Jesus Was Dead And Now He Lives Series

I. Introduction

A. One man commented, I was a little taken aback when I got my receipt from the funeral parlor for my father’s funeral, on the bottom of the receipt, after the bill, it read, “Thank you. Please come again.”

B. Andrew was watching his father, a Vicar, write a sermon for the Sunday service. 'How do you know what to say?' Andrew asked. 'Why, God tells me', the father replied. 'Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?'

1. Turn to Matthew 28:1 - 10

C. Last week we saw several times definitive proof that Jesus was dead.

1. The Roman soldiers, who were sent to break the legs of those on the crosses saw that Jesus was already dead

2. Pilate, when Joseph of Arimathea petitioned for Jesus body, sent and asked the centurion whether Jesus had been dead for some time.

a. The centurion confirmed Jesus death

3. All four gospel writers stated in one way or another that Jesus was dead

4. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:3 testifies that Jesus died and why He died

1 Corinthians 15:3 (NKJV)

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

a. Be assured Jesus was dead

D. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus’ body and they placed Him in Joseph’s tomb

1. The Jews set a guard over the tomb, sealing the stone covering the opening to the tomb

a. I say again, Jesus was dead

(1) Attested to by the Roman centurion

(2) And evidenced by the fact that the soldiers who were to break the legs of the crucified men did not break Jesus legs

(3) And the fact that the spear thrust into Jesus side allowed blood and water to flow out

(a) The spear probably puncture the lungs, myocardial sac, and the heart

(b) Which allowed blood and water to flow out of Jesus wound

b. Jesus was dead '

(1) Turn to Matthew 28:1 - 10 as we begin to examine

II. Body

A. Jesus resurrection, the angel

Matthew 28:1-3 (NKJV)

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. {2} And 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.

1. Why was an angel or angels sent to the tomb at this time

a. The angels were there at several times during Jesus life

(1) In Matthew 4:11 At the temptation in the wilderness

Matthew 4:11 (NKJV)

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

(2) In Luke 22:43 an angel came to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane

Luke 22:43 (NKJV)

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

(3) Angels were there at His birth

(4) And we don’t know how many other occasions involved ministering angels

(a) Lets turn to John 10:17-18

b. Jesus said that He had the power to lay down His life and Take it up again

John 10:17-18 ((NKJV)

"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. {18} "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

c. Jesus had to die and be resurrected again to conquer death

(1) By conquering death

(2) We are free of the sting of death

2. Now at this occasion, it was appropriate that an angel or angels be involved in this momentous occurrence

a. Angel means messengers

(1) The angel or angels were sent to announce to Christ’s servants His resurrection

3. And what was the purpose of the great earthquake?

a. Evidently the earthquake was to cause or was caused by the movement of the great stone which had blocked the entrance to the tomb, or should I say the exit from the tomb

(1) Well, it would have allowed the women to enter and see that Jesus was no longer there

(2) And, I don’t know, to allow Jesus to exit

(a) But it seems the He could walk through walls

i) Well lets go on in Matthew 28:4 - 7

B. The announcement

Matthew 28:4-7 (NKJV)

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. {5} But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. {6} "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. {7} "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."