Jesus Lives

Intro:

The greatest news..... the greatest story of all time!

BN yesterday… books filled the shelves… so many stories to read..... the majority of them will end up in a dump somewhere on this earth because ultimately they are not the greatest story of all time.....

Is this true? If this is true it changes everything!

Christ’s resurrection is more than just historical fact or theological doctrine.

It is the Hope that shines through any dark earthly circumstance

It is the truth that Jesus proclaimed would happen

It is the truth that the Bible said would happen

It is the reason why Jesus is worth following at every point in this life!

It is God’s personal invitation of eternal life to you and me.

John 20:1–10 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.

1. Jesus is risen from the dead

a. The empty tomb

The stone was rolled away

This is something that Catholics, Pentecostal, Baptists, Methodists, Church of Christ, Bible Churches...... we all are celebrating the empty tomb this morning!....... It’s the one thing that the majority of us believe in in unity!

He is not HERE!.... He is Risen!

b. The linens folded

His body wasn’t stolen.....

Whether it was folded or rolled up, the point is that robbers had not stolen the body, as they would have given little care for the neatness of the grave clothes. Whether Jesus’ body simply disappeared, raised as it were through the clothes, or whether the cloth covering his face was neatly placed to the side, the point is that the lie being spread by some of the Jewish leaders was not true. - Mounce

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

A common liturgical greeting between Christians.... He is Risen! He is risen indeed!

c. The Scriptures fulfilled verse 9..... It says that the Bible had already told us this was going to happen! In fact Jesus did several times!

a. Jesus’ own self-fulfilling prophecy

Rise in 3 days (Mark 8:31 “31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” see also Matthew 17:22-23 “22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.” Luke 9:22 “22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.””)

Sign of Jonah - Matthew 12:39 and Matthew 16:4

Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three nights Jonah 2

Even the guards at the tomb knew he would rise again in 3 days . Matthew 27:63 “63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’”

Jesus was a prophet who proclaimed what would happen before it happened.... and it came to pass exactly that way.....

Last week… .I will be betrayed

I will be abandoned

Peter will deny me

I will be crucified

I will die

I will rise again in three days!

b. The OT prophecy of the Resurrection come true

One scholar, J. Barton Payne, has found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry.

Daniel 12:2-3 “2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

Isaiah 53:10-11 “10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”

Psalm 22

Psalm 16:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

David..... had this strong belief.... a security in God.... his relationship with God that he would not be abandoned with he died by God and his presence.... He would not see corruption..... He knew the joy in God’s presence on earth and expected it in eternity.

David was only able to experience that because Jesus.... his promise given to him that a king would reign forever on the throne.... brought eternal life and no corruption.

Percentage of eternal ressurected life without Jesus 0%..... eternal ressurected life with Jesus 100%.

Here is the reality though.... what Mary is wrestling with..... There is a sting of death that is real in our human life..... we need hope in this life because death is real.

The ressurection was THE Good news that the appstles preached....the ressurection is the power behind their preaching, my preaching, our proclamation!

1. Jesus is risen from the dead 2. Jesus is the source of eternal life

Reality of sin and death - Humanity - Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Charles Barkley and basketball players.... father time is still undeafeted.... Tom Brady?...... eventually you cannot play professional sports...... eventually we will all face death.....

Sin - 1st sin down to us.....brought death and eternal separation from God.....

Consequences of sin - Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This world is broken because of sin..... your relationships.... your body..... you need hope!

We are all seeking HOPE in this life.... When death happens..... we are filled with grief, sadness, searching for hope.... for something..... seeking answers..... seeking comfort… seeking love… .seeking someone to fix what has been broken. fix what hurts so badly......That’s where we find Mary Magdelene

a. Why are you weeping? All of us are in need of HOPE.....

John 20:11–18 ESV

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.

b. The angels in Luke 24:5 “5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

“Was it not most meet that a woman should first see the risen Saviour? She was first in the transgression; let her be first in the justification. In yon garden she was first to work our wo; let her in that other garden be the first to see Him who works our weal. She takes first the apple of that bitter tree which brings us all our sorrow; let her be the first to see the Mighty Gardener, who has planted a tree which brings forth fruit unto everlasting life.”

This morning...... Where are you seeking a solution to the forgiveness of your sins.... the wages of your sins death?...... Is it among the dead? Are you going to the things of this earth that do not offer salvation.... do not offer hope.... do not offer eternal life?..... Jesus is alive! He is among the living!.... not the dead!

Ecc 3:11 “11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” ..... From the scriptures making it clear about our sin.... to modern day philosophers..... there is something missing in our humanity, something broken in our world...... Who are you seeking?

Temporary happiness verses eternal security! Let today be the day for you to get those priorities right! Eternal life in Jesus Christ!

1. Jesus is risen from the dead 2. Jesus is the source of eternal life 3. Peace be with you

John 20:19–29 ESV

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

There is perfect Peace with God through Jesus (He says it here 3 times!) Say it once… say it twice… say it three times!

Romans 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He provides us Everlasting Peace

Isaiah 9:6 “6 Prince of Peace.”

He is with us..... Peace be with you....

Phil 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The ressurection of Jesus reminds us that there is Perfect PEACE found in Jesus Christ!

Blessed are we to believe without seeing

Trust Fall..... I do not! -

Trust a roller coaster.... sure.... fall backwards into people’s arms that I do not see?

Faith is not a distant view but a warm embrace of Christ. - Calvin

Invitation

What is your part in the greatest story?

Invitation to believe in Jesus for the forgivenss of your sins! Today is that day to recieve the gift of faith by grace in Jesus Christ alone!

2. Committed to live in light of the implications of Jesus’ ressurection.

Raised With Christ, I offered the following definition of a Christian: a Christian is someone who believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, and lives in light of the implications of that event. - Adrian Warnock

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3. Romans 8:11 If the Spirit dwells in you...... life in your mortal bodies!

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.