A Way Out
(Community Sunrise Service)
Intro: Nearly every Easter I make it a point to take another look at why I believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. And as I look at my own spiritual journey over the years, I can identify several pieces of evidence that have strengthened my belief that Jesus is all He claimed to be and did all that His Father sent Him to this earth to do. First of all, there are a number of historical writings that refer to Jesus Christ as a historical figure who was executed under Pilate, the Governor of Judea. It is very difficult for anyone to argue the fact that such a person lived – at least with any kind of credibility. Obviously, the most complete account of His life is found in the Bible in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
-So as we think about His resurrection from the dead, at least 3 things stand out to me that help confirm the claims the Bible makes about Jesus. First, there is the empty tomb. What happened to the body of Jesus? Did His disciples steal His body as many of the Jews and Roman soldiers claimed? This does not hold up for many reasons. The tomb was heavily guarded by Roman soldiers who would likely have been executed if they had fallen asleep. The disciples would have had to overpower the guards, move a 2-ton stone, and relocate the body somewhere where it would never be found. Why then weren’t the disciples arrested for violating Roman law, robbing a grave, and assaulting Roman soldiers? It just doesn’t make sense. The gospel accounts actually show the disciples needing to be convinced that Jesus was really alive. They didn’t expect it or believe it at first.
-A 2nd piece of the puzzle has to do with the number of witnesses. Over 500 people saw Jesus alive at the same time. Thomas touched the holes in his hands. 2 men walked and talked with Him on the Road to Emmaus. Then Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples and let them touch Him and He asked them for something to eat and ate it right in front of them. Some of the disciples also had a fish BBQ with Him on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. 1 Cor. 15 talks about how many different people saw Jesus after His resurrection. With that many eyewitnesses seeing Jesus in different locations and times, we have overwhelming evidence that He really was alive.
-The last thing that means a lot to us today is the fact of changed lives. Not only did the disciples change from timid, defeated has beens to bold and powerful leaders in the early church. Each of them except for John was put to death for claiming that Jesus was alive. Lots of people will die for what they believe in, but never for a lie. And millions of lives have been changed since the first century AD. Lives are still being changed today.
-So, the resurrection of Jesus is so much more than a fairy tale! In fact, the entire Christian faith rests on the resurrection. Paul tells how to be saved in Romans 10 – Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. No resurrection, no salvation. Why? Because the resurrection was the greatest evidence that Jesus was truly the Son of God – God in flesh who came to save the world from sin.
-I would love to talk with you about these and more pieces of evidence about the Bible and the resurrection. If you have the desire to search out the facts, I’d love to help you with that. Knowing that Jesus Himself has already overcome death gives us hope that our own death does not get the last word! When it is time for us to go, our spirits leave this body and go to be with the Lord. And when Jesus returns as He promised, those who have died trusting in Him will be raised to life again with new bodies and will be with the Lord forever and ever.
-Death does not get the last word. Our problems and troubles do not get the last word! Our own personal failures do not get the last word. Part of the good news about Jesus (which we call the gospel) starts with what may sound like bad news. What’s the bad news? We can’t be good enough to earn our own way into heaven! (Eph. 2:8,9). Who then can be saved? How can we make it into heaven? Not those who do enough good things, but those who receive God’s gift of life through faith. Again, Romans 10 says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. If a person makes a statement of faith that Jesus is Lord of All, and if they believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, they will be saved!
-So, the good news is that even though we cannot save ourselves, there is someone who can! Jesus has already done everything that was necessary for you to be made right with God! Your part is to respond to His free gift with a commitment of trust, recognizing that what Jesus did through His death and resurrection is enough to make you right with God and get you into heaven.
-Maybe you’ve been stuck in a life of troubles and darkness. Maybe others have used you and taken advantage of you. God is calling you out from that place of disappoint-ment and despair. Maybe you’ve made some bad decisions that have landed you in a place you never thought you’d be – away from God and the life He has for you. God is calling you away from your failures and your sins. But God isn’t just calling you away from these things just so you can try a little harder yourself and do a little better on your own. No! God is calling you to come to Him! He calls you to do life with Him!
-Here’s what Jesus said to the people who had been kicked around in life and didn’t have much hope: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
-I like how the Message Bible puts this: 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
-Most of you have already heard the Easter story. It begins with the only sinless person who ever lived. He helped everyone who came to Him, healing them and teaching them how to live a full life with God right in the center. He made some of the religious leaders mad because He wouldn’t play their games and began to expose them for what they were – frauds with a badge of spiritual authority, but no substance. So, they nailed Him to a wooden cross and sealed His body in a tomb to shut Him up! However, Jesus knew the way out! God raised Him from the dead and He came out of the tomb! He knows the way out of darkness! Jesus knows the way out of an impossible situation! He overcame death itself when He came back to life. And now He offers a way out for you!
-Jesus offers a way out of the darkness that might describe your life. He knows the way out!! Maybe you need to get out of a situation or a mess that you’re in. He offers a way out of your brokenness and despair. He is not shocked by your weakness or failure or sin. He wants to bring you out of the bondage you’ve been in and bring you close to Himself. Again, He says, “Come to Me… I will help you and give you peace and rest from the slavery of sin and heartache. I will make your heart laugh again. But you must come to Me.” Jesus knows the way out!
-And Jesus didn’t make it real complicated! He didn’t say you had to join a church or learn to recite a certain prayer or creed. He said, “I will not turn away anyone who comes to Me.” So we come just as we are, and we ask Him to help us become who He created us to be! This isn’t something we can do ourselves. First, He forgives us when we tell Him our sins and set out to follow Him. He begins to lead us as we learn to do life with Him. He doesn’t ask for our best behavior when we come to Him. He asks instead for our willingness. He invites us to come close to Him and follow Him! The relationship that grows as we begin to do life with Him is what becomes our lifeline. He is our Savior, but it is the connection between us that allows His life to flow to us.
-So Jesus offers a way out! A way out of our impossible situations that leave us feeling like there is no hope or help. A way out of our sins because His death paid the penalty that was against us. And a way in to God’s family and God’s acceptance. A way into a life that will last forever which we will always share with Him!
-For those who know Jesus Christ as their Forgiver and Leader, death has lost its sting – it is no longer something to be feared. What fear is there when we have the promise that one day we will live forever with Him in Heaven?
-A father and son were traveling down a country road one afternoon in the spring time when suddenly a bee flew in the window. Being deathly allergic to bee stings, the boy began to panic as the bee buzzed all around inside the car. Seeing the horror on his child’s face, the father reached out and caught the bee in his hand. Soon, he opened his hand and the bee began to buzz around once again. Again, the boy began to panic. The father reached over to his son, and opened his hand showing him the stinger still in his palm. “Relax, son,” the father said, “I took the sting, the bee can’t hurt you anymore.”
-Jesus took the sting out of death by His resurrection. Not only can we get free from sin and bondage in this lifetime, but there will also be able to get out of this world when we die or when Jesus returns for those who trust in Him.
-What’s your story today? Are you stuck in some things that are sucking the life out of you? Do you need to find a way out of the cycles of repeated failure? There is a way out, and it is found by coming to Jesus and giving it all to Him. He will forgive you. He will set you free from whatever has a hold on you. He will do for you what no amount of good works will ever accomplish. He will work a miracle of change in your heart if you are willing to let go and ask Him for His help.
-We often settle too quickly for defeat in our lives and take our failures and afflictions as inevitable. If only people could see that the power of God can change everything!
-Max Lucado gives at least 2 practical results of the Resurrection of Jesus: 1. My failures are not fatal. 2. My death is not final. Both the cross and the empty tomb speak to us today. The cross tells us that the price was paid for us to be forgiven and come close to God. The empty tomb tells us that Jesus really is who He claimed to be and there is help for us today and hope for tomorrow! If you are not connected with God through genuine faith in His one and only Son Jesus, I hope you will search out the things I’ve shared today and choose to do life with God. If you are already trusting in Jesus and following Him wholeheartedly, I urge you to keep it real and keep it fresh! Walk in newness of life because Jesus knows the way out of darkness and defeat. And if you are following Him, then you know the way out too! Believe it! Live it! Share it!
