How does the empty tomb affect me?
Selected Scriptures
Introduction-
Matthew 28:8-10
Mark 16:6-8
Luke 24:4-7
John 20:1-8
Between these Gospels we have an account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We have been in a series At The Cross… First we looked at the love of God because of what He did on the cross.
Last week, we looked At The Cross… and we saw the forgiveness of God. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The rebellious Jews nailed Jesus to the Cross.
If I am to stay in the thread of the series, this morning’s message would be At The Cross… is victory. That empty tomb changes everything!
If you came this morning to hear a boring religious message, I think you will be disappointed. This is not the day to be religious, it is not the day to be sad, it is a day to rejoice and be glad and to focus on the greatest event that ever occurred in human history.
We have come to celebrate the empty tomb. The tomb was empty.
As hard as the Romans did everything they could to keep the body of Jesus in that tomb, the tomb was empty, and Jesus was not there.
Webster’s dictionary defines “empty” as containing nothing.
The tomb that had the body of Jesus now contains nothing.
Ever go to the refrigerator to find an empty carton of milk?
Ever go to the grocery store and load up all your groceries on the belt and you open your wallet and find that it is empty? Not good.
Empty is not a good when it comes to your wallet or a carton of milk.
Empty is not good when you describe the condition of your soul, but when it comes to a tomb containing the body of Jesus Christ, it is a very good thing!
The women went to the tomb not expecting to find it empty, they actually planned on preparing Jesus body for burial.
The disciples, they thought the women were crazy until they went to the empty tomb themselves.
None of them expected to find the tomb empty.
None of them knew the power of the empty tomb would have in their lives or the world.
The empty tomb has the power to change lives (repeat)
All God’s people say amen, but just like the people in the video clip, they don’t doubt it is possible, but how does it affect you and I?
One of the most compelling reasons to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the dramatic change that occurred in the lives of the disciples. The lives of thousands upon thousands all the way down to the church today were changed.
All going from nonsense to transformation.
Society that shifted from devout Jews worshipping on Saturday, the sacred Sabbath, to Sunday, the first day of the resurrection.
When Jesus died, His followers lost all hope.
Their hope for liberation from Rome died with Jesus .
Their hopes for a new life died with Jesus .
But they discovered that the tomb was empty! Jesus was alive! That gave them Hope!
Because Jesus lives, we can also live one day like Him.
How does that empty tomb affect you?
When we discover the empty tomb and meet the Jesus that is alive!
Most of you don’t know the 14 year old rebellious kid I was, flipping through the TV stations looking to watch a Brewers game one night, and running into a preacher named Billy Graham that told me I need Jesus. I laughed at him and made fun of him. Then the Spirit of God spoke to me, not in an audible voice, but I sensed His presence and I discovered the empty tomb, the Jesus that was alive! He changed my life that day!
Regrettably, not completely, and not without a struggle.
I was never the same, and when I did do things that I was not suppose too, I had a still small voice that guided me and corrected me.
Lee Strobel-
People will die for their religious beliefs if they sincerely believe their true, but people won’t die for their religious beliefs if they know their beliefs are false.
Because Jesus lives, we can also live.
I need God to show that to you this morning. Jesus was resurrected and is no longer in the grave.
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (Read from the Bible )
Some at Corinth were saying that there was no resurrection. They said that someone stole the body of Jesus. Paul draws out the implications of this false contention.
If our faith in Christ brings benefit only for the present life and not deliverance from sin, then we are without hope.
(20) “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
I have loved ones and so do you that have died loving Jesus and you want to see them again.
I don’t want religion, Jesus did not preach religion, He preached the resurrection power of the empty tomb.
He answered the great question of the ages- “if mortals die, can they live again?
The greatest truth that you will ever hear is that Jesus Christ died, they killed Him, but He rose again by the power of God.
That as a believer, you will one day die, but can rise again into the newness of life.
We are not religious- we are risen with Him!
Colossians 1:9-12
“For in Christ all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Let me bring this home
How does the empty tomb affect you? That will depend on what decision you make. Will you put your faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ or keep doing it your way? You way having no hope.
The resurrected Lord rose from the grave, He did not come back in an earthly body that they could kill Him again. No one will ever do that again to Jesus Christ. He came back in a heavenly body that will never die again.
His tomb is empty. The tombs of Mohamad, Buddah, Confusious, and every other religious founders grave still has a body. But not Jesus Christ. His body was there for three days, just like God said and is now resurrected, glorified, and immortalized. He appeared to his disciples and to over 500 others showing himself to be alive .
He (Jesus) has ascended back to heaven and has ever since been at the right hand of God making intercession for us.
Listen,
Every person who has ever lived was created in the likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26, James 3:9) every person will continue to exist forever, either in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ or in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41)
The difference is their acceptance or rejection of the Lord.
Jesus Christ is who He says He is.
He has done what He said he would do.
He is the creator, redeemer, savior, risen Lord.
Only the creator can defeat death!
Psalm 2:12- “Bless are all who take refuge in Him.”
God loves you and has a plan for your life.
He loved you so much that He sent Jesus.
Jesus said “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Life is full of purpose when the Lord is in it.
Problem man is sinful and separated from God.
We have all fallen short of the glory of God.
The good news is Jesus Christ took you place and demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners. Jesus is the only way to God.
Would you like to make a decision for Christ this morning?
Would you discover the truth behind the empty tomb?
Bow your head with me this morning please,
The Lord is speaking to some this morning, it is a God moment.
Do you want your life to change dramatically today?
I would like to pray with you.
I am very sensitive this morning, because there is no magic words we say to receive God. It is about heart change. It begins with communicating with Him.
If you would like to do that this morning, would you just raise your hand so I can pray with you.
If you are lost for words, pray this prayer after me or say it in your own words but communicate this morning with the Lord.
Prayer of Faith
I am sorry for the things that I have done wrong in my life.
I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong.
Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins.
Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever.
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer with me this morning, the Bible tells us that your name is now written in the book of life! Praise the Lord! The angels are now rejoicing!
