He is Risen
Notes
Transcript
INTRO:
Baptism & Communion
I don’t think there is a better way to celebrate the Resurrection.
Obedience in Baptism.
“Buried with Christ & Risen to walk in Newness of life.”
TENSION:
If the Resurrection is TRUE, it changes everything.
"If Christ is not risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is risen, nothing else matters." — Jaroslav Pelikan
TRUTH
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Pray
We see 3 important things about the Resurrection in this passage: 1) The Resurrection is a STATEMENT, 2) The Resurrection is a SIGN, 3) The Resurrection is a SEAL.
The Resurrection is a STATEMENT.
Definition of Statement = something stated: as a: a single declaration or remark: | b: a report of facts or opinions
The Angels Proclaim the Good News
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
Statement 1= He is RISEN.
“Remember how he told you… and on the third day rise”
Statement 2 = His words are true.
The women proclaim the Good News.
“Told these thing to the apostles”
Statement 3 = He is Risen, His words are true.
But they disciples “don’t believe them — seemed to them an idle tale”
The women had to be reminded of Jesus’ words — they were followers too (Luke 8)
Even those who had been close to Jesus, failed to understand what He was telling them.
In the 1st Century — Testimonies by women were NOT allowed in court.
Not the best way to make your story sound believable — except it is ALL true!
Peter has to go and see for himself.
Peter is the Disciple who acts BEFORE he thinks.
When he walks away — He marvels… (same word as the end of Mark 5:20)
The Resurrection is a SIGN.
It points to a true and future reality.
Think of a street sign — or navigating before GPS — I often wonder how we were ever able to do this — It directs you where to go…
Everyone was headed in the wrong direction.
The crowd that welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday were hoping for a Messiah — but one that would overturn the Roman oppressors & save them politically.
The RLs saw Jesus as a competing authority with them — they can’t compete with God himself.
The followers were hoping this was the Messiah — He had proven his power over death - Lazarus
Thought that meant he would NOT die.
Most Jews believed in the resurrection AT THE END of all things — not in the middle of time.
Why even Jesus’ followers were shocked…
The Resurrection Corrects our course — Not the Messiah we thought.
Philippians 2:5–11 though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. — And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In the next part of Luke, Jesus is going to appear to some of his followers & show them how the OT reveals him!
Then appear to the Disciples and remind them! Luke 24:44–45 “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,”
THIS IS NOT NEW —> Drawing them back to what He has been saying!
“Not only is the Resurrection a STATEMENT and a SIGN, but it is a SEAL…
The Resurrection is a SEAL.
Definition = Something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure.
“The Resurrection is the clear evidence that Jesus will do what he says he is going to do.”
If we can trust that he will do this we can trust all his promises.
John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
“The RESURRECTION SEALS that Jesus Christ has power & authority over sin & death.”
Because of the Resurrection, Jesus Christ is Lord.
Christ’s death ATONED (Paid) for sin…
Christ’s resurrection assures us that sin and death will not have the final word — but he will…
“Oh death where is your sting? Oh death where is your victory?”
“The ASCENSION SEALS that Jesus STILL has authority over sin & death…”
So now, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We will either do so willingly — because we have submitted our lives to Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior —>
Or it will be in Judgment for rejecting Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
APPLICATION:
Easter Sunday — Resurrection Sunday is not just a warm and fuzzy sentimental tradition.
It’s a celebration of a world-changing event that demands decision.
Encouragement: “We aren’t suffering from anything a good resurrection can’t fix.” -D.A. Carson
Maybe you are here today because you have submitted your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior —
We celebrate today that the tomb is empty & Christ’s right standing with God has been given to us.
Maybe you are here today and have submitted you life to Jesus Christ, BUT you have never followed in through in obedience through Baptism.
There is no better time to respond in obedience to Jesus Christ — than today.
Maybe you are here today and you still don’t know about this Jesus guy. (kicking the tires)
I pray that you would respond like Peter — Run to see for yourself.
Join us in Mark: Conquering King; Suffering Servant.
Same time next week!
“If Christ has risen, nothing else matters.”
RESPONSE:
Communion Prep
For Believers —
Take Christ — Submit your life to him — share your decision after service.
I am going to give you a moment to pray — I will close — we will take communion together — then we will sing in RESPONSE to the good news of Jesus Christ & his resurrection — that In Christ Alone — our hope is found.
Focus on Jesus - The Table - If you need to respond to him do so as we sing.
The front is open as an Altar…
Make your chair an Altar — Do business with Jesus where you are
If you need prayer - or want to follow Jesus Christ — I’ll be in the front row — but let our focus be on Jesus.
Paul implores believers NOT to take communion in an UNWORTHY manner — search your hearts & ask Him to search your heart — Repent know — give it to Him — that we may honor him as we receive Communion together.
PRAY —
CONCLUSION:
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (ESV)
[Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”