Sermon Central
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The Stone Was Rolled Away
Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 16, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Amazing Passion Week
? Read v7 from my bible
o And Peter…strikes me as humorous.
? Not humor in what they were going through, but humor in the over-all situation that existed.
? And Peter…as though he weren’t one of the disciples, but include him!
? No, I believe that Jesus knew that Peter was deeply distraught over denying and fleeing Jesus.
? “The disciples” but specifically Peter, by name. He wanted Peter to know that Jesus called him by name.
? Jesus calls you by name, too.
? Have you ever began a journey, absolutely dreading going on that journey (you know, like your spouses family or high school reunion), but then the outcome was totally unexpected?
? Maybe you were a reluctant candidate for Tres Dias, but by Sunday, you felt so blessed that you didn’t miss it?
? Think about these women who journeyed to Jesus’ tomb. They had to be dreading that journey.
? Matthew 28:8 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
? Began the journey to the tomb, dreading it.
? Ran with joy from the tomb, to share the Good News!
? Shouldn’t that be US church? Running from the tomb with joy, to spread the Good News?
Here’s just a few reminders of the significance of the stone rolled away and the empty tomb:
? The empty tomb means there is forgiveness-
o Two questions after reading of Benjamins Box, and these are huge questions coming from the mouths of babes!
? Why did Jesus have to die?
• Crystals answer was simple and beautiful “So that we could be forgiven”.
? But why did they want Jesus to die?
• Crystals answer went something like this: Satan was working through Jesus’ enemies and they thought they were doing the right thing.
? So, the empty tomb means forgiveness!
The stone was rolled away!
I firmly believe that Jesus could have left that tomb without the stone being rolled away, because let’s face it, He’s God.
But the stone that was rolled away, has such a deep meaning for us as believers, that I don’t want us to miss it!
That stone represents our sins.
That stone was removed. Removed from our lives.
? Doubt-rolled away
? Confusion-rolled away
? Self-pity-rolled away
? Lack of anything-rolled away
? Death-rolled away
Last week we looked at Jesus’ last words on the cross.
Our English bibles use the words “it is finished”. That is translated from a single Greek word “Tetelestia” (te-tell-es-tie) meaning “paid in full”.
