## Easter Means…

## John 3:2

Easter, the resurrection, what does it mean and why does it matter? There are a lot of things you could have done today rather than come to church. Over a billion people around the world will celebrate Easter today. How is it that something that took place so long ago still has an impact on the world in the 21st century? What does it mean?

A recent Gallup poll revealed that 84% of the people who never go to church, believe that Jesus rose from the dead. It's an historical fact. It wasn't done in secret. The whole city of Jerusalem knew about it and eventually the whole Roman Empire. It was news. If cable news had been there, they would have had it live.

There are at least 15 historical references to Jesus meeting with people, touching people, talking with people. One time He cooked breakfast for some people. One time He talked to about 500 people after He had risen from the dead. A lot of people saw Him. So again, what does it mean?

Three things:

- Jesus is who He claimed to be.
- Jesus has the power He claimed to have
- Jesus does what He promised to do.

I. Jesus Is Who He Claimed To Be

A. He is not just a good teacher.

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2)

1. Like Nicodemus, a lot of people try to make Jesus a good teacher.

2. A good teacher would never say what Jesus said.

3. I could go out and teach people all kinds of good moral truths and they'd say, "Pastor Robinson is a good teacher".

4. But if I started calling myself God no one would think I was a good teacher any more.

5. Jesus was either who He said He was or He was the biggest liar who ever lived.

6. He told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)

7. You see if Jesus was just a good teacher, He could not be our Savior.

B. He is the Life.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25)

1. Martha believed that Jesus could have healed her brother who had fallen ill…

2. But she needed to understand that He was so much more than One who could heal physically…

3. He could do what no other could…He could bring the dead back to life.

4. Why is that important?

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1)

5. That's right…we are dead without Him, but with Christ there is life.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

C. He is the Way and the Truth

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

1. Notice what Jesus said here.

2. He said, 'I am THE way'!

3. I understand that for many folks that is too hard to accept.

4. A lot of folks will tolerate the idea that Jesus is a way…that Christianity is one of many world religions.

5. But Jesus is the only way to God.

6. He said, "No man cometh to the Father but by me!"

7. The world wants to believe that 'All roads get to heaven', but that's like saying I can dial any phone number and my wife's phone will ring…that is just foolish thinking.

8. He is the truth, and that means any other way is not the truth.

II. Jesus Has the Power He Claimed to Have

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)

A. Because He is God, He can do anything that God can do.

I and my Father are one. (John 10:30)

B. He created all things.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

C. He controls all things.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)

D. No one had the power to take His life nor did they have the power to keep Him in the grave! - Mt. 28:18

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17-18)

1. Romans killed Him, put Him in a tomb, placed a huge stone in front of the tomb, sealed it with the Roman seal, and posted a 24-hour guard.

2. They were only trying to prevent the inevitable.

3. Rome was a world power, but they had no power over Jesus Christ!

4. Easter means that He is who He claimed to be, and He has the power He claims to have.

III. Jesus Does What He Promises To Do

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Mark 10:34)

A. The Cross was No Surprise to Jesus.

1. It was all part of God's plan.

2. When God makes a promise, He will keep His word!

3. When the women came to anoint His body on that resurrection morning, they heard the words of the angel.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)

4. Don't miss the phrase, 'just as He said'!

5. When God says something, you can count on it.

B. Because Jesus did rise, He is who He said He was, He has the power He said He had and He kept the promises that He made.

C. So what? Because Jesus is who He claimed to be and because He has the power He claimed to have and because Jesus does what He promises to do...

1. My past is forgiven.

a. Have you ever been half way through a project and wish you could start over?

b. We all have things we wish we hadn't done and said things we wish we hadn't said, thought things we wish we hadn't thought.

c. We all have regrets and we all have guilt.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

2. My present problems can be managed.

a. I am not going to tell you that if you come to Jesus, all your problems will be over.

b. That would be dishonest; Jesus told us there would have trials and difficulties.

c. But I don't have to face them alone!

d. There is the difference; I have a new strength, a new power to help me manage the problems I face.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

3. My future is secure.

a. Every one of us here today will have to face death.

b. Folks don't like to talk about death.

c. Invite your friends over sometime, serve them some coffee and pie and say, "Let's talk about death."

d. See what happens.

e. But it's inevitable so it is foolish not to prepare for it.

f. The only way we can prepare for death is to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

Easter means that…

- Jesus is who He claimed to be.
- Jesus has the power He claimed to have
- Jesus does what He promised to do.

The resurrection means that…

- My past is forgiven
- My present problems can be managed
- My future is secure

Is that what it means to you? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior? Come to Him today by simple faith.