Introduction
o For a lot of people, Easter is just another holiday, a 3-day weekend of fun and no work. For others, it’s chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs.
o For the Believer in Christ Jesus, it is the reason why we live on this earth. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis of our faith.
o Easter means the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! It means the promise of life after death! It means hope of a better life. It means joy unspeakable.
o The words, “He is not here, but He is risen”, changed the course of history and they continue to do so.
o Many people have died spreading the truth about Jesus. Many false religions have mocked our belief and wars are breaking out because of truth about Jesus. Here is some truth for you this morning…
§ Mohammed didn’t get up!
§ Confucius didn’t get up!
§ Buddha didn’t get up!
§ Joseph Smith is dead.
§ Jim Jones is dead.
§ David Koresh is dead.
§ But Jesus is Alive! He’s Alive! He Got Up!
o People often ask, “Why was the 2000 lb stone rolled away?” Well, the stone was not rolled away for Him to come out. The stone was rolled away so that we could look in. It was rolled away so that the empty tomb could be visible to all. The empty tomb is the greatest evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
o Critics have tried to explain it away, and they have not been able to. The empty tomb still stands, as evidence to all that Jesus is not dead. He is alive today.
o Easter means victory. Victory over death, hell and the grave.
o This Easter, we can walk in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.
o Let us look to the Word of God this morning for more insight into the resurrection of Jesus.
1) He is Risen
(NKJV) Matthew 28 1 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. 4 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.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
a) It was not the disciple who went to check on Jesus, it was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus. The two people who truly honored Him!!!
b) The stone was 2000 lbs +. It was removed so all the world could see that Jesus had risen from the dead.
c) This “stone door” will be open to you this year – 2007. Just walk through and see the blessings of God for your life.
d) Jesus promised that He would rise again. Death, hell and the grave could not hold Him down.
i) As Christians, we must rise above our test and trails. We have that same resurrection power dwelling in us. Nothing can hold you back!
ii) What Jesus promises, you can bank on that it will come to pass. Do not waver or doubt, just press in.
2) Mary Magdalene
a) Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene first.
(NKJV) Mark 16 9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
b) Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first because she was “souled” out for Jesus. She believed what Jesus spoke and supported His ministry.
c) Mary was demon possessed until Jesus showed up and set her free.
i) Jesus was always looking for the most unlikely person that was willing to be used by Him to change this world. Does this describe you this morning?
d) Note, many were still in unbelief when Mary told them about Jesus. This is even true today.
3) The Great Commission
a) Jesus has given us mandate to live by.
(NKJV) Matthew 28 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
b) We have the authority and power of Jesus! Lets use it.
c) Our will and plan must be put aside in order to do His will and plan for our life.
d) We must do what God has commanded us to do in the scriptures.
e) Jesus got up to set the example for us. We must get up and complete what God has given us to do.
4) The Gift of The Holy Spirit
a) When Jesus ascended to Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of the Father, God sent us a helper, the Holy Spirit.
(NKJV) John 14 25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
b) To complete the great commission, God sent us the Holy Spirit to live in us. He is our guide, helpmate and voice of God in our life.
c) We received the power and authority of Jesus Christ, but we also received the Holy Spirit to help us get it done for Jesus.
d) Let us rejoice in what Jesus completed at the cross.
Conclusion
o Hallelujah, He Is Risen! The empty tomb is just a reminder of who we serve…. An Awesome God.
o This year as we celebrate Easter, let us focus our life on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lets act in the power and authority that God has given us as born again believers.
o Let us remember that sin, sickness and disease have been washed away by the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.
o Let me tell you that no matter how far you have strayed from God. No matter how long you have been on that wayward path, on that broad road, it is not too late. Because of Christ’s resurrection you can reach up from where you are today and take the hand of Jesus and be transformed into His image today.
o Psalm 119 tells us that there is never a mountain to high, never a sea too deep, never a place too far that God cannot reach us.
o Jesus got up! Jesus is risen! He is alive! Hallelujah!
o It is time we get up, get in the race, and complete the great commission in our lives. We can do it! We have the Holy Spirit to keep us on track to complete the will of God in our lives.
o Let us pray.
Salvation/Altar Call
