THE POWER OUTFLOWING FROM HIS RESURRECTION
Mt. 28:2-6; Luke 24:36-43; Phip. 3:10
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: APRIL FOOL’S DAY JOKES
1. In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore made an announcement on BBC Radio. He said this: “At 9:47 a.m. today there will be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ astronomical event occurring.” The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity.
2. Patrick Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, Radio 2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. The date was 1st April 1976.
3. On 1st April 1998, Burger King announced a new item on their menu: a "Left-Handed Whopper" especially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. The ingredients were the same, but all the items were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers.
4. The next day, Burger King said that it had been a hoax, but thousands of customers had gone into the restaurants to request the new sandwich. Many others, ordering, had requested the 'right handed' version.
5. It just so happens that April Fool’s Day falls on the same day as Easter this year, but be very clear that Jesus’ resurrection not only DID happened, but it’s one of the most certain events in history.
B. VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1M10aOVDho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQk-8cmdBfw
C. TEXT
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.” Matt. 28:2-6. “36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.” Luke 24:36-43. “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed…” Phip. 3:10, AMPC.
D. THESIS
1. When Jesus was Resurrected, a number of things happened:
a. Death was vanquished by life.
b. It was the beginning of the annihilation of ALL evil.
c. The future age of immortality was ushered back into this age of decay.
d. We were set free in Christ from all bondages.
2. This message is entitled, “The Power Outflowing from His Resurrection,” Phip. 3:10 Amp., because Jesus’ resurrection affects all time and space. Let’s look at 3 ways it affects us: "Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ…"
I. WE DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID ANYMORE
Mt. 28:5,10. First words of the Angel and of Jesus: "Do not be afraid." An Advice Columnist (Ann Landers) said she got 10,000 letters a month and most of them were concerning fears.
A. THE PROBLEM OF FEAR
1. We’re all beset with fears. The young fear rejection by their peers and the old are afraid of getting sick.
2. There's fear of lightning, tornadoes, airplanes, financial ruin, assault, cancer, etc.
3. Fear is contagious and paralyzing. The ultimate fear is the fear of death.
B. WHY THE RESURRECTION CALMS OUR FEARS
1. The resurrection is important because none of us are going to make it out of this life alive. We may live 90 years, be we’re all going to die.
2. Jesus rising from the dead proved:
a. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was pleasing to God;
b. Jesus overcoming death proves His eradication of sin;
c. It proves that Jesus stands alone in being the Savior & Redeemer of the world.
3. ILLUSTRATION.
a. A. H. Ackley, a street preacher in Los Angeles, noticed a man attending his meetings night after night. Ackley’s discovered he was not a Christian.
b. Ackley asked him if he was a believer. "Oh," said the visitor, "Christianity is very interesting, but I could never be a Christian."
c. "Why?" Ackley asked. "Because I could never … get salvation from a dead Jew," was his reply. Ackley replied, "Neither could I. The other half of the story is that Jesus is not dead, He’s risen! He’s alive today!”
4. What a difference the resurrection of Jesus makes.
Since Jesus conquered death, we don't have to be afraid of it anymore (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The Resurrection Effects us because…
II. WE CAN (NOW) EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
A. JESUS NOT WHERE HE’S SUPPOSED TO BE.
1. Matthew 28:6, the Angel said, "He is not here, He is risen!"
2. We won't find Jesus in the tomb! The U.S. Postal Service once had to return a letter addressed to "Christ the King." The yellow label they stuck to the envelope read, "Christ the King: Moved – Left no forwarding address. Return to sender, postage due, $.45.” Jesus definitely moved, but he DID leave his forwarding address: He's at the right hand of God!
3. There's a certain fatalism to life; there are so many aspects we can't change or control. But that's all changed with the Resurrection and coming of Jesus Christ.
4. Since Jesus is risen, we have confirmation that God is in control, that our situations and problems can change.
B. SINCE HE’S ALIVE, WE CAN EXPECT AMAZING THINGS TO HAPPEN
1. We live in a world where the extraordinary has taken place! Miracles can happen! God answers prayer. God orders the events of our lives!
2. If Jesus rose from the dead:
a. He can fix my marriage too!
b. He can help me get my life turned around.
c. He can help me know what to do with that big decision on facing.
3. Because Jesus rose, we can now EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
C. ILLUSTRATION
1. It was Easter Sunday at the Ibuga Church of Western Tanzania. The Ibuga Christians had to meet outdoors because the buildings could not accommodate the 800 who attended.
2. While they sang and worshipped, they had no idea of
the calamity that was striking their neighborhood. About the time they started their service, a huge lioness came from the forest wild and mad.
3. Normally a lion will kill and eat, but this lioness was only bent on killing. She dashed from house to house killing – three goats, a cow, & then a woman & her child.
4. Then she ran off in the direction of the Ibuga Church meeting. The villagers said "Now the “Mungu Mwena" ("God is good") people will get it!"
5. The congregation suddenly saw the creature only a few yards away; she growled furiously. The people quivered with shock!
6. The preacher shouted, "Folks, don't be afraid, the God who saved Daniel from the lions is here. The Risen Christ of Easter is here."
7. Then with a God-given faith and authority he turned to the lioness and said, "You lion, I curse you in the Name of Jesus Christ!"
8. Then the most amazing thing happened. From the scattered clouds, though there had been no rain – nor was there any later – a bolt of lightning struck the lioness and she dropped dead in her tracks.
9. The preacher ran and jumped up and down on the carcass and used it as a platform to preach! 17 people were instantly saved.
10. The community was stirred and agreed with the local policeman who muttered as they carried the carcass to the police station, "The God of these ‘Mungu Mwena’
people surely is a God of miracles!"
11. I preach to you the same Risen Jesus today, who is alive and still works miracles!
Because of the Resurrection…
III. WE CAN HAVE A FRESH START
Angel said, “Go tell his disciples and Peter…” Mk. 16:7.
A. HUMOR: THE FLOWER NOTE
1. A lot of us need a second chance!
2. It was Shane and Diane’s second wedding anniversary and for a surprise, Shane decided to send some flowers to Diane’s office.
3. He gave special instructions for what the florist should write on the card: - "From Shane. Happy Anniversary. Year Number 2"
4. Diane was thrilled with the flowers, but not so pleased with the card. It reads: - "From Shane. Happy Anniversary. You're Number 2!"
5. There was some making-up to do!
B. PETER’S NEED OF A FRESH START
1. Jesus’ resurrection took place on the first day of the new week. A new beginning. A fresh start.
2. No one would have appreciated this more than Peter. He was one of Jesus’ disciples and promised Jesus that he would always be loyal to Jesus no matter what happened.
3. But Peter, like the other disciples, fled when Jesus was arrested. He also denied knowing Jesus three times that same night.
4. It's very likely that Peter dictate of the events in the book of Mark and Mark wrote them down. So the words of the Angel, "Go, tell his disciples and Peter…" must've caused a lump in Peter’s throat! Jesus's last memory of Peter before His death, was Peter's betrayal!
5. It was like Jesus said, "Make sure Peter knows I’ve risen from the dead, because as guilty as he feels right now, he of all people needs to know that he can have a fresh start."
6. Later, Jesus met with Peter, forgave him and restored him to favor with God. Have you have made some mistakes. Have you made some poor decisions? Have feelings of guilt? You can start over!
C. YOUR NEED OF A FRESH START
1. The first step you need to make is forgiveness. Letting Jesus take away all your sins. For this to happen, we must repent of our sins. To repent means to “turn about.”
2. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 Jn. 1:9.
3. “Physical birth is not enough. You must be born spiritually.” John 3:5, Living Bible.
4. The second step is to have faith in Christ; to “trust in, cling to and rely” on Jesus. If you fell off a cliff and there was a vine, you would “cling to” the vine for your very life! That’s the same kind of dependency we’re supposed to have on Christ.
5. Just like you were born into this world, you must be “born” into the spiritual realm. That happens when you trust in and cling to Jesus as your Savior.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: Wellington Defeated?
1. On June 18, 1815 a man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea for news of the battle of Waterloo, the crucial battle for Europe between England’s Duke of Wellington, and the French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.
2. All of England held its breath to find out the fate of
the great battle. At last a signal was conveyed over land and then from ship to ship across the English channel.
3. The signalman read the first two signals – “Wellington defeated,” then a fog covered the ship. The man faithfully signaled the news onward, and it spread across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness
4. But then a great reversal came. The fog lifted, and the message was sent again, this time in full: “Wellington defeated the enemy.” Wellington had won! Napoleon had been defeated! At this news great joy swept all England and church-bells peeled everywhere.
5. Similarly, on Good Friday, it seemed the message was “Christ defeated.” But three days later, we got the full message; “Christ defeated the enemy!”
6. Easter Sunday celebrates Christ’s victory over death, hell and the grave! The sad news of Good Friday was turned into the glad news of Easter morning!
[Source: The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1824, under the subject “telegraph.” https://books.google.com/books?id=MsYnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA650&dq=wellington+defeated+plymouth+fog+date:1000-1830&lr=&hl=en#v=onepage&q=wellington%20 defeated%20plymouth%20fog%20date%3A1000-1830&f=false
B. THE CALL
1. Because Jesus rose:
a. You don't have to be afraid [Fear];
b. You can expect the unexpected [miracle];
c. You could have a fresh start. [Fresh start]
2. Salvation call. Prayer.
