The Stone Has Been Rolled Away

The Stone Has Been Rolled Away

Study Text: Mark 16:1 - 4

Introduction:

The women went out early in the morning to go and beautify the tomb of Jesus, but suddenly remembered the great stone at the entrance which they are not capable of rolling away.

Therefore, they asked: Who shall roll away the stone for us?

This is the same question that many of us would have asked if we were in a similar situation. Who would help them roll away the stone?

But then we read from scripture: Mark 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

To their amazement, the stone had already been rolled away. With God, no obstacle, no hindrance, no limitation and no impossibility. Only we need to reach out with our faith in His Word and His Power.

We shall be looking at four stones Jesus rolled away with His resurrection from the dead:

1. The Stone of Dominion of Sin

2. The Stone of Distress of Sickness

3. The Stone of Death of Saints

4. The Stone of Defeat by Satan

1. The Stone of Dominion of Sin

The Bible teaches us that sin is a stone in every person’s life that needs to be rolled away. Romans 3:23.

Our sin is like a huge stone that holds us in the grave. We read also from the Bible that the “wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23.

That means not only physical death, but also spiritual death, and even eternal death in the lake of fire known as hell. Revelation 20:11-15

But praise be unto God, the stone of sin has been rolled away. The Bible says that ‘the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 6:23.

The question we all must answer is “Why was Jesus crucified?” The Bible gives us the answer to that question. “Christ died for our sins…” (1 Corinthians 15:3

Jesus died for the sins of the world. John 3:16; 1 John 2:2

The Bible tells us that Jesus not only died for our sins, He also rose again from death on the third day. 1 Corinthians 15:3

Christ’s resurrection is God’s proof that Christ’s death made a sufficient atonement for our sins. Romans 4:25

After we experience Salvation in Christ Jesus, the Word of God declared that Sin shall no longer have dominion over us. Romans 8: 11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17

2. The Stone of Distress of Sickness

Sickness, like a heavy stone, can hinder our journey in life, but through faith and reliance on God, we can find the strength to roll it away and experience healing and freedom.

Just as a large stone can block a path, sickness can create obstacles in our lives, hindering our ability to live fully and pursue God's purpose.

Sickness can bring physical pain, emotional distress, and spiritual discouragement, making it feel like a heavy burden to carry.

The uncertainty of illness and its potential consequences can lead to fear and anxiety, which is further weighing us down.

God is not indifferent to our suffering; He understands our pain and desires to heal and deliver us from sickness.Through prayer, we can seek God's intervention and healing, trusting that He is able to roll away the stone of sickness.

Jesus, through His miracles and teachings, demonstrated God's power to heal and overcome sickness, offering hope and deliverance to those who suffer.

Even in the face of sickness, we can find comfort in the promise of eternal life and the hope of a future free from pain and suffering.

We must trust that God knows the best time and way to heal us, even if it doesn't happen immediately or in the way we expect.

We should seek God's guidance through prayer, scripture, and the counsel of Church elders to navigate the challenges of sickness.

Even in the midst of suffering, we must hold onto hope and trust that God will lead us to healing and freedom.

We should use our experiences with sickness as an opportunity to grow in faith, compassion, and service to others.

Let us remember that God is our healer and He is able to roll away the stone of sickness from our lives. Let us trust in His power to heal and deliver us, and to lead us to a life of wholeness and purpose.

Let us find strength in our faith, knowing that even in the midst of suffering, God is with us and He will never leave us.

3. The Stone of Death of Saints

Many of us have experienced the pain and sorrow of a loved one dying.

The Bible says, “But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those having fallen asleep, so that you should not be grieved, just as also the rest, those having no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those having fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)