THE MIRACLE OF EASTER

TEXT- JOHN 20:19-29

INTRODUCTION

THIS MORNING AS WE DO EVERY SUNDAY MORNING WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE THERE IS AN EVENT- THE RAMIFICATIONS OF WHICH ARE SO GREAT- THAT THE ENTIRE WORLD IS CHANGED AND NEVER QUITE THE SAME.

THE TEARING DOWN OF THE BERLIN WALL AND THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON 9-11 WERE SUCH EVENTS.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS ANOTHER.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST WAS A POWER EVENT BECAUSE IT DEALT WITH LIFE AND DEATH.

IT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED EVENT BECAUSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATE IT EVERY YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME, I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY SKEPTICS WHO ASK, “WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE IF JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD OR NOT?”

THE DIFFERENCE IS, IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE NOTHING ELSE CAN.

OUR TEXT TODAY IS FOUND IN JOHN 20:19-29 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS “THE MIRACLE OF EASTER”.

AS WE EXAMINE THIS PASSAGE I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER THE CHANGES THAT CAN TAKE PLACE IN A PERSON'S LIFE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION.

FOR SOME PEOPLE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE.

"ONE NIGHT A SHIP'S CAPTAIN SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE LIGHT OF ANOTHER SHIP HEADING TOWARD HIM.  HE HAD THE SIGNALMAN BLINK TO THE OTHER SHIP: 'CHANGE YOUR COURSE TEN DEGREES SOUTH.'  THE REPLY CAME BACK, 'CHANGE YOUR COURSE TEN DEGREES NORTH.'  "THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN ANSWERED, 'I AM A CAPTAIN. CHANGE YOUR COURSE SOUTH.'  TO WHICH THE REPLY WAS, 'I AM A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS. CHANGE YOUR COURSE NORTH.' "THIS ENRAGED THE CAPTAIN, SO HE SIGNALED BACK, 'I SAY CHANGE YOUR COURSE SOUTH.  I'M ON A BATTLESHIP!'  THE REPLY CAME BACK, 'AND I SAY CHANGE YOUR COURSE NORTH.  I'M IN A LIGHTHOUSE.'

AS WE EXAMINE OUR TEXT I WOULD LIKE US TO SEE HOW THE RESURRECTION IS ABLE TO CHANGE LIVES.