5 Blessings of the Resurrection
Text: Matthew 28:1-8
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.
Introduction: Easter is to our faith what water is to the ocean, what stone is to the mountain, what blood is to your body. It is the unique substance of redemptive reality. It is the first and final word in the dictionary of God. It says that Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Listen, The one who had opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk again, and the deaf to hear. The one who could raise the dead-was dead Himself! They placed Him in a tomb, sealed the door, and placed guards at the door. At that moment the devil rejoiced; he thought he had forever silenced the Son of God!
A. Matthew 28:6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said… [The resurrection meant new life for Jesus and new life for all believers! For the believers, those who really believe will repent and make a change in their direction and in their decisions. As for Jesus, He was limited, but now He can walk through doors; He can do more than He could ever do]!
B. Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots…Video: Show different tombs around the world! Video: Now we can go to the tomb of Jesus, and all we will see is an empty site.
C. All had forgotten what Jesus had proclaimed in Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
D. 5 blessings of the resurrection: #1. Because of the resurrection we are pardoned! Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
E. God offers every person full and complete pardon! What does pardon mean? A pardon is a legal document setting a person free from punishment. It also wipes out the record of past deeds as though they never happened!
F. #2. Because of the resurrection we can now have peace! One of the last things Jesus said to His disciples before His death was “Peace I leave with you.” And the first thing He told them after His resurrection was, “Peace be with you.” ( Jesus is also called,” The Prince of Peace!”)
G. #3. The third blessing of the resurrection is purity! Romans 6:18, 22 18). And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 22). But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
H. We are now pure because of our trust and daily walk with Him through the blood!
I. #4. A fourth blessing of the resurrection is power! Phil. 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
J. His resurrection power can turn your situation around!
K. #5. The last blessing of His resurrection is presence! Matthew 28:19-20 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.
L. God’s resurrection power, love, joy and peace are ready for you! How many people want a change?
