Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ March 23, 2008
“Power to Change”
Resurrection Easter Sunday
John 20:24-31 and Selected
(Luke 24:1-12) Luke 24:5-8 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" 8 Then they remembered his words.
Easter is all about Change ~ The Power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
John 20:24-31 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
“Power to Change”
Allow God to…
Ø Change my MIND
V25 “… Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
Romans 12:2a Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Ø Change my HEART
V27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ø Change my LIFE
V28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
Ø Change my DESTINY
V31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Titus 3:7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, (mind) so that we may know him (heart) who is true. And we are in him (life) who is true— even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (destiny).
Allow the Power of the Resurrected Savior, change YOUR Life today!
Have a Happy Easter!