Why Easter

1
Why Easter?

• Those who know me, know that I am
• Not convinced that the church celebrates the
  right days
• Not convinced we celebrate properly
• Convinced we got the dates wrong
• Convinced a lot of our traditions come from pagan
  roots
• Convinced that Easter comes from the pagan
  celebration
• Convinced that there is not a more important
  celebration
• Convinced that this is one date we get right

2
Why Easter?

• But, Why Easter?
• Jesus said in John 1125-26 I am the
  resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes
  in me will live, even after dying.  Everyone who
  lives in me and believes in me will never ever
  die. Do you believe this

3
Why Easter?

• Do you believe this?
• Why Easter?
• Why the resurrection?
• Why did Jesus die?

4
Why Easter?

• What happened in Genesis 3?
• The Fall cost us
• For the woman
• Pain in childbearing
• A desire to control your husband
• but he will rule over youNLT
• For the man
• The struggle to make a living
• Sweat and blood
• The return to dust

5
Why Easter?

• We had
• Paradise
• Innocence
• The joy of gardening
• Dominion
• Life

6
Why Easter?

• We gave it all up for a bite of rebellion!
• It cost us everything we had!
• It cost us our life!

7
Why Easter?

• BUT GOD is
• OmniscientPsalm 1474 Acts 1518
• He knows everything
• HolyHis character1 Peter 115
• In Him is no evil, only what is right for life
• He is the moral/righteous standard
• JustPsalm 1165 Romans 321-26
• Righteousness/fairHis character in action
• LoveJohn 316 1 John 316
• He seeks His will for those He loves

8
Why Easter?

• BUT GOD is
• TrueJohn 146 Romans 34
• He is consistent with Himself
• FreeIsaiah 4013-14
• He is independent of all His creatures
• OmnipotentRevelation 196
• He is all powerful
• InfinitePsalm 902 Acts 1724
• He is outside of time

9
Why Easter?

• BUT GOD is
• ImmutableMalachi 36 James 117
• He never changesHe is the same
• OmnipresentPsalm 139
• He is everywhere present
• SovereignRomans 9 Ephesians 1
• He is above every other thing/being

10
Why Easter?

• Therefore He wasnt caught off guard
• He knew this would happen before time began
• He devised a plan whereby we could get back our
  life in Him
• He put on fleshJesus
• He was born sinless2 Corinthians 521
• For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the
  offering for our sin, so that we could be made
  right with God through Christ.

11
Why Easter?

• Therefore He wasnt caught off guard
• He knew this would happen before time began
• He devised a plan whereby we could get back our
  life in Him
• He put on fleshJesus
• He lived sinless1 Peter 119
• It was the precious blood of Christ, the
  sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

12
Why Easter?

• Therefore He wasnt caught off guard
• He knew this would happen before time began
• He devised a plan whereby we could get back our
  life in Him
• He put on fleshJesus
• He took our sin on HimselfHebrews 928
• Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice
  to take away the sins of many people. He will
  come again, not to deal with our sins, but to
  bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting
  for him.

13
Why Easter?

• Therefore He wasnt caught off guard
• He knew this would happen before time began
• He devised a plan whereby we could get back our
  life in Him
• He put on fleshJesus
• He died in our placeHe paid for our sin1 John
  22
• He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our
  sinsand not only our sins but the sins of all
  the world.

14
Why Easter?

• Therefore He wasnt caught off guard
• He knew this would happen before time began
• He devised a plan whereby we could get back our
  life in Him
• He put on fleshJesus
• He declared our innocence/He forgave ALL our
  sin1 John 19  But if we confess our sins to
  him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
  sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
• Colossians 113-14 For he has rescued us from
  the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into
  the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our
  freedom and forgave our sins.

15
Why Easter?

• Jesus
• He purchased back our freedom!
• He bought back our keys to paradise!
• He died for this reason!

16
Why Easter?

• All of this would have meant nothing
• Unless
• He rose from the dead!!!!
• He did!!!!!

17
Why Easter?

• He rose victoriously!
• Life was and is in Jesus!
• That is why we celebrate EASTER!
• Resurrection Sunday!

18
Why Easter?

• What are you celebrating today?
• Time with family and friends?
• Easter bunnies and chocolate?
• The life of the risen Christ in you?
• This is the reason for Easter!
• The power of the life of Christ in you!