“Easter Does Make a Difference” Luke 24: /12/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

Luke 24:1-3 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 24:4-5 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Luke 24:6-7 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Luke 24: Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

Luke 24: But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” Ever since that miraculous day the world has been asking the same question, what does the resurrection of Jesus mean?

“Easter Does Make a Difference” JESUS IS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE. 25 “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even though they die.” (John 11:25) –According to some, Jesus made some outrageous claims about himself. JESUS IS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE. 25 “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even though they die.” (John 11:25) –According to some, Jesus made some outrageous claims about himself.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” –Jesus claimed to be God and His resurrection backs up what He claimed to be. 6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God the father except through me. (John 14:6) –Jesus claimed to be God and His resurrection backs up what He claimed to be. 6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God the father except through me. (John 14:6)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” JESUS SHOWS HE HAD THE POWER HE CLAIMED TO HAVE. 18 All power in heaven and earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18) JESUS SHOWS HE HAD THE POWER HE CLAIMED TO HAVE. 18 All power in heaven and earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 10 Nobody takes my life from me. I have power to lay it down and I have the power to take it up again. (John 10:18)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” JESUS DOES WHAT HE PROMISES TO DO. 34 They will mock and flog and kill me but after three days I will come back to life. (Mark 10:34) JESUS DOES WHAT HE PROMISES TO DO. 34 They will mock and flog and kill me but after three days I will come back to life. (Mark 10:34)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” –The cross was no surprise to Jesus. –It was all part of God’s plan. –The cross was no surprise to Jesus. –It was all part of God’s plan.

Luke 24:5-6 5 “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 5 “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:

“Easter Does Make a Difference” –What difference does Jesus’ resurrection mean to us in 2009 here in Leander, Texas? –It means three things: –What difference does Jesus’ resurrection mean to us in 2009 here in Leander, Texas? –It means three things:

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 1. YOUR PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN. “I’m 31 years old and divorced, though I fought the divorce bitterly. I feel badly. I have no hope for my future. Often I go home and cry but there’s no one holding me when I cry. Nobody cares. 1. YOUR PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN. “I’m 31 years old and divorced, though I fought the divorce bitterly. I feel badly. I have no hope for my future. Often I go home and cry but there’s no one holding me when I cry. Nobody cares.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” Nothing changes and I continue to fail. I’m stressed out emotionally and I feel I’m on the verge of a collapse. Something is very wrong. But I feel so hurt and embittered that I can scarcely react or relate to others any more. I feel as if I’m going to have to sit out the rest of my life in the penalty box.” (Letter from a fellow preacher)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 14 He has forgiven all our sins and canceled every record of the debt we owed. Christ has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 3:14)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” –This is God’s pardon program. –God wants to cancel every record of all debts you owe – emotional, relational, everything. –This is God’s pardon program. –God wants to cancel every record of all debts you owe – emotional, relational, everything.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 2. YOUR PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED. –What you hear from a lot of people today is they feel as if life is out of control. –What you need is a power greater than yourself. 2. YOUR PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED. –What you hear from a lot of people today is they feel as if life is out of control. –What you need is a power greater than yourself.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 20 How incredibly great is His power to help those who believe Him, the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 1:20) No problem is too big for God. No situation is hopeless if you’ll turn it over to Him. 20 How incredibly great is His power to help those who believe Him, the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 1:20) No problem is too big for God. No situation is hopeless if you’ll turn it over to Him.

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 3. YOUR FUTURE CAN BE SECURE. –One of the universal problems we all have is death. –Everybody has a deep internal longing to know, “What’s going to happen after I die?” 3. YOUR FUTURE CAN BE SECURE. –One of the universal problems we all have is death. –Everybody has a deep internal longing to know, “What’s going to happen after I die?”

“Easter Does Make a Difference” –In order for you to get to heaven you have to be perfect because only perfect can get into heaven. –There are two ways you can try to get into heaven: –In order for you to get to heaven you have to be perfect because only perfect can get into heaven. –There are two ways you can try to get into heaven:

“Easter Does Make a Difference” The first way is to earn it-- the performance plan--the human way. The second way, since none of us qualify the first way, is the faith way-- God determined that his son would die for our sins before the creation of the world (Rev. 13:8). You have to trust Jesus! The first way is to earn it-- the performance plan--the human way. The second way, since none of us qualify the first way, is the faith way-- God determined that his son would die for our sins before the creation of the world (Rev. 13:8). You have to trust Jesus!

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 3 This is the way to have eternal life. By knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ the one He sent to earth. (John 17:3)

“Easter Does Make a Difference” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Conclusion 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Conclusion

“Easter Does Make a Difference?” Luke 24: /12/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles