That First Resurrection Morning

B. Today: How many people do you know who have heard the gospel message and have never acted on the A’s, B’s, C’s and D’s of Salvation? A = Admit you are a sinner. B = Believe that Jesus is the only Messiah who can save you. C = Confess him as Lord and confess your sins to him. D = Become a Disciple of Jesus. Friends, if you have not given your life to Jesus you are missing out on real joy and peace. Believe today and begin to really experience the joy of the Lord, Christian joy.

VII. FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

A. Then: “The guards…reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.”(v.11) Even though the Scripture does not record it, I wonder if the guards had also seen the resurrected Jesus? Had they seen, and yet because of their lack of a personal relationship with Jesus, or their greed for money, or perhaps their fear of death for failing in their mission to keep Jesus in the tomb--dared to go along with the lies of the priests and report that Jesus’ body had been stolen? The priests concocted a lie and the soldiers were quick to repeat that lie to all who asked.

B. Today: I personally know religious leaders who do not believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of God. Because of their own unbelief, they willfully overlook certain parts of Holy Scripture, or they substitute another book or philosophy or way of salvation to replace Jesus, the Only Way. The whole purpose of the guards was to keep Jesus in the tomb. They failed and lied—But thank God that not too many years later the Roman Empire was declared a Christian empire—And thank God that down through the ages there have been Christians who believed, and still believe, the Bible to be the Holy Word of God. They believe and teach that it contains all the truth necessary to lead those who by faith believe to Jesus, to a new birth, and to an eternal heavenly home.

There are those false teachers who say that Jesus was a good man and great teacher, a unifying influence for good in society, a historical figure—But that he is and always has been dead. They buy into the myth created by the guards and priests that Jesus’ resurrection was a well-planned hoax—A hoax that has become a legend only to be brought out at Christmas and Easter and then put out of sight until the next holiday. They teach that the Bible is no longer valid for this modern society. We must, by our words and actions, be sure that as we teach others that Jesus, is the living, unchanging Truth, that we are displaying the true love of God. God will judge good or bad stewards by what we know and do or do not do…

This Easter there will be some pastors who will preach on their doubts and not preach with faith the gospel story that is true and must be believed as the only way to salvation. Jesus was either Messiah, Savior, Lord, God—Or he was a liar and a fool. The Bible warns us that in the last days there will be many antichrists influencing people to live lives of unbelief. God have mercy on their souls.

CONCLUSION

On that first resurrection morning there were Believers and there were Unbelievers. There were Disciples and there were Enemies. This Easter, churches will be filled with Believers and with Unbelievers. During these final two weeks of Lent, may we review the story of resurrection and may we believe. If we want to be saved, we must believe Jesus is Lord and obey his teachings. As we study the story of that first resurrection morning, may we see our sin and helplessness, and may we by faith and like the Philippian Jailer, who after seeing the miracle of Paul’s and Silas’ release from prison asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(Acts 16:30) Then may we do what Paul and Silas told that jailer to do: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”(Acts 16:31) Believe the on the Christ of eternity and be saved today.

(NIV Bible Quotes)

(Ron Keller 3/28/04)