"A Witness to Resurrection"

Call to Worship  (inspired by Psalm 130)

Together, let us worship God! In the Lord, we find hope, In the Lord, we recognize steadfast love. It’s because the Lord has great power, to redeem each one. Together, let us give thanks to the Lord our God, in whom we know forgiveness.

So let us wait, with eager and expectant hearts, for the Lord our God will redeem us all.

Opening Prayer

Steadfast Lover of all creation, we turn to you this morning, eager to see the ways in which reveal yourself to us.   Because you are a listening God, we believe you hear our prayers. Because you are a redeeming God, we can stand before you without fear. Because you are a forgiving God, we can hope for a new start.

So stand with us in this hour.  Lift us up to our feet,  and send us out to bear witness to your loving presence, which we know most clearly    in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.   AMEN

Moment for Stewardship

In John 11, Jesus tells of giving Lazarus the gift of life.  Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus, had called for Jesus to come, but he arrived four days after Lazarus did and was put into his tomb.

Yet Jesus prayed, and commanded Lazarus, “come out!”   It’s almost impossible to imagine the joy and gratitude of Martha and Mary, when Lazarus walked out of the tomb, wrapped in burial cloths.

Perhaps you’ve had the experience of a loved one being restored to health after a serious health crisis.  If so, you may count yourself as someone SO grateful, seeking ways to say “thank you” to those who helped end the critical time.  Prayers of gratitude, notes to the medical personnel, flowers for the nursing station, financial contributions to the hospital’s foundation:  we can, and often do, overflow with glad thanksgiving!

For many of us, when we recognize how our lives are enriched because of Jesus enacting God’s amazing love, thanksgiving bubbles to the surface of our mind.  How amazing!  How can we act out our gratitude?

Today, we can present our gifts of time, talent and treasure for the morning offering.  With grateful hearts, let us bring our tithes and offerings.

Prayer

Healing and Empowering God, we are sometimes so sure that things will not work out, we doubt even your ability to put things right in our lives. We lack such faith. But Jesus came to show us that our most dreaded enemy--death--can be overcome by faith. Heal our doubts and our longings for assurance and give us spirits of trust and hope. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Luke 24:1-12 New International Version Jesus Has Risen 24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Introduction The Resurrection story in Luke 24:1-12 is a significant event in the Christian faith, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and death. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was crucified by the Roman authorities in Jerusalem during the Jewish Passover festival, and his body was placed in a tomb. Three days later, the tomb was found empty, and Jesus appeared to his followers, providing evidence of his resurrection. This event is considered a central tenet of Christian belief, as it affirms Jesus' divinity and power over death.

Luke 24:1-12 recounts the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb by a group of women who had come to anoint his body. The women find the tomb empty and are visited by two angels who tell them that Jesus has risen from the dead. The women then go and tell the disciples what they have seen, but the disciples initially do not believe them.

I. The Empty Tomb-24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

In Luke 24:1-12, the passage begins with a group of women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem. They had witnessed his crucifixion and burial, and on the third day, they came to the tomb to anoint his body with spices. Upon arriving at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Perplexed and frightened, they were visited by two men in dazzling clothes, who asked them why they were looking for the living among the dead. The men reminded them of Jesus' words, that he would be crucified and rise on the third day. The women then remembered Jesus' words and returned to tell the apostles what they had seen and heard. However, the apostles did not believe them, thinking it was an idle tale. This passage emphasizes the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as it is a central event in Christian faith. It also highlights the role of women in the story, who were the first witnesses of the empty tomb and the resurrection. Their faithfulness and obedience in seeking to honor Jesus even in death is a model for all believers, and the fact that the disciples did not believe them serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and belief in the resurrection.

Imagine waking up early on a Sunday morning and getting ready to attend church. You put on your best clothes and head out, expecting a routine service. But when you arrive, you find that the church building is completely empty. Confused and worried, you start to search for answers. As you explore the grounds, you come across an open Bible on the altar and a message that reads, "He is risen!" Suddenly, everything makes sense - it's Easter Sunday, and you realize the significance of the day and the empty church building. Just like the women who discovered the empty tomb, you are filled with awe and wonder at the power of the resurrection.

Just as the women did not give up when they found the tomb empty, even though they were initially perplexed and afraid, we should also persevere through difficult times, trusting in God's plan even when we cannot see it.

I. The Empty Tomb

II. The Women's Report-Luke 24:9-12 says, "And they returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them." After discovering the empty tomb, the women immediately reported their experience to the apostles and other disciples. This is an example of the importance of sharing one's experiences with others, especially those in a position of leadership or influence. It also shows the courage and faith of the women in speaking up and sharing what they had witnessed, even in the face of skepticism and doubt from others. At the same time, the response of the apostles highlights the importance of keeping an open mind and heart to the experiences and testimonies of others, even if they seem improbable or outside of one's own experiences. It can be easy to dismiss or ignore things that challenge our beliefs or understanding, but the story of the women reporting the empty tomb reminds us to remain open to the unexpected and to be willing to listen and learn from others. Imagine a group of women who have been working on a project for months. They have put in long hours and have poured their hearts and souls into this project. When it is finally complete, they gather together to celebrate and share their excitement about what they have accomplished.

As they share their experience with others, they are met with skepticism and doubt. Some people question their abilities and others dismiss their hard work. But the women stand firm in their belief that they have done something truly special and that their efforts should be recognized and celebrated.

In the same way, the women who reported their experience of the empty tomb to the apostles faced doubt and skepticism. But they were courageous in sharing what they had seen and experienced, even when others did not believe them. Their unwavering faith and determination to share the truth ultimately helped to spread the message of the resurrection to the world.

The application of this part of the story could include encouraging believers to boldly share their experiences with others, even if they may seem unbelievable or unconventional. It also highlights the importance of believing and listening to the testimonies of others, even if they do not align with our preconceived notions or expectations. This can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the power and mystery of God's work in our lives and in the world around us. Additionally, it can inspire us to have a greater sense of urgency and mission to share the good news of Christ's resurrection with others.

Conclusion I. The Empty Tomb

II. The Women's Report

One aspect to consider is the profound change that occurred in the disciples' lives after experiencing the Resurrection. Prior to this event, the disciples were in a state of despair and confusion, unsure of their future and their role in the world. However, the Resurrection transformed them into bold and passionate advocates of the Gospel, willing to risk their lives to share the good news. This transformation can serve as a powerful reminder that God has the ability to transform our lives, even in the midst of our struggles and doubts. Just as the disciples were changed by the Resurrection, we too can experience transformation through our faith in God. Additionally, reflecting on the Resurrection story can deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Through his death and resurrection, he provided a way for us to be reconciled with God and experience eternal life. This can lead us to a greater sense of gratitude and awe for God's love and grace. Finally, the Resurrection story can serve as a call to action. Just as the women were called to share their experience with the apostles, we too are called to share the good news of Jesus with others. This can involve acts of kindness, speaking up against injustice, and sharing our faith with those around us. Overall, reflecting on the Resurrection story can deepen our faith, inspire us to action, and remind us of the transformative power of God's love.

First, it reminds us of the power and sovereignty of God. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He also has the power to bring life and transformation to our own lives. We can trust in God's ability to work in and through us, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Second, the story emphasizes the importance of faith and belief. The women who first discovered the empty tomb were initially filled with doubt and confusion, but as they encountered the risen Christ and heard the testimony of others, their faith grew stronger. Similarly, we may face moments of doubt and uncertainty in our own lives, but by leaning on the truth of Christ's resurrection and the witness of fellow believers, we can find renewed hope and confidence. Finally, the Resurrection story highlights the mission and purpose of the church. Just as the women were called to share the news of Christ's resurrection with others, we too are called to share the good news of the Gospel and to live out Christ's love and compassion in our communities. As we seek to follow in the footsteps of the early disciples, we can find inspiration and guidance in the Resurrection story as we strive to fulfill our own role in God's redemptive plan.

Benediction

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. May you go forth with confidence, knowing that the resurrected Lord goes before you, and that nothing is impossible with Him. May the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen.