Mark Sermon Week 32 - The Resurrection

Intro/Welcome

Romans 13:13–14 (CSB)

13 Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.

Good morning!

My name is Pastor Justin

Welcome you online

Welcome you in person

Visiting, we are glad you are here.

Why you came:

Maybe you came to One Hope today because a friend or family member invited you

Maybe you saw a sign, or poster or post

Maybe you came becuase that’s just what you do on easter.

Maybe you are not really sure why you came.

I want to tell you that

Even if you are not sure why you came, God is.

God has a purpose for you here today.

We believe in a God of the unexpected

and He perhaps he wants to do something unexpected in your life today.

The Unexpected Jesus

2000 years ago God did what no one expected.

He came to earth as a man in a way that no one expected

He died on a cross for all of the wrong, evil, sin and suffering in the world.

He rose up from grave

The resurrection of Jesus changed everything.

It is the defining point in human history

and it was the most unexpected event in human history.

The Resurrection changes everything

It is through the resurrection, that Jesus changes lives.

It means renewal, second chances, resets and restarts

it means no one is beyond God’s saving power

It means God wants to do something unexpected in your life

and he wants to call you to unexpected things.

This is the question for each of us today:

How might God want to change your life in an unexpected way?

Bible

We’ll be in Mark 16:1-8 today

Go there in your Bible.

let’s pray for God’s power and presence

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–4 (AV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;

he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

The Empty Tomb

Mark 16:1 (CSB)

1 When the Sabbath was over,

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices,

so that they could go and anoint him.

What is going on?

You’ve walked into the last 5 minutes of a movie

The Jewish sabbath went from Friday evening (sundown) to Saturday evening (sundown)

So this is now Saturday Night

Just 24 hours ago these women witnessed the brutal execution of Jesus.

He was placed in a tomb

The Jews did not embalm,

and the use of spices was not to prevent decomposition but to offset its stench.

The desire to anoint the body certainly indicates that the woman did not expect a resurrection.

They are still grieving and shocked at what has taken place

They want to care for and honor the body of Jesus.

Let’s see how God meets them in an unexpected way

Sunday Morning

Mark 16:2-4 (CSB)

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”

4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

This is their first surprise

They are wondering how in the world are we going to move the heavy stone?

Don’t we often worry about things God has already taken care of?

What is going through their minds?

They certainly did not expect a resurrection

The desire to anoint the body certainly indicates that the woman did not expect a resurrection.

Surprise #1 - The Stone has been rolled away

Startled the go inside the tomb

The Angel

Mark 16:5 (CSB)

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side

they were alarmed.

Surprise #2: They didn’t expect the tomb to empty

Surprise #3: And they certainly didn’t expect to meet an angel face to face.

Matt says Matt 28:3 “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.” (dazzling clothes)

They were alarmed, terrified, surprised

Luke says they bowed down to the ground.

Could you imagine meeting an angel?

This morning is getting weird

not at all what they were expecting

He has Risen

Then the angel speaks:

Mark 16:6–7 (CSB)

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them.

“You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.

He has risen!

(ἐγείρω) (e-yeero) - lit. He has been raised

One little word that changes everything

He is not here. See the place where they put him.

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter,

‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ ”

They angel gives them the same mission Jesus would give his followers

Go and tell the disciples esp. Peter — go an tell everyone that he has been raised!

This was certainly unexpected.

They Flee

Mark 16:8 (CSB)

8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.

They are amazed and astonished, overwhelmed and terrified

Summary

This is what can happen when God touches your life in an expected way

These women woke up early to pay homage to Jesus

to mourn and grieve

They meet an Angel

and are told Jesus has been raised.

Their lives will never be the same.

The Meaning of the Resurrection

1. It means Jesus is who he said he was:

3x he predicted his death and resurrection

It means his Word is True

It means he is the Son of God

It means he is the Savior (Messiah)

It means he is the King of a New Kingdom

2. It means Sin has been paid for, satisfaction made

meaning that which separated us from God has been removed.

We are free to run to the father.

3. The resurrection means change is possible.

Resurrection brings renewal

It brings new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

when we believe we are raised with him to walk in a newness of life

Romans 6:4 (CSB)

4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

This is what Jesus does.

Through the resurrection, he changes lives.

He can change your life today in the most unexpected ways.

No matter where you are at in life

No matter what you have done or failed to do

No matter the reason that brought you here today

Jesus changes lives through the resurrection.

Let me share some people whose lives were radically changed by Jesus.

The Centurion

Mark 15:39 (CSB)

39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

A Centurion was a commander of 100 men in the Roman Army.

The Romans were the very people who just beat, whipped, humiliated and crucified Jesus.

They were the enemies of God’s people

The oppressors

The one’s in power

One of the duties of a centurion was to oversee executions for capitol offenses.

This guy was the one overseeing the execution of Jesus.

notice what it says:

“When he saw the way he breathed his last”

“When he saw the way that he died”

he confessed Jesus as God in the Flesh

The office of centurion was normally the highest one within reach of the ordinary soldier.

Centurions often rose from the ranks because of their experience and knowledge.

As a Roman Solider he would have seen 100s if not 1000s of people die.

But then something UNEXPECTED HAPPENED.

But he had never seen someone die the way Jesus did.

What did he see?

He would have seen him cry out

Luke 23:33–34 (CSB)

33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull,

they crucified him there,

along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

He would have seen Jesus administer care from the Cross

John 19:25–30 (CSB)

25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

He would have seen him hanging their on a cross for six hours

while differing groups mocked and humiliated him

Yet Jesus hung their silent absorbing the sins of the world.

He would have seen him cry out his last breath

refuse the painkillers / mild narcotics of the sour wine and gall

“it is finished”

The Centurion’s life was changed that day by what he saw

The Cost

Perhaps he felt convicted about his role as a soldier and would leave his lucrative career to serve others

Perhaps he would continue as a faithful witness to Christ amongst his cohort.

Speaking of those who saw Jesus die

Application

Perhaps, like the Centurion you have seen a lot of violence.

Perhaps you have become hard towards the world

hardened towards suffering and evil

Perhaps you have participated in violence.

There was something about the way Jesus died

that softened this hardened soldier

Perhaps, Jesus death on a cross can soften your heart too

Certainly he would have heard of the resurrection of this man he saw crucified

Perhaps let led him down a new path.

Perhaps he led him in a totally new unexpected way.

Jesus death and resurrection can not just soften you heart, but give you a new hear.

The Thief on the Cross

Luke 23:32–33 (CSB)

32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

Luke 23:39–43 (CSB)

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?

41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Talk about being in bad shape with no hope

It doesn’t get much worse than that

hours from death

paying the punishment for his sins

suffering justly for crimes he’s committed

it was reserved for the lowest of society — slaves and traitors to the state.

Roman Citizens were exempt from crucifixion.

He recognizes Jesus sinlessness, his innocence

He recognizes Jesus is a king

and asked for mercy

Jesus says “Truly today you will be with me in paradise”

Jesus changed this man’s life for eternity

just a few more hours of suffering and he would enter paradise

b/c Jesus paid for his sins as well

Jesus died in his place

Application:

Maybe you’ve done some bad things

Maybe you carry the weight and shame of guilt

No-one is beyond God’s saving power

even up to the last moments of life

if we would simply ask Jesus for mercy

Suffering

Or perhaps you are suffering, not from punishment

but maybe from disease or illness

chronic pain or even emotional pain

Take comfort that in Jesus,

though we suffer for a little while if we have believed in Jesus, we too will enter paradise.

in heaven, it will be distant memory, a tiny fraction

Joseph of Arimathea

Lastly, Joseph of Arimathea

Mark 15:42–46 (CSB)

42 When it was already evening, because it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath),

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body.

44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph.

here’s what we now of Joseph:

He was a good and righteous man (Luke 23:50)

A prominent member of the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:50, Mark 15:43)

He had not agreed with the Religious Leader’s plan and action (Luke 23:51)

He was looking forward to the Kingdom of God (Luke 23:51, Mark 15:43).

He was a rich man (Matt 27:57)

He was a disciple of Jesus (Matt 27:57)

He risked much to go to Pilate with this request

In John’s Gospel we learn that Nicodemus joined him in this.

John 19:39 (CSB)

39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night (John 3) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes.

John 19:40–42 (CSB)

40 They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

It was Nicodemus who earlier in the gospel of John had defended Jesus.

John 7:50–52 (CSB)

50 Nicodemus—the one who came to him previously and who was one of them—said to them,

51 “Our law doesn’t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he’s doing, does it?”

52 “You aren’t from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Investigate and you will see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

The Cost

What did it cost these men to bury Jesus?

They had to bury their careers, their reputations, their positions of power

They had paid their dues

climbed the corporate ladder

obtained the degrees and doctorates

But meeting Jesus changed everything

no longer would they stay silent and hidden

they too sought to honor Jesus

and upon the resurrection it changed their lives forever.

Application

Maybe that’s you

You’ve worked hard to get where you are at

You have the degrees

You have the money, the wealth, the power, the position

yet it isn’t quite enough.

What might it mean for you to witness to Jesus?

what unexpected thing might Jesus be calling you to do?

Perhaps you too will need to bury your career to follow Jesus.

Perhaps like Nicodemus, you’ll need to give up your position of influence

give up his teaching position,

his prestige among his colleagues

I think they did

Surely they would have been promised a better life

more comfort

more wealth and honor

Persecution promised

that is the most unexpected things.

What we know of the early apostles

is that they were promised persecution, poverty and martyrdom

You see there was something so sweet about the Resurrected Jesus

something so live giving

that these men would be willing to give it all up and endure hardship

My Conversion

The men of acts

You don’t die for a lie

Call to Faith

All of these men and women experienced the life changing power of Jesus

and countless others over the last t two thousand years

so that today a few billion people claim to follow this resurrected Jesus

that is perhaps the most unexpected thing of all

from 12 to 2.3 billion.

What about you?

Maybe you are wondering what do I need to do to experience this kind of life change?

What has God already spoken to you today?

Will you act on it?

Here is what we need to do to have Jesus change our life

Simply admit that we need it, we need Him

That we can’t do it on our own.

we’ve tried to make our own way,

heal our own wounds,

be our own God -- we call that Sin

Jesus came to die for that SIN, all of it

and give us his life -- perfect life

and give us a resurrection life -- a changed life

We simply need to admit it, ask for it, and accept it.

Will you come to Him today?

Will you admit your need?

maybe your heart has been hard b/c of suffering

maybe the weight of guilt has crushed you

maybe the prominence, power and position you hold is holding you back

I want invite you today

to choose Jesus

to lay it all down

Especially if you have yet to come to Jesus

do it today

confess with your mouth that you need Jesus and that he can save you

and he will

Come pray with us.

Closing Prayer