Untitled Sermon

From Darkness to Light: The Joy of the Empty Tomb

Bible Passage: Jn 20:1–18

Summary: In John 20:1-18, we witness Mary Magdalene's encounter with the empty tomb following Jesus' crucifixion. The passage illustrates her grief and confusion, transitioning into a profound recognition of the resurrected Christ, highlighting themes of hope, renewal, and the triumph over despair.

Application: This sermon can help Christians embrace the hope found in Christ’s resurrection, reminding them that even in their darkest moments, joy and new life are possible. For those struggling with grief, loss, or disappointment, this message offers assurance that Christ transforms our sorrow into joy.

Teaching: This communicates the transformative power of the resurrection, emphasizing not just the fact that Christ is risen, but the implications of that resurrection for our daily lives as we experience renewal and hope in Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: The empty tomb signifies the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Christ, who is the ultimate source of hope and new life. Throughout the Scriptures, Christ is revealed as the one who conquers death and sin, fulfilling the promise of salvation and eternal life.

Big Idea: In Christ’s resurrection, we experience a complete transformation from despair to hope, assuring us that no matter how dark our circumstances may be, God has the power to bring life and joy into our lives.

1. Darkness to Discovery

Jn 20:1-9

You could begin by exploring Mary's initial visit to the tomb, which initially seems a moment of despair and loss.

See when Mary Gets here she has not a clue what is going on but only thinks that someone has stolen the Body of Jesus

Little does she know that her Lord was not stolen but was alive and well!

But as John points out in the Gospel, the emptiness of the tomb is not a cause for despair but a precursor to understanding and hope.

Emphasize that in Christ's resurrection, even what seems void can bring profound revelation. We must remain open to God's unexpected revelations in our lives.

See Mary was filled with darkness being sad originally to thinking the messiah was just dead and now that the body is missing she is in utter shambles but boy the surprise that she is in for here in the next few moments

But a wonderful discovery is made here notice if you will verse 7 if you will

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done.”

But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”

He (the master, Jesus) is coming back! Hallelujah!

See even in these dark moments for these disciples there is great triumph that is just around the corner

2. Despair to Divine Assurance

Jn 20:10-14

Here, we find Mary and her sorrow is palpable, but within her tears, divine messengers reveal a deeper truth.

Notice here how Mary is truly weeping here this is great emotional distress that Mary is in here.

Truly this is a despair or sorry im sure we all know to a certian extent

See death is something that has taken something from us all

I remember one of the hardest days of my life was the day I found out my grandfather had passed away

He was my best friend, my role model, he was a Godly man

And the best grandpa a kid could ever ask for

And when he died it was like every bit of joy within me left and I weeped harder than I ever have

Or the second hardest time that I have ever cried was when my first pet sassy died

She would sleep in my bed I taught that cat how to do a fist bump and she was perfect to little me

and the day we had to put her down I broke down and cried the hardest that I ever have in my life

And we find Mary here at one of these deep points of sorrow in her life

The one that saved Mary's life is now gone and she has not a clue of what to do

But little does she know she is in for the surprise of a lifetime

See in our dark moments of our lives God’s presence is still there with you and in this christmas season for some it might not be the happiest of times but God can give us a greater comfort than we could ever ask for and its all because he is alive my friends.

3. Desolation to Joy

Jn 20:15-18

Notice if you will Mary’s encounter with Jesus

initially she doesnt recognized him,

and this leads to a pivotal transformative moment.

Her grief turns to immediate joy as her name is spoken by the risen Christ.

And my friends today there is power in the words of God

there is life there is healing and most importantly there is absolute joy

Its in this one moment that all the hurt in the world is turned around all because she realized that her savior was alive

This personal encounter highlights the essence of resurrection hope—Christ's power to transform sorrow into joy. It suggests that even in our darkest times, Christ meets us, knows us by name, and offers us new life and purpose.

And today in this Christmas season we should be sharing this story of hope to others around us because HE IS ALIVE

and its the hope that other people are out there looking for right now

Let us tell them the real reason for this Christmas season and that is that our savior came to this earth lived and perfect sinless life and died and rose again on that third day and is alive for ever more!

In closing listen to these lyrics from living hope from Phil wickham

Then came the morning that sealed the promise Your buried body began to breathe Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion Declared the grave has no claim on me Then came the morning that sealed the promise Your buried body began to breathe Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion Declared the grave has no claim on me Jesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me You have broken every chain There's salvation in Your name Jesus Christ, my living hope Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me You have broken every chain There's salvation in Your name Jesus Christ, my living hope