Turn Around

ME:

Start off with crowd participation

Recognizing Voice

Darth Vador - Elvis - Spongbob Squarpants

We all have recognizable voices in our lives

My Ninny - My kids - My wife

Transition Statement: Do You have recognizable voices in your life?

WE:

When your parents called out your name in a crowd.

You knew it was them!

Logan said he could hear me above all the other people in the stands at his football and soccer games.

Those recognizable voices brought about many different types of emotions RIGHT?

Peace - Comfort - Security - Joy - Love!

When you hear their voice you react:

Stop what your doing

Turn around to find them visually

Some of us might take off running toward the voice

When I was younger and I was having a bad day, I would call my mom just to hear her voice.

It would bring about peace, comfort, security, joy, Love

My wife has voice recording of her dad who has passed away.

Every once in a while she plays them just to hear his voice.

It brings her joy, peace, comfort, security, love

Today we are here to celebrate this Easter Story!

Transition Statement: There is a moment in the Easter Story that is very similar to what we have been talking about.

GOD:

Turn with me to John 20:1–18 (ESV)

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

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.”

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.

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.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Give an overview of this pericope

Break it down into 3 sections

Human Nature Section (1-10)

SuperNatural Section (11-15)

Revelation Section (16-18)

Human Nature Section (1-10)

This is the section where everyone is responding in their Human Nature

(vs 1) Mary comes to the tomb early in the morning. (To prepare the body)

It is still dark out

Mary sees the tomb has been rolled away.

(Vs 2) She responds as any human would .... She turns and runs

She goes and tells Peter and John “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb ....”

(VS 3-9) Now we read about a foot race between Peter and John (The one whom Jesus loves)!

They both leave and go home.

SuperNatural Section (11-15)

We find Mary staying at the Tomb weeping.

She looks into the tomb and sees 2 angels dressed in white (1 at the head and 1 at the foot of where Christ was laid)

Mary has a supernatural encounter with angels.

They ask her “Why are you weeping?”

She answers, “They have taken away my Lord.”

Here is where things get really supernatural.

Mary turns to see a man (whom she believes to be a gardener)

We know its Jesus.

He asked her, “Why are you weeping?” “Whom are you seeking?”

Mary almost demands the Gardner, “Tell me where He is?”

This is the moment Sorrow turns to joy.

Revelation Section (16-18)

Jesus calls out by saying her name, “MARY.”

This is the moment she recognizes that familiar voice!

Her response is powerful yet intimate “Rabboni”

John goes on to tell us this word means (Teacher)

But when you look at the Greek word here used for Teacher ....

The KJV translates it to the more literal meaning .... DEAR MASTER.

This is showing both respect and Affection.

Here is why we know this .....

Mary spoke of Jesus as “LORD” 3 times in this pericope. (Vs 2, Vs 13, Vs 18)

All 3 times, this word “Lord” is used by Mary to speak about Jesus to other people.

But the one time she is talking to Jesus she calls him “Dear Master.”

ILLUSTRATION: I introduce My wife Shelly as “My Wife.”

But when I speak to her it is more of a intimate personal way “Sweetie” “Love of my life”

Transitions Statement: Mary heard the voice of Jesus and it brought back all those moments spent with Him.

YOU:

She probably had a flood of emotions over taking her .....

Love

Joy

But the ones she felt the most, at that moment ....

Security ..... Comfort ..... Peace!

Many of us today have been shaken by what we have all lived through this passed year.

We are searching for joy back in our lives.

We are searching for a sense of love in the world.

But I think the things we are really longing for is ....

Security ...... Comfort ..... Peace!

HAVE PEOPLE STAND

Transition Statement: How many of you need Security .... Comfort .... Peace in your life?

WE:

Have them close their eyes.

Metaphorically speaking .....

Turn Around!!!!!!

He is standing right there.

It’s that voice you have been hearing for a long time now.

It’s familiar to you!