The King's Resurrection

Intro:

In the 9th century, England was under the constant threat of Vikings invading.

And King Alfred “The Great” was king of West-Saxons and the Anglo Saxons.

He was a valiant leader who fought tirelessly for His Kingdom.

During one of these particular battles, King Alfred was severely wounded and even presumed dead.

News of his death spread widely and quickly.

His people were scared, in despair, and grieving the loss of their beloved king.

HOWEVER, THE KING WAS NOT DEAD....

He was taken to a safe place where he slowly recovered from his wounds.

When he was strong enough, he returned to his people who celebrated that their king was alive!

This invigorated the people giving them strength to keep fighting and serve the king.

With this renewed determination, they defeated the viking and secured the kingdom.

We pick up this morning in a similar tone!

As you heard last Sunday, the King is not only presumed dead but He is indeed dead!

He was beat, mocked, and hung on a cursed tree!

On that cross, he would say IT IS FINISHED....and give His last breath!

A spear would even pierce His side proving his death!

They laid the King of Kings to rest in a borrowed tomb!

And there left the Kings Kingdom in what seemed like shambles.

The King is dead....

The disciples were in despair.....

The enemy presuming his victory....

We pick up with a few Kingdom Citizens this morning as we read...

But something spectacular happens....

We find out that the KING MIRACULOUSLY LIVES.....HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!

AND THIS RESURRECTION IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED!

Today, we had our family celebration where we celebrated as a church family all of these milestones for one another!

I believe it is important to recognize that the ultimate celebration we have is the RESURRECTION!

The Resurrection is the culmination and epitome of God’s Celebration Story called the GOSPEL!

I want to look at this today through the LENS OF MARY MAGDELENE!

John 20:1–18 CSB

1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. 11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.

Can you imagine this....

Distraught....with tears in her eyes!!

And with one word spoken by Jesus.....HER NAME.....she melted and clung to Jesus!

PRAY!!!

So, lets look through the lens of Mary Magdeline and see WHY THE KING’S RESURRECTION IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED!

I. The King’s Resurrection SOLIDIFIES our REDEMPTION. (Luke 8:2)

Let’s remind our self of the TIME Mary was REDEEMED.

The first time we are introduced to Mary Magdelene is in chapter 8.

Some believe she is the one mention in Luke 7 when a sinful woman anoints Jesus feet; however, I think that was Mary the sister of Martha!

But we do know in Luke 8, we see the same Mary Magdalene that stood there weeping before the tomb!

Luke 8:2 CSB

2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her);

So catch this....MARY’S REDEMPTION came to her in a powerful way!

She had seven demons that she was possessed by.

The Bible dosnt give any more detail on this particular event....

But we do know of....

A man possessed by a demon that made him BLIND and MUTE...

There was a boy who a demon would give SEIZURES to and make him fall in WATER and FIRE.

There is the possessed man who lived in the tombs with SHACKLES he would break CRYING IN NIGHT and CUTTING himself with stones.

We here of the TORMENT of these men who were possessed by a demon.....

AND WE ARE TOLD THAT MARY MAGDALENE WAS POSSESSED BY SEVEN DEMONS!

I cant even imagine what torment she was going through!

And then JESUS SHOWED UP IN HER LIFE!

And freed and REDEEMED SHE BECAME!

But this was just the start of her redemption....

What we see in this passage today is that REDEMPTION being SOLIDIFIED!

If there was any doubt if she was ever freed and purchased by CHRIST....the Resurrection was the answer!

She knew that Jesus had DELIVERANCE POWER!!

BUT NOW SHE KNEW THERE WAS NOTHING OUT OF HIS POWER.....even DEATH ITSELF!

We too can know that our REDEMPTION is TRUE and made complete in the RESURRECTION!

I know that he has delivered me time and time in my life!

I have sensed his power of love in the seasons of desperation!

I have sensed his power of comfort in the darkest of times!

I have sensed his power of guidance in the most confusing times!

BUT BY THE RESURRECTION, I KNOW THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME POWER OVER DEATH!!!

The King’s Resurrection SOLIDIFIES our REDEMPTION!

II. The King’s Resurrection SPURS our FAITHFULNESS. (Luke 8:1-3)

Mary had been FAITHFUL to Jesus for some time now.

Luke 8:1–3 CSB

1 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

This is a powerful testimony of Mary’s faithfulness!

We always think of the TWELVE going from town to town with Jesus....

However, here, we see several women INCLUDING MARY MAGDALENE traveling with Jesus!

And not only do they travel with Jesus and the twelve....

They were SUPPORTING THEM FROM THEIR POSSESSIONS.

Mary probably wouldn't have had much.....

BUT SHE WAS WITH JESUS

AND SHE SUPPORTED HIS MISSION!

And how much more so was her Faithfulness SPURRED on as she stood before the RISEN JESUS!

How much more so did she want to CLING TO JESUS and SUPPORT HIS MISSION!

Again, what a testimony to FAITHFULNESS!

If you want to be a MORE FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF JESUS.....

Start with these TWO THINGS!!

BE WITH JESUS and SUPPORT HIS MISSION!!!!

Spend time hearing Him talk in His WORD!

Spend time talking with Him through PRAYER!

Give financially to THE GREATEST MISSION ON EARTH!

AND DO IT TOGETHER!

The Disciples were together with Jesus!

Lets walk with Jesus TOGETHER!

I read an article that said “DO YOU WANT TO REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH EXPERIENCE?”

I thought “Revolutionize”....that's a pretty big deal!

IF YOU DO.....ARRIVE TO CHURCH 15 minutes EARLIER and stay 15 minutes LATER

Your worship will be more IMPACT-FULL and your pastor will be more INSIGHTFUL than ever before.

How many times do you come in rushed...

When Jesus connected to the Father, he would often calm his heart first....a calm heart is fertile ground

You will make NEW FRIENDS at Church

You will start to see the same people time and again...

They will start to expect you…look for you...

You can have real conversations...

You will find a PLACE TO SERVE

It’s exciting to be around people who are excited, especially about serving their church!

The King’s Resurrection SOLIDIFIES our REDEMPTION

The King’s Resurrection SPURS our FAITHFULNESS

III. The King’s Resurrection SUSTAINS our WITNESS. (John 19:25)

I can’t imagine all that was going through Mary’s mind that day she stood before Jesus!

Think of what Mary Magdalene had just experienced a few days earlier...

John 19:25 NKJV

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Mary had just witnessed the death of Christ on the Cross

There is something unexplainable about seeing death....

As a pastor, I have seen a lot of death…and there is still this difficult side to it!

And it is especially hard when it is a tragic death!

The 10 year old grandson at the beach

Scared of what we were about to see

Mary watched....

Jesus give his last breath

Watched His heart give its last beat

Watched His eyes glaze over

AND NOW....she gets pulled out of this overwhelming weight of his death....as SHE HEARD HIM CALL HER BY NAME!

She knew HE WAS DEAD....AND NOW SHE KNOWS THAT HE IS ALIVE!

This could only be reconciled by KNOWING THE RESURRECTION IS TRUE!!!

And what more could truly SUSTAIN OUR WITNESS!

We are boldest about telling what we know and what we have seen!

Well Mary KNEW IT AND HAD SEEN IT!

SHE HEARD HER NAME CALLED.....

MAYBE YOU NEED TO HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED TODAY

And this BOLD WITNESS makes her the FIRST WOMAN TO PROCLAIM THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST!

John 20:18 NKJV

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

The King’s Resurrection SOLIDIFIES our REDEMPTION

The King’s Resurrection SPURS our FAITHFULNESS

The King’s Resurrection SUSTAINS our WITNESS.

CONCLUSION:

ARTIST KING ILLUSTRATION:

There was once a famous King who had a very impressive and renowned art collection with many priceless masterpieces.

Among his treasures was a painting that was particularly special to him, not because of its monetary value, but because it was a portrait of his only son, who had passed away tragically.

The father cherished this painting above all others.

Years later, the King himself passed away, and his entire collection was put up for auction.

Art enthusiasts from around the world gathered, eager to bid on the rare and valuable pieces.

The auctioneer began the auction with the portrait of the son.

The room fell silent; no one was interested in the painting.

After a few moments, a voice from the back of the room spoke up.

It was the family's longtime gardener, who had known the son well. "I'll bid ten dollars," he said, which was all he could afford.

The auctioneer banged the gavel and said, "Sold!"

Then, to everyone's surprise, he announced that the auction was over.

The crowd was bewildered.

The auctioneer explained, "According to the will of the King, whoever takes the son gets it all."

This story beautifully illustrates the essence of the resurrection.

When we accept the Son, Jesus Christ, we receive everything—including our redemption, faithfulness, and the power to witness.

The resurrection is the ultimate proof that in Christ, we have it all.

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE SON!?

YOU CAN SEEK IT ALL....BUT YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING

BUT IN SEEKING ONLY HIM......YOU GAIN EVERYTHING!

For THOSE IN CHRIST!

Do you recognize the FINISHED REDEMPTION OF CHRIST!?

Do you desire to be SPURRED ONTO MORE FAITHFULNESS!?

Do you desire a GREATER WITNESS FOR CHRIST!?

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILIES!