Because He Lives

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BECAUSE HE LIVES

Easter Sunday – April 5, 2026

Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor – SCBC

1.​ IS JESUS WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE?

A. ​Jesus’s resurrection validates everything He said about Himself.

  • 1.​ John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
  • 2.​ John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Fatherexcept through Me.

3.​ Over the centuries, skeptics have tried to disprove the resurrection. Yet after serious study of the evidence, the following atheists became convinced that the evidence is in favor of the resurrection, accepted Christ as their Savior and wrote books demonstrating the validity of the evidence of a real resurrection: Gilbert West, 1750; George Lyttleton, 1770; Simon Greenleaf, 1850; Frank Morrison, 1900 (Who Moved The Stone?); Gary Habermas, 1976 (The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus); Lee Strobel, 1998 (The Case for Christ), just to name a few. (Books still in publication).

B.​ Jesus’ resurrection proves He has the power He claimed to have.

  • 1.​ Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
  • 2.​ John 10:18 No one takes My life from Me. I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.

C.​ Jesus’s resurrection proves He does what He promises to do.

Mark 10:34 They will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. And three days later He will rise.

2.​ IS DEATH REALLY THE END OF OUR STORY?

  • 1.​ John 11:25-26  I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.
  • 2.​ 1 Corinthians 15:54-55  Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

3.​ Because Jesus is alive and Jesus promised the same for us, death is not the end of our story.

3.​ IS IT POSSIBLE TO FACE TOMORROW WITH CONFIDENCE?

  • 1.​ John 20:19-20 Jesus came and stood among them… and the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
  • 2.​ Isaiah 41:10  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
  • 3.​ Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
  • 4.​ Hebrews 13:6  The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

5.​ Because Jesus lives… we can face tomorrow.