Sermon Central
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And The Foundations Shook
Contributed by Charles Trout on Apr 10, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: A short outline for "Sonrise Services" 2001 at Living Waters Baptist Church of Sophia NC
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
In a lifetime there are events that alter our course and re-direct us in a path that we would not have chosen ourselves. In these Divinely guided paths we are drawn closer to the Lord and closer to our Heavenly home. We often speak of "Earth Shattering" experiences as those that shake up and reshape our way of thinking as an earthquake changes the face of the landscape, once moved to never take the original form again! There are times when we need to experience the quakes and to have our lives shook up so as to change the face of our spiritual landscapes. We often become too satisfied with our lives and hope to avoid change, but it is in the “spiritual quakes” that our lives can become more in-tune to the will of God. Praying for the earthquakes will keep up from becoming satisfied with our surroundings and being satisfied in our service to the Lord. Let us look now at some earthquakes and how they shook the world forever more to be changed.
The Foundation of The Religious:
KJV: Mt 27:51
51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the Foundations Shook:
All that the Fathers of Religion had ever believed to be true and all that generations of people had built their faith upon now crumbled and would be changed forever more! Several things were TORN OPEN as the ground shook at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The Veil of Separation between God and Man.
Through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God mankind now could have access to the throne of God and an intercessor before the Father.
The Veil of the Grave.
The grave had long been a place of separation and no one could see beyond it, now the mystery had been revealed and the way traveled by Jesus.
The Veil of Unbelief: (The Centurion)
Often those who refuse to believe in Christ have their eyes veiled to His Gospel by the world and it’s prince. Through the witness of Christ in us we can live a life that will reveal Christ for who He is and the veil will be removed just as it was for the Centurion at the foot of the cross.
The Foundation of The Rebirth:
KJV: Mt 28:2
2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Never before had fallen man ever experienced a joy or victory like Mary Magdalene found that morning. From the first resurrection morning through this time we now have a HOPE that extends beyond the grave and through Christ Jesus we have Victory!
Victory over Death:
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Victory over Hell:
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Victory over the grave.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
1Corinthians 15:51-54
51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
