They Believed in the Empty Tomb

5 Reasons The Early Church Grew

They Believed In The Empty Tomb Of Jesus.

1. Introduction
1. Welcome visitors, personal comments, excited about joining this church and I would love to invite you to be part of us as well.  We are striving to follow the bible and be the church that we read about.
2. This morning we are starting a series of lessons designed to get us to focus on the Early Church.

             i.      The early NT Church experienced explosive growth.

1.    Acts 2:41- 3000 souls respond.

2.    Acts 4:4- 5000 grows to souls.

3.    Acts 5:14- more and more are added

              ii.      The questions we must ask ourselves are:  “What were they doing to experience this kind of growth?” and “Are we willing to do the same things?”

1. I have identified 5 reasons that I see in the bible that they grew and I want to begin with reason number 1 this morning.  It is:  THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE EMPTY TOMB OF JESUS.

1. The Empty Tomb of Jesus is what separates Christianity from any other religion in the world today.  The top 3 after Christianity teach:
1. In Islam, Mohammad died in 643 AD.  He is still dead.  He was never resurrected and his bones are still in the ground. #. In Hinduism, Brahman never was a man (false God).  He is still dead.  
2. In Buddhism, the Buddha died in 483 BC.  He is still dead.  His bones are still in the ground and he was never resurrected.
3. No world religion has had God become man, live, die, and be raised to his throne in heaven! 
4. The resurrection of Christ clearly distanced Jesus from any other man who claimed to be a messenger of God.
5. “A Dead Man Can Forgive Nothing, But A Risen Savior Can Forgive Anything!”

1. The Empty Tomb was truly the catalyst for the early church to grow.
1. Jesus appeared to many after his resurrection.

      i.      Acts 1:3- His apostles

     ii.      1 Cor. 15:3-8- Paul lists how many saw him after his resurrection.

1. The resurrection was the theme of Pentecost & Gospel preaching.

     i.      Acts 2:22-36- Peters’ sermon.

     ii.      Acts 4:2- The apostles preaching.

    iii.      Acts 17:18- Paul’s teaching

1. The early church believed it was the worlds only hope.                                                              i.      1 Peter 1:3-5-

ii.      1 Peter 1:21

iii.      1 Cor. 15:14, 17- Our faith is useless if the tomb were not empty.

1. They could not stop teaching about it.                                                             

i.      Acts 4:8-12

ii.      Acts 4:18-20

1. The Empty Tomb still is the power of the gospel.
1. Do we tell the story without stopping? #. Do we believe that it is the worlds only hope?
2. Do we feel like Paul?

i.      Phil 3:10-11 (NET)- My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, 3:11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

ii.      That is our hope.  That is our goal.  That is our model.  Let’s follow it together.

1. Conclusion
1. The early Church experienced rapid growth for many reasons. 
2. Some we cannot experience again, but others are waiting for us to follow the example.

i.      They knew the tomb of Jesus was empty.  SO CAN WE!

ii.      They knew that the empty tomb meant the real Christ had come.  SO CAN WE!

iii.      They could not stop from telling that story.  SO CAN WE!

1. Next Sunday:  THE EARLY CHURCH UNDERSTOOD THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
2. Invitation:

i.      Burial in death and resurrection from the water is the way unto hope & salvation. 

1.    Acts 2:38-

2.    Col. 2:12

ii.      Confession & Prayers of the family of God are also part of the invitation today.

1.    Jam. 5:16- Confess to one another.

2.    Stand and sing.