Christ is Risen!

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Cross: The Day Hope Died

The day everything changed.

The day hope was lost.

The day the dream died.

The Tomb: The Day Darkness Reigned

Peace is replaced by chaos.

Joy is replaced by mourning.

Faith is replaced by fear.

Hope is replaced by despair

The Resurrection: The Day Hope Revived!

Jesus is alive! Jesus conquered death and the grave!

In a moment everything changed—again!

Jesus is who He said He is!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!

Because He lives, we can have a relationship with Him!

Roll Away the Stone! Four Barriers to a Relationship with the Risen Christ

John 11:38–44 NKJV

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Christ is risen! Hope is restored! Why do I not have hope? We must roll away the stone of our heart and let the risen Christ of hope enter in!

The Stone of the Past

Condemnation over past failures. (Peter)

Grief over lost opportunities.

Anger over past offenses.

The Stone of Rebellion

Denying our sin. (“I am a good person!)

Defiance in our sin. (“I like my sin and I am not giving it up!)

Justifying our sin. (“I don’t see anything wrong with it!”)

Delaying repentance. (“I will deal with it later!”)

The Stone of Doubt

Questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, good and evil.

Questions about a new life with Christ.

The Stone of Pride

Refusal to accept correction.

Refusal to appear needy, weak, or foolish.

Refusal to admit we can’t fix ourselves.

Refusal to admit we need God’s help.

Refusal to admit we need a Savior.

Response to the Word

Jesus is God’s Son and He died for you!

Jesus is alive, and there is hope for you!

Roll away the stone and let Him in today!

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