THE DAY DEATH LOST: WHY EASTER CHANGES EVERTHING

EASTER SERMON

TEXT: Matthew 28:6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Introduction:

Imagine receiving a gift on your birthday; wrapped in this wonderful wrapping, so elegant, looks expensive. You are excited to receive and open, as you open it you realize and see its an empty gift box. Its empty. You might feel confused and disappointed. But someone behind you says “tell around” and in their hands is the real gift; something better than what you had in mind.

This is what Easter like, not just for the disciples but for you and I today. For we have received everlasting life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Friday, Jesus was crucified and died, was buried in tomb then sealed shut.

Now after the sabbath on the first day of the week, which was Sunday, early morning some women, who became disciples of Jesus went to visit the body of Jesus.

According to the Gospel Stories, 3 specific women went; Mary the Mother of James, Mary Magdalene, and Salome; and others went to go visit the tomb of Jesus.

They were expecting to see the dead of Jesus.

They went to anoint the body of Jesus, they brought spices.

But as they reached the tomb, they see that it has been opened; and the body of Jesus is no where to be found, they have not expected this.

The disciples of Jesus include the 12 and those who followed Him, like these women did not understood what Jesus has been telling them.

That there will come that He will be crucified but on the 3rd rise again.

That is why they reacted this way. Shock and confused. Fear and trembling

An angel was there waiting for them; and he makes some powerful statement:

Matthew 28:5 “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.”

Jesus whom was crucified - the validity of what happened to Jesus.

Matthew 28:6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” - this text, this single verse that we are looking at is short but yet so powerful.

Matthew 28:6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Ask 3 Questions

What really happened?

What does this mean for us?

What should I do with this?

Let us look at the content of this single passage and see

What really happened?

Jesus was dead.

Jesus was arrested, He was tried in court and masses of people saw it. He was crucified, and then died. People witnessed. Then we was buried.

And it says in Matthew 27:62–66 “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” - the tomb was sealed

There is no question - He was buried in a real tomb.

Besides the Biblical writings about His death; there are historical records that mentions the death of Jesus

Josephus a Jewish Historian writes “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man... He was [the] Christ... And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for He appeared to them alive again the third day...”

Tacitus a Roman Historian writes “Christus, from whom the name [Christian] had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate...”

But now, He is alive

He is not here, he has risen.

The tomb is empty as stated earlier. Not because someone moved the body, but because Jesus came back to life.

As the women began to approach the tomb a dilemma had occured “who will roll the stone for us” - its heavy, please it was guarded.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 “3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

The phrase “He has risen” means He defeated death.

This happened, just as Jesus said it would.

Matthew 16:21 “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Mark 10:33-44 “…The Son of Man will be delivered… They will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Jesus predicted this, He told His followers it would happen

This moment proves He wasn't just a good man - He was who He said He was. The Only Begotten Son of God; the Great I AM.

What does this mean for us?

First: The Resurrection Proves Jesus Is Who He Claimed to Be

Jesus was not just saying things for the sake of saying it. He was not fooling anyone just to make them follow Him, but resurrection proves the truth and the reality of who Jesus is.

Romans 1:4 – “And [He] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.’”

That is why the disciples, were willing to die for Jesus and they did because they saw they truth, they saw the miracle, they saw the power of Christ.

Second: The Resurrection Shows Death Is Not the End.

All will die one day; but the resurrection gives us real hope that death is not the final chapter.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 – “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”\

2 Timothy 1:10 – “...our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Alistair Begg: “Jesus’ resurrection is not a metaphor. It’s a historical event with eternal consequences. Because He lives, we who trust in Him will live also.”

John Piper: ““The empty tomb is the promise that all our tombs will be empty one day if we are in Christ.”

Third: The Resurrection is about New Life, Not Just the Afterlife.

This is not just about going to heaven one day, it is about experiencing a fresh start now.

Easter means your past does not have to define you, broken things can be made new.

Broken relationships; broken heart, broken lives all can be made new in our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Charles Swindoll: “The resurrection gives life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what your circumstances.”

And the fact that you are here today, hearing this message, God is reminding you, He is all about a fresh start; let it be this day that you start a new life in Jesus.

What should I do with this?

First: Turn Toward Hope

Charles Spurgeon says: “The resurrection is the keystone of the arch of our salvation. It is the foundation of our eternal hope and the anchor of our soul in the storms of life.”

You might feel stuck or lost at this moment; maybe life’s has been unfair or faith seems confusing.

Let this be the day that you take one step towards hope, even if its a small step

Look unto Jesus who is the author and the perfecter of our faith

Open your heart to God, invite Him to be a part of your life.

Second: Talk Honestly with God

Talking to God is simple, no need fancy words, no need a long elaborate wordy prayers, just be real and let Him know what is inside your heart.

Whether you are doubtful, hurt or curious - talk to God like you would a close friend.

He is listening

Again a quote from Alistair Begg: “Come to Jesus just as you are. He already knows your heart. The empty tomb is God’s invitation for sinners to come home.”

Third: Take a Closer Look

The Angel invited the women to “Come and see” - an invitation to explore

This might be your first time hearing the Resurrection story; God is inviting you to come and explore what Jesus is all about, give faith a chance

Come back next Sunday, get to know Jesus more and more, faith does not come over night, it is develop and strengthen everyday.

Come and see the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus, where death was defeated; that change everything for us.