God’s purpose for You is established in His provision for You Ascension Chapel Mark 16:1-3 – When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Jesus’ followers made resurrection claims but didn’t have resurrection expectations Mark 16:9 - And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Everybody has a story John 20:19 – On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Everybody needs a family The most logical reason they believed Jesus was alive is that Jesus was alive Historical documentation supports the Resurrection The Resurrection of Jesus is by a landslide the most well-documented event in ancient world history 1 Corinthians 15:6 – Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. “In some remote corner of this sprawling universe, twinkling among the countless solar systems, there was once a star on which some clever animals invented knowledge. It was the most arrogant, most mendacious minute in world history, but it was only a minute. After nature caught its breath a little, the star froze, and the clever animals had to die. And it was time, too: for although they boasted of how much they had come to know, in the end they realized they had gotten it all wrong. They died and in dying, cursed truth. Such was the species of doubting animal that had invented knowledge.” – Friedrich Nietzsche We find our purpose in the Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:17 – If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:18 – If Christ is not raised, then you won’t see your loved ones again. 1 Corinthians 15: 58 – If Christ is not raised, your work is in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:20 – But now Christ is raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 – For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. God's story can become your identity