And they remembered his words

Luke 24:1–9 KJV 1900

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

A worldwide contest was held to find the best puns of all time. Thousands of entries were received and after weeks of judging, the top ten were set aside for final determination of best pun. A special committee of judges went painstakingly over the ten puns to see which one would rise up as the champion. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.

Introduction - Is Easter or Christmas more important?

Before his death, the world renowned evangelist Billy Graham was asked this question which he answered in his nationally syndicate column. He shared his thoughts on Christmas and Easter and explained why Christians should view the two holidays as equally significant

“If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning,” he explained. “If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Easter is not true, then Christmas is only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning.”

With this in mind this Sunday after Christmas we look together at the story of Jesus resurrection.

Today we introduce to you our 2021 preaching theme and invite you to join with us in the 2021 Scripture Memory Challenge. Each week in 2021 we will memorize together a verse of Scripture.

Explain the Campaign, including handout, sleeve, contest, and social media.

Our text today is found in Luke 24. It takes place on Sunday, the first day of the week, the day of his resurrection. The women return to the tomb to finish the work they began following his crucifixion. They find the stone rolled away, and Jesus body gone. The two men in shining garments ask, “Why seek ye the living, among the dead?

In the remainder of the passage we discover three truths that will direct us throughout the coming year.

The Exhortation of Memory - vs 6-7

Luke 24:6–7 KJV 1900

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

He drew them back to Jesus words.

Matthew 12:40 KJV 1900

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

We likewise our called to God’s Word

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Romans 10:8 KJV 1900

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Execution of Memory, vs. 8

Luke 24:8 KJV 1900

And they remembered his words,

Matthew 28:8 KJV 1900

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

John 2:22 KJV 1900

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

The End of Memory, vs. 9

Luke 24:9 KJV 1900

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Acts 11:16 KJV 1900

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Conclusion

Do you know that you have Eternal Life?

That is why I memorize and preach the Word of God.

Review the Gospel

If you believe then you should remember. So that you can be a witness.