Easter

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Part 2

In his classic treatment of the evidences for the resurrection of Christ, Who Moved the Stone? Frank Morison calls attention to Paul’s undoubted knowledge of the fact that the tomb of Jesus Christ was found empty. Everyone in Jerusalem would have known this, and Paul in particular must have known of it.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 1

Theme: The Lord’s Own Thoughts about Palm Sunday
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
It’s an interesting feature about the critical moments in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ that His own comments about them are seldom found in conjunction with the events themselves, but rather you find them somew

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 2

Theme: What Jesus Demands 
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
It’s very easy to interpret this parable of the great banquet. Sometimes the parables are hard, but not this one.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 3

Theme: The Cost of Following Jesus
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
Now, if you come to the point where you understand the cost, even though you’re not willing to pay it, let me at least say that you have come a long way, and that’s a good thing.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 4

Theme: The Chief Barrier in Coming to Jesus
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
Yesterday we concluded by talking about people’s resentment toward God for having characteristics that sinners hate.

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The Book of Luke

Would Not! Why Not? Part 5

Theme: Christ Is Willing
 
In this week leading up to Easter, we focus on an event that shows how Jesus would have received the crowds on Palm Sunday if they had truly come to him in faith and repentance.
 
Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
 
What did the people of Jesus’ day who did not like Him do about it?

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 2

Theme: The Emmaus Travelers as Eyewitnesses
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Yesterday we ended by talking about the identification of Cleopas and his wife, the couple from Emmaus who had thought Jesus was going to be Israel’s redeemer, but now after seeing his crucifixion were retu

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 1

Theme: A Question of Necessity
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26 
 
In Luke 24:26 we read, “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” That’s a question of necessity and it’s unlike other questions that Jesus asked.

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 3

Theme: When Hope Died
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Here’s a couple who knew about these things, and Jesus appeared to them. It’s really extraordinary what they experienced and what they said. First of all, let’s remember that Mary, Cleopas’ wife, was at the cross.

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 4

Theme: Resurrection and Redemption
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
We ask the question, “If sensible people like that, who had seen Christ die, and who had no anticipation of a resurrection whatsoever, came to believe in the resurrection, as they most certainly did, what is it that

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The Book of Luke

A Question for Easter Sunday, Section 5

Theme: Three Kinds of Openings 
 
From these lessons we see that the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ were necessary in order for us to have the one true Redeemer who would deliver His people from their sins.
 
Scripture: Luke 24:26
 
Yesterday we said that the first opening that God does is that of opening the Scriptures to us.

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The Book of Luke

Monday: When He Saw the City, He Wept

Theme: From Tears to Joy
In this week’s lessons, we look at a moving event in the life of Jesus just before his arrest and crucifixion, when he weeps for the city of Jerusalem over its rejection of Him.
Scripture: Luke 19:41, 42

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The Book of Luke

Tuesday: When He Saw the City, He Wept

Theme: When Jesus Wept for a City
In this week’s lessons, we look at a moving event in the life of Jesus just before his arrest and crucifixion, when he weeps for the city of Jerusalem over its rejection of Him.
Scripture: Luke 19:41, 42

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The Book of Luke

Wednesday: When He Saw the City, He Wept

Theme: The Judgment Is Coming
In this week’s lessons, we look at a moving event in the life of Jesus just before his arrest and crucifixion, when he weeps for the city of Jerusalem over its rejection of Him.
Scripture: Luke 19:41, 42

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The Book of Luke

Thursday: When He Saw the City, He Wept

Theme: Praying for Grace
In this week’s lessons, we look at a moving event in the life of Jesus just before his arrest and crucifixion, when he weeps for the city of Jerusalem over its rejection of Him.
Scripture: Luke 19:41, 42

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The Book of Luke

Friday: When He Saw the City, He Wept

Theme: Pointing Sinners to Jesus
In this week’s lessons, we look at a moving event in the life of Jesus just before his arrest and crucifixion, when he weeps for the city of Jerusalem over its rejection of Him.
Scripture: Luke 19:41, 42
Yesterday, we were talking about the need to be broken over the eternal state of the lost. I want to conclude this first application with a story from personal experience.

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The Book of Matthew

Monday: Peter Went Out and Wept

Theme: Two Dramas in One Story
In this week’s lessons, we look at the story of Peter’s denial, and see that no matter our sins, we can be forgiven and restored because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75

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The Book of Matthew

Tuesday: Peter Went Out and Wept

Theme: When Unlikely People Fall
In this week’s lessons, we look at the story of Peter’s denial, and see that no matter our sins, we can be forgiven and restored because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75

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The Book of Matthew

Wednesday: Peter Went Out and Wept

Theme: Guarding against Falling
In this week’s lessons, we look at the story of Peter’s denial, and see that no matter our sins, we can be forgiven and restored because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75

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The Book of Matthew

Thursday: Peter Went Out and Wept

Theme: The Need to Follow Closely
In this week’s lessons, we look at the story of Peter’s denial, and see that no matter our sins, we can be forgiven and restored because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75

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The Book of Matthew

Friday: Peter Went Out and Wept

Theme: The Power of Christ’s Cross
In this week’s lessons, we look at the story of Peter’s denial, and see that no matter our sins, we can be forgiven and restored because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75

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The Book of Matthew

Monday:The Resurrection and Jesus’ Enemies

Sermon: Rewards Instead of Punishment
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15
In this week’s Easter lessons, we note the contrast between Jesus’ enemies and friends concerning the resurrection, and the price worth paying to be a witness to Christ.
Theme: The Resurrection and Jesus’ Enemies

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The Book of Matthew

Tuesday: When Unbelief is Rewarded

Sermon: Rewards Instead of Punishment
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15
In this week’s Easter lessons, we note the contrast between Jesus’ enemies and friends concerning the resurrection, and the price worth paying to be a witness to Christ.
Theme: When Unbelief Is Rewarded

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Wednesday: A Bizarre Idea

Sermon: Rewards Instead of Punishment
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15
In this week’s Easter lessons, we note the contrast between Jesus’ enemies and friends concerning the resurrection, and the price worth paying to be a witness to Christ.
Theme: A Bizarre Idea

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The Book of Matthew

Thursday: The Reaction of Jesus’ Friends

Sermon: Rewards Instead of Punishment
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15
In this week’s Easter lessons, we note the contrast between Jesus’ enemies and friends concerning the resurrection, and the price worth paying to be a witness to Christ.
Theme: The Reaction of Jesus’ Friends

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The Book of Matthew

Friday: Waiting for the Great Reversal

Sermon: Rewards Instead of Punishment
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15
In this week’s Easter lessons, we note the contrast between Jesus’ enemies and friends concerning the resurrection, and the price worth paying to be a witness to Christ.
Theme: Waiting for the Great Reversal

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An Easter Sermon for Unbelievers by James Montgomery Boice

Monday: What the Resurrection Proves

There are various ways Christians think about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is right since the Bible itself presents Christ’s resurrection in these lights. The resurrection is evidence that God has accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for sin on our behalf, for instance. Paul was thinking about this in Romans when he wrote that Jesus “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).

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An Easter Sermon for Unbelievers by James Montgomery Boice

Tuesday: The Athenian Philosophers

What do you suppose the reactions of Paul were as he came to Athens on his second missionary journey? He himself had been trained in Tarsus, one of the great university centers, where he had been born and grew up. The fact that Paul seemed perfectly at home in the intellectual setting of Athens reveals something of his background. He came from a distinguished university. He was visiting a distinguished university. Yet Paul was disturbed as he interacted with the Athenian philosophers. Luke tells us that they were Epicureans and Stoics, the two great schools of thought in Paul’s day.

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An Easter Sermon for Unbelievers by James Montgomery Boice

Wednesday: Our Creator and Sustainer

Paul’s address begins in verse 22. When you write a formal address or sermon, you generally begin with an introduction, have three or four main points, and then a good conclusion. This is exactly what Paul does here. He has a short introduction, followed by four clear points: 1) that God is the Creator of all things; 2) that God is the sustainer of all things; 3) that God is the ordainer of all things; and 4) that we should seek Him. After this there is a conclusion which says that we should repent since we have not sought God as we should, to which he appends three inducements. It is here, at the very end, that his warning about Christ’s resurrection comes in.

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An Easter Sermon for Unbelievers by James Montgomery Boice

Thursday: Our Need to Seek God

Third, Paul says that God not only sustains the universe but that He also guides the affairs of men. Verse 26 says, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”

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An Easter Sermon for Unbelievers by James Montgomery Boice

Friday: Repent!

Paul’s exact words were, “He [God] has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead” (v. 31). The resurrection of Jesus is what we remember especially on Easter Sunday when we see it as proof of all those good things that pertain to Christian people. But we find here that it is also a great warning. For it is evidence that God does not ignore sin, that justice will be meted out, and that Jesus Himself will be our judge at that day— if we will not have him as our Savior now.

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Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Monday: Bodily Resurrection

The only resurrection that counts for anything is a resurrection of the body. The disciples knew Jesus’ resurrection was real when they touched His body, and it was only because of their deeply grounded conviction that He was raised that they were willing to launch out from their obscure corner of the earth to the whole of the Roman world with the Gospel.

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Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Tuesday: The First Easter Morning

On reaching the tomb they were astonished to find that the stone had been moved from the entrance. We can imagine them standing at a distance, afraid to go close, wondering what had happened. Who had moved the stone? Had the body of Jesus been stolen? Grave robbing was a common crime in the ancient world. Perhaps the robbers were still around. Or had Pilate ordered the body’s removal? What should they do? At last they decided the disciples should be told. So Mary Magdalene was sent back to the city to find them. Not one of them imagined that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

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Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Wednesday: Four Angelic Imperatives

At this point, however, neither Peter nor John had seen the resurrected Lord. He was seen by the women first, those who had been last at the cross and were now first at the tomb. Jesus met them on their way home after they had gone to the tomb, seen the angels, and heard about Jesus’ resurrection. The angel’s message contains four imperatives which are as important for us as they were on that first Easter day for those women (vv. 6-7).

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Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Thursday: Go and Tell Others

We concluded yesterday by looking at what we should see when we look into Christ’s empty grave. I had pointed out the first three of the five Spurgeon mentions. We’ll continue that in today’s lesson with the fourth point, the most important one. We must look into the tomb to see that Jesus is not in it. He is risen, as He said. He has conquered death.

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Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Friday: When Opposition Comes

How perverse are the sinful hearts of men. When Jesus was dying on the cross the leaders had taunted him, saying, “Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matt. 27:42). But now Jesus had done something even greater than that. He had been raised from death. Did they believe in Him? Of course not. They could not believe because they would not believe.

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Rewards instead of punishment

Monday: The Resurrection and Jesus’ Enemies

Each year at Easter time, when I turn to these stories of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I find myself wondering what I’m going to find new to preach on. When you’ve been doing this as many years as I have now, you begin to have the feeling that you have preached just about everything you can, given the rather limited corpus of material. And yet, each year as I turn to these stories, I find that there’s something there I never saw before.

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Rewards instead of punishment

Tuesday: When Unbelief Is Rewarded

The soldiers had left their post, and the tomb was empty. They must have been terrified, wondering what was going to happen to them. After the religious leaders met together, they did not seek to have the soldiers punished. Instead, the guards were told to lie about what had happened. They were to go out and say nothing about angels or a stone being rolled away, but simply to say that while they were asleep, His disciples came and stole the body.

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Rewards instead of punishment

Wednesday: A Bizarre Idea

Here’s a case, which like so many others, shows us a man who proposes a theory to explain away the reality of the resurrection. And instead of being rebuffed or forgotten, as Schofield and his book should have been, he is rewarded. It’s a case of rewards instead of punishments.

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Rewards instead of punishment

Thursday: The Reaction of Jesus’ Friends

But now I want you to look at something else. I want you to turn from thinking about those enemies of Christ, who are exemplified by the soldiers and the priests on that first Easter Sunday, and instead I want you to focus on Christ’s friends, those who learned of the resurrection and who met with Jesus Christ following His resurrection.

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Rewards instead of punishment

Friday: Waiting for the Great Reversal

One day there will be a great reversal. As is often the case in this life because of sin and the commitment that men and women have to unbelief, that unbelief is rewarded and the truth is punished. That’s happened before, and it will happen again. But, nevertheless, God is on His throne. The day is coming when all of that will be overturned. Unbelief will be judged, sin will be punished, and those who stand with the Lord Jesus Christ will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

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