AN EMPTY GRAVE: SO WHAT? Most of us are aware of the message of Easter Sunday. . . Jesus arose from the dead. I used to think "SO WHAT?" Then I embraced the message of the gospel and began to study the Bible. I discovered that the message of Jesus' resurrection makes all the difference between a life of hope and a life of hopeless despair: Jesus told His disciples - "Because I live, you shall live also." John 14:19 He also declared "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 10:25 So what does it mean to not have the life Jesus promised? #1 Eternal death is nothing to scoff at. The Bible declares that every man has been created in the image and likeness of God... and we will all live forever... either in eternal bliss and light or in eternal despair and darkness. "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 #2 Hell was created for the devil and his angels ... NOT for man. (Matthew 25:41) No man has to spend eternity in misery and darkness... it is just a matter of our choice. To refuse to believe in Christ and receive Him as our Savior is foolish indeed, because the penalty for all our sins has already been paid in full by Jesus Christ, the eternal God and Creator. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again three days later. But each of us must believe in Him and call upon Him to receive His FREE GIFT of eternal life. "He that hears My Word and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24 Chuck Anderson, Pastor / Neighborhood Bible Fellowship 10 am Sundays / 102 Joshua Road, Divide, CO 80814 pastorchk@aol.com / (303) 564-7581 www.Discovery.Global Verse by verse, expository teaching. AN EMPTY GRAVE : SO WHAT ? Most of us are aware of the message of Easter Sunday . . . Jesus arose from the dead . I used to think " SO WHAT ? " Then I embraced the message of the gospel and began to study the Bible . I discovered that the message of Jesus ' resurrection makes all the difference between a life of hope and a life of hopeless despair : Jesus told His disciples - " Because I live , you shall live also . " John 14:19 He also declared " I am the resurrection and the life . He that believes in Me , though he were dead , yet shall he live . " John 10:25 So what does it mean to not have the life Jesus promised ? # 1 Eternal death is nothing to scoff at . The Bible declares that every man has been created in the image and likeness of God ... and we will all live forever ... either in eternal bliss and light or in eternal despair and darkness . " He that believes on the Son has everlasting life ; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life , but the wrath of God abides on him . " John 3:36 # 2 Hell was created for the devil and his angels ... NOT for man . ( Matthew 25:41 ) No man has to spend eternity in misery and darkness ... it is just a matter of our choice . To refuse to believe in Christ and receive Him as our Savior is foolish indeed , because the penalty for all our sins has already been paid in full by Jesus Christ , the eternal God and Creator . He died on the cross , was buried , and rose again three days later . But each of us must believe in Him and call upon Him to receive His FREE GIFT of eternal life . " He that hears My Word and believes on Him that sent Me , has everlasting life , and shall not come into judgment , but is passed from death unto life . " John 5:24 Chuck Anderson , Pastor / Neighborhood Bible Fellowship 10 am Sundays / 102 Joshua Road , Divide , CO 80814 pastorchk@aol.com / ( 303 ) 564-7581 www.Discovery.Global Verse by verse , expository teaching .