The Victory of the Empty Tomb

In this moving Easter message, Pastor Mike Jenkins takes us from a small house in Spain in 1975 to the bustling streets of Jerusalem, tracing the evidence of the resurrected Christ. By examining the unique perspectives of the four Gospel writers and the personal testimony of the Apostle Paul, we see a clear picture of a Savior who didn't just die for the world, but died for you. This teaching challenges believers to move past a "drunken stupor" of complacency and embrace the steadfast, unmovable life that only comes through the victory of Jesus Christ.

-- Pastor Mike's first Easter in Spain and the personal realization of Galatians 2:20.

-- Why Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide different but complementary perspectives on the resurrection.

-- The significance of Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene and later to over 500 witnesses.

-- Understanding our "justified" status: Standing before God as though we had never sinned.

-- The future promise of the "twinkling of an eye" and the final destruction of the enemy called death.

-- A call to be steadfast and always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Scriptures for Further Study

-- Galatians 2:20

-- Matthew 28

-- Mark 16

-- Luke 24

-- John 20-21

-- 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

-- Acts 1

In "Get the Story Straight," Pastor Steve Dow challenges us to move beyond the commercialized version of Easter and confront the historical reality of the empty tomb. Drawing from Matthew 28, he details the desperate attempts of the religious elite to suppress the news of the resurrection through bribes and fabricated narratives. This message serves as a spiritual wake-up call to anyone feeling weighed down by guilt, past failures, or the lies of the adversary.

-- The resurrection is a historical fact, not a religious theory, providing a foundation for our faith that cannot be shaken by shifting cultural narratives.

-- Satan operates as the father of lies, often using misinformation to attack our self-esteem, dampen our enthusiasm, and lead us into spiritual depression.

-- The religious leaders’ lie about the disciples stealing the body was full of holes, proving that man-made narratives cannot stand against the power of God.

-- No one is beyond the reach of salvation (including the thief on the cross or the woman at the well) because Jesus didn't just die for our sins, He rose to give us new life.

-- Your current trials are not your "doom," but rather "setups" for God’s glory, as weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Scriptures for Further Study

-- Matthew 28:10-15

-- John 11, 12

-- Isaiah 40:31

-- Romans 3:23

-- Psalm 30:5

-- Psalm 61

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You can find sermon highlights on Twitter here: https://x.com/allnationstally

Your Failure is Not Final

In "Keep Swinging," Ryan Kramer tackles the universal feeling of wanting to give up when life—or our own bad decisions—hit us hard. Using the legendary persistence of Thomas Edison, the courage of Frederick Douglass, and the eventual success of Dr. Seuss, Kramer illustrates that failure is often the precursor to a world-changing breakthrough. However, the ultimate example of restoration is found in the life of the Apostle Peter, who went from violently weeping over his denial of Christ to leading the birth of the Church. This message is a call to anyone sitting on the sidelines to step back up to the plate.

-- The danger of "following at a distance" where we believe in Jesus but are afraid to be identified with Him.

-- How Jesus uses our moments of weakness to expose what is inside of us, not to discard us, but to prepare us.

-- The profound grace found in the angel’s command to "go tell the disciples and Peter," proving that no one is excluded from the message of the resurrection.

-- The "Babe Ruth" principle: why you cannot let your last strikeout define your career or your calling.

-- A moving real-life testimony from Robert Hurado on how God transforms a life of violence and anger into one of compassion and peace.

Scriptures for Further Study

-- Matthew 26:33-35, 58

-- Luke 22:61-62

-- Mark 16:6-7

-- Acts 2:1-41

-- Psalm 23

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References:

(1) In Episode 268 we began discussing Frank Turek’s 4 questions that prove Christianity is true. Turek was considering Norman Geisler’s 12 points that shows Christianity is true and reduces Geisler’s argument down to 4 questions leaving out some obvious logical points.

(2) The reason these questions are so VITAL are that they deal with our POSITION in ETERNITY (not to mention a BETTER LIFE here and now on earth). If, in fact, God is real and the NT is reliable, then what the Gospels say about Jesus is that He is who He claimed to be.

(3) John 3:36 says, “He who believes in the Son HAS everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall NOT SEE LIFE, but the WRATH of God abides on him.”

This makes the alternatives in eternity VERY CLEAR. Either (1) BELIEVE and ACCEPT Jesus in order to possess eternal life; or (2) REJECT Jesus and NOT SEE LIFE — instead you will be facing the WRATH of God.

(4) The NT describes the fate of the nonbeliever by referring to this verse: “If anyone not found written in the Book of Life (meaning those receiving life through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior), he was thrown into the lake of fire” (where Satan, the beast, and the false prophet were thrown (Rev. 20:15).

(5) Of course, truth exists. The mathematical statement 2 + 2 = 4 is true. The sentence: the earth is not flat — is true. The freezing and boiling temperatures for water are true. Historical events are true. John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, November 22, 1963. Leviticus 17:11 emphasizes the importance of blood for life, which aligns with modern medical understanding of blood’s role in health. Rom. 8:21 speaks of the idea of decay and disorder in the universe, which relates to the second law of thermodynamics. It’s true that the universe had a beginning a finite time ago by the Big Bang. Isa. 40:22 implies the expansion of the universe, which is supported by modern cosmology.

(6) The atheist claims there is no God, then objective moral values do not exist according to the atheist. But Christians biblical worldview know some moral values do exist. For example, Prov. 6: 16-19 lists 7 things that are an abomination to the Lord including a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. Thus, abortion is wrong, and the atheist is wrong by Craig’s Moral argument. If there is no moral truth, everything is permissible as Dostoevsky said. Jesus said, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

(7) One of my favorite authors is the late philosopher Francis Schaeffer. He said, “There must be an ABSOLUTE if there are to be MORALS, and there must be an ABSOLUTE if there are to be VALUES. If there is no absolute BEYOND MAN’S IDEAS, then there is NO FINAL APPEAL to judge between individuals and groups whose moral judgments CONFLICT.”

(8) In the trial before the Roman prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate, who asked Jesus in John 18:33, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Later in 18:37 Pilate asked, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was BORN, and for this cause I have COME into the world, that I should BEAR WITNESS to the TRUTH. Everyone who is of the TRUTH hears My voice” (John 18:37).

(9) The irony is DELIBERATE: Pilate had said to Jesus in John 19:10, “Do you not know that I have the power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Pilate is talking to Truth incarnate yet Pilate CANNOT or WILL NOT recognize Him despite the fact that he knows Jesus is innocent.

(10) Pilate was violating what he knew that Jesus was innocent and His wife’s warning where she said, “I dreamed about this man last night. He is a good man, don’t have anything to do with hurting Him” (Matt. 27:19).

This is episode 270.

One of my life lessons has been to seek out counsel from those who have gone before me and have succeeded.

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By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

My prayer is, "Lord, let me never be put to confusion."

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By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Six times this man's vehicle was blown up. How did he know what to do when that happened?

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By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

If God is not the author of confusion, then who is?

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By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Here is a prayer that I have prayed my whole life.

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By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

[verse 1]

Shabbat Shalom, the empty tomb,

Yeshua hath arose;

unto eternal life for all,

just as the dawning glows.

Shabbat Shalom, O brethren sing,

of Him Who didst arise;

our Suff'ring Servant, Saviour, Son,

of Yahweh, great and wise.

[chorus]

Shalom! Shalom! He liveth, yea,

let us this day all praise;

our Yeshua, our mighty God,

Who blesseth all our days!

Shalom! Shalom! He didst arise,

out of that darkened grave;

for Yah didst bring Him forth withal,

that He all souls might save!

(that He all souls might save)

[verse 2]

Shabbat Shalom, thereunto came,

to roll that stone away;

for Yah didst give His angels charge,

on Resurrection Day.

Shabbat Shalom, the wraps of death,

wert thereupon the stone;

where'pon they laid Him in that tomb,

Who didst our sin atone.

[strong musical lead-in to chorus]

[chorus]

Shalom! Shalom! He liveth, yea,

let us this day all praise;

our Yeshua, our mighty God,

Who blesseth all our days!

Shalom! Shalom! He didst arise,

out of that darkened grave;

for Yah didst bring Him forth withal,

that He all souls might save!

(that He all souls might save)

[verse 3]

Shabbat Shalom, the dawning light,

didst e'er to all reveal;

the mighty hand of Yah didst break,

that binding Roman seal.

Shabbat Shalom, thenst Mary came,

unto the sepulchre;

there sat an angel 'pon that stone,

who didst speak unto her.

[chorus]

Shalom! Shalom! He liveth, yea,

let us this day all praise;

our Yeshua, our mighty God,

Who blesseth all our days!

Shalom! Shalom! He didst arise,

out of that darkened grave;

for Yah didst bring Him forth withal,

that He all souls might save!

(that He all souls might save)

[verse 4]

Shabbat Shalom, "Whom seekest thou,

the living 'mong the dead";

"He is not here, but risen, yea,

'tis just as He hath said."

Shabbat Shalom, her soul astir,

thenst Mary ran to tell;

the joyful tidings unto all,

the angel didst compel.

[chorus]

Shalom! Shalom! He liveth, yea,

let us this day all praise;

our Yeshua, our mighty God,

Who blesseth all our days!

Shalom! Shalom! He didst arise,

out of that darkened grave;

for Yah didst bring Him forth withal,

that He all souls might save!

(that He all souls might save)

[verse 5]

Shabbat Shalom, O mishpocah,

Yeshua liveth, yea;

He maketh intercession for,

our sin to Yah alway.

Shabbat Shalom, we celebrate,

our Saviour, Lord and King;

Yeshua rose upon that morn,

O let His saints e'er sing. Amen!

[chorus]

Shalom! Shalom! He liveth, yea,

let us this day all praise;

our Yeshua, our mighty God,

Who blesseth all our days!

Shalom! Shalom! He didst arise,

out of that darkened grave;

for Yah didst bring Him forth withal,

that He all souls might save!

(that He all souls might save)

Shabbat Shalom! Amen!

Our sacrifice for sin!

For all to save, His all He gave!

Shabbat Shalom! Amen!

Shabbat Shalom! Amen!

--written by Ray Carlton