Portraits of a Savior | Easter Sunday

When we know who He is, we learn who we are.

John 11:25 (NIV)

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

The Dilemma of Death 

Some try to ignore it.

Some try to outrun it.

Some try to control it.

Some try to spiritualize it.

Some just try to cope.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21 (NIV)

John 11:22-24 (NIV) “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

John 11:25–26 (NIV)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

What do we do with death? 

✔️We bring it to the only One who can do something about it.

He Is

Jesus is the resurrection. 

Hebrews 2:14–15 (NIV)

 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

2. Jesus is the life. 

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” John 3:36

John 14:19 (NIV)

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

“Do you believe this?” John 11:26

We Are 

We Are a People of Unshakeable Hope

He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3

“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope” 2 Corinthians 1:10.

✔️Death doesn’t get the final word, Jesus does.

2. We Are a People Called to Abundant Life. 

Ephesians 2:4–5 (NIV)

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

John 10:10 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

✔️If you’re not afraid to die, you’re free to live boldly.

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31 NIV)