Go and Tell
Notes
Transcript
It is an absolute joy to worship with you this morning. Today is a great day of celebration as we declare the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the grave. There is nothing that has happened in the entire history of the world more important than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I have a world timeline that I use to keep track of events. It’s called Adams Synchronological Map of History. It’s this massive 25 foot long timeline that portrays all of human history starting with Adam and Eve up until our modern era. It draws out and places all the events on a timeline. The great empires and the great wars are all on it. There is one event that is drawn three to four times larger than any other on the timeline to show its importance. It is the cross of Christ.
This event is so significant that the world has separated its dating system into two parts, those things that happened before Christ, in BC and those things that happened after His death in A.D.
This event has shaped the entire world and history of the world.
This is the event that changed the world and this is why we celebrate. I want us to immerse ourselves in all the information and evidence that Scripture provides for us about the death, burial and resurrection this morning and provide an even stronger reason to celebrate. I want us to think about the events.
There is an old hymn called Where You There that asks some questions.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there? None of us can answer the question yes, but Scripture, the Word of God verifies for us the events. History verifies the events and science verifies the events.
The Hymn has been modified recently and given a more appropriate ending
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
The proper response to this amazing act of God is found in the final verses of the song.
Sometimes I feel like shouting 'Glory, glory, glory!'
Today is a day where we all shout glory, glory, glory. For He is Risen. He is Risen indeed.
Today is a day of celebration. It is a day of restoration. It is a day of hope, it is a day of Joy. It is a day that should resonate with all of us with a message so powerful that we can’t contain it, so meaningful that we are unable to keep from telling everyone all about it.
The truth of the resurrection of Christ should drive our every move. It should inspire us, motivate us and move us to to action where we all.
Go and Tell
The resurrection solidifies the power of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is not a story we keep for ourselves. It is a world-changing truth that is for every soul to hear (2x). We want to share this good news, this best news ever, with as many people as possible. This idea aligns with our core value of evangelistic outreach, which is simply to share the love of Christ and His gospel with others.
He’s alive and lives and all those who place their faith in Him will live forever with Christ. This is good news we should all Go and Tell.
There are people all over the world, especially in our culture who have come to think that the resurrection of Jesus is a fairy tale, that it’s some man-made story, with absolutely no significance. There may be people in this room that struggle with the idea of this event.
Today I want to share with you the overwhelming evidence that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that He is the living savior. I want to share with you the many reasons we should all go and tell. We are going to examine the first Easter morning and gather the facts that empower the gospel to transform lives, hearts and the entire world.
Let’s observe how this all came to be.
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Pray with Me!
Today we want to look at three main ideas.
Jesus was Truly Dead
Jesus is Truly Alive
Go and Tell
Jesus was truly dead-There are all these theories that try to prove that Jesus never died on the cross. There is this theory called the swoon theory that says that Jesus just went unconscious on the cross, so when he was in the tomb he recovered, therefore he never really died. We want to provide the evidence that Jesus was truly dead.
Jesus is truly alive-If Jesus was truly dead then the empty tomb proves that Jesus is truly alive. However there are many skeptics and to them the empty tomb is not enough evidence. So we want to provide a mountain of evidence that proves that Jesus is truly alive.
Go and Tell- Must be our response. If Jesus truly died, and He is truly alive, then we have to Go and Tell, because this is the most remarkable event in the history of the world. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ literally changes everything. We must Go and Tell.
First, Let’s see that Jesus was truly dead
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Where did they go? They went to the tomb. They went to the place where dead people dwell, a tomb, a grave. Our text here is simple, but what we want to do this morning is called: Harmonize the Gospels. That means taking all four gospel accounts and processing them together to get the totality of the narrative.
Each of the accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John provide a unique, eye-witness testimony to the resurrection of Christ. When you harmonize the gospels, just like singing voices, there is an amazing beauty we can hear from their witness.
Here in Matthew we see some women going to the tomb.
When we observe Mark’s account he gives more details.
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
The Sabbath was over at 6 pm on Saturday, so they were allowed to resume normal Jewish business. They bought spices on Saturday evening for the purpose of anointing the dead body of Jesus. It was the custom at the time to cover the body with spices and oil to cover the stench of a decaying body.
But why would they do this? Why would they buy spices?
It is because they knew He was truly dead.
It is because they witnessed His crucifixion. All three were there at the cross. They were there when the Roman authorities beat Jesus mercilessly, when they flogged him publically. They were there when they placed the crown of thorns upon His head and mocked Him. They were there when the nails were driven into His hands and feet.
They were there when He was raised up on the cross as a spectacle for all to see. They were there when they placed the sign which read “King of the Jews.” The women experienced the crowd shouting insults and making a mockery of Jesus. They were there when darkness came over the whole land. They were there when Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!”
They were there when He took on the full wrath of God on the cross. They heard Him say, “It is finished.” The women were there when the Roman soldier pierced Jesus side with a spear to verify that He was dead. They experienced the earth quake and the Roman authorities tremble with fear. They were there when the centurion glorified God and said, “This man really was God’s son.” They were there. The women wept at the cross, they cried in agony, they grieved at the suffering, they were there.
They can verify our first point that Jesus was truly dead.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
They were there, with many others, who experienced the whole shocking tragedy play out before their own eyes. They were there. They were eyewitnesses. And the Word of God takes us there too. We can see in our minds and experience mentally every single detail. Yet, They were there.
This is important because God established the validity of a proper testimony in the OT.
15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
Here we have evidence. We are building the case. Why would they buy spices? Because Jesus was completely and utterly dead. They saw Him take His last breath. There was absolutely no life left in Him.
The three witnesses went to the tomb and they were going to anoint Jesus dead body.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
Just as there was an earthquake when Jesus died, there was an earthquake when Jesus rose. This is an act of God. An angel of the Lord had come to roll the giant stone that was set in place to keep the tomb secure.
Any time an angel of the Lord appears in Scripture amazing things happen. Whether, the communication from the burning bush with Moses, or the meeting with Abraham. Here we have a description of the angel.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
This being was certainly not of this world. His appearance was radiant and he had great power. He was sent by God. His appearance was so overwhelming that the seasoned, well-trained elite guards of the Romans had some serious issues.
4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
They seized up and fainted by the appearance of God’s angel. Just by seeing the angel they were so terrified that they passed out with terror.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Isn’t it interesting that the women do not pass out, but receive the message of the angel. They had spent so much time with Jesus that when they encountered an angel they are not overwhelmed by the angel. They had spent so much time with Christ and His glory that the angel did not have the same effect on them as the soldiers. They are ready to take in the message. If only we could be like the women and spend so much time with Jesus that we are always ready to receive the message of God.
The angel provides evidence for our case. He verifies that Jesus was crucified, even heavenly beings know the truth of the cross and testify. Here is the best news, which is our second point. Jesus is truly alive.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
The angel tells them. You saw Jesus die, you experienced all of agony of the cross first hand. You were there at His crucifixion. Now come and see that He is truly alive.
He is risen. He is not here. He has conquered the grave. He is alive. He is not here.
The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN.” Sam Morris
The tomb is empty. There is no one there, because He is Risen!
The evidence of the empty tomb is just the beginning. Yet, based upon this and the testimony of the angel, the women are moved to action.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Here we see the angel command the women, Go and Tell which is our third point. We are going to see that we cycle through building up more evidence to prove that Jesus is truly alive and see more commands to go and tell. So what do the women do?
8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
They were eager to go and tell. They ran back to tell the disciples.
And they remembered His words.
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
8 And they remembered his words,
The women get back to the disciples and they all start talking. There is so much excitement. Jesus is alive. He is alive. Mary starts talking and the other women as well. Mary runs to Peter and John.
2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
This aligns with
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
The majority of the disciples refused to believe. Another translation says that the disciples thought it was nonsense.
However, Peter and John were moved at the exciting news. They started to run toward the tomb and the women followed.
3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Here is more evidence. Eyewitness accounts of Peter and John. They see the linen wrappings and the face cloth. They observe the empty tomb and what happened. They believed that Jesus is truly alive. So they head back home. They go and tell. He is Risen. He is alive. There is power in their testimony. But there is more evidence. After Peter and John rush back home the women remain behind.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
Mary had seen the Risen Christ. He is alive, He is alive. The evidence is overwhelming. Jesus commands Mary, go to my brothers and say to them. Mary, Go and Tell. Tell everyone the good news.
The other women see Jesus and Mary.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Mary and the women who saw the death of Christ, some of whom where there at the burial of Christ, are also there to experience the risen Lord. Their response is perfect, and should be the response of every person who experiences the truth of the risen Lord.
They fell at His feet and worshipped Him. We too should fall at His feet. We should get on our knees, flat on our faces and adore our Risen King. He has risen. This is such amazing news that it shakes the whole world. He is alive, He is alive.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
What does Jesus command them to do. Go and Tell. Tell my brothers. And we too should go and tell. Go and tell everyone, we should be moved.
The evidence is just too much not to say something. It is too much not to believe.
I believe there is more proof that Jesus Christ rose from the dead than nearly any other fact in Roman History. There is no fact so well proven as the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Billy Graham
We must believe. Why? You cannot refute the evidence. The eyewitness acounts, the testimony of Scripture, the historical evidence, the scientific evidence all point to and prove the resurrection.
Yet, there is one more proof that is undeniable. That is the proof of a life transformed by Christ. Whether the alcoholic who was given a new life in Christ, or the workaholic who was given new life in Christ. Encountering the living Christ radically changes people. This is why we go and tell.
Lee Strobel was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune who was also an atheist. After his atheist wife became a Christian he saw the testimony of her changed life. So, he started researching the historical and scientific evidence for the resurrection. During his research he too became a Christian.
It was the evidence from science and history that prompted me to abandon my atheism and become a Christian.
Lee Strobel
He would later write a book called the “Case for Christ,” which outlined how God used the evidence to convince him of the reality of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
That’s the power of the gospel. The gospel takes antagonistic atheists and melts their hard hearts like wax and invites them to come and follow Jesus. The changed life is powerful and millions of people through the ages have the same testimony. I surrendered to Christ, I repented of my sins, I was given forgiveness and grace and I was changed forever.
Encountering the living Christ radically changes people.
Here is the evidence theologians have gathered over the centuries.
The empty tomb is evidence-
The linen wrappings are evidence-
The resurrection appearances are evidence-
The transformed disciples are evidence- The disciples knew Christ had died and were skeptical at first concerning His resurrection, but when they saw Him they were completely changed. The Peter of Acts 2 who preaches the powerful sermon at Pentecost is quite different from the Peter of John 19 who denies the Lord 3 times. Knowledge of the resurrection made the difference. They are emboldened! They are transformed, they are radically different.
A new day of worship is evidence- Observance of the first day of the week. The disciples immediately began to meet together in commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday for worship (Jn. 20:26; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10).
Existence of the church is evidence- The existence of the church is dependent on the fact of the resurrection. The early church grew through the preaching of the doctrine and sharing of the gospel message which is repent and be saved(Acts 2:24-32; 3:15; 4:2).[2]
To me the greatest evidence of the resurrected Lord, is what is captured by church history. Each of the apostles died a martyrs’ death, except John who died of old age during his exile on the Isle of Patmos. The rest of the apostles died for their faith, died for their risen Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ is not risen, then they are fools to die for such a cause.
To illustrate this point, I want to share with you about a dark time in American History. I want to tell you about Watergate. The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States during the early 1970s.
There was a break-in by five men at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. President Richard Nixon's administration's tried to cover up its involvement, however the five burglars were caught and the conspiracy was discovered. Watergate was investigated by the United States Congress. Meanwhile, Nixon's administration resisted its probes, which led to a constitutional crisis.[1]
The men involved couldn’t keep their story straight long, and soon the whole administration would falter and fall. Chuck Colson who served as Special Counsel to President Nixon said this.
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Men don’t die for a lie, it’s absolutely impossible. The resurrection is the critical moment of human history. It is the reason for celebration.
We should all be saying thank you God, for the resurrection. We worship a living God, one who has risen and we should all Go and Tell.
However, there are many people who are skeptical.
I want to share with you the Bible’s most famous skeptic. His name is Didymus, but you likely know him as doubting Thomas. If you follow the chronology of the gospel accounts, Jesus appeared to the disciples in the evening of the first Easter Sunday. After appearing to the women, he would later appear to the disciples. Except, for one. Thomas.
Thomas was not there. Scripture doesn’t say where he was, but He was absent when Jesus appeared to the disciples when they were locked in a room.
Jesus appears out of nowhere and says Peace be with you. Then He shows the disciples His hands and His side with the wounds from the spear. When the disciples saw Jesus they rejoiced. They had personally experienced the risen, living savior.
This was such amazing news that the disciples went to Go and Tell Thomas.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
No matter how much evidence there was, Thomas refused to believe. Thomas would not accept the testimony. I can’t imagine how hard-hearted you would have to be to not listen to the testimony of over 10 of your closest friends, all the women and the disciples, but He refused.
I wonder how many people identify with Thomas here? Do you refuse to believe all the evidence? Do you refuse to think that the resurrection is anything more than a fairy tale?
There is hope for any unbelieving person, just as there was for Thomas, because Christ didn’t leave Thomas in his unbelief. He came after him to share with Him the truth.
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
Jesus came into the room and went straight for Thomas. He gave Thomas all the evidence He asked for. He gave Thomas everything he needed to believe and Jesus does the same thing with us today. We have all the evidence we need.
I echo the words of our Lord in verse 27. Do not be unbelieving but believing.’ ‘Do not be an unbeliever, but a believer.’ Believe, believe, believe. Here is the evidence, here is the proof.
Let’s see what a proper response to the truth of the Gospel looks like. Let’s examine a proper acknowledgement of the evidence.
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
WHAT A CONFESSION!
Thomas gives the greatest Christological confession of the Bible. To me this is the greatest profession of faith in all of Scripture. My Lord and My God!
One scholar says it this way:
The repeated pronoun my does not diminish the universality of Jesus’ lordship and deity, but it ensures that Thomas’ words are a personal confession of faith.
In other words, Thomas not only displays his faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but points to its deepest meaning; it is nothing less than the revelation of who Jesus Christ is. Jesus Christ is God. The most unyielding skeptic has proclaimed to us the most profound confession.[3] Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is the Christ, Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is God. Jesus is alive. He is Risen! He is Risen indeed.
God has come to rescue us firsthand. He humbled himself to take on humanity, to buy us back from the slave market of sin. Do you not understand the importance of the resurrection?!!! Thomas did, and at that moment, his confession, literally says it all.
Here we see transformation in Thomas, he goes from doubting to declaration. He goes from unbelief, to belief. This is absolutely radical. The greatest skeptic makes the most amazing profession. “My Lord and My God!” “My Lord and My God,” “My Lord and My God?”
Have you made that same profession? Have you proclaimed the excellencies of our great God? Have you surrendered all for the cause of Christ?
Jesus truly died on the cross. The evidence is undeniable. Yet, Jesus truly rose from the dead and the evidence is overwhelming. Even doubting Thomas became a believer. The truth of the resurrection should move us all to obey the commands in Scripture to Go and Tell. Where you echo the words of Thomas and let everyone know about My Lord and My God, Jesus Christ.
For those who are believers today is a great day of celebration. For those who have never believed in the power of the gospel and the evidence of the resurrection I want to invite you to consider Jesus call to follow Him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
If you have not found rest for your soul, it is my hope that you come into the open arms Jesus Christ, that you confess your sin before Him and that you accept the free gift of grace. If you repent and turn away from your sin and turn to Christ and follow Him in faith you will be saved. The gospel can be reduced down to one simple declaration. I am a sinner. I need a savior, I need Jesus.
The Bible says, If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved.
It’s my hope that this is the profession of everyone in this room. Jesus is Lord. For He is Risen. He is Risen indeed. This truth is worthy of celebration.
We want to celebrate with you on this Easter Sunday by sharing the Lord’s Table with you in communion.
On the night of Jesus betrayal and arrest, the night before his crucifixion he met with his disciples in what is known as the Upper Room. Jesus gave the disciples specific instructions. At what is known as the last supper, Jesus gave the teaching for the Lord’s Supper, which we call communion, or the Lord’s Table. He told them to do this in remembrance of Him. He taught about the broken bread and the poured out wine, which are symbols. The bread symbolizes His broken body. The wine symbolizes the precious blood that was spilt.
As we reflect today and remember the life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we want to celebrate with deep examination of ourselves. This celebration is only for those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Lord’s Table is only for those who are Christians, for those who are in Christ. We see from the words of the Apostle Paul as he gives a warning about taking the ordinance in an unworthy manner.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our relationship with God. Let us use this time to confess before the Lord anything that would hinder us from intimate relationship with Him. Let us also use this time to think about the great cost of the cross and the impact of the resurrection. We live in newness of life because He lives.
Take a moment to talk with God.
(Moment to Reflect)
Pray with Me!
The apostle Paul helps us to understand the significance of communion.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Let us take the bread together.
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Let us proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Let us take the cup together.
Let us celebrate until He comes. There is no greater event in the entire history of the world. God came to rescue us and paid the full penalty for our sin upon the cross. Yet He overcame sin and death in the resurrection and any who believe in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life. This is amazing news.
The evidence of the resurrection is overwhelming and we should all follow Jesus commands to Go and Tell
Let us all leave here and Go and Tell the world about what our great God has done.
This is worthy of celebration.
[1] Bruce Milne, The Message of John: Here Is Your King!: With Study Guide, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 290.
[2] David Burrgraff, Systematic Theology II Lecture Notes, (Shepherds Theological Seminary: 2018)
[3] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 659.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.