Sermons on Whitewashed Tombs:

Faith Revisited 1 Peter 3:19-21 Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Apr 10, 2015

: In 1 Peter 3:19-21 seems to provide a description of an event that transpired while Jesus was in the tomb for three (3) days. This is a very difficult passage to understand its meaning or implication.

Title: Faith Revisited Big Idea: In 1 Peter 3:19-21 seems to provide a description of an event that transpired while Jesus was in the tomb for three (3) days. This is a very difficult passage to understand its meaning or implication. Students of the Bible have developed different understandings of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Emmaus Road - A Deeper Study

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 28, 2017

Sometimes, life feels much like that Friday when Jesus died and was laid in the tomb. We feel Discouraged, Doubt, Disappointment! But as Tony Compolo says: ...... "It's Friday, ... but Sunday's a comin'"!

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scriptures read prior to the Message. The assigned readings for today are: Acts 2: 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3,10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23 and Luke 24:13-35. Only Luke records the story. Not a word from Matthew, or Mark, or John. And after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Anglican

New Hope

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 27, 2016

This leads us to a tremendous truth for our lives today. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has overcome the dark tomb of our ancient despair with the bright promise of His new hope.

Tom Lowe April 21, 2016 Title: New Hope Recent archeological expeditions have unearthed surprising discoveries in Europe—families buried together side by side in ancient cemeteries—destroying older ideas about pre-historic man in Europe. Now we understand they had some of the same ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Is Believing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2021

Peter, John and Mary Magdalene all saw the empty tomb... but they all came away with different conclusions. What can we learn from these first three witnesses of the risen Christ?

On May 4, 1865, after weeks of his body being on display in Washington D.C. and a few other cities, Abraham Lincoln was “laid to rest” in a cemetery near his home in Springfield, Illinois. But Lincoln didn’t "rest in peace." In 1876, there was a plot to raid his grave and steal his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing God - Matthew 5:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 6, 2024

I believe this is one of the most important sermons I’ve ever preached—especially the first half, which describes what “seeing” an invisible God means, and the specific ways in which seeing God transforms your character. The rest of the message is about how to see God through purity of heart.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

A Sense Of Accomplishment

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Apr 29, 2003

What did Jesus feel in the pre-dawn darkness as He stood outside the empty tomb? Elation, a sense of victory? Yes, but even moreso, a sense of accomplishment for what He had done.

Passage: Isaiah 53:10-12 Intro: It has to be one of the greatest feelings there is. 1. you fill in the last figure on the spreadsheet and click on “print” 2. you finish the last part of the wall, clean up the mess, and then stand back to admire the new look because of the paint you have app. 3. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Faith Falls Short

Contributed by John Knight on Jan 31, 2003

We can no longer remain in the tomb, but must move to the resurrection. We must do more than accept forgiveness of sins, we must accept Christ’s transformation of our lives.

When Faith Falls Short John 11:1-44 Introduction: A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued: "Is anyone up there?" "I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?" "Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can’t hang ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Holiness

Washing The Disciples Feet - An Acted Parable

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jun 16, 2001

The washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus was his way of teaching them humility in serving others, a dramatised parable of his submission to death, an anticipation of the Cross and the Empty Tomb abd a message for us today.

WASHING THE DISCIPLES’ FEET - AN ACTED PARABLE On the night before His Passion Jesus spoke some wonderfully prophetic words: "You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand" (John 13:7). These are the words of Jesus addressed to His disciples. The scene is the room in ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Rest Of The Story

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 2, 2015

This Easter sermon focuses on the resurrection of Jesus and the potential resurrection of his followers which complete the story of Jesus. We often focus on his death, but the empty tomb is good news that requires a response.

1. The Rest of the Story was a Monday-through-Friday radio program originally hosted by Paul Harvey. Beginning as a part of his newscasts during the Second World War and then premiering as its own series on the ABC Radio Networks on May 10, 1976, The Rest of the Story consisted of stories presented ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection: It’s Reality And Our Response

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 14, 2015

The resurrection shows us the overwhelming grace of God and the overwhelming humaneness of man. The disciples were afraid and confused after the death of Jesus. Look deep in the tomb and see the reality of the resurrection and the response it requires

Intro: I heard about a church organist who overslept one Easter morning. She said, "The service was scheduled for 6:30. At 6:31, the minister called to see if I was coming. Since I live near the church, I was at the organ by 6:45. Then, a year later on Easter morning my phone rang at 5:45. When I ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph Of Arimathea Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

In taking Jesus to His new tomb Joseph was fulfilling the prophecy of Isa. 53:9, which said, "Men made His grave with the criminals, and He was with the rich in His death."

The danger of making a hero out of a man who does a great thing after a long time of doing nothing is that you give the impression that there was nothing lost by doing it that way. A man lives a life of sin, or of indifference to God's will, and suddenly he sees the light and is wondrously ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:55-66

Free Refills Of His Victory Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2010

Why did John focus on Mary Magdalene’s viist to the tomb in his gospel? What was there about what she saw and what she believed that made her story so important to his story?

OPEN: I’m going to name 4 characters in a famous TV show and then I’m going to ask you to name that show. Ready? Bert and Ernie The Cookie Monster Big Bird Name that show! (Sesame Street). Now, how many of you remember a character from that show named “Mr. Hooper”? (a few hands were raised) ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, John 20:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Disciple Peter - Lord, Not My Feet, But My Feet Will Follow - Part 2 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 14, 2022

What did the washing of the feet imply and why did Peter object? His desire was to be fully given to his Lord. Jesus promised a threefold denial that must have rocked Peter.

THE DISCIPLE PETER - LORD, NOT MY FEET, BUT MY FEET WILL FOLLOW - PART 2 OF 4 SERIES - THE CHARACTERS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL We are doing a 4 part series on the Apostle Peter and today come to the second Part. This wonderful, devoted man has so much to teach us. John 13 v 5 Then He poured water ...read more

Scripture: John 13:5-10, Luke 7:44, John 13:36-38, John 21:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Resurrection: Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 16, 2025

Some of you have played Jenga with your family, right? You seek to pull piece after piece out without the tower collapsing. If Christianity were a Jenga tower, the resurrection is the one block that, when pulled, the tower comes crashing down every single time.

Dead people stay dead.1 “Nobody goes to funerals and says, ‘What’s the over/under if this person comes alive again?’” I have yet to see one dead person come back to life. I doubt you have seen any dead person live again, either. Once people have gone down the road of death, they just don’t return.2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Start Of Something New Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 18, 2006

With the empty tomb, God demonstrated that he was doing something new. We live out the reality that God is doing something new as we walk in faith in the relationship that God made with us at our baptism.

John 20:1-18 “The Start of Something New” INTRODUCTION It was near dawn on that first Easter, when Mary Magdalene approached Jesus’ tomb. It was probably a morning that was not all that different from this one. Mary expected to find a tomb with a stone rolled across its entrance. She assumed ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran