Resurrected!

Introduction:

· Asking questions that you know the answer: “What are you doing there?”

· The angels’ World-changing sentences in vv. 5-7: “What are you doing?”

THERE ARE TWO WAYS THE ANGELS TRANSFORM THESE WOMEN –AND WHAT THEY SAY CAN TRANSFORM US. LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE.

I) You Can’t find the Living Among the Dead

A. Why Look Among the Dead? (vs. 1)

i. The women, like us, seek the dead among the living (vs. 1)

1. Visiting the tomb: If Jesus were to “live” it would be through his legacy

2. This is performance-based religion: Live up to the standards

B. He Is Not Here; He is Risen: Jesus Pays our Debt In Full

i. Jesus isn’t found among the dead: Unlike every other Figure Jesus lives (vs. 5)

1. “Why look for the living among the dead?” Jesus lives! l other religions!

2. Unlike other religions, Christianity points to one who has done it all

ii. Jesus isn’t found among the dead: Jesus has paid the price in full (1 Cor. 15:17)

1. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees forgiveness, since sin’s penalty is paid

2. APPLICATION: The resurrection means God sees you as perfect

THE SECOND THING THE ANGELS SAYS, IS TO “REMEMBER.” WHY?

II) Remember What He Told You

A. Remember It Is Necessary: God’s Plan Redeems Suffering

i. The woman assume Suffering means We’ve done something Wrong

1. Why so disillusioned? Jesus had suffered suffering isn’t God’s plan

2. Our mindset: if you live a good life, you won’t suffer (if you live a bad life, you can expect God to punish you)

ii. “It is necessary” – We wouldn’t dare say it, except that Jesus lived it (vs. 7b)

1. Not “God can make some good happen” – but NECESSARY

2. God uses suffering to accomplish his purposes

B. Remember the Puzzle Pieces (God’s Providence All Along) (vs. 7a)

i. Remember the “Son of Man”

1. Example: The OT is a box of puzzle pieces on the table

2. A Puzzle Piece: The Son of Man: who would rule in strength and glory

3. “Remember”: The pieces fit to show that the SOM must submit to death!

ii. God sent the “Son of Man” to win a greater victory than anyone imagined

1. Jesus came not just to launch a coup, but to destroy even death

2. We grieve death: Hospice; cancer patient; (Postma/cancer)

3. APPLICATION: mortality rate = 100%, but Jesus walks with us through death, into life

JESUS’ RESURRECTION MEANS GOD’S JUSTICE HAS BEEN SATISFIED SO WE CAN BE ASSURED OF FORGIVENESS, AND IT MEANS DEATH HAS BEEN DESTROYED. HOW DO WE RESPOND?

III) Considering your Options

A. Nonsense?

i. The Disciples Dismiss This as “Baloney” (vv. 9-11)

1. The disciples responded in disbelief; the resurrection is “baloney”

2. Today – it IS a claim that is hard to believe- and many won’t.

ii. But have you “remembered” and considered the alternative?

1. But: “The first day” – a change from the Sabbath to the first? (vs. 1)

2. How do you account for such a dramatic change in world history?

B. Or Hope & Faith?

i. Peter acts with hope (vs. 12)

1. Peter stands out – he’s hoping that the resurrection will be true

2. He marvels – but does he believe?

ii. The Women have had an encounter

1. The women in this story change – from disbelief to faith

2. Why? They “remember”, and see Jesus as the center of salvation

Transition:

Conclusion

Has it changed you?