The Three Imperatives of Resurrection
My Cup Runneth Over • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 35:48
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· 24 viewsThis series is based on the 2025 Lenten season curriculum by Foundry Publishing, My Cup Runneth Over. We conclude this series by looking at three commands given in the resurrection story. HE is alive!
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Handout
Greeting
Happy Easter! He is risen!
CORRECTIONS from last week:
Last week’s sermon
In last week’s message, I mistakenly referred to the disciple JESUS loved - the beloved - as JESUS’ cousin.
John the Beloved was not JESUS’ cousin who was John the Baptist.
Clearly, John the Baptist was already dead long before JESUS’ arrest and would not have been present at the crucifixion.
I have been trying to get ahead in my sermons - 2 to 3 weeks out - and in next week’s message, we will be talking a little bit about John the Baptist.
IDK if that had anything to do with it or not, but I wanted to call out the mistake to correct it, in case anyone heard & remembers the statement.
Last week we announced the Annual Business Meeting would be next week, April 27th
After discussing preparations for this with the church board, we have collectively decided to push that out another week.
So, the new date of the annual church meeting will be May 4th.
So, prepare yourselves for the Star Wars themed costumes during that meeting.
I think by virtue of being the tallest, Jeff was elected to be Chewbaca, so he will be giving a report in a Wookie costume
Dorie will be dressed as Yoda …
Hey! Knock off the short jokes! I meant because she is so wise!
It might take you a second to let your brain catch up to what she is saying, but you’ll get used to it.
You can figure out the rest of the characters … later
I’m sure you won’t forget that date now … no one will
Announce text: Matthew 28
Key Text: Matthew 28
Review
First Sunday of Lent (Bill): The Call to Discipleship
We learned that what we long for matters. JESUS asked what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul?
The Call to Discipleship is a call to focus on what matters most - our relationship with JESUS.
It cannot be a casual relationship - it must be a fully-committed, all-in desire to know and be known by HIM.
Second Sunday of Lent: Preparation and Sacrifice
We focused on the sacrifice CHRIST made and how that serves as an example for us - that we should “be imitators of CHRIST.”
We also spent some time reflecting again on the tradition of Communion and what it means when we celebrate the sacrament together.
The bread & wine received with thanksgiving provide renewed life, salvation, and unity by faith in CHRIST.
Third Sunday of Lent: Prayer & Obedience
Prayer is an expression of our inability to meet the demands of life by ourselves.
Seeking a place of solitude, as JESUS did, frees us from distractions and allows us to more clearly hear the still, small voice.
JESUS surrendered to GOD’s plan, evening in the face of suffering, and we’re called to do the same.
As CHRIST followers, we’re called to pray through our struggles. We are not alone. HOLY SPIRIT provides comfort & strength to face what is before us.
Fourth Sunday of Lent: Facing Failure
We looked at the dynamic contrast between human weakness and GOD’s divine response.
We learned that JESUS understands we are frail creatures who make mistakes, and HE love us anyway.
We also learned that to combat our own frailty, we must continually seek God’s face and live into God’s presence. True strength comes from HIS Presence. When we pack our lives full of what God has to offer, there’s less room for temptation and sin to enter our lives.
We learned that Peter’s story didn’t end with his failure. Like Peter, the LORD wants to turn our failures into opportunities to learn and grow.
We mourn and are remorseful for our mistakes, but we continue to press in and seek HIM, allowing HIM to redeem our mistakes for something good.
Fifth Sunday of Lent: The Way of Suffering
We looked at three points from CHRIST’s journey to the cross that underscore the depth of HIS suffering.
We saw how the crowd in only four days time went from praising JESUS and treating HIM like a King to crying for HIS execution in a near-riotous, bloody-thirsty way.
We were reminded that JESUS was tortured by Roman soldiers. The cohort that would have dealt harshly with the rebellion, instead became participants of the crucifixion as they dealt harshly with JESUS mocking HIS Kingship and repeatedly beating HIM with the cat of nine tails designed to filet HIS skin open.
We remember that JESUS carried HIS (& our) shame, as HE was forced to carry HIS cross until weakened by the severity of HIS wounds, HE no longer had the strength to carry on. In reflecting on the depth of Jesus’s suffering, we remember the high price JESUS paid to reconcile our relationship to the FATHER.
As we contemplate JESUS’ suffering, we can find comfort in the midst of our own suffering with the knowledge that we serve a GOD who truly understands us and what we’re going through.
Sixth Sunday of Lent: The Seven Last Words
We us took a closer look at all seven things Jesus said from the cross according to the Gospel accounts.
Jesus was both fully God and fully human, and those seven final sayings from the cross provide a close-up look at both his divinity and his humanity.
Jesus suffered, but even in suffering, he cared for the needs of others.
He looked on with compassion at those who tortured him, asking God to forgive them.
He wanted to make sure the needs of his mother would be met in his absence.
He forgave the criminal on the cross, welcoming him into paradise.
We learned that to follow Jesus and pick up your cross is to do so without scorn or bitterness. It is to lay down our lives with pure love for others and devotion to GOD.
Announce text again: Matthew 28
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.
6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’
14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”
15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Prayer for added blessing to the reading of the Word
Message
Message
The next message in our series, My Cup Runneth Over, is titled, The Three Imperatives of Resurrection.
Introduction
Introduction
So, once again, He is risen!
Today we celebrate Easter. For the last six weeks, we’ve been walking through the Lenten season of reflection that prepares us for the excitement and celebration of Easter. We’ve been preparing our hearts for this day. We’ve acknowledged the seriousness of what Christ suffered on the cross. We’ve even contemplated what it means to make those same sacrifices while following God’s plan for our own lives.
Now we get to celebrate! Turkey, 9 pounds of boneless pork, 2 gallons of green beans with Shiitake mushrooms, and all the side dishes we’re contributing … I can’t wait to eat and celebrate with you!
In today’s passage, women went to the tomb only to find that Jesus had risen from the dead. An angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what had happened. He said Jesus would meet the disciples in Galilee.
Today’s message includes three commands for us: “do not be afraid,” “come and see,” and then “go and tell.”
Body
Body
Do NOT be Afraid
The women came to see Jesus, but he was not there.
Instead, they experienced an unusual, supernaturally terrifying sight.
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.
So, the Marys come to the tomb at the earliest possible time - remember the Sabbath - to look at the grave.
What emotions were they experiencing, do you think?
What thoughts were running through their head?
Were they discussing anything or were they unified in solemn silence?
Suddenly, there was a severe earthquake that happened - past tense - why?
An angel of the LORD
descended from heaven
came to the tomb
and rolled away the stone.
The guards - Roman guards - men from the greatest military power in the world
likely seasoned men
who have seen much in their service to Rome
shook for fear and passed out!
If the seasoned Roman fighting force is shaking with fear and passing out
How do you think the women felt?
Yet they seem to have greater military bearing (as we used to call it), greater resolve then the guards.
Still, they, too, are afraid
So, the angel gives to the women the first command, “Do not be afraid!”
This command and/or variants of it is one that is given throughout Scripture. In fact, I discovered it is the most common phrase in the Bible.
Here are a few examples from Scripture:
GOD told Abraham not to be afraid because YAHWEH is his ever-present provision.
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”
YHWH appears to Isaac with the same word of encouragement.
24 The Lord appeared to him the same night and said,
“I am the God of your father Abraham;
Do not fear, for I am with you.
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I will bless you, and multiply your descendants,
For the sake of My servant Abraham.”
YHWH appears to Moses to encourage him in the HIS command to go to Egypt to demand the release of the children of Israel.
3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.
One of the most famous - no doubt many of you have thought of this one - YHWH’s command to Joshua:
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In the New Testament, an angel appeared to Mary with a word from the LORD:
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
The angel also appeared to Joseph with the same command:
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
JESUS tells Simon in
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”
JESUS tells HIS disciples ...
4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
On and on it goes, “do not be afraid,” “do not fear” ...
When we see GOD give this command in Scripture, “Do not be afraid,” HE is about to do something big!
Though there may be suffering or even death ahead, our GOD is The ONE WHO ...
… makes a man of modest means the “father of many nations!”
… sees to it that his descendants are cared for and HIS Promise kept!
… brings about a miraculous deliverance of HIS people from the greatest oppressive power in the land!
… ushers HIS people into their inheritance driving out from before them enemies much greater than they!
… encourages young parents with the news their child will be the long awaited salvation of not only their people but the world!
… teaches a bunch of lowly, uneducated men how to rule and reign in a new, upside down kingdom that forever changes the course of history!
… emboldens HIS children to live as HE did - a life of self-sacrifice with complete surrender to the will of The ONE WHO has power over death!
JESUS repeats the command to the women when HE meets them on the way.
8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
JESUS immediately greets the women with the soothing words, “do not be afraid …”
The big news? JESUS is alive!
Come and See
The women were invited to “come and see” for themselves the place where he had been in the tomb and was no longer.
Matthew tells us they were afraid yet filled with joy.
8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
Have you ever experienced a paradox of emotions?
Two opposing emotions at the same time?
I can only imagine the mix of emotions they felt. They were probably afraid of all the unknowns but excited to hear that the Savior they were mourning was alive!
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
They could hardly believe what was happening.
This wasn’t a “figment of the imagination” - HE was real! Their touching HIS physical being was proof of that!
They ran to tell the disciples what happened, but they ran into Jesus on the way, who told them not to be afraid.
When the disciples saw Jesus in Galilee, they worshiped him.
We need to have a life-changing encounter with the resurrected Jesus. That’s the first step in our faith journey.
Many in this room have already had that first step. Today, reflect on what that moment was for you. Remember what it was like giving your life to Jesus for the first time.
Sometimes we know about God but haven’t felt like we’ve had a real encounter with our Savior. Even the great John Wesley was serving in ministry yet didn’t feel like he’d been truly saved—until one day when he did. He famously described the experience as feeling his “heart strangely warmed.” That was the first time he trusted in God alone for salvation. After that, he didn’t stop talking about it.
Go and Tell
The angel of the LORD first gives this command to the women at the empty tomb.
7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
JESUS repeats this command to the women who are forever more the first evangelists in history - women, not men ...
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
After appearing to the disciples, Jesus gave them the Great Commission. He told them to go and make disciples of all nations. They went out and spread the gospel to the corners of the world as they knew it. Many of Jesus’s disciples ended up traveling far from home to tell people about Jesus.
The Great Commission also tells us to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism existed before the resurrection (Jesus himself was baptized by his cousin John), but it became a symbol of new life in Christ for those who choose to follow Jesus.
The final part of the Great Commission is a reminder to teach the new disciples to obey everything Jesus has commanded. It isn’t enough to have a one-time encounter with Jesus and continue on how you did before. Teaching the way of holiness is an essential part of living out the Great Commission.
We’re called to the same thing. Following Jesus isn’t just about coming to church occasionally, although of course anyone is welcome at any time, regardless of how often they come.
Following Jesus is about the charge to go and tell others about what we’ve experienced in Christ. If the only people who hear the message are those who come within these walls, can we really say we’ve lived out the Great Commission?
So, pj … What’s the point?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Today is not just a day of remembrance and celebration but a day of commission (or, in many cases, re-commission). Where will you go? Whom will you tell?
We all know what it feels like to share exciting news. Whether you just got engaged to the love of your life or got a big promotion at work, you’re bursting to tell people about the great thing that’s happening in your life. How much more should we as followers of Jesus be excited and ready to share the good news of Jesus with those we meet! Every person—not just the one in the pulpit but everyone in the pews as well—is called to go and carry out this commission. This isn’t about whether you’re clergy or laity but about whether you’re a follower of Jesus. Do not be afraid! Do not let fear be a deterrent to sharing your faith. Remember the words of
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
At the end of the Great Commission is a wonderful promise. Jesus promises to be with us always, to the end of the age. God may be leading you on some wild adventures this year. But God is faithful to go ahead of and alongside you as you go. He is risen!
Closing prayer & benediction
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Scripture records the following words in v.27:
27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!
