1. The Crucifixion & Resurrection of Christ Happy Easter!

2. The Tragedy of Jesus Christ And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull… And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matthew 27:33-40

3. The Tragedy of Jesus Christ Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart… The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:50-54

4. The Tragedy of Jesus Christ As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Matthew 27:57-60

5. The Tragedy of Jesus Christ The leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead!” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. Matthew 27:62-66

6. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead… Jesus was definitely dead… –His execution was Roman… –His burial was typical… –His tomb was guarded…

7. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? –This claim is the center of Christianity

8. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? –This claim is the center of Christianity Luke 24:1 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, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 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?” 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" 8 Then they remembered his words.

9. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Matthew 16:21

10. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. If Jesus was not raised, “we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” If Jesus was not raised, “we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” I Cor. 15:15 What motive did the disciples have for claiming they saw Christ… … if they really didn’t?

11. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. –Your faith is useless! I Cor. 15:14 “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

12. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. –Your faith is useless! –No forgiveness of sins! I Cor. 15:15 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins

13. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. –Your faith is useless! –No forgiveness of sins! –We live without any real hope! Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost 1 Cor. 15:18 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Cor. 15:26

14. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. –Your faith is useless! –No forgiveness of sins! –We live without any real hope! “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe… I’ve attacked ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion… I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser gate… All these moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain…time to die!”

15. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… –Jesus is a discredited fool –The New Testament writers are liars. –Your faith is useless! –No forgiveness of sins! –We live without any future hope! –Christians are pathetic! “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” 1 Cor. 15:19

16. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… –Then Christ is verified! Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, John 11:25

17. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… –Then Christ is verified! –Proof: yours sins are forgiven! “He was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” Rom. 4:25 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, Hebrews 10:19-20

18. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… –Then Christ is verified! –Yours sins are forgiven! –There is life after death! “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Cor. 15:20 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? o death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor. 15:54-55

19. The Aftermath of the Cross Jesus was definitely dead... Jesus was definitely dead... But did he rise from the dead? But did he rise from the dead? If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did not rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… If Jesus did rise from the dead… It means Christ has real authority! It means Christ has real authority! It means new life here & now! It means new life here & now! …And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15