06AM April 16 Luke 23 44_46 Sunrise Service
April 16, 2006—6:30 AM Sunrise Service
Easter Sunday
Silent No More!
Truths that Strengthen our Faith
Luke 23:44-46
Intro: On the day that Jesus was crucified, the Bible tells us in…
Luke 23 44 Now it was about the 6th hour, & there was darkness over all the earth until the 9th hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, & the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 & when Jesus had cried out w/a loud voice, He said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last.
- & w/that, the voice of Jesus was silenced!
- His voice was an amazing gift to the world – but not b/c Jesus was a gifted singer; not b/c He was a great politician; not b/c He was a godly prophetic preacher.
- The voice of Jesus was an amazing gift to the world b/c it was the very voice of God!
- One reason Jesus came to earth was to represent God to man; to reveal God to man.
- & that stellar voice of revelation was silenced at about the 9th hour as Jesus gave up His spirit & died on that old rugged cross!
His Disciples
- His followers; the disciples He had hand picked, the women who cared for, provided for & ministered to His needs & the needs of His disciples, & the other converts to faith in Him, had all hoped that He would be the One to lead Israel to great victory.
- They all hoped that He would be the One to usher in the Kingdom of God on earth!
- They had heard His voice as He taught multitudes of people the life-changing truths of God’s word.
- They had heard His voice as He gave new meaning to the precepts of Scripture.
- They had heard His voice as He called many to salvation through faith in Him.
- It was the voice of Jesus that spoke & calmed the waves of the raging sea.
- It was the voice of Jesus that spoke & called Lazarus from the dead!
- It was the voice of Jesus that spoke & healed lepers & the lame.
- His voice healed the blind & the broken; the deaf, the mute, the demon possessed.
- His voice was powerful; His voice was clear; His voice was eloquent & urgent.
- & yet, now – all their hopes were dashed as the limp, lifeless body of Jesus hung there on the cross.
- His voice was stilled & all seemed lost!
His Enemies
- But the enemies of Jesus were elated! They had finally conquered this foe!
- The Jews had mocked Jesus as He died on the cross.
- It was the religious leadership who had said, “He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the Christ.”
- The Roman soldiers also mocked Him offering Him sour wine & saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”
- Herod & Pontius Pilate didn’t want to have anything to do w/Jesus.
- It was the crowds that the Jews incited to ask for Barabbas instead of Jesus.
- It was the crowds that the Jews incited to shout “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
- & yet in those moments, the voice of Jesus was suspiciously quiet.
- The prophet said, “As a lamb is silent before his shearers, He opened not His mouth.”
- But even His enemies knew the power of the voice of Jesus!
- They had questioned & challenged & tried to trick Him w/words – but He powerfully answered & put them to shame.
His Burial
- But as He hung there in silence on the cross, nails in His hands & feet, thorns on His head, stripes on His back & a sword wound that had pierced His side & heart; the last 3 years seemed a waste!
- Yet it was Joseph of Arimathea that risked alienation from the Jews & condemnation from Rome by asking Pilate for the body of Jesus.
- He & Nicodemus, both of whom had been silent followers, now make their faith known as they prepare the body of Jesus & bury Him in a borrowed tomb.
What Happens Next
- As the sun went down on Jerusalem that day, so did the hopes of all those who followed Jesus.
- The events of that night, the next day & night & the following morning really remain a mystery.
- No one but God can say for sure exactly what happened.
- But we are sure of certain things.
- Jesus died; He was buried; & His followers mourned His death as they struggled w/their disappointment & disbelief at the outcome of these events.
- This was not at all what they had envisioned; this was not at all what the outcome for which they had hoped.
- It was not their ideal to have their Lord’s voice silenced by His death!
But Then Came the Morning!
- But then came the 1st day of the week & the dawning of that day brought the women to complete the preparation of Jesus’ body for burial.
- Joseph & Nicodemus had done a “quick job” – but these women wanted to do a more thorough job – after all, it was the least they could do.
- As they arrived at the tomb they were amazed to see the stone moved!
- They were even more amazed to see angels sitting on it!
- But the angels said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!”
- Oh, if that was true, it would mean that the voice of Jesus is silent no more!
- If that’s true, His voice will once again ring w/power & truth!
- The angels invited them to come & see for themselves that His body was gone!
- But it wouldn’t be long before they would hear the voice of Jesus once again!
Silent No More!
- The voice of Jesus is silent no more!
- After His resurrection He appeared & spoke to…
- Mary Magdalene at the tomb.
- The women on the pathway from the tomb.
- Peter later in the day.
- 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus.
- The apostles in the upper room w/o Thomas.
- w/Thomas.
- John & 6 others gone fishing on the Lake of Tiberias.
- 500 believers at once probably on a mountain in Galilee.
- His brother James probably in Jerusalem
- The apostles on the Mount of Olives at His ascension.
- Paul near Damascus at Paul’s conversion.
- Stephen outside Jerusalem at his stoning.
- Paul in the temple preparing him for opposition.
- John on the Isle of Patmos giving him the Revelation.
- The voice of Jesus is silent no more!
- He still speaks today!
- He speaks through the pages of His word, He speaks through His Holy Spirit, He speaks through the church as the body of Christ witnesses of Him!
- Jesus still speaks today! His voice is silent no more!
The Impact of His Voice
- His voice is silent no more b/c He is alive!
- If fact, Jesus is more alive than any one of us! As God, only He possesses eternal life which He shares w/all those who believe.
John 3 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
- That is the general call to salvation that Jesus extends to the world.
- All who hear & respond by grace are given eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
- All who hear & repent are children of God!
- All who hear & rest in Him are forgiven of their sin!
- His voice is silent no more! He calls to you, your family, your friends, your neighbors.
- Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God today – alive & well!
- & the impact of His voice is still heard all around the world!
Conclusion: He is silent no more! As the angels said, “He is not here, but is risen!”
- Jesus is alive! He lives in all those who believe & He is still calling sinners to Himself!
- Jesus is alive never to die & if you believe in Him w/all your heart, you will never die!
- True believers never die; they are just moved from here to glory to be w/their Lord!
- Are you His child? Do you hear the voice of Jesus today? Will you live for Him?
- He is alive! Jesus is alive! Glory to God & to the Lamb forever & ever, AMEN!