DATE: 12th April, 2020
THEME: CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED
SCRIPTURE READINGS
ACTS 10:34-43
COLOSSIANS 3:1-4
JOHN 20:1-18
PSALTER: PSALMS 118:14-24
INTRODUCTION
Today, we celebrate the GREATEST DAY in the history of the world.
Today we celebrate the GREAT TRUTH that Jesus Christ, who was crucified and died, arose from the dead just three days later!
This one truth is what sets Christianity apart from every other system of belief in the world! All other religious leaders have died. Buddha died! Mohammed died! Confucius died! Every founder of every religion that has ever existed has died.
However, only ONE has risen again from the dead!
If we were to strip Christianity of the doctrine of the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, then our faith would be no more than just another religious system.
If Jesus Christ is not alive, THEN WE HAVE NO SALVATION, There Is No Hope For The World and WE ARE ALL HEADED TO HELL!
I want to say that JESUS LIVES! CHRIST IS RISEN. The Redeemer HAS Resurrected!
CONTEXT
After Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus and prepared it for burial. They placed His body in a new tomb that belonged to Joseph, John 19:38-42.
The Jewish leaders asked PONTIUS PILATE to SEAL the tomb and place a detachment of Roman soldiers at the tomb to prevent the Disciples from stealing the body, Matt. 27:62-66.
Of course, the Bible tells us that early on the Sunday morning SOME STRANGE THINGS began to occur near that Garden tomb, Matt. 28:1-4.
A supernatural event happened and the stone that was used to seal the tomb was rolled back by the angel of the Lord. This was done, not by the Disciples. No! They were off in their upper room hiding in fear, lest they too be arrested and crucified, John 20:19.
BODY
A. THE GRAVE CLOTHES PRESENTED A POWERFUL EVIDENCE
That empty cocoon of grave clothes preached a powerful message early that Sunday morning. It told a vivid story of a risen Savior.
Those garments lying there in that fashion proclaimed to the world: Everything Jesus Christ had claimed, Everything He had preached, Everything He had promised was true!
▪It tells us that the Father accepted the death of Jesus on the cross as the payment for the sin debt of man. The New Testament tells us some 35 times that Jesus was raised up from the dead by God the Father.
It was not possible that death could hold Him, Acts 2:24.
B. MARY AT THE TOMB PRESENTED A POWERFUL EVIDENCE
1. Her Discovery – When she arrived at the tomb, she finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Immediately, she runs to find the disciples of Jesus and she tells them that the Body Of Their Lord Is Missing From The Tomb.
▪When they heard this news, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see what had happened.
Mary and the disciples saw an empty tomb.
C. ANGELS AT THE TOMB PRESENTED POWERFUL EVIDENCE
a. Their Presence – There were two angels at the tomb. Two is the number of witness. These angels have been dispatched from God to bear witness to the truth that Jesus is alive from the dead.
b. Their Posture – SITTING – A posture of absolute peace! If the body of Jesus had been missing and if there had been trouble at the tomb, you can be sure that these angels would have been busy.
c. Their Picture – REST – These angels appear to be a perfect rest. It is as if they are telling us, “The work is over, we can all rest now!”
d. Their Plan – John 20:13 indicates that these angels wanted to stir up something within the heart of Mary. Their question was designed to turn on a light inside Mary’s head.
It is as if they were asking, “Should you be weeping?
Doesn’t this empty tomb call for rejoicing?”
D. THE MESSIAH AT THE TOMB PRESENTED POWERFUL EVIDENCE
a. The Confrontation – Jesus now asks Mary 2 questions that are designed to expose her to the truth.
▪Why Weepest thou? – Why do you weep when you could be rejoicing?
▪Who are you seeking the living among the dead? – Why do you look for He that is alive among those who are dead?
b. The Call – When Mary doesn’t respond to His questions, the Lord simply calls her by her name and tenderly says “Mary”.
This is the voice of the SHEPHERD calling out to A STRUGGLING SHEEP.
There are 2 GREAT TRUTHS revealed here that need to be mentioned.
1. His call is the seal of redemption – Isa. 43:1; John 10:3.
2. His call is instantly recognized by His sheep – John 10:4.
One word from the Great Shepherd and the weeper is transformed into the worshiper!
c. The Command – Mary must have flung her arms around the feet of Jesus, for He tells her to stop doing that. His command is based on this truths:
There was no need to hold onto Him for He was alive forever!
E. HIS RESUREECTION IS A PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR ALL
As this chapter unfolds, each person who is confronted with the empty tomb and the grave clothes is forced to make a decision.
a. For John, believe was instant, v. 8.
b. For Peter, the truth came a little more slowly.
c. Mary Magdalene finds that her heart is still gripped by grief, 11-17.
Obviously, this is a message that affects people in different ways. Of course, there are really only two ways to respond to the message:
a. By Accepting It
b. By Rejecting It.
Have you believed on the risen Jesus?
F. HIS RESURECTION GIVES POWER TO HIS PROMISES!
1. It validates His claim to be the only way to God, John 14:6.
2. It is powerful in that it gives hope to all those who come to Him for salvation, Heb. 7:25; John 6:37-40.
CONCLUSION
I am thankful that He lives this morning and that He left perfect, indisputable evidence in His tomb that He lives!
• Is His resurrection real in your heart this morning?
• Have you experienced the power of His resurrection in your life?
You see, a risen Savior has the power to radically affect all who come to Him by faith. ENJOY THE LOCKDOWN EASTER. stay BLESSED. This CORO too shall pass.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV. SAMUEL YAW DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
