1. Resurrection Appearances #1 Grace To Mary

3. Theme of John: grace & truth...the Word became flesh,...full of grace and truth. (John 1.14)...the Word became flesh,...full of grace and truth. (John 1.14)...grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1.17) The world has never experienced a Person like Jesus, who shows us the truth, full of grace.

4. Christianity lives or dies by the truth of the resurrection. if Christ hasn’t been raised, then your faith is useless and you’re still guilty of your sins...we’re more to be pitied than anyone in the world. (1 Corinthians 15.17, 19). if Christ hasn’t been raised, then your faith is useless and you’re still guilty of your sins...we’re more to be pitied than anyone in the world. (1 Corinthians 15.17, 19) It wasn't the teaching of Jesus that sent his followers to the streets. It was the resurrection. Andy Stanley It wasn't the teaching of Jesus that sent his followers to the streets. It was the resurrection. Andy Stanley

5. The first appearance of Jesus No one is expecting resurrection [Mary to Peter and John] “They’ve taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20.2) [Mary to Peter and John] “They’ve taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20.2) The resurrection is a complete surprise to all Jesus’ followers

6. The first appearance of Jesus who should Jesus appear to first? his enemies the crowd his top three (Peter, James, John) his men, the apostles NOT a woman!

7. The first appearance of Jesus MaryMary a messy past a nobody a woman

8. The first appearance of Jesus Jesus had transformed Mary Jesus took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women... Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons (Luke 8.2) The problem: her seriously messy past The problem: her seriously messy past

9. The first appearance of Jesus a loyal follower Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. (John 19.25) Mary is honored in the gospels but she’s a nobody in the culture

10. The first appearance of Jesus a woman...the written accounts of the resurrection are based on the testimony of women—and we all know women are hysterical. (Celsus, 2 nd century opponent)...the written accounts of the resurrection are based on the testimony of women—and we all know women are hysterical. (Celsus, 2 nd century opponent) Jewish men prayed daily, I thank God for not making me a woman.

11. The first appearance of Jesus Mary’s valuable to God “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). (John 20.16) He gives her personal attention and calls her by name. She’s not marginalized to God. He gives her personal attention and calls her by name. She’s not marginalized to God.

12. The first appearance of Jesus she has personal access to him “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. (John 20.17) “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. (John 20.17) He prepares her (and us) for permanent companionship He prepares her (and us) for permanent companionship [Jesus] And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28.20b) [Jesus] And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28.20b)

13. The first appearance of Jesus she partners with him [Jesus] go find my brothers...Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message. (John 20.17-18) Mary is the first missionary, the first to preach an Easter sermon.

14. The first appearance of Jesus she experiences community [Jesus]...go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20.17) [Jesus]...go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20.17) All that Jesus has he shares with us. We’re adopted into God’s family.

15. The first appearance of Jesus This is grace in action All kingdoms rule by power. Jesus rules by grace All kingdoms rule by power. Jesus rules by grace [Jesus to Pilate] “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom....not of this world.” (John 18.36) Jesus doesn’t control us by fear. He holds us by his love and mercy. Jesus doesn’t control us by fear. He holds us by his love and mercy.

16. And you? a transformed follower? significant to God? in the commuity? partnering with Jesus?

17. What if we all lived like Mary? This nobody woman has been famous for 20 centuries around the world. She’s called the apostle to the Apostles This nobody woman has been famous for 20 centuries around the world. She’s called the apostle to the Apostles loyal, committed, attached, obedient, convinced, passionate