He Lives: Understanding The Mystery Of The Empty Tomb Series

Title: He Lives: Understanding the Mystery of the Empty Tomb

Theme: Show that there is life In the grave.

Text: Mark 16:1 – 8, Luke 24:2 - 3

Communion – Road to Emmaus

Luk 24:13-35 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles [164] from Jerusalem. (14) And they talked together of all these things which had happened. (15) So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. (16) But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

Restrained, beholden –

G2902 - Original: κρατέω - Transliteration: Krateo

- Phonetic: krat-eh'-o

- Definition:

1. to have power, be powerful a. to be chief, be master of, to rule

2. to get possession of a. to become master of, to obtain

b. to take hold of c. to take hold of, take, seize

1. to lay hands on one in order to get him into one's power

3. to hold a. to hold in the hand b. to hold fast, i.e. not discard or let go

1. to keep carefully and faithfully c. to continue to hold, to retain

1. of death continuing to hold one

2. to hold in check, restrain

They had already set in their mind what had happened. The faith had been lacking.

(28) Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. (29) But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. (30) Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. (31) Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

(32) And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (33) So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, (34) saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (35) And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Opening

Mark 16: 1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large.

How did the stone roll away? Luke 24:2 behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." 8 So they went out quickly [85] and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Introduction

Opening Illustration

It was Easter Sunday morning when the Rev. Alfred H. Ackley was getting ready for the morning service at his church in California. As usual he would turn on his radio and listen to the preacher of the hour. This morning he heard an announcement come on, "We now join the complete red and blue networks (which are N.B.C. and A.B.C. today) for a special program originating from New York City."

Then came the introduction of the preacher. Mr. Ackley recognized him as a well known preacher with liberal thinking. This morning he begins with a very disturbing introduction, "Good morning-it's Easter! You know folks, it really doesn't make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I am concerned His body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!"