Rise & Shine

Introduction

Good Morning Family! Today is Easter!! Its the Sunday we set aside to commemorate and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know I would sometimes just sit up at night not being able to sleep contemplating the fact that there would come a day where I would simply cease to exist. That freaked me out. I thought there has to be come kind of hope or purpose. It was so wonderful to realize that there was life beyond the grave. I found that when I put my faith in Jesus Christ.

It is so good to know that there is not only promise of life beyond the grave but there is promise of life during life as well.

That is what sets the Christian life apart from every other belief system out there. If you go to the tomb of Buddha, you will find it is occupied. If you go to the tomb of Mohammed, you will find it is occupied. But if you go to the tomb of Jesus, you will find that it is empty because He is risen. He is alive.

His resurrection is the proof that redemption has been accomplished. Had the body of Jesus Christ never come forward from the tomb, it would have been silent evidence that He was either a deceiver or deceived when He declared that He was to give His life as a ransom for many.

Some would say I don’t know if I really believe that. I think Jesus was speaking metaphorically. We don’t need to necessarily believe that He rose again from the dead to really be a Christian. Actually you do. It is a bedrock belief. It is foundational to what we hold to as Christians.

To be a Christian you need to believe that Jesus Christ was supernaturally conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, that He went to a cross, that He died and shed His blood and rose again from the dead three days later. These are not negotiable points.

Because this is so essential and so foundational this is why the devil has tried to undo it. He has tried to cause people to not believe it because the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus from the dead spells the defeat of the devil. He knows it is true. He knows if you believe it that it can change your life!

It is His resurrection that guarantees ours. Friends the foundation of all our hope is expressed in Jesus’ own words where he says - “I am the resurrection and the life. the one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

The gospel writers and many other leaders in the early church realized that their supreme role in life and history was to proclaim the reality of the resurrection and the many other truths about Jesus Christ.

Although they reveal the same divine truths in perfect harmony with one another, each of the gospel writers present the resurrection from a different view. This morning we are going to take a look at Jesus’ resurrection from Matthew’s view. Mathew does not approach the resurrection from a scholarly, historical, or analytical. Matthew focuses on a the emotional reaction and witness to the resurrection. He is attempting to provide a picture which you can see and experience the canvas of emotions. If you have your Bibles with you today, or are taking notes, turn with me to Matthew chapter 28. We will be reading from verses 1 through 10.

Matthew 28:1–10 NIV

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook 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 was crucified. 6 He is not here; 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 is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Pastoral Prayer

The Jewish Sabbath was now ended. A new era was about to begin, characterized by a new day as Matthew writes “at dawn on the first day of the week.” The women became the first witnesses. It was early in the morning when the two Mary’s went out to look at the tomb. In Matthew’s writing, the two Mary’s came to the tomb, but the only indication as to their reason was that they came to look at the tomb.

This earthquake reminds us of earthquake which had occurred when Jesus died on Friday. Some say its possible to be an aftershock of the previous earthquake. Or, it may be better to see the quake as due to the angelic work mentioned in the next note. The Mary’s see an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone covering the entrance to the tomb. Understand, the cover stone would have been massive. This stone would have been large and heavy. The mass of this stone would have been too much for two women to move under their own power. It would have taken a team to move and set the stone. BUT! The stone is easily move by an angle of the Lord.

Now think about this for a minute! Could you just image feeling the earthquake, then seeing the angle of the Lord coming down from heaven, and now sitting on the stone that is covering the entrance to the tomb!! WOW!

First we have the guards who are guarding the tomb fall like domino's. We can’t see the facial expressions of the two Mary’s or their body language. We do get a taste of what is going on. The guards see what is going on, the two Mary’s see what is going on. So, everyone at this point have all seen the same thing! Then we have the angel speaks - telling them not to be afraid. The angel invites the two Mary’s to see the place where Jesus was laid as proof that he was not there - proclaiming HE IS RISEN - AMEN! When they look into the tomb, the body was gone (the burial linen remained - John 20:5-7).

Now the two Mary’s are still shaking in their boots, afraid BUT they are filled with joy, knowing Jesus is alive! Friends this is a pivotal moment not only in Matthew’s gospel, but all four gospels. All four gospels talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And all four gospels talk about the empty tomb begin discovered by women. Understand the authenticity of the empty tomb by women is significant. Testimony of women in the first-century Jewish culture were considered unreliable. In fact, they were not allowed to testify in a court of law. This would have been embarrassing for the gospel writers to admit, but each chose to stand against the grain to report, what we now know consider a world event.

The world believes that Jesus died, but much of the world does not believe that He rose from the dead. Verse 9 begins a series of physical proof many needed to affirm Jesus Christ has risen. Jesus appears to his disciples. We hear they clasped his feet and worshiped. The appearance made by Jesus. In fact, Paul mentioned in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 in verse 6, that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at the same time!

We know Jesus has conquered death. So, what’s is the significance of the Resurrection?

Point One

Christ’s Resurrection Ensures Our Regeneration

Peter says in:

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Peter is connecting Jesus’ resurrection with out regeneration or new birth. When Jesus rose from the dead he has a new quality of life, a “resurrection life” in a human body and human spirit that were perfectly suited for fellowship and obedience to God forever. Jesus earned for us a new life just like his. We do not receive all of that new “resurrection life” when we become Christians, our earth suits will remain as they were. What’s important to know is our spirits are made alive with the new resurrection power. This is why Paul can say in:

Ephesians 2:5–6 NIV

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Point Two

Christ’s Resurrection Ensures That We Will Receive Perfect Resurrection Bodies

The NT connects Jesus’ resurrection with out final bodily resurrection. Paul says in:

1 Corinthians 6:14 NIV

14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

And in ------

2 Corinthians 4:14 NIV

14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

Friends God raises us from the dead and brings us into His presence.

After Jesus’ resurrection, he still had nail prints in his hands and feet, including the mark from the spear in his side. People sometimes wonder if that indicates that the scars of serious injuries that we have received in this life will also remain on our resurrection bodies. We say for sure. One thing for sure! Our bodies will be made perfect, “incorruptible” and raised “in glory.” The scars from Jesus’ crucifixion are unique because they are an eternal reminder of His sufferings and death for us. All will be healed, and all will be made perfect and whole.

Point Three

Christ’s Resurrection Ensures Our Justification

In only one passage does Paul connect Christ’s resurrection with our justification. Paul says in:

Romans 4:25 NIV

25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

When Christ was raised from the dead, it was God’s declaration, or formal announcement, of approval of Christ’s work of redemption. Friends, it’s because Christ “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (as Paul mentioned in Philippians 2:8).”

When God the Father accepted Christ’s suffering and death as full payment for sin, no more liability to punishment. Christ made the payment, wrote the check, whatever you want to call it; He paid a debt none of us could ever make. Through Jesus Christ, God is saying, “I approve of what you have done, and you have favor in my sight.” Jesus’ resurrection brought us justification before God because the resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for us!

Conclusion

The resurrection means that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as He claimed to be, and He has power of life and death. Because Christ is alive by the resurrection, believers have the assurance of dwelling with Him forever!

Friends, do you know what this means today?! It means my sin debt and your sin debt has been paid in full by Jesus’ sacrifice for us! It also means that sin in your life that you think there is no possibility Jesus, or God for that matter, could ever forgive you. I want to assure you that sin can be washed away. The slate can be whipped clean no matter what you thing might be written. It doesn't matter how big or how small you thing that sin is you have in your life. That sin is enough to keep you separated from God.

Play Cleansing Clip

Folks what you just watched is a demonstration of the cleansing power of Christ!

Let me ask you this question. It doesn't matter if you’ve been in this church building for 30-years or 30-minutes. How is your salvation today? If you were to die right here right now, do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would be in heaven? Now folks this is a simple yes or no answer! There is no gray area or maybe.

You know 400 years before the birth of Christ, the Greek philosopher Socrates drank the poison Hemlock and he lay down to die. One of his friends asked, “Shall we live again?” The dying philosopher could only reply, “I hope so, but no man can know.”

I want you to be aware that today, you can “know” for sure with no doubt in your mind. You can receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer

Gracious heavenly father, this morning we approach the throne of God BECAUSE OF THE SON! Lord thank you for the sacrifice you have made for us. We are grateful you have taken on our sin and paid what was required. Lord - only you could build a bridge to heaven with just two pieces of wood.

Father if there is one person who listening to these words and is ready to accept the free gift of salvation through your Son Jesus Christ - I pray they would do so today. If you are ready to be cleansed and forgiven of all your sins - please pray with me.

Dear God:

I know I have sinned and that my sin separates me from you.

I am sorry for my sin.

I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven.

I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive.

God, please forgive me.

I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior.

I will obey you, follow you and honor you.

In you precious Son’s name that we pray, all Gods children say - Amen.