The Rock-The Roll- The Resurrection

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?