Easter Sunday Message - Easter Is for Everyone: A Timeless Message of Hope

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God check out virtue our website for Christian women go to harvest.org/virtue something Asian or is just Richard Pastor Greg Maurice's Easter is for everyone used her for the person who feels as though God talking to somebody right now this is going to work on what now God is failed to listen to this disappointment is his appointment. God wants to restore your faith today people. The most important, probably on the count of what Christmas certainly get more attention shopping Easter celebrates the day Jesus prayed that he didn't know people that they couldn't pay today on a new beginning for Greg Laurie helplessly. Easter is a message for everyone. Quite simply we all need to redemption celebrate special day.

It's a timely message about time was Mark chapter 6 and the title of my message is Easter is for everyone. I love the tell Bible stories about doing it now for over 45 years. Love to tell Bible stories to my grandkids and I love to just make up stories will always say Poppa make up a story and they especially like it when they're in the story. So my grandchildren are our Riley eats 14 stellar age 13. And then there's Lucy and there's Allie and finally Christopher our grandson Saul make up a story. But I'll change the names a little bit.

Once upon a time there were five squirrels. There was :-) instead of Riley. There was a ballot instead of Stella.

There was good to see instead of Lucy and in and Sally and set a Valium innkeeper. I justly just a mistake and they got into these adventures.

They love to be in the story I wanted to write something that might surprise you.

You are in the Easter story is what you mean by that. What I mean is going to look at the stories about number of people that were impacted by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And I think that you might find you really relate to one of these people. That's why I've titled this message. Easter is for every one okay so let's set the scene, Jesus Christ the son of God has been crucified on the cross is beaten and bloodied body is been so traumatized. No one ever expected to see him alive again. But Jesus from that he would rise from the dead three days after his crucifixion. He said it again and again and again.

But somehow that one over the heads of all of his followers. So one morning Mary Magdalene and a woman named so low and another went to anoint the dead body of Jesus as they come to the tomb. The stone is rolled away and there's an angel, who says of them don't be alarmed.

You're looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen from the dead. Listen to this and then the angel says go tell the disciples and Peter will meet you in Galilee. Okay, let's read about it or chapter 16 verse nine here's what happened next after Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning the first verse of the Psalm is Ray Magaly the woman from Mumia cast out seven demons she went to the disciples who were grieving and weeping and told them what it happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him they did not believe her.

So who is Easter for Easter is for the person who's been devastated by death. Have you lost a loved one were living in such a hard time in America were hearing these tragic stories of people who are dying from the coronavirus and to lose a love one is so hard to deal with.

I know from experience because 13 years ago, our oldest son Christopher died in an automobile accident when I heard that views this. I was devastated is an understatement.

My life was altered and that's what happens when a loved one leaves you and the question that comes to your mind is why did God allow this to happen to me and I want to give you an answer why is this tragedy happening.

Why are people dying are you ready for the answer. Get ready to write it down. I don't know.

I don't know nobody does a great tragedy but I want to tell you something that was never God's plan for us to die.

It was God's plan for us to live forever. It was only when God's plan for us to age. Is he up our first parents had not eaten of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden sin would've not of entered the world by the way, the Bible never says a then Apple will always say when Adam and Eve ate the apple is no Apple in the garden. It just said it was forbidden fruit. I think it probably was a piece of food like you've never seen before and probably pulsated with life and had its own theme song. Maybe I don't know but they needed the forbidden fruit in, then enter the world if they did not eaten of that fruit in the garden that God told him not to eat of.

We would've never God if they did not eaten of that fruit that God told them not to eat up we would not age if they do not eaten of that fruit. God told them not to eat of. I would have here right now. Okay, so we all face the repercussions of it, but here's the message of Easter Jesus died on the cross and he rose again from the dead. Here's the bottom line just died.

When Christ rose is a Greg you're delusional. People are still dying.

I know physically.

There are dying and they always will. The statistics on death are quite impressive. One out of every one person's will.if you happen to all of us in time, but the resurrection of Jesus, says we can live beyond the grave. The apostle Paul writes in first Corinthians 15 a crisis been raised from the dead. In these, the first of a great harvest of those will be raised to life again. The resurrection of Jesus was the death of death, and here's what we know our resurrection bodies, for God will give to us will be similar to the resurrection body of Jesus. Only Christ rose was he a different person know he was the scene Jesus. He still bore in his hands the marks of the crucifixion he still ate food. I don't think his body was translucent and your father. Going to know he was still flesh and blood, but yet at the same time he did things he had not done previously like in a room without using the door so the Bible says this to us or the children of God is something revealed what we will be but we know when the Christ, who is our life, is revealed, we will be like him. So our bodies will be similar to his bodies and listen to this is the best news of all. If you've lost a loved one who died of a you're going to see them again.

Your love ones who've gone to heaven are not just a part of your past. There are also a part of your future. When Jesus came back from the dead.

He basically picked up three less left off.

One occasion we see them greeting to disciples in the King James says he said Hale which is just another word for hello are grieving so it's almost as though they see the risen Lord, and he says hey I was going out to couple we last left off conversations that were cut off can be restored again. It's so amazing Jesus said I am the resurrection on the life he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die again… When Christ rose Easter is also for the person who is failed spiritually remember the message of the Angels that was delivered to Mary Magaly.

It was go tell the disciples and Peter, why not go tell the disciples and Peter, James and John go tell the disciples into Matthew well because Peter had messed up. Cindy remember what he did. He denied knowing the Lord three times. Thereby, the glow of the fire and then the rooster crowed. Jesus said this would happen, and we read that Peter went out and wept bitterly. He was heartbroken.

He was devastated and I wonder if I'm talking to somebody right now is had a spiritual breakdown somebody who's messed up somebody who sin will listen.

Easter is all about second chances. That's why the message was go tell the disciples and Peter. He is risen again. Easter is also for the person who feels as though God is let them down.

I mentioned the death of a loved one. Maybe that's happened to you baby I'm talking to somebody right now that is disappointed with God you feel as though God is let you down. God is failed, you listen to this disappointment is his appointment.

God wants to restore your faith today is the story the gospel of Luke about two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem. There were devastated because their Lord have been crucified and in their minds that was the end of the story who joins him on the road to Emmaus. But Jesus, but they didn't know it was Jesus. He did at something more.

They were not able to recognize him. Not a Jedi mind trick is not the droids you're looking for know they just didn't know it was him. He didn't understand the cultural reference. It takes too long to explain it. Whether walking along and Jesus is with them. He basically turns to them and says hey guys, for the long faces what's going on hello, haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified and then he says no tell me about it there telling Jesus know about Jesus but they don't know it's Jesus as her walking along, he stops them in the Bible says he rebukes him and says you're so hardhearted, don't you know all the things that the prophets have said about Messiah and then he pointed them to all those Old Testament passages that pointed to the death of Jesus man there. Think of this guy knows the Bible really well you think you wrote it or something. Yeah, you're getting close.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation and then as they come to the end of their journey. Other going to have a meal and Jesus acts as though he would keep going to basically saying hey guys I sissy I gotta go pull away guy who knows the Bible so well have a meal with us. Okay and he broke bread and then it was revealed to them it was Jesus.

And they made this statement did not our hearts burn within us while he opened the was the Scripture walking along the way.

God can use his word to bring you back to spiritual life again. Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a Bible study. It's a worship service. It church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now. If so, join us per Harvest at Home people are listening this from around the world listen to this.

We have seen thousands of people make a commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend Harvest at Home is the auto title of today's message is Easter is for everyone. Pastor Greg is helping prepare our hearts for resurrection Sunday.

Let's continue. Listen to this Easter is for skeptics to that's right skeptics maybe are skeptical maybe you have a hard time believing that there is a God in heaven who loves you is difficult for you to wrap your mind around the fact that God could have a plan for your life will Easter is for you to back to March 16 we read later. He appeared to the 11 disciples as they were eating and he rebukes them for their stubborn unbelief because they refuse to believe him. Even though they had seen him after he rose from the dead. Listen to this. Everybody struggles with doubts every now and then.

Oswald Chambers, the author of the well-known Christian devotional.

My utmost for his highest, made this statement quote.

Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong, it may be a sign that he's thinking so maybe are struggling with doubts right now and you don't know Pete can believe all of these things, but listen this message is true and you can come to Jesus with your skepticism. You can come to Jesus with your doubt. You can come to Jesus. Even if you're an outright atheist last Sunday Palm Sunday I when I spoke with a person who watched us and then they commented on my Instagram page and here's what they wrote and I'm quoting from it a Pastor Greg have been an atheist for 15 years and lately I've been questioning everything so I decided to tune in and right when Greg said someone is watching. He was scared of death and doesn't know that the right with God. I started to cry and I accepted Jesus in the my heart. Thank you to person was reached by God, and you can be reached as well is another guy we call them doubting Thomas. He was super skeptical. Jesus appeared to the disciples and they told Thomas hey man, you should remember that last night just to shut up Yahoo Jesus no way I'll believe it when I can put my finger in the wound visit in his hands and put my hand in the woundedness side, but the next time they met together. Thomas was there. And guess who appeared again. Yes Jesus. What is he say that Thomas and Thomas, go ahead put your finger in the wound of my head. Go ahead and place your hand of the wound to my side and Thomas just said, my Lord and my God he didn't want to know anything more than what the others knew he just needed to know for himself.

You can live up the faith of someone else, you need to come to the Lord and say I have these questions and then put your faith in him, you know, you might say show me in all believe in God effectively says believe and I'll show you in just a few moments to give you an opportunity to put your faith in Jesus and be forgiven of all of your sin and you can turn your skepticism in the faith, and you can turn your doubt in the belief this can happen for you.

One final part I want to bring out to you about the Easter story talk about how your in the story. In the beginning when you are in the story, here's your part. John 2029 after Thomas said my Lord and my God. Jesus said, is because you've seen me, you believe Blessed are those who have not seen but I believe that you and that's me. We've not seen the risen Lord physically stumble porous, but we put our faith in him. And Jesus says these people are blessed yes you can have this encounter with God yourself. So let me conclude this message wear you out today what your personal situation. This Easter are you mourning the loss of a loved one. Again, Jesus is on the resurrection of the life he that believes in me, though he were dead, Gallipolis and death is not the end we live on in the afterlife and if we put our faith in Christ will live on in heaven. In his presence reunited with our loved ones who have died in faith for us.

Have you fallen away from the Lord, are your prodigal son or daughter. God gives second chances and third chances informed chances in a give one to you right here right now. Maybe you feel as though God has let you down but the fact is, God is not let you down. God is here for you right now to hear was a problem.

Those two guys in the Miss Road. They were trying to get away from the cross and Jesus died on the cross and it was not a beautiful sight. It was a horrific site. His body was so traumatized. Isaiah says you couldn't even tell he was a man.

In other words, he was unrecognizable and so they never thought they would see Jesus alive again so they wanted to get away from the bloodied cross.

But listen to this. Every step away from the cross was a step in the wrong direction you want to run from the cross. You need to come to if you go why don't even know what that means come to the cross. What cross it means come to God realized Jesus died on the cross for a reason.

He died there on the cross for your sin. And as I've often said it was in nails and held him to the cross. It was love for you because there was no other way to satisfy the right just the men's of a holy God that we have all offended but Jesus was uniquely qualified to bridge this gap with one hand he took hold of sinful humanity and with the other hand it to cold of a holy God and nails were driven to those hands and he died in our place. The apostle Paul said he loved me and gave himself for me. Jesus said for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son. And whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The father not only sent the sons of the cross would listen. The sun willingly went he went because he knew this was the only way for you to be forgiven of your sin for us to know that will go to heaven when we die. That's why he made such a great sacrifice.

Maybe you're watching this full of skepticism and here's what God says to you in Jeremiah 33 three call on me and I'll answer you, and I'll show you great and mighty things, which you do not know your life can change them and send that letter from the atheist or that post on my Instagram. This can happen for you right now you can have your light changed by God disabled now number one you have to admit you're a sinner. The Bible says all of sin and fallen short of the glory of God. God is said absolute boundaries that we are to live by. You find them in the 10 Commandments, you shall not live, you shall not steal.

You should not take the Lord's name in vain.

You shall not ever other gods before him was not broken one of those or many of those. The Bible says if you offend the one point of the law, you're guilty of all of it.

Your center on the center were all sinners.

Number two recognize Christ died on the cross for you.

That's why he went to the cross so you can be forgiven of that since you realize that's what happened. He did that with you in mind. The Bible says, for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, Noah set down on the right hand of God. You don't Jesus going to that cross. It was knowing what it would accomplish because, listen, he didn't have all the support that date his own disciples basically for circuit. The crowds are saying crucify him. When the sin of the world was placed upon Jesus as he hung there even the father momentarily turned his face away, causing Jesus to cry out the words, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me.

Yes, he did all of that because of his love for you. So then you must repent of your sin. What is Amina means to change your direction. The Bible says God has commanded people everywhere to repent and so you say I'm not gonna live this old sinful way, the start following the Lord, and here's the most important thing to be forgiven of your sin, you must receive Jesus Christ into your life. It's a gift it's a gift of God. Sometimes people say lullaby.

I believe I live a good life and do these good works. I'll get to heaven one day, no listen I knowing going to have. Not because of what I'd but because of what God is with Christ is God in purchasing this gift and yes it's a gift. Think of it as a simple gift, the gift of God, the Bible says, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Not interesting when you give a gift to a girl they sometimes react differently than the guy give a gift to a girl it's wrapped until 60 thank you.

I love this wrapping paper that you carefully unwrap and seek. I want to save this ribbon and paper for later.

Then she'll read the card and be touched maybe by what you wrote that something we met open gifts a man will open the card but is not even reading that he acts like he is. He is the only reason the open. It was to see if there was money wrapping paper a mirror obstacle for a man want to get with him to get upset I don't care if you open this gift like a lady like some guy just open the gift, the gift of eternal life is offered to you this Easter Jesus died for you. He rose again from the dead.

Now he stands at the door of your life in the Knox and he says if you hear his voice and open the door will come in it's time for you to receive the gift now it's time for you to change your eternal address from hell to heaven. It's time for you to fill that big hole in your heart. Give tried to fill with so many other things. It's time for you to meet Jesus Christ personally and in a moment I will enjoy this simple prayer, and ask you if you want your sin forgiven, if you want to know that you will go to heaven when you die if you want this relationship with God.

If you want your guilt taken away.

I want you to pray with me to simple prayer.

We are asking God to forgive you and your asking Jesus to come in your life. Just pray these words Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for me, and rose again from the dead know Jesus come in the my life. I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer in answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray, then Greg Lord important prayer for those making a change in the relationship with the Lord today and he'll have a final comment in just a moment, but if you just prayed with Pastor Greg and made a decision for Christ would like to offer a resource to help answer your questions about this decision. We call it our new believers growth packet and will send it free of charge upon request just right is had a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or you can call us at 1-800-821-3300. We are here to take your call anytime 24 seven at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and that is such a joy to announce Pastor Greg's new book called Billy Graham the man I knew it. Shin evangelists look at the life of the greatest evangelist of all time and Pastor Greg you wrote in the book, the two most important moments in a person's life or when they're born and when they realize what they are born for. Yes, over and over we see evidence of wood. Billy was born for. In the book do you help us sort of discover what we are born for right yes of course because you know God is a plan for each of our lives.

No Billy wanted to be a professional baseball player. That's what he aspired to.

But after he accepted Christ at the revival meetings of evangelist Mordechai him a calling team on Billy's life and he was resistant to it. At first he didn't aspire to be a preacher. He was a fun-loving normal young man who, as I said wanted to go play baseball but God put a call in his life and God puts it: everybody's life are not all called to be preachers certainly were not all called to impact the world like Billy Graham did, but we are all called to preach the gospel and we are all called to impact our world.

So this book that I've written on the life Billy called Billy Graham the man that I knew I'd show how the Lord directed him how the Lord called him and I describe in detail the amazing changes that happen in his life and he wanted to go one way of the Lord, let him another way and and how God was in control of his life from beginning to end and how the Lord will do that for you as well. I'm hoping that this book will introduce Billy to a whole new generation, especially of young people that don't really know Billy. They weren't racing Billy on television all the time. Then everyone in person do it Billy Graham Crusade so I'm doing my best to bring this story in an understandable relatable way to you I show his humor. I show is humanness. I show some of his vulnerabilities and you only love and appreciate a more after you've read it because he was the same guy in private that he was in public.

There were not too Billy Graham's.

He was the real deal.

That's why decided to write a book about Billy Graham because people need to know about this man who was called by God to be the greatest evangelist in history. Yeah, his life is worth studying such a great example for all of us and Pastor Greg and his co-author Marshall Terrill have done exhaustive research into Billy's life that research that took them all the way back to the Civil War, so don't miss this opportunity to read this evangelists look at the life of history's greatest evangelist and will send you a copy. Hot off the press to thank you for your investment in making these daily studies possible. It's only through listener support that we can feature Pastor Greg's teachings each day. So send your gift today to a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime again at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and look for Billy Graham, the man I knew our people watching us from heaven. Our friends and loved ones were there, do they know what's happening in our everyday lives. Pastor Greg addresses that question. Next time as he returns to his series, the afterlife and the eternal. But before we close for today.

Pastor Greg has a final comment I said Easter is about second chances.

I think there might be a prodigal son or daughter listening to me right now. You don't need to say Jesus come into my life. You've already done that. But you wandered away from the Lord you've run away. In some cases from the Lord, are you been rebelling against them.

This is your moment to return to him. The Bible says return you back fighting children and I will heal you, says the Lord, listen to me prodigal sons and daughters. I will lead you in a prayer because some of you need to make a recommitment to Jesus right now you know who you are because God's Holy Spirit is convicting and convincing you of this right now in your heart if you need to come back to the Lord, would you pray this prayer or Jesus, I'm a prodigal I want to come home again. I want this relationship with you like I used to have. I'm sorry for my sin. Thank you for paying for it on the cross, I returned to you know Jesus name I pray, and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email devotions and harvest.org