The Empty Grave 04/04/21

Well, good morning, and welcome to the new Grace Baptist Church, and we are so glad you are here with us today. And of course, this is Resurrection Sunday, this is Easter Sunday, and today we want to look at the resurrection and and talk about Jesus walking out of that tomb and what it means for us today. So we want to welcome you and thank you for joining us. And of course the key phrase today is he is risen, and he is risen indeed, and that's what we want to celebrate today. And of course we started this new series last week, and the series is entitled Christ death and resurrection, and it is a study of the Easter story that remember at the end of last year. We did a story study on the Nativity Story. So this year here to Easter we going to do a series on Christ's death and Resurrection. Now today, we're going to talk about the resurrection remember last week. We talked about Palm Sunday when Jesus entered To Jerusalem. Well today was going to jump to the resurrection since this is Easter Sunday for the next week. We're going to go back and we going to have a couple of sermons on Jesus before his death and Resurrection. So it'll take us a couple months to get through this series end today. The sermon is entitled The Empty grave. And what I want to do is I want to look at some proofs of the resurrection and so as we begin today almost 400 years before Christ birth the Greek philosopher Socrates Lay Dying in bed from Poison now Socrates was considered the wisest teacher in the world. But some of his friends asked him this question. They said she'll we live again and his only answer was this he said I hope so but no man can know you see in Joe 14 another man asked the same question. He said if a man dies shall he live again? You see this is the age-old question. It haunts many people because every religious persuasion is the most crucial question of the ages and in Hebrews 2:15. The Bible says that some men live all their lives in bondage to the fear of death and many are afraid that death will catch up to them and without some Assurance of life after death. Death just becomes a terrifying proposition. But that's exactly why we celebrate Easter the resurrection of Jesus Christ answers that age-old question once and for all you see the Resurrection the fact of the Resurrection takes Christianity out of the realm of philosophy and turns it into a fact of history. It proves that there is life beyond this life. So the doctrine of the Resurrection is Central to the Christian faith and it's really not something that we observe one day out of the Year many times will preach on it on Easter Sunday, but it's something that we ought to consider each day of the year you see to deny the resurrection is to remove really the key to the Christian faith. The crucifixion of Jesus wouldn't would have been in vain without the resurrection of Christ have been a good teacher and perform Miracles and he died and that was the end of it with in friends. We have no Christian faith. The resurrection validated Christ's work on the cross of all the great religions in the world. Only Christianity is based on the resurrection of its leader there for the resurrection is not a fact then Christianity is a waste of time if Christ is not raised and Paul said this to the Corinthians and we'll look at it a little bit later in the message. He said he's not raised in our preaching is in vain and our faith is foolish the friends we know that Christ is risen Easter is true. And so we know that Jesus was arrested in judge the political criminal he was crucified three days after his death. Some women went to the tomb found his body gone his disciples playing that God had raised him from the dead and he a being a peer too many of them before he ascended into heaven now many men and women have tried to disprove the facts. Of the resurrection and they tried to crush Christianity over the years but no one has succeeded. So as we kind of reflect on the resurrection this morning of Jesus, let's consider three lines of proof that caused the impact of the empty tune to remain with us today. Now two of these points, they're going to kind of reflect the past. But the last one I want to bring an end to today. In other words the time that we live in what does the resurrection how can it apply to us? And we'll do that at the end. Well, first of all, we we need to see this we need to see That the first point is the predictions. Of the Resurrection the predictions of the resurrection and now we see this in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 verses 3 through 4 and let's look at these now, this is Paul speaking. I watch what he says he says for I delivered to you first of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. You see one of the most amazing yet most neglected facts of Easter is the dynamic truth that Jesus himself predicted what would happen long before it actually took place now seldom do we hear sermons on Christ predictions of his death? You just don't hear a lot of sermons talking about that but the Old Testament prophets tale of the death. In resurrection of Jesus in Jesus himself that he would die and come back from the grave and I want to show you for 5 versus here where Jesus is speaking and he is talking about his death and Resurrection. The first of all, let's go to Matthew 16 in verse 21. This is what Jesus said from that time Jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised the third day with a man in the next chapter right after the Transfiguration. We find these words here and this is Matthew chapter 17 verse 9. I listen to this now, they came down from the mountain that was a mountain of transfiguration. Jesus commanded them saying tell the vision to no one until the son of man is risen from the dead. This is what Jesus said well later. Jesus said something else to his disciples and look at it here and Matthew 17 vs 22 to 23. He says now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them the son of man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men and they will kill him and the third day he will be raised up and then it says this about the disciples and they were exceedingly sorrowful. You see the disciples didn't even get it. It says here when he said that look I'm going to be killed but the third day I'm going to be raised up and it says they were exceedingly sorrowful. It's like they didn't even hear the end of the statement. They just heard him say that he would be killed. So the disciples really never understood what was going to happen. And then you see it goes to point out the disciples that they just really didn't understand. Well. Here's another verse. Look at this Matthew 28 18 and 19. This is Jesus speaking butthole. We're going up to Jerusalem and the son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests into the scribes and they will condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles to Mock and to Scourge and to crucify and the third day. He will rise again. So you see he's going to rise again. Well, just think about all these times that Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection and matter fact at the Last Supper the Lord again pointed to his resurrection. Look what he says he says, but after I have been raised I will go before you to Galilee. You see Jesus spoke metaphorically. To the Pharisees when he told them that he would tear down the temple in 3 days remember that he's I won't tear down the temple and I'm going to rebuild it in 3 days. It was a reference to the work of the temple being accomplished in his body, but they thought he was talking about abilities and they said no one can build this tear this building down and build it back in three days. But see he was not talkin. Literally he was speaking about his death and Resurrection metaphorically over and over again Jesus predicted that he would be crucified and that he would rise again in three days the fact that he said it and then accomplished it is one of the major in greatest miracles of all time. You see this was evidence of his that he was the god man. He not only could predict it but he made it happen friends. Do you know what would happen if we walked around and we predicted our own death and Resurrection? Well, they probably lock us up or put us in some institution. Someone only a foolish man goes around predicting his home Resurrection unless that man is also God say Jesus Christ was God incarnate and he could do exactly as he predicted. He promised his followers that he would come alive from the grave. His predictions are evidence in support of the Resurrection. So we see here the first proof the first proof is simply that Jesus all the predictions that he predicted his death and Resurrection. Well number to not only the predictions of the Resurrection, but now let's look at the proofs of the Resurrection you see if we look at all the New Testament record and we going to see this in 1st Corinthians 15:6 what the Bible says, but if we look at all the New Testament records will find at least 10 appearances of Jesus Christ to his followers. After the resurrection listen to he appeared to both men and women he appeared to groups. He also appeared to individuals he appeared in a house. He appeared on the street. He appeared to the disciples who were sad, he appear to those who were happy and on occasions there were momentary occasions for those and they stretched out over a. Of time in different localities and at different times of day. You see the variety of his appearances is one of the reasons why those people who have studied the resurrection consider it to be so well confirmed that lets what the Paul says here in 1st Corinthians. 15 six After that, he was seen by over 500 Brethren at once of whom the greater part remain to the present but some have fallen asleep. So Paul tells us here at one point. Not only did he appear to individuals and many of his disciples at the same time two groups of people to do at night during the day on the street in the marketplace. He also appeared to over 500 people at one time and he says hear some are still living but some have fallen asleep, which means some that's all have died. You see the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are easy to document. He appeared to Mary Magdalene by the to he appear to The Other Women returning from the tomb. I remember he appeared to Peter later that same day and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to the apostles inside a locked room twice once when Thomas was absent and later when he was there. He appeared to to the seven disciples by the Sea of tiberias. He appeared to 500 people at one time in mountain and again to 11 people. He appeared to James once he later up here to Saul on the road to Damascus. He appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos and he appeared to Paul in the temple. You see one of the proofs of Christ Resurrection is the number of siding that he appeared to so many people both individuals boat and large groups over a. Of 40 days at all times and in all sorts of places. He appeared in Jerusalem. He appeared in a mess. He appeared in Galilee and he appeared on a mountain. You see his appearances were documented by people who saw him hurt him and touched him and watched him eat in their miss. You see Jesus wanted to make certain that his resurrection was proven beyond a shadow of the doubt. This is why he said this to the disciples in Acts 1 verse 3. He says to whom he also presented him spell of himself speaking of the disciples alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs being seen by them during 40 days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. So the question now is what do we do with the evidence? Well, a lot of people tried to dismiss it by saying the resurrection story is just simply a lie. But think about the witnesses more than 500 people could could attest to seeing the resurrected Jesus and consider really the character of all these Witnesses men and women who gave our world the greatest teaching and examples of service. It has ever known me and like the apostles willing to give their lives for the truth of the Resurrection. You see they would not do so if they thought the resurrection was a lie think of the psychological absurdity to that that these little band of cowards and remember that's what they were because they ran away from Jesus in time of need only one that was left was John and his and his mother and they went hiding in the upper room where they met together a few days after Jesus's death all of a sudden suddenly. They're transformed. Into this courageous band of evangelist and they helped turn the world upside down. You see Peter preached at Pentecost and he preached about the resurrected Christ. But Peter himself denied god what happened between Jesus is deaf and the time when Peter and Paul was preaching and turning the world upside down friend. The only thing to happen. What's the resurrection? You see? That's what gave them the courage to go out at the speak boldly and to preach in the name of Jesus. You see it turn them from Howard's into courageous. Men of God. You see no one is going to die for a lie, and I remember all the disciples died a martyr's death except for John. He died on the Isle of Patmos. Who's going to die for a lie, would you die for a lie? No one's going to die for a lie. The only thing people going to die for they'll die for the truth, but they're certainly would not die for a lie. You see. These disciples something happen and what it was was the resurrection you see the bottom line friend. Is this the body of Moses is in a grave today the body of Muhammad lies in a tune. The remains of linen lie in a glass covered casket in Moscow and did you know that on his casket? He has these words written it says he was the greatest leader of all peoples of all countries of all times. He was the lord of the new Humanity. He was the savior of the world the friends. Let me see when Lennon went to bed on January 20th 1924. He never woke up matter fact after January 20th. 1924. Lenin has been no one has heard from him since why because he's dead like every other human being who has ever lived if linen is indeed the savior of the world friends than we have. No hope because we have a dead savior, but on this RT of the word of God, let me say this at Jesus Christ who said he would die and rise again, he is the savior of the world. He is the Lord of lords. He is the king. He is the only savior this world for at will ever know he alone conquered death and because of that friends he can offer us everlasting life. You see we have the predictions of the Resurrection Christ himself the Old Testament prophets on and on and on Christ said I will. I will rise again and he did and then we have the proofs. He appeared to men into women. He appeared in Jerusalem and Galilee on the road to Emmaus and on amount he threw he was presented to 500 it one time. He appeared to two on the road to Emmaus. He appeared to Mary Magdalene. He appeared at the tombs. He appeared to singles and doubles and triples and also 500. You see there's no way about it here the infallible proofs. Of the Resurrection. Well, you say well, that's nice and that's good. But what about today? I mean, you know everything you've given us is just in the past all these people saw him back in the past while I wouldn't even born then what does this mean for me today? Is there any evidence that I can point to in my own time? Well that brings us to the third and final point and that is the present day reality of the Resurrection. You see not all the evidence of Christ Resurrection is found in the past. Now, what I want to do is I want to give you for evidence that are at work in our world today that testify to the historical fact of Christ conquering death, and I want to give these to you now. And this is what the Apostle Paul said. About Christ's Resurrection to the Corinthians in the first point is simply this we have the Christian faith. Now look what Paul says he says and if price is not risen then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false Witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ who he did not raise up if in fact the dead do not rise for it the dead do not rise then Christ is not risen and if Christ is not risen your faith is futile. You are still in your sins. Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ. They have perished if in this life only we have hope in Christ. We are of all men the King James says most pitiful you see what Paul is saying here. Paul is saying simply this he says if the resurrection is not true then our preaching is profitless. Our faith is futile. our witness is wretched because we're lying or telling people that there's a risen Christ and there's not If he's not raise seeing is still Sovereign, we're still enslaved to sin and not enslaved to Christ. If he is not Ray's death still has Dominion all that happens is a person dies and it just go to the ground and that's it. If Jesus is not has not been raised and for a person that believes that their future is fearful. What do we have to look forward to you eat drink be merry and then you die but friends are preaching is not profitless OS powerful. Our faith is not futile. It is fervent. A witness is not wretched. When are our witness is Winsome seeing is not soft seeing is not sovereign seeing has been Saab death does not have dominion death has been defeated in friend. Our future is not fearful. Our future is fabulist because of the Resurrection. So let me give you the four. Sear evidences of Christ resurrection that will help up right now in our present-day in the first one of course, and we already talked about that. He has the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus is the very Citadel of Christian faith the doctrine that turned the world upside down that lifted Christianity above Judaism in the Pagan religions of the Mediterranean world is securely based on the truth that Jesus rose from the dead friends. If he did not rise, there's no Christian faith. If the resurrection is not true neither is anything vital or unique about the gospel friend. We're just wasting our time if the resurrection didn't the car we shouldn't even go to church why we even going to church and why am I even standing up trying to preach it is just useless and futile if the resurrection is not true and what we need to do if it's not true. Then we need to dig a grave and bury not a man but a religion and that religion is Christianity and that religion is true because of the resurrection and it is the only hope of the world first of all present-day reality of the risk of the Resurrection is our Christian faith number to there's another present-day reality that we can point to and that is the Christian Church. You see if the crucifixion ended the disciples experience with Christ. How could the Christian church have coming to be friends? Listen to church is founded on Jesus. He is our rock and a damned massage is Nova massage at all identify cannot fulfill them aside ship but a resurrection Messiah the fields are prophecies and Proclaim Jesus as the Son of God Empower. You see that's why we read that the church is built upon the foundation of Christ the sole reason the Survive today and can celebrate Easter Sunday is because Jesus broke out of that tomb in declared that there is life after death in friend. He is the author of life if the resurrection is not true. There's no way that the Christian Church could have spread and turned the world upside down all through Asia all throughout Europe and then come to the United States friend. There's no way that could happen. You would not have thriving churches in our communities today. If the resurrection is fault. All you have to do is point the Christian faith that is a reality present-day reality of the resurrection and you can also point to the Christian Church a present-day reality of the Resurrection. Well, there's a third one. And that is simply this we can point to the Christian Sunday. You see the very fact that we attend church on Sunday is evidence of the Resurrection now think about that the original day of worship was Saturday because it was said that God finished his work of creation on that day and then he rested on the seventh day or Sunday. You see the most Reverend thing that you could do was to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy but all of a sudden Christians began meeting on Sundays. Why because it was acknowledged that Jesus came back from the grave on Sunday. I remember these were predominantly Jewish Believers. So to make this change was a big step for them to change from Saturday to Sunday. Never the less. They begin meeting on Sunday to celebrate God's new relationship with his people you see worshipping on Sunday is a testimony that Jesus rose Victorious on that Easter Sunday morning, so we can just point to Sunday the Christian Sunday why we go to church and what we do, why do why do you worship on Sunday and not Saturday or Thursday or Friday or whatever? It's because of the Resurrection. Well, there's one more present day reality that we can point to. And that is the Christian ordinances you see both ordinances and that is the Lord's supper and Believers baptism are evidence of the Resurrection Everytime We partake of communion we give evidence to the resurrection. You see the Lord's table is remembrance of his death but acts to says that we are to participate with joy because it foretells the resurrection of Jesus and also that he is going to come back and get us you see without a resurrection there can be no joy and then think about the ordinance of baptism. It offers a beautiful picture of the Resurrection you see getting dumped down into the water. It's not merely a symbol of having our sins washed away, even though it is but it's also a symbol of being buried with Jesus and coming up a new person raised to life just as Christ was raised. From the day you saved. So the Christian ordinances are testimony to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in with the practice going all the way back to the first century when those who actually beheld the Risen Lord with their own eyes begin worshiping him. So there's present-day react the Christian faith our Fates. We have a vibrant face not a dead Faith because of the Resurrection The Church thrives thousands of years later. The church is thriving it's because of the Resurrection, even our Sunday we worship on Sunday. It's because of that Easter Sunday morning resurrection, and then of course the Lord's supper and baptism and looking back. So we see here. That the present-day reality of the Resurrection the proof that Christ did raised from the dead and then also the predictions of the Resurrection friends. Let me just say this morning in closing. Let me just say this. Let's ask the question that we started out with. Is there life after death? Well, the answer to that is yes, and it has been proven by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That's why we celebrate Easter Easter is true solely because of the Resurrection father. We do. Thank you and praise you and love you today for your word. Thank you for this Easter Sunday morning Lord that we can look into your word and Lord that we can see all the predictions that you made about being crucified and suffering dying on that cross in in 3 days walking out of that tub. Thank you for the predictions. Thank you for the proof. Thank you for all the people that you appeared to. So Lord, they couldn't not be a shadow of a doubt that this actually happened. Thank you for that and thank you for the present day reality that we who live thousands of years later. We can point to the Christian faith as evidence of the Resurrection. We can point to the Christian Church the Christian Sunday and the Christian ordinances Lord as far as verifying the resurrection Lord. Thank you for today. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross. Thank you for saving us of our sins and thank you Lord that we are able to know the only savior this world will ever know and his name is Jesus and Christ name. I do pray. Amen. Well, I just want to thank you for being here today on this Easter Sunday, and I hope you have a great day today with with family and friends. And I hope you just have a great Easter now. Remember next Sunday new Grace Baptist Church. We will start meeting again at church. So next Sunday morning. We'll continue this series. We will meet at church next Sunday. They'll be no service no Zoom meeting this Wednesday night. I'm going to be out of town for a few days. But thank you so much for being here, and I so look forward to seeing everyone at church next Sunday. I hope you have a great Easter.