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The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ, Part 1. The audio lesson for March 16, 2008 is now available. This was the first lesson in a two part series regarding Easter. This first lesson
studies what is traditionally called Palm Sunday but brings out some interesting facts about Jesus Christ entrance into Jerusalem. His entrance was not on Sunday, and he not only entered into Jerusalem
once, but twice! Click here to listen now. There was also a reference to the Companion Bible Appendix 156 to help clarify the fixed dates of the events leading up to His
crucifixion. You may want to download and review this appendix to supplement your studies.
The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ, Part 2. The audio lesson for March 23, 2008 is now available. This
was the second lesson in an Easter series. The resurrection of Christ is the most important aspect of what God has
done for us. As Christian’s, we serve a risen savior and have a personal relationship with the one mediator between
God and man, the man Christ Jesus! There are many lessons you can review regarding Easter and the resurrection. Click here to listen now.
The Cross.
The lesson on April 1, 2007 studies the Cross of Christ. You can’t get to the resurrection until you get to the cross.
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Easter 2007 Lessons
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Date/Teacher
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Audio Format Available
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April 1, 2007
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Derek McCammon - The Cross
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April 8, 2007
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Derek McCammon - The Resurrection of Christ
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This is where the transaction of our sin debt was paid by God. This is the week before the resurrection which is when we see his suffering, his passion. There is
a lot said about the cross in scripture. Without the cross we would still be in our sins. The cross is every where today. It’s on the walls, it’s in jewelry,
it’s on a hill by a church... but the cross has lost it’s meaning. If we see it from a proper perspective, the only thing we should
see is the shame of sins that God resolved. It says in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto
us which are saved it is the power of God.” In Hebrews 11:6, we find that in order to come to
God we must first believe that he is, and a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Preaching is one way we
get to know God (preaching from the word of God). It says faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the
word of God. (Romans 10:17). When you look at the cross in scripture, you find out why God used the
cross. God established the cross to be a picture of cursing. In Deuteronomy 21:22-23 “And if a man
have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His
body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;)”. The cross is accursed of God. In Galatians 3:10, 13 it says “For as
many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that
continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Christ hath redeemed
us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” God created the law that all who sin receive death. God is righteous and he had to
take care of your sins in order to have fellowship with you. All you have to do is accept the fact the
Christ took the penalty for us. He had plenty of opportunity to walk away from it but he choose to do it
God’s way. In Matthew 27:39 we see that “... they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,”
Isn’t it wonderful that Christ did God’s will to take care of the sins of the world instead of coming down from the cross as the asked him to do in Matthew 27:42. Click here to listen now.
The Resurrection of Christ. The Easter holiday is the most celebrated event in all of Christianity.
The lesson on April 8, 2007 reads in 1 Corinthians 15:12 where Paul was instructing the church in Corinth that the resurrection was real and Christ lives.
Further Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that
slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every
man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” The problem in Corinth was some were saying there was no
resurrection. We have hope in a life hereafter because He lives! Jesus Christ knew what was before him but he didn’t let that deter him from what he had to do.
In Matthew 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples,
how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” The apostles didn’t understand what he was talking
about until after the resurrection. When he came to the garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39, Jesus prayed “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The cup Jesus was
referring to was the cup filled with every sin of the world and the wrath of God. Judas then betrays Jesus and guards came and took him to the Chief Priest: Matthew 26:57 “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him
away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.” When Jesus was dragged in front
of every Roman official and Jewish Priest on his trial, he didn’t say a word. Why did Jesus remain silent? It says in Isaiah 53:5-7 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own
way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” They took him to the cross to die for you and me. The cross is the bridge between the love of God and the joy of
God. The cross is what everyone has to go through to get to the empty tomb. The resurrection is what gives us hope! Click here to listen now.
Resurrection Audio Series - Here is a series of audio lessons that studies the importance of the resurrection to the
believer. The Sadducees didn’t believe in a resurrection yet Paul said it best, if we have hope only in this world, we are all most miserable (1 Cor 15:19). This series explains why you
should believe in a resurrection. It also studies “when” it happens and “who” is involved.
The celebration of Easter begins with
Palm Sunday. In Christ's preparation during the week, He held the last supper with his disciples,
and at that table was a cup. The cup represented His blood which was to be shed at the cross. His blood was more than just blood... it is God's
blood because Jesus was more than just a man, He is the God man and the mediator of all men as the only way of salvation. After the last
supper, Jesus retired to a garden with a few of his disciples and prayed to the Father. Jesus didn't have to die but He choose to die for us
willingly, He who knew no sin ,that we might have the gift of God which is eternal life and the forgivness of sins. Let us therefore be thoughtful
this week of this love and be a
witness for Christ and the hope we have in Him. We need to be like David who said in Psalms 116:13 "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon
the name of the Lord".
Click here to listen to a lesson about the week leading up to the cross.
This lesson celebrates a risen Savior!
The resurrection is the difference between a false hope and eternal life. If human history were likened unto a chess game, there is a
clear match going on between God and Lucifer. This “cosmic chess match” is the struggle between good and
evil but although the game is still being played, there are very few moves left for Satan before he is defeated for eternity because God has played the ultimate move with Christ Jesus and His resurrection! The audio lesson of the week celebrates Christ
and the love of God that He has for us to provide a way to remove our sin’s and have eternal fellowship with Him. Click here to listen now.
There is a joy that is set before us. This week we celebrate Palm Sunday and the triumphant entrance of Christ into Jerusalem the week before his
crucifixion. The cross is very important to the believer. Everything Jesus does during
this week fulfills the scriptures as He became sin for us. 2 Cor 5:21 (KJV) says it all “For
he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The scriptures foretold of Christ entering
Jerusalem on a donkey as demonstrated in Matt 21 however, the first prophecy about the coming Savior of mankind was in Genesis 3:15. It was there that war was
declared against the serpent and sin with victory through the seed of the woman. God became flesh so
He could defeat death at the cross. Therefore, Christ Jesus willingly went to the cross as stated in Heb 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The key to our joy is set before us in Phil 3:9 (KJV) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” The Gen 3:15 war rages on today. Satan
either wants the non-believer to stay lost, or he wants the believer to be a casualty of war. He can’t take your salvation
but he can shipwreck your joy if you focus on your own righteousness and not on Christ. The lesson on 03-24-2002
encourages you to keep you eyes upon Christ and be cognizant of the grace we receive in Christ. Click here to listen now.
The Greatest Story Ever Told. There are two days every year in the world when we are
reminded that God become flesh and rose from the dead. Christmas and Easter may be full of
commercialism but the testimony is still there... Christ Jesus was born of a virgin, and arose
after His crucifixion a risen Saviour. Why? We’re reminded in 2 Cor 5:21 (KJV) “For He hath
made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” When the elders of Israel refused to accept who he was, they asked for a sign. Matt
12:38-40 (KJV) “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master,
we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous
generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas
was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Did they receive the sign when Christ arose? Matt 28:11-13 (KJV) “Now when they were going, behold,
some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were
assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” Instead of the truth, they decided to perpetuate a lie. At
Easter, we emphasize the greatest story ever told in that it’s the only story that gives mankind hope and changes lives,
that Christ arose and is the key to eternal life. Click here to listen to the lesson on 03-31-2002
about the resurrection.
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
. The Sunday before Easter is celebrated as Palm Sunday which
signifies Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The gospel of Matthew has four occurrences that tells of the suffering Jesus has to encounter leading up to the resurrection. Matthew 16:21 is the first occurrence that tells of Jesus going into Jerusalem, foretells of his suffering,
his eventual death, then reveals the fact that he will rise on the third day. Each occurrence in
Matthew tells something a little different about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The same is true in
the other three gospels. The gospels tell of four primary ministries of Jesus to the nation of
Israel. These four ministries are: 1) The proclamation of the Kingdom, 2) the proclamation of
the King, 3) the rejection of the King, and finally, 4) the rejection of the Kingdom. Matt 16:21
signifies the beginning of the third ministry which is the rejection of the King. Why must Jesus
go to Jerusalem? For it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. Jesus is declaring that he is the Prophet. The second occurrence is in Matthew 17:22 which adds the fact of his
betrayal. Matthew 20:17 is the third reference telling of his entry into Jerusalem. This passage
adds the detail about gentiles mocking him. The final declaration is in Matthew 20:28 and tells why he would give his life
as a ransom for many to take away the sins of Israel. It’s not until later in Ephesians do we learn of God’s plan for the
gentiles. Jesus wept twice in the Bible. Once he wept for those who mourned for Lazarus because they demonstrated
their unbelief in the power of God. The second time was on his way to Jerusalem when he approached the city, he wept
over it saying “if thou had known the time of thy visitation” in Luke 19:41. The lesson on April 13, 2003 studies the entry
of Jesus into Jerusalem and prepares us for the resurrection story on Easter. Click here to listen now.
Easter Sunday.
In three days time Satan was defeated when Christ Jesus rose again. The resurrection is the turning point in human history when Christ defeated Satan and death. This
is the event that keeps Christianity from being a warm hearted fairy tale. Satan is still working to keep those from learning about the resurrection with the Easter Bunny and other pagan traditions. The lesson on Apr. 20, 2003 speaks to two kinds of people: The “Saints” and the
“Aints”. The “Aints” need to know that Christ died for your sins and God loves you. The
claims of Christ are for the “Aints” to hear: Claim #1 - There is a God. Claim #2 - The Bible is
the Word of God. Claim #3 - Living a religious life is not enough. Claim #4 - Christ died for you
and He is the only way to God. There will be a time that he will hold you accountable for the
decision you made. Did you follow Him? Claim #5 - The righteous one died for the unrighteous. Christ was crucified for
our sins whereas Christ knew no sin. Claim # 6 - Have you made a decision? A decision must be made to make Christ
Jesus your Lord. The “Saints” are encouraged to remember His words and keep them in their heart. The “Saints” have
placed their hope and trust in Christ and have not done so in vain because in Christ, the child of God has been made alive
and their sins have been forgiven. The “Saints” are called to walk worthy of the vocation that they have been called, be
fruitful in every good work, and increase in the knowledge of Him. Click here to listen to the lesson on Apr 20, 2003.
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According to the scriptures, thirty-six distinct prophecies were fulfilled in one day when Christ
was taken
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Have you seen the movie “The Passion of Christ”? Remember, the most important aspect of the crucifixion is the resurrection which separates Christianity from any other religion.
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prisoner and crucified on the cross. This 24 hour period includes the last twelve hours of Jesus which has been portrayed in the movie “The Passion
of Christ”. We are reminded in Acts 1:1-3 of the passion and the more important fact that He rose again. “The former treatise have I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy
Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” The “Passion of Christ” movie is a very powerful rendition of the last twelve hours of Jesus earthly ministry. The
suffering from the scourging in the movie is horrible to watch. It adds a certain emphasis to the scriptures that ask us to
suffer on behalf of Christ. The Passion of Christ and the Compassion of God is summarized quite nicely from Ephesians 2:4-7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” The lesson on March 28 studies the Passion of Christ. There is a handout you may download which details the 36 prophecies fulfilled in the 24 hour period. Click here to listen now.
The passage in Matthew 4:12-17 identifies the beginning of the Lords ministry whereas Palm
Sunday marks the end of His earthly ministry. The four periods of Jesus’ ministry was in this way: 1) The Offering of The Kingdom (Matt 4:12-17), 2) The Offering of The King (Matt 8:1-3),
3) The Rejection of The King (which is referenced four times in each Gospel book: Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John... and in each reference shares a different aspect of His rejection - for
example in Matthew, these four references are Matt 16:21, 17:22, 20:18, 20:28. In Luke these
references are 9:22, 44, 17:25, 18:31. These also can be found in Mark and John), and 4) The Rejection of The Kingdom (Matt 21:1-10). The fourth part of Jesus’ ministry begins with His
entry into Jerusalem. However, there are two distinct references to His entry into Jerusalem
which does not sync up. This difference should not bring contradiction but shows us that there were actually two entrances into Jerusalem. The first entry was on the sixth day before
the Passover (told in Matthew 21:1-10 ) and the last entry was on the fourth day before Passover (told in Mark 11:1-11,
John 12:1-15) which is considered the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. There are five distinctions between these two
accounts. Why is this important? The Word of God should entice you to study it to know that His way is perfect and His
word is perfect. The truths in these passages are similar but not the same. it’s important to be diligent to study and
understand the little distinctions in scripture because much can hinge on passages that are similar but not the same. This
is a very important lesson in right division. Click here to listen to the lesson on April 4, 2004
Resurrection, Redemption, Reconciliation, and the 7 things Jesus said on the Cross.
April 11, 2004 celebrates the resurrection of Christ Jesus on Easter Sunday. In one
week, from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the cries of “crucify him” in
front of Pilate, God prepared the way for reconciliation, redemption, and resurrection for
mankind when you accept Christ as your personal savior. The heart of mankind wishes to
know love, joy, and peace, yet we learn in scripture that the heart of man is full of vanity.
How does man satisfy their hearts desire? Through the blood of Jesus Christ. Solomon knew
this as he states in Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:11 that all the works of man is vanity. The Lord tells us that no man cometh to the
Father unless he accept the Son. God established that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.
Therefore, mankind has been given an opportunity to be reconciled to God by accepting the gift of God, which is Christ
Jesus, who is the one mediator between God and man. When you celebrate the resurrection, keep in mind that the
resurrection may give life but without reconciliation and redemption, the resurrection would be meaningless. The last
seven things that Jesus said while on the cross, demonstrated the process of reconciliation, redemption, and three days
later, the resurrection. As Christ shouted victory when he yelled, “It is finished”. He was obedient unto the death of the
cross having blotted out the transgressions laid against us. The lesson on April 11, 2004 celebrates the crushing of the
serpents head by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Click here to listen now.
Passover - Part One.
The lesson on April 9th, 2006 begins a two part series on the Passover in
celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus entrance into
Jerusalem. The Passover is one of seven festivals or feasts established for Israel in Leviticus 23:4 (KJV) “These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their
seasons.” The first was the Passover, then the Feasts of Unleavened Bread, next was the First
Fruits. Continue with the Blowing of Trumpets (Rosh Hashana) , Day of Atonement (Yom Kippor),
and the Feast of Tabernacles was the last in the seven feasts. The Passover was established in
Egypt when the Lord performed the 10th plague in Egypt to bring his people out of bondage ( It was
the promise that the death angel would pass over the houses with the stain of lambs blood over the
door and both door posts. The death angel was sent to kill all the firstborn in Egypt both man and
beast. When it was midnight, every house in Egypt was impacted and there was a great cry in Egypt and Pharaoh let Israel go.) We read in John 12:1 (KJV) ”Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was
which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.” Further, in John 12:12-13 (KJV) “On the next day much people
that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and
went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Wouldn’t
you like to have been there? The wish to have been there on any of the significant events in the life of Jesus brings many
thoughts to mind. The most important aspect of his life is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Just like He told Thomas in John 20:29 (KJV) “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed
are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” God has given us the ability to become one of his sons by believing
on Christ Jesus as savior towards the forgiveness of our sins. Click here to listen now. You should also check out the other lessons on the Resurrection here.
Passover - Part Two.
The gospel of unbelief is perpetuated by the news media on two holidays
in the Christian faith - Christmas and Easter. Articles often come out explaining away those events
in scripture, or offering up alternative explanation of certain events that happened. The bashing of
Christianity is a product of sin. “ We’ve seen the enemy, and it is us!” We don’t want God in our
lives unless it’s something that we want to do. The obedience we find in Christ is to the will of the
Father is an example of how we should deny ourselves. The seven sayings of Jesus on the cross
is an interesting study. The first saying is found in Luke 23:34 (KJV) “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The second was spoken to the Malefactor in Luke
23:43 (KJV) “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The third was in Luke 23:46 (KJV) “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said
, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” The
most important aspect of Easter is to celebrate His death, burial, and resurrection. The idea of submission is demonstrated in Luke 22:42 (KJV) “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will,
but thine, be done.” Submission is supposed to be present in marriage. But Christian submission is not necessarily an
agreement but the yielding towards his will instead of your own. God’s will is always there for you to follow and is one to
follow willingly. Submission is the thought of surrendering your way to His way. It’s easy to do what He wants when
we are in agreement but when God says something that is in conflict with our will do we surrender to him? A mature
believer is one that submits to the will of God. Like Jesus who said in John 6:38-40 (KJV) “For I came down from heaven,
not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which
he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me,
that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day
.” The lesson on April 16, 2006 covers part two on the Passover and celebrates the wisdom of God in the life of Christ,
and his role as our mediator who loves us. Click here to listen now. You may also want to listen to the other lessons celebrating the resurrection here.
Chrisitiananswers.net is a site dedicated to collecting answers about Christianity. They have
a page dedicated to Easter and answering questions specifically about the resurrection. Click
here to go there now.
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