1 00:00:00,570 --> 00:00:03,330 Welcome to our Easter message. 2 00:00:04,140 --> 00:00:06,960 Easter transforms people's lives. 3 00:00:07,530 --> 00:00:12,210 Today we celebrate Easter Sunday or resurrection Sunday. 4 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,890 Easter Sunday is too important for us to skim over. 5 00:00:17,340 --> 00:00:20,850 It's not about Easter eggs or Bunny Rabbits, et cetera. 6 00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:27,510 As Christians, we can be confident of the Easter accounts given in the Bible. 7 00:00:28,545 --> 00:00:33,885 As we look at this text, I wanna take a few moments to present 8 00:00:33,885 --> 00:00:35,685 some brief thoughts to us. 9 00:00:36,435 --> 00:00:41,205 The Easter message is the most important message you will ever hear. 10 00:00:42,195 --> 00:00:45,585 The Easter story is not a story of fiction. 11 00:00:45,855 --> 00:00:51,105 It's a story that will stand up to scrutiny, investigation. 12 00:00:52,125 --> 00:00:58,575 I want to show us how the Easter story transformed people's lives forever. 13 00:01:00,405 --> 00:01:06,165 These people, I would describe as unlikely, unusual, quirky 14 00:01:06,645 --> 00:01:09,075 people who don't usually get it. 15 00:01:09,795 --> 00:01:14,775 Yet they encounter the Easter message and their lives are changed. 16 00:01:15,075 --> 00:01:18,025 Their lives are transformed forevermore. 17 00:01:19,995 --> 00:01:21,945 Let me try and explain this to you. 18 00:01:23,385 --> 00:01:28,755 Our reading is taken from John's Gospel, chapter 20, verses 1 to 10. 19 00:01:29,325 --> 00:01:35,325 Now, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early while 20 00:01:35,325 --> 00:01:40,155 it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 21 00:01:40,635 --> 00:01:46,795 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 22 00:01:47,385 --> 00:01:52,380 And said to them, they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do 23 00:01:52,380 --> 00:01:54,540 not know where they have laid him. 24 00:01:55,140 --> 00:02:00,750 So Peter went out with the other disciple and they were going towards the tomb. 25 00:02:01,500 --> 00:02:05,010 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple 26 00:02:05,140 --> 00:02:09,960 outran Peter and reached the tomb first and stopping to look in. 27 00:02:10,259 --> 00:02:14,800 He saw the linen clothes lying there, but he did not go in. 28 00:02:15,460 --> 00:02:20,070 Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. 29 00:02:20,430 --> 00:02:24,359 He saw that the linen clothes lying there and the face cloth, 30 00:02:24,420 --> 00:02:29,609 which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen clothes, but 31 00:02:29,609 --> 00:02:32,370 folded up in a place by itself. 32 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,980 Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also 33 00:02:37,980 --> 00:02:41,459 went in and he saw and believed. 34 00:02:42,030 --> 00:02:47,970 As for yet they did not understand the scripture that he was rise from the dead. 35 00:02:49,019 --> 00:02:52,140 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 36 00:02:53,399 --> 00:02:57,540 In this passage, we have three main characters. 37 00:02:59,369 --> 00:03:03,690 What I love about these characters is that they are really 38 00:03:03,810 --> 00:03:06,029 unlikely, unusual characters. 39 00:03:07,079 --> 00:03:09,299 They're, they're not heroic figures. 40 00:03:09,975 --> 00:03:12,674 These people are about as real as they get. 41 00:03:14,445 --> 00:03:16,845 First, we have Mary Magdalene. 42 00:03:17,805 --> 00:03:20,744 She is the first person to see the empty tomb. 43 00:03:21,525 --> 00:03:26,265 This makes her the first witness of what happened on that Easter morning. 44 00:03:27,765 --> 00:03:31,305 She's the most unlikely person for a couple of reasons. 45 00:03:31,845 --> 00:03:33,915 For one thing, she's female. 46 00:03:34,575 --> 00:03:39,075 And at this time when, um, people didn't accept the testimony of 47 00:03:39,075 --> 00:03:43,785 women in Israel, no woman could be a witness in a court of law. 48 00:03:44,715 --> 00:03:47,234 A woman's testimony was inadmissible. 49 00:03:49,215 --> 00:03:50,865 Uh, evidence was worthless. 50 00:03:52,515 --> 00:03:58,605 And yet in June 20, it is a woman who is entrusted with the most crucial 51 00:03:59,285 --> 00:04:01,595 testimony the world can ever hear. 52 00:04:02,700 --> 00:04:07,050 But there's something else that makes Mary Magdalene the most unlikely person 53 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:09,480 to be a witness to what happened. 54 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:16,860 We read in Luke chapter 8 and in Mark Chapter 16, a little 55 00:04:16,860 --> 00:04:19,560 bit more about who Mary was. 56 00:04:21,030 --> 00:04:23,640 In Luke chapter eight, verse two. 57 00:04:24,030 --> 00:04:31,530 It identifies her as Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out. 58 00:04:32,450 --> 00:04:35,969 We don't know much more about her, but this is enough to 59 00:04:35,969 --> 00:04:38,130 tell us that she had a past. 60 00:04:40,500 --> 00:04:46,080 The author Philip Yancey comments on the sharp contrast between how 61 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:53,130 Jesus treated moral failures and how we his followers often do. 62 00:04:54,510 --> 00:04:59,499 Jesus appointed the Samaritan woman as his first missionary. 63 00:05:00,735 --> 00:05:05,685 He defended the woman who anointed him with the expensive perfume. 64 00:05:07,095 --> 00:05:13,785 It says, um, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she 65 00:05:13,785 --> 00:05:21,315 has done will also be told in memory of her and Mary Magdalene, who had 66 00:05:21,315 --> 00:05:27,675 seven demons, he honored as the very first witness of the resurrection. 67 00:05:28,590 --> 00:05:34,680 A testimony at first discounted by his more prestigious followers. 68 00:05:36,090 --> 00:05:39,450 Where we shame Jesus elevates. 69 00:05:39,870 --> 00:05:48,270 So Mary the unlikely one, but then we read of two other characters in verses 4 to 10. 70 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:54,810 You have the somewhat comical picture of the two disciples who hear the report 71 00:05:54,810 --> 00:05:58,395 of the empty tomb and go to investigate. 72 00:05:58,955 --> 00:06:00,315 One's Peter. 73 00:06:00,945 --> 00:06:04,065 And if you read the Gospels, you understand a little bit 74 00:06:04,095 --> 00:06:05,505 about Peter's character. 75 00:06:06,345 --> 00:06:10,425 He's the one who would do something quickly and without thought. 76 00:06:11,265 --> 00:06:15,465 He's often the first to open his mouth even when he shouldn't. 77 00:06:16,575 --> 00:06:20,465 In this passage, you have him rushing to the tomb. 78 00:06:21,105 --> 00:06:23,034 He's not as fast as the other one. 79 00:06:24,335 --> 00:06:29,940 He's not as fast as that other disciple, but when he catches up, he doesn't 80 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:33,090 hesitate to go in and investigate. 81 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:39,000 Then there's the other disciple, probably John who wrote the book, 82 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:45,900 who gets there first, but he hesitates to go in, as you probably 83 00:06:46,290 --> 00:06:50,250 do before you come to an open grave. 84 00:06:51,795 --> 00:06:53,055 Here's the picture I get. 85 00:06:54,495 --> 00:07:00,045 These are people who are completely unexpected and somewhat unusual. 86 00:07:01,155 --> 00:07:04,395 The good news of Easter is that it's for ordinary people 87 00:07:06,075 --> 00:07:08,325 with all our peculiar ways. 88 00:07:10,155 --> 00:07:13,185 It's not for airbrushed anaerobic people. 89 00:07:14,805 --> 00:07:19,415 It's for people like Mary Magdalene, people like John, and Peter. 90 00:07:20,235 --> 00:07:21,810 People like you and me. 91 00:07:22,770 --> 00:07:25,470 Easter is about unlikely people. 92 00:07:26,500 --> 00:07:33,150 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 27 says this, but God chose what is foolish 93 00:07:33,180 --> 00:07:35,610 in the world to shame the wise. 94 00:07:36,540 --> 00:07:37,680 But that's not all. 95 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:41,520 They're not just unlikely and unusual people. 96 00:07:42,690 --> 00:07:44,280 They just didn't get it. 97 00:07:44,670 --> 00:07:50,130 This is great news for those of us who have struggled getting it or maybe 98 00:07:50,130 --> 00:07:53,040 even still don't get the Easter story. 99 00:07:55,140 --> 00:08:00,660 All through his ministry, Jesus had predicted that he would die. 100 00:08:01,380 --> 00:08:05,070 He also predicted what would take place afterwards. 101 00:08:05,490 --> 00:08:08,620 He predicted that he would rise again from the dead. 102 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:14,700 In John chapter two, Jesus answered them, destroy this temple, and 103 00:08:14,700 --> 00:08:16,710 in three days I'll raise it up. 104 00:08:17,790 --> 00:08:23,430 Then the Jews said, it's taken 46 years to build this temple, and 105 00:08:23,430 --> 00:08:25,590 will you raise it up in three days? 106 00:08:26,550 --> 00:08:30,060 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. 107 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:35,970 When he had raised from the dead, his disciples remembered this. 108 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:42,030 They remembered what he had said and they believed the scripture and the 109 00:08:42,030 --> 00:08:48,530 word that Jesus had spoken to them in John chapter two verses 19 to 22. 110 00:08:49,290 --> 00:08:54,210 If the disciples had understood, they would have been there waiting. 111 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,990 But they didn't understand, they just did not get it. 112 00:08:59,010 --> 00:09:04,170 I think John is making this point even in how he introduces this chapter. 113 00:09:05,025 --> 00:09:09,555 Now on the first day of the week, notice it doesn't say on the third day 114 00:09:10,305 --> 00:09:16,094 that would assume that we were keeping track, that we were counting down 115 00:09:16,094 --> 00:09:18,615 in anticipation of his resurrection. 116 00:09:18,824 --> 00:09:21,405 No, it's the first day of the week. 117 00:09:21,704 --> 00:09:25,545 They show up not expecting anything but a dead body. 118 00:09:26,415 --> 00:09:28,814 They simply did not get it. 119 00:09:29,055 --> 00:09:32,685 You see, you see this by the confusion that takes place. 120 00:09:33,824 --> 00:09:38,610 They seem at first to think that maybe a grave robber had been there. 121 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,449 This wouldn't have been completely surprising. 122 00:09:43,290 --> 00:09:49,110 Grave robbery was so common that Emperor Claudius eventually ordered capital 123 00:09:49,110 --> 00:09:54,449 punishment for those convicted of destroying tombs, removing bodies, or 124 00:09:54,479 --> 00:09:57,349 even displacing the seals on the stones. 125 00:09:59,839 --> 00:10:06,465 If we want proof that they didn't get it, then you just have to look at verse nine. 126 00:10:08,145 --> 00:10:14,895 For as yet, they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. 127 00:10:16,605 --> 00:10:24,855 In Luke, in Luke chapter 24, Jesus said this to a couple of people who should 128 00:10:24,855 --> 00:10:27,555 have understood Easter but didn't get it. 129 00:10:27,585 --> 00:10:33,180 In verse 25, he says, how foolish you are and how slow to believe 130 00:10:33,329 --> 00:10:36,090 all that the prophets have spoken. 131 00:10:36,810 --> 00:10:40,470 Easter is not for those who are spiritually advanced. 132 00:10:41,069 --> 00:10:45,630 The gospel of John is telling us that it's for people who don't get it. 133 00:10:46,230 --> 00:10:52,110 Maybe people just like you and me, remember that I only want us to 134 00:10:52,540 --> 00:10:53,970 remember one thing this morning. 135 00:10:55,410 --> 00:10:58,860 Could we take a few minutes now just to look at what happens when 136 00:10:59,250 --> 00:11:04,265 ordinary people encounter Easter and are transformed forever? 137 00:11:05,175 --> 00:11:11,655 It's here that we see something that you have to face as you look at the biblical 138 00:11:11,660 --> 00:11:19,545 account of Easter, there's a pattern that takes place in all the resurrection story. 139 00:11:20,355 --> 00:11:26,265 The beneficiaries of the appearance are engulfed in a human emotion. 140 00:11:27,025 --> 00:11:28,715 Mary, grief. 141 00:11:30,025 --> 00:11:31,795 The disciples, fear. 142 00:11:32,535 --> 00:11:34,365 Thomas, Doubt. 143 00:11:35,255 --> 00:11:40,290 The risen Christ appears to them in the midst of their condition. 144 00:11:41,190 --> 00:11:44,490 As a result, their condition is transformed. 145 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:49,470 We don't have time to look at the whole of Chapter 20 today, but 146 00:11:49,470 --> 00:11:51,450 that's exactly what happens here. 147 00:11:52,980 --> 00:11:55,985 These witnesses encounter an empty tomb. 148 00:11:57,445 --> 00:12:00,120 They're confused or perplexed. 149 00:12:00,660 --> 00:12:04,410 They don't know how to account for what they discover. 150 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:08,880 They cannot account for something that they can't explain. 151 00:12:10,410 --> 00:12:15,600 In verse six and seven, it says, then Simon Peter came following 152 00:12:16,020 --> 00:12:18,150 him and he went into the tomb. 153 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,060 He saw the linen clothes lying there. 154 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:26,520 And the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying 155 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:31,530 with the linen clothes, but folded up in a place by itself. 156 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,620 Some say it's easy to explain an empty tomb. 157 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:38,850 It was grave robbers. 158 00:12:40,020 --> 00:12:44,760 If that's all that happened, then we would not be celebrating Easter. 159 00:12:46,650 --> 00:12:51,370 But Mary Magdalene, Peter and John did not just discover an empty tomb. 160 00:12:52,740 --> 00:12:56,610 They discovered the linen clothes that had been used to wrap 161 00:12:56,615 --> 00:12:59,580 Jesus' body as they buried him. 162 00:13:00,990 --> 00:13:06,840 In John chapter 11, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, we 163 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:10,020 read the man who had died came out. 164 00:13:10,620 --> 00:13:14,064 His hands and his feet bound with linen strips. 165 00:13:14,564 --> 00:13:17,175 And his face wrapped with a cloth. 166 00:13:17,714 --> 00:13:21,974 Jesus said to them, unbind him and let him go. 167 00:13:22,755 --> 00:13:24,974 That's not what happened with Jesus. 168 00:13:25,305 --> 00:13:28,844 Nobody had to unbind his burial clothes. 169 00:13:29,265 --> 00:13:33,854 It appears that he was able to pass through them with his resurrection 170 00:13:33,854 --> 00:13:41,745 body just as he was able to later appear in a locked room in verse 19. 171 00:13:42,405 --> 00:13:47,189 Not only that but the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' 172 00:13:47,189 --> 00:13:49,470 head was folded up by itself. 173 00:13:52,079 --> 00:13:57,390 Jesus had taken it off and folded it neatly as if to say, 174 00:13:57,870 --> 00:13:59,819 I won't be needing this anymore. 175 00:14:01,680 --> 00:14:04,660 You can account for an empty tomb. 176 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:10,680 It's very hard to account for grave clothes that have been left behind 177 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:12,900 as if they are not needed anymore. 178 00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:20,070 It's even harder to account for Jesus appearing to the other disciples 179 00:14:20,340 --> 00:14:21,840 in the rest of this chapter. 180 00:14:23,610 --> 00:14:28,410 But even here in verse eight, you have to begin to sense the beginning 181 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,260 of the change that is taking place. 182 00:14:32,084 --> 00:14:38,444 Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in and he saw 183 00:14:38,594 --> 00:14:45,344 and he believed what they encountered that Easter morning changed, transformed 184 00:14:45,344 --> 00:14:48,194 them both then and forevermore. 185 00:14:49,665 --> 00:14:53,594 There are three facts about the resurrection that even 186 00:14:54,145 --> 00:14:55,665 critical scholars accept. 187 00:14:57,180 --> 00:15:03,720 The tomb in which Jesus was buried was discovered empty by a group of women on 188 00:15:03,940 --> 00:15:06,240 the Sunday following the crucifixion. 189 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:14,370 Jesus' disciples had a real experience with one whom they 190 00:15:14,375 --> 00:15:16,770 believed was the risen Christ. 191 00:15:17,970 --> 00:15:24,280 As a resource of the preaching of these disciples, which at the resurrection 192 00:15:24,310 --> 00:15:30,385 at its center, the Christian Church was established and grew. 193 00:15:31,125 --> 00:15:34,995 These things form a threefold strand of evidence. 194 00:15:36,375 --> 00:15:41,925 It's hard to describe how profoundly Easter transformed these people. 195 00:15:42,375 --> 00:15:44,055 It changed everything about them. 196 00:15:45,525 --> 00:15:49,305 The rest of the New Testament is evidence of the effects of 197 00:15:49,305 --> 00:15:51,224 what happened on Easter morning. 198 00:15:52,305 --> 00:15:57,510 Sometimes something happens that is so profound that it changes 199 00:15:57,510 --> 00:16:00,750 everything, and Easter is like that. 200 00:16:04,020 --> 00:16:09,000 The continuing effects of Easter still continue today. 201 00:16:09,689 --> 00:16:14,730 Something happened on Easter Day, which made Christ more alive on 202 00:16:14,949 --> 00:16:20,670 the streets of Jerusalem 40 days after his crucifixion than on the 203 00:16:20,670 --> 00:16:23,089 day of, of his triumphant entry. 204 00:16:24,030 --> 00:16:28,950 A false report might last 40 days, but the church, which was founded 205 00:16:29,430 --> 00:16:35,520 on a risen Christ has lasted for over 2000 years producing 206 00:16:35,525 --> 00:16:38,610 generations of Godly men and women. 207 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,295 So let's put all of this together. 208 00:16:43,595 --> 00:16:48,090 Unlikely, even unusual people who don't usually get it. 209 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:53,070 We read here how they encounter Jesus. 210 00:16:53,685 --> 00:16:58,005 And are changed, they are transformed forever. 211 00:16:59,834 --> 00:17:03,125 That's the one thing I want you to take away today. 212 00:17:04,315 --> 00:17:09,734 The Jesus we read about in these verses is still alive today. 213 00:17:10,155 --> 00:17:14,325 The Easter message is far too important to dismiss. 214 00:17:15,135 --> 00:17:20,515 I would encourage you with all my heart to see him out. 215 00:17:21,405 --> 00:17:27,675 Check out this Easter story and see your life changed and transformed 216 00:17:27,855 --> 00:17:30,345 by his love and his goodness. 217 00:17:31,275 --> 00:17:31,845 God bless you. 218 00:17:37,245 --> 00:17:41,445 Coming up, we have Conversation street, but before we get into that, 219 00:17:41,445 --> 00:17:46,155 here's a clip from our podcast what's the story which you can subscribe to 220 00:17:46,159 --> 00:17:48,794 on all your favorite podcast apps. 221 00:17:52,185 --> 00:17:54,915 Across the 10 years I worked to what, five or six different war zones 222 00:17:54,915 --> 00:17:59,460 experienced most, uh, manifestations of war that are out there. 223 00:17:59,460 --> 00:18:03,960 Not chemical or biological warfare, but, um, certainly either directly 224 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:05,580 or through the staff I work with. 225 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:11,250 Um, the biggest issue, and I can tell lots of stories, uh, of individual instances 226 00:18:11,250 --> 00:18:19,050 or suffering or death, um, was a deep challenge to your understanding of God is 227 00:18:19,050 --> 00:18:24,160 love and which is something that everyone has to faith through face really in 228 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:27,370 their Christian faith that, our hardest question is where is God in suffering? 229 00:18:39,014 --> 00:18:44,895 Welcome back to Conversation Street with myself and Dave Connolly. 230 00:18:44,955 --> 00:18:49,155 Uh, it's um, Dave, it's unusual that we have on the livestream the 231 00:18:49,155 --> 00:18:51,314 person that did the talk as the host. 232 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:53,625 We do do it occasionally, but it's great that you are here, 233 00:18:54,195 --> 00:18:56,024 uh, cuz we can get into the talk. 234 00:18:56,625 --> 00:18:58,455 Let me ask you a question straight off the bat. 235 00:18:59,490 --> 00:19:02,550 Because Easter's one of those times, it comes around very quickly every 236 00:19:02,550 --> 00:19:08,170 year, but it is by far the, the most important part of the Christian holiday. 237 00:19:09,180 --> 00:19:13,710 Um, what's your favorite part of the Easter story? 238 00:19:13,710 --> 00:19:16,350 You know, when you read it every year and you kind of think, this 239 00:19:16,355 --> 00:19:18,780 bit here just really draws me in. 240 00:19:18,780 --> 00:19:19,460 What would that be? 241 00:19:21,270 --> 00:19:23,115 It's what happens just af.. 242 00:19:23,295 --> 00:19:25,065 Well, it's part of the Easter story. 243 00:19:25,515 --> 00:19:28,425 Well, I didn't mention it in that talk. 244 00:19:28,965 --> 00:19:32,745 It happens just a little while after when there's two men 245 00:19:32,745 --> 00:19:34,365 walking on the Emmaus road. 246 00:19:34,905 --> 00:19:36,375 You know, two disciples. 247 00:19:36,555 --> 00:19:42,195 Mm, walk to Jerusalem and, um, I scratched my head cause I'm like, you were told 248 00:19:42,195 --> 00:19:47,195 to stay there and wait, you know, for the resurrection and these two guys are 249 00:19:47,955 --> 00:19:49,365 obviously not doing as they're told. 250 00:19:49,365 --> 00:19:50,055 And they're off. 251 00:19:50,655 --> 00:19:53,805 And they're talking to each other as they walk this like seven mile 252 00:19:53,805 --> 00:19:58,515 journey and they're deep in thought and the they're sharing their 253 00:19:58,835 --> 00:20:03,315 despair, you know, these guys had put everything into following Jesus. 254 00:20:03,645 --> 00:20:05,525 They believed him to be the Messiah. 255 00:20:05,795 --> 00:20:09,465 Their coming king, their Lord, their savior, and he's gone. 256 00:20:10,185 --> 00:20:13,705 And he says how Jesus walks a little bit behind them. 257 00:20:14,285 --> 00:20:20,235 And he can hear them and then he catches up and he listens to them and 258 00:20:20,235 --> 00:20:22,845 then they get caught in conversation. 259 00:20:23,925 --> 00:20:27,225 And then these men say to Jesus, um, we're staying here. 260 00:20:27,525 --> 00:20:28,635 Stay with us. 261 00:20:29,985 --> 00:20:34,065 And then the fellowship continues to fellowship, then they break bread. 262 00:20:34,155 --> 00:20:39,045 And it's, at that point Jesus reveals himself cause they hadn't recognized him. 263 00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:39,435 Mm-hmm. 264 00:20:40,465 --> 00:20:42,535 And, and it's, it's just this wonderful thing. 265 00:20:44,145 --> 00:20:48,294 The, sometimes we as Christians, we feel despair and lost. 266 00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:53,175 You know, being a Christian, we feel like God's abandoned us or gone, gone missing, 267 00:20:54,105 --> 00:20:55,425 and that's how they must have felt. 268 00:20:55,995 --> 00:21:00,795 But Jesus comes and walks with them, and there's a gentle rebuke 269 00:21:01,105 --> 00:21:03,145 and there's a gentle refocusing. 270 00:21:04,034 --> 00:21:06,405 That's, that's what I love about the Easter story. 271 00:21:06,585 --> 00:21:09,524 Besides Jesus raising from the dead which is the obvious. 272 00:21:09,585 --> 00:21:15,165 Well, I mean, you know, for me it's a, you know, I really relate to that. 273 00:21:15,524 --> 00:21:15,645 Mm-hmm. 274 00:21:17,504 --> 00:21:17,895 Yeah. 275 00:21:17,925 --> 00:21:19,544 So it's a, it's a, no, you're right. 276 00:21:19,544 --> 00:21:20,595 It's a brilliant story, isn't it? 277 00:21:20,595 --> 00:21:24,355 I like that, that sort of gentle refocusing on the road that actually, 278 00:21:24,764 --> 00:21:26,804 uh, what was a time of despair? 279 00:21:27,935 --> 00:21:30,855 Actually when, when they sort of understood who Jesus was in the 280 00:21:30,855 --> 00:21:34,695 center of it, um, turned out to be a time of great rejoicing. 281 00:21:35,175 --> 00:21:39,315 Uh, and um, it's quite often, uh, true for life, isn't it? 282 00:21:39,315 --> 00:21:42,585 There are times when, when life's quite not, we don't, we're not 283 00:21:42,585 --> 00:21:45,615 quite sure where it's going or the direction it's going or why it's 284 00:21:45,615 --> 00:21:46,905 going, the direction that it's going. 285 00:21:46,905 --> 00:21:48,705 It's not as we planned or thought. 286 00:21:49,275 --> 00:21:52,034 Um, but when we allow Jesus into it, there's a gentle. 287 00:21:52,514 --> 00:21:56,280 Maybe it's sometimes a gentle rebuke, but a gentle sort of refocusing on what's 288 00:21:56,280 --> 00:22:02,040 important and, um,and what was difficult becomes actually a time of rejoicing. 289 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:02,340 Right? 290 00:22:04,110 --> 00:22:04,860 Absolutely. 291 00:22:04,980 --> 00:22:09,900 And, and you know, those two guys, as you read the story, they go back, you 292 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:15,129 know, and they're telling everybody what they've just experienced and that adding 293 00:22:15,129 --> 00:22:20,070 to the story of what the other disciples had been going through, you know? 294 00:22:20,070 --> 00:22:20,550 Mm-hmm. 295 00:22:20,550 --> 00:22:23,520 Um, Well at, at, at the Easter story itself. 296 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:28,860 I just looked the way, um, you know, how we can read about philosophers and 297 00:22:28,860 --> 00:22:34,710 historians at the time, how they write, you know, of the crucifixion of Christ 298 00:22:34,710 --> 00:22:36,690 and we would call them non-believers. 299 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:37,350 Yeah. 300 00:22:37,350 --> 00:22:41,010 I think I mentioned So there are, there are accounts of the 301 00:22:41,015 --> 00:22:45,900 crucifixion by, you know, so-called non-believers and non-Jews. 302 00:22:47,370 --> 00:22:47,580 Yeah. 303 00:22:47,580 --> 00:22:49,380 That we can, yeah. 304 00:22:49,380 --> 00:22:49,630 You know. 305 00:22:50,470 --> 00:22:54,479 For me, the crucifixion can hold up to inspection. 306 00:22:54,870 --> 00:22:55,199 Mm-hmm. 307 00:22:56,010 --> 00:22:56,310 Yeah. 308 00:22:56,370 --> 00:22:56,729 Yeah. 309 00:22:56,729 --> 00:22:57,240 Absolutely. 310 00:22:57,240 --> 00:22:58,080 I totally agree. 311 00:22:58,439 --> 00:22:59,639 It's interesting, isn't it? 312 00:22:59,729 --> 00:23:02,820 Uh, when we talk about Easter, we talk about the resurrection. 313 00:23:03,389 --> 00:23:06,179 Uh, we've been working as a, as a church, we've been working our 314 00:23:06,179 --> 00:23:07,409 way through the Book of Acts. 315 00:23:08,070 --> 00:23:08,159 Mm-hmm. 316 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:13,169 And all the amazing stories of transformation that you see in the 317 00:23:13,169 --> 00:23:18,240 Book of Acts, could only really have happened because of a resurrected Christ. 318 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:18,540 Right. 319 00:23:18,540 --> 00:23:23,130 So the, the, yeah, it, there's, there's obviously this immediate impact, 320 00:23:23,370 --> 00:23:27,090 um, of the resurrection of Jesus as you, as we sort of go through. 321 00:23:27,570 --> 00:23:31,620 But one of the things I wanna circle back to is, um, you talked about how 322 00:23:31,620 --> 00:23:36,030 at the time there was, uh, a lot of sort of grave robberies going on, and 323 00:23:36,030 --> 00:23:37,720 it was a common thing to rob graves. 324 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:42,600 Uh, and in fact, one of, and, uh, I put it in the comments was one of the 325 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:46,170 things that really intrigued me about this story is, um, the Jewish leaders of 326 00:23:46,420 --> 00:23:50,160 the day, they went and said to Pilate, you need to put a, a guard around the 327 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:53,820 tomb because he's been telling everybody he's gonna raise from the dead and 328 00:23:53,825 --> 00:23:55,830 we don't want his body to get stolen. 329 00:23:56,190 --> 00:23:58,860 So we need to guard this tomb. 330 00:23:58,860 --> 00:24:04,550 So we know that there was, um, a guard around the tomb that the tomb was sealed, 331 00:24:05,230 --> 00:24:09,855 uh, and so if, if it was gonna be a robbery, if it was gonna be a bit of a 332 00:24:09,855 --> 00:24:15,315 hoax, it would be quite a difficult thing to do because they were all expecting it 333 00:24:15,315 --> 00:24:16,935 and they're all sort of prepared for it. 334 00:24:17,505 --> 00:24:21,975 Um, but it, it, it, it obviously for me is one of those signs, you know, we talk 335 00:24:21,975 --> 00:24:23,355 about the evidence of the resurrection. 336 00:24:23,595 --> 00:24:26,535 This is just one of those things where you just go, well, there was a guard 337 00:24:26,535 --> 00:24:31,725 on the tomb and, uh, the religious leaders at the time had to then bribe. 338 00:24:31,725 --> 00:24:35,985 They, they bribed the soldiers to say, Hang on guys. 339 00:24:36,045 --> 00:24:38,775 Uh, just tell everybody the body got robbed while you were guarding it. 340 00:24:38,775 --> 00:24:41,775 You know, Rome's best guards, uh, and we'll pay you a large 341 00:24:41,775 --> 00:24:42,885 sum of money to do that. 342 00:24:44,745 --> 00:24:44,985 Yeah. 343 00:24:45,675 --> 00:24:45,885 Yeah. 344 00:24:46,125 --> 00:24:51,765 And yet the Roman authorities had already put out, um, you know, that they, they, 345 00:24:52,095 --> 00:24:56,085 because brave robbery was common, that even if you touched the seal on the 346 00:24:56,085 --> 00:24:59,715 tomb, you know, you were in trouble. 347 00:25:00,155 --> 00:25:06,495 So the fact now somebody comes along, frightens off these just very, these 348 00:25:06,495 --> 00:25:17,055 like elite troops, run up, somebody breaks into a tomb, unravels a body, and 349 00:25:17,055 --> 00:25:21,135 the, you know, the grave clothes were more, you know, precious than the body. 350 00:25:21,585 --> 00:25:21,885 Yeah. 351 00:25:21,915 --> 00:25:24,885 So the unraveller leaves the thing that you could get most money 352 00:25:24,885 --> 00:25:29,825 from and saving a naked body, but they tidy up the grave cloth. 353 00:25:30,585 --> 00:25:33,774 I mean, that's, I don't get it. 354 00:25:33,774 --> 00:25:33,945 Right? 355 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:36,100 I don't have enough faith to believe in that. 356 00:25:36,945 --> 00:25:38,835 Who, who's ever heard of a tidy burglar? 357 00:25:39,165 --> 00:25:40,274 Uh, it just doesn't happen. 358 00:25:43,514 --> 00:25:44,895 The, I love what Graham's put here. 359 00:25:44,895 --> 00:25:46,105 Let just add that to the broadcast. 360 00:25:46,105 --> 00:25:49,725 So Graham's said here the bit I love is where Mary is grieving outside the tomb. 361 00:25:49,725 --> 00:25:53,774 She is so caught up in her grief that she doesn't recognize the person 362 00:25:53,780 --> 00:25:55,935 standing beside her, who is Jesus. 363 00:25:56,024 --> 00:26:01,365 He then gently says her name, uh, which is similar to the, the road, uh, to 364 00:26:01,365 --> 00:26:02,375 Emmaus that you were talking about. 365 00:26:02,375 --> 00:26:02,745 Right? 366 00:26:03,764 --> 00:26:06,300 Yeah, I think that's a beautiful illustration. 367 00:26:06,750 --> 00:26:06,960 Mm-hmm. 368 00:26:06,990 --> 00:26:12,180 You know, when she, I mean, she's just grieving and you know, so much, you 369 00:26:12,180 --> 00:26:16,320 know, I, I think, you know, it is that despair and you have that real sense 370 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:22,480 of loss and, um, I, I, I'm not sure if it's from God's spell, but there's a 371 00:26:22,485 --> 00:26:26,150 song called, I don't know how to love him, might be Jesus Christ Superstar. 372 00:26:26,820 --> 00:26:29,730 And I know people can say, oh, that means x, y, and z. 373 00:26:30,580 --> 00:26:34,905 But you know, that song, I don't know how to love him, for me, I 374 00:26:34,905 --> 00:26:36,675 find it quite an emotional song. 375 00:26:36,975 --> 00:26:37,155 Yeah. 376 00:26:37,155 --> 00:26:43,455 Because, and this lady have such a debt to her, you know, the love 377 00:26:43,460 --> 00:26:45,195 that she feels for her savior. 378 00:26:45,615 --> 00:26:47,535 It's not a physical or a sexual thing. 379 00:26:47,945 --> 00:26:49,615 It's what her love for her savior. 380 00:26:49,955 --> 00:26:50,215 Yeah. 381 00:26:50,215 --> 00:26:53,285 You know, so I do think it's fantastic. 382 00:26:53,685 --> 00:26:54,465 Yeah, yeah. 383 00:26:54,675 --> 00:26:55,725 No, it's true, isn't it? 384 00:26:55,725 --> 00:27:00,705 And again, um, I mean, the road to Emmaus, uh, Mary, uh, Magdalene, 385 00:27:00,705 --> 00:27:05,685 outside the tomb, we've got all of these people sort of, life has not 386 00:27:05,685 --> 00:27:07,185 gone the way that they thought. 387 00:27:07,755 --> 00:27:10,545 Um, and so, and they feel let down. 388 00:27:10,545 --> 00:27:13,815 They feel grief, they feel there's all kinds of things that they're feeling. 389 00:27:14,235 --> 00:27:19,710 Um, But it, it, it's when they realize that Jesus is there with them in the 390 00:27:19,710 --> 00:27:22,320 midst of it, that life starts to change for them a little bit, doesn't it? 391 00:27:22,379 --> 00:27:26,700 And um, actually resurrection is more than, is more than what they 392 00:27:26,705 --> 00:27:31,409 expected, um, because they, they saw something very one way, didn't they? 393 00:27:31,409 --> 00:27:33,720 And actually resurrection changed their whole viewpoint. 394 00:27:34,980 --> 00:27:40,169 And that's why I used the word a lot in the, um, ju just trying to emphasize how 395 00:27:40,830 --> 00:27:46,600 when you have this resurrection experience with Jesus, He doesn't just patch up 396 00:27:46,750 --> 00:27:49,040 or paints over things in our lives. 397 00:27:49,290 --> 00:27:50,270 He changes it. 398 00:27:50,275 --> 00:27:55,380 He, it's a transformation that takes place not just in how we think, 399 00:27:55,560 --> 00:28:01,950 we're literally in how we live and how we view things because um, yeah, 400 00:28:02,100 --> 00:28:03,810 for me it is just transformational. 401 00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:04,980 Everything changes. 402 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:10,110 He, you know, it's like the establishments of his lordship in our lives, where he 403 00:28:10,110 --> 00:28:16,695 comes through and again, I think for me, the Easter story speaks of Lordship. 404 00:28:16,745 --> 00:28:17,235 Yeah. 405 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:22,305 Something happens to men and women, when the resurrection power 406 00:28:22,305 --> 00:28:23,895 of Jesus comes into their life. 407 00:28:24,145 --> 00:28:25,845 A new boldness comes. 408 00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:26,595 Yeah. 409 00:28:27,585 --> 00:28:29,655 Fresh boldness now comes to them. 410 00:28:30,045 --> 00:28:30,345 Mm-hmm. 411 00:28:31,155 --> 00:28:34,316 It's really interesting, you, you talk about that, you know, this sort of the 412 00:28:34,321 --> 00:28:36,735 resurrection, uh, the transformation. 413 00:28:37,425 --> 00:28:39,615 Um, we were talking about this a little bit earlier on. 414 00:28:39,825 --> 00:28:42,245 Um, there's a great quote. 415 00:28:42,435 --> 00:28:46,455 Uh, where with Christianity is not about behavior modification. 416 00:28:47,054 --> 00:28:49,034 Um, it's not about self-help. 417 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:50,685 It's not about life improvement. 418 00:28:50,685 --> 00:28:56,264 It's about a spiritual transformation because you were spiritually dead and you 419 00:28:56,264 --> 00:28:58,334 need Jesus to make you spiritually alive. 420 00:28:58,334 --> 00:29:00,014 That's what happens in the resurrection. 421 00:29:00,465 --> 00:29:04,875 Just, I mean, you've, you've obviously, uh, for those who don't know, um, 422 00:29:04,905 --> 00:29:08,534 you've been a pastor for a fair few years, uh, here in Sunny Liverpool. 423 00:29:08,655 --> 00:29:10,715 Um, just a few, just a couple. 424 00:29:11,775 --> 00:29:16,245 Um, how have you seen then, because it's, I mean, we can read stories about 425 00:29:16,245 --> 00:29:17,745 Mary Magdalene at the tomb, right? 426 00:29:17,745 --> 00:29:21,055 We can hear the stories about the guys on the road to Emmaus. 427 00:29:21,525 --> 00:29:28,155 How have you seen this transformation in modern day Western society? 428 00:29:28,160 --> 00:29:28,925 Is it still. 429 00:29:29,925 --> 00:29:32,025 Um, I appreciate, this is a bit of a leading question, Dave, 430 00:29:32,025 --> 00:29:34,065 but is it still accessible? 431 00:29:34,065 --> 00:29:35,295 Is it still available? 432 00:29:35,295 --> 00:29:38,805 Is the, is this something that still impacts people today? 433 00:29:38,805 --> 00:29:41,565 And if so, how do we, how do we latch onto that? 434 00:29:42,435 --> 00:29:43,485 Yeah, yeah. 435 00:29:43,485 --> 00:29:46,545 I mean, it can't, it can't be any different today. 436 00:29:46,755 --> 00:29:49,875 If it's not the same, then Jesus has changed. 437 00:29:50,175 --> 00:29:50,265 Mm-hmm. 438 00:29:50,565 --> 00:29:53,835 You know, scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 439 00:29:54,405 --> 00:30:00,975 Um, I, I certainly see people's lives transform and dramatically. 440 00:30:01,304 --> 00:30:05,865 And for some people they have an encounter with Jesus, and 441 00:30:06,105 --> 00:30:09,135 transformation is dramatic and sudden. 442 00:30:09,945 --> 00:30:13,725 And for many, it's much more of a process. 443 00:30:13,995 --> 00:30:14,115 Mm-hmm. 444 00:30:14,355 --> 00:30:19,365 You know, and, um, I, you've heard me say when I first became a Christian, 445 00:30:20,054 --> 00:30:22,004 my life was a bit of a rollercoaster. 446 00:30:22,844 --> 00:30:26,235 You know, I had highs and very deep lows, you know? 447 00:30:26,324 --> 00:30:26,895 Um, mm. 448 00:30:27,915 --> 00:30:30,585 That's what I love about reading the story. 449 00:30:31,635 --> 00:30:34,755 You know, and I, and I talk about Mary had a past. 450 00:30:35,055 --> 00:30:36,525 Now we all have a past. 451 00:30:36,615 --> 00:30:37,095 Yeah. 452 00:30:37,335 --> 00:30:41,205 You know, and we, you know, we, we, we know some, some of our friends 453 00:30:41,205 --> 00:30:45,465 who, who been notorious, you know, baddies before they met Jesus. 454 00:30:46,365 --> 00:30:53,235 And yet Jesus loved them, reached them, and has transformed their lives. 455 00:30:53,865 --> 00:30:56,225 And then we, we, you know, we all meet lovely people. 456 00:30:56,865 --> 00:30:59,655 And you know, and you just say, you know, and some of these lovely 457 00:30:59,655 --> 00:31:02,755 people, they're nicer than some of the Christians we know if we're honest. 458 00:31:03,465 --> 00:31:03,885 That's true. 459 00:31:03,985 --> 00:31:04,665 It's very true. 460 00:31:05,655 --> 00:31:11,445 God, by his spirit reaches out to them, they receive something of his 461 00:31:11,445 --> 00:31:16,455 love and he reaches into their hearts and they surrender their lives to 462 00:31:16,455 --> 00:31:18,075 Jesus, which is what it's all about. 463 00:31:18,705 --> 00:31:20,925 And their lives to also be transformed. 464 00:31:21,615 --> 00:31:23,595 And I, I'm really thankful Matt that. 465 00:31:26,385 --> 00:31:28,155 God touches us individually. 466 00:31:29,295 --> 00:31:35,445 You know, um, he, he, he, he, he just knows where we are and he knows how to 467 00:31:35,450 --> 00:31:41,475 speak to us and how his words bring hope, where there's hopelessness with, brings 468 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:44,835 life where there's really no real life. 469 00:31:45,345 --> 00:31:45,615 Hmm. 470 00:31:45,675 --> 00:31:52,045 You know, and cliches that we can talk about, the true those cliches are true. 471 00:31:52,070 --> 00:31:52,395 You know? 472 00:31:52,395 --> 00:31:52,754 Mm-hmm. 473 00:31:53,115 --> 00:31:57,630 Um, It's a work that only Jesus can do. 474 00:31:58,110 --> 00:31:58,530 Yeah. 475 00:31:59,390 --> 00:32:03,810 Work that is done because of the cross and because of the resurrection. 476 00:32:04,350 --> 00:32:08,640 So yes, those people's lives are being transformed and it's 477 00:32:08,645 --> 00:32:14,430 wonderful to hear stories of actually people asking questions. 478 00:32:14,790 --> 00:32:15,000 Yeah. 479 00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:23,090 You know, Easter and indirectly, I mean, me and Julie, um, a neighbor of ours. 480 00:32:23,090 --> 00:32:29,625 Um, was having a conversation with Julie indirectly, um, about her niece, and then 481 00:32:29,985 --> 00:32:34,455 that opened up to something else where, you know, um, Julie was talking with 482 00:32:34,460 --> 00:32:38,655 this neighbor and now Julie, you know, is offering to go through scriptures 483 00:32:38,660 --> 00:32:46,365 with her, you know, so yes, Jesus is still transforming people mm-hmm. 484 00:32:47,685 --> 00:32:52,585 And transforming their lives and they're, there's still the Mary Magdalenes. 485 00:32:53,459 --> 00:33:00,610 The very crazy Peters and you know, Johns, little Johns and crazy Peters, 486 00:33:01,350 --> 00:33:03,120 you know, and everybody in between. 487 00:33:03,510 --> 00:33:05,879 Yeah, yeah. 488 00:33:05,939 --> 00:33:06,659 No, that's awesome. 489 00:33:06,689 --> 00:33:07,860 That's so true as well. 490 00:33:07,860 --> 00:33:11,220 And it's, um, I like that Nicola's put here in the comments. 491 00:33:11,250 --> 00:33:13,889 It's definitely a process and it's a big process. 492 00:33:17,100 --> 00:33:18,330 We're all in a process. 493 00:33:20,475 --> 00:33:25,545 Yeah, it's um, it's one of those, isn't it, where, um, I mean, 494 00:33:25,545 --> 00:33:26,565 I've mentioned this before. 495 00:33:26,565 --> 00:33:29,685 Let me grab the Bible notes on my computer here. 496 00:33:29,685 --> 00:33:30,645 So I'll read the scripture. 497 00:33:31,125 --> 00:33:34,185 Um, I've mentioned this before on Crowd and I'll, I'll mention again. 498 00:33:34,185 --> 00:33:36,915 The reason we talk so much about the resurrection and about this 499 00:33:36,915 --> 00:33:43,575 transformation is because, um, it is the heart of the Christian message. 500 00:33:43,875 --> 00:33:44,655 Um, mm-hmm. 501 00:33:44,895 --> 00:33:48,185 And Paul wrote this, he said, uh, in one Corinthians, chapter 15 he 502 00:33:48,185 --> 00:33:49,785 is writing to the Corinthian church. 503 00:33:50,985 --> 00:33:55,275 Um, and he says, if it is preached that Christ has been raised from 504 00:33:55,275 --> 00:33:57,975 the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection? 505 00:33:57,975 --> 00:34:01,725 So there was a, there was a debate, um, even in Paul's day whether or 506 00:34:01,725 --> 00:34:04,845 not Christ had been resurrected cuz there was a, there was a sect 507 00:34:04,845 --> 00:34:07,275 of people who didn't believe in the resurrection, a sect of Jews. 508 00:34:08,445 --> 00:34:13,965 If there is no resurrection, then Christ has not even been raised. 509 00:34:13,965 --> 00:34:19,245 And if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our preaching is useless. 510 00:34:19,665 --> 00:34:23,054 And so is your faith. 511 00:34:23,534 --> 00:34:27,764 The whole thing for me, um, about Christianity, the whole 512 00:34:27,764 --> 00:34:29,294 crux of it is the resurrection. 513 00:34:29,294 --> 00:34:31,544 If there's no resurrection, there's no Christian faith. 514 00:34:31,544 --> 00:34:32,895 Our faith is useless. 515 00:34:32,984 --> 00:34:35,324 Uh, as Paul says, it's not, it's a waste of time. 516 00:34:36,074 --> 00:34:38,924 Um, and so this is why we talk about it a lot, right? 517 00:34:38,924 --> 00:34:42,944 This, you've gotta wrestle with this idea of the resurrection. 518 00:34:42,944 --> 00:34:45,855 It is so important to the message of Christianity. 519 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:54,720 Yeah, it's that whole new, that newness of life and, um, you know, it, it's 520 00:34:54,720 --> 00:34:57,090 just the whole resurrection story. 521 00:34:57,300 --> 00:35:00,080 You, it, you know, we think, wow, what, you know, that's an ultimate, 522 00:35:00,480 --> 00:35:06,360 the, you know, the end, but it's just opening up a whole new chapter of the 523 00:35:06,360 --> 00:35:12,720 beginning of the church and you know, first what we need it's understanding. 524 00:35:12,720 --> 00:35:13,800 There's a lovely scripture. 525 00:35:14,265 --> 00:35:19,545 And that says, you know, the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead. 526 00:35:19,845 --> 00:35:19,965 Mm-hmm. 527 00:35:20,370 --> 00:35:22,544 It's just in my head, just the reference. 528 00:35:22,544 --> 00:35:28,065 So, please excuse me, but it says the same spirit who raised Christ 529 00:35:28,065 --> 00:35:32,505 from the dead lives or dwells in you. 530 00:35:33,285 --> 00:35:38,745 And that's a word with each of us, the same spirit, not a portion of it, the 531 00:35:38,745 --> 00:35:45,299 same spirit who raised Christ Jesus from the dead lives or dwells in us. 532 00:35:45,299 --> 00:35:50,490 And so folks like me and Nicola we talk about being in process. 533 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:55,680 We can be confident that regardless of what season we're in, um, that 534 00:35:55,685 --> 00:35:58,200 that same spirit he dwells in us. 535 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:03,270 He doesn't visit us, but he's permanently in us. 536 00:36:03,540 --> 00:36:04,799 Yeah, absolutely. 537 00:36:04,799 --> 00:36:05,009 And. 538 00:36:06,825 --> 00:36:11,625 Yeah, Romans 6:10, the spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. 539 00:36:12,134 --> 00:36:14,865 And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he'll give 540 00:36:14,865 --> 00:36:17,654 life to your mortal bodies by the same spirit living within you. 541 00:36:18,404 --> 00:36:21,645 And in fact, he also mentions it again in Romans 8, the Spirit of God who 542 00:36:21,645 --> 00:36:23,509 raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. 543 00:36:24,640 --> 00:36:27,895 Just amazing, isn't it? 544 00:36:29,115 --> 00:36:29,625 Just amazing. 545 00:36:30,484 --> 00:36:30,954 Yeah, yeah. 546 00:36:31,074 --> 00:36:31,725 No, I'm with you. 547 00:36:31,725 --> 00:36:32,325 I'm with you. 548 00:36:32,325 --> 00:36:36,015 I mean, how can it not excite you that the spirit of God, uh, who raised 549 00:36:36,015 --> 00:36:37,605 Jesus from the dead now lives in me? 550 00:36:39,345 --> 00:36:41,535 I mean, that's just, that's just nuts, right? 551 00:36:41,535 --> 00:36:46,814 I mean, it's a whole head rake right there, but it's, it's just so amazing and 552 00:36:46,814 --> 00:36:50,234 something to get excited about and it's, you know, why we love the resurrection. 553 00:36:51,285 --> 00:36:51,464 Yeah. 554 00:36:52,035 --> 00:36:54,575 Um, I mean, I got a friend who is. 555 00:36:55,110 --> 00:36:59,100 Um, in North Africa, and she went through a stage in her life, 556 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:00,660 you know, over a decade ago. 557 00:37:00,660 --> 00:37:05,420 She loved Jesus, everything was going, whatever, and she just, you 558 00:37:05,420 --> 00:37:09,540 know, got this revelation about the same spirit living in her. 559 00:37:10,170 --> 00:37:13,110 And, um, I remember having a conversation with her. 560 00:37:13,110 --> 00:37:16,050 She was telling me all about it and updating, said, I'm really aware. 561 00:37:16,110 --> 00:37:17,540 The same spirit living in me. 562 00:37:18,240 --> 00:37:19,110 So I said, all right. 563 00:37:19,440 --> 00:37:20,220 What does that mean? 564 00:37:20,430 --> 00:37:24,194 She says, there's places I don't go anymore because I 565 00:37:24,194 --> 00:37:25,095 don't wanna take him there. 566 00:37:32,055 --> 00:37:35,174 And, and she was, no, I think, I think what she was saying, you know, 567 00:37:35,174 --> 00:37:38,355 she was a bit of a party girl at the time and she was saying, I don't 568 00:37:38,634 --> 00:37:42,165 want to, I don't want to go there. 569 00:37:42,194 --> 00:37:44,265 I don't want to do that type of thing anymore. 570 00:37:44,325 --> 00:37:44,985 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 571 00:37:44,990 --> 00:37:48,735 Because, and that wouldn't be a blessing to her, you know? 572 00:37:49,185 --> 00:37:53,245 Um, so I, I caught the horse at what she was, you know, of what she was saying. 573 00:37:53,865 --> 00:37:54,585 You know, in. 574 00:37:55,335 --> 00:37:55,605 Yeah. 575 00:37:56,535 --> 00:37:58,275 That's a good, good way to look at it though. 576 00:37:58,545 --> 00:38:00,795 I don't need to watch this because I don't need the spirit 577 00:38:00,795 --> 00:38:02,145 of God inside me watching this. 578 00:38:02,150 --> 00:38:02,385 Right. 579 00:38:02,385 --> 00:38:04,425 It's not something that he is necessarily that interested. 580 00:38:04,425 --> 00:38:05,055 No, I get it. 581 00:38:05,085 --> 00:38:05,565 I get it. 582 00:38:06,135 --> 00:38:07,275 Uh, Miriam's in the comments. 583 00:38:07,275 --> 00:38:08,805 Happy Easter to you all. 584 00:38:08,810 --> 00:38:09,165 Miriam. 585 00:38:09,165 --> 00:38:13,695 Happy Easter to you, the same power that conquered the grave now lives in me. 586 00:38:13,695 --> 00:38:14,685 Yes, that's true. 587 00:38:15,165 --> 00:38:16,395 Uh, Nicola says, that's great. 588 00:38:16,395 --> 00:38:17,985 Yes, absolutely it is. 589 00:38:17,985 --> 00:38:18,735 Great, Nicola. 590 00:38:18,735 --> 00:38:21,435 It is very, very great. 591 00:38:22,455 --> 00:38:27,405 So, Dave, in the last few minutes, right, uh, as we wrap up our conversation about 592 00:38:27,405 --> 00:38:29,085 Easter, we talk about the resurrection. 593 00:38:30,105 --> 00:38:34,875 Um, and for those of you actually watching who may be unconvinced about the 594 00:38:34,875 --> 00:38:38,085 resurrection, uh, whether you're on the livestream, whether you're on catchup, 595 00:38:38,415 --> 00:38:40,695 whether it's something that you are investigating, whether it's something 596 00:38:40,695 --> 00:38:45,495 that's still quite new to you, um, there is a great book or there's a series of 597 00:38:45,495 --> 00:38:47,655 books actually, which are worth reading. 598 00:38:47,715 --> 00:38:51,285 I think one of them's called Evidence That Demands a Verdict, which I found 599 00:38:51,285 --> 00:38:55,425 super helpful early on in my Christian faith by Lee Strobel, um, talking 600 00:38:55,425 --> 00:38:57,465 about the evidence of the resurrection. 601 00:38:58,140 --> 00:39:01,830 I think he was a lawyer, Dave, correct me if I'm wrong, and I think he, he 602 00:39:01,830 --> 00:39:05,129 wrote the book from a perspective of an atheist lawyer setting out to 603 00:39:05,129 --> 00:39:08,400 disprove the resurrection, but he found more evidence for it than against it. 604 00:39:08,890 --> 00:39:14,549 Yes he did, and the evidence that demands a verdict is by Josh McDowell. 605 00:39:14,940 --> 00:39:15,420 Okay. 606 00:39:16,740 --> 00:39:18,029 The case for Christ. 607 00:39:18,290 --> 00:39:19,500 That's, that's by Lee. 608 00:39:20,129 --> 00:39:20,400 Yeah. 609 00:39:20,640 --> 00:39:25,875 And he was, he was a, um, journalist, so he, he and he wasn't. 610 00:39:26,484 --> 00:39:29,310 When he first started, I don't think he was a believer. 611 00:39:29,340 --> 00:39:30,270 His wife was. 612 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:30,720 Mm-hmm. 613 00:39:31,890 --> 00:39:36,300 He wrote it really why he was search or he gathered his material then mm-hmm. 614 00:39:36,330 --> 00:39:38,930 Evidence that demands a verdict by Josh McDowell. 615 00:39:39,690 --> 00:39:44,050 I mean, if you've got an inquiring brain you have lots of questions, 616 00:39:44,150 --> 00:39:46,920 um, and it's okay to have questions. 617 00:39:46,980 --> 00:39:47,280 Hmm. 618 00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:48,820 Josh McDowell is great. 619 00:39:49,230 --> 00:39:52,710 If you want something that is more readable and easy access, Lee 620 00:39:52,710 --> 00:39:55,120 Strobel's book the case for Christ. 621 00:39:55,470 --> 00:39:57,630 And there's a second book called The Case for Faith. 622 00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:03,970 They are very accessible, you know, if you are gonna search then 623 00:40:04,370 --> 00:40:08,010 do so with an open heart mm-hmm. 624 00:40:08,310 --> 00:40:08,820 And an open mind. 625 00:40:09,630 --> 00:40:13,050 And you know, the Bible says this and you, this will apply 626 00:40:13,055 --> 00:40:15,330 to whoever's watching today. 627 00:40:16,260 --> 00:40:21,630 Um, if you seek him with all your, your heart, you'll find him. 628 00:40:21,990 --> 00:40:22,350 Mm. 629 00:40:23,835 --> 00:40:26,625 Jesus is, is attracted to people who are seeking him. 630 00:40:26,924 --> 00:40:27,165 Yeah. 631 00:40:27,165 --> 00:40:33,375 He's not hidden, you know, and just truthfully look, ask questions, 632 00:40:33,380 --> 00:40:35,425 say God the Prayer I prayed. 633 00:40:35,444 --> 00:40:39,884 And I know you know this Matt, when I gave my life to Jesus wasn't very technical. 634 00:40:40,335 --> 00:40:42,194 It was God if you were real. 635 00:40:42,444 --> 00:40:43,055 Mm-hmm. 636 00:40:43,245 --> 00:40:45,435 And you better than somebody like me. 637 00:40:45,825 --> 00:40:46,545 Let's have a go. 638 00:40:47,145 --> 00:40:47,475 Yep. 639 00:40:48,194 --> 00:40:48,944 A good theology. 640 00:40:49,455 --> 00:40:54,780 Um, and all I was saying, You know, and, and I, and you do have to come 641 00:40:54,780 --> 00:40:57,569 to a place where you are willing to surrender your life to Christ. 642 00:40:57,750 --> 00:40:58,110 Yeah. 643 00:40:59,310 --> 00:41:01,740 You know, and, um, and it is about faith. 644 00:41:02,310 --> 00:41:02,640 Yeah. 645 00:41:03,900 --> 00:41:08,160 You know, let, let's be honest, this isn't about adjusting our thinking or 646 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:10,210 invite, just inviting Jesus into here. 647 00:41:10,230 --> 00:41:10,790 Mm-hmm. 648 00:41:11,150 --> 00:41:13,529 It's Christ into our hearts. 649 00:41:13,780 --> 00:41:14,270 Yeah. 650 00:41:14,270 --> 00:41:17,950 And it's a faith, you know, and. 651 00:41:19,530 --> 00:41:25,050 If you don't know Jesus, I would encourage you off the back of the Easter story. 652 00:41:26,010 --> 00:41:26,910 Seek him out. 653 00:41:27,150 --> 00:41:28,300 You will not be disappointed. 654 00:41:29,565 --> 00:41:31,095 Yeah, that's very true. 655 00:41:31,515 --> 00:41:33,105 You will not be disappointed. 656 00:41:33,255 --> 00:41:36,135 Uh, it is definitely, um, my testimony. 657 00:41:36,135 --> 00:41:37,005 I know it's yours, Dave. 658 00:41:37,305 --> 00:41:40,305 I, it's not gonna be easy, but you won't be disappointed. 659 00:41:40,695 --> 00:41:44,295 Uh, and I think the, the life with Christ is such an adventure. 660 00:41:44,805 --> 00:41:48,675 Um, and, you know, he calls us upon a great adventure. 661 00:41:48,735 --> 00:41:50,925 And so my encouragement is just live it. 662 00:41:51,215 --> 00:41:54,630 Live that adventure, uh, that um, Jesus has got for you. 663 00:41:54,630 --> 00:41:56,670 Be an amazing, amazing story. 664 00:41:58,110 --> 00:42:00,674 So, But search him out like David. 665 00:42:00,674 --> 00:42:01,395 Love that. 666 00:42:01,424 --> 00:42:04,004 If you're gonna search for him, search for him with all your heart. 667 00:42:04,095 --> 00:42:06,855 And there's a lot of books out there that can help you, uh, 668 00:42:06,884 --> 00:42:08,745 around the world at the moment. 669 00:42:08,745 --> 00:42:11,595 A lot of churches will be running something called an Alpha course. 670 00:42:11,595 --> 00:42:14,355 If you are looking for more information about Christianity, alpha 671 00:42:14,359 --> 00:42:16,365 courses are a great place to start. 672 00:42:16,904 --> 00:42:19,904 We have an online alpha course here at Crowd Church, which you 673 00:42:19,964 --> 00:42:23,654 can access and sort of watch, uh, and we would love to hear from you. 674 00:42:23,654 --> 00:42:26,865 If you've got any questions, feel free to reach out to us. 675 00:42:28,515 --> 00:42:30,405 And, uh, I'm gonna push this button here. 676 00:42:30,405 --> 00:42:31,065 Hopefully it'll come. 677 00:42:31,065 --> 00:42:31,935 Yes, there you go. 678 00:42:31,935 --> 00:42:32,985 You can reach out to us. 679 00:42:33,255 --> 00:42:37,485 Uh, my, my, my little button, thing's not working, so I've 680 00:42:37,485 --> 00:42:38,415 gotta do it on the screen. 681 00:42:38,895 --> 00:42:42,865 Uh, reach out to us at Crowd Church, www.crowd.church. 682 00:42:42,885 --> 00:42:45,345 Uh, if you're listening to the audio, you can also reach us 683 00:42:45,345 --> 00:42:48,025 on social media @Crowd Church. 684 00:42:48,045 --> 00:42:50,775 We would love to hear from you. 685 00:42:51,065 --> 00:42:55,115 If you have any questions about the Christian faith, uh, or would like to 686 00:42:55,115 --> 00:42:57,785 know more, or if you've recently become a Christian, we would love to hear from you. 687 00:42:58,205 --> 00:43:02,615 There is a great resource on the website which says, how do I become a Christian? 688 00:43:02,615 --> 00:43:06,545 So if you go to Crowd Church, just click the link on How do I Become a Christian? 689 00:43:06,545 --> 00:43:10,595 I think you follow the new here link and it'll take you to, uh, that page and it 690 00:43:10,595 --> 00:43:12,155 talks about how you become a Christian. 691 00:43:12,785 --> 00:43:15,095 Do follow that, do you read that, do you study that. 692 00:43:15,425 --> 00:43:18,545 Uh, because like I say, it's an adventure worth taking. 693 00:43:19,065 --> 00:43:20,335 No doubt about it. 694 00:43:20,385 --> 00:43:21,145 Nicola's put here. 695 00:43:21,145 --> 00:43:22,765 If it was easy, everybody would do it. 696 00:43:24,955 --> 00:43:26,995 Happy 200th birthday Matt Edmo. 697 00:43:27,020 --> 00:43:27,865 Yeah, thanks Matt Crew. 698 00:43:27,865 --> 00:43:28,375 Appreciate that. 699 00:43:31,425 --> 00:43:34,455 Matt Crew and the comments wishing me, uh, a happy birthday. 700 00:43:34,695 --> 00:43:38,055 That's true actually, Matt's put, we're not zooming midweek this week folks. 701 00:43:38,055 --> 00:43:40,575 So normally, uh, if you're a regular to crowd, we have a midweek 702 00:43:40,575 --> 00:43:43,755 zoom group, uh, that's not going on during the Easter holidays. 703 00:43:43,755 --> 00:43:44,865 It will be starting up again. 704 00:43:45,415 --> 00:43:48,505 Not next week, but the week after, we will of course let you know. 705 00:43:48,505 --> 00:43:51,175 But if you would like to join the midweek community groups, we would 706 00:43:51,175 --> 00:43:54,535 love to see you in the Zoom group where we catch up, uh, get to know 707 00:43:54,535 --> 00:43:55,975 one another and build community. 708 00:43:56,395 --> 00:44:00,505 Uh, just get in touch with us via the website, um, or on social media. 709 00:44:00,505 --> 00:44:02,575 We'll send you those details. 710 00:44:02,580 --> 00:44:04,884 We would love to hear from you. 711 00:44:05,365 --> 00:44:09,805 Next week we have, uh, I'm gonna check actually next week. 712 00:44:09,805 --> 00:44:12,904 We have Sharon, uh, my beautiful wife. 713 00:44:13,334 --> 00:44:17,520 She is doing the talk, uh, as we carry on our study in the book of Acts. 714 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:23,970 Uh, Dan Orange is hosting along with Chris and Sue Holcombe, which will be fantastic. 715 00:44:24,450 --> 00:44:24,960 Me. 716 00:44:24,960 --> 00:44:28,380 I'm gonna be, uh, joining the live stream in the comments. 717 00:44:28,440 --> 00:44:31,470 Uh, I'm gonna be enjoying a, a week off because it is my 718 00:44:31,470 --> 00:44:33,150 birthday celebration next weekend. 719 00:44:33,150 --> 00:44:36,060 So, uh, Dan's taken over, which is lovely. 720 00:44:36,360 --> 00:44:38,490 Uh, and Dave, I'm gonna see you next Saturday, right? 721 00:44:39,580 --> 00:44:40,270 You certainly are. 722 00:44:40,950 --> 00:44:41,270 Yeah. 723 00:44:41,295 --> 00:44:41,910 Yeah, absolutely. 724 00:44:41,910 --> 00:44:42,720 Looking forward to it. 725 00:44:42,720 --> 00:44:45,240 So, uh, that's it from us. 726 00:44:45,240 --> 00:44:50,399 Let me just end this live stream by saying a big fat, massive happy Easter to you. 727 00:44:50,399 --> 00:44:51,580 Happy resurrection day. 728 00:44:51,634 --> 00:44:52,950 He is risen. 729 00:44:52,950 --> 00:44:55,950 That's something that we say a lot to each other, uh, at church. 730 00:44:56,009 --> 00:44:57,480 Uh, and we all answer. 731 00:44:57,480 --> 00:45:02,129 He is risen indeed, uh, because that is, like we said, central 732 00:45:02,129 --> 00:45:03,299 part to the Christian faith. 733 00:45:03,299 --> 00:45:05,970 So, Dave, happy Easter, my friend. 734 00:45:05,970 --> 00:45:06,569 God bless you. 735 00:45:06,750 --> 00:45:08,069 It's been great doing Crowd with you. 736 00:45:09,060 --> 00:45:09,160 Yeah. 737 00:45:09,819 --> 00:45:10,890 It's been fantastic. 738 00:45:11,339 --> 00:45:12,049 God bless you, Matt. 739 00:45:12,130 --> 00:45:13,200 You, you're a legend. 740 00:45:13,500 --> 00:45:15,000 All right, ladies and gentlemen, bless you. 741 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:16,020 Thanks for all your comments. 742 00:45:16,020 --> 00:45:17,190 Thanks for joining us. 743 00:45:17,610 --> 00:45:19,650 Uh, and if you're watching on Catchup, come join us on a 744 00:45:19,650 --> 00:45:21,390 Sunday, uh, on the livestream. 745 00:45:21,395 --> 00:45:24,840 Always great to meet people in the comments, uh, but in case no one's 746 00:45:24,840 --> 00:45:26,280 told you yet today, you're amazing. 747 00:45:26,280 --> 00:45:26,940 You're awesome. 748 00:45:26,970 --> 00:45:28,350 God created you awesome. 749 00:45:28,440 --> 00:45:29,880 It's just a burden you've got to bear. 750 00:45:30,330 --> 00:45:31,530 A happy Easter Anna. 751 00:45:31,830 --> 00:45:32,700 It's all in the comments. 752 00:45:32,790 --> 00:45:35,220 Anna's twins day, beautiful little twins, which was great. 753 00:45:35,220 --> 00:45:35,460 So. 754 00:45:36,060 --> 00:45:38,850 Anyway let's end it there before I get carried away. 755 00:45:39,120 --> 00:45:40,140 Uh, bless you guys. 756 00:45:40,140 --> 00:45:40,830 Happy Easter. 757 00:45:40,830 --> 00:45:41,670 Have a great day. 758 00:45:41,670 --> 00:45:42,690 We'll see you next week. 759 00:45:42,870 --> 00:45:43,440 Bye for now.