Always Read the End of the Story

Always Read the End of the Story John 20 April 4, 2021 The Big Idea: Through the glory of the Cross, the power and victory of the Resurrection, and the sovereign Will of God, we can face the most unexpected and painful turns in life and discover that in Christ there is Life in the land of death. John 20:1–18 (ESV) 20 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. 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. 11 Lessons from a Graveyard ü Oftentimes in life, things don’t turn out the way we had planned ü …and in our disappointment we sometimes go to a dead place in hopes of finding life. ü It takes a resurrection to turn a tragic ending into a new beginning. Where life puts a period, God puts a comma! BIBLE VERSES THAT EXPLAIN HOW THE POWER OF EASTER BECOMES PERSONAL TO YOU: Ephesians 1:19–20 (ESV) 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, Psalm 51:1–2 (ESV) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, John 1:12 (ESV) 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 2 Timothy 1:10 (ESV) … Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,