He Is Risen 2

He Is Risen Matthew 28:5-6

Matthew 28:5–6 NKJV

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Prayer

Let’s have a word of prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word today. Lord I ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive the message You have for us. In this moment, I don’t want to be selfish- but open my heart to think about others! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus' Name!

Intro:

For Christ Followers, Easter Sunday - Resurrection Sunday is the most important day of the year. It is the day that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, comes back to life! The tomb is not full! Death is no longer in charge! Jesus is alive, and we have hope, we have salvation, and we have the victory because of that!

One of the most powerful declarations in human history is: "He is not here; He is risen!"

Now Say That: He is not here; he is risen

Easter is the basis of our faith, it’s not just a holy celebration!

1 Corinthians 15:17 NLT

17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

Man, our faith would be useless if Christ had not emerged from the grave , But He lives; so, we have triumph over sin, victory over death, and victory over the grave!

But here is the challenge:

Some of us are stuck between Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Here’s what I mean

Good Friday!

At first, the name "Good Friday" could seem perplexing—after all, it marks the day Jesus was crucified, Jesus suffered, and Jesus died a terrible death on the cross. Why then would a day this sad be labeled as "Good"?

For some:

Good Friday Represents:

A time of Pain, - A time of Loss - A time of Confusion, A time of injustice, a time of death - death of our dreams and death of hopes. Good Friday represents a time when God was Silent

The family of Jesus, Mary, his brothers and sisters, and the disciples of Jesus watched him suffer and die a terrible death on the Cross!

Now think about this at that moment they were stuck!

Today, some of us are stuck in Good Friday! Meaning we are stuck because we have lost! Lost a loved one! Lost a job or career, we are stuck, because someone we trusted betrayed us, we are stuck because we don’t know what to do with a certain health crisis we are stuck because of the climate around us, the people around us, we are stuck because of what we’re see in hear on tv and social media were stuck because we feel prayers have not been answered, we are stuck feeling like our purpose in life has died

Just like the family of Jesus on Good Friday, they were stuck

On Good Friday, the Christ followers watched Jesus die. Their Messiah was gone. Everything they believed in looked like it had failed. Their hopes were buried in a borrowed tomb.

Now Lean in: I submit to you that Good Friday had nothing to do with the event, but everything to do with the outcome:

1. “Good” Refers to the Outcome—Not the Event

The suffering Jesus endured on that Friday was tragic, and the suffering was unjust. The suffering was harsh and painful! But through the suffering, He accomplished what was eternally good for us.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

It was a terrible day for Jesus… but a glorious day for you and me!

Ice Cube said in a song it was

“A Good Day”

Here’s what we must remember - Because of his sacrifice: Our sins were paid for. Through His Sacrifice Our debt was cancelled

Because of his sacrifice Our relationship with God was restored.

That’s why we call it “Good”—because it was good for us, even though it was painful for Him.

Good Friday was Good because it Fulfilled God’s Plan

Isaiah 53:5 NLT

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:5 NLT

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Even in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah saw that God’s plan was to use Jesus’ suffering to bring healing and forgiveness. The crucifixion wasn't an accident—it was God's intentional plan of redemption.

🔹Good Friday was Good because It Wasn’t the End

Good Friday was the darkest day in our history as Christ Followers, as Christians, as Believes but it was not the final chapter.

It set the stage for the greatest comeback the world has ever known:

John 19:30 NKJV

30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

That wasn’t a cry of defeat. It was a declaration of victory—your sin was paid in full. My Sins were paid in full

Luke 24:6 NKJV

6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

Because He rose, we rise too.

Whatever you are going through, it isn’t finished! The tears you may shed now are not tears of defeat, but declarations of victory!

Now It’s Saturday

🕊️ What Happened on Saturday?

🔹 1. Jesus' Body Was in the Tomb

Matthew 27:59–60 NKJV

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Luke 23:56 NLT

56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Jesus’ lifeless body lay in the tomb, sealed by a large stone.

Everyone who followed Jesus was grieving, they were confused and they were afraid!

Now it happened to be the Sabbath based on the Jewish law so everyone had to be still, everyone had to rest even in their sorrow

Saturday was a day of silence, Saturday was a time of stillness, and Saturday was a day of sadness.

🔹 The other thing that was happening on Saturday was

The Disciples Were in Hiding

When we look at the beginning of

John 20:19 NKJV

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews,

Human nature kicked in. The disciples feared if they crucified Jesus, then they would be next! They were hiding behind closed doors. They were wrestling with doubt in the mind and heart! They were dealing with disappointment and sadness! Everything they believed in seemed to die with Jesus

Let me tell you this as I remind myself !

The silence of Saturday is preparing you for the miracle of Sunday!

What Does Saturday Represent for Us Today?

✅ Saturday may be your Season of Waiting

Here’s what i mean You're praying, but the answer hasn’t come.

You're believing God , but the promise hasn’t manifested.

Saturday is when: The dream hasn’t come true.

Saturday is when The healing hasn’t manifested.

Saturday is when The relationship hasn’t been restored.

Saturday is when The door for your opportunity hasn’t opened.

Saturday is when You’re Wrestling With Grief, Doubt, and Questions

Saturday is the classroom of where we learn to trust.

Have you ever been in a space where you are asking

“God, why did this happen?”  or God, “Why didn’t You intervene?” or God, “Where do I go from here?”

Saturday is when what you say you believe or have faith in meets your reality.

Saturday is when You Feel Like Quitting

Have you ever said, “I don’t want to go to church anymore.” “I don’t want to keep hoping.” “I’m tired of being disappointed.” When everything seems done and the promise feels broken.

That’s Saturday.

Saturday is when people either walk away from God… or wait on God.

Saturday is the “in-between.”

Saturday is When God Seems Silent in your life

It feels like there are No miracles , No signs Just silence.

But God is not inactive in the silence.

✅ We must trust in the Dark

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

We cannot trust what you see or don’t see

We don’t walk by what we see—we walk by faith.

Silent Saturday teaches us to trust God’s heart, even when we can’t trace His hand.

Now lean in

🔹 During Silent Saturday behind the scenes Jesus Descended to the Realm of the Dead

1 Peter 3:18–19 NKJV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

Ephesians 4:8–9 NKJV

8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

As I study this, Many theologians believe Jesus descended to Sheol or Hades, the place of the dead. It was there He declared victory over sin and death—even in death. Jesus was confronting and conquering the powers of death.

Saturday wasn't just a time of silent waiting. Jesus was still working—breaking chains we couldn’t see.

Sometimes when God is silent he is working on your behalf and he’s working on my behalf and we can’t see anything

🔹 The Last thing I want to address is . The Enemy Thought It Was Over

Satan thought the cross was the final blow., The religious leaders thought they had silenced Jesus., The world thought the movement was finished.

But they didn’t realize—Saturday was only the setup.

God was getting ready to raise His Son!

Saturday is a setup

If you are in a Saturday season in your life

It feels quiet. It feels like nothing is changing. It feels like the story is over.

You pray… but hear nothing. You cry… but feel alone. It seems like heaven is shut off.

Saturday is when Your Faith is Being Tested

You know what God promised, but you haven’t seen it happen. You’re stuck between the prophecy and the provision.

David said in

Psalm 13:1 NKJV

1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

Saturday is the season where God is working… but not speaking.

That’s what Silent Saturday does

Lamentations 3:26 NLT

26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

Know This

God is still working and he is about to roll back the stone

So we must Hold on - encourage someone next to you and say Hold On

✝️ Saturday Is Not the End. It’s Just the Middle.

Jesus was buried, but He wasn’t defeated.

God was silent, but He wasn’t absent.

The promise was delayed, but it is not denied.

He may be quiet… but He’s still moving.

Saturday is where God is preparing what Sunday will reveal.

Now look at your neighbor and say Sunday is here:

Then There is Sunday

What Does Sunday Represent?

The Day of Resurrection

Sunday represents more than just the day Jesus rose from the dead—it’s the day that everything changed forever.

It is the foundation of our hope, the evidence of our victory, and the beginning of new life for all who believe.

🔥 Sunday Represents Victory Over Death and Sin

Matthew 28:6 NKJV

6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Romans 6:9 NLT

9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.

💬 Meaning:

The resurrection broke the curse of sin and the finality of death.

Jesus didn’t just survive the grave—He defeated it.

His rising on Sunday morning is proof that death is not the end.

John 14:19 NKJV

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

✝️ Because He lives, we will live also (John 14:19).

Sunday Represents New Life and New Beginnings

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 8:11 NLT

11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

The Resurrection is not just about life after death—it’s about new life now.

Sunday represents a fresh start, a divine do-over, and the transformation of who we are in Jesus Christ.

🌄 The old you was buried. The new you rises in victory!

Sunday Represents Hope for Eternity

1 Peter 1:3 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,

John 11:25–26 NKJV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Here’s what that means :

The resurrection guarantees that this here on earth life is not all there is.

We have an eternal home, an eternal purpose, and an eternal hope.

Death is not to be feared

1 Corinthians 15:54 NKJV

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

🌅 Sunday Is More Than a Day... It’s a Declaration

So we have - Friday , Saturday, Sunday

Friday was Pain, Death, The Cross & Jesus said it is finished

Saturday was Silence, Waiting and the tomb

Sunday is Resurrection, Victory, The Empty Grave

Because He Is Risen

Let me close with this

🙌 What Sunday - What Today Means for You and me:

Sunday means My Past and your past is forgiven.

Sunday means My Present and your present has purpose.

Sunday means My Future and Your future is secure.

Sunday means we have victory over death

Sunday means we are new creations in Christ Jesus

Sunday means we know where we are going and our eternity is secured

Sunday means I am no longer bound by sin or fear

Sunday means my future in Jesus Christ is unshakeable

Why because he has Risen

God Bless you and keep you is my prayer!

He is Risen​