Jesus’ Resurrection

Introduction

Good morning LaFayette Baptist Family. It is great to be here with you all this Lord’s day. Easter morning. What a wonderful and treasured time this is together, getting to sing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs together and learn from the Word together. He Has Risen!!! Please go ahead and get out your Bible’s Our scripture today will be from the Book of Matthew, specifically from Matthew 28:1-10. Matthew 28:1-10, please go ahead and turn there in your Bible’s. As usual, the scripture will be on the screen for us in a few moments, but please have it open so that you can follow along.

Over the history of The World and mankind, many significant events have happened and creations made. We have built walls, towers, and tombs that have withstood the test of time. We have made computers so small and powerful, that just a short 50 years ago a computer that powerful would have taken up an enormous amount of space. We have created weapons that could destroy us in an instant. Man has even walked on the moon and some even live in space. We have created limitless methods of communication and record keeping. We have even discovered ways to make tiny little mold spores to cure and heal us. I could go on and on about the accomplishments of mankind. Despite all of these good things that at one time seemed impossible, there is one thing that we could never do. We could never pay the debt of sin that separated us (mankind) from God. This is true, despite mankind trying to do this every day ever since sin came into the world. God has done this for us though. He did and proved this at perhaps the most significant event that has ever and will ever happen to mankind. I am talking what we are all here for today, what we are celebrating, Jesus’ Resurrection

Scripture

If you would all please rise for the reading of God’s Word today. The words to the scripture will be on the screen, please read along with me as we are reading. When I am done I will say “this is The Word of The Lord” if you will all please respond with “Thanks be to God.” Let’s Practice that for a second. First, let’s pray.

Father God, on this day, This Easter Sunday, we come humbly before You in Awe of You. You are a God who sees us, knows us, understands us, and loves us. I don’t even know how to express my feelings about that. Father, as we celebrate this day and read Your Word together, might it deeply affect us. Might it deeply move and stir our affection and love of You. Might we be a people who this day grow and increase in our Love of You and our love of people, Your most treasured creation. Help this day Father, as we are about to participate in the reading of Your Word, help us by taking away any distraction that we may have. Make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to know more about You. Then, take this knowledge that we will gain, and help us put it into action. Help us do these things, refine us, reproof us, correct us wherever we may need that we may be in some way Your instruments of kingdom and You Will. Help us Father, take this message, take this word and help us keep it; but not keep it for sake of keeping it to ourselves, but for the sake of sharing it with others. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious name that I pray. Amen. 28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” [1]

Context

Now we move from the day of the cross, to the day of the empty tomb. You see, this past Friday, we remembered a very special event. In fact, the most significant and important event in all of human history. Why was this day so important? Because it is the day that God Himself (Jesus Christ, God The Son) died for us, to pay the sacrifice, to pay the penalty for sin for the world. This payment, this sacrifice is one that you can accept yourself, all you have to do is come to Jesus in truth and faith and accept His payment for Your sin.

When Jesus died, when he gave up his last breath, this is what he did. *Rip up the sin card* He did this because of His great love for His creation, mankind. This is sacrifice we didn’t and don’t deserve, but it is given freely as a gift for His children (those who love Him); as a parent gives a gift to their child.

After Jesus died on the cross, that first Good Friday, his body remained on that cross, that tree. Then, one of his secret disciples, a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea, asked Pontius Pilate (the roman governor) for His body, that He may lay it properly in a tomb before the sabbath (the rest day) came. He was allowed to do this, so He took Jesus’ body, but it in the tomb and rolled a great stone over the front of it, while the disciples Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph watched. Then, the following day, some of Jesus accusers, the Pharisees, seeing to still squash out the following of Jesus asked for a guard to be put in front of His tomb, as they remembered that Jesus said He would be raised, and Pilate allowed this. This guard of roman troops would be posted just outside of the tomb, and would put the seal of Rome on it, to prove that no one got in, and no one got out.

After the day of rest, the Sabbath day, Mary Magdala and the other Mary would return to the tomb to give Jesus the proper burial treatment, which they did not have time to do before the sun set that day he died. This brings up to this point in the scripture and into our main message where From the text, I want you to see and accept these actions that happened on the day of Jesus’ resurrection.

Message

The first action to see and accept is: Jesus’ Disciples Didn’t Remember

28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

Here we pick up where the text stopped. The day of the Sabbath had passed, it was now very early light. Two of Jesus’ Disciples (the two Mary’s) went to go give him the proper burial treatment and ritual that they were not able to give before. So, they rose at dawn, when the light was just peaking through, just as light was enough; they went to go and perform their solemn task. Remember, these women had just seen and experienced something brutal and terrible to behold. They saw the One they Loved more than any other, brutally struck, terribly wounded, and publicly and horribly tortured and executed.

This was all done by a crowd of people who had just days before celebrated His arrival and sang praises to Him. Then, in a cruel and vengeful turn of events, horrible murder had happened. Attending to this body, would not have been a pleasant event. It would have been a traumatic event in and of itself. However, these women loved their Lord, Loved their Savior so much, that they went to do this on the first chance they had. The text doesn’t say how the mood was on their travel, I imagine it had to be heavy. It didn’t have to be that way though, in their grief and lack of understanding they had forgotten one very important thing, that Jesus had told them that He was coming back. In fact, He had told them when and what to expect, having done this several time before and even just a few days before. The women marched to the tomb sadly and solemnly, but they had forgotten that this walk should have been a celebration for them. I hope that none of us have a similar experience like this before, though I’m sure we have; where we went to do something and expected the situation to very bad, however we only thought that because we had forgotten a critical detail about it.

My friends, can’t you just see yourself being like the disciples here? Can you think of a time where you forgot Jesus’ promise to you, and this led to sorrow? If you are anything like me, this often means that I take things into my own power, and try to force my own timeline and plans or ideas. Maybe for you it looks like that, or maybe you think that God has nothing for you right now. I can tell you with assurance, that He does, and if you are in Christ than You can find joy in knowing that a great victory awaits you when one day you will see your Lord and Savior face to face. No more pain, no more grief, no more groaning, no sleepless nights, no financial worries, no concern for your family; and perfect peace and everlasting worship to God awaits you. Hold onto His promises for Your life, His promise of Salvation, all of which is provided to you through Jesus death on the cross. So, we saw that the Disciples didn’t remember and often times we don’t remember too. Now let’s see:

The second action to see and accept is: God’s Might Being Shown

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

In a startling, shocking, and fearful turn of events, the women saw something unlike anything they had ever seen before. Where they expected to see a tomb with a large stone rolled over, basically a great big problem that they needed to solve in order to get into the tomb; instead they saw something different. What did they see? They saw a messenger from God, an Angel right before them. The angels coming caused a great earthquake. Then, the supernatural being with it’s other worldly strength rolled away the stone for the women and sat upon it. His clothing was brilliant and his appearance was scary to behold like lightning. In fact, so scary was this moment; that the Roman Guards. These strong, confidant, and disciplined soldiers of the strongest army in the world cowered and passed out from fear. What does that tell you about this scene…..? I sure wouldn’t have wanted to be one of those soldiers there, I can only imagine what was going through their mind.

Have you ever seen power on full display? Have any of you ever seen a particularly angry bull? You know how He stands proud, and large, snorts, tears at the ground, even flailing his powerful legs and horns around everywhere. You know that strong and fearful look that He had. That and then a whole lot more is what everyone their was seeing, and let me tell you. There. Was. MUCH. More. Where that came from!

With such a powerful God. What do we really have to fear? I’ll tell you. Absolutely nothing. Now, I’m not saying go out and do foolish and unwise things. What I am saying, is when God is with You, their isn’t anything You can’t do and Any mountain you can’t move, with only a tiny mustard seed of Faith in Christ. With God, with Jesus as Your Lord, You have been empowered and equipped to do great things. What are these great things? Let me tell you right now, let me give you the secret. You are empowered by God the Holy Spirit to Love God and Love people with all your heart, all your strength, and all your might and to fulfill the great commission, to Go and Make disciples of all the nations. Christian, this is your calling in Life, and God has given you everything you need to do this. So, what are you waiting for? Why are you fearing rejection, why are you more worried about pleasing men than pleasing God? Do NOT worry, have faith, and know that YES You have what it takes and YES You are just the kind of person that God has in mind to do His work on earth. Non-believer, God is calling You to the same thing, but first you must come to Christ, and submit to His Lordship of your life. Let God’s might be shown through you and Your life. Are you ready?

The next action to see and accept is God’s Chosen One Risen

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

The angel then addresses the women, who were so afraid like they had never been before in their life. The angel speaks to them a word of peace, Do not be afraid. Then, he tells them, I know why you are here. I’m here for just that reason, you are seeking Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here. He has risen. Go ahead! Go in and look. See the place where they laid Him, remember where you saw Him placed down at, He isn’t their anymore, go and see. Once you see this, go and tell everyone! Go and tell His disciples just this, that he has risen from the dead and He is on his way to Galilee (where it all started) go there and see. I’m telling you this, now go! They must have been confused. They have in that moment started remembering things. Looking at the place where His body would have been, perhaps even picking up and examining the burial garments. Thoughts must have been excitedly whirling through their heads. Confusion and excitement seemed to be everywhere. They would have been realizing something. That God’s Chosen One (The Christ, Jesus of Nazareth had risen). The body was gone, and the angel just told them! And remember how He told us this would happen!!!!

A range of emotion and thoughts would have been in their minds in these few moments. From extreme fear to joy; a huge range of emotion in such a small amount of time. These disciples would have been overwhelmed from this. Put yourself there, close your eyes. Imagine being fearful, then walking into the cool dark of the tomb. You walk over to the spot, where you expected a body, instead you see a neatly folded gown. On top of that, your mind raced with thoughts. What was next!? I better go and do as the angel says. Now, open your eyes.

Beloved, here was the proof. The long standing proof of what God had been working on for all of humanity. The proof of what? The proof of what the world has been groaning for and groans for today, the proof of God’s forgiveness and redemption. The proof of forgiveness of sin. The proof of God providing for us where we could not. The prophets had spoken of this day for millennia’s the people diligently at times had all been watching for and waiting for this day. Here it was, Jesus had risen from His Grave! God’s Chosen one has risen! God really does care! And we really can be forgiven and experience a full and joyful relationship with Him!! This was all through the action that we have seen and must accept, that God’s Chosen One has Risen.

Another action to see and accept is: Jesus’ Worship Rightly Given

8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” [2]

They departed quickly. They ran from the tomb in this overwhelming moment. It says they had both fear and joy. They went to tell the disciples, just as they had been told. Fear turned to faith in this moment. Then, Jesus met them and gave them a warm greeting. How did they react? In the most correct and appropriate way anyone could have ever done. What was this, they worshiped Him. They fell down at His feet, grabbed ahold of Him, and gave what is only appropriate to give to God, worship. This, is giving glory and honor where it is due; which is only truly allowed and correct when given to God. With His resurrection, though He had made it obvious to them on many occasions, now it would have been clear to them and to all of mankind that JESUS IS GOD. He is, the second person of the God-Head. God the Son. God The Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous. Jesus then told them the same thing that the angel did. To not be afraid, go tell the others, and to go to Galilee. There, in that place, they will see me, just as I had told them that I would. Remember, He had done this not long ago, just after the last supper and before his arrest. Just 3 days before. Only God can do this, only God can tell you that He is about to die and then 3 days later come back. Only God is worthy of your worship.

Friends, whether we realize it or not. We all have things that we worship out side of God. We call these idols. In ancient days they were little figurines or great big statues. Today, our idols are much more hidden, secret, and subtle. Often times, they are wrapped up in something that isn’t in and of itself a bad thing. Do you have something that you prefer to do rather than coming and assembling with the people of God to worship Him? Well, that thing is your idol, and receives your false worship. Do you find your security in something other than God? Maybe it’s how much money is in your bank account, maybe it’s how great your tools or equipment run; maybe it’s how big and strong your house is. These things, are false God’s that you worship. Do you come to God only for healing, only for your health, only to get better. Then, friend you have made yourself and or your health your God, your false idols. Friends, I don’t say this as if I have not done the same thing. I too am very guilty of it. For me, my idol is control, always being in control of everything. None the less, for myself and for you, I plead with You to turn to Jesus. Turn to God for forgiveness. Turn to Him and give Him worship. When You do this, when you quit and take the steps to never do these sins again (what we call repentance) and pray and ask God for forgiveness, he will gladly, happily, and be overjoyed to do so. He is calling You, He is calling me, He is calling each and every one of us in this room to a new and better relationship with Him. What will you do? Are you prepared to give Jesus His rightly given worship? There is no time like right now, there is no day like today.

Conclusion

Beloved, this is the true story of that first Easter day. A day where Jesus’ Disciples Didn’t Remember that He was coming back. It was a day where God’s Might was Shown because God’s Chosen One had Risen. This means that Jesus’ Worship is Rightly Given; a fact that was proven that Easter at Jesus’ Resurrection. Let this true tail, this account of events that happened in history effect every decision that you will ever make. Let it influence you in everything that you do; that Christ died for You, and nothing else matters. Nothing outside of pointing others towards Him as He who died for us has commissioned us, each and every one of us to do. When you do this, then you will know what real truth is.

To the non-believer in the audience. If you are wondering what a believer, what a Christian is. Let me tell you right now. A Christian is someone who has accepted that they are a sinner and are in desperate need of a savior, of which Jesus Christ can only be. These people have taken Christ as that savior and turned towards Him and away from their flesh, away from their sin. These people, submit themselves to Jesus’ Lordship not just one time, but as a lifetime endeavor. If this doesn’t sound like you, then you are not a Christian. It doesn’t matter who you are, how good you are, how much or how little you come to church or who your family is. These things are required. So, if this isn’t you, then the day of salvation is today. Accept your sin, and the cross of Christ that paid for it. Accept Jesus as your savior and come to Him, call upon His name and you will be saved. This, is open to all who want it, no matter how bad your sin or how bad a person you think you are; God’s grace is more than enough for you. Won’t You take Jesus today? Won’t You repent today? If you are ready, come forward during our last song. If you miss it, call or text me later. Either way, don’t spend another day outside of God’s Grace.

With that, let’s conclude. Brothers and sisters, I love you all. If you have something you need to talk about, or need prayer, or want to talk more about accepting Jesus; then during our last song together I will be here. Please come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, on this most Holy of days. A Day of remembrance of You and Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice on the cross and the open tomb, we ask that you would open our hearts, our eyes, and our minds. Make us understand where we are holding on out you, where we don’t show a complete faith, and help us overcome this. Help us as we go out of this place, to become better lovers of You. And help us take this message and it apply to every part of ourselves and keep it, but not keep it to ourselves, but keep it for the sake of sharing it with others as we go. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016, p. Mt 28:1–10. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016, p. Mt 28:1–10.