WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 Every Bible's turned to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:00:03.620 --> 00:00:10.580 1 Corinthians chapter 15, a man and his wife and his mother-in-law went to the Holy Land. 00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:17.080 And while they were there, the man's mother-in-law passed away. 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:24.280 An undertaker told him, you can have her shipped home for $5,000 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:29.320 or you can have her buried right here in the Holy Land for $150. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:35.939 The man pondered on it for a few moments and told him he'd just want her shipped home. 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:39.700 The undertaker asked, he said, why? 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:45.600 Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your mother-in-law home 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:50.460 when wouldn't it be wonderful to have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150? 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:57.140 And the man said, a man died here 2,000 years ago. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:00:59.079 He's buried here. 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:01.480 And three days later, he arose from the dead. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:04.040 And I just can't take that chance. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:10.760 Folks, Jesus lives. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:15.560 He lived on this earth and never committed a sin. 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:17.920 He died for you. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:24.640 And he died for me, taking on the sins of the world that separate us all from the Father. 00:01:25.460 --> 00:01:26.299 He was buried. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:28.840 And three days later, he arose. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:31.900 There's no need to doubt. 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:34.079 Jesus lives. 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:41.859 And this morning, I want to give you 519 reasons why I know he lives. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:43.179 Now, I got some good news. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:45.599 The 8 o'clock worship is already over. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:47.680 So, it won't be that bad. 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:51.640 It's the only sermon I've ever preached with 519 reasons. 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:52.560 So, hold on. 00:01:53.239 --> 00:02:05.640 Let's begin by considering that the four Gospels are documentary evidence that was written over 50 years from Palestine to Rome. 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:08.599 Mark's Gospel is the oldest of them. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:13.560 It was written in Rome in the late 50s of the first century. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.340 Whereas John is the newest one. 00:02:17.019 --> 00:02:21.120 It was written in Ephesus at the end of the first century. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:26.939 And all four of the Gospels say that the tomb was open. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:31.079 All four of the Gospels say that the tomb was empty. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:36.759 All four of the Gospels say that it was discovered empty at dawn. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:42.340 All say it was witnessed by women first. 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:46.399 All say that the angels were guarding it. 00:02:46.959 --> 00:02:52.280 And all say that angels announced that Christ has resurrected. 00:02:53.239 --> 00:02:58.739 All say that the risen Lord afterwards appeared to his own. 00:02:58.740 --> 00:03:07.140 Seven vital facts that have an amazing consistency to them. 00:03:07.540 --> 00:03:09.000 Now, I want you to think about something for a moment. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:17.400 If I were to take four of you out to the corner of this intersection, Lewis and Maine, 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:27.060 and I was to stage an accident there to happen and ask you to write down what you saw, the facts of the case, 00:03:27.540 --> 00:03:36.860 we'd have a hard time, I promise you, finding seven consistent facts in those four eyewitnesses. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:39.920 Yet, here, it all matched up. 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:43.559 Historian Paul L. Meyer of Western Michigan said, 00:03:43.739 --> 00:03:49.839 The documentary evidence and the eyewitness testimony of the resurrected Christ 00:03:49.839 --> 00:03:57.659 is more compelling than some of the evidence that we have for world history events over the last 50 years. 00:03:58.459 --> 00:04:02.000 Their testimony is enough to prove the truth of the matter. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:04.639 But, of course, I want to go a little bit beyond that this morning. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:11.419 I want to give you 519 reasons why I know that he lives. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:17.079 It's found in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, beginning in verse 3, and it says this. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:18.860 The Apostle Paul said, 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:23.659 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.560 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scripture, 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:34.419 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with Scripture. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:38.680 And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:43.019 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:48.439 most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.759 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:05:00.139 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:09.159 At least four women came together to go to the tomb to finish preparing the body of the Lord 00:05:09.159 --> 00:05:13.000 because they could not do it adequately on the Sabbath. 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:18.519 And when they arrived to do it, the tomb was empty. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:24.680 Mary Magdalene went to tell Peter, and Peter and John ran to the tomb. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:31.560 In John's account of that, John is quick to tell us that he beat Peter to the tomb. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:32.699 He outran him. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:37.480 The tomb was empty with the cloth that they wrapped the Lord in. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:44.160 They were lying there along with the face cloth of the Lord that was folded neatly as well. 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:50.200 The evidence of the empty tomb was enough for John to have no doubt. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:57.840 However, to Mary Magdalene, as she mourned over the missing body of the Lord, Jesus appeared. 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:04.040 Mary went away proclaiming, I have seen the Lord. 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:10.460 One reason I believe Jesus lives is because the tomb is empty. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:12.120 It's empty, folks. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:12.919 It's still empty. 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:14.439 I've walked in it. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.339 I've seen where he laid. 00:06:17.039 --> 00:06:17.819 It's empty. 00:06:18.599 --> 00:06:24.639 The eyewitnesses are amazing, however, and are enough reason for us to believe that Jesus lives. 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:32.199 Matthew tells us two of those were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who saw the Lord, 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:40.959 took hold of his feet, heard him tell them to share it, and then left sure of it. 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:46.319 Reasons two and three are women that met Jesus. 00:06:47.039 --> 00:06:48.560 At that, Jesus is walking. 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:55.980 After that, Jesus is walking along the road to Emmaus, and he comes across Cleopas and another. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:06:58.860 They didn't recognize him at first. 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:06.720 However, he talked with them and ate with them, and as he broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:08.680 and they recognized him. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:14.360 Reason four and reason five, those on the Emmaus road. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:18.939 Jesus left them, but when the two came upon the disciples, 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:25.840 they shared what they had seen with the disciples and told them that Simon Peter had seen him too. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:31.319 Reason six is Simon Peter saw the risen Lord alive. 00:07:32.099 --> 00:07:38.719 Then at least five people have seen, that is, at least five people have seen the risen Lord. 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:45.899 Interestingly enough, as the disciples were talking about this, Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to them. 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:49.819 Now, John tells us that Thomas was not with them. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:55.060 He missed that first meeting and was convinced the Lord was not living. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:58.420 That is, until the Lord appeared to him. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:06.480 Now you have reasons seven through 16, the rest of the disciples. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:11.819 Our passage today tells us that Jesus appears to James. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:15.339 James is Jesus' half-brother. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:17.839 They have the same mom. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:28.419 Mark chapter 6, verse 3 mentions that Jesus had James and three other brothers and some sisters. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:36.519 And John chapter 7, verse 5 tells us not even his brothers believed in him. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:43.100 However, after James saw the risen Lord, he believed. 00:08:43.699 --> 00:08:45.839 And his life was completely changed. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:48.560 And he lived boldly for the Lord. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.040 And so that's another reason. 00:08:50.800 --> 00:08:52.899 Number 17, James. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:58.840 So we now are at least at 17 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Lord. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:05.259 That is, if you allow me to call the empty tomb, the evidence, a powerful witness of his rising. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:11.139 The only way you can't say that is to say that somehow we got the wrong tomb. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:21.340 That somehow those ladies who dearly loved the Lord, and scripture tells us, followed his body to the tomb. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:25.340 Somehow in three days forgot where they laid Jesus. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:28.699 And failed to go back to the right tomb. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.600 Well, let me ask you something. 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:34.199 Have you ever lost anybody precious in your life? 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:38.259 Have you ever went back and revisited that grave? 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:42.840 I bet you have no trouble finding that grave of those that you love. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:45.540 Especially not in the days afterwards. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:51.720 So you'd have to say that they were hallucinating about seeing Jesus, if that be the case. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:56.180 And that would be somehow a simultaneous hallucination. 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:59.240 That they all hallucinated and saw the same thing. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:03.440 But if you want to believe that, you'd have to believe a lot more than that. 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:07.279 Because you'd also have to believe that the guards are at the wrong tomb. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:11.220 You'd also have to believe that the angels are at the wrong tomb. 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:15.379 You'd have to believe the disciples went to the wrong tomb. 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:20.279 Not only that, but the chief priests and the elders that were behind the crucifixion 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:25.080 found out the tomb was empty and paid the soldiers to tell others that the body was stolen. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:29.200 Well, did they go to the wrong tomb as well? 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:31.920 Think about that. 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:35.379 And if you believe that, that takes a lot of faith. 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:37.100 It takes a lot of faith. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.300 But it's not true. 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:42.220 Because they all saw him alive. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:45.900 And then, and this will give you a sigh of relief. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:55.319 Reasons number 18 through 517 is that he saw 500 at one time. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:11:01.480 In addition to the empty tomb and the 16 that we have mentioned, 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:09.079 our passage tells us that he saw 500, excuse me, that 500 brothers saw him. 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:15.120 And what the apostle Paul is saying is, you can go and ask them. 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:18.879 They will testify to it. 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:22.300 That almost all of them are still alive. 00:11:23.400 --> 00:11:27.520 Now, I want you to understand, when the apostle Paul writes the letter to the Corinthians, 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:33.500 he is writing it 20 years after the resurrection of the Lord. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:40.179 So what he's saying is, you can go back and ask those witnesses, 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:45.379 and they'll tell you what they saw two decades ago. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:53.580 The one that described himself as the untimely born, the apostle Paul himself. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:59.480 He saw the Lord on the road to Damascus, on his way to kill Christians, 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:03.399 when his name, before it was changed, his name was Saul. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:07.620 Now, reason 518 is Saul. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:15.720 Now, it would be one thing if this was just some freak appearance 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:23.559 that was forgotten and rumored about in folklore for a generation later. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.220 But that's not at all what happened. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:33.059 Because when you look at the lives of these that witnessed the resurrected Lord, 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:34.399 their lives were changed. 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:41.419 When doubting Thomas saw the Lord with his own eyes, he didn't doubt anymore. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:47.099 Immediately, when he saw the Lord, he gave the highest confession anyone's ever given to the Lord. 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:49.879 He said, my Lord and my God. 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:53.799 And that is exactly the kind of confession that the Bible calls for. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.519 What about Peter? 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.439 Peter denied Christ. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:01.780 On the very night in which Christ was arrested. 00:13:02.780 --> 00:13:04.400 And then he cursed about it. 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:10.920 But Peter, the denier, became Peter, the preacher of Pentecost. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:14.120 And 3,000 were saved in that one setting. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:19.580 And that was just the beginning of him who continued to share the word of God boldly, 00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:21.140 as boldly as anyone ever has, 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:25.200 and wrote two letters of our New Testament that are found in our Bible. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:31.360 James, the half-brother that ridiculed the Lord earlier in his ministry, 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:37.100 became the pastor of the church of Jerusalem after he saw the risen Lord 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:41.240 and gave his life for the cause of Christ. 00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:44.660 And what about Saul of Tarsus? 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:49.520 Not only did that appearance make a world of change in him, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:52.040 but God used him to change the world. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:55.059 He was Greek by education. 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:58.240 He was Roman by citizenship. 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:01.719 He was rabbinical by his teaching. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:05.799 He was circumcised on the eighth day by his heritage. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:09.299 By his brotherhood, he was a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:12.199 By his neighborhood, he was a Jew of the Jews. 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:14.740 By his allegiance, he was a Pharisee. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:20.579 And by his ruthlessness, he was a persecutor of Christians. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:24.520 He had it all, and he was a who's who among his own. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.920 All the potential in the world. 00:14:30.400 --> 00:14:32.200 If he would not change a thing. 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:37.680 But after the apostle Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:40.820 he turned his back on all of that. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:44.080 He actually said that he counted it as a loss 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:48.280 compared to knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:55.159 Nobody has ever really explained what happened to Saul that day. 00:14:56.199 --> 00:15:00.299 They've tried to understand what happened when Saul saw Jesus. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:04.620 It's been said that maybe Saul had some type of perpetual, 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:08.779 blinding, epileptic episode when he thought he saw the Lord. 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:12.959 Well, Dr. Brown of Temple University said, 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:16.139 because of the impact of Paul, if Paul had a fit, 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:19.440 it's the most significant fit in all of human history. 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:24.000 A 19th century critic said that Paul suffered a sunstroke 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.519 on the way to Damascus. 00:15:26.400 --> 00:15:29.500 And in response to that, Charles Haddon Spurgeon 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:32.879 stood in his pulpit at Metropolitan Tabernacle in London 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.780 and said, if Saul had a sunstroke, 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:39.120 I hope the whole human race would have such a sunstroke. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.740 We'd have a world of Paul's. 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:45.360 My friend, you can see the change in people 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.679 when they saw the Lord. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.879 The Apostle Paul said that most of the 500 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:54.740 were still alive when he wrote Corinthians to tell the story. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:58.500 If you were to pull those 500 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:01.860 and put the resurrection on trial 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:07.519 and have those 500 speak for just six minutes apiece, 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:12.220 you would have 50 hours of testimony 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.259 about the risen Lord. 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:18.740 Folks, I've come to tell you today, Jesus lives. 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:22.279 Now, I really believe that if I was standing at the door 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.320 when you came in this room, 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:26.000 and if I were to ask all of you individually 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.139 when you arrived today, 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.399 if you believe that Jesus lives, 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:31.039 most of you, almost all of you would tell me 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.879 that you believe he lives, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.639 that in fact you feel like you know he lives, 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.120 you may say I'm certain of it. 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:40.019 My question is, 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.959 even if you are certain of it, 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:46.419 what difference does it make in your life? 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.519 May I ask you? 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:52.340 Do you believe because you're supposed to believe that? 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:55.680 Because you've been told to believe that? 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:59.740 Or do you believe that because your life's been changed 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:02.220 because of the resurrected Lord? 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:03.960 And if so, 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:07.460 what difference has that made? 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.559 Now, I've told you 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:14.180 that I have 519 reasons that I know he lives, 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:17.380 and I've given you 518. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:19.920 But I'll just tell you today, friend, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:23.440 the greatest reason that I know that Jesus lives 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.740 is because he's forgiven me, 00:17:26.300 --> 00:17:28.260 because he saved me, 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:30.620 because he's changed me, 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:33.680 and because he empowered me by his spirit, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.640 and he put a song in my heart. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:39.340 Reason 519 is he saved me. 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.560 You ask me how I know he lives? 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:43.420 He lives within my heart. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:45.620 And my question today is, 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:48.640 does he live in yours? 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:52.140 Well, almost 50 years ago, 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:55.519 a man named S.M. Lockridge 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.240 preached a sermon called That's My King. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.519 S.M. is an abbreviation for his name. 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:06.019 Shadrach Meshach Lockridge. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.019 Don't you love that? 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.120 If I'd have had a boy, 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.340 I'd have named him S.M. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.240 I love it. 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:13.440 I want you to listen to what Lockridge shared 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.940 on that day in 1976. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.059 He said, 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.120 the Bible says, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.980 my king is the king of the Jews. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:22.240 He's the king of Israel. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.440 He's the king of righteousness. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.500 He's the king of the ages. 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.400 He's the king of heaven. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.299 He's the king of glory. 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.160 He's the king of kings. 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:34.019 And he's the Lord of lords. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.740 That's my king. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.960 I wonder, 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.539 do you know him? 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.160 My king is a sovereign king. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.960 No means of measure can define his limitless love. 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:47.240 He's enduringly strong. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:49.400 He's entirely sincere. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.240 He's eternally steadfast. 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.859 He's immortally grateful. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:57.160 He's imperially powerful. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.059 He's impartially merciful. 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.660 Do you know him? 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.240 He's the greatest phenomenon 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:05.240 that ever crossed the horizon of this world. 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.980 He's God's son. 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.819 He's the center savior. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:11.480 He's the centerpiece of civilization. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.819 He's unparalleled. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.779 He's unprecedented. 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:17.599 He's the loftiest idea in literature. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:20.740 He's the highest personality in philosophy. 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:23.819 He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:27.659 He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient savior. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:31.240 I wonder today if you know him. 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.900 He supplies strength for the weak. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:36.480 He's available for the tempted and the tried. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:39.140 He sympathizes and he saves. 00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:41.420 He strengthens and sustains. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.700 He guards and he guides. 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:45.200 He heals the sick. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.720 He cleanses the lepers. 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:48.300 He forgives sinners. 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:50.420 He discharges debtors. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.060 He delivers the captive. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.820 He defends the feeble. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.460 He blesses the young. 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:57.140 He serves the unfortunate. 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:59.400 He regards the aged. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:02.079 And he rewards the diligent. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:04.620 And he beautifies the meek. 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:07.620 I wonder if you know him. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.680 He's the key to knowledge. 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.660 He's the wellspring of wisdom. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.460 He's the doorway of deliverance. 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:15.920 He's the pathway of peace. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.700 He's the roadway of righteousness. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.579 He's the highway of holiness. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.299 He's the gateway of glory. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:23.340 Oh, my friend, do you know him? 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.639 Well, his life is matchless. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.619 His goodness is limitless. 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.480 His mercy is everlasting. 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.399 His love never changes. 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.139 His word is enough. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.859 His grace is sufficient. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.679 His reign is righteous. 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.419 And his yoke is easy. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:40.139 And his burden is light. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:43.639 Oh, I wish, I wish I could describe him to you. 00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:45.959 Yes, he's indescribable. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.759 He's incomprehensible. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.259 He's invincible. 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:51.039 He's irresistible. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.940 You can't get him out of your mind. 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.759 You can't get him off your hand. 00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.139 You can't outlive him. 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.579 And you can't live without him. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.819 Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand him. 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.960 But they found out they couldn't stop him. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:04.559 Pilate couldn't find any fault in him. 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.200 Herod couldn't kill him. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.099 Death couldn't handle him. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.240 And the grave couldn't hold him. 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:12.319 Yeah, that's my king. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.799 That's my king. 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:14.480 Amen. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:19.220 My question is, my friend, is he your king? 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:24.120 Have you ever surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:32.740 No greater way to celebrate Easter Sunday than to surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:39.180 With every head bowed and every eye closed, we're going to stand in just a few moments and we're going to sing. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:45.120 But more important than that, I want to encourage you to just do exactly what God would have you to do. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:51.920 There's never been a time in your life when you've surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:54.340 I want you to know he'll save you today. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:22:01.019 If you'll confess your sins to him and tell him how much you need him, that you want him to save you and change your life, 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:06.420 not only will he cleanse you of your sin, but he'll empower you with the Holy Spirit of God. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:08.440 He'll change you forever. 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:11.500 That invitation's open today. 00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:14.080 We're going to stand and we're going to sing in just a moment. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.500 I'm going to stand here at the front. 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:22.240 And if there's any way that I can help you give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, I'd love to help in that process. 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:26.980 Maybe you're here and you have done that privately, but you've never made that public. 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:33.960 You've never followed that up with baptism, which is the way that Jesus shows us to do it by his example, 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:37.200 the way he tells us to do it by his commission. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:40.680 If you've never been baptized, you come today. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:44.400 I'd love to help start that plan with you. 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:47.500 Maybe God's drawing you to this church. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:49.319 You feel led to be a part of that. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:52.079 What a great day to join a church, Easter Sunday, my soul. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.700 You already got your best on. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.220 Great day to do it. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:57.700 We'd love to help you in that process. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:03.860 Or maybe you're here and none of that applies to you, but you need to do business with God. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:07.039 Because in reality, he's not the king of your life. 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:08.720 You're the king of your life. 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:11.460 You need to give him control of your life. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.240 And you can do that where you sit today. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.500 Or you can do that at this altar. 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:20.319 Or if you want a preacher to pray with you, I'll be happy to do that. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:28.559 I just want you to walk out of here this Easter Sunday as clean and pretty on the inside as you are on the outside today. 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:31.259 May God do a work in your life. 00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:36.919 And you do nothing less than completely obey him as he speaks to your heart and life. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.639 Lord Jesus, I love you. 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:41.859 And I thank you, dear God, for every person in this place. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:47.359 Everybody that watches us online and has the opportunity to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:54.819 And I ask today, dear God, that you'll bless these dear folks to simply be obedient to follow what you would have them to do. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:24:01.139 God, I pray that your sweet spirit will lead us to just follow you in any way that you would lead us. 00:24:01.219 --> 00:24:02.219 Give us the boldness. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.899 God, give us the fortitude. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.279 Give us the direction, Father. 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:10.059 Give us the will to obey as only you can. 00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:13.740 We love you and thank you for the opportunity of worship today. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:16.419 And it's only in Christ's name that we pray. 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.139 Amen. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:17.959 If you would stand.