← ArchiveThe JESUS StoryThe JESUS Story: In or Out?DateAugust 8, 2021SpeakerDr Josh BurnhamText—TranscriptMachine transcribed · click any line to jump0:00Thank you. Okay, welcome to the church that meets at Bethel Baptist.0:30Okay, welcome to the church that meets at Bethel Baptist. We're so thankful that you are here. We are again meeting because Jesus Christ is worth it. We say it often at Bethel. The gospel is simple. It's Jesus in our place. And if you can't remember that, just remember what we sang. The cross is spoken. I am forgiven. The king of kings calls me his own. Beautiful savior.0:59Beautiful savior. I'm yours forever. Jesus Christ, my living hope. This is why we worship. And some of you knew that. I was back there in the cage playing the drums. Find the way that you worship. I worship through playing. That brings me joy because I believe God shines upon me when I play. So if I'm off beat, that's okay. The Lord understands. I wasn't playing for you. If you sing, sing to the glory of God. If you teach, teach for the glory of God.1:28If you teach, teach for the glory of God. In the way that God has gifted you to worship, do so. Because he is our living hope. For everyone who is new here, and I met a family today that was here for the very first time. For everyone who is watching online, and I suspect we have a lot of people watching online today. We just want to thank you, and we are glad you are joining us in worship. And let this hand clap be our welcome. So meet me again in the book of John.1:58So meet me again in the book of John. So this is our final sermon in the book of John. We're calling this the Jesus story. And where do you end but the resurrection? This is what we're going to look at today. In our last gathering, we worshiped last week through the crucifixion. Jesus of Nazareth, becoming a curse on a tree. The Bible says, curse it in anyone who is hung upon a tree. That those who are cursed might find freedom in the one who is cursed upon the tree.2:27That those who are cursed might find freedom in the one who is cursed upon the tree. This is what Jesus did on our behalf. And it was on the cross, as we heard last week as we worshiped, that Jesus cried out, It is finished. But that's not the end of the story. Jesus did not stay upon the cross. And he didn't stay in the tomb, as we're going to see today. And he rose again.2:57And he rose again. And not only is that story true 2,000 years ago, But Jesus is still working in our world for his glory and for your good. So as we read John 20, I want to begin to stir some thoughts in your mind and some affections in your heart. A scholar named Bloomberg said this about the crucifixion and the resurrection. He said, How important is it that the resurrection is a central tenet of our faith?3:24How important is it that the resurrection is a central tenet of our faith? And this is what he concluded. No religion stands or falls with a claim about the resurrection of its founder in the way that Christianity does. So let me say it another way. If you take away the resurrection, everything that we are doing today makes no sense. Christianity rises and falls on the truth and the reality that we do not worship a dead Messiah.3:51Christianity rises and falls on the truth and the reality that we do not worship a dead Messiah. We worship a living Savior who gives us a living hope. 66% of Americans believe that. 66% of Americans in a 2021 poll said that we believe in the reality of a resurrection. But listen to what Gallup pollsters concluded. They concluded this. A man named McLaughlin.4:21A man named McLaughlin. He said, As I heard that stat, I was heartbroken. Because the idea that someone would say they believe Jesus actually rose from the dead. But this belief would have so little impact in their life that they would not even be part of a local church is truly tragic. This is what the pollster said. He said, Two-thirds of Americans believe, say, Jesus rose from the dead.4:47Two-thirds of Americans believe, say, Jesus rose from the dead. But they don't believe it changes their life. Let me say this. If what we read today is true, the resurrection changes everything. It changes everything about us. So with that, let's read John 20, verses 1 and 2. We're going to read more. Just hold on. But verses 1 and 2 this morning.5:15But verses 1 and 2 this morning. Sermon is entitled, Are you in or are you out? On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early. So early that it was still dark. And she saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple.5:46So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple. You know him as John, the one who Jesus loved. And she said to these two, they've taken the Lord out of the tomb. And we do not know where they have put him. Let's pause and pray and ask God to bless his word in our hearts. Father, we confess to you that we are fallen people living in a broken world.6:11Father, we confess to you that we are fallen people living in a broken world. And Lord, if this season has taught us anything, it's that we don't have all the answers. And Lord, we understand today that there is nothing that we can do in our life that will ever keep us safe. And so we rest in your unfailing love. We rest in the fact that we have a living hope.6:37We rest in the fact that we have a living hope. That the one who died on the cross did not stay dead, but that he rose again in three days, just as he said. That all who might believe in your name have a living hope. Lord, that is our prayer and that is our hope. Father, would you stir our hearts again to the reality that we serve a God who is living and not dead. And Lord, if that is true, that the resurrection would change our lives.7:05And Lord, if that is true, that the resurrection would change our lives. Lord, we don't want to be hearers only of your word, but we want to be doers. Because you are worth it. So Lord, revive us again. Starting in this moment, we pray. In Christ's name, amen and amen. So the Saturday after the resurrection was passed over in silence. We don't know what happened on that day.7:34We don't know what happened on that day. The gospels were silent and the world was silent. But on the first day of the week, on Sunday morning, something happened. And Mary Magdalene, she goes to the tomb. And the Bible is very explicit on when she goes. It's early. It's ante meridium. It's before noon. It's a.m. And she's going, it's so early, she's going in, in darkness. Now, I think there's something deeper here than just a time stamp.8:02Now, I think there's something deeper here than just a time stamp. Now, it is a time stamp. It is in the morning. But Mary is not a stranger to darkness. I don't believe this is the first time in her life that she got up before 8 a.m. I don't believe this is the first time in her life that she's ventured out early in the morning. And what this reminds us of, as she is figuring out and wrestling, is Jesus alive? Is he dead? Someone rolled the stone away? What do we do?8:32What do we do? There are environments in all of our lives that make it difficult to see sometimes. Think about that. There are times in all of our life where fate is a little bit more difficult than it was yesterday. If we're honest, there are days where you wake up and the hummingbirds are fluttering and the butterflies are flying. And you wake up at 6 a.m. You say, Lord, you are here. I hear you. And then there are days where you wake up and it's dark and you're thinking, again?8:59And then there are days where you wake up and it's dark and you're thinking, again? And faith on those days are difficult. Is it Mary's fault that it's dark in this moment? No, it's not. It's a natural environment. And there are times in our life where faith is a little bit more difficult, where natural sight is more difficult. And so in those moments, rest in Jesus Christ. Those moments remind me that when it's more difficult to see, faith is more than a feeling and it's more than physical sight.9:26Those moments remind me that when it's more difficult to see, faith is more than a feeling and it's more than physical sight. And she goes to the tomb. Now listen, Mary is not only not a stranger to physical darkness, she is not a stranger to spiritual darkness. Mark tells us that Mary was demon-possessed. Not with one demon. Not with two demons. Not with three demons. But seven demons. Jesus had cast out.9:55Jesus had cast out. And can you imagine the overwhelming trauma and spiritual and emotional abuse that that caused her? I would be afraid of the dark for the rest of my life knowing the darkness that could be in a broken world. And John reminds us that darkness is often a spiritual metaphor for spiritual darkness. If you remember, Nicodemus in John 3 comes to Jesus Christ and he's a learned man.10:21If you remember, Nicodemus in John 3 comes to Jesus Christ and he's a learned man. He's a teacher of the law and he comes to Jesus at night in darkness. We know that the book of John says that men hate light but they love darkness. And John is reminding us that there is darkness in all of our lives. And the lack of light shrouds Mary's understanding. She can't see like she needs to see because of the darkness.10:49She can't see like she needs to see because of the darkness. Now, you might have missed it. Maybe I missed it here in John 20 verses 1. But does Mary ever enter the tomb?11:09We don't know, do we? The text seems to lead us to believe that she never enters. She walks and she sees the tomb rolled away and she runs to tell the others. Hold that thought because Mary will come back and she will go in. And her life has changed. But she stays on the outside. Let me ask you right now. In your life, if you were honest, what is keeping you away? What darkness is keeping you away from entering the presence of God right now?11:37What darkness is keeping you away from entering the presence of God right now? It might not be your fault. It might be natural darkness. People have influenced you. Relationships have influenced you. It might just be early morning. Maybe it's your sin. Maybe it's things that you know should not be there. And right now you're thinking, I'm coming to church, but I am not going to go into the presence of God. It's not safe. And darkness never keeps you away from Jesus Christ.12:06And darkness never keeps you away from Jesus Christ. So Mary in darkness runs to see two men. John and Peter. Let's read about these two men. Verse 3. Peter and the other disciple went out when they heard this news, what Mary had revealed. And they headed for the tomb. The two were running together. But the other disciple outran Peter. I always laugh. For eternity, John is reminding Peter, I'm faster.12:36For eternity, John is reminding Peter, I'm faster. In case you forgot. And he got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen clothes. Lying there, but listen to what the word says. Lying there, but he did not go in. John stays on the outside. Something is keeping him away. Verse 6. Then following him, Simon Peter also came.13:06Then following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered. Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on his head was folded up in a separate place by itself. Let's stop there. John never goes inside the tomb. It's quite interesting that the Bible says that stooping down, he saw. The word is actually probably better. He peeks in. He just has a tiny glimpse.13:35He just has a tiny glimpse. Now, you know what the word peek means. It's either glancing from afar or quickly. So, it's like that game that you play, right? Peek-a-boo. It's a quick glance. And then you put your hands over your face. Don't act like you've never played that game before. Some of you are looking at me like I've lost my mind. Right? Peek-a-boo. I've seen what kids do to grandparents. So, I know your charade is up. It's a quick glance.14:04It's a quick glance. But as I read this, I wonder, how often are we content with merely a quick peek at who Jesus is? You see, the resurrection doesn't let us peek anymore. The resurrection says, come and see. Come and dwell. Come and follow. And if you're here, and maybe your life has been a superficial Christianity, maybe you have always been content with the peek.14:30And if you're here, and maybe your life has been a superficial Christianity, maybe you have always been content with the peek. I'm going to come to church. I'm going to give what I need to give. I'm going to do what I need to do. And then I'm going to leave. But I'm never going to enter into the presence of God. Jesus is not content with you living a superficial life. A peek of Jesus will never let you experience the power of the resurrection. There is more to offer.14:58There is more to offer. Now, look what happens. Peter goes in. He's slower, but he's more brave. In verse 8, the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in. And when he went in, he saw. He didn't peek. He saw. He dwelled on that. And he believed. He believed.15:30He believed. What John did not see, and what he did see, changed his life, didn't it? He did not see the slain body of the Messiah there. What he did see was the cloths folded neatly, as if to say, I'm not needing these anymore. You see, for John, when he entered into the presence of God, something changed. Listen, Jesus never asked you to keep your distance. That's what we want to do, isn't it?16:01That's what we want to do, isn't it? We want to say, Jesus, I will give you some of my life, but you, COVID protocols, right? Social distance. You stay away. And Jesus doesn't allow that in our lives. Jesus says it's all or nothing. Jesus says, drop down your nets and follow me. And when John entered into the tomb, he understood what Jesus said. Think about the invitation that Jesus has given in the Gospel of John. Jesus says, come, follow me.16:30Jesus says, come, follow me. Dwell with me. Abide with me. Church, a peak of Jesus will never save your life. But when you come into his presence, that will change your life. John understood it. Come close. Enter in and find Jesus Christ risen. He is everything that you need. Come close today. Let's go back to Mary.16:59Let's go back to Mary. Mary. So they leave. The two go tell the ten what the two saw. But Mary stays by herself in verse 11. Now, I don't know what this means, but it is quite interesting that all the men leave the tomb and there's one lady that stays. Mary stood outside the tomb crying. So she doesn't stay because of a belief in the resurrection. She stays out of devotion because she still believes that someone took her Savior.17:26She stays out of devotion because she still believes that someone took her Savior. Now, let's stop here again. Verse 1, Mary goes to the tomb in darkness. Does she enter into the tomb? I don't think so. Look at verse 11. She's crying. And as she's crying, she's stooped to look where? Into the tomb. And so this is what she sees. She sees two angels. I think that's, in itself, that's remarkable.17:55I think that's, in itself, that's remarkable. And they were in white sitting where Jesus' body had been lying. One at the head and the other at the feet. And they said to her, Woman, why are you crying? And so she has a conversation with an angel. As if this is normal, by the way. She says, Because they have taken away my Lord. And I do not know where they have put him.18:23And I do not know where they have put him. Verse 14, Having said this, she turns around and she sees Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. Verse 15, woman. So notice, what does Jesus call her? I just gave it to you. Woman. Okay. Jesus said to her, why are you crying? Who is it that you're seeking?18:52Who is it that you're seeking? Supposing he was a gardener? She replied, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you put him and I will take him away. Now think about this. There, every other disciple, there is no guy at the tomb. And Mary is standing up to this gardener that says, you know what? You tell me where you've taken him and I will take care of his body. Verse 16. This is one of my favorite verses in all the Bible. So what did Jesus call her earlier? Woman. Which is a sign of endearment, by the way.19:23Which is a sign of endearment, by the way. It's respect. Jesus said to her, Mary. Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni, which means my great one. It's a term of endearment for teacher. With one word, Jesus changes the discussion. With one word. You see, God often used people's names in the Bible to get their attention.19:53You see, God often used people's names in the Bible to get their attention. Saul. Saul. Why do you persecute me? I will no longer call you Jacob, the one who grabs the heel, the one who's wrestling with people. I will call you Israel, the man who saw God, El. I will no longer call you Abe. I will call you, not father, I will call you Abraham.20:20I will call you, not father, I will call you Abraham. Abraham, father of many. And in the same way, Jesus approaches Mary. This tells me several things about Jesus in our lives. One, Jesus knew her name, didn't he? He didn't call her woman because he forgot her name. I'm horrible with names. There's a chance that I might call someone woman or man because I don't remember your name. Jesus never forgets a name.20:48Jesus never forgets a name. And not only does he know her name, he wants Mary to recognize him. And Jesus approaches you the same way. He calls you by name because he wants you to recognize him. The Messiah does not send out mass invites. He does not send out group text. God invites you by name into a personal relationship. I love that we have a God that is so infinitely marvelous.21:16I love that we have a God that is so infinitely marvelous. That he is everywhere and he is there at the same time. That he knows every single name in the world. And he calls us by name, Mary. And at the sound of his voice, did you hear how she responded? At the sound of his voice, she turns around and says, My great one. She instantly recognized what Jesus was doing.21:45She instantly recognized what Jesus was doing. I believe for some of you today, God is calling you to salvation. I believe you walked in here and you're thinking, I don't even know why I'm here today, but something feels weird. Someone told the pastor everything about my life. Everyone's looking at me. Something is going on. And that is Jesus getting your attention, saying, I'm not talking to everyone. I'm talking to you. Follow me. Jesus is calling some of you.22:18Jesus is calling some of you. And the best thing you can do to God's call on your life is to say yes. Say, I will follow you. Would you give your life to Christ today? He knows you by name. You are not a number. You are a name to the Messiah. And if you've given your life to Jesus, think about this. Do you remember the last time? Do you remember the first time that you heard God speak to you? I remember God calling me and asking me to repent and follow him.22:48I remember God calling me and asking me to repent and follow him. And he would change my life. I remember God saying, Josh, do you believe the resurrection is true? I can't tell you a single person in the room. But I know he was calling my name. And in that moment, I didn't care about Chris. I didn't care about Wade or Bobby or Susie. I just said, God, if you are calling Josh, I want Josh to follow you. And it was like heaven flooded my soul to say, God, I'm not a number to you.23:14And it was like heaven flooded my soul to say, God, I'm not a number to you. I am a name. You died on the cross for me. With one word, Jesus can change your life. Let's go back to the disciples. After all this is going on, we go from Mary to the 2, to Mary, now the 12. In verse 19. It was evening on the very same day, the first day of the week.23:41It was evening on the very same day, the first day of the week. This is Sunday. The disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Now, before you throw shade at the disciples, you would be scared too. They've just killed the Messiah. So, who's next in line? The 12. The most natural people to die for their faith would be the 12. It's quite understandable. So, they locked the doors.24:10So, they locked the doors. They didn't just shut them. They locked them because they feared the Jews. And Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, Peace be with you. Every proper residence in the ancient world would have had locks on their doors. And the disciples found, they made sure they found a room with locks. Because they wanted to be secure. And I'm reminded in my life that this is what we do.24:37And I'm reminded in my life that this is what we do. When we feel scared, we circle the wagons, we lock the doors, and we shut out the world. This is not just an ancient phenomenon, is it? This is the way that many of us treat life. We've been hurt in the past, or we're going through struggles, and instead of anyone seeing our fear, I'm going to shut everyone out. And the unintended consequence sometimes of you drawing boxes and closing doors in your life, is that you also keep God out.25:06And the unintended consequence sometimes of you drawing boxes and closing doors in your life, is that you also keep God out. But here's a good thing about the Messiah that we serve. He can pass through doors. There's not a door that you can lock that God can't enter. Now, He's not going to always burst through the door. He might pass through it. And this is exactly what Jesus does. Let me just remind you, never close doors that God wants to be opened. Never close and lock doors that God wants to be opened.25:36Never close and lock doors that God wants to be opened. And while the doors were locked, this is the power of our Jesus. While the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them. Don't ask me how that happened. I don't know. The Bible doesn't tell us. He's just there. And what does Jesus say? Peace. Why? Because they're scared. Jesus knows what you need. And He can meet that need. Jesus never intended for His people to stay behind closed doors.26:05Jesus never intended for His people to stay behind closed doors. Let me say that again. Church. Jesus never intended His people to stay behind closed doors. Because He wants to send them out. A church that's hiding from the culture and their community behind locked doors is living in a posture of fear and not of faith. Listen, I don't fear our culture.26:34Listen, I don't fear our culture. I feel like we're like Lazarus in our second life. What are they going to do? Kill us again? The message is on the resurrection, guys. So what? What is the world going to do to us that they have not done to our Messiah and found that they cannot kill the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ? Not even death can conquer what Jesus has laid for us.27:00Not even death can conquer what Jesus has laid for us. So how dare we? Church. How dare any church lock themselves behind closed doors and say, good luck? We are not called to live by fear, but by faith. Jesus did not rise from the dead so that His church would remain in hiding. He wants us to live out our faith boldly and clearly to a world that needs to know that Jesus rose from the dead.27:28He wants us to live out our faith boldly and clearly to a world that needs to know that Jesus rose from the dead. And I believe God is asking His disciples, are you in or are you out? Well, what you don't know in this moment is that one is missing. Thomas. You call him doubting Thomas, but I just call him bold Thomas. Thomas asked a question that no one else in the room wants to ask.27:56Thomas asked a question that no one else in the room wants to ask. Thomas is not there. Look at verse 24. He was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling Him, hey, we had the doors locked and boom, there He was. And Thomas is saying, come on. You guys are pulling my leg. Jesus didn't just pass through the lock, right? And He says, if I don't see the marks of the nails in His hands, if I don't put my finger into the marks of the nails and put my hand, are you in or out, right, into the side, I will never believe.28:24And He says, if I don't see the marks of the nails in His hands, if I don't put my finger into the marks of the nails and put my hand, are you in or out, right, into the side, I will never believe. So Jesus says, okay. A week later, Thomas was with them. And even though the doors were locked, like, come on, right? You've already locked out the world because you're in fear.28:53You've already locked out the world because you're in fear. And Jesus has said, that's not what I've died and rose again for. And now they're locked again. Jesus came and stood among them and said, peace be with you. And He said to Thomas, I love this. Thomas, put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out and put it in my side. He said, don't be faithless. Thomas, don't be faithless, but believe.29:21Thomas, don't be faithless, but believe. Thomas is what you call a skeptic. A skeptic is someone who challenges natural conventions. As a challenger by nature, I appreciate Thomas. Thomas is the one, when you said, the sky is blue, he's going to say, no, it's light blue. Thomas is the one that, when the world says, well, we're not going to follow Him, Thomas says, I'll die for Jesus.29:47Thomas is the one that, when the world says, well, we're not going to follow Him, Thomas says, I'll die for Jesus. That's Thomas. And the reason Thomas gives me hope, some of us have grown up in environments where you feel like if you ask questions of faith, you're sinning. That's not true. If you ask, if you challenge God because you think you are God and you ask questions in that way, that is sin. But when you ask questions and you say, God, I don't know. Let me see because I want to believe. God answers questions of authentic heart and authentic faith.30:19God answers questions of authentic heart and authentic faith. I believe what John Calvin said, all truth is God's truth. If you really are asking questions, you will always end up to the truth, which always leads you to Jesus Christ. Science will never invalidate Jesus. When science says, when science contradicts faith, science doesn't understand fully, but they will one day. Because science observes what God has created.30:49Because science observes what God has created. I believe all of our hard sciences are only pointing to the one who created everything. We can ask questions of faith because God is asking us to seek what is true. It reminds me of several things in the Gospels. There are many people in the Gospel of John who come to faith, faith, because of things they've seen. Do you remember the miracle of the fishes and the loaves?31:17Do you remember the miracle of the fishes and the loaves? You know, a couple fishes and a little bit more loaves and Jesus feeds 5,000 people. Well, because of that, many people followed him because Jesus is the, he's the bread of life and they wanted to be fed. But when Jesus began to teach them about full discipleship, they walked away. The Bible never says that signs are negative. But signs are always inadequate for true faith.31:47But signs are always inadequate for true faith. Let me say it this way. If your faith is based on what God can do for you, at best, your faith is superficial. Because there will be a time where you don't get what you want. And in that moment, God is still God. And Thomas realized that faith that depends on what God can do for me and not the Savior will always let you down.32:08And Thomas realized that faith that depends on what God can do for me and not the Savior will always let you down. Jesus comes to Thomas. How did Jesus know what Thomas had said? Do you think he was outside the door with his, with his ear to the, you think Jesus was listening in? I believe Jesus just had a supernatural understanding that Thomas needed to see.32:33I believe Jesus just had a supernatural understanding that Thomas needed to see. Some of you are like Thomas. Some of you have walked in today and said, if God shows me, then I'll believe. Let me, let me say this to you. If God shows you, then you better believe. Because he will. If you are asking authentic questions of faith, Jesus will reveal himself faithful and true. And so God recognizes to Thomas that he knows your hurts, Jesus knows your habits, and he knows your hang-ups.32:58And so God recognizes to Thomas that he knows your hurts, Jesus knows your habits, and he knows your hang-ups. And Jesus is not scared of any of those. If you are wrestling with faith today, come to Christ. Find him true. Like Thomas, are you in or are you out? Jesus says, do not be faithless, but believe. John Stott said this about the resurrection.33:28John Stott said this about the resurrection. Mary found this to be true. Thomas found this to be true. Simon, Peter, John found this to be true. The Twelve found this to be true. Every single Christian who has ever given their life to Jesus has found this to be true. The resurrection somehow resonates with our human condition. It speaks to our needs like no other event of antiquity does or ever could. If the resurrection is true, it changes everything.33:58If the resurrection is true, it changes everything. Why would John write all this? Over 2,000 years later, why would the apostle John want you to know about the resurrection of Jesus? Well, don't ask me. Ask the word of God. Look at verse 31. John says it very clearly. I have written you these things so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,34:22I have written you these things so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. I believe John is speaking to two groups. He's speaking to those that do not believe yet. And to you, John is saying this.34:50And to you, John is saying this. I didn't go in the tomb at first either. I was faster. I got there first, but I did not go in. And it wasn't until John entered into the tomb that he believed. Some of you are hedging your bets and you are not coming into the presence of God because you know that you sinned. You know that you are far from what God wants you to be. And you think if you go into the presence of God, he is going to strike you down because that is what you deserve.35:16And you think if you go into the presence of God, he is going to strike you down because that is what you deserve. You are right. That is what we deserve. But Jesus provided the way to everlasting life. John did not say, I write you these things so that you may experience the wrath of God. He said, I write you these things that you might believe. I do not know what is keeping you from Jesus.35:46I do not know what is keeping you from Jesus. Maybe it is darkness. Maybe it is environments. Maybe it is your personal sin. Maybe it is you have been hurt by the church. And maybe you say, well, I just do not know if any of this is true. There is nothing more true than Jesus dying and rising again. I will give my life to testify that this is true. If you have never said yes to Jesus Christ, would this be the day that you believe? If the resurrection is true, it changes everything.36:17If the resurrection is true, it changes everything. But there is a second group. John is writing to Christians who are living in fear. He is writing to those who are behind the locked doors. And John is saying for the first time, it is time to come out in the public. Quit living behind locked doors. It is time to be and live what Jesus has created you to be. Bold in your faith because he is worth it. And maybe for the first time, you need to go public with your faith.36:46And maybe for the first time, you need to go public with your faith. Can you imagine the church reading this? Maybe the church in Ephesus reading this. Church in Rome and saying, wow, there was a time where John was scared and he was fearful and he saw Jesus. And it changes life. Would you boldly make your faith public today if that's you? There are no secret Christians. Would you stand up before people, maybe writing on that connect card or connecting online to get baptized,37:16Would you stand up before people, maybe writing on that connect card or connecting online to get baptized, to tell the world that Jesus is worth it and that he has cleansed you and that the resurrection is true? And all of this we see and ask, are you in or are you out? If you do not believe in the resurrection, you are not a Christian.37:42If you do not believe in the resurrection, you are not a Christian. That's the core of who we are. But church, listen to this. If the resurrection is true, what are we fearful of? If Jesus rose again, he died for our sins and he rose again, why are we living in shame? If the resurrection is true, why are we living behind locked doors? As if the culture can take away what Jesus has given us.38:09As if the culture can take away what Jesus has given us. You know who should be scared? The culture should be scared of us. Darkness should be scared of us. That is the power of the resurrection. And I believe again today, Jesus is asking us, are you in or are you out? Don't stay outside the tomb. Don't just be content to peek. Come into his presence and find that he knows your name.38:37Come into his presence and find that he knows your name. And that with one word, Jesus changes your life. This is the Jesus story. And for those who have given their life to you, to Jesus, the world looks at you and they see the Jesus story. Because it is no longer we who live, but it is Christ, the resurrected Messiah, who lives in us.38:59Because it is no longer we who live, but it is Christ, the resurrected Messiah, who lives in us. Let's pray.
