Easter Angel

THE MESSAGE OF THE EASTER ANGEL

Mark 16:1-8

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Throughout history God has used angels to make special announcements to humans:

 Announce birth of Samson

 Announce birth of John the Baptist

 Announce conception of Jesus

 Announce birth of Jesus

If God has something important to say, He sends an angel . . . so this message of the Easter angel is therefore very important

1) The context of the message:

a) Women were filled with fear

i) Going to tomb of man who they believed was the Messiah but now he was dead.

ii) He promised life to all who came to him but now he was dead

iii) What chance did they have.

iv) Would they be crucified next for being his followers

v) They were concerned as to who was going to move the stone.

vi) More afraid when saw that the stone had been rolled away and the guards were lying as tho’ dead

(1) Had someone stolen the body to prevent them talking about a resurrection

vii) Then they see an angel

2) Message of peace 16:6 (do not be alarmed)

a) Ladies were afraid and the first words angel spoke were of peace.

b) Message of the resurrection still brings peace today

c) We need peace

d) I don’t need peace, I’m quiet happy behind my six foot wall with barbed wire and electric fence, alarm system connected to 24 hour security, panic buttons in every room.

e) We need peace. We have grown so accustomed to stress that we think we are relaxed.

f) Areas where Jesus brings peace

i) Salvation

Hebrews 7:25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him,

ii) Death

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

iii) Life itself

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

We can have peace because he is with us.

3) Message of Power (he is risen)

a) Jesus was not first to be raised from the dead

i) Lazarus

ii) Widow from Nain’s son

iii) Jairus’ daughter

b) Was first to rise never to die again.

c) Because he rose from the dead, all those who receive him receive the same resurrection power

2 Tim 2:11 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

d) The fullness of this resurrection power will be seen when Jesus comes again

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

e) When we look at Christians we see the resurrection power of Jesus at work. Changing people on a daily basis.

A dead man can’t change anyone . . . Josh McDowall answer to Didat’s debate

f) The resurrection power of Jesus is available to change your life today.