Friday First - He Gives Us a Reason

A few months ago I visited an Arkansas cemetery. At the back part were graves going back before statehood, almost 200 years ago. Some of the headstones were completely bare as the toll of weather and time had taken its price. As my mom and I walked around I wondered about who they were, their families, what brought them to the edge of Indian Territory, and how they died. Today, there is no one alive who knew them or knows of them. Once they were husbands or wives or children, people who would have been loved and cherished by others. Now no one knows who they are.

The dearest memories fade. The ancient Greeks had a word to describe time that meant “time which wipes all things out.” This would have been the case with Jesus … if there were no resurrection. The greatest blessing in the world is that the memory of Jesus has never faded with time. On this day we are prompted to focus on the resurrection, which is fitting and good. We come together this day with hearts of thankfulness and joy. For had our Lord not been raised, we would all be without hope and, as Paul said, men and women most pitiable.

In our lesson we will talk about the testimony regarding the resurrection:

• Mark 16.1-5a - the testimony of the empty tomb
• Mark 16.5b-6 - angelic testimony
• Mark 16.7-8 - eyewitness testimony

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. Did anyone dispute the fact of an empty tomb?
2. Does Scripture give any indication that any of the disciples believed the resurrection would take place? What are some of the things Jesus said about His resurrection before His death?
3. According to 1 Corinthians 15.19-20, what hope does the resurrection provide?
4. What does Revelation 1.17-18 tell us about Jesus at this present time?
5. What do you think the reason Peter is singled out in Mark 16.7?

OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Jason Schofield

PRAYER OF PRAISE
George Wacks

LORD'S SUPPER
Ben Baker

SCRIPTURE READING
Dylan Schofield
Mark 16.4-6

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Rich Walker