Purpose: To describe how Christ's resurrection changes the followers of Christ.
Aim: I want the listener to surrender fully to the resurrected Christ.
INTRODUCTION: Today I am going to share the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What you are about to hear will transform your life. It will either energize you to love and follow Jesus Christ or it will harden your heart and you will leave here worse than when you came in. There is no middle ground.
Jesus made this clear. Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. ..." (NAU)
Jesus is either our highest treasure, or we are treasuring something else. James 4:4 ... do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NAU)
We can see the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus when we look at,
A Snapshot of Mark's Gospel
Mark 1-10 Mark 11-16
Subject Christ's Life Christ's Death
Theme Christ Serving Christ Suffering
Main Location Galilee Jerusalem
Time About 3 years About 1 week
As we look at Mark's account of the resurrection I want you to notice the effect it had those who learned about it.
►Vs. 1-8 I. Serving Christ Turns Into Shock
"They knew it would not be easy. They knew a huge stone had been rolled across the mouth of the tomb. They knew about the Roman seal and the guard of soldiers. But love leaps over mountains of difficulties to reach the object of its affection." [1]
► Vs.1-3 A. They were serving Christ "come and anoint Him"
These women had spent many months serving Jesus Christ whenever they had the opportunity. Even though Jesus was dead they still felt compelled to serve Him.
"Preparation for burial of the dead among the Jews usually consisted of washing the body (Acts 9:37) and then anointing it with aromatic ointments. Burial was normally on the day of death or the following day. The body was wrapped in cloth strips, with a separate cloth tied around the head. Spices were applied when the body was wrapped (Mark 16:1). Expensive spices were used to prepare Jesus' body for burial (John 19:39--42)." [2]
Many things could be said about these women, but there is no doubt that they were faithful servants of Jesus Christ. The Bible places a high importance on just being faithful.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (NAU)
If we really love the Lord then our greatest desire will be to serve Him. Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful .... (NAU)
Faithfulness is not only a good trait, it is required if we are going to please the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:2 ... it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. (NAU)
Paul even tells us that we should primarily invest our lives in other believers who are faithful. 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (NAU)
► Vs.4-8 B. They were shocked by Christ "trembling and astonishment had gripped them"
The fact that these women brought spices with them to the tomb showed that they did not expect Jesus to be alive.
The open grave was the first thing to shock them. Then the appearance of an angel shocked them, then the empty tomb shocked them.
We will never have the shocking experience of seeing the newly empty tomb of Christ, but we can still be shocked that this Jesus would die in our place and then raise Himself from the dead.
" 'My Savior's Love' was written by Charles H. Gabriel, the most popular and prolific gospel song writer of the 1910--20 decade, which was the height of the Billy Sunday/Homer Rodeheaver evangelistic crusades. This song first appeared in the hymnal titled Praises, published in 1905.
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean.
He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calv'ry and suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see, 'twill be my joy thru the ages to sing of His love for me.
Chorus: How marvelous! how wonderful! and my song shall ever be: How marvelous! how wonderful is my Savior's love for me!" [3]
►Vs.9-13 II. Sorrow For Christ Turns Into Unbelief
► Vs.9-10 A. They were grieving over Christ's death "they were mourning and weeping"
"The Savior's first appearance was to Mary Magdalene. The first time she had met Jesus, He had cast seven demons out of her. From then on she served Him lovingly with her possessions. She witnessed the crucifixion, and saw where His body was laid. From the other Gospels we learn that after finding the tomb empty, she ran and told Peter and John. Coming back with her they found the sepulcher empty, as she had told them. They returned to their home but she stayed at the empty tomb. It was then that Jesus appeared to her." [4]
► Vs.11-13 B. They were doubting the proof "they did not believe them either"
Vs.12-13 are explained further in Luke's gospel. Jesus joined two disciples who were walking away from Jerusalem. They didn't recognize who Jesus was as they shared their discouragement that Jesus had been crucified. Then they said, Luke 24:21--31 "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 "But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 "Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see." 25 And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over." So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. (NAU)
Luke 24:33--35 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. (NAU) and yet, the3 other disciples were still not convinced.
The reports that these women gave of the resurrection of Jesus were based on what they experienced. Notice:
Vs.4 "They saw"
Vs.5 "They saw"
Vs.6 "here is the place where they laid Him"
Vs.7 "you will see Him"
Vs.9 "He first appeared to Mary"
Vs.11 "had been seen by her"
Vs.12 "He appeared...to two of them"
Vs.14 "He appeared to the eleven"
Faith in the power that Jesus has over death will stop our feelings of self-pity. Psalm 38:18 ... I am full of anxiety because of my sin. (NAU)
►Vs.14-20 III. Unbelief in Christ Turns Into Serving
► Vs.14 A. Christ's resurrection overcomes unbelief "those who had seen Him after He had risen"
The death of Christ paid for our sin, the resurrection of Christ means that Christ can apply that payment to those who trust Him. Romans 4:25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (NAU)
We can know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is real because so many eyewitnesses were willing to step forward and proclaim what they saw, even though it meant persecution and/or death for them.
► Vs.15-20 B. Christ's resurrection motivates our serving "preach the gospel"
We know that Jesus is the God that He claimed to be because of the resurrection. Romans 1:4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, (NAU)
► Vs.15 1. The Gospel is our main reason for living "all the world...all creation"
The good news, or the Gospel, that they were to proclaim was that Jesus died for sin and conquered death. It is impossible to be neutral about that news.
If Jesus is the resurrected Christ then we owe Him our lives and our worship. Now we understand why Jesus said, Mark 8:34 ... "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. (NAU)
This Jesus demands and deserves our full allegiance: Luke 14:27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (NAU)
► Vs.16 2. The Gospel changes lives "shall be saved"
It is either faith or fire, we either trust in Christ or we will be judged by Christ.
The word "baptism" here can refer to the outward sign of baptism or the inward miracle of Spirit baptism--the act of being immersed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (NAU)
► Vs.17-18 3. The Gospel message is truthful "signs will accompany"
The Bible tells us that there would be signs to prove that the Gospel being preached was reliable. Hebrews 2:3--4 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. (NAU)
2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. (NAU)
1 Corinthians 14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers.... (NAU)
Vs.18 "In the Greek the first two clauses in Mark 16:18 may be understood as conditional clauses with the third clause as the conclusion. An interpretive rendering would be, 'And if they be compelled to pick up snakes with their hands and if they should be compelled to drink deadly poison, it shall by no means (ou mē, emphatic negative; cf. 13:2) harm them.'" [5]
► Vs.19-20 4. The Gospel exalts an exalted Christ "sat down at the right hand of God"
Vs.19 Peter tells us that we are saved, 1 Peter 3:21--22 ...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. (NAU)
Vs.20 Sharing the Gospel is a difficult task, but Christians have all the resources necessary to carry out the task. It is none other than the resurrection power of Christ that enables us to serve Him. Hebrews 13:20--21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: Everything we have learned about Jesus Christ today can be summed up in the story of the pearl of great price. Matthew 13:45--46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NAU)
"So when man finds Jesus, it costs him everything. Jesus has happiness, joy, peace, healing, security, eternity. Man marvels at such a pearl and says, 'I want this pearl. How much does it cost?"
"The seller says, 'it's too dear, too costly.'
"But how much?'
"Well, it's very expensive.'
"Do you think I could buy it?'
"It costs everything you have--no more, no less--so anybody can buy it.'
"I'll buy it.'
"What do you have? Let's write it down.'
"I have $10,000 in the bank.'
"Good, $10,000. What else?'
"I have nothing more. That's all I have.'
"Have you nothing more?'
"Well, I have some dollars here in my pocket.'
"How many?'
"I'll see: Thirty, forty, fifty, eighty, one hundred, one hundred twenty--one hundred twenty dollars.'
"That's fine. What else do you have?'
"I have nothing else. That's all.'
"Where do you live?"
"I live in my house.'
"The house, too.'
"Then you mean I must live in the garage?'
"Have you a garage, too? That, too. What else?'
"Do you mean that I must live in my car, then?'
"Have you a car?'
"I have two.'
"Both become mine. Both cars. What else?'
"Well, you have my house, the garage, the cars, the money, everything.'
"What else?'
"Are you alone in the world?'
"No, I have a wife, two children...'
"Your wife and children, too.'
"Too?'
"Yes, everything you have. What else?'
"I have nothing else, I am left alone now."
"Oh, you too! Everything becomes mine--wife, children, house, money, cars--everything. And you too. Now you can use all those things here but don't forget they are mine, as you are. When I need any of the things you are using, you must give them to me because now I am the owner." [6]
"Beauty is in Christ, bounty is in Christ, riches and honor are in Christ. Jesus Christ is the treasure hidden in the gospel, the pearl of great price..." William Dyer [7]
What will you do with Jesus, the precious pearl of great price? If Jesus is precious to you then you will want to serve Him, learn more about Him, do only those things that please Him, and spend time with those who love Him too.
[1]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, Mk 16:1–4 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
[2]Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison and Thomas Nelson Publishers (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
[3]Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, 54 (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990).
[4]William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments, Mk 16:9 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
[5]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, Mk 16:17–18 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-).
[6]Juan Carlos Ortiz, Call to Discipleship, (Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1975), pp. 42,43 Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002; 2002).
[7]"Christ's Famous Titles" by William Dyer
