Resurrection Sunday • A Living Hope • John 20:1-29

Review & Overview

Well good morning! Happy Resurrection Sunday!

The Lord Jesus is Risen and Alive - And that is such a blessing to us and we’ll talk about that in second.

But before I do I’d like to bring up a point.

1. Introduction & Overview

I don’t know about you all but our lives can feel pretty chaotic at times.

And sometimes the chaos is fun — like when our chaos is bouncing between friends, activities, and new experiences.

But other times, the chaos can leave us feeling defeated and hopeless

For example, when our chaos is stumbling from one disappointment, loss, or frustration to another.

Sometimes life leaves us feeling like we can't catch our breath or a break.

So what do we do in those difficult moments? Who can help us? And where is Jesus when we are consumed by hopelessness?

You know, Resurrection Sunday seems like a strange time to be talking about chaos and hopelessness.

Shouldn't we be celebrating that Jesus is alive?

Of course we should — and we will! But if the good news of Easter can't help us in the middle of our darkest moments, then is it really good news?

ILLUSTRATION : Talk about a time when you felt hopeless - Panic Attacks - Depression, I thought it was the end for me.

2. Today’s Overview

Today, we are going to talk about some of the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection, and how some of Jesus' followers were full of doubts, questions, and fears — and rightfully so!

Their leader and Savior had just been killed!

The Title of Today’s Message: A Living Hope: The Impact of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Because as you’ll see in a second the disciples probably felt chaotic and hopeless too. Up to the point of the Resurrection Story. . .

Peter - (who denied he ever knew Jesus) needed courage and clarity to help him trust Jesus.

Thomas - (who demanded proof of Jesus' life His Resurrected life) needed evidence and reassurance to help him believe.

Mary Magdalene - (who couldn't fathom that Jesus could possibly be alive & Resurrected) needed comfort and hope that the good news was indeed true.

Yet, according to secular historian as well as church history all these followers of Jesus died for their faith in Jesus. Why?

You see people die for lies all the time - But no one dies for a lie they know is a lie.

If you’re taking notes we want to look at 4 things involving the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Involves The Empty Tomb Vs. 1-13

Involves The Revealing of Jesus Vs. 14-18

Involves Doubt Vs. 24-29

Today we're going to see how the very first Resurrection Sunday doesn't just address our doubts — it also has the power to give us hope in some not-so-obvious ways.

Let's look at Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' most devoted followers. Jesus had saved her from so much and given her a new purpose and direction in life. So when He died, Mary was devastated.

In fact, Scripture talks about Mary's tears four times in just a few verses.

Let’s take a look at this first point….

1. The Resurrection Involves The Empty Tomb Vs. 1-13

The empty tomb is one of the strongest arguments that supports the historicity of the Resurrection - All 4 Gospels report that after Jesus was crucified, his body was placed in a tomb, and a large stone weighing thousands of pounds was was rolled in front of it.

But when the disciples went to the tomb three days later, they found it empty.

This is a powerful piece of evidence that is difficult to explain, if the resurrection did not happen.

Because according to the Gospel of Matthew the religious leaders were concerned that Jesus’ followers might steal His body.

So what did they do? They asked the Roman Authorities to guard the tomb and seal it with cords and a wax roman image.

Now follow me here: Because this is important. If Jesus did not rise from the dead.

The only thing the Romans & Religious leaders had to do to prove that Jesus did not rise from the dead is to: Simply open the correct tomb and show everyone the dead body of Jesus.

If the tomb was not empty, it would have been easy for the Jewish authorities to produce the body and disprove the resurrection. (pause)

And look, there is not one single record in history telling us that someone contested the fact that the tomb was empty.

So the disciples were confused & had so many questions as to where the body of Jesus Christ went - Mary thought someone just open the tomb and took the body of Jesus.

But, it said in Vs. 9 that they did not know the Scripture - That He must rise again from the dead.

Psalm 16:10 - For You will not leave my soul Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

Mary was experiencing deep hopelessness. She had already lost her dear friend once, but now that His body was gone, she thought she had lost Him again.

APPLICATION: You know, sometimes when we find ourselves experiencing a deep, aching kind of hopelessness, it's tough to see what is right in front of us.

APPLICATION: In our grief, we feel lost, confused, and uncertain.

It was in these moments of uncertainty that Jesus began speaking to Mary.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read John 20:11-18.

NUMBER 1 The Resurrection Involves The Empty Tomb

2. The Resurrection Involves The Revealing of Jesus Vs. 14-18

2.1 Mary Is Consumed w/ Grief

Question: Who is someone you'd recognize anywhere? IDK if you are picturing their face right now?

ILLUSTRATION: But if they walked through the door right now, you’d recognize them instantly, right?

ILLUSTRATION: Of course you would! And that’s what I find so interesting about this story.

Mary assumed someone had stolen His body because what else could explain why Jesus wasn't in His tomb? So overcome with grief, Mary wept.

As she cried, Jesus asked why she was crying. She thought the voice belonged to a gardener, but when the man said her name, she realized — wait, that was Jesus! He was alive!

Mary had been so wrapped up in her grief, that she hadn’t realized Jesus had been standing right beside her.

Mary didn’t recognize Jesus or the hope He was about to give her…

But notice, Jesus didn't give up on her. Jesus wasn't angry with Mary for not seeing what was right in front of her. He was gentle and kind.

Jesus didn't pull away when Mary didn't recognize Him. He stayed with her, called her by name, and waited for her to see Him.

APPLICATION: Sometimes our hopelessness keeps us from recognizing that Jesus is present and with us.

APPLICATION: But when we're finally able to see that Jesus is with us, even in our darkest moments, our hopelessness can turn immediately into hope.

2.2 POLL | Have you ever . . .

I want to ask you a couple of questions, Have You Ever . . .

1. Have you ever been in really foggy weather or a blizzard, where it was difficult to see even a foot in front of you?

Talk about winter camp a couple years back

2. Have you ever had swimmer's ear or an ear infection, where it was difficult to hear anything because you were so overwhelmed by your own discomfort and pain?

Talk about my first ear infection. I was a big baby.

3. Have you ever lost track of your friends or family in a crowd because you were so distracted by what you were doing or where you were going?

Talk about Disneyland, getting lost.

APPLICATION: Sometimes that happens with us and Jesus too.

When we face really difficult things, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with us.

Other times, we can't really hear or understand what Jesus is saying to us because of the discomfort and pain we are experiencing.

And sometimes when we're feeling hopeless, we forget to even look for Jesus at all because we're so preoccupied and get lost.

ILLUSTRATION: Continue your story from earlier about when I realized Jesus was w/ me the whole time - How that brought hope.

Here's the hard part, though. Sometimes, when we feel hopeless . . . Jesus doesn't show up, right away.

Jesus went to see His disciples after He was resurrected. But not everyone was there that day. Not everyone saw Him.

Thomas for instance wasn't there when Jesus returned. He didn't get to see Jesus, so he didn't even believe He was alive, he doubted.

We can relate, right? I mean, most people who die tend to remain dead.

Why would Thomas be looking for Jesus who had been buried? Why would Thomas believe he would ever see Jesus again?

NUMBER 1 The Resurrection Involves The Empty Tomb

NUMBER 2 The Resurrection Involves The Revealing of Jesus

3. The Resurrection Involves Doubt Vs. 24-29

Why Thomas was not with the disciples we’re not told… But there in the beginning of Vs. 25 where it says...

The disciples said to him - The word said is a verb that is in the imperfect tense.

Meaning, it was an action that was repeated over and over in the past.

They kept on saying, they saw the Lord.

Thomas! We saw Jesus! Physically, we saw His wounds.

Thomas you don’t get it! We saw Him.

But Thomas refused to believe…    he wanted proof…    he wanted to see the evidence… He doubted. (Pause)

I’m here in front of you guys today as a person, who has also doubted various components of our faith.

ILLUSTRATION: I remember early on in my Christian walk… Muslim roommates stumping me - If Jesus is God who was He praying for?

And i’m sure many of us here have grappled with doubt, and it happens to the best of us, regardless of our spiritual maturity.

We see here the Apostle Thomas doubted.

One who spent years being discipled by Jesus.

One who was surrounded by fellow believers that gave their lives to following Jesus.

And here we see Him doubting.

John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Jesus, was a mighty prophet who prepared the way for the coming Messiah.

He boldly preached repentance and he was certain of Jesus' identity when he declared in,

John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

However, in Matthew 11, we find John imprisoned and plagued by doubt.

Matthew 11:3 NKJV

3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

John's question reveals that even he, the prophet who recognized Jesus as the Messiah, experienced doubt. (Pause)

Doubt is like an unwelcome guest that just pops up.

ILLUSTRATION: You ever have people come to your door and try to sell you stuff?

APPLICATION: Maybe someone here today is doubting? After everything we heard and saw at this camp, maybe some of us are still struggling w/ doubt?

But here is the good news: I’d like to encourage you, because doubt can be an avenue to deepen your faith and trust in God.

Doubt can be an avenue to see Jesus.

And if your taking notes, i’d like to give you 4 reasons how doubt can cause you to see Jesus in a more intimate way:

1. Doubt prompts us to ask questions - When we face doubt, we are encouraged to ask questions and seek understanding.

This process helps us to gain clarity about our beliefs and the nature of God.

By engaging with our doubts head on, we are more likely to strengthen our faith, as we find answers in Scripture, prayer, and the wisdom of our Christian mentors.

So don’t run away from your doubt, don’t be afraid of your doubt, don’t be ashamed of your doubt.

Use the doubt to bring you closer to God.

2. Doubt fosters growth - Spiritual growth often occurs during times of uncertainty and struggle.

When we experience doubt, we are challenged to confront our beliefs and reassess our understanding of God.

This process leads to growth and maturity in our faith, as we develop a more profound understanding of God's character and His work in our lives.

3. Doubt encourages us to walk by faith - As we encounter doubt, we learn to depend on God's guidance and wisdom, rather than relying on our understanding.

And as we depend on God that helps us to develop a more intimate relationship with God and trust in His sovereign plan for our lives.

4. Doubt can lead to a strong testimony - When we work through our doubts and find answers, our testimony of God's faithfulness and love becomes more powerful.

We can then share our experiences with others, encouraging them to seek answers to their doubts and deepen their faith.

We in return can be that mentor to others who begin to doubt.

APPLICATION: So if you are here today and there is doubt use it to your advantage.

Do your due diligence and seek the Lord, seek the answers.

Luke 11:9–10 NKJV

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Thomas did get to see Jesus again, but it didn't happen right away. Thomas sat with his uncertainty, confusion, and doubts for eight entire days.

Can anyone remember where you were eight days ago? Think about how much time has passed since then.

Does eight days from now feel far away? Imagine how much longer it would feel if you were waiting, hoping, and wondering if each day might be the day you get to see Jesus

And how disappointed you might be when each of those seven days passed without Jesus' presence.

1 Peter 1:8 NKJV

8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Psalm 27:14 NKJV

14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

NUMBER 1 The Resurrection Involves The Empty Tomb

NUMBER 2 The Resurrection Involves The Revealing of Jesus

NUMBER 3 The Resurrection Involves Doubt

4. GOSPEL TIME - IS JESUS BEFORE YOU? - ARE YOU EXPECTING JESUS?

Maybe… Turn w/ Me...

1 Peter 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

The Bible says we have hope, not just any hope “A LIVING HOPE” - Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Why?

Because this life is not the end - This life is not all there is.

The resurrection of Jesus shows us that there is so much more than: Our pain, depression, fear, hurt, sorrow, our doubts.

Because through the resurrection of Jesus God shows us that there is an after life and for us that leaves us a big questions:

Where are you going when you die? Because tomorrow is not promised.

Heaven or Hell? - Through Jesus we get Eternal Life in Heaven.

1 John 5:13 “13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

1 John 2:25 “25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”

John 3:15 “15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 1:12 “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

We have to receive Him…

ENDING....