"HOW TO FIND VICTORY IN LIFE"
Matthew 28:1-10 (NASB)
by Bobby Gilstrap
How can you find victory in life when things around you are falling apart?
Yesterday morning (4/22/00), INS Agents stormed the house where Elian Gonzalas was staying. That little boy was taken from that house to be reunited with his father. The streets erupted in violence.
How can you find victory when life is so unsettled?
This week, we were reminded twice of the incredible evil in our world. First, the OKC bombing memorial was opened reminding us of the 168 lives that were lost in the worst terrorist act on U.S. soil. Second, we were reminded that it was only a year ago when two very sick young men walked into their High School at Colombine shooting and killing classmates and a teacher.
How do you find victory when evil seems to be all around us?
Maybe your areas of defeat are much more personal.
How did you feel this week when you heard that the stock exchange crashed? Fear? Trembling? Glad it recovered? Maybe your defeats are financial.
Possibly you suffered through a recent separation or divorce . . . maybe you’ve lost a loved one . . . maybe you’ve lost your job . . .
We celebrate Easter Sunday as the most victorious day in the calendar of the Christian Church. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is symbolized by new Easter clothes, the bright colors of daffodils and beautiful, white Easter lilies. But most of all, the wonder of His resurrection is symbolized in the hope that beats in the hearts of believers everywhere as they sing triumphantly: "Christ the Lord is risen today."
This morning, I want us to focus on HOW TO FIND VICTORY IN LIFE today and for eternity.
In our Bible reading for today, Matthew 28:1-10; we see one account of the discovery of the empty tomb on that first Easter morning.
READ Matthew 28:1-10
The glorious truth of the empty tomb is that the risen Christ gives us
VICTORY over our past,
VICTORY in the present, and
VICTORY in the future!
"Jesus is Alive!" is the message that lifts Christianity out of the category of dead superstitions and archaic religions and makes it the abiding faith of millions.
The greatest news ever is that Christ the Lord is risen. On the day of the resurrection the angel at the tomb delivered the most important message that has ever fallen on the ears of mankind. Verse 6 records the incredible phrase: "He is not here: for he is risen."
THIS MORNING,
A. YOU CAN FIND VICTORY OVER YOUR PAST
In John 5:25, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."
Over the years, I’ve seen individuals who would be considered among the living dead. Life to them has become a hollow joke; a substitute for reality. For them life has lost its purpose and meaning. These people are bored and fed up; they have no zest for living. They are defeated by their past. The burden of their sin has become more than they can handle.
I’ve seen these people come in simple, trusting faith to the living Christ. They’ve put their trembling hands into the strong and steady hands of the crucified and risen Christ. I’ve seen them take hold of the living Christ and step out of a casket of broken hopes and dreams to become happy and useful people, filled with purpose and power.
The truth of the empty tomb has never changed. The Christ who walked on this earth nearly 2000 years ago still lives today, forgiving our sins and giving Salvation to those who believe. Regardless of our past, God can forgive us and give us victory over the sins of our past so we can live for Him now.
THIS MORNING,
B. YOU CAN ALSO FIND VICTORY IN YOUR PRESENT
By all appearances, the lives of Jesus’ followers had fallen apart at his death. Everything they knew and understood about Jesus had disappeared. They mourned his death and feared for their own lives. But after His resurrection they found the power to live victoriously day by day.
We also can be assured that Jesus wants us to have victory in the present. Jesus said in John 10:10: "For I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly." Jesus wants us to live an abundant and victorious life regardless of our situation.
I love the story of Richard Moore. He accepted Christ as his Savior on Easter Sunday in 1985 while serving on death row in the Indiana State Penitentiary. One year later, on Easter morning, Chuck Colson and a group of prison volunteers made a surprise visit to death row. They were led through the inner maze of cellblocks to the end of the line where men await execution.
There were 10 men isolated there, and most were still asleep. The only outside light came from small windows high in the concrete walls. It didn’t look much like Easter in there. It was depressingly cold, dark and clammy. As the group walked past the cells, the men blinked and rubbed their eyes in dull surprise to see visitors so early. They barely responded to their greetings, then rolled over to go back to sleep.
On the second level they could see one brightly lit cell. Somehow they knew it was Richard Moore’s. He was up, smiling as if he were waiting for the group to arrive. He thrust his hands through the thick bars of his cell, joyfully greeting each visitor. His smile broadened as he talked about his feeling that day. He said, "When I was on the outside, Easter meant new clothes and going to church to see what everyone else was wearing. Today I’m in this place," he said gesturing toward the other dark cells and their uninterested occupants, "but now I KNOW what Easter really means!"
One of the women in the group had brought a guitar. She began to play a familiar hymn as they sang of the victory Christ gives us today:
"I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living, whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him he’s always near.
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives:
He lives within my heart."
Those victorious words rang throughout Death row, echoing through the sterile cellblocks of the penitentiary.
Prisoners like Richard Moore know full well the darkness and emptiness of our society. But when Christ comes into their lives He sets them free. For them Easter in not an annual celebration; it’s a daily reality.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and said, "If Christ had not been raised, then our faith is worthless." There would be no reason to celebrate Easter in prison nor anywhere else. For what makes Christianity unique is its claim to the actual factual bodily resurrection and empty tomb of Jesus Christ.
I don’t know what imprisons you this morning. Maybe you’re being held captive by stress, loneliness, depression, fear, insecurity, resentment, or failure. Maybe there’s something else that has your life imprisoned in agony and defeat.
There’s good news! Christ is alive. He wants to give you victory in your present. Victory over your sin, victory over your doubts, victory over your fears, victory over death. The risen Christ wants you to have an abundant life in Him today and everyday!
FINALLY, THIS MORNING,
C. YOU CAN FIND VICTORY IN YOUR FUTURE
The future is of great concern to most of us. Our world looks to fortune tellers, astrologers and psychics hoping to find answers to tomorrow. We know that one day we’ll all die, but we want to postpone the moment at all cost. Philosophers have their theories and medical doctors have their scientific data all to prove and evaluate life and death.
One of the greatest enemies that we face is death. Many are asking: "Is there any hope? Is there any way out? Is there a possibility of everlasting life?
The answers are all at Jesus’ empty tomb. As the angel stood at the tomb and said, "You seek Jesus of Nazareth. He is risen, he is not here."
At the end of the day a first grade teacher gave each child in her class an empty LEGG egg container which had held a pair of panty hose. She told the children to each go home and find something that they felt represented life, and put it in their LEGG egg container.
The next day, the teacher was ready to discuss the items the children brought. On her desk were displayed 23 LEGG egg containers each holding a child’s example of life. The children were extremely excited. You could feel the excitement in the room.
As the teacher began, she cautiously wanted to avoid one little boys container. His name was Steven. Little Steven suffered from an incurable disease. Often times he misunderstood the directions to homework assignments, so the teacher wanted to spare him any embarrassment.
She picked up the first container to open it. A child giggled with anticipation. The teacher opened the egg to find a beautiful flower. "Oh what a wonderful symbol of life," the teacher said. "Flowers do remind us of life. Thank you for the pretty flower."
When the teacher opened the second container, out flew a magnificent butterfly. The class screamed with enthusiasm as they watched the butterfly flutter all around the room. Again the teacher affirmed the student who brought the butterfly.
As she began to open the third LEGG egg container she noticed that it was real heavy. Thinking it was Steven’s, she placed it back on the desk and began to move on to another container. When she did, a child in the back of the room screamed, "Teacher, that’s my egg, please open it." Seeing it was not Steven’s, she picked it back up and opened it. Inside, was a cold gray rock. A bit confused, the teacher said, "But, it’s just a rock?" The child said, "Turn it over." She did, and the bottom side of the rock was covered with moss. "Yes, yes!" exclaimed the teacher. "Living moss on the bottom of a dead rock, that’s a great symbol of life."
She continued by picking up another egg. This time it felt empty. She just knew it had to be Steven’s so she put it aside. Almost immediately, a little boy yelled out, "That’s my egg." It was Steven, and he had noticed that she had put his egg back on the desk.
She told Steven that she would look at his later. But he insisted that she open it in front of the whole class. She picked it back up, and slowly opened it. Looking inside, she discovered IT WAS empty. At a loss for words, the teacher repeated her instructions. She said "Steven, our assignment was to bring in a sign of life, how does this empty container remind you life?"
After a long pause, Steven looked up and said, "But teacher, wasn’t Jesus’ tomb empty?" ......... "Yes, it was," the teacher agreed. Steven, that is the best symbol of real life, an empty tomb.
The teacher continued opening the containers then moved on to other things that day.
Several months passed and we find ourselves in a church at the funeral of little Steven. His body was finally defeated by disease. On the front right pews sit 22 first graders and their teacher. As we approach the opened casket, we see little Steven’s body...surrounded by 22 empty and opened LEGG egg containers.
Little Steven didn’t have much to look forward to in this world. But he understood that because Jesus was resurrected from the grave and is alive, he had victory in the future. He need not fear death.
CONCLUSION
Christ is Alive! We need not live in regret of our past, in frustration with the present or in fear of the future. Christ died and arose for the forgiveness of your sins so that he might bring you back to God.
INVITATION
This morning you can FIND VICTORY IN LIFE by surrendering to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You may be defeated today by your situation in life. Maybe it’s a difficult relationship at work or home. Possibly you’ve been defeated by a physical or emotional illness. Maybe it seems that your entire world is caving in around you. You can find victory this morning in the empty tomb.
If you believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried and resurrected from the grave, then the Bible says that you can have eternal life. I want to invite you this morning to step into one of these isles and come, publicly accepting the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Possibly, you are here this morning, having made a commitment to Jesus Christ some time ago, but you realize this morning that you’ve not been faithful in your commitment to Him. You can come this morning recommitting your life to "serve the risen Savior."
This morning you may have the overwhelming sense that you need to join the Fletcher First Baptist Church family in membership. You’ve discovered that this is "Where You Belong!" You come this morning, committing yourself to this local body of believers.
ENDNOTES
Decision Magazine, March 1986.
Alternate Illustration: Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.
Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art. "I’m an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.
True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.
As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any
interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.
With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.
"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old
guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all!"
Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter day, the message is still the same - the love of a Father - a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father’s love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.
