What will you believe? (Easter 2025)
Mark 16:1-7
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad you have chosen to be here today!
-- Prayerfully, you’re AWAKE and CELEBRATING that HE IS ALIVE!!
-- That was the intention of a little more pep in our music – did it work?
- This morning, we celebrate the wonderful FACT of His resurrection! Why?
-- Today IS the completion of God’s plan: remove sin & redeem His creation
-- It is a not only a day of remembrance – but should be a day of JOY!!
Read Mark 16:1-7
Pray
Point 1 – SEE: The tomb is empty!
- The women would have been coming (in mourning) to anoint Jesus’ body (v1)
-- Why? 1st century: Would’ve helped with the aroma during decomposition
-- Understand: Their motivation is a gesture of love: to care for & honor Him
- They are headed to the tomb at daybreak (realistically, in order to see their way)
-- RE: The Jewish week begins on Sunday (Sabbath celebrated on Sat) (v2)
-- RE: when the Sabbath would’ve ended (6pm) it would already be too dark
- As they are walking, they ask: “Who will roll away the stone for us?” (v3)
-- The tomb is sealed (saw him buried); they’re worried: who will help us?
-- And in the Gospel of Matthew we know that guards were placed at the tomb
-- Consider this: They are only thinking about their own personal challenges
- BIG: Jesus prophesied specifically that He would rise after his death
-- Mark 9:31, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” (Repeats in Mark 10:34)
-- They haven’t put it together: THIS is the 3rd day - He should now be ALIVE!
- CHALL: How often do we focus on circumstances instead of God’s promises?
-- When God gives us a promise, do we doubt Him when it’s not immediate?
-- APP: Do we limit God’s ability to provide the things we need? (pause)
- So … when they arrived at the tomb they see something … amazing!
• The stone has already been rolled away (v4)
• A young man (GR: neaniskos; attendant) dressed in a white robe (v5)
• He is seated on the right side (place of honor) of the tomb, and,
• They are given the greatest message any has received before or since
- FACT: The bible records that they are “shocked” – without a response!
-- Greek: ekthambeó; astounded or alarmed
- Please do not miss this … If they really understood and believed what Jesus said:
1. They should’ve known they are going to find Jesus alive
2. They are having a conversation with an angel sent from God
a. This servant is a messenger from God to bring Good News
b. We’ve studied this time and again: God often sends messengers
c. He wants us to know, to remember, to rejoice in what He has done!
3. As if that is not awesome enough … he says, “Jesus isn’t here!” (Read: v6)
- TR: We have to chat about the importance of this statement …
Point 2 – Why? Truly, He is not there anymore!
- To the Christian, v6 ought to be the most important verse of this Gospel
• Yes, it is all good and should all be studied – but why? (PHOTO)
• EXCITED: He is not here – He has risen from the dead!
• Invitation: Come see where His body USED to be!!
- FACT: This one verse – one truth – is what ALL of our hope is based on!
-- APPLY: If this is a lie … then what in the Bible can be counted on as true?
- This is what we’ve been studying in Isaiah that would take place (Chs. 7, 9, 11)
-- APP: God would send a Messiah & His Messiah would conquer sin & death!
- Understand this: God does not only give good news - but He also instructs us!
-- This attendant’s message is one of clear instruction: “Now … Go and Tell!”
-- Remember, all the disciples fled and abandoned Jesus when He was arrested
-- Mark 14:50, “Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.”
- Subtle; Don’t miss: there is even an importance of mentioning Peter by name
-- Why? Peter denied being associated with Jesus when he was challenged …
-- (RE: the third time he denied Jesus) Mark 14:71, “Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying - I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” (the rooster crowed)
- APP: To Peter, this news would’ve been a mixed bag: good & bad …
-- He’s been in hiding, filled with shame, and Jesus predicted/knew his denial
- See the angel’s words: (v7), “… you will see Him there, just as he told you …”
-- The disciples are instructed to go to Galilee; Why Galilee and not Jerusalem?
-- Mark 14:28, “But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Hello?!? When you read/remember God’s Word…
- Might wonder – other than the obvious found of hope: Why does this matter?
-- Church, these are the words we need, today! Have peace; be assured; be calm
-- God has already worked out our challenges; He knows what we are facing!
-- Money issues? Go to God. Sin issues? God to God. Trust issues? Go to God.
-- APP: We don’t need to know the plan, but must trust that He already knows!
Easter Challenge - 2 things to see and consider this morning:
1. What are you not allowing God to do for you?
-- I’m not talking about some nonsense “name it and claim” fake religious thing
-- I’m seriously asking: Where are you focused on the problem instead of Him?
-- Where are you needing Him to do a work that you are not trusting in Him?
- Mary, Salome, and Mary were worried about the weight of the stone (problem)
-- But were not prepared to see that God had already taken care of it! (He’s alive!)
2. What does the Good News that He is (truly) alive mean to YOU?
-- If it doesn’t affirm your hope in Him, you cannot understand #1 above
-- APP: Your faith and trust must be in what He has done instead of your abilities!
- If He is not your Savior, your Lord, your reason for how you live – what is He?
-- A convenience? Casual friend? Distant relative? An annoyance to your “fun”?
- This morning – you and I have a wonderful opportunity to:
• Stop playing games – or let me say it better: To stop trying to be religious!
• Know what He has done was done FOR you – His resurrection is our hope!!
-- Realize that today is the perfect day to turn back to Him / to not wait …
- Maybe you’ve been struggling, looking for an excuse, needing proof, whatever
-- Today can be that day that you STOP searching, STOP controlling, and seek Him
- Jesus died and resurrected to complete God’s plan for His creation
-- But, unless we receive his invitation of being our Lord, we are not His
-- Admit, Believe, Confess … today can be the day you know His peace also!
- Pray
