:05.460 for you will not abandon my soul to Hades 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.620 or the realm of the dead, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.620 the place of the death, 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:10.180 or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:13.720 You have made known to me the paths of life. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:17.160 You will make me full of gladness 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:19.539 with your presence. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.200 Peter says, 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.579 hear the witness of the scriptures. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.819 There's a lot of them. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:26.359 Let me just give you Psalm 16, eight through 11, 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.099 Peter says, 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:29.019 and he quotes it from memory. 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:33.139 Now the apostles often spoke of the gospel 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:35.559 in terms of a mystery. 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.740 Now by mystery, 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:41.639 they didn't mean that the gospel was a riddle 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.819 that is difficult to understand 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:48.679 and that unless you're just superior in your intellect, 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.859 you won't really be able to grasp it. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.859 That's not what they meant by that. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:56.000 What they meant by the gospel being a mystery 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:59.699 is that the purposes of God in salvation 00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:02.319 are present throughout the entire Bible, 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:07.500 but only discernible through the lens of Jesus. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:10.519 It is only as we look at the person 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.819 and the work of Jesus 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:14.019 that we can understand this mystery 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.579 that God has presented 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:18.179 in the Old Testament scriptures. 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:20.420 So in the Old Testament, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:23.500 the gospel we say is veiled. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.140 It's not that it isn't there, 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.880 it's there. 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:27.880 It's just veiled. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.860 But in the New Testament, 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:31.320 the mystery of the gospel 00:21:31.320 --> 00:21:33.240 is gloriously revealed. 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.759 The veil is uncovered 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.960 from the Old Testament 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:38.360 by the work and person of Jesus. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.900 Let me give you just an example 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:42.220 of how the apostles use this term. 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:44.080 In Ephesians chapter one, 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.460 I think this is on the screen for you too. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.340 In Ephesians chapter one, verse seven, 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.420 in him, that is Jesus, 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.640 we have redemption through his blood, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:54.559 the forgiveness of our trespasses, 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:57.160 according to the riches of his grace, 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:59.160 which he lavished upon us 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:01.880 in all wisdom and insight, 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:06.120 making known to us the mystery of his will, 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.380 according to his purpose, 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.160 which he set forth in Christ. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:12.079 Do you see what the apostles were doing? 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:13.200 That's what Paul was doing there. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:15.500 He was saying this gospel is a mystery 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.600 in terms of the Old Testament. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:18.039 It's there, but it's veiled. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.720 But now that Christ has come, 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.740 he has opened the veil. 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:24.620 He has allowed us, revealed to us 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.000 the truth of the gospel 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.920 that was always there for us to see. 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:30.900 Now, Psalm 16 is an example 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:32.440 of the mystery of the gospel 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.600 veiled in the Old Testament. 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.680 It was written by King David. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:41.519 But the problem is that when King David died, 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:44.700 the meaning of that psalm became obscured. 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:47.940 How were the people supposed to understand 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.700 what David was trying to say 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.860 when he wrote that, 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:53.019 you will not abandon me to death, 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:55.940 you will not allow my body to see corruption? 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:58.180 How were they supposed to understand that 00:22:58.180 --> 00:23:01.759 when David died and his body was corrupted 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.180 and decayed? 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:06.160 At the heart of the passage 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:09.039 is this confident assertion 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:11.920 that God will not allow this individual 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:14.160 to be abandoned to the realm of the dead 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:17.259 or allow his body to experience decay. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:21.039 And apart from Jesus, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:24.259 the only way to interpret this passage 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:28.320 is as a poetic promise of everlasting life. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:33.019 But looking at it through the lens of Jesus, 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:37.279 we see this is not just a symbolic reference 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.399 to eternal life. 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.960 This is a prophetic psalm 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:44.179 of the resurrection of the Christ. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.279 Which Peter goes on to say, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:50.399 this resurrection is what secures 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:54.039 that everlasting life for us. 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:56.879 Which brings us to his explanation of the text. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.899 Look at verse 29. 00:23:57.900 --> 00:24:00.340 Brothers, I may say to you with confidence 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.780 about the patriarch David 00:24:01.780 --> 00:24:04.460 that he both died and was buried 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:06.860 and his tomb is with us to this day. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.480 Being therefore a prophet 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:13.420 and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:15.540 that he would set one of his descendants 00:24:15.540 --> 00:24:16.300 on his throne, 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:20.060 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.080 of the Christ. 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.920 That he was not abandoned to Hades 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:27.400 nor did his flesh see corruption. 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:31.080 Perhaps Peter's in Jerusalem at this point. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.880 We know that for sure. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:35.380 Perhaps he motions over to the enormous graveyard 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:37.620 on the south side of Jerusalem. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:41.440 Perhaps he motions over to where they knew 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.560 that the tomb of David was. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:47.620 And he says that we must understand Psalm 16, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:51.259 not from the perspective of the King David, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:53.879 but from the perspective of the Christ, 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:55.700 King Jesus. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:25:02.099 The corruption of David's body was verified by his grave. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:07.259 Therefore, he was speaking prophetically about Messiah. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:11.279 So Peter is declaring in this moment, 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:15.140 not only is the resurrection of Jesus a historical event, 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:18.500 but it is also a fulfillment of the scriptures, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:22.119 making known the mystery of the gospel. 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:26.400 The resurrection was not the spontaneous work of God 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:30.200 in a moment where he was just trying to take a tragic event 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:33.220 like the crucifixion and just make the best of it. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:35.339 That's not what the resurrection is. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:39.539 It was the eternal plan of God revealed in his word. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.100 The Christ must die. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:43.440 The Christ must rise. 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.579 And we sang about it a moment ago. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.740 Come behold the wondrous mystery, 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:50.720 slain by death, the God of life, 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:53.920 but no grave could e'er restrain him. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:57.860 Praise the Lord, he is alive. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:26:00.779 The witness of the scriptures. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:06.679 Then Peter gives the witness of the apostles. 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:09.059 He calls his second witness to the stand. 00:26:09.199 --> 00:26:11.719 Verse 32, the witness of the apostles. 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:16.759 This Jesus, God raised up, 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:24.059 and of that we are all witnesses, he says. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.539 Who's the we all? 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:29.799 All of those disciples standing there 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:32.059 who had experienced and displayed 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.940 this pouring out of the spirit of God. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:38.200 They were all witnesses of the resurrected Christ. 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:42.480 The resurrection of Jesus was not something 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.759 that Peter heard about. 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:48.659 It was something that he had personally witnessed. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:53.859 In fact, hundreds of people were eyewitnesses 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:56.599 of the resurrected Jesus. 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:59.659 Consider 1 Corinthians 15. 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.879 I think this is for you on the screen as well. 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:02.819 Paul says, 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:04.919 I delivered to you as of first importance 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:06.859 what I also received, 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:09.759 that Christ died for our sins 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.979 according to the scriptures, 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.299 that he was buried, 00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:14.699 and that he raised on the third day 00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:16.159 in accordance with the scriptures, 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:19.120 that he appeared to Cephas, 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.860 that's Peter, 00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:21.620 then to the 12, 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.700 the other disciples, 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:27.300 then he appeared to more than 500 brothers 00:27:27.300 --> 00:27:28.640 at one time, 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:32.580 most of whom are all still alive, 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.660 though some have fallen asleep, 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.120 or though some of them have died. 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.980 Then he appeared to James, 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.680 then to all the apostles, 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:41.220 last of all, 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:43.279 as to one untimely born, 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.980 he appeared also to me, 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:46.940 Paul says. 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:50.360 To say that the resurrection of Jesus 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:52.400 is some kind of elaborate hoax 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.460 is foolish. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.940 It's foolish. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:59.620 Hundreds of people 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:01.180 could verify it 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:03.779 by their own eyewitness, 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:06.339 and that was Paul's point 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.660 in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:10.100 He encouraged the skeptics 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:11.480 of the message of the gospel. 00:28:12.060 --> 00:28:14.019 Go find the 500 people 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.120 who saw him 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:16.320 even at one time. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.560 Interview them. 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.540 Scrutinize their words. 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:20.960 What you will find 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:23.880 is that their word stands true. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.820 He knew that their statements of witness 00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:28.259 would persuade the people. 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.880 Even the enemies of Jesus 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:34.820 did not deny his resurrection. 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.800 They just tried to cover it up. 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.980 Matthew 28. 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:41.400 While they were going, 00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:41.880 behold, 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:43.040 some of the guard 00:28:43.040 --> 00:28:44.140 went into the city 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:45.759 and told the chief priest 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.100 all that had taken place. 00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:48.220 These were the guards 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.240 guarding the tomb 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.900 when Jesus rose. 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.960 And when they had assembled 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.779 with the elders 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.420 and taken counsel, 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:57.240 they gave a sufficient sum 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.440 of money to the soldiers 00:28:58.440 --> 00:29:00.560 and said, 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.540 tell people, 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:05.120 his disciples came by night 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:06.580 and stole them away 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.580 while they were asleep. 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.380 And if this comes 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.360 to the governor's ears, 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:11.940 we will satisfy him 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.040 and keep you out of trouble. 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.840 So they took the money 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:16.540 and did as they were directed. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.060 And this has been spread 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:19.300 among the Jews to this day. 00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:21.140 Now think about that for a moment. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:23.380 This is not just a handful 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.160 of followers 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:26.120 who wanted to fool everybody 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.400 and say, 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.980 gotcha. 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.600 Even the enemies of Jesus, 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:31.640 they never denied his resurrection. 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:34.640 They put the guards there 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.560 because they knew 00:29:35.560 --> 00:29:36.620 he had predicted 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:38.080 his own resurrection. 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:40.300 And they were worried. 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.920 And then when the guards 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.560 come back 00:29:42.560 --> 00:29:43.240 and they say, 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.900 we passed out 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.660 and we woke up 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.640 and now the tomb's empty. 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.360 And they said, 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:49.120 just don't tell anybody. 00:29:49.560 --> 00:29:50.780 Here's some money. 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.560 Tell them the disciples 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:53.340 stole the body. 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.700 That way we can finally 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.600 be done with this. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:57.039 They did not deny 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.799 his resurrection, 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.740 even his enemies. 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.299 But what about 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.819 the witness of history? 00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.839 It's one thing to look 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:06.039 at the witness of the Bible. 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.959 What about the witness 00:30:07.959 --> 00:30:09.480 of secular history? 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.939 Even secular history 00:30:12.939 --> 00:30:14.899 acknowledges that 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:15.879 these witnesses, 00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:18.000 Peter speaks of here, 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:20.799 were actual historical people 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:23.099 who genuinely believed 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.419 that Jesus had risen 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:25.179 from the dead. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:29.579 They were so convinced 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.799 of the truth 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.599 of the resurrection 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:33.659 that they gave their lives 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:35.379 preaching the gospel 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:37.619 in hopes that more people 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.379 would believe 00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.919 and be saved. 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.959 Now think about that 00:30:40.959 --> 00:30:41.539 for a moment. 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:43.679 They're so convinced 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.759 by what they saw 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.679 that they left 00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:46.719 everything behind. 00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:48.599 They left their businesses behind. 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:50.139 They, in some situations, 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.279 even were abandoned 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.219 by their families. 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.659 In order to go 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:55.059 and preach this gospel 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.700 of Jesus, 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.319 there was nothing 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.139 in it for them. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.220 He said, 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.679 well, they probably 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:01.919 just made the whole thing up. 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:03.259 To what end? 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.379 What benefit 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.279 does that provide 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.039 to these men? 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.200 What benefit 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.980 does it provide 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.359 for them 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.440 to go to their grave 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.279 being tortured 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.159 and in prison 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.359 and murdered 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.500 for a truth 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.539 that they made up? 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.899 It doesn't make sense. 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.820 No, they went 00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.519 around the world. 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.400 They preached 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:21.940 the gospel. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.120 Every one 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.120 of the apostles 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.800 of Jesus 00:31:24.800 --> 00:31:26.920 died for their faith. 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.100 And so, 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.980 as that continued 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:30.320 on through Christian history, 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.140 the church, 00:31:31.320 --> 00:31:32.160 so convinced 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.220 by the witness 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.960 of the scripture 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.019 and the witness 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.860 of the apostles 00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:37.200 that they have continued 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.560 to give their lives 00:31:38.560 --> 00:31:39.340 for the truth 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:41.240 of what Jesus did 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.640 and his resurrected 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.940 body. 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:46.259 And I realized 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:48.140 that it's not unusual 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.740 for people 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.960 to die for lies. 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.259 I understand that. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.680 But these men 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.320 didn't give up 00:31:54.320 --> 00:31:54.900 their lives 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:56.220 for a religious idea. 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.400 They gave up 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:58.900 their lives 00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.380 convinced 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.759 of what they saw. 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.500 Not what they 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.400 hoped to see, 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.539 but what they 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:06.700 actually saw 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:08.460 with their own eyes. 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.759 And this truth 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.820 was so magnificent. 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.840 Nothing would 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.779 stand in the way 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.240 of them, 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.259 sharing it 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.819 with everyone 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.599 who would listen. 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.480 If you're invited 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.119 by a friend 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:22.099 to come to this service 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.500 today, 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:23.539 it's not because 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.119 they hope 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.619 that you'll give 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.079 some money 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.199 to the offering 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:26.980 of our church. 00:32:27.419 --> 00:32:28.500 It's not so that 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.039 they could get 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.599 some kind of 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.480 spiritual credit 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.079 for bringing a friend. 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.659 There's no reward. 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.720 We're not offering money 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.339 for everybody 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.259 that brings a guest. 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.819 That's not how 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.379 this works. 00:32:38.199 --> 00:32:38.579 You know why 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.240 they invited you 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.919 to come today? 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.799 Because they want 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.259 you to know 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.859 this Jesus. 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.619 They've been 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.579 so convinced 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.279 and compelled 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.919 by the truth 00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:47.539 of the gospel 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.599 that they want 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.419 you to experience 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.000 it too. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.119 And so it has 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:53.000 been through history. 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.740 The church 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.759 sharing the truth 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.919 so that others 00:32:56.919 --> 00:32:57.799 might be saved. 00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.459 The eyewitness 00:33:00.459 --> 00:33:01.240 accounts of the 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.779 resurrection, 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:04.159 they give validation 00:33:04.159 --> 00:33:05.459 to the witness 00:33:05.459 --> 00:33:06.099 of the scriptures. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.559 They're not more 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.099 important than 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.539 the scriptures. 00:33:09.199 --> 00:33:10.399 They give validation 00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:12.080 to the scriptures. 00:33:13.560 --> 00:33:14.580 Without the witness 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:15.420 of the apostles, 00:33:17.340 --> 00:33:18.000 Psalm 16 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.000 is just a matter 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.780 of theological 00:33:19.780 --> 00:33:20.460 interpretation 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.259 that we could 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.060 debate endlessly. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.580 But with the 00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.580 eyewitness accounts, 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.080 the meaning 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:28.040 of Psalm 16 00:33:28.040 --> 00:33:29.340 becomes indisputable. 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:32.140 It can only be 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.920 about the Christ. 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.360 Which explains 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:35.980 in part 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.320 why at the end 00:33:37.320 --> 00:33:37.880 of this sermon 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.840 so many people 00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:39.580 believed 00:33:39.580 --> 00:33:40.980 instead of arguing 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.120 against it. 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.600 How can you 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.540 ignore the evidence? 00:33:47.320 --> 00:33:48.320 It would take 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.580 far less evidence 00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:50.460 to establish 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.480 something in a 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.240 court today 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.840 than what we have 00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:54.720 about the resurrection 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.300 of Jesus. 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.840 There is far more 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:57.680 evidence of Jesus' 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.420 resurrection. 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.660 How can you 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.280 deny it? 00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:03.640 He was dead. 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.940 Now he's alive. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:09.820 Let me close 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.260 this way. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.079 There must be 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.679 many people 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.380 who wonder 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:17.740 why the resurrection 00:34:17.740 --> 00:34:18.440 of Jesus 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.360 is so important 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.079 to Christians. 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.880 Why is it so 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.079 important? 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:23.440 We choose Easter 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:23.900 as the day 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.519 that we focus 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.639 on it in particular 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.780 above all other 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.579 things because 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.400 of the anniversary 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.940 of it. 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.500 But for a 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:32.760 Christian, 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.340 every day 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:34.000 is a celebration 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.000 of the resurrection. 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.880 The reason we 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.840 worship on Sunday 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.679 is because the 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.460 Lord rose 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:40.480 on a Sunday. 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.139 That's why we 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:43.119 worship this morning 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.720 every week. 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.460 Everything that we 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:47.000 do is wrapped up 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:47.900 in the resurrection 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:49.619 and the crucifixion. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.119 And there must be 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:51.780 people wondering 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.519 and perhaps even 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.179 maybe someone here 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:53.679 this morning 00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.760 and what you 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.320 wonder is why 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:55.800 is this so 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:56.599 important to you? 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.159 Even if it's 00:34:59.159 --> 00:34:59.619 true, 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:02.220 what possible 00:35:02.220 --> 00:35:02.940 impact could 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.880 this truth have 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:05.019 on my life 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.380 today? 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.440 This is just 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.000 an ancient 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.559 story. 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.420 Maybe a historical 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:10.760 man, 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.579 maybe it really 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:11.980 happened, 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:13.519 but why should 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.119 that matter 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:15.099 to me? 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.780 And I want to 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.480 explain for a 00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.820 moment why it 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:19.559 matters to me 00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.980 and why it 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.340 should matter 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:21.840 to you. 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.539 Remember that 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.300 judgment that I 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.740 spoke about 00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:27.119 before? 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.619 You know what 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:30.240 the pinnacle of 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.720 that judgment 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.119 is? 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:33.039 Death. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.679 And I don't 00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:36.559 mean just 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.299 physical death. 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:38.139 Yes, we will 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:38.779 all die, 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:41.079 but the Bible 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.779 speaks of a 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:42.420 death beyond 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.739 that. 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:43.699 It's a 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.579 spiritual death. 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.739 It's not 00:35:45.739 --> 00:35:48.859 the extinguishing 00:35:48.859 --> 00:35:50.139 of your soul 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.719 and spirit 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.359 in eternity. 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:51.759 That's not 00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:52.219 what it is. 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:52.859 It's actually 00:35:52.859 --> 00:35:54.159 you will live 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.239 on in eternity, 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.920 but you will 00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.559 be separate 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.239 from God 00:35:58.239 --> 00:35:58.980 and His grace 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.659 and His goodness. 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.980 you will 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:02.000 experience His 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:03.500 wrath in 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:03.879 eternity. 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.440 That's what the 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.099 scriptures tell 00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:05.440 us. 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.199 So our 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.899 greatest enemy 00:36:07.899 --> 00:36:08.299 then, 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:10.619 our greatest 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.219 enemy is 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:11.659 death. 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:13.859 And no matter 00:36:13.859 --> 00:36:14.859 how much effort 00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:15.699 you put into 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.599 living a happy 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.500 and a healthy 00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.239 life, 00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:20.339 we'll all face 00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:21.259 the same fate. 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:23.059 All of us 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:23.460 are going to 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:23.759 die. 00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:23.860 death. 00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:28.600 The Bible 00:36:28.600 --> 00:36:29.260 teaches that 00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:29.860 it's because 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.820 of our sin 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:32.120 and our 00:36:32.120 --> 00:36:33.040 rejection of 00:36:33.040 --> 00:36:34.120 God that 00:36:34.120 --> 00:36:34.660 death is a 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:35.120 reality. 00:36:36.520 --> 00:36:37.360 He's the 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:38.280 righteous judge 00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:40.460 and the only 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.520 way to satisfy 00:36:41.520 --> 00:36:42.140 His holy 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:43.860 wrath is to 00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:45.120 face eternal 00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:45.600 death. 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:45.739 death. 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:49.079 But the 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.940 resurrection of 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.880 Jesus proves 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:52.839 that His 00:36:52.839 --> 00:36:54.000 crucifixion 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:56.219 was indeed 00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:56.839 a perfect 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.559 sacrifice 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.759 for our 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.159 sin. 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.699 Made by 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.159 God 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:03.299 on our 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:03.940 behalf. 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.699 Think for a 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.019 moment. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.940 The scriptures 00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.900 say that because 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.880 of your sin, 00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:12.079 you deserve 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.739 to die. 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:14.459 not only a 00:37:14.459 --> 00:37:15.099 physical death, 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:15.519 but in 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.019 eternity, 00:37:16.319 --> 00:37:17.000 you will be 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.959 away from 00:37:17.959 --> 00:37:18.439 God, 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.459 separated from 00:37:20.459 --> 00:37:20.859 Him, 00:37:21.879 --> 00:37:22.439 in eternal 00:37:22.439 --> 00:37:22.939 torment. 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.359 But God, 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.319 according to 00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:28.079 His definite 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:28.799 plan, 00:37:30.299 --> 00:37:31.139 provides a 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:31.519 Savior, 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.679 a perfect 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.500 sacrifice, 00:37:34.059 --> 00:37:34.799 who on 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.579 behalf of 00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:36.059 sinners, 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.619 absorbs that 00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.179 wrath, 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:40.059 so we don't 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:40.739 have to face 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.500 it ourselves. 00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:43.779 that's what 00:37:43.779 --> 00:37:44.399 Jesus did 00:37:44.399 --> 00:37:44.659 on the 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.059 cross. 00:37:45.839 --> 00:37:46.839 When He 00:37:46.839 --> 00:37:47.399 rose from 00:37:47.399 --> 00:37:47.879 the dead 00:37:47.879 --> 00:37:48.519 three days 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.019 later, 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.799 it proved 00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:51.599 that God 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:53.179 received that 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.479 sacrifice as 00:37:54.479 --> 00:37:55.259 acceptable 00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:56.259 payment for 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.459 the sins of 00:37:57.459 --> 00:37:58.799 whoever will 00:37:58.799 --> 00:38:00.259 believe. 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.559 It means that 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.399 Jesus has 00:38:03.399 --> 00:38:04.559 power over 00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:05.039 death. 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:06.639 It means that 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.319 our greatest 00:38:07.319 --> 00:38:08.619 enemy has 00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:09.879 been defeated 00:38:09.879 --> 00:38:11.359 by Christ. 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.360 it means that 00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.380 He alone 00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:14.300 has authority 00:38:14.300 --> 00:38:15.280 to actually 00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:15.800 give you 00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.280 life. 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.240 All of us 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:17.660 are headed 00:38:17.660 --> 00:38:18.480 towards death. 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:19.800 Jesus now 00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.480 has authority 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.480 to reverse 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.380 it and 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:22.980 give you 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.960 life. 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.700 Now, 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.019 the next 00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.700 question has 00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:27.220 to be something 00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:27.860 like this. 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:29.700 If that is 00:38:29.700 --> 00:38:30.079 true, 00:38:31.140 --> 00:38:32.960 if Jesus 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.920 really is 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.579 as loving 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.260 as we say 00:38:35.260 --> 00:38:35.920 He is, 00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:37.180 if He really 00:38:37.180 --> 00:38:38.019 does have the 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.840 power to give 00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.680 life like we 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:40.419 say He does, 00:38:40.699 --> 00:38:41.500 why doesn't 00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:41.960 He just 00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:42.699 give life 00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:43.919 to everybody? 00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:45.440 Why don't 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:45.699 He just 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.059 give it to 00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.359 everybody? 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.279 Why not 00:38:47.279 --> 00:38:47.940 rid the world 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.500 of the evil 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.299 now and 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:49.940 just give 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.579 this life 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.559 to everybody 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.159 that's here? 00:38:52.319 --> 00:38:52.619 And what 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.099 you must 00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:53.879 understand 00:38:53.879 --> 00:38:56.299 is the 00:38:56.299 --> 00:38:57.079 truth that 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:58.000 He offers 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:59.079 it freely 00:38:59.079 --> 00:39:01.339 to whoever 00:39:01.339 --> 00:39:02.199 will take 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:02.419 it. 00:39:03.779 --> 00:39:04.899 The question 00:39:04.899 --> 00:39:05.559 this morning 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:06.399 is not, 00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:07.779 will Jesus 00:39:07.780 --> 00:39:08.840 give eternal 00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:09.420 life? 00:39:09.640 --> 00:39:10.400 The question 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:11.019 this morning 00:39:11.019 --> 00:39:11.940 is will you 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.200 receive the 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:13.820 life that 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.420 He's offering 00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:14.800 you? 00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.800 He said 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.500 Himself in 00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:18.140 John 11, 00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:19.420 I am the 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:19.960 resurrection 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.600 and the 00:39:20.600 --> 00:39:20.940 life. 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:21.519 Whoever 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.580 believes in 00:39:22.580 --> 00:39:22.940 Me, 00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:23.960 though he 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.560 die, 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.500 yet he 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.400 shall live. 00:39:27.200 --> 00:39:27.900 And everyone 00:39:27.900 --> 00:39:28.760 who lives 00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:30.040 and believes 00:39:30.040 --> 00:39:30.980 in Me 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:32.040 shall never 00:39:32.040 --> 00:39:32.460 die. 00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.400 Do you see 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:33.960 the wonderful 00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:34.780 truth of this? 00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:35.660 We don't 00:39:35.660 --> 00:39:36.340 stand before 00:39:36.340 --> 00:39:37.079 the judge 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:37.660 and the 00:39:37.660 --> 00:39:38.240 judge say, 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:38.620 alright, 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:39.300 you're going 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:39.600 to have to 00:39:39.600 --> 00:39:40.140 spend so 00:39:40.140 --> 00:39:40.780 many years 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.340 in hell 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:42.160 and because 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.680 of this 00:39:42.680 --> 00:39:43.140 amount of 00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:43.480 sin, 00:39:43.660 --> 00:39:44.340 after this 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:45.039 many years, 00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:45.579 I'm going 00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:46.019 to let you 00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.260 out. 00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:47.800 That's not 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.240 what God 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.700 says. 00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:50.360 God doesn't 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.120 tell us now, 00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:52.100 if you will 00:39:52.100 --> 00:39:52.940 just live your 00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:53.820 life in total 00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.620 abandonment and 00:39:54.620 --> 00:39:55.280 everything else, 00:39:55.460 --> 00:39:56.120 surrender over to 00:39:56.120 --> 00:39:56.579 morality, 00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:57.720 do your best, 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.380 try your 00:39:58.380 --> 00:39:58.740 hardest, 00:39:58.900 --> 00:39:59.380 try to be a 00:39:59.380 --> 00:39:59.920 good person, 00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:01.320 if you do it 00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:01.940 good enough, 00:40:02.100 --> 00:40:02.780 I'll let you 00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:03.079 in. 00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:03.700 No, 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:04.320 that would be 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:05.059 a tragedy. 00:40:05.059 --> 00:40:06.400 That would 00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:06.840 be an 00:40:06.840 --> 00:40:08.039 utter tragedy 00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:08.579 if that's 00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:09.119 the way that 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:10.039 God looked 00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:10.420 at us, 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:10.960 but that's 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.299 not what 00:40:11.299 --> 00:40:11.920 God does. 00:40:12.360 --> 00:40:13.159 God sends 00:40:13.159 --> 00:40:13.840 his son, 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:14.840 and he takes 00:40:14.840 --> 00:40:15.920 our sin, 00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:16.799 and he puts 00:40:16.799 --> 00:40:17.519 all of it, 00:40:17.799 --> 00:40:18.799 all of our 00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:19.119 sin, 00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:20.139 he puts it 00:40:20.139 --> 00:40:20.420 on his 00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:21.039 perfect, 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:22.659 righteous son 00:40:22.659 --> 00:40:23.559 on the cross, 00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:24.599 so that now 00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:25.500 in faith, 00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:26.400 when we stand 00:40:26.400 --> 00:40:27.219 before God, 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:28.039 he does not 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.259 say, 00:40:28.360 --> 00:40:28.679 now let me 00:40:28.679 --> 00:40:29.400 calculate what 00:40:29.400 --> 00:40:29.920 you did, 00:40:30.380 --> 00:40:30.900 and we'll just 00:40:30.900 --> 00:40:31.360 figure out how 00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:32.000 we can square 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.480 this up. 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:32.820 No, 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.699 he looks at 00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:34.019 us, 00:40:34.139 --> 00:40:34.619 and then he 00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:35.139 looks at his 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:35.599 son, 00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.320 and he says, 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.119 because of 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:38.320 what he did, 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.400 we're square. 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.460 Because the 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:42.420 sinless Savior 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:43.059 died, 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.240 my sinful 00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:45.079 soul is 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:46.000 counted free, 00:40:46.280 --> 00:40:46.980 for God 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.719 the just 00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:48.820 is satisfied 00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:50.039 to look on 00:40:50.039 --> 00:40:51.240 him and 00:40:51.240 --> 00:40:52.539 pardon me, 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.400 and Jesus 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:53.820 says, 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:54.780 I am that 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:55.380 resurrection, 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.840 I am the 00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.780 eternal life, 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.679 if you will 00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:59.639 believe in me, 00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:01.199 you will receive 00:41:01.199 --> 00:41:02.239 this life, 00:41:02.699 --> 00:41:03.799 that's why 00:41:03.799 --> 00:41:04.519 the resurrection 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:05.439 matters, 00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:07.159 it's not just 00:41:07.159 --> 00:41:08.319 an ancient story 00:41:08.319 --> 00:41:09.019 that even if 00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:09.460 it's true, 00:41:09.539 --> 00:41:10.219 has no bearing 00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:10.799 on your life 00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:11.199 today, 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.139 no, 00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:13.500 this Christ 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.299 can give you 00:41:14.299 --> 00:41:15.299 eternal life, 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:16.599 he will wipe 00:41:16.599 --> 00:41:18.099 away your sins, 00:41:18.399 --> 00:41:19.419 he will forgive 00:41:19.419 --> 00:41:20.259 no matter how 00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:20.939 much you have 00:41:20.939 --> 00:41:21.519 rejected, 00:41:21.839 --> 00:41:23.000 and denied him, 00:41:23.159 --> 00:41:23.960 and denounced 00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:24.359 him, 00:41:24.439 --> 00:41:25.399 no matter what 00:41:25.399 --> 00:41:26.339 you have done, 00:41:26.419 --> 00:41:27.599 there is no sin 00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:28.899 too great, 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:29.599 that he will 00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:30.339 come to you, 00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:31.240 and not forgive, 00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:31.840 no, 00:41:31.960 --> 00:41:32.680 he will forgive 00:41:32.680 --> 00:41:33.240 it all, 00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:34.120 if you will 00:41:34.120 --> 00:41:34.519 believe, 00:41:34.780 --> 00:41:36.360 he will grant 00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:38.200 you this life, 00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:39.400 and the resurrection 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.960 proves that he 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.680 has the power 00:41:41.680 --> 00:41:42.460 to grant you 00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.180 that life, 00:41:44.760 --> 00:41:45.780 consider this, 00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:47.579 John chapter 20, 00:41:47.680 --> 00:41:48.140 at the end of 00:41:48.140 --> 00:41:48.680 his gospel, 00:41:48.820 --> 00:41:49.720 the apostle John 00:41:49.720 --> 00:41:50.360 writes this, 00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:51.539 now Jesus did 00:41:51.539 --> 00:41:53.240 many other signs 00:41:53.240 --> 00:41:54.360 in the presence 00:41:54.360 --> 00:41:55.260 of his disciples, 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.800 which are not 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.440 written in this 00:41:57.440 --> 00:41:57.820 book, 00:41:57.820 --> 00:41:59.920 but these are 00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:00.440 written that 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:01.539 you may believe, 00:42:02.240 --> 00:42:02.980 that you may 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.720 believe that 00:42:03.720 --> 00:42:04.600 Jesus is the 00:42:04.600 --> 00:42:04.980 Christ, 00:42:05.140 --> 00:42:05.700 the son of 00:42:05.700 --> 00:42:06.019 God, 00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:07.400 and that by 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:08.280 believing, 00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:10.080 you may have 00:42:10.080 --> 00:42:12.480 life in his 00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:13.420 name, 00:42:13.840 --> 00:42:15.960 he offers that 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:17.300 life freely, 00:42:17.880 --> 00:42:18.800 and he says, 00:42:19.100 --> 00:42:20.200 take it, 00:42:20.900 --> 00:42:22.280 take the life, 00:42:23.080 --> 00:42:23.960 the question is 00:42:23.960 --> 00:42:24.440 not can he 00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:25.039 provide it, 00:42:25.080 --> 00:42:25.760 the question is 00:42:25.760 --> 00:42:26.720 will you receive 00:42:26.719 --> 00:42:26.919 it, 00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:28.199 will you stop 00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:29.319 being so stubborn 00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:30.179 and prideful, 00:42:30.339 --> 00:42:31.919 and just receive 00:42:31.919 --> 00:42:32.919 the gift that he 00:42:32.919 --> 00:42:33.319 offers, 00:42:35.059 --> 00:42:35.399 you say, 00:42:35.480 --> 00:42:36.059 well how do I 00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:36.859 receive it, 00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:39.459 Romans 10 tells 00:42:39.459 --> 00:42:39.899 us, 00:42:40.759 --> 00:42:41.619 if you confess 00:42:41.619 --> 00:42:42.500 with your mouth 00:42:42.500 --> 00:42:43.879 that Jesus is 00:42:43.879 --> 00:42:44.299 Lord, 00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:45.500 and believe in 00:42:45.500 --> 00:42:46.159 your heart, 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.619 that God raised 00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:48.339 him from the 00:42:48.339 --> 00:42:48.799 dead, 00:42:49.919 --> 00:42:52.279 you will be 00:42:52.279 --> 00:42:52.839 saved, 00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:54.439 saved from what, 00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:54.440 00:42:55.240 --> 00:42:56.099 the eternal 00:42:56.099 --> 00:42:57.400 wrath of God, 00:42:57.920 --> 00:43:00.039 for with the 00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:00.460 heart, 00:43:00.920 --> 00:43:02.099 one believes, 00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:03.760 and is justified, 00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:05.179 with the mouth, 00:43:05.380 --> 00:43:06.780 one confesses, 00:43:07.019 --> 00:43:08.159 and is saved, 00:43:09.200 --> 00:43:09.860 for the scripture 00:43:09.860 --> 00:43:10.480 says, 00:43:11.240 --> 00:43:12.059 everyone who 00:43:12.059 --> 00:43:13.519 believes in him 00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:14.880 will not be put 00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:15.440 to shame, 00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:17.880 notice what Paul 00:43:17.880 --> 00:43:18.400 says, 00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:20.019 he doesn't say, 00:43:20.480 --> 00:43:21.400 everyone who will 00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:22.340 do their best and 00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:23.360 try their hardest, 00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:24.360 will not be put 00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:24.860 to shame, 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:26.059 that's not what he 00:43:26.059 --> 00:43:26.460 says, 00:43:27.160 --> 00:43:28.599 he doesn't say, 00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:30.120 everyone who gives 00:43:30.120 --> 00:43:31.180 money to charity 00:43:31.180 --> 00:43:32.099 and to the church 00:43:32.099 --> 00:43:32.660 and their good 00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:33.559 outweighs their bad 00:43:33.559 --> 00:43:34.880 will not be ashamed, 00:43:35.200 --> 00:43:36.059 that's not what he 00:43:36.059 --> 00:43:36.500 says, 00:43:37.460 --> 00:43:38.640 he doesn't say, 00:43:38.740 --> 00:43:39.579 everyone who goes 00:43:39.579 --> 00:43:40.579 to church on Easter 00:43:40.579 --> 00:43:41.539 Sunday and is a 00:43:41.539 --> 00:43:42.260 good little Christian 00:43:42.260 --> 00:43:43.039 boy and a good 00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.660 little Christian 00:43:43.660 --> 00:43:44.800 girl will not be 00:43:44.800 --> 00:43:45.059 ashamed, 00:43:45.140 --> 00:43:45.820 that's not what he 00:43:45.820 --> 00:43:46.160 says, 00:43:46.340 --> 00:43:46.920 he says, 00:43:47.140 --> 00:43:48.300 whoever will 00:43:48.300 --> 00:43:49.360 believe in his 00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:50.599 name will not be 00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.200 put to shame, 00:43:51.199 --> 00:43:52.960 for there's no 00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:53.919 distinction between 00:43:53.919 --> 00:43:54.619 Jew and Greek, 00:43:54.779 --> 00:43:55.759 the same Lord is 00:43:55.759 --> 00:43:56.339 Lord of all, 00:43:56.679 --> 00:43:57.659 bestowing his riches 00:43:57.659 --> 00:43:59.500 on all who call 00:43:59.500 --> 00:44:00.559 on him, 00:44:01.759 --> 00:44:02.699 for everyone who 00:44:02.699 --> 00:44:03.619 calls on the name 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.159 of the Lord 00:44:04.159 --> 00:44:05.679 will be saved, 00:44:05.759 --> 00:44:06.439 there's that quote 00:44:06.439 --> 00:44:07.539 from Joel again, 00:44:08.419 --> 00:44:09.519 whoever calls on 00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:10.039 the name of the 00:44:10.039 --> 00:44:10.319 Lord, 00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:11.379 do you see the 00:44:11.379 --> 00:44:12.019 picture here, 00:44:12.579 --> 00:44:13.460 what does it mean 00:44:13.460 --> 00:44:14.259 to call on the 00:44:14.259 --> 00:44:14.939 name of the Lord, 00:44:15.679 --> 00:44:16.480 it means you 00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:17.639 recognize that you 00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:18.259 are sinful, 00:44:18.919 --> 00:44:19.819 that none of your 00:44:19.820 --> 00:44:20.720 goodness and none 00:44:20.720 --> 00:44:21.740 of your morality 00:44:21.740 --> 00:44:22.500 and none of your 00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:23.660 spirituality could 00:44:23.660 --> 00:44:24.900 possibly earn you 00:44:24.900 --> 00:44:25.680 eternal life, 00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:27.300 eternal life can 00:44:27.300 --> 00:44:27.960 only come from 00:44:27.960 --> 00:44:29.400 Jesus and in 00:44:29.400 --> 00:44:30.539 recognizing your 00:44:30.539 --> 00:44:31.180 sinfulness, 00:44:31.740 --> 00:44:33.400 you call out to 00:44:33.400 --> 00:44:35.280 Jesus for his 00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:35.920 mercy, 00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:38.039 that's it, 00:44:39.120 --> 00:44:40.440 Lord save me, 00:44:41.640 --> 00:44:43.039 have mercy on me 00:44:43.039 --> 00:44:43.580 a sinner, 00:44:44.539 --> 00:44:45.500 save me, 00:44:46.360 --> 00:44:48.580 I trust in you, 00:44:48.579 --> 00:44:53.559 Jesus died for the 00:44:53.559 --> 00:44:54.340 sins of the world 00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:56.880 and he alone can 00:44:56.880 --> 00:44:57.639 give you life, 00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:01.199 the resurrection is 00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:02.039 why Christianity 00:45:02.039 --> 00:45:04.759 exists and the 00:45:04.759 --> 00:45:07.079 resurrection is your 00:45:07.079 --> 00:45:10.579 only hope to escape 00:45:10.579 --> 00:45:11.599 the judgment of God 00:45:11.599 --> 00:45:12.259 on that day, 00:45:13.259 --> 00:45:16.559 will you not receive 00:45:16.559 --> 00:45:16.840 him, 00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:18.799 will you not 00:45:18.799 --> 00:45:19.860 believe him, 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:23.000 he says whoever 00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:23.440 will, 00:45:24.179 --> 00:45:24.759 I will never 00:45:24.759 --> 00:45:25.539 cast them out, 00:45:26.679 --> 00:45:27.840 I will change 00:45:27.840 --> 00:45:28.079 them, 00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:29.500 I will come into 00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:30.179 them and I will 00:45:30.179 --> 00:45:31.079 sup with them and 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:31.719 he with me, 00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:33.980 come unto me all 00:45:33.980 --> 00:45:35.299 you who labor and 00:45:35.299 --> 00:45:36.179 are heavy laden and 00:45:36.179 --> 00:45:36.940 I will give you 00:45:36.940 --> 00:45:37.619 rest, 00:45:38.440 --> 00:45:39.119 he says, 00:45:40.119 --> 00:45:42.199 we close with 00:45:42.199 --> 00:45:43.299 1 Corinthians 15 00:45:43.299 --> 00:45:43.679 again, 00:45:45.059 --> 00:45:45.619 hold death, 00:45:45.719 --> 00:45:46.139 where is your 00:45:46.139 --> 00:45:46.579 victory, 00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.879 death, 00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:49.539 where is your 00:45:49.539 --> 00:45:50.019 sting, 00:45:50.879 --> 00:45:52.519 the sting of 00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.359 death is sin, 00:45:54.199 --> 00:45:55.819 the power of 00:45:55.819 --> 00:45:56.819 sin is the law, 00:45:57.940 --> 00:45:59.460 but thanks be to 00:45:59.460 --> 00:46:01.420 God who gives 00:46:01.420 --> 00:46:02.199 us the victory 00:46:02.199 --> 00:46:03.799 through our Lord 00:46:03.799 --> 00:46:05.699 Jesus Christ.