SF147 - THE CALL FROM THE EMPTY TOMB (Matthew 28 1-7)
Matthew 28:1-10
Introduction
You Matter to God!
God refuses to allow your past to have the last Word!
Mary Magdalene was a former prostitute
She had been rejected by society, but she had been chosen by Christ!
God refuses to allow your present circumstances to have the last Word!
Mary's heart was broken
Her faith had been shaken
She had come to see Jesus for the last time!
God refuses to allow your fears to have the last Word!
We have no greater fear than death.
1 Corinthians 15:55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
God calls to us from the empty tomb and compels us to…
Come; See; Go, and Tell!
1A. We are Called To Come to Where Jesus Is! - To "Come" is an invitation
1B. This invitation promises deliverance
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2 Corinthians 1:10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
2B. This invitation demands a decision
Matthew 22:4 "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."
You cannot remain neutral when God calls.
Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
We are to respond by leaving where we are and coming to Him!
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
3B. This invitation promises adoption
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name
2A. We are Called to Witness the Facts about what Jesus Did! - To "See" implies a witness.
1B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' death
John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
2B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' burial
John 19:40-41 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
3B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
Total of 10 post-resurrection appearances
3A. We are Called to Join Jesus where He is Working! - To "Go" implies partnership
Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
1B. Going with Jesus requires commitment
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
2B. Going for Jesus requires courage
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
4A. We are Called to Share the Good News About Jesus with Others! - To "Tell" implies ownership
1B. We are to tell what He has done!
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for the sins of all you would repent and believe and to purchase a place for you in heaven, which He offers as a gift.
2B. We are to tell what He is doing!
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
3B. We are to tell what He is going to do
Acts 1:11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Application
You matter to God!
Romans 4:25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Christ calls you today to follow Mary's Example
Come: Come to Him in repentance and Faith
See: Witness the evidence of His Love.
Go: Join Him in His work.
Tell: Share with Others the Good News!
Matthew 28:1-8
1A. We are Called To __________________ to Where Jesus Is! - To "come" is an invitation
1B. This invitation promises _____________________ (Matthew 11:28; 2 Corinthians 1:10 )
2B. This invitation demands a ___________________ (Matthew 22:4)
You cannot remain neutral when God calls. (Matthew 12:30)
We are to respond by leaving where we are and coming to Him! (2 Corinthians 6:17)
3B. This invitation promises _____________________ (John 1:12)
2A. We are Called to Witness the Facts about what Jesus Did! - To "see" implies a witness.
1B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' ______________ (John 19:33)
2B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' _________________ (John 19:40-41)
3B. We are called to witness the fact of Jesus' ___________________ (1 Corinthians 15:6)
3A. We are Called to Join Jesus where He is Working! - To "__________" implies partnership
Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
1B. Going with Jesus requires ___________________ (Matthew 16:24)
2B. Going for Jesus requires _____________________ (John 15:20)
4A. We are Called to Share the Good News About Jesus with Others! - To "tell" implies ownership
1B. We are to tell what He has __________________!
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
2B. We are to tell what He is ____________________!
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Hebrews 13:20-21
3B. We are to tell what He is ________________ to do
Acts 1:11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
