Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - 3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters

April 14, 2025 | S25:E178

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - 3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters | April 14, 2025

♪ music ♪
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[narrator] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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With dr. robert jeffress.
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Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
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Someone has wisely stated that christianity
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Stands or falls on the resurrection of jesus from the dead.
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Disprove it, and you've disposed of christianity forever.
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So why is the empty tomb the foundation
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Of our christian faith?
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Today we'll identify the major life-changing components
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Of that first easter.
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My message is titled three reasons the resurrection matters,
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
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♪ music ♪
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[narrator] each day, millions of lost people
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Are searching for hope and truth.
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Through "pathway to victory",
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God's word is reaching into homes across america
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And around the world, but there are still so many
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Who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
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You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
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♪ music ♪
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If you ever have the opportunity to go to israel,
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One of the things that you will be thrilled by
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Is hearing and seeing the evidence,
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The archeological evidence,
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For many of the events recorded in the bible.
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For example, from the old testament,
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You'll walk as we did into the city of dan
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And hear about haran, another old testament city.
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You'll see the evidence for the existence of the philistines
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Mentioned in the old testament,
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The existence of king david and his dynasty.
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You say, "what's the big deal about that?"
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Well, the fact is none of those facts recorded in the bible
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Had any historical confirmation until fairly recently.
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Critics of the bible used to scoff at the idea
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That the bible was historically reliable
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Until this evidence turned up.
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They're not scoffing any longer.
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The same is true with the new testament.
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In 1968, a decomposed body was found outside of jerusalem
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That dated back to the time of christ,
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And an examination of the body revealed that it was a man
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Who had been crucified, and the wounds coincided
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With those described in the bible.
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However, there is one event in the new testament
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That archeology will never be able to prove.
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A historian said it this way,
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"archeology may give us a better understanding
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Of the crucifixion and the tomb of jesus christ,
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But it can say nothing of his resurrection."
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Why can't archeology prove the resurrection?
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Very simple.
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There's nothing to be discovered.
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The tomb is empty!
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-aren't you glad of that? -(congregation applauding)
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There's nothing to be found.
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And that empty tomb of jesus christ
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That is still empty after 2,000 years
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Is the foundation of our faith.
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That's what we're going to talk about
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For the few moments we have this morning.
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If you have your bibles, turn to matthew chapter 28,
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And let's review what happened
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On that first easter sunday morning.
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Remember, this is sunday after the crucifixion on friday.
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Matthew records, "now after the sabbath,
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As it began to dawn toward the first of the week,
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Mary magdalene and the other mary came to look at the grave.
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And behold, a severe earthquake had already occurred,
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For an angel of the lord descended from heaven
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And came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
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And his appearance was like lightning
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And his garment as white as snow,
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And the guards shook for fear of him
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And became like dead men.
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And the angel answered and said to the women,
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'do not be afraid, for i know
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That you are looking for jesus who has been crucified.
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He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said.
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Come see the place where he was lying,
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And go quickly and tell his disciples
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That he has risen from the dead.
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And behold, he is going before you into galilee.
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There you will see him.
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Behold, i have told you.'
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And they departed quickly from the tomb
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With fear and great joy,
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And ran to report it to his disciples."
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Now, i want you to consider for a moment
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What had happened in the last three days.
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For three years, jesus' disciples had given up everything
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To follow after him,
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Believing that he was truly the messiah.
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But on that friday afternoon
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When jesus said, "it is finished", and died and was buried,
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Their dreams disappeared, their hopes dissipated.
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All was lost.
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Everything was for naught.
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But then on that easter sunday morning,
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Two of the women went back to the tomb of jesus.
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Why did they go back?
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They were going there
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To finish preparing his body for burial
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To prevent the rapid decomposition of the body.
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But when they arrived at the tomb, they were shocked to see
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That massive stone rolled away
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And an angel sitting on top of that stone saying,
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"he is not here.
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He has risen from the dead, just as he said."
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And i believe when the women
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Heard that phrase, "just as he said,"
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A light went off in their minds.
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Yes, they remembered what he had prophesied.
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He would rise again.
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He has risen from the dead, just as he said.
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But then i think they begin to think about
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All the other things jesus had said as well.
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And it was very clear to them,
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If what jesus said about his resurrection is true,
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Then every other thing jesus has said is true as well.
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You see, ladies and gentlemen,
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The resurrection was not some isolated event,
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Disconnected anything else in jesus' life.
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The resurrection was the culminating proof
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That jesus was who he said he was.
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And if he is who he said he was,
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It has tremendous ramifications for you and for me.
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Today, i want to talk about three reasons
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The resurrection matters.
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What is it that the empty tomb proves?
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Write it down.
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First of all, the empty tomb is proof
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That jesus christ died for our sins, just as he said.
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He died for our sins, just as he said.
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In matthew 16:21, matthew says,
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"from that time on, jesus began to show his disciples
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That he must go to jerusalem
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And suffer many things from the elders and chief priests
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And scribes, and be killed,
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And he must be raised up on the third day".
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Jesus said, "my death isn't going to be some accident.
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It's not some tragedy.
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That's the whole reason i have come, to die."
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In matthew 20:28, he clarified that by saying,
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"just as the son of man," talking about himself,
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"did not come to be served, but to serve,
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And to give his life as a ransom for many."
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Now, why is it jesus christ had to die
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And give his life as a ransom for you and me?
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The reason is found in the old testament book of isaiah.
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Isaiah chapter 59, verses one and two.
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Isaiah said, "behold, the lord's hand is not so short
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That it cannot save,
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Neither is his ear so dull that it cannot hear.
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But your iniquities have made a separation
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Between you and your god,
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And your sins have hidden his face from you
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So that he does not hear."
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The reason we need somebody to pay for our sin
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Is there is a barrier, a wall
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That separates you and me from god.
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It is a wall that has been built by our sins.
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Our sins have become a dividing wall between god and us.
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But the bible says there is nothing we can do to remove
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That barrier between god and us.
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You know the old testament jews,
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They had an understanding, perhaps better than you and i do,
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Of the real wall of separation that existed
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Between them and god,
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Because that wall of separation was illustrated
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Every time they went into the temple.
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Remember, in the temple structure,
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It was crafted in such a way to remind people
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Of their separation from god.
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But between the holy place
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And the most holy place, the holy of holies,
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There was a huge veil that separated the holy of holies
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From the rest of the temple.
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But once a year, one priest, the high priest,
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Was allowed to go into the holy of holies.
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After he had made a sacrifice for his own sins,
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He would take the blood of an innocent animal
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And he would sprinkle it on that lid of the ark,
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The mercy seat.
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And the picture was, when god looked down,
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He no longer saw the law that had been broken by his people,
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But the blood of that innocent lamb
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Covered the sins of the people.
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Now, only one person could make that sacrifice,
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The high priest.
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But to do so, he had to first of all atone for his own sins.
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And not only that, he had to go in
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Year after year after year with the blood of animals.
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But all of that was a picture
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Of what our high priest, jesus christ,
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Would do on the cross for us.
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Hebrews 9, verses 11 and 12 tells us this,
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"but when christ appeared as a high priest
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Of the good things to come,
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He entered through a greater and more perfect tabernacle,
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Not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
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And not through the blood of goats and calves,
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But through his own blood
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He entered the holy place once for all,
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Having obtained eternal redemption."
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Jesus christ never had to atone for his own sins.
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He had no sins.
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He went into not a manmade temple,
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But into the true presence of god.
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And he came not with the blood of animals,
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But with his own blood.
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And he made the sacrifice once, forever,
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Having obtained eternal forgiveness for you and me.
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Isn't that great?
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That is what our savior has done for us.
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(congregation applauding)
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Now, get this,
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What happened the moment christ died on the cross.
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We find this word in matthew 27:51.
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"and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two
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From top to bottom,
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And the earth shook and the rocks were split."
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There was no more sacrifice to be made.
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Everyone had the opportunity
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To come before the presence of god.
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That's what that torn in two curtain represents.
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But now get this.
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This is so important to understand.
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Just because that curtain, that wall of separation
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Has been removed
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Doesn't mean anybody can come into god's presence.
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God hasn't changed.
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God is still holy.
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The bible says his eyes are too pure to look upon evil.
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None of us is qualified to come into god's presence.
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We need somebody's authority
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To come into the presence of god.
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We don't need a human priest, we don't need a human pastor,
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We need jesus christ.
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He is our perfect priest.
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And on his authority, on the basis of the sacrifice
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He made for us,
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We can have access to the king, god the father.
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Ephesians 2:18 says it this way, "for through jesus,
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We both have our access in one spirit to the father."
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That word access is a word that refers to in greek
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A court official who introduces people to the king.
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No subject could come to the king's presence on his own.
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He needed a court official who had the authority
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To usher him into the presence of the king.
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Not one of us is qualified to go to god on our own.
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We have to know somebody, and that somebody is jesus christ.
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Through him, we have access to the father
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Because of the sacrifice he made for us.
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When he said, "it is finished,"
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All of our debt has been canceled,
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We are welcomed into his presence.
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You say, "well, how do you know god accepted
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His payment for my sin?"
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That's what the resurrection proves.
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Romans 1:4 said that jesus,
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"was declared to be the son of god
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With power by his resurrection from the dead."
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If jesus had remained in that tomb,
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You know what it would've meant?
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He didn't die for our sins, he died for his own sins.
00:13:12.103 --> 00:13:15.206
But the fact that god raised him up proved
00:13:15.206 --> 00:13:18.176
That his gift was acceptable in the presence of god.
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The empty tomb, first of all,
00:13:21.813 --> 00:13:23.281
Proves that jesus died for our sins.
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Secondly, the empty tomb proves
00:13:25.783 --> 00:13:28.419
That christ has conquered death.
00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:31.122
The empty tomb proves that christ has conquered death.
00:13:31.122 --> 00:13:34.392
Remember what he said in john 2?
00:13:35.026 --> 00:13:36.461
"the jews therefore answered and said to him,
00:13:36.461 --> 00:13:38.897
'what sign do you show us,
00:13:38.897 --> 00:13:40.665
Seeing that you do these things?'
00:13:40.665 --> 00:13:42.300
And jesus answered and said to them, 'destroy this temple
00:13:42.300 --> 00:13:45.937
And in three days, i will raise it up.'
00:13:45.937 --> 00:13:49.040
The jews therefore said, 'it took 46 years
00:13:49.040 --> 00:13:51.743
To build this temple
00:13:51.743 --> 00:13:53.144
And you're going to raise it up in three days?'
00:13:53.144 --> 00:13:55.647
But jesus was speaking of the temple of his body.
00:13:55.647 --> 00:13:59.050
When therefore he was raised from the dead,
00:13:59.050 --> 00:14:01.386
His disciples remembered that he said this
00:14:01.386 --> 00:14:04.822
And they believed the scripture and the word
00:14:04.822 --> 00:14:06.991
Which jesus had spoken."
00:14:06.991 --> 00:14:09.527
You know, it's interesting to me that jesus' followers
00:14:09.527 --> 00:14:12.997
Had forgotten his prophecy of the resurrection,
00:14:12.997 --> 00:14:15.833
Or they dismissed it.
00:14:15.833 --> 00:14:17.235
But even though they had forgotten what jesus prophesied,
00:14:17.235 --> 00:14:20.305
His enemies remembered very well
00:14:20.305 --> 00:14:22.707
What he predicted about himself.
00:14:22.707 --> 00:14:25.109
Remember what happened on saturday
00:14:25.109 --> 00:14:26.744
After the crucifixion and burial on friday?
00:14:26.744 --> 00:14:29.314
Matthew 27, verses 62 to 66, look at this.
00:14:29.314 --> 00:14:33.084
"now on the next day,"
00:14:33.084 --> 00:14:34.385
That is on saturday after the crucifixion,
00:14:34.385 --> 00:14:36.888
"which is the one after the preparation,
00:14:36.888 --> 00:14:38.856
The chief priest and the pharisees gathered together
00:14:38.856 --> 00:14:41.626
With pilate.
00:14:41.626 --> 00:14:42.660
And they said, 'sir, we remember
00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:44.696
That when he was still alive, this deceiver said,
00:14:44.696 --> 00:14:47.966
'after three days, i'm going to rise again.'
00:14:47.966 --> 00:14:51.336
Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure
00:14:51.336 --> 00:14:54.472
Until the third day,
00:14:54.472 --> 00:14:55.707
Lest the disciples come and steal him away
00:14:55.707 --> 00:14:58.376
And say to the people, 'he has risen from the dead,'
00:14:58.376 --> 00:15:02.046
And that the last deception will be worse than the first.'
00:15:02.046 --> 00:15:05.783
So pilate said to them, 'you have a guard.
00:15:05.783 --> 00:15:08.252
Go and make the grave as secure as you can.'
00:15:08.252 --> 00:15:11.456
And they went and they made the grave secure,
00:15:11.456 --> 00:15:14.392
And along with the guard, they set a seal on the stone."
00:15:14.392 --> 00:15:19.731
You see, these jewish leaders were scared to death
00:15:20.765 --> 00:15:22.066
That the disciples would steal the body of jesus
00:15:22.066 --> 00:15:25.303
And claim he had risen from the dead.
00:15:25.303 --> 00:15:28.006
They knew that would validate that he was the messiah.
00:15:28.006 --> 00:15:30.808
So they wanted the authority
00:15:30.808 --> 00:15:32.276
From pilate, the roman government,
00:15:32.276 --> 00:15:34.445
To make that grave secure.
00:15:34.445 --> 00:15:36.547
Now, what did pilate give them to secure the grave?
00:15:36.547 --> 00:15:39.450
Two things.
00:15:39.450 --> 00:15:40.618
First of all, the roman guard.
00:15:40.618 --> 00:15:43.421
Now when we see this play enacted at easter pageants,
00:15:43.421 --> 00:15:47.392
You know, the roman guard,
00:15:47.392 --> 00:15:49.260
That guy dressed in a miniskirt holding a wooden spear,
00:15:49.260 --> 00:15:52.764
Kind of sleepy-eyed?
00:15:52.764 --> 00:15:53.931
You know, the roman guard?
00:15:53.931 --> 00:15:55.933
No, it wasn't a singular guard, it was a roman guard unit.
00:15:55.933 --> 00:16:01.172
How do i know that?
00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.640
Matthew 28 talks about the guards
00:16:02.640 --> 00:16:04.442
Were amazed when they saw what they saw.
00:16:04.442 --> 00:16:07.111
The roman guard unit consisted of 16 men,
00:16:07.111 --> 00:16:10.681
Highly trained men, who were trained
00:16:10.681 --> 00:16:13.017
To protect 36 square yards of space,
00:16:13.017 --> 00:16:15.887
Knowing that if they were defeated,
00:16:15.887 --> 00:16:19.390
If they gave up the ground that they were protecting,
00:16:19.390 --> 00:16:21.993
Rome declared that they would be burned alive.
00:16:21.993 --> 00:16:25.096
So they had every motivation in the world to protect
00:16:25.096 --> 00:16:28.266
What they had been given to protect.
00:16:28.266 --> 00:16:30.168
Pilate gave them these 16 highly trained men.
00:16:30.168 --> 00:16:33.604
Not only that, he gave them the roman seal.
00:16:33.604 --> 00:16:37.208
And what's that?
00:16:37.208 --> 00:16:38.142
Well, it's not some silly putty
00:16:38.142 --> 00:16:39.377
You put on the crack of the tomb.
00:16:39.377 --> 00:16:41.612
The roman seal was a large string
00:16:41.612 --> 00:16:44.282
That was strung across the great rock.
00:16:44.282 --> 00:16:46.684
It was held into place by two packets of packing clay.
00:16:46.684 --> 00:16:51.456
And in the clay was the roman signet ring,
00:16:51.456 --> 00:16:54.926
The impression of the ring,
00:16:54.926 --> 00:16:56.861
Signifying that this grave was being protected
00:16:56.861 --> 00:17:00.198
On the authority of rome itself.
00:17:00.198 --> 00:17:02.100
And anybody who tampered with this grave
00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.836
Would face the wrath of rome.
00:17:04.836 --> 00:17:07.238
Now, why does matthew go to all of this detail to tell us
00:17:07.238 --> 00:17:10.541
How the tomb was secured?
00:17:10.541 --> 00:17:12.777
Well, it's to answer the question,
00:17:12.777 --> 00:17:15.046
What happened to the body of jesus?
00:17:15.046 --> 00:17:17.248
The disciples lack the courage and ability to steal it.
00:17:17.248 --> 00:17:20.318
The romans and jews lacked the motivation to steal it.
00:17:20.318 --> 00:17:23.688
The person who moved that stone was god himself.
00:17:23.688 --> 00:17:27.425
God reached down and rescued his son from the grave,
00:17:27.425 --> 00:17:31.362
Proving that he had the ability to conquer death.
00:17:31.362 --> 00:17:35.266
The empty tomb proves
00:17:35.266 --> 00:17:36.901
That jesus christ conquered death, just as he said.
00:17:36.901 --> 00:17:41.506
Well, you're saying, "pastor, that's nice.
00:17:41.506 --> 00:17:43.808
He died for our sins.
00:17:43.808 --> 00:17:45.743
He conquered death.
00:17:45.743 --> 00:17:47.011
But what does that mean to me today?"
00:17:47.011 --> 00:17:50.348
This is the best part of the story.
00:17:50.348 --> 00:17:52.984
It means, the empty tomb means
00:17:53.618 --> 00:17:56.187
That one day christ will deliver us from death,
00:17:56.187 --> 00:18:00.057
Just as he said.
00:18:00.057 --> 00:18:01.959
The empty tomb is proof
00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:03.394
That one day christ will deliver you and me from death,
00:18:03.394 --> 00:18:06.531
Just as he said.
00:18:06.531 --> 00:18:07.899
There's not one thing you can do
00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:10.535
To escape the certainty of death,
00:18:10.535 --> 00:18:13.471
But you can escape the consequences of death.
00:18:14.405 --> 00:18:18.309
If you and i die without our sins forgiven,
00:18:18.309 --> 00:18:20.945
We are separated from god forever and ever.
00:18:20.945 --> 00:18:24.015
That's what hell is all about.
00:18:24.015 --> 00:18:26.884
But god promises
00:18:26.884 --> 00:18:28.886
That we can be delivered from the consequences of death.
00:18:28.886 --> 00:18:31.722
We can know for sure
00:18:31.722 --> 00:18:33.057
We're going to be ushered into his presence
00:18:33.057 --> 00:18:35.126
If we know jesus as our savior.
00:18:35.126 --> 00:18:37.995
Over and over again, jesus promised to rescue his followers
00:18:37.995 --> 00:18:41.499
From the consequences of death.
00:18:41.499 --> 00:18:43.067
In john 6:40, "for this is the will of my father,
00:18:43.067 --> 00:18:46.404
That everyone who beholds the son and believes in him
00:18:46.404 --> 00:18:49.974
May have eternal life,
00:18:49.974 --> 00:18:51.609
And i myself will raise him up in the last day."
00:18:51.609 --> 00:18:55.012
John 11:25, "i am the resurrection and the life.
00:18:55.012 --> 00:18:58.516
He who believes in me shall live, even if he dies."
00:18:58.516 --> 00:19:03.054
Over and over and over again,
00:19:03.054 --> 00:19:05.489
Jesus promises life to those who what?
00:19:05.489 --> 00:19:08.926
Believe in him.
00:19:08.926 --> 00:19:11.028
Now, don't miss this, folks.
00:19:11.028 --> 00:19:13.364
To believe in jesus doesn't mean
00:19:13.364 --> 00:19:15.132
To agree to a certain set of facts about jesus,
00:19:15.132 --> 00:19:18.502
That he came, he died on the cross
00:19:18.502 --> 00:19:20.438
For the sins of the world,
00:19:20.438 --> 00:19:21.639
And he rose again on the third day.
00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:23.174
You don't get to heaven by believing that intellectually.
00:19:23.174 --> 00:19:25.543
Even the demons believe that.
00:19:25.543 --> 00:19:27.645
There has to be a time when you trust in, cling to,
00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:31.282
Depend upon jesus for the forgiveness of your sins.
00:19:31.282 --> 00:19:34.852
The bible says when you confess your sins to god
00:19:34.852 --> 00:19:37.688
And you put your faith completely in what jesus did for you,
00:19:37.688 --> 00:19:41.525
Then you have eternal life,
00:19:41.525 --> 00:19:43.694
And then you can know for sure
00:19:43.694 --> 00:19:45.830
That god will rescue you from the grave,
00:19:45.830 --> 00:19:48.733
Just as he promised.
00:19:48.733 --> 00:19:51.302
The empty tomb proves
00:19:51.302 --> 00:19:53.371
That christ will deliver us from death, just as he said.
00:19:53.371 --> 00:20:00.511
In 1989, a massive earthquake nearly destroyed
00:20:01.479 --> 00:20:06.717
The country of armenia.
00:20:07.218 --> 00:20:08.753
Within four minutes, 30,000 people were killed.
00:20:08.753 --> 00:20:13.891
After the initial shockwave,
00:20:14.492 --> 00:20:16.861
A father quickly left his young wife
00:20:16.861 --> 00:20:20.331
And his young child to head to the school
00:20:20.331 --> 00:20:23.701
Where, an hour earlier,
00:20:23.701 --> 00:20:25.636
He had dropped off his little boy, armand.
00:20:25.636 --> 00:20:29.640
When he arrived at the school,
00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:32.109
His worst fears were confirmed.
00:20:32.109 --> 00:20:35.112
The school had been reduced to nothing but a pile of rubble.
00:20:35.112 --> 00:20:40.418
Mothers and fathers stood at the perimeter,
00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.520
Beating their chests, saying,
00:20:42.520 --> 00:20:43.921
"my child, my son, my daughter!"
00:20:43.921 --> 00:20:47.725
The father stood there.
00:20:48.225 --> 00:20:50.227
As tears streamed down his face, he remembered something
00:20:50.227 --> 00:20:53.898
He had always said to his son.
00:20:53.898 --> 00:20:56.567
"son, whatever happens, i'll always be there for you.
00:20:56.567 --> 00:21:01.672
I'll always be there for you."
00:21:02.306 --> 00:21:03.274
So as parents were crying out,
00:21:03.274 --> 00:21:04.642
He tried to keep his composure
00:21:04.642 --> 00:21:06.577
And identify where his son's classroom would've been.
00:21:06.577 --> 00:21:10.614
Once he had located
00:21:10.614 --> 00:21:11.949
Where he thought the class would've been,
00:21:11.949 --> 00:21:13.551
He climbed that mountain of rubble
00:21:13.551 --> 00:21:15.820
And he began clawing away at the stones.
00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:19.223
Two hours, four hours, six hours.
00:21:19.957 --> 00:21:24.095
People tried to pull him away, saying, "it's too late.
00:21:24.095 --> 00:21:26.997
They're all gone, they're all gone."
00:21:26.997 --> 00:21:29.934
But the father kept remembering what he had said to his son,
00:21:29.934 --> 00:21:32.703
"son, whatever happens, i'll always be there for you."
00:21:32.703 --> 00:21:37.241
He dug for 12 hours, for 20 hours, 24 hours,
00:21:37.241 --> 00:21:42.313
Digging through that rubble.
00:21:42.313 --> 00:21:43.481
Finally, a fire official came and said,
00:21:43.481 --> 00:21:45.149
"you have to leave, sir.
00:21:45.149 --> 00:21:46.350
There are fires breaking out.
00:21:46.350 --> 00:21:47.718
It's too dangerous for you to stay."
00:21:47.718 --> 00:21:50.020
But the father had made a promise, he was going to keep it.
00:21:50.020 --> 00:21:53.491
36 hours, he dug through that rubble.
00:21:53.491 --> 00:21:56.360
At the 38th hour, he pulled away a boulder
00:21:57.261 --> 00:22:00.664
And he heard the voice of his son.
00:22:01.432 --> 00:22:04.135
He cried out, "armand, armand, is that you?"
00:22:04.135 --> 00:22:08.406
He said, "yes, dad, it's me.
00:22:08.406 --> 00:22:11.375
I told the other boys and girls
00:22:11.375 --> 00:22:13.210
That if you were still alive, you would rescue me.
00:22:13.210 --> 00:22:17.047
Because you always said,
00:22:17.047 --> 00:22:18.416
'no matter what, i'll be there for you.'
00:22:18.416 --> 00:22:20.851
And i told the other kids, 'if my dad rescues me,
00:22:20.851 --> 00:22:24.622
He'll rescue you as well.'"
00:22:24.622 --> 00:22:27.158
The father said, "what is happening down there?"
00:22:27.158 --> 00:22:30.528
The boy said, "dad, there were 33 of us.
00:22:30.528 --> 00:22:33.998
14 of us are still alive.
00:22:33.998 --> 00:22:36.534
When the school collapsed, it formed a wedge
00:22:36.534 --> 00:22:39.303
And it saved the rest of our lives.
00:22:39.303 --> 00:22:42.239
But it's dark down here.
00:22:42.239 --> 00:22:44.241
We're tired, we're hungry, we're afraid."
00:22:44.241 --> 00:22:47.978
The father said, "armand, let me help you out of there.
00:22:47.978 --> 00:22:50.548
Come out of there."
00:22:50.548 --> 00:22:52.850
Armand said, "no, dad, let the other kids come out first.
00:22:52.850 --> 00:22:57.755
I know you'll keep your promise.
00:22:57.755 --> 00:23:00.391
I know you'll be there for me.
00:23:00.391 --> 00:23:02.860
I know you'll rescue me, just as you said."
00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:08.833
Ladies and gentlemen, 2000 years ago,
00:23:09.633 --> 00:23:13.370
God the father reached down
00:23:13.370 --> 00:23:16.507
And he rescued his son from the tomb,
00:23:16.507 --> 00:23:19.710
Just as he said he would.
00:23:19.710 --> 00:23:22.146
And one day, god the father will reach down
00:23:23.047 --> 00:23:27.184
And rescue those who know christ as savior, just as he said.
00:23:27.184 --> 00:23:33.491
That's why the resurrection matters.
00:23:34.258 --> 00:23:38.262
♪ music ♪
00:23:38.596 --> 00:23:42.299
Just like armand's father kept promise to his son,
00:23:43.334 --> 00:23:47.505
Our heavenly father will keep his promise to you and me.
00:23:47.505 --> 00:23:51.242
Have you reached out and taken hold of his hand?
00:23:51.242 --> 00:23:54.879
Well, just before we close today,
00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:56.847
Let me share a comment from marie
00:23:56.847 --> 00:23:59.116
Who listens to "pathway to victory"
00:23:59.116 --> 00:24:00.751
In the state of washington.
00:24:00.751 --> 00:24:02.486
She said, "by listening to 'pathway to victory',
00:24:02.486 --> 00:24:04.955
I feel like i've been brought back to knowing jesus
00:24:04.955 --> 00:24:08.292
After a long time away.
00:24:08.292 --> 00:24:10.294
Your messages are a great source of inspiration
00:24:10.294 --> 00:24:13.397
And give me a new and better understanding of the bible."
00:24:13.397 --> 00:24:17.401
Well, thank you, marie, for your encouragement.
00:24:17.401 --> 00:24:20.004
And thank you to our pathway partners
00:24:20.004 --> 00:24:22.072
And the many friends of "pathway to victory"
00:24:22.072 --> 00:24:24.475
For your faithful support
00:24:24.475 --> 00:24:26.243
So that people like marie and countless others
00:24:26.243 --> 00:24:29.046
Can hear the gospel.
00:24:29.046 --> 00:24:30.881
Together as partners in ministry,
00:24:30.881 --> 00:24:32.783
We are piercing the darkness with the light of god's word.
00:24:32.783 --> 00:24:37.121
Stay right there, i'll be back with more in just a moment.
00:24:37.121 --> 00:24:41.325
We know that easter is much more than chocolate bunnies
00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:45.129
And easter eggs.
00:24:45.129 --> 00:24:46.597
Easter celebrates the most important event
00:24:46.597 --> 00:24:48.832
In all of human history.
00:24:48.832 --> 00:24:50.935
[narrator] in "the power of the cross",
00:24:50.935 --> 00:24:52.536
Dr. robert jeffress retraces the steps of jesus
00:24:52.536 --> 00:24:55.739
Each day of holy week, from bethany to jerusalem to calvary
00:24:55.739 --> 00:25:00.311
And to the empty tomb.
00:25:00.311 --> 00:25:02.780
Through his incredible sacrifice,
00:25:02.780 --> 00:25:04.615
Jesus conquered sin and death once and for all.
00:25:04.615 --> 00:25:08.118
And this beautifully illustrated book provides a trustworthy
00:25:08.118 --> 00:25:11.722
And approachable way to share the good news
00:25:11.722 --> 00:25:14.892
With someone you love.
00:25:14.892 --> 00:25:16.660
[narrator] "the power of the cross"
00:25:17.428 --> 00:25:18.662
Is a full-color 96-page large print book,
00:25:18.662 --> 00:25:22.032
Filled with imagery from the holy land
00:25:22.032 --> 00:25:24.201
And photographic depictions of key scriptural events
00:25:24.201 --> 00:25:27.471
That bring holy week to life.
00:25:27.471 --> 00:25:29.773
Request "the power of the cross"
00:25:30.407 --> 00:25:32.276
When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory".
00:25:32.276 --> 00:25:35.946
And as you give $75 or more,
00:25:35.946 --> 00:25:38.983
You'll also receive eight powerful messages
00:25:38.983 --> 00:25:41.619
By dr. jeffress from the holy land
00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:43.921
On dvd and mp3 format audio disc.
00:25:43.921 --> 00:25:47.458
It's called "live from israel".
00:25:47.458 --> 00:25:50.327
Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory"
00:25:50.327 --> 00:25:53.030
To share the life-changing truth of the gospel
00:25:53.030 --> 00:25:55.666
This easter season.
00:25:55.666 --> 00:25:57.668
Together, we are proclaiming the radical transforming power
00:25:57.668 --> 00:26:01.405
Of the cross of christ,
00:26:01.405 --> 00:26:03.073
The only hope for our beloved country and world.
00:26:03.073 --> 00:26:07.011
♪ music ♪
00:26:07.011 --> 00:26:12.049
A lot of people think that the easter story
00:26:12.983 --> 00:26:15.085
Spans just a few chapters in the new testament.
00:26:15.085 --> 00:26:18.455
It starts when jesus is portrayed by judas
00:26:18.455 --> 00:26:21.358
And ends when jesus rises victoriously from the grave.
00:26:21.358 --> 00:26:25.763
But in reality, the easter story begins way back
00:26:25.763 --> 00:26:29.233
In the book of genesis, when mankind sinned against god
00:26:29.233 --> 00:26:33.504
And god began an intricate plan for our redemption.
00:26:33.504 --> 00:26:37.708
And god's rescue continues to this day.
00:26:37.708 --> 00:26:41.378
I hope you'll make plans to join us again next time
00:26:41.378 --> 00:26:44.481
As we learn why jesus' resurrection is a historical fact
00:26:44.481 --> 00:26:49.086
With eternal implications for every one of us.
00:26:49.086 --> 00:26:52.823
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:26:52.823 --> 00:26:55.359
In our series, the power of the cross.
00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:59.196
Nobody with any credibility argues against
00:27:00.064 --> 00:27:02.866
The historical fact that jesus died.
00:27:02.866 --> 00:27:06.303
But what about the resurrection?
00:27:06.303 --> 00:27:09.073
Is it foolish to believe in the resurrection,
00:27:09.073 --> 00:27:11.975
Or is the resurrection a fact that can be proven
00:27:11.975 --> 00:27:16.513
Even outside of the bible?
00:27:16.513 --> 00:27:19.750
[narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
00:27:19.750 --> 00:27:21.985
For the message the resurrection,
00:27:21.985 --> 00:27:23.954
Foolish, fake news, or fact?
00:27:23.954 --> 00:27:26.590
Here on "pathway to victory".
00:27:26.590 --> 00:27:26.590

Robert Jeffress - 3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters

April 14, 2025 | S25:E178

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