•There are defining moments that change every aspect of our lives.
-First adult job
-Marriage
-Kids
-Death of a loved one

•When you think about this moment for these people and Mary Magdalene in particular, just imagine how much it changed them.

•I’m just getting right to the point with you now, but is the resurrection of Jesus also a defining moment for you?

•Last at the cross-

•First at the grave
•Jesus appeared to her first
•She was the first one He told to tell others he was alive.

****Why was Mary Magdalene so in love with Jesus? Why did she follow Him? Why did she stay at the cross and go to the tomb? Why was He such a big deal to her?

Forgiven and Free:

•Can you imagine how she felt before Jesus?
-no control, no peace, no sanity, no love, no joy, no goodness, no real purpose.

•Some of you feel some of those things now.
-There is freedom!

•After encountering Jesus she was forgiven and free. OF COURSE SHE WANTED TO BE WITH HIM.

•You May not have been rescued from demon possession, but that's where you were headed.
•You have been rescued from sin in your life if you’re a Christian.
•You have been rescued to a purposeful existence.
•You have been set free from hell and a life apart from God.

•Now that He is alive, you have the great opportunity to follow Him forever.
•Mary Magdalene was faithful to her Lord and Savior.
•Are you? Do you love Him for what He did for you?

•She didn't follow Jesus because she had to. She followed Him because it was very real to her what He had done for her; how He had rescued her. Is that clear to you?

•Do you understand that you needed saving?
- imagine if we could go through all yours sin at one time!
- Look at article link below:

•Abnormal

*A resurrection is not normal. Don’t let today pass by, really any day pass by, without being amazed by the fact that Jesus came back from the dead.

•His resurrection makes it all possible, really any miracle makes it all possible. If the resurrection is true, and there’s nothing you can do. There’s no reason to believe that heaven isn’t real, and that you can be with him after you die.
•So be awe of his resurrection, be ashamed by the depth of your sin, and be amazed that he would die for you to set you free from it all.

*What does it mean for you?-

1. He is more powerful than death.

2. We can live after death. Think of the hope that is lost if there is no life after death!

3. If you are serving Jesus, you are serving the true Lord. The Bible is true and it is all real!

•A True Story
•Since it is true, it is the most important thing to ever happen.- It is THE defining moment!
•It should define everything in your life.

The resurrection should influence every area!

-Imagine God’s son dying to pay for your sins, then coming back to life, and you just kind of go, “That’s neat.”, and do nothing more with it or about it.
-Imagine not really even acknowledging Him in your life.
-Imagine someone loving you enough to be willing to leave perfection, to suffer a gruesome physical death, to be separated from God the Father for the first time, and you never truly acknowledge Him or let Him in your life.
-We are constantly looking for a true, pure love. We are constantly seeking someone to fully know us and fully love us. Guess what? You found Him! He’s here! He’s alive! He’s ready to save you and to love you and to walk with you through everything this life throws at you! He loved you enough to suffer and die and He’s awesome enough not to stay dead!