The Resurrection - From the Ashes 6

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Introduction:

The story of Lee and I going early to get on Test Track at Disney only to find it not open yet.

We feel let down when things aren't as promised.

Lets be honest — We’ve all been disappointed, let down, lied to, or deceived at some point in our lives. Sometimes we get to feeling so down that we can lose hope.

What an awful feeling!

Easter is the story of Hope! and God’s word has incredible power. Let’s look at Lukes account of the Resurrection.

Luke 24:1 “But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.”

Luke 24:2 “They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.”

Luke 24:3 “So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.”

Luke 24:4 “As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.”

Luke 24:5 “The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?”

Luke 24:6–8 “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that he had said this.”

Luke 24:9 “So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.”

Luke 24:10 “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened.”

Luke 24:11 “But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.”

Luke 24:12 “However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.”

The Women

They went first - that is often how it is

Women are trailblazers - they often the first to come to church or do many other things - where would we be without them?

They went without knowing - they really had no idea what all was going on

They went with another objective - they went to take care of their friend’s recently deceased body

What a surprise when they got there.

They went with no hope but their hope was restored — even with a vigor

The Angels

They were sent as God’s messengers to remind them of the promise

We need reminders - preaching, Sunday school, church gatherings, devotionals, daily reading, prayer

Life will try to make you forget or doubt the promises

Satan will try to make you forget or doubt the promises and the promiser

The Apostles

They didn’t believe the report - we deal with unbelief too!

They went anyway - sometimes we have to go anyway

They had to see for themselves - we act like we are from Missouri (Show Me state)

Their disbelief was satisfied - God knew what they needed — He knows what we need

Their disbelief and lack of faith was SATISFIED when they saw the empty tomb. It was further satisfied when they saw the risen Lord.

We may not be able to go back and see the empty tomb but we can trust their account.

Let me give you a few reasons why we can believe:

Their lives were changed because of what they saw

They all gave their lives because what they saw

Where’s the body

if a hoax a body would show up

It would help the lying priests if there was a body

The disciples disbelief only added to the credibility of the account

The existence of power, joy and devotion of people in the early church

The writing of the NT

The baptism in the HS and the giving of spiritual gifts

All of the lives that have been changed and renewed by Christ

I am a skeptic by nature and any one of these reasons is enough to make me wonder….

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 15:17 reminds us that if Christ has not been raised then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

I thank God that I don’t have to guess anymore, I know I am forgiven and I have a hope and you can too because of the empty tomb.

If you haven’t believed on Jesus, Can’t you see the proof? The tomb is empty and the promise of HOPE is for you.

If you are already a Christian, is your life proof of the Resurrection?

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is the tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

This tree of life that the writer of proverbs speaks about is the fulfillment of a desire - it is the symbol of physical or spiritual renewal.

Today, right here and right now you can have encounter with Jesus. The cross was supposed to bring death but it brought life instead.

This is the Tree of Life — Praise God! (Point to the Cross)

Where are you today?

Do you need to finally surrender your life to Jesus?

Do you need HOPE in your life? or do you need HOPE restored?

I am going to ask you to move out of your seat and make your way down to these altars and let’s pray together