Untitled Sermon

Introduction

Introduction

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Think of a moment that has completely changed your life. You find out you’re going to be a parent. You got accepted into your dream school or job. Your significant other says “I Do.” One moment can change everything and stick with you for a lifetime. One rock can slay a giant. One person can stand against an army. One conversation can change a life. One domino can cause a billion to fall. One shot can win a championship. One ray of sunlight can pierce away the darkness of the night. Never underestimate the power of one. We know the power of a moment and we experience this in our lives on a regular basis and we see it on TV and we read about it as well. As a young boy, I was fascinated by JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings series. In the second movie, the Two Towers there is a scene that if you’ve watched the movie, you can never forget and even if you haven’t watched the movie, you can understand its importance. The main cast of characters are fleeing an army of orcs and they retreat to a place called Helm’s Deep - think of the Alamo, if you will. They are surrounded by tens of thousands of opponents with no where to run to. The night has come. It is dark and rainy. The losses are piling up rapidly. The enemy has breached the walls and to any normal person, you’d say that the end was upon them. But in the midst of this darkness, on a hilltop off in the distance, there comes a beacon of light as tens of thousands of allies arrive onto the scene at the last possible moment and the enemy is defeated.

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One moment changes everything. One light pierces through the dark. Today, friends, we celebrate not just a moment, we celebrate the greatest moment in history as 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ defeated death by dying on the cross and 3 days later, raising from the grave. This moment in history changes everything - including our lives today. The tomb is empty. The throne is occupied. The King is alive. This morning we’re not going to get cute - we’re going to get real. If you have a copy of God’s Word with you, we’ll start out in

Luke 24

, if you do not have a copy of God’s Word, our Scripture passages will be on the screen and I’d love to get you a copy of Scripture after our service! Today we’re going to see what the big deal is about Easter Sunday and why the empty tomb still matters 2000 years later. See, Easter is a beloved holiday in our country for lots of good reasons. The weather is normally starting to warm up (praise the Lord), we sometimes have family functions, it’s time to fire the grill up, we play games, we have a fun day. But church, we have to remember that the real reason we celebrate isn’t because of an egg, some chocolate, some steaks, or even some family time… the reason we celebrate today is because it’s true: Jesus Christ didn’t stay in the Grave, He Arose! Death is Dead and Love has Won! This good news demands a response - let’s read from God’s Word this morning

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Luke 24:1–12

CSB

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’ 8 And they remembered his words. 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

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Can you imagine the look on Peter’s face? Can you imagine what the women said whenever the Angel told them that Jesus is alive? I wish I could’ve been there and seen the tomb for myself… do you feel that way? Hear me here, friends, if you’re a Christian, this resurrection story is your story. You might not’ve been present to see this for your own eyes… but you have been raised from death to life and it’s all because of what Jesus has done 2000 years ago! Some of you, though, are likely here and you might not have ever heard this message before. Or, you’ve heard it but you haven’t responded to it before. If this is you, please know this: Jesus loves you. He made you. He came for sinners like me and you. He died for sinner like me and you. He rose to save sinners like me and you. Today, if you have not done so, I pray that today you would have that moment where you come to realize that Jesus Christ really did come, He really did die, He really did raise, and He really does save us. Let’s pray!

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The Resurrection Really Happened

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I suspect that some of you are here this morning, and you are not sold on this opening point. Maybe you’re here and you are skeptical that the resurrection happened. You’re skeptical that a dead man could come back from the dead after 3 days of being dead. You likely think that there must be a more probable explanation. If this is you, friend, understand that you are not alone in that thinking. People have questioned the resurrection of Jesus Christ for nearly 2000 years! What I want to do is explore why Jesus had to die, why He rose, and what evidence we see that this actually took place both inside and outside of Scripture to prove that Jesus really rose from the grave.

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Last week we looked in

Isaiah 53

, written nearly 700 years before Jesus’ death and in this prophecy we see that God’s suffering servant will die in the place of guilty people but that after this sacrifice, He will do something extraordinary

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Isaiah 53:11

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11 After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.

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This servant will experience anguish and suffering but then He will see light and be satisfied. He will come from death (suffering) to life. He will see His offspring as verse 10 tells us in this chapter. 700 years before the cross, we see a promise that this Messiah will die and rise.

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Let’s turn our eyes to what Jesus had to say about this Himself. Jesus called His shot - He told His people that this would happen

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Luke 9:22

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22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”

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Jesus taught before His death that He would suffer. Be rejected. Be killed… and then what? Raise from the grave on the 3rd day. This wasn’t anything new - this was exactly what He had taught!

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This is what the angels said to the women at the tomb on Resurrection Sunday! He is risen just as He had said. They were going to the tomb to get His body finalized for burial - thinking that He was still dead. But these women are the ones that God chose in His perfect plan to share this amazing news with. Not through any additional proof other than the stone rolled away and the tomb empty… but they simply proclaimed this good news to the women. Did you know that at this point in human history, a woman’s testimony could not be used in a court of law? If you are trying to prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you could not use the testimony of these 2 women in court. Not only this, but the disciples thought they were crazy - look at verse 11, “These words seemed like nonsense” - isn’t this how many people would react to this news today? They’re pulling our leg - they’re filming this for Tic Tok to see what our reaction will be. They’re trying to fool us. Many of the disciples don’t believe them - Thomas goes as far as to say that he will only believe if he can see the scars for himself (he was a Missourian at heart - show me the scars!)… but Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself, and sure enough, it was just as the women had said.

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Think about how illogical this sounds. If this were a lie, if the Roman soldiers assigned to guard the tomb were a part of an elaborate cover up and if the 11 remaining disciples of Jesus who were afraid for their lives in the upper room suddenly decided to risk their lives to grab Jesus’ body and if they were able to find a stunt double to take Jesus’ place in the eyes of the public, you’d want to make a really believable story here. This story makes the disciples look like unfaithful fools! Women, not even able to give their testimony in court, found Jesus’ body gone. If this were a lie, they would have came up with a better one.

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Let’s take this a step further. We discovered this with Watergate, those who were around back then, it’s hard to maintain a lie with a large group of people. Eventually someone is going to spill the beans and be honest about what happened. The Roman soldier, the disciples, the Jewish leadership. See, all they needed was a body - that’s it - Christianity rises or falls based on the body of Christ being found and the most powerful army in the world with the wisest rulers of the day could not find His dead body and the reason why was because He had risen. The disciples attested to this and they were willing to die for this truth. Do you know someone who is stubborn? If you aren’t raising your hand, you might be that person! I know some stubborn people - but I don’t know someone willing to be tortured and eventually die for something that was a complete lie that they were a part of. Yet, each one of these disciples died in horrific ways while maintaining the resurrection of Jesus Christ each step of the way.

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Let’s see what Jesus says about Himself in relation to the resurrection and the hope that He provides

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John 11:25–26

CSB

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

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We have evidence from Scripture, from studying the history of these people, and from science that Jesus did exactly what the Bible tells us He did. Friends, the Resurrection happened. The evidence that we see tells us that it did. Secular historians cannot disprove it even though they have tried for thousands of years. The Romans couldn’t stop it. The Jews couldn’t cover it up. Jesus really did raise from the grave just as He promised He would - do you know why? Because God had that plan before the beginning of time. That His Son would come and die for sinners like you and I and raise back to life so that you and I could have hope that this life is not the end. We can have that hope today as well as we trust in Jesus Christ.

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The Resurrection Really Matters

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Lots of other religions and movements survive without a key person. The Kansas City Chiefs will survive without Patrick Mahomes many years and many championships down the line. The United States survived without George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Buddhism can survive without Buddha. Islam can survive without Muhammad. Organizations can survive without their CEO. FBC Salem will survive 50 years down the road without Joel Hayworth. Christianity, on the other hand? You have no Christianity without Jesus Christ. You have no Christianity without a Resurrection. The Resurrection Really Matters - we’ve already seen how we know that the Resurrection really happened, but we have to understand now that this reality must impact us because of the gravity of our situation. Paul shares this in

1 Corinthians 15:13-14

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1 Corinthians 15:13–14

CSB

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.

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It’s a blessing to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus rose from the grave and this means that our faith is not in vain! See, some people in our world are a little confused about Christianity. They wonder why Christians have helped other people, why they give sacrificially, why they go out of their way to do hard things, why they experience persecution willingly instead of running for the hills. The reason why is because the Resurrection changes everything. The Resurrection matters because it is the lens through which Christians view everything in this world. Think through this if you’re a Christian. You’re suffering and having a really bad day - guess what? Because of the resurrection, one day there will be no more suffering at all and because of the resurrection, you can have hope today even in hard times because Jesus is alive and with you and sustaining you and He has a purpose for you, even in your moments of suffering. This is good news! Say that you’re dealing with loss as so many of you have dealt with loss in recent days - guess what? Because of the resurrection and empty tomb, you can have hope that if your loved one was saved by grace through faith in Christ and if you are too, you will see that person again and they won’t be in anymore pain! Y’all, the Resurrection matters in our daily lives because it changes the way that we deal with the lows that we face - but it also changes the way that we deal with the highs of this life as well. The Resurrection puts us all on an even playing field. We’re all in need of a resurrection and none of us deserve it. There is no one too good who doesn’t need Jesus to save their dead soul and at the same time there is no one too bad who cannot be saved and raised from their sins. Even in our suffering, we are not without hope or help, as DA Carson said, “You are not suffering from anything that a good resurrection can’t fix.”

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We see that the Resurrection changes everything as the God of Scripture brings life where there was once death. See, many people look at death as if it is a period that ends the story but this is pure fiction. Death has never been and will never be the end, we are created for eternity and we will all spend eternity some where. What the Resurrection proves is that God wins! This is what Jesus did for us on the cross. See, Jesus killed what could not be killed. Jesus defeats sin and death - how? By dying in our place. Why does the Resurrection Matter? Because it guarantees that not only does Jesus triumph over sin and death, but all those who are Christians have that same Resurrection hope. Death is defeated - we aren’t servants to sin any longer - there is a better hope and that hope has a name! His name is Jesus. He really did die. He really did raise. He really does win the battle for us. This means that, third

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The Resurrection Really Changes Us

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If you’re a Christian, undoubtedly the Resurrection has changed you as we saw earlier this morning with baptisms that demonstrate that truth. Let’s look at several ways that the Resurrection changes our lives as humans.

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The Resurrection Changes Our Past

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Your past and sin is no longer your story to be afraid of, through the resurrection your old self is no more and you are raised to walk in a brand new life. Your sin doesn’t define you, you are a new creation. You can look at the cross and empty tomb and see Jesus’ sacrifice in your place and see 3 words “Paid In Full” - Jesus changes your past as He died in your place

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The Resurrection Changes Our Present

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Not only does Jesus change our past, but He provides us with hope today. So many in our world are depressed and confused about events going on and about the prospect of death. The Resurrection changes the way that we live in the present because we are now at peace with God and we have a purpose today to live for Him.

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The Resurrection Changes Our Future

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Because we have this purpose and peace, we also know that we will one day be in God’s presence!

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The Resurrection Changes Our Identity

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Galatians 2:20

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20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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Do you see how the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ changes our identity as Christians? Paul shares that his life is no longer about himself… but he lives his life by faith in Jesus and he lives each day for Him. Christ has changed him from the inside out! It is Christ who lives in Him and it is Christ whom Paul lives for. So often, we are tempted to place our identity in ourselves or something that we’re passionate about or someone else that we like. The issue with those things is that they will let us down. If your identity is in being the best spouse that you can be, you will fail because you’ll forget to pick up all the groceries at the store or you’ll drop the ball by adding stress to an already stressful situation. If your identity is in what you do, that will eventually let you down because one day you won’t be in high school anymore playing sports, you won’t be at the job you’re currently working at, you won’t be surrounded by the people with you today because people come and go. If our identity is in “self” then we’re going to be sorely disappointed! Scripture reminds us, though, that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes our identity as it’s no longer just about ourselves… It’s not about the name on the back of the jersey, it’s about the name on the front. It’s about Jesus. As a Christian, as one who has repented of your sins and trusted in Christ to save you and be your Lord and Savior, your old self is crucified - it’s gone! Jesus lives in you - He changes you - He saves you! Jesus changes our identity and Jesus promises to never leave nor forsake us. He’s always with us.

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The Resurrection Changes Our Reality

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Because Jesus changes our identity, He also changes our reality and the way that we view the world. The Resurrection gives us hope and changes the way that we see events that happen to us and others. We are able to see in color rather than just black and white and gray. We see things as they truly are - as God intended for them to be.

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The Resurrection Changes Our Eternity

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Not only does the Resurrection change our reality and everything about us today, Jesus’ Resurrection changes our eternal destination. In this world we experience suffering and sorrow and sickness as the result of sin… but because of the resurrection, we have a better hope and a better home that we will go to when our time is done on this earth. Look at what Paul writes in

1 Corinthians 15

about this hope

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1 Corinthians 15:54–57

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54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

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Thanks be to God who gives us the victory! This victory isn’t just a temporary victory - it’s an eternal victory. An eternal hope. An eternal anchor. Because the tomb is empty, death has no power. Sin no longer has a sting. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead, will raise His people and give them an incorruptible and immortal body and we will worship Him forever in glory! Am I the only one excited for that day? I’d better not be - Jesus calls on us to be steadfast, immovable, and to excel in God’s work today because the resurrection guarantees our victory tomorrow and for all eternity! This is good news!

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Has the Resurrection Changed Your Life?

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The logical question that we have to ask individually today is this: Has Jesus’ Resurrection, has the empty tomb, has this good news impacted me directly? Understand this clearly today: There can be no Neutrality about an Empty Tomb!You’re either an opponent or an adopted member of God’s Kingdom. There is no middle ground that says that I’m a part time member or I’m kind of changed or I’m lukewarm. To be lukewarm is to be an opponent. To say that Jesus is a partial Lord but not Lord of all is to say that He is not Lord at all. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ demands a response - this moment changes everything and our lives are no exception. Some people in Jesus’ day worshipped Him because of the Resurrection and some worship Jesus today. Some people in Jesus’ day worried about Him because of the Resurrection and some worry about Jesus today because they want Him to save them but they don’t want Jesus to change them. Some people in Jesus’ day will eventually deny Him even though they’ve walked with Him during His ministry… and some people who come to church and know the church answers will one day deny Jesus as well because Jesus hasn’t truly changed their life. Friend, this Jesus who rose from the grave must change you. There is no alternative. Either He changes you and raises you from death to life, or you are still walking in darkness and in need of His resurrection power today. Understand that it won’t always be “today” as there will be a time where it will be too late to be changed by Jesus and that time will come because we know that, finally,

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The Resurrecting King Will Return

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Today, we walk through the valley of the shadow of death… but we don’t walk alone and we don’t walk in darkness. We walk as heirs of the eternal God of light. See, this Jesus who rose didn’t leave us by ourselves. He promises to be with us every step of the way. Several years ago there was a husband who lost his young wife suddenly and unexpectedly because we live in a fallen, broken world… the husband was trying to figure out how to explain everything to his pre-teen daughter but he was struggling. As they were driving to the funeral on a warm summer, sunny day, they came to a stoplight and a semi-truck came to a stop right next to them, blocking the rays of the sun from striking their car because of its large shadow. In this moment, it hit the father. He said to his daughter, “Would you rather get hit by that semi-truck or its shadow?” His daughter looked at him a little perplexed and answered, “Obviously, its shadow!” The dad replied and said that what Jesus has done for us as Christians is He got his by the “semi-truck” of sin and death on the cross. He took our place. So that we only have to worry about it’s shadow. The shadow is still real. It blocks our view and it can impact our lives and it still hurts… but it’s not nearly as bad and it’s all because of Jesus Christ.

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Today we’ve looked at what Jesus Christ has done and Who Jesus Christ is. He is our Risen Savior. He came, lived a perfect life, died on the cross in our place, rose from the grave, ascended to heaven, and He is going to come again! What have you done with Jesus Christ? Jesus has won the victory for His people! He gives hope to the hopeless. Faith to the faithless. Peace to the peaceless. Rest to the restless. Satisfaction to the searching. Purpose to the aimless. Today there are some who have not trusted in Christ as Lord. Understand this, friend, I love you enough to be honest with you! Each one of us have sinned against God, the Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and that the wages of sin is death - this is what we deserve. But the same Jesus who rose from the grave is able to raise you and I to life today as well. What must you do? The Bible tells us that we must repent of our sins - this means that we ask Jesus to forgive us and to enable us through His power to turn away from those sins. Not only do we repent, we must believe in what Jesus has done. We must follow Jesus. We must do the things that Jesus commands us to do. We must worship Him. We must follow Him each day of our lives and trust in what He has done. Some of you are here this morning and you’ve likely heard about Jesus before and you’ve heard that Jesus died and rose… but have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to save and change you before? Have you followed through with baptism? Are you an active member of a church? Your Risen Savior demands a response and He demands our obedience - I’d love to talk with you about what it means to trust in and obey Jesus here in just a moment right down here. One moment changes everything. The Resurrection changes everything! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ demands our attention. The Light has pierced the darkness. Through Jesus, you and I don’t have to be afraid of anything! He has defeated our foe. He has won for us the victory. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! Is this you, though? Are you in Christ? If not, why not today?

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Let’s Pray

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