Pastor James Hewett wrote: "Our three-year-old, Nicole, was as anxious for Easter to come as she had been for Christmas to come. Nicole had picked out a new dress and mom had given her a new white bonnet. As we stopped at a store to buy her a new pair of shoes to go with her outfit, she once again said, 'I can't wait for Easter, Daddy!' I said to her, 'Do you know what Easter means, honey?' She replied, 'Yes.' 'Well what does Easter mean?' In her own sweet three-year-old way, with arms raised, a smile on her face, and at the top of her voice she said. 'Surprise!' What better word could sum up the meaning of Easter! Surprise, death! Surprise, sin! Surprise, mourning disciples! Surprise, modern man! He's alive!"

Yes my friends, Jesus is alive. The man upon whom the disciples had based their dreams had died. Their dreams had been crushed, wiped out. The person who they expected to bring them deliverance into a new kingdom had been falsely condemned and then was executed on a cruel Roman cross. If it had not happened earlier in that week, their dreams died with Jesus.

Dreams; we have been talking about dreams each week for nearly three months. Several weeks ago I talked about misunderstood dreams. Many of us here might have experienced misunderstood dreams or may recall dreams that have died: big dreams, little dreams, personal dreams, dreams that involve many people. They dreams of many died on the cross on that bleak, black Friday. But Sunday's surprise miracle was coming. Could they dare to dream again?

Matthew tells us that two Mary's came to the grave early on Sunday morning. An earthquake had occurred and an angel of the Lord had rolled away the stone from the entrance to the tomb and was sitting upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his garment as white as snow. What a surprise! Instead of finding a closed tomb, or the body of a dead friend they encountered an angel who wanted them to Experience Resurrection Dreams, first of all by:

I. Release from fear.

What fantastic words came from the lips of the angel, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." Fear concerning the bad news was a terrible barrier to their dreams. The angel knew this and knew who they were looking for. Soon they came face to face with their resurrected Lord, who also told them, "Do not be afraid." I believe they were able to experience resurrection dreams by being released from fear.

What about our crushed dreams? Can they live again as otherwise crippling fears are released? Recall the line in the "Daring to Dram Again Prayer" that says, "Your presence encourages me to set aside fear,"

Some, however remain in fear at the very thought of Jesus' presence, knowing they are not living in right relationship with Him. If we are living with unconfessed sin in our lives we should be fearful. The Good news is that we do not need to have unconfessed sin. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins and mine when He died upon the cross and He lives today as the victor over sin. Have you confessed your sin and asked Jesus to be your Savior? If not, you can do so today. Perhaps someone present this morning has accepted Jesus as his or her personal Savior, but has allowed sin to come between you and Jesus. Why not renew your relationship with Him now? This is the Good News that can release us from fear.

Experience Resurrection Dreams, secondly by:

II. Realization for future.

Some persons don't really experience resurrection dreams because they have not continued to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They have become Christians, so they have the hope that the resurrection of Jesus brings, but they have remained babes in Christ.

Do we read and study God's word and trust what Jesus said to be true and very applicable to our lives? Again recall the words of the Angel and the events that followed on that resurrection morning.

"He has risen just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you shall see Him; Behold I have told you." They quickly did as the angel instructed them. Jesus met them and greeted them. They took hold of his feet realizing that He was alive and worshipped Him.

This was not a second hand story. After they heard from the angel they experienced Jesus personally, themselves. After we hear this fantastic good news of the risen Lord we too, can experience Jesus personally. We can realize that we have a future heavenly dream home. But as wonderful as this is, there is more. The future includes abundant life now as we joyously serve the Lord until we go to heaven.

Conclusion.

Experience Resurrection Dreams by being released from fear and by the realization for the future. This experiencing of resurrection dreams includes overcoming the fear that you cannot tell someone the Good News so that they too can come to the realization of a future with Christ.

Woodrow Wilson said, "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."

Are you experiencing resurrection dreams?

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