The most glorious day in history
Matthew 28:1-10
Matthew 28:1-10
Introduction
Last week we talked about Palm Sunday. The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem. We took a hard look at those that were cheering him and how quickly they turned into a lynch mob. At the beginning of the week they were cheering and as we get to Friday, they have sentenced him to die by crucifixion.
Holy week:
Palm Sunday- Triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday- Last Supper/ Betrayal of Jesus
Good Friday- Jesus being sentenced and tortured and ultimately put to death on the cross of Golgotha. A week that is action packed with numerous witness accounts of Jesus last week before the cross. It is recorded in every gospel.
Illustration
There is a story not long ago about a particular family who was watching a Easter story on T.V. Although the entire family had seen the movie before, one little girl was particularly moved by the movie. As Jesus was tortured and crucified, tears came streaming down her face. She remained quiet until they put Jesus body in the tomb. At that moment, she suddenly smiled and then shouted “Now comes the good part” Now comes the good part- we live on the Sunday side of the cross. Meaning Jesus Christ was crucified, He died, He was buried. That is a fact. If it would have stopped there, there would be no celebration. Another good man has died. But God resurrected Jesus Christ and that has changed everything. Most people who die tend to remain dead. The miracle that happened 2000 years ago changed my life and hopefully changed your life too.
Unless you are a medical student, you are probably not comfortable around blood. Many churches have erased any mention of Jesus crucifixion from the worship. Some won’t preach a Easter message. In Jesus day, the presence of blood was common. Before the meal was eaten, it included the slaughter of a live animal. God made the redemption system so that even small children understood the connection between blood and freedom from sin. According to the law, God’s holiness was satisfied by the unblemished animal’s blood atoning for a person’s sin. What Jesus did was a once and for all blood sacrifice.
Many of you know that I am a gigantic Billy Graham fan. Not because of his eloquent preaching, because he was not eloquent. It is because he takes God’s truth and makes it simple to understand. When God established a plan for rescuing sinful humanity, he chose to do so in a way so startling and unexpected that even the devil helped Jesus get to the cross. Because Satan thought the death of Jesus was the end, mankind would die in their sins and be hopelessly lost for eternity. The plan unfolded as almighty God sent His Son to earth on a mission to die “Give his life as a ransom for many” the Bible says. That He would die on a cross in punishment for our sins so that we might be forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. To many- that sounds like foolishness. Nonsense. Bible says “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (I Cor. 1:18) Except through the eyes of faith- it seems like foolishness. I pray that the Holy Spirit would flow freely this morning, so that He would minister to our hearts and our needs and answer some questions this morning. Jesus did some amazing things while He was on this earth.
Lame men walked.
Withered hands were healed.
Raised Lazarus from the dead.
Turned water to wine.
Cast out demons.
But the greatest thing that God the Father did was raise Jesus Christ from the dead. “Dead man walking” because of that love of Christ -we have hope. That was Christ love at it’s best. “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this; while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8) Death by Adam, life through Christ.
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who lives in you”
listen.
When doubting Thomas met Jesus on the road after the resurrection, he fell on his knees and said “My Lord, and My God.” That resurrection morning when the women ran to the tomb, that stone was not removed so that Jesus could get out. I think God must of snickered to Himself if they thought they could keep the creator of the universe locked up by a large stone and a few man with spears. That stone was rolled away so the women could see Jesus was resurrected Then so they could run and tell the disciples that Jesus was resurrected, and right on down to us the doubting Thomas’s of today. The angel said “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as he said he would. Come and see the place where he was.” To some this morning- it is foolishness. Some who have no clue what Easter celebration really means. It is Easter Ham and a egg hunt for the kids. It doesn’t make it any less true. “To us who believe, it is the power of God.” Amen.
Illustration
William Gladstone who was Britains Prime minister four times said, “Tell me what the young men of England are doing on Sunday morning, and I will tell you what the future of England will be” I have made reference for several weeks of the condition of our country and the attitude of people. That does not change the fact of what Jesus has done and that does not change what Jesus wants to do.
Unknown author- “Our thinking vs God’s promises”
We think; It is impossible, God says all things are possible.
We think; I’m tired, God says I will give you rest.
We think; Nobody loves me- God says, I love you.
We think; I can’t do it, God says, You can do all things through Christ.
We think; I ‘m afraid, God says, I did not give you the Spirit of fear.
We think; I feel alone, God says, I will never leave you or forsake you.
The message God shows us at Easter is that soldiers, seals, and large stones can never stop God. God’s will was done and will always be done. We believe the tomb was empty (For the fact finders)
1. Because their were many witnesses that documented it, both Christian and historian.
2. Because they have what they believe is the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.(The shroud of Turin) It appeared in 1350's in Europe. Some believe it could be fake. I just say that the God of the universe . The God who resurrected people from the dead could also be a God who could preserve a cloth for 2000 years. I think it’s funny God preserved it nearly 2000 years and now we get a brain storm that we need to keep it in a air-tight case for preservation. God must snicker at us sometimes I wasn’t at the tomb, but I believe in the resurrection with all my heart. Some were not alive when JFK was shoot in 1963, but those of us who were alive and can remember it, record it, so others would know later. Apostle Paul-“Jesus Christ died on the cross according to Scriptures. He was buried in the tomb and on the third day He arose according to the Scripture. He appeared unto Cephas and unto the disciples, and he appeared to over 500 at once. He appeared unto James and He even appeared unto me as on untimely born. And I want to share the good news with you.”
To the fact-finders, we have evidence and facts. Then are some who believe the tomb was empty, because we have met the savior ourselves. It is not about the facts , it is about a relationship. It is not foolishness to us because for those that believe, it is the power of God working everyday in our lives. For us, the resurrection changes the way we look at life and death, and it changes the way we live everyday of our lives. I have a diploma that hangs on the wall in my office. It states that I have done all of the required studies to become a Nazarene preacher. It even states that they have ordained me and put there blessings upon my accomplishments. But the reason I know the tomb is empty is because I have met the man from Galilee, I have had my own encounter with Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. I know because He lives within my heart. I wanted to paint this great picture of a empty tomb and wanted you to see what that means for your life. It is beautiful example of God’s love, God’s promises, God’s redemption. The empty tomb has mixed emotions for some. It is a great joy to those that the cross of Jesus Christ is not foolishness. Who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. But it is also a source of judgement to those who do not respond. I’m closing, and I am asking believers to begin praying. Thanking God for what He has done in our lives and now what He desires to do in others lives right now.
Hymn goes;
Up from the grave He arose
with a mighty triumph O’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
and He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose, He arose Hallelujah, Christ arose.
Would you bow your head this morning, I want to talk directly to you this morning.
If you are searching for Jesus this morning- don’t look at the cross. He is no longer there
If you are looking for Jesus- Don’t run to the tomb- it is forever empty.
If you looking for Jesus- look heavenward. He desires to be a part of your life today. He is alive, He is alive forever more
On Friday
All hope seemed lost.
All of them seemed to be defeated.
God seem so far away.
On Sunday... I said earlier that we live on the Sunday side of the cross.
Hope springs up again.
We are not defeated, we are victorious.
God isn’t far away, He is here right now
Feeling like you can never measure up to God, like you are a worm, you can soar like a Eagle today.
Thank God for Sunday
It didn’t end at the cross.
It didn’t end at the resurrection.
It goes until Jesus Christ , Savior, has a place in your life. Won’t you give Him that place in your life. Hope for the pain filled world.
Hope is in the air, because the presence of the Lord is here. Would you say this morning to the Lord- today, I surrender my life to you. Today I will make you Lord of my life. Today I will make my stand for Jesus. I am going to ask you to stand right where you are at. I want to have a word of prayer with you this morning. I want to lead you in a prayer of redemption.
Prayer
I am a sinner and I need forgiveness.
I believe you are the Son of God.
I believe that you died , were buried, and resurrected. That God the Father resurrected you.
Because of that resurrection, you can offer me redemption.
From this day forward, I will follow you.
From this day forward, I am a child of God. Amen.
A new name is written down in glory.
Close as needed.
