Do You Believe in the Resurrection?
Notes
Transcript
6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 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.
FCF: failure to seek Christ, failure to celebrate the resurrection in its proper context
Proposition: The resurrection of Christ displays the fulfillment of prophecy and the promises of God to deliver His people from the penalty of sin
Introduction: When you think of the resurrection of Christ what come to your mind? Now, when you think of Easter what comes to your mind? If we are honest, the picture really is not the same is it? See, somehow Easter has become the celebration of a rabbit, colored eggs and jellybeans. None of which represent the true essence of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This day is a day which we as believers must embrace to commemorate the atonement we find through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is because of this we must never allow any other commercialized narrative to cause us to ignore it.
We find before three eager women who have come to the tomb of Jesus not on an easter egg hunt but with an expectation to anoint the body of the savior whom had been crucified.
What they find is something more amazing than they could have imagined, an empty tomb of the risen savior.
Transition: The resurrection of Christ must not be ignored because of all it encompasses in the life of the believer. The scripture which lays before today introduces to us an opportunity to Embrace the Provisions of the Resurrection. . .
Embrace the Provisions of the Resurrection (v.6)
Mark 16:6 “6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
When we speak of provisions we are speaking of that which is provided or added to us which in some way benefits us. Here is what these women gained at the site of the Resurrection.
Comfort - "be not affrighted"
Assurance - that they had come to the right place, "you seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified"
They were informed by the angel he had risen
They were invited by the angel to see for themselves
Transition: We too should be comforted by the resurrection; for because of His death we are free from the curse and penalty of sin.
Application: We are now offered the same comfort and assurance that these women found at the tomb. You are in the right place. Not the place of resurrection but the place of celebration. This is the place to express joy and excitement for our deliverance. If you have not made Christ your savior today I want to encourage you not to be afraid. Be comforted Jesus has died for your sins. You have come to the right place. this is not a place of ridicule or judgment this is the place of rescue.
Transition: As we read further we discover through the eyes of these women, their acceptance of the Proof of the Resurrection . . .
Accept the Proof of the Resurrection (v.6b)
“He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
It is one thing to hear about something but it is another to experience it. The tomb was empty. He was not there. All that was left were the clothes He had been buried in.
John 20:6-7 “6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.”
What am I attempting to say? He got up! This is what we celebrate, the tomb is empty!
ILLUS: Preacher was teaching some children about the resurrection of Christ and He asked them what was the first thing Jesus said to his disciples after He was resurrected? Little girl in the back raised her hand and said, "Ta-daah!"
That's what we must be like as believers, those who trust that Christ has done what He said He would do. We are the “Ta da!” people. We have resurrection faith.
Application: As believers we are not obligated to prove He has risen from the grave. We are called to believe He was resurrected. Our challenge is to live our lives knowing that Jesus is alive. We can do this by loving other people
Share the Proclamation of the Resurrection (v.7)
“7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
These ladies were encouraged by the angel to proclaim that Jesus had risen
They were compelled to reach Peter.
Peter had messed up
he had denied Christ
he felt alienated
That's the proclamation of the resurrection, not only that Jesus is alive, but also that he is risen for us all.
-Those who have messed up
- Those who have walked away
- Those who feel alienated
- Jesus rose for you and for me
Application: As we commemorate this Holy Day let us do it by proclaiming to others the true story. He rose and He is alive. As we sit with our families during this time, during our meals let's take a moment and tell the story. Remind our friends and loved ones that it's not about a bunny but it's about a Savior named Jesus!
Conclusion:
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.