Untitled Sermon (8)

Good morning and Happy Easter! Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and declare together, “He is Risen… He is Risen Indeed!

I’m glad to be with you this morning. We are at a place in history where none of us could have imagined four weeks ago that we would still be practicing social distancing, but here we are. We are doing our best, as I hope you are to make the most of it.

Before we get into our message this morning, I want to thank Daniel and Marilee, along with those who helped with music and the “Reader’s Theater” for our Maundy Thursday Service and todays Easter Celebration. There have been a lot of hours put in to make this possible and I’m very thankful to every one.

Join with me in prayer…

Today's Sermon looks at how the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope in the midst of the tragedies. We will look at the responses of those who went to Jesus tomb that day and found it empty. Just to be clear, in the end it wasn’t a tragedy, but initially it was. Were was Jesus? What had they done with Jesus body?

And while we will eventually get back to our daily routines, we’ll probably spend years trying to figure out what happened as we try to make sense of the madness and the complexity of fighting a war on something we cannot see.

For us, just when the future seemed to be the brightest it’s been in more than a decade, the economy was strong; the war on Terror has become less of a stress, people have been looking into their future with some optimism, all of a sudden our lives have been turned upside down. That’s what happened to those who went to the tomb the day after the Sabbath. Their walk and talk with Jesus that was so normal just weeks before had now been shattered by His death. What they had take for granted was now gone. When they came to the tomb, and found it empty they wondered, “What now?” “What had they done with Jesus?”

What we use to take for granted is now something we wonder about… when will we be able to go to the grocery store without fear? When will we be able to gather for family birthday parties? When will we be able to join together for worship without worry of catching the Covid-19 virus. Yes things have change as if in the twinkling of an eye.

With this new pandemic that is sweeping across the globe, the coronavirus, all our lives have been drastically changed.

How are we too respond in the midst of such changes? Where do we turn to for answers? For hope? For peace? What now?

How are we too respond in the midst of such changes? Where do we turn to for answers? For hope? For peace? What now?

As we look at the time of Jesus death, the women and men who went to the tomb of Jesus, only to find it empty, We see their response of Wonder and What appears to be words of non-sense to some. Here is what the Word of God says…

Luke 24:1–12 NIV

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

In these verse we find wonder (v. 4); we find fear (v.5); we find what appeared to be words of Non-sense to some (v. 11)

The question that Mary asked in the Gospel of John after she had told the Disciples that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and was once again standing outside the tomb, thinking she was speaking to the Gardner was this, “Sir, if you have carried him aways, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” To her surprise she was talking to Jesus.

Today we are talking about this same Jesus who was crucified, buried and has risen again! And the question is, “What is our response to the Resurrection of Jesus today? How are you responding to His teachings?

Even though we have heard a lot of “Bad News” these days, today is a message of Good News! He is Risen! Yes, He is Risen indeed!

is I’m sure they wondered, “What now?”

is I’m sure they wondered, “What now?”

The word ‘Gospel’ means …

The Good News

The word gospel means good news. Of course, if Jesus only died, that is bad news. The fact that He died, the sinless for the sinful, and that He rose triumphant over death and the grave is good news indeed.

Hobbs, H. H. (1990). My favorite illustrations (p. 126). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Somebody once said, “Any person can start a religion like Christianity.” The response was, “I suppose… all they have to do is find a person who is willing to die and then rise from the dead.”

Christianity isn’t about religion… it is about a relationship with the Living Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we are together today, to celebrate life - Victory over death.

When Luke wrote his Gospel, he wanted to make sure that people understood the the reality and purpose of Jesus life and how to respond to who he was and what he taught. So he writes about the empty tomb and how even those closest to Jesus responded… He speaks in reality terms… “This is what happened and this is how people responded…” But in the end, there is joy… that’s what I hope for you this morning.

The challenges that I have for all of us this morning is, how have; how are you responding to Jesus in the midst of all that is going on in our world today; in your life personally?

There are two responses that I see in the passage...

Wondering, Where is Jesus… What have you done with him?

To wonder does not mean that you disbelieve, it simply means “Wonder” Things you don’t understand.

We don’t understand all that is going on in our world today, but we know the “One” who does… at least we know about him. His name is Jesus!

Illustration… Several weeks ago, my wife challenged a small group of friends to write down some of the verses that mean the most to them. She then placed them on the Refrigerator… One of them is this...

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This verse gives affirmation of faith that God has a plan, one that a person can experience peace and hope in.

The physical body of Jesus was gone. What the women saw were “two men in clothing that gleamed like lightning.”

Even though they were wondering, God gave them two witnesses and Luke points this out because “Two witnesses,” according to the scriptures are the minimum number for validation to any event (; )

Even though we, Like the women at the tomb wonder and may be perplexed about things, God gives us the assurance of his Presence and power which leads to peace, by the witness of others.

2768 Who Moved The Stone?

Some years ago, a lawyer by the name of Frank Morison wrote a book with the title Who Moved The Stone? He set out with the purpose of disproving the resurrection, of proving that Christ did not really rise from the grave.

But the book turned out to be entirely different. It is a searching study of the scriptural story of Christ’s crucifixion, death and resurrection. He makes the unquestionable point that the resurrection is a historical fact by way of its recorded value by those who witnessed it!

In a Lawyer-like way, he disposes, one after another, of the dozens of theories invented to account for the removal of the body from the tomb.

For example, that the gardener took away Christ’s body so that the curious would not trample his flowers, that Joseph of Arimathea did it, because he regretted giving his grave to an acknowledged criminal, that Jesus recovered from a death-like faint on the cross and pushed the stone away Himself.

Because there were no witnesses to the Theory… Only witnesses to the resurrection, It gave credibility the Lawyer! This is the “GOOD NEWS!”

Even though they were frightened, they received affirmation of hope, which led them to to two more responses… which I hope will be your response today...

One of fear which led to humility as they fell on their face before the messenger because of the message...

The message is found in the meaning of the empty tomb… He is not here, He is Risen!

The second response was one of excitements to tell others about what they had seen and heard!

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2766 Artists and Cross

When Michelangelo visited several great art galleries in European cities, he was deeply impressed by the preponderance of paintings depicting Christ hanging on the cross. He asked, “Why are art galleries filled with so many pictures of Christ upon the cross—Christ dying? Why do artists concentrate upon that passing episode, as if that were the last word and the final scene? Christ’s dying on the cross lasted for only a few hours. But to the end of unending eternity, Christ is alive! Christ rules and reigns and triumphs!”

—Walter B. Knight

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2768 Who Moved the Stone?

2768 Who Moved The Stone?

Some years ago, a lawyer by the name of Frank Morison wrote a book with the title Who Moved The Stone? He set out with the purpose of disproving the resurrection, of proving that Christ did not really rise from the grave.

But the book turned out to be entirely different. It is a searching study of the scriptural story of Christ’s crucifixion, death and resurrection. He makes the unquestionable point that the resurrection is a historical fact. Lawyer-like, he disposes, one after another, of the dozens of theories invented to account for the removal of the body from the tomb.

For example, that the gardener took away Christ’s body so that the curious would not trample his flowers, that Joseph of Arimathea did it, because he regretted giving his grave to an acknowledged criminal, that Jesus recovered from a death-like faint on the cross and pushed the stone away Himself.

I remember the excitement on my oldest’s son’s face the day he was coming home from Bible camp… I was taking a group of Kid’s too camp and he was coming home from a week of camp with his youth leader. His youth pastor encouraged him to tell me what took place that week. With excitement in his voice and a brightness to his face, he said, “I rededicated my life to Jesus.” That was a moment of excitement for him and me! I no longer had to wonder where he was with Jesus. The evidence of that recommitment was seen in the way he followed Jesus and has been doing so ever since.

One of the mandates of the church is to come and see, go and tell.

To wonder comes about because cannot understand, … for example, I can’t understand how a person can be born again, other than the fact that Jesus taught us… in

John 3:3–8 NIV

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We are spiritual being meant to be one in spirit with God.

Jesus said “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell whee it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We are spiritual being meant to be one in spirit with God.

Even when we can’t understand, our hope is found in the fact that Jesus can. We cannot understand why this Virus has hit the globe with a vengeance, but it has.

Many people wonder … where is God in all of this? Let me ask you… Where do you think God is in all of this?

My personal experience is that God is right here with us in the midst of this whole pandemic.

Just before I left for on vacation the Corona virus began to rear its ugly head. Within 24 hours God had lead me to a scripture passage that affirmed his presence, which gave me comfort. He reveled his power, which gave me peace. The verse is

Psalm 91:10 NIV

10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

Then again this week as I was agonizing over what to say today, I came across a message from another pastor who share the verses just prior to the one I shared with you… Listen to what he had to say...

On a personal level, God took me to : “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.” This virus, like a pestilence, seems to be stalking the entire world. It’s invisible and in the darkness of night it feels inescapable. Shortly after reading, we worshipped with you online. God used that speakers sermon to remind us God is in control of everything. We can run to Him for refuge.

Our sense of wonder should drive us to Jesus. There is a post by Bob Goff: “It’s easy to trust God when He does what we want; it’s the other times when we grow.” I’m learning to pray that this tragedy will bring us to our knees and cause us to be a more humble world as so beautifully puts it: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I believe God wants you knew his presence, his power, and his promise… to accept it by faith, believing that he will protect us.

Does this mean we will not get sick? No. What it means is that even if we do; even if we who believe or someone we know, suffers as a result of this awful disease, God does not change; his presence does not change for those who believe; his power does not change for all who believe; his promises never cease for those who believe.

Will their be grief? no doubt! But what the resurrection of Jesus means is Good News! He is risen! He is Alive! He has promised us Eternal life to those who put their faith in the reason; the purpose for His coming coming. (need biblical statement)

The mandates of the church is to come and see, go and tell. That is what Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James did… they went and told others what they had seen; what they believed had happened…

This is a time for the church to respond with the Good News of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. To encourage people to believe; to trust in Jesus.

But here is what you might face… (vs. 11)

The second response we see from others who went to the tomb They say the Words of others are non-sense… like idle tales

Words of others seem like non-sense...

I. Wondering, Where is Jesus in all this...

Remember what I told you?

The second response we see from others who went to the tomb They say the Words of others are non-sense… like idle tales

We cannot control what others believe, but we can chose what we believe. If you have faith today, then make the resurrection reality of Jesus in your life known. Don’t forget what he has done and what he has promised to do.

We cannot control what others believe, but we can chose what we believe. If you have faith today, then make the resurrection reality of Jesus in your life known. Don’t forget what he has done and what he has promised to do.

John 14:26 NIV

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Where have you put Jesus? What have you done with His word? What are you doing

Here is what Thomas Jefferson did with the word of scripture and the resurrection of Jesus...

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2775 The Jefferson Bible

2775 The Jefferson Bible

In the 18th century, the U. S. Congress once issued a special edition of Thomas Jefferson’s Bible. It was a simple copy of our Bible with all references to the supernatural eliminated. Jefferson, in selecting, had confined himself solely to the moral teachings of Jesus.

The closing words of this Bible are: “There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the sepulchre and departed.”

Thank God, our Bible ended with the news that “He is risen!”

The message of the Bible is clear… there is a natural, moral order, just as their is a supernatural, spiritual order. The Bible tells us that Jesus was the first to rise and enter into the Kingdom of God.

Conclusion: Impossible for death to hold him...

Acts 4:24 NIV

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

What may perplex us can also bring us peace. For in the promises of God we come to find his words to be instructive, true, and comforting.

Why because of the Empty tomb!

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2766 Artists and Cross

When Michelangelo visited several great art galleries in European cities, he was deeply impressed by the preponderance of paintings depicting Christ hanging on the cross. He asked, “Why are art galleries filled with so many pictures of Christ upon the cross—Christ dying? Why do artists concentrate upon that passing episode, as if that were the last word and the final scene? Christ’s dying on the cross lasted for only a few hours. But to the end of unending eternity, Christ is alive! Christ rules and reigns and triumphs!”

—Walter B. Knight

My Favorite Illustrations The Good News

The Good News

The word gospel means good news. Of course, if Jesus only died, that is bad news. The fact that He died, the sinless for the sinful, and that He rose triumphant over death and the grave is good news indeed.

In visiting with my sister this week, she took me back 38 year ago when her daughter was born with a diffective heart valve. Within 16 hours of her first breath, she had THREE open heart surgeries. She said it was during that time God caused her to really have faith in who Jesus is and what his promises meant to her. 38 years later, her daughter, is now healthy and has 3 children of her own. My sister said, “Through all of that, I realized there was nothing I could do but trust in Jesus, and I believe that is all we can do during this time of pandemic… trust in Jesus.

So when there was a time she could have just cast Jesus aside, wondering why, thinking the whole relationship business with Jesus is just talk, she took hold of Jesus had because he was reaching out to her, and she has been holding Jesus hand ever since. May you do the same during these uncertain times.

Prayer...

I want to invite you to join us again next week as we begin a series on the book of Philippians,