STIRRING IN THE CEMETARY
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15.3-4
INTRODUCTION:
The resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. He arose from the dead. Many groups have tried to disprove this fact. But as we see in Scripture, the evidence is overwhelming to this fact. John’s Gospel is written as a historical account. He gives enough evidence to show why he believed in the resurrection.
PROMISE OF HIS RESURRECTION
A. It was promised in ancient times.
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalms 16:10)
B. Jesus told them that He would die, and would be raised again.
“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” (Matthew 16:21)
C. Many heard Him tell them that He would rise the third day.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)
HOW DO WE KNOW HE AROSE?
A. Even the Pharisees were going to try to prevent anything from happening.
“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matthew 27:62-66)
1. Large rock rolled in front of the door.
2. Sealed with cement like substance to attach it to the walls of the tomb.
3. The seal of the Emperor was attached to it, which caused fear of retaliation of Rome if disturbed.
4. “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.” (John 20:1)
B. He has shown Himself alive.
“To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” (Acts 1:3)
C. He appeared to Mary.
“And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” (John 20:14-16)
D. Jesus appeared to His disciples.
“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Luke 24:36-39)
E. Saul met Him on the road to Damascus.
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:3-5)
F. He was seen of many witnesses.
“And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:5, 6)
G. We have been witnesses of what we tell you.
1. “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15)
2. “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts 10:39-41)
H. Notice what John and Peter found in the tomb.
“And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” (John 20:5-7)
1. Grave clothes were wrapped around the body.
2. His grave clothes were lying where he had been buried, as if He had just evaporated out of them.
3. If His body had been stolen, the grave clothes gone or would be laying crumpled up on the floor.
RESULTS OF THE RESURRECTION
A. God told the serpent that Jesus would do harm to him.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
B. Jesus descended into the heart of the earth.
“Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” (Ephesians 4:9)
C. He confronted the prince of the power of the air.
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” (Ephesians 2:2)
D. He took the keys of death and hell.
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)
CONCLUSION:
The disciples were willing to die for what they preached. They had preached that Jesus rose from the dead. They would only die for this is they truly knew that it was a fact.
