The Resurrected Savior

Introduction

Mothers Day/Family Day invite

Rip up sins on the cross

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

28 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then[a] Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests[b] had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with[c] him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped,[d] but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[e] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[f] I am with you always,[g] to the end of the age.”

Context

Today we celebrate the most important day in the entire year for any Christian, any follower of Christ. This of course is Easter Sunday, otherwise known as Resurrection Sunday; the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, thus showing us once for all the proof, that He indeed is God, everything He said was true, that we are redeemed from sin when we put our faith and trust in Jesus and surrender ourselves to His Lordship, and know that for the redeemed their will one day be a resurrection.

In our text today, just before this celebration of seeing The Lord Jesus rise from the grave, we saw a horrible, terrible, bloody scene. This scene was THE pivotal turning point in mankind’s history, I am speaking of course of Jesus’ death on the cross on the day that we call good friday. On this day, though the world was created through, to, and for Him, it rejected Him in our rebellion (our sin), and chose to kill Him on a cruel cross. Make no mistake, this was no simple death, a death on a cross was to be the most brutal death penalty for wicked criminals; and despite having never ever done anything wrong; Jesus submitted Himself to it, and died on the cross. Why? Because it was His life’s mission, His purpose, to fulfill God the Father’s will be the atonement (the sacrifice) to pay mankind’s sin, so that you, so that anyone who comes to Him would be forgiven before God and know lasting fellowship with Him.

What you believer, and unbeliever alike, need to see from our text today, which is a record of true events that happened almost 2000 years ago, is that Jesus’ Lordship and Authority as God is clear. Doubting it does you no good. Rather, if you want to fulfill your calling as a believer and fill that spot that feels empty non-believer, you must accept Jesus as savior and submit to His Lordship and Authority as God. So, stop denying the truth, a truth that many witnesses, as many as 500 at one time, saw and accounted for, a truth that the historians agree with, and a truth that your God has shared with you in His Holy scriptures, Your Holy Bible. Instead, accept the truth and remind it to yourself everyday. With that, let’s look at some critical truth’s today in today’s text. So, let’s jump in and From the text, I want you see these truths about The Resurrected Savior

Message

The first truth is that: Jesus has risen 1-10

28 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then[a] Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

After the gruesome death and rushed burial because of the sabbath (the Holy day of rest), finally the sabbath day had passed, and work was allowed to be done. This work included preparing a body for burial, so at dawn, the two Mary’s (who would have been quite upset and distraught, set out to do the important work of cleaning Jesus’ body for burial. Jesus’ body was under close guard by a Roman guard, who were tasked with making sure that the body did not leave the tomb. While they were heading down, and wondering how the two were wondering how the giant stone could be removed, something happened. A supernatural event happened, and a large earthquake and an angel of the lord came down himself and rolled the stone away. His appearance was great, and terrifying to the guarding soldiers who passed out from the scene, unable to withstand the scene that was unfolding before them. Then! The angel’s addressed the women, and told them not to be afraid. The one you are looking for, is not here. He has risen! Just as He told you he would! Observe the tomb, and see He is no longer here! So go, go and tell the disciples. While they were doing so, Jesus Christ Himself visited them! They saw Him, and worshipped Him, true and good reactions to what was happening. He also charged them to go tell the others what they have seen, and tell them all to go to Galilee and meet me there, so they did. This was a scene of awe, celebration, and living hope.

Let me share with you a quote that I came across this week by Admiral William C. McRaven, he wrote about something he learned about during his Navy Seal training that helped him more than anything he has come across, this is hope, a living and continual hope, he wrote.

“Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference.

We will all find ourselves neck deep in mud someday. That is the time to sing loudly, to smile broadly, to lift up those around you and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.”

Everyone needs hope this is true, but what the Admiral left out, is that what everyone needs is the Hope that is only found in Christ and proved in His resurrection. For the disciples who forgot what Jesus had said, the few days between His death and resurrection were sad, gloomy, and hopeless. Now, at the resurrection, they knew, as you should as well, that you have an eternal hope, a living hope, in Christ Jesus. This is a hope with expectation, knowing, just as He has told us, that those who are children of God (that is, believers and followers of Jesus Christ) that you have a great hope. A hope that in that wicked death does not mean an eternal fall and separation from God, but rather a beautiful resurrection and eternity spent in perfect fellowship with God. The believer has much to look forward to on the other side, because we have a great living hope, a hope that was proven true by Jesus’ rising from the grave. Indeed, Jesus has risen! Only God has the authority to do this, only God has authority over all things so, we know that Jesus’ Lordship and Authority as God is clear. Crystal clear, put your faith and hope in Him, and one day you will know peace that knows no end.

Let’s keep going.

The next truth about the Resurrected Savior is that: Jesus is covered up 11-15

11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests[b] had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with[c] him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.

Here is where wickedness in fallen mankind comes into play, we call this sin, that is, rebellion against God. Here we see a sin of lying and rejection of God. This is as the guards, having lost the body of Jesus (which was a matter that could leave them executed) sought refuge, and instead of turning to the proper authorities or their officers on this matter, they turned to someone they knew who would not only protect them, but in which they could could make a little bribe money off of in the situation. Unfortunately, this was from the group that should have been the first to turn towards Jesus, the priests and elders; the group that rejected Jesus because accepting Him would affect their worldly power and influence. These so-called “Holy Men” hatched a scheme to lie and say that the followers of Jesus stole His body in the night, and that if the soldiers were to get into trouble, they would use their power/influence (especially in the coin purse) to make the situation “good” for them. Wicked. Evil. Liers. So, this story was spread near and far, because they did not want this truth (that Jesus came back from the grave, just as He said He would) to be true.

Anytime there is a “cover up,” rest assured there is some kind of evil afoot. Let me tell you about a wicked lie I did one time, as a young child. You see, when I was very young, around 4 and my little sister was 2, my mom began letting us play with a cherished toy she had as a child. This was a large stuffed Donald Duck with a floppy plastic head. It was very delicate, and there was honestly no way one of us wasn't going to break it. She charged us both, you must take care of this, or you are going to be in trouble. Well, as a 4 year old boy, this was trouble waiting to happen. To be honest, I had that sort of young kind, intrusive impulsive thought, and in a split second, I had ripped the poor donald duck head off. Knowing that I had done bad, I tried to hide the toy in our shared room. A day or so went by, and then my mom discovered the toy, she asked us, who did this? In a split second, my finger was pointing at my sister, who was totally innocent. She received and undeserved spanking and I felt guilty and bad about it for days until I came clean and told the truth.

In that moment, I had the wickedness of sin in my heart and actions. And while yes, the events were inevitable, still I am accountable for what I did, I lied to my mom and let my beloved little sister take the fall for me. This is strikingly against God’s law and command to not bear false witness, that is not a lie, but to tell the truth, always. While my sin was wicked, so was that of the soldiers and the priests/elders. Not only did they lie, not only were ill gotten gains involved, but also they grieved the Holy Spirit by rejecting God and harmed the witness and testimony of many, as they tried to tell the world the truth about Jesus and His resurrection. Jesus’ Lordship and Authority as God is clear. It’s so clear that these sinners tried to cover it up. Yes, Jesus was covered up here, but believer, don’t think of your sin (your rebellion against God) too lightly, every time you sin, you too are in some way shape or form also covering up Jesus either from yourself or from others. So put aside sin, and submit to His call to Holiness and righteousness. With that idea in mind, let’s move onto

Another truth about the Resurrected Savior is that: Jesus has all authority 16-20

16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped,[d] but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[e] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[f] I am with you always,[g] to the end of the age.”

Just as they were told, the 11 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain he had told them to go to. Seeing Him, some knew it was sure it was Him and worshipped, while others were not sure it was Him and hesitated to worship. Jesus made it clear to those that were unsure, and came near to them and gave them a final teaching and command. It was this, I Jesus am God, and I have all authority in all places at all time. As the sovereign, as God, as the one with supreme command, I give you, and to you listening today this command. To go and make more disciples (more followers of Jesus) and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teach them to do everything I have commanded you to do (including this command). Do this, knowing this truth, that I am always with you and empowering each and every believer to do this, until I return.

Absolute power and authority is something that is impossible for us, as limited creatures, to understand or grasp. However, through history some have tried, still yet every one of them has known deaths cold and dark embrace. To quote a true song to you, Nero is dead, Constantine is dead. Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun are dead.Alexander the Great is dead- however Jesus is Alive.Napoleon is dead, Lao Tzu is dead.Che Guevara and Henry VIII are dead.Saddam Hussein is dead- however Jesus is Alive. He is alive, and He is alive forever more.Jesus’ Lordship and Authority as God is clear.

Looking at the text, it’s clear here follower of Christ, you have a holy call and commissioning from the King of Everything, Jesus Christ Himself. This is to go make disciples who do what? Observe everything Jesus has taught including Going and make more disciples themselves. Jesus with His authority has commanded this, Jesus The Resurrected Savior has ordered this, and He has told you that He will be with you when you seek to fulfill this commission. So rejoice, believer, rejoice for there is great hope in the world, Jesus’ Lordship and Authority as God is clear, He has all authority and is the resurrected (the risen) savior.

Conclusion

Beloved, it is impossible to fulfill God’s commands and commission for yourself without Christ and without a church body you are in fellowship with. Paul made this clear in His writings, Jesus made it clear by His example by gathering with others for worship Himself, and all the early church showed they understood so by doing so themselves. So let me encourage you, if you do not have a church family you have covenanted (come alongside) with yet, if you have not come alongside a group of believers to Love God, Love People, and make disciples, let me encourage you to consider joining us. If you are interested in this, please talk to me after service.

With that, let me conclude

A Poem by John of Damascus, one of the early church fathers. About this resurrection Sunday and the truths we have learned today.

The day of resurrection?

Earth, tell it out abroad;

The Passover of gladness,

The Passover of God.

From death to life eternal,

From this world to the sky,

Our Christ hath brought us over

With hymns of victory.

Now let the heavens be joyful,

Let earth her song begin;

Let the round world keep triumph,

And all that is therein;

Let all things seen and unseen

Their notes in gladness blend,

For Christ the Lord hath risen,

Our Joy that hath no end.

Find joy now and today, the Risen savior, Jesus, who died on the cross so that your sin can be forgiven, all you have to do is confess Him as savior and Lord, and your sins will be forgiven.

Gospel presentation

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.