Some of you wondered how I would get a Palm Sunday and Easter message out of the Book for the Year - Acts - Well, here it is!

ALL ETERNITY HINGES ON THE QUESTION PAUL RAISED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN - RESURRECTION

• This subject is the keystone of our faith, love, and hope - and without it there is none of the three.
• As Paul was called in question on this Doctrine - so are we - We had better be sure!
• In our troubled world - and getting worse - we will find this the only proof of our victory.

PAUL'S GREAT PROBLEM AND THE QUESTION IT RAISED - ACTS 23:1-11

HIS ARREST FOR FULFILLING A JEWISH VOW - CH 21:7--

• Early Christianity was tied closely with Judaism, the former faith of those who believed.
• Paul was arrested while attempting to fulfill a Jewish type vow - in the temple.
• But wherever he went - he got in trouble for preaching of a resurrected Christ - Acts 17:32

THE TENDERNESS OF PAUL'S DEALING WITH THE HIGH PRIEST - ACTS 23:1-4

• He commanded Paul to be smitten for saying that he had lived in good conscience
• Paul spoke directly and pronounced the man's doom for his unfairness- then found who he was!
• Paul apologized - and recognized the man's authority in an impersonal way - we need to learn this!

PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS BELIEF EXPLODED THE COUNCIL - ACTS 23:6-10

• This was true - and also good strategy - We could use some of this wisdom today.
• The Sadducees and the Pharisees fell to fighting over the doctrine - and Paul was rescued
• Neither of them had let their belief stand in the way of their crucifixion of Christ!

- Yes, you can believe in the Resurrection as a doctrine, and still not know Christ!

WE ARE ALSO CALLED TO QUESTION OVER THE HOPE AND RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

NONE OF THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE THE RESURRECTION

• None - Confucius, Buddha, Mohamoud - were resurrected- some shift to reincarnation to confuse the issue.
• Communism is a religion - based on evolutionary soullessness of atheism
• Humanistic philosophies have hope only in temporary existence - so their foolish twists of truth

NOT ALL OF CHRISTENDOM TODAY BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

• In this church I greatly insulted a man by asking all those who believed to stand - discrimination
• Most of the great Ecumenical church does not believe in a literal resurrection - CF RSV
• One of the largest groups in Christendom still have Christ on the cross - but they say they believe

THE AGE IS HERE WHEN WE MUST KNOW WHAT WE BELIEVE AND HOW TO HOLD ON TO IT.

• Governments are running amok - Congo Crisis - You are white - Christendom - American - so you are on someone's death list!
• Our land is filled with promises of heaven and presentation of hell- lawlessness-death
• Liberal churches - party for homosexuals - Fundamental churches gone immoral - I must warn - I know not how - a young man approached with religious talk - to seduce him!

WE NEED NOT QUESTION THE PROOF OF OUR BLESSED HOPE--

The resurrection is the proof of our salvation- the second coming- and our final victory

THE PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION AS A BIBLICAL DOCTRINE

• From the beginning to the end - eternal life and the resurrection has been believed in.
• Old Testament prophesizes it- Abraham Gen 22:5, Job 19:25-27, David's prophecy - Ps 16:10
• The most misunderstood prophecy of Jesus was His resurrection - John 2:19 - often repeated

THE PROOF OF AN HISTORICAL FACT IS BEYOND SCIENTIFIC QUESTION

• The tomb was empty - Roman seal broken - Jewish intrigue stymied - closest friends surprised
• God chose 12 apostles to testify - and they sealed their testimony with their blood!
• I Cor 15- shows over 150 brethren at once as witnesses - and over 100's of thousands of manuscripts witness in writing.

THE PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION AS A PERSONAL REALITY

• I have not seen the risen Lord, but I have seen where He has been - 100's of lives saved!
• Though not seeing Him- yet I love Him - and I know Him, I talk with Him- He guides my life.
• "I Serve A Risen Saviour" - my first favorite song - I know He lives - in my heart.

THE PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION AS THE SEAL OF OUR BLESSED HOPE - TITUS 2:13

• The Lord cannot return unless he is alive - a lively hope - I Pet 1:3
• When He comes the graves will open - I Thes 4:14 - without this hope I would live in despair- and fear - we have one baby we haven't seen for a long time - and some dear friends

DO YOU HAVE THIS BLESSED HOPE?  IF NOT - WHY NOT MAKE SURE RIGHT NOW!

• John 11:25-26- "I am the resurrection and the life - He that believeth in me... !"
• If you are not too prejudiced to believe - then make your confession now!

• Invitation