Mark 16:9-11
9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. (KJV)
Contrasted with
John 20:19-20
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (KJV)
HOPE
Mark 16:9-11
A. The disciples who followed Jesus in the day of his flesh had some wonderful advantages. Examine the thinking of the disciples as to why they followed Jesus.
I do know that they were definitely not disappointed.
* They heard things they never dreamed they would hear.
* They saw things they never dreamed they would see.
a. They saw the thousands fed.
b. They saw the blind see.
c. They saw the crippled walk.
e. They saw the sick be made well.
f. They saw the dead be raised.
g. They saw broken lives put together.
h. They saw him speak to the wind and the waves.
THEY WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED BY FOLLOWING JESUS.
THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT FOLLOWING JESUS. BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CHANGED.
B. Judas betrayed Jesus. He prayed alone in the garden. The soldiers came and arrested Him. He went before the Sanhedrin and was tried. He went before Pilot and was tried and was condemned to death. The mob cried "Crucify Him, Crucify Him, we will not have this man reign over us. His blood be on us and our children."
They led him up Golgotha hill and crucified Him. HE DIED, HE DIED, HE DIED.
They wrapped him in a linen cloth and laid him in a borrowed tomb and sealed the door.
C. Now, what happened to the disciples when Jesus was laid in the tomb?
(Look at the text again.) They were mourning and weeping.
Why was the disciples mourning and weeping?
They had lost HOPE. There hope had been sealed in a borrowed tomb. There hope had been crucified. Their hope had died.
THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE SHRED OF HOPE.
D. Mr. Wagnall who helped compile the "Funk & Wagnall Dictionary". Was asked what were the saddest words in the English language. He said, UNLOVED - LONELY - HOPELESS.
The disciples were without any HOPE.
E. If I have ever seen a picture of our world today, it is this. Countless thousands and millions of lives today are WITHOUT HOPE. Little Children - Young People - Wives - Husbands - Families - Churches - Communities - Cities - Countries - Politician. People are shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders and giving up in a state of hopelessness.
Today you may not see a lot of people mourning and weeping on the outside but there are multitudes who are mourning and weeping on the inside. Some of you here today can look inside and say, "I am mourning and weeping on the inside". WHY?
A State of Hopelessness.
F. HAVE YOU LOST HOPE TODAY? DID YOU EVER HAVE HOPE?
You see when the disciples lost hope they got discouraged, despondent, depressed, and desperate.
G. THE STORY DOESN’T END THERE. Aren’t YOU GLAD?
That tomb would not keep Him.
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.
Death could not keep it prey, Jesus my Savior, He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord.
Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph ore 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.
H. The disciples mourning turned to laughing. There weeping turned to joy. He is not dead - He is risen.
If I today did not believe in the fact that Jesus is alive. I would have no hope at all.
BECAUSE HE LIVES I CAN FACE TOMORROW.
BECAUSE HE LIVES ALL FEAR IS GONE.
I. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF OUR HOPE.
The secret to the new found hope and joy that the disciples had is found in Verse 20.
John 20:19-20
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. [Then] were the disciples glad, [when] they saw the Lord.
The 2 key words to understanding this truth is THEN & WHEN.
Let us first analyze what verse 20 did not say.
1. It did not say THEN were the disciples glad WHEN they saw their circumstances.
2. It did not say THEN were the disciples glad WHEN they saw there self.
3. It did not say THEN were the disciples glad WHEN they saw each other.
4. It did not say THEN were the disciples glad WHEN they saw their doctrine.
These will steal your hope & joy Self - 2. Others - 3. things - 4. Circumstances
It did say THEN WERE THE DISCIPLES GLAD WHEN THEY SAW THE LORD.
A. What is not the basis of our hope.
B. The basis of our HOPE & JOY is Jesus Christ.
MY LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.
C. The basis of our hope is in three phases of the person and work of Christ.
1. My hope is in Christ as the living and written Word of God. How does that work.
* I was a lost sinner one day and the Word said, "Jesus died for my sin . . . . ." HOPE
* My sins were black as midnight but the Word said, "Though you sin be as scarlet. . ."
* I said, "Lord I can walk this life alone:" & the Word said, "I’ll never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you until the end . . . ."
* I see this world going to hell in every way. but the Word says, This same Jesus will come again. Let not you heart be trouble. etc.
2. I have hope because of the living presence of the Son of God in the person of the Holy Spirit.
* His Spirit bears with my spirit.
* My God is real because I can feel Him . .
I serve a risen Savior. .. . .
3. I have hope because of experience of life.
HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED (DISAPPOINTED).
He has never let me down. He has never let any other Christian down.
II. THE BLESSING OF LIVING IN HOPE.
A. We can rejoice.
Rom. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
B. We have the love of God.
Rom. 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
C. We have the power of the Holy Ghost.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
D. We have a reason to live a purified life.
I John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
