## What Does Easter Mean?

## I Cor. 15:1-4

(1 Cor 15:1-4) "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

In just a couple of weeks Easter will be here. Now, like most holidays, Easter means different things to different people. When I was a little boy it meant new clothes and lots of chocolate candy! But now, Easter means much more to me than that. What does it mean to you?

I. To Some It Has No Meaning

A. For many it is just another day.

B. Some folks go to work, or go on an outing without giving one thought to God.

C. Easter Sunday has no more meaning than any other Sunday.

D. For millions of people, Easter Sunday has no particular meaning at all.

II. To Some It Has The Wrong Meaning.

A. Some consider it as a High Holy Day.

1. This becomes to them the only day that they go to church services.

2. They forget the example that was given by the early church.

(Acts 20:7) "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."

3. They forget the admonition found in Hebrews concerning church attendance.

(Heb 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

4. Too many are C & E church members.

B. Some consider Easter as the day set aside to display their new Spring wardrobe.

1. Don't get me wrong, I think it is good that a person wants to look nice when they come to church.

2. But those who come just to be seen by others, have missed the meaning of Easter entirely.

III. To Some It Has The Right Meaning.

A. It is a day set aside to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. You see that is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world.

2. Yes, Jesus died on Calvary and was buried…

3. But the victory of Easter is that Jesus didn't stay dead…He didn't stay buried.

Up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!

He arose a Victor from the dark domain And He lives forever with His saints to reign

4. Jesus is not dead, He is alive!

(Luke 24:5b-6a) "…Why seek ye the living among the dead? {6} He is not here, but is risen…"

B. It is a day to worship the risen Christ.

1. Not just because He arose from the dead…

2. But because He will one day resurrect all those who have placed their faith in Him.

(1 Cor 15:21-22) "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

3. When we are born again in Christ, we are passed from death unto life.

4. Jesus was victorious over death, hell, and the grave!

5. Our victory is in Him!

C. It is a day for us to recommit our service to Him.

1. The song write put it like this…

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today, I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

2. Knowing that Jesus is a living victorious Savior should encourage us to serve Him with our lives.

(1 Cor 15:58) "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

What does Easter mean to you today? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, what not trust Him today. The Bible tells us that, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!" Christians, let's serve Him with a greater fervor than ever before.