The Power of Hope

Easter

No matter what, don’t lose hope.

THE THREE CROWDS OF EASTER:

1.  WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?

“And he answered them, saying, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.”

Mark 15:8-11 (ESV)

“And Pilate again said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ And they cried out again, ‘Crucify Him.’ And Pilate said to them, ‘Why? What evil has He done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify Him.’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

Mark 15:12-15 (ESV)

• You will be frustrated and disappointed.

2.  I’M SMARTER THAN GOD.

“And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, ‘Have You no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against You?’ But He remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned Him as deserving death. And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to strike Him, saying to Him, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards received Him with blows.”

Mark 14:60-65 (ESV)

• You create your own Jesus.

3.  I’LL FOLLOW AND DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS.

“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. S he went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.”

Mark 16:9-10 (ESV)

But when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things He appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward H e appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen.”

Mark 16:11-14 (ESV)

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’”

Mark 16:15-16 (ESV)

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (NIV)

• I will give Jesus my life.

• Decide which of the three crowds I am in.

• Commit my life to Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Bible App Instructions:

• Go to Plans on the YouVersion® Bible App. Search for Hope by Tony Evans. (3-day plan).

• Tap “Start Plan.”

• Find the plan under “Plans > My Plans.” Follow along with the devotional and verses each day.