IT IS A GLORIOUS EASTER MORNING, AND YOU ARE HERE IN YOUR CHURCH BECAUSE OF FAITH IN RESURRECTION

1. This day probably has the greatest church attendance in History-what brings so many to Church?
2. Our world is in trouble, people are dying, more expect terrible deaths- we reach for a hope
3. But many will grasp for a false hope-& perish; others will reach for the true hope-amiss!

Some will even claim the name of Jesus-and fail to know Him- to fall crushed forever!

I.- BELIEF ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH !

Hear me out carefully-your soul hangs in the balance!- The Devils believe & Tremble! Jas 2:19

A.- I DO NOT OF MYSELF COUNT THAT MY PERSONAL BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS VALID FOR SALVATION

1. For if from my experiences I believe it can be called a wonderful leap of faith- BLIND FAITH
2. Then you would have just as much right to believe in the Easter Bunny laying eggs today!
3. Then truly everyone has a right to their own sincere belief- emotion & lose it/tummy ache

B. THERE ARE MANY RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO HAVE CRIED OUT THROUGHOUT HISTORY FOR BELIEF, & FOLLOWERS

1. In Haifa I saw the shrine of Bahi', and it contains the ashes of Bab- & others- DEAD!
2. I've seen a picture from Moscow- of Lenin- in a glass coffin!, Marx, Stalin- others DEAD!
3. Zoroaster, Confucius, Buddha, & others- thoroughly believed in- BUT DEAD!

C.- JESUS AND JOHN BOTH WARNED US THAT IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL BE SIGNS, EVEN HEALING DEADLY WOUND

1. Satan's forces will be working to build his kingdom- & the Anti-Christ will come in power.
2. Jan 24th paper reported 2 men in Seattle-died sniffing glue-but expected to rise in 3 days!
3. It is also true that this year many church & non church groups try to evangelize USA-

How will you know who to believe, who to help? Can you trust your feeling? Blind faith

II.- BELIEVE AN EYE WITNESS - JOHN I John 1:1-

The youngest of the Apostles-60 years after he met Jesus- tells what he saw, heard, & handled

A.- JOHN SAW JESUS, KNEW HIM MOST INTIMATELY AS HE TAUGHT, SUFFERED, AND DIED SO MANY YEARS AGO

1. In His Gospel John tells how his being familiar with Caiaphas -let him & Peter in John 18:15
2. There are many opinions of the crucifixion - But John stood there & saw it happen-
3. He saw the spear thrust into the heart of Jesus- John 19:35, He was the one Jesus loved!

B.- JOHN ALSO SAW JESUS ALIVE FROM THE DEAD, HE WAS THERE WHEN DOUBTS WERE DRIVEN AWAY! John 20:2

1. On that first Easter morning- he outran Peter- looked in, & waited- The first man to see empty tomb
2. He was there when Doubting Thomas fell on his face -& worshipped the Risen Lord- John 20:28
3. John went fishing- & saw Jesus 21:7, & walked close as He talked with Peter- 21:20 He knew!

C.- JOHN SAW THE EFFECT OF THE RESURRECTION IN THOSE AROUND HIM, HIS HEART SUPPORTED HIS EYES

1. The Apostles took the claims of Christ seriously- when John wrote I John-all were dead!
2. John took Christ seriously- John 19:27-"Behold thy mother"- he did his duty faithfully!
3. On Patmos John, while in exile, wrote The Revelation of Jesus- read it!

See the power of His testimony- God gave this Giant of the Apostles the privilege of writing THE WORD OF GOD

III. BELIEVE THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN !

God's Word is plain- John 20:31-that you might believe ; I John 5:13 -that ye might KNOW!

A.- JOHN WROTE AS A LEGAL DEPOSITION - "THAT WHICH WE HAVE HEARD, SEEN, LOOKED ON, HANDLED" -v.1

1. You see, your faith should not rest upon your wishes-but on solid legal testimony! many men
2. Then-like the Samaritans- John 4:42, after you meet Jesus, & have experiences-believe more
3. But be sure your faith is grounded in the WORD OF GOD, not in your emotional experiences!

B.- THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF I John, "THAT YE ALSO MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US!" - v.3a

1.- If feelings draw you to Easter then you stand alone, & your feelings can leave you cold!
2. But if fellowship with the Saints draw you to Jesus- together our hearts are warmed -Joy
3. You need membership in a Local Church- where in times of your weakness-Saints can help you

C.- JOHN REJOICED OPENLY- "AND OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER, AND WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST"

1. Hearing the testimony of John-through my lips, read from God's Word- come to God in Jesus
2. The personal touch of God that is called saving faith- is deeper than emotional belief!
3. But as you confess- express- your faith in Christ- it grows, Why not publicly do so now!

You see, this is more than just a hope-so-belief, or propped-up -faith- it Is a LIFE

WILL YOU THROUGH THE WORDS OF JOHN COME TO HEAR, SEE, LOOK UPON, & HANDLE THE WORD OF LIFE, JESUS?

1. Personal workers are here to help you, but it is your open confession of Christ that saved
2. The Church is here, trying to be faithful to its Lord, supporting its members- join it!
3. As this same Jesus will soon come again- will you be ready, watching? Faithful?