The Rock – The Roll – The Resurrection!
Thesis: We Today need to check the rock watch it roll and become a part of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter Sermon 2003
Text: Matthew 28:1-15; Luke 24:1-10; Mark 16:1-8
So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard (Mat 27:66 NIV).
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ’He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, ’His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day (Mat 28:1-15 NIV).
Other key verses:
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away (Mark 16:1-4 NIV).
Introduction:
Key to this historical passage is in "the stone" "the rock or stone in front of the tomb" yes "Check the Rock watch it roll and behold the resurrection!" It’s been moved – and it’s has rolled away any obstruction to participating in Christ’s Resurrection!
The Romans and Pharisees had sealed it and guarded it but "Check out the Rock it’s been moved!" The tomb of death has been opened because the rock a major obstacle has been rolled away.
I. Check the Rock and you discover that Jesus is not DEAD!
A. Illustration: In a park in California there is a rock hanging on a rope with a large sign next to it. Weather Station report "Check the rock if it’s wet it’s raining, if the rock is swinging it’s windy, if it’s dry it’s not raining, if you cannot see the rock it’s foggy, if the rock has been blown away it’s a tornado."
1. This humorous illustration has a profound statement in it and I want to draw your attention to it this Easter morning, "Check the Rock."
a. Today many of you have come to church with questions on your mind. I believe the statement "Check the rock!" is a verbal instruction to each of you with questions. It’s a statement giving us instruction on where to get our questions answered.
2. Let me take a guess at some of the questions you have:
Are you wondering about how to receive eternal life?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering what Easter is all about?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering how to be set free from your fear of death?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering how to be set free from your addictions?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering about how to be delivered from the sting of death?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering why Christianity is different than other religions?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Christianity is relevant to you today?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Jesus is God?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Jesus is who he said he is?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Jesus really conquered death?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Jesus is alive today?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if Jesus will speak to you today?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if he is coming again?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering if he keeps his promises?
Check the Rock!
Are you wondering why we love him so?
Check the Rock!
B. The pivotal point that sets Christianity apart from all other religions is the removal of the rock and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
1. Jesus Christ was crucified (Killed, murdered). He died just like he said he would in Luke 9:22 "And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
a. But the key here is he was raised from the dead like he said he would be. Just CHECK THE ROCK!
2. Jesus told his disciples many times this would happen "He promised it! And you know what he keeps his promises! - Luke 9:43-45 and Luke 18:31-34.
3. Quest Study Bible notes this about the question,” What changed at this pivotal point in history?”
The resurrection vindicated Jesus’ claims about himself, that he was the Son of God in the flesh, the fulfillment of God’s dealings with humankind. No longer would people have to follow rules and traditions to find salvation (Col. 2:20-23). The old covenant had been superseded by the new and the proof was in the resurrection. Because Jesus lives, he is the Messiah, the one to trust. Another way to look at this question is to ask what would be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead. If there had been no resurrection, Christianity as we know it would not exist. At most, Christians would be following the teachings of just another popular rabbi. His words merely would have joined the countless words of other religious writings. People would be left with no other option for salvation then to strive for absolute obedience. But the resurrection changed everything. People follow Christ’s teachings, not to BECOME saved, but because they ARE saved. They’ve discovered something even better than knowing WORDS; they’ve found what it means to know HIM! Because he was raised from the dead, we can be too. We can live-really live- both now and through all eternity (1463).
4. The observation of the condition and position of the rock was the first clue to all who went to the tomb that something had happened.
a. The rock was moved out of the way because the wind of the Spirit of the Lord had moved it to the side.
T.S. – We need to check the rock and then watch it roll away.
II. We not only need to check the rock but we need to see that it rolled away from the entrance to the tomb.
A. The story of Easter without the removal of the rock would provide each of us a sense of hopelessness.
1. Story:
a. There is a story told of a young mother who escaped on the last train out of Poland during World War II. She had here first born toddler and her nursing baby with her. The train came under severe attack many times as it tried to escape. A trip which would have usually taken a few hours ended up taking a few days. The food ran out and so did all forms of liquid. When they finally arrived at their destination the infant was starving, and ill. A group of nuns took the baby to the hospital to nurture it back to health. The mother was relieved at the apparent reprieve. But her blessing was short lived. That night the hospital was attacked and bombed by the third Reich. She woke up the next day to the devastating news that the hospital had been leveled and her baby was missing. She went to the hospital and the searchers gave her a flashlight to look for the infant’s body. What a tragic scene this portrays. Death was everywhere!
b. Thought: This my friend is the scene of GOOD FRIDAY -- Death all around—Jesus is dead! The cries of his followers can be heard throughout Jerusalem. They are saying he is sealed in the tomb if death now. It all looks hopeless!
c. Back to the Story: Piles of rock and debris are everywhere-- under that rock is her infant son -- in her eyes there is no hope -- the word is he’s dead! He is buried in his tomb of rocks and debris.
The questions are racing through her mind, why? Why God? What did my little boy or I do to deserve this? She starts going through the “what ifs” of life. What if I would have not let him go to the hospital? What if? What if? What if?
d. Thought: A life without Easter would provide this same sense of hopelessness for those looking for their lost ones. When there loved ones die there just dead never to be seen again. All that’s left is a lifeless limp body. No hope no life only despair! But wait there is a different ending than what is expected in this story!
e. Back to the Story: This mother desperately roots through the rubble moving away all the rocks looking for her dead lifeless son’s body. Remember there are others all around crying with her all because death and destruction has taken their children’s and loved ones lives. She has watched as others have pulled there lifeless loved ones from the rubble. She thinks there is no hope only death and despair. Then she hears a cry -- could it be? She runs over to where the cry comes from. She rolls back the stone and there in an air pocket under all the rubble is her son. He’s alive, He’s alive she yells! Pulling him out from his tomb she picks him up holds him high up in the air then hugs him tightly. She is feeling an incredible surge of relief, mingled with joy. All the questions she once had need not be answered now, all the what ifs don’t matter any more. Her baby is alive!
2. My friend this is what Easter does. Easter changes the mood of hopelessness from the crucifixion on Friday to relief and joy on Sunday (Resurrection Sunday).
a. Today we participate in the event that separates Christianity from all other religions. It’s the day that empowers Christianity and it empowers us!
b. When you check out the rock you discover it has been moved by the power of the Lord. The earth shook the angel pushed and the rock rolled. It has rolled away from the tomb and has unlocked death by bringing life into a place of death.
c. When you go to the tomb of Jesus there is no body because there is no death – He is alive! He defeated death! He kept his promise to rise again and he wants you to walk into the tomb to see that He is not there. That is why he had the angel roll back the stone so everyone could see that He is alive!
3. Paul emphasizes a key point to us when he says in I Corinthians 15:14, 17 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
a. The Resurrection validates – authenticates the Gospel of Jesus Christ – it is not a deception but the truth backed up with action. He defeated death and rose from the grave!
1. Its true! It’s real! It’s genuine! Praise the Lord!
2. It is not a scam like the recent scam I encountered a couple of weeks ago here at New Life.
a). Tell the story of the so-called donation to the Lord from Glady’s Newman and Westfalia Finance’s scam for 29.6 million dollars.
4. The rolled away rock proves that Jesus opened a door that before was sealed shut and that entrance shows us there is a way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
a. When the rock rolled so did all obstacles to eternal life.
b. With the rolling away of the rock the resurrection became possible.
c. With the rolling away of the rock death was defeated.
d. With the rolling away of the rock the promises of God were unlocked to all who came to the open tomb.
e. With the rock being rolled away all could see that Jesus was no longer in the grave but risen.
T.S. – We need to check the rock observe that it has been rolled away from the entrance to the tomb and look inside and behold the Resurrection.
III. The Resurrection tells us that with God all things are possible and it validates the claims of Jesus.
A. Christ’s Resurrection shows us that his promises are always kept even when we think they cannot or will not be kept.
a. An unknown author has made a list of "Our Thinking verses God’s Promises.” This list helps us realize that our thinking is not always correct when it comes to the what the Lord can do:
We think: "It’s impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
We think: "I’m too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
We think: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 33:16& John 13:34)
We think: "I can not go on" God says: My grace is sufficient for you (II Corinthians. 12:9& Psalm 91:15)
We think: "I can’t figure things out" God says I will direct you steps (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
We think: "I can’t do it" God says: You can do all things through me (Phil.4:13)
We think: "I’m not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians. 9:8)
We think: "It’s not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
We think: "I can’t forgive myself" God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
We think: "I can’t manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Phi. 4:19)
We think: "I’m afraid" God says: I have not given you the spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7)
We think: "I’m always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)
We think: "I don’t have enough faith" God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
We think: "I’m not smart enough" God says I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
We think: "I feel alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:4, 5)
b. These are God’s promises - How do you know he keeps his promises "Check the rock, observe that it has been rolled away and behold the Resurrection of Jesus" - he said he would rise from the dead. We did not think he could -- But God keeps his promises!
c. With the Historical fact of the resurrection we now know we can look forward to a time when we ourselves are resurrected to meet Jesus face to face in Heaven. I sometimes wonder what this will be like but the truth is I can only Imagine.
i. I have a song I want to play for you on DVD- this song is from I - worship Integrity music – I Can Only Imagine! It helps us try to imagine how wonderful this day will be and remember it’s all made possible by the Resurrection.
ii. Play DVD!
Conclusion:
Today many people are afraid and unwilling to trust anyone or anything. They are afraid of what tomorrow will hold. They are so wrapped up in what they think and others think that life has no joy. They become consumed in the material world and when the stock market crashes, or unemployment soars, or the economy goes bad they crash with it. But here is the key to Easter and those who know Jesus personally – They have a life which is not dependent on the stock market, economics, unemployment, and the like. Life is worth living because Jesus is alive and He has given us abundant life
You see, the message of Easter is not that there is no death. It’s not that you won’t face death. It’s that there is life in death.
For example a little girl who had walked through a cemetery everyday on her way home from school was asked if she was afraid walking through the cemetery. She responded with this answer, ‘No, I simply cross it to get home."
That’s the key folks! That is what the resurrection and the stone being rolled away did to death. It has turned death into a harmless pathway to home. As Jesus was resurrected from death, so resurrection awaits us all. Those who are in Christ will be raised from death to life with him forever. The fear of death has gone!
We discover something else today -- The birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ are related! He was born so that He could die and rise again! The message of Christmas finds it’s fulfillment in the message of the empty tomb! Christmas is the promise, and Easter is the fulfillment of that promise and the proof that He will fulfill all His promises.
Today is the day that tells us all that there is hope and the assurance that we will one day walk through death and experience the resurrection to eternal life. And it’s all a result of Jesus life-death-and resurrection.
Let us Pray!
