The 18th century New England pastor Jonathan Edwards is known today primarily for his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. This powerful revival sermon on the sinfulness of humanity and the sovereignty of God changed hearts and minds when Edwards preached it nearly three centuries ago.

Edwards preached on sin, but he also preached about the hope we have because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

In a sermon preached early in his career, Edwards said,

"By Christ's resurrection from the dead, the world has actually seen the other world, for they have seen a man after this life in another life; so the world has seen the future state in Christ accomplished by his resurrection from the dead, for his resurrection was his beginning of a future state."

Edwards reminds us of the hope of Christ's redemptive work. Christ died on the cross, but then rose from the dead on the 3rd day and this was witnessed and recorded for us in Scripture.

This truth reminds us that there is life after death - there is a world beyond what our eyes see and our ears hear. Moreover, this world has seen this eternal truth in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

As we approach Easter Sunday, let me ask you a question: where is your hope?

Is your hope in success and achievement in this life?

Or is your hope eternal because your identity is found in the crucified and risen King?

Easter Sunday reminds us that God has conquered sin and death through his Son and he offers eternal life to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. 

God promises that those who who belong to Jesus Christ will share in his future in the life to come - they will be defeat death just as he did 2,000 years ago.

If your hope and identity are found in the temporal things of this life (career, success, materialism, social advancement, etc.) then you will always be disappointed. The things of this life are passing and can never give you ultimate meaning in life.

However, the Gospel offers us an eternal promise. Jesus Christ has accomplished our redemption through his death and resurrection from the grave and offers you eternal hope. 

Edwards was right - we are sinners in the hands of an angry God. But we are also sinners in the hands of a gracious God who will forgive your sins and offer you life eternal through Jesus Christ.