The Day Everything Changed
04/04/10 AM
Reading: Matthew 28:1-15
Introduction
What a wonderful day this is, as all over the world people are acknowledging and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! From the earliest times, Easter Sunday has been observed by Christians each year but in a sense we observe Easter every week. On the first day of the week we gather together with fellow Christians on what we call the Lord's day. Did you ever stop to think about why?
Up until the beginning of the church, God's people were used to going to synagogue on the seventh day of the week (what we call today, Saturday) which was called the Sabbath. This was a holy day to the Lord, the fourth of Ten Commandments God gave Moses. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, the New Testament shows that the early Christians began meeting together on this new day (what we call Sunday) as a weekly commemoration of their new life in Christ.
Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save...
There are several early historical references which confirm this practice and address why this shift occurred. In the History of the Christian Church by Philip Schaff, one of the clearest references is accorded to Justin Martyr from approximately AD 140: “We assemble in common on Sunday [the Lord's day], because this is the first day, on which God created the world and the light, and because Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples.”
That first day of the week was the day everything changed.
I. It Changed Everything For His Disciples
A. First for the women at dawn. Matthew 28:1-8
1. These women had been at the cross and witnessed the death of Jesus.
a. The account in Luke tells us they were carrying spices with which to prepare Jesus' body (perhaps because the preparations done by Joseph of Arimathea were done in haste and incomplete.
b. We can imagine their state of mind as dawn broke on this first day of the week.
c. They found an empty tomb and a risen savior. They came in sorrow and left with Joy! v8
A. Then for the Apostles
1. The Apostles and disciples were scattered, confused, fearful following the crucifixion of Jesus.
a. On this first day of the week the Apostles were in hiding, fearful of the Jews. John 19:20
b. Several appearances of the resurrected Jesus are recounted in the gospels and Acts – some to individuals and others to groups, some indoors and others outdoors, some to softhearted people, and others to skeptical doubters.
c. Forty days later, in Jerusalem, they received the Holy Spirit and proclaim Jesus as Lord and Christ! Acts 2
II. It Changed Everything For The World.
This day changed everything for the disciples of Jesus but the effects of this day went far beyond that select group.
I wasn’t there. I didn’t see what happened. But I believe in this day with all my heart.
A. There are many historical events which I have not personally witnessed but believe to have truly occurred.
1. For example, I am an admirer of Abraham Lincoln and I believe he existed as a man and as our 16th President and for two very solid reasons.
2. First of all, through the years I have read historical accounts of Lincoln's existence. I have read the writings of many who have researched and documented his life.
3. But I also believe because I realize that if Lincoln had not existed our country would be greatly different today. Our society would be different. Lincoln greatly affected the development of our country at a critical time in it's history. I am witness to the difference his life made to America.
A. I wasn’t there when Jesus rose from the dead. But I believe for the very same reasons I can believe in Lincoln.
1. First of all, I believe in the resurrection because eyewitnesses have told me that it is true.
a. I believe it because the Apostle John said, John 20:30-31 “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
b. The Apostle Paul said, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
c. I believe it because reliable people who saw what happened passed it on.
1. And in addition to that, I believe it because our world is greatly different because Jesus is alive. Paul went on to say, v14 “…and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.”
a. Do you realize that we wouldn’t be here this morning if that first day had never happened? Do you realize that thousands of Christian congregations and ministries across the land would not exist today if that tomb had not been empty?
ILL: Cartoon of two Roman soldiers standing by the empty tomb. The stone is rolled away and one soldier is looking very worried but the other one is shrugging and says, “Don’t worry about it. A hundred years from now, who will remember?”
b. But a hundred years went by and people did remember. And 500 and 1000 and over 2,000 years later, God’s people still gather and remember. And if the Lord tarries another 2,000 years, God’s people will still be meeting to remember, because the tomb was empty, and Jesus is alive, and that day changed everything.
1. Our world is different because Jesus is alive.
2. This day changed everything for the world and it changes everything for us.
III. The Resurrection Changes Us
A. The scriptures tell us the we walk in newness of life:
Romans 6:4-11; 7:4-6; 8:12-17
1. The resurrection changes us; no longer slaves to sin but slaves of righteousness.
2. 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
3. We are in this world but not of this world, aliens and strangers: 1 Peter 2:11
A. One day we will be called home:
Revelation 21:1-8 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said*, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””
Conclusion:
That is the message for this morning: The Resurrection Day Changes Everything. God has planned for us something much better. He’s preparing us for a new world, a better world, a greater world. Jesus was the first fruit. His resurrection changes everything. His Church will be the next harvest.
Invitation:
Our God and Savior is alive this morning and He reaches out to all who would respond to His invitation. So we offer that invitation with great love realizing that maybe there is someone in this midst who has never accepted Jesus as Savior. We appeal to you not to let this moment escape - not to let this moment pass by.
If you are without Jesus then come now, name His name, be faithful to Him in Christian baptism, arise to walk in the newness of life. God’s invitation is offered to you. Will you come as we stand and we sing?
