Sunrise Service

John 20

Good morning, Church what a blessed privilege it is to be with you all this morning. Today is the day we celebrate the greatest day in History the day that the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty, Jesus Christ defeated the grave, fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah and secured for us a redemption that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading kept in heaven for you, 1 peter 1 4, Salvation to all those who call on the name of the Lord!

So we will read the Resurrection account from the Gospel according to John. So if you will open your bibles to John 20 we will start there, all 4 gospels record the Resurrection all providing different insights and perspectives to what took place that day, some might think its a contradiction but its not, If we were all to watch something happen Im sure all of our stories would be a little different. So I would actually argue the unique perspectives bring more validity to the story as a whole.

So lets have a moment of prayer then we will read.

John 20:1–10 “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead then the dispels went back to their homes.

V1 So we know from other gospel accounts that Mary was not alone she was accompanied by 3 other women. It was customary to anoint the body with spice and myyrs and really just show respect to the body. But with Jesus being crucified on Friday some argue Thursday but either way so close to the sabbath it is likely that they couldnt finish all these great customary practices without violating the rules to rest on sabbath which would be a saturday, so they are heading there early Sunday morning, before dawn , there up before the chickens!

You see Mary Magdalene, not to get confused with Mary the mother of Jesus had a great love for Jesus we read in the Gospels that she had 7 demons in her when she encountered Jesus and Jesus cast them out of her and ever since that day she followed, him she was there when he was crucified, standing right next to Mary his mom.

So it is my conviction that Mary and the others are on the way to the tomb super early while its still dark not just coming to annoint his body, but also to weep to pray. Jesus was there everything and now in there eyes hes gone, and you can Just sense the weight of anguish that there beloved friend, teacher, Messiah that they have followed for the last 3 years is now gone. There coming because they long to be reunited with Jesus they miss him.

and friend standing here today let me ask you the question do you miss Jesus, are you in anguish when it feels like Jesus is gone from your life? When the week gets too busy. You push off your alone time with him, you neglect to spend time with in the word in prayer in the secret place. Dose your soul thirst for the Resurrected Christ. Becuase I know when I neglect it i feel off , i feel lost, i feel like my life is spiraling out of control , but when I stop and pause my life and go to Jesus everything is at peace, in order it makes sense.

Do you seek Jesus early in the morning, what dose your morning devo look like do you give him the firstfruits of your day when there is nothing to distract you just you and him

Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.”

because we will see Mary get to be one of the first people who get to see the resurrected Christ because she was at tomb early in the morning.

Another interesting part of this is that in this a Woman's testimony held less wight in this day opposed to a man so if the disciples were trying to make up a compelling fairy tale to trick the world, then they would have just said Peter and John got there first. So it just goes to show more validity to the reality of the Resurrection.

V2-7 So she sees the tomb rolled away runs to get Peter and John and runs to tell them that the body is missing, and you almost have to laugh Johns humility reading this account he instead of saying he outran Peter he just refers to himself as the other disciple but makes it clear that he got there first, and its believed Peter would have been in his 40s to 50s while John the beloved was likely in his 20s so not a huge surprise he outran Peter but nonetheless i think its saying these guys were sprinting!

this was life changing news for them and they needed to see for themselves. They weren't just gonna take Mary’s word for it they needed go to the actual tomb and see , and would not the world be a far better place if people would go see Jesus for themselves and quit listening to what other have to say about him. But actually just he says about himself in this book! That they would know the tremendous love he has for all of his people.

What do you know about Jesus is it out how the scriptures show him to be or how billybob down the road who gets all of information from the internet

8-9 I think its interesting that it says they believed but they still did not understand the scriptures, meaning the believe he rose from the grave they just dont know why or what the means. then even verse 12 we see Mary weeping because she thinks he is gone, they dont get it still , they are missing the bigger picture.Not only did the have the OT prophecies to help them understand. Jesus litterally told them how this was going to take place multiple times.

Matthew 16:21 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Also Luke 9 22 Mark 8 31 and many other references, what dose that tell us about how we need to carefully read, study and memorize the scripture, because if the disciple who physically walked with Christ had a weak understanding then I am sure without a diligence to search the scriptures we will miss the point of the Resurrection, Christianity is not about being a good person, its not about helping others, or some higher way of living .

Its about you were dead in your sin doomed to hell eternal seperation from God, but GOD In his kindess and mercy, stepped into creation to secure for us an abilty to be forgiven.

John 20:11–18 “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “ I have seen the Lord and that he had said these things too her.”

V11-18 So we see this beautiful scene of Mary seeing two angels over where Jesus’s body was this symbolic picture of the Ark of the covenant and not really seeming to affected by it. If that was one of us we would like what let me take a picture,! But it’s because she has seen someone far greater than any angel so shes more concerned with the corpse of Jesus rather than an angel! That should be the life of every Christian anyone who has encountered Jesus knows everything is underwhelming compared to him no matter how spectacular it may be.

But like we said she is still failing to grasp whats taking place here so that's when Jesus appears she sees him and asks whats wrong why are you weeping and she dosent even notice that it is him.

She says they have taken MY Lord, circle highlight underline that, She knows who Jesus is too her its her LORD, IT

Jesus dosent reveal himself to Mary by telling her who he was but rather by telling her who she is too him Jesus calls her my her name she immediately recognizes who she is speaking with her eyes may have failed her but her ears could not mistake that voice and I believe she impulsively can do nothing but hug her messiah and says “Rabbi”.

To anyone here who knows that Jesus has called you by name ! You know that call is unmistakable. I wonder if all the memories of the last 3 years were just replaying in her mind in that moment, When Jesus begins to reconcile you too himself, it is apparent that something miraculous is taking place,that is outside of yourself, I remember the day like it was yesterday, I was laying down so sick of my life in the moment. That the poor decisions in my life led me to a place of depair, but as the HS came upon that me I remember this overwhelming sense of Joy that I had never felt before. I could look back upon my life and see God standing right beside the whole time holding his arm out for me to accept his free gift of love. Yet I was the one who walked away so many times, But that night when he called my name I knew there was no more forgetting what my God can do from that point forward.

I pray thats the testimony of everyone here, if you believe that our God defeated the grave the you know he can do anything no problem is too big for God. When you are called by him.

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

V19-23 Well close with this

John 20:19–23 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.””

So we see the disciples kind of hiding out in fear that they may be killed for being followers of Jesus so they have the doors locked, and all of sudden Jesus is in their with them, we dont know how he got in but I imagine it startled them at first, We have to Bremen the last time the disciples saw Jesus is when the all fled while Jesus was being arrested. So they may have expected a rebuke from Jesus here.

Yet he shows no animosity, makes no accusations, and dose not remind them of thier failures, Rather he loves these men and annouces to them what his death on their behalf has accomplished for them and it is PEACE.

Jesus has taken the wrath of the father, crushed the head of the serpent, absorbed the sting of death, opened the gates to eternal life, because of the death resurrection and Jesus can speak peace to those who know him!

He says verse 21 as the after has sent me Now i am sending you, with John showing us how the 3 Persons Of the godhead play a role in that , As Jesus was sent by God the Father, so he the son, sends out his disciples, equipping them with the HS

So anyone standing here today who believes the death burial and ressuection took place, that is what you are also commissioned to do by Jesus to spreak the good news of the Gospel. Its not a request or an option but a command, so be bold in that, get uncomfortable.

Tell that co worker that youve been wanting to tell but fear always stops, you, Tell the random person at the grocery store , at the gym, wherever you go be intentional to create conversations that lead to you sharing about your saviour, to not be afraid to get uncomfortable, I know its easier like that to go around never sharing to anyone. I jsut dont wanna bother anyone, Im too shy, i dont wanna look wierd

. no You were called to go out and make disiples of all nations, not get saved go to Church sit in a pew once a week for the rest of your life and never be uncomfortable thats not Christianity, dose not matter if thats what you thought it was or thats how your parents did it but it matters how Jesus told us to go about it and its pretty bold. its radical, but let me tell you theres nothing else like it its the single greatest thing you will ever do is lead someone else to the faith. better than any paystub, status, or realtionship. It should be the single greatest desire for anyone who bears the title Christian `

To anyone here that is unsure of thier faith in Christ read the ressurection accounts for yourselves see the truth in his word. The ressurection is the single greatest thing you could hear of. We are all sinful , we are unrighteous, God has to deal with sin and unrighteousness, but none of us were worthy enough to face his wrath so Jesus stepped in and did it it says Jesus did not come to abolish the law but too fulfill it and he did that he lived a perfect life without sin. for and if you put your faith in him you will be saved the bible say.Not only are you given the free gift of eternal life but you are adopted into his family, to be called a friend of God is peace

Lets pray and go eat