1. Why Easter? Those who know me, know that I am: Not convinced that the church celebrates the right days Not convinced we celebrate properly Convinced we got the dates wrong Convinced a lot of our traditions come from pagan roots Convinced that Easter comes from the pagan celebration Convinced that there is not a more important celebration Convinced that this is one date we get right

2. Why Easter? But, Why Easter? Jesus said in John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this…”

3. Why Easter? Do you believe this? Why Easter? Why the resurrection? Why did Jesus die?

4. Why Easter? What happened in Genesis 3?  The Fall cost us:  For the woman:  Pain in childbearing  A desire to control your husband  “but he will rule over you”—NLT  For the man:  The struggle to make a living  Sweat and blood  The return to dust

5. Why Easter? We had: PPPParadise IIIInnocence TTTThe joy of gardening DDDDominion LLLLife

6. We gave it all up for a bite of rebellion! It cost us everything we had! It cost us our life!

7. Why Easter? BUT GOD is:  Omniscient—Psalm 147:4; Acts 15:18  He knows everything  Holy—His character—1 Peter 1:15  In Him is no evil, only what is “right” for life  He is the moral/righteous standard  Just—Psalm 116:5; Romans 3:21-26  Righteousness/fair—His character in action  Love—John 3:16; 1 John 3:16  He seeks His will for those He loves

8. Why Easter? BUT GOD is:  True—John 14:6; Romans 3:4  He is consistent with Himself  Free—Isaiah 40:13-14  He is independent of all His creatures  Omnipotent—Revelation 19:6  He is all powerful  Infinite—Psalm 90:2; Acts 17:24  He is outside of time

9. Why Easter? BUT GOD is:  Immutable—Malachi 3:6; James 1:17  He never changes—He is the same  Omnipresent—Psalm 139  He is everywhere present  Sovereign—Romans 9; Ephesians 1  He is above every other thing/being

10. Why Easter? Therefore He wasn’t caught off guard  He knew this would happen before time began  He devised a plan whereby we could get back our life in Him  He put on flesh—Jesus  He was born sinless—2 Corinthians 5:21 “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

11. Why Easter? Therefore He wasn’t caught off guard  He knew this would happen before time began  He devised a plan whereby we could get back our life in Him  He put on flesh—Jesus  He lived sinless—1 Peter 1:19 “It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”

12. Why Easter? Therefore He wasn’t caught off guard  He knew this would happen before time began  He devised a plan whereby we could get back our life in Him  He put on flesh—Jesus  He took our sin on Himself—Hebrews 9:28 “… Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”

13. Why Easter? Therefore He wasn’t caught off guard  He knew this would happen before time began  He devised a plan whereby we could get back our life in Him  He put on flesh—Jesus  He died in our place—He paid for our sin—1 John 2:2 “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins— and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins— and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

14. Why Easter? Therefore He wasn’t caught off guard  He knew this would happen before time began  He devised a plan whereby we could get back our life in Him  He put on flesh—Jesus  He declared our innocence/He forgave ALL our sin— 1 John 1:9 “ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

15. Why Easter? Jesus He purchased back our freedom! He bought back our keys to paradise! He died for this reason!

16. Why Easter? All of this would have meant nothing Unless He rose from the dead!!!! He did!!!!!

17. Why Easter? He rose victoriously! Life was and is in Jesus! That is why we celebrate EASTER! Resurrection Sunday!

18. Why Easter? What are you celebrating today? 1.Time with family and friends? 2.Easter bunnies and chocolate? 3.The life of the risen Christ in you? This is the reason for Easter! The power of the life of Christ in you!