The Surprising Savior

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Surprising Savior

Scripture: John 19:38-20:10

I. THE MIRACLE OF MIRACLES

The Easter message has been distilled into one sentence: Jesus came back to life after he died.

What others religions say about hope:

1. 1. 1. 1. Judaism- Abraham died at a “ripe old age.”
         2. Buddhism- “When he died, nothing whatever remains behind.”
         3. Islam- Mohammed died at 61 and no one has seen him since.
         4. Christianity-Founded by Jesus, who is alive and well. The resurrection is the (central tenet) of the church today.

II. THE POWER OF BELIEF

“Faith is belief in testimony of credible witnesses.” A belief not based on facts is just a (wish).

What do we have to stand on?

1. 1. 1. 1. The witness of those who saw (Jesus alive).
         2. Affirmation of those who (penned the record) of the eyewitnesses.
         3. Those whom the eyewitnesses (convinced).

The resurrection is a crucial belief. See I Cor. 15:17-19. The resurrection is the (anchor point) for the cables that hold the Christian faith together. And that is why, when anyone wants to destroy Christianity they must first start with dismantling the truth of the resurrection.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Sending Savior
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1