MARTY GABLER—“Truly I say to you that UNLESS a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…”(Jesus speaking in Jn12:24) This particular Grain of Wheat had a choice as to whether or not He would die and go into the earth. Knowing what was coming, He said to the Father, “yet not my will, but yours be done.”(Lk22:42) He was willing! Because this Grain would not “remain alone”: v.24 “if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Those redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus are His fruit. We are His message, His living letters (2Co3:3) that He has sent into the future. He rose, He lives and His fruit (His message to this generation) will show Him and His resurrection to the world by the power of His Spirit. He was willing to die to bear much fruit and His resurrection enables us to live to bear much fruit.
MELISSA—The Man Jesus Who walked out of that tomb did it as an example for all of us as how life should be from then on and there is so much more to resurrection life than walking out of the grave. That sounds crazy because that’s the biggest thing we can think of on earth but it’s bigger than we can comprehend with our finite minds. We weren’t built to hang on and hope for the best. We were made to operate in resurrection life until life on earth is as it is in heaven and we usher the King into the new earth He is worthy of. What a time to be alive. I’m thankful we all get to live this resurrection life together!
MELISSA—The day resurrection power was unleashed on earth was the day our life’s intention was set in place. We were born to seek out the reality of heaven and live it here – “…seek and keep on seeking and you will find“ Matt. 7:7, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10. Earth and the humans God placed in it were not a gamble that He hoped would work out in His favor. His fingers are not crossed. His ultimate plan has dominion in its DNA and that’s a ticking time bomb the enemy is trying to disarm. That ultimate plan is us, made in His image. The clock is ticking down to the enemy’s demise and that is why things are full on insane and only heating up.
As the people of God assemble today may they fix their eyes on Jesus who endured the cross, despised the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. May they know that Jesus rose from the dead because there was more to come. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”(Heb.12:1-2, NAU)
MELISSA—“He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:6-7 Thinking of the glory and wonder of Easter brings some things to light regarding the resurrection life. That day resurrection power was unleashed in this earth. The man that walked out of that tomb did it as an example for all of us as how life should be from then on and there is so much more to resurrection life than walking out of the grave. That sounds crazy because that’s the biggest thing we can think of on earth but it’s bigger than we can comprehend with our finite minds.
MELISSA — We have had our questions, our doubts and shed our tears, but we’ve heard what comes in the morning (Ps. 30:5). I’m telling you, the sun is rising on us and great joy will be ours because it is our time. It’s time to operate in the mandate God has given us.”
Kathy was my Dad’s church pianist from age 13.(As a baby, Melissa was put under the piano seat in her baby seat) We sang this one in a lively manner. But when we got to “You ask me how I know He lives,” we held “lives” for a long time and ended with a quick and hearty “He lives within my heart!” after which was an exuberant round (or two) of “Amen!” and “Glory!”.
He Lives (by A.H.Ackley; Melodies of Praise Hymnal p.86))
A BLESSED RESURRECTION DAY AND RESURRECTION-POWER EXPERIENCE TO YOU AND YOURS!
Hymn: “Christ Arose” by Robert Lowry, 1874
(At the church my father pastored, along with “The Old Rugged Cross” and “He Lives” we sang this one every Easter. On the chorus when we sang the second “He arose!”, we held out the “arose” for a LONG time, along with shouts of “Amen”, “Glory” and “Hallelujah”.)
Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior, Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!
Refrain: Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever, with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior; Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord!
Death cannot keep his Prey, Jesus, my Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!
Found this quote in my notes:“Jesus did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil, He conquered through it.”
”… I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).(Rev.1:18, Amp)
As the people of God assemble today may they fix their eyes on Jesus who endured the cross, despised the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God as the Victorious Lamb. May they know that Jesus rose from the dead because there was more to come.“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”(Heb.12:1-2, NAU)
Martha spoke of resurrection in terms of an end-time doctrine. JESUS spoke of resurrection in terms of that which is a present fact applicable to present circumstances. JESUS was challenging Martha to see it and experience it BEFORE the Last Day.If JESUS cannot raise us from the death of failure (“death”: termination or extinction of something; cessation of all vital functions), from the death “of ceasing of function”, from the death of “not functioning because of fault or breakdown”, how can He raise us from the dust at the Last Day?
Here at Bethany, where JESUS is speaking to Martha, He is only two miles from Jerusalem where He healed one who had been diseased for 38 years; He healed one who had been blind since birth; now He raised one who had been dead for four days. Surely He can raise you up today. I like this definition of resurrection: “to stand up again.” Rejoice, it’s Resurrection Day! You can stand up again because Resurrection is a Person! (v.25)
23—“Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (Jn.11:23-25, NKJV)
“JESUS did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil, He conquered through it.” (Quote found in my notes) ”… I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).(Rev.1:18, Amp)
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Babies cannot defend themselves. Yet, a powerful king could not destroy the baby Jesus. (Matt.2:16). This world system could not touch even one tiny baby Who was the embodiment of the Kingdom of God in this earth (compare Mk.2:12). Rome had conquered the world but it didn’t know what to do with a carpenter from Nazareth (Lk.23:4). Demons opposed Jesus yet He walked about freely demonstrating the Kingdom of God (Lk.11:20). When crucified, they set a guard on His tomb but could not prevent the power of the rule of God over death. The rule and authority of God to finish what He started is unstoppable. We are praying you discover daily that the power of God is finishing what He started in your life.
Low in the grave He lay,
Found this quote in my notes: “Jesus did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil, He conquered through it.” 
the Victorious Lamb. May they know that Jesus rose from the dead because there was more to come. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.12:1-2, NAU)
“JESUS did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil, He conquered through it.” (Quote found in my notes) 
baby Who was the embodiment of the Kingdom of God in this earth (compare Mk.2:12). Rome had conquered the world but it didn’t know what to do with a carpenter from Nazareth (Lk.23:4). Demons opposed Jesus yet He walked about freely demonstrating the Kingdom of God (Lk.11:20). When crucified, they set a guard on His tomb but could not prevent the power of the rule of God over death. The rule and authority of God to finish what He started is unstoppable. We are praying you discover daily that the power of God is finishing what He started in your life.
martygabler 