Download 5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Easter-5-Day-Devotional.pdf

Sermon Summary: This Easter sermon explores the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection, emphasizing how it changed history and continues to offer hope and renewal to believers today. The pastor contrasts the despair and confusion of Jesus' followers immediately after the crucifixion with the joy and purpose they found after witnessing the risen Christ. The sermon underscores that the resurrection is not just a historical event, but a source of ongoing power for Christians to overcome life's challenges.

Key Points:

• The crucifixion initially appeared to end the Jesus movement
• No Christians were present at the crucifixion; all followers had lost hope
• The resurrection was unexpected and changed everything
• The risen Jesus reignited the faith and mission of his followers
• The resurrection makes sense of Jesus' teachings and claims
• Christ's victory over death offers hope for all human suffering
• Resurrection power is available for daily life, not just Easter

Scripture Reference:

• John 20:1-8

Download 5-Day Devotional

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the reliability of the Gospels and the historical evidence for Christianity. Pastor Jody argues that the most probable explanation for the rapid spread of Christianity is the reality of Jesus' miracles and resurrection. He challenges listeners to examine the evidence for themselves, emphasizing that Christianity's truth is not dependent on personal experience or perceptions of fairness, but on historical facts and eyewitness accounts.

Key Points: - Evidence should be examined based on probability, not just possibility - There's a common prejudice against the supernatural in evaluating biblical accounts - The early Christian movement grew due to miracles and the resurrection, not just teachings - The Gospels were circulated when eyewitnesses were still alive to verify their accounts - Christianity differs from other religions in its basis on eyewitness testimony of supernatural events - Jesus' claim to be the exclusive way to God may seem unfair but should be evaluated based on truth - Christianity is fair in that it welcomes everyone and offers salvation on equal terms

Scripture Reference: John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Download a 5-Day Devotional based on this weeks sermon: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Be-Prepared-Week-2_-5-Day-Devotional.pdf

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the historical reliability of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and their significance in establishing the truth of Christianity. Pastor Jody emphasizes that these accounts were written independently by different authors, yet they collectively present a coherent narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. The sermon argues against skeptical theories about the Gospels' origins and presents evidence for their authenticity, including the willingness of early Christians to die for what they witnessed rather than just what they believed.

Key Points:

- The four Gospels were written independently but tell a consistent story - Luke's account emphasizes careful investigation and eyewitness testimony - Apparent contradictions in the Gospels actually support their authenticity - The early followers of Jesus died for what they saw (the resurrected Christ), not just for what they believed - Christians should be prepared to give reasons for their faith based on historical evidence

Scripture Reference: - Luke 1:1-4