Easter

What Difference Does
Easter Make?

Introduction

1. What Does the Resurrection Mean? It Means…

   1. Jesus is Who He Claimed to Be

 John 11:25; 14:6

B. Jesus has the Power He Claimed to Have

Matthew 28:18, John 10:18

C. Jesus Does What He Promises to Do

Mark 10:34, Matthew 28:5-6

II. Why Does the Resurrection Matter? Because Now ...

A. My Past can be Forgiven

Col. 2:14, Rom. 8:1

B. My Present Problems can be Managed

Ephesians 1:20, Phillippians 4:13

C. My Future can be Secured

John 17:3, 1 Peter 1:3

The Resurrection Appearances Of Jesus

1. To Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary (probably the mother of James and John), between the tomb and the city, on Resurrection Sunday, early a.m.  Mt 28:9; Mk 16:9

2. To Mary Magdalene, alone, later on Resurrection Sunday, at the tomb area.  Jn 20:14

3. To Peter, evidently alone (location not given), sometime on Resurrection Sunday.  1 Cor 15:5

4. To two Disciples (unnamed, evidently not Apostles) on road to Emmaus; sometime on Resurrection Sunday.  Mk 16:12; Lk 24:15

5. To ten Apostles (Thomas absent) and others with them (we know the above two were with them - #4), who were gathered in Jerusalem in a locked room having a meal, the evening of Resurrection Sunday.  Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19; 1 Cor 15:5

6. To eleven Apostles (Thomas present), one week after #5 - in a house in Jerusalem.  Jn 20:26; Acts 1:4

7. To 500 believers at one time, with the exact time and location not given. 1 Cor 15:6

8. To James, the Lord's brother (an unbeliever at the time), date and location not given. 1 Cor 15:7

9. To seven Disciples (Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two others) while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee at dawn.  They were in a boat 100 yards out; Jesus appeared on shore.  Exact date not given.  Jn 21:1-8

10. To eleven Apostles on a mountain in Galilee, where He gave the Great Commission and then ascended to Heaven.  Mt 28:17; Acts 1:9; 1 Cor 15:7

11. To Paul, as one “untimely born,” much later (2-5 years). The above 10 were all within a 4-day period (Acts 1:3) This special revelation is referred to in Gal 1:15-17 and in 2 Cor 12:1-4.