On Easter Sunday millions of Christians gather to celebrate Jesus of Nazareth’s resurrection from the dead. What difference does it make if Jesus actually rose from the dead? There are a number of answers to that question, but in this message we’ll have a chance to ask that question from some people who lived shortly after the resurrection occurred. We’ll discover that Jesus being alive and not dead is the only explanation for what these people experienced. In the process we learn why Jesus’ resurrection is not just something to be believed, but something to be experienced.

The sixth, and next-to-last, cry of Jesus from the cross is the most important single cry in history. Seemingly defeated and about to die, Jesus knew that through his suffering and impending death he completed the act of redemption he came into the world to accomplish. With a single word in the Greek he declares his work finished, perfect, and forever completed. If you wonder about the crucifixion and death of Jesus, understanding this single word could not be more important.

Writing to Christians who were under a great deal of pressure and were suffering for being Christ followers, the apostle Peter reminded them of something they had that could get them through their current struggles and allow them to continue to love and live as Jesus did. What he pointed them to he called living hope. We’re going to see what that is, how we can have it, what it can do for us, and how it is connected to the resurrection of Jesus in this message.