Title: He Lives: Understanding the Mystery of the Empty Tomb
Theme: Show that there is life In the grave.
Text: Mark 16:1 – 8, Luke 24:2 - 3
Communion – Road to Emmaus
Luk 24:13-35 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles [164] from Jerusalem. (14) And they talked together of all these things which had happened. (15) So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. (16) But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
Restrained, beholden –
G2902 - Original: κρατέω - Transliteration: Krateo
- Phonetic: krat-eh'-o
- Definition:
1. to have power, be powerful a. to be chief, be master of, to rule
2. to get possession of a. to become master of, to obtain
b. to take hold of c. to take hold of, take, seize
1. to lay hands on one in order to get him into one's power
3. to hold a. to hold in the hand b. to hold fast, i.e. not discard or let go
1. to keep carefully and faithfully c. to continue to hold, to retain
1. of death continuing to hold one
2. to hold in check, restrain
They had already set in their mind what had happened. The faith had been lacking.
(28) Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. (29) But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. (30) Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. (31) Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
(32) And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (33) So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, (34) saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (35) And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Opening
Mark 16: 1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large.
How did the stone roll away? Luke 24:2 behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." 8 So they went out quickly [85] and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Introduction
Opening Illustration
It was Easter Sunday morning when the Rev. Alfred H. Ackley was getting ready for the morning service at his church in California. As usual he would turn on his radio and listen to the preacher of the hour. This morning he heard an announcement come on, "We now join the complete red and blue networks (which are N.B.C. and A.B.C. today) for a special program originating from New York City."
Then came the introduction of the preacher. Mr. Ackley recognized him as a well known preacher with liberal thinking. This morning he begins with a very disturbing introduction, "Good morning-it's Easter! You know folks, it really doesn't make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I am concerned His body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!"
Then with a loud shout Rev. Ackley yells, "It's a lie!" His wife, not hearing what was said to Rev. Ackley, "Why are you shouting so early in the morning?" Then Rev. Ackley replied, "Did you hear what that good for nothing preacher said?" "He said it didn't matter whether Christ is risen or not."
Oh, what a powerful statement that was made on that day of 1932. A statement that should have gotten all Christians on their feet and ready to fight. To say that it did not matter that our Savior was risen. To say it did not matter. Today I am here to tell you two things, First that preacher on the radio in 1932 and any other person who says it does not matter if Christ is risen or not is a liar. Second, it does matter. It makes the biggest difference in the world.
I. The Mystery of the Cross
How could the horror and violence of a cross bring salvation. The power of the cross is shown in the 7 last sayings of Christ.
7 Last Sayings of Jesus – Friday Night’s Service at Bethel Methodist
1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” – Luke 23:34 – True Forgiveness
2. “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” – Luke 23:43 - Salvation
3. “Jesus said to his Mother, “Women, this is your Son” then He ssaid to the disciples, This is your Mother” – John 19:26 – 27
- Pratical living
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” – Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 – “wages of sin” taken on Christ
5. “I thirst” – John 19:28 – desire for more
6. “It is finished” – John 19:29 -30 – Finality of Christ Work
7. “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit” – Luke 23:46
II. The Mystery of the Soldiers & Religious leaders: Unbelief
They were a witness to:
The death of Christ
Matthew 27:54 NKJV
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
The resurrection of Christ (probably the same regimend that had been involed was part of this.
The mystery here is how they could not believe.
Luk 23:45-48 Then the sun was darkened, [159] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. (46) And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " [160] Having said this, He breathed His last. (47) So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" (48) And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.
Luke 24:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
Their Plot
Mat 28:11-15 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. (12) When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, (13) saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' (14) And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." (15) So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
To me the most amazing part is after all they saw how could they reject Christ, the Messiah. After all the Pharisees saw, they even knew of the 3 day promise of the resurrection, saw the miracles and still rejected Christ.
Paul asks a powerful question in Hebrews to anyone who rejects the gospel.
Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. (2) For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast (reliable), and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, (For the wages of”, God is not slack concerning his promises whatsoever a man sows he will reap” Galatians) (3) how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (4) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
III. The Mystery of the Stone -Obstacles
How was it removed? By the Angels. The stone was set in a groove in front of the grave. It could have weighed anywhere from ½ a ton to 2 tons. Yet it was moved.
How does God remove stones in our lives?
IV. The Mystery of Christ Appearance & The Mystery of the Many Witnesses
A. To Mary Magdalene, Mary, the disciples in the upper room
B. To Peter
Mark 16: 1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." 8 So they went out quickly [85] and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
A. Pharisees – He said he would rise on the third day
B. Soldiers – guarded the tomb
C. Those who rose from the dead and witnessed
D. Mary Magdalene (out of whom he had cast 7 demons) and the disciples
E. Cephas on the road to Emmaus
F. 500 who witnessed
G. Disciples in the upper room
H. Paul on the road to Damascus
He is Risen
V. Mystery of Victory
Death brought life
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."--1 Cor. 15:17-20
Mystery of the Death to Life
Luke 24:5-6 NKJV Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9-13
1Co 15:20-21 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:51-57 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [54] (55) "O Death, where is your sting? [55] O Hades, where is your victory?" [56] (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death is no longer victorious. Christ has overcome death.
Conclusion
What is holding you back from following Christ? Why not surrender? Christ has overcome all the obstacles.
