Somebody Should Say Something!
Preached: April 20, 2025, BFBC 11 AM service Easter Sunday
Humor:
Text: Matthew 28:1-8
(1) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. (8) And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
INTRODUCTION
This is the Sunday set aside to remember and celebrate Easter! Yet in many pulpits, “Headline News” will take the spotlight. For others, “Political Winds” will be tested and some “preachers, pastors, priests, or clergy will spend the time talking about politics. Then some think people come to church to hear the latest “Sports Highlights,” or the most recent “Movie or Hollywood update!”
Then, the Easter Bunny, whoever, or whatever that is, will take center stage in so many churches today!
Consumers will spend around 24 billion Dollars on Easter, not on the Gospel, but on Candy!
Enough! ENOUGH!
“Somebody Should Say Something!”
If you agree, say “Somebody Should Say Something!”
Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus!
Now I think it’s more important to talk about than politics!
I think that it’s more important to talk about than sports!
I think that it’s more important to talk about than the latest Movie reviews!
I think that it’s more important to talk about than the New York Times Top Ten Best Sellers!
Jesus didn’t say, “Preach Politics!
Jesus didn’t say, “Preach Sports!
Jesus didn’t say, “Preach Hollywood!
Jesus didn’t say, “Preach Social Media!”
Jesus didn’t say, “Preach the Easter Bunny or colored eggs!
Jesus said, “Preach the Word!” Preach about the Resurrection of Jesus! Hope! Eternal Life!
So, in obedience to the command of Christ, Matthew 28:16-20…
I thought I should say something!
I’m gonna say something! So, I want to tell you that…
Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Yes, today we will talk about that resurrection story of Jesus, who was crucified and buried in a tomb, but He’s alive today.
He’s alive! He’s alive and all because of Resurrection Sunday! Easter!
Note our Text: Matthew 28:1-8
(Verse 1) Mattthew tells us on that first day of the week, which was Sunday, Jesus Christ rose and came out of the tomb!
He arose before the earthquake! He rose before the stone was rolled away!
(Verse 2) God made the earth shake!
God sent “The Angel of the Lord” to roll back the stone!
He then sat down and waited and watched!
(Verse 3-4) The Keepers did shake! They were scared to death!
The Angel of the Lord looked at those worried women who had come to wrap a dead body… and he figured “Somebody Should Say Something!”
So, the Angel said something…
(Verse 5-6)
I know you are looking for the body of Jesus…
He is not here!
He is not dead!
He had risen from the dead just like he tried to tell you!
Look at His grave clothes!
Look at where He laid!
(Verse 7) The Angel said something else…
“… Go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you…”
So, let me start by telling you a little bit about what took place…
A few days earlier before Easter, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of Hosanna, Glory to God! Praise to the King!
That is why Palm Sunday is celebrated!
I thought Somebody Should Say Something!
Just a few days later after being falsely condemned and cruelly treated, this same crowd cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
Well, I thought you should know that they did just that!
Look at your neighbor and tell them… “Somebody Should Say Something!”
“I’ll say Something…”
Church, tell me “Say Something!”
Tell me again, “Say Something!”
OK! I’ll say something!
They crucified Jesus the Son of God between two thieves!
He died! He gave up the ghost!
He sacrificed Himself for you and me!
He made His soul an offering for the Sin of the World!
There’s something else…
They took down Jesus from the cross.
They wrapped Him in grave clothes.
They laid Him in a tomb!
The stone was rolled into the opening of the tomb and it was sealed!
The Roman soldiers stood guard over the tomb!
Satan thought he had destroyed the Son of God!
The demons celebrated!
The plans for evil to take over the world could begin!
Those who hated Christ, like the religious crowd were content to get rid of this Jesus character!
Sinners would now have no hope!
Sinners would be lost forever, and ever, and ever!
But I thought I should say something…
The story doesn’t end there!
You see, I want to tell you…
“That on the third day early on the first day of the week some of Jesus’ followers had come to the place where the body of Jesus was lying to anoint him.
But when they arrived, they were amazed that they found the stone had been rolled away and Jesus’ body was gone.”
Let me “Say Something about this Man named Jesus!
He came at the right time, to the right place,
He preached the right words
He did the right thing…
“What was that?” you might ask.
I thought Somebody Should Say Something…
He died on the cross to pay our sin penalty!
He was buried!
The tomb was sealed and guarded!
Then on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave!
He triumphed over death, hell, and the grave!
He defeated Satan!
He provided redemption!
He will give eternal life to as many as would believe this and accept it!
Wait a minute… There’s more…
Somebody should Say Something…
Terrible suffering happened to Jesus!
Horrible Crucifixion happened to Jesus!
Absolute Death happened to Jesus.
Burial happened to Jesus.
Praise God! Resurrection did happen
Somebody Should Say Something… Jesus is alive!
Turn to your neighbor and say… “Somebody Should Say Something!”
Say it! Repeat after me…
It’s Easter!
Jesus is alive!
He lives!
He lives forever more!
One of my favorite hymns, written in 1874, by Robert Lowry tells the story well…
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
CONCLUSION:
This Easter morning, I just thought “Somebody Should Say Something!”
Church, tell me “Say Something!”
Tell me again, “Say Something!”
Let me say something…
He is not dead, for He is risen!
Easter is about Jesus
Easter is about His Resurrection!
Easter is about Hope!
Easter is about Forgiveness!
Easter is about Salvation!
I thought Somebody Should tell you…
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Jesus told us, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
I thought somebody ought to tell you…
Jesus loves you!
Jesus wants you to live forever!
INVITATION: I thought Somebody ought to ask you…
Have you trusted this risen Saviour?
Have you received the gift of Eternal Life?
Disclaimer: I am sharing this as one beggar to another; many have blessed me with their sermons, and I hope this will be a blessing to you. This sermon is an accumulation from several sources for which and to whom I am grateful, so I claim only partial originality for it. I have tried to tailor it to develop the sermon to fit my style and audience. I have sought to acknowledge credit to whom credit is due. I hope it will bless you.
